cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relative contribution of processes driving variability in flow, shear, and turbidity over a fringing coral reef: West Maui, Hawaii

High-frequency measurements of waves, currents and water column properties were made on a fringing coral reef off northwest Maui, Hawaii, for 15 months between 2001 and 2003 to aid in understanding the processes governing flow and turbidity over a range of time scales and their contributions to annual budgets. The summer months were characterized by consistent trade winds and small waves, and under these conditions high-frequency internal bores were commonly observed, there was little net flow or turbidity over the fore reef, and over the reef flat net flow was downwind and turbidity was high. When the trade winds waned or the wind direction deviated from the dominant trade wind orientation, strong alongshore flows occurred into the typically dominant wind direction and lower turbidity was observed across the reef. During the winter, when large storm waves impacted the study area, strong offshore flows and high turbidity occurred on the reef flat and over the fore reef. Over the course of a year, trade wind conditions resulted in the greatest net transport of turbid water due to relatively strong currents, moderate overall turbidity, and their frequent occurrence. Throughout the period of study, near-surface current directions over the fore reef varied on average by more than 41° from those near the seafloor, and the orientation of the currents over the reef flat differed on average by more than 65° from those observed over the fore reef. This shear occurred over relatively short vertical (order of meters) and horizontal (order of hundreds of meters) scales, causing material distributed throughout the water column, including the particles in suspension causing the turbidity (e.g. sediment or larvae) and/or dissolved nutrients and contaminants, to be transported in different directions under constant oceanographic and meteorologic forcing.
Disruption and fractionation of biological materials by matrix solid-phase dispersion

Abstract The isolation of drug residues, environmental contaminants or naturally occurring component molecules from biological materials is often a complex undertaking. We report here the development and application of a simple approach to the disruption of biological samples that also allows for the rapid fractionation and isolation of the sample's natural components or incurred residues. This process, called matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), combines the use of mechanical forces generated from the grinding of samples with irregular shaped particles (silica or polymer based solid supports) with the lipid solubilizing capacity of a support-bound polymer (octadecylsilyl or others) to produce a sample/column material from which dispersed sample matrix components can be selectively isolated. The factors governing this process and examples of its various applications are presented.
Comparison of micronuclei induction for X-ray and ultrasound exposures of Vicia faba root meristem cells

X-irradiation (200R) but not ultrasound (1.1 MHz, 8 W/cm2 peak, 1 min continuous exposure) induced micronuclei formation in root meristem cells of Vicia faba 6–36 hr post-exposure.
Comparison of perinatal and maternal outcomes of severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome

Objective To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme levels, and low platelets) syndrome. Materials and methods Maternal and neonatal charts of 1,222 consecutive pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome at our maternal-perinatal unit were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups: 903 (73.9%) with severe preeclampsia, 123 (10.1%) with eclampsia, and 196 (16.0%) with HELLP syndrome. Results The overall incidence of adverse maternal outcome was 5.9%. The rates of adverse maternal outcomes for women with HELLP syndrome and eclampsia were higher than for severe preeclampsia (13.8% vs. 11.4% vs. 3.4%, respectively) (p=0.000). Birth weight was lower in patients with HELLP syndrome than in patients with eclampsia and severe preeclampsia (p=0.005). No significant difference in neonatal morbidity was found among the three groups. Perinatal mortality tended to be higher in the severe preeclampsia group than in the HELLP syndrome and eclampsia groups (p=0.231). Conclusion Pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome had significantly higher maternal morbidity than those with severe preeclampsia and eclampsia. Perinatal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome were dependent on gestational age rather than being disease dependent.
On open boundary conditions for a limited-area coastal model off Oregon. Part 2: response to wind forcing from a regional mesoscale atmospheric model

Abstract This is the second part of a study of open boundary conditions (OBCs) in a limited-area high resolution coastal model off Oregon. In this paper, the OBCs developed in Part 1 [Ocean Modeling, 2005] are further evaluated by an application in which the coastal ocean model is forced with time- and space-dependent wind fields from a regional mesoscale atmospheric model [Journal of Geophysical Research––Oceans 107 (2002)]. The response during summer 1999 of the wind-driven upwelling flow field over the variable shelf bottom topography off Oregon coast is described. Satisfactory performance of the model and of the OBCs in this experiment with complex spatially and temporally varying atmospheric forcing is indicated by the production of physically reasonable fields in the ocean variables and by favorable model/data comparisons. Additional experiments forced by realistic, time-variable, but spatially uniform winds are included to allow a direct comparison of solutions obtained with OBCs and with cyclic boundary condition (CBCs). The general similarity of the results in these two cases provides additional support for the effectiveness of the OBCs in integrating the outer fluxes into, and radiating coastal trapped waves and advective disturbances out of, the computational domain.
The Role of Bilayer Edges in Supported Lipid Bilayer Formation at Low Lipid Concentrations

