cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A decision framework for the preservation of transparent papers

AbstractBrittleness, discolouration, translucency, and solvent sensitivity are a few of the factors that need consideration when conserving transparent papers. These considerations coupled with the large format and the volume of transparent papers in collections makes effective preservation planning difficult. To address this problem a project was initiated to improve the standard of preservation for transparent papers in The National Archives’ collections. The significant outcomes of this one year project were a framework for preservation decision-making, and complementary tools designed to gather information to support better planning and treatment. The tools include survey questionnaires, a condition rating scale, a colour rating scale, and a database to capture information about the condition and types of transparent papers held by The National Archives.
Numeracy About Minority Populations: Americans’ Estimations of Local Gay Population Size

Previous research on demographic innumeracy has consistently shown that Americans have grossly inflated perceptions of minority population sizes at the national level. We present data from a survey indicating that Americans have significantly more reasonable estimations of homosexuals populations in their local communities. We argue that such findings serve as a needed corrective to the view that Americans are hopelessly ignorant about minority communities, speculate on some of the reasons for the disparate results at the national and local levels, and—after examining some of the correlates of the local estimates—discuss what these findings imply about the differing types and levels of “threat” the public views on the part of different minority groups.
Criteria for optimum propellant mixing in impinging-jet injection elements.

Criteria for optimum liquid mixing for impinging jet injector elements, noting parameters for maximum efficiency
Pseudomonas aeruginosa rhamnolipids disperse Bordetella bronchiseptica biofilms

We have previously reported that the respiratory pathogen Bordetella bronchiseptica can form biofilms in vitro. In this report, we demonstrate the disruption of B. bronchiseptica biofilms by rhamnolipids secreted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This suggests that biosurfactants such as rhamnolipids may be utilized as antimicrobial agents for removing Bordetella biofilms.
Dectin-1 Fc Targeting of Aspergillus fumigatus Beta-Glucans Augments Innate Defense against Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) has significantly increased over the last decade. Here, a fusion protein consisting of the Dectin-1 extracellular domain linked to the Fc portion of murine immunoglobulin G1 augmented alveolar macrophage killing of Aspergillus fumigatus and shifted mortality associated with IPA via attenuation of A. fumigatus growth in the lung.
Seasonal furrow irrigation model with genetic algorithms (OPTIMEC)

A seasonal furrow irrigation model based on the concept of a comprehensive irrigation system is implemented using a Visual Basic program, OPTIMEC (EConomic OPTIMization in Spanish). From a set of climatological, soil, furrow geometry and crop data for sloping and run-off free furrows, OPTIMEC determines a quasi-optimum irrigation season calendar based on economic profit maximization. The model features four components: a soil moisture model, an irrigation hydraulic model, a crop yield model and an economic optimization module. This module uses a heuristic technique, the genetic algorithm (GA), to find a quasi-global optimum combination of irrigation events (defined by irrigation date, cut-off time and inflow rate) that maximizes net profit. GAs are based on the laws of natural selection and can be applied to many complex problems that are difficult to solve using traditional techniques. The problem stated herein is to find the best combination of weekly irrigation events during the season. A maximization approach based on traditional optimization technique is not easy due to the difficulties in establishing an explicit function relating profit, water depth and flow rate. This disadvantage can be overcome using GAs. A field example is used to illustrate model options, particularly the analysis capabilities of the optimization approach.
Reply to Schmidt et al.: The long and the short of BAG1

Schmidt et al. (1) have raised an important point, and we are pleased to be able to respond and provide clarification. They suggest that the BAG1S form (which was overexpressed in these mice) does not inhibit glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and that the phenotypes that we observe in our BAG1-overexpressing mice (2) are thus not likely to be correlated to a disturbed GR and stress system. Below we cite evidence to support our article's assertion. Kanelakis et al. (3) found that overexpressed BAG1S was able to inhibit GR function depending on the ratio of BAG1S proteins to Hsp70/Hsc70. Because BAG1 was overexpressed in our mice, it may be continuously bound to Hsp70 and thus able to block GR function (3). Furthermore, Schneikert et al. [in a paper cited by the authors (4)] discuss whether BAG1 may have different effects on hormone binding by GRs due to differences in the ratio of BAG1 proteins to Hsp70/Hsc70. Clearly, this may be the case for BAG1-overexpressing mice. Second, BAG1S may compete with common targets for BAG1M and BAG1L, thus freeing these isoforms to inhibit GR function. Third, BAG1S may directly interact with the Hsp70, Hsp90, p60/Hop, Hsp-40-GR complex at high concentrations and inhibit GR function. Given that BAG1's regulation of GRs is still being elucidated, it seems unreasonable to rule out a potential role for BAG1S in disrupting the GR and stress system. However, we appreciate the comments by Schmidt et al. (1), which help illuminate this issue and highlight topics for continuing research.
The Lambert Way to Gaussianize Heavy-Tailed Data with the Inverse of Tukey’s h Transformation as a Special Case

