cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking the Sources of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in an Urban Stream during Wet Weather using Shotgun Metagenomic Analyses

Stormwater runoff has been known to cause increases in bacterial loadings in urban streams. However, little is known about its impacts on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in urban watersheds. This study was performed to characterize the ARG composition of various environmental compartments of an urban watershed and to quantify their contributions of microbes and ARGs to an urban stream under wet weather conditions. Shotgun metagenomic results showed that the ARG abundance in wet weather flow was significantly higher than in base flow. Multidrug resistance genes were the most common ARG type across environmental samples. Vancomycin resistance genes were abundant in embankment soil and street sweeping samples. Analyses using SourceTracker estimated storm drain outfall water to be the biggest contributor of microbes (54-57%) and ARGs (82-88%) in the urban stream during wet weather flows. Furthermore, results on street sweepings showed that wash-off from streets was the biggest known contributor of microbes (41-45%) and ARGs (92-96%) in storm drain outfall water. Pantoea and Pseudomonas were associated with the highest numbers of ARGs and were most abundant in stormwater-related samples. Results from this study can advance our knowledge about ARGs in urban streams, an important medium linking environmental ARGs to the general public.
Interdisciplinary multilingual practices in NGOs: Addressing translation and interpreting at the ‘Human Rights Investigations Lab’ and ‘Translators Without Borders’

Emanating from the recent sociological turn of translation studies scholarship ( Wolf 2006 , 2007 , 2009 and 2010 ), translation and interpreting practices in non-governmental organizations has become a field of research that imperatively requires cross-disciplinary approaches. This paper investigates multilingual initiatives carried out by the Human Rights Investigation Lab (HRIL) and Translators Without Borders (TWB) and their contribution to ensuring language access in crisis scenarios. Based on interviews with delegates from both organizations, and taking into consideration legal and sociological perspectives, it sets out a broad reflection on how translation studies research is evolving in the area of NGOs. It intends to address the caveats that can arise from both conceptual and empirical approaches in the design of future projects, as it explores the notion of discipline-specific knowledge and relevant concepts in translation training and external collaborations.
Bias Stress Stability of Carbon Nanotube Transistors with Implications for Sensors

For years, carbon nanotube (CNT) field- effect transistors (CNTFETs) have been promoted for their superb performance in sensing applications [1]. As hollow cylinders of sp2-bonded carbon, CNTs have their entire crystal structure exposed and thus are highly sensitive to local charge perturbations. CNTFET -based sensors typically require constant biasing in the on-state for the duration of their operation, inducing both gate and drain bias stress in the device. Reliable sensors will require detailed understanding of the effects of this bias stress on the device performance; yet, reports of these effects to date have had limited focus, primarily studying gate bias stress [2]–[4], molecular adsorption [5], or exclusively CNT thin-film devices [2-3,7]. Additionally, these reports are limited to time scales of less than a few hours.
A Pre-Pregnancy Biomarker Risk Score Improves Prediction of Future Gestational Diabetes

Context Previous studies have not examined the ability of multiple preconception biomarkers, considered together, to improve prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objective To develop a preconception biomarker risk score and assess its association with subsequent GDM. Design A nested case-control study among a cohort of women with serum collected as part of a health examination (1984 to 1996) and subsequent pregnancy (1984 to 2009). Biomarkers associated with GDM were dichotomized into high/low risk. Setting Integrated health care system. Participants Two controls were matched to each GDM case (n = 256 cases) on year and age at examination, age at pregnancy, and number of pregnancies between examination and index pregnancy. Main outcome measure GDM. Results High-risk levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG; 90 mg/dL), total adiponectin ( 3.9) were independently associated with 2.34 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50, 3.63], 2.03 (95% CI: 1.29, 3.19), 1.83 (95% CI: 1.16, 2.90), and 1.67 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.62) times the odds of GDM and included in the biomarker risk score. For each unit increase in the biomarker risk score, odds of GDM were 1.94 times greater (95% CI: 1.59, 2.36). A biomarker risk score including only SHBG and glucose was sufficient to improve prediction beyond established risk factors (age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, family history of diabetes, previous GDM; area under the curve = 0.73 vs 0.67, P = 0.002). Conclusions The improved, predictive ability of the biomarker risk score beyond established risk factors suggests clinical use of the biomarker risk score in identifying women at risk for GDM before conception for targeted prevention strategies.
Bones and Joints: The Effects of Cannabinoids on the Skeleton

