cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes on human skin after swimming in the ocean.

Abstract The skin is a complex organ responsible for protecting the body from physical, chemical and biological insults. The skin microbiome is known to play an important role in protecting the host from skin infections. This study examined the skin microbiome and the changes in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), antibiotic biosynthesis genes (ABSGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) on human skin before and after swimming in the ocean. Skin microbiome samples were collected from human participants before and after they swam in the ocean, and at 6 h and 24 h post-swim. The samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The results showed that not only is the skin microbiome composition altered after swimming, but the abundance and diversity of ARGs, ABSGs and VFGs on the skin increased post-swim. Overall, there was an increase in total ARGs by 70.6% from before to after swimming. The elevated number of ARGs persisted and continued to increase for at least 6 h post-swim with greater than a 300% increase in comparison with samples collected before ocean swimming. The outcomes of the study support the epidemiological observations of increased risk of skin infections after swimming in the ocean. Cleaning the skin immediately after recreational ocean activities is recommended to reduce the opportunity for infection.
‘We Are not Infertile’: Challenges and Limitations Faced by Women in Same-Sex Relationships when Seeking Conception Services in São Paulo, Brazil

The use of reproductive technologies has expanded beyond cases of infertility, and opportunities for individuals of different sexual orientations to use such technologies for conception have increased. The authors examined the challenges and limitations faced by women in same-sex relationships seeking conception services in Sao Paulo, Brazil. They interviewed 16 women in same-sex relationships who conceived children using reproductive technologies. Access to public health services for conception remains limited and exclusive to infertile heterosexual couples. Women in same-sex relationships are forced to select between costly medical treatments in the private sector, or self-insemination with sperm from a known donor. In this study, individuals reported that they experienced adverse effects of treatments; were treated with technologies for infertility when they were, in fact, fertile; and were exposed to unnecessary and invasive interventions. Growing political conservatism and the reduction of investment in public health services are factors that can directly affect sexual and reproductive health, including that of lesbians. Public policies that enable same-sex couples to conceive have yet to be developed in many countries, and a clearer articulation of the right to evidence-informed, rights-based care, consistent with national and international guidelines is a much-needed next step.
Stratification of Surgical Risk in DIEP Breast Reconstruction Based on Classification of Obesity.

Background From both a medical and surgical perspective, obese breast cancer patients are considered to possess higher risk when undergoing autologous breast reconstruction relative to nonobese patients. However, few studies have evaluated the continuum of risk across the full range of obesity. This study sought to compare surgical risk between the three World Health Organization (WHO) classes of obesity in patients undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. Methods A retrospective review of 219 obese patients receiving 306 individual DIEP flaps was performed. Subjects were stratified into WHO obesity classes I (body mass index [BMI]: 30–34), II (BMI: 35–39), and III (BMI: ≥ 40) and assessed for risk factors and postoperative donor and recipient site complications. Results When examined together, the rate of any complication between the three groups only trended toward significance (p = 0.07), and there were no significant differences among rates of specific individual complications. However, logistic regression analysis showed that class III obesity was an independent risk factor for both flap (odds ratio [OR]: 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–3.20, p = 0.03) and donor site (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.09–5.05, p = 0.03) complications. Conclusion DIEP breast reconstruction in the obese patient is more complex for both the patient and the surgeon. Although not a contraindication to undergoing surgery, obese patients should be diligently counseled regarding potential complications and undergo preoperative optimization of health parameters. Morbidly obese (class III) patients should be approached with additional caution, and perhaps even delay major reconstruction until specific BMI goals are met.
Protocol for Identification of BVD PI Calves with Maternal Antibodies in Beef and Dairy Operations

Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) virus was first recognized as a pathogen in1946, and has been implicated as the cause of one of the most widespread and economically important diseases of cattle. The importance of bovine virus diarrhea-persistently infected (BVD-PI) cattle in the spread and propagation of BVD virus has been well documented. A persistent BVD infection occurs when a fetus is exposed to the BVD virus in the first 120 days of gestation. At this stage, the developing fetal immune system recognizes the virus as part of "self", therefore, no immune response occurs. After birth, these BVD-PI cattle excrete tremendous amounts of virus from every body orifice throughout most of their lives, and thus are considered to be the most important reservoir for BVD virus. It is estimated that approximately 1% of all cattle are persistently infected.
House Price Capitalization of Stormwater Retention Basins: Evidence from Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area in California

We extend the literature on the impact of stormwater retention basins on house prices and time on the market. Our results indicate that properties located closer to a basin sell at a discount relative to properties located farther away, but the impact is not linear. We further provide evidence that home buyers pay premium prices to be located closer to a basin in construction, yet as the basin ages, property prices decrease. Although stormwater basins provide benefits for the community, results suggest that proximate households generally bear the cost. In the locations adjacent to the basins, discount prices of proximate homes tend to be larger in low-income areas.
Improved survival with post-diagnostic metformin and statin use in a racially diverse cohort of US Veterans with advanced prostate cancer.

