cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Biosurfactant-Producing Bacteria in Undisturbed and Contaminated Arid Southwestern Soils

Biosurfactants are a unique class of compounds that have been shown to have a variety of potential applications in the remediation of organic- and metal-contaminated sites, in the enhanced transport of bacteria, in enhanced oil recovery, as cosmetic additives, and in biological control. However, little is known about the distribution of biosurfactant-producing bacteria in the environment. The goal of this study was to determine how common culturable surfactant-producing bacteria are in undisturbed and contaminated sites. A series of 20 contaminated (i.e., with metals and/or hydrocarbons) and undisturbed soils were collected and plated on R2A agar. The 1,305 colonies obtained were screened for biosurfactant production in mineral salts medium containing 2% glucose. Forty-five of the isolates were positive for biosurfactant production, representing most of the soils tested. The 45 isolates were grouped by using repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-PCR analysis, which yielded 16 unique isolates. Phylogenetic relationships were determined by comparing the 16S rRNA gene sequence of each unique isolate with known sequences, revealing one new biosurfactant-producing microbe, a Flavobacterium sp. Sequencing results indicated only 10 unique isolates (in comparison to the REP analysis, which indicated 16 unique isolates). Surface tension results demonstrated that isolates that were similar according to sequence analysis but unique according to REP analysis in fact produced different surfactant mixtures under identical growth conditions. These results suggest that the 16S rRNA gene database commonly used for determining phylogenetic relationships may miss diversity in microbial products (e.g., biosurfactants and antibiotics) that are made by closely related isolates. In summary, biosurfactant-producing microorganisms were found in most soils even by using a relatively limited screening assay. Distribution was dependent on soil conditions, with gram-positive biosurfactant-producing isolates tending to be from heavy metal-contaminated or uncontaminated soils and gram-negative isolates tending to be from hydrocarbon-contaminated or cocontaminated soils.
Special Education Teacher Retention and Attrition A Critical Analysis of the Research Literature

The lack of qualified special education teachers threatens the quality of education that students with disabilities receive. Attrition plays a part in the teacher shortage problem, and efforts to improve retention must be informed by an understanding of the factors that contribute to attrition. Specifically, the author provides a thematic analysis of studies investigating factors that contribute to special education teacher attrition and retention. She addresses four major themes: teacher characteristics and personal factors, teacher qualifications, work environments, and teachers' affective reactions to work. Following this thematic review, a critique of definitional, conceptual, and methodological approaches used to study special education attrition is provided, as are priorities for future research.
Morphological diversity and ecological similarity: versatility of muscular and skeletal morphologies enables ecological convergence in shrews

Summary 1. Ecological convergence in morphology among taxa of distinct evolutionary histories is a common illustration of the efficacy of natural selection. Ecological convergence is often enabled by functional redundancy of complex morphological structures, such that modification of existing morphologies in response to similar functional requirements can lead to the development and evolution of morphological diversity. Thus, studies of the mechanisms that enable the development of similar adaptations in taxa with distinct morphologies provide important insights into both the evolution of past adaptations and patterns of future evolutionary divergence. 2. Here, we examine mechanisms that have enabled ecological convergence in foraging morphology among four geographically isolated and morphologically distinct populations of shrews: south-eastern Arizona and north-central New Mexico populations of the montane shrews (Sorex monticolus) and northern California and north-central Montana populations of the vagrant shrew (S. vagrans). 3. We show that despite overlap in diet, populations had distinct skeletal and muscular morphologies of the mandible. This association between ecological convergence and morphological uniqueness among populations was enabled by versatility of foraging morphologies that generated similar functional outputs. 4. In addition, we found that populations exhibited unique skeletal and muscular correlations with diet suggesting that distinct muscular and morphological components of the complex foraging apparatus can be used for a particular resource. This result corroborates a previous finding that extensive modularity in mandibular development allows diverse morphologies to generate equivalent functions and utilize similar resources across taxa. 5. Synthesis. We conclude that the observed functional and ecological convergences resulted from population-specific musculoskeletal interactions, and suggest that the differences in skeletal and muscular morphologies observed among these populations reflect evolved differences in plasticity of the skeletal and muscular components of the mandible.
Substitutions for a Semi-Conserved IQ Motif Glycine Differentially Affect the Stabilities of Different Ca2+-Bound States of a Calmodulin-IQ Domain Complex