I present a parametric, bijective transformation to generate heavy tail versions of arbitrary random variables. The tail behavior of this heavy tail Lambert W × F X random variable depends on a tail parameter δ ≥ 0: for δ = 0, Y ≡ X, for δ > 0 Y has heavier tails than X. For X being Gaussian it reduces to Tukey's h distribution. The Lambert W function provides an explicit inverse transformation, which can thus remove heavy tails from observed data. It also provides closed-form expressions for the cumulative distribution (cdf) and probability density function (pdf). As a special case, these yield analytic expression for Tukey's h pdf and cdf. Parameters can be estimated by maximum likelihood and applications to S&P 500 log-returns demonstrate the usefulness of the presented methodology. The R package Lambert W implements most of the introduced methodology and is publicly available on CRAN.
Evaluation of constant current alternating current iontophoresis for transdermal drug delivery

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that alternating current (AC) iontophoresis can significantly decrease skin electric resistance and enhance the transport of charged permeants across skin. Flux variability of neutral permeants during AC iontophoresis was also found to be less than that of conventional direct current (DC) iontophoresis. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate flux enhancement of constant current AC transdermal iontophoresis and compare the AC flux with that of constant current DC iontophoresis. Iontophoresis studies of AC amplitude of 1, 2, and 5 mA were conducted in side-by-side diffusion cells with donor solution of 0.015, 0.15, and 1.0 M tetraethylammonium (TEA) chloride and receiver solution of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) using human epidermal membrane (HEM). Conventional constant current DC iontophoresis of 0.2 mA was also performed under similar conditions. TEA and mannitol were the model permeants. The following are the major findings in the present study. The flux of TEA increased proportionally with the AC current for all three TEA chloride concentrations and at the AC frequency used in the present study. When the permeant and its counter ion were the only ionic species in the donor chamber, the fluxes during DC iontophoresis were weakly dependent of its donor concentration. The fluxes of TEA during constant current AC iontophoresis were moderately related to the donor concentration with the highest TEA flux observed under the 1.0 M TEA chloride condition although the relationship between flux and donor concentration was not linear. A trend of decreasing electroosmotic transport with increasing donor TEA chloride concentration was observed with significant sample-to-sample variability during DC iontophoresis. Mannitol permeability was also observed to decrease with increasing TEA chloride concentration in the donor under the AC conditions, but data variability under AC was significantly smaller than that under DC. The results in the present study indicate that constant current AC iontophoresis under conditions tolerable to human (2 and 5 mA) can provide predictable fluxes that were lower than but of comparable magnitude as those of conventional constant current DC iontophoresis (0.2 mA).
The settlement and metamorphosis of the marine bryozoan Bowerbankia gracilis (Ctenostomata: Vesicularioidea)

The settlement and metamorphosis of the marine bryozoan Bowerbankia gracilis has been examined by light and electron microscopy. The period of rapid morphogenesis consists of the following sequence of morphogenetic movements: 1) eversion of the internal sac, 2) retraction of the apical disc, 3) coronal involution and exposure of the pallial epithelium, and 4) closure of the internal coronal cavity. The eversion of the internal sac at the onset of metamorphosis coincides with a sudden reversal of the direction of beat of the coronal cilia. The reversed beating of the coronal cilia wafts the adhesive secreted by the internal sac over the metamorphosing larva, forming the pellicle. The internal sac is subsequently internalized and histolyzed with the corona and the other transitory larval tissues, and the extensive pallial epithelium forms the epidermis of the ancestrular body wall (cystid). Type I mesenchyme cells form an incomplete somatic mesothelium beneath the differentiating cystid epidermis, and Type II mesenchyme cells become mobile phagocytes. The main body cavity develops by the histolytic enlargement of the internal cavity formed during coronal involution. The apical disc degenerates and the polypide develops from rudiments in the oral hemisphere of the larva. The distinctive larval morphology and metamorphosis of vesicularioid ctenostomes are compared with other bryozoans, and possible evolutionary trends are considered.
The Role of Theory in Ecology

Theory can have many different kinds of use in illuminating ecological research. The examples sketched in this paper include: the uses and short-comings of population models currently used in setting catch quotas for whales and for fisheries; the rich array of behaviour displayed by nonlinear equations and its relevance to understanding natural and managed populations; models for the interaction between populations (particularly the regulation of natural populations by diseases); and some general patterns of community organization. The paper concludes with some remarks on the contrasts between public pieties about “The Scientific Method” and the way scientists actually work, from Darwin's day to our own.
Child Abuse and Juvenile Deliquency: A Prospective Study:

Child abuse has emerged as a central theme in efforts to understand a wide variety of problems, including delinquency. This study utilises the computerised records of substantiated abuse in the Flo...
Reagentless pH-stat for microliter fluid specimens.