Objective To examine the association between post-diagnostic metformin or statin use with all-cause and prostate cancer (PCa)-specific mortality in men with advanced prostate cancer. Methods Our study consisted of 4572 men (Black = 1352, White = 3192, Other Race = 28) diagnosed with advanced cancer (T4/M1/N1) between 1999 and 2013 in the Veteran Health Administration. The association between post-diagnostic (1) metformin and (2) statin use with all-cause and PCa-specific mortality was examined using multivariable, time-varying Cox Proportional Hazard Models. In a secondary analysis, models were stratified by race. Results Post-diagnostic metformin use was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.84, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.73, 0.96) and PCa-specific death (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.91). In stratified analyses, the inverse association between post-diagnostic metformin use and both all-cause PCa-specific mortality was limited to White men. Post-diagnostic statin use was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause (HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.83) and PCa-specific mortality (HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.81). In stratified analyses, similar inverse associations were observed for post-diagnostic statin use and all-cause and PCa-specific mortality in both Black and White men. Conclusion Post diagnostic metformin and statin use may prevent progression to lethal prostate cancer in men with advanced prostate cancer.
Demonstration of isotype GaN/AlN/GaN heterobarrier diodes by NH3-molecular beam epitaxy

The results of vertical transport through nitride heterobarrier structures grown by ammonia molecular beam epitaxy are presented. Structures are designed with binary layers to avoid the effects of random alloy fluctuations in ternary nitride barriers. The unintentional incorporation of Ga in the AlN growth is investigated by atom probe tomography and is shown to be strongly dependent on both the NH3 flowrate and substrate temperature growth parameters. Once nominally pure AlN layer growth conditions are achieved, structures consisting of unintentionally doped (UID) GaN spacer layers adjacent to a nominally pure AlN are grown between two layers of n+ GaN, from which isotype diodes are fabricated. Varying the design parameters of AlN layer thickness, UID spacer layer thickness, and threading dislocation density show marked effects on the vertical transport characteristics of these structures. The lack of significant temperature dependence, coupled with Fowler-Nordheim and/or Milliken-Lauritsen analysis, point to a prevalently tunneling field emission mechanism through the AlN barrier. Once flatband conditions in the UID layer are achieved, electrons leave the barrier with significant energy. This transport mechanism is of great interest for applications in hot electron structures.
Mothers, Fathers, and Couples

The crisis of newborn intensive care is usually faced by a mother, a father, and a couple. This was true in 90% of the families in our study. Although researchers have found a correspondence between the quality of a mother’s relationship with her premature infant and the quality of her relationship with her husband (e.g., Herzog, 1979), they have not examined this association in fathers of preterm infants. Little is known as well about differences between mothers’ and fathers’ adaptations and adjustment; concordances of distress, appraisals, and coping strategies within couples; the effect of one partner’s coping strategies on the other partner’s well-being; the implications of coping similarities and differences for the marital relationship; or the perceived impact of this crisis on the marital relationship. This chapter addresses these questions in analyses of data gathered at NICU discharge and 18 months later from our subgroup of 50 married mothers and their husbands.
The Family Therapist in the Courts: The P.E.A.C.E. Program (Parent Education and Custody Effectiveness): A Voluntary New York State Interdisciplinary Program for Divorcing Parents

SUMMARY This article describes the Parent Education and Custody Effectiveness Program (P.E.A.C.E.), a series of interdisciplinary educational seminars for persons going through the divorce process; reports on the results of three P.E.A.C.E. Program pilot studies that occurred in New York State; and describes the crucial role of mental health professionals in this program.
Studies in pheromone chemistry

Abstract A group of structural analogs of the male butterfly pheromone I has been prepared for biological testing. Some conformational and stereochemical features of these compounds are discussed.
'Dear America': Public Letters as an Early Form of Presidential Mass Communication

Public letters written by presidents are a largely overlooked form of communication by pre-modern presidents. This paper examines the extensive public letter writing of four presidents, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Abraham Lincoln. In their letters, these presidents addressed important policy issues of the day publicly and directly to the American people.
Capacity Fade due to Side-reactions in Silicon Anodes in Lithium-ion Batteries.

It is shown that continuously occurring electrolyte-reduction reaction on freshly-exposed electrode surfaces during lithiation/delithiation cycles causes the lowering of cycling efficiency, and hence, capacity fade in well-cycled silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries. Using galvanostatic lithiation/delithiation data from multiple cycles on a Li/Si half-cell, a methodology to separate the charge due to the main reaction (lithiation/delithiation of Si) from the side-reaction (electrolyte-reduction) is presented. The rate of this parasitic side reaction is estimated on well-cycled amorphous silicon thin-film electrodes at ambient temperature for the following three commonly-used lithium-ion electrolyte formulations: mixtures of ethylene carbonate and diethylene carbonate (EC:DEC) with and without a fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additive, and propylene carbonate (PC), all containing 1.2 M lithium hexafluorophosphate. Among the three formulations, the electrolyte containing EC:DEC with the FEC additive exhibits the lowest coulombic losses due to side-reactions, followed by PC, and EC:DEC without the FEC additive (i.e., EC:DEC + FEC > PC > EC:DEC). The importance of estimating side-reaction rates on a well-cycled electrode is discussed in the context of self-discharge, capacity fade, development of battery management system algorithms and precise mathematical modeling of lithium-ion batteries.
Toxicity of antineoplastic agents in man, chromosomal aberrations antifertility effects, congenital malformations, and carcinogenic potential.

