cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Antimicrobial Effect of MTAD, Sodium Hypochlorite, Doxycycline, and Citric Acid on Enterococcus faecalis

This study compared the antimicrobial effect of MTAD, two of its components, doxycycline and citric acid, and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in two in vitro models on Enterococcus faecalis. In the bovine tooth model, the lumens of 30 bovine dentin discs were infected with E. faecalis for 2 weeks before treating with either one of the experimental irrigants or saline. Bacteria in the shavings were collected with two sizes of burs and enumerated after overnight culturing. Zones of inhibition were recorded in the agar diffusion model for each irrigant. In the tooth model, NaOCl and doxycycline were more effective than control in killing E. faecalis at the shallow bur depth, but at the deeper bur depth only NaOCl was superior. In the agar diffusion model, NaOCl produced less inhibition than MTAD or doxycycline.
Hematologic and histopathologic evaluation of N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate (PALA) in mice.

The study reported here was designed to provide a preliminary indication of the qualitative and quantitative toxicity of N-(phosphonacetyl)-l-aspartate (PALA). PALA was administered IP to male B6D2F1 mice (22–24 g) daily for 9 days in dosages of 180, 220, and 290 mg/kg. These dosages were chosen to approximate 0.8 LD10, LD10, and LD50, based on historical 30-day lethality data. Five mice from each dosage group were killed on days 6, 10, 16, and 30 (day of first treatment = day 1) for hematologic and histopathologic evaluation. Only minimal changes were detected in peripheral hematologic values. PALA produced reticulocytopenia with a nadir on day 10(24 h after last treatment). Reticulocyte counts were only marginally reduced by 180 mg/kg/day; nadirs were 33% and 23% of control following 220 and 290 mg/kg/day. Lymphopenia was observed on day 10, but it was not as severe in survivors of 290 mg/kg as it was in recipients of the lower dosages. Thrombocytopenia was not observed, and total marrow cell counts did not reflect hematotoxicity. Peripheral hematology was normal in survivors of 180 and 220 mg/kg/day by day 16. Reticulocytopenia in survivors of 290 mg/kg/day persisted, however, and no survivors of this dosage were available for assessment of recovery on day 30. Mild, diffuse hypertrophy of the gastrointestinal epithelium was the most consistent lesion observed. These lesions were most evident on day 10, and they were comparable in severity across the dosage range studied. The mice treated with 180 mg/kg/day exhibited no evidence of gastrointestinal toxicity on day 16; survivors of 220 and 290 mg/kg/day had residual lesions that generally were less severe than on day 10, although the effects of 290 mg/kg were more distinct. No survivors exhibited lesions on day 30. These results suggest that gastrointestinal toxicity may be dose-limiting, but, unlike most other anticancer drugs of the antimetabolite class, PALA may be only mildly hematotoxic.
Ocular Melanoma: A Review and the Relationship to Cutaneous Melanoma

Objectives The main objective of this review is to critically evaluate the present evidence regarding a relationship between ocular melanoma (OM) and cutaneous melanoma (CM). Melanomas are malignant neoplasms that develop from dendritic melanocytes that are found in the skin, eye, mucosal epithelia, and leptomeninges. While the skin is the most common site of melanoma development, these neoplasms can occur in any tissue that contains melanocytes. We review the incidence and characteristics of OM, evaluate the existent data regarding its potential relationship to CM, and provide some guidance for the dermatologist regarding the evaluation and diagnosis of this ocular tumor. Data Sources A retrospective review of the literature. Study Selection Studies included those relevant to disease pathogenesis and incidence, cohort studies (ie, studies evaluating the incidence of CM in patients with OM), and pertinent investigations from the dermatologic literature (ie, cases of atypical nevus syndromes). The referenced study designs and methodologies varied. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data were extracted by 2 independent reviewers, and the main results are presented in a qualitative, descriptive manner. Conclusion Evidence for comorbid OM and CM exists in patients with strong phenotypic expression of atypical nevi and conjunctival melanoma, although CDKN2A mutations have not been documented in patients with OM.
A method for hypothermia-induction and maintenance allows precise body and brain temperature control in mice.

Abstract The benefits as well as mechanisms of hypothermia in brain injuries are actively studied at the bench and in the clinic. However, methods used in controlling hypothermia vary among laboratories, and usually brain temperatures are not monitored directly in animals due to the need for an invasive procedure. Here we show a method, water immersion technique, which we developed recently to regulate body temperature in mice during hypothermia process. This method significantly reduced the temperature variation around target temperature. Importantly, this method demonstrated a parallel and consistent relationship between rectal temperature and brain temperature (the brain temperature was consistently 0.5 C higher than rectal temperature) throughout hypothermia maintenance. This technique may be well adapted to hypothermia studies in mice and other rodents, especially to the assessment and regulation of brain temperature during studies.
Primitives for the manipulation of general subdivisions and the computation of Voronoi