We have determined the effects of substituting Ala, Arg or Met for a semi-conserved Gly residue on the stabilities of different Ca2+-bound states of a reference calmodulin-IQ domain complex. The substitutions are all destabilizing in the absence of Ca2+, with free energy increases of ∼2 kJ/mol for the Ala and Arg substituted complexes, and ∼6 kJ/mol for the Met substituted complex. When Ca2+ is bound only to the C-ter pair of Ca2+-binding sites in calmodulin the free energy of the Ala substituted complex is essentially unaffected, and the free energies of the Arg and Met substituted complexes decrease by ∼4 and ∼6 kJ/mol. In contrast, the free energy of the reference complex increases by ∼4 kJ/mol. When the N-ter Ca2+-binding sites in the intermediate C-ter Ca2+-bound reference and substituted complexes are occupied their free energies all decrease by ∼4 kJ/mol. This suggests that the N-ter calmodulin lobe undergoes a similar conformational change in all the complexes, which therefore does not involve direct interactions with the semi-conserved position. When Ca2+ is bound only to the N-ter pair of Ca2+-binding sites the free energy of the Arg substituted complex is unaffected, but the free energies of the Ala and Met substituted complexes increase by ∼13 and ∼9 kJ/mol, and the free energy of reference complex increases by ∼7 kJ/mol. This is consistent with a destabilizing interaction between the Ca2+-bound N-ter calmodulin lobe and the calmodulin-binding sequence that requires a non-polar residue at the semi-conserved position. Our results are overall consistent with a model in which the N-ter calmodulin lobe has two different binding sites on the reference CaM-binding sequence, one of which contains the semi-conserved Gly position.
Pediatric Emergency Department Use by Adults With Chronic Pediatric Disorders

Objective To describe pediatric emergency department use by adults with chronic pediatric disorders, known as transition patients. Design Retrospective descriptive study. Setting The pediatric emergency department of a tertiary care pediatric hospital during calendar year 2005. Participants All patients presenting to the pediatric emergency department during the study period. Main Outcome Measures Association of presenting complaint with the patient's chronic pediatric disorder, emergency department interventions and dispositions, and duration of inpatient admissions. Results Patient encounters totaled 43 621, with 445 (1%) involving adult patients. Transition patients accounted for 197 (44%) of the adult encounters. Eighty-nine transition patient encounters (45%) were for complaints unrelated to the patients' chronic pediatric disorders. Only 14 (7%) transition patient visits did not involve diagnostic studies or procedures. Transition patients were 2.1 times (95% confidence interval, 1.8-2.5; P P P Conclusions A substantial number of adult patients with chronic pediatric disorders use the pediatric emergency department and often present with complaints unrelated to their pediatric conditions. They have high rates of hospital and intensive care unit admissions. Pediatric hospitals should be prepared with adequate resources and training to deal with these complex adult patients.
TESTING AUTOMATED SOLAR FLARE FORECASTING WITH 13 YEARS OF MICHELSON DOPPLER IMAGER MAGNETOGRAMS

Flare occurrence is statistically associated with changes in several characteristics of the line-of-sight magnetic field in solar active regions (ARs). We calculated magnetic measures throughout the disk passage of 1075 ARs spanning solar cycle 23 to find a statistical relationship between the solar magnetic field and flares. This expansive study of over 71,000 magnetograms and 6000 flares uses superposed epoch (SPE) analysis to investigate changes in several magnetic measures surrounding flares and ARs completely lacking associated flares. The results were used to seek any flare associated signatures with the capability to recover weak systematic signals with SPE analysis. SPE analysis is a method of combining large sets of data series in a manner that yields concise information. This is achieved by aligning the temporal location of a specified flare in each time series, then calculating the statistical moments of the “overlapping” data. The best-calculated parameter, the gradient-weighted inversion-line length (GWILL), combines the primary polarity inversion line (PIL) length and the gradient across it. Therefore, GWILL is sensitive to complex field structures via the length of the PIL and shearing via the gradient. GWILL shows an average 35% increase during the 40 hr prior to X-class flares, a 16% increase before M-class flares, and 17% increase prior to B–C-class flares. ARs not associated with flares tend to decrease in GWILL during their disk passage. Gilbert and Heidke skill scores are also calculated and show that even GWILL is not a reliable parameter for predicting solar flares in real time.
Body image disturbance: Time to abandon the concept for eating disorders?

We have reviewed 19 “body image” studies on anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa published recently. In general, eating disorder patients overestimate their body width more often than do normal controls and are usually more disparaging toward their body. However, we contend that it is unnecessary and unwarranted to envoke the term “body image disturbance” to explain these research findings. We suggest that further research in the area of “body disparagement” or the characteristic attitude of “weight phobia,” “fear of fatness,” or “pursuit of thinness” may be yet fruitful without this problematic concept. Theories are not true or false, they are fertile or sterile. —Claude Bernard. When I use a word, Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, It means just what I choose it to mean. —Lewis Carroll.
Protein kinase C-delta is commonly expressed in multiple myeloma cells and its downregulation by rottlerin causes apoptosis