Publisher Summary This chapter consolidates and quantitates some deleterious effects of cancer chemotherapeutic agents in humans—namely, their ability to induce chromosomal aberrations, their antifertility effects, their ability to produce congenital malformations under certain conditions, and their carcinogenic potential when used to treat neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases. It discusses the three classes of antitumor compounds: alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and antitumor antibiotics. These compounds have been extensively studied in vitro and in vivo and they induce chromosomal aberrations; these abnormalities vary according to the agent and the test system used. Combinations of agents or agents plus irradiation also produce cytogenetic damage in human cells. It also provides information on the possible adverse effects of the antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, and miscellaneous synthetic agents on spermatogenesis. The current evidence indicates that these effects are related to the dose and duration of chemotherapy, both for single alkylating agents and for combination chemotherapy in which the alkylating agent is one of the components. Anticancer drugs other than the alkylating agents should be more thoroughly studied for possible effects on the fertility in the human female.
The Rationale for Geologic Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste in the United States

The program for disposal of high-level and transuranic radioactive waste in the United States calls for establishment of a mined repository in geologic formations that will provide for retrievability of the waste for 50 years. The goal of radioactive waste isolation in mined repositories is to prevent unacceptable concentrations of radionuclides from migrating to the accessible environment. Early concepts of high-level radioactive waste disposal assumed that containment of the waste by the enclosing rock would be virtually complete. With the application of broader scientific and engineering disciplines, specifically geology and hydrology to the study of prospective environments for waste disposal, the realization came that total isolation of the waste in the immediate vicinity of the repository will be difficult to ensure, and this includes geological and hydrological methods used for predicting conditions or events that may prevail during the extremely long time required for waste isolation. Some of the earth processes that are of major concern during the waste-isolation storage time include: (1) rates of radionuclide transport in the ground-water flow system which, in turn, reflect chemical reactions of radionuclides with ground water and earth materials; (2) climatic changes; and (3) tectonic and associated erosional events. To compensate for the limitations in our knowledge, the current rationale for waste isolation emphasizes the need for a series of independent barriers to radionuclide migrations. Multiplicity of these barriers, both engineered and natural, will compensate for uncertainties in predicting natural or man-induced conditions and events that may occur during the time required for waste isolation.
Dynamics of c-fos and ICER mRNA expression in rat forebrain following lithium chloride injection

Lithium is commonly used as a treatment for affective disorders in humans and as a toxin to produce conditioned taste aversions in rats. LiCl administration in rats has been correlated with activation of c-fos and cAMP-mediated gene transcription in many brain regions; however, little is known about the timing or duration of gene activation. We hypothesized that c-fos gene transcription is rapidly stimulated by LiCl, followed later by the expression of the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) transcription factor, a negative modulator of cAMP-mediated gene transcription. By in situ hybridization, we analyzed the timecourse of c-fos and ICER mRNA expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the supraoptic nucleus (SON) at seven time points (0, 0.3, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h) after intraperitoneal LiCl injection (0.15 M, 12 ml/kg, 76 mg/kg). Expression of c-fos mRNA peaked between 20 min and 1 h and returned to baseline by 3 h in the CeA, PVN and SON. ICER mRNA was detected in these regions at 20 min, peaked at 1-3 h and returned to nearly baseline 9 h following LiCl injection. The time lag between c-fos mRNA expression and ICER mRNA expression within the same regions is consistent with ICER terminating c-fos gene transcription. However, no refractory period was detected for restimulation of c-fos transcription by a second injection of LiCl during the period of peak ICER mRNA expression, suggesting the involvement of other transcriptional modulators.
The Brookhaven hypernuclear physics program

Abstract Recent experimental results as well as anticipated future work in the field of hypernuclear physics from Brookhaven National Laboratory and others, are presented in this paper.
Cationic dispersion polymerizations in liquid carbon dioxide

The successful cationic dispersion polymerization of styrene in liquid carbon dioxide using amphiphilic block copolymers is reported. Vinyl ether block copolymers consisting of a CO2-philic fluorinated segment and a poly(methyl vinyl ether) anchoring segment were employed to stabilize the growing polystyrene (PS) particles. The effect of stabilization in these polymerizations on molar mass, molar mass distribution, and polymer yield was studied as a function of temperature and surfactant composition. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of PS particles ranging in size from 300 nm to 1 μm in diameter.
Incorporating Strong Polarity Minerals of Tourmaline with Semiconductor Titania to Improve the Photosplitting of Water

