cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolism of vitamin B6 in the I-strain mouse: II. Oxidation of pyridoxal

Abstract The relationship of the higher vitamin B6 requirement of the I/St mouse to enzymatic oxidation of the vitamin to 4-pyridoxic acid has been investigated. 4-Pyridoxic acid, the principal urinary metabolite of vitamin B6, is formed from pyridoxal by an aldehyde oxidase whose probable identity with N-methylnicotinamide oxidase is demonstrated. When vitamin B6 intake is limited, the I-strain mouse excretes more 4-pyridoxic acid than does a control strain, the C57B1/6J. Whether increased 4-pyridoxic acid excretion results in more rapid depletion of vitamin B6 stores in the I-strain mouse than in the C57 strain mouse remains to be determined. No explanation for the increased 4-pyridoxic acid excretion is found in a comparison of aldehyde oxidase activity in the two strains. Under all dietary conditions, aldehyde oxidase activity in I-strain mice is about half that in C57 animals. The Michaelis constants of aldehyde oxidase preparations from the two strains for pyridoxal and N-methylnicotinamide are similar.
Variation in physiological stress between bridge- and cave-roosting Brazilian free-tailed bats.

: Since the late 1980s, Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) have increasingly used bridges as roosts in the southern United States. We examined differences in blood cortisol levels, body condition, and parasite load, as measures of physiological stress in bats roosting in bridges and bats roosting in caves. We collected data during three periods, coinciding with female phases of reproduction. For all measures, bats were captured during the nightly emergence from the roost and immediately sampled. Cortisol levels were significantly higher during pregnancy and lactation and in individuals with lower body-condition scores (length of forearm to mass ratio) and significantly higher in bats roosting in caves than in those roosting in bridges. Thus, we concluded that individuals of this species that roost in bridges are not chronically stressed and seem to be unaffected by human activities present at bridges. This is a rare documented instance where a human-dominated environment does not appear to be adversely affecting the physiological health of a free-ranging animal. Resumen: Desde fines de la decada de 1980, murcielagos (Tadarida brasiliensis) han incrementado el uso de puentes como perchas en el sur de los Estados Unidos. Examinamos las diferencias en los niveles de cortisol en la sangre, condicion del cuerpo y carga de parasitos, como medidas del estres fisiologico en murcielagos que perchan en puentes y murcielagos que perchan en cuevas. Recolectamos datos durante 3 periodos, coincidentes con las fases reproductivas de hembras. Para todas las medidas, los murcielagos fueron capturados al salir de sus perchas y procesados inmediatamente. Los niveles de cortisol fueron significativamente mayores durante el embarazo y la lactancia y en individuos con valores bajos en la condicion del cuerpo (relacion longitud del antebrazo – masa) y significativamente mayores en murcielagos que perchan en cuevas que en los que perchan en puentes. Por lo tanto, concluimos que los individuos de esta especie que perchan en puentes no estan estresados cronicamente y parece que las actividades humanas en el puente no les afectan. Esta es una rara instancia en la que un ambiente dominado por humanos parece no afectar negativamente la salud fisiologica de una especie de libre movimiento.
Cross-Talk Between Factors Involved in mRNA Translation and Decay: A Dissertation

The proper workings of an organism rely on the accurate expression of genes throughout its lifetime. An important determinant for protein production is the availability of template mRNA molecules, the net effect of which is governed by their rates of synthesis vs. their rates of degradation. Normal mRNAs are proposed to be relatively stable in the cytoplasm while present in a protective, circularized conformation – the closed loop – through eIF4G-bridged interactions with 3’-bound poly(A) binding protein (Pab1p) and 5’-bound eIF4E. Introduction of a premature nonsense codon into an otherwise normal mRNA results in its rapid destabilization in cells, suggesting that not all stop codons behave the same, and events at premature termination events that lead to accelerated degradation of nonsense-containing mRNAs likely differ from those at normal termination, in which normal decay rates are maintained. The enhanced degradation observed for nonsense-containing mRNAs occurs through an evolutionarily conserved pathway involving the products of the UPF1, UPF2/NMD2, and UPF3 genes, the precise biochemical roles of which have remained elusive. We have developed a yeast cell-free translation system that allows us to assay biochemical events occurring at premature termination codons, compare them to those occurring at normal terminators, and study the role of Upf1p in these events. We find that premature termination is an inefficient process compared to normal termination and that one outcome of termination at a premature termination codon (PTC) is reinitiation at a nearby start codon. This in vitro post-termination reinitiation phenotype is dependent on the presence of Upf1p, a finding we have recapitulated in vivo. We also developed
Routine intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography with selective cholangiography reduces bile duct complications during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the preferred treatment for gallstone disease, even in many complicated cases. Perhaps the only downside to LC is a two- to threefold increase in common bile duct (CBD) injuries compared with open cholecystectomy (OC). Intraoperative cholangiography may prevent injuries, but its routine use remains controversial. Our institution adopted a policy of selective intraoperative cholangiography in 1993. When intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography (IOUS) emerged as a viable diagnostic adjunct, it was hypothesized that the routine use of IOUS would facilitate dissection, detect occult choledocholithiasis, and prevent bile duct injuries during LC. STUDY DESIGN: The experience with LC at our university-affiliated teaching hospital was reviewed. Over a 412-year period (June 1, 1995, to January 31, 2000), two surgeons used IOUS routinely during LC (ultrasonography [US] group, n=248); three other surgeons did not (non-US group, n=594). We compared patient data and outcomes between the two groups. Continuous data are expressed as mean ± SEM. RESULTS: During the study period, 842 LCs were attempted. Patient age (37 ± 1 years) and gender (85% female) did not differ between the groups. In the US group, more patients had acute cholecystitis (p CONCLUSIONS: IOUS is noninvasive, fast, repeatable, and can corroborate real-time visualization of the operative field. We have found that LC with IOUS is associated with fewer bile duct complications (CBD injuries, bile leaks, and retained CBD stones) than LC without adjunctive imaging. The success rate of LC in cases of acute cholecystitis is slightly higher when IOUS is used as an aid to dissection. In the absence of definitive prospective data, we recommend routine use of IOUS when performing LC, particularly in patients with acute cholecystitis.
Learning force-based manipulation of deformable objects from multiple demonstrations