Context The endocannabinoid system uses tissue-specific lipid ligands and G protein‒coupled transmembrane receptors to regulate neurologic, metabolic, and immune responses. Recent studies demonstrate that the endocannabinoid system influences bone metabolism. With the increasing use of endocannabinoid mimetics (e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol), the involvement of endocannabinoids in bone growth and remodeling has become clinically relevant. Evidence acquisition This literature review is based on a search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases as of June 2019 for all English-language publications relating to cannabinoids and bone. We evaluated retrieved articles for relevance, experimental design, data acquisition, statistical analysis, and conclusions. Evidence synthesis Preclinical studies establish a role for endocannabinoids in bone metabolism. These studies yield complex and often contradictory results attributed to differences in the specific experimental model examined. Studies using human cells or subjects are limited. Conclusions In vitro and animal models document that endocannabinoids are involved in bone biology. The relevance of these observations to humans is not clear. The increasing long-term use of medical and recreational cannabis underscores the need to better understand the role of endocannabinoids in human bone metabolism. Moreover, it is important to evaluate the role of endocannabinoids as a therapeutic target to prevent and treat disorders associated with bone loss.
Educational Versus Clinical Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Updated and Expanded Findings

Abstract Research has indicated that educational diagnoses can differ from clinical diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This brief report provides an updated analysis using 2014–2015 IDEIA...
High Performance E-Band Variable Gain LNA with Image Reject Filter

This paper presents a high performance 81-86 GHz low noise amplifier (LNA), designed and implemented in an advanced $0.12 \mu\mathrm{m}$ SiGe technology. The LNA comprises five common-emitter stages and two integrated analog controlled attenuators, embedded in its inter-stage matching networks. The LNA exhibits maximum gain of 24 dB at room temperature and more than 20 dB gain-tuning range. An integrated image reject filter provides more than 30 dB of image rejection. At minimum attenuation the LNA shows 4.5 dB noise figure, and at maximum attenuation the LNA achieves input 1 dB compression point (ICP1dB) of −6.5 dBm. The IC consumes 42 mA from a 1.6 Volts supply.
Toe-Screwed Cross-Laminated Timber Shear Wall Trilinear Pushover Design Modeling

AbstractAlthough toenailing has been common practice in light-frame residential construction, using toe screws in cross-laminated timber (CLT) shear walls has not been investigated. CLT shear walls...
The Cost of Debt for REITs: The Mortgage Puzzle

Established, low-leverage equity REITs with access to the public debt market rely on both non-recourse mortgages and full recourse bonds/notes as sources of long-term debt. Interest rates on secure...
Quantum traces for representations of surface groups in SL2(ℂ)

We relate two different quantizations of the character variety consisting of all representations of surface groups in SL2. One is the Kauffman skein algebra considered by Bullock, Frohman and Kania-Bartoszynska, Przytycki and Sikora, and Turaev. The other is the quantum Teichmuller space introduced by Chekhov and Fock and by Kashaev. We construct a homomorphism from the skein algebra to the quantum Teichmuller space which, when restricted to the classical case, corresponds to the equivalence between these two algebras through trace functions.
Shanti Block and Tackle

With a $7,500 loan from a family member, Calvin Gorelick has started an online business selling specialty yoga blocks. His primary concern is whether or not the cycles of "purchase blocks, sell blocks, receive money, make loan and other necessary repayments" will allow his company to remain financially solvent. Coupled with the cash flow issue, Gorelick has noticed disturbing sales data in his first month of doing business: with each passing week, his sales drop. Although he has just a small data set, Gorelick is worried. Is this the beginning of a trend, a one-time drop in sales that will level off, or only garden-variety variability that will average out to an acceptable level of sales? Excerpt UVA-ENT-0217 Rev. Apr. 24, 2019 Shanti Block and Tackle Introduction It was October 2013. Calvin Gorelick wrote the following email to his brother-in-law, Rafael Salazar, in reply to his request for details about the business model and need for capital: Rafael, . . .
'Slack' in the Data Age

This Article examines how increasingly ubiquitous data and information affect the role of “slack” in the law. Slack is the informal latitude to break the law without sanction. Pockets of slack exist for various reasons, including information imperfections, enforcement resource constraints, deliberate nonenforcement of problematic laws, politics, biases, and luck. Slack is important in allowing flexibility and forbearance in the legal system, but it also risks enabling selective and uneven enforcement. Increasingly available data is now upending slack, causing it to contract and exacerbating the risks of unfair enforcement. This Article delineates the various contexts in which slack arises and presents a bounded defense of slack, despite its risks and notwithstanding the parallel existence of formal leniency provisions in the law. It explains how increasingly available data is reshaping slack and highlights the risk of disparate contraction of slack for different populations along lines of race, political power, and sophistication. Ultimately, this Article proposes a framework for managing the complex relationship between slack and data and suggests policy solutions to address data-driven contraction of slack while minimizing slack’s risks. These policy solutions include limits on data collection, construction of data silos, and fundamental rethinking of legal rules and the role of government.
1700 nm broadband laser source enables deep brain optical biopsy.

