cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TAK1 activation of alpha-TAT1 and microtubule hyperacetylation control AKT signaling and cell growth

Acetylation of microtubules (MT) confers mechanical stability necessary for numerous functions including cell cycle and intracellular transport. Although αTAT1 is a major MT acetyltransferase, how this enzyme is regulated remains much less clear. Here we report TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) as a key activator of αTAT1. TAK1 directly interacts with and phosphorylates αTAT1 at Ser237 to critically enhance its catalytic activity, as mutating this site to alanine abrogates, whereas a phosphomimetic induces MT hyperacetylation across cell types. Using a custom phospho-αTAT1-Ser237 antibody, we screen various mouse tissues to discover that brain contains some of the highest TAK1-dependent αTAT1 activity, which, accordingly, is diminished rapidly upon intra-cerebral injection of a TAK1 inhibitor. Lastly, we show that TAK1 selectively inhibits AKT to suppress mitogenic and metabolism-related pathways through MT-based mechanisms in culture and in vivo. Collectively, our findings support a fundamental new role for TGF-β signaling in MT-related functions and disease.
Advances in Understanding Phytoplankton Fluorescence and Photosynthesis

Significant technological and scientific advances were made during the last decade in the measurement of fluorescence from the photosynthetic pigments of natural marine populations of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria. Field studies have begun to employ a diverse array of fluorescence sensors. Airborne Lidar has been used to obtain synoptic, one-dimensional transects of the concentration of chlorophyll a and phycoerythrin. Towed fluorometers have provided rapid, two-dimensional transects of the distribution of chlorophyll a. Moored active and passive fluorometers have given continuous, long-term records of the concentration of chlorophyll with unprecedented temporal detail. Flow cytometers have measured the fluorescence and scattering cross-sections of individual cells. As conventional spectrofluorometers provided fluorescence excitation and emission spectra for entire assemblages of cells and particles, microspectrophotometers provided such data for individual cells.
Propagation at any angle to the imposed magnetic field

For propagation at any angle to the imposed magnetic field, the direction of group propagation in general differs from the direction of phase propagation as described in Chapter 6. It is convenient to begin by supposing that the direction of phase propagation is specified. We are then considering an infinite homogeneous plasma subject to a steady uniform magnetic field, and waves are being launched from an infinite antenna plane whose normal makes an angle θ p with the direction of the imposed magnetic field. If the wave in the plasma is to be described by means of a single exponential wave function, the antenna must have a specific elliptic polarization (Section 5.5). There are two such elliptic polarizations, corresponding to the two characteristic waves, and these waves propagate with different phase velocities. For an antenna with finite aperture dimensions, the relation between the beam direction and the normal to the aperture plane is as illustrated in Figure 6.3. Moreover, for a given orientation of the aperture plane, the beams for the two characteristic waves in general point in different directions. Furthermore, if the antenna is pulsed, wave packets travel along the two beams with different velocities.
Foster care, syndemic health disparities and associations with HIV/STI diagnoses among young adult substance users

Objectives Foster care history is associated with many health and social problems, including sexual risk behaviours, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This cross-sectional study compares sexual risk behaviours among a sample of young adult substance users in Miami (N=602) with and without foster care histories. Methods Participants completed a comprehensive assessment which included sections on foster care, sexual risk behaviours and related health and social problems. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between foster care history, associated syndemic vulnerabilities and increased likelihood of having a prior HIV/STI diagnosis. Results Bivariate analyses indicated that foster care alumni were more likely to report a prior HIV/STI diagnosis, higher condomless sex frequencies, being high on alcohol or drugs during sex, sexual victimisation and a history of homelessness compared with other participants in the sample (p Conclusions This exploratory study identifies characteristics that distinguish foster care alumni from non-alumni and signals the need to better serve the sexual and related health needs of individuals with foster care histories. Clinicians and healthcare providers should provide foster care alumni with detailed HIV/STI risk reduction information and resources and services to address related syndemic vulnerabilities (eg, victimisation and homelessness).
Observations on an epilobic Lumbricus rubellus (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA.

The genus Lumbricus L. was the first described genus of earthworms, with L. terrestris as its type species. The genus can be easily distinguished because it is the only lumbricid genus with a tanylobic prostomium, with the exception of the North American native Bimastos eiseni (Levinsen). With six known Lumbricus species introduced in North America (Reynolds & Wetzel, 2012), Lumbricus rubellus is one of the most widespread. In addition, L. rubellus has been associated with negative ecological effects as result of its invasion (Greiner et al. 2012). The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, USA, is no exception from earthworm invasions (Snyder et al. 2011). Recent research in an area near the extreme southwestern end of the Park (35.5538o N; 83.9943o W), resulted in the collection of ten specimens of L. rubellus , on 27 July 2011. Among these specimens was one that had an abnormal epilobic prostomium and under-developed tubercula pubertatis, whereas the rest had the typical Lumbricus tanylobic prostomia and fully developed tubercula pubertatis. To facilitate discrimination and identification in future encounters of an epilobic L. rubellus we provide here a full description of this specimen. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a specimen of L. rubellus with an epilobic prostomium. The specimen will be deposited in the nascent Terrestrial Oligochaete Collection at the Georgia Museum of Natural History in Athens, Georgia, USA. The specimen was fixed in 10% formalin, and is preserved in 70% ethanol.
Use of blade tenderization to improve wooden breast meat texture

