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Unsupported, high surface area MoP and NiP catalysts were synthesized by adding citric acid (CA) to solutions of ammonium heptamolybdate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate or nickel nitrate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate, respectively, followed by drying (397 K), calcination (773 K), and reduction in H (923 K). The addition of CA increased the surface area, decreased the particle size, and increased the CO uptake of the MoP and NiP catalysts. At 623 K and 4.4 MPa, the NiP was 2.3 times more active than the MoP on a mass basis and 6 times more active on a site basis for the hydrodeoxygenation of 4-methylphenol. However, the NiP catalysts deactivated due to non-selective carbon deposition on the catalyst surface. Oxidation was excluded as a potential cause of deactivation over the NiP catalysts. The rate of deactivation was well described by an exponential decay law. Deactivation was eliminated by operation at higher H pressures (5.3 and 6.1 MPa) but the hydrogenation selectivity of the NiP increased at these conditions. No deactivation was observed over the MoP catalysts at the conditions of the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest mammalian genetic modification technology offers efficient and reliable targeting of genomic sequences, in the guise of designer genetic recombination tools. These and other improvements in genetic engineering technology suggest that human germline genetic modification (HGGM) will become a safe and effective prospect in the relatively near future. Several substantive ethical objections have been raised against HGGM including claims of unacceptably high levels of risk, damage to the status of future persons, and violations of justice and autonomy. This paper critically reviews the latest GM science and discusses the key ethical objections to HGGM. We conclude that major benefits are likely to accrue through the use of safe and effective HGGM and that it would thus be unethical to take a precautionary stance against HGGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the performance of new plant genotypes under new environmental conditions could accelerate the development of locally adapted and climate resilient cultivars. Enabling these predictions may rely on extending the genomewide prediction framework to include environmental covariates (EC), but such models have generally been tested under limited, less breeding‐realistic contexts. Using a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) multi‐environment dataset, our objectives were to compare multi‐environment prediction models and scenarios that target genotypes from different breeding generations, use different levels and timescales of ECs, and are applied to different agronomic and quality traits. When predicting the phenotypes of previously tested genotypes in untested environments, models that included the interaction of genomewide markers and pre‐selected in‐season ECs resulted in more accurate predictions (rMG or rMP) within (rMG = 0.56–0.94) and across (rMP = 0.63–0.87) environments; similar accuracy was achieved within (rMP = 0.46–0.89) and across (rMP = 0.87–0.95) locations when using only ECs from realistically available historical climate data. Shifting the prediction target to a distinct, untested offspring population slightly reduced model performance within environments or locations, but rMP across environments (rMP = 0.60–0.86) or locations (rMP = 0.87–0.94) remained very high. Though we achieved moderately high rMP for most traits in the challenging scenario of predicting the offspring population in holdout environments, the similarity between training and target environments, like that between populations, will be a limiting factor for enabling accurate predictions of new genotypes under new growing conditions. Core Ideas: Genomewide prediction with select environmental covariates led to accurate whole‐phenotype predictions.Historical climate data enabled a more breeding‐realistic framework for predicting phenotypes in new locations.Predictive ability was improved for both tested genotypes and untested offspring across new environments.Genetic and environmental similarity may have limited accuracy of untested offspring in holdout environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The depletion of root-available Ca in northern forest soils exposed to decades of increased acid deposition adversely affects forest health and productivity. Laboratory studies indicated the potential of wood-decay fungi to restore lost Ca. This study presents changes in concentration of Ca, Mg, and K in sapwood of red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.), red maple ( Acer rubrum L.), eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière), and paper birch ( Betula papyrifera Marshall) during the decay process at two experimental forests for 12 years and to compare concentrations of exchangeable Ca, Mg, and Al in decayed wood residues at 10 and 12 years with those in the forest floor. Significant loss of mass indicated by decreasing wood density occurred after 2-8 years in conifers and after only 2 years in hardwoods. A significant gain in wood K was observed at 2 years followed by a significant loss at 8 years. A negligible gain in Ca concentration occurred at 2 years and a substantial gain at 8 years. Observed changes in Mg concentration were variable. No significant difference in exchangeable Ca concentration was observed between decayed wood residue of spruce and maple and the forest floor. However, decayed wood residue had a much lower Al concentration and molar Al/Ca ratio, a condition characteristic of sites with high root-available Ca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rates of obesity in adolescents continue to rise, and available lifestyle and pharmacological interventions have had limited success in reducing excess weight and risk for comorbid health issues. However, ongoing health risks, psychosocial issues, and increased risk of mortality place these adolescents in jeopardy and warrant ongoing investigation for available treatments. Bariatric surgery for adults has had positive medical and psychological outcomes. However, bariatric surgery is a relatively new option for adolescents. Initial findings suggest positive results for excess weight loss and psychosocial improvements, but not without possible risks. Selection of appropriate candidates is essential in the process, specifically considering developmental maturity, family support, and resultant disease burden without surgery. Surgery is not a panacea for the obesity epidemic. Outcome studies are limited and long-term results are unknown, but for extremely obese adolescents, bariatric surgery is promising and should be considered a viable option for appropriate adolescent candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the changes in exercise capacity of cardiac asymptomatic hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), in a follow-up after 5-years. It states that treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed wit the help of Bruce protocol, where electrocardiography (ECG) tracings, blood pressure and respiratory gas analysis were recorded continuously. It mentions that iron overload caused by HH was reported in systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