pH-stating is a common technique for monitoring kinetics of various biochemical reactions that involve the generation of hydrogen or hydroxyl ions. In this work, we describe a reagentless electrochemical micro-pH-stat where the titrant of acid or base is produced by water electrolysis on the rotating sample system (RSS) platform. RSS originated from the authors’ laboratory as a convective platform to support different analytical techniques in microliter-sized samples. As water electrolysis induces no volume change and the current that generates the reagent can be precisely measured even at low levels, very small samples in the microliter range become accessible for pH-stating: a reduction of more than an order of magnitude in specimen size relative to the most sensitive conventional methods. Nearly 100% current efficiency has been achieved with this system using a 250 µm Pt minidisc working electrode for electrolysis. The developed micro-pH-stat has been validated by the determination of the activity of e...
New computers extend the life of deployed testers

The DoD has a large investment in automatic test equipment (ATE) and Test Program Sets (TPS), which are developed with the intent that they be used and maintained for the life of the weapon systems that they support. As the life span of a weapon system increases, due to new technology upgrades and driven by obsolescence and mission requirements changes, the associated support equipment becomes obsolete and difficult to maintain. The service life of deployed automatic test equipment (ATE) can be extended by replacing obsolete ATE station control computers with current microprocessor-based computers and emulation software. Changes to the substantial number of existing TPSs are minimized and test execution time, or throughput, may be improved. >
Standardization of oxidation induction time testing used in life assessment of polymeric electric cables

Oxidation induction time (OIT) has been proven to be a useful diagnostic tool in assessing the extent of degradation in the polymer insulation of electric cable in nuclear power plants. Factors that influence OIT include test temperature, sample preparation, sample geometry, sample mass, particle size, thermogram interpretation, and shelf life. The effects of these parameters were investigated for ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) polymer cable insulations, which were aged in radiation and thermal environments. The results were then used to recommend standards for an OIT methodology suited for practical use in the nuclear power industry. Techniques to estimate error in thermogram interpretation and reproducibility were also developed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1691–1702, 1997
Neonatal appendicitis: a new look at an old zebra

Acute neonatal appendicitis is a rare condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The severity of this disease is caused by its tendency to occur more frequently in premature infants, an increased perforation rate with rapid progression to peritonitis, and delay in diagnosis and intervention. Although appendicitis in the perinatal period may occur as an isolated event, in many cases it occurs in association with other pathologic states, including prematurity, inguinal hernia, and others. The presentation of neonatal appendicitis can be identical to necrotizing enterocolitis, leading to misdiagnosis. Here we report a case of perforated appendicitis in a 9-day-old boy with tetralogy of Fallot and esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. In addition, we present a review of the clinical features of neonatal appendicitis and a discussion of previously described, associated conditions.
Maximal expiratory flow patterns after single-lung transplantation in patients with and without chronic airways obstruction.

Background: A biphasic-plateau pattern in the maximalexpiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curve has been described aftersingle-lung transplantation (SLT) in patients with chronic airwaysobstruction (CAO). It has been theorized that this pattern is eitherrelated to stenosis at the anastomotic or subanastomotic site, or thesum of the airflow contribution from the native lung with airwaysobstruction and transplanted lung. Subjects andmethods: We analyzed data in 16 patients with CAO who hadundergone transplantations (5 men, 11 women; mean age [± SD],53.8 ± 4.9 years), and 9 patients with pulmonary vascular disease(PVD) without airways obstruction who had undergone transplantations (2men, 7 women; mean age, 35.4 ± 11.4 years). Results: In the patients with PVD, there were nosignificant changes in static or dynamic lung volumes or in the MEFVcurve after SLT. In the patients with CAO, indexes of airwaysobstruction improved significantly after SLT, and the typicalbiphasic-plateau pattern developed in the MEFV curve. In one patientwith CAO who required pneumonectomy of the native lung after SLT, thebiphasic pattern was absent. Conclusions: Theseresults support the view that this MEFV pattern is a result of airflowfrom the native and transplanted lungs in patients with CAO. Inaddition, the results show that in patients with no prior airwaysobstruction, SLT does not alter static or dynamic lung volumes ormaximal expiratory flow rate.
The Protease Inhibitor, MG132, Blocks Maturation of the Amyloid Precursor Protein Swedish Mutant Preventing Cleavage by β-Secretase

Amyloid (Aβ) peptides found aggregated into plaques in Alzheimer's disease are derived from the sequential cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) first by β- and then by γ-secretases. Peptide aldehydes, which inhibit cysteine proteases and proteasomes, reportedly block Aβ peptide secretion by interfering with γ-secretase cleavage. Using a novel, specific, and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the β-secretase-cleaved fragment of the Swedish mutant of APP (APPSw), we determined that the peptide aldehyde, MG132, prevented β-secretase cleavage. This block in β-secretase cleavage was not observed withclasto-lactacystin β-lactone and thus, cannot be attributed to proteasomal inhibition. MG132 inhibition of β-secretase cleavage was compared with the serine protease inhibitor, 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF). AEBSF inhibition of β-secretase cleavage was immediate and did not affect α-secretase cleavage. With MG132, inhibition was delayed and it decreased secretion of α-cleaved APPSw as well. Furthermore, MG132 treatment impaired maturation of full-length APPSw. Both inhibited intracellular formation of the β-cleaved product. These results suggest that peptide aldehydes such as MG132 have multiple effects on the maturation and processing of APP. We conclude that the MG132-induced decrease in β-secretase cleavage of APPSw is due to a block in maturation. This is sufficient to explain the previously reported peptide aldehyde-induced decrease in Aβ peptide secretion.
Redox biology of the intestine

