cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vitamins, Amino Acids and Drugs and Formulations Used in Nutrition

Abstract The present chapter briefly summarizes the adverse effects reported for vitamin A (carotenoids), vitamins of the B group (cobalamins, folic acid and folinic acid, hopantenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, tetrahydrobiopterin and sapropterin, and thiamine), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin D analogues, vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin K analogues, amino acids (arginine, glycine, and ornithine), and enteral and parenteral nutrition in publications from January 2016 to December 2016.
Hornblower’s Historical Shipmates: The young gentlemen of Pellew’s Indefatigable

This is a group biography of the ‘seventeen young gentlemen mustered on the Indefatigable’s books in 1797’ (p. 2) that discusses their origins, explores their relationships with Edward Pellew and e...
Performance-Based Construction Contractor Prequalification

Performance-based construction contractor prequalification seeks to add contractors' past performance to the prequalification process. Performance criteria may include construction quality, keeping to schedule, and safety record. This report summarizes experience and practice of state transportation agencies and includes information from non-transportation construction. The focus is on design-bid-build projects; however, there is also information on design-build and construction manager/general contractor projects. Information was gathered through a literature review augmented by content analyses of administrative prequalification documents and Requests for Qualifications. A survey was administered to state transportation agencies and Canadian provincial transportation agencies. Finally, structured interviews were conducted with construction contractors to obtain an industry perspective.
An Integrated Pest Management Intervention Improves Knowledge, Pest Control, and Practices in Family Child Care Homes.

To reduce young children’s exposure to pesticides when attending family child care homes (FCCHs), we developed an integrated pest management (IPM) intervention for FCCH directors. First, we developed IPM educational materials and resources to provide the foundation for an IPM educational intervention for FCCHs. Next, we conducted and evaluated a six-month nurse child care health consultant (CCHC)-led education and consultation IPM intervention to increase IPM knowledge, IPM practices, IPM policies, and decrease the presence or evidence of pests. The pilot intervention study was conducted by three CCHCs in 20 FCCHs in three counties in California. Pre- and post-intervention measures were completed by the FCCH directors and observation measures were completed by the CCHCs. Results indicated significant increases in IPM knowledge, (t-statistic (degrees of freedom), (t(df) = 2.55(10), p < 0.05), increases in IPM practices (t(df) = −6.47(17), p < 0.05), and a 90% reduction in the prevalence of pests. There were no significant differences in changes in IPM practices based on director education, FCCH county, or IPM intervention intensity or duration. A nurse-led IPM education and consultation intervention can reduce exposures of young children attending family child care homes to harmful chemicals.
Interdomain Communicaton via Magnetic Spin Diffusion in a Microphase-Separated Polyurethane Elastomer

High-resolution carbon-13 solid state NMR spectroscopy is employed to monitor communication between the rigid and mobile domains in a polyether-polyurethane elastomer via proton magnetization transport. Results from thermal analysis and polarized optical microscopy indicate that the urethane-rich hard domains are semicrystalline and exhibit spherulitic growth that is somewhat disordered. Proton magnetization gradients are established via mobility differences between the two domains, and the ensuing spin-diffusion process is monitored via the carbon-13 nuclear manifold. Chemical structural differences between the two types of segments produce high-resolution 13C NMR signals that allow one to track interdomain communication. Magnetic spin-temperature equilibration between the two domains occurs on the 10–100 ms time scale. This is consistent with a finely dispersed array of hard and soft microphases. The polyurethane proton-spin-diffusion results are similar to those obtained for a variety of SURLYN™ and KRATON™ commercial phase-separated copolymers.
TES X-ray Spectrometer at SLAC LCLS-II

We are building a transition edge sensor (TES) X-ray spectrometer for the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS-II) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) to coincide with new upgrades for this free electron laser facility. This new X-ray spectrometer will have 1000 TES pixels with 0.5 eV energy resolution for soft X-rays below 1 keV. Multiplexing will be done with microwave SQUID resonators and new specialized electronic hardware developed at SLAC. This spectrometer will use a dilution refrigerator to achieve lower operating temperatures than previous TES spectrometers and will be coupled to the liquid jet endstation at LCLS-II. The spectrometer is designed to operate at much higher count rates than previous TES X-ray spectrometers to take advantage of the high repetition rate of the LCLS-II. Science applications will utilize the high photon collection efficiency and throughput, high energy resolution, as well as its ability to simultaneously measure its full calibrated energy range.
Corneal Oxidative Damage in Keratoconus Cells due to Decreased Oxidant Elimination from Modified Expression Levels of SOD Enzymes, PRDX6, SCARA3, CPSF3, and FOXM1

