cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subnuclear Localization of Protein Kinase C δ in Beta Cells

Abstract Our laboratory has previously shown that beta cells express multiple isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) and that some isoforms are located to multiple pools within the cell, including the cytoskeletal elements. In this study we analyzed the localization of the δ, ϵ, ζ, β, and α isoforms of PKC to the nucleus. Nuclei were isolated from insulinoma beta cells and fractionated by centrifugation to give the nuclear soluble fraction, nuclear membrane fraction, and the insoluble matrix. The nuclear pellet was enriched in DNA and contained less than 5% of the total cellular nucleotidase activity. The nuclear membrane contained less than 2% of the total cellular nucleotidase activity, suggesting negligible plasma membrane contamination. Analysis of cellular fractions by immunoblotting with isoform-specific anti-PKC antibodies showed that PKC α, β, ζ, and ϵ could be detected in the soluble fraction of the cell but could not be detected in the nucleus. Only PKC δ could be detected in the nucleus and was mostly present in the nuclear membrane fraction. There was light staining in the nucleocytosol and the nuclear matrix but the enzyme in the nuclear membrane represented ≈76% of the total nuclear enzyme. Nuclear PKC δ constituted ≈9% of the total cellular enzyme. Phorbol ester (1 μM, 15 min) increased the levels associated with the nuclear membrane approximately threefold but not to the nuclear matrix or nucleocytosol. Inhibition of PKC with MDL 29152 increased levels of preproinsulin mRNA relative to β-actin mRNA levels, while chronic phorbol ester treatment led to a slight decrease. Taken together, these data suggest that PKC is constitutively active in the nucleus and may be important in modulating preproinsulin mRNA levels.
Ab-initio multiple reference double-excitation configuration-interaction ground and excited state potential curves for the H2NNO2 decomposition in nitramine

Abstract The H2NNO2 decomposition of nitramine is a prototype reaction for a bond decomposition in many energetic species. The relatively small size of the molecule allows theoretical study with high level of sophistication. Large basis set multiple reference double-excitation configuration-interaction (MRD-CI) calculation for the lowest several singlet and triplet potential curves for H2NNO2 are presented. A geometry for the ground state has been optimized at the multiconfiguration self-consistent field (MC-SCF) level.
Rumination as a transdiagnostic factor in depression and anxiety

The high rate of comorbidity among mental disorders has driven a search for factors associated with the development of multiple types of psychopathology, referred to as transdiagnostic factors. Rumination is involved in the etiology and maintenance of major depression, and recent evidence implicates rumination in the development of anxiety. The extent to which rumination is a transdiagnostic factor that accounts for the co-occurrence of symptoms of depression and anxiety, however, has not previously been examined. We investigated whether rumination explained the concurrent and prospective associations between symptoms of depression and anxiety in two longitudinal studies: one of adolescents (N = 1065) and one of adults (N = 1317). Rumination was a full mediator of the concurrent association between symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents (z = 6.7, p < .001) and was a partial mediator of this association in adults (z = 5.6, p < .001). In prospective analyses in the adolescent sample, baseline depressive symptoms predicted increases in anxiety, and rumination fully mediated this association (z = 5.26, p < .001). In adults, baseline depression predicted increases in anxiety and baseline anxiety predicted increases in depression; rumination fully mediated both of these associations (z = 2.35, p = .019 and z = 5.10, p < .001, respectively). These findings highlight the importance of targeting rumination in transdiagnostic treatment approaches for emotional disorders.
Plastics for focusing collectors

Abstract The use of plastics in fabrication of reflectors for focusing collectors offers possibilities for reduction of material and fabrication costs. Fiber-glass-rein-forced polyesters, cellulose acetate butyrate, and polystyrene have been considered for reflector shell fabrication, and vacuum-metallized films for reflecting surfaces. Polystyrene shells with aluminized Mylar reflective lining have been the most promising of the materials considered. Flexible laminates of aluminized Mylar to vinyl or vinyl-cloth combinations are considered for flexible reflectors. Application of plastic reflectors to solar cookers is noted.
123 BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS (BIA) IN THE ASSESSMENT OF BODY COMPOSITION: STANDARDISATION, VALIDISATION AND NORMAL CENTILES FOR BIA-DERIVED LEAN BODY MASS (LBM)