We resolve new aspects of supported lipid bilayer (SLB) formation by temperature-controlled time-resolved fluorescence microscopy at low lipid concentrations (<40μM DMPC). The deposition rate increases after lipid has steadily accumulated on the surface to a density of ∼80% of that required for a complete bilayer. Around this time, resolvable patches of bilayer appear. After reaching a density of ∼150% bilayer, excess lipid is ejected back into solution while patches continue to nucleate and spread, rapidly merging into a continuous SLB. Measurements of lipid density at and around patch nucleation sites argue against the existence of a critical vesicle density necessary for rupture. We associate the increased rate of adhesion and subsequent loss of lipid with the emergence and disappearance of bilayer edges. We conclude that bilayer edges play a key role in the formation of SLBs, anchoring vesicles to the surface and inducing rupture.
A numerical method for non-linear flow about a submerged hydrofoil

A numerical method is presented for computing two-dimensional potential flow about a wing with a cusped trailing edge immersed beneath the free surface of a running stream of infinite depth. The full non-linear boundary conditions are retained at the free surface of the fluid, and the conditions on the hydrofoil are also stated exactly. The problem is solved numerically using integral-equation techniques combined with Newton's method. Surface profiles and the pressure distribution on the body are shown for different body geometries.
The quantum harmonic oscillator with hyperbolic phase space

We will construct here a mathematical model of a quantum mechanical system that is naturally describable as a harmonic oscillator whose phase space is the hyperbolic plane. Two main motives impelled us to think about this model. Firstly, we wanted to examine the simplest illustration we could find of a quantum mechanical system over a rather symmetrical nonlinear phase space. At the back of our minds was Segal’s proposal [7j that quantum field theory be based on the manifold of classical solutions of the appropriate nonlinear Lorentzinvariant field equation. (The field equation 04 = m2+ + A@ was studied to illustrate the possibilities.) From this standpoint the model expounded here might describe a harmonic oscillator with selfinteraction, the coupling constant being the curvature of its phase space. Secondly, we are interested in cases where one physical theory approximates another (in the spirit of [5]; cf. [4]) and yet the two are connected with quite different groups. The model expounded here approximates the ordinary quantum harmonic oscillator as the curvature of its phase space tends to zero. The role played by the solvable proper Euclidean group of the plane in the ordinary case is here taken by the simple group of proper isometries of the hyperbolic plane.
S1P1-selective agonist, SEW2871, ameliorates ischemic acute renal failure

The pathogenesis of renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury involves activating several signal transduction cascade systems in endothelial cells. Sphingosine 1-phospate (S1P) maintains endothelial cell integrity and inhibits lymphocyte egress via the specific S1P 1 receptor, and may play a role in reducing ischemic renal injury. We examined the protective effects of a newly identified S1P 1 -selective agonist, SEW2871, on mouse renal I/R injury. Kidneys were harvested 1–4 days after I/R injury for histopathology, immunofluorescence studies, and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses to assess the change in gene expression profiles of inflammation-associated cytokines and adhesion molecules. SEW2871 improved renal function with a 40% reduction in plasma creatinine levels ( P P P α (TNF- α ), P-selectin, E-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was markedly increased by I/R injury (3.5-, 4.1-, 3.5-, and 4.8-folds, respectively, all P α , P-selectin, and ICAM-1 (47, 59, 54%, respectively, vs I/R control: 100%, all P α , P-selectin, and ICAM-1 was further confirmed with immunofluorescence studies. These results suggest that SEW2871 ameliorates renal I/R injury by inhibiting lymphocyte egress and reducing pro-inflammatory molecules. This new class of renoprotective agent shows promise as a novel approach in preventing/treating ischemic acute renal failure.
Potassium concentrations in muscle, plasma and erythrocytes and urinary fractional excretion in normal horses and those with chronic intermittent exercise-associated rhabdomyolysis

Potassium concentrations were measured in semimembranosus muscle, plasma and erythrocytes, and the urinary fractional excretion determined in normal horses and those that had chronic intermittent exercise-associated rhabdomyolysis. Muscle from the rhabdomyolysis horses was also evaluated microscopically. The horses with rhabdomyolysis had a lower muscle potassium concentration on a dry weight basis. Although the wet weight potassium content was also lower, the difference was not significant. Urinary fractional excretion of potassium (and also sodium and chloride) did not differ significantly between the two groups although the rhabdomyolysis group had a lower percentage excretion of potassium. Erythrocyte potassium concentration was similar for both groups. Low grade to moderate degenerative myopathy or absence of lesions was seen on microscopic sections of muscle from horses with rhabdomyolysis; only one had a vacuolar myopathy and potassium content was not determined. These results suggest that altered muscle potassium content may be a factor in rhabdomyolysis.
On the hermite matrix of a polynomial

