cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas koreensis CI12, a Bacillus cereus "Hitchhiker" from the Soybean Rhizosphere.

Pseudomonas koreensis CI12 was coisolated with Bacillus cereus from a root of a soybean plant grown in a field in Arlington, WI. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of P. koreensis CI12 obtained by Illumina sequencing.
Context-dependent response to eggs: egg retrieval versus egg rejection in a conspecific brood parasite

Birds often need to distinguish their own eggs from those of others or from other objects that could be confused with their eggs. Egg recognition occurs in a variety of birds that retrieve eggs displaced from the nest. Egg recognition and rejection is also a particularly widespread defence against brood parasites. We studied egg retrieval and rejection in the American coot, Fulica americana, a species with high levels of conspecific brood parasitism. Previous work revealed that hosts recognize and reject many parasitic eggs. We conducted experiments to determine whether coots also show egg retrieval behaviour and, if they do, whether the same cues trigger retrieval and rejection. If these two responses share the same general cognitive mechanism, a given egg phenotype should elicit the same retrieval and rejection response (with the realization that failure to retrieve is analogous to rejecting eggs). Coots retrieved many eggs and objects placed on their nest rims. All coot eggs were retrieved, including eggs of other conspecific females, and most chicken eggs were also retrieved. The retrieval of a moderate proportion of non-egg-shaped objects like cubes and cylinders shows that an egg shape is not essential for retrieval. Two observations suggest that egg retrieval and rejection are triggered by different cues. The nonretrieval rates of parasitic eggs differed significantly from the corresponding egg rejection rates obtained in an earlier study. Moreover, a moderate fraction of retrieved eggs and objects were subsequently rejected soon after being retrieved. The rejection of the same eggs that were previously retrieved into the nest underscores the remarkable sensitivity of retrieval and rejection decisions to slight changes in an egg's location; a difference of a few centimetres triggers a very different response mechanism. Overall, our findings suggest that selection from brood parasitism has not shaped the evolution of egg retrieval in coots.
Acidosis Exacerbates in vivo IL-1-Dependent Inflammatory Responses and Neutrophil Recruitment During Pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

Acidic microenvironments commonly occur at sites of inflammation and bacterial infections. In the context of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, we previously demonstrated that acidosis enhances th...
Calcium control of myelin sheath growth

New studies provide compelling evidence that the number and length of myelin sheaths generated by oligodendrocytes in the CNS are controlled by local calcium levels, linking axonal activity to individual myelin sheath formation.
Central frequency of few-cycle laser pulses in strong-field processes

We analyze the role of the difference between the central frequencies of the spectral distributions of the vector potential and the electric field of a short laser pulse. The frequency shift arises when the electric field is determined as the derivative of the vector potential to ensure that both quantities vanish at the beginning and end of the pulse. We derive an analytical estimate of the frequency shift and show how it affects various light induced processes, such as excitation, ionization, and high-harmonic generation. Since observables depend on the frequency spectrum of the electric field, the shift should be taken into account when setting the central frequency of the vector potential to avoid potential misinterpretation of numerical results for processes induced by few-cycle pulses.
Passion Monetization in Hobby Entrepreneurship: Ideal Job or Recipe for Work-leisure Conflict?

Hobby entrepreneurs blur the lines between work and leisure by monetizing their craft. We develop a dynamic model of hobby entrepreneurs' passion monetization, explicating the mechanisms by which m...
When to Use the Chevassu Maneuver During Exploration of Intrascrotal Masses

As many as 50 per cent of explorations for intrascrotal masses result in orchiectomy for benign disease. The most common diagnoses are hydrocele, epididymitis and benign testicular tumors. Many of these diagnoses could be made before orchiectomy if the tunica vaginalis and, occasionally, the tunica albuginea were opened, and the lesion biopsied. However, violation of the testicular tunics traditionally has been considered taboo because of the dangers of tumor seeding. In 1906 Chevassu suggested inguinal exploration and occlusion of the testicular vessels before biopsy of suspicious lesions. We have added scrotal hypothermia, double ligation of the gubernaculum before its division and irrigation with distilled water to provide a procedure that adheres to the principles of good cancer surgery. Its use during inguinal explorations for suspicious intrascrotal masses in 5 patients led to a benign diagnosis and preservation of the testis in 3 instances without subsequent testicular atrophy. Its judicious use can decrease the incidence of orchiectomy for benign disease.
The prevention, screening and treatment of congenital heart block from neonatal lupus: a survey of provider practices

