cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
REAL GDP IN THE SEVEN COLONIES OF AUSTRALASIA: 1861–1991

Using data on regional money stocks, a variant of Fisher's (1911) quantity theory of money identity, and a technique first suggested by Doblin (1951) and Friedman (1961), this paper presents the first consistently-based estimates of real GDP in each of the seven British colonies of Australasia for the period 1861–1991. Examination of the historical pattern of growth in the regional economies of Australasia has not previously been undertaken, due in particular to the dearth of data on aggregate incomes for the colonies (later states) of Australia. The data calculated here reveal the historical pattern of the domination of New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand in real Australasian GDP, and the shrinkage of the cross-sectional dispersion of real per capita GDP in the seven colonies over this 13 1-year period.
Pentylenetetrazol: an antagonist of GABA at primary afferents of the isolated frog spinal cord.

In the isolated frog spinal cord, pentylenetetrazole in concentrations over 10−2 M, selectively abolished dorsal root potential evoked by ventral root stimulation and attenuated dorsal root potential generated by stimulation of adjacent dorsal root. In the same concentration pentylenetetrazole differentially affected some neutral amino acid responses without interfering with the glutamate response. On the dorsal root, β-alanine and taurine depolarizing responses were abolished and the γ-aminobutyric acid response was attenuated. In contrast to other convulsants, pentylenetetrazole was found to antagonize the depolarizing component of neutral amino acid responses of frog motoneurones.
Phospholipase C-γ, protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II are involved in platelet-derived growth factor-induced phosphorylation of Tiam1

In Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, the Rac1-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor Tiam1 is phosphorylated by several different agonists. We show here that PDGF induces threonine phosphorylation of Tiam1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Tiam1 phosphorylation was significantly reduced by the selective protein kinase C inhibitor Ro-31-8220 and by KN93, an inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. The Ca2+ chelator BAPTA/AM totally abrogated Tiam1 phosphorylation, indicating that Ca2+ is essential for this phosphorylation. Moreover, PDGF-stimulated Tiam1 phosphorylation was markedly reduced by 72 +/- 10% in PLC-gamma1 deficient mouse fibroblasts, compared to wild-type cells, indicating that phosphoinositide phospholipase C is involved.
The epidemiology of mupirocin resistance among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at a Veterans' Affairs hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and molecular epidemiology of mupirocin-resistant (MR) and mupirocin-susceptible (MS) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at a Veterans' Affairs hospital and to assess risk factors associated with the acquisition of MR MRSA. DESIGN: All clinical MRSA isolates for the period October 1990 through March 1995 underwent susceptibility testing to mupirocin. Mupirocin resistance trends were measured, and MS MRSA and MR MRSA isolates underwent typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). A retrospective case-control study was conducted to evaluate risk factors for having MR versus MS MRSA. SETTING: The James H. Quillen Veterans' Affairs Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tennessee, included a 324-bed acute-care hospital, a 120-bed nursing home, and a 525-bed domiciliary. Colonizations and infections with MRSA were endemic, and mupirocin ointment was commonly used. PATIENTS: Inpatients and outpatients at the facility. RESULTS: MS MRSA was recovered from 506 patients and MR MRSA from 126. Among MR MRSA isolates, 58% showed low-level mupirocin resistance (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] > or = 4 to 256 microg/mL), and 42% showed high-level mupirocin resistance (MIC > or = 512 microg/mL). A significant increase (P=.002) in the number of high-level MR isolates occurred during the 1993 to 1995 period. A case-control study showed that presence of a decubitus ulcer correlated with high-level resistant isolates (P<.05). The distribution of PFGE patterns did not differ for MR and MS MRSA CONCLUSIONS: Use of mupirocin ointment in a program aimed at managing endemic MRSA infection or colonization resulted in a significant increase in the recovery of high-level MR MRSA isolates. These isolates appeared to emerge from our existing MRSA pool. A case-control study provided few clues concerning patients likely to harbor MR MRSA. We confirmed the position that the extended use of mupirocin ointment should be avoided in settings where MRSA is endemic.
Spectral sensitivity of the African cichlid fish, Haplochromis burtoni.

Spectral sensitivity of the cichlid fishHaplochromis burtoni was measured under both scotopic and photopic conditions using a two-choice, food reward, operant conditioning paradigm. The highest absolute sensitivity (scotopic) is one quantum for every 5 to 50 rods measured at 475 nm (equivalent to a corneal irradiance of 3.8×106 Q s−1 cm−2). A P5001 photopigment apparently mediates spectral sensitivity over most of the visible spectrum; microspectrophotometric studies of rods had previously shown them to contain this photopigment. However, the scotopic behavioral action spectrum shows a sensitivity to short wavelength light higher than is consistent with a P5001 photopigment alone mediating the scotopic visual process. Determinations made under photopic conditions reveal a behavioral action spectrum broader than that found under scotopic conditions and consistent with mediation by interaction of the three known cone types in an opponent processing manner. The calculated photopic threshold value of approximately 104 Q s−1 (receptor)−1 is in agreement with results from other species and corresponds to a corneal irradiance of about 7×1010Q s−1cm−2.
Relation of cellular infiltration of rheumatoid synovial membrane to its immune response.