Abstract We investigate the location of the eigenvalues of the Hermite matrix of a given complex polynomial, the question under what conditions a given polynomial and the characteristic polynomial of its Hermite matrix are identical, and the question under what conditions the Hermite matrix has only one distinct eigenvalue.
Rational Design of Hatcheries for Intensive Salmonid Culture, Based on Metabolic Characteristics

Abstract Design criteria for new hatcheries for the intensive culture of fish should be based on a correlation of water quality characteristics with data on fish metabolism. This paper presents much of the available information on water quality (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and un-ionized ammonia), water exchange rates, and fish metabolism, and suggests appropriate management practices and design criteria that take these factors into account. Specific recommendations include a water exchange rate of four per hour, dissolved oxygen saturation of 90% in incoming water and not less than 5 mg/l in effluent water, and a maximum allowable concentration of 0.0125 mg/l of un-ionized ammonia.
Crystal-less duty-cycled-when-active IR-UWB transceivers

The short time duration of IR-UWB signals offer unique opportunities for bit-level duty-cycling when-active that is not possible with radios based on traditional modulation techniques, which must be duty-cycled at a coarser scale. We save substantial power by turning on the transceiver only when needed both in transmission and in reception. We leverage this simple-sounding concept in a custom IR-UWB based physical layer specification that eliminates the need for precise frequency matching through well-matched external crystals. We demonstrate that our methods are compatible with traditional packet-based networking schemes by implementing a FPGA based baseband and MAC layer.
High-resolution endoscopic imaging of the GI tract using optical coherence tomography

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has demonstrated the microscopic structure of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract mucosa and submucosa in vitro. We evaluated a prototype OCT system and assessed the feasibility of OCT in the human GI tract. Methods: The 2.4 mm diameter prototype OCT probe, inserted through an endoscope, provides a 360-degree radial scan. Images (6.7 frames/sec) are displayed on a television monitor. Tissue contact is not required. In patients undergoing elective endoscopy, OCT images were obtained of normal mucosa (confirmed by biopsy). Results: Seventy-two sites were imaged (38 patients): esophagus (21), stomach (12), duodenum (11), terminal ileum (4), colon (15), and rectum (9). Varying the distance between the probe and the mucosal surface produced images of the GI wall of varying depth. When held about 1 mm above the mucosal surface, the images consisted of mucosal structures such as colonic crypts, gastric pits, and duodenal villi. With the probe held against the wall, the OCT image comprised several layers interpreted as mucosa, muscularis mucosae, and submucosa. Structures including blood vessels were evident within the submucosa. A probe with a 0.5 mm working distance to the focal point provided the best images. Reducing the frame rate to 4.0 per second facilitated image interpretation. Conclusions: OCT is feasible in the human GI tract and provides interpretable high-resolution images of mucosa and submucosa.
High-resolution UV, alpha and neutron imaging with the Timepix CMOS readout

Abstract A CMOS application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) called the “Timepix” has been used to readout the pulsed charge signal from various microchannel plate (MCP) stacks. The Timepix 256×256 array is a newer version of the Medipix2 ASIC with added features and modes. One of these modes is the “time over threshold” (TOT) mode where the amplitude of a single charge event can be determined per pixel. With a properly sized input charge cloud from an MCP stack, the centroid of the charge cloud can be determined to sub-pixel accuracy, allowing much higher spatial resolution than the 55 μm pixel size. Using this technique, we demonstrate a spatial resolution better than 57 lp/mm for UV photons, limited by the MCP pore spacing. Also, by changing the top MCP in the stack to a neutron-sensitive MCP, we show a spatial resolution to thermal neutrons of less than 35 μm FWHM. This technique can also be applied to alpha particle imaging using silicon diode arrays bump bonded to a Timepix. Allowing the large conversion charge generated by the alpha particle to diffuse over many pixels, we can centroid 5.5 MeV alphas from 241 Am to 18 μm FWHM.
Availability of point-of-purchase nutrition information at a fast-food restaurant

Objective. Given the link between eating out, poor diets, and obesity, we assessed the availability of point-of-purchase nutrition information at the largest fast-food restaurant in the U.S., McDonald's. Method. In August 2004, we visited 29 of 33 (88%) of the McDonald's outlets in Washington, DC and visually inspected the premises, as well as asked cashiers or restaurant managers whether they had nutrition information available in the restaurant. Results. In Washington, DC, 59% of McDonald's outlets provided in-store nutrition information for the majority of their standard menu items. In 62% of the restaurants, it was necessary to ask two or more employees in order to obtain a copy of that information. Conclusion. We found that even at the largest chain restaurant in the country, nutrition information at the point of decision-making is often difficult to find or completely absent.
New Sol–Gel Route for the Preparation of Pure α-Alumina at 950°C

