The Tcc = DD* molecular state

We show that the molecule-like configuration of DD^* enables weak binding with two realistic potential models (Bhaduri and Grenoble AL1). Three-body forces may increase the binding and strengthen the cc diquark configuration. As a signature we propose the branching ratio between radiative and pionic decay.Comment: 19 pages, 18 figures, revised version, to be published in Few-Body System

Triclocarban Influences Antibiotic Resistance and Alters Anaerobic Digester Microbial Community Structure

Triclocarban (TCC) is one of the most abundant organic micropollutants detected in biosolids. Lab-scale anaerobic digesters were amended with TCC at concentrations ranging from the background concentration of seed biosolids (30 mg/kg) to toxic concentrations of 850 mg/kg to determine the effect on methane production, relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes, and microbial community structure. Additionally, the TCC addition rate was varied to determine the impacts of acclimation time. At environmentally relevant TCC concentrations (max detect = 440 mg/kg), digesters maintained function. Digesters receiving 450 mg/kg of TCC maintained function under gradual TCC addition, but volatile fatty acid concentrations increased, pH decreased, and methane production ceased when immediately fed this concentration. The concentrations of the mexB gene (encoding for a multidrug efflux pump) were higher with all concentrations of TCC compared to a control, but higher TCC concentrations did not correlate with increased mexB abundance. The relative abundance of the gene tet(L) was greater in the digesters that no longer produced methane, and no effect on the relative abundance of the class 1 integron integrase encoding gene (intI1) was observed. Illumina sequencing revealed substantial community shifts in digesters that functionally failed from increased levels of TCC. More subtle, yet significant, community shifts were observed in digesters amended with TCC levels that did not inhibit function. This research demonstrates that TCC can select for a multidrug resistance encoding gene in mixed community anaerobic environments, and this selection occurs at concentrations (30 mg/kg) that can be found in full-scale anaerobic digesters (U.S. median concentration = 22 mg/kg, mean = 39 mg/kg)

The Integral Role of Tulsa Community College in the Mathematics and Science Preparation of Prospective Teachers

The role of the two-year college in the mathematics and science preparation of prospective teachers is fast becoming a prominent influence on teacher education programs across the country. This article describes the multifaceted role of Tulsa Community College (TCC), Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the preparation of prospective teachers in math and science. Since 1987 Tulsa Community College has hosted many events, activities, and programs aimed at the sciences. TCC activities/programs have focused on five areas: (1) preservice and inservice preparation; (2) summer teacher institutes supported by state and federal grants; (3) recruitment and emphasis on underrepresented groups; (4) parateacher associate degree/certification program; (5) workshops, seminars, and other activities. This article presents the TCC role by examining these five areas in terms of assessment of successful strategies, significant collaborations, and impact of the TCC teacher preparation activities on students and the community. Also presented are the implications for future TCC programs and the TCC vision for the math and science preparation of prospective teachers for the 21st century and beyond

Short sales and price discovery in real estate markets

Indirect real estate (IRE) returns are often shown to lead direct real estate (DRE) returns. Apart from differences in liquidity, transaction costs, and management skills, the DRE market is also less complete than the IRE market – when negative shocks arrive, one can only short IRE (e.g. real estate stocks or REITs), but not DRE. This study investigates if short sales in the IRE market convey any information to the DRE market. Based on high-frequency (weekly) property price data in Hong Kong from 1999 to 2011, we found that short sales in the IRE market led DRE returns, even after controlling for the lagged IRE returns in a VAR model. This suggests that short sales contain private information on the real estate market that is not fully reflected in IRE returns. The spillover effect of short sales, however, weakened after the 2007 global financial crisis because increased uncertainty over the credibility of individual firms made short sales carry more firm-specific information than market-wide news.postprin

Understanding the causes and consequences of high-carotene Cassava roots

A large dataset (2129 data points) was developed over the years of research to increase carotenoids content in cassava roots. Correlations were always based on more than 550 data points. Correlations between dry matter content (DMC) and total carotene content (TCC) or ?- carotene (TBC) were positive and weak (0.13 and 0.07, respectively). There is no problem, therefore, for producing biofortified cassava with adequate levels of DMC. Correlation between cyanogenic potential (HCN) and TCC was negative suggesting that it is possible to obtain highcarotene with low HCN values. Correlations of data from spectrophotometer and HPLC were very high. TCC and TBC had a high correlation (0.90) suggesting that most carotenoids in cassava roots are ?-carotene. Correlations between TCC and TBC with phytoene were relatively high (0.52 and 0.61, respectively). Correlations between TCC and TBC with phytofluene were 0.60 and 0.65, respectively. Correlation between phytoene and phytofluene was 0.96. No case where accumulation of phytoene or phytofluene without parallel levels of carotenoids was observed. Similarly there was no accumulation of phytoene without parallel levels of phtytofluene. There is no evidence, therefore, that accumulation of carotenoids in cassava roots is related to a blockage at the PSY or PDS steps in the carotenoids biosynthesis. (Résumé d'auteur

Bacterial urinary tract infections associated with transitional cell carcinoma in dogs.

BackgroundUrinary tract infections (UTI) are believed to be common in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), but incidence and contributing factors have not been reported.ObjectivesTo determine the frequency and bacterial agents associated with UTI in dogs with TCC and define contributing factors.AnimalsEighty-five dogs with a history of urogenital TCC undergoing treatment with chemotherapy that had at least 1 urine culture performed.MethodsMedical records and culture results were retrospectively reviewed and ultrasound images were reviewed when available. Clinical factors were evaluated statistically for association with positive culture.ResultsFifty-five percent (47/85) of dogs had at least 1 positive culture during the course of treatment. Female dogs (80%, 40/50) were more likely than male dogs (29%, 10/35) to have at least 1 positive culture. Ultrasound examination determined that female dogs were more likely to have urethral (74%, 31/42) or trigonal tumor involvement (71%, 30/42) compared to male dogs (32%, 9/28 and 43%, 12/28, respectively). The most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus spp. (23.9%, 29/121) and Escherichia coli (19.8%, 24/121). Dogs with urethral involvement of TCC were significantly more likely to have at least 1 positive culture than dogs without urethral involvement (75%, 30/40 versus 30%, 9/30).ConclusionsUrinary tract infection is common in dogs with TCC highlighting the importance of regular monitoring for bacterial cystitis in dogs with TCC. In addition, clinical factors such as tumor location and sex may be predictive of positive culture and can help clinicians assess the risk of UTI