The intestinal tract, known for its capability for self-renew, represents the first barrier of defence between the organism and its luminal environment. The thiol/disulfide redox systems comprising the glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG), cysteine/cystine (Cys/CySS) and reduced and oxidized thioredoxin (Trx/TrxSS) redox couples play important roles in preserving tissue redox homeostasis, metabolic functions, and cellular integrity. Control of the thiol-disulfide status at the luminal surface is essential for maintaining mucus fluidity and absorption of nutrients, and protection against chemical-induced oxidant injury. Within intestinal cells, these redox couples preserve an environment that supports physiological processes and orchestrates networks of enzymatic reactions against oxidative stress. In this review, we focus on the intestinal redox and antioxidant systems, their subcellular compartmentation, redox signalling and epithelial turnover, and contribution of luminal microbiota, key aspects that are relevant to understanding redox-dependent processes in gut biology with implications for degenerative digestive disorders, such as inflammation and cancer.
TRENDS IN THE GENDER GAP IN VIOLENT OFFENDING: NEW EVIDENCE FROM THE NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMIZATION SURVEY*

Recent research has compared male and female trends in violent offending in Uniform Crime Report (UCR) arrest data with similar trends derived from victims' reports in the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and has concluded that the two data sources produce contrary findings. In this article, we reassess this issue and draw different conclusions. Using pooled National Crime Survey (NCS) and NCVS data for 1973 to 2005, we find that the female-to-male offending rate ratios for aggravated assault, robbery, and simple assault have increased over time and that the narrowing of the gender gaps is very similar to patterns in UCR arrest data. In addition, we find that these patterns are in part caused by larger decreases in male than female offending after the mid-1990s and not by recent increases in violent offending rates among females. We conclude that changes in the gender gaps in aggravated assault, robbery, and simple assault are real and not artifacts; therefore, these changes deserve serious attention in future research. We conclude with a discussion of several hypotheses that might account for a narrowing of the gender gap in nonlethal violent offending over time.
Distributed computing problems in cellular robotic systems

Cellular robotic systems (CRS) employ a large number of robots operating in cellular spaces under distributed control. In this paper, the relationship between CRS and distributed computing is discussed. Two problems encountered in designing pattern generation protocols for CRS, the n-way intersection problem and the knot detection problem, are related to distributed mutual exclusion problem and distributed deadlock detection problem, respectively. Solutions to these two problems, derived from their counterparts in distributed computing, are presented in the CRS context. >
Developing Your Master's E-Portfolio: An Instructional Module

Culminating work for Master's in Education in Educational Technology from the University of Hawaii Manoa including master's thesis and slides from the presentation of the project at the 16th Annual Worldwide Online TCC conference.
Implementation Issues and Future Research Directions.

The experiential learning model is reviewed, and four implications for implementation and future research are discussed.
A Twist Code Determines the Onset of Osteoblast Differentiation

Abstract Runx2 is necessary and sufficient for osteoblast differentiation, yet its expression precedes the appearance of osteoblasts by 4 days. Here we show that Twist proteins transiently inhibit Runx2 function during skeletogenesis. Twist-1 and -2 are expressed in Runx2 -expressing cells throughout the skeleton early during development, and osteoblast-specific gene expression occurs only after their expression decreases. Double heterozygotes for Twist-1 and Runx2 deletion have none of the skull abnormalities observed in Runx2 +/− mice, a Twist-2 null background rescues the clavicle phenotype of Runx2 +/− mice, and Twist-1 or -2 deficiency leads to premature osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, Twist-1 overexpression inhibits osteoblast differentiation without affecting Runx2 expression. Twist proteins' antiosteogenic function is mediated by a novel domain, the Twist box, which interacts with the Runx2 DNA binding domain to inhibit its function. In vivo mutagenesis confirms the antiosteogenic function of the Twist box. Thus, relief of inhibition by Twist proteins is a mandatory event precluding osteoblast differentiation .
Self-organized criticality: Does it have anything to do with criticality and is it useful?