An anhydrous alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) sol was prepared from aluminum isopropoxide and an organic solvent, using an acetic acid stabilizer. The complete conversion of the dried sol to α-Al 2 O 3 was accomplished at a temperature of 950°C by a single transition via γ-Al 2 O 3 . Al 2 O 3 that was deposited via dip coating resulted in amorphous films, even after annealing at 1100°C, because of the silicon diffusion from the substrate. This phenomenon was avoided using a rapid thermal treatment in a flame after dip coating, which resulted in uniform thin films that are converted to α-Al 2 O 3 via heat treatment.
Changing over to signaled shock schedules: A Reply to biederman and furedy

Biederman and Furedy (1979) questioned in this journal the widely accepted conclusion that subjects prefer signaled over unsignaled shock schedules. The primary basis for their view is their objection to the changeover procedure used to assess preference. Our note reveals that their objections are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the procedure.
Modeling moisture absorption process of wood-based composites under over-saturated moisture conditions using two-part equations

The objective of this study was to investigate the moisture absorption process for wood-based composites subjected to over-saturated moisture conditions. Two stages are comprised in the moisture transfer process at the over-saturated moisture conditions, an initial stage which is the moisture transfer process mainly under fiber saturation point (FSP), and a second stage which is the moisture transfer process beyond the FSP. A model was developed based on two-part equations to describe the process, from which three coefficients (k1, k21, and k22) can be used to quantitatively describe the moisture transfer process under the conditions. Two different wood-based composites, wood fiberboard and wood fiber/polymer composites (polymer content: 30%), were used to test the model at four different ambient temperatures (30, 45, 62, and 80°C). It was shown that the two-part equation can accurately describe the moisture absorption process under over-saturated moisture conditions. The moisture absorption rate in the initial stage was about 30–60% greater than that in the second stage for most of the cases evaluated in this study. The higher the temperature, the greater moisture absorption parameters were obtained. At both moisture absorption stages (below FSP and above FSP), the calculated activation energy for the moisture absorption rate of wood fiberboard was very close to that of wood fiber/polymer composites.
Vascular Trauma Historical Notes

This article provides a brief historical review of treatment of vascular trauma. Although methods for ligation came into use in the second century, this knowledge was lost during the Dark Ages and did not come back until the Renaissance. Many advances in vascular surgery occurred during the Balkan Wars, World War I, and World War II, although without antibiotics and blood banking, the philosophy of life over limb still ruled. Documenting and repairing both arteries and veins became more common during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Increased documentation has revealed that the current conflicts have resulted in more arterial injuries than in previous wars, likely because of improved body armor, improvised explosive device attacks, tourniquet use, and improved medical evacuation time. This brief review emphasizes the great value of mentorship and the legacy of the management of arterial and venous injuries to be passed on.
Generalized pointing: enabling multiagent interaction

We describe an architecture which allows any external agent (human or software) to point into the visual space of an interactive application. We describe the visual design of a scheme for highlighting any information in any application. This architecture requires the application to provide information about its semantic structure as part of its redraw algorithms. Based on this semantic map generalized pointer descriptions are defined and used to reference objects to be highlighted. The architecture is demonstrated using a multibookmark agent framework and several example applications.
Interaction of novel 2D gap solitons with defects

Existence of novel gap solitons in 2D waveguides with Bragg grating in the propagation direction is shown and their trapping at localized defects modelled and explained via the principle of resonant energy transfer.
Theory and Community in STS

A striking feature of these inquiries into the character of East Asian STS theories is the way they highlight the issue of community in the field of STS as much as theory itself. The success of EAS...
Thinking beyond the colon-small bowel Involvement in clostridium difficile infection

Small intestinal Clostridium difficile seems to be increasing in incidence. The spectrum of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has definitely expanded with small bowel involvement. They are more frequently reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who have undergone total colectomy or patients with Ileal anal pouch anastomosis. The most common presentation is increased ileostomy output with associated dehydration. High clinical suspicion, early recognition and appropriate treatment are the keys to successful resolution. The increase in the number of these patients may actually reflect an increase in the rising incidence of CDI in general or increasing virulence of the organism. Heightened public awareness and initiation of prompt preventive measures are the keystones to control of this infection. This disease is no longer limited to the colon and physicians should be educated to think beyond the colon in patients with CDI.
The effects of streptavidin-biotin exogenous ligands on the endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthase activity

In this study, the effects of the streptavidin (SA)-biotin ligands on the amount of endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were quantified. The higher-affinity SA-biotin ligands were previously introduced to help promote the initial endothelial cell attachment to fibronectin coated surfaces. To validate their applications, SA-biotin ligands must be demonstrated to have minimal adverse effects on the eNOS activity, a process that is crucial to the vasotone regulation. Results in this study suggest that not only did the SA-biotin ligands have no adverse effects on the eNOS activity, they significantly promoted it. We speculate that this experimental observation is likely due to the enhancement of the different cell adhesion parameters, including the cellular spreading, cell adhesion strength, as well as the formation of focal contacts. Because of the improvement of these parameters, the cells were able to attach onto the surfaces more rapidly and firmly, thereby enabling the formation of a stable and rapidly crosslinked cell cytoskeletal network. The development and formation of such stable cytoskeleton is crucial for the shear stress signals to transmit through the cell and to eventually activate the different intracellular events that are required to promote the eNOS activity.
Oviposition signals and their neuroethological correlates in the Culex pipiens complex.