In the rheumatoid synovial membrane, small lymphocytes leave the blood by migrating mainly through the endothelial cells of the postcapillary venule. Extravascularly they form perivascular collections composed predominantly of small lymphocytes. A large fraction of these cells undergoes transition to form perivascular collections that consist mainly of plasma cells, indicating that they were initially B-lymphocytes. The small lymphocytes also migrate into the perivascular region where a mixture of cells is found—ie, small lymphocytes, undifferentiated blast cells, plasmablasts, plasma cells, and macrophages all in significant numbers. The presence of these cell types in close contact suggests the interaction of T- and B-lymphocytes with liberation of lymphokines, which attract and immobilize macrophages and stimulate B-lymphocytes to antibody synthesis. The findings presented suggest that both cellular and humoral immune responses occur in the rheumatoid synovium.
Magnetic properties of V 5 S 8 : An NMR study

The material ${\mathrm{V}}_{5}$${\mathrm{S}}_{8}$ is composed of alternating layers of vanadium and sulfur atoms. Observations of the $^{51}\mathrm{V}$ NMR between 90 and 573 K reveal three distinct vanadium resonances, corresponding to atoms on the three crystallographically inequivalent vanadium sites in the unit cell. The present data confirm the suggestion of deVries and Haas that ${\mathrm{V}}_{5}$${\mathrm{S}}_{8}$ contains alternating layers of metallic and paramagnetic vanadium atoms, but require a different interpretation of their NMR observations. The hyperfine-field and susceptibility data suggest that the local moments on the paramagnetic atoms consist of two unpaired electrons in doubly degenerate orbitals. The interaction between these localized moments and the adjacent metallic layers is discussed.
The hippocampus of Ames dwarf mice exhibits enhanced antioxidative defenses following kainic acid-induced oxidative stress

Abstract Introduction The vulnerability of the hippocampus to the effects of aging has been found to be associated with a decline in growth hormone/insulin like growth factor-1 (GH/IGF-1), and an increase in oxidative stress. We have evidence that long-living GH-deficient Ames dwarf mice have enhanced antioxidant protection in the periphery but the protection in the central nervous system is less clear. Material and methods In the present study, we evaluated the antioxidative defense enzyme status in the hippocampus of Ames dwarf and wild type mice at 3, 12 and 24 months of age and examined the ability of each genotype to resist kainic acid-induced (KA) oxidative stress. An equiseizure concentration of KA was administered such that both genotypes responded with similar seizure scores and lipid peroxidation. Results We found that GH-sufficient wild type mice showed an increase in oxidative stress as indicated by the reduced ratio of glutathione: glutathione disulfide following KA injection while this ratio was maintained in GH-deficient Ames dwarf mice. In addition, glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) as well as GPx1 mRNA expression was enhanced in KA-injected Ames dwarf mice but decreased in wild type mice. There was no induction of Nrf-2 (an oxidative stress-induced transcription factor) gene expression in Ames dwarf mice following KA further suggesting maintenance of antioxidant defense in GH-deficiency under oxidative stress conditions. Discussion Therefore, based on equiseizure administration of KA, Ames dwarf mice have an enhanced antioxidant defense capacity in the hippocampus similar to that observed in the periphery. This improved defense capability in the brain is likely due to increased GPx availability in Ames mice and may contribute to their enhanced longevity.
Direct measurement of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with acute myocardial infarction on admission to the emergency room.

Abstract In summary, we conclude that lipid screening can be introduced into the emergency department clinical pathway for evaluation and treatment of patients admitted for acute chest pain or myocardial infarction despite the nonfasting state of most such patients by use of any of 3 methods of LDL determination.
Suramin inhibits the growth of malignant mesothelioma in vitro, and in vivo, in murine flank and intraperitoneal models

Surgical debulking of malignant mesothelioma (MM) ultimately fails due to local recurrence. Suramin, an inhibitor of extracellular growth factors (ECGFs), has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma in a small case series. Our goal was to study survival benefits and disease progression in several MM animal models treated with suramin as a potential agent for adjuvant therapy. In vitro growth of human (REN, I-45), rat (II-45) and murine (AB12) mesothelioma cell lines were measured with or without suramin exposure. Human and murine MM tumors were implanted subcutaneously into murine flanks or injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) into murine abdominal cavities. Dose and treatment schedules were optimized to reduce the rate of tumor progression and to improve survival curves. Suramin inhibited the in vitro growth of all cell lines, reaching statistical significance (P<0.01) three doubling cycles after suramin administration, with a maximum inhibition of 10-25% of control growth. A significant time- and dose-dependent effect was observed. In vivo, suramin inhibited the growth of MM in the xenogeneic model (55% of control growth, P<0.01), and in the syngeneic model at both the low and high loading doses (46 and 36% of control growth, respectively, P<0.01). Suramin treatment inhibited in vivo growth in the REN intraperitoneal model shown grossly by necropsy of same day deaths comparing treatment and control animals. Tumor inhibition with the higher dose was also reflected by the lower mean tumor burden scores (control: 4.0 and high dose: 3.4). Suramin inhibits the growth of human, murine, and rat MM in vitro, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Suramin also inhibits the growth of human MM flank and intraperitoneal xenografts in vivo in an immunodeficient host, as well as the growth of syngeneic murine flank tumors in an immunocompetent host. These studies demonstrate that suramin may have the potential to provide effective therapy for MM, and that further studies are necessary to elucidate the survival advantage of suramin mediated MM growth inhibition.
An Ultrasound Transducer by Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) Nanofibers