Manipulation of deformable objects often requires a robot to apply specific forces to bring the object into the desired configuration. For instance, tightening a knot requires pulling on the ends, flattening an article of clothing requires smoothing out wrinkles, and erasing a whiteboard requires applying downward pressure. We present a method for learning force-based manipulation skills from demonstrations. Our approach uses non-rigid registration to compute a warping function that transforms both the end-effector poses and forces in each demonstration into the current scene, based on the configuration of the object. Our method then uses the variation between the demonstrations to extract a single trajectory, along with time-varying feedback gains that determine how much to match poses or forces. This results in a learned variable-impedance control strategy that trades off force and position errors, providing for the right level of compliance that applies the necessary forces at each stage of the motion. We evaluate our approach by tying knots in rope, flattening towels, and erasing a whiteboard.
Leadership: A New Synthesis

First Things First PART ONE: LEADERSHIP KNOWLEDGE CONTENT AND KNOWLEDGE ORIENTATION Core Concepts for a Multi-Organizational Level Leadership Model The Extended Multi Level Leadership Model Leadership Knowledge Orientation Aspects PART TWO: EXPLORING THE MULTI LEVEL MODEL External Environment, Societal Culture and Leader Critical Tasks Background Factors and Preference Aspects of Individual Capability Individual Capabilities - Cognitive Complexity and Selected Social Cognition Aspects Individual Capabilities - Transactionally Oriented Leadership Skills Individual Capabilities - Transformationally Oriented Leadership Skills Organizational Culture Developmental Implications and Enriching Schema Variety Last Things Last
Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas (IPMNs): Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Future Aspects

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMNs) are potentially malignant intraductal epithelial neoplasms which consist of columnar, mucin-containing cells and arise from the epithelium of the main pancreatic duct or its branches. IPMNs as well as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms represent noninvasive precursors of invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. The diagnosis of IPMNs includes radiographic (CT scanning, MRI, MRCP) and endoscopic evaluation (ERCP, EUS), PET, as well as serum tumor markers and molecular markers. The Sendai Consensus Guidelines help guide surgical resection for patients with IPMN. The follow-up of these patients, as well as of those who do not undergo surgical resection, is of great importance, since patients with IPMN appear to be at risk for other malignancies. Herein, the authors summarize the data presented at the 2013 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium regarding incidence and clinicopathological characteristics of IPMN (Abstracts #324, #187 and #179). Image: " Sotiria " ("Salvation") Hospital (Athens, Greece) logo. (Sophia Engastromenou Schliemann, founder of the hospital in 1902).
LOCALIZATION OF ACID PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN HEPATIC LYSOSOMES BY MEANS OF ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Samples of liver from untreated rats, from rats infused with unconjugated bilirubin, and from biopsies of human liver were fixed overnight in cold formol-calcium. Frozen sections were stained for acid phosphatase activity by the Gomori lead-glycerophosphate procedure. Small blocks of fixed tissue were also incubated in this medium. These were then treated briefly with osmium tetroxide, dehydrated, and embedded in methacrylate. Thin sections were studied by electron microscopy. The sites of reaction product of acid phosphatase activity as visualized in electron micrographs are consistent with those seen in frozen sections studied by light microscopy. They indicate that the pericanalicular bodies of parenchymatous cells, the large spherical bodies of Kupffer cells, the microbodies appearing after bilirubin infusion and lipofuscin granules belong to the class of cytoplasmic organelles called lysosomes by de Duve.
NONMEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF INTRACTIBLE HICCUPS: A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Sirmmary.-A list of 15 items on nonmedical management of intractible hiccups is provided. Intractible hiccups (singultus) is a rare but extremely painful experience for the sufferer. The medical literature indicates that hiccups may be the result of a number of factors some of which are the result of postsurgical complications (Souadjian 8: Cain, 1968). Several writers have suggested that there may be a psychogenic component in many cases of intractible hiccup, regardless of etiology, although medical procedures are generally recommended for treatment. An exhaust~ve review of the English-language literature on hiccups and its treatment produced only a handful of accounts of treatment using psychotherapeutic methods. Without exception, each of the case studies reported the use of hypnotherapy as the primary intervention following unsuccessful medical treatment (Bendersky & Baren, 1959; Crasilneck & Hall, 1975; Dorms & Kirkner, 1955; Frankel, 1978; Kirkner & West, 1950; Kroger, 1963, 1969; LeCron, Fields, & Levine, 1951; Theohar & McKegney, 1970; Smedley 8: Barnes, 1966). There is an even smaller number of cases reported using techniques outside of traditional Western medical tradition (Bondi & BetteUi, 1981; Jiang, 1986; Naug, 1953; Wong, 1983). Successful treatment of hiccups with methods based upon psychological principles suggests that therapeutic approaches other than hypnosis may be effective as well. This review is limited to treatment of cases of chronic or intraccible hiccups and does not include descriptions of the treatment of common hiccups. It is hoped that this review will be useful to psychotherapists who may encounter patients with this condition, as well as researchers interested in this malady.
Prompt neutron decay constants at delayed criticality for the Oak Ridge Research Reactor with 20 and 93 wt% 235U enriched fuel