Author(s): Atilano, Shari R; Lee, Daniel H; Fukuhara, Paula S; Chwa, Marilyn; Nesburn, Anthony B; Udar, Nitin; Kenney, M Cristina | Abstract: PurposeTo compare the levels of gene expression for enzymes involved in production and elimination of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) in normal human corneal cells (NL cells) with those in human corneal cells with keratoconus (KC cells) in vitro.MethodsPrimary NL and KC stromal fibroblast cultures were incubated with apocynin (an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase) or N-nitro-L-arginine (N-LLA; an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase). ROS/RNS levels were measured using an H2 DCFDA fluorescent assay. The RT2 Profiler™ PCR Array for Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense was used for initial screening of the NL and KC cultures. Transcription levels for genes related to production or elimination of ROS/RNS were analyzed using quantitative PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 10 intact human corneas using antibodies against SCARA3 and CPSF3.ResultsArray screening of 84 antioxidant-related genes identified 12 genes that were differentially expressed between NL and KC cultures. Compared with NL cells, quantitative PCR showed that KC cells had decreased expression of antioxidant genes SCARA3 isoform 2 (0.59-fold, P = 0.02) and FOXM1 isoform 1 (0.61-fold, P = 0.03). KC cells also had downregulation of the antioxidant genes SOD1 (0.4-fold, P = 0.0001) and SOD3 (0.37-fold, P = 0.02) but increased expression of SOD2 (3.3-fold, P l 0.0001), PRDX6 (1.47-fold, P = 0.01), and CPSF3 (1.44-fold, P = 0.02).ConclusionThe difference in expression of antioxidant enzymes between KC and NL suggests that the oxidative stress imbalances found in KC are caused by defects in ROS/RNS removal rather than increased ROS/RNS production.
Consolidation and Behavior of FeCoV Soft Magnetic Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering

Soft magnetic materials, in contrast to permanent (or hard) magnets, are easily magnetized and demagnetized. These materials are ideal for use in inductor and transformer cores, where the current flow and magnetic field are switched rapidly. In this chapter, we examine the synthesis and fabrication of FeCo-2 wt%V (FeCoV) using spark plasma sintering (SPS). FeCoV is a soft magnetic material with a high saturation magnetization, low coercivity, and high Curie temperature, making it ideal for high-temperature and power-dense applications. Highly dense bulk FeCoV soft magnets were fabricated using mechanically alloyed powders. The microstructure of the mechanically alloyed powders and consolidated nanostructured bulk FeCoV soft magnets were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their magnetic properties were measured and are also discussed.
COMPARISON OF CURRENT SCREENING FOR PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY WITH STANDARDIZED SCREENING TOOLS I PATIENT HEALTH QUALITY -9 AND GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDERS-7 AMONG ADULT INPATIENTS AT SHAUKAT KHANUM MEMORIAL CANCER HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE (SKMCH&RC)

Purpose: Screening for depression and anxiety for inpatients at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre is done by nursing team by asking patients two questions from a structured admission tool aimed toward depression and anxiety. We audited the use of the current method of screening for depression and anxiety against standard screening tools for depression and anxiety i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7. The aim was improvement of screening for depression and anxiety amongst cancer inpatients. Methods: We used a cross-sectional method to observe if the current screening method was being completed on admission on an inpatient ward of 40 patients on one particular day. Second, we delivered PHQ-9 and GAD-7 as screening tools on the same inpatients on the same day to compare with the current screening method. Results: Prevalence of depression was 54.5% (n = 18) and that of generalized anxiety was 36.4% (n = 12), regardless of severity, when using PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Comparatively, the current method of screening was able to pick up 16.6% (n = 3) of cases of depression and 16.6% (n = 2) of cases of generalised anxiety. Conclusion: We concluded that improvement was required in the screening process for depression and anxiety by devising a new screening tool specific to our cancer population. Key words: Anxiety, cancer, depression, screening
IL12 Abrogates Calcineurin-Dependent Immune Evasion during Leukemia Progression.

Exploitation of the immune system has emerged as an important therapeutic strategy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the mechanisms of immune evasion during leukemia progression remain poorly understood. We sought to understand the role of calcineurin in ALL and observed that depletion of calcineurin B (CnB) in leukemia cells dramatically prolongs survival in immune-competent but not immune-deficient recipients. Immune-competent recipients were protected from challenge with leukemia if they were first immunized with CnB-deficient leukemia, suggesting robust adaptive immunity. In the bone marrow, recipients of CnB-deficient leukemia harbored expanded T cell populations as compared to controls. Gene expression analyses of leukemia cells extracted from the bone marrow identified Cn-dependent significant changes in the expression of immunoregulatory genes. Increased secretion of IL-12 from CnB-deficient leukemia cells was sufficient to induce T cell activation ex vivo, an effect that was abolished when IL-12 was neutralized. Strikingly, recombinant IL-12 prolonged survival of mice challenged with highly aggressive B-ALL. Moreover, gene expression analyses from children with ALL showed that patients with higher expression of either IL-12A or IL-12B exhibited prolonged survival. These data suggest that leukemia cells are dependent upon calcineurin for immune evasion by restricting the regulation of pro-inflammatory genes, particularly IL-12.
Organizational Strategy and Staffing

