cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Feeding Status on the Efficacy of Depuration for Decontaminating Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

ABSTRACTVibrio parahaemolyticus causes acute human gastroenteritis and is often linked to consumption of raw oysters. Previous investigations indicated that refrigerated seawater depuration at 12.5°C could significantly reduce V. parahaemolyticus contamination in Pacific oysters; however, further optimization is necessary to achieve the regulatory target of >3.52 log most probable number (MPN)/g reduction. The current study investigated influences of algal feeding on efficacy of depuration to reduce V. parahaemolyticus in raw oysters. A V. parahaemolyticus cocktail (10290, 10292, 10293, BE 98–2029, 027-1c1) was mixed in artificial seawater (70 L) to inoculate oysters (n = 35) at 4–5 log MPN/g. Inoculated oysters were subjected to depuration with feed (algae = 0.036 ml/gram of oyster) and without feed at 12.5°C. Oysters (n = 5) were analyzed for V. parahaemolyticus using a three-tube MPN method after 0, 1, 3, 5, and 6 days of depuration. Depuration (6 days) achieved average V. parahaemolyticus reductions o...
Waveform-diverse stretch processing

Stretch processing is widely used as a means to pulse compress the echoes produced by wideband LFM waveforms at a lower sampling bandwidth while still preserving high range resolution. Here the final fast Fourier transform (FFT) stage is replaced by a compensation transform that permits the use of other chirp-like nonlinear FM (NLFM) waveforms without changing the rest of the RF receive chain, thereby facilitating greater diversity in the use of wideband waveforms for legacy radar systems. The efficacy of this approach is experimentally demonstrated using open-air measurements.
How do ED patients with criminal justice contact compare with other ED users? A retrospective analysis of ED visits in California.

Objective To assess the patterns of emergency department (ED) utilisation among those with and without criminal justice contact in California in 2014, comparing variation in ED use, visit frequency, diagnoses and insurance coverage. Design Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Setting Analyses included ED visits to all licensed hospitals in California using statewide data on all ED encounters in 2014. Participants Study participants included 3 757 870 non-elderly adult ED patients who made at least one ED visit in 2014. Primary and secondary outcome measures We assessed the patterns and characteristics of ED visits among those with criminal justice contact—patients who were either admitted to or discharged from the ED by a correctional institution—with patients who did not have criminal justice contact recorded during an ED visit. Results ED patients with criminal justice contact had higher proportions of frequent ED users (27.2% vs 9.4%), were at higher risk of an ED visit resulting in hospitalisation (26.6% vs 15.2%) and had higher prevalence of mental health conditions (52.8% vs 30.4%) compared with patients with no criminal justice contact recorded during an ED visit. Of the top 10, four primary diagnoses among patients with criminal justice contact were related to behavioural health conditions, accounting for 19.0% of all primary diagnoses in this population. In contrast, behavioural health conditions were absent from the top 10 primary diagnoses in ED patients with no observed criminal justice contact. Despite a high burden of disease, a lack of health insurance coverage was more common among those with criminal justice contact than those without (41.3% vs 14.1%). Conclusions Given that a large proportion of ED patients with criminal justice contact are frequent users with considerable mental health conditions, current efforts in California’s Medicaid programme to identify individuals in need of coordinated services could reduce costly ED utilisation among this group.
Emergency Manual Implementation in a Large Academic Anesthesia Practice: Strategy and Improvement in Performance on Critical Steps.

BACKGROUND The use of cognitive aids, such as emergency manuals (EMs), improves team performance on critical steps during crisis events. In our large academic anesthesia practice, we sought to broadly implement an EM and subsequently evaluate team member performance on critical steps. METHODS We observed the phases of implementing an EM at a large academic anesthesia practice from 2013 to 2016, including the formation of the EM implementation team, identification of preferred EM characteristics, consideration of institution-specific factors, selection of the preferred EM, recognition of logistical barriers, and staff education. Utilization of the EM was tested in a regular clinical environment with all available resources using a standardized verbal simulation of 3 crisis events both preimplementation and 6 months postimplementation. Individual members of the anesthesia team were asked to verbalize interventions for specific crisis events over 60 seconds. RESULTS We introduced a customized version of the Stanford Emergency Manual on January 26, 2015. Fifty-nine total participants (equal proportion of anesthesiology attending physicians, resident physicians, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and student registered nurse anesthetist staff) were surveyed in the preimplementation phase and 60 in the 6-month postimplementation phase. In the postimplementation phase, a minority (41.7%) utilized the EM for the verbal-simulated crisis events. Those who used the EM performed better than those who did not (median 21.0 critical steps out of a possible 30 total steps [70.0%], interquartile range 19-25 vs 18.0 critical steps verbalized [60.0%], interquartile range 16-20; P < .001). Among all subjects, the median number of critical steps verbalized was 16 (53.3%) preimplementation and 19.5 critical steps (65.0%) postimplementation. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of an EM in a large academic anesthesia practice is not without challenges. While full integration of the EM was not achieved 6 months after implementation, verbalization of critical steps on 3 simulated crisis events improved when the EM was utilized.
From Theodolite to Spectral Apparatus: Joseph von Fraunhofer and the Invention of a German Optical Research-Technology