In this paper, we demonstrate Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanofibers as a transducer to generate and detect ultrasound acoustic waves. PZT nanofibers with average diameter of 102nm were fabricated by the electrospinning method. The as-fabricated nanofibers were collected and aligned across a 10 μm silicon trench with Au electrodes. After annealing, the device was tested with the pulse/delay method. Two resonant frequencies, 8 MHz and 13MHz, were detected respectively. By using the Hamilton’s principle for coupled electromechanical systems with properly assumed mode shape, the resonant frequency was caudated. Base on the current testing result, a broadband ultrasound transducer was envisioned.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Does precision decrease with set size

The brain encodes visual information with limited precision. Contradictory evidence exists as to whether the precision with which an item is encoded depends on the number of stimuli in a display (set size). Some studies have found evidence that precision decreases with set size, but others have reported constant precision. These groups of studies differed in two ways. The studies that reported a decrease used displays with heterogeneous stimuli and tasks with a short-term memory component, while the ones that reported constancy used homogeneous stimuli and tasks that did not require short-term memory. To disentangle the effects of heterogeneity and short-memory involvement, we conducted two main experiments. In Experiment 1, stimuli were heterogeneous, and we compared a condition in which target identity was revealed before the stimulus display with one in which it was revealed afterward. In Experiment 2, target identity was fixed, and we compared heterogeneous and homogeneous distractor conditions. In both experiments, we compared an optimal-observer model in which precision is constant with set size with one in which it depends on set size. We found that precision decreases with set size when the distractors are heterogeneous, regardless of whether short-term memory is involved, but not when it is homogeneous. This suggests that heterogeneity, not short-term memory, is the critical factor. In addition, we found that precision exhibits variability across items and trials, which may partly be caused by attentional fluctuations.
One-pot synthesis of iron oxide mesoporous silica core/shell nanocomposites

Abstract Iron oxide/mesoporous silica core/shell nanocomposites are an increasingly important class of materials with a wide range of applications. In the pursuit of more efficient synthetic techniques, this paper presents a methodology for the one-pot synthesis of discrete iron oxide/mesoporous silica core/shell nanocomposites with dimensions of less than 100 nm starting with iron chloride precursors. Reaction conditions including secondary organic amine identity and concentration, base source, surfactant identity and silica concentration were varied in order to optimize the synthesis. By changing these conditions, the factors that control particle size, iron loading, and aggregation were identified.
BULK DENSITY OF SURFACE SOILS AND PEAT IN THE NORTH CENTRAL UNITED STATES

Relationships between bulk density (BD) and loss on ignition (LOI) for forest floor, shallow mineral soil (0–25 cm depth), and peat were described by exponential functions. The data were collected in forests across the North Central US. For forest floor, predicted BD, BDp = 0.073 + 2.369 exp(− 0.073 LOI), R2 = 0.75, (BDp in Mg m−3 and LOI in percent dry wt), and for surface mineral soil, BDp = 0.669 + 0.941 exp(− 0.240 LOI), R2 = 0.95. For peat, BDp = 0.043X + 4.258 exp(− 0.047 LOI), R2 = 0.89, where X is a dummy variable with a value of 0 for surface peat (0–25 cm depth) and 1 for subsurface peat (25–175 cm). Key words: Bulk density, loss-on-ignition
Effects of varying initial Bi stoichiometry on phase formation of partial melt-processed Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox

Abstract Phase formation and growth mechanisms of polycrystalline Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O x have been investigated over a broad range of sintering times at the partial melting temperature by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with quantitative energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), optical microscopy, and magnetization hysteresis measurements. It is observed that the initial powder experienced varying amounts of Bi loss during sintering, and microstructural studies showed the formation of non-superconducting phases (Sr 1− y Ca y ) n CuO x ( n =1, 2) in addition to the superconducting 2212 phase in all samples. The effects of varying initial Bi stoichiometry on the reduction of secondary phases are investigated. By increasing the Bi content in the starting powder, the number and size of the (Sr 1− y Ca y ) n CuO x grains was reduced and the volume fraction of 2212 phase was increased.
Torsional braid analysis of the aromatic amine cure of epoxy resins