In this chapter, we draw linkages between theory and research from strategic human resource management (and its focus on predicting unit/firm performance) with the key issues and empirical findings from the staffing and selection literature (and its focus on predicting individual performance). We organize the chapter around the fit and flexibility framework (Wright & Snell, 1998) to discuss the dual concerns of fitting staffing and selection systems to strategic needs while simultaneously enabling flexibility to respond to future demands. Implications for research and practice explain how such an approach may alter and enhance conventional views regarding staffing system characteristics such as the types of criteria, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs), and selection methods that are considered.
Complexities of spine surgery in obese patient populations: a narrative review

The obese population is particularly challenging to the spine surgeon in all phases of care. A narrative literature review was performed to review difficulties in spine surgery on the obese patient population and techniques for mitigation. We specifically aimed to assess several topics with regard to this population: patient selection and preoperative care; intraoperative and surgical techniques; and postoperative care, outcomes, and complications. The literature review demonstrated that obese patients are at increased surgical risk with spine surgery due to a variety of factors at all stages of intervention. Preoperatively, obese patients have worse outcomes with physical therapy and present technical difficulties for injections. Transport to a hospital, imaging, resuscitation, and intubation are all challenged by increased body habitus. Intraoperatively, obese patients have increased operative times, blood loss, surgical site infections, and nerve palsies. Patient positioning and intraoperative imaging may be limited. Surgery itself may be technically challenging due to body habitus and minimally invasive techniques are becoming more prevalent in this population. Postoperatively, several studies demonstrate that obese patients have inferior outcomes compared with nonobese counterparts. Patient selection is a key for elective interventions, and appropriate infrastructure aids in the ultimate outcomes for both elective and nonelective surgical treatments. Overall, obese patients present several challenges to the spine surgeon, and certain precautions can be undertaken preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively to mitigate the associated risks to optimize outcomes.
Comparison of Characteristic Particle Velocities in Solid-Liquid Multiphase Flow in Elbow

Abstract Erosion is a micromechanical process in which materials are removed from the inner surface of a pipe or elbow due to repeated impact of particles in multiphase flow. Measurement of particle impact velocities that causes erosive wear is complex due to spatial distribution of particles in the flow. Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis (CFD) has been used to analyze complex flow phenomenon and particle velocities to understand the erosion behavior. CFD analysis results require experimental validation for complex flow phenomenon. The objective of the study is to compare and validate particle velocities using computational and experimental methods. Computational fluid dynamics analysis was performed for multiphase flow through an elbow to compute the particle velocities inside the elbow. Experiments were also conducted to measure the particle velocities in the elbow using a particle image velocimetry (PIV) system with similar flow conditions. The particles used were 50-micronglass beads with 2% concentration in water that flows through a 25.4 mm elbow. The flow rates used in this study were 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 Gallons Per Minute (GPM), that corresponds to 0.436, 0.581, and 0.685 m/s velocities. The particle velocity results from CFD and PIV methods were compared to develop a better understanding of the particle impact velocities that causes erosion. The CFD predicted velocities showed good agreement with the Experimental velocity data obtained from PIV method.
Principal Component Analysis of Residuals (PCAR)

An added technique that can be used to investigate the dimensionality of a test or survey (e.g., do all items define the same trait?) is Principal Component Analysis of Residuals. In this chapter, we talk readers through the steps required to conduct a Principal Component Analysis of Residuals- from the eigenvalues that may need to be observed to support potential multidimensionality, to the steps that must be taken to verify that items flagged as possibly “off dimension” are indeed not a part of a single trait. This chapter links to the Fit chapter of Rasch Analysis in the Human Sciences, and to the chapter of Advances in Rasch Analysis in the Human Sciences concerning the important use of Cross plots for a Rasch analysis.
IVC Filter Migration and Misplacement

A 48-year-old female who underwent remote IVC filter placement presented to the ER with chest pain and palpitations. Chest X-ray was performed, demonstrating a filter strut in the right lower chest.
Acid Erosion of Carbonate Fractures and Accessibility of Arsenic-Bearing Minerals: In Operando Synchrotron-Based Microfluidic Experiment.

Underground flows of acidic fluids through fractured rock can create new porosity and increase accessibility to hazardous trace elements such as arsenic. In this study, we developed a custom microf...
Earable Computing: A New Area to Think About

This position paper argues that earphones hold the potential for major disruptions in mobile, wearable computing. The early signs are positive and the industrial wheels are in motion. However, whether earphones truly become a disruptive new platform, or stop at being a useful accessory, could depend on whether we -- the mobile computing researchers -- deliver. If we do, tomorrow's earphones will run augmented reality via 3D sound, will have Alexa and Siri whisper just-in-time information, will track our motion and health, will make authentications seamless, and much more. The leap from today's earphones to "earables" could mimic the transformation we saw from basic-phones to smart phones. On the other hand, if we are unable to provide some of the disruptive building blocks, tomorrow's earphones may saturate in its capabilities. We believe this is an important juncture in time where the mobile computing research community has an opportunity to shape the future. This paper aims to discuss this landscape, including some challenges, opportunities, and applications.
Changes in Sediment Organic Carbon Accumulation under Conditions of Historical Sea-Level Rise, Southeast Saline Everglades, Florida, USA

