cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Method for Including the Dynamic Fluctuations of a Protein in Computer-Aided Drug Design

We have recently presented a new pharmacophore design method that allows for the incorporation of the inherent flexibility of a target active site. The flexibility of the enzymatic system is described by collecting many conformations of the uncomplexed protein; this ensemble of conformational states can come from a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, multiple crystal structures, or many NMR structures. Binding sites for functional groups that complement the active site are determined through multiple-copy calculations. These calculations are conducted for each protein conformation, providing a large collection of potential binding sites. The Cartesian coordinates from each protein conformation are overlaid through RMS fitting of essential catalytic residues, and the pharmacophore model is described by binding regions that are conserved over many protein conformations. Previously, we developed a “dynamic” pharmacophore model for HIV-1 integrase using 11 conformations of the protein from an MD simulation; the MUSIC procedure was used to calculate binding positions for methanol molecules in each configuration of the active site. Here we present “static” pharmacophore models developed with a single conformation of the protein from two new crystal structures (standard protocol for multiple-copy methods). The static models do not perform as well as the previous dynamic model in fitting known inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase. To test the applicability of the dynamic pharmacophore method and the assumption that any reliable source of protein conformations is applicable, we have now developed a second dynamic pharmacophore model based on the two crystal structures also used for the development of the static models. Though the dynamic model based on the two crystal structures does not fit as many known inhibitors as the previous dynamic model, it is a significant improvement over the static models. Even better performance is expected with the addition of new crystal structures as they become available. However, it is notable that using only two structures leads to great improvement in the models.
Support, coercion, and delinquency: testing aspects of an emerging theory

This research tests aspects of differential social support and coercion theory of crime as proposed by Colvin, Cullen and Vander Ven (2002). The theory argues social interactions, either coercive or supportive, figure into development of self-control, delinquent behavior, and mental health. Coercive interactions involve force, direct and indirect intimidation and violence that compel compliance out of fear or anxiety. Coercive interactions can be employed consistently or erratically and individuals that are disciplined in an erratic manner will tend to develop strong anger directed toward others, low self-control, and weak alienated social bonds. These individuals are likely to become chronic offenders. Individuals that receive consistent coercion develop strong self-directed anger, high-externalized self-control, and weak social bonds. These individuals will have minimal legal difficulties, but are likely to have persistent mental health problems Social supports can also be erratic or consistent in natur...
Relationship of newborn weight loss to milk supply concern and anxiety: the impact on breastfeeding duration.

Milk supply concern is the most common reason for breastfeeding discontinuation and maternal anxiety is also associated with reduced breastfeeding duration. Newborn excess weight loss (EWL) could trigger milk supply concern and anxiety and might be amenable to modification. Our objective was to determine the relationship between EWL and the development of milk supply concern and anxiety and the effect of such development on breastfeeding duration. We conducted a cohort analysis using data previously obtained from a randomised controlled trial comparing two post-hospital discharge follow-up strategies. For 1107 well, singleton infants born at ≥34 weeks, we extracted data on all inpatient infant weights. EWL was defined as the loss of ≥10% of birthweight. We surveyed mothers to obtain data on state anxiety and milk supply concern at birth and at 2 weeks. Our final outcome was breastfeeding at 6 months. Seventy (6.3%) infants developed EWL during the birth hospitalisation. At 2 weeks, milk supply concern and positive anxiety screen were more common (42% and 18%, respectively) among mothers whose infants had had EWL than among mothers whose infants had not had EWL (20% and 6%, respectively) (P < 0.001 for each comparison). Mothers with milk supply concern at 2 weeks were much less likely to be breastfeeding at 6 months, with odds ratio of 0.47 (0.30, 0.74) in multivariate analysis. EWL may increase milk supply concern and anxiety and these may reduce breastfeeding duration. Ameliorating EWL might alleviate milk supply concern and anxiety and improve breastfeeding duration.
Quantitative detection of transgenes in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were designed that enabled the zygosity of transgenes in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to be determined. The two zygosity assays, based on TaqMan technology that uses a fluorogenic probe which hybridizes to a PCR target sequence flanked by primers, were both accurate and reproducible in the determination of the number of transgenes present in a cell line. In the first assay, in which TaqMan assays were performed on increasing amounts of a plasmid containing the transgene of interest, a linear relationship between the level of fluorescence and the template amount was produced. Using the resultant linear relationships as standard curves, we were able to determine the zygosity of both soybeans segregating for the cry1Ac transgene and that of a T1 peanut segregating for the hph transgene. In the second assay, a relative determination of copy number (referred to as comparative Ct) was performed on transgenic soybeans by comparing the amplification efficiency of the transgene of interest to that of an endogenous gene in a multiplexed PCR reaction. Both methods proved to be sufficiently sensitive to differentiate between homozygotes and hemizygotes. These assays have numerous potential applications in plant genetic engineering and tissue culture, including the hastening of the identification of transgenic tissue, selecting transformation events with a low number of transgenes and the monitoring of the transmission of transgenes in subsequent crosses.
MathPad2: a system for the creation and exploration of mathematical sketches