The following problem is discussed: given n points in the plane (the sites) and an arbitrary query point q, find the site that is closest to q. This problem can be solved by constructing the Voronoi diagram of the griven sites and then locating the query point inone of its regions. Two algorithms are given, one that constructs the Voronoi diagram in O(n log n) time, and another that inserts a new sit on O(n) time. Both are based on the use of the Voronoi dual, or Delaunay triangulation, and are simple enough to be of practical value. the simplicity of both algorithms can be attributed to the separation of the geometrical and topological aspects of the problem and to the use of two simple but powerful primitives, a geometric predicate and an operator for manipulating the topology of the diagram. The topology is represented by a new data structure for generalized diagrams, that is, embeddings of graphs in two-dimensional manifolds. This structure represents simultaneously an embedding, its dual, and its mirror image. Furthermore, just two operators are sufficients for building and modifying arbitrary diagrams.
Localized behavioral effects of tritiated estradiol implants in the ventromedial hypothalamus of female rats.

In an attempt to localize estrogen-sensitive brain sites sufficient to prime feminine sexual behavior, 30-gauge cannulae containing approximately 9 ng high specific activity [3H]-estradiol were implanted unilaterally or bilaterally into the ventromedial region of the hypothalamus of ovariectomized rats. Tests for lordosis behavior were conducted on days 3 and 6 postimplantation, 4–6 h after progesterone treatment. Brain, pituitary, and uterine tissue were then sampled for radioactivity. Cannulae delivered, on the average, 3 ng [3H]estradiol during 8 days. Radioactivity was localized almost exclusively to the hypothalamus or hemihypothalamus in which the implant was placed. This was true regardless of whether tissue radioactivity or radioactivity in cell nuclei was analyzed. In the bilateral implant experiments, average hypothalamic [3H]estradiol radioactivity amounted to 56 pg/rat in tissue and 220 fg in purified cell nuclei. The latter is 4% of the estimated estrogen eceptor capacity of cell nuclei of th...
A functional-based distribution diagnostic for a linear model with correlated outcomes

In this paper we present an easy-to-implement graphical distribution diagnostic for linear models with correlated errors. Houseman et al. (2004) constructed quantile-quantile plots for the marginal residuals of such models, suitably transformed. We extend the pointwise asymptotic theory to address the global stochastic behaviour of the corresponding empirical cumulative distribution function, and describe a simulation technique that serves as a computationally efficient parametric bootstrap for generating representatives of its stochastic limit. Thus, continuous functionals of the empirical cumulative distribution function may be used to form global tests of normality. Through the use of projection matrices, we generalised our methods to include tests that are directed at assessing the normality of particular components of the error. Thus, tests proposed by Lange & Ryan (1989) follow as a special case. Our method works well both for models having independent units of sampling and for those in which all observations are correlated.
The Prison Notebook: Lessons Learned Teaching Anthropology at San Quentin State Prison

This article addresses our strategies for teaching anthropological archaeology at San Quentin State Prison in California. For over 150 years, San Quentin State Prison has stood along the San Francisco Bay. Designed to hold 3,317 inmates, today 5,222 men are incarcerated at San Quentin some of whom may have been great anthropologists had their lives turned out differently.
The Cornell Interview of Peers and Friends: development and validation.

Abstract The Cornell Interview of Peers and Friends (CIPF), a 30-minute semistructured interview, evaluated 7-to 11-year old children's perceptions of their social relationships. Significant differences on the CIPF were found between clinical and nonclinical groups and between boys and girls. Three CIPF subscales. Developmental Appropriateness. Social Skills, and Self-esteem, were assessed and significantly differentiated between clinical and nonclinical populations. Satisfactory interrater reliability is reported for the interview's total score and the three subscale scores. The CIPF offers potential for screening children at risk for emotional disturbance and for assessing outcomes of therapeutic interventions.
Propagation of Spacecraft Free-Interface Substructure Uncertainty Into System Test-Analysis Correlation

As space structures become larger and more complex, ground based vibration tests of the entire spacecraft become either problematic or impossible. Instead, the spacecraft is tested and validated only at the substructure level. The substructure tests are usually performed in a simulated free-free configuration for simplicity and accuracy. A methodology is presented for studying the effects of uncertainty on metrics used for test-analysis correlation of complex spacecraft that are validated on a substructure-by-substructure basis. The objective is to quantify the level of accuracy required at the substructure level to produce acceptable accuracy at the system level. This is done by propagating uncertainty in test-analysis correlation metrics from free-free substructure vibration tests into uncertainty in synthesized system correlation metrics. The correlation uncertainty in each substructure can either be prescribed, for the purpose of numerical experimentation, or it may be available from existing substructure test data. Linear covariance propagation is used to propagate the substructure modal matrix uncertainty into the uncertainty in the corresponding Craig-Bampton substructure representations. Linear covariance propagation is then used again to propagate the substructure uncertainties into the full system modal matrices. The uncertainties in the system correlation metrics are then extracted from the modal matrix uncertainties to determine the impact of uncertainty at the substructure level. Organizations, such as NASA and the Air Force, make critical decisions on spacecraft performance and survivability based on the results of test-analysis correlation metrics. In order to ensure the success of finite element model validation where there is no system level test, uncertainty in the substructures must be propagated into the system level correlation metrics. It is believed that the method presented in this paper offers a unique and efficient approach for the required uncertainty propagation.
Late phase TNF-alpha depression in natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) peritoneoscopy