Mangroves can store more sediment organic carbon (SOC) than freshwater and salt marshes. Understanding how mangroves have responded to historical sea-level rise (SLR) is fundamental to assessing their resilience and capacity to store carbon as SLR accelerates. We quantified landscape-level temporal and spatial trends in historical coastal wetland sediment accumulation and associated SOC content (i.e., storage) along coastal-to-inland gradients in Southeast Florida. The observed trends were transgressive and attributed to the historical rise in sea level. Our results indicate an overall significant increase in the SOC content of the historic wetland sediment succession caused by the vertical accumulation and landward migration of carbon-rich mangrove-dominated plant communities (mean = 0.08 g cm−3) into and over carbon-poor wet prairie plant communities (mean = 0.02 g cm−3). The observed historical increase in SOC is predicted to diminish over time as the difference between rates of SLR and vertical sediment accumulation increases and because the landward migration of mangrove-dominated plant communities is now obstructed by a shore-parallel flood-control levee. These results are likely to unfold in other low-latitude coastal wetlands where they are sandwiched between rising seas and an urbanized landscape.
Can the Cognitive Processes of Reading Student Evaluations Influence Their Utility

The end of the semester has any number of regular milestones for teachers, among them the receipt of student evaluations of teaching. Particularly for those who teach large course sections, the anticipated experience of reading evaluations is often bemusement. Frequently, there are significant numbers of student comments on both “sides” of a component of a course, from homework to tests to perceptions of instructor flexibility. Encountering conflicting information induces challenges to the cognition one uses to digest the material. Because evaluations tend to contain such conflicts, the potential for ambivalent reactions to the information is heightened. How such ambivalence arises, and what it might mean for discerning actionable ideas from student evaluations, is a timely concept to ponder as an unusual semester/quarter comes to a close.
Self-Paced Online Training on Healthy Beverage Policy for Child Care Providers.

Abstract Objective Determine if online training for child care providers increases knowledge and awareness of and adherence to California's Healthy Beverages in Child Care Act (AB2084) policy. Design Cluster, randomized controlled trial with 2 intervention groups and 1 control group. Setting Licensed child care centers and family child care homes. Participants Child care providers in 3 California regions. Intervention Thirty-minute, self-paced online training in English or Spanish, with or without 6-months of ongoing technical assistance. Main outcomes measured Providers’ self-reported knowledge and awareness of and adherence to AB2084 at baseline, after 1 and 6 months. Analysis Generalized estimating equations and generalized linear models, adjusted for the percentage of children on child care subsidies and region. Results Outcomes were similar between groups receiving and not receiving technical assistance. Providers receiving training (both intervention groups combined) experienced larger increases in knowledge (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003) and awareness (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001) of AB2084 compared with the control group after 1 and 6 months. All groups reported pre-post increases in adherence to AB2084. Conclusions and Implications A brief online training supports increased knowledge and awareness of healthy beverage policy among child care providers. The training is available online and is free for California child care providers.
Rebellion, Rascals, and Revenue: Pleasingly Gaudy and Preposterous

Michael Keen and Joel Slemrod’s REBELLION, RASCALS AND REVENUE: TAX FOLLIES AND WISDOM THROUGH THE AGES (Princeton University Press, 2021) is a wonderful book, which should be read by any student of taxation. To most tax policy makers and academics, tax history may seem a bit arcane, because they believe that the study of taxation and especially public finance economics is a story of progress and that we know better how to design good tax systems than our ancestors. To this attitude, Keen and Slemrod offer a decisive rejoinder: We do not necessarily understand taxation better than our predecessors, and in fact we can learn from their experience. Keen and Slemrod’s marvelous book is not an attempt to directly effectuate tax policy or to rewrite tax history. Instead, it is a very wise excursion by two highly experienced public finance economists into the past in order to both understand the present better by comparing it to what was different, and to improve the future by learning from both past wisdom and past follies.
Falls and Instability in the Elderly

Falls are a common problem for older persons. This article reviews the consequences of falls, the age-related physiologic changes contributing to fall risk, and the medical and environmental causes of falls. The clinical evaluation of falls and fall risk and interventions designed to reduce both are presented.
What a Sustained Low-Yield Rate Environment Means for Retirement Income Adequacy: Results from the 2013 EBRI Retirement Security Projection Model®