We present mathematical sketching, a novel, pen-based, modeless gestural interaction paradigm for mathematics problem solving. Mathematical sketching derives from the familiar pencil-and-paper process of drawing supporting diagrams to facilitate the formulation of mathematical expressions; however, with a mathematical sketch, users can also leverage their physical intuition by watching their hand-drawn diagrams animate in response to continuous or discrete parameter changes in their written formulas. Diagram animation is driven by implicit associations that are inferred, either automatically or with gestural guidance, from mathematical expressions, diagram labels, and drawing elements. The modeless nature of mathematical sketching enables users to switch freely between modifying diagrams or expressions and viewing animations. Mathematical sketching can also support computational tools for graphing, manipulating and solving equations; initial feedback from a small user group of our mathematical sketching prototype application, MathPad2, suggests that it has the potential to be a powerful tool for mathematical problem solving and visualization.
Observability analysis of INS and lever-arm error states with CDGPS - Camera aiding

Lane level guidance is required for several Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications. To perform lane level guidance, vehicle localization accuracies on the decimeter level are required. Carrier phase Differential GPS integrated Inertial Navigation System (CDGPS - INS) is able to achieve such accuracies given a clear view of the sky and differential correction availability; however, when using an inexpensive Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), the performance deteriorates beyond the meter level in tens of seconds in GPS denied areas. Another popular method of navigation in the literature is INS with feature-based aiding. One of the fundamental difficulties in integrating any feature-based sensor with INS is the necessity to calibrate, with commensurate accuracy, the lever arm vector and rotation matrix, i.e. extrinsic parameters, referred here as frame transformation parameters, from the INS to the feature sensor frame. This calibration can occur during the system's operation when the corresponding error state is observable. The primary objective of this paper is to analyze observability of INS error states in an integrated CDGPS - vision - INS approach and compare it with observability in CDGPS - INS and a vision - INS approaches.
Identification of SAGBO-induced damage zone ahead of crack tip to characterize sustained loading crack growth in alloy 783

Sustained loading was applied to alloy 783 subjected to a non-standard heat treatment, annealing plus γ′ aging, at elevated temperature. The existence of damage zone ahead of the crack tip was identified and propagation rate of the damage zone was correlated to the sustained loading crack growth rate. The formation of damage zone was ascribed to stress accelerated grain boundary oxidation.
Qualitative analysis of artificial neural networks with multiple delays

It is well known that a class of artificial neural networks with symmetric interconnections and without transmission delays, known as Cohen-Grossberg neural networks, possesses global stability (i.e., all trajectories tend to some equilibrium). The authors demonstrate in the present paper that many of the qualitative properties of Cohen-Grossberg networks will not be affected by the introduction of sufficiently small delays. Specifically, the authors establish some bound conditions for the time delays under which a given Cohen-Grossberg network with multiple delays is globally stable and possesses the same asymptotically stable equilibria as the corresponding network without delays. An effective method of determining the asymptotic stability of an equilibrium of a Cohen-Grossberg network with multiple delays is also presented.
Methane hydrate nonstoichiometry and phase diagram