ABSTRACT The effectiveness of blade tenderization (BT) in improving the texture of wooden breast (WB) meat was evaluated through compression and shear analyses. Butterfly fillets (n = 144) were collected during 3 sampling replications and scored as normal (NORM), moderate (WB MOD), or severe wooden breast (WB SEV). One side from each butterfly was blade tenderized and the other side served as an untreated control. Fillets were subjected to both compression and shear analyses in either the raw or cooked state. At 24 h postmortem, drip loss, pH, and color traits were assessed on raw fillets. Muscle condition (M), treatment (T), measurement location (L), and their interaction effects were investigated. WB fillets were heavier (P
Synthesis of anti-1,3 Amino Alcohol Motifs via Pd(II)/SOX Catalysis with the Capacity for Stereodivergence

We report the development of a Pd(II)/(±)-MeO-SOX/2,5-dimethylbenzoquinone system that enables unprecedented access to anti-1,3 amino alcohol motifs in good yields (33 substrates, avg. 66% isolated...
Transparency in Autonomous Teammates: Intention to Support as Teaming Information

Human–Machine teaming is a very near term standard for many occupational settings and still requires considerations for the design of autonomous teammates (ATs). Transparency of system processes is...
Therapeutic plasma exchange for exogenous insulin antibody syndrome in combined variable immunodeficiency: a case report

A 32-year-old male with type I diabetes presented with profound hypoglycemia due to exogenous insulin antibody syndrome in the setting of newly-diagnosed common variable immunodeficiency. Immunomodulatory therapy was not initially effective, but after the initiation of plasma exchange hypoglycemia resolved, and glucose lability improved.
Put Some Respect on My Name: Navigating the Use of Academic Titles and Personas

This critical douethographic study investigates the challenges and provides strategies related to the use of academic titles and establishing an academic persona within the academy. Both authors engage in a reflective examination of their life experiences, culture, and values, which have shaped their identities as scholars and professionals. The study then explores the varied challenges that both authors have experienced in their roles as early/mid-career professors. The results of the study indicated that the academy can present some unique challenges for non-tenured faculty, which include the acknowledgement of positionality and authority; students as customers’ mentality; lack of respect for non-dominant norms; ageism experienced by young professors; and issues of peer-ship versus colleagueship as opposed to essential personhood.
Mesoscale Anatomy of Dead Lithium Formation

Lithium metal anodes are an attractive option for next-generation batteries because of high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities. The formation of dendritic morphology of electrodeposition d...
Prognostic impact of circulating endothelial cell counts in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

e21045 Background: Blood progenitor cells expressing the stem cell marker CD34 have been associated with prognosis in cancer. We hypothesized that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with h...
“They Too Can Help”: Hidden Producers and Flexibility in the Organization of Collaborative Labor in Pottery-Making Households in Michoacán, México From the 1940s to 2020

Eight decades of ethnographic research provide a rich dataset for studying the changing organization of labor in households involved in specialized pottery production in the Purepecha region of Mic...
Differential cross-seeding properties of tau and α-synuclein in mouse models of tauopathy and synucleinopathy.