Abstract Mosquitoes in the Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae), especially Cx. pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus, have successfully exploited the rapid growth of the human population and globalization to their advantage by successfully utilizing man-made habitats, particularly for oviposition. Culex spp. lay over 100 eggs together in a raft. Each egg in the raft produces an apical droplet containing an oviposition attractant, erythro-6-acetoxy-5-hexadecanolide, commonly referred to as Mosquito Oviposition Pheromone (MOP). Here we present a detailed gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of the apical droplets from six populations that revealed MOP as the most abundant constituent. Subjecting MOP and the remaining 17 most abundant chemical constituents of the droplets from these populations to a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) resolved the populations into two distinct clusters that contained two populations each of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Culex pipiens molestus. The two Culex pipiens pipiens, however, did not resolve into a single cluster, with the Shasta population sorting closer to Cx. quinquefasciatus. Comparing the PCA scores with the genetic evidence from adult females using available molecular markers that have earlier shown to sort various Culex forms, we found that the molecular data support the PCA clustering pattern. Behavioral investigation of the droplet-induced attraction tested in gravid Cx. quinquefasciatus elicited various degrees of oviposition to the droplets from each population. Overall, droplets from all six populations induced higher attraction compared to controls. A detailed time-course analysis of droplet composition in Cx. quinquefasciatus from 6 to 54 h post egg-laying identified MOP again as the main constituent. Finally, our electrophysiological investigation identified MOP as the only biologically active constituent from of the droplets eliciting responses from female antennae. These studies will aid in global efforts to understand the vector biology and evolution that can be exploited to develop novel vector management strategies.
Lead shielding thickness for dose reduction of 6-MeV electrons for different square fields.

The relative percent dose reduction by lead(Pb) of 6-MeV electrons produced by Clinac 1800 for 6 x 6, 10 x 10, 15 x 15, 20 x 20, and 25 x 25 cm/sup 2/ cones both with and without buildup is measured. The thickness of Pb required to attenuate the intensity of the primary electron beam to 95% and 98% depends upon the cone size and upon the depth in phantom at which transmission measurements are made.
The GRITIKA ontology for modeling e-service applications: formal specification and illustration

In this paper, we develop and discuss a special-purpose computational ontology (similar to the notion of conceptual grammar) termed GRITIKA (acronym for goal, role, interaction, task, information, knowledge, and agent) for modeling e-services applications in the multiagent-based integrative business information systems (MIBIS) universe. The foundation ontology is presented as a formal model using first order logic. A proof-of-concept illustration of the GRITIKA ontology for modeling e-service applications is also provided in the paper. The GRITIKA ontology embodies representation constructs and semantics specific to the MIBIS universe and we hope it will help in the analysis and design of e-services applications with a high degree of knowledge reuse.
Recursive discrete Fourier transformation

This paper presents new discrete Fourier transform methods which are recursive, expressible in state variable form, and which involve real number computations. The algorithms are especially useful for running Fourier transformation and for general and multirate sampling. Numerical examples are given which illustrate the ability of these spectral observers to operate at sampling rates other than the Nyquist rate, to perform one-step-per-sample updating, and to converge to the spectrum in the presence of severe numerical truncation error.
A computer program for the design of group testing experiments

This paper describes a computer program GTEST for designing group testing experiments for classifying each member of a population of items as “good” or “defective”. The outcome of a test on a group of items is either “negative” (if all items in the group are good) or “positive” (if at least one of the items is defective, but it is not known which). GTEST is based on a Bayesian approach. At each stage, it attempts to maximize (nearly) the expected reduction in the “entropy”, which is a quantitative measure of the amount of uncertainty about the state of the items. The user controls the procedure through specification of the prior probabilities of being defective, restrictions on the construction of the test group, and priorities that are assigned to the items. The nominal prior probabilities can be modified adaptively, to reduce the sensitivity of the procedure to the proportion of defectives in the population.
BATEMAN'S PRINCIPLE AND IMMUNITY: PHENOTYPICALLY PLASTIC REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES PREDICT CHANGES IN IMMUNOLOGICAL SEX DIFFERENCES