Abstract: Unsupported, high surface area MoP was synthesized by adding citric acid (CA) to solutions of ammonium heptamolybdate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate followed by drying (397K), calcination (773–973K), and reduction in H2 (923K). A tetrameric Mo citrate precursor was formed after drying which decomposed into a monomer of the form, Mo(C4H5O3CN)O2·HPO4 following calcination. Reduction of this monomer produced CH4, CO, CO2, NH3, H2O, and MoP. The C content of the reduced MoP-CA catalysts decreased from 12.8 to 4.0wt% as the calcination temperature increased from 773 to 973K, whereas the surface area decreased from 136m2/g to 53m2/g and the MoP particle size increased from 5 to 9nm, respectively. The residual C acted as a structural promoter of the calcined samples, limiting agglomeration of the MoP crystallites during reduction so that nanoparticles (5–9nm) of MoP were produced. The HDO of 4-methylphenol over the MoP-CA catalysts was found to be structure insensitive with an initial turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.079s−1 at 623K and 4.4MPa H2. The ratio of hydrogenation to direct deoxygenation of 4-methylphenol (TOFHYD:TOFDDO =0.78:1) was independent of the MoP particle size and greater than that observed over MoS2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article is a response to 'The Christocentric Principle: A Jesus-Centred Hermeneutic' (Peppler 2012). The author argues that the christocentric principle holds much promise as an interpretive tool for all branches of evangelical theology. The article then identifies two potential pitfalls in the way the christocentric principle might be used, namely, (a) treating the gospels as a canon within a canon and (b) imposing a distorted picture of Christ upon other biblical texts. It is proposed that these pitfalls can be avoided if the rest of the canon is allowed to inform the christocentric principle, just as the christocentric principle often guides our interpretation of the rest of the canon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The reaction of CH3OH in the presence of CO at 101kPa over K- or Cs-promoted Cu-MgO is reported. The selectivity to methyl formate was >92 C-atom% whereas selectivity to CO2 and C2 species (ethanol and acetic acid) was <8 C-atom% at 498 and 523K over the promoted 5wt% Cu-MgO catalyst. The activity increased as the Cu loading was increased from 5wt% to 40wt%, whereas at the same conversion, the product distribution was almost the same over both the 0.5wt% Cs–5wt% Cu-MgO and the 0.5wt% Cs–40wt% Cu-MgO catalysts. At approximately constant specific basicity, an increase in Cu0 surface area of the promoted Cu-MgO catalysts correlated with an increased methyl formate yield, whereas no correlation between Cu2+ surface area and methyl formate yield was observed. The results suggest that methyl formate is formed on Cu0 sites as opposed to Cu2+ sites. The mechanism of methyl formate formation from CH3OH over the promoted Cu-MgO catalysts is discussed in view of these results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is becoming increasingly clear that mitochondria play an important role in neural function. Recent studies show mitochondrial morphology to be crucial to cellular physiology and synaptic function and a link between mitochondrial defects and neuro-degenerative diseases is strongly suspected. Electron microscopy (EM), with its very high resolution in all three directions, is one of the key tools to look more closely into these issues but the huge amounts of data it produces make automated analysis necessary. State-of-the-art computer vision algorithms designed to operate on natural 2-D images tend to perform poorly when applied to EM data for a number of reasons. First, the sheer size of a typical EM volume renders most modern segmentation schemes intractable. Furthermore, most approaches ignore important shape cues, relying only on local statistics that easily become confused when confronted with noise and textures inherent in the data. Finally, the conventional assumption that strong image gradients always correspond to object boundaries is violated by the clutter of distracting membranes. In this work, we propose an automated graph partitioning scheme that addresses these issues. It reduces the computational complexity by operating on supervoxels instead of voxels, incorporates shape features capable of describing the 3-D shape of the target objects, and learns to recognize the distinctive appearance of true boundaries. Our experiments demonstrate that our approach is able to segment mitochondria at a performance level close to that of a human annotator, and outperforms a state-of-the-art 3-D segmentation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

On six occurrences (8:12; 13:42; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30), Matthew recorded Jesus pronouncing judgment, using the idiom "weeping and gnashing of teeth". Each occurrence played a central role in the development of Matthew's theology, by communicating not only a fundamental component of the theme of judgment, but also an increasing force and potency of the event itself. It was discovered that the phrase may have four possible functions, namely (a) a system by which Matthew hoped to make the message of the particular passage unforgettable; (b) a prophetic anticipation of an aspect of the larger shape of history; (c) a linguistic device to increase the degree of emphasis or heighten the force given to the message of eschatological judgment; and (d) a literary connector holding together a number of specific passages of Scripture. In Matthew's case, the phrase glues together the passages that communicate a holistic theology of end-of-time judgment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades many quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been detected; however, very few have been incorporated into breeding programs. The recent development of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in plants provides the opportunity to detect QTL in germplasm collections such as unstructured populations from breeding programs. The overall goal of the barley Coordinated Agricultural Project was to conduct GWAS with the intent to couple QTL detection and breeding. The basic idea is that breeding programs generate a vast amount of phenotypic data and combined with cheap genotyping it should be possible to use GWAS to detect QTL that would be immediately accessible and used by breeding programs. There are several constraints to using breeding program-derived phenotype data for conducting GWAS namely: limited population size and unbalanced data sets. We chose the highly heritable trait heading date to study these two variables. We examined 766 spring barley breeding lines (panel #1) grown in balanced trials and a subset of 384 spring barley breeding