Summary. The growth and proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells are influenced by various cytokines produced by bone marrow stromal cells. As cytokine interaction between malignant plasma cells and neighbouring stromal cells is important in the pathogenesis of MM, the understanding of intracellular signalling events elicited by this interaction is of central importance. Recent reports have shown that protein kinase C (PKC) is directly involved in modulating apoptosis in different cells types, including those of haematopoietic neoplasms. In the present study, we analysed the expression patterns of PKC isoforms in the myeloma cell lines U266, RPMI-8226 and K620. This analysis demonstrated common expression of PKC-δ, PKC-ι, PKC-µ and PKC-ζ in all three myeloma cell lines. PKC-δ expression in plasma cells from 11 patients with MM was also shown by immunohistochemistry, utilizing a monoclonal mouse anti-human PKC-δ antibody. U266 cells treated with the broad PKC inhibitor safingol (l-threo-dihydrosphingosine) or the PKC-δ-specific inhibitor rottlerin (3′-[(8-Cinnamoyl-5,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl)methyl]-2′,4′,6′-trihydroxy-5′-methylacetophenone) showed decreased PKC-δ in the particulate fraction and resulted in significant apoptosis. Primary myeloma cells also showed apoptosis after treatment with the PKC inhibitors, as detected by both flow cytometric and morphological evaluation. Our results indicate that PKC-δ is commonly expressed in myeloma cells and plays an important role in plasma cell survival.
Association between allergy and anxiety disorders in youth

Objective: Studies have documented associations between anxiety disorders and allergy in adults, but these associations have not been studied extensively in children. The objective of this study is to examine the associations between allergy and six anxiety disorders (AD) in youth.Method: This is a data analysis of two epidemiologic-services studies: (i) alternative service use patterns of youth with serious emotional disturbance (n = 936), and (ii) methods for the epidemiology of child and adolescent mental disorders (n = 1285). Child psychiatric diagnoses were measured by the diagnostic interview schedule for children. Allergy was assessed by the service utilization and risk factors interview.Results: Among ADs, the strongest association found was between allergy and panic disorder (adjusted odds ratio 5.0; p ≤?0.001). Associations of allergy and the other ADs do not seem to be clinically significant.Conclusions: Findings suggest that in some patients panic disorder may be associated with hypersensitivi...
Docosahexaenoic acid affects cell signaling by altering lipid rafts.

With 22 carbons and 6 double bonds docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the longest and most unsaturated fatty acid commonly found in membranes. It represents the extreme example of a class of important human health promoting agents known as omega-3 fatty acids. DHA is particularly abundant in retinal and brain tissue, often comprising about 50% of the membrane's total acyl chains. Inadequate amounts of DHA have been linked to a wide variety of abnormalities ranging from visual acuity and learning irregularities to depression and suicide. The molecular mode of action of DHA, while not yet understood, has been the focus of our research. Here we briefly summarize how DHA affects membrane physical properties with an emphasis on membrane signaling domains known as rafts. We report the uptake of DHA into brain phosphatidylethanolamines and the subsequent exclusion of cholesterol from the DHA-rich membranes. We also demonstrate that DHA-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells is associated with externalization of phosphatidylserine and membrane disruption ("blebbing"). We conclude with a proposal of how DHA incorporation into membranes may control cell biochemistry and physiology. apoptosis / docosahexaenoic acid / lipid rafts / membranes / phospholipids
Improving Myoelectric Pattern Recognition Robustness to Electrode Shift by Changing Interelectrode Distance and Electrode Configuration

Pattern recognition of myoelectric signals for prosthesis control has been extensively studied in research settings and is close to clinical implementation. These systems are capable of intuitively controlling the next generation of dexterous prosthetic hands. However, pattern recognition systems perform poorly in the presence of electrode shift, defined as movement of surface electrodes with respect to the underlying muscles. This paper focused on investigating the optimal interelectrode distance, channel configuration, and electromyography feature sets for myoelectric pattern recognition in the presence of electrode shift. Increasing interelectrode distance from 2 to 4 cm improved pattern recognition system performance in terms of classification error and controllability ( p <; 0.01). Additionally, for a constant number of channels, an electrode configuration that included electrodes oriented both longitudinally and perpendicularly with respect to muscle fibers improved robustness in the presence of electrode shift (p <; 0.05). We investigated the effect of the number of recording channels with and without electrode shift and found that four to six channels were sufficient for pattern recognition control. Finally, we investigated different feature sets for pattern recognition control using a linear discriminant analysis classifier and found that an autoregressive set significantly (p <; 0.01) reduced sensitivity to electrode shift compared to a traditional time-domain feature set.
Workers' Rights in Open Economies: Global Production and Domestic Institutions in the Developing World

Previous large-N research suggests that globalization could have either positive or negative consequences for labor rights in developing nations. This article examines the ways in which domestic political institutions and interests conditions the effects of economic globalization. It develops several hypotheses regarding the impact of domestic factors on labor rights outcomes and uses the case of Costa Rica to assess these hypotheses. The result is that although segments of the Costa Rican economy and labor force have benefited from industrial upgrading in recent years, the enclave nature of the export-oriented economy and the historical repression of organized labor render difficult the achievement of some internationally recognized core labor rights. The article concludes by discussing some of the issues for future research that are highlighted by the Costa Rican case.
Linearizing the joint torque characteristics of an electric direct-drive robot for high performance control of in-contact operations

