cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Floodwater impact on Galveston Bay phytoplankton taxonomy, pigment composition and photo-physiological state following Hurricane Harvey from field and ocean color (Sentinel-3A OLCI) observations

Abstract. Phytoplankton taxonomy, pigment composition and photo-physiological state were studied in Galveston Bay (GB), Texas (USA), following the extreme flooding associated with Hurricane Harvey (25–29 August 2017) using field and satellite ocean color observations. The percentage of chlorophyll a (Chl a ) in different phytoplankton groups was determined from a semi-analytical IOP (inherent optical property) inversion algorithm. The IOP inversion algorithm revealed the dominance of freshwater species (diatom, cyanobacteria and green algae) in the bay following the hurricane passage (29 September 2017) under low salinity conditions associated with the discharge of floodwaters into GB. Two months after the hurricane (29–30 October 2017), under more seasonal salinity conditions, the phytoplankton community transitioned to an increase in small-sized groups such as haptophytes and prochlorophytes. Sentinel-3A Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI)-derived Chl a obtained using a red ∕ NIR (near-infrared) band ratio algorithm for the turbid estuarine waters was highly correlated (R 2>0.90 ) to the (high-performance liquid chromatography) HPLC-derived Chl a . Long-term observations of OLCI-derived Chl a (August 2016–December 2017) in GB revealed that hurricane-induced Chl a declined to background mean state in late October 2017. A non-negative least squares (NNLS) inversion model was then applied to OLCI-derived Chl a maps of GB to investigate spatiotemporal variations of phytoplankton diagnostic pigments pre- and post-hurricane; results appeared consistent with extracted phytoplankton taxonomic composition derived from the IOP inversion algorithm and microplankton pictures obtained from an Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB). OLCI-derived diagnostic pigment distributions also exhibited good agreement with HPLC measurements during both surveys, with R 2 ranging from 0.40 for diatoxanthin to 0.96 for Chl a . Environmental factors (e.g., floodwaters) combined with phytoplankton taxonomy also strongly modulated phytoplankton physiology in the bay as indicated by measurements of photosynthetic parameters with a fluorescence induction and relaxation (FIRe) system. Phytoplankton in well-mixed waters (mid-bay area) exhibited maximum PSII photochemical efficiency ( Fv∕Fm ) and a low effective absorption cross section (σPSII) , while the areas adjacent to the shelf (likely nutrient-limited) showed low Fv∕Fm and elevated σPSII values. Overall, the approach using field and ocean color data combined with inversion models allowed, for the first time, an assessment of phytoplankton response to a large hurricane-related floodwater perturbation in a turbid estuarine environment based on its taxonomy, pigment composition and physiological state.
Quantized BvND: A Better Solution for Optical and Hybrid Switching in Data Center Networks

Data center network continues to grow relentlessly in the amount of data traffic it has to "switch" between its server racks. A traditional data center switching architecture, consisting of a network of commodity packet switches (viewed as a giant packet switch), cannot scale with this growing switching demand. Adding an optical switch, which has a much higher bandwidth than the packet switch but incurs a nontrivial reconfiguration delay, to a data center network has been proposed as a costeffective approach to boosting its switching capacity. However, to effectively do so, we need to meticulously schedule the optical switch. In fact, we are dealing with two very different scheduling problems here, namely hybrid switching and standalone optical switching, depending on whether or not there is effective cooperation between the optical switch and the packet switch during their respective scheduling processes. In this work, we propose a solution that performs better than the respective state of art solutions for both scheduling problems. Our solution outperforms by a wide margin all existing optical switching solutions in terms of throughput, yet its computational complexity is comparable to those of others. Our solution also has the best properties of both Eclipse and Solstice, the state of the art hybrid switching solutions. Eclipse and Solstice have different advantages: Eclipse has better throughput performance but incurs a much higher computationally complexity than Solstice. Our solution gets the better of both worlds: it delivers almost the same throughput performance as Eclipse, yet incurs a similar computational complexity as Solstice.
Metrics That Matter: Critical but oft-neglected service metrics that every SRE and product owner should care about

Measure your site reliability metrics, set the right targets, and go through the work to measure the metrics accurately. Then, you’ll find that your service runs better, with fewer outages, and much more user adoption.
International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Sovereign Wealth Funds — SWFs, Internal Improvement and the Socialization of Developing States