lines (panel #2) grown in balanced and unbalanced trials. In panel #1, we detected three major QTL for heading date that have been detected in previous bi-parental mapping studies. Simulation studies showed that population sizes greater than 384 individuals are required to consistently detect QTL. We also showed that unbalanced data sets from panel #2 can be used to detect the three major QTL. However, unbalanced data sets resulted in an increase in the false-positive rate. Interestingly, one-step analysis performed better than two-step analysis in reducing the false-positive rate. The results of this work show that it is possible to use phenotypic data from breeding programs to detect QTL, but that careful consideration of population size and experimental design are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence that political attitudes and behavior are in part biologically and even genetically instantiated is much discussed in political science of late. Yet the classic twin design, a primary source of evidence on this matter, has been criticized for being biased toward finding genetic influence. In this article, we employ a new data source to test empirically the alternative, exclusively environmental, explanations for ideological similarities between twins. We find little support for these explanations and argue that even if we treat them as wholly correct, they provide reasons for political science to pay more rather than less attention to the biological basis of attitudes and behaviors. Our analysis suggests that the mainstream socialization paradigm for explaining attitudes and behaviors is not necessarily incorrect but is substantively incomplete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent literature on synthesis gas conversion to higher alcohols over Mo-based catalysts is reviewed. Density functional theory calculations show that Mo-CO adsorption is weakened by C, P, or S ligands and this facilitates CO dissociation, either directly on Mo2C, or by H-assisted dissociation on MoS2, Mo2C, and MoP. Consequently, Mo-based catalysts have high hydrocarbon selectivity unless they are promoted with alkali metals and/or Group VIII metals. Promoted MoS2 and MoP have alcohol selectivities of ∼80 C atom % (CO2-free basis) at typical operating conditions (5–8 MPa, H2/CO = 2–1, 537–603 K), whereas on promoted Mo2C, alcohol selectivities are ∼60%. The kinetics of the synthesis gas conversion reactions over Mo-based catalysts have mostly been described by empirical power law models and the alcohol and hydrocarbon product distributions are consistent with a CO insertion mechanism for chain growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Higher alcohols such as isobutanol possess several physical characteristics that make them attractive as biofuels such as higher energy densities and infrastructure compatibility. Here we have developed a rapid evolutionary strategy for isolating strains of Escherichia coli that effectively produce isobutanol from glucose utilizing random mutagenesis and a growth selection scheme. By selecting for mutants with the ability to grow in the presence of the valine analog norvaline, we obtained E. coli NV3; a strain with improved 24-h isobutanol production (8.0g/L) in comparison with a productivity of 5.3g/L isobutanol obtained with the parental wild type strain. Genomic sequencing of NV3 identified the insertion of a stop codon in the C-terminus of the RNA polymerase σ s-factor, RpoS. Upon repair of this inhibitory mutation (strain NV3r1), a final isobutanol titer of 21.2g/L isobutanol was achieved in 99h with a yield of 0.31g isobutanol/g glucose or 76% of theoretical maximum. Furthermore, a mutation in ldhA, encoding d-lactate dehydrogenase, was identified in NV3; however, repair of LdhA in NV3r1 had no affect on LdhA activity detected from cell extracts or on isobutanol productivity. Further study of NV3r1 may identify novel genotypes that confer improved isobutanol production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Disgust has been described as the most primitive and central of emotions. Thus, it is not surprising that it shapes behaviors in a variety of organisms and in a variety of contexts—including homo sapien politics. People who believe they would be bothered by a range of hypothetical disgusting situations display an increased likelihood of displaying right-of-center rather than left-of-center political orientations. Given its primal nature and essential value in avoiding pathogens disgust likely has an effect even without registering in conscious beliefs. In this article, we demonstrate that individuals with marked involuntary physiological responses to disgusting images, such as of a man eating a large mouthful of writhing worms, are more likely to self-identify as conservative and, especially, to oppose gay marriage than are individuals with more muted physiological responses to the same images. This relationship holds even when controlling for the degree to which respondents believe themselves to be disgust sensitive and suggests that people's physiological predispositions help to shape their political orientations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thesis of this article is that the dominant models of theology in universities and seminaries are too fragmented to serve the purpose of training thinking practitioners for the church. The separation and isolation of the theological sub-disciplines is better suited to the needs and goals of a research university than to the objectives of a seminary or to the needs of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The article presents the call of four leading works on practical theology for more holistic approaches to the theological task, approaches that seek to bring the various theological sub-disciplines into constructive dialogue with one another. The article contends that developing integrated models of theological reflection and research is essential if we are to train students for pastoral ministry, where they need to be well-rounded theological thinkers rather than research specialists in a narrow sub-discipline. The article concludes with a call for evangelical theologians to take the lead in developing more integrated models of theological research-after all they are the people whose mission is to train pastors as thinking practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The conversion of naphthalene, tetralin or decalin to ring-opened products over Mo2C/HY, Mg- or K-Mo2C/HY, and a commercial Pd/HY catalyst, is reported. Conversion of all reactants at 300°C and 3MPa was higher over the Pd/HY catalyst than the Mo2C/HY catalysts. Tetralin was the least reactive among the three model compounds over both Pd/HY and Mo2C/HY. With decalin as reactant, higher selectivity to C10 products was obtained over the Mo2C/HY catalysts compared to the Pd/HY. The addition of K or Mg to Mo2C/HY improved the Mo2C dispersion while K also moderated the catalyst Bronsted acidity. The conversion of all three reactants was reduced by the addition of Mg or K to the Mo2C/HY, as was the carbon deposition. For all the studied