Background Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) allows access to the peritoneal cavity without skin incisions. Contamination of the peritoneal cavity by enteric contents may render NOTES more physiologically and immunologically invasive than previously thought. Measurement of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a validated method to quantify surgical stress. The physiologic and immunologic impact of NOTES is unknown. Methods A total of 37 swine underwent abdominal exploration via transgastric NOTES peritoneoscopy, laparoscopy (LX), laparotomy (OPEN), or sham surgery (CONTROL) and were allowed to survive. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 plasma levels were determined at the start and completion of surgery, and at 1 hour, 2 days, and 14 days postoperatively. Results At surgical completion, OPEN animals demonstrated higher TNF-α levels than all groups. TNF-α levels were similar for all groups at 1 hour and 2 days. NOTES animals had significantly reduced plasma levels of TNF-α than all other groups on postoperative days 7 and 14. Controlling for baseline cytokine variability, analysis was repeated using normalized data, which confirmed significantly reduced TNF-α levels for NOTES compared with all groups at 14 days. Subset analysis excluding LX and OPEN complications revealed lower NOTES TNF-α levels at 7 and 14 days compared with all groups. IL-1β and IL-6 levels were undetectable in 66.8% and 70.5% of samples, respectively, without significant trends. Conclusions Diagnostic NOTES peritoneoscopy demonstrated similar levels of systemic proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α compared with diagnostic laparoscopy and exploratory laparotomy in the immediate postoperative period despite gross intraperitoneal contamination. None of the surgical groups, however, produced a measurable, consistent trend in IL-1β or IL-6. Consistently reduced levels of TNF-α in NOTES animals in the late postoperative period indicates an immunomodulatory effect of the NOTES surgical technique not present in laparoscopy or laparotomy.
METABOLISM OF DIFFERENT FORMS OF IODINE IN MILK GIVEN TO CALVES BY SUCKLING AND RUMEN INFUSION.

Abstract Milk labelled with I 131 by dosing lactating cows was fed to 25 calves. The percentage of milk I 131 in protein-bound form ranged from a normal of 10 up to 90% in anion exchange resin-treated milk. The metabolism of the milk-bound I 131 was compared to exchangeable I 125 added to the milk just before calves were dosed by nipple pail (suckling), via stomach tube to a nearly empty rumen (infusion), or via stomach tube to a full rumen (drenching). Differences in metabolism of bound and exchangeable iodine were determined from the ratios of percentage of the dose of I 125 to I 131 which appeared in blood, urine, and feces at successive 24-hr samplings, and in bile, abomasum, and thyroid 24 to 96 hr after dosing. Only slight differences in metabolism of the two forms of iodine resulted after suckling or drenching. After infusion into the rumen, much of the bound iodine was absorbed as such, then it was excreted into the urine about twice as efficiently as was the exchangeable iodine source. This resulted in an increase in the proportion of the exchangeable iodine (I 125 ) in plasma, abomasum, and feces; and about twice as much I 125 as I 131 was taken up by the thyroid gland. Utilization or excretion of iodine is markedly affected by the form in which it is present in the blood which, in turn, is affected by the manner of consumption, digestion, and absorption.
SPIN POLARIZATION EFFECT IN THE THEORY OF MAGNETIC SCATTERING FROM ANTIFERROMAGNETIC NiO (111) SURFACES BY POLARIZED LOW-ENERGY ELECTRON DIFFRACTION

Abstract Dynamical calculations are performed to determine the differential cross section of low energy electrons scattered from antiferromagnetic NiO (111) surfaces. We find that the spin-dependence of this quantity with respect to the incident electron polarization depends strongly on: (1) the magnetization of the topmost layer, (2) the exchange potential model used, and (3) the incident beam angle.
SOLUBILITY OF FE(III) IN SEAWATER