As many retirees and workers have discovered, today’s historically low interest rates are crimping their retirement savings. Now a new paper by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) quantifies the impact of a sustained low-interest rate environment on America’s retirement readiness. EBRI, using its proprietary Retirement Security Projection Model® (RSPM), found that more than a quarter of Baby Boomers and Gen Xers who would have had adequate retirement income under historical averages return assumptions are simulated to end up running short of money in retirement if today’s historically low interest rates are assumed to be a permanent condition, if retirement income/wealth is assumed to cover 100 percent of simulated retirement expense. A low-yield-rate environment may have an extremely large impact on retirement-income failure rates when viewed in isolation. However, the impact is muted somewhat when included as part of the entire retirement portfolio (e.g., Social Security benefits, possible defined benefit accruals, and net housing equity). There appears to be a very limited impact of a low-yield-rate environment on retirement income adequacy for those in the lowest- (pre-retirement) income quartile, given the relatively small level of defined contribution and IRA assets and the relatively large contribution of Social Security benefits for this group. However, there is a very significant impact for the top three income quartiles. The PDF for the above title, published in the June 2013 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the full text of another June 2013 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: “Use of Health Care Services and Access Issues by Type of Health Plan: Findings from the EBRI/MGA Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey.”
Remedies in International Human Rights Law (Chapter One)

This book discusses the various approaches to and types of remedies available for violations of international human rights law. The first point is that remedies have both a procedural and substantive component. Procedural remedies means that there is an opportunity to be heard, while the substantive facet refers to the “relief afforded the successful claimant.” The first chapter of the book notes that preliminary requirements are availability of the justice system and discusses the purposes of remedies, including compensating the victim, deterring future crimes, condemnation, retribution, and restorative justice (which aims to find options other than punishment and focusing more on victims’ needs). Finally, the chapter provides a discussion of economic theories behind remedies, such as cost-benefit analysis and efficiency. The chapter concludes by arguing that rectification, rather than compensation, should serve as the main objective of remedies for violations of international human rights.
Electron Microscopy of Staphylococcus aureus Cells and Cell Walls After Treatment with Lysozyme Chalaropsis

Lysozyme Chalaropsis, a beta-1,4-N,6-O-diacetylmuramidase, attacks the cell wall murein of Staphylococcus aureus H in a random manner. In hypertonic sucrose solutions, true protoplasts are produced and, in the process, mesosomal tubules are extruded into the medium.
A diagnostic evaluation of real-time PCR, fluorescent antibody and microscopic agglutination tests in cases of equine leptospiral abortion.

Summary Reasons for performing study A comprehensive evaluation of the real-time PCR assay for leptospirosis in comparison with other diagnostic assays on a large-scale basis is fundamental in validating the assay and determining the causes of equine abortions. Objectives To compare and evaluate the diagnostic value of real-time PCR assay for leptospirosis with traditional methods in equine leptospiral abortions. Study design Cross-sectional observational study. Methods A Leptospira spp. fluorescent antibody test (FAT), microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and real-time PCR (targeting the LipL32 gene) were compared and evaluated in equine fetal necropsy specimens (placenta, kidney, liver and heart blood) and maternal serum (when available) in 339 equine fetuses. Results From a total of 339 equine fetuses necropsied, 21 cases (6.19%) were diagnosed as leptospiral abortion. The majority of leptospiral abortions occurred in January (8 cases) and February (5 cases). Real-time PCR detected 21 of 21 cases, whereas MAT and FAT detected 19 and 18 (including 2 suspicious cases) cases, respectively. Comparing tissues, placenta yielded somewhat similar cycle of threshold values by real-time PCR compared with kidney, whereas kidney was the best specimen for the diagnosis of leptospirosis by the FAT test. In all MAT positive cases, the predominant titre in fetal heart blood was to serovar Pomona (ranging 1:100 to 1:204,800) with little or no cross-reaction to serovar Grippotyphosa. Conclusions The results indicate that real-time PCR is an effective method for the diagnosis of leptospiral abortion in horses. However, MAT should continue to be used in clinical cases for serovar determination.
Ectopic expression of hetP can partially bypass the need for hetR in heterocyst differentiation by Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120.

Summary Differentiation of nitrogen-fixing cells, called heterocysts, by the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 requires HetR, which is considered the master regulator of heterocyst differentiation. In this study, ectopic expression of hetP from an inducible promoter was shown to partially bypass the need for hetR in heterocyst differentiation. A hetR-deletion strain with hetP expressed ectopically produced cells morphologically similar to heterocysts that produced exopolysaccharide and glycolipids specific to heterocysts, and nitrogenase activity was present under anaerobic conditions, as indicated by an acetylene reduction assay. Five potential transcription start points or transcript processing sites located at positions −727, −545, −208, −177 and −12 bp relative to the putative translational start site were identified in the promoter region of hetP. Relative levels of transcription and their location in filaments resembled that previously reported for HetR protein in various genetic backgrounds, and an inverted repeat sequence in the promoter of hetP was necessary for binding of HetR. Two of the three identified homologues of hetP found in PCC 7120 partially complemented a hetP-null mutant. Taken together, these results suggest that HetP functions directly downstream of HetR in the regulatory network responsible for heterocyst differentiation.
“The Word is destroyed”? Women’s Studies, Modernist Studies, and the “New Normal” in Academe