One of Joseph von Fraunhofer’s (1787–1826) greatest contributions to technical optics had its roots in ordnance surveying. Fraunhofer, the German territories’ leading optician and optical-glass manufacturer of the period, needed an apparatus that could measure angles very precisely, as he wished to determine the refractive and dispersive indices of optical glass specimens as accurately as possible. Theodolites were the answer, as Georg von Reichenbach, co-owner of the Optical Institute and co-founder of the Mathematico-Mathematical Institute of Munich, was the builder of Europe’s leading theodolites for the joint Bavarian and French Bureau of Topography and the Bavarian Bureau of Land Registry. Reichenbach had devised a new method for the dividing machine (Teilmaschine) that successfully divided a circle into equal parts with an unprecedented precision (Engelsberger 1969; Reichenbach 1821). Once the amazingly precise dividing machine had been constructed, Reichenbach turned to his main goal: the construction of precision theodolites for the ordnance surveying projects (and later Land Registry projects) undertaken in Bavaria during the first decade of the nineteenth century (Reichenbach 1804). These theodolites, as mentioned above, were used by ordnance surveyors in their triangulation projects. A base line was established (usually several miles in length), and by measuring angles subtended by the two ends of the base line and a tall object (a pole on a nearby hill top, for example) with a theodolite, distances could be calculated by using simple geometry. The maps were required for Napoleon’s occupational forces as well as for King Maximilian I’s new property tax program.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiogenic shock is the leading cause of death in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction [1, 2]. Cardiogenic shock is characterized by a state of inadequate tissue perfusion due to cardiac dysfunction and is classically manifested by systemic hypotension and end-organ hypoperfusion in the setting of adequate or elevated left ventricular fi lling pressures. The hemodynamic defi nition includes sustained hypotension (systolic blood pressure 30 mm Hg or more in mean arterial pressure from baseline for at least 30 minutes) and a reduced cardiac index (<2.2 L min m) [3]. In the SHould we emergently revascularize Occluded Coronaries for cardiogenic shocK (SHOCK) Trial [4], tissue hypoperfusion was defi ned as cold peripheries (extremities colder than core), oliguria (<30 mL/h), or both. Subjects requiring pharmacological or mechanical circulatory support to maintain blood pressure are also included in this category. In the setting of an acute myocardial infarction, hypotension, tachycardia, peripheral vasoconstriction, decreased urine output, and altered mentation are all manifestations of the syndrome, which can range from “preshock” to fully developed pump failure. It is important to recognize the preshock syndrome because early investigation of its etiology and early intervention may reduce the development of frank cardiogenic shock. In this state, systolic blood pressure may be normal to borderline without pressors, but this “stability” occurs at the expense of an elevated peripheral resistance and elevated heart rate that support a borderline stroke volume. The signs of peripheral hypoperfusion may be obvious or subtle. This is also known as nonhypotensive cardiogenic shock and is associated with ineffective tissue perfusion and a severely depressed cardiac index. The preshock syndrome is associated with a high in-hospital mortality (43%), which is lower than that in patients with classic cardiogenic shock (66%) [5]. This syndrome predominately occurs in the setting of a large anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI). Recognition of this “preshock state” is important to avoid potentially cardiodepressant medications and to identify patients who might benefi t from aggressive revascularization strategies.
INTRODUCTION: PHAFF SYMPOSIUM

A symposium honoring Herman Jan Phaff, Professor of Food Science and Technology and Professor of Bacteriology, University of California, Davis.
A preliminary investigation of reaction time variability in relation to social functioning in children evaluated for ADHD

ABSTRACTReaction time variability (RTV) is a ubiquitous phenomenon in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Few studies have examined RTV in relation to functional outcomes such as socia...
Association between Drug Use and In-hospital Outcomes after Infrainguinal Bypass for Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease.