To enable the application of high-performance in-contact control algorithms to commercially available robots, and thereby facilitate technology transfer from the robot control research community to commercial applications, a practical methodology has been developed to linearize the torque characteristics of electric motor-amplifier combinations. A four degree-of-freedom Adept II robot, with pulsewidth modulation amplifiers and both variable reluctance and brushless DC motors, was converted to operate from joint torque commands to demonstrate the methodology. The average percentage torque derivation over the command and position ranges was reduced from as much as 76% to below 5% for the direct-drive joints 1, 2, and 4, and was reduced by more than 50% in the remaining ball-screw driven joint 3. >
Prenatal exposure to temporal and spatial stimulus properties affects postnatal responsiveness to spatial contiguity in bobwhite quail chicks.

Little is known about how experiential factors guide and organize the development of intersensory perception. This study manipulated the amount of late prenatal and early postnatal experience with the temporal synchrony and spatial contiguity of audio-visual stimulation available to bobwhite quail embryos and hatchlings to explore this question. Results revealed that only embryos exposed to temporally synchronous and spatially contiguous audio-visual stimulation prior to hatching subsequently preferred spatially contiguous audio-visual maternal information following hatching, despite being denied postnatal visual experience. In contrast, embryos that did not receive exposure to both temporal synchrony and spatial contiguity (and were also denied postnatal visual experience) failed to show a preference for the spatial contiguity of maternal auditory and visual information following hatching. These results suggest that prenatal exposure to the amodal properties of temporal synchrony and spatial contiguity facilitate chicks' emerging sensitivity to the spatial contiguity of audio-visual information in the period following hatching. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 48: 233-242, 2006.
Matchsticks, Scramjets, and Black Holes: Numerical Simulation Faces Reality

The evolution of the science and art of numerical simulation of complex, complicated fluid flows has made enormous strides in the past 40 years. We have progressed from relatively simplified one-dimensional steady-state results to fully three-dimensional, time-dependent simulations including very complex physics. These advances have been driven by new computational hardware, new algorithms for solving the equations, and the real need for this technology. The broad range of applications that are possible are emphasized and some of what we can now do, what we have learned, and where we might go with this exciting technology in the future is described
High-Resolution, Three-dimensional Fluorescent Imaging Reveals Multilayer Conduction Pattern in the Atrioventricular Node

Background—The atrioventricular node (AVN) is the only normal electrical link between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. The AVN modulates transmission of impulses, thus coordinating the contraction of the atria and ventricles. Methods and Results—Structural and functional complexity, combined with the absence of adequate experimental techniques, has complicated attempts to directly evaluate the three-dimensional electrical activity of the AVN. Thus, despite a century of research by conventional electrophysiologic and histologic methods, even the existence of conduction through AVN is still debated. Conclusions—Using a novel combination of microelectrode recordings and high resolution fluorescent imaging with voltage-sensitive dyes, we have for the first time clearly demonstrated three-dimensional conduction through the AVN.
Manufacturing-Aware Physical Design

Ultra-deep submicron manufacturability impacts physical design (PD) through complex layout rules and large guard-bands for process variability; this creates new requirements for new manufacturing-aware PD technologies. The first part of this tutorial reviews PD complications and methodology changes notably in the detailed routing arena - that arise from subwavelength lithography and deep-submicron manufacturing (antennas, metal planarization and mask-wafer mismatch). Process variations and their sources are taxonomized for modeling and simulation. A framework of design for cost and value is described. The second part covers yield-constrained optimizations in PD, especially "beyond corners" approaches that escape today's pessimistic or even incorrect corner-based approaches. Statistical timing and noise analyses enable optimization of parametric yield and reliability. Yield-aware cell libraries and "analog" design rules (as opposed to "digital", 0/1 rules) can help designers explore yield-cost tradeoffs, especially for low-volume parts. We then examine performance impact-limited fill insertion which goes beyond mere capacitance rules. Modeling, objectives, and filling strategies are discussed. Finally, we discuss current and near-term prospects for the overall design-to-manufacturing PD methodology. Key aspects include better integrations with analysis and manufacturing interfaces, as well as cost-benefit tradeoffs for "regular" layout structures that are likely beyond 90 nm, cost optimizations for low-volume production, and the role of robust and/or stochastic optimization in PD.
On the Validity of Hypotheses Derived from the Rorschach: I. The Relationship between Color and Affect:

Interpretation of response to color on the Rorschach rests on Rorschach's assertion that color has affective connotations. His assumption was based on the connection of color and affect in culture and as regards the differential response to color by patients he tested. This review focused on research which could lend support to Rorschach's empirically derived notion. Ignoring clinical studies of psychiatric patients (in the absence of any theory of affects unique to specific psychiatric groups), this review focuses primarily on psychological tests of the hypothesis. Affect does seem to be associated with colors but not so specifically as to be useful in interpreting the meaning of the response by any one person. Moreover, affect was seen to affect the many dimensions of the Rorschach stimuli. Interpretation of the response to color must take into account the unsystematic way in which factors that influence response to color on the Rorschach, e.g., saturation, context, area covered, etc., vary from card to...
Effects of behavioral stress reduction Transcendental Meditation intervention in persons with HIV