BIA is a new method for the assessment of body composition. Until now, it has rarely been validated in children. Reliability studies demonstrated a very low intra- and inter-observer variation. In order to investigate the validity of BIA in predicting LBM in comparison to conventional anthropometry, we measured beside whole-body impedance, total body potassium (TBK) by 40K whole-body plethysmography, skinfold thickness and arm circumference in 111 normal children aged 4 to 18 years. The resistance index (height2/impedance) proved to be the best single predictor of TBK-derived LBM (R2=0.94). Inclusion of age, height (in boys) and weight (in girls) into linear prediction equations further improved the prediction of LBM (R2=0.97), reducing the mean prediction error to 2.2 kg. Application of BIA in 2800 normal subjects aged 5 to 20 years allowed to construct normal centile curves for BIA-derived LBM in both sexes. LBM was normally distributed, indicating that the well-known skewness of the weight distribution in normal children is due to an uneven distribution of the fat mass. We conclude that BIA is a fast, non-invasive, accurate and reliable technique to estimate body composition in children.
Deformation associated with the 1997 eruption of Okmok volcano, Alaska

[1] Okmok volcano, located on Umnak Island in the Aleutian chain, Alaska, is the most eruptive caldera system in North America in historic time. Its most recent eruption occurred in 1997. Synthetic aperture radar interferometry shows deflation of the caldera center of up to 140 cm during this time, preceded and followed by inflation of smaller magnitude. The main part of the observed deformation can be modeled using a pressure point source model. The inferred source is located between 2.5 and 5.0 km beneath the approximate center of the caldera and ∼5 km from the eruptive vent. We interpret it as a central magma reservoir. The preeruptive period features inflation accompanied by shallow localized subsidence between the caldera center and the vent. We hypothesize that this is caused by hydrothermal activity or that magma moved away from the central chamber and toward the later vent. Since all historic eruptions at Okmok have originated from the same cone, this feature may be a precursor that indicates an upcoming eruption. The erupted magma volume is ∼9 times the volume that can be accounted for by the observed preeruptive inflation. This indicates a much longer inflation interval than we were able to observe. The observation that reinflation started shortly after the eruption suggests that inflation spans the whole time interval between eruptions. Extrapolation of the average subsurface volume change rate is in good agreement with the long-term eruption frequency and eruption volumes of Okmok.
Thermal dosimetry of a focused ultrasound beam in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) thermometry has been utilized for in vivo evaluation of thermal exposure induced by a focused ultrasound beam. A simulation study of the focused ultrasound beam was conducted to select imaging parameters for reducing the error due to the spatial and temporal averaging of MRI. Temperature imaging based on the proton resonance frequency shift was utilized to obtain the temperature distribution during sonication in the skeletal muscle of eight rabbits. MRI-derived temperature information was then used to calculate the thermal dose distribution induced by the sonication and to estimate the coagulated tissue volume. The tissue changes were also evaluated directly by taking the T2-weighted and the contrast agent enhanced T1-weighted MR images. Errors in the temperature and thermal dose measurements were found to be minimal using the following parameters: slice thickness = 3 mm, voxel dimension = 0.6 mm, and scan time per image = 3.4 s. The estimated dimensions of the coagulated tissue volume were in good agreement with the tissue damages seen on the contrast agent enhanced T1-weighted images. The tissue damage seen on the histology was closely matched to the ones seen on the T2-weighted images. This study showed that MRI thermometry has significant potential for both monitoring the thermal exposure and evaluating the tissue damage. This would allow real-time control of the sonication parameters to optimize clinical treatments.
In the name of morality: moral responsibility, whiteness and social justice education

This paper argues that the ‘traditional conception of moral responsibility’ authorizes and supports denials of white complicity. First, what is meant by the ‘traditional conception of moral responsibility’ is delineated and the enabling and disenabling characteristics of this view are highlighted. Then, three seemingly good, antiracist discourses that white students often engage in are discussed – the discourse of colour‐blindness, the discourse of meritocracy and the discourse of individual choice – and analysed to show how they are all grounded in the ‘traditional conception of moral responsibility’. The limitations of these discourses are drawn and how these discourses work to conceal white complicity is established. Finally, implications for social justice education are discussed.
An application of differential game theory to a dynamic duopoly problem with maximum production constraints

In this paper an application of differential game theory in the area of microeconomics is presented. The problem considered is that of dynamic duopoly where two firms each limited by a maximum capacity of production, share the same market, and try simultaneously but independently to maximize their profits over a certain planning horizon. Necessary conditions for the Cournot Solution in the general case are discussed and more specific results for the special case of linear demand and quadratic cost functions are developed.
Introduction of a Generally Applicable Method to Estimate Retrieval of Active Molecules for Similarity Searching using Fingerprints