BACKGROUND Drug abuse may affect lower extremity vessels due to ischemia following intra-arterial injections, vasospasm, arterial and venous pseudoaneurysms, arteriovenous fistulae, vasculitis, and complicated abscesses. Little is known about the outcomes of lower extremity bypass (LEB) for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients with a history of drug abuse disorder. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of LEB in this patient population. METHODS A retrospective study of the Premier Healthcare Database 2009-2015 was performed. In-hospital complications, mortality, and hospitalization costs were assessed in patients with a history of drug abuse disorder (opioids, cannabis, cocaine, sedatives/hypnotics/anxiolytics, and hallucinogens/methamphetamine/psychoactive drugs) who underwent LEB for PAD. Multivariable logistic and generalized linear models were utilized to study the association between drug use/misuse and in-hospital outcomes after LEB. RESULTS Our cohort included 50,976 patients, of which 967 (2%) had a history of drug abuse disorder on admission. The majority of drugs were cannabis (38.5%), followed by opioids (21.5%) and cocaine (14.5%). Patients with a history of drug use/misuse were significantly at a higher risk of developing complications during their hospital stay (71.9% vs. 64.2%, P < 0.001) including acute renal failure (11.8% vs. 9.1%), stroke (1.6% vs. 0.6%), respiratory complications (pneumonia and respiratory failure) (15.0% vs. 9.6%), hemorrhage/shock (36.2% vs. 31.8%), vascular or graft-related complications (29.8% vs. 26.4%), wound complications (9.1% vs. 6.3%), cellulitis (8.5% vs. 6.8%), and sepsis (2.1% vs. 1.2%, all P < 0.001). In addition, drug users were found to have higher risk of concomitant major amputations compared to nondrug users (2.0% vs. 0.9%, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, no difference was noted between the 2 groups in terms of in-hospital mortality and concomitant major amputations. However, drug use/misuse was associated with 57% higher odds of overall in-hospital complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-1.83, P < 0.001), a prolonged length of hospital stay (median: 7 days vs. 5 days in nonabusers, P < 0.001), and higher hospitalization costs compared to nonusers (adjusted mean difference: OR $3,075, 95% CI $2,096-$4,055, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Drug use/misuse is significantly associated with increased odds of in-hospital complications, longer hospital stays, and higher hospitalization costs following LEB. Vascular surgeons need to pay special attention to this patient population and explore interventions to decrease the morbidity and economic burden associated with drug use.
Perioperative factors associated with pain following open ventral hernia repair

Effective pain control following open ventral and incisional hernia repair (VHR) impacts all aspects of patient recovery. To reduce opioid use and enhance pain management, multimodal therapy is thought to be beneficial. The purpose of this study was to identify patient characteristics associated with perioperative patient-reported pain scores. With IRB approval, surgical databases were searched for cases of open VHR performed over 3 years. Based on a retrospective chart review, modes of pain management and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were recorded in 12-h intervals to hospital discharge or to 8 days post-operation. Forward stepwise multivariable regression assessed the independent contribution of the perioperative factors to VAS pain scores. Included in the analyses were 175 patients that underwent VHR. Average age was 55 years (+/− 12.8), and half were female (50.9%). Factors independently associated with increased preoperative VAS pain scores included preoperative opioid use, preoperative open wound, CDC Wound Class II, and prior hernia repair(s). Patients with epidural for postoperative pain had significantly decreased VAS pain scores across the time continuum. Operative factors significantly associated with increased preoperative VAS pain score included median hernia defect size, concomitantly performed procedure(s), duration of operation, and estimated blood loss. Greater preoperative VAS pain score predicted increased pain at each postoperative time point (all p < .05). Preoperative pain and opioid use are associated with increased pain postoperatively. Epidural analgesia effectively results in decreased patient-reported pain. Increased operative complexity is associated with increased preoperative pain scores.
Deep data mining reveals variable abundance and distribution of microbial reproductive manipulators within and among diverse host species

Bacterial symbionts that manipulate the reproduction of their hosts are important factors in invertebrate ecology and evolution. Studying the genomic and phenotypic diversity of reproductive manipulators can improve efforts to control infectious diseases and contribute to our understanding of host-symbiont evolution. Despite the vast genomic and phenotypic diversity of reproductive manipulators, only a handful of strains are used as biological control agents because little is known about the broad scale infection frequencies and densities of these bacteria in nature. Here we develop a data mining approach to quantify the number of arthropod and nematode host species infected with Wolbachia and other reproductive manipulators such as Rickettsia and Spiroplasma. Across the entire Sequence Read Archive (SRA) database, we found reproductive manipulators infected 2,083 arthropod and 119 nematode samples, representing 240 and 8 species, respectively. After accounting for sampling and infection frequency differences among species, we estimated that Wolbachia infects approximately 44% of all arthropod species and 34% of all nematode species. In contrast, we estimated other reproductive manipulators infect 1-8% of arthropod and nematode species. Next, we explored another important biological parameter: the relative bacterial density, or titer, within hosts. We found variation in titer within and between arthropod species to be large, and that host species explains approximately 36% of variation in titer across our dataset. This suggests bacterial strain and/or host species plays a role in shaping bacterial densities within and between host species. By leveraging the model system Drosophila melanogaster, we also found a number of host SNPs associated with titer in genes potentially relevant to host interactions with Wolbachia, suggesting bacterial induced host genome evolution. Our study demonstrates that data mining is a powerful tool to understand host-symbiont co-evolution and opens an array of previously inaccessible questions for further analysis.
Cognitive and Behavioral Responses to the Identity Verification Process