This paper describes a method for increasing the quantum efficiency in the photosplitting of water by integrating the Degussa P25 titania photocatalyst with a polar mineral tourmaline having surface electrical fields due to the pyroelectric effect. The amount of hydrogen produced from the photosplitting of water increased considerably with a tourmaline-integrated P25 titania photocatalyst compared to that with P25 titania in systems containing pure water as well as solutions of different pH values. It is proposed that the enhancement in the photocatalytic performance is due to a reduction in the Schottky barrier for electrons to migrate to the surface of the semiconductor. The surface electric fields of tourmaline lower the barrier by reducing the band bending in the space charge layer and increasing the chemical potential (EF) of the electrons in titania. The increase in the amount of hydrogen produced at a lower pH is attributed to the decrease in the overpotential of the hydrogen evolution reaction at ...
Progressive fracture of adhesively bonded composite structures

Progressive damage and fracture of adhesively bonded graphite/epoxy composite structures are evaluated via computational simulation. Load induced damage in both the adhesive bond and the adjoining laminate is considered. An integrated computer code is used for the simulation of structural degradation under loading. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture are included in the simulations. Results show in detail the damage progression sequence and structural fracture resistance during different degradation stages. Design implications with regard to damage tolerance of adhesively bonded joints are examined. Influence of the type of loading as well as adhesive thickness on damage initiation and progression for an adhesively bonded composite structure are investigated.
On the calculus of complex matrices

ABSTRACT In this note, elements of matrix calculus are extended to complex matrices. With this extension, the Cauchy-Riemann conditions in matrix notation are introduced. It is shown that for many cases where the complex matrix derivative does not exist, a complex gradient and Hessian matrix—which are defined by partial derivatives with respect to real and imaginary matrix parts—do exist. Further, these first and second-order derivative matrices are used to provide necessary and sufficient conditions for an extremum of a real scalar function of a complex matrix. Some illustrative examples are provided.
Numerical characterization of low Reynolds number flow in the Kenics static mixer

Low Reynolds number flow in a six element Kenics static mixer was modeled using finite element computations. The numerical approach takes into account aspects of the fluid flow within the Kenics mixer which have been neglected in previous studies, including transitions between mixer elements and finite-thickness mixer plates. The pressure drop information obtained from the simulations was compared to several experimental correlations available in the literature for Kenics mixer pressure drop. Analysis of the low Reynolds number velocity field indicates a spatially periodic flow which matches the periodicity of the mixer geometry. Flow transitions at the entrance and exit of each element strongly affect the velocity field for up to ∼25% of the element’s length under creeping flow conditions. Comparison of the velocity field over a range of Reynolds numbers from 0.15 to 100 indicated that Reindependent velocity profiles are obtained up to Re=10, with significant deviations in the velocity field at Reynolds numbers above this limit. The magnitude of the rate-of-strain tensor, which represents an upper bound for mixing efficiency, was computed and profiled within the mixer. The profile for the magnitude of the rate-of-strain tensor was roughly uniform over the central 75% of a single mixer element, but shifted toward higher values in the end regions, indicating that the greatest potential mixing effects take place at the element-to-element transitions.
Impression creep and other localized tests

Impression creep and impression fatigue, both using cylindrical indenters, are reviewed in this paper. For impression creep, analytical solutions and computer simulations for different situations are presented. Materials tested include metals and alloys, superplastic materials, weldments, glasses, ceramics and polymers. Viscosity measurements using indentation techniques and impression creep of thin films are discussed also. For impression fatigue, a steady state per cycle is shown and the power law dependence of maximum stress is presented. Underloading and overloading effects, as well as delayed retardation, are described. Other localized tests, such as nanoindentation, stress relaxation, impression recovery and the adhesion energy determined by impression testing, are briefly discussed also.
Fetal Lung mRNA Levels of Hox Genes Are Differentially Altered by Maternal Diabetes and Butyrate in Rats

Diabetes is known to be associated with delayed lung development in humans and in experimental animals. This includes delayed expression of surfactant apoproteins. An important component of the metabolic abnormalities in diabetes is elevated levels of analogs of butyric acid, and the effects of diabetes on surfactant apoproteins can be reproduced by exposure of fetal rat lung explants to butyrate. Dexamethasone has the opposite effects on lung development. In humans, antenatal exposure to dexamethasone results in a lower incidence of RDS, whereas in experimental animals, dexamethasone increases the expression of surfactant apoproteins. A subset of Hox genes are expressed in developing lung, and their level of expression decreases with advancing gestation. We hypothesized that: 1) lungs of fetuses of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes would have altered levels of expression of Hox genes, 2) the effect would be mediated in part through elevated levels of butyrate, and 3) dexamethasone would reverse the effect. We tested our hypotheses in vivo using fetuses from streptozotocin-treated rats and in vitro by treating lung explants from normal rats with sodium butyrate. Streptozotocin treatment increased expression of Hoxb-5 at 18 d of gestation, but did not affect Hoxa-5 expression. This was associated with a 20-fold increase in alpha-aminobutyrate levels. Dexamethasone tended to reverse this effect. In contrast, butyrate treatment of explants decreased the expression of Hoxa-5 and Hoxb-5. We conclude that diabetes alters expression of Hox genes, but that the effect of butyrate on lung development, and in particular on surfactant apoprotein expression, is independent of its effects on Hox genes.
The Use of Radio Stars to Study Irregular Refraction of Radio Waves in the Ionosphere