Co-occurrence of tau and α-synuclein pathologies in a subset of Alzheimer's disease patients has led to the idea that mixed pathologies may play a unique characteristic role in the Alzheimer's disease neurodegenerative cascade. To understand the aetiology of such mixed pathologies, we investigated cross-seeding by human recombinant tau and human recombinant α-synuclein fibrillar species in a mouse model of tauopathy (Line PS19) or synucleinopathy (Line M20). Unilateral hippocampal injection of tau fibrils or α-synuclein fibrils, and to a lesser extent tau + α-synuclein copolymer fibrils prepared from co-incubating individual recombinant monomers, induced robust phosphorylated tau pathology in PS19 mice relative to control mice. Though the tau + α-synuclein copolymer fibrils did not modulate induction of pathologies at the site of injection, examination of the whole brain showed that these copolymers exacerbated neuroanatomic transmission of seeded tau pathology compared to tau fibril-injected mice. Only α-synuclein fibrils, but not tau alone or tau + α-synuclein copolymers, triggered modest levels of endogenous phosphorylated α-synuclein pathology. Overall, data from the PS19 mice suggest that human α-synuclein fibrils can efficiently cross-seed human tau and have a modest priming effect on mouse α-synuclein, and the presence of tau fibrils does not exacerbate the priming process. In M20 mice, unilateral hippocampal injection of α-synuclein fibrils or tau fibrils induced robust bilateral phosphorylated α-synuclein pathology, while tau + α-synuclein copolymer injection resulted in restricted phosphorylated α-synuclein pathology predominantly in the ipsilateral cortex. This suggests that human tau fibrils can also induce human α-synuclein pathogenesis, and the presence of combinatorial seeds is not synergistic. None of these aggregates induced phosphorylated tau pathology in M20 mice, showing that mouse tau cannot be primed efficiently by human tau fibrils or human α-synuclein fibrils. Neuropathological analysis of the whole brain of M20 mice showed that tau + α-synuclein copolymer-injected mice had lower abundance of bilaterally transmitted α-synuclein pathologies relative to α-synuclein fibril-injected mice. Thus, the tau + α-synuclein copolymer fibrils show robust transmission properties preferentially in rodent model of tauopathies but not in synucleinopathy, probably signifying an enhanced cooperative relationship between tau and α-synuclein in the tau seeding process. Together, our data highlight the unique cross-seeding properties of tau and αSyn in neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
Effects of cover crops on soil CO2 and N2O emissions across topographically diverse agricultural landscapes in corn-soybean-wheat organic transition

Abstract Agriculture represents about 10 % of total greenhouse gases (GHG) emission in the US, in which carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) can greatly contribute to global warming and climate change. Organic farming has been increasingly popular as it provides long-term environmental benefits including GHG mitigation. Judicious use of cover crops in crop rotation systems has been considered an effective approach to sustain crop productivity during organic transition period. Here, we examined effects of cover crops on soil CO2 and N2O fluxes after the first year of organic transition in corn-soybean-wheat rotation across three contrasting topographies, particularly depression, slope, and summit at Kellogg Biological Station located in Southwest Michigan, USA. Three cover cropping systems used in this study were (1) cereal rye; (2) a mixture of cold susceptible species, namely, oat, winter pea, and radish, frost-killed in winter (WK); and (3) a winter hardy mixture of cold tolerant species, namely annual ryegrass, Dwarf Essex rapeseed, and crimson clover (WH). We also examined the effect of the size of incorporated plant residue fragments on soil CO2 and N2O emissions. Soil GHG emissions were the lowest on slopes as compared to depressions and summits. Cover crop mixtures including WH and WK increased soil CO2 fluxes emitted from the soil while cereal rye decreased it. Cutting plant residues prior to incorporation tended to decrease CO2 emission, suggesting that reducing fragment size of incorporated residue has a potential to mitigate GHG emissions from agricultural soils. In contrast, differences in N2O emissions for any of the studied effects were not statistically significant, likely due to very high variability of N2O fluxes. Soil temperature, moisture and total aboveground biomass were strongly associated with soil CO2 and N2O fluxes from soil.
Introduction to the special section on contemporary issues in human sexuality: research and practice.

Critical issues in human sexuality have changed markedly during the past decade and so have the contributions of psychology to the evaluation and treatment of sexual behavior problems. Some of the greatest challenges facing psychologists today include the increasing emphasis on medical interventions for the male sexual disorders and the relative decline of traditional behavioral sex therapies, the recalcitrance of sexual desire disorders, the prevention of "unsafe" sexual behavior, and the limited understanding of female sexuality. This overview introduces a series of 5 articles that examine these selected critical issues in human sexuality. Guidelines for clinical practice and directions for future research are highlighted.
Relationship-Specific Satisfaction and Adjustment in Emerging Adulthood: The Moderating Role of Adult Attachment Orientation

Highly satisfying social relationships make us happy and healthy—they fill us with joy and a sense of meaning and purpose. But do all the relationships in our lives contribute equally to our well-being and do some people benefit more from certain relationships? The current study examined associations between the satisfaction of specific relationships within a family (i.e., with parents, siblings) and adjustment (i.e., life satisfaction and depressive symptoms) among 572 emerging adults aged 18–25 (Mage = 19.95, SD = 1.42; 77.4% female). Overall, relationship satisfaction with mothers and fathers was associated with better adjustment. Attachment anxiety and avoidance moderated associations between relationship-specific satisfaction and adjustment. We discuss the findings in the context of the shifting of attachment functions during emerging adulthood and the dynamic nature of close relationships across the lifespan.
Review of Culture and Tactics: Gramsci, Race, and the Politics of Practice by Robert F. Carley (State University of New York Press)