Stress is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of HIV. The Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a behavioral stress reduction program that incorporates mind–body approach, and has demonstrated effectiveness in improving outcomes via stress reduction. We evaluated the feasibility of implementing TM and its effects on outcomes in persons with HIV. In this community-based single blinded Phase-I, randomized controlled trial, outcomes (psychological and physiological stress, immune activation, generic and HIV-specific health-related quality of life, depression and quality of well-being) were assessed at baseline and at six months, and were compared using parametric and nonparametric tests. Twenty-two persons with HIV were equally randomized to TM intervention or healthy eating (HE) education control group. Retention was 100% in TM group and 91% in HE control group. The TM group exhibited significant improvement in vitality. Significant between group differences were observed for generic and HIV-specific...
Curvature control of silicon microlens for THz dielectric antenna

We have controlled the curvature of silicon microlens by changing the amount of photoresist in order to microfabricate hemispherical silicon microlens which can improve the directivity and reduce substrate mode losses.
A high current low dropout regulator with dual output stage and dual control loop

This paper presents the implementation, and experimental results of a low-cost monolithic 3-Ampere LDO regulator with dual control loop and dual output power stage. The circuit includes protection for excessive output current, power dissipation, and temperature. The output stage was designed for low quiescent current
The use of computer-aided-instructions in computer engineering curriculum

The author describes a computer-aided-instruction (CAI) platform that provides a mechanism for incorporating lectures and laboratory components of an introductory computer engineering course into an interactive CAI environment. This CAI platform is a PC-based environment that strives to balance the tutorial time where students gain the theoretical skills in the subject matter with laboratory skills where students are provided with a controlled hands-on and one-on-one interaction with the CAI platform. This CAI tool is developed using Turbo C. Text and graphics are intermixed to provide demonstrations of the concepts covered using animation to facilitate the learning process. >
Honest brokers: The politics of expertise in the "who Lost China?" Debate

Complex social systems require knowledge specialists who provide information that political actors rely on to solve policy challenges. Successful advice is unproblematic; more significant is assigning institutional blame in the aftermath of advice considered wrong or harmful, undercutting state security. How do experts, operating within epistemic communities, preserve their reputation in the face of charges of incompetence or malice? Attacks on experts and their sponsors can be an effective form of contentious politics, a wedge to denounce other institutional players. To examine the politics of expertise we analyze the debate in the early 1950s over “Who Lost China?,” the congressional attempt to assign responsibility for the fall of the Nationalist regime to the Communists. Using a “strong case,” we examine political battles over the motives of Professor Owen Lattimore. For epistemic authority an expert must be defined as qualified (having appropriate credentials), influential (providing consequential information), and innocent (demonstrating epistemic neutrality). We focus on two forms of attack: smears (an oppositional presentation of a set of linked claims) and degradation ceremonies (the institutional awarding of stigma). We differentiate these by the critic's links to systems of power. Smears appear when reputational rivals lack power to make their claims stick, while degradation ceremonies operate through dominance within an institutional setting. Policy experts are awarded provisional credibility, but this access to an autonomous realm of knowledge can be countered by opponents with alternate sources of power. Ultimately expertise involves not only knowledge, but also the presentation of a validated self.
Effect of increasing heart rate by atrial pacing on myocardial tissue oxygen tension.

Measurement of tissue oxygen tension of heart muscle by polarography has been extensively performed by many investigators. It has been used to measure normal regional differences in the ventricular walls 6,7,15,17 the effects of various drugs 15,17, gases 8, and physiologic interventions 17. These studies have shown a higher subepicardial tissue oxygen tension (Epi Po2) then subendocardial tissue oxygen tension (Endo Po2) in the left ventricular free wall 6,7. Tissue oxygen tension is controlled by the balance between the oxygen supply and the tissue oxygen demand. The interaction of these two factors in the control of Epi Po2 and Endo Po2 with changes in heart rate are unknown and the rationale for the present study.
Bill Murphy and the Hidden Inner Layer of Academic Freedom

This essay, which relates the dramatic story of Professor William P. Murphy's repudiation by, and departure from, the University of Missouri amidst the campus protests of 1970, illustrates the importance of faculty governance to a robust and healthy academic institution.
Mean-Square Displacement Measurements of Fe 57 in Zn

The M\"ossbauer effect of ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{57}$ in polycrystalline Zn has been measured as a function of temperature. It was round that the quadrupole splitting between 120\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 373\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K decreases from 0.50\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 to 0.46\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 mm/sec. The chemical shift with respect to an Fe absorber at room temperature is -0.525\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010 mm/sec. From intensity measurements of the two quadrupole lines, the mean-square displacement $〈{x}^{2}〉$ can be evaluated. At room temperature $〈{x}^{2}〉$ parallel to the $c$ axis was found to be ${〈{x}^{2}〉}_{\mathrm{II}}=0.0231\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0016$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{2}$ and the anisotropy of the mean-square displacement $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=\frac{{〈{x}^{2}〉}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}{{〈{x}^{2}〉}_{\mathrm{II}}}$ is found to be $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=0.33\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$. The results are compared with lattice-dynamical calculations.
Stimulation of interferon production in human lymphocytes by mitogens.