The observations and the theory of radio star scintillation are reviewed, and the following conclusions are reached. 1) The frequency variation of amplitude and phase scintillations agrees with theory. 2) All observers agree that there is a marked increase of amplitude scintillation with increase in zenith angle. The Cambridge data agrees with theory, but the Manchester data does not. No available zenith angle data is adequate to determine the height of scintillation. 3) The available observations of phase scintillation are inadequate for almost all purposes. 4) At present, the Hewish method of locating height by comparing amplitude and phase scintillation is seriously hampered by lack of satisfactory observations. On existing data the method gives heights that are spread over a range of about five to one; all of these heights are above the E region and refer to nighttime scintillation. 5) All observers agree that there is a maximum of amplitude scintillation in the middle of the night. 6) In addition, Australian observers report a maximum of amplitude scintillation at midday. This is only weakly observed, if at all, in the northern hemisphere, where, however, observational conditions are different. 7) Australian observers report maxima of amplitude scintillation at the solstices and minima at the equinox, but observers in the northern hemisphere report little seasonal variation. 8) The rate of scintillation increases under magnetically disturbed conditions, due to increased drift velocity. 9) There is a good general correlation between the occurrence of radio star scintillation and spread F reflections.
Remeasurement of the Rydberg constant.

We report a remeasurement of the Rydberg constant via a single-photon determination of the Balmer-..cap alpha.. wavelength. The new value refects the redefinition of the meter, a reexamination of corrections, and improvements of the experimental apparatus. The result is R = 109 737.315 69(7) cm/sup -1/, where c = 299 792 458 m/s by definition. This result does not significantly disagree with the preceding measurement by Amin et al, significantly disagrees with the measurement by Hildum et al., and agrees very well with a recent measurement by Biraben and Julien.
Direct electrochemical and spectroscopic assessment of heme integrity in multiphoton photo-cross-linked cytochrome C structures.

Multiphoton excitation (MPE) lithography offers an effective, biocompatible technique by which three-dimensional architectures comprised of proteins, enzymes, and other relevant materials may be fabricated for use in biological studies involving cellular signal transduction and neuronal networking. We present a series of studies designed to investigate the integrity of cytochrome c (cyt c) photo-cross-linked via MPE. Specifically, we have used electrochemical methods and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to determine whether photo-cross-linked cyt c retains its well-characterized Fe(II/III) heme redox activity. Cyt c is observed to retain its native FeII/III electron-transfer properties, as the apparent electron-transfer rate constant, k0ET, for cyt c photo-cross-linked onto an indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) substrate was 8.4 ± 0.2 s-1, on the same order of magnitude as literature values though somewhat slower than other immobilized cyt c studies, most likely due to unoptimized entrapment in the ph...
A note on unsteady impinging jet heat transfer

Reported are the results of experiments on a regular in-line-jet that was modified prior to its impingement to improve heat transfer on the plate. Modifications consisted of insertion of two bluff bodies and a streamlined body in the jet. The improvement in transport coefficients was attributed to the periodicity in the flow which caused the attachment point to sweep the reattachment region and the turbulence created was distributed over a large area compared to simple attachment.
Transfer RNA and human disease

Pathological mutations in tRNA genes and tRNA processing enzymes are numerous and result in very complicated clinical phenotypes. Mitochondrial tRNA (mt-tRNA) genes are “hotspots” for pathological mutations and over 200 mt-tRNA mutations have been linked to various disease states. Often these mutations prevent tRNA aminoacylation. Disrupting this primary function affects protein synthesis and the expression, folding, and function of oxidative phosphorylation enzymes. Mitochondrial tRNA mutations manifest in a wide panoply of diseases related to cellular energetics, including COX deficiency (cytochrome C oxidase), mitochondrial myopathy, MERRF (Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers), and MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes). Diseases caused by mt-tRNA mutations can also affect very specific tissue types, as in the case of neurosensory non-syndromic hearing loss and pigmentary retinopathy, diabetes mellitus, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Importantly, mitochondrial heteroplasmy plays a role in disease severity and age of onset as well. Not surprisingly, mutations in enzymes that modify cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAs are also linked to a diverse range of clinical phenotypes. In addition to compromised aminoacylation of the tRNAs, mutated modifying enzymes can also impact tRNA expression and abundance, tRNA modifications, tRNA folding, and even tRNA maturation (e.g., splicing). Some of these pathological mutations in tRNAs and processing enzymes are likely to affect non-canonical tRNA functions, and contribute to the diseases without significantly impacting on translation. This chapter will review recent literature on the relation of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic tRNA, and enzymes that process tRNAs, to human disease. We explore the mechanisms involved in the clinical presentation of these various diseases with an emphasis on neurological disease.
Methylenedioxy-benzopyran analogs of podophyllotoxin, a new synthetic class of antimitotic agents that inhibit tubulin polymerization