Objective To survey an international sample of providers to determine their current practices for the prevention, screening, and treatment of congenital heart block (CHB) due to maternal Ro/SSA antibodies. Methods A survey was designed by the organizing committee of the 9th International Conference of Reproduction, Pregnancy and Rheumatic Diseases. It was sent to attendants of the conference and authors of recent publications or abstracts at ACR 2012, 2013 or 2014 on rheumatic diseases and pregnancy. Results In anti-Ro/SSA positive women, 80% of 49 respondents recommended screening by serial fetal echocardiogram (ECHO), with most starting at week 16 (59%) and stopping at week 28 (25%), although the time to stop varied widely. For women without a prior infant with neonatal lupus, respondents recommend every other week (44%) or weekly (28%) fetal ECHOs. For women with a prior infant with neonatal lupus, 80% recommend weekly fetal ECHOs. To prevent CHB, HCQ was recommended by 67% of respondents and most would start pre-pregnancy (62%). Respondents were asked about medications to treat varying degrees of CHB in a 20-week pregnant, anti-Ro and La positive SLE patient. For first degree, respondents recommended starting dexamethasone (53%) or HCQ (43%). For second degree, respondents recommended starting dexamethasone (88%). For third degree, respondents recommended starting dexamethasone (55%) or IVIg (33%), although 27% would not start treatment. Conclusion Despite the absence of official guidelines, many physicians with a focus on pregnancy and rheumatic disease have developed similar patterns in the screening, prevention and treatment of CHB.
Proper Implementation of Website Features Affecting the Use of Screen Readers

This paper reports a study that evaluated 96 non-profit organization’s websites located on the east coast of the United States. The websites were analyzed during November 2018 to January 2019. The results show that all the non-profit websites analyzed have rules that lack implementation, meaning the site’s developers might not understand the accessibility requirements of the rules or did not consider accessibility in the design of the website as it relates to screen readers. The findings may provide insight to web developers on addressing improper rule implementation identified using automated tools and manual tests.
Generalized stretched ideals and Sally's conjecture

Abstract We introduce the concept of j-stretched ideal in a Noetherian local ring. It generalizes to arbitrary ideals the classical notion of stretched m -primary ideal of Sally and Rossi–Valla, as well as the concept of ideal of minimal and almost minimal j-multiplicity introduced by Polini and Xie. One of our main theorems states that, for a j-stretched ideal, the associated graded ring is Cohen–Macaulay if and only if two classical invariants of the ideal, the reduction number and the index of nilpotency, are equal. Our second main theorem gives numerical conditions ensuring the almost Cohen–Macaulayness of the associated graded ring of a j-stretched ideal, and it provides a generalized version of Sally's conjecture. This work, which also holds for modules, unifies the approaches of Rossi–Valla and Polini–Xie and generalizes simultaneously results on the Cohen–Macaulayness or almost Cohen–Macaulayness of the associated graded module by several authors, including Sally, Rossi–Valla, Wang, Elias, Corso–Polini–Vaz Pinto, Huckaba, Marley and Polini–Xie.
Tailor-made thermoplastic elastomers: customisable materials via modulation of molecular weight distributions

The ability to change polymer properties has in the past largely been a factor of modulating the molecular weight, molecular weight distribution breadth, crosslinking, or branching. The use of controlled MWD shape has recently emerged as a promising avenue towards modifying polymer properties. Taking advantage of molecular weight distribution shape, we report a simple and efficient approach for tuning material properties in polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (SIS) thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). We find that the skew of the MWD function governs tensile properties and can be used as a handle to predictably vary polymer toughness while reducing energy dissipation.
Thermosensitivity studies of hyperbranched dendrimers and branched polymer with terminal N-isopropylamide

Abstract Thermoresponsive polymers, such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(amidoamine) dendrimers generation 5 (PAMAM, G5), have been both studied and developed for use in a variety of biomedical applications, in part because of their unqiue solution behavior. Despite this, there are a few studies on the thermosensitivity of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers in aqueous solution of different ionic strengths. Furthermore, it is not demonstrated how the stoichiometric (1:1) conjugation of a macromolecule to a dendrimer alters its thermoresponsive behavior. Motivated by these knowledge gaps, we synthesized a series of polymer based on N-isopropylamide with various carbon spacer lengths and conjugated to both G5 dendritic and branched polymers to evaluate their altered thermosensitivity in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) of different ionic strengths. Additionally, we synthesized mono substituted G5-(N3)1 followed by stoichiometric (1:1) dendrimer-poly(ethylene glycol) conjugatation in high purity and quantitative yield. Thermoresponsive behavior of this conjugate was much different from a modified dendrimer despite having the same peripheral functional groups. Moreover, dendrimer-poly(ethylene glycol) conjugate showed no unusual phase transition behavior in PBS unlike the modified dendrimers with similar peripheral functional groups. Additionally, we synthesized N-isosopropylamide terminated poly(allylamine) (PAH) that consists of higher nitrogen and longer side chain than prototype PNIPAM, yet both showed similar transition temperature (Tt) in water.
A Red-Leather Year for Aesthetic Functionality

An August 2011 decision in the high-fanfare, high-heeled case of Christian Louboutin v. Yves Saint Laurent America cements mid-2010 to mid-2011 as a "red-leather year" for the aesthetic functionality doctrine. This doctrine, which withholds trademark protection from ornamental features over which a grant of exclusive rights would significantly hinder competition, has had -- in the a propos words of the Ninth Circuit -- a decidedly "checkered" history. Like intellectual property protection in general, the doctrine's scope has periodically expanded and contracted since it was formally recognized by the Ninth Circuit in 1952. But after that same appellate court largely banished aesthetic functionality in a 2006 decision that appeared to mark the end of an era, several recent, broadly worded decisions (including the headline-grabbing ruling in Louboutin) indicate that the aesthetic functionality doctrine may now be in a period of rapid growth -- perhaps even in the Ninth Circuit. Trademark practitioners should stay abreast of the changes in this area of the law; anyone who remains under the impression that the doctrine has been rendered toothless might be in for a nasty bite. UPDATE (Jan. 2014): For a proposal that the courts and USPTO rely more heavily on the doctrine of "genericism" as a potential solution to the problems associated with the "aesthetic functionality" doctrine, please visit the LAW OF FASHION website -- containing a presentation given at the NYU 2014 Tri-State IP Workshop and forming the basis for a full-length work-in-progress.
Experimental study of a lenticular jet