The sexes often differ in the reproductive trait limiting their fitness, an observation known as Bateman's principle. In many species, females are limited by their ability to produce eggs while males are limited by their ability to compete for and successfully fertilize those eggs. As well as promoting the evolution of sex-specific reproductive strategies, this difference may promote sex differences in other life-history traits due to their correlated effects. Sex differences in disease susceptibility and immune function are common. Two hypotheses based on Bateman's principle have been proposed to explain this pattern: that selection to prolong the period of egg production favors improved immune function in females, or that the expression of secondary sexual characteristics reduces immune function in males. Both hypotheses predict a relatively fixed pattern of reduced male immune function, at least in sexually mature individuals. An alternative hypothesis is that Bateman's principle does not dictate fixed patterns of reproductive investment, but favors phenotypically plastic reproductive strategies with males and females adaptively responding to variation in fitness-limiting resource availability. Under this hypothesis, neither sex is expected to possess intrinsically superior immune function, and immunological sex differences may vary in different environments. We demonstrate that sex-specific responses to experimental manipulation of fitness-limiting resources affects both the magnitude and direction of sex differences in immune function in Drosophila melanogaster. In the absence of sexual interactions and given abundant food, the immune function of adults was maximized in both sexes and there was no sex difference. Manipulation of food availability and sexual activity resulted in female-biased immune suppression when food was limited, and male-biased immune suppression when sexual activity was high and food was abundant. The immunological cost to males of increased sexual activity was found to be due in part to reduced time spent feeding. We suggest that for species similarly limited in their reproduction, phenotypic plasticity will be an important determinant of sex differences in immune function and other life-history traits.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Strain RS218 (O18:H7:K1), Associated with Neonatal Meningitis

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli RS218 is the prototypic strain of neonatal meningitis-causing E. coli (NMEC) and has been used in many studies related to NMEC pathogenesis. In the present study, the genome of E. coli RS218 was sequenced together with its plasmid, pRS218. Here, we report the fully closed genome sequence of E. coli RS218.
Urban Public Education Reform: Governance, Accountability, Outsourcing

This article reviews structural changes in New York City public school governance and policy with a focus on their effect in shifting education spending from the public bureaucracy into much less regulated private contractors, particularly charter schools. It will consider and critique the implications of these governance and structural changes for oversight, accountability, and the treatment of public education as a public good.
PM-10CDCA7L FUNCTIONS AS A MALE-SPECIFIC ONCOGENE IN ASTROCYTOMA.

The most common types of primary brain tumors, astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are currently incurable. Both astrocytoma and GBM show male predominance, with a male to female ratio of 1.42:1 and 1.58:1, respectively. We performed linkage analysis in the Nf1-/ + ;Trp53-/ + cis (NPcis) mouse model of astrocytoma/GBM to identify a male-specific gliomagenesis modifier and further used combinatorial bioinformatics approaches as well as cross-species comparisons to prioritize male-specific candidate gene(s). Here, we showed that Cell division cycle-associated 7-like (CDCA7L), a myc cotranscription factor, is a male-specific oncogene in astrocytoma/GBM. CDCA7L expression is up-regulated in astrocytoma cells compared to normal brain, with males showing higher levels than females in both human and mouse. shRNA-mediated CDCA7L knockdown led to the decreased cell growth and viability of male-derived astrocytoma cells, but not female tumor cells in both human and mouse. Further mechanistic studies showed that CDCA7L depletion in male-derived astrocytoma cells led to the induction of cleaved Caspase-3 and p27 expression and reduction of Cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, Cdca7l overexpression promotes the growth of WT mouse primary astrocytes only in males by inducing Cyclin D1 expression, but not in female astrocytes, suggesting a male-specific oncogenic role for CDCA7L in astrocytoma/GBM. Strikingly, CDCA7L depletion in human female U87MG GBM cells caused the increase of both growth and viability opposite to what is seen in male cells. Because male-female differences in CDCA7L action are hormone-independent, we examined whether the male-specific histone demethylase KDM5D regulates the effects of CDCA7L. We found that knockdown of KDM5D inhibits male-specific effects of CDCA7L on p27 and Cyclin D1 expression. Our data highlight the sex-specificity of CDCA7L in astrocytoma/GBM tumorigenesis and show that CDCA7L signaling pathways can be oncogenic in males, while being neutral or tumor suppressive in females. This has important implications for the application of therapies to human GBM patients.
Comparative Nephropathogenicity of Different Strains of Infectious Bronchitis Virus in Chickens

Abstract Two-week-old White Leghorn chickens were injected intravenously with Australian T, Holte, Gray, and M 41 strains of infectious bronchitis virus. A total of 100, 90, 85, and 20% of the chickens infected with Australian T, Holte, Gray, and M 41, respectively, had variable degrees of nephritis. The Australian T strain induced the most rapid and the most severe kidney lesions followed by Holte, Gray, and M 41 in descending order.
Stability and Crystallization of Amorphous Semiconductor Multilayers

We discuss recent measurements of relaxation, interdiffusion and crystallization in amorphous hydrogenated semiconductors and insulators prepared as periodic multilayers. The stability of multilayer structures depends upon temperature, repeat distance and the nature of the materials. Crystallization of amorphous silicon in amorphous silicon/amorphous silicon dioxide layers is inhibited when the silicon thickness is reduced below 20 nm.
Masking and triggered unmasking of targeting ligands on liposomal chemotherapy selectively suppress tumor growth in vivo.

We investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a drug delivery strategy to vascularized cancer that combines targeting selectivity with high uptake by targeted cells and high bioexposure of cells to delivered chemotherapeutics. Targeted lipid vesicles composed of pH responsive membranes were designed to reversibly form phase-separated lipid domains, which are utilized to tune the vesicle’s apparent functionality and permeability. During circulation, vesicles mask functional ligands and stably retain their contents. Upon extravasation in the tumor interstitium, ligand-labeled lipids become unmasked and segregated within lipid domains triggering targeting to cancer cells followed by internalization. In the acidic endosome, vesicles burst release the encapsulated therapeutics through leaky boundaries around the phase-separated lipid domains. The pH tunable vesicles contain doxorubicin and are labeled with an anti-HER2 peptide. In vitro, anti-HER2 pH tunable vesicles release doxorubicin in a pH dependent man...
Relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver and insulin resistance in the aged patients

Objective To explore the relationship between the nonalcoholic fatty liver and insulin resistance in the elderly. Methods A total of 112 elderly patients in our hospital from September 2008 to October 2012 were divided into two groups: NAFLD group( n =52) and non- NAFLD group( n = 60). The age,sex,body mass index( BMI),weight hip ratio( WHR),triglycerides( TG),total cholesterol( TC),C reactive protein( CRP),high density lipoprotein- cholesterol( HDL-C),low density lipoprotein- cholesterol( LDL-C),alanine aminotransferase( ALT),creatinine( Cr),fasting plasma glucose( FPG),fasting insuline( FINS) and homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistence index( HOMA-IR) were compared between two groups,and logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of NAFLD. Results BMI,WHR,TG,ALT,FPG,FINS,HOMA-IR were significantly higher in NAFLD group than in control group( P 0. 05). The Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI,WHR,TG and HOMA-IR were the independent factors of NAFLD. Conclusion Obesity,higher TG and insulin resistance were the independent risk factors of NAFLD.
Optimization of high-mix printed circuit card assembly using genetic algorithms

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the factors affecting the cycle time of printed circuit card assembly (PCCA) in high-mix environments and demonstrate a technique for improving machine throughput. We have concentrated our research on optimizing the portion of the PCCA manufacturing process performed by high-speed placement machines (chip shooters). A crucial factor affecting the throughput of a chip shooter is the assignment of components to the feeder slots. Genetic algorithms were employed to find a near optimal assignment of the feeder carriage. Results for various genetic operators in this problem domain are presented.
Certification of NIST Room Temperature Low-Energy and High-Energy Charpy Verification Specimens.

The possibility for NIST to certify Charpy reference specimens for testing at room temperature (21 °C ± 1 °C) instead of −40 °C was investigated by performing 130 room-temperature tests from five low-energy and four high-energy lots of steel on the three master Charpy machines located in Boulder, CO. The statistical analyses performed show that in most cases the variability of results (i.e., the experimental scatter) is reduced when testing at room temperature. For eight out of the nine lots considered, the observed variability was lower at 21 °C than at −40 °C. The results of this study will allow NIST to satisfy requests for room-temperature Charpy verification specimens that have been received from customers for several years: testing at 21 °C removes from the verification process the operator’s skill in transferring the specimen in a timely fashion from the cooling bath to the impact position, and puts the focus back on the machine performance. For NIST, it also reduces the time and cost for certifying new verification lots. For one of the low-energy lots tested with a C-shaped hammer, we experienced two specimens jamming, which yielded unusually high values of absorbed energy. For both specimens, the signs of jamming were clearly visible. For all the low-energy lots investigated, jamming is slightly more likely to occur at 21 °C than at −40 °C, since at room temperature low-energy samples tend to remain in the test area after impact rather than exiting in the opposite direction of the pendulum swing. In the evaluation of a verification set, any jammed specimen should be removed from the analyses.
Imaging and Optically Manipulating Neuronal Ensembles.