In Culture and Tactics: Gramsci, Race, and the Politics of Practice, Robert Carley brings a wide array of theoretical and empirical study to make the claim that Antonio Gramsci was a critical race theorist, that Stuart Hall’s important theoretical contributions like articulation are necessarily Marxist to bring structure and agency, long "opposite ends" of the sociological spectrum together in dialectical terms, for one to build a foundation for his original theories. He does so too when uses Gramsci’s and his own work on race and ethnicity in early twentieth century Italy to bring light to the ideological aspects of today’s social movements of race and class. In doing so through his various methodologies, he introduces his theory of ideological contention to explain who social movement organizations organize their tactics and how those tactics influence how groups organize, or practice ideology. His theory of aporetic governmentality, built of the foundations of Michael Foucault and Eduardo Bonilla Silva elucidate the process of institutional racism and how is manifests at the cultural and individual level, bringing a much needed Marxist lens to the issues of race, class, and social movement theory. Carley succeeds in achieving an interdisciplinary work that encompasses the areas of research needed for scholarly work that not only analyze, but create innovate theories that add to the multiple fields of research.
Complications of peritoneal dialysis in children with Eagle-Barrett syndrome

Eagle Barrett syndrome (EBS) is characterized by the triad of abdominal muscle deficiency, urinary tract abnormalities, and cryptorchidism. Approximately 25% of patients with EBS progress to end-stage renal disease. It is speculated that the abdominal muscular defects in EBS pose technical problems in achieving successful peritoneal dialysis (PD). In this retrospective analysis, we reviewed the medical records of EBS and non-EBS PD patients cared for at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital from 1985 to 2002; 5 EBS and 9 non-EBS patients were analyzed. PD duration, total complication rates, and catheter usage rates in the two groups were not significantly different. The two most frequent complications were peritonitis and catheter mechanical malfunction during 103 patient-months in EBS patients and 296 patient-months in non-EBS patients. Peritonitis occurred 1 episode every 20.6 patient-months and 14.8 patient-months in EBS and non-EBS patients, respectively. The time from PD initiation to onset of any complication, including first peritonitis, was not significantly different in the two groups. Although the age at PD initiation was significantly different between the groups, there was no correlation between age at onset of PD and complication rates or time to first complication. Despite their abdominal muscle defects, EBS patients do not have more-frequent PD complications.
Retroviral integration: in vitro host site selection by avian integrase.

Viral integrase catalyzes the integration of the linear viral DNA genome into the chromatin of the infected host cell, an essential step in the life cycle of retroviruses. The reaction produces a characteristic small duplication of host sequences at the site of integration, implying that there is a close juxtaposition of the viral DNA ends during a concerted integration event. We have used an in vitro assay to measure the concerted integration of virus-like plasmid DNA into naked lambda DNA catalyzed by virion purified avian integrase. In contrast to in vivo avian integration, which has strong fidelity for a 6-bp duplication, purified avian integrase in the context of this assay produced a distribution of duplication sizes, with the 6-bp size dominating. The metal cofactor Mg2+ induced increased fidelity for the 6-bp duplication relative to that with Mn2+. The immediate sequence of the host site may also influence duplication size in that we found sites that sustained multiple independent integration events producing the same duplication size. Additionally, for each set of cloned integration sites (5, 6, and 7 bp), a unique but similar symmetrical pattern of G/C and A/T sequence biases was found. Using duplex oligonucleotides as target substrates, we tested the significance of the 6-bp G/C and A/T pattern for site selection. In the context of this assay, which is likely dominated by the integration of only one viral end, the 6-bp pattern was not preferred. Instead, integration was predominantly into the 39 ends of the oligonucleotides. The combined results of the lambda and oligonucleotide assays indicated that although host site selection has properties in common with recognition of the viral DNA termini, the nonrandom sequence preferences seen for host site selection were not identical to the sequence requirements for long terminal repeat recognition. Images
Dynamics of visual receptive fields in the macaque frontal eye field

Neuronal receptive fields (RFs) provide the foundation for understanding systems-level sensory processing. In early visual areas, investigators have mapped RFs in detail using stochastic stimuli and sophisticated analytical approaches. Much less is known about RFs in prefrontal cortex. Visual stimuli used for mapping RFs in prefrontal cortex tend to cover a small range of spatial and temporal parameters, making it difficult to understand their role in visual processing. To address these shortcomings, we implemented a generalized linear model to measure the RFs of neurons in the macaque frontal eye field (FEF) in response to sparse, full-field stimuli. Our high-resolution, probabilistic approach tracked the evolution of RFs during passive fixation, and we validated our results against conventional measures. We found that FEF neurons exhibited a surprising level of sensitivity to stimuli presented as briefly as 10 ms or to multiple dots presented simultaneously, suggesting that FEF visual responses are more precise than previously appreciated. FEF RF spatial structures were largely maintained over time and between stimulus conditions. Our results demonstrate that the application of probabilistic RF mapping to FEF and similar association areas is an important tool for clarifying the neuronal mechanisms of cognition.
The effects of food presentation and microhabitat upon resource monopoly in a ground-foraging ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) community

In NeotI'opical wet forests several species of omnivorous, resource-defending ants, live and forage in close proximity to one another. Although the forest floor is heterogeneous in microhabitat and food quantity, little is known about the impact of microhabi.tat and food variation upon resource monopoly among ants. We investigated how food type and microhabitat influence food monopoly in resource-defending ants in old-growth tropical wet forest in the Caribbean lowlands o'I Costa Rica. We measured several inicrohabitat characteristics at 66 points in a 0.5 hectare plot, and baited each point with two categories of tuna bait. These baits were present
Focal granulomatous colitis. Observation of its course.