catalysts, carbon deposition was lowest after reaction with decalin compared to naphthalene or tetralin. These results suggest that the deposited carbon has as its precursor, species that are derived from naphthalene or tetralin, rather than decalin, and the coke species are generated through bimolecular reactions on acid sites. Consequently, the catalysts with higher hydrogenation activity (Pd/HY and 1% K–7% Mo2C/HY) had lower deactivation rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Synthesis gas conversion over a 1wt% Rh–5wt% K–10wt% MoP on SiO2 catalyst was investigated at different temperatures, synthesis gas H2/CO ratios and space velocities. Compared to a 5wt% K–10wt% MoP on SiO2 catalyst, addition of Rh increased the stability of the catalyst and the selectivity to hydrocarbons. The highest C2+ oxygenate selectivity of 44C atom% was achieved at 598K and H2:CO=1. Power law kinetics were used to describe the space–time yield (STY) of the major products. The apparent activation energies for ethanol (77.7kJ/mol) and acetaldehyde (81.9kJ/mol) formation suggested that both originated from the same surface intermediate whereas, a higher activation barrier was identified for methanol (114.5kJ/mol). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Our previous studies have characterized the inflammatory response of intratracheally instilled lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in F344/N rats. To better reflect the environmentally relevant form of LPS exposure, the present study evaluated the inflammatory response of F344/N rats exposed to LPS by inhalation. Rats were exposed by nose-only inhalation to aerosolized LPS at a median particle diameter of 1μm and a dose range from 0.08 to 480μg. Animals were euthanized 72h post exposure and the inflammatory cell counts and differentials, the cytokine/chemokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the changes in intraepithelial stored mucosubstances, mucous cells per mm basal lamina, and Bcl-2-positive mucous cells were quantified. We observed a dose-dependent increase reaching maximum values at the 75μg LPS dose for the numbers of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes, for the levels of IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β, TNFα, MCP-1 and GRO–KC. In addition, mucous cell metaplasia and the percentage of Bcl-2-positive mucous cells were increased with an increasing deposited LPS dose. When rats were treated with the phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, rolipram (10mg/kg), prior to exposure to aerosolized LPS neutrophil numbers in the BAL were reduced at 8h but not at 24 or 72h post LPS exposure. These results demonstrate that exposure to aerosolized LPS resulted in a more potent inflammatory response at lower doses and that inflammation was more uniformly distributed throughout the lung compared to inflammation caused by intratracheal LPS instillation. Therefore, this animal model will be useful for screening efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we trace the route by which genetics could ultimately connect to issue attitudes and suggest that central to this connection are chronic dispositional preferences for mass-scale social rules, order, and conduct-what we label political ideology. The need to resolve bedrock social dilemmas concerning such matters as leadership style, protection from outgroups, and the degree to which norms of conduct are malleable, is present in any large-scale social unit at any time. This universality is important in that it leaves open the possibility that genetics could influence stances on issues of the day. Here, we measure orientation to these bedrock principles in two ways-a survey of conscious, self-reported positions and an implicit association test (IAT) of latent orientations toward fixed or flexible rules of social conduct. In an initial test, both measures were predictive of stances on issues of the day as well as of ideological self-labeling, thereby suggesting that the heritability of specific issue attitudes could be the result of the heritability of general orientations toward bedrock principles of mass-scale group life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of the scattered acoustic vector fields generated by simple spheres illuminated by monotonic continuous wave (CW) plane waves are investigated. Analytical solutions are derived from general acoustic pressure scattering models and analyzed for wave numbers in the resonance region. Of particular interest is the understanding of the characteristics of the scattered acoustic vector field in the near-to-far-field transition region. The separable active and reactive components of the acoustic intensity are used to investigate the structural features of the scattered field components. Numerical results are presented for the near and transition regions for a rigid sphere. A method of mapping nulls in the scattered intensity field components is described. The analysis is then extended to include a simple fluid-filled boundary and finally the evacuated thin-walled shell. Near field acoustic intensity field structures are compared against mechanical material properties of vacuous shells. The ability to extract scattered field features is illustrated with measurements obtained from a recent in-air experiment using an anechoic chamber and acoustic vector sensor probes to measure the scattered acoustic vector field from rigid spheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The complete recovery of the H2 stored on dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole was achieved at 443K and 101kPa using Pd/SiO2 catalysts, prepared by incipient wetness impregnation with calcination in He rather than air. The dehydrogenation turn-over frequency (TOF) and selectivity to the completely dehydrogenated product, N-ethylcarbazole, were dependent upon Pd particle size, with a maximum in both occurring with a 4wt.% Pd/SiO2 catalyst that had an average Pd particle size of 9nm. Over this catalyst, the dehydrogenation reaction proceeded to complete conversion within 22min and complete H2 recovery (5.8wt.