The neural code that relates the firing of neurons to the generation of behavior and mental states must be implemented by spatiotemporal patterns of activity across neuronal populations. These patterns engage selective groups of neurons, called neuronal ensembles, which are emergent building blocks of neural circuits. We review optical and computational methods, based on two-photon calcium imaging and two-photon optogenetics, to detect, characterize, and manipulate neuronal ensembles in three dimensions. We review data using these methods in the mammalian cortex that demonstrate the existence of neuronal ensembles in the spontaneous and evoked cortical activity in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, two-photon optogenetics enable the possibility of artificially imprinting neuronal ensembles into awake, behaving animals and of later recalling those ensembles selectively by stimulating individual cells. These methods could enable deciphering the neural code and also be used to understand the pathophysiology of and...
Intracavitary ethanol ablation for the management of uterine hemorrhage refractory to uterine artery embolization

A 57-year-old postmenopausal woman with end-stage liver disease secondary to alcoholic cirrhosis, esophageal varices, severe alcoholic cardiomyopathy, and metrorrhagia causing persistent anemia despite multiple transfusions presented with heavy vaginal bleeding. The patient underwent two uterine artery embolizations with proximal coils instead of directed particles due to difficult anatomy but the bleeding continued despite these interventions. Since she was a poor surgical candidate for hysterectomy, the decision was made to attempt achievement of hemostasis via ethanol injection into the uterine cavity. The patient's bleeding ceased, her hemoglobin and hematocrit stabilized post-procedure, and she was discharged home in stable condition.
Approaching ballistic transport in monolayer MoS 2 transistors with self-aligned 10 nm top gates

We present the first study of 10 nm self-aligned top-gated field-effect transistors (SATFETs) based on monolayer MoS 2 . Using a novel fabrication process, we achieve record saturation current, I Dsat > 400 μA/μm, sub-threshold slope down to 80 mV/dec and equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) ≈ 2.5 nm. Combining transistor modeling with careful gate capacitance and contact resistance measurements, we provide the first analysis of diffusive vs. ballistic transport in monolayer MoS 2 FETs. Results indicate the onset of ballistic transport with transmission up to 0.25 at low temperature. We also suggest a feasible route to advance MoS2 transistors further to the ballistic limit.
Construction of maximin distance Latin squares and related Latin hypercube designs

SummaryMaximin distance Latin hypercube designs are widely used in computer experiments, yet their construction is challenging. Based on number theory and finite fields, we propose three algebraic methods to construct maximin distance Latin squares as special Latin hypercube designs. We develop lower bounds on their minimum distances. The resulting Latin squares and related Latin hypercube designs have larger minimum distances than existing ones, and are especially appealing for high-dimensional applications.
Rapid assays for environmental and biological monitoring

Rapid, inexpensive, sensitive, and selective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) now are utilized in environmental science. In this laboratory, many ELISAs have been developed for pesticides and other toxic substances and also for their metabolites. Compounds for which ELISAs have recently been devised include insecticides (organophosphates, carbaryl, pyrethroids, and fenoxycarb), herbicides (s-triazines, arylureas, triclopyr, and bromacil), fungicides (myclobutanil), TCDD, and metabolites of naphthalene and toluene. New rapid assays have been developed for mercury.
The nucleoid occlusion factor Noc controls DNA replication initiation in Staphylococcus aureus

Successive division events in the spherically shaped bacterium Staphylococcus aureus are oriented in three alternating perpendicular planes. The mechanisms that underlie this relatively unique pattern of division and coordinate it with chromosome segregation remain largely unknown. Thus far, the only known spatial regulator of division in this organism is the nucleoid occlusion protein Noc that inhibits assembly of the cytokinetic ring over the chromosome. However, Noc is not essential in S. aureus, indicating that additional regulators are likely to exist. To search for these factors, we screened for mutants that are synthetic lethal with Noc inactivation. Our characterization of these mutants led to the discovery that S. aureus Noc also controls the initiation of DNA replication. We show that cells lacking Noc over-initiate and mutations in the initiator gene dnaA suppress this defect. Importantly, these dnaA mutations also partially suppress the division problems associated with Δnoc. Reciprocally, we show that over-expression of DnaA enhances the over-initiation and cell division phenotypes of the Δnoc mutant. Thus, a single factor both blocks cell division over chromosomes and helps to ensure that new rounds of DNA replication are not initiated prematurely. This degree of economy in coordinating key cell biological processes has not been observed in rod-shaped bacteria and may reflect the challenges posed by the reduced cell volume and complicated division pattern of this spherical pathogen.
A Rare Case of Atrial Metastasis From a Rectal Adenocarcinoma.

Colorectal cancers typically metastasize to the lymph nodes, liver or lungs. Metastasis to the heart is rare and although a few cases of cardiac metastases from colon cancer are described in the literature, cases of metastatic rectal cancer to the heart are far fewer. A 69-year-old woman with a history of rectal adenocarcinoma treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation, followed by resection and adjuvant chemotherapy, presented with increasing dyspnea on exertion and lower extremity edema 5 years after oncology follow-up. Echocardiography revealed a mass within the right atrium, which was biopsied and found to be consistent with metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma and a thrombus. The patient was deemed to be a poor surgical candidate given her co-morbidities and overall prognosis. Chemotherapy was offered and refused by the patient. The medical literature has a paucity of similar cases of rectal adenocarcinoma metastasizing to the right atrium. Further studies are needed to help guide standardized treatment options. J Clin Med Res. 2017;9(10):886-888 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr3123w