Fingerprints are bit string representations of molecular structure and properties and are among the most widely used computational tools for similarity searching and database screening. Various fingerprint designs are available and their search performance is in general strongly dependent on the compound classes under study and the chemical characteristics of screening databases. Currently, it is not possible to predict the probability of identifying novel hits through fingerprint searching. However, for practical applications, such estimations would be very useful because one might be able, for example, to prioritize fingerprints and compound selection strategies or decide whether or not a similarity search campaign with subsequent experimental evaluation of candidate compounds would be promising at all. We have developed a method that makes it possible to predict the outcome of similarity search calculations using any type of keyed fingerprint. The methodology incorporates bit frequency distributions of reference molecules and the screening database into an information-theoretic function and determines the principally possible recall of active compounds within selection sets of varying size. We calibrate the function on diverse compound classes and accurately predict compound recovery in retrospective virtual screening trials. Furthermore, we correctly predict fingerprint search performance on two experimental high-throughput screening data sets (HTS). Our findings indicate that given a set of reference molecules, a fingerprint, and a screening database, we can readily estimate how likely it will be to retrieve active compounds, without knowledge about the distribution of potential hits in the database.
Wireless sensor network for streetlight monitoring and control

Wireless sensor network has attracted considerable research attention as the world becomes more information oriented. This technology provides an opportunity of innovations in traditional industries. Management and control of streetlight system is a labor-intensive high-cost task for public facility operations. This paper applies wireless sensor network technology in streetlight monitoring and control. Wireless sensor networks are employed to replace traditional physical patrol maintenance and manual switching on every lamp in the street or along the highway at the aim of reducing the maintenance and management expense. Active control is used to preserve energy cost while ensuring public safety. A proof-of-concept network architecture operated at 900 MHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band is designed for a two-way wireless telemetry system in streetlight remote control and monitoring. The radio architecture, multi-hop protocol and system interface are discussed in detail. MOTES sensor nodes are used in simulation and experimental tests. Simulation results show that the sensor network approach provides an efficient solution to monitor and control lighting infrastructures through wireless links. The unique application in this paper addresses an immediate need in streetlight control and monitoring, the architecture developed in this research could also serve as a platform for many other applications and researches in wireless sensor network.
Prenatal screening for infectious diseases: an analysis of disparities and adherence to policy in California.

Objectives Prenatal infectious diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity among newborns, but many are preventable with proper maternal screening and treatment. Methods Adherence to prenatal infectious disease screening guidelines and demographic factors that influence adherence were determined utilizing existing data on 1837 live births from 1999–2003. Results We found higher rates of testing for syphilis (94.54%), rubella (92.69%) and hepatitis B (94.23%) than for HIV (73.82%) and GBS (69.05%). Adherence to testing guidelines varied by both disease and maternal factors. Lack of insurance, geographic location, inadequate prenatal care and incarceration were the main maternal factors associated with lack of testing. Conclusions Disease screening rates may be improved by reducing socioeconomic barriers to prenatal testing, supporting access to insurance, eliminating provider biases and providing adequate prenatal care.
Reduced NiPtSi Schottky barriers by controlling interface composition and new materials incorporation

Contact resistance (R c ) contributes over 65% of the total source to drain series resistance in &#60; 32 nm CMOS technologies. In this work, reduction of R c is achieved by lowering the SBH through the incorporation of new materials into NiPtSi. The impact of implanted elemental species as well as alloyed low work function metals is discussed. As diffusion and subsequent interface composition is highly dependent on the incorporated material, these NiPtSi junctions with complex composition are often inhomogeneous, making SBH extraction a less trivial task. Advanced analysis for extracting the true SBH of these junctions will also be presented.
Who cares for AIDS

Who should care for AIDS? The suddenness of the HIV epidemic and the increasing complexity of AIDS care led to required innovations in designing comprehensive care systems. In these, care was provided by “experts,” knowledgeable about the latest developments but, to a large degree, educated in this expertise outside conventional medical specialty training. Although AIDS is clearly an infectious disease, many physicians trained in the specialty of Infectious Diseases (ID) were either trained before the onset of the epidemic, had trained in areas of very low HIV prevalence, or were not interested in providing this type of care. Physicians not trained in infectious diseases are even less likely to have received formal or supervised education in HIV medicine. On the other hand, many infectious disease–trained and “generalist” physicians became knowledgeable regarding HIV and have provided excellent care.
Aptamer-Assisted Assembly of Gold Nanoframe Dimers

The assembly of nanoframe dimers assisted by aptamer-functionalized smaller spherical gold nanoparticles as prospective surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biotraps for ribofl avin, an important molecule for biological electron transfer reactions, is reported. In this approach, the aptamer-coated gold nanoparticles designed for selective binding of ribofl avin also serve as the electrostatic driver for nanoframe dimerization in dilute solutions. The gold nanoframe dimers provide unique conditions for plasmonic coupling in a hot spot with suffi cient space for the binding of bulky biomolecules. The use of an aptamer allows for highly selective binding of the targeted analyte as compared with conventional organic ligands with excellent low detection limit of one micromole of ribofl avin.
Decreased Awareness of Current Smoking Among Health Care Providers of HIV-positive Compared to HIV-negative Veterans

BACKGROUND Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive patients on combination antiretroviral therapy.
Nothing to fear but fear itself: HIV-infected physicians and the law of informed consent.