Three aspects of complexity are fractals, chaos, and self-organized criticality. There are many examples of the applicability of fractals in solid-earth geophysics, such as earthquakes and landforms. Chaos is widely accepted as being applicable to a variety of geophysical phenomena, for instance, tectonics and mantle convection. Several sim- ple cellular-automata models have been said to exhibit self- organized criticality. Examples include the sandpile, for- est fire and slider-blocks models. It is believed that these are directly applicable to landslides, actual forest fires, and earthquakes, respectively. The slider-block model has been shown to clearly exhibit deterministic chaos and fractal be- haviour. The concept of self-similar cascades can explain self-organized critical behaviour. This approach also illus- trates the similarities and differences with critical phenom- ena through association with the site-percolation and diffusion- limited aggregation models.
X-Chromosome Inactivation in Cloned Mouse Embryos

To study whether cloning resets the epigenetic differences between the two X chromosomes of a somatic female nucleus, we monitored X inactivation in cloned mouse embryos. Both X chromosomes were active during cleavage of cloned embryos, followed by random X inactivation in the embryo proper. In the trophectoderm (TE), X inactivation was nonrandom with the inactivated X of the somatic donor being chosen for inactivation. When female embryonic stem cells with two active X chromosomes were used as donors, random X inactivation was seen in the TE and embryo. These results demonstrate that epigenetic marks can be removed and reestablished on either X chromosome during cloning. Our results also suggest that the epigenetic marks imposed on the X chromosomes during gametogenesis, responsible for normal imprinted X inactivation in the TE, are functionally equivalent to the marks imposed on the chromosomes during somatic X inactivation.
Psychometric properties of an instrument for assessing the experience of patients treated with inhaled insulin: the Inhaled Insulin Treatment Questionnaire (IITQ)

Along with general measures of treatment satisfaction, treatment-specific and device-specific treatment satisfaction should be assessed in clinical trials, because these latter measures may be more strongly correlated with clinical outcomes. Study participants were 1076 adults (type 1 = 509, type 2 = 567) in clinical trials of Technosphere Insulin®, who completed the SF-36 health-related quality of life questionnaire and the Inhaled Insulin Treatment Questionnaire (IITQ), a new instrument assessing diabetes worries, perceptions of insulin therapy, treatment satisfaction, treatment preference, and inhaler performance. The IITQ was administered twice prior to treatment initiation in the clinical trials, 1-2 weeks apart, and several times during the trials. Inhaler performance was assessed at follow-up visits, after participants had used the device. IITQ subscales had acceptable reliability (alpha = 0.68-0.87, median 0.83) and test-retest correlations (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.67-0.90, median 0.82); floor effects (0.2-2.8%) and ceiling effects (0-9.3%) were minimal. Reliabilities for inhaler performance measures were acceptable (alpha = 0.73-0.90, median 0.85); there were no floor effects (0.0%) and ceiling effects (4.9-39.0%) were moderate. There were several modest associations between IITQ scores and measures of health status. Diabetes worries were lower for participants who had better mental health (type 2) and for those with higher BMI; perceptions of insulin therapy were more favorable for participants who had better physical and mental health; treatment satisfaction was higher for patients who had lower BMI (type 2), lower A1c levels, and better physical health (type 2); treatment preference was higher for patients with lower BMI (type 2) and better mental health (type 1). Preliminary findings suggest that the IITQ is a comprehensive, reliable measure of the experience of patients treated with inhaled insulin.
EP News: Basic and Translational

Brugada syndrome mutation identifies a mechanism for altered autonomic and oxidant regulation of cardiac Na currents Electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias in Brugada syndrome (BrS) remain controversial. Mutations in the Na channel gene SCN5A and its regulatory proteins have been linked to BrS. Aiba et al (Circ Cardiovasc Genet 2014;7:249, PMID 24795344) studied the properties of a BrS SCN5A mutation of a protein kinase A (PKA) consensus phosphorylation site, R526H. In vitro PKA phosphorylation was detected in the I-II linker of wild-type (WT) Na channels, but not in R526H or S528A mutants. Surface expression and peak Na current (INa) densities of R526H and S528A channels were reduced as compared with WT channels. Infection of rat cultures with WT and mutant channels increased conduction velocity compared with controls, but PKA stimulation significantly increased peak INa and conduction velocity only in WT cultures. With the intracellular application of NADH, both WT and mutant INa decrease, but this effect is reversed by PKA stimulation in WT channels but not in mutant channels. The authors conclude that the BrS mutation R526H is associated with a reduction in basal INa and a failure of PKA stimulation to augment the current, thus predisposing to arrhythmias in patients with BrS.
Marketing Majors' Satisfaction with their College Experience: Implications for Strategic Planning in Marketing Departments:

This study examines the criteria marketing majors used in selecting a college, their evaluation of and satisfaction with their chosen college, and the extent to which marketing majors differ from other business majors on these issues. Results indicate that marketing majors are satisfied with their college experience overall, but that they are less satisfied than other business majors on some dimensions. Recommendations are offered to enhance strategic planning in marketing departments.
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current in Equilibrium