A new class of compounds was synthesized and, based on structural analogy to podophyllotoxin, examined as potential microtubule inhibitors and evaluated for in vivo antineoplastic activity. These agents are derivatives of methylenedioxy-benzopyran bearing a phenyl substituent at position 8. The hydrogen atoms at positions 7 and 8 are in a trans configuration, in contrast to the cis configuration of analogous hydrogen atoms at positions 1 and 2 in podophyllotoxin. Compounds with a variety of substituents at positions 6 and 7 were examined, as well as compounds with varying methoxy substituent patterns on the phenyl ring attached at position 8. The most active compounds inhibited tubulin polymerization at concentrations approximately stoichiometric with tubulin, competitively inhibited the binding of colchicine to tubulin, and caused mitotic arrest at cytotoxic drug concentrations. No structure-activity correlations were obvious for the substituents at positions 6 and 7, but optimal activity was only observed when the phenyl substituent at position 8 was a trimethoxybenzene ring identical to the analogous ring in podophyllotoxin (i.e. methoxy groups at positions 3', 4' and 5'). Despite their structural and functional similarities to podophyllotoxin, however, the methylenedioxy-benzopyran derivatives subtly differ from the natural product in their interaction with tubulin, for they stimulated rather than inhibited tubulin-dependent GTP hydrolysis.
Issues in the development of natural language front-ends

This paper will discuss some issues we believe to be important to the design of a natural language front-end. These are divided into three categories: conceptual coverage, linguistic coverage, and implementation issues. The section on conceptual coverage discusses the use of a domain expert, which understands what the user is saying even though the system to which the front-end is interfaced might not be able to properly do what the user wants. The section on linguistic coverage discusses attempts to allow a natural language interface to handle natural, interactive human communication. Two solutions are explored: First, the design of a robust natural-language-understanding system, composed of many experts that know about some aspect of the organization of language, is considered; second, because the design of a robust system is a large task, the intermediate goal of limiting the vocabulary and constructions that can be used while retaining all the user-oriented benefits of natural language is considered. The implementation issues considered are the design of a system in which the grammar and the domain of discourse can be easily extended and which can be used for more than one domain without extensive rewrite.
Thioether Sulfur Oxygenation from O2 or H2O2 Reactivity of Copper Complexes with Tridentate N2Sthioether Ligands

To model thioether-copper coordination chemistry including oxidative reactivity, such as occurs in the copper monooxygenases peptidylglycine -hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH), we have synthesized new tridentate N2S ligands LSEP and LSBz [LSEP = methyl(2-phenethylsulfanylpropyl)(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amine; LSBz = (2-benzylsulfanylpropyl)methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amine)]. Both copper(I) and copper(II) complexes have been prepared, and their respective O2 and H2O2 chemistry has been studied. Under mild conditions, oxygenation of [(LSEP)CuI]+ (1a) and [(LSBz)CuI]+ (2a) leads to ligand sulfoxidation, thus exhibiting copper monooxygenase activity. A copper(II) complex of this sulfoxide ligand product, [(LSOEP)CuII(CH3OH)(OClO3)2], has been structurally characterized, demonstrating Cu-Osulfoxide ligation. The X-ray structure of [(LSEP)CuII(H2O)(OClO3)]+ (1b) and its solution UV-visible spectral properties [S-CuII LMCT band at 365 nm (MeCN solvent); epsilon = 4285 M-1 cm-1] indicate the thioether sulfur atom is bound to the cupric ion in both the solid (CuII-S distance: 2.31 A) and solution states. Reaction of 1b with H2O2 leads to sulfonation via the sulfoxide; excess hydrogen peroxide gives mostly sulfone product. These results may provide some insight into recent reports concerning protein methionine oxidation, showing the potential importance of copper-mediated oxidation processes in certain biological settings.
Microalbuminuria predicts overt proteinuria among patients with HIV infection.