We empirically test the concomitant cognitive and behavioral responses to identity verifying and non-verifying feedback. Based on identity theory, we expect that those who experience identity non-verification will enact behaviors aimed at resisting the non-verifying feedback, while at the same time their situated self-view will slowly change in the direction of that feedback (Burke and Stets 2009). Both responses co-occur as individuals behave to counteract the non-verifying meanings, even while their self-view shifts in the direction of the non-verifying meanings of the feedback. We examine these dual responses for people in structurally powerless positions who have less influence and perhaps greater difficulty effectively responding to identity non-verification. In a controlled laboratory experiment, actors who are either higher or lower in their dominant person identity, and whose dominance identity is either verified or not verified, bargain with two simulated actors over the distribution of a pool of resources. The results support the identity theory expectations that, in response to identity non-verification, people attempt to alter situational meanings as well as slowly accommodate to them.
THE SUBMILLIMETER AND MILLIMETER EXCESS OF THE SMALL MAGELLANIC CLOUD: MAGNETIC DIPOLE EMISSION FROM MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES?

The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) has surprisingly strong submillimeter- and millimeter-wavelength emission that is inconsistent with standard dust models, including those with emission from spinning dust. Here, we show that the emission from the SMC may be understood if the interstellar dust mixture includes magnetic nanoparticles, emitting magnetic dipole radiation resulting from thermal fluctuations in the magnetization. The magnetic grains can be metallic iron, magnetite Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}, or maghemite {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The required mass of iron is consistent with elemental abundance constraints. The magnetic dipole emission is predicted to be polarized orthogonally to the normal electric dipole radiation if the nanoparticles are inclusions in larger grains. We speculate that other low-metallicity galaxies may also have a large fraction of the interstellar Fe in magnetic materials.
Narrowing the Legitimacy Gap: Turnovers as a Cause of Democratic Consolidation

Democratic consolidation depends on common perceptions of institutional legitimacy among citizens aligned with governing and opposition parties. Elections always result in winners and losers, but if they also create subservient insiders and aggrieved outsiders, the future of the democratic system will be uncertain. This article theorizes about why certain electoral qualities (elections that produce turnovers, are peaceful, accepted by opposition parties, and free and fair) should reduce winner-loser gaps in perceived institutional legitimacy. The hypotheses are tested using a hierarchical two-step statistical procedure to analyze three rounds of Afrobarometer microlevel data combined with national-level data on African elections between 1989 and 2006. The analyses indicate that electoral turnovers (and only turnovers) have a significant moderating effect on the citizenry. Following alternations of power, winners and losers converge in their attitudes about their institutions, thus furthering the consolidation of democracy.
On-chip coherent visible-light generation through nonlinear nanophotonics

Nonlinear nanophotonic devices can provide a compelling path for the on-chip generation of coherent visible light, with potential applications in metrology and coherent control of quantum systems. I will discuss how third-order optical parametric oscillation in silicon nitride microresonators, in particular, can enable a wide range of visible wavelengths to be accessed, by realizing systems in which the generated signal and idler fields are widely separated in frequency from the pump. For example, we demonstrate devices pumped at 780 nm (385 THz), in which the visible wavelength signal and near-infrared wavelength idler are separated by more than an octave. Moreover, through geometric control of dispersion, a few THz shift in pump frequency results in a >130 THz shift in the generated signal frequency, enabling visible light at red, orange, yellow, and green wavelengths to be created. I will discuss the conditions needed to realize this widely-separated optical parametric oscillation process while suppressing potential competing nonlinear processes.
NanH Is Produced by Sporulating Cultures of Clostridium perfringens Type F Food Poisoning Strains and Enhances the Cytotoxicity of C. perfringens Enterotoxin.