Abstract A simple channel-flow model is used to examine the equilibrium upper-ocean dynamics and thermodynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). The model consists of two zonally averaged, variable-temperature layers—a surface boundary layer and a thermocline layer—separated by a turbulent interface. Weak air–sea heat flux, determined by relaxation to a prescribed atmospheric temperature, determines the leading-order temperature structure in the oceanic surface layer. The equilibrium thermal structure in the interior is mostly determined by a dominant balance between the meridional transport due to the wind-driven Eulerian mean circulation and the heat flux due to the baroclinic eddies. The resulting latitudinal temperature gradient depends on both the wind and the atmospheric temperature forcing and sustains the geostrophic zonal flow. Consideration of the next-order balance for the oceanic surface temperature results in an air–sea heat flux proportional to the magnitude of the residual flow. ...
Updates on Measles Vaccine

1. Henry M. Adam, MD 2. Glenn J. Fennelly, MD 1. Editor, in Chief 2. Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY Two important changes regarding the measles vaccine ( Pediatrics in Review . 1998;19:178) have taken place.
Dissecting the genetic architecture of coronary artery disease by genome engineering

One of the greatest challenges facing biomedical research since the sequencing of the human genome has been to understand the role of genetic variation in human disease. Many genetic variants have been associated with common diseases. However, determining the functional consequences of these variants has been hard. Several variants are often inherited together in tightly linked blocks, making it difficult to determine the causative variant. People have millions of other genetic differences, making it difficult to correlate cellular phenotypes with a particular variant. Different gene sets are expressed in different cells, but it is difficult to extract disease-relevant cells from large numbers of patients. We describe a method with the potential to revolutionize the functional analysis of genetic variation, using custom nucleases to genetically modify individual variants in induced pluripotent stem cells. This process would provide unprecedented analytical power, present the first general method to determine if a variant is causative, and analyze function disease-relevant cell types. We will focus on variants at the 9p21 region of the genome that have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The methods should provide a new way to unlock the wealth of data from genome-wide association studies, and to probe the genetic architecture of common diseases. We will describe our improved methods for inexpensive and rapid construction of highly active zinc finger and TALE nucleases to examine the functional role of polymorphisms at the 9p21 CAD risk locus.
Use of pattern recognition analysis to identify underlying relationships of Doxorubicin derivatives optimized for breast cancer treatment.

Introduction. Treatment of breast cancer includes surgery, drugs (hormone therapy and chemotherapy), and radiation. A discussion of eight drug constructs for the treatment of breast cancer, derived through application of in silico optimized molecular properties and substituent substitution, are analyzed using pattern recognition techniques. Methods and Materials. Determined properties of these eight compounds (inclusive of doxorubicin) showed a Log𝑃 varying from 0.567 to 4.137, rotatable bonds from 5 to 12, polar surface area from 195.1 A2 to 206.1 A2, and water solubility from 0.00873 mg/L to 390 mg/L. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM), hierarchical cluster analysis, and neighbor-joining cluster analysis elucidated relationships among the drugs that are useful for pharmaceutical consideration. Results and Discussion. Although the new derivatives share the same parent scaffold (doxorubicin), elucidation by analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) indicates that these assorted compounds are substantially distinct. The number of oxygen and nitrogen atoms (hydrogen bond acceptors) remained constant at 12 for compounds. Although violations of the Rule of five remained constant at three for all compounds, the variation of Log𝑃 and water solubility offers potentially beneficial medicinal activity for this group of anticancer agents that may enhance the antitumor activity of these anthracycline antibiotics. Hierarchical cluster analysis results clearly differentiated the parent doxorubicin from all higher molecular weight analogs. This outcome is confirmed with the use of neighbor-joining cluster analysis. Conclusion. By utilizing in silico optimization with pattern recognition analysis, potentially advantageous analogs can be elucidated from known effective pharmaceuticals.
A 35Cl NQR study of coordination of chlorines in cobalt(II) 4-substituted-2,6-dichlorophenolates

Abstract The 35Cl NQR spectra of some cobalt(II) 2,4,6-trichlorophenolates, 2,6-dichlorophenolates, and 4-bromo-2,6-dichlorophenolates, including two of known crystal structures, have been investigated to study the nature of organochlorine-to-cobalt coordinate covalent bonding. As expected, the difference in frequency of the coordinated and the non-coordinated ortho chlorines increases (to as high as 3 MHz, corresponding to thedonation of about 0.1 electron by the coordinated organochlorine) as the metal-chlorine bond distance decreases (to as short a distance as 262 pm). The frequency difference is found to be temperature-dependent (less at higher temperatures) if the difference at 77K exceeds about 1.3 MHz.
Pharmacological treatments for chronic non-malignant pain

A large body of research now supports the use of traditional psychiatric treatments in the management of chronic pain. Pharmacological treatments have proven effective for many different pain syndromes, especially neuropathic conditions. For any specific disease, no single algorithm can dictate the modalities of treatment to be prescribed. Several classes of medications have proven efficacy for the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, the relief provided by these medications is usually incomplete and difficult to predict in advance. The selection of a particular medication, or combination of medications, will depend on multiple factors. The disease itself may change over time such that the efficacy of a treatment is altered, one treatment may be selected over another based on the response to previous treatments, and the patient's psychiatric co-morbidity, temperament, coping skills, and life story cannot be neglected.
Comparative effects of avoidance and vaccination in disease spread on a dynamic small-world network