Non-circular jets, particularly elongated jets and jets with sharp corners, are of interest due to their enhanced large- and small-scale mixing and combustion stability. Non-circular jet geometries such as elliptic, triangular, rectangular, and square have been extensively studied. The non-uniform curvature and elongated design of elliptic and rectangular jets has been shown to facilitate axis switching. Additionally, jets with sharp corners have been shown to facilitate small-scale mixing and further vortex ring deformation, as has been observed in triangular, square, and rectangular jets. There are, however, currently no data on the flow characteristics of a jet that combines these two features, i.e., it enhances both large- and small-scale mixing. The jet is issuing from a nozzle shape defined by two arcs of a circle connecting at sharp corners in the shape of an eye (hereafter termed ‘lenticular’). The current study uses experimental techniques to characterize the lenticular jet and compare its behavior to previously studied circular and non-circular jets. Additionally, snapshot POD analysis was used to identify coherent structures and their dynamic features. The lenticular jet was found to have higher entrainment and stronger mixing than a traditional round jet, and comparable mixing and entrainment characteristics as previously studied non-circular jet geometries. It is particularly interesting to compare the jet behavior of the lenticular jet to an elliptic jet. The geometry of these two jets is extremely similar, the difference being sharp corners along the major axis of the lenticular jet. By comparing the lenticular jet and the elliptic jet, the effect of sharp corners, which have been shown to increase small-scale mixing and vortex ring deformation, can be observed. It was found that along the minor axis, where geometry was similar, shear layer turbulence intensity and spreading rate of the jets were also similar. Along the major axis, however, introducing corner features in the lenticular jet lowered the spread rate, resulted in a faster breakdown of turbulence in the shear layer, increased exit turbulence, and resulted in anisotropic centerline turbulence. Geometry of a jet issuing from a novel exit shape defined by two arcs of a circle connecting at sharp corners. The exit shape has been termed lenticular and possesses characteristics known to increase both large- and small-scale mixing. The ensuing jet sharply contracts along the major axis and rapidly expands along the minor axis resulting in an axis switch.
Flattening the Curve - Then What?

In addition to social distancing, the strategy of flattening the curve requires a significant increase in surge capacity at hospitals. Unfortunately, one reason for the lack of surge capacity is that excess capacity in hospitals is the exact opposite of high utilization rates that hospitals attempt to maintain for financial reasons. Fragmentation of public health responsibility among federal, state, and local officials often leads to gaps in coverage and inconsistent messages for the public. Finally, the essential social solidarity to respond to the pandemic has been undermined by a divisive political system and public figures who dispense ignorant and divisive information on cable news outlets that contradicts scientific experts and public health officials.
Modern Classical Mechanics

In this modern and distinctive textbook, Helliwell and Sahakian present classical mechanics as a thriving and contemporary field with strong connections to cutting-edge research topics in physics. Each part of the book concludes with a capstone chapter describing various key topics in quantum mechanics, general relativity, and other areas of modern physics, clearly demonstrating how they relate to advanced classical mechanics, and enabling students to appreciate the central importance of classical mechanics within contemporary fields of research. Numerous and detailed examples are interleaved with theoretical content, illustrating abstract concepts more concretely. Extensive problem sets at the end of each chapter further reinforce students' understanding of key concepts, and provide opportunities for assessment or self-testing. A detailed online solutions manual and lecture slides accompany the text for instructors. Often a flexible approach is required when teaching advanced classical mechanics, and, to facilitate this, the authors have outlined several paths instructors and students can follow through the book, depending on background knowledge and the length of their course.
Direct printing of gold nanospheres from colloidal solutions by pyro-electrohydrodynamic jet allows hypersensitive SERS sensing

Abstract Pyro-electrohydrodynamic jet printing (p-jet) has been used to fabricate a nanostructured plasmonic sensor for SERS spectroscopy. The p-jet approach allowed us to have an assembly of nanoparticles with suitable geometry and size, which resulted in a sensing surface with intense SERS activity and a rather homogeneous response. Raman imaging measurements highlighted strong Enhancement Factors across the sensing area, exceeding those of the pristine colloidal solution by almost two orders of magnitude. The intense plasmonic effect was further demonstrated by the spectroscopic recognition of a metal-catalyzed dimerization process triggered to completeness at the metal surface. The results presented herein demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed SERS sensor for hypersensitive molecular analysis.
What Can We Learn From Trustworthy Data? An Interview With John Wills Lloyd