ABSTRACT Clostridium perfringens type F food poisoning (FP) strains cause one of the most common foodborne illnesses. This FP develops when type F FP strains sporulate in the intestines and produce C. perfringens enterotoxin (CPE), which is responsible for the diarrhea and abdominal cramps of this disease. While C. perfringens can produce up to three different sialidases, the current study surveyed FP strains, which confirmed the results of a previous study that they consistently carry the nanH sialidase gene, often as their only sialidase gene. NanH production was found to be associated with sporulating cultures of the surveyed type F FP strains, including SM101 (a transformable derivative of a FP strain). The sporulation-associated regulation of NanH production by strain SM101 growing in modified Duncan-Strong medium (MDS) was shown to involve Spo0A, but it did not require the completion of sporulation. NanH production was not necessary for either the growth or sporulation of SM101 when cultured in MDS. In those MDS cultures, NanH accumulated in the sporulating mother cell until it was released coincidently with CPE. Since CPE becomes extracellular when mother cells lyse to release their mature spores, this indicates that mother cell lysis is also important for NanH release. The copresence of NanH and CPE in supernatants from lysed sporulating cultures was shown to enhance CPE cytotoxicity for Caco-2 cells. This enhancement was attributable to NanH increasing CPE binding and could be replicated with purified recombinant NanH. These in vitro findings suggest that NanH may be an accessory virulence factor during type F FP. IMPORTANCEClostridium perfringens type F strains cause the second most common bacterial foodborne illness in the United States. C. perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) is responsible for the diarrhea and cramping symptoms of this food poisoning (FP). Previous studies showed that NanI sialidase can enhance CPE activity in vitro. While many type F FP strains do not produce NanI, they do consistently make NanH sialidase. This study shows that, like CPE, NanH is produced by sporulating type F FP strains and then released extracellularly when their sporulating cells lyse to release their mature spore. NanH was shown to enhance CPE cytotoxicity in vitro by increasing CPE binding to cultured Caco-2 cells. This enhancement could be important because many type F FP strains produce less CPE than necessary (in a purified form) to cause intestinal pathology in animal models. Therefore, NanH represents a potential accessory virulence factor for type F FP.
Optimized and autonomous machine learning framework for characterizing pores, particles, grains and grain boundaries in microstructural images

Abstract Additively manufactured metals exhibit heterogeneous microstructure which dictates their material and failure properties. Experimental microstructural characterization techniques generate a large amount of data that requires expensive computational resources. In this work, an optimized machine learning (ML) framework is proposed to autonomously and efficiently characterize pores, particles, grains and grain boundaries (GBs) from a given microstructure image. First, using a classifier Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), defects such as pores, powder particles, or GBs were recognized from a given microstructure. Depending on the type of defect, two different processes were used. For powder particles or pores, binary segmentations were generated using an optimized Convolutional Encoder-Decoder Network (CEDN). The binary segmentations were used to obtain particle and pore size and location using an object detection ML network (YOLOv5). For GBs, another optimized CEDN was developed to generate RGB segmentation images, which were used to obtain grain size distribution using two regression CNNs. To optimize the RGB CEDN, the Deep Emulator Network SEarch (DENSE) method which employs the Covariance Matrix Adaptation - Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES) was implemented. The optimized RGB segmentation network showed a substantial reduction in training time and GPU usage compared to the unoptimized network, while maintaining high accuracy. Lastly, the proposed framework showed a significant improvement in analysis time when compared to conventional methods.
Mitochondria as the target for disease related hormonal dysregulation

Abstract Mitochondria play an important role in the synthesis of steroid hormones, including the sex hormone estrogen. Sex-specific regulation of these hormones is important for phenotypic development and downstream, sex-specific activational effects in both brain and behavior. First, mitochondrial contribution to the synthesis of estrogen, followed by a discussion of the signaling interactions between estrogen and the mitochondria will be reviewed. Next, disorders with an established sex difference related to aging, mood, and cognition will be examined. Finally, review of mitochondria as a biomarker of disease and data supporting efforts in targeting mitochondria as a therapeutic target for the amelioration of these disorders will be discussed. Taken together, this review aims to assess the influence of E2 on mitochondrial function within the brain via exploration of E2-ER interactions within neural mitochondria and how they may act to influence the development and presentation of neurodegenerative and neurocognitive diseases with known sex differences.
Multiagent Distributed Optimization and Reinforcement Learning Control

This chapter thoroughly studies the task optimization problem and the optimal task coordination problem for multiagent systems. After reviewing the basic optimization and reinforcement learning algorithms, the chapter first presents the design of a distributed gradient algorithm to address the optimization problem in networked multiagent systems. The proposed algorithm is based on the distributed estimation of the gradients of the overall network cost function via local computation and information exchanges among agents in the network. Then the chapter continues with the design of a distributed optimal task coordination algorithm for multiagent systems based on the use of reinforcement learning control. A new consensus-based value iteration algorithm is proposed which provides an approximate solution to a multiagent Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation while seeking minimization of the group overall cost function for the multiagent system. With the use of neural network parameterization for state value functions for individual agents, a novel adaptive law for updating neural network weights is designed by using consensus-based estimation of several global terms in the algorithm. The case of using neural network parameterization for state–action value functions (Q-functions) is also addressed, which further renders a completely model-free near-optimal cooperative control algorithm for multiagent systems. The convergence of the proposed algorithms is rigorously analyzed. Examples are included to illustrate the theory and to validate the proposed algorithms.
Logical derivation of computer programs

An introduction to mathematical proof programming and program derivation program derivation examples - computing predicates, sets and relations program derivation examples - computing natural numbers and lists.
A Novel Method to Decontaminate Surgical Instruments for Operational and Austere Environments.