A previous study discovered that, when formed from different ethylene oxide (EO) feed solutions, hydrates had different small-cage occupancies with essentially total occupation of the large cavities of sI hydrate. An EO + H2O isobaric phase diagram was proposed with a solid solution range to explain this phenomenon. Since methane and CO2 also occupy both small cages and large cages of sI hydrate, new phase diagrams were proposed which allowed the methane or CO2 hydrate composition to vary as a function of feed composition at fixed p-T conditions. Raman spectroscopy experiments now show that H2O + CH4 hydrates formed at the vapor–liquid interface have a different composition than dendrites growing into the water below the interface. Interfacial hydrates were typical laboratory samples formed with excess gas, while dendrites coexisted with excess water and were similar to seafloor hydrate. Integrated peak intensities were used to calculate relative cage occupancies in Raman data analysis. Interfacial hydrates had an average of 95.4% small cages occupied at 30 MPa and 275.15 K, while dendrite hydrates had only 82.8% small-cage occupancy at the same conditions. This result suggests that hydrates in the ocean floor may have lower methane concentrations than hydrates formed under normal laboratory conditions at the same pressure and temperature.
Cofinality of the partial ordering of functions from ω1 into ω under eventual domination

It is unknown whether there can exist a family of functions from Ω1 into Ω of size less than that dominates all functions from Ω1 into Ω. We show that there is no such family if the continuum is real-valued measurable, and that the existence of such a family has consequences for cardinal arithmetic, and is related to large cardinal axioms.
Steroid-modulated stromal cell tissue factor expression: a model for the regulation of endometrial hemostasis and menstruation

This study examined steroidal regulation of tissue factor expression by cultured endometrial stromal cells. Confluent stromal cell cultures derived from cycling human endometria were exposed to vehicle control, 10(-8) mol/L estradiol (E2), 10(-8)-10(-6) mol/L medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), or both E2 and MPA for 2-24 days in serum-containing medium. The progestin enhanced immunoreactive and functionally active stromal cell tissue factor content, achieving peak effects by 8-12 days of culture. Although E2 alone was ineffective, it augmented MPA-enhanced tissue factor content by 8 days of culture, with continued increases beyond 20 days. Dose-dependent effects on tissue factor protein content were observed between 10(-8)-10(-6) mol/L MPA added alone or together with E2. The content of tissue factor mRNA was also increased by MPA and synergistically increased by E2 plus MPA. Similar steroidal effects on stromal cell tissue factor protein and mRNA content were observed using a defined medium. After optimal induction of tissue factor expression by E2 plus MPA, removal of these steroids reduced levels of stromal cell tissue factor mRNA and protein, with virtually complete reversal by day 7 of withdrawal. These time-course and dose-response relationships establish in vitro conditions with which to dissect factors controlling endometrial hemostasis, whereas the observed effects of steroid withdrawal establish a novel model for the study of mechanisms regulating normal and abnormal uterine bleeding.
EFFECTIVE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF NANOPOROUS SILICON

Nanoporous materials consist of nanosize voids embedded in a solid matrix. The pores can be closed or open and have various shapes and sizes. Their applications range from optical and optoelectronics devices to biosensors. In order to effectively utilize and characterize nanoporous media for these various applications, models that describe their effective optical properties are necessary. Numerous effective medium models have been proposed. However, validations of these models against experimental data are often contradictory and inconclusive. This issue was numerically investigated by solving the two-dimensional Maxwell’s equations in absorbing nanoporous silicon thin-films. All interfaces are assumed to be optically smooth and characteristic pore size is much smaller than the wavelength of incident radiation so electromagnetic wave scattering by pores can be safely neglected. The envelope method was then used to retrieve the effective index of refraction and absorption index from the computed transmittance. The numerical results agree very well for both the index of refraction and the absorption index with a recent model obtained by applying the Volume Averaging Theory (VAT) to the Maxwell’s equations. However, commonly used models such as the Maxwell-Garnett, Bruggeman, parallel, and series models systematically and sometimes significantly underpredict the numerical results.
The Importance of Presence: Immigrant Parents’ School Engagement Experiences

The authors have been engaged in research focused on how parents in high-poverty urban communities negotiate understandings and build sustaining relationships with others in school settings. In this article, the authors draw upon ethnographic methodology to report on the stories of three working-class immigrant parents and their efforts to participate in their children’s formal education. Their stories are used as exemplars to illuminate the challenges immigrant parents face as they work to participate in their children’s schooling. In contrasting the three stories, the authors argue that parental engagement needs to be understood through parents’ presence in schooling, regardless of whether that presence is in a formal school space or in more personal, informal spaces, including those created by parents themselves.
Parental functioning improves the developmental quotient of pediatric liver transplant recipients