The cure behavior of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) type of epoxy resins with three aromatic diamines, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM), 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (44DDS), and 3,3′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (33DDS) was studied by torsional braid analysis. For each curing agent the stoichiometry of the resin mixtures was varied from a two to one excess of amino hydrogens per epoxy group to a two to one excess of epoxy groups per amino hydrogen. Isothermal cures of the resin mixtures were carried out from 70 to 210°C (range depending on epoxy—amine mixture), followed by a temperature scan to determine the glass transition temperature (Tg). The times to the isothermal liquid-to-rubber transition were shortest for the DDM mixtures and longest for the 44DDS mixtures. The liquid-to-rubber transition times were also shortest for the amine excess mixtures when stoichiometry was varied. A relatively rapid reaction to the liquid-to-rubber transition was observed for the epoxy excess mixtures, followed by an exceedingly slow reaction process at cure temperatures well above the Tg. This slow process was only observed for epoxy excess mixtures and eventually led to significant increases in Tg. Using time—temperature shifts of the glass transition temperature vs. logarithm of time, activation energies approximately 50% higher were derived for this process compared to those derived from the liquid-to-rubber transition. The rate of this reaction was virtually independent of curing agent and was attributed to etherification taking place in the epoxy excess mixtures. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A task-member assignment model for complex engineering projects

Complex projects with large number of tasks usually require expertise from various functional departments. While the use of teams has become a common way in industry, the assignment of people to teams and tasks is an important step during the planning stage of a project. If a project does not have effective teams to work on it, the lack of communication and cooperation among team members could seriously delay the project completion. The objective of this paper is to develop a task-member assignment model for complex projects using genetic algorithm (GA). Three important team member characteristics (i.e. multifunctional knowledge, teamwork capabilities and working relationship) with quantifiable measures and each member’s workload schedule are used in the model for task-member assignments, so that the right team member will be selected for the right task at the right time. The effectiveness of the research model is demonstrated by a 27- task engineering project.
Relationship of gas phase mass transfer to thermal conductivity of refractories

The problem of change in thermal resistance of pores and microcracks in refractories with occurrence of heterogeneous reactions and formation of gas with diffusion product transfer in the temperature gradient field is analyzed.
Measurement of the Timoshenko Shear Stiffness. II: Effect of Transverse Compressibility

This is the second of two papers devoted to the issue of measuring the Timoshenko shear stiffness of thin-walled composite beams. In the first paper, the effect of warping on the effective Timoshenko shear stiffness, as measured through bending tests, was studied. The bending test was simulated using finite-element analysis, and the results indicated that the warping effect was minimal. On the other hand, the evidence suggests that transverse flexibility may have a significant influence on the effective Timoshenko shear stiffness, decreasing the effective shear stiffness at shorter test spans. The purpose of the present study is to further investigate this effect and to explore the use of a sandwich theory to predict the measurement error. A higher-order sandwich theory, which captures the transverse strain at concentrated loads and supports, is applied to a commercially available thin-walled composite beam. The results indicate that the sandwich model does capture the decrease in the effective shear stiffness at short spans, and the dependence of the shear stiffness on span-to-depth ratio is similar to that calculated in the first paper, using the finite-element method.
Enhanced surfactant determination by ion-pair formation using flow-injection analysis and dynamic surface tension detection

Abstract Chemical analysis of surface active species (surfactants) is of interest for many applications, such as in process monitoring, biomedical applications, environmental monitoring and surface science investigations. Recently, we reported a dynamic surface tension detector (DSTD) based upon optically probing the size of a repeating drop resulting from constant flow of an aqueous solvent out of the end of a capillary. Presence of a surfactant in a growing drop reduces the surface tension at the air-solvent interface, causing the drop to detach at a smaller volume, which is detected. The DSTD has a kinetic dependence, and with increasing flow rate the sensitivity decreases due to diffusional and adsorption effects. We report that for the sodium salt of dodecylsulfate (DS), the DSTD performs significantly better with a stainless steel (S.S.) capillary dropper than with a fused silica dropper because the S.S. dropper exhibits a smaller adsorption effect as a function of time. Flow-injection analysis with the DSTD of DS was found to enhance sensitivity 50-fold by in-situ reaction with the ion-pair reagent tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBA) in water, even though the TBA alone was not very surface active. The TBA-DS system serves as a model for a selective detection method in which surface activity is exploited and enhanced. The detection limit for DS, as TBA-DS, was 400 ppb. Additionally, weakly surface active species such as TBA could be analyzed “indirectly” by ion-pair formation with DS. The enhanced sensitivity is due to increased packing of the ion-pairs at the air-aqueous solvent interface. The flow rate dependence on the sensitivity of detecting the TBA-DS ion-pair was examined. Two limiting conditions were observed as a function of ion-pair concentration: sensitivity decreases linearly with inverse flow rate at high flow rates and approaches a steady state at slower flow rates.
Among Prelates and Primates: From Darwin to Rousseau

Darwin's understanding of evolution as involving his original concept of natural selection involves discussions of development, progress, human pride, the construct o `primitivism,' and slavery. These discussions have to a remarkable extent been ignored by political theorists. This omission is all the more surprising in that these same discussions also call to mind Rousseau's often misunderstood concept of perfectibility.
Polyelectrolyte-complex nanostructured fibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering

Abstract In the current work, polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) fibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering have been synthesized and a mechanism of their formation has been investigated. The scaffolds are synthesized using polygalacturonic acid and chitosan using the freeze drying methodology. Highly interconnected pores of sizes in the range of 5–20 µm are observed in the scaffolds. The thickness of the fibers was found to be in the range of 1–2 µm. Individual fibers have a nanogranular structure as observed using AFM imaging. In these scaffolds, PEC nanoparticles assemble together at the interface of ice crystals during freeze drying process. Further investigation shows that the freezing temperature and concentration have a remarkable effect on structure of scaffolds. Biocompatibility studies show that scaffold containing chitosan, polygalacturonic acid and hydroxyapatite promotes cell adhesion and proliferation. On the other hand, cells on scaffolds fabricated without hydroxyapatite nanoparticles showed poor adhesion.
Comparison of skeletal effects of ovariectomy versus chemically induced ovarian failure in mice.