Three cases of focal granulomatous colitis are presented. The initial lesion appeared to be the same in all 3 cases: a small tumor-like defect simulating a sessile mucosal or intramural extramucosal mass. Follow-up examinations showed a totally different course in each case: 1 case returned to normal, 1 developed classical segmental granulomatous colitis of a much greater extent than anticipated from the initial lesions, and the 3rd case led to an ulcerated stricture within a brief space of time.
Point of Disconnect: Internet Traffic and the U.S. Communications Infrastructure

The public communications infrastructure in the United States is largely invisible to all but a few engineers and operations personnel. Were it visible as a road system, it would appear to be excellent in some places, but showing wear with potholes in others — heavily congested at many times and locations, and in need of massive investment and redesign to support new vehicle types. It is as if most of the drivers in the country rushed out and traded in their cars for massive 20-wheeled trucks, blocking and slowing traffic everywhere they went.
The SEGUE Framework for teaching and assessing communication skills

This article examines uses and characteristics of the SEGUE Framework, a research-based checklist of medical communication tasks. A recent survey of US and Canadian medical schools indicates that the SEGUE Framework is the most widely used structure for communication skills teaching and assessment in North America. Student and faculty response to the SEGUE Framework as a teaching tool has been positive. Data drawn from clinical skills assessments with standardized patients provide evidence of concurrent and construct validity. Analysis of visits between general internists and their patients reinforces validity of the SEGUE Framework in an actual practice setting. Interrater reliability is high when standardized patients are recording student performance immediately after a live encounter, and when coders are evaluating videotaped or audiotaped encounters; intrarater reliability is strong as well. The SEGUE Framework has a high degree of acceptability, can be used reliably, has evidence of validity, and is applicable to a variety of contexts. Studies of predictive validity are needed.
Brief communication: Spontaneous formation of annular structures observed in molecular dynamics simulations of polyglutamine peptides

Annular structures have been observed experimentally in aggregates of polyglutamine-containing proteins and other proteins associated with diseases of the brain. Here we report the observation of annular structures in molecular-level simulations of large systems of model polyglutamine peptides. A system of 24 polyglutamine chains 16 residues long at a concentration of [email protected]?mM spontaneously formed large beta sheets which curved to form tube-like annular structures that resemble beta barrels. This work was accomplished by extending the PRIME model to polyglutamine. PRIME is an off-lattice, unbiased, intermediate-resolution protein model based on an amino acid representation of between three and seven united atoms depending on the residue being modeled. Our results are interesting not only because of the recent discovery of tubular protofibrils in experiments on aggregation of mutant huntingtin fragments containing expanded polyglutamine tracts but also because Perutz predicted that polyglutamine forms water filled nanotubes.
Electromagnetic simulation of gas discharge effects in RF microgaps

Gas discharge can be ignited in micro-scale gaps even with small voltages commonly found in many RF applications, electronic devices and miniaturized antennas. This discharge may eventually lead to gas breakdown which could result in performance degradation or even device failure. In this paper, an algorithm for the simulation of electromagnetic effects of gas discharge phenomena is presented. For this end, the effective permittivity and conductivity of the gap is calculated based on the electron number density which itself is extracted by particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulation. This technique may provide an ability to predict probable degradation as well as failure-free operating regimes.
Transient ocular motor paresis associated with acute internal carotid artery occlusion