Abstract Dynamic small-world contact networks have fixed short range links and time-varying stochastic long range links. They are used to model mobile populations or as minimal models for traditional small-world networks. Here we study the relative effects of vaccinations and avoidance of infected individuals in a susceptible–infected–recovered (SIR) epidemic model on a dynamic small-world network. We derive the critical mobility required for an outbreak to occur as a function of the disease’s infectivity, recovery rate, avoidance rate, and vaccination rate. We also derive an expression that allows us to calculate the amount of vaccination and/or avoidance necessary to prevent an epidemic. Calculated quantities show excellent agreement with simulations.
Extramedullary Hematopoiesis: A New Look at the Underlying Stem Cell Niche, Theories of Development, and Occurrence in Animals

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is the formation and development of blood cells outside the medullary spaces of the bone marrow. Although widely considered an epiphenomenon, secondary to underlying primary disease and lacking serious clinical or diagnostic implications, the presence of EMH is far from incidental on a molecular basis; rather, it reflects a well-choreographed suite of changes involving stem cells and their microenvironment (the stem cell niche). The goals of this review are to reconsider the molecular basis of EMH based on current knowledge of stem cell niches and to examine its role in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of EMH in animals. The ability of blood cells to home, proliferate, and mature in extramedullary tissues of adult animals reflects embryonic patterns of hematopoiesis and establishment or reactivation of a stem cell niche. This involves pathophysiologic alterations in hematopoietic stem cells, extracellular matrix, stromal cells, and local and systemic chemokines. Four major theories involving changes in stem cells and/or their microenvironment can explain the development of most occurrences of EMH: (1) severe bone marrow failure; (2) myelostimulation; (3) tissue inflammation, injury, and repair; and (4) abnormal chemokine production. EMH has also been reported within many types of neoplasms. Understanding the concepts and factors involved in stem cell niches enhances our understanding of the occurrence of EMH in animals and its relationship to underlying disease. In turn, a better understanding of the prevalence and distribution of EMH in animals and its molecular basis could further inform our understanding of the hematopoietic stem cell niche.
Extrapulmonary source of amniotic fluid phospholipids

Abstract Palmitate-1- 14 C (albumin-bound) was injected intravenously into three sheep fetuses at or near term, and the distribution of the isotope in the lipids of pulmonary fluid, amniotic fluid, allantoic fluid, urine, and serum was determined. The lung and upper gastrointestinal tract were excluded from the amniotic fluid compartment. The results demonstrate that all classes of lipids, including phospholipids, may be transferred to amniotic fluid from extrapulmonary sources. The possibility that the lung contributes negligibly to amniotic fluid is raised, in which case the rational basis for clinical "amniotic fluid tests" of lung maturity and susceptibility to the respiratory distress syndrome must be re-evaluated. On the other hand, the production of phospholipids by the fetal lung and their secretion into puulmonary fluid are again demonstrated. Excretion of all relevant classes of phospholipids in fetal urine is documented, and the possible role of fetal urine and serum as important contributors of amniotic fluid phospholipids is considered.
Extracting complex lesion phenotypes in Zea mays

Complex phenotypes are of growing importance in agriculture and medicine. In Zea mays, the most widely produced crop in the world (United States Department of Agriculture. World Agricultural Production. United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Washington, 2015), the disease lesion mimic mutants produce regions of discolored or necrotic tissue in otherwise healthy plants. These mutants are of particular interest due to their apparent action on immune response pathways, providing insight into how plants protect against infectious agents. These phenotypes vary considerably as a function of genotype and environmental conditions, making them a rich, though challenging, phenotypic problem. To segment and quantitate these lesions, we present a novel cascade of adaptive algorithms able to accurately segment the diversity of Z. mays lesions. First, multiresolution analysis of the image allows for salient features to be detected at multiple scales. Next, gradient vector diffusion enhances relevant gradient vectors while suppressing noise. Finally, an active contour algorithm refines the lesion boundary, producing a final segmentation for each lesion. We compare the results from this cascade with manual segmentations from human observers, demonstrating that our algorithm is comparable to humans while having the potential to speed analysis by several orders of magnitude.
Topology reconfiguration for optimization of photovoltaic array output

As more utility scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants are installed, there is a need to improve monitoring and management of PV arrays. A procedure is presented here for optimizing the electrical configuration of a PV array under a variety of operating conditions. Computer simulations and analysis with synthetic and real data are presented in this paper. The performance of the optimization system is evaluated for a variety of partial shading conditions using a SPICE circuit simulator. In general, a 4%–5% gain in power output is achievable by employing active switching in order to reconfigure the array’s electrical configuration.
Well-posedness and a numerical study of a regularization model with adaptive nonlinear filtering for incompressible fluid flow