On March 9, 1993, in the first ruling of its kind, the Maryland Court of Appeals declared that physicians and hospitals may be sued for failing to inform patients of a practitioner’s human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. What is more significant, these suits may be pursued even in instances when the physician has followed universal precautions and the patient did not contract the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The Maryland court addressed two central questions in Faya v. Almaraz. First, do HIV-infected physicians have a legal duty to inform their patients of their HIV status? And, second, can patients recover damages for fear induced by a physician’s conduct? While one finds numerous precedents that authorize actions to recover damages based purely on fear of disease and emotional distress, the Faya court’s holdings on the issue significantly expand the scope of potential liability. Moreover, the court’s analysis of the informed consent and HIV-infected physician issue is incomplete, inconsistent, and represents an unjustified and unwise departure from traditional informed consent theory. It, and its progeny, may have widespread and dire repercussions.
Generation of Hydrogen Gas as a Result of Drilling Within the Saturated Zone

Hydrogen gas was discovered within the steel casing above standing water in a percussion-drilled borehole on the Hanlord Site in south-central Washington state. In situ measurements of the borehole fluids indicated anoxic, low-Eh (<-400 mV) conditions. Ground water sampled from adjacent wells in the same formation indicated that the ground water was oxygenated. H2 was generated during percussion drilling, due to the decomposition of borehole waters as a result of aqueous reactions with drilled sediment and steel from the drilling tools or casing. The generation of H2 within percussion-drilled boreholes that extend below the water table may be more common than previously realized. The ambient concentration of H2 produced during drilling was limited by microbial activity within the casing-resident fluids. H2 was generated abiotically in the laboratory, whereby sterilized borehole slurry samples produced 100 times more H2 than unsterilizcd samples. It appears that H2 is metabolized by microorganisms and concentrations might be significantly greater if not for microbial metabolism.
Electrodeposition of CdTe from ammonia–chloride buffer electrolytes

Abstract Co-electrodeposition of Cd(II) and Te(IV) from ammonia–chloride buffer electrolytes with pH 8.4 on glassy-carbon electrode has been studied. Optimal conditions of electrodeposition of CdTe films are determined and their structure is investigated by the method of X-ray phase analysis. It has been established that the use of ammonia–chloride buffer solutions with pH 8.4 as electrolytes makes it possible to avoid the co-deposition of elementary tellurium together with CdTe deposit.
Configuration and other anatomic details of the prepubertal hymen

Abstract The vast majority of problems confronting the clinician who sees prepubertal children with genital complaints involves interpretation of developmental and acquired anatomic variations. The objective of this study is to describe the physical attributes of a case series of 265 prepubertal hymens in terms of reason for visit, age of the child, hymenal configuration, and other anatomic genital lesions. The patients were from a triethnic urban population and were referred to a university-based pediatric and adolescent gynecology clinic. All patients were seen, and their records reviewed, by one physician (SFP). Type of hymenal configuration did not differ by age or ethnic group. Perineal injuries did not seem to be associated with hymenal changes. Bleeding without a history of trauma was associated with hymenal bumps or breaks suggestive of trauma (31%) or with other hemorrhagic vulvar or genital lesions (40%). Although the majority of cases in this series were seen for “possible sexual abuse” and/or sexually transmitted diseases, 24% required gynecologic knowledge for diagnosis over and above the vulvovaginitis group (20%). In conclusion, this study supports the need to improve our skills in describing and ultimately interpreting prepubertal hymens and their alterations.
Compact integer-programming models for extracting subsets of stimuli from confusion matrices

This paper presents an integer linear programming formulation for the problem of extracting a subset of stimuli from a confusion matrix. The objective is to select stimuli such that total confusion among the stimuli is minimized for a particular subset size. This formulation provides a drastic reduction in the number of variables and constraints relative to a previously proposed formulation for the same problem. An extension of the formulation is provided for a biobjective problem that considers both confusion and recognition in the objective function. Demonstrations using an empirical interletter confusion matrix from the psychological literature revealed that a commercial branch-and-bound integer programming code was always able to identify optimal solutions for both the single-objective and biobjective formulations within a matter of seconds. A further extension and demonstration of the model is provided for the extraction of multiple subsets of stimuli, wherein the objectives are to maximize similarity within subsets and minimize similarity between subsets.
Fetal oxygen tension promotes tenascin-C-dependent lung branching morphogenesis.