Background This study examines the association between microalbuminuria and the development of proteinuria among HIV-infected persons. Methods A total of 948 subjects provided urine samples for albumin, protein and creatinine measurements semiannually. Microalbuminuria was defined as an albumin-to-creatinine ratio of >30 mg/g. Proteinuria was defined as a protein-to-creatinine ratio of ≥0.350 mg/mg. The progression from microalbuminuria to proteinuria was described. Results At baseline, 69.4% of the subjects had no detectable proteinuria, 20.2% had microalbuminuria, and 10.4% had proteinuria. Subjects with microalbuminuria and proteinuria were more likely to be black (P=0.02), have lower CD4 cell counts (P=0.02 comparing subjects without abnormal urine protein excretion to subjects with microalbuminuria; P=0.0001 comparing subjects with microalbuminuria to subjects with proteinuria), and have a higher HIV RNA level (P=0.08 and 0.04, respectively). Among 658 subjects with normal urine protein, 82.7% continued to have no abnormality, 14.3% developed microalbuminuria, and 3.0% developed proteinuria. Subjects without baseline proteinuria (i.e. either normal protein excretion or microalbuminuria) who developed proteinuria were more likely to have microalbuminuria (P=0.001), a lower CD4 cell count (P=0.06), and a higher plasma HIV RNA (P=0.03) than those who did not progress to proteinuria. In multivariate analysis, only microalbuminuria remained associated with the development of proteinuria (odds ratio 2.9; 95% confidence interval 1.5, 5.5; P=0.001). Conclusion Microalbuminuria predicts the development of proteinuria among HIV-infected persons. Because proteinuria has been linked to poorer outcomes, strategies to affect microalbuminuria should be tested.
Verification of proficiency in basic skills for postgraduate year 1 residents.

Background The American College of Surgeons and Association of Program Directors in Surgery Phase 1 curriculum involves basic surgical skills instructional modules and Verification of Proficiency. This article is a study and revision of beta versions of the Verification of Proficiency instruments. Methods Postgraduate year 1 residents were tested on 11 skills after undergoing lab instruction and practice. Deidentified videotaped performances were scored and data were analyzed to identify correlations between individual checklist items and failure. Results In all, 23 residents underwent Verification of Proficiency over 2 years; 8 (35%) passed all Verification of Proficiency examinations at the first attempt, 15 (65%) failed at least 1 module, and 11 (48%) failed at least 2 modules. Residents who failed to demonstrate proficiency underwent mandatory remediation and retested until their scores were considered proficient. Scrutiny of the results revealed checklist items that were predictive independently of overall failure. The pass rate was significantly greater in 2009 compared with 2008 after the introduction of rater training and consequences for failure. Conclusion Verification of Proficiency provides a framework to evaluate learner progress toward skills proficiency. That we achieved 100% faculty compliance with more than 250 performances speaks to the feasibility of Verification of Proficiency. This approach should facilitate a more widespread Verification of Proficiency acceptance as a step closer to developing a final proficiency examination for basic surgical skills in postgraduate year 1 residents.
Microwave Spectroscopy of the Twist Cβ-Exo/Cγ-Endo Conformation of Prolinamide

The rotational transitions of three isotopomers of prolinamide were measured with a Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. A twist pyrrolidine ring conformation with Cβ-exo and Cγ-endo reproduces the experimental moments of inertia. Stark-effect measurements of five |M| components were used to determine that the dipole moment of this conformation of prolinamide is 3.83(4) D. Kraitchman's method of isotopic substitution was used to determine an N−N distance of 2.684(2) A.
Historians, Historical Analysis, and International Water Politics

The resolution of international water disputes demands historical analysis. Too often, this analysis is not supplied by professional historians but by policymakers, engineers, and others who may lack the required knowledge and skills. The result inhibits rather than advances sound policy. Fortunately, historians are obtaining increased appreciation for what they bring to the conference table. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which the United States recently rejoined, is attempting to further sound historical study; and the recently formed International Water History Association (IWHA) provides a forum to focus on the history of global water issues. These developments afford historians new and important means to make a difference in resolving some of the most pressing international resource issues.
Experimental analysis of denial-of-service attacks on teleoperated robotic systems

Applications of robotic systems have had an explosive growth in recent years. In 2008, more than eight million robots were deployed worldwide in factories, battlefields, and medical services. The number and the applications of robotic systems are expected to continue growing, and many future robots will be controlled by distant operators through wired and wireless communication networks.The open and uncontrollable nature of communication media between robots and operators renders these cyber-physical systems vulnerable to a variety of cyber-security threats, many of which cannot be prevented using traditional cryptographic methods. A question thus arises: what if teleoperated robots are attacked, compromised or taken over?In this paper, we systematically analyze cyber-security attacks against Raven II R, an advanced teleoperated robotic surgery system. We classify possible threats, and focus on denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, which cannot be prevented using available cryptographic solutions. Through a series of experiments involving human subjects, we analyze the impact of these attacks on teleoperated procedures. We use the Fitts' law as a way of quantifying the impact, and measure the increase in tasks' difficulty when under DoS attacks.We then consider possible steps to mitigate the identified DoS attacks, and evaluate the applicability of these solutions for teleoperated robotics. The broader goal of our paper is to raise awareness, and increase understanding of emerging cyber-security threats against teleoperated robotic systems.
Management of Patients with “Ex Vacuo” Pneumothorax After Thoracentesis1