Especially since the start of the second decade of the twenty-first century, once more we have seen more focused interest in the use of SWFs by home states — less as a means of projecting sovereign financial power outwards and more as a means of internal financial management, and development. What makes this interesting from the perspective of SWF development is the role of international financial institutions (IFIs) in SWF development. This article takes a first look at the way in which IFIs have also begun to use SWFs in their interactions, with a emphasis on developing states. A review of some recent efforts to establish SWFs with a stabilization or development focus suggests the way in which these funds now may better serve the project of fiscal and governance internationalization, and the development of global policy coherence around the fiscal ideologies of IFIs, rather than as an instrument of national policy. Part II briefly sketches the IFI’s interest in and approach to SWFs as a part of their investment, capacity building and rule of law toolkits. Part III then reviews the manifestation of this approach in the development of SWFs in a number of developing states. The article suggests ways in which stabilization and development SWFs may better serve financial globalization than the particular interest of states establishing them precisely by transposing global standards of fiscal and governance behavior into the internal workings of states. In this sense, development and stabilization SWFs serve as an instrument of globalization from the top down (through IFI policy operationalization) perhaps as effectively as SWFs that seek to project national financial power through private market investments abroad. But it also creates the possibility of divergence in SWF character as the consequences of the use of SWFs as governance devices may produce substantial deviation from the traditional organizational parameters of SWFs as instruments of macroeconomic policy.
Intermediate Filaments as Effectors of Cancer Development and Metastasis: A Focus on Keratins, Vimentin, and Nestin.

Intermediate filament (IF) proteins make up the largest family of cytoskeletal proteins in metazoans, and are traditionally known for their roles in fostering structural integrity in cells and tissues. Remarkably, individual IF genes are tightly regulated in a fashion that reflects the type of tissue, its developmental and differentiation stages, and biological context. In cancer, IF proteins serve as diagnostic markers, as tumor cells partially retain their original signature expression of IF proteins. However, there are also characteristic alterations in IF gene expression and protein regulation. The use of high throughput analytics suggests that tumor-associated alterations in IF gene expression have prognostic value. Parallel research is also showing that IF proteins directly and significantly impact several key cellular properties, including proliferation, death, migration, and invasiveness, with a demonstrated impact on the development, progression, and characteristics of various tumors. In this review, we draw from recent studies focused on three IF proteins most associated with cancer (keratins, vimentin, and nestin) to highlight how several “hallmarks of cancer” described by Hanahan and Weinberg are impacted by IF proteins. The evidence already in hand establishes that IF proteins function beyond their classical roles as markers and serve as effectors of tumorigenesis.
When Will My Patient Fall? Sensor-Based In-Home Walking Speed Identifies Future Falls in Older Adults

BACKGROUND Although there are known clinical measures that may be associated with risk of future falls in older adults, we are still unable to predict when the fall will happen. Our objective was to determine whether unobtrusive in-home assessment of walking speed can detect a future fall. METHOD In both ISAAC and ORCATECH Living Laboratory studies, a sensor-based monitoring system has been deployed in the homes of older adults. Longitudinal mixed-effects regression models were used to explore trajectories of sensor-based walking speed metrics in those destined to fall versus controls over time. Falls were captured during a 3-year period. RESULTS We observed no major differences between those destined to fall (n = 55) and controls (n = 70) at baseline in clinical functional tests. There was a longitudinal decline in median daily walking speed over the 3 months before a fall in those destined to fall when compared with controls, p < .01 (ie, mean walking speed declined 0.1 cm s-1 per week). We also found prefall differences in sensor-based walking speed metrics in individuals who experienced a fall: walking speed variability was lower the month and the week just before the fall compared with 3 months before the fall, both p < .01. CONCLUSIONS While basic clinical tests were not able to differentiate who will prospectively fall, we found that significant variations in walking speed metrics before a fall were measurable. These results provide evidence of a potential sensor-based risk biomarker of prospective falls in community living older adults.
Human species-specific loss of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase enhances atherosclerosis via intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) events due to atherosclerosis cause one-third of worldwide deaths and risk factors include physical inactivity, age, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and red meat consumption. However, ∼15% of first-time events occur without such factors. In contrast, coronary events are extremely rare even in closely related chimpanzees in captivity, despite human-like CVD–risk-prone blood lipid profiles, hypertension, and mild atherosclerosis. Similarly, red meat-associated enhancement of CVD event risk does not seem to occur in other carnivorous mammals. Thus, heightened CVD risk may be intrinsic to humans, and genetic changes during our evolution need consideration. Humans exhibit a species-specific deficiency of the sialic acid N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), due to pseudogenization of cytidine monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) hydroxylase (CMAH), which occurred in hominin ancestors ∼2 to 3 Mya. Ldlr−/− mice with human-like Cmah deficiency fed a sialic acids (Sias)-free high-fat diet (HFD) showed ∼1.9-fold increased atherogenesis over Cmah wild-type Ldlr−/− mice, associated with elevated macrophage cytokine expression and enhanced hyperglycemia. Human consumption of Neu5Gc (from red meat) acts as a “xeno-autoantigen” via metabolic incorporation into endogenous glycoconjugates, as interactions with circulating anti-Neu5Gc “xeno-autoantibodies” potentiate chronic inflammation (“xenosialitis”). Cmah−/−Ldlr−/− mice immunized with Neu5Gc-bearing antigens to generate human-like anti-Neu5Gc antibodies suffered a ∼2.4-fold increased atherosclerosis on a Neu5Gc-rich HFD, compared with Neu5Ac-rich or Sias-free HFD. Lesions in Neu5Gc-immunized and Neu5Gc-rich HFD-fed Cmah−/−Ldlr−/− mice were more advanced but unexplained by lipoprotein or glucose changes. Human evolutionary loss of CMAH likely contributes to atherosclerosis predisposition via multiple intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms, and future studies could consider this more human-like model.
Three Clinical Presentations of E. coli Sepsis as Studied in the Baboon Model