Tenascin-C (TN-C) is a mesenchyme-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein required for fetal lung branching morphogenesis. Given that the low oxygen (O2) environment of the fetus is also essential for normal lung branching morphogenesis, we determined whether fetal O2 tension supports this process by promoting TN-C expression. Initial studies showed that 15-day fetal rat lung explants cultured for 2 days at 3% O2 not only branched well, but they also expressed higher levels of TN-C when compared to lungs maintained at 21% O2, which branched poorly. Antisense oligonucleotide studies demonstrated that TN-C produced in response to 3% O2 was essential for lung branching morphogenesis. As well, exogenous TN-C protein was shown to promote branching of lung epithelial rudiments cultured at 21% O2. Because ECM-degrading proteinases are capable of catabolizing TN-C protein, we reasoned that 3% O2 might promote TN-C deposition by limiting the activity of these enzymes within the fetal lung. Consistent with this idea, gelatin zymography showed that the activity of a 72-kDa gelatinase, identified as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), was lower at 3% O2 vs. 21% O2. Furthermore, pharmacologic inhibition of MMP-2 activity in fetal lung explants cultured at 21% O2 resulted in increased TN-C deposition within the mesenchyme, as well as enhanced branching morphogenesis. Collectively, these studies indicate that fetal O2 tension promotes TN-C–dependent lung epithelial branching morphogenesis by limiting the proteolytic turnover of this ECM component within the adjacent mesenchyme. Developmental Dynamics 234:1–10, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Band bending at the Si(1 0 0)–Si3N4 interface studied by photoreflectance spectroscopy

Abstract Photoreflectance spectroscopy has been used to measure the band bending at the p-Si(1 0 0)–Si 3 N 4 interface subjected to annealing and ion implantation. Upon annealing, unimplanted interfaces exhibit a constant band bending of about 0.77 eV, even though the spectral amplitude changes due to variations in the way minority carriers are annihilated at the interface. Implantation reduces the band banding, although subsequent annealing in stages up to 900 °C progressively restores the bending to its original value through pathways exhibiting a wide range of activation barriers.
Synchronous lobular carcinoma in situ and invasive lobular cancer: Marker or precursor for invasive lobular carcinoma

Abstract Aim Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a known risk factor for invasive breast carcinoma, but there is increasing data indicating a possible precursor relationship. This study investigates the incidence of lobular carcinoma in situ that occurs with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Methods Women diagnosed with ILC or LCIS from 2000 to 2010 were retrospectively identified and reviewed after institutional review board approval. This group was divided into two cohorts: ILC alone, and LCIS and ILC (ILC/LCIS). Patient demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment modalities were captured. p Results A total of 148 patients with ILC or LCIS were identified. Forty-four (54%) patients with only ILC, and 37 (46%) patients with ILC/LCIS were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 62 for ILC and 64 years for ILC/LCIS ( p = 0.8). In patients with ILC, total mastectomy was the predominant treatment modality in 28 of 44 (64%) patients, while 18 of 37 (49%) patients with ILC/LCIS underwent breast conservation therapy ( p = 0.3). Median largest tumor diameter was 35 mm (range 1–110) for ILC, and 15 mm (range 5–85) for ILC/LCIS ( p = 0.03). Nodal status was positive in 17 of 39 (44%) ILC and 13 of 34 (38%) ILC/LCIS ( p = 0.6). Conclusions The 46% incidence of LCIS associated with ILC in our cohort study is similar to that reported for ductal carcinoma in situ identified with invasive ductal carcinoma at ∼40%. The association of pre-invasive and invasive lobular lesions should be further studied in a large scale prospective study to assess for a precursor relationship.
Metabolic Reprogramming: A Cancer Hallmark Even Warburg Did Not Anticipate

Cancer metabolism has long been equated with aerobic glycolysis, seen by early biochemists as primitive and inefficient. Despite these early beliefs, the metabolic signatures of cancer cells are not passive responses to damaged mitochondria but result from oncogene-directed metabolic reprogramming required to support anabolic growth. Recent evidence suggests that metabolites themselves can be oncogenic by altering cell signaling and blocking cellular differentiation. No longer can cancer-associated alterations in metabolism be viewed as an indirect response to cell proliferation and survival signals. We contend that altered metabolism has attained the status of a core hallmark of cancer.
The autogenous dermal graft in temporomandibular joint disc surgery

Abstract Repair or replacement of the disc in 58 patients (64 points) with temporomandibular joint internal derangement was done using an autogenous dermal graft. Long-term follow-up of 3 to 8 years revealed successful elimination of symptoms and restoration of mandibular function in 51 patients (87.9%). The autogenous dermal graft, rather than alloplastic materials, may be the procedure of choice when repair or replacement of the temporomandibular joint disc is indicated.
Opioid agonist and antagonist bivalent ligands as receptor probes