An OCM system that employs a 1700 nm broadband laser source enables cellular level deep brain imaging, providing cytoarchitectural and myeloarchitectural information across cortical depth, without requiring tissue slicing. CC – corpus callosum.
Theory of Eddy Current Characterization of Magnetic Conductors

Eddy current nondestructive testing is widely used for measurements of the electrical conductivity of materials with known magnetic permeability and, to a lesser extent, for measurement of the permeability of materials with known conductivity. In either application, probe liftoff must be known for correct interpretation of the data. This can present difficulties if, for example, the surface is coated with a material of unknown thickness. The procedure described here makes use of multifrequency eddy current data and an iterative, least squares algorithm for fitting model predictions to these data to determine either the conductivity and liftoff or the permeability and liftoff. Numerical results are presented which demonstrate convergence of the method using simulated multifrequency data with and without errors due to noise.
Strategies for Extracting Data from HTML and XML Content

In this chapter, we compare different approaches to parsing XML and HTML documents and extracting data from these documents into R. We illustrate these with comprehensive, real-world examples that illustrate XPath and R functions for processing XML documents. We also introduce event-driven parsing where we use a collection of R functions to respond to events in the XML parser. These work for both tree-based (DOM) parsing and SAX parsing where we avoid building the tree. At the end of the chapter, the reader should have a good understanding of the various different strategies that can be used in R to parse XML documents and extract content.
Beyond the one-locus-one-miRNA paradigm: microRNA isoforms enable deeper insights into breast cancer heterogeneity

Here we describe our study of miRNA isoforms (isomiRs) in breast cancer (BRCA) and normal breast data sets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) repository. We report that the full isomiR profiles, from both known and novel human-specific miRNA loci, are particularly rich in information and can distinguish tumor from normal tissue much better than the archetype miRNAs. IsomiR expression is also dependent on the patient's race, exemplified by miR-183-5p, several isomiRs of which are upregulated in triple negative BRCA in white but not black women. Additionally, we find that an isomiR's 5' endpoint and length, but not the genomic origin, are key determinants of the regulation of its expression. Overexpression of distinct miR-183-5p isomiRs in MDA-MB-231 cells followed by microarray analysis revealed that each isomiR has a distinct impact on the cellular transcriptome. Parallel integrative analysis of mRNA expression from BRCA data sets of the TCGA repository demonstrated that isomiRs can distinguish between the luminal A and luminal B subtypes and explain in more depth the molecular differences between them than the archetype molecules. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence that post-transcriptional studies of BRCA will benefit from transcending the one-locus-one-miRNA paradigm and taking into account all isoforms from each miRNA locus as well as the patient's race.
Chronic demeclocycline therapy in the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion due to brain tumor

✓ The treatment of the syndrome of chronic inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion by fluid restriction is often attended by poor patient compliance. The following case report illustrates successful management of this condition by oral demeclocycline therapy in a patient who had hyponatremia in association with angioblastic meningioma of the sphenoid ridge.
Rapid Re-expansion of a Macroprolactinoma After Early Discontinuation of Bromocriptine

Prolactin (PRL)-secreting pituitary adenomas are the most common functioning pituitary tumors. Medical treatment with dopamine agonists is the therapy of choice for macroprolactinomas (≥10 mm). Withdrawal of bromocriptine after weeks or months of uninterrupted therapy has been associated with rapid tumor re-expansion as evidenced by x-ray and CT scanning of the pituitary region. We report a patient with a giant macroprolactinoma who had a dramatic response to bromocriptine (tumor volume shrinkage of 53% within a month) but rapid re-expansion to its original dimensions one week after discontinuation of bromocriptine. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the rapid shrinkage/re-expansion of a macroprolactinoma has been documented with serial MRI scans.
Racial Resentment, Old-Fashioned Racism, and the Vote Choice of Southern and Nonsouthern Whites in the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election*

Objective The effects of racial attitudes on the vote choice of whites in the 2012 U.S. presidential election are examined, with a specific focus on the simultaneous effects of both racial resentment and old-fashioned racial prejudice. Methods Data are taken from the 2012 American National Election Study (ANES). Models of vote choice are estimated separately for southern and nonsouthern whites. Results Findings show that racial resentment alone affected the vote choice of southern whites, but among nonsouthern whites both racial resentment and old-fashioned racism exerted independent effects on vote choice. Furthermore, it was among independents that the effects of racial attitudes were most visible. Conclusions Overall, it is estimated that racial attitudes cost Obama support among white voters, and likely made his victories in a number of swing states a lot closer than they would have been absent the effects of racial attitudes. Consistent with prior literature, findings also demonstrate that the election of the first African-American president has primed old-fashioned racial prejudice.
Inactivation of aspartic transcarbamylase in sporulating Bacillus subtilis: demonstration of a requirement for metabolic energy.