In order for animal models of disease to be useful they must mimic the various forms of their human counterparts. In the case of disorders of gram-negative sepsis this is made difficult because circumstances at the time of infection can alter the clinical presentation of the disease. Depending upon these circumstances, the response to Escherichia coli can range from a compensated sublethal to an uncom-pensated lethal response. The pattern and sequence of organ failure ranges from early collapse of the circulatory and hemostatic systems to acute respiratory distress to development of renal failure. The physician often is forced to treat each of these empirically while waiting for antibiotics and other appropriate measures to eliminate the cause. The problem is further complicated by the fact that the causative organisms often initiate a series of injurious reactions by the host which continue long after the original cause has been eliminated. Therefore, in order to gain a better understanding the different forms of gram-negative sepsis and their relation to each other we have studied the three different lethal clinical presentations most often seen in humans, using the baboon model of E. coli sepsis. They are: (1) the composite inflammatory-coagulopathic response including hemostatic failure and gradual cardiovascular collapse in which inflammatory and coagulant elements play equal roles, (2) the immediate capillary leak response, including rapid cardiovascular collapse, in which the inflammatory elements dominate, and (3) the delayed microvascular thrombotic response including renal failure in which coagulant elements dominate.
Microsphere Photolithography Patterning of Plasmonic Sensors on Optical Fiber

Microsphere Photolithography uses a self-assembled hexagonal lattice of microspheres as an optical element to focus collimated light to an array of photonic jets inside a layer of photoresist. This technique is applied to pattern optical fiber for refractive index sensing and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.
Carbon Dioxide Plume Evolution Following Injection into a Depleted Natural Gas Reservoir: Modeling of Conformance Uncertainty Reduction Over Time

Author(s): Doughty, Christine; Oldenburg, Curtis | Abstract: The uncertainty in the long-term fate of CO2 injected for geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) is a significant barrier to the adoption of GCS as a greenhouse gas emission mitigation approach for industry and regulatory agencies alike. Here we present a modeling study that demonstrates that the uncertainty in forecasts of GCS site performance decreases over time as monitoring data are used to inform and update operational models. The approach we take is to consider a case study consisting of a depleted natural gas reservoir that is used for GCS with CO2 injection occurring over 20 years, with a 50-year post-injection site care (PISC) period. We constructed a detailed model of the system and ran this model out to 200 years to generate the actual site data. A series of simpler operational models based on limited data and assumptions about how an actual operator would model such a site are then run and compared against the actual model output at various specific monitoring points after one year, two years, etc. The operational model is then updated and improved using the observations (synthetic data from the actual model) at the same time intervals. We found that both model parameter values and model features needed to be added over time to improve matches to the actual system. These kinds of model adjustments are expected to be a normal part of reservoir engineering and site management at GCS sites. We found that the uncertainty in two key measures related to site performance at various locations decreases with time. This overall conclusion should help allay the concerns of industry and regulators about the uncertainty in GCS operations.
Acquired aortopulmonary fistula: a case report

Background Aortopulmonary fistula is a rare complication of ascending aorta pathology. Presentation is most commonly dramatic with acute onset chest pain or heart failure secondary to left to right shunting. We describe a patient with acquired aortopulmonary fistula who had an insidious onset of heart failure as his presenting complaint. We also highlight the utility of multimodality cardiac imaging in establishing the diagnosis. Case summary A 79-year-old male patient with a history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery and mechanical aortic valve replacement, 23 years prior, presented with exertional dyspnoea of 7 months duration. An initial workup that included transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography as well as coronary and bypass graft angiography failed to diagnose an acquired aortopulmonary fistula complicating an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm. Upon referral to our institution, the correct diagnosis was suspected on off-axis transthoracic echocardiography. The fistula was subsequently confirmed, and the extent of ascending aorta pathology defined via a multimodality imaging approach that consisted of transoesophageal echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography. The patient underwent successful surgical repair and was discharged in a stable condition. Discussion Acquired aortopulmonary fistula is a rare clinical entity. We describe a patient who had an insidious presentation of heart failure and found to have a large ascending aortic aneurysm that eroded into the main pulmonary artery creating a fistulous communication. The diagnosis was delayed and required a high index of suspicion and multimodality cardiac imaging.
Teaching Practice Skills to Online MSW Students: The Blended Skills Lab Model