Bivalent ligands are molecules which contain two pharmacophores linked by a connecting chain (spanner). The present report describes the use of oxymorphamine (Oxy) and naltrexamine (Nal) as the opioid agonist and antagonist pharmacophores separated by a variable length spanner composed of succinyl-bis-oligoglycine. The agonist series, [CH2CO(Gly)nOxy]2, and antagonist series, [CH2CO(Gly)nNal]2, were synthesized (n = 0-4) and tested on the electrically stimulated GPI. All of the antagonist bivalent ligands (Nal) antagonized the effects of morphine, with the greatest potency enhancement (60 x) residing with the succinyl (n = 0) congener. A dramatically different SAR profile was observed in the agonist (Oxy) series where the greatest potency enhancement (17 x) occurs when n = 2. By contrast with the antagonist series the agonist bivalent ligand with n = 0 is equipotent to its monovalent agonist analogue. The significance of these results with respect to the possibility of discrete opioid agonist and antagonist recognition sites are discussed.
Gut microbial community structure and complications after kidney transplantation: a pilot study.

Background The gut microbiome plays a role in the regulation of the immune system. Methods We prospectively enrolled 26 kidney transplant recipients and collected serial fecal specimens (N=85) during the first three months of transplantation. We characterized bacterial composition by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 16S rRNA V4-V5 variable region and deep sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Results An increase in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was observed in the posttransplantation specimens compared to pretransplantation specimens (P=0.04, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). In patients with posttransplant diarrhea, the mean(±standard deviation [SD]) Shannon diversity index was lower in those with diarrhea (N=6) than those without diarrhea (N=9) (2.5±0.3 vs. 3.4±0.8; P = 0.02, Wilcoxon rank-sum test). Principal coordinate analysis showed clear separation between the two groups, and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) method revealed that Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, Coprococcus, and Dorea were significantly lower in the patients with diarrhea. Principal coordinate analysis also showed clear separation between the acute rejection (AR) group (N=3) and the no AR group (N=23) and the LEfSe method revealed significant differences between the two groups. Fecal abundance of Enterococcus was associated with Enterococcus urinary tract infection (UTI). The median Enterococcus fecal abundance was 24% (range, 8%-95%) in the three patients with Enterococcus UTI compared to 0% in the 23 patients without Enterococcus UTI (interquartile range, 0.00%-0.08%) (P=0.005, Wilcoxon rank-sum test). Conclusion Our pilot study identified significant alterations in the gut microbiota after kidney transplantation. Moreover, distinct microbiota structures were observed in allograft recipients with posttransplant diarrhea, AR, and Enterococcus UTI.
Comment on and Reinterpretation of Gabriel et al. (2014) ‘Fish Mercury and Surface Water Sulfate Relationships in the Everglades Protection Area’

Mercury (Hg) methylation and bioaccumulation is a major environmental issue in the Everglades Protection Area (EvPA). Therefore, it is critical to improve our predictive understanding of Hg dynamics. This commentary critically reviews a recently published manuscript concerning the possible relationship between Hg in fish tissue and surface water sulfate within EvPA marshes. The commentary addresses fundamental issues with the authors' data analysis, results and interpretation as well as highlights inconsistencies with published literature and the lack of support for their suggested ecosystem management actions. A number of chemical, biological, and physical factors influence Hg methylation and bioaccumulation, and water sulfate is sometimes viewed as a keystone factor, Gabriel et al. (2014) conclude that Hg bioaccumulation is favored at elevated sulfate concentrations, and suggest mitigation strategies to reduce sulfate inputs to the EvPA. A careful review of their data and conclusions reveals major flaws and in fact, a more straightforward and defensible interpretation of their data would be that no predictable relationship exists between fish tissue Hg and surface water sulfate concentrations in south Florida. Given the complexity of Hg cycling and the influence of trophic and habitat characteristics on aquatic consumer Hg accumulation, expecting one parameter to predict Hg accumulation dynamics within fish species within a dynamic marsh environment is unrealistic. Furthermore, proposing any management guidance from this relationship with little to no quantitative statistical analysis is inappropriate and misleading.
Cinefluorographic analyses of selected lingual consonants.

Flesh points on the tongue body of two normal speakers were simulated by attaching small radiopaque markers to the lingual surface. Lateral-view cinefluorography was used to record the displacement...
Tight-binding description for the bound electronic states of isolated single and paired native defects in β-SiC

A theoretical analysis is presented for existing photoluminescence (PL) and deep-level-transient-spectroscopy (DLTS) data, characterizing the optically active impurities and lattice defects in \ensuremath{\beta}-SiC films gown by the chemical-vapor-deposition technique. Results are reported for the band structure of \ensuremath{\beta}-SiC based on a tight-binding theory and calculations are presented in the Green's-function framework for the electronic energy states of ${\mathit{sp}}^{3}$-bonded native, substitutional (isolated), and pair defects occupying either Si and/or C sites. Local distortions around impurity atoms are estimated in terms of a simple, but first-principles, bond-orbital model. To account for the off-diagonal elements in the perturbation matrix, the effects of lattice relaxations are systematically included. For bound electronic states of several isolated and complex defects, the results are discussed and compared with existing theoretical results and experimental (PL and DLTS) data.
Chemical images: technical approaches and issues.