Abstract Measurements of the prompt neutron decay constant at delayed criticality with water-reflected, unirradiated low- and high-enrichment fuel loadings and a beryllium-reflected low-enrichment fuel loading were performed for the Oak Ridge Research Reactor. The prompt neutron decay constants were obtained from nonlinear least-squares filling of the frequency-dependent cross-power spectral densities measured between two detectors placed adjacent to the core. The fitting function was derived from the point neutron kinetics equations, ignoring delayed neutrons. The measurements with this water-moderated pool-type reactor determined that the prompt neutron decay constant (for the water-reflected cores) is about 15% higher for the low-enrichment fuel loading (194.9 ± 0.9 s−1) than for the high-enrichment fuel loading (169.1 ± 1.1 s−1). Measurements also showed that the prompt neutron decay constant is about 28% less for the Be-reflected low-enrichment fuel loading than for the water-reflected low-enrichment fuel loading.
Scientific arguments as learning artifacts: designing for learning from the web with KIE

We designed Knowledge Integration Environment (KIE) debate projects to take advantage of internet resources and promote student understanding of science. Design decisions were guided by the Scaffolded Knowledge Integration instructional framework. We report on design studies that test and elaborate on our instructional framework. Our learning studies assess the arguments students construct using the Knowledge Integration Environment debate project about light propagation and, explore the relationship between students' views of the nature of science and argument construction. We examine how students use evidence, determine when they add further ideas and claims and measure progress in understanding light propagation. To a modeate degree, students' views of the nature of science align with the quality of the arguments.
Alterations of transforming growth factor β receptor II, insulin growth factor receptor II genes in microsatellite unstable prostate carcinomas

DNA from 45 primary prostate tumors and corresponding normal tissues were analyzed to detect whether the alterations of transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TGFbetaRII) and insulin growth factor receptor II (IGFRII) are associated with microsatellite instability (MSI). We identified that 25 tumors were microsatellite unstable (55%). The remaining 20 tumors are found to be microsatellite stable. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was also tested at various loci. Results indicate that in case of TGFbetaRII, the rate of frame-shift mutation depends on the number of polyadenine [poly(A)] tracts. Twelve percent of the tumors had frame-shift alteration at BAT-RII locus which has 10 poly(A) repeats. Twenty percent of the tumors had frame-shift at BAT-25 locus which has 25 poly(A) repeats. In addition, IGFRII gene was examined for the presence of mutation in the repetitive sequences. Seven of the 25 tumors showed deletion of a G within eight poly(G) repeats. Besides these changes there were two tumors which showed a novel insertion of A within this poly(G) repeat making a change in 9 samples (R4, 36%). On the other hand, 4 tumors showed changes within the 5CT repeats. In addition, 3 tumors showed another novel insertion of C within the CT repeats.
Processing of anatase prepared from hydrothermally treated alkoxy-derived hydrous titania

Spherical, submicrometre, amorphous hydrous titania powder synthesized by controlled hydrolysis and polymerization from titanium tetraethoxide solutions was hydrothermally converted to spherical polycrystalline anatase particles by autoclaving or refluxing. Green compacts produced with either autoclaved or refluxed powder via a colloid filtration route had a high density and were crack-free; processing with untreated hydrous titania resulted in cracked green compacts. Compacts of the hydrothermally treated powders could be sintered to 98% theoretical density at temperatures as low as 900° C. A compact of commercial powder produced in the same fashion was not observed to densify at such temperatures. Using various firing techniques, compacts of the hydrothermally treated powder could be sintered to 98% theoretical density or greater while controlling the titania phase assemblage as (1) anatase, (2) rutile, or (3) a mixture of anatase and rutile. By scaling the phase transformation and sintering kinetics, the grain size of the sintered microstructure can be controlled from a submicrometre to a micrometre scale.
Anxiety sensitivity taxonicity: a concurrent test of cognitive vulnerability for post-traumatic stress symptomatology among young adults.