Abstract Recently Kuma et al. [K. Kuma, J. Nishioka, K. Matsunaga, Controls on iron (III) hydroxide solubility in seawater: The influence of pH and natural organic chelators, Limnol. Oceanogr. 41 (1996) 396–407] made some careful measurements of the solubility of Fe(III) in UV and non-UV irradiated seawater as a function of pH (5–8). They showed that organic compounds can increase the solubility (32–65%) at pH=8.1, apparently due to the formation of Fe(III) organic complexes. In this paper I have examined how these results can be quantified using a speciation model for Fe(III). The results indicate that the effect of pH (2–9) on coastal and open ocean waters by Kuma et al. and the earlier filtration measurement of Byrne and Kester [R.H. Byrne, D.R. Kester, Solubility of hydrous ferric oxide and iron speciation in sea water, Mar. Chem. 4 (1976) 255–274] can be adequately represented by considering the formation of FeOH2+ and Fe(OH)2+ using the hydrolysis constants ( K ∗ 1 =10−2.62, K ∗ 2 =10−6.0) determined by Millero et al. [F.J. Millero, W. Yao, J. Aicher, The speciation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in natural waters, Mar. Chem. 50 (1995) 21–39]. The solubility measurements [Kuma et al., 1996] on unaltered coastal and open ocean waters appear to require the consideration of the formation of Fe(OH)30 ( K ∗ 3 =10−13.3–10−14.3). A more careful look at these measurements indicates that the curvature between pH 7 and 8 can be attributed to the formation of complexes of Fe3+ with organic ligands (FeL). Model speciation calculations (pH 6–8) yield total ligand concentrations of [L]T=1.2 nM and 0.17 nM for unaltered coastal and open ocean waters, respectively, assuming K′FeL=1021. These estimates are in good agreement with the values found for ocean waters by voltammetric methods. The model calculations for the solubility of Fe(III) (0.2 nM at pH=8.1 and 0.6 nM at pH=7.65) are in good agreement with measured open ocean surface (0.2 nM) and deep waters (0.6 nM) determined by various workers. Since these calculations are strongly dependent upon the total Fe and organic ligand concentrations in the waters, future studies should include solubility and voltammetric measurements on the same sample to clarify these relationships.
Occurrence of non-lactic acid bacteria populations involved in protein hydrolysis of cold-stored high moisture Mozzarella cheese

The aim of this study was to analyse non-lactic acid bacteria populations (NLABPs) and evaluate their role in proteolysis of cold-stored high moisture (HM) Mozzarella cheese. NLABPs reached values close to 8 log cfu mL⁻¹ after seven days of cold storage. Sequencing of 16 rDNA and rpoB genes and molecular biotyping allowed to identify 66 bacterial strains belonging to 25 species from 15 genera, mainly represented by Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Rahnella. Fifteen strains showed proteolytic activity values higher than 1000.00 μg Gly mL⁻¹ after 24 h of growth in skimmed milk. Moreover, as shown by Urea-PAGE, 11 proteolytic strains caused partial or total disappearance of at least one of the caseins. Their proteolytic behaviour was assessed even when they grew inside the governing liquid together with HM Mozzarella cheese at 4 °C for 12 days. This is the first report that throws light on the complexity of NLABPs in HM Mozzarella cheese, demonstrating that some strains caused the partial hydrolysis of α, β, and γ caseins on its outer surface where a concomitant wrinkling and successive exfoliation became visible without significant changes in texture characteristics.
An equivalence principle for systems with secondary generalized coordinates

Abstract This study concerns a non-linear system described by three generalized coordinates, two of which have the same natural frequency. Resonant harmonic excitation acting upon one of the multiple coordinates may cause both to be much larger than the remaining secondary one. The responses of this system are shown to have the same stability behavior as those of a standard non-linear system with two degrees of freedom, provided that the amplitude-frequency relations for both systems are identical.
Asparagine: A host chemical essential for the growth and development of Eucelatoria bryani, a tachinid parasitoid of Heliothis SPP

Abstract 1. 1. Asparagine is an essential component for the growth and development of Eucelatoria bryani Sabrosky which fed as larvae on the host for 20–28 hr before the parasitoids were transferred to artificial diets. 2. 2. Larvae did not develop beyond the last instar when asparagine was deleted from an oligidic diet containing 1.83% free amino acids and 1.4% protein from soy flour. 3. 3. When asparagine was present in the diet at a concentration close to that of hemolymph of hosts and several other lepidopteran species, survival to puparia and adults was 51 and 33%, respectively. 4. 4. When aspartic acid replaced asparagine in the artificial diet, E. bryani did not develop beyond the last instar. 5. 5. Asparagine is thought to be the first host metabolite to be identified as an essential nutrient for an entomophagous insect. 6. 6. Unidentified growth factors from host insects apparently are important for survival to the adult stage of at least two species of tachinids, but not the sarcophagid Agria housei Shewell.
Teaching an old drug new tricks: Actinomycin D synergistically enhances sensitivity to the Bcl-2 antagonist ABT-737.

Commentary to: Actinomycin D synergistically enhances the efficacy of the BH3 mimetic ABT-737 by down-regulating Mcl-1 expression Kristen E. Olberding, Xiaoli Wang, Yanglong Zhu, Jianmin Pan, Shesh N. Rai and Chi Li
Ocular Findings in Triploidy

We studied the abnormal ocular and systemic findings in one case of true triploidy and two cases of triploid mosaicism. A liveborn triploid child 69,XXY, had abnormalities including cebocephaly, a single midline nostril, incomplete cleft palate, transverse palmar creases, partial syndactyly, and ambiguous genitalia. Ocular abnormalities included hypotelorism, blepharophimosis, microcornia, iris coloboma, cataract, persistent hyaloid vasculature, retinal dysplasia, and optic atrophy. A 16-year-old girl with triploid mosaicism had congenital left facial and body hemiatrophy, both growth and mental retardation, left-sided grand mal seizures, incontinentia pigmenti of both legs, partial syndactyly, and generalized weakness. Results of her ocular examination were within normal limits. A 13-year-old boy with triploid mosaicism exhibited both growth and mental retardation, truncal obesity, and required a brace to support his back. Ocular findings included synophrys, bilateral blepharoptosis, and abnormal results of Schirmer tear test. Studies indicate a wide spectrum of ocular and systemic abnormalities occur that are presumably associated with the chromosome error.
Inclination of sun and shade leaves influences chloroplast light harvesting and utilization