Objective The purpose of this investigation was to test a field-expedient, cost-effective method to decontaminate, sterilize, and package surgical instruments in an operational (combat) or austere environment using chlorhexidine sponges, ultraviolet C (UVC) light, and commercially available vacuum sealing. Methods This was a bench study of 4 experimental groups and 1 control group of 120 surgical instruments. Experimental groups were inoculated with a 10 6 concentration of common wound bacteria. The control group was vacuum sealed without inoculum. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were first scrubbed with a chlorhexidine sponge, rinsed, and dried. Group 1 was then packaged; group 2 was irradiated with UVC light, then packaged; group 3 was packaged, then irradiated with UVC light through the bag; and group 4 was packaged without chlorhexidine scrubbing or UVC irradiation. The UVC was not tested by itself, as it does not grossly clean. The instruments were stored overnight and tested for remaining colony forming units (CFU). Results Data analysis was conducted using analysis of variance and group comparisons using the Tukey method. Group 4 CFU was statistically greater ( P Conclusions Vacuum sealing of chlorhexidine-scrubbed contaminated instruments with and without handheld UVC irradiation appears to be an acceptable method of field decontamination. Chlorhexidine scrubbing alone achieved a 99.9% reduction in CFU, whereas adding UVC before packaging achieved sterilization or 100% reduction in CFU, and UVC through the bag achieved disinfection.
Emerging roles of lysine methylation on non-histone proteins

Lysine methylation is a common posttranslational modification (PTM) of histones that is important for the epigenetic regulation of transcription and chromatin in eukaryotes. Increasing evidence demonstrates that in addition to histones, lysine methylation also occurs on various non-histone proteins, especially transcription- and chromatin-regulating proteins. In this review, we will briefly describe the histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) that have a broad spectrum of non-histone substrates. We will use p53 and nuclear receptors, especially estrogen receptor alpha, as examples to discuss the dynamic nature of non-histone protein lysine methylation, the writers, erasers, and readers of these modifications, and the crosstalk between lysine methylation and other PTMs in regulating the functions of the modified proteins. Understanding the roles of lysine methylation in normal cells and during development will shed light on the complex biology of diseases associated with the dysregulation of lysine methylation on both histones and non-histone proteins.
Measuring Teachers' Instruction with Multilevel Item Response Theory

The purpose of this study was to describe an approach for measuring teachers' uses of instruction as it relates to students' achievement through classroom observations. Despite significant work on the substantive content of observation systems chronicling teachers' instruction, literature has largely relied on simple counts of instructional features or the average of quality indicators to describe teachers' instruction. However, such coarse summaries generally do not reflect current theories of instruction, prior empirical evidence, and the framework of most observation systems. The approach presented in this paper builds on evidence that teachers' instruction varies across lessons and that instructional features or quality indicators do not necessarily contribute equally to our understanding of effective instruction. To align theory, data and methods, this study applied multilevel item response theory to the study of early literacy instruction as it relates to students' achievement. This model provided a more complex, but more precise and theoretically grounded, view of instruction by linking components of instruction theory to model parameters. Empirical results suggested that multilevel item response models encouraged precision in the specification of theory, data collection, and models that is absent in simpler models.
ASPECTS OF A MODEL OF SUPERFLUIDITY.

Some features of a recently proposed model of superfluid bosons are examined. The equation of motion of the condensate wave function is derived and an expression for the chemical potential is obtained. It is shown that the excitation spectrum exhibits a gap in the long-wavelength limit which is identical to that obtained by Girardeau and Arnowitt. The pair correlation function is likewise shown to be very similar.
The Periods of Cataclysmic Variable Stars

To understand the structure and evolution of the cataclysmic variables, we will need accurate values for their masses, dimensions, mass transfer rates, and other physical properties. Unfortunately, despite an abundance of observational data on these systems, there is a severe dearth of reliable, quantitative information about their fundamental physical properties. Only two cataclysmic variables, U Gem and EM Cyg, are simultaneously eclipsing binaries and double-lined spectroscopic binaries, and only for these two systems can masses and dimensions be determined with a minimum of assumptions (Stover 1981a; Stover, Robinson, and Nather 1981). Even if there were more systems like U Gem and EM Cyg, it is not obvious that our information would be any more reliable, because observers are often unable to agree on the values of the directly measured quantities used to determine physical properties. Thus, the radial velocity curve of the brightest dwarf nova, SS Cyg, has been measured independently 5 times in the last 30 years. The agreement among the measurements is unsatisfactory, and the reasons for the disagreement are not completely understood (Joy 1956; Kiplinger 1979; Stover et al. 1980; Cowley, Crampton, and Hutchings 1980; Walker 1981). The physical properties may still be unreliable when the disagreements are understood and eliminated, because there is considerable uncertainty about the proper way to extract physical properties from observational data. For example, the observed radial velocity curves of cataclysmic variables are believed to be different from the true radial velocity curves of their component stars, but the amount of difference and ways to correct for the difference are unknown.
The cellular oncogene c-myb can interact synergistically with the Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 transactivator in lymphoid cells.