Bone loss associated with menopause leads to an increase in skeletal fragility and fracture risk. Relevant animal models can be useful for evaluating the impact of ovarian failure on bone loss. A chemically induced model of menopause in which mice gradually undergo ovarian failure yet retain residual ovarian tissue has been developed using the chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD). This study was designed to compare skeletal effects of VCD-induced ovarian failure to those associated with ovariectomy (OVX). Young (28 day) C57Bl/6Hsd female mice were dosed daily with vehicle or VCD (160 mg/kg/d, IP) for 15 days (n = 6–7/group) and monitored by vaginal cytology for ovarian failure. At the mean age of VCD-induced ovarian failure (∼6 wk after onset of dosing), a different group of mice was ovariectomized (OVX, n = 8). Spine BMD (SpBMD) was measured by DXA for 3 mo after ovarian failure and OVX. Mice were killed ∼5 mo after ovarian failure or OVX, and bone architecture was evaluated by μCT ex vivo. In OVX mice, SpBMD was lower than controls 1 mo after OVX, whereas in VCD-treated mice, SpBMD was not lower than controls until 2.9 mo after ovarian failure (p < 0.05). Both VCD-induced ovarian failure and OVX led to pronounced deterioration of trabecular bone architecture, with slightly greater effects in OVX mice. At the femoral diaphysis, cortical bone area and thickness did not differ between VCD mice and controls but were decreased in OVX compared with both groups (p < 0.05). Circulating androstenedione levels were preserved in VCD-treated mice but reduced in OVX mice relative to controls (p < 0.001). These findings support that (1) VCD-induced ovarian failure leads to trabecular bone deterioration, (2) bone loss is attenuated by residual ovarian tissue, particularly in diaphyseal cortical bone, and (3) the VCD mouse model can be a relevant model for natural menopause in the study of associated bone disorders.
Erratum: “Evidence that a Deep Meridional Flow Sets the Sunspot Cycle Period” (ApJ, 589, 665 [2003])

An error was made in entering the data used in Figure 6. This changes the results concerning the length of the time lag between the variations in the meridional flow speed and those in the cycle amplitude. The final paragraph on page 667 should read: ‘‘Finally, we study the relationship between the drift velocities and the amplitudes of the hemisphere/cycles. In Figure 5 we compare the drift velocity at the maximum of the cycle to the amplitude of that cycle for that hemisphere. There is a positive (0.5) and significant (95%) correlation between the two. However, an even stronger relationship is found between the drift velocity and the amplitude of the N þ 2 cycle. The correlation is stronger (0.7) and more significant (99%), as shown in Figure 6. This relationship is suggestive of a ‘‘memory’’ in the solar cycle, again a property of dynamo models that use meridional circulation. Indeed, the two-cycle lag is precisely the relationship found by Charbonneau & Dikpati (ApJ, 543, 1027 [2000]). This behavior is, however, more difficult to interpret, and we elaborate on this in the next section. In either case, these correlations only explain part of the variance in cycle amplitude (25% for the current cycle and 50% for the N þ 2 cycle). Obviously, other mechanisms, such as variations in the gradient in the rotation rate, also contribute to the cycle amplitude variations. Our investigation of possible connections between drift rates and the amplitudes of the N þ 1 and N þ 3 cycles gives no significant correlations at these alternative time lags.’’ The revised Figure 6 and its caption are given below.
Elaboration and numerical anchoring: Breadth, depth, and the role of (non-)thoughtful processes in anchoring theories

Abstract Noted Judgment and Decision Making (JDM) researchers differ in their opinions of whether and how an attitudes and persuasion (A&P) view of anchoring might add to the existing anchoring literature. Epley and Gilovich (2010) and Russo (2010) supported the breadth of variables that an attitudinal view of brings to bear on anchoring phenomena and the potential operation of different psychological processes across different contexts. They also suggest extensions to other types of anchors (along with Frederick et al. 2010), to alternative paradigms, and to other classes of moderators, such as goals. Authors of all three commentaries wondered if the evidence we presented speaks to traditional issues related to processes underlying anchoring. Frederick et al. (2010) also took a different approach in suggesting that anchoring is always due to non-thoughtful processes despite the fact that thoughtful processes can also influence judgments. This approach diverges from prominent reviews of the anchoring literature and implies that the presence of any simple, associative mechanism makes the overall process that involves that mechanism “non-thoughtful.” We discuss how this approach differs from our own, and we discuss the implications of the other observations in each commentary.
Drug Transfer across Rat Intestinal Musculature after Edetic Acid Treatment