While sudden monocular blindness and occlusion of the central retinal artery associated with acute thrombosis of the internal carotid artery are well reported, concurrent unilateral ophthalmoparesis is not. We studied 3 adult men who did not have other major signs of vascular disease but who exhibited the complete syndrome. The initial paresis of the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves varied in each individual and slowly cleared over days to weeks in all, but vision did not return in any. Each had mild-to-moderate signs of hemispheric dysfunction. In each, the thrombus extended from the origin of the internal carotid to its intracranial bifurcation into the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. It also occluded the proximal one-half to two-thirds of the ophthalmic artery. None had evidence of vasculitis or compromise of the posterior circulation.
Time‐resolved magnetic resonance angiography: Evaluation of intrapulmonary circulation parameters in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Purpose—To determine whether pulmonary arterial and venous transit times measured by timeresolved MRA can be used as a diagnostic tool for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Materials and Methods—12 patients with confirmed PAH and 10 healthy volunteers were scanned with IRB approval. Time-resolved MRA and 2D phase contrast flow images of the pulmonary vasculature were acquired. Pulmonary arterial and venous transit times (PaTT and PvTT) and pulmonary valve flow (PVF) were obtained. Pulmonary arterial and pulmonary venous blood volumes (PaBV and PvBV) were calculated as the product of flow and transit time. Results—Patients with PAH showed statistically significant increases in PaTT and PvTT (p<0.0004, p<0.05 respectively) compared to controls. PaBV (165.2 ± 92.0ml) was significantly higher in PAH subjects than controls (97.0 ± 47.1 ml) (p<0.04), whereas PvBV (127.9 ± 148.9ml) of PAH subjects had no significant increase from those of healthy controls (142.5 ± 104.1 ml) (p<0.38). Conclusion—Pulmonary arterial transit times measured using time-resolved MRA can be used as a simple, non-invasive metric for detection of altered hemodynamics in PAH.
Newborns of depressed mothers who received moderate versus light pressure massage during pregnancy.

Abstract Sixty-four neonates (M age = 6.8 days) of depressed mothers who received moderate pressure massage versus light pressure massage therapy during pregnancy (month 5 through month 8) were compared on their behaviors during 15-min observations and on their performance on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale. The group of neonates whose mothers received moderate pressure massage spent a greater percent of the observation time smiling and vocalizing, and they received better scores on the orientation, motor, excitability, and depression clusters of the Brazelton scale.
Pressure, torque, and energy responses of a twin screw extruder at high moisture contents

The effects of extruder operating conditions (moisture content of the feed, die temperature, screw speed, and mass flow rate) on the pressure drop along the die, motor torque, and specific mechanical energy (SME) for a high moisture rice starch system were studied. A laboratory size MPC/V-30 co-rotating twin screw extruder (APV) and a slit die/torque rheometer (Haake Buhler) combination were used to measure the die pressure drop and torque. Die pressure drop and torque decreased with increases in moisture, screw speed, and die temperature, and increased with an increase in mass flow rate. However, increasing the moisture content, die temperature, and mass flow rate resulted in a decrease in SME. Increasing the screw speed increased the SME. This was attributed to the higher shear rates at higher screw speeds. Die temperature was found to be the most significant parameter influencing the die pressure drop, torque, and SME.
Magnetic field dependence of the correlation gap in SmB6

We have used magnetoresistance measurements to probe the effect of large magnetic fields on the stability of the electronic gap {delta} in SmB{sub 6}. Although the Zeeman splitting in a 18 Telsa field is comparable to the ambient pressure {delta}, and even exceeds {delta} at 56 kbar, {delta} is in both cases almost completely unaffected by the magnetic field.
Intermodular communication in polyketide synthases: comparing the role of protein-protein interactions to those in other multidomain proteins.

Although the role of protein−protein interactions in transducing signals within biological systems has been extensively explored, their relevance to the channeling of intermediates in metabolism is not widely appreciated. Polyketide synthases (PKSs) and nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are two related families of modular megasynthases that channel covalently bound intermediates from one active site to the next. Recent biochemical studies have highlighted the importance of protein−protein interactions in these chain transfer processes. The information available on this subject is reviewed, and its possible mechanistic implications are placed in context by comparisons with selected well-studied multicomponent protein systems.
The absorption cross sections of N2, O2, CO, NO, CO2, N2O, CH4, C2H4, C2H6 and C4H10 from 180 to 700Å

The absorption cross sections of N2, O2, CO, NO, CO2, N2O, CH4, C2H4, C2H6, C4H10 have been measured photoelectrically in the 180–700 A region using synchrotron radiation. The absorption cross sections in the region λ ≥ 500 A was found to be structureless and to increase monotonically with wavelength for all gases. The positions of the structure observed in the 520–720 A region for N2, O2, CO2 and N2O are consistent with the various Rydberg series reported by previous authors.
Empirical Approach to Outdoor WBGT from Meteorological Data and Performance of Two Different Instrument Designs

The wet bulb globe temperature index (WBGT) is a common method to assess the environmental contribution to heat stress as part of an occupational exposure assessment. The two purposes of this study were (1) to compare empirical relationships of some meteorological conditions to WBGT, and (2) to evaluate a smaller globe and alternative method to assess natural wet bulb using a relative humidity sensor. Data were collected in six West-central Florida locations over multiple days for a total of 14 measurement days. Multiple linear regression was used to explore relationships relevant to the two purposes. It was clear that estimating WBGT directly from meteorological data or through estimates of the components of WBGT can be accomplished with a 95% confidence of ± 2°C-WBGT. The 50 mm globe size is a reasonable approximation of the standard size (150 mm). The relative humidity method of the waterless natural wet bulb provides a very good estimation of natural wet bulb temperature. The determination of WBGT from the electronic instruments (small globe with or without the relative humidity method) provided a good estimate of the WBGT.
Learning-enhanced simulated annealing: method, evaluation, and application to lung nodule registration