John Wills Lloyd is Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia and co-editor of Exceptional Children. He earned his PhD from the University of Oregon and spent most of his career at the Unive...
Integrating Multiplex SiMPull and Computational Modeling to Evaluate Combinatorial Aspects of EGFR Signaling

Abstract The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR/ErbB1/HER1) plays an important role in both physiological and cancer-related processes. To study the factors that influence receptor phosphorylation, we have coupled Single Molecule Pull-down (SiMPull) measurements with rule-based modeling of EGFR signaling. Using SiMPull, we quantified the phosphorylation state of thousands of individual receptors. These measurements enabled the first direct detection of multisite phosphorylation on full-length EGFR and revealed that the extent of phosphorylation varies by tyrosine site and is dependent on the relative abundance of signaling partners that limit access by tyrosine phosphatases. We also evaluated the impact of oncogenic mutations and ligands with varying affinity on phosphorylation kinetics. Simulations highlight the importance of dimer lifetimes on EGFR phosphorylation and signaling output.
Additive or Multiplicative? Predicting Academic Outcomes from Self-Regulation and Context

Many studies have documented the role of self-regulation in predicting academic outcomes. However, fewer have comprehensively measured self-regulation or considered it simultaneously with contextual variables to test formally the often-advanced "risk-buffering" hypothesis, wherein self-regulatory skill protects against contextual risk factors. In a large, regionally representative sample of U.S. adolescents, we linked self-reported demographics, self-regulation, and academic outcomes to Census data assessing neighborhood context and administrative data measuring economic disadvantage and achievement levels on state end-of-grade tests. We find inconsistent evidence for a risk-buffering role of self-regulation in the prediction of academic outcomes. Rather, we demonstrate that self-regulation is independently associated with academic outcomes, even when controlling for demographics and context.
Continued Relevance of Minimum Volume Standards for Elective Esophagectomy: A National Perspective.

Abstract Background Despite minimum volume recommendations, the majority of esophagectomies are performed at centers with fewer than 20 annual cases. The present study examined the impact of institutional esophagectomy volume on in-hospital mortality, complications and resource use following esophageal resection. Methods The 2010-2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried to identify all adult patients undergoing esophagectomy for malignancy. Hospitals were categorized as high-volume (HVH) if performing at least 20 esophagectomies annually, and low-volume (LVH) if fewer. Multivariable models were developed to study the impact of volume on outcomes of interest which included in-hospital mortality, complications, duration of hospitalization (LOS), inflation adjusted costs, readmissions, and non-home discharge. Results Of an estimated 23,176 hospitalizations, 45.6% occurred at HVH. Incidence of esophagectomy increased significantly along with median institutional case load over the study period, while the proportion on hospitals considered HVH remained steady at approximately 7.4%. After adjusting for relevant patient and hospital characteristics, HVH was associated with decreased mortality (AOR=0.65), LOS (β=-1.83 days), pneumonia (AOR=0.69), prolonged ventilation (AOR=0.50), sepsis (AOR=0.80), and tracheostomy (AOR=0.66), but increased odds of non-home discharge (AOR=1.56, all P Conclusions Many clinical outcomes of esophagectomy are improved with no increment in costs when performed at centers with an annual caseload of at least 20, as recommended by patient advocacy organizations. These findings suggest that centralization of esophageal resections to high-volume centers may be congruent with value-based care models.
Neutrino-generated static space-times

We consider the interaction between neutrinos and gravitation by studying the Einstein-Dirac (Weyl) equations. For simplicity we discuss only plane symmetric space-times. We derive exact, static solutions to the Einstein-Dirac equations. Although the models we study are not of direct astrophysical interest, they are simple and point out explicit properties of the theory. These are the first static, neutrinogenerated space-times, as far as we are aware.
Abstract 13415: Monocyte/Macrophage-Specific Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Deficiency Promotes Lipid Accumulation and Inflammatory Responses in Macrophages, Leading to Increased Atherosclerosis

Macrophage (Mf) uptake of modified lipids, pro-inflammatory signaling and conversion to foam cells is a hallmark of atheroma formation. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a pleiotropic growth factor and its receptor (IGF1R) is expressed in various cell types including Mf, yet the role of Mf IGF1R signaling in atherogenesis is unknown. We created Mf-specific IGF1R-deficient mice on Apoe-/- background (Mf-IGF1R-KO) and found these mice had increased plaque burden (aortic root plaque size, 57.0 ± 14.9 % increase) and enhanced inflammatory phenotype (anti-Mac3 staining, Mf-IGF1R-KO, 31.3 ± 2.8 % vs. IGF1R flox, 22.5 ± 4.2 %). To determine mechanisms we exposed peritoneal Mf from Mf-IGF1R-KO mice (IGF1R-KO cells) and IGF1R-flox mice (IGF1R-WT cells) to acetylated LDL (acLDL) and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and assessed proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression levels, lipid uptake, and cholesterol efflux. IGF1R-KO cells expressed higher levels of IL1α, IL6, and TNFα compared to IGF1R-WT cells (IL1α; 338±19 pg/mg protein vs. 32±1 pg/mg protein, P<0.01, IL6; 1167±37 pg/mg protein vs. 30±2, P<0.01, TNFα; 240±72 pg/mg protein vs. Not Detectable), whereas oxLDL did not further enhance cytokine expression. NFkB activity was significantly higher in IGF1R-KO cells than IGF1R-WT cells as determined by a solid-phase DNA binding assay. AcLDL or oxLDL uptake was not altered by IGF1R deficiency; however cholesterol efflux to apolipoprotein A1 was significantly impaired (decreased by 57.9±9.4 %, P<0.01). OxLDL upregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 was suppressed by 40.8±5.9 % (P<0.05) in IGF1R-KO cells indicating that IGF1R-deficiency impaired lipid efflux thereby promoting macrophage foam cell formation. Moreover, there was a concomitant decrease in oxLDL-upregulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1, consistent with dysregulation of lipid homeostasis. Thus Mf IGF-1R deficiency is markedly pro-inflammatory and disrupts Mf lipid trafficking by reducing cholesterol efflux, resulting in increased atherosclerotic plaque formation. These data suggest that IGF-1 regulation of Mf inflammatory responses and lipid metabolism may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease.
Comparison of Coarsening Schemes for Multilevel Graph Partitioning