The columnar epithelium of the in vitro rat intestine was separated from the intestinal musculature by treatment with icecold edetic acid solution. The in vitro absorption kinetics through the denuded intestinal musculature for salicylate ion and acetanilide were followed in pH 7.4 sodium phosphate and potassium phosphate buffers, as well as in an isotonic sodium chloride solution where the effect of rinsing with Mg+2 and Ca+2 was also studied. Differences in directional transfer rates, as noted in previous studies with the untreated intestinal membrane, were not found. The transfer rates through the muscle layer were found to be at least twice as high as those found in the untreated membrane. As noted previously, nonionized acetanilide transfer rates were still approximately twice those seen for salicylate ion.
Microanalysis and optimization-based estimation of C–S–H contents of cementitious systems containing fly ash and silica fume

Abstract In this study, a new approach to characterize hardened pastes of pure portland cement as well as those containing cement with supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) was adopted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS) microanalyses. The volume stoichiometry of the hydration reactions was used to estimate the quantities of the primary and secondary calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) and the calcium hydroxide produced by these reactions. The 3D plots of Si/Ca, Al/Ca and S/Ca atom ratios given by the microanalyses were compared with the estimated quantities of C–S–H to successfully determine the Ca/Si ratio of eleven different cementitious systems at four different ages using a constrained nonlinear least squares optimization formulation by General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). The estimated mass fraction of calcium hydroxide from the above method agreed well with the calcium hydroxide content determined from the thermogravimetric analyses (TGA).
Membrane Association of the PTEN Tumor Suppressor: Reference Structure of a PIP Phosphatase on a Lipid Bilayer

The phosphatidylinositolphosphate phosphatase PTEN is the second most frequently mutated protein in human tumors. Its membrane association, allosteric activation and membrane dissociation are poorly understood. We recently reported PTEN binding affinities to membranes of different compositions [1] and a preliminary investigation of the protein-membrane complex with neutron reflectometry (NR). Here we use NR to validate molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the protein and study conformational differences of the protein in solution and on anionic membranes. NR shows that full-length PTEN binds to such membranes roughly in the conformation and orientation suggested by the crystal structure of a truncated PTEN protein, in contrast with a recently presented model which suggested that membrane binding depends critically on the SUMOylation of the CBR3 loop of PTEN's C2 domain [2]. Our MD simulations confirm that PTEN is peripherally bound to the bilayer surface and show slight differences of the protein structure in solution and in the membrane-bound state, where the protein body flattens against the bilayer surface. PTEN's C2 domain binds phosphatidylserine (PS) tightly through its CBR3 loop, and its phosphatase domain also forms electrostatic interactions with PS. NR and MD results show consistently that PTEN's unstructured, anionic C-terminal tail is repelled from the bilayer surface. In contrast, this tail is tightly tugged against the C2 domain in solution, partially obstructing the membrane-binding interface of the protein. Arresting the C-terminal tail in this conformation by phosphorylation may provide a control mechanism for PTEN's membrane binding and activity.[1] Shenoy et al., 2012, PLoS ONE 7, e32591.[2] Huang et al., 2012, Nat. Commun. 3, 911.
Simultaneous Analysis of Carbamazepine aid Carbamazepine-10, 11-Epoxide by GC/CI/MS, Stable Isotope Methodology

Abstract Carbarnazepine 5 and carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide- 6, containing 90% 13C at position 10 were synthesized and utilized as internal standards for the quantitative analysis of the parent drug and its metabolite from the plasma of treated rhesus monkeys. A typical analysis involved the addition of a 50 μl methanolic stock solution containing 500 ng of 3 and 100 ng of 4 to 0.5 ml of plasma. The plasma was extracted and analyzed by GC/CI/MS. The precision of the assay, based on 16–18 standard curves obtained over a period of two months was: 4% and 11% for carbamazepine at concentrations of 2 μg/ml and 0.2 μg/ml, respectively and 7% and 11% for carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide at concentrations of 0.2 μg/ml and 0.02 μg/ml, respectively.
Seasonal variation of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Background Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare and severe cutaneous adverse reactions to medications and infections. Objective We sought to determine whether a seasonal variation to SJS and TEN exists and to define the characteristics in our tertiary referral hospital. Methods A retrospective chart review of 50 patients from 1995 through 2007 was performed and statistically analyzed. Results The most common medication implicated as a cause of SJS/TEN was trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMX) (26%). A seasonal trend, favoring springtime, was observed for the total number of cases of SJS and TEN ( P = .34). There was a significant increase in cases due to TMX (53%) occurring in spring compared to other seasons ( P = .002). These patients were significantly younger (37.8 ± 13.7) than other patients with SJS and TEN (53.7 ± 16.4) ( P = .003). Their overall mortality (1 death) and average SCORTEN value (1.62 ± 1.6) was also significantly lower ( P = .04 and 0.03, respectively). Based on outpatient pharmacy records, there was no increase in TMX prescriptions filled during the spring. Limitations The study was limited by reliance on chart data, the use of inpatient records, and number of patients. Conclusions A seasonal variation in SJS and TEN caused by TMX affecting younger patients may exist.
Discovery of non-aroclor PCB (3,3'-dichlorobiphenyl) in Chicago air.