Simulated Annealing (SA) is a popular global minimization method. Two weaknesses are associated with standard SA: firstly, the search process is memory-less and therefore can not avoid revisiting regions that are less likely to contain global minimum; and secondly the randomness in generating a new trial does not utilize the information gained during the search and therefore, the search can not be guided to more promising regions. In this paper, we present the Learning-Enhanced Simulated Annealing (LESA) method to overcome these two difficulties. It adds a Knowledge Base (KB) trial generator, which is combined with the usual SA trial generator to form the new trial for a given temperature. LESA does not require any domain knowledge and, instead, initializes its knowledge base during a "burn-in" phase using random samples of the search space, and, following that, updates the knowledge base at each iteration. This method was applied to 9 standard test functions and a clinical application of lung nodule registration, resulting in superior performance compared to SA. For the 9 test functions, the performance of LESA was significantly better than SA in 8 functions and comparable in 1 function. For the lung nodule registration application, the residual error of LESA was significantly smaller than that produced by a recently published SA system, and the convergence time was significantly faster (9.3±3.2 times). We also give a proof of LESA's ergodicity, and discuss the conditions under which LESA has a higher probability of converging to the true global minimum compared to SA at infinite annealing time.
Structural features of lignins and humic substances as revealed by spin-echo and broadband decoupled C-13 NMR spectroscopy

Abstract The C-13 NMR spectra of native aspen and native spruce lignin were used to interpret the spectra of Kraft lignins and selected humic substances. The nature and extent of side chain degradation, as well as changes in phenolic content, were clearly revealed in the Kraft lignin spectra. Evidence for residual lignin fragments was obvious in the spectra of the peat humic substances. Stream fulvic acid spectra revealed clear evidence of aromatic CH character. Soil fulvic acid, on the other hand, appeared to have a more highly condensed aromatic ring character than stream fulvic acid. The simplest spectrum was shown by the ground water fulvic acid.
Assessment of prognosis in acute liver failure.

Determining prognosis in acute liver failure (ALF) is vital to consideration of transplantation for these critically ill patients. Transplanting a likely survivor may be as unfortunate as not transplanting someone whose outcome is very poor. Prognostic scoring systems have largely failed to accurately portray outcomes, partly because the use of transplantation does not allow the true transplant-free outcome to unfold. The King's College Hospital criteria have not proved accurate enough in predicting outcome for those with moderate illness; sensitivity is reasonable while specificity is poor. Use of APACHE II or MELD systems suffers from similar deficiencies. Use of specialized biomarkers such as Gc protein, α-fetoprotein, or troponin shows some promise but has not proven effective to date. Considering etiology and coma grade prior to development of scores based on routine or specialized biomarkers may be important. The rapid evolution of ALF as well as the different etiologies encountered may continue to frustrate our efforts to accurately predict outcomes in ALF.
Social Accountability and Corporate Greenwashing

Critics of SRI have said little about the integrity of corporate representations resulting in screening inclusion or exclusion. This is surprising given social and environmental accounting research that finds corporate posturing and deception in the absence of external verification, and a parallel body of literature describing corporate "greenwashing" and other forms of corporate disinformation. In this paper I argue that the problems and challenges of ensuring fair and accurate corporate social reporting mirror those accompanying corporate compliance with law. Similarities and points of convergence between social reporting and corporate compliance are discussed, along with proposals for reform.
Analysis of the N-terminal leucine heptad and hexad repeats of sigma 54

In order to assess the role of leucine repeat motifs within bacterial protein sigma 54, a series of point mutants were introduced into the many leucine residues near the N terminus. Functional assays in vivo showed that the leucine residues that comprise the previously identified heptad repeat motif are selectively important for function. These heptad leucine residues are critical for mRNA production and also for recognition of the -12 promoter element. An internal proline substitution destroys the function of the heptad repeat region, suggesting a possible alpha-helical structure. Mutants with changes in the distal part of this N-terminal region show the interesting property of allowing nearly full levels of open complex formation, while nonetheless reducing the level of mRNA transcripts produced. All of the above-mentioned properties differ from those exhibited by mutating the interdigitated glutamine residues, which were previously found to be closely involved in the DNA melting reaction. The collection of data suggests that the N-terminal region contains overlapping functional motifs, hydrophobic heptad and glutamine-rich, which together appear to constitute the activation domain of sigma 54.
Nutrient needs of performance horses