The aspartic transcarbamylase (ATCase) activity of Bacillus subtilis cells disappears rapidly from stationary-phase cells prior to sporulation. ATCase activity does not appear in the culture fluid during the stationary phase; hence the enzyme appears to be inactivated in the cells. The enzyme is inactivated normally in two different mutants lacking proteases; the activity is very stable in crude extracts of cells or in the culture fluid. These results suggest that ATCase is not inactivated by the general proteolysis that occurs in sporulating bacteria. The inactivation of ATCase can be completely inhibited after it has begun by oxygen starvation or addition of fluoroacetate. Inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport also interrupt the inactivation of ATCase. The inactivation of ATCase is very slow in two mutant strains that are deficient in enzymes of tricarboxylic acid cycle. Addition of gluconate to stationary cultures of the mutant strains, which is known to restore depleted adenosine 5′-triphosphate pools in these bacteria, also restores inactivation of ATCase. These experiments support the conclusion that the generation of metabolic energy is necessary for the inactivation of ATCase in stationary cells. ATCase activity is stable in growing cells in which ATCase synthesis is repressed by addition of uracil; the enzyme is inactivated normally, however, when such cells cease growing.
Measurements of stellar magnetic fields: Empirical constraints on stellar dynamo and rotational evolution theories

We explore the implications of empirical stellar magnetic parameters for dynamo theories, stellar activity theories, and models of the evolution of stellar angular momentum.
Time-dependent outgassing and impurities in the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus

To investigate the importance to fusion devices of desorption of gas from walls or cryosurfaces under long time operation, preliminary mass spectrometric investigations were carried out on the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus with a 0.1-2A discharge in D2 at a pressure of 4.0 to 6.6 x 0.00001 torr. During the initial tens of minutes of discharge operation large quantities of a component with mass number 28, believed to be nitrogen, were released. The decrease with time of the nitrogen density after its initial maximum, indicated a diffusion controlled outgassing from cryodeposits or wall material. When cold surfaces were allowed to warm up, large quantities of gas were released. The integrated amount of N2 was typically the same as that released during a discharge, while the amount of H2O was orders of magnitude larger.
Clustering requires modified methyl‐accepting sites in low‐abundance but not high‐abundance chemoreceptors of Escherichia coli

Summary Chemotaxis signalling complexes of Escherichia coli , composed of chemoreceptors, CheA and CheW, form clusters located predominately at cell poles. As the only kind of receptor in a cell, high-abundance recep- tors are polar and clustered whereas low-abundance chemoreceptors are polar but largely unclustered. We found that clustering was a function of the cytoplas- mic, carboxyl-terminal domain and that effective clus- tering was conferred on low-abundance receptors by addition of the ~ 20-residue sequence from the car- boxyl terminus of either high-abundance receptor. These sequences are different but share a carboxyl- terminal pentapeptide that enhances adaptational covalent modification and allows a physiological balance between modified and unmodified methyl- accepting sites, implying that receptor modification might influence clustering. Thus we investigated directly effects of modification state on chemorecep- tor clustering. As the sole receptor type in a cell, low- abundance receptors were clustered only if modified, but high-abundance receptors were clustered inde- pendent of extent of modification. This difference could mean that the two receptor types are fundamen- tally different or that they are poised at different posi- tions in the same conformational equilibrium. Notably, no receptor perturbation we tested altered a predom- inant location at cell poles, emphasizing a distinction between determinants of clustering and polar localization.
Thermodynamic Analysis of CO2 Capture Cycles Using Pre-Combustion Decarbonization and Membrane Technologies

Over the past 5–10 years, interest has increased significantly in CO2 free power generation cycles. This study focuses on precombustion decarbonization cycles that reform syngas, separating the CO2 using a membrane, and then burning hydrogen-rich fuel in a gas turbine. The syngas reforming section is comprised of 1) Auto-thermal reformer (ATR) used for syngas production 2) water gas shift reactor (WGSR) to shift CO into CO2 3) CO2 -separation membrane and 4) combustion with hydrogen rich fuel. Overall performance shows an efficiency loss of 8.4% and 10.6% compared to the baseline cycle for the high and low temperature CO2 membrane cycles examined. The operating temperatures of the membranes are limited by the exothermic CO shift reaction favoring lower temperatures. Furthermore, a chemical exergy analysis of the reformers in the decarbonization system is undertaken to understand the impact of fuel reforming.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Reconstructing the diets of extinct South African carnivorans from premolar ‘intercuspid notch’ morphology

Morphometric analyses of carnivoran dentition (e.g. linear measurements of length and width) have been used to separate taxa according to broad dietary categories. While these studies generally discriminate the diets of carnivorans at the family level, analysis of a previously underappreciated qualitative dental feature of carnivorans, premolar intercuspid notches (the notches between the accessory cuspids), allows discrimination of the carcass-processing abilities within families. In this study, intercuspid notch characteristics are scored, and the high correlations of the interspecific variation with the detailed carcass-processing abilities of a broad range of extant taxa allows for substantial discriminatory inference of the carcass-processing abilities of the Plio-Pleistocene carnivores of South Africa. Application of the scoring method to extinct carnivorans suggests that the Plio-Pleistocene hyaenid Chasmaporthetes was hypercarnivorous, similar to modern felids, and not durophagous, like the confamilial modern hyenas. Most surprisingly, and contrary to current hypotheses, these analyses suggest that the sabertooth felids were less carnivorous than modern felids. This new technique identifies subtle dietary differences between closely related species that are not captured by other means of dental-dietary inference.
FEASIBILITY OF UNIVERSAL HOME HAEMODIALYSIS WITH SIMPLIFIED TECHNIQUES