Regulation of replicative functions in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome is mediated through activation of a virally encoded transcription factor, Z (BZLF1). We have shown that the Z gene product, which binds to AP-1 sites as a homodimer and has sequence similarity to c-Fos, can efficiently activate the EBV early promoter, BMRF1, in certain cell types (i.e., HeLa cells) but not others (i.e., Jurkat cells). Here we demonstrate that the c-myb proto-oncogene product, which is itself a DNA-binding protein and transcriptional transactivator, can interact synergistically with Z in activating the BMRF1 promoter in Jurkat cells (a T-cell line) or Raji cells (an EBV-positive B-cell), whereas the c-myb gene product by itself has little effect. The simian virus 40 early promoter is also synergistically activated by the Z/c-myb combination. Synergistic transactivation of the BMRF1 promoter by the Z/c-myb combination appears to involve direct binding by the Z protein but not the c-myb protein. A 30-bp sequence in the BMRF1 promoter which contains a Z binding site (a consensus AP-1 site) is sufficient to transfer high-level lymphoid-specific responsiveness to the Z/c-myb combination to a heterologous promoter. That the c-myb oncogene product can interact synergistically with an EBV-encoded member of the leucine zipper protein family suggests c-myb is likely to engage in similar interactions with cellularly encoded transcription factors.
Anatomical and quantitative description of the transcavernous approach to interpeduncular and prepontine cisterns. Technical note.

Object The management of wide-necked, giant, or unsuccessfully coil-treated basilar apex aneurysms requires a wide exposure, for both working area and linear visualization of the basilar artery (BA). Cranial-based approaches, such as the transcavernous approach, have been proposed to deal with such aneurysms; whether abbreviated forms of this approach might provide similar exposure remains controversial. The authors examine this issue quantitatively. Methods Four alcohol-preserved cadaveric heads injected with pigmented silicone were prepared for bilateral dissection. After completing an orbitozygomatic craniotomy, the surgeons worked in a reverse direction, performing the transcavernous approach in five steps: 1) posterior clinoidectomy; 2) cavernous sinus opening; 3) anterior clinoidectomy; 4) cutting of the distal dural ring; and 5) cutting of the proximal dural ring. Performing the complete transcavernous approach significantly increased the working area and linear exposure of the BA compared with abb...
Coqa: concurrent objects with quantized atomicity

This paper introduces a new language model, Coqa, for deeply embedding concurrent programming into objects. Every program written in our language has the desirable behaviors of atomicity,mutual exclusion, and race freedom automatically built in. A key property of our model is the notion of quantized atomicity: every concurrent program execution can be viewed as being divided into quantum regions of atomic execution, greatly reducing the number of interleavings to consider. Rather than building atomicity locally, i.e. declaring some code blocks as atomic blocks and leaving other code segments with no guarantee of any atomicity property, we build it in globally, so that a form of atomicity, quantized atomicity, ubiquitously exists at all program points. We justify our approach both from a theoretical basis by showing that a formal representation, Kernel-Coqa, has provable quantized atomicity properties, and by implementing CoqaJava, a Java extension incorporating all of the Coqa features.
A sparse Bayesian framework for conditioning uncertain geologic models to nonlinear flow measurements

We present a Bayesian framework for reconstructing hydraulic properties of rock formations from nonlinear dynamic flow data by imposing sparsity on the distribution of the parameters in a sparse transform basis through Laplace prior distribution. Sparse representation of the subsurface flow properties in a compression transform basis (where a compact representation is often possible) lends itself to a natural regularization approach, i.e. sparsity regularization, which has recently been exploited in solving ill-posed subsurface flow inverse problems. The Bayesian estimation approach presented here allows for a probabilistic treatment of the sparse reconstruction problem and has its roots in machine learning and the recently introduced relevance vector machine algorithm for linear inverse problems. We formulate the Bayesian sparse reconstruction algorithm and apply it to nonlinear subsurface inverse problems where solution sparsity in a discrete cosine transform is assumed. The probabilistic description of solution sparsity, as opposed to deterministic regularization, allows for quantification of the estimation uncertainty and avoids the need for specifying a regularization parameter. Several numerical experiments from multiphase subsurface flow application are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method and compare it with the regular Bayesian estimation approach that does not impose solution sparsity. While the examples are derived from subsurface flow modeling, the proposed framework can be applied to nonlinear inverse problems in other imaging applications including geophysical and medical imaging and electromagnetic inverse problem.
Designing a cross-channel information management tool for workers in enterprise task forces

This paper presents a research project on the design of a cross-channel information management tool for knowledge workers: we focus on IT services professionals in a large enterprise who work in multiple ad hoc task forces. Through three rounds of investigation, we characterized their work practices and needs, specified their requirements for a cross-channel information management tool, and designed and evaluated a prototype to address these needs. We found that these workers shared the problem of managing information across multiple channels, requiring better support for aggregating, filtering, and organizing this information. We report the requirements elicited and the prototypes built during the design process.
Absolute angle measurement using the earth-field-referenced hall effect sensors.