This study evaluated the anxiety sensitivity taxon using the 16‐item Anxiety Sensitivity Index in relation to 2 criteria relevant to post‐traumatic stress disorder; post‐traumatic stress disorder symptom severity as indexed by the Post‐Traumatic Diagnostic Scale, and post‐traumatic cognitions as indexed by the Post‐Traumatic Cognitions Inventory. Taxometric analyses of data collected from 331 young adults indicated that the latent structure of anxiety sensitivity was taxonic with an estimated base‐rate range of 11–12%. As predicted, an 8‐item Anxiety Sensitivity Index Taxon Scale accounted for significant variance above and beyond that accounted for by negative affectivity and the full‐scale Anxiety Sensitivity Index total score in terms of both criteria. Moreover, after accounting for variance explained by the full‐scale Anxiety Sensitivity Index total score and negative affectivity, the sum score for the 8 Anxiety Sensitivity Index items not included in the Anxiety Sensitivity Index Taxon Scale was asso...
Lifetime measurement of the cesium 6 P 3 / 2 state using ultrafast laser-pulse excitation and ionization

We report a precision measurement of the cesium $6{P}_{3/2}$ excited-state lifetime. Two collimated, counterpropagating thermal Cs beams cross perpendicularly to femtosecond pulsed laser beams. High timing accuracy is achieved from having excitation and ionization laser pulses which originate from the same mode-locked laser. Using pulse selection we vary the separation in time between excitation and ionization laser pulses while counting the ions produced. We obtain a Cs $6{P}_{3/2}$ lifetime of 30.460(38) ns, which is a factor of two improvement from previous measurements and with an uncertainty of 0.12%, is one of the most accurate lifetime measurements on record.
The effect of dipyridamole on transmural blood flow gradients.

The effect of dipyridamole (DP) on subendocardial (ENDO) and subepicardial (EPI) blood flow in stenosed and normal regions was determined with radioactive microspheres before and after intravenous infusion of 0.08 mg/kg•min −1 of DP in two groups of dog hearts in situ . Group 1 (n = 6) had coronary stenoses that did not reduce distal perfusion at rest, but did attenuate hyperemic response, and group 2 (n = 6) had stenoses which reduced resting blood flow. In nonstenosed zones, a doubling in perfusion during DP infusion induced proportionate changes in ENDO and EPI flows (unchanged ENDO/EPI ratio) in group 1 hearts, but increased EPI more than ENDO flows in group 2 hearts (decreased ENDO/EPI ratio). In mildly stenosed regions, a 47 percent increase in perfusion during DP was associated with an increase in only EPI flow, which thereby reduced the ENDO/EPI ratio. In severely stenosed zones, the ENDO/EPI ratio was already significantly reduced at rest and a further reduction in ENDO flow during DP caused a significant decline in the ENDO/EPI ratio. Therefore, during pharmacologic vasodilation, a redistribution of coronary transmural flow occurs (relative ENDO to EPI steal) in non- and mildly stenosed regions while an absolute decrease or steal in ENDO flow was noted only in regions distal to more severe stenoses. These studies suggest that an interaction between the stenosis severity and vasodilation is a determining factor in ENDO/EPI ratios with dipyridamole. (Chest 1989; 96:400–05)
The use of online focus groups to design an online food safety education intervention.

Abstract: In the development of an online food safety education intervention for college students, online focus groups were used to determine the appropriate format and messages. Focus groups are often used in qualitative research and formative evaluation of public health programs, yet traditional focus groups can be both difficult and expensive to coordinate. Online focus groups offer an alternative means of discovering the attitudes and opinions of hard-to-reach populations. Online focus groups were facilitated in a university-supported web-based learning environment (E-Learning Commons) with students at the University of Georgia, and students discussed questions related to food safety and Internet-based education. Focus group transcripts were categorized by responses to each of the questions, and results were reported in terms of frequency. Students identified personally relevant food safety messages, preferred delivery tools and strategies for food safety education, and known sources for food safety information. Online focus groups were found to be an effective and inexpensive means of determining students’ preferences for learning about food safety using the Internet and social media. Results from the online focus groups were used to design a social media-based food safety education intervention to improve young adults’ food safety attitudes, practices and knowledge.
Effect of chain unsaturation on polymethylene lamellar packing : Solid-state structure of a symmetric trans-alkene

The orthorhombic crystal packing of 15-trans-triacontene was determined from electron diffraction intensities observed from epitaxially oriented and from solution-grown samples and by infrared spectroscopy of melt-crystallized thin layers. As determined from systematic absences in 0kl and hhl patterns, the pseudo-orthorhombic space group is Aa with cell constants a = 7.48(3), b = 4.99(3), and c/2 = 39.8(1) A. The structural conformation around the trans double bond is very similar to that found earlier for odd-chain polyalkenamers; i.e., the single bonds adjacent to the olefinic group have skew and anti-skew arrangements. Infrared spectra indicate that the formal molecular centrosymmetry around the double bond is not preserved by the chain conformation in the solid state. The chain layers stack in a way reminiscent of the B-polymorphic packing of odd-chain n-paraffins. In keeping with this chain jog, the olefin is completely insoluble in the solids containing the paraffin with the same carbon number, n-triacontane.
Noninvasive Measurement and Quantitation of Brain Iron in Parkinson’s Disease Using Adiabatic T2ρ and T1ρ High Field MRI Techniques