Graph partitioning is a well-known optimization problem of great interest in theoretical and applied studies. Since the 1990s, many multilevel schemes have been introduced as a practical tool to solve this problem. A multilevel algorithm may be viewed as a process of graph topology learning at different scales in order to generate a better approximation for any approximation method incorporated at the uncoarsening stage in the framework. In this work we compare two multilevel frameworks based on the geometric and the algebraic multigrid schemes for the partitioning problem.
Environmental factors influential to the duration and intensity of tornadoes in simulated supercells

[1] Simulations were performed using an idealized cloud model to investigate the environmental conditions influential to tornado duration and intensity. The results from twenty-one tornadic simulations are presented—far more than any previous study. The results show a nearly linear relationship between storm relative environmental helicity (SREH) and simulated tornado duration. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed showing that, in addition to SREH, convective available potential energy (CAPE), convective inhibition (CIN), and precipitable water (Pwat) are useful predictor variables for simulated tornado duration. Similar results were found for simulated tornado intensity, as represented by the maximum central pressure drop.
The perceptual processing capacity of summary statistics between and within feature dimensions

The simultaneous-sequential method was used to test the processing capacity of statistical summary representations both within and between feature dimensions. Sixteen gratings varied with respect to their size and orientation. In Experiment 1, the gratings were equally divided into four separate smaller sets, one of which with a mean size that was larger or smaller than the other three sets, and one of which with a mean orientation that was tilted more leftward or rightward. The task was to report the mean size and orientation of the oddball sets. This therefore required four summary representations for size and another four for orientation. The sets were presented at the same time in the simultaneous condition or across two temporal frames in the sequential condition. Experiment 1 showed evidence of a sequential advantage, suggesting that the system may be limited with respect to establishing multiple within-feature summaries. Experiment 2 eliminates the possibility that some aspect of the task, other than averaging, was contributing to this observed limitation. In Experiment 3, the same 16 gratings appeared as one large superset, and therefore the task only required one summary representation for size and another one for orientation. Equal simultaneous-sequential performance indicated that between-feature summaries are capacity free. These findings challenge the view that within-feature summaries drive a global sense of visual continuity across areas of the peripheral visual field, and suggest a shift in focus to seeking an understanding of how between-feature summaries in one area of the environment control behavior.
Biogenesis of the vacuole in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Publisher Summary This chapter describes vacuolar biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It discusses the biosynthesis of endogenous vacuolar proteins, the intracellular routes taken by proteins that are degraded in the vacuole, and the assembly of the vacuolar H+-ATPase. Trafficking of various proteins to the vacuole occurs through several, apparently distinct pathways. These pathways, which converge at or in the vacuole, define a central aspect of the overall vacuolar biogenesis. The chapter also describes the isolation and characterization of several classes of mutants with defects in vacuolar protein sorting, vacuolar assembly, and vacuolar segregation. The characterization of these mutants and the wild-type genes affected in these strains provide clues about the molecular activities required for assembly of this complex organelle. Vacuolar biogenesis not only involves delivery of proteins to the vacuole but also segregation of the organelle to buds during daughter-cell development. The soluble vacuolar glycoproteins possess targeting information within their primary amino-acid sequences that specify interaction with active vacuolar sorting machinery; missorted soluble precursors are secreted at the cell surface through the late stages of the secretory pathway. The soluble vacuolar glycoprotein carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) is considered the best-characterized vacuolar protein in yeast, as it provides a typical example of a soluble vacuolar protein that traverses the secretory pathway during its biosynthesis and delivery to the vacuole.
Implementation and outcomes of a pharmacy residency mentorship program