%) within 1.6h at 443K and 101kPa. The structure sensitivity of the reaction and the observed product distribution are discussed in view of DFT calculations that showed that the adsorption of dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole on Pd required multiple catalytic sites and the heat of adsorption was dependent upon the surface structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Biotic homogenization, the loss of local biotic distinctiveness among locations (beta diversity), is a form of global change that can result from the widespread introduction of nonnative species. Here, we model this process using only species' occupancy rates-the proportion of sites they occupy-without reference to their spatial arrangement. The nonspatial model unifies many empirical results and reliably explains >90% of the variance in species' effects on beta diversity. It also provides new intuitions and principles, including the conditions under which species' appearance, spread, or extirpation will homogenize or differentiate landscapes. Specifically, the addition or spread of exotic species that are more common than the native background rate (effective occupancy) homogenizes landscapes, while driving such species to extinction regionally or introducing rarer species differentiates them. Given the primacy of occupancy and our model's ability to explain its role, homogenization research can now focus on other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spot blotch, caused by Cochliobolus sativus, is an important foliar disease of barley. The disease has been controlled for over 40 years through the deployment of cultivars with durable resistance derived from the line NDB112. Pathotypes of C. sativus with virulence for the NDB112 resistance have been detected in Canada; thus, many commercial cultivars are vulnerable to spot blotch epidemics. To increase the diversity of spot blotch resistance in cultivated barley, we evaluated 318 diverse wild barley accessions comprising the Wild Barley Diversity Collection (WBDC) for reaction to C. sativus at the seedling stage and utilized an association mapping (AM) approach to identify and map resistance loci. A high frequency of resistance was found in the WBDC as 95% (302/318) of the accessions exhibited low infection responses. The WBDC was genotyped with 558 Diversity Array Technology (DArT®) and 2,878 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and subjected to structure analysis before running the AM procedure. Thirteen QTL for spot blotch resistance were identified with DArT and SNP markers. These QTL were found on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 3H, 5H, and 7H and explained from 2.3 to 3.9% of the phenotypic variance. Nearly half of the identified QTL mapped to chromosome bins where spot blotch resistance loci were previously reported, offering some validation for the AM approach. The other QTL mapped to unique genomic regions and may represent new spot blotch resistance loci. This study demonstrates that AM is an effective technique for identifying and mapping QTL for disease resistance in a wild crop progenitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of isobutanol in microorganisms has recently been achieved by harnessing the highly active 2-keto acid pathways. Since these 2-keto acids are precursors of amino acids, we aimed to construct an isobutanol production platform in Corynebacterium glutamicum, a well-known amino-acid-producing microorganism. Analysis of this host’s sensitivity to isobutanol toxicity revealed that C. glutamicum shows an increased tolerance to isobutanol relative to Escherichia coli. Overexpression of alsS of Bacillus subtilis, ilvC and ilvD of C. glutamicum, kivd of Lactococcus lactis, and a native alcohol dehydrogenase, adhA, led to the production of 2.6 g/L isobutanol and 0.4 g/L 3-methyl-1-butanol in 48 h. In addition, other higher chain alcohols such as 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 1-butanol, and 2-phenylethanol were also detected as byproducts. Using longer-term batch cultures, isobutanol titers reached 4.0 g/L after 96 h with wild-type C. glutamicum as a host. Upon the inactivation of several genes to direct more carbon through the isobutanol pathway, we increased production by ∼25% to 4.9 g/L isobutanol in a ∆ pyc∆ ldh background. These results show promise in engineering C. glutamicum for higher chain alcohol production using the 2-keto acid pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents results from an intercomparison of self-broadening coefficients and intensities of approximately 440 of the strongest water vapour lines in the spectral region 5000–5600cm−1. Line parameters retrieved and reported recently by two scientific groups, both using Fourier transform spectroscopy, are compared with parameters taken from the HITRAN-2008 database and with theoretical linelist BT2. This comparison has revealed marked systematic differences in the self-broadening coefficients (up to 20%) and to lesser degree in the line intensities (up to 6%) between different sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Numerous reports of atlantooccipital dislocations (AODs) have been described in frontal impacts and vehicle versus pedestrian collisions. Reports of survival after AOD in conjunction with side impacts have infrequently been reported in the literature. The objective of this study is to present a case of an AOD from a side impact vehicle collision, and deduce the mechanism of injury. A clinical and biomechanical reconstruction of the collision was performed to investigate the mechanism of the dislocation. A 51-year-old female was traveling in a four-door sedan and sustained a side impact collision with a compact pickup truck. At the time of extrication, the patient was neurologically intact with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15. After admittance to the hospital, the patient developed a decline in respiratory status, right mild hemiparesis, and left sixth-nerve palsy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) reconstructions indicated a craniocervical dislocation. Surgical fixation was performed and all extra-axial hemorrhaging was evacuated. At discharge, the patient was neurologically intact on the left side, had right mild hemiparesis, left sixth-nerve palsy, and minor dysarthria. Survival rates of AODs have recently been increasing. Morbidity is still more prevalent, however. Due to the variety of symptoms that accompany AODs and the inconsistency of diagnostic imaging techniques, a thorough history of the etiology may lead to increased clinical suspicion of this injury and further raise survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of preparation conditions on the properties of unsupported, high surface area Ni2P catalysts, prepared by adding citric acid (CA) to precursor metal salt solutions prior to drying, calcination and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), is reported. The highest Ni2P surface area (∼220m2/g) was obtained from a precursor solution with a P/Ni mole ratio of 2 and a CA/Ni mole ratio of 2 that was dried, calcined at 500°C and reduced in H2 at 650°C. Adding CA to the precursor salt solution is shown to yield amorphous precursors after calcination, rather than crystalline NiO and Ni2P4O12 that was observed in the absence of CA, and the amorphous material yielded high surface area Ni2P when reduced at temperatures above 600°C. The high surface area Ni2P favored the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) by the hydrogenation route, although some direct-desulfurization was observed on catalysts reduced at lower temperature in which significant metaphosphate species were identified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Modern technology has revolutionized the clinician's ability to have vast information resources available literally at one's fingertips. The advent of the smartphone-an integration of the mobile phone with an ultraportable computer, web browser, multimedia player, and camera, has given clinicians the capability to merge their information and communication resources into one compact handheld instrument. Apple's iPhone, and its sister device, the iPod touch, with a combined customer base of more than 50 million users and more than 100,000 downloadable applications, are now the leading handheld platforms for medical personnel to access personal information, medical reference, clinical data, and medically oriented "apps" on the go. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of some of the diverse infectious diseases-oriented resources available to the iPhone/iPod touch user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The conversion of synthesis gas to oxygenated hydrocarbons over a series of K-promoted MoP–SiO2 catalysts, is reported. Catalysts with 5, 10, and 15wt% MoP on SiO2 and promoted with 1 and 5wt% K, were prepared, characterized and tested at 548K, 8.27MPa and a H2:CO=1. An increase in CO conversion was observed with increased MoP and K loading and the highest oxygenate space time yield of 147.2mggcat−1 h−1 was obtained over the 5wt% K–15wt% MoP–SiO2 catalyst. CH4 was produced with high selectivity (29–40Catom%) over the un-promoted MoP catalysts, but with the addition of K, the CH4 selectivity was suppressed and the C2+ oxygenated product selectivity increased as the surface K/Mo atom ratio increased, up to a maximum at a K/Mo ratio of 3.2. The highest selectivity towards C2+ oxygenates (76.6Catom%) and lowest selectivity towards CH4 (9.7Catom%) occurred on the 5wt% K–10wt% MoP–SiO2 catalyst. The major oxygenates in the product were acetaldehyde, acetone and ethanol. In all cases, catalyst selectivity to methanol was low (<5Catom%). The product distribution obtained over the K–MoP–SiO2 catalysts was distinct from that reported on other Mo-based catalysts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although it is generally acknowledged that at least two processing streams exist in the primate cortical auditory system, the function of the posterior dorsal stream is a topic of much debate. Recent studies have reported selective activation to auditory spatial change in portions of the human planum temporale (PT) relative to nonspatial stimuli such as pitch changes or complex acoustic patterns. However, previous work has suggested that the PT may be sensitive to another kind of nonspatial variable, namely, the number of auditory objects simultaneously presented in the acoustic signal. The goal of the present fMRI experiment was to assess whether any portion of the PT showed spatial selectivity relative to manipulations of the number of auditory objects presented. Spatially sensitive regions in the PT were defined by comparing activity associated with listening to an auditory object (speech from a single talker) that changed location with one that remained stationary. Activity within these regions was then examined during a nonspatial manipulation: increasing the number of objects (talkers) from one to three. The nonspatial manipulation modulated activity within the "spatial" PT regions. No region within the PT was found to be selective for spatial or object processing. We suggest that previously documented spatial sensitivity in the PT reflects auditory source separation using spatial cues rather than spatial processing per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The decomposition of CH3OH in the presence of CO has been investigated over high surface area MgO, Cu–MgO, K–Cu–MgO and Cs–Cu–MgO catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by thermal decomposition of metal salts mixed with palmitic acid. The reduced catalysts had surface areas of 18–74m2 g−1 and intrinsic basicities of 4–17μmolCO2 m−2. Results revealed that methyl formate was a primary product of CH3OH decomposition, whereas CO was a secondary product. Although selectivity to C2 species (ethanol and acetic acid) was low (<5C-atom %) at the low pressure (101kPa) conditions of the present study, there was an optimum intrinsic basicity (9.5μmolCO2 m−2) at which the selectivity to C2 species and methyl formate reached a maximum. The role of catalyst basic properties in the formation of C2 species from CH3OH is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examines the perceptions and coping strategies of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, which is surrounded by 'Chemical Valley', the largest complex of petrochemical plants in Canada. Analysis of in-depth interviews showed that residents perceive 'Mother Earth to be sick'; however, a strong level of community cohesion prevails, with 'place' as a significant anchor to the culture and history of the community. Residents articulated a collective sense of responsibility for the well-being of members both within and surrounding the community, whereby some residents would never leave, regardless of the toxic environment and concern for high rates of cancer and respiratory diseases among both adults and children. Residents employed action-focused coping strategies such as 'indoor evacuation' and the 'Cop-sniff test', and emotional coping strategies including blocking out the effects of 'Chemical Valley' by frequently ignoring warning sirens from industry. The results call on the need for a collaborative environmental planning intervention involving clear community participation. Findings suggest the need for an indoor recreational facility for both children and adults, and a graded warning system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most definitive biblical text on the nature, function, and purpose of scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, contains several difficulties that have made it the subject of much scholarly debate. The purpose of this article is to examine the Greek text phrase by phrase, exploring the difficulties and evaluating possible solutions. Concerning the nature of scripture, the first three words are best translated 'all scripture is God-breathed', although 'every scripture is Godbreathed' remains possible. The inspired nature of the scriptures is presupposed by both these translations, and even by other interpretive options. Furthermore, it is proper to consider both copies and translations as inspired scriptures, while recognizing that in so doing we are referring to their true character rather than their absolute character. The function of scripture is represented by four prepositional phrases, which portray its functions as guiding believers towards correct belief and behaviour, while exposing wrong beliefs and behaviours. The ultimate purpose of scripture, however, is conveyed not by the four prepositional phrases in verse 16, but by the hina clause in verse 17-the word of God is given to prepare the man of God for every good work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of hydrogen uptake by N-ethylcarbazole and carbazole, and the kinetics of H2release from their hydrogenated products, is reported. The hydrogenation of N-ethylcarbazole at 130−150 °C on Ru was well described by a network of first-order stepwise hydrogenation reactions. The hydrogenation of N-ethylcarbazole was significantly faster than the hydrogenation of carbazole, and in both cases, >95% selectivity to the completely hydrogenated products, dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole and dodecahydrocarbazole, was achieved. The dehydrogenation of dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole at 101 kPa and 150−170 °C, proceeded to 100% conversion of the reactant over a Pd catalyst within 1 h. However, only 69% of the stored H2was recovered due to a low selectivity to N-ethylcarbazole. In the case of dodecahydrocarbazole dehydrogenation at 101 kPa and 170 °C over the same Pd catalyst, 28% H2recovery was obtained due to the strong adsorption of the product carbazole on the catalyst surface that also resulted in a slower rate of dodecahydrocarbazole dehydrogenation compared to dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis gas (CO+H2) conversion to CH4 and CH3OH over an Mo6P3 cluster, an Mo6P3-Si3O9 and a K-Mo6P3-Si3O9 cluster has been studied using density functional theory (DFT). The study focused on the reaction between the intermediate species CH2OHad+Had, comparing methanol formation to C-O bond scission that yields CH2.ad+H2Oad species. The activation energies of both the reactions decreased on the Mo6P3-Si3O9 and the K-Mo6P3-Si3O9 clusters compared to the Mo6P3 cluster. However, on the K-Mo6P3-Si3O9 cluster, the activation energy for methanol formation (12.1 kcal/mol) was higher than the C-O bond-breaking activation energy (9.9 kcal/mol). Although the DFT study predicted preferential formation of CH4 versus CH3OH on all the Mo6P3 clusters, the study also predicted an increased formation of CH3OH with the addition of K and experimental measurements are in agreement with this prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive experimental data reported by Smith et al. (Eur. J. Lipid Sci.Technol.2005, 107, 583−593) on the metastable zone width of 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol, (POP) tripalmitoylglycerol (PPP), and their mixtures in acetone are analyzed using a novel approach based on classical three-dimensional nucleation theory (Sangwal, K. Cryst. Growth Des.2009, 9, 942−950) and a self-consistent Nývlt-like approach (Sangwal, K. Cryst. Res. Technol.2009, 44, 231−247) to obtain quantitative information on the processes of nucleation of these systems. The relevant equations of the above approaches are (i) (T0/ΔTmax)2 = F(1 − Z ln R) and (ii) ln(ΔTmax)/T0) = Φ + β ln R, where T0 is the saturation temperature and F and Φ are, respectively, the values of (T0/ΔTmax)2 and ln(ΔTmax)/T0) when ln R = 0, whereas Z is a parameter characteristic of the crystallizing system and the constant β is inverse of the apparent nucleation order m in the Nývlt approach. It was found that (1) the value of parameters β and Z is relatively insensitive to saturation temperature T0 but depends on the investigated compound and the technique used for the measurement of maximum supercooling ΔTmax and the presence of PPP impurity in POP solutions; (2) the values of β and Z for PPP and POP decrease with an increase in their solubility in acetone; and (3) the data of Φ and ln(F1/2) as a function of saturation temperature T0 follow the Arrhenius-type relation with an activation energy Esat. Analysis of the results revealed that (1) the values of β and Z are directly connected with the solid−liquid interfacial energy γ; (2) the value of Esat depends on the nature of ions/molecules participating in diffusion; (3) maximum supercooling ΔTmax measured by turbidimetry corresponds to a nucleation event alone, but that obtained from growth exotherm includes some contribution of growth of stable nuclei after nucleation; and (4) PPP impurity in POP solutions promotes crystallization by acting as growth centers for heterogeneous nucleation. Extensive experimental data reported by Smith et al. (Eur. J. Lipid Sci.Technol.2005, 107, 583−593) on the metastable zone width of 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (POP), tripalmitoylglycerol (PPP), and their mixtures in acetone are analyzed using a novel approach based on classical three-dimensional nucleation theory and a self-consistent Nývlt-like approach to obtain quantitative information on the processes of nucleation of these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay is presented on the steps to achieve a user-friendly law on copyright renewal for libraries. These steps, which also elucidate the complexities of the U.S. law on copyright protection and fair use, include anti-circumvention exceptions, preemption of non-negotiable contracts, and preservation options for sound recordings. It mentions that such suggestions, which address the copyright law issues, is aimed at helping librarians acquire profound knowledge of the copyright environment.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including claims of clinical efficacy, public funding of homeopathy, and modalities and contexts.

Abstract: Calcium cycling plays a key role in the health and productivity of red spruce forests in the northeastern US. A portion of the flowpath of calcium within forests includes translocation as Ca2+ in sapwood and accumulation as crystals of calcium oxalate in foliage. Concentrations of Ca in these tree tissues have been used as markers of environmental change due to acidic deposition or forest management practices. We compared the effects of Ca fertilization treatment on Ca concentration in wood and Ca and oxalate (Ox) concentration in foliage at two locations with different initial concentrations of Ca in the soil. We found greater amounts of Ca in wood from the high-Ca location than from the low-Ca location. Ca concentration was greater in wood formed in the 1970s than for wood formed in the 1980s, the outermost decadal band in these samples. The Ca-treatment was detected as an increased concentration of Ca in the 1970s and 1980s decadal bands. We also found that variation in Ca and Ox in foliage was essentially stoichiometric. The appearance and response to chemical tests of crystals in foliage were consistent with identification as calcium oxalate. The increased Ca in wood after Ca-treatment of the soil supports the use of dendrochemistry of base cations to investigate environmental change. However, differences in Ca concentration between the two outermost decadal bands of wood illustrate that internal processes of translocation and storage also affect Ca concentration. Calcium oxalate production in foliage diverts carbon from ordinary biosynthesis and energy-yielding processes. This sequestration, shedding, and decomposition of foliage may represent a significant and under-recognized contribution to carbon and Ca cycling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article examines unpublished private letters exchanged in 1938-1939 between British diplomat Geoffrey Thompson and U.S. ambassador to Spain Claude Bowers for their insights into the diplomatic relationship between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in the months before the outbreak of World War II. Differences between the United States and Great Britain over how to confront fascism in Europe are discussed, as are the Munich pact between Great Britain and Germany, and the British policy of appeasement.