Psychomotor development in pediatric liver transplant (LT) recipients depends on several factors. Our aim was to evaluate the importance of parental involvement and family dynamics on psychomotor development by assessing (i) children and parents individually, (ii) the parent-child relationship, and (iii) the correlation between parental functioning and patient outcome, all before and after LT. Age-appropriate scales were used before and after LT. Twenty-one patients, 19 mothers, and 16 fathers were evaluated. Developmental quotient (DQ): No subjects scored in the "very good" range. The proportion of children with deficits increased from LT to two yr: 17.6% vs. 28.6%. Subjects 0-2 yr were more likely to have normal DQ at transplant (66.7% vs. 50% for older children). Abnormal DQ was more prevalent two yr post-LT in children older at LT (p = 0.02). The mother-child relationship was normal in 59% of families pre-LT and in 67% at two yr. The relationship was more favorable when the child received a transplant as an infant (p = 0.014 at 12 months post-LT). Normal DQ was associated with higher maternal global functioning score pre-LT (p = 0.03). Paternal performance scores were higher than maternal scores. Children transplanted after two yr of age suffer greater long-term deficits than those transplanted as infants.
Intrarenal Dopamine Attenuates Deoxycorticosterone Acetate/High Salt–Induced Blood Pressure Elevation in Part Through Activation of a Medullary Cyclooxygenase 2 Pathway

Locally produced dopamine in the renal proximal tubule inhibits salt and fluid reabsorption, and a dysfunctional intrarenal dopaminergic system has been reported in essential hypertension and experimental hypertension models. Using catechol- O -methyl-transferase knockout (COMT −/− ) mice, which have increased renal dopamine because of deletion of the major renal dopamine-metabolizing enzyme, we investigated the effect of intrarenal dopamine on the development of hypertension in the deoxycorticosterone acetate/high-salt (DOCA/HS) model. DOCA/HS led to significant increases in systolic blood pressure in wild-type mice (from 115±2 to 153±4 mm Hg), which was significantly attenuated in COMT −/− mice (from 114±2 to 135±3 mm Hg). In DOCA/HS COMT −/− mice, the D1-like receptor antagonist SCH-23390 increased systolic blood pressure (156±2 mm Hg). DOCA/HS COMT −/− mice also exhibited more urinary sodium excretion (COMT −/− versus wild-type: 3038±430 versus 659±102 μmol/L per 24 hours; P −/− mice. COX-2–derived prostaglandins in the renal medulla promote sodium excretion, and dopamine stimulates medullary prostaglandin production. Renal medullary COX-2 expression and urinary prostaglandin E 2 excretion were significantly higher in COMT −/− than in wild-type mice after DOCA/HS treatment. In DOCA/HS-treated COMT −/− mice, the COX-2 inhibitor SC-58236 reduced urinary sodium and prostaglandin E 2 excretion and increased systolic blood pressure (153±2 mm Hg). These studies indicate that an activated renal dopaminergic system attenuates the development of hypertension, at least in large part through activating medullary COX-2 expression/activity, and also decreases oxidative stress resulting from DOCA/HS.
Vulnerability of xylem vessels to cavitation in sugar maple. Scaling from individual vessels to whole branches.

The relation between xylem vessel age and vulnerability to cavitation of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) was quantified by measuring the pressure required to force air across bordered pit membranes separating individual xylem vessels. We found that the bordered pit membranes of vessels located in current year xylem could withstand greater applied gas pressures (3.8 MPa) compared with bordered pit membranes in vessels located in older annular rings (2.0 MPa). A longitudinal transect along 6-year-old branches indicated that the pressure required to push gas across bordered pit membranes of current year xylem did not vary with distance from the growing tip. To understand the contribution of age-related changes in vulnerability to the overall resistance to cavitation, we combined data on the pressure thresholds of individual xylem vessels with measurements of the relative flow rate through each annual ring. The annual ring of the current year contributed only 16% of the total flow measured on 10-cm-long segments cut from 6-year-old branches, but it contributed more than 70% of the total flow when measured through 6-year-old branches to the point of leaf attachment. The vulnerability curve calculated using relative flow rates measured on branch segments were similar to vulnerability curves measured on 6-year-old branches (pressure that reduces hydraulic conductance by 50% = 1.6–2.4 MPa), whereas the vulnerability curve calculated using relative flow rates measured on 6-year-old branches were similar to ones measured on the extension growth of the current year (pressure that reduces hydraulic conductance by 50% = 3.8 MPa). These data suggest that, in sugar maple, the xylem of the current year can withstand larger xylem tensions than older wood and dominates water delivery to leaves.
Oxide Ion Conductors for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