SummaryPhytohemagglutinin (PHA), poke weed mitogen, and streptolysin-O, all agents capable of stimulating mitosis in human lymphocytes in vitro also stimulated the production of an antiviral substance with biological, chemical, and physical properties identical to those of human interferon. Upon removal of PHA from human lymphocyte cultures interferon production ceased within 2 hours. Readdition of PHA resulted in reinitiation of interferon production.
Surface-catalyzed chlorine and nitrogen activation: mechanisms for the heterogeneous formation of ClNO, NO, NO2, HONO, and N2O from HNO3 and HCl on aluminum oxide particle surfaces.

It is well-known that chlorine active species (e.g., Cl2, ClONO2, ClONO) can form from heterogeneous reactions between nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride on aerosol particle surfaces in the stratosphere. However, less is known about these reactions in the troposphere. In this study, a potential new heterogeneous pathway involving reaction of gaseous HCl and HNO3 on aluminum oxide particle surfaces, a proxy for mineral dust in the troposphere, is proposed. We combine transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate changes in the composition of both gas-phase and surface-bound species during the reaction under different environmental conditions of relative humidity and simulated solar radiation. Exposure of surface nitrate-coated aluminum oxide particles, from prereaction with nitric acid, to gaseous HCl yields several gas-phase products, including ClNO, NO2, and HNO3, under dry (RH 20%), NO and ...
Comparison of the left ventricular apex versus other arterial cannulation sites for the operative management of acute type A aortic dissection

The selection of the arterial inflow site for cardiopulmonary bypass during surgical treatment of patients with acute aortic dissection remains a very important issue. Several arterial cannulation sites, including left ventricular apex, were popularized over the years.
Abnormal Development of the Rat Heart During Prenatal Hypoxic Stress.

SummaryPregnant rats were subjected to high altitude hypoxic stress and the offspring studied for heart malformations. Of the 99 fetuses born from the stressed rats, 28 were shown to have defective hearts. The most common defects (69%) were septal, ranging from very small apertures to a large opening covering one-fourth of the interventricular septum. Of the septal defects the most common was a communication between the left ventricle and right atrium which entered the left ventricle just below the cusps of the aortic valve and the right atrium just above the tricuspid valve. There were also intraventricular septal defects and 1 intra-atrial. Other defects were 4 with 90° rotation of the ventricles, 1 aortic stenosis, 1 pulmonary atrial stenosis, 1 narrowed infundibulum, and 1 over-riding aorta. Of the control animals only 7.5% had heart deformities, all of which were small interventricular defects, except in 1 fetus where the septum secundum failed to form.
Reducing Aircraft Climb Trajectory Prediction Errors with Top-of-Climb Data

The inaccuracies of the aircraft performance models utilized by trajectory predictors in terms of takeoff weight, thrust, climb profile, and other parameters result in altitude errors that often exceed the vertical separation standard of 1000 feet during the climb phase. This study investigates the potential reduction in altitude trajectory prediction errors that could be achieved if just one additional parameter became available: top-of-climb (TOC) time. A simple algorithm that searches through a set of candidate trajectory predictions for the one that most closely matches TOC time was developed and evaluated using a data set of more than 1000 actual Fort Worth Center climbing flights. Compared to the baseline trajectory predictions of a real-time research prototype, it lowered the altitude root mean square error (RMSE) for a five-minute prediction time by 38%. The smallest improvements among the ten most frequent aircraft types in Fort Worth Center were 30% for Embraer 135 and 145 regional jets. The five-minute altitude RMSE of the other aircraft types were all less than the 1000-foot vertical separation standard with an overall decrease of 54%. When perturbations of as much as three minutes were applied to the TOC data, the TOC-matching method was less effective at higher altitudes and for shorter prediction look-ahead times.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Responses to the Stress of Work and Caregiving in Older Women