This article pays homage to Virginia Woolf’s epistolary essay Three Guineas by constructing an imaginary email exchange between a women’s studies professor and a concerned citizen (an updated version of Woolf’s interlocutor in Three Guineas.) Ultimately concluding that the fate of women’s literature in general and modernist women’s literature in particular is tied to the fate of the humanities and to other non-instrumentalized forms of learning, such as women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, this epistolary essay discusses the impact of budget cutting and educational downsizing (the “new normal” in academe) on public estimates of the value of the humanities, women’s studies, women’s literature, and literary studies. In this climate of the “new normal,” it is distressing, but not surprising, that modernist studies and women’s studies are embattled by calls for more “useful” (a.k.a. instrumentalized and job-focused) education and research. Woolf, who analyzed the connections between the British educational system, gendered ideology, class difference, and nationalist ideology in Three Guineas, offers one example of a female modernist whose analysis of culture and ideology in the early 20th century is still apt today.
Differential Effects of Stress on Microglial Cell Activation in Male and Female Medial Prefrontal Cortex

Susceptibility to stress-linked psychological disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, differs between men and women. Dysfunction of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been implicated in many of these disorders. Chronic stress affects mPFC in a sex-dependent manner, differentially remodeling dendritic morphology and disrupting prefrontally mediated behaviors in males and females. Chronic restraint stress induces microglial activation, reflected in altered microglial morphology and immune factor expression, in mPFC in male rats. Unstressed females exhibit increased microglial ramification in several brain regions compared to males, suggesting both heightened basal activation and a potential for sex-dependent effects of stress on microglial activation. Therefore, we assessed microglial density and ramification in the prelimbic region of mPFC, and immune-associated genes in dorsal mPFC in male and female rats following acute or chronic restraint stress. Control rats were left unstressed. On the final day of restraint, brains were collected for either qPCR or visualization of microglia using Iba-1 immunohistochemistry. Microglia in mPFC were classified as ramified, primed, reactive, or amoeboid, and counted stereologically. Expression of microglia-associated genes (MHCII, CD40, IL6, CX3CL1, and CX3CR1) was also assessed using qPCR. Unstressed females showed a greater proportion of primed to ramified microglia relative to males, alongside heightened CX3CL1-CX3CR1 expression. Acute and chronic restraint stress reduced the proportion of primed to ramified microglia and microglial CD40 expression in females, but did not significantly alter microglial activation in males. This sex difference in microglial activation could contribute to the differential effects of stress on mPFC structure and function in males versus females.
Generation of ring resonant mode for measuring artery elastic modulus

Increased stiffness of the arteries has recently gained acceptance as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and many other diseases. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is widely used for estimating the stiffness of an artery. From measured PWV, the diameter and thickness of the artery are needed to calculate the elastic modulus of the artery. In this paper a new method of using ring resonant mode for estimation of arterial elastic modulus is proposed. To generate the ring resonance, a localized radiation force of ultrasound is remotely and non-invasively applied at the artery. The vibration response of the artery is measured by optical or Doppler techniques. Three ring resonant modes are identified for estimation of the elastic modulus of the artery. Experiments on ring resonant frequencies were carried out on a porcine artery. The measurement results of the three resonant frequencies are, respectively, 356 Hz, 718 Hz, and 968 Hz. Estimation of the circumferential Young's modulus by the three measured frequencies are, respectively, 135 kPa, 137 kPa, and 125 kPa. The estimated modulus is very consistent with the three resonant frequency measurements. The values of these three estimations are well within the range of arterial elastic modulus from published papers. With this method, the estimation of the Young's modulus of the artery only requires the diameter of the artery, but doesn't need the thickness of the artery which is difficult to measure with accuracy and precision.
The Assessment of Antimicrobial Combinations

The traditional approach to the study of the interaction between antimicrobial agents relies on the assumption that inhibition of growth by antimicrobial agents follows a linear dose-response curve. Because this assumption is invalid, we propose that antimicrobial combinations should be assessed by empiric dose-response curves that would distinguish synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effects on the rate of cell growth. This approach predicts synergy for the model combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole and should also be applicable to other combinations of antimicrobial agents nd to combinations of antitumor agents.
Schism and complementation of hexose-mediated transport regulation as illustrated in a fibroblast mutant lacking phosphoglucose-isomerase.