Air samples were collected in Chicago, Illinois in 2007, and 3,3′-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB11, CAS 2050-67-1) was detected and quantified using GC/MS/MS in 91% of 184 samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published report of PCB11 in ambient air. This compound is ubiquitous in air throughout the city of Chicago. The annual mean concentration in air samples collected from November 2006 to November 2007 is 24 pg m−3 (±24 pg m−3 SD), although the seasonal variation is significant. The concentration of PCB11 is up to 15% of measured polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in air but only up to 0.16% of commercial Aroclor mixtures that were banned from production in the 1970s. PCB11 is associated with pigments, paints, and resins and has been reported to be a dominant congener among PCBs detected in the wastewater effluent from paint production. The wide distribution of PCB11 in Chicago air is consistent with volatilization of this compound from painted surfaces although the actual source of PCB11 is u...
Bye-bye TRALI: by understanding and innovation

In this issue of Blood, McKenzie et al provide further insight into the mechanism of antibody-mediated transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), and Silliman et al demonstrate the potential use of a novel filter to mitigate red blood cell (RBC) transfusion-associated TRALI.1,2 The first manuscript with studies performed in a murine model suggests that HLA class I antibody-mediated TRALI, which requires antibody binding to peripheral blood monocytes producing interleukin-8 (IL-8) which binds chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL), is a chemotactic for neutrophils and induces neutrophil degranulation; the antibody-coated monocytes also result in lung damage.1 The second manuscript shows that prestorage RBC filtration to absorb antibodies and lipids as well as white blood cells and platelets, decreases TRALI-associated antibodies and neutrophil-priming activity of the unit, mitigating TRALI in an animal model.2
Identification of a Gene Involved in Polysaccharide Export as a Transcription Target of FruA, an Essential Factor for Myxococcus xanthus Development

Abstract Fruiting body development in Myxococcus xanthus is a multicellular event that is coordinated by exchanging intercellular signals. FruA is a transcription factor essential for fruiting body development and is thought to play a key role in the C-signal pathway. Here we present the first identification of a gene regulated by FruA. The gene was isolated from a genomic library via in vitro selection in a DNA binding assay by using the DNA-binding domain of FruA tagged with His8 at the C-terminal end (FruA-DBD-H8). The gene, named fdgA (FruA-dependent gene A), encodes a protein homologous to the outer-membrane auxiliary family protein involved in the polysaccharide export system. FruA-DBD-H8 bound the upstream promoter region of the fdgA gene from nucleotide –89 to nucleotide –64 with respect to the transcription initiation site, which was required for the induction of fdgA expression during development. fdgA mRNA induced during development was absent in a fruA deletion strain. The deletion of fdgA resulted in defective fruiting body formation and reduced sporulation efficiency (1% that of the parent strain). Moreover, FruA was required for the developmental expression of sasA, which is also involved in the biosynthesis of the lipopolysaccharide O-antigen and is required for fruiting body development. Furthermore, the expression of both fdgA and sasA was partially dependent on the C-signal. These findings expand our understanding of the signal transduction pathway mediated by FruA during development in M. xanthus.
Grand challenges for biosafety and biosecurity.

Success in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases has saved more lives than any other achievement of medical science. The three greatest advances have been clean water, immunization, and the advent of antibiotics and, more recently, antivirals. Despite this record of success, we are far from conquering the grand challenge to human health posed by microbes. All that has been achieved is the consequence of increasingly sophisticated research. Through advances in technology that have led to deep sequencing, we are now able to identify previously unrecognized bacteria and other microbes, which had previously eluded our appreciation because of our inability to culture them. One of the consequences has been an increased understanding of the omnipresence of bacterial populations in the human body. It is now estimated that the human body on average contains 10 times as many bacterial cells as human cells (Savage, 1977; Berg, 1996). In addition, the human body probably contains at least 10 times as many viral genomes as bacterial genomes (Lower et al., 1996; Downey et al., 2014). Thus, humans are very much a diverse biological community and it behooves us to gain as complete knowledge as possible if we are to continue to enhance human health.
Enhancing Effect of Cortisone upon Poliomyelitis Infection (Strain MEF1) in Hamsters and Mice

Summary and ConclusionsACTH and cortisone in combination or cortisone alone produce a marked acceleration of poliomyelitis infection (strain MEF1) in mice and an extraordinary enhancement of susceptibility to this infection in hamsters giving rise to a violent and uniformly fatal disease. ACTH alone fails to produce this effect possibly due to elaboration of an unknown factor capable of reversing the enhancing effect of cortisone. The experiments seem to indicate the existence of a significant relation between adrenocortical function and susceptibility of mice and hamsters to experimental poliomyelitis.
How to survive being hot and inebriated