Postmortem demonstration of increased iron in the substantia nigra (SN) is a well- appreciated finding in Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is thought that this iron may facilitate the generation of free radicals which are thought to play a role in dopamine neuronal loss. To date, however, researchers have been unable to confirm an in vivo difference of iron between those with PD and control subjects using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This may be due to the limitations of T1 and T2: two conventional MRI techniques that have been employed. Here, novel T2ρ and T1ρ MRI relaxation methods were used for the measurement of iron load and distribution [1] , [2] , [3] . T2ρ measurements are indicative of tissue iron content and distribution and measure molecular motion in local susceptibility gradients. T1ρ measurements, on the other hand, can be used to assess cellular loss. When applied at high magnetic fields these two methods may provide a noninvasive and reliable handle on iron accumulation and neuronal loss in PD. In our 4 Tesla magnet study, we found a significant change of the T1ρ and T2ρ relaxation time constants (both the distribution and absolute values) in the PD group versus controls. Relaxogram analysis of the T2ρ and T1ρ measurements demonstrated increased water and iron content, as well as changes in iron distribution in the SN. Therefore, high resolution MRI with T2ρ and T1ρ provide unique information in Parkinson’s disease patients as compared to conventional T1 and T2 measurements. This information may prove useful in evaluating the pathogenesis and severity of PD. Future studies are underway to correlate T1ρ, T2ρ, and Τ2 findings with simultaneous spectroscopy measurements of absolute concentration of NAA [4] to further assess iron accumulation and neuronal loss in controls and those with PD.
Integral manifolds of a class of third order autonomous differential equations

Integral manifolds of third order autonomous differential equations with unstable equilibrium point, investigating forward and negative asymptotic problems
Studies of alkoxysilane hydrolysis and condensation by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with a cylindrical internal-reflection cell

Abstract The relative concentrations of unhydrolyzed and hydrolyzed forms of (3-trimethoxysilyl) propyloctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (SiQAC) were determined in aqueous solutions as functions of pH and time. Subtraction of the concentrations of these two forms of SiQAC from the total concentration of SiQAC was assumed to give the concentration of the “condensed” form of SiQAC irrespective of its extent of oligomerization. The silane, SiQAC, is used to modify a variety of surfaces to impart antimicrobial properties. Knowledge of the speciation of SiQAC is required to understand its effect on the efficiency and durability of such chemically modified surfaces. The cylindrical internal- reflection/FTIR spectroscopy was also used to determine the rate constants for hydrolysis and condensation of monomethoxytrimethylsilane (MTMS) in 10% (v/v) water/acetone medium as a function of hydrogen-ion concentration. The hydrolysis of MTMS was found to be first order in both silane and water concentrations. the condensation of trimethylsilanol to form hexamthyldisiloxane was second order in silanol concentration.
Anti-Ghrelin Spiegelmer Inhibits Exogenous Ghrelin-Induced Increases in Food Intake, Hoarding and Neural Activation, but Not Food Deprivation-Induced Increases

Circulating concentrations of the stomach-derived “hunger-peptide” ghrelin increase in direct proportion to the time since the last meal. Exogenous ghrelin also increases food intake in rodents and humans, suggesting ghrelin may increase post-fast ingestive behaviors. Food intake after food deprivation is increased by laboratory rats and mice, but not by humans (despite dogma to the contrary) or by Siberian hamsters; instead, humans and Siberian hamsters increase food hoarding, suggesting the latter as a model of fasting-induced changes in human ingestive behavior. Exogenous ghrelin markedly increases food hoarding by ad libitum-fed Siberian hamsters similarly to that after food deprivation, indicating sufficiency. Here, we tested the necessity of ghrelin to increase food foraging, food hoarding, and food intake, and neural activation [c-Fos immunoreactivity (c-Fos-ir)] using anti-ghrelin Spiegelmer NOX-B11–2 (SPM), an l-oligonucleotide that specifically binds active ghrelin, inhibiting peptide-receptor interaction. SPM blocked exogenous ghrelin-induced increases in food hoarding the first 2 days after injection, and foraging and food intake at 1–2 h and 2–4 h, respectively, and inhibited hypothalamic c-Fos-ir. SPM given every 24 h across 48-h food deprivation inconsistently inhibited food hoarding after refeeding and c-Fos-ir, similarly to inabilities to do so in laboratory rats and mice. These results suggest that ghrelin may not be necessary for food deprivation-induced foraging and hoarding and neural activation. A possible compensatory response, however, may underlie these findings because SPM treatment led to marked increases in circulating ghrelin concentrations. Collectively, these results show that SPM can block exogenous ghrelin-induced ingestive behaviors, but the necessity of ghrelin for food deprivation-induced ingestive behaviors remains unclear.
Imaging secondary metabolism of Streptomyces sp. Mg1 during cellular lysis and colony degradation of competing Bacillus subtilis