Purpose The implementation and outcomes of a pharmacy residency mentorship program are described. Summary The mentorship program at the Detroit Medical Center was formally implemented during the residency orientation period in 2013. Residents had up to two months after the start of the residency to choose a mentor, which we believed was an adequate amount of time to meet all members of the department of pharmacy. One year after implementation of the mentorship program, an anonymous survey was administered to all 16 residents to gather feedback about the mentorship program. Eleven (70%) of the 16 residents completed the survey. A majority agreed that having a mentor was a beneficial aspect of their residency training, often citing their mentor as integral in their career planning and helpful in balancing their personal and professional lives. Further, 91% ( n = 10) of the respondents indicated that they planned on remaining in contact with their mentor after their residency. Nearly half of the residents met multiple times per month or weekly. All respondents stated that their mentor was available and accessible when needed. The year after program implementation, all residents were either offered a position for employment or matched to a residency before the completion of the residency. Although the mentors were not assessed with an anonymous survey, there continues to be overwhelming support for the continuation and improvement of the program as part of residency training. Conclusion Implementation of a mentorship program during residency training was viewed as beneficial for personal and professional development by many of the residents.
Does furosemide alter the hemodynamic response to rapid intravascular transfusion of the anemic fetal lamb

The purpose of this study was to define the hemodynamic response to rapid intravascular transfusion of the anemic fetal lamb and to determine whether furosemide alters that response. Sixteen experiments were performed in nine chronically instrumented gravid ewes between 0.8 and 0.9 of timed gestation. On day 1 of each experiment, each fetus was subjected to hemorrhage (40 ml/kg of estimated fetal weight) over 1 hour. On day 2, plasma was withdrawn from the stored fetal blood until the hematocrit was approximately 70%, and the packed red blood cells were returned to the fetus intravenously over 10 minutes. Each fetus received either furosemide (2 mg/kg)or control saline solution intravenously at time zero and again at 5 minutes. The order of experiments was randomly determined for each animal. Hemorrhage resulted in a similar decrease in fetal hematocrit in the two groups. The mean ± SEM fetal hematocrit before hemorrhage was 38 ± 3% in the furosemide group ( n = 8) and 36 ± 2% in the control group ( n = 8). On day 2, the mean ± SEM fetal hematocrit before transfusion was 28 ± 2% in the furosemide group and 25 ± 1% in the control group. There was no significant difference between groups in the fetal hemodynamic response to transfusion. At the end of the transfusion, the fetal central venous pressure had increased from 4.9 ± 0.5 to 6.2 ± 0.5 mm Hg in the furosemide group ( p = 0.01) and from 3.9 ± 0.2 to 5.8 ± 0.3 mm Hg in the control group ( p = 0.0001). Fetal mean arterial pressure increased from 42 ± 1 to 50 ± 1 mm Hg in the furosemide group ( p = 0.0001) and from 40 ± 1 to 46 ± 1 mm Hg in the control group ( p = 0.0007). Fetal heart rate decreased from 187 ± 2 to 169 ± 5 beats/min in the furosemide group ( p = 0.004) and from 188 ± 4 to 170 ± 5 beats/min in the control group ( p = 0.0008). Transfusion did not significantly change fetal pH in either group. At 120 minutes, the fetal PO 2 had increased from 17 ± 1 to 19 ± 1 mm Hg in the furosemide group ( p = 0.03) and from 19 ± 1 to 21 ± 2 mm Hg in the control group ( p = 0.05). We conclude that rapid transfusion of the anemic fetal lamb resulted in modest increases in fetal central venous pressure and mean arterial pressure. Second, furosemide did not significantly alter the hemodynamic response to rapid transfusion.
Design of the Air Force Research Laboratory Micro Aerial Vehicle Research Configuration

Abstract : The Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/MN) is presently involved in many aspects of micro aerial vehicle (MAV) research. Among these are: advanced modeling and simulation models for MAVs, aero-structural interaction, advanced guidance techniques, hardware-in-the-loop simulations, and vehicle integration. In order to optimize collaboration within AFRL and also with outside research organizations, it was decided that a common MAV configuration be designed that would serve as a reference for current and future research. This paper describes a generic micro air vehicle that will serve as a "baseline" configuration. The MAV design incorporates a circular fuselage, a thin cambered wing, and a conventional tail. The MAV has a wingspan of 24 inches and a fuselage length of 17 inches. This paper will also detail the rational behind the design as well as provide initial aerodynamic properties and flight performance characteristics of the AFRL Generic MAV, herein called "GENMAV."
Electronic structure of phosphorus in doped amorphous hydrogenated silicon

Abstract The electronic structure of impurities in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) is investigated. The formation energies of phosphorus dopant atoms in a-Si:H are calculated, and used to infer the energetically favored bonding configurations. The large and negative formation energy found for electronically inactive, pyramidally bonded (non-dopant) phosphorus atoms is consistent with their prevalence in phosphorus-doped a-Si:H. Phosphorus dopant atoms are found to be energetically favored to occur in the vicinity of SiH bonds. The effects of charge transfer reactions on the stability of neutral phosphorus dopant atoms in the proximity of silicon dangling bonds are considered. The results here accord well with a variety of experimental data, including nuclear magnetic resonance and electron spin resonance measurements on a-Si:H.
Regulation of the metastatic cell phenotype by sialylated glycans