The Tim (Timeless)-Tipin complex has been proposed to maintain genome stability by facilitating ATR-mediated Chk1 activation. However, as a replisome component, Tim-Tipin has also been suggested to couple DNA unwinding to synthesis, an activity expected to suppress single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) accumulation and limit ATR-Chk1 pathway engagement. We now demonstrate that Tim-Tipin depletion is sufficient to increase ssDNA accumulation at replication forks and stimulate ATR activity during otherwise unperturbed DNA replication. Notably, suppression of the ATR-Chk1 pathway in Tim-Tipin-deficient cells completely abrogates nucleotide incorporation in S phase, indicating that the ATR-dependent response to Tim-Tipin depletion is indispensible for continued DNA synthesis. Replication failure in ATR/Tim-deficient cells is strongly associated with synergistic increases in H2AX phosphorylation and DNA double-strand breaks, suggesting that ATR pathway activation preserves fork stability in instances of Tim-Tipin dysfunction. Together, these experiments indicate that the Tim-Tipin complex stabilizes replication forks both by preventing the accumulation of ssDNA upstream of ATR-Chk1 function and by facilitating phosphorylation of Chk1 by ATR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the patterns in which local extinctions occur is critical to understanding how extinctions affect biodiversity at local, regional and global spatial scales. To understand the importance of patterns of extinction at a regional spatial scale, we use data from extirpations associated with a widespread pathogenic agent of amphibian decline, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd) as a model system. We apply novel null model analyses to these data to determine whether recent extirpations associated with Bd have resulted in selective extinction and homogenization of diverse tropical American amphibian biotas. We find that Bd-associated extinctions in this region were nonrandom and disproportionately, but not exclusively, affected low-occupancy and endemic species, resulting in homogenization of the remnant amphibian fauna. The pattern of extirpations also resulted in phylogenetic homogenization at the family level and ecological homogenization of reproductive mode and habitat association. Additionally, many more species were extirpated from the region than would be expected if extirpations occurred randomly. Our results indicate that amphibian declines in this region are an extinction filter, reducing regional amphibian biodiversity to highly similar relict assemblages and ultimately causing amplified biodiversity loss at regional and global scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the efficiency of the intranet site in the workflow of hospital pharmacy department in the U.S. Intranet sites have been viewed to communication improvement, pharmacy education enhancement, and work efficiency improvement considering that large hospitals have problems in handling information. Managing information can be improved with the used of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, a knowledge based tool, because this can lead to better pharmacy services.

A series of rare shell and copper earrings shaped like human heads with long noses traditionally referred to as "Long-Nosed God Masks" have featured prominently in discussions of influences radiating from the Cahokian polity across a significant portion of the Southeastern United States. Archival research indicates that the widely published provenance for one of these objects should be corrected from near Rogana, Tennessee, to near Rowena, Kentucky. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Unsupported monometallic phosphides (MoP and Ni2P), as well as a series of bimetallic nickel molybdenum phosphides (Ni x MoP), were synthesized with high surface area by adding citric acid (CA) to precursor metal salt solutions prior to drying, calcination and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). The resulting MoP and Ni2P catalysts had surface areas of 139 and 216m2/g, respectively. The surface areas of the Ni x MoP catalysts decreased with increased Ni content and ranged from 121 to 16m2/g. In all cases, the catalyst surface area was greater than that obtained when a conventional preparation procedure was followed that did not use CA. The activity of the catalysts for the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of a feed containing 3000ppm 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) in toluene was measured at 583K and 3.0MPa. The resulting catalysts were highly active and among the studied phosphides, Ni2P exhibited the highest HDS activity with a conversion of 87.7% at a WHSV of 26h−1 and a H2/liquid feed ratio of 625 (v/v). The HDS TOF decreased in the order Ni2P>Ni x MoP>MoP and for the Ni x MoP catalyst, the observed TOF increased with Ni content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Several academic disciplines have begun to understand the benefits of open access to scholarship, both for scholars and for the general public. Scientific disciplines have led the way, partially due to the nature of scholarship in those areas and partially because they have felt the crisis in serials pricing more acutely than others. Th eological studies, however, have largely been insulated from the push for open access; considering the reasons for that is the first task of this article. It is also the case, however, that the missionary impulse that stands behind much theological scholarship is a strong incentive to embrace the opportunities afforded by digital, online dissemination of research and writing. After discussing this imperative for global distribution, the bulk of the article focuses on how theological institutions, and especially their libraries, can encourage and support scholars in making their work freely accessible. Copyright issues, including the elements of a successful copyright management program, are discussed, as are some of the technological elements necessary for an efficient and discoverable open access repository. Options for licensing, both at ingestion of content and at dissemination to users, are also considered. Finally, it is argued that the role of consortia and professional organizations in supporting these initiatives is especially important because of the relatively small size of so many theological institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome integrity is maintained during DNA replication by coordination of various replisome-regulated processes. Although it is known that Timeless (Tim) is a replisome component that participates in replication checkpoint responses to genotoxic stress, its importance for genome maintenance during normal DNA synthesis has not been reported. Here we demonstrate that Tim reduction leads to genomic instability during unperturbed DNA replication, culminating in increased chromatid breaks and translocations (triradials, quadriradials, and fusions). Tim deficiency led to increased H2AX phosphorylation and Rad51 and Rad52 foci formation selectively during DNA synthesis and caused a 3-4-fold increase in sister chromatid exchange. The sister chromatid exchange events stimulated by Tim reduction were largely mediated via a Brca2/Rad51-dependent mechanism and were additively increased by deletion of the Blm helicase. Therefore, Tim deficiency leads to an increased reliance on homologous recombination for proper continuation of DNA synthesis. Together, these results indicate a pivotal role for Tim in maintaining genome stability throughout normal DNA replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to identify biblical pillars and parameters for establishing the role of a pastor's wife in a local church. The thesis of the article is that the Scriptures do not in any way define or prescribe the role of the pastor's wife, so we must infer the framework for her ministry as the pastor's wife from what the Scriptures teach about her identify, role, and purpose as a woman, a wife, and a believer. We propose that she is first a woman, designed to image her Creator, and then a wife, who ministers to her husband as his helper, and finally a believer who finds her identity in Christ and serves Him according to the gifts and calling He places on her. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]