Maintenance haemodialysis was offered to an unselected series of patients presenting with end-stage renal disease between 1975 and 1982. Of the initial 283 patients, 274 started on haemodialysis, and 89% of these were alive and available for follow-up beyond the first 3 months of treatment. 98% of the latter eventually achieved permanent home haemodialysis with a system using simplified dialysis equipment and procedures, together with training methods designed to reinforce patient motivation. Universal home haemodialysis is now feasible when appropriate techniques are used.
Heuristic approach to image registration

Image registration, i.e. correct mapping of images obtained from different sensor readings onto common reference frame, is a critical part of multi-sensor ATR/AOR systems based on readings from different types of sensors. In order to fuse two different sensor readings of the same object, the readings have to be put into a common coordinate system. This task can be formulated as optimization problem in a space of all possible affine transformations of an image. In this paper, a combination of heuristic methods is explored to register gray- scale images. The modification of Genetic Algorithm is used as the first step in global search for optimal transformation. It covers the entire search space with (randomly or heuristically) scattered probe points and helps significantly reduce the search space to a subspace of potentially most successful transformations. Due to its discrete character, however, Genetic Algorithm in general can not converge while coming close to the optimum. Its termination point can be specified either as some predefined number of generations or as achievement of a certain acceptable convergence level. To refine the search, potential optimal subspaces are searched using more delicate and efficient for local search Taboo and Simulated Annealing methods.
A comparison result for convection in bounded geometries

A very conservative lower bound for buoyancy driven convection in bounded geometries is obtained. This bound is extremely simple to evaluate and is used to expose inconsistencies in some of the earlier published numerical results.
Effect of Mo dispersion size and water vapor on oxidation of two-phase directionally solidified NiAl–9Mo in-situ composites

Oxidation of NiAl–9Mo eutectics with three different second-phase Mo dispersion sizes was investigated at 900 °C in dry and wet air. Good oxidation resistance via alumina formation was observed in dry air, with MoO3 volatilization minimized by submicron Mo dispersions. However, although mass change measurements were similar in dry/wet air, extensive volatilization and in-place internal oxidation of prior Mo phase regions was observed in wet air. The ramifications of this phenomenon for the development of multiphase high-temperature alloys are discussed.
Effective assessment and institutional change

Assessment can result in a better match between educational goals and student involvement in achieving them.
Conditioned social aversion in young male Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

The current study was designed to determine if conditioned social aversion could be extended to young gerbils. Forty young 3-month-old male Mongolian gerbils were tested with an unfamiliar 3-month-old conspecific for two 5-min sessions 48 h apart. The experimental subjects received an injection of LiCl immediately after the first session, while the control subjects received saline. Investigation duration and approach frequency significantly decreased for the experimental subjects. The research demonstrated that naive young male gerbils were capable of forming social aversions.
Advantage of non-etching adhesion promoter on high frequency signal loss

In the age where demands for mobile electronic devices are ever increasing, the propensity for an exponential growth of wireless data transfer is inevitable. The massive data exchange is driven by rise in the signal frequency and the trend having high frequency applications is imminent. The prolific examples of high frequency applications include the next generation 4G mobile phones, satellite communications, Wi-Fi LAN, milliwave radars on automotives, CPUs and GPUs. As the frequency signals carried by electronic devices continue to elevate, there is a greater risk of compromising the signal integrity. The main contributors of high frequency signal loss are the dielectric material and conductor which signals travel on. In order to minimize signal loss, material suppliers have been developing reliable high speed dielectrics with low dissipation factors and dielectric constants. On the other hand, the conductor loss of high frequency signals is largely dependent on the surface profile and roughness of the tracks. Uneven conductor surface profile and track roughness is a product of using conventional etch-based adhesion promoter. While the conventional etch-based adhesion promoters cause no major functionality issues to the manufacturing of commodity PCBs, the impact on the signal integrity for high frequency applications can be an issue. As signal frequency escalates, a phenomenon known as the "skin effect" propagates the signals on the track surface. The coupled impact of the "skin effect" and conductor roughness is an upsurge in resistance that results in signal loss. Contrary to the etch-based adhesion promoter, non-etching adhesion promoter (NEAP) can offer a flat conductor surface and a controlled track width. This can in turn reduce the high frequency signal loss significantly. The paper makes use of a commercially available non-etching adhesion promoters and copper foils in order to investigate the influence of surface roughness on high frequency signal loss. The characterization is carried out through the use of computer simulation as well as actual sample measurement in order to determine those factors which dominate the overall loss performance.
A general theory of chromosome pairing based on the palindromic DNA model of Sobell with modifications and amplifications.