Rationale and Objectives To determine clinical outcome in patients who developed “ex vacuo” pneumothorax following thoracentesis and to assess the benefit of chest tube placement for this complication. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of 282 patients who underwent 437 thoracenteses at a single institution during a 6-year period. We identified 34 patients (12.1%) who developed a pneumothorax following 39 thoracenteses (8.8%) and then identified a subset of patients with pneumothorax “ex vacuo” defined as a moderate to large hydropneumothorax or small pneumothorax persisting for more than 3 days. Patient charts were reviewed to document the treatment strategy employed and subsequent clinical outcome, which included length of hospital stay, resolution of pneumothorax, reaccumulation of pleural effusion, and overall survival. Results Ten patients developed “ex vacuo” pneumothroax following thoracentesis. None complained of significant worsening of symptoms following thoracentesis. Seven patients were treated by observation alone and 3 patients underwent tube thorocostomy. A decrease in size of the pneumothorax was observed in only 3 patients, none of whom had a chest tube placed. Effusion completely reaccumulated in 7 patients. All 10 patients died during the follow-up period; the mean survival was 157 days (range: 13–402 days). Survival among patients treated by observation was 191.4 days versus 71.7 days for patients receiving chest tubes. Conclusion Life expectancy for most patients who develop “ex vacuo” pneumothorax following therapeutic thoracentesis is short (
Right ventricular dysfunction: An independent predictor of adverse outcome in patients with myocarditis

To assess the predictive value of right ventricular systolic function in patients with active myocarditis, the echocardiograms of 23 patients with biopsy-confirmed myocarditis were reviewed. Right ventricular systolic function was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively by descent of the right ventricular base. Patients were divided into those with normal right ventricular function, in whom right ventricular descent was 1.9 +/- 0.1 cm, and those with abnormal right ventricular function, in whom right ventricular descent was 0.8 +/- 0.1 cm (p 1.7 cm) (p < 0.03). Multivariate analysis revealed that right ventricular dysfunction as quantified by right ventricular descent was the most powerful predictor of adverse outcome.
Magnetic hyperfine interactions and compositional short range order in the Heusler alloys Cu2MnIn1-xSnx

Abstract A comprehensive study of the magnetic hyperfine interactions and the processes of crystallographic ordering in the Heusler alloy system Cu 2 MnIn 1- x Sn x has been made. We report the results of Mossbauer effect experiments, X-ray diffraction studies, electrical transport, and Curie temperature measurements. By a rapid quenching, low temperature annealing technique we have been able to extend the ordered L2 1 structure to high Sn concentration. Observations of inequivalent Sn sites and nonunique 119 Sn hyperfine field values in these alloys are shown to be due to difficulties in ordering the L2 1 structure and a basic instability of this phase for high Sn concentrations. The compositional variation of 119 Sn hyperfine fields in the ordered L2 1 phase of the Cu 2 MnIn 1- x Sn x system reveals a systematic increase with Sn composition. Calculations of these fields based on a homogeneously spin polarized electron gas model reproduce the observed field systematics quite well. The implications of these results on the nature of magnetic interactions in Heusler alloys are discussed.
Differential response to frequency modulation rate and direction by the Neotropical frog, Physalaemus pustulosus

Abstract Behavioural acoustic playback experiments were performed on male Neotropical tungara frogs, Physalaemus pustulosus , in their natural habitat. The tests were designed to assess the response of individuals to the direction and rate of frequency-modulated signals (FM sweeps) that imitated, to different extents, the natural vocalization of the species. The frogs were found to have a remarkable ability to differentiate both sweep direction and rate, and could do so over a wide range of stimulus intensities. This ability to differentiate FM sweeps should improve positive detection of the species-specific advertisement call and may be related to the acoustic ecology of the species by reducing interaction with sound-localizing predators.
Parasitoid virus-like particles destroy Drosophila cellular immunity.

Abstract Parasitoid wasps must avoid the destructive effects of the host's cellular defense system in order to exploit the host hemocoel as a suitable environment for their survival. To protect their eggs from encapsulation by Drosophila melanogaster blood cells, Leptopilina heterotoma females inject a factor that selectively destroys lamellocytes, the type of Drosophila blood cell involved in recognition and encapsulation of large foreign objects. Other types of host blood cells, including the phagocytic plasmatocytes, remain functional. This report demonstrates that the destructive factor for lamellocytes is a virus-like particle (VLP) stored in the reservoir of an accessory gland associated with the female wasp reproductive system. We show that VLPs enter Drosophila blood cells in vitro. VLPs are found free in the cytoplasm of lamellocytes but are confined to phagocytic vesicles of plasmatocytes. As lamellocytes are susceptible to the VLP infection and plasmatocytes are not, we conclude that the mode of VLP entry and its disposition in the cytoplasm determine the fate of the infected host blood cell.