Light harvesting and utilization by chloroplasts located near the adaxial vs the abaxial surface of sun and shade leaves were examined by fluorometry in two herbaceous perennials that differed in their anatomy and leaf inclination. Leaves of Thermopsis montana had well-developed palisade and spongy mesophyll whereas the photosynthetic tissue of Smilacina stellata consisted of spongy mesophyll only. Leaf orientation depended upon the irradiance during leaf development. When grown under low-light levels, leaves of S. stellata and T. montana were nearly horizontal, whereas under high-light levels, S. stellata leaves and T. montana leaves were inclined 60° and 30°, respectively. Leaf inclination increased the amount of light that was intercepted by the lower leaf surfaces and affected the photosynthetic properties of the chloroplasts located near the abaxial leaf surface. The slowest rates of quinone pool reduction and reoxidation were found in chloroplasts located near the adaxial leaf surface of T. montana plants grown under high light, indicating large quinone pools in these chloroplasts. Chloroplasts near the abaxial surface of low-light leaves had lower light utilization capacities as shown by photochemical quenching measurements. The amount of photosystem II (PSII) down regulation, measured from each leaf surface, was also found to be influenced by irradiance and leaf inclination. The greatest difference between down regulation monitored from the adaxial vs abaxial surfaces was found in plants with horizontal leaves. Different energy dissipation mechanisms may be employed by the two species. Values for down regulation in S. stellata were 2-3 times higher than those in T. montana, while the portion of the PSII population which was found to be Q B nonreducing was 4-6 times lower in high light S. stellata leaves than in T. montana. All values of Stern-Volmer type nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) from S. stellata leaves were similar when quenching analysis was performed at actinic irradiances that were higher than the irradiance to which the leaf surface was exposed during growth. In contrast, with T. montana, NPQ values from the abaxial leaf surface were up to 45% higher than those from the adaxial leaf surface regardless of growth conditions. The observed differences in chloroplast properties between species and between the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces may depend upon a complex interaction among light, leaf anatomy and leaf inclination.
Atomic Physics and Related Subjects.: Communications to Nature .: Glancing Angle of Reflection from Galcite for Silver ( K α 1 ) X-Rays

WE have measured the first order glancing angle at which the Kα1 line of silver is reflected from the cleavage planes of calcite by a method independent of any used by those who have obtained the most reliable results so far. The weighted mean value of fourteen independent observations reduced to 18° C. is 5° 17′ 13.81″ ± 0.06″.
Paleopathology of ancient Nubian human bone studied by chemical and electron microscopic methods

Abstract The definition of the discipline of paleopathology is discussed together with the theoretical bases for its study. Interrelationships between anthropology and paleopathology are considered. A discussion of methods includes macroscopic, microscopic, electron microscopic, radiographic, electron diffraction, paleopidemiology, skeletal adaptations, serologic, paleoecologic, biochemical, and epigenetic traits. An example of study of Nubian material is as follows. Human bone 12,000–10,000 years of age from the Egyptian Nubian Desert has shown ultrastructural preservation of collagen with periodicity of 600 A. Intact Haversian systems and osteones were retained, but content of hydroxyproline and nitrogen was negligible. The fluorine content was markedly elevated. The complex chemical process of fossilization with retention of gross and micromorphology was examined and indicated loss of organic material with probable replacement of some hydroxyapatite with amorphous and crystalline carbonates and phosphates.
Characteristics Of Phase-Compensation Techniques In Magnetooptical Read-Back Systems

Magnetooptical storage systems are designed to obtain high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), so that reliable read-back signals are obtained. One characteristic of the optical components in such systems is that they typically introduce a phase shift between the two components of the polarized read-back light. This phase shift reduces the signal amplitude and can increase noise, resulting in reduced SNR. To compensate for the phase shift, and thus restore SNR to the maximum possible value, compensation optics are inserted into the read-back system. This paper discusses various techniques for phase compensation and the characteristics of each technique with respect to alignment and component quality. A Jones calculus model is used to calculate signal and sensitivity to noise currents.
Plant nitrogen uptake drives rhizosphere bacterial community assembly during plant growth

Abstract When plants establish in novel environments, they can modify soil microbial community structure and functional properties in ways that enhance their own success. Although soil microbial communities are influenced by abiotic environmental variability, rhizosphere microbial communities may also be affected by plant activities such as nutrient uptake during the growing season. We predicted that during the growing season, plant N uptake would explain much of the variation in rhizosphere microbial community assembly and functional traits. We grew the invasive C3 grass Bromus tectorum and three commonly co-occurring native C3 grasses in a controlled greenhouse environment, and examined rhizosphere bacterial community structural and functional characteristics at three different plant growth stages. We found that soil N availability and plant tissue N levels strongly correlated with shifts in rhizosphere bacterial community structure. It also appeared that the rapid drawdown of soil nutrients in the rhizosphere during the plant growing season triggered a selection event whereby only those microbes able to tolerate the changing nutrient conditions were able to persist. Plant N uptake rates inversely corresponded to microbial biomass N levels during periods of peak plant growth. Mechanisms which enable plants to influence rhizosphere bacterial community structure and function are likely to affect their competitive ability and fitness. Our study suggests that plants can alter their rhizosphere microbiomes through influencing nutrient availability. The ways in which plants establish their rhizosphere bacterial communities may now be viewed as a selection trait related to intrinsic plant species nutrient demands.
Eotaxin polymorphisms and serum total IgE levels in children with asthma.