Abstract A model for chromosome pairing is presented. It is based on the presence of segments of symmetric sequences of bases (palindromes) in the DNA at specific places in the chromosome. Palindromic DNA has been characterized by Wilson & Thomas (1974) , who state that these sequences are a regular feature of eukaryotic DNA. Sobell (1972) has suggested that they may be involved in synapsis and genetic recombination. Sobell's model is modified and amplified in an attempt to develop a general theory of chromosome pairing that explains congressional pairing, synapsis, non-homologous pairing, the initiation of crossing over, and interference.
Modeling of direct detection Doppler wind lidar. II. The fringe imaging technique

A simple analytic model is developed for the shot-noise-limited measurement precision of Doppler wind lidars based on the fringe imaging technique by use of either molecular or aerosol atmospheric backscatter. The model leads to etalon design parameters for an instrument optimized for precision. The ultimate measurement precision possible is two to four times the limit for a perfect, lossless receiver. The corresponding result for the double-edge Doppler analyzer was a ratio of 2.5, showing that the two methods are little different in this respect. For aerosol backscatter instruments, the wind speed dynamic range of the fringe imager is substantially greater than that for the edge detector. The etalon aperture needed to meet system etendue requirements is derived and shown to be approximately half that of each of the two etalons required by the double-edge technique. A comparison with more detailed modeling of fringe imaging Doppler-shift analyzers shows good agreement for the Rayleigh model and fair for the aerosol version, confirming the validity of this simpler technique for analyzer design and performance prediction.
Bile acid recognition by the Clostridium difficile germinant receptor, CspC, is important for establishing infection.

Clostridium difficile spores must germinate in vivo to become actively growing bacteria in order to produce the toxins that are necessary for disease. C. difficile spores germinate in vitro in response to certain bile acids and glycine. In other sporulating bacteria, proteins embedded within the inner membrane of the spore sense the presence of germinants and trigger the release of Ca++-dipicolinic acid (Ca++-DPA) from the spore core and subsequent hydrolysis of the spore cortex, a specialized peptidoglycan. Based upon homology searches of known germinant receptors from other spore-forming bacteria, C. difficile likely uses unique mechanisms to recognize germinants. Here, we identify the germination-specific protease, CspC, as the C. difficile bile acid germinant receptor and show that bile acid-mediated germination is important for establishing C. difficile disease in the hamster model of infection. These results highlight the importance of bile acids in triggering in vivo germination and provide the first description of a C. difficile spore germinant receptor. Blocking the interaction of bile acids with the C. difficile spore may represent an attractive target for novel therapeutics.
Induction or protection of limbic seizures in mice by mGluR subtype selective agonists.

Abstract The behavioral consequences of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation were investigated following intracerebral administration of the mGluR selective agonists (RS)3,5-dihydroxyphenyl-glycine (3,5-DHPG), (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate (1S,3,R-ACPD), (1R,3S)-1-aminocyclo-pentane-1, 3-dicarboxylate (1R,3S-ACPD), l -2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate ( l -AP4), l -serine-O-phosphate ( l -SOP) and (2S,3S,4S)α-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine ( l -CCGI) into the thalamus in mice. Injections of 3,5-DHPG,1S,3R-ACPD and l -CCGI produced dose-dependent increases in limbic seizures with a potency order of 3,5-DHPG = 1S,3R-ACPD > l -CCGI. This effect of 1S,R-ACPD was stereoselective, since the inactive isomer (1S,R-ACPD) did not elicit seizure activity. Limbic seizures induced by the phospho-inositide-coupled mGluR subtype selective agonist 3,5-DHPG were attenuated by the mGluR antagonist l -2-amino-3-phosphonopropanoic acid ( l -AP3) and dantrolene, inhibitors of mGluR-mediated intracellular calcium mobilization. Interestingly, l -AP4, l -SOP and low doses of l -CCGI also protected against 3,5-DHPG seizures. These data indicate that mGluR agonist-induced limbic seizures in mice are mediated by activation of phosphoinositide-coupled mGluRs. Furthermore, these seizures can be protected against by activation of mGluRs that are negatively-linked to cAMP formation.
Two hundred sixty pediatric emergency airway encounters by air transport personnel: a report of the air transport emergency airway management (NEAR VI: "A-TEAM") project.

BACKGROUND Effective airway management is the cornerstone of resuscitative efforts for any critically ill or injured patient. The role and safety of pediatric prehospital intubation is controversial, particularly after prior research has shown varying degrees of intubation success. We report a series of consecutive prehospital pediatric intubations performed by air-transport providers. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed intubation flight records from an 89-rotorcraft, multistate emergency flight service during the time period from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2009. All patients younger than 15 years were included in our analysis. We characterized patient, flight, and operator demographics; intubation methods; success rates; rescue techniques; and adverse events with descriptive statistics. We report proportions with 95% confidence intervals and differences between groups with Fisher exact and χ tests; P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Two hundred sixty pediatric intubations were performed consisting of 88 medical (33.8%) and 172 trauma (66.2%) cases; 98.8% (n = 257) underwent an orotracheal intubation attempt as the first method. First-pass intubation success was 78.6% (n = 202), and intubation was ultimately successful in 95.7% (n = 246) of cases. Medical and trauma intubations had similar success rates (98% vs 95%, Fisher exact test P = 0.3412). There was no difference in intubation success between age groups (χ = 0.26, P = 0.88). Three patients were managed primarily with an extraglottic device. Rescue techniques were used in 11 encounters (4.2%), all of which were successful. Cricothyrotomy was performed twice, both successful. CONCLUSIONS Prehospital pediatric intubation performed by air-transport providers, using rapid sequence intubation protocols, is highly successful. This effect on patient outcome requires further study.
Erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransport: another link between essential hypertension and diabetes.

Erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport has been extensively investigated in human essential hypertension in numerous clinical, epidemiologic, and genetic studies and through these studies has emerged as the best-characterized intermediate phenotype. Patients with elevated antiporter activity manifest high total body exchangeable Na+ levels, renal and cardiac hypertrophy, and metabolic abnormalities which are part of the syndrome characterized by resistance to insulin-stimulated body glucose disposal. The coexistence of hypertension with insulin resistance and elevated Na+/Li+ countertransport has suggested that a link between the metabolic and ion transport abnormalities may be mediated through elevated insulin levels. In vitro studies in erythrocytes of fasted individuals have demonstrated that physiologic doses of insulin increased the maximal transport rate and the concentration for half-maximal transport for Na+ of both the Na+/Li+ and Na+/H+ exchanges. In vivo, Na+/Li+ exchange also exhibits a low affinity for Na+ in insulin-resistant hypertensive patients and in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes melIitus complicated by nephropathy. Insulin modulation of this antiporter may play a role in the chronic alterations in Na+ homeostasis observed in hypertension and diabetes.
The effect of radioactive phosphorus upon the development of the teeth and mandibular joint of the mouse.

The discovery of nuclear fission and the subsequent production of radioactive iso­ topes have been hailed by biologists as the key to the understanding of many of the complex metabolic processes of living organisms. Radioactive phosphorus ( p 3 2 ) , which has been available for about ten years, is a beta emitter with a half life of 14.3 days. Because of the important role of phosphorus in the processes of osteogene­ sis and odontogenesis, it is apparent that radioactive phosphorus metabolized in the teeth and bone would continuously irradiate these structures. Although the biological effects of ioniz­ ing radiation produced by radioactive iso­ topes have been intensively studied in the past few years,1 a review of the literature reveals that histopathological studies of the teeth and supporting structures have not been undertaken. The project herein reported was under­ taken in order to study on a histopatho­ logical basis the alterations of structure and function of the odontogenic ap­ paratus and investing tissues in response to the internal administration of a beta emitter, radioactive phosphorus. Since beta rays are high speed electrons, this work is a study on the effect of electron bombardment of the developing oral tis­ sues. The mouse, which was selected as an experimental animal, has a monophyodont dentition with a dental formula consisting of incisor 1/1, cuspid 0/0, pre-
Active-Control Antiepileptic Drug Trials in the Newly Diagnosed Patient: Are We Getting Closer?

In this issue, Brodie and colleagues present results of an active control trial comparing a potential new antiepileptic drug, remacemide, with the drug that is considered the “standard of care” for newly diagnosed patients with partial epilepsy, namely, carbamazepine. There are two major reasons why this trial is of particular significance. The first is that a novel methodology called sequential analysis was employed. The second is that this is the first published trial in which a new antiepileptic drug (AED) was demonstrated to be statistically inferior to carbamazepine at a therapeutic dose. This is even more significant because the drug had already been proven effective in an adjunctive trial in refractory patients. These are critical pieces of data in the continuing debate regarding the ideal methodology to demonstrate efficacy of new drugs as monotherapy in the newly diagnosed population. The first question that needs to be addressed is whether it is necessary to perform specific trials in the newly diagnosed population. There are several compelling arguments in favor of performing such trials. Registration trials for determining safety and efficacy of new antiepileptic drugs are almost always done in an adjunctive design (1). In other words, the drug under investigation is added to any AEDs the subject may already be taking to control their seizures. This design allows a placebo control group, which would otherwise be very difficult for such a serious disease. Much has been written about the type of population treated in the typical randomized placebo-controlled phase III adjunctive efficacy trial. Patients tend to have an epilepsy duration of years to decades. Median seizure frequency is 10 seizures/month. Patients have typically failed up to 10 AEDs (2). Recently, results from several studies have implied that there may be fundamental differences between newly diagnosed patients and refractory patients. Early in the course of treatment, patients separate into easily treatable or refractory. In one study, patients had an almost 50% chance of responding to initial therapy. If they failed initial therapy for efficacy reasons, they had only a 10% likelihood of becoming seizure free over the next 5 years despite multiple drug trials (3). Another important discovery is that newly diagnosed patients often respond to relatively lower doses than are needed in refractory patients (4).
Neglect of women in science.