Soil streptomycetes are saprotrophic bacteria that secrete numerous secondary metabolites and enzymes for extracellular functions. Many streptomycetes produce antibiotics thought to protect vegetative mycelia from competing organisms. Here we report that an organism isolated from soil, Streptomyces sp. Mg1, actively degrades colonies and causes cellular lysis of Bacillus subtilis when the organisms are cultured together. We predicted that the inhibition and degradation of B. subtilis colonies in this competition depends upon a combination of secreted factors, including small molecule metabolites and enzymes. To begin to unravel this complex competitive phenomenon, we use a MALDI imaging mass spectrometry strategy to map the positions of metabolites secreted by both organisms. In this report, we show that Streptomyces sp. Mg1 produces the macrolide antibiotic chalcomycin A, which contributes to inhibition of B. subtilis growth in combination with other, as yet unidentified factors. We suggest that efforts to understand competitive and cooperative interactions between bacterial species benefit from assays that pair living organisms and probe the complexity of metabolic exchanges between them.
Preliminary characterization of a low power end-Hall thruster

Electron temperature and number density were measured near the exit of a 500 Watt end-Hall thruster using argon as propellant. Because of the low magnetic field strengths measured in the discharge chamber, a number of modifications were made to the original design, including fabricating soft-iron pole pieces to channel the magnetic field from the solenoid. These changes resulted in a three. fold increase in magnetic field strength. Centerline values of n, and T. taken -1 inch from the exit plane of the modified engine were approximately 4 x 10" cm-3 and 2 eV, respectively, at a discharge current of 5 A, a voltage of -90 V, and total mass flow rate of 1.7 mgjs. Because the radial magnetic field strength of the modified device never exceeded 80 G, the discharge voltage of the engine was much too low to yield significant thruster performance. Emission spectra of the plume showed no evidence of doubly-ionized argon. Most of the prominent peaks in the spectra are ArII lines. All measurements were performed in a 30-ft-long by 20-ftdiam. vacuum chamber that is pumped by six 32-in-diam. diffusion pumps. Chamber pressure was maintained to 3.7 x d Torr during thruster operation.
Promoting interaction during sociodramatic play: teaching scripts to typical preschoolers and classmates with disabilities.

We investigated the effects of teaching sociodramatic scripts on subsequent interaction among three triads, each containing 2 typical children and 1 child with autistic characteristics. The same type and rate of teacher prompts were implemented throughout structured play observations to avoid the confounding effects of script training and teacher prompting. After learning the scripts, all children demonstrated more frequent theme-related social behavior. These improvements in social-communicative interaction were replicated with the training of three sociodramatic scripts (i.e., pet shop, carnival, magic show) according to a multiple baseline design. These effects were maintained during the training of successive scripts and when the triads were reconstituted to include new but similarly trained partners. Results provided support for the inclusion of systematic training of scripts to enhance interaction among children with and without disabilities during sociodramatic play.
Studies of dotted, a regulatory element in maize : III. Transpositions of dotted and its stability at various locations.

Dotted (Dt) is the regulatory element of a two-unit controlling system in maize. Dt causes the inherited change from the recessive a 1 (colorless) to its dominant allele, A 1 (anthocyanin production), during the development of the stalk, leaves, and endosperm. The mutation events are observed as sectors of color in an anthocyaninless background. One of the most puzzling, but perhaps significant, aspects of controlling elements in maize is that they originate in conjunction with chromosome or chromatid breaks. This fact invokes a requirement that either an existing regulatory mechanism is disturbed by the breakage or that a foreign element is incorporated before fusion of the broken chromatids. Experimental crosses were made between Dt tester stocks and a pollen parent, a large proportion of whose chromosomes 9 were undergoing the chromatid type of bridge-breakage-fusion cycle. New Dt's were induced in endosperm sectors of 250 of 154,422 kernels tested (1/600); among these, two germinal Dt's (Dt crown 4 and Dt 5) were recovered, presumably due to chromatid breaks during meiosis or the first microspore division. Dt 5 produces a mutation pattern very similar to the original Dt 1 and is located 0.33 crossover units away from the yg 2 locus. This is close to the known location of Dt 1 (7 crossover units distal to the yg 2 locus) and is suggestive of a specific site for Dt inductive breaks. Dt crown 4, on the other hand, is inherited independently of the yg 2 locus and does not support this contention. Dt crown 4 represents a new “state” causing a high concentration of fine dots in the crown of the kernel, with little or no dotting at the base. The phase variation of Dt crown 4 is discussed together with the tissue-dependent expression of Dt in-ac 1 (Dotted, inactive-active). Dt in-ac 1 is a new “state” of Dt 1 and shows inactive (no a 1 to A 1 mutations) and active (a 1 to A 1 mutations) phases in the endosperm, whereas it is only in the active phase in the diploid scutellum. The observed phase variation was shown to be a property of the regulatory elements, Dt, responding to differences in the cellular environment.
BREEDING SYSTEM OF A HYBRID BETWEEN A SEXUAL AND AN APOMICTIC SPECIES OF AMELANCHIER, SHADBUSH (ROSACEAE, MALOIDEAE)