Tumor cells exhibit striking changes in cell surface glycosylation as a consequence of dysregulated glycosyltransferases and glycosidases. In particular, an increase in the expression of certain sialylated glycans is a prominent feature of many transformed cells. Altered sialylation has long been associated with metastatic cell behaviors including invasion and enhanced cell survival; however, there is limited information regarding the molecular details of how distinct sialylated structures or sialylated carrier proteins regulate cell signaling to control responses such as adhesion/migration or resistance to specific apoptotic pathways. The goal of this review is to highlight selected examples of sialylated glycans for which there is some knowledge of molecular mechanisms linking aberrant sialylation to critical processes involved in metastasis.
Être ou "à-paraître": traces de l'hésitation dans Le Pays et White de Marie Darrieussecq

This article explores the nexus between ghosts of the past and futuristic spectres (here, holograms) in two novels by Marie Darrieussecq: White (2003) and Le Pays (2005). It brings out the tension between being and representation through the lens of Jacques Derrida's interpretation of spectres and Marc Auge's theory of supermodernity and non-places; it questions the role of physicality in social interactions today and in the near future. Although one might be inclined to read the novels as offering a pessimistic view of today's virtualization of the body, this article contends that Darrieussecq develops strong female characters who learn to create bridges between past traumas and a positive a-venir, by meaningfully incorporating technosciences into their daily lives.Cet article explore le point d'intersection entre fantomes du passe et spectres futuristes (dans ce cas, les hologrammes) dans deux romans de Marie Darrieussecq, White (2003) et Le Pays (2005). L'on y souligne la tension entre les notions d' "...
The Influence of Nurse-Sensitive Variables on Patient Satisfaction

ABSTRACT • A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY was conducted in an ambulatory surgical unit to explore the influence of selected nurse-sensitive variables on patient satisfaction and compare the reliability and validity of existing instruments that measure patient satisfaction. • STUDY RESULTS indicate that age, gender, culture, pain control, and communication affect patient satisfaction in ambulatory care. A reliable tool to measure patient satisfaction is needed to promote improvements in care. AORN J 78 (November 2003) 783–793.
Permeability and infiltration relationships in one dimensional infiltration in a uniform soil

Equations are developed for the relationship between infiltration rate and time for one dimensional flow in a uniform soil of constant permeability. The depth of ponded water, the permeability of the soil and the moisture deficit in the transmission zone are the principal parameters. The equations are compared with experimental data with reasonably satisfactory results in view of the restrictive hypotheses.
An Accelerating−Reporting Group for Studies of Radical Heterolysis Reactions and Its Application in an Acid-Catalyzed Fragmentation Reaction of an α,β-Dimethoxy Radical

The 2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl group was employed to accelerate reactions of α-methoxy radicals containing β-leaving groups, to trap the products of either migration or heterolysis of the leaving group, and to provide a useful chromophore for laser flash photolysis kinetic studies. The reporting group biases reactions in favor of heterolytic fragmentation and most likely intercepts radical cations in ion pairs. The 1-methoxy-1-methyl-2-(diethylphosphatoxy)-2-(2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl)ethyl radical (3a) reacted faster than the kinetic resolution of the instrument (k > 2 × 108 s-1) in all solvents studied, and the 2-acetoxy analogue (3b) reacted much faster than related radicals that do not contain the cyclopropyl group (e.g., k = 1.1 × 106 s-1 in CH3CN at ambient temperature). The rate constants and Arrhenius parameters for reactions of 3b indicated that the rate-limiting step in the reaction was heterolytic cleavage. The 1,2-dimethoxy-1-methyl-2-(2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl)ethyl radical (26) reacted in a general...
Flexibility as a Model Parachute Performance Parameter

In parachute model experiments, performed for the study of static and dynamic parachute characteristics, one must consider, besides Reynolds and Mach number influences, the effects of canopy porosity, weight, and flexibility. Porosity can be expressed as a function of Reynolds and Mach numbers. For the definition of the structural characteristics, a stiffnessweight index is proposed. Fabrication details for building models with a low stiffness index were developed. Wind-tunnel and catapult tests with models of different stiffness indexes showed significant differences in parachute drag, inflation, and squidding characteristics.
Slug is a mediator of epithelial-mesenchymal cell transformation in the developing chicken heart.

Abstract An epithelial–mesenchymal cell transformation occurs during the development of the endocardial cushions in the atrioventricular (AV) canal of the heart. We hypothesized that the transcription factor Slug is required for this epithelial–mesenchymal cell transformation since Slug is required for similar transformations during gastrulation and neural crest differentiation in chicken embryos. We found by RT-PCR and immunostaining that the temporal and spatial localization of Slug in the embryonic chicken heart is consistent with a role for Slug in endocardial cushion formation. Moreover, we found that Slug expression by AV canal endothelial cells is induced by a signal provided by AV canal myocardium. Slug appears to be required for epithelial–mesenchymal cell transformation in the chicken heart since treatment of AV canal explants with antisense Slug oligodeoxynucleotides inhibited mesenchymal cell formation in vitro. Antisense Slug oligodeoxynucleotides prevented endothelial cell–cell separation, suggesting that Slug acts early in the transformation pathway.
Exogenous and endogenous ceramides elicit volume-sensitive chloride current in ventricular myocytes.