As social work considers teaching practice in a fully online environment, more consideration may need to be given to blended or hybrid learning formats for practice course delivery. There is a dearth of literature on the use of skills labs for teaching social work practice courses, particularly using a blended or hybrid model approach. Using Carman’s five key constructs of blended learning (live events, online content, collaboration, assessment, and reference materials), the purpose of this paper is to examine the use of a blended skills lab model for teaching social work practice skills to online MSW students. As the number of online programs continues to expand in social work education, the blended skills lab model will be used as a case study, offering implications for others to consider as they formulate similar models for online MSW students.
Are Anxious and Depressive Symptoms Associated with Gastrointestinal Symptoms in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)?

Psychological distress is common among non-Hispanic/Latino adults with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Heartburn and acid regurgitation symptom prevalence, and their relationship with anxious and depressive symptoms, was examined in 16,415 Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos participants aged 18–74 from 4 US cities (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; San Diego, CA). Complex survey logistic regression models were used to test relations between GI, anxious, and depressive symptoms. 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.4, 10.8) and 8.9% (95% CI = 8.3, 9.5) of the overall sample (estimates are weighted and adjusted for age and body mass index) respectively self-reported heartburn and acid regurgitation at least several times/week within the past year. Adults who reported GI symptoms several times/week or more also self-reported higher psychological distress compared to adults who reported GI symptoms less frequently. For one standard deviation higher in anxious symptoms (5.6 units), GI prevalence odds were respectively 1.14 (95% CI = 1.10, 1.17) and 1.14 (95% CI = 1.09, 1.18) for heartburn and acid regurgitation. GI prevalence odds (heartburn = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.18; acid regurgitation = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.18) were similar for one standard deviation higher in depressive symptoms (5.9 units). Demographic, health, and clinical characteristics did not significantly attenuate relationships between GI and psychological distress symptoms. Psychological distress is related to GI symptoms in US Hispanics/Latinos.
Braille via the Selectric Typewriter

An experimental system has been developed to provide a simple and direct method for producing a document in either braille or standard typewriter characters. This system directly benefits the blind and is an example of the potential of present day technology.
Informed consent in neurosurgery: a systematic review.

Objective Informed consent has served as a main principle of medical ethics and laws in the United States. The 1986 American Association of Neurological Surgeons Code of Ethics implied medicolegal liability for the failure to obtain informed consent without providing practical guidance regarding the application of informed consent to individual patient encounters in a medicolegal environment. Here, the authors aimed to identify baseline patient recall after discussions with neurosurgeons and their capacity to provide informed consent, describe the effects of interventions to improve patient comprehension, and elucidate the role of informed consent in malpractice litigation in neurosurgery. Their findings may guide neurosurgeons in discussions to properly inform patients and reduce the risk of litigation. Methods A systematic review was conducted to explore informed consent within neurosurgery and its application to medicolegal liability using the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Titles and abstracts from articles identified in the search were read and selected for full-text review. Studies meeting prespecified inclusion criteria were reviewed in full and analyzed for study design, aim, population, interventions, and outcomes. Results Of 1428 resultant articles, 21 were included in the review. Baseline patient recall was low, particularly for risks and alternatives of treatments, and even decreased over time. Cognitive impairment was noted as a factor limiting the ability to provide informed consent. Interventions incorporating a combination of modalities in informed consent discussions, a specialized consent form with points for neurosurgeons to check off upon discussion, interactive websites, question prompt lists, and illustrations were found to be effective in improving patient knowledge. Lack of informed consent was a common factor for malpractice litigation. Spine surgery was particularly prone to costly lawsuits. Payments were generally greater for plaintiff verdicts than for settlements. Conclusions The application of informed consent to patient encounters is an important facet of clinical practice. Neurosurgeons have a duty to provide patients with all pertinent information to allow them to make decisions about their care. The authors examined baseline patient comprehension and capacity, interventions to improve informed consent, and malpractice litigation; it appears that determining the proper capacity to provide informed consent and considering informed consent as a process that depends on the setting are important. There is room to improve the informed consent process centered on baseline patient health literacy and understanding as well as clear communication using multiple modalities.
The power of reputation. Navigating conflicting notions of honour within the elite of Denmark-Norway, c. 1784–1814