This paper reviews the electrical properties of the stabilized zirconia with high mechanical strength and toughness. These oxide ion conductors are attractive for the electrolyte of the self-supported planar type solid oxide fuel cells(SOFC). The electrical conductivity of the tetragonal stabilized zirconia(TZP), which has high bending strength of 1200MPa, was measured to be 6.5x10−2S/cm at 1,000°C. The electrical and mechanical properties of the composites of cubic stabilized zirconia and alumina were examined. The 20 weight% Al2O3 and 80 weight% stabilized zirconia with 8 mole% Y2O3 showed improved mechanical strength and only slight decrease in electrical conductivity.
Implementation of the American Diabetes Association's Standards of Medical Care post-Medicare Part D: The case of statin utilization in the elderly with diabetes

Abstract Background The American Diabetes Association's (ADA's) Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes for statin use have changed to be driven by risk status rather than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Objectives The objectives of this study were to 1) examine how statins were used by risk status in elderly diabetics for whom they are recommended by the ADA's Standards with high levels of evidence, and 2) identify potential predictors of statin non-use using data containing Medicare Part D information in understanding how to further align patient care with the ADA's Standards. Methods This study was a pooled cross-sectional study of the Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey from 2006 to 2010. Sampling weights were applied to generate national estimates. Weighted logistic regression was performed to identify potential predicators of statin non-use. Results Between 2006 and 2010, 53.96%, 52.14%, 52.28%, 57.74%, and 59.81% of eligible diabetics used statins, respectively. About 70% of the patients with overt cardiovascular disease (CVD) took statins while only about 50% of those with CVD risk factors used statins in 2010. Compared to those with overt CVD, patients with CVD risk factors were less likely to take statins (OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.48–0.64). Other non-use predictors included: non-Hispanic Black, non-metropolitan areas, and comorbidities. Conclusions Implementation of the ADA's statin recommendations increased over the study period. Statin use differed significantly by patients' risk status. Future ADA's Standards focusing on how to improve utilization of statins for individuals with different risk status, particularly those with CVD risk factors but without overt CVD, are warranted.
Integration of vagal afferent responses to gastric loads and cholecystokinin in rats

The neurophysiological responses to 2-ml intragastric saline loads and 100-pmol celiac artery infusions of cholecystokinin (CCK) were obtained from 20 vagal afferent fibers in 14 rats. Two groups of fibers were identified. Discharge rates of group I fibers (n = 16) were significantly increased by gastric loading, adapted slowly to maintained gastric volume, and were inhibited by load withdrawal. CCK elicited a significant increase in the discharge rate of these group I fibers. Prior exposure to CCK nearly doubled the response of these fibers to a subsequent gastric load. In contrast, group II fibers (n = 4) increased firing rate only during infusion of a gastric load and showed rapid adaptation and no response to CCK. CCK failed to alter subsequent responses to gastric loads in these fibers. These results 1) demonstrate an integration of signals elicited by exogenous CCK and gastric loads at the level of vagal afferent fibers and 2) imply that aspects of CCK's inhibition of food intake may derive from CCK's ability to mimic and amplify vagal afferent activity provoked by meal-related gastric events.
Principles of Enzymes

Enzymes are protein catalysts that mediate nearly all physiological chemical reactions. These catalysts operate on substrates and convert them into products. Enzymes increase the rates of chemical reactions under physiological conditions by several orders of magnitude by decreasing the free energy of activation. Some enzyme proteins require a vitamin, metal, or other cofactor for activity. Enzymes fall into six classes depending upon the type of reaction that they catalyze: (i) oxidoreductases, (ii) transferases, (iii) hydrolases, (iv) lyases, (v) isomerases, and (vi) ligases. Many enzymes are drug targets including angiotensin-conversing enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase, and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase.
Identification of island-induced Alfvén eigenmodes in a reversed field pinch

The modification of the shear Alfven spectrum due to a core resonant magnetic island is used to explain the Alfvenic activity observed on the Madison symmetric torus (MST) reversed-field pinch during neutral beam injection. Theoretical studies show that the Alfven continua in the core of the island provide a gap in which the observed Alfvenic bursts reside. Numerical simulations using a new code called SIESTAlfven have identified the bursts as the first observation of an island-induced Alfven eigenmode (IAE) in an RFP. The IAE arises from a helical coupling of harmonics due to the magnetic island.
Erratum: Thermal Expansion of Platinum and Platinum-Rhodium Alloys