BACKGROUND Although the informal caregiving role is associated with a range of stressors that are both chronic and severe, little is known concerning the acute physical and psychological effects of caregiving in the natural setting. This study evaluated the hemodynamic and psychological responses of five women identified as family caregivers who also worked outside the home and five matched working noncaregivers. METHODS Subjects wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor that recorded blood pressure and heart rate on an hourly basis throughout a one- to two-day period. They also completed hourly logs evaluating psychological, physical, and health-related variables through use of a preprogrammed pocket computer. Within- and between-group responses were compared in clinical, work, and postwork settings. RESULTS Caregivers and noncaregivers showed comparable ambulatory blood pressure levels in the clinic and work settings. However, in contrast to noncaregivers, who showed the expected decrease in blood pressure level upon leaving the work setting (p values < .03), caregivers demonstrated a significant increase in systolic blood pressure levels following work when they were in the presence of the care recipient (p < .0002). The differences observed in blood pressure responses between the two groups were similarly reflected in the patterns of affective response recorded in the work and postwork settings. CONCLUSIONS The results provide initial evidence of the acute iatrogenic effects of caregiving on physiological as well as psychological response systems.
Tubal sterilization: A 15 year survey☆

Abstract 1. 1. The 1,146 tubal ligations for sterilization performed at the University of Iowa Hospital from 1949 through 1963 have been reviewed. The Pomeroy procedure was used in 1,016 cases and the Madlener in 130. 2. 2. Multiparity or socioeconomic need was the most frequent indication, followed by sterilization for eugenic indications and three or more cesarean sections. 3. 3. The postoperative complication rates have been compared for the interval, puerperal, and with cesarean section groups. Morbidity was not adversely affected in the puerperal group by the postpartum day of operation, or in 42 cases by appendectomy. 4. 4. One, and probably 2, of the 3 deaths in this series are attributed to the operative procedure. 5. 5. Only one patient has had spontaneous tubal anastomosis in the follow-up of 52 per cent of these women who answered a questionnaire, a failure rate of 0.17 per cent. 6. 6. With the exception of one woman with carcinoma in situ of the cervix, none is known to have developed gynecologic cancer. 7. 7. Twenty per cent have had later menstrual abnormalities and 5 per cent subsequently had hysterectomy.
“Penelope”: Molly as Metaphor

Joyce concludes his epic of the body with Molly Bloom’s monologue. Joyce wrote: Penelope is the clou/nail of the book… It begins and ends with the female word yes. It turns like a huge earth ball slowly surely and evenly round and round spinning, its four cardinal points being the female breasts, arse, womb and cunt expressed by the words because, bottom (in all senses bottom button, bottom of the class, bottom of the sea, bottom of his heart), woman, yes. Though probably more obscene than any preceding episode it seems to be perfectly sane full amoral fertilisable untrustworthy engaging shrewd limited prudent indifferent Weib.1 After presenting a plethora of perspectives, and dramatizing his two principle characters in unusual detail and then bringing them together, Joyce turns to Molly: “The last word (human, all too human) is left to Penelope.”2 In terms of the story, he thought of “Penelope” as something of a coda: “The Ithaca episode … is in reality the end as Penelope has no beginning, middle or end.”3 But in terms of the novel’s significance the presentation of Molly’s perspective is essential.
Cardiac Metabolism in Perspective

The heart is a biological pump that converts chemical to mechanical energy. This process of energy conversion is highly regulated to the extent that energy substrate metabolism matches energy use for contraction on a beat-to-beat basis. The biochemistry of cardiac metabolism includes the biochemistry of energy transfer, metabolic regulation, and transcriptional, translational as well as posttranslational control of enzymatic activities. Pathways of energy substrate metabolism in the heart are complex and dynamic, but all of them conform to the First Law of Thermodynamics. The perspectives expand on the overall idea that cardiac metabolism is inextricably linked to both physiology and molecular biology of the heart. The article ends with an outlook on emerging concepts of cardiac metabolism based on new molecular models and new analytical tools. © 2016 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 6:1675-1699, 2016.
Animal Models for Non-pneumatic Soft Robots

Soft animals can be seen as “living prototypes” to inspire and inform the development of soft robots. However, soft animals are extremely diverse in their biomechanics and neural control systems. These differences should be carefully considered when selecting a biological model to guide robot design. It is also important to consider the technical advantages and limitations that affect the type of information that can be collected from different species. Aside from swimming robots, most soft robots and soft manipulator arms are inspired by annelids and cephalopod mollusks. Both groups are essentially fixed-volume hydrostats that exploit pressure differences to change shape and to gain mechanical advantage. Some robots inspired by these animals mimic their underlying mechanisms (and anatomy), whereas others produce similar movements using entirely different principles. By far the most numerous and diverse group of soft animals are larvae of the holometabolous insects. Because they contain internal air tubes, insect larvae control movements using direct actuation instead of pressure control alone. Insects also have highly stereotypical and modular anatomy and easily accessible neural coding making them excellent prototypes for non-pneumatic robot design. By mapping key features of caterpillar locomotion onto robot design a new class of robots has been fabricated from simple elastomers powered by shape memory actuators and motor-tendons. These robots have proved useful for exploring different control strategies and have the capacity to move quickly. Robots based on these design principles are expected to be useful for climbing in complex 3 dimensional structures and in low gravity environments.
Busselton Study of Behavior Disorder Prevention