Background Eotaxin (chemokine, CC motif, ligand; CCL11) is a potent eosinophil chemoattractant strongly implicated in the pathobiology of asthma. Genetic variation at the CCL11 locus has been correlated with serum total IgE, blood eosinophil counts, and circulating eotaxin protein levels in several case-control asthma studies. Family-based association studies of CCL11 genetic variants have not been reported to date. Objective To evaluate 9 common CCL11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nuclear families ascertained through patients with asthma participating in the Childhood Asthma Management Program study. Methods Single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping was performed by using minisequencing and probe hybridization platforms. Family-based association analysis for asthma and 4 asthma-related intermediate quantitative phenotypes was performed by using FBAT. Results One SNP, −384A>G, was associated with asthma among African American families ( P = .01). CCL11 SNPs and haplotypes were not associated with asthma among white or Hispanic families. Two low-frequency alleles in strong pairwise linkage disequilibrium, −426C and IVS2+199A, were associated with lower serum total IgE levels ( P = .0006 and P = .009, respectively) in white families, whereas 2 more common variants, −576C and g.4438C, were associated with higher IgE levels in African American families ( P = .01-.04). Haplotype analysis in the white cohort provided additional evidence of association with serum total IgE, implicating 2 haplotypes. No single SNP or haplotype associations were observed with blood eosinophil levels, FEV 1 , or airway responsiveness. Conclusion These findings provide further evidence that genetic variation at the CCL11 locus is an important determinant of serum total IgE levels among patients with asthma.
Leveraging e-transportation in real-time traffic evacuation management

As part of intelligent transportation systems, Internet-connected sensors and cameras have become ubiquitous along roads and highways, enabling many novel e-transportation applications. In this research, we leverage this emerging technology to improve the surface transportation aspect of homeland security, by enhancing its support for evacuation in case of terrorist attacks or other unpredictable disasters. In particular, we extend our existing work on developing a Smart Traffic Evacuation Management System (STEMS), by proposing more efficient evacuation algorithms that dynamically generate evacuation plans for both single and multiple incidents scenarios, based on real-time traffic information obtained from sensor data available through the Web.
Mechanisms whereby oestrogens influence arterial health.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is uncommon in premenopausal women compared with men of similar age, but its incidence increases after the menopause to reach that of men. There is now good population-based evidence that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women reduces the incidence of CHD, perhaps by up to 50%. Oestrogens have a beneficial effect on arterial health in many different ways. HRT may both reduce the risk of atheroma formation and improve arterial function. Depending on the formulation, HRT can lower LDL and triglycerides, and increase HDL. Oestrogen may also produce qualitative as well as quantitative improvements in lipoproteins. It can improve insulin resistance and hence carbohydrate metabolism, and may enhance fibrinolysis rather than coagulation. Thus these effects of HRT on risk factors for CHD will reduce the risk of atheroma development and progression. Oestrogen has direct effects on blood vessels and improves vascular function through various mechanisms including endothelium-dependent and calcium-dependent processes. HRT should therefore now be considered for use in postmenopausal women with established CHD risk.
Piston effect under the Channel

In the Channel Tunnel there are three tunnels, two running tunnels of 7.6 m diameter and the service tunnel between them. 2 m diameter piston relief ducts connect the running tunnels each 250 m. These ducts relieve the pressure difference from front to back of the shuttle trains, and this reduces all the undesirable manifestations of piston effect (aerodynamic drag, pressure loads on structures, energy consumption etc.). These ducts are equipped with dampers to allow aerodynamic isolation of tunnels in case of smoke and for maintenance. In addition, there are two railway crossovers joining the tunnels undersea. These are equipped with sliding doors to allow the required aerodynamic isolation of the tunnels. The running tunnels normally receive air from a 'normal ventilation system' blowing through the service tunnel and through 'air distribution units' into the running tunnels. They also receive air drawn through the portals by the piston effect of trains. The design of the Tunnel considering the piston effect and the problems that had to be overcome are discussed.
Surface Reconstruction and the Difference in Surface Acidity between γ- and η-Alumina

The surfaces of the γ and η forms of alumina are well known to differ significantly in Lewis acidity. Surface reconstructions observed on γ- and η-alumina are also qualitatively different, despite the close similarity of the bulk structures. Here we demonstrate through first-principles calculations that subtle differences in the bulk point defect distribution between these two forms of alumina give rise to the major differences in the mode of surface reconstruction and correlate with the different levels of Lewis acidity.
The use of porcine acellular dermal matrix in a bridge technique for complex abdominal wall reconstruction: an outcome analysis.