To Stanford neuroscientist Ben Barres, and all others who are “outraged” by the gender imbalance but “actually think it's more a matter of neglect than of sexism” (“Male sweep of new award raises questions of bias,” J. Mervis, News of the Week, 22 Oct., p. [595][1]), I would like to politely point out that neglect of women in science is sexism. A female/male 4/60 ratio of reviewers seems a little low. How about 32/32 next time? Or even 60/4? [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.306.5696.595a
MR and CT Arthrography of the Shoulder

The combined use of shoulder arthrography with MR and CT imaging offers distinct advantages over conventional nonarthrographic imaging techniques. The improved contrast and joint distension afforded by direct arthrography optimize evaluation of various intra-articular structures and help to define subtle abnormalities and distinguish normal variants from true shoulder pathology. In this article, we review the rationale and basic approaches to shoulder arthrography as well as the imaging appearance of the normal shoulder, anatomical variants, and pathology highlighted by this technique.
Energetics from Slow Infrared Multiphoton Dissociation of Biomolecules

Photodissociation kinetics of the protonated pentapeptide leucine enkephalin measured using a cw CO2 laser and a Fourier-transform mass spectrometer are reported. A short induction period, corresponding to the time required to raise the internal energy of the ion population to a (dissociating) steady state, is observed. After this induction period, the dissociation data are accurately fit by first-order kinetics. A plot of the log of the unimolecular dissociation rate constant, kuni, as a function of the log of laser power is linear at low laser powers (<9 W, kuni < 0.05 s-1), but tapers off at high laser power (9−33 W, kuni = 0.05−7 s-1). The entire measured dissociation curve can be accurately fit by an exponential function plus a constant. The experiment is simulated using a master equation formalism. In the model, the laser radiation is described as an energetically flat-topped distribution which is spatially uniform. This description is consistent with experimental results which indicate that ion mot...
Using hyperspectral imagery to predict post-wildfire soil water repellency

Abstract A principal task of evaluating large wildfires is to assess fire's effect on the soil in order to predict the potential watershed response. Two types of soil water repellency tests, the water drop penetration time (WDPT) test and the mini-disk infiltrometer (MDI) test, were performed after the Hayman Fire in Colorado, in the summer of 2002 to assess the infiltration potential of the soil. Remotely sensed hyperspectral imagery was also collected to map post-wildfire ground cover and soil condition. Detailed ground cover measurements were collected to validate the remotely sensed imagery and to examine the relationship between ground cover and soil water repellency. Percent ash cover measured on the ground was significantly correlated to WDPT ( r = 0.42; p -value r = − 0.37; p -value r = 0.24; p -value = 0.001), and the MDI test ( r = − 0.21; p -value = 0.005). An iterative threshold analysis was also applied to the ash and water repellency data to evaluate the relationship at increasingly higher levels of ash cover. Regression analysis between the means of grouped data: MDI time vs. ash cover data ( R 2 =0.75) and vs. Ash MTMF scores ( R 2 = 0.63) yielded significantly stronger relationships. From these results we found on-the-ground ash cover greater than 49% and remotely sensed ash cover greater than 33% to be indicative of strongly water repellent soils. Combining these results with geostatistical analyses indicated a spatial autocorrelation range of 15 to 40 m. Image pixels with high ash cover (> 33%), including pixels within 15 m of these pixel patches, were used to create a likelihood map of soil water repellency. This map is a good indicator of areas where soil experienced severe fire effects—areas that likely have strong water repellent soil conditions and higher potential for post-fire erosion.
Impending macrosomia: will induction of labour modify the risk of caesarean delivery?

Please cite this paper as: Cheng Y, Sparks T, Laros R Jr, Nicholson J, Caughey A. Impending macrosomia: will induction of labour modify the risk of caesarean delivery? BJOG 2012;119:402–409. Objective To compare the annual incidence rates of caesarean delivery between induction of labour and expectant management in the setting of macrosomia. Design This is a retrospective cohort study. Setting Deliveries in the USA in 2003. Population Singleton births of macrosomic neonates to low-risk nulliparous women at 39 weeks of gestation and beyond. Methods Women who had induction of labour at 39 weeks of gestation with a neonatal birthweight of 4000 ± 125 g (3875–4125 g) were compared with women who delivered (either induced or spontaneous labour) at 40, 41 or 42 weeks (i.e. expectant management), assuming an intrauterine fetal weight gain of 200 g per additional week of gestation. Similar comparisons were made at 40 and 41 weeks of gestation. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used for statistical comparison. Main outcome measures Method of delivery, 5-minute Apgar scores, neonatal injury. Results There were 132 112 women meeting the study criteria. In women whose labours were induced at 39 weeks and who delivered a neonate with a birthweight of 4000 ± 125 g, the frequency of caesarean was lower compared with women who delivered at a later gestational age (35.2% versus 40.9%; adjusted OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.17–1.33). This trend was maintained at both 40 weeks (36.1% versus 42.6%; adjusted OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.23–1.40) and 41 weeks (38.9% versus 41.8%; adjusted OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.06–1.28) of gestation. Conclusions In the setting of known birthweight, it appears that induction of labour may reduce the risk of caesarean delivery. Future research should concentrate on clinical and radiological methods to better estimate birthweight to facilitate improved clinical care. These findings deserve examination in a large, prospective, randomised trial.