Industrial biotechnology will play an increasingly important role in our response to climate change and the need for increased environmental sustainability. In the realm of biofuels production, baker's yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) is often the biocatalyst of choice. Sustainable bio-based chemical production requires the efficient use of renewable feedstock such as lignocellulosic biomass. However, a major challenge in this field is the wide variety of inhibitory conditions encountered by the biocatalyst throughout the production process. Two papers on pages 75 and 71 of this issue address this challenge, using two distinct approaches to advance the current state of the field. Caspeta et al. ( 1 ) made use of adaptive laboratory evolution to generate strains conferring stable thermotolerance. They employed genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic flux analysis tools to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for the observed phenotype. Lam et al. ( 2 ) hypothesize a mechanism of product toxicity in the generation of ethanol and propose a route for achieving increased ethanol tolerance.
MassMatrix: a database search program for rapid characterization of proteins and peptides from tandem mass spectrometry data.

MassMatrix is a program that matches tandem mass spectra with theoretical peptide sequences derived from a protein database. The program uses a mass accuracy sensitive probabilistic score model to rank peptide matches. The tandem mass spectrometry search software was evaluated by use of a high mass accuracy data set and its results compared with those from Mascot, SEQUEST, X!Tandem, and OMSSA. For the high mass accuracy data, MassMatrix provided better sensitivity than Mascot, SEQUEST, X!Tandem, and OMSSA for a given specificity and the percentage of false positives was 2%. More importantly all manually validated true positives corresponded to a unique peptide/spectrum match. The presence of decoy sequence and additional variable post-translational modifications did not significantly affect the results from the high mass accuracy search. MassMatrix performs well when compared with Mascot, SEQUEST, X!Tandem, and OMSSA with regard to search time. MassMatrix was also run on a distributed memory clusters and achieved search speeds of ~100,000 spectra per hour when searching against a complete human database with 8 variable modifications. The algorithm is available for public searches at http://www.massmatrix.net.
Nuclear magnetic resonance structural and ligand binding studies of BLBC, a two-domain fragment of barley lectin.

Plant lectins are useful targets for biophysical studies of protein−carbohydrate recognition, a process of general interest because of its many roles in human physiology. Here, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based structural and carbohydrate binding data on a two-domain fragment of the normally four-domain barley lectin protein are presented. The structural data, while preliminary, clearly shows that the recombinantly produced simplified model system, called BLBC, retains a nativelike fold. However, unlike the full-length parent protein, which is dimeric, BLBC is shown by pulsed-field gradient NMR diffusion studies to be largely monomeric. Still, the fragment retains nativelike carbohydrate binding properties. These properties are examined in some detail using heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) NMR spectroscopy on a uniformly 15N-labeled sample. Ligand-induced chemical shift changes in the 1H−15N HSQC spectrum are monitored as 15N-labeled BLBC is titrated with increasing concentrations of the...
PSOCOPTERAN SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH EASTERN HEMLOCK IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Car riere, comprises a vital component of biological diversity (Jordan & Sharp 1967; Lapin 1994; Tin gley et al. 2002; Buck 2004; Buck et al. 2005; Dill ing et al. 2007; Dilling et al. 2009) and economi cal (Travel Industry Association 2006; Woodsen 2001) and environmental stability (Evans 2002; Snyder et al. 2004) within its geographical range. Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), is an exotic insect species capable of rapidly reducing populations of eastern hemlock throughout the eastern United States (McClure & Fergione 1977; Buck et al. 2005; Ellison et al. 2005). As such, documenting the biodiversity of insects associated with this host tree is imperative. More than 400 insect species have been recorded to be associated with eastern
Oxygen toxicity in a fission yeast.

Continuous exposure of synchronous cultures of Schizosaccharomyces pombe to 2.0 atmospheres oxygen beginning at any point in the first two-thirds of the cell cycle prevented subsequent cell division. Similar exposure during the last one-third of the cell cycle did not prevent cell division. The inhibition of division was totally reversible. Exposure to 2.0 atmospheres oxygen for 2.5 hours did not affect oxygen consumption. Oxygen at 1.0 atmospheres reduced growth rate and protein synthesis by 44%. Similar exposure to 1.0 atmospheres reduced transport of glycine-14C, L-leucine-14C, and uracil-14C by 95%, 73%, and 89% respectively. Analysis of the kinetics of uptake of these materials showed noncompetitive inhibition of transport by oxygen. The primary effect in rapidly appearing oxygen toxicity apparently involved interference with the transport capabilities of the cell membrane.
To Be Welcome: A Call for Narrative Interviewing Methods in Illness Contexts

In this article, I tell the story of an interview encounter I had in a previous study with a hospice patient. Even though I had prepared for our interaction, Meredith corrected me for all my false steps. I offer my account of the tense beginning of our interview and Meredith’s lectures, which transitioned into an invitational moment and a marked change in our interaction. While I cannot know what was inside Meredith’s mind that day, I read this experience as a lesson in research methods. As such I advocate for restructuring the way we, as health communication researchers, gather patient-centered data. I contend that we must not only allow, but encourage and facilitate patients’ narratives through narrative interviewing. The findings from the current ethnography are offered for use as rationale in future narrative interview studies.