In the second half of the 18th century, the foundation of monarchical and aristocratic power and prestige was challenged by notions of essential equality and a transformed idea of merit. The elite ...
Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum/Pneumothorax in Acute COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Case Report

Introduction Spontaneous pneumomediastinum, a rare condition in viral pneumonias, has been increasingly reported during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging literature suggests a higher incidence and mortality in COVID-19 patients with both a pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. Early recognition and understanding of these complications are necessary to improve outcomes. We present a case of an older man initially diagnosed with mild COVID-19 symptoms who quickly progressed with increasing oxygen levels found to have a small pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. Description A 77-year-old man with hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea on home continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, and diagnosis of mild COVID-19 via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction 1-week prior, presented to the emergency department for worsening shortness of breath. He was found to have a temperature of 101.5°F, heart rate of 103bpm, stable blood pressure, respiratory rate of 25 breaths/minute, and oxygen saturation of 70% on ambient air. He was placed on 15lpm mid-flow. Labs were significant for a white blood cell count of 14k/uL, hemoglobin 11.7g/dL, c-reactive protein 185 mg/L, pro- BNP of 637pg/mL, ferritin 802 ng/mL, lactic acid 2 mmol/L, procalcitonin of 0.84 ng/mL. He had a chest x-ray with bilateral perihilar and lower lobe infiltrates. He was started on dexamethasone, remdesivir, antibiotics, tocilizumab, and enoxaparin. His CPAP was held and continued on oxygen therapy. Discussion Pneumomediastinum, or air in the mediastinum, occurs through various etiologies categorized into secondary and spontaneous. Common secondary causes include blunt injuries by trauma, iatrogenic causes such as intubation, central lines, and chest operations, and finally, medical conditions such as interstitial lung disease, asthma, connective tissue disorders, and respiratory infections may be other causes (1). Several cases have been reported with spontaneous pneumomediastinum in patients with COVID-19, however, the exact etiology is unknown as none were placed on mechanical ventilation (2-5). One mechanism is likely due to the repetitive episodes of cough causing increased airway pressure leading to alveolar rupture in already extensively damaged alveoli and proximal gas leakage (2). Based on one autopsy report, there were findings of desquamation of pneumocytes and hyaline membrane formation indicating early acute respiratory distress syndrome (6). In another case series, barotrauma from higher PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) with the use of CPAP is potentially another mechanism (7). Careful consideration for these complications should occur in patients with progressive forms of COVID-19, ensuring cough suppression, use of anti-emetics, diuretics and low PEEP strategy to help mitigate this previously rare phenomenon.
Support for Differentiated Airtime in Wireless Networks

Future wireless networks must be able to support Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of emerging 5G and other next-generation applications. REACT is a distributed resource allocation protocol can be used to negotiate airtime among nodes in a wireless network. In this paper, REACT is extended to support QoS airtime. Experimentation on the w-iLab.t wireless testbed in an ad hoc setting shows that these extensions allow REACT to converge on allocations where any node requesting the higher class of airtime receives its allocation, while nodes requesting the lower class are allocated remaining airtime fairly.
EWA Model with Recency Effect and Limited Memory

Game theory is an important field in economics; it studies how people make decisions amid conflict and cooperation. Various experiments have been carried to study the way people play those games, and economists study those data for various purposes. There has been a rise of need for using artificial agents to simulate the game, since we could save the cost of hiring human subjects for the experiments, and we could gain more control over the experiment settings. Type of Report: MS Project Report Department of Computer Science & Engineering Washington University in St. Louis Campus Box 1045 St. Louis, MO 63130 ph: (314) 935-6160 EWA Model with Recency Effect and Limited Memory Hang Xie xiehang@go.wustl.edu Yixin Chen chen@cse.wustl.edu Washington University One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130 United States
Peak Seeking Control for Reduced Fuel Consumption with Preliminary Flight Test Results

The Environmentally Responsible Aviation project seeks to accomplish the simultaneous reduction of fuel burn, noise, and emissions. A project at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center is contributing to ERAs goals by exploring the practical application of real-time trim configuration optimization for enhanced performance and reduced fuel consumption. This peak-seeking control approach is based on Newton-Raphson algorithm using a time-varying Kalman filter to estimate the gradient of the performance function. In real-time operation, deflection of symmetric ailerons, trailing-edge flaps, and leading-edge flaps of a modified F-18 are directly optimized, and the horizontal stabilators and angle of attack are indirectly optimized. Preliminary results from three research flights are presented herein. The optimization system found a trim configuration that required approximately 3.5% less fuel flow than the baseline trim at the given flight condition. The algorithm consistently rediscovered the solution from several initial conditions. These preliminary results show the algorithm has good performance and is expected to show similar results at other flight conditions and aircraft configurations.
Criteria by which toxemia of pregnancy may be diagnosed from unlabeled formalin-fixed placentas