Chemical mapping techniques using Raman microscopy are introduced, and using an example of a pharmaceutical tablet, the practical aspects of data collection and processing to produce a chemical image of the sample are detailed. Issues related to data processing, instrument standards, chemical image reportable errors, and the interpretation of chemical images are presented to encourage debate, develop solutions, and promote use in other challenging scientific applications. applications. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Estrogen use and myocardial infarction risk: A case-control study

A case-control study was conducted to examine the relationship of estrogen use to myocardial infarction in postmenopausal white women. After exclusion of proxy responses and of controls with discharge diagnoses of gynecologic or gallbladder diseases, there remained 39 matched sets (33 pairs and 6 triplets). The unadjusted relative odds ratio (RO) for past estrogen use was found to be 0.83. However, after simultaneous adjustment for cardiovascular diseases, smoking, education, and type of menopause, the net RO was 0.61. Type of menopause was found to interact with estrogen use, in that the protective effect was seen mainly in surgical menopause women, in whom the net RO for estrogen use was 0.37. Although none of the results reached statistical significance, they are consistent with recent results indicating a protective effect for estrogen therapy in regard to coronary heart disease, mainly among women undergoing surgical menopause.
FROM DUALISM TO UNITY IN QUANTUM MECHANICS

The doctrine of duality maintains that neither discrete particles nor continuous waves have an exclusive claim to physical reality, that both are rationalised pictures fitting different experimental situations which, being complementary, yield a more complete knowledge of a microphysical object only in their combination. I concede that a neutral stand toward the wave-particle controversy, leaning on the doctrine of duality, was justified during the earlier period of quantum theory when the evidence pointed sometimes in this, sometimes in the opposite direction. But I maintain that the continued cult of duality and complementarity represented as fundamental features of the microphysical world has become an all too convenient evasion of a serious proproblem of theoretical physics, viz. that of establishing a unitary theory of matter resting on a clear decision between particles or waves as the real constituents of matter. Realism is the only stand which can satisfy physicists in the long run (Einstein certainly was a physicist). Dialectical positivism practised by Bohr and Heisenberg may serve only as a temporary stopgap, as a comfortable excuse for indecision resting on an unfdled gap in our knowledge of theoretical interconnections between data. Actually, a decisive step in the direction of unitary theory was taken already thirty years ago by Max Born
Reluctant Crusaders: Power, Culture, and Change in American Grand Strategy

Reluctant Crusaders: Power, Culture, and Change in American Grand Strategy. By Colin Dueck. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006. 236p. $29.95.The six years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington have seen a proliferation of books on the limits of U.S. primacy, the origins of the Bush doctrine, and the future of U.S. grand strategy. The conventional wisdom is that the George W. Bush administration's grand strategy—chiefly its unilateralism, its hubris, its open embrace of “preemption” (more accurately preventive war) as means to prevent states and terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, its pursuit of democratization in the Middle East as a cure-all for jihadist terrorism, and its refusal to plan for or devote sufficient resources to the postwar reconstruction of Iraq in 2003–4—represent a radical break with the grand strategies of previous administrations.
Tribological properties of nanocrystalline diamond films

In this paper, the authors present the friction and wear properties of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films grown in A-fullerene (C{sub 60}) and Ar-CH{sub 4} microwave plasmas. Specifically, they address the fundamental tribological issues posed by these films during sliding against Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} counterfaces in ambient air and inert gases. Grain sizes of the films grown by the new method are very small (10--30 nm) and are much smoother (20-40 nm, root mean square) than those of films grown by the conventional H{sub 2}-CH{sub 4} microwave-assisted chemical-vapor-deposition (CVD) process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the grain boundaries of these films are very sharp and free of nondiamond phases. The microcrystalline diamond (MCD) films grown by most conventional methods consist of large grains and a rough surface finish, which can cause severe abrasion during sliding against other materials. The friction coefficients of films grown by the new method (i.e., in Ar-C{sub 60} and Ar-CH{sub 4} plasmas) are comparable to those of natural diamond, and wear damage on counterface materials is minimal. Fundamental tribological studies indicate that these films may undergo phase transformation during long-duration, high-speed and/or high-load sliding tests and that the transformation products trapped at the sliding interfaces can intermittently dominate friction and wear performance. Using results from a combination of TEM, electron diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), they describe the structural chemistry of the debris particles trapped at the sliding interfaces and elucidate their possible effects on friction and wear of NCD films in dry N{sub 2}. Finally, they suggest a few potential applications in which NCD films can improve performance and service lives.
Detection of non-homology-containing heteroduplex molecules