The long-term follow-up in 1993 of 209 adults, aged 27 to 29 years, who as children were enrolled in the Busselton Population six-year controlled study of prevention of children’s behavior disorders is reported from Claremont, Western Australia.
An Account of the First Living Coelacanth known to Scientists from Indonesian Waters

A brief narrative is presented of the events surrounding the initial discovery of a coelacanth in an Indonesian fish market in Manado, Sulawesi, on 18 September 1997. Although the specimen was not purchased and preserved, photographs were taken and enough information gathered about the fish to warrant an official entry in the Coelacanth Conservation Council (CCC) inventory of known specimens of the living coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae. All known information about this first Indonesian specimen is summarized in the official CCC inventory format, and the specimen is herein numbered CCC no. 174.
Optically controlled coherent X-ray radiations from photo-excited nanotubes

Abstract Relativistic electrons propagating through a plasmonic medium such as photo-excited plasma channels with negative permittivities undergo betatron motions, emitting photons at oscillating resonance modes. The similar betatron radiation can be generated in X-ray regimes from electrons transported through optically pumped carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The X-ray radiation condition of 0.5 and 6 MeV electrons phase-matched with plasmonic waves in CNTs is analyzed with a theoretical model of the CNT dispersion relation. Based on the dispersion analysis, radiation intensities and the brilliance of the coherent X-ray source averaged over the pulse duration are estimated using a typical range of system parameters of conventional electron sources and tabletop femtosecond lasers. The assessment indicates that the average brilliance of the harmonic radiation can reach 10 10 –10 13 photons/s/mm 2 /mrad 2 /0.1%BW with 0.5–6 MeV electrons and X-ray energy up to a few keV.
Ronald Breslow (1931-2017)

Ronald Breslow, Samuel Latham Mitchill Professor of Chemistry at Columbia University, passed away on October 25, 2017, at the age of 86. Breslow made remarkable contributions to the fields of physical-organic and bioorganic chemistry, including biological and biomimetic transformations, and the use of molecular recognition to control reaction selectivity.
Ureteroscopic High-Frequency Dusting Utilizing a 120-W Holmium Laser.

Abstract Introduction and Objective: Recently there has been interest in a dusting technique for lithotripsy during ureteroscopy (URS) utilizing high-frequency and low-pulse energy (HiFr-LoPE) sett...
Challenges of Managing Patients with Symptomatic Large Traumatic Cervical Pseudomeningoceles.

Background Traumatic cervical pseudomeningoceles (TCPs) occur secondary to traction of the cervical nerve roots resulting in violation of the dura. Surgical repair is not necessary in most cases because pseudomeningoceles have a high propensity to spontaneously resolve with conservative management alone. Currently, there are a limited number of cases of large TCPs (large is defined as ≥6 cm in greatest diameter), and there is no established guideline for the management of such lesions. Case Description We describe the cases of 2 young men in their 20s who were involved in a motor vehicle accident. Both patients suffered a brachial plexus injury and developed large TCPs. Patient 1 was treated surgically for TCP using a combined intra-/extradural approach using a fascia lata graft. Patient 2 was ultimately treated nonsurgically because a spontaneous resolution of the pseudomeningocele was achieved over the period of 7 months after the accident. Both patients underwent brachial plexus repair surgery consisting of spinal accessory nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve and intercostal nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve. Conclusions Disease progression of TCPs is a dynamic process, and even large lesions may spontaneously resolve without surgical intervention. When surgery is indicated, a definitive dural repair using a fascia lata graft to cover the dural tear intra- and extradurally is an effective method. Surgery must be planned carefully on a case-by-case basis, and close follow-up with thorough physical examination and serial imaging is critical to monitor disease progression.
Effects of broad binaural fusion and hearing loss ondichotic concurrent vowel identification

Many hearing-impaired (HI) individuals have abnormally broad binaural pitch fusion, such that tones differing in pitch by up to 3-4 octaves are fused between ears (Reiss et al., 2017). Broad binaural fusion leads to averaging of the monaural pitches (Oh and Reiss, 2017), and may similarly lead to fusion and averaging of speech streams across ears. In this study, we examined the relationship between binaural fusion range and dichotic vowel identification in normal-hearing (NH) and HI listeners. Synthetic vowels /i/,/u/,/a/, and /ae/ were generated with three fundamental frequencies (F0) of 106.9, 151.2, and 201.8 Hz, and presented dichotically through headphones. For HI listeners, stimuli were shaped according to NAL-NL2 prescriptive targets. Listeners identified 1 vowel or 2 different vowels on each trial. Preliminary results indicate that NH listeners improved their percentage of both vowels identified as the ΔF0 increased, but HI listeners did not. HI listeners were more likely to fuse two vowels togeth...
Driving Risk in Patients with Movement Disorders

Impairments in cognition, visual perception, motor function, and increased daytime sleepiness reduce driving performance and safety in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although drivers with PD perform worse than controls on experimental road and driving simulation studies, there is no well-established epidemiological association with increased crashes in drivers with PD. However, drivers with PD cease driving earlier than controls.