A L T H o u G H the criteria characterizing acute and subacute placental infarction have been repeatedly illustrated and described in previous articles’-” and their significance to pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and abruptio placentae pointed out, there continues to be much skepticism not only as to their existence but also as to how these lesions could conceivably produce toxemia of pregnancy. There is general agreement that the placenta is indispensable to the occurrence of toxemia. If so, it must elaborate some identifiable substances, or show pathologic changes such as characterize disease in other organs, which could logically produce the manifestations of this disease. Failure of many investigators to verify these pathologic changes in placentas from patients with toxemia may be attributed to examining the specimen in its fresh state. It should not be examined until it has been fixed in 10 per cent formalin for 4 to 6 weeks or, if need be, as late as 2 to 3 months after delivery. Correct diagnosis, although possible, is much more difficult in freshly delivered placentas because of concealment of the
Spatially-resolved proteomic mapping of living cells via peroxidase-mediated promiscuous biotinylation (473.2)

Microscopy and mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics are complementary techniques: the former provides spatiotemporal information in living cells, but only for a handful of recombinant proteins a...
Creating Connections For the Disadvantaged: Networks and Labor Market Intermediaries at the Hiring Interface

Scholars interested in race inequality have been particularly attracted to network accounts of the stratifying effects of social networks in the labor market. A recurring theme in policy‐oriented research on poverty is that institutional connections can be engineered to create connections between job seekers and employers in ways that parallel social network processes. Yet, there has been little empirical research on how such linkages work across the various steps of the recruitment, screening, and hiring process. We examine how labor market intermediaries can serve as functional substitutes for social network processes for disadvantaged workers. Consistent with policy arguments about the desirability of creating connections to employers, applicants who are connected to this employer via formal labor market intermediaries exhibit a number of the advantages experienced by those applying to the firm via social network ties. Across the two stages of the hiring process, the net result is that applicants with such “created connections” are more likely to be offered jobs, and ultimately hired than other groups of applicants. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings for research on labor market intermediation and other forms of brokerage and the feasibility of policy efforts to “create connections” in the labor market.
Note on the Chromatic Number of the Space

The chromatic number of the space is the minimum number of colors needed to color the points of the space so that every two points unit distance apart have different colors. We show that this number is at most 15, improving the best known previous bound of 18.
The inaccuracy of using landmark techniques for cricothyroid membrane identification: a comparison of three techniques.

Objectives Successful cricothyrotomy is predicated on accurate identification of the cricothyroid membrane (CTM) by palpation of superficial anatomy. However, recent research has indicated that accuracy of the identification of the CTM can be as low as 30%, even in the hands of skilled providers. To date, there are very little data to suggest how to best identify this critical landmark. The objective was to compare three different methods of identifying the CTM. Methods A convenience sample of patients and physician volunteers who met inclusion criteria was consented. The patients were assessed by physician volunteers who were randomized to one of three methods for identifying the CTM (general palpation of landmarks vs. an approximation based on four finger widths vs. an estimation based on overlying skin creases of the neck). Volunteers would then mark the skin with an invisible but florescent pen. A single expert evaluator used ultrasound to identify the superior and inferior borders of the CTM. The variably colored florescent marks were then visualized with ultraviolet light and the accuracy of the various methods was recorded as the primary outcome. Additionally, the time it took to perform each technique was measured. Descriptive statistics and report 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Results Fifty adult patients were enrolled, 52% were female, and mean body mass index was 28 kg/m(2) (95% CI = 26 to 29 kg/m(2) ). The general palpation method was successful 62% of the time (95% CI = 48% to 76%) and took an average of 14 seconds to perform (range = 5 to 45 seconds). In contrast, the four-finger technique was successful 46% of the time (95% CI = 32% to 60%) and took an average of 12 seconds to perform (range = 6 to 40 seconds). Finally, the neck crease method was successful 50% of the time (95% CI = 36% to 64%) and took an average of 11 seconds to perform (range = 5 to 15 seconds). Conclusions All three methods performed poorly overall. All three techniques might potentially be even less accurate in instances where the superficial anatomy is not palpable due to body habitus. These findings should alert clinicians to the significant risk of a misplaced cricothyrotomy and highlight the critical need for future research.
Archytas of Tarentum : Pythagorean, philosopher and mathematician king

Part I. Introductory Essays: 1. Life, writings and reception 2. The philosophy of Archytas 3. The authenticity question Part II. Genuine Fragments: 1. Fragment 1 2. Fragment 2 3. Fragment 3 4. Fragment 4 Part III: Genuine Testimonia: 1. Life and writings (A1-A6, B5-B8) 2. Moral philosophy and character 3. Geometry: the duplication of the cube (A14 and A15) 4. Music 5. Metaphysics 6. Physics 7. Miscellaneous testimonia Appendix: Spurious writings and testimonia Appendix: Archytas' name.
Particle‐Size Reduction of Si3N4 Powder with Si3N4 Millinq Hardware