Abstract Background Outcomes using the porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM) in abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) have been reported when used for midline reinforcement; however, there have been no reports focused on outcomes when used as a bridging mesh. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent AWR with a non–cross-linked PADM as a bridged repair without midline fascial approximation. Results Nine patients were identified with an average follow-up of 546 days. The average preoperative hernia defect diameter was 22.4 cm. After PADM placement, the average defect diameter was 9.8 cm. Complications occurred in 55.6% of patients, with PADM exposure occurring in all of these patients. No PADM was explanted, and all patients eventually healed. Abdominal wall eventration and/or recurrence occurred in 8 of 9 (88.9%) patients. Conclusions When fascial approximation cannot be achieved, PADM bridging may be the best option to avoid complications associated with synthetic mesh. However, there is a high potential for abdominal wall eventration and/or recurrence.
MiR-133a Mitigates Mitophagy in Ins2+/- Diabetic Heart

To test the hypothesis that inhibition of miR-133a induces mitophagy in diabetic hearts and it is ameliorated by overexpression of miR-133a, we used four in vivo groups: C57BL/6J, Akita (T1D), Akita+miR-133a, and Akita+scramble; and four in vitro groups of HL1 cardiomyocytes: low (LG-5mM), high (HG-25mM) doses of D-glucose, HG+miR-133a, and HG+scramble; and determined mitoSOX generation, depolarization of damaged mitochondria (ΔΨ, by JC-1), mitochondrial fission (by DRP1 and Parkin), autophagosome formation (by Beclin1, ATG14, ATG3, LC3B) and its lysosomal degradation (by RFP-GFP-LC3B) using qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our results demonstrate that in HG cardiomyocytes, mitoSOX generation, depolarization of mt-ΔΨ and DRP1 protein are elevated by 2.5±0.3, 1.44±0.08 and 1.94±0.29 folds, respectively, but ameliorated (mitoSOX:4.9±0.04, mt-ΔΨ:2.11±0.08, and DRP1:0.85±0.17 fold down regulation) by overexpression of miR-133a. The levels of Beclin1, ATG1...
Use of Matrix Orthogonal Projection for Peak Purity Assessment

ABSTRACT A novel algorithm for assessment of chromatographic peak purity is proposed. The method is based on a recently developed orthogonal projection technique associated with matrices. The perfo...
Stochastic Receding Horizon Control of Constrained Linear Systems with State and Control Multiplicative Noise

In this paper we develop a receding horizon control approach to stochastic linear systems with control and state multiplicative noise that also contain linear and quadratic expectation constraints. Our receding horizon formulation is based upon an online optimization that utilizes open-loop plus linear feedback and is solved as a semi-definite programming problem. We also provide a result characterizing stochastic stability for the receding horizon controlled system under a specific choice of terminal weight and terminal constraint. A numerical example is used to illustrate the approach.
Evaluating physician performance in oncology: moneyball becomes impactball.

The current payment system for medical oncology is focused on the perspectives of the physician and organization, with an emphasis on revenue and cost. There is a need for modification of traditional surrogates to accommodate the perspectives of the patient and consumer.
Angle estimator for signals with known waveforms

A large-sample decoupled maximum likelihood angle estimator for signals with known waveforms is presented based on exploiting the a priori knowledge that the observation noise can be modelled as spatially white. It is shown that the incorporation of this knowledge significantly improves the angle estimation accuracy over existing angle estimators for signals with known waveforms.
Real-time scheduling of deferrable electric loads

We consider a collection of distributed energy resources [DERs] such as electric vehicles and thermostatically controlled loads. These resources are flexible: they require delivery of a certain total energy over a specified service interval. This flexibility can facilitate the integration of renewable generation by absorbing variability, and reducing the reserve capacity and reserve energy requirements. We first model the energy needs of these resources as tasks, parameterized by arrival time, departure time, energy requirement, and maximum allowable servicing power. We consider the problem of servicing these resources by allocating available power using real-time scheduling policies. The available generation consists of a mix of renewable energy [from utility-scale wind-farms or distributed rooftop photovoltaics], and load-following reserves. Reserve capacity is purchased in advance, but reserve energy use must be scheduled in real-time to meet the energy requirements of the resources. We show that there does not exist a causal optimal scheduling policy that respects servicing power constraints. We then present three heuristic causal scheduling policies: Earliest Deadline First [EDF], Least Laxity First [LLF], and Receding Horizon Control [RHC]. We show that EDF is optimal in the absence of power constraints. We explore, via simulation studies, the performance of these three scheduling policies in the metrics of required reserve energy and reserve capacity.
A simple and rapid method for the purification of ovine pineal arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase.