Aims Because ceramide accumulates in several forms of cardiovascular disease and ceramide-induced apoptosis may involve the volume-sensitive Cl− current, I Cl,swell, we assessed whether ceramide activates I Cl,swell. Methods and results I Cl,swell was measured in rabbit ventricular myocytes by whole-cell patch clamp after isolating anion currents. Exogenous C2-ceramide (C2-Cer), a membrane-permeant short-chain ceramide, elicited an outwardly rectifying Cl− current in both physiological and symmetrical Cl− solutions that was fully inhibited by DCPIB, a specific I Cl,swell blocker. In contrast, the metabolically inactive C2-Cer analogue C2-dihydroceramide (C2-H2Cer) failed to activate Cl− current. Bacterial sphingomyelinase (SMase), which generates endogenous long-chain ceramides as was confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry, also elicited an outwardly rectifying Cl− current that was inhibited by DCPIB and tamoxifen, another I Cl,swell blocker. Bacterial SMase-induced current was partially reversed by osmotic shrinkage and fully suppressed by ebselen, a scavenger of reactive oxygen species. Outward rectification with physiological and symmetrical Cl− gradients, block by DCPIB and tamoxifen, and volume sensitivity are characteristics that identify I Cl,swell. Insensitivity to C2-H2Cer and block by ebselen suggest involvement of ceramide signalling rather than direct lipid-channel interaction. Conclusion Exogenous and endogenous ceramide elicited I Cl,swell in ventricular myocytes. This may contribute to persistent activation of I Cl,swell and aspects of altered myocyte function in cardiovascular diseases associated with by ceramide accumulation.
Rabbit kidney vacuolating virus: Extraction of infectious DNA ☆

Abstract Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) preparations capable of exhibiting cytopathic effects (CPE) on primary and secondary cell cultures of rabbit kidneys were obtained from the rabbit kidney vacuolating (RKV) virus-infected tissue cultures by a phenolic extraction procedure. The active factor in the preparations was concluded to be DNA in nature by the following criteria: The CPE-producing capacity of the nucleic acid (NA) preparation could be completely abolished by its exposure to deoxyribonuclease (0.5 μg/ml) but not with ribonuclease (50 μg/ml) or with trypsin (100 μg/ml). Antiserum, sufficient to neutralize 104 tissue culture infectious dose50 (TCID50) of RKV, did not block the appearance of CPE in tissue cultures exposed to NA preparations. The infectivity of the RKV-DNA was resistant to treatment with 1 M NaOH and resisted boiling at 100 ° for 60 minutes.
Air Oxidation of Self-Assembled Monolayers on Polycrystalline Gold: The Role of the Gold Substrate

Alkanethiolates in self-assembled monolayers on gold oxidize in air, in the dark, to form sulfinates and sulfonates. The kinetics of oxidation, however, vary depending on the morphology of the underlying gold, with the rate of oxidation increasing dramatically with a decrease in the size of the grains and the amount of Au(111) on the surface. This difference in kinetics of oxidation is sufficiently great that it may provide insight into discrepancies among previous reports in the literature regarding the inertness of these SAMs in air. The oxidized products also desorb readily, and these species decompose under prolonged X-ray irradiation in ultrahigh vacuum.
Multiconditional terminal control of trajectories

Abstract The problem of controlling a multistage vehicle trajectory is examined in ligh of prescribed terminal constraints on position, velocity and flight time. The basic approach, guidance on extrapolated error, is applicable to inertial and command guidance systems. Command guidance is emphasized in the paper. Kalman's approach to the discrete linear filtering and prediction problem is employed to minimize the influence of radar tracking inaccuracies on the extrapolated errors. The results of a digital simulation of the system are summarized.
Plasma cell surface antigen on human blood lymphocytes.

THERE is considerable evidence that lymphocytes bearing immunoglobulins on their surfaces are present in the peripheral blood of various animal species as well as man1–3. Takahashi et al.4 indicated that neoplastic, as well as normal mouse plasma cells, contained specific surface alloantigens. These plasma cells do not, however, contain surface immunoglobulin determinants5. Harris et al.6,7 demonstrated that neoplastic plasma cells of the mouse could be used to prepare specific antisera against normal plasma cells. These anti-plasma cell sera (APS) were found to suppress specifically primary and secondary humoral immunity without apparently affecting cellular immunity. Recently, we established a long term culture of human plasma cells8 from a localised plasmacytoma tumour of a patient with multiple myeloma. The cultured cells morphologically resembled plasma cells, and they secreted an IgG immunoglobulin antigenically identical to the patient's myeloma protein. Using cells from this source, an anti-human plasma cell serum (HuAPS) has been prepared which recognises a surface antigen on human plasma cells.
Skeletal Malformations Resulting from Cadmium Treatment in the Hamster

Previous studies have shown that cadmium induces a variety of grossly detectable malformations in the golden hamster including exencephaly, cleft lip and palate, amelia, micromelia and ectrodactyly. This report presents the frequency and types of underlying skeletal malformations induced by the intravenous administration of cadmium at four times during the critical stages in hamster embryo organogenesis. In general, all areas of the skeletal system are damaged by this heavy metal. This is manifested by the absence or poor development of ossification centers in different bones. Possible mechanisms of action of cadmium are discussed.