The grinding of Si3N4 powder using reaction bonded Si3N4 attrition, vibratory, and ball mills with Si3N4 media was examined. The rate of particle size reduction and the change in the chemical composition of the powder were determined in order to compare the grinding efficiency and the increase in impurity content resulting from mill and media wear for each technique. Attrition and vibratory milling exhibited rates of specific surface area increase that were approximately eight times that observed in ball milling. Vibratory milling introduced the greatest impurity pickup.
The associations between increasing degrees of homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance and muscular strengthening activities among euglycaemic US adults

Purpose:To examine the associations between the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance and self-reported muscular strengthening activity in a nationally representative sample of euglycaemic US adults.Methods:Sample included euglycaemic adults (⩾20 years of age (n = 2009)) from the 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance was categorized into quartiles and was the primary independent variable of interest. No reported muscular strengthening activity was the dependent variable.Results:Following adjustment for covariates, those with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance values in fourth (odds ratio: 2.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.35−3.06, p < 0.001) quartile were found to have significantly greater odds of reporting no muscular strengthening activity. Following further adjustment for non-muscular strengthening activity specific aerobic leisure-time physical activity, results remained significant for the four...
Interference, heterogeneity and disease gene mapping

The Human Genome Project has had a major impact on genetic research over the past five years. The number of mapped genes is now over 3,000 compared with approximately 1,600 in 1989 (Human Gene Mapping 10, [5]) and only about 260 ten years before that (Human Gene Mapping 5, [4]). The realization that extensive variation could be detected in anonymous DNA segments (Botstein et al. [1]) greatly enhanced the potential for mapping by linkage analysis. Previously, linkage studies had depended on polymorphisms that could be detected in red blood cell antigens, proteins (revealed by electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing), and cytogenetic heteromorphisms.
A virtual reality environment for multi-sensor data integration

Virtual reality (VR) has typically found applications in industrial design, rapid prototyping and advanced scientific visualization. In this paper, we investigate the use of VR for multi-sensor data integration. We attempt to demonstrate that multiple data types-graphical, functional and measurement can be effectively combined inside of a VR environment. This platform allows the user to rapidly sift through large and complex data sets and isolate features of interest. Furthermore, VR environments can be made to evolve based on system data and user input-this provides the ability to develop scenarios that can be used to make informed decisions. Results demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach are shown using the example of multi-sensor gas transmission pipeline inspection. This work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation award #0216348.
HLA class I heavy-chain gene promoter elements mediating synergy between tumor necrosis factor and interferons.

The cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF), beta interferon (IFN-beta), and IFN-gamma increase major histocompatibility complex class I molecule expression. A greater than additive (i.e., synergistic) induction of class I heavy-chain mRNA is observed in HeLa cells treated with TNF in combination with either type of IFN. To define the cis-acting elements mediating cytokine synergy, the promoter of a human major histocompatibility complex class I heavy-chain gene (HLA-B7) was placed in front of a reporter gene and transfected into HeLa cells. Deletion analysis mapped the elements required for synergy to a 40-bp region containing a kappa B-like element, which is necessary for the response to TNF, and an interferon consensus sequence (ICS), which is necessary for the responses to IFNs. When the orientation of these elements was reversed or their normal 20-bp spacing was reduced by 5 or 10 bp, i.e., one half or one full turn of the DNA helix, essentially equivalent responses were obtained, suggesting that these parameters are not critical. In electromobility shift assays, a p50-containing NF-kappa B nuclear factor from TNF-treated cells binds kappa B-containing probes, and ISGF-2 from IFN-gamma-treated cells binds ICS-containing probes. A probe containing both the kappa B and ICS elements (kappa B-ICS) forms a novel complex with nuclear factors isolated from cells treated with both TNF and IFN-gamma; this complex also forms when nuclear factors from individually cytokine-treated cells are mixed in vitro. The natural variant ICS found in HLA-A responds to IFN-gamma and can mediate synergy with TNF. However, the variant kappa B found in HLA-C does not respond to TNF, nor can it mediate synergy between TNF and IFN-gamma. These observations suggest that synergy between TNF and IFNs in the induction of HLA class I gene expression results from the sum of individual interactions of cytokine-activated enhancer-binding factors with the transcription initiation complex.
Antibiotic Resistance and Integron of Vibrio cholerae Detection from School Street Foods in Jakarta