Further studies on a hamster lung fibroblast mutant with a marked defect in the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate isomerase revealed the following differences in its transport regulatory patterns as compared with its parental PGI+ strain. If both strains were maintained over 24 hours in media deprived of L-glutamine, the PGI+ strain was still able to develop the glucose-mediated down-regulation of hexose transport (transport ‘curb’). In contrast the PGI− mutant was unable to develop a transport curb with any of the aldohexoses, including glucose. However, glucose complemented either with L-glutamine, L-glutamate, or pyruvate or with D-mannose, restored the ability of the mutant to regulate its hexose transport system. From these studies, it seems that two oxidative pathways are indeed needed to operate in order to preserve the so-called glucose-mediated hexose transport curb.
Gene Expression Profiles in Zebrafish Brain after Acute Exposure to Domoic Acid at Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Doses

Domoic acid (DA) is a neuroexcitatory amino acid that is naturally produced by some marine diatom species of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia. Ingestion of DA-contaminated seafood by humans results in a severe neurotoxic disease known as amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). Clinical signs of ASP include seizures and neuronal damage from activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors. However, the impacts of DA exposure at levels below those known to induce outward signs of neurobehavioral exicitotoxicity have not been well characterized. To further understand the mechanisms of neurotoxic injury associated with DA exposure, we examined the transcriptome of whole brains from zebrafish (Danio rerio) receiving intracoelomic (IC) injection of DA at both symptomatic and asymptomatic doses. A majority of zebrafish exposed to high-dose DA (1.2 microg DA/g) exhibited clinical signs of neuroexcitotoxicity (EC(50) of 0.86 microg DA/g) within 5-20 min of IC injection. All zebrafish receiving low-dose DA (0.47 microg DA/g) or vehicle only maintained normal behavior. Microarray analysis of symptomatic and asymptomatic exposures collectively yielded 306 differentially expressed genes (1.5-fold, p </= 0.05) predominately represented by signal transduction, ion transport, and transcription factor functional categories. Transcriptional profiles were suggestive of neuronal apoptosis following an overwhelming of protective adaptive pathways. Further, potential molecular biomarkers of neuropathic injury, including the zebrafish homolog of human NDRG4, were identified and may be relevant to DA exposure levels below that causing neurobehavioral injury. In general, DA-modulated gene expression was consistent with other model species thereby validating zebrafish as an appropriate vertebrate model to study mechanisms of DA neurotoxicity. These data provide a basis for identifying pathways of DA-induced injury as well as biomarkers of asymptomatic and symptomatic DA exposure levels.
Molecular characterization of HLA-A, B homologues in owl monkeys and other nonhuman primates

Mouse anti-HLA-A, B monoclonal antibodies have been used to study the homologues of HLA-A, B antigens in other primate species. Immunoprecipitates of primate histocompatibility antigens from extracts of radioactively labeled lymphocytes were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Primate histocompatibility antigens appear to have similar molecular structure to human HLA antigens. Owl monkeys, which react polymorphically with some monomorphic anti-HLA antibodies, showed biochemical differences which correlated with the serological polymorphism. An antibody (W6/32) which only reacts with the HLA/β2-microglobulin complex in humans and not with the free HLA heavy chain has the reverse specificity in some owl monkeys.
Induction of allograft tolerance to the H-Y antigen in adult C57BL/6 mice: Differential effects on delayed-type hypersensitivity and cytolytic T-lymphocyte activity

Abstract This study describes the induction of allograft tolerance to the “male-specific,” minor histocompatibility antigen, H-Y, in adult C57BL/6 female mice, and the effects of this tolerance induction on two immune parameters associated with graft rejection: delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and cytolytic T-lymphocytes (CTL). B6 females tolerized to H-Y, by a single iv injection of C57BL/6 male lymphocytes, exhibited prolonged or permanent survival of B6 male tail skin grafts. Graft-induced DTH against H-Y antigen was reduced or abrogated in tolerized females. Delayed onset of graft rejection in partially tolerant females correlated with delayed onset of DTH, and eventual rejection of grafts was accompanied by an increase in H-Y-specific DTH. In contrast, H-Y-specific CTL activity was not consistent with graft status. These data demonstrate a correlation between H-Y-specific DTH and rejection of male skin grafts by B6 female mice and are most consistent with a major effector role for DTH in chronic graft rejection.
Waiting Time in an S-1, S Inventory System

Steady-state distribution functions are derived for waiting time in an S-1, S inventory system in which arrivals are governed by members of the geometric Poisson family, resupply times are independently and identically distributed negative exponential variates, and service is on a first-come-first-served basis. For small values of S, probabilities can be computed readily from the final forms of the distribution functions using gamma and exponential function tables.
Clinical significance of atrial fibrillation detected by cardiac implantable electronic devices

The detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) by a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) in patients without a prior history of AF is increasing. This trend is the result of the increased number of CIEDs being implanted in a population whose multiple medical comorbidities are known to predispose to AF. Cardiac implantable electronic device–detected atrial fibrillation (CDAF) is independently associated with the development of ischemic stroke, and the annual risk may depend on both total AF burden and individual risk factors. No data evaluating the benefit of oral anticoagulation in this population are available, which makes the decision to initiate anticoagulation challenging. This review analyzes the available data on CDAF and the associated risk of ischemic stroke, and it presents a rationale for the use of long-term oral anticoagulation in this population.
Second-order perturbation theory for the dielectric constant and kerr factor of fluids with dipoles and quadrupoles