In 1989, the National Research Council (NRC) Subcommittee on Horse Nutrition defined three categories of exercise: light, moderate or intense. In the 6th revised edition of "The Nutrient Requirements of Horses" (NRC, 2007), there are four categories for exercising horses: light exercise, moderate exercise, heavy exercise and very heavy exercise. Light exercise is described as 1 to 3 hours/week of mostly walking and trotting. Many horses kept for recreational riding would be included in the light exercise category. Moderate exercise consists of 3 to 5 hours/week of mostly trotting with some walking, some cantering and possibly some jumping or other type of more difficult activity. Horses used for horse shows, ranch work and frequent recreational riding would fit into the moderate exercise category. Heavy exercise is described as 4 to 5 hours/week of trotting, cantering, galloping and some jumping, cattle work, etc. Horses engaged in three day eventing, polo, endurance racing or other competitive events would be in this category. The very heavy exercise category includes racehorses and a few other horses that compete at the elite level of endurance or three day eventing. The NRC (2007) provides recommendations for nutrient intakes by mature exercising horses and for yearlings and two year olds that are receiving regular exercise. Many of the recommendations are similar to those in the 1989 publication, but others have been increased or decreased. For example, crude protein recommendations for exercising horses are generally lower than in the last edition. However, lysine requirements are relatively similar and the publication suggests that protein quality should be emphasized more than in the past. The 2007 NRC contains more information about the factors that influence the requirements for each nutrient, making it easier for users to develop diets for individual horses.
The mode of action of the antimalarial artemisinin and its derivatives

Abstract 1. 1. Artemisinin (qinghaosu) is a sesquiterpene endoperoxide derived from a plant which was used in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years. 2. 2. Artemisinin and its derivatives have potent antimalarial activity, and are now being used clinically in much of the world. 3. 3. The artemisinin derivatives have an unusual mode of action involving the iron-catalyzed generation of a carbon-centered free radical followed by the alkylation of malaria-specific proteins.
Reanalysis procedure for large structural systems

Global-basis-vector approximate reanalysis techniques for use in automated structural optimization schemes are developed and demonstrated. The vibrational response of a modified structure (MS) is estimated by lumping the design variables into a single tracing parameter, applying an operator splitting procedure to express the FEM equations of the MS in terms of the original-structure equations plus correction terms, and reducing the MS equations via a classical Bubnov-Galerkin scheme. The sensitivity of the vibrational response to structural modifications is evaluated, and the relationship between this method and the preconditioned conjugate-gradient method (Noor and Peters, 1988) is explored. Numerical results for linear static and free vibration problems involving beamlike lattices, double-layered hexahedral grids, and structural gridworks are presented in tables and graphs and briefly characterized.
Immigration and Civic Participation in a Multiracial and Multiethnic Context1

This article seeks to understand civic participation among Asians and Latinos in a multiethnic, multiracial context. We investigate the usefulness of an expanded model of civic engagement, one that makes central factors related to migration, such as length of residence, language acquisition, and citizenship, for groups that include a large number of immigrants. The 1992–1994 Los Angeles Survey of Urban Inequality allows us to test a model of civic participation that incorporates variables previously neglected – migration-related factors, but also multiracial contexts and interracial ties – to better explain participation differences among a diverse population.
Effects of Radiation on the Environment: A Need to Question Old Paradigms and Enhance Collaboration among Radiation Biologists and Radiation Ecologists

A historical perspective is given of the current paradigm that does not explicitly protect nonhuman biota from radiation but instead relies on the concept that if dose limits are set to protect humans, then the environment is automatically protected as well. We summarize recent international questioning of this paradigm and briefly present three frameworks for protecting biota that are being considered by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and the International Commission on Radiological Protection. We point out a controversial component in each of the three frameworks and suggest topics that need additional research. We emphasize that to properly address radiation protection of the environment, we need to understand how effects are integrated across different levels of biological organization. We caution that the proposed use of molecular end points to estimate ecological risks from radioactive contamination is applicable only if we understand the extent of the impact that molecular damage has on individual organisms and populations of exposed biota. To accomplish the latter, enhanced collaborations are required among the traditionally separate disciplines of radiation biology and radiation ecology.
A high-throughput small-molecule screen to identify a novel chemical inhibitor of Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile, a highly drug-resistant Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium, remains a leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhoea and antibiotic-associated colitis. Clinically, only a handful of antibiotics are used for treating C. difficile infection (CDI), suggesting a necessity for the development of new treatment options. Here we performed a high-throughput screen of 2000 drug-like compounds for inhibition of C. difficile. From this screen, one compound, 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (5-NP), showed potent bactericidal effects in vitro. In addition, this compound displayed high potency towards other Clostridium spp. as well as Mycobacterium bovis but not towards other tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, we show that this inhibition may proceed through a metal chelation-dependent mechanism. More importantly, preliminary evidence suggests moderate efficacy for this compound in treating CDI in a murine infection model. These results present a possible basis for the further development of this compound as an antibiotic treatment for CDI.