Street foods represent foods and beverages prepared by vendors in streets or other public places, i.e. schools. Food safety issues perceive street foods as a potential major public risk. Street foods contaminated with toxigenic Vibrio cholerae may lead to serious poisoning to school-age children. In this study, 17 isolates of V. cholerae were obtained from nine (45%) of total 20 street foods samples collected in Jakarta. Five (29%) were confirmed to be V. cholerae O1, serotype Ogawa using biochemical tests and serological identification. Of the 17 V. cholerae isolates 47% proved to be resistant to ampicillin, 35% to trimethoprim, 17.6% to tetracycline, and 17.6% to streptomycin. A class 1 integrons bearing streptomycin/spectinomycin resistant gene cassette of aad A1c were discovered on isolate Vc25n. This may leads to horizontal transfer of the antibiotic resistant genes to other bacteria. Key words: foods, Vibrio cholerae, antibiotic resistance, integron
Characterization and preparation of Aspergillus niger naringinase for debittering citrus juice.

: Naringinase from Aspergillus niger was prepared and characterized to evaluate its effectiveness in debittering citrus juice. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by sulfate fractionation and chromatographies on Q-Sepharose, Sephacryl S-200, and S-100 HR columns, and estimated by gel filtration chromatography (GFC) to have a molecular weight (MW) of 131 kDa, of which its subunit was measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be around 65.5 kDa. The enzyme showed active and stable pH ranges both within 4.5 to 5.0. Its optimal temperature was in the range of 45 to 55 °C. Freeze drying provided an estimated enzymatic recovery of 95.9%, greater than spray drying with the recovery at 55.6%. The freeze-drying powder could retain its enzymatic activity stably at 4 °C for 6 mo. Also, the enzyme in 0.220 U/mL citrus juice could sufficiently remove the naringin for the bitterness. Oral acute toxicity study revealed the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the naringinase powder was >10 g/kg in mice. The contents of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), the aerobic plate count, and coliform number in the enzyme powder all met the criteria for food use. These characteristics suggest that the naringinase from A. niger is efficient and suitable for debittering the citrus juice, and the process consisting of fermentation, salt precipitation, ion exchange, ultrafiltration, and freeze drying is a promising means to prepare the naringinase for food industry, setting up a strong base to enzymatically debitter citrus juice. Practical Application: This study focused on characterization, preparation, and validation of naringinase from A. niger, which provided useful information on how to prepare, store, and use the naringinase. In addition, this naringinase met the safety standards for food use and showed strong ability to remove the bitter taste from citrus juice, which provided useful information for interested readers, and the food industry.
Dynactin's pointed-end complex is a cargo-targeting module.

Dynactin serves as an adaptor that allows the dynein motor to bind cargoes, but how dynactin associates with its diverse complement of subcellular binding partners remains mysterious. We show that ...
Supermarket product selection uncovered: manufacturer promotions and the channel intermediary

Abstract In 1998, food and packaged goods manufacturers presented 17,977 new items for evaluation by channel intermediaries (grocery buyers, merchandisers, and category managers). This product selection process is recognized as a time and labor intensive effort on the part of manufacturers and their retail counterparts. Ultimately, only one-third of these new product introductions may be accepted for distribution. Thus, manufacturers may benefit from increased insight to the channel intermediary’s criteria for deciding which products to stock in their retail stores. It is suggested that this decision may be influenced by the presence of certain promotional and cash offerings, and this issue is examined in a logistic regression.
Geometric Techniques in Representation Theory

A discussion of results and conjectures, focussed around the extension of the modula representation theory for finite Lie-type groups to more general groups that act on building like geometries.
Perception of object number through an aperture by human infants

Perception of object number through an aperture by 10- and 12-month-old infants was investigated. Only 12-month-old infants perceived the number of objects. The findings support the conclusion that the perception of object properties over time emerges late in the 1st year.
Common hypercyclic vectors for the unitary orbit of a hypercyclic operator

Abstract For a separable, infinite dimensional Hilbert space, it was recently shown by the authors that the similarity orbit of a hypercyclic operator contains a path of operators which is dense in the operator algebra with the strong operator topology, and yet the set of common hypercyclic vectors for the entire path is a dense G δ set. Motivated by that result, we show in the present paper that the unitary orbit of any hypercyclic operator contains a path of operators whose closure contains the entire unitary orbit with the strong operator topology, and yet every nonzero vector in the linear span of the orbit of a given hypercyclic vector is a common hypercyclic vector for the entire path.
A Note on Wavelets and Diffusions

Motivated by image processing and numerical wavelet methods for partial differential equations, we study the theoretical interactions between wavelets and the diffusion equations. Important properties of wavelets, such as the translation and scaling invariance, the p-vanishing-moment condition, and the atomic decomposition, are integrated into the diffusion process and lead to many interesting results.