We give a detailed analytical study of a Leray model of incompressible flow that uses nonlinear filtering based on indicator functions. The indicator functions allow for local regularization, instead of global regularization which can over-smooth and dampen out important flow structures. The key to the analysis is the identification of the indicator function as a Nemyskii operator. After proving well-posedness, we provide a numerical study which includes proving optimal convergence of finite element method for the model, as well as several numerical experiments.
Late Onset Infection of Pneumocystis jirovecii Infection in a Renal Transplant Recipient

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) can be a life-threatening opportunistic infection after kidney transplantation, occurring most frequently in the first 12 months with the symptoms of dyspnea, cough, fever, and hypoxia. Prophylaxis for PCP is usually applied during the first 3 months to 1 year after transplantation, but late onset incidence of PCP can be detected. We report on a patient who developed PCP 9 years after renal transplantation. The patient showed indolent onset of acute respiratory distress and was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and corticosteroid therapy. Previous rescue treatment of acute cellular rejection with ongoing maintenance of an elevated level of immunosuppressants may have predisposed the patient to PCP.
Characteristics of Freely Propagating Premixed Flame Kernels in Supersonic Turbulent Channel Flows

A new supersonic facility was developed to study the effects of turbulence intensity and mean flow compressibility on freely propagating flame kernels in a M = 1.5 channel flow. Two devices, a passive grid of holes and an active grid of rotating vanes, were used to generate turbulence. The 5 × 5 cm test section was optically accessible on four sides and had variable divergence walls on two sides to account for Fanno and Rayleigh flow deceleration. Methane-air freely propagating flame kernels were ignited with a single pulse of a frequency doubled green (532 nm) Nd:YAG laser and imaged via simultaneous high speed OH* chemiluminescence and high speed Schlieren photography. Planar velocity statistics were measured using particle image velocimetry. The generated turbulence intensity and isotropy are compared for the baseline and passive/active grids. Turbulent burning velocity trends are presented versus turbulence intensity and equivalence ratio. The flame speeds are fit to a functional dependence on the laminar flame speed and RMS velocity fluctuation and compared to classical low speed formulations.
Can Community and School-Based Supports Improve the Achievement of First-Generation Immigrant Children Attending High-Poverty Schools?

Using a quasi-experimental design, the effects of a student support intervention were estimated for the math and reading achievement of first-generation immigrant children (n = 667, M = 11.05 years of age) attending high-poverty, urban elementary schools. The intervention was designed to help schools identify developmental strengths and barriers to learning and, in turn, connect children to community and school supports aligned with their strengths and needs. By exploiting within-school changes in the implementation of the intervention, the present study revealed statistically and practically significant treatment effects indicating improvements in math and reading achievement at the end of elementary school. In addition, the intervention appears to considerably narrow achievement gaps between English language learners and immigrant children proficient in English.
On the nature of intraplate earthquakes

Continental intraplate regions are characterized by uniform stresses over thousands of kilometers. Local stresses, with wavelengths of tens to hundreds of kilometers can accumulate at inhomogeneities lying within these regional fields. A variety of geological structures, herein called local stress concentrators (LSCs), act as elastic inhomogeneities. The temporal buildup of stress depends on the particular structure and its geometrical relationship with the regional stress field. The interaction of the local and the regional stress fields can result in the rotation of the latter over wavelengths of tens to hundreds of kilometers. This rotation can be detected by direct measurement or from seismicity data. Intraplate earthquakes (IPEs) result when the local stresses become comparable with their regional counterparts, i.e., hundreds of megapascals. Globally, most of the seismic energy release associated with IPEs occurs within old rifts which contain LSCs most favorable for stress buildup by stress inversion. Of the various LSCs, stepover en echelon faults are associated the largest IPEs. In low tectonic strain rate regions, IPEs are associated with larger stress drops. With the availability of a variety of LSCs, there is generally an absence of repeat earthquakes. Instead, successive earthquakes occur on different structures, leading to the observation of “roaming” earthquakes. These observations suggest a need for a reevaluation of seismic hazard estimation techniques. This study addresses some of these facets of the nature of IPEs with global examples, including a unique, detailed seismicity and geodetic data set collected in a dozen years following the 2001 M 7.7 Bhuj earthquake in western India.
Will assisted suicide kill hospice

Hospice is often held out as an alternative to the need for assisted suicide. To date, those in the hospice movement have made any discussion of assistance in dying off-limits on the grounds that proper palliative care can address the concerns about pain that the terminally ill face. But, the movement toward assisted suicide raises questions about the future viability of the hospice movement in its current form. Many who see assistance in dying are concerned, not about pain, but about suffering and loss of dignity. Many are not terminally ill but terrified at the prospect of disability and loss of cognitive capacities. Unless hospice addresses these concerns it is not likely to survive in the face of pressures to legalize assisted suicide.