Abstract Second-order perturbation theory is used to calculate the spherical harmonic coefficients of the angular pair correlation function and the dielectric constant and Kerr parameter of Stockmayer fluids with dipoles and quadrupoles. The results indicate that the dielectric constant and the Kerr parameter both decrease rapidly with increasing quadrupole moment for any given dipole moment. These results confirm the recent conclusions of Patey using integral equation methods. The effect of long-range forces is also investigated.
Biomarkers for epithelial-mesenchymal transitions

In the early 19th century, building on observations of microscopists now ancient, Schleiden and Schwann formulated the doctrine that cells are building blocks for plant and animal tissues (1). By the mid-19th century, Raspail, Remak, and Virchow expanded this hypothesis by suggesting that all cells come from preexisting cells — the so-called cell theory. Although referring to cell division, this now classic notion is prescient of another contemporary twist in the biology of cell maturation: beyond lineage development and normal differentiation, mature epithelial cells under new environmental pressures exhibit a local plasticity that allows them to morph into other mature phenotypes with or without proliferation (2, 3). Growing interest in the biology of these cellular transitions helped both establish epithelial cell plasticity as a field of study in the late 20th century and fashion much of the current thinking regarding morphogenesis in early embryonic development, tissue repair, and cancer metastasis (4–6). The details of some of these processes are not discussed here, as they are outlined in other articles in this Review Series on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (7, 8). Instead, we offer a personal view gathered from our own experience and the literature regarding an approach documenting EMT events in culture or tissue. We hope this serves to stimulate other points of view as new data emerge.
Site-specific probing of oxidative reactivity and telomerase function using 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine in telomeric DNA.

Telomeres at the ends of human chromosomes contain the repeating sequence 5‘-d[(TTAGGG)n]-3‘. Oxidative damage of guanine in DNAs that contain telomeric and nontelomeric sequence generates 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8OG) preferentially in the telomeric segment, because GGG sequences are more reactive in duplex DNA. We have developed a general strategy for probing site-specific oxidation reactivity in diverse biological structures through substitution of minimally modified building blocks that are more reactive than the parent residue, but preserve the parent structure. In this study, 8OG was substituted for guanine at G8, G9, G14, or G15 in the human telomeric oligonucleotide 5‘-d[AGGGTTAG8G9GTT AG14G15GTTAGGGTGT]-3‘. Replacement of G by 8OG in telomeric DNA can affect the formation of intramolecular G quadruplexes, depending on the position of substitution. When 8OG was incorporated in the 5‘-position of a GGG triplet, G quadruplex formation was observed; however, substitution of 8OG in the middle of a GG...
Hemispheric Lateralization Interrupted: Material-Specific Memory Deficits in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

The hemispheric lateralization of memory has largely been informed through the study of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy originating from medial temporal sources (mTLE). The material-specific model of memory relies on the basic framework that the left temporal lobe mediates verbal memories, while the right temporal lobe mediates non-verbal memories. Over the years, this model has been refined, and even challenged, as our understanding of the material-specific memory deficits in mTLE has been further elaborated in the neuropsychological and neuroimaging literature. The first goal of this mini-review is to highlight the major findings in the mTLE literature that have advanced and expanded our understanding of material-specific memory deficits in mTLE. Second, we will review how functional neuroimaging patterns of material-specific hemispheric lateralization in mTLE are being translated into the innovative clinical application of preoperative fMRI memory mapping.
Low-frequency resonance Raman studies of the H(M202)G cavity mutant of bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers.

Low-frequency (90–435 cm−1) NIR-excitation (875–900 nm) resonance Raman (RR) studies are reported for the H(M202)G cavity mutant of bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) from Rb. sphaeroides that was first described by Goldsmith et al. [(1996) Biochemistry 35: 2421–2428]. In this mutant, the His residue that axially ligates the Mg ion of the M-side bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) of the special pair primary donor (P) is replaced by a non-ligating Gly residue. Regardless, the Mg ion of PM in the H(M202)G RCs remains pentacoordinates and is presumably ligated by a water molecule, although this axial ligand has not been definitively identified. The low-frequency RR studies of the H(M202)G RCs are accompanied by studies of RCs exchanged with D2O and incubated with imidazole (Im). The RR studies of the cavity mutant RCs reveal the following: (1) The structure of PM in the H(M202)G RCs is different from that of the wild-type, consistent with an altered BChl core. (2) A water ligand for PM in the H(M202)G RCs is generally consistent with the low-frequency RR spectra. The Mg-OH2 stretching vibration is tentatively assigned to a band at 318 cm−1, a frequency higher than that of the Mg-His stretch of the native pigment (∼ ∼235 cm−1). (3) The BChl core structure of PM in the cavity mutant is rendered similar (but not identical) to that of the wild-type when the adventitious water axial ligand is replaced by Im. (4) Exchange with D2O results in more global structural changes, likely involving the protein, which in turn affect the structure of the BChls in P. (5) Assignment of the low-frequency vibrational spectrum of P is generally more complex than originally suggested.