This paper contains descriptions of the construction and use over the temper­ ature range _27°C to 570 °C of a Merritt-Saunders (optical interferomet­ ric) linear thennal expansion appara­ tus. Measurements of thermal expansion are reported for platinum and for two platinum-rhodium alloys (nominally 12 wt% Rh and 20 wt% Rh). Detailed analyses are given of the measurement uncertainties involved in the experiment and of the representation of the data by polynomials in the sample temperatures. The data show precision at the I-ppm level and good agreement with results already pub­ lished,
Effect of gadolinium adatoms on the transport properties of graphene

The electrical transport properties of graphene doped with gadolinium (Gd) adatoms have been measured. The gate voltage dependence of the conductivity shows that Gd produces $n$ doping of graphene. The charged Gd ions act as scattering centers, lowering the sample mobility for both electrons and holes. The doping efficiency of Gd at 77 K reproduces theoretical predictions (0.7 electron per Gd adatom). On raising the sample temperature to even 150 K, clustering effects are observed and substantially modify the transport.
Immunological Effects of Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy( PDT) can be used for the treatment of pre-cancerous diseases,malignant tumors,vascular diseases and infectious diseases. Not only can its efficacy be determined by the direct effects of photodynamic reactions on targeted cells,but also indirectly affected by local inflammatory responses and immune responses.This article will provide an overview on the immunological effects of PDT and their mechanisms and significance.
Fractionation of nitrogen isotopes by mixed ruminal bacteria

Mixed ruminal bacteria were cultured with glucose, cellulose or no carbohydrate, and ammonium bicarbonate or casein hydrolysate. Changes in amounts of bacterial ammonia and non-ammonia N were measured. Ratios of N isotopes expressed as delta 15N (delta 15N) were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. When bacteria were cultured with glucose and ammonium bicarbonate, bacterial delta 15N decreased from .9 to -5.8/1000 and residual ammonia delta 15N increased from -1.4 to 12.7/1000. Fractionation of N isotope occurred during ammonia incorporation because the difference between delta 15N of ammonia and delta 15N of bacteria (delta 15N) was 18.8/1000 (P .1), indicating no fractionation of N isotopes occurred during utilization of amino acids. The amount of bacterial N was highest at 24 h of incubation when cellulose was the carbohydrate source. At that time, delta 15N between ammonia and bacteria was 8.9/1000 when ammonia was the N source, but delta 15N between non-ammonia and bacteria was 1.7/1000 when casein hydrolysate was the N source. Bacterial N decreased after 24 h when cellulose was the source of carbohydrate. Results indicate that fractionation of N isotopes occurred during ammonia incorporation, but not during incorporation of N from amino acids, deamination, and release of ammonia. Fractionation of N isotopes during incorporation of ammonia N may be used as a marker to study N metabolism by ruminal bacteria.
Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using arabinomannan from Mycobacterium smegmatis: a potentially useful screening test for the diagnosis of incubating leprosy.

Abstract A carbohydrate antigen composed predominantly of arabinomannan has been purified from Mycobacterium smegmatis and used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect anti-mycobacterial antibodies in human sera. Sera from 117 controls, 25 tuberculosis patients, 124 leprosy patients and 256 household contacts of leprosy patients were tested. When compared with the control group, 56% of tuberculosis patients, 27% of patients with tuberculoid leprosy, 77% of borderline leprosy cases, and 95% of patients with lepromatous leprosy had elevated titers. Nine percent of the household contact group had abnormally high levels of antibody. The relevance of these findings to the serodiagnosis of incubating leprosy and the management of household contacts of leprosy patients is discussed.
Research on the reactive power algorithm of PV power generation system during transient fault process

Low voltage ride through (LVRT) ability is the most important indicators of photovoltaic (PV) power generation unit grid-connected performance. At present, most of the important standards in the world require that PV power unit must have LVRT ability, and part of the standards demand that PV power generation unit should have reactive power support capacity as well, in order to maintain grid voltage amplitude stability. LVRT is a transient process; however, the reactive power algorithm is different from the traditional static reactive power algorithm during transient process. Using Matlab software, this paper researches on the reactive power algorithm, based on PV power generation unit in the process of the LVRT. This paper simulates the triangle method, Fourier transform method and instantaneous reactive power algorithm, IEC61400-21 in reactive power algorithm, combined with the actual PV power generation unit in low voltage through current and voltage data. In a result, the paper compares the simulation results, and put forward the suitable algorithm of reactive for PV power generating unit in the process of LVRT.
Response of Sierra Nevada forests to projected climate-wildfire interactions