Heteroduplex DNA molecules which contain both the wild-type and mutant sequences of a deletion nonhomology possess a characteristic electrophoretic mobility in agarose and can be readily separated from both the wild-type and deletion-containing parental homoduplex fragments. Because of the partial single stranded character of these deletion-containing heteroduplex molecules, they are selectively bound to nitrocellulose filters, and once bound, can be selectively detected by hybridization with radioactively labeled single-stranded DNA which is homologous to the sequences absent in the deletion mutation.
The Role of “Envisioning the Future” in the Development of Resilience Among At‐Risk Youth

Abstract The objective was to explore the process by which adolescents develop resilience and change their risk behaviors despite multiple stressors in their environment. The design was exploratory using grounded theory to understand the process from the teens’ perspectives. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 32 individuals—28 adolescents (age range 16–21 years) and 4 adults (age range 32 and 72)—on two occasions. The participants used the basic social process “envisioning the future” to become resilient and stop engaging in risk behaviors. Envisioning the future included two processes “feeling competent” and “elevating expectations” that were facilitated within the context of a relationship with a reliable, caring, and competent adult. Participants in this study became resilient despite environmental stressors by setting higher expectations for themselves and feeling self-confident. The findings of this study provide information regarding the specific behaviors that promote positive outcomes in at-risk youth and suggest ways in which public health nurses can facilitate these behaviors in both the youth and their mentors.
Morphine hyperalgesic effects on the formalin test in domestic fowl (Gallus gallus)

Abstract Preliminary research demonstrated that formalin injected into the foot of leghorn cockerels elicited significantly more footlifts of longer duration than physiological saline. The formalin test was subsequently used to examine morphine effects in this species. Previous research demostrated strain-dependent naloxone-reversible morphine hyperalgesia against thermal nociception in cockerels. In Experiment 1 herein White Leghorn cockerels were given either 0.0, 0.5, 1.5, or 2.5% formalin SC into the foot 30 min after an IM injection of either physiological saline or 2.5 mg/kg morphine sulfate. The frequency and duration of formalin-elicited footlifts increased significantly as a function of formalin concentration. Morphine significantly increased footlift frequency and duration at all but the 0.0% formalin concentration. Morphine inhibited respiration in these animals. In Experiment 2, naloxone (5.0 mg/kg) significantly reversed both the hyperalgesia and the respiratory depression induced by morphine. These results demonstrate that morphine hyperlagesia in leghorn cockerels is neither unique to hot plate test procedures nor peculiar to thermal nociception. Atypical morphine effects in this model may specific to nociception, however, because hyperalgesia was not accompanied by atypical morphine effects on respiration.
Spelling Assessment: Practice and Promise:

Current spelling assessment practices, including formal and informal instruments plus promising procedures, were reviewed. First, six individually administered standardized tests that are presently available to special educators and diagnosticians were examined. Second, informal procedures were grouped into two categories: Inventories and criterion-referenced tests, and error analysis. Each informal procedure was analyzed in terms of specific advantages and disadvantages. Finally, two particularly promising procedures, miciodiagnostics and developmental spelling, were reviewed.
New example of Devonian predatory boreholes and the influence of brachiopod spines on predator success

Three abundant Devonian (Frasnian) brachiopod species from the Lime Creek Fm. of Iowa, USA (Douvillina arcuata, Devonoproductus walcotti and Pseudoatrypa devoniana), contain boreholes (pooled drilling frequency is 10.6%). The boreholes are small (usually <1.0 mm diameter), cylindrical, and drilled perpendicular to the shell surface. The borings appear to be Type A boreholes, as described by Ausich and Gurrola (1979, J. Paleontol. 53, 335–344). Based on multiple criteria, including statistically significant stereotypy with respect to valve preference, site on valve and size class of the prey, the boreholes are inferred to be predatory or parasitic in origin. For each species, the predator preferred to attack the valve closest to the substrate, regardless of whether that was the pedicle or brachial valve. Boreholes were concentrated over the muscle field on each of the three species. The success percentage (percent of complete holes) was statistically lower (χ2, p=0.04) for the spinose Devonoproductus walcotti (33.33%) than for the non-spinose, but otherwise morphologically similar, Douvillina arcuata (54.22%), in spite of the fact that D. walcotti has a thinner shell. This is the first quantitative evidence for an anti-predatory function for brachiopod spines.
FOLIAR VENATION OF ANGIOSPERMS III. PATTERN AND HISTOLOGY OF THE VENATION OF HOSTA

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Crystalloids for Fluid Resuscitation in Sepsis: Where Is the Balance?

In this issue, Rochwerg and colleagues' network meta-analysis compares various strategies for fluid resuscitation in sepsis. The editorialist discusses the meta-analysis and raises unanswered quest...