: A two-step chromatographic procedure has been developed for the purification of ovine pineal arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.87), based on the principles of disulfide exchange and anion exchange. The enzyme from 20 ovine pineal glands can be purified about 500-fold in a day; recovery is about 5%. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the final preparation shows four major bands; one appears to be arylalkylamine N-acetyl-transferase.
Integrating synchronous and asynchronous internet distributed education for maximum effectiveness

Distributed education delivered via the Internet is a growing practice, with most institutions offering at least course websites and many expanding to full course offerings and even online degree progams. There are two schools of thought with regard to delivery mode: the larger group has focused on asynchronous delivery, accessible at any time via webpages and interactive tutorials and quizzes, while a smaller group advocates synchronous delivery where students are online and interact during class time. This paper summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the two delivery modes and describes our successful and growing experience of more than a decade using an open source synchronous delivery tool blended with a variety of asynchronous capabilities and classroom instruction. We conclude that a synergistic combination of the two modes with in-person instruction, designed to provide maximum flexibility to the student within the constraints of the subject, offers the best support for student learning.
Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster by Michael Eric Dyson

“This surely couldn't be the United States of America…this couldn't be the richest and most powerful nation on the globe, leaving behind some of its poorest citizens to fend for themselves” (2). In...
Cloning and sequence analysis of a protective M-like protein gene from Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, a Lancefield group C streptococcus, is a frequently isolated opportunist pathogen from a variety of animal hosts, including the horse. Previous studies have indicated that equine strains carry antigens with characteristics of the antiphagocytic M proteins on the Lancefield groups A and G streptococci. We have cloned a protective M-like protein gene (SzPW60) of an equine strain of S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus W60 and determined its sequence. This gene encodes a protein with a molecular weight of 40,123 which protects mice against subsp. zooepidemicus but not subsp. equi, stimulates antibodies which opsonize subsp. zooepidemicus but not equi, and reacts with antiserum to the protein of the parent strain. The predicted amino acid structure shows significant homology with the carboxy termini of groups A and G M proteins but no other homology. The M-like protein, although showing an extensive region of alpha helix, lacks the A, B, and C repeats found in group A M proteins and has a shorter signal sequence. A proline-rich region upstream from the LPSTGE motif contains 20 repeats of the tetrapeptide PEPK. The presence of this repeat region may account for the slow migration of the M-like protein in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Phosphate Reactivity in Long-Term Poultry Litter-Amended Southern Delaware Sandy Soils

Eutrophication caused by dissolved P from poultry litter (PL)-amended agricultural soils has been a serious environmental concern in the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia Peninsula (Delmarva), USA. To evaluate state and federal nutrient management strategies for reducing the environmental impact of soluble P from long-term PL-amended Delaware (DE) soils, we investigated (i) inorganic P speciation; (ii) P adsorption capacity; and (iii) the extent of P desorption. Although the electron microprobe (EMP) analyses showed a strong correlation between P and Al/Fe, crystalline Al/Fe-P precipitates were not detected by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Instead, the inorganic P fractionation analyses showed high levels of oxalate extractable P, Al, and Fe fractions (615-858,1215-1478, and 337-752 mg kg -1 , respectively), which were susceptible to slow release during the long-term (30-d) P desorption experiments at a moderately acidic soil pH water . The labile P in the short-term (24-h) desorption studies was significantly associated with oxalate and F extractable Fe and Al, respectively. This was evident in an 80% reduction maximum in total desorbable P from NH 4 oxalate/F pretreated soils. In the adsorption experiments, P was strongly retained in soils at near targeted pH of lime (=6.0), but P adsorption gradually decreased with decreasing pH near the soil pH water (=5.0). The overall findings suggest that P losses from the can be suppressed by an increase in the P retention capacity of soils via (i) an increase in the number of lime applications to maintain soil pH water at near targeted pH values, and/or (ii) alum/iron sulfate amendments to provide additional Al- and Fe-based adsorbents.
RELIABILIST JUSTIFICATION (OR KNOWLEDGE) AS A GOOD TRUTH‐RATIO

Fair lotteries offer familiar ways to pose a number of epistemo- logical problems, prominently those of closure and of scepticism. Although these problems apply to many epistemological positions, in this paper I develop a variant of a lottery case to raise a difficulty with the reliabilist's fundamental claim that justification or knowledge is to be analyzed as a high truth-ratio (of the relevant belief-forming processes). In developing the difficulty broader issues are joined including fallibility and the relation of reliability to understanding. Fair lotteries offer familiar ways to pose a number of epistemological problems, prominently those of closure and of scepticism. 1 Here's one way of posing a sceptical problem: Take your best (purported) example of inductive knowledge. There is some probability, however low, that the evi- dence is true and the conclusion drawn from it is false. I can specify a fair lottery with enough tickets so that the probability of your losing with a single ticket is greater than the probability that the conclusion of your inductive inference is correct, given the evidence. Yet, you can know your conclusion in the inductive case, but not that your ticket will lose in the lottery. How come, given that losing the lottery is more probable? Answering this question is a problem for a variety of epistemological views, though I use it to raise a difficulty specific to (most versions of) reliabi- lism . However, in developing this difficulty broader issues are joined including fallibilism and the relation of reliability to understanding. These versions of reliabilism hold that a belief is justified if it arose from a process that tends to produce a preponderance of true rather than