Climate influences forests directly and indirectly through disturbance. The interaction of climate change and increasing area burned has the potential to alter forest composition and community assembly. However, the overall forest response is likely to be influenced by species-specific responses to environmental change and the scale of change in overstory species cover. In this study, we sought to quantify how projected changes in climate and large wildfire size would alter forest communities and carbon (C) dynamics, irrespective of competition from nontree species and potential changes in other fire regimes, across the Sierra Nevada, USA. We used a species-specific, spatially explicit forest landscape model (LANDIS-II) to evaluate forest response to climate-wildfire interactions under historical (baseline) climate and climate projections from three climate models (GFDL, CCSM3, and CNRM) forced by a medium-high emission scenario (A2) in combination with corresponding climate-specific large wildfire projections. By late century, we found modest changes in the spatial distribution of dominant species by biomass relative to baseline, but extensive changes in recruitment distribution. Although forest recruitment declined across much of the Sierra, we found that projected climate and wildfire favored the recruitment of more drought-tolerant species over less drought-tolerant species relative to baseline, and this change was greatest at mid-elevations. We also found that projected climate and wildfire decreased tree species richness across a large proportion of the study area and transitioned more area to a C source, which reduced landscape-level C sequestration potential. Our study, although a conservative estimate, suggests that by late century, forest community distributions may not change as intact units as predicted by biome-based modeling, but are likely to trend toward simplified community composition as communities gradually disaggregate and the least tolerant species are no longer able to establish. The potential exists for substantial community composition change and forest simplification beyond this century.
Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Induces Erythrocytes Sickling in Sickle Cell Disease By Promoting Hemoglobin S Aggregation

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic hemolytic disease with high morbidity and mortality affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Although SCD was identified a century ago, we still lack effective mechanism-based therapies to treat this disease. Our recent study showed inhibition of sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1, the enzyme that produces S1P) significantly decreased S1P level in sickle erythrocytes, attenuated sickling cells. We also found sickling was induced by high concentration (10µM) but not low concentration (0.5 µM) of S1P, which indicates S1P induced sickling is independent of its receptors. However, the mechanism of S1P inducing sickling in SCD is unknown. Because sickling is induced by formation of polymers of deoxygenated sickle hemoglobin, we hypothesized that S1P functions intracellularly to induce sickling by directly promoting polymerization of deoxygenated HbS. To test this possibility, we determined the effects of S1P on deoxy-HbS polymerization using temperature jump method. We found that 5µM S1P began to induce aggregation of deoxy-HbS (0.25mM) with shorter delay time at 17.65 ± 0.57min compared to HbS treated with solvent (methanol) which with delay time at 19.28 ± 0.17 min. Moroever, S1P at 10µM induced deoxy-HbS aggregation with further decreased delay time at 15.71 ± 0.38 min, clearly demonstrating a dose-dependent effect. Thus, this study indicates that S1P at concentrations higher than 5µM dramatically and specifically accelerated HbS aggregation. Next, we found that aggregation amplitude (ΔA) of deoxy-HbS was significantly increased by S1P at a concentration of 5µM and was further elevated at 10mM of S1P. indicating that S1P enhanced polymerization ability of deoxy-HbS in a dosage-dependent manner. Finally, we detected the effect of S1P on deaggregation of aggregated deoxy-HbS. We found that S1P significantly reduced temperature drop-mediated unaggregated HbS and this effect was in a dosage dependent manner. In order to test whether anti-sickling drug can increase delay time of Hb S aggregation, we chose 5-HMF that was reported anti-sickling. We found 5-HMF significantly increased delay time of HbS. Taken together, we demonstrated that S1P induces HbS polymerization via three mechanisms: 1) Accelerating polymerization of HbS by shortening temperature jump-mediated delay time; 2) enhancing the aggregate formation during temperature jumping; and 3) reducing deaggregation ability during temperature dropping. Thus, this study strongly supports our in vivo animal, in vitro cellular and functional evidence that S1P contributes to sickling by promoting polymerization. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.