Amelanchier bartramiana, which has been shown to be sexual and self-incompatible, and A. laevis, in which apospory and self-compatibility occur, grow in a mixed population in western Maine. Also present there is the putative interspecific hybrid, A. x neglecta. Principal components and canonical discriminant analyses of seven morphological characters from 96 parental and putative hybrid individuals substantiate morphological intermediacy of the hybrids. A Nomarski differential interference microscopy study of megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis in five hybrid plants shows a predominantly aposporous mode of reproduction, and controlled pollinations indicate that seed formation between A. bartramiana and A. laevis is possible and that the hybrids are self-compatible. The hybrids, which are tetraploids (n = ca. 34) like both parents in Maine, produce viable pollen and seed, but there is little evidence for backcrossing with either parent.
Solid + liquid phase equilibria in the hydroxylammonium nitrate + water system

Abstract The binary solid + liquid phase diagram has been measured for the water + hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) system. The phase diagram is a simple eutectic type with the eutectic at 231.5 K (41.7°C) and a mole fraction HAN of 0.281 (wt fraction HAN - 0.676). The enthalpy of fusion of the HAN was determined from the solid + liquid results to be 11 ± 2 kJ·mol−1. The HAN was obtained from Southwestern Analytical Chemicals, Inc. as an approximately 2.8 molar solution. The water was removed by vacuum drying over a three month time period, but the sample still contained some impurity. The impurity level calculated from the change in melting temperature with fraction melted is 0.040 mole fraction. Chemical analysis indicates the sample contains 0.005 mole fraction HNO3 and 0.007 mole fraction NH4NO3, with N2H5NO3 absent. The remainder of the impurity could be water, but this is not known for sure. We obtained a melting temperature for the impure sample of HAN of 315.9 K (42.7°C). The melting point corrected...
Elastic Properties of UHMWPE-SWCNT Nanocomposites Fiber: An Experimental, Theoretic, and Molecular Dynamics Evaluation

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (PE) filaments were reinforced with 2 wt.% of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The solution spinning method was used to produce both neat and reinforced PE filaments. Tensile tests and strain hardening through repeated loading-unloading cycles of the filaments revealed a spectacular contribution of the SWCNTs in enhancing the elastic properties, e.g., strength and modulus. The theoretic strength and modulus of the reinforced PE were predicted using the shear lag model and micromechanics-based model, respectively, and verifying with experimental results. It was observed that the predicted strength and modulus were comparable only with those obtained after strain hardening. In the next step, a molecular dynamic simulation was conducted by simulating a unit cell containing a SWCNT surrounded by PE matrix subjected to uniaxial tensile strain. The strength and modulus of the simulated structure showed an agreement, to certain extent, with experimental observations of strain-hardened nanocomposites.
The Ethics of Pandering in Boston Public Schools' School Assignment Plan.

How can access to public elementary schools of variable quality be justly distributed within a school district? Two reasonable criteria are: (a) that children should have equal opportunity to atten...
Planck mean coefficients in the optically thin limit

Abstract The relationship between the various Planck mean coefficients in the optically thin limit is discussed in terms of isothermal curves of growth. The specification of a general thin limit is shown to require two restrictive statements—one specifies the optical depth to be small and the other states the degree of radiative nonequilibrium. In general the limit is scaled by both the ordinary and modified Planck means. For linearized problems near radiative equilibrium, however, these two means reduce to the linear Planck mean that alone acts as the inverse scaling length.
Towards a GPU SDN controller

The SDN concept of separating and centralizing the control plane from the data plane has provided more flexibility and programmability to the deployment of the networks. On the other hand, the separation of the planes has raised some scalability and performance questions, being that the SDN controller is the bottleneck. In this paper we present an implementation of a GPU SDN controller. The goal of this paper is to mitigate the scalability problem of the SDN controller by offloading all the packet inspection and creation to the GPU. Experimental evaluation shows that the controller is able to process 17 Million packets/s using off-the-shelf GPU's.
Surface Structures of 4-Chlorocatechol Adsorbed on Titanium Dioxide

TiO_2 has been extensively studied as a photocatalyst for the complete oxidation of a variety of organic pollutants commonly found in groundwater. In this paper, we investigate the surface structures formed between an organic substrate and TiO_2 in the context of understanding how these specific surface interactions affect photoreactivity. The surface complexes formed by 4-chlorocatechol (CT) sorbed on TiO_2 are investigated as a function of concentration and of pH. Singular-value decomposition of the IR spectra of CT adsorbed on TiO_2 indicates that a single bidentate chemisorbed species is present over the pH range of 2−10. The surface-bound species appears to have 40% covalent and 60% ionic bond character. The pH dependence of the adsorption isotherms is modeled using a generalized electric double-layer approach. The data are consistent with the formation of a bidentate binuclear surface group for solution CT concentrations below 50 μM followed by nonspecific multilayer partitioning at concentrations above 100 μM.
Correlation of Semen Analysis and Hypoosmotic Swelling Test with Subsequent Pregnancies

The hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test was evaluated in 40 men whose wives had no apparent fertility factors. Only one of 29 men with normal semen parameters had a surbnormal HOS test, and that couple failed to conceive compared to 27 of 28 with normal HOS test who did conceive. All five couples with husbands with subnormal semen parameters but with normal HOS tests achieved a pregnancy, but none of the three with abnormal HOS tests achieved a pregnancy. The results suggest that the HOS test might be of value in predicting which couples should be more patient despite low semen parameters.
A fieldbus in ironworks in China

Abstract This article represents the state of the art of the fieldbus in the ironworks in China. First, it describes field devices and their connections in the blast furnace system. Since the systems exhibited differ widely in design and structure, the installation raises a lot of unresolved problems. Then, the focus here is on discussing requirements for the fieldbus and its communication architecture. The implementation is based on microprocessor and Manchester line coding with DPSK modulation over broadband cables. Finally, one management information system is set up throughout the ironworks. With the application, managers could directly see the whole production process on computer screens in control rooms.
Applying Best Practices to Designing Patient Education for Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Pursuing Kidney Transplant:

Despite the known benefits of kidney transplant, less than 30% of the 615 000 patients living with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States have received a transplant. More than 100 000 people are presently on the transplant waiting list. Although the shortage of kidneys for transplant remains a critical factor in explaining lower transplant rates, another important and modifiable factor is patients' lack of comprehensive education about transplant. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of known best practices from the broader literature that can be used as an evidence base to design improved education for ESRD patients pursuing a kidney transplant. Best practices in chronic disease education generally reveal that education that is individually tailored, understandable for patients with low health literacy, and culturally competent is most beneficial. Effective education helps patients navigate the complex health care process successfully. Recommendations for how to incorporate these best practices into transplant education design are described. Providing more ESRD patients with transplant education that encompasses these best practices may improve their ability to make informed health care decisions and increase the numbers of patients interested in pursuing transplant.
Dementia as a Predictor of Adverse Outcomes Following Stroke An Evaluation of Diagnostic Methods

Background and Purpose—Although it is understood that dementia is a risk factor for adverse outcomes, little is known about the predictive validity of the numerous methods that have been proposed for its diagnosis. Thus, we performed the present study to assess the utility of a variety of diagnostic methods in the prediction of adverse outcomes following stroke. Methods—We administered neuropsychological, neurological, and functional examinations to 244 patients (age, 71.7±8.5 years) 3 months after ischemic stroke. We diagnosed dementia using each of the following methods: (1) neuropsychological testing, requiring deficits in increasing numbers of cognitive domains, both with and without memory impairment, as well as functional impairment; (2) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of <24; and (3) neurologists’ clinical judgment. We then used survival analyses to investigate the ability of diagnoses based on those methods to predict death and recurrent stroke during long-term follow-up. Results—Log-ra...
Influence of processing conditions on adhesion between carbon fibers and electron-beam-cured cationic matrices

Adhesion between an electron-beam-cured Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy matrix and AS4 carbon fibers has been evaluated with the microindentation test method and compared with similar thermally cured materials. The results indicate that the absence of amine compounds and of high temperature treatment associated with thermally cured epoxy matrices are detrimental to fiber-matrix adhesion in electron-beam-cured epoxy matrices when measured by the microindentation test. Electron beam processing was not found responsible for any adsorption and/or deactivation of the irradiated carbon fiber surface as determined by surface analysis with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Moreover, the relationship between electron-beam processing conditions (namely, dose and dose increment) with the resulting matrix properties and the adhesion to carbon fiber have revealed a strong dependency of fiber-matrix adhesion on the bulk matrix properties independent of the electron beam processing history. Undercure...
An improved equivalence algorithm

An algorithm for assigning storage on the basis of EQUIVALENCE, DIMENSION and COMMON declarations is presented. The algorithm is based on a tree structure, and has reduced computation time by 40 percent over a previously published algorithm by identifying all equivalence classes with one scan of the EQUIVALENCE declarations. The method is applicable in any problem in which it is necessary to identify equivalence classes, given the element pairs defining the equivalence relation.
Self-evaluation as a moderating factor of strategy change in directed forgetting benefits.

In list method directed forgetting, instructing people to forget a studied word list usually results in better recall for a newly studied list. Sahakyan and Delaney (2003) have suggested that these benefits are due to a change in encoding strategy that occurs between the study of the first list and the study of the second list. To investigate what might mediate such strategy change decisions, in two experiments we induced bothforget and remember participants to evaluate their memory performance on the two lists. In Experiment 1, they were asked to explicitly recall the items from the first list before studying the second list. In Experiment 2, after the study of the first list, the participants provided a rapid aggregate judgment of learning. Evaluation eliminated the differences between the forget and remember groups for the second list in both experiments, because the remember group achieved recall levels comparable to those for the forget group. The role of performance evaluation in mediating directed forgetting benefits is discussed.