Abstract A miniaturized absolute angle sensor utilizing Hall generators referenced to the Earth's ambient magnetic field has been developed. The sensor has three-dimensional angular sensitivity which allows the output to be self-normalized resulting in high immunity to both B-field and temperature induced errors. The individual Hall generator elements were operated with a final sensitivity of 4.07 V G−1. The Earth's field, magnitude 0.486 G with a surface declination angle of 58.2° (San Diego, California), was used as the excitation/reference field. Bandwidth limiting, low-noise design, and active/passive thermal compensation techniques were employed resulting in a sensor bandwidth of DC to 100 Hz with a maximum signal-to-noise ratio of 44.5 dB. The maximum angular resolution of the sensor was measured to be ±0.27°. Temperature induced error was measured to be less than 2% from 25°C to 40°C. The measurement of shoulder joint rotation was used as the test case application for the sensor with excellent agreement between theoretical and experimental performance.
Partial co-option of the appendage patterning pathway in the development of abdominal appendages in the sepsid fly Themira biloba.

The abdominal appendages on male Themira biloba (Diptera: Sepsidae) are complex novel structures used during mating. These abdominal appendages superficially resemble the serially homologous insect appendages in that they have a joint and a short segment that can be rotated. Non-genital appendages do not occur in adult pterygote insects, so these abdominal appendages are novel structures with no obvious ancestry. We investigated whether the genes that pattern the serially homologous insect appendages have been co-opted to pattern these novel abdominal appendages. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression patterns of the genes extradenticle (exd), Distal-less (Dll), engrailed (en), Notch, and the Bithorax Complex in the appendages of T. biloba during pupation. The expression patterns of Exd, En, and Notch were consistent with the hypothesis that a portion of the patterning pathway that establishes the coxopodite has been co-opted to pattern the developing abdominal appendages. However, Dll was only expressed in the bristles of the developing appendages and not the proximal–distal axis of the appendage itself. The lack of Dll expression indicates the absence of a distal domain of the appendage suggesting that sepsid abdominal appendages only use genes that normally pattern the base of segmental appendages.
Computer Personnel: A Brief Historical View of the People Who Make Digital Things Work

Our objective with this study is to compare three distinct periods of CPR development. We contrast the original concerns regarding computer/information systems personnel from the early days of computing with emergent concerns reflecting the accumulation of evolution of both computing technology and IS management in the subsequent years. In order to accomplish our goal, we review the proceedings of the Computer Personnel Research (CPR) group analyzing the very first proceedings (1962), the next five proceedings (1964 to 1969), and the most recent five proceedings (2006 to 2011). Our intention is to present and analyze a broad picture of trends illustrating them with vignettes from practice and observations derived from particular studies. Finally, we identify and comment on the array of themes and topics that the CPR conferences have addressed in the most recent five years.
Clonal propagation of guava (Psidium guajava L) on nodal explants of mature elite cultivar

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a very valuable tropical and subtropical fruit. However, guava micro-propagation are genotypes dependent, there are several problems associated with in vitro cultures of guava including browning or blackening of culture medium due to leaching of phenolics, microbial contamination, and in vitro tissue recalcitrance. A micro-propagation system using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), kinetin and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was developed for guava (Psidium guajava L) from mature cultivar. As part of this research various disinfection methods and plant growth regulators were tested in vitro. The most effective method involved treating explants in a 15% bleach solution for 20 mins followed by culturing them in MS medium with 250 mg/L polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). This method maximized the percentage of bud breakage (53.3%), while producing the minimum browning rate (18.3%) for the explants. The best observed proliferation rate (71.2%) occurred on the MS medium supplemented with 4.44 μM BA, 4.65 μM kinetin (KT) and 0.54 μM NAA. It produced the highest mean number of shoots (2.2). Shoots were then rooted (65%) when dipped in 4.9 mM Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution for 1 min and rooted plantlets survived (100%) after acclimatization to the greenhouse.
Controllability and stability radii for companion form systems

This paper describes a unifying approach to the computation of certain robustness measures for some calculations involving state space models in control and system theory. These measures include nearness to uncontrollability, nearness to instability, and nearness to unstabilizability and their duals. Specialized results are provided for systems in companion form (controllability canonical form, etc.). It is shown analytically why high-order companion system models have certain undesirable numerical properties. For example, it is shown that almost all highorder companion matrices are nearly singular and almost all high-order controllable canonical forms are nearly uncontrollable.
Novelties in Hawaiian Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae) Hawaiian Plant studies 117

Based on morphology there are describedPittosporum kilaueae, andP. lanaiense, both from the Hawaiian Islands.