cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene Expression Response of Salmonella enterica Serotype Enteritidis Phage Type 8 to Subinhibitory Concentrations of the Plant-Derived Compounds Trans-Cinnamaldehyde and Eugenol

Background:Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 8 (PT8) is a major poultry-associated Salmonella strain implicated in foodborne outbreaks in the United States. We previously reported that two plant-derived compounds generally recognized as safe (GRAS), trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC), and eugenol (EG), significantly reduced S. Enteritidis colonization in broiler and layer chickens. To elucidate potential PT8 genes affected by TC and EG during colonization, a whole-genome microarray analysis of the bacterium treated with TC and EG was conducted. Results:S. Enteritidis PT8 was grown in Luria-Bertani broth at 37°C to an OD600 of ~0.5. Subinhibitory concentrations (SICs; concentration that does not inhibit bacterial growth) of TC (0.01%; 0.75 mM) or EG (0.04%; 2.46 mM) were then added to the culture. S. Enteritidis PT8 RNA was extracted before and 30 min after TC or EG addition. Labeled cDNA from three replicate experiments was subsequently hybridized to a microarray of over 99% of S. Enteritidis PT4 genes, and the hybridization signals were quantified. The plant-derived compounds down-regulated (P < 0.005) expression of S. Enteritidis PT8 genes involved in flagellar motility, regulation of the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1, and invasion of intestinal epithelial cells. TC and EG also suppressed transcription of genes encoding multiple transport systems and outer membrane proteins. Moreover, several metabolic and biosynthetic pathways in the pathogen were down-regulated during exposure to the plant-derived compounds. Both TC and EG stimulated the transcription of heat shock genes, such as dnaK, dnaJ, ibpB, and ibpA in S. Enteritidis PT8 (P < 0.005). The results obtained from microarray were validated using a quantitative real-time PCR. Conclusion: The plant-derived compounds TC and EG exert antimicrobial effects on S. Enteritidis PT8 by affecting multiple genes, including those associated with virulence, colonization, cell membrane composition, and transport systems.
William and John Herschel's Quest for Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life

The contributions to astronomy made by Sir William Herschel (1738–1822; Fig. 5.1) place him among the leading astronomers of modern times. His son, Sir John Herschel (1792–1871), does not rank far behind. The goals of the present study are to document from their published and unpublished writings the intense interest they shared in the question of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligent life (hereafter ETI). To put it somewhat differently, we shall attempt to show that a quasi-religious, quasi-metaphysical doctrine – belief in a plurality of inhabited worlds – at times motivated their labors, influenced their theories, and in some cases may have had an impact even on their observations. Earlier historians, including this author, have treated aspects of this topic, but it seems timely to draw these researches together into a single study. We shall also suggest that although it is widely assumed that present-day astronomers are more concerned with extraterrestrials than their eighteenth-century predecessors were, the reverse is nearer the truth.
Exploring TPACK Model Practices: Designing, Facilitating, and Evaluating Effectiveness of Technology Experiences Among Pre-service Teachers

The study used Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Area Knowledge (TPACK) as a conceptual framework to evaluate the specific ways by which the preservice teacher educators learn technology integration throughout undergraduate coursework. A mixed methodology combined three overlapping phases of data collection and analysis: (1) preservice teacher surveys reporting perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs surrounding notions of “technology,” (2) facilitation and evaluation of “Technology-Enhanced Lessons” (TELs), and (3) case interview and classroom observation of exemplary use of TPACK practices. Findings indicate that many candidates did not articulate a transformative understanding of technology, but individual differences emerged. Pre- and post-survey data supported a quantitative correlation of specific preservice course experiences with technology and TPACK participant skill levels.
Comprehensive Utilization of Red Mud: Current Research Status and a Possible Way Forward for Non-hazardous Treatment

Red mud is an alkaline solid waste produced in the process of alumina extraction from bauxite. Presently, more than 3.0 billion tonnes of red mud are estimated to be stockpiled on land with an annual growth rate of approximately 120 million tonnes. The large amount of red mud has become a very real threat to the environment and human health because its high alkalinity presents a potential pollution to water, land and air. This article provides an overview of current research status for the options of comprehensive utilization of red mud and attempts to review their strengths and weaknesses. Ideally red mud is encouraged to be utilized as an industrial by-product for other applications, leading to a zero-discharge situation. On this basis the review recommends the Calcification-Carbonization Method, a promising technology for non-hazardous treatment, to recover the alkali and alumina and meanwhile transform the red mud into a non-hazardous material available for subsequent use.
Infestation levels of dogwood borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) larvae on dogwood trees in selected habitats in Tennessee.

Infestation levels of dogwood borer [Synanthedon scitula (Harris)] on flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) in commercial nursery, urban, and forest habitats in eastern and middle Tennessee were measured during 1987 and 1988. The highest average infestation level (ca. 60%) was found in the urban habitat, where mechanical injury, e.g., damage caused by lawn mowers or string trimmers, may have provided oviposition or larval entry sites. Dogwood borer larvae were found in all nursery blocks examined, with ca. 7% of the trees infested/block. Infested trees are not marketable; thus, economic losses averaged ca. $l,800/block (x = 1,770 trees/block) of dogwoods. Infestation levels were lowest (ca. 1%) in the forest habitat, where dogwoods grow as a natural component of the forest understory.
Interminiband Optical Transitions in Graphene Lateral Superlattices

Gated graphene superlattices, where in-plane variations in the potential-energy profile are introduced with a periodic patterning of the gate electrode or dielectric, provide new opportunities for tailoring the electronic and optical properties of two-dimensional materials. Here we present a numerical study of the optical transitions between minibands derived from the same energy band (conduction or valence) in these systems. Giant absorption peaks at voltage-tunable THz frequencies are obtained, associated with van Hove singularities in the joint density of states of select pairs of minibands. Furthermore, we describe the possibility of interminiband THz gain in the same systems under external carrier injection, resulting from a local population inversion at specific symmetry points of the mini-Brillouin zone, even in the absence of a global inversion. These results highlight the great potential of engineered graphene superlattices for THz optoelectronic device applications, including modulators, tunable...
Verbal Style and Vice-Presidential Debates: How Common Is Partisan Rhetoric?

The first televised debates during a general election campaign were between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960 and drew an estimated 100 million viewers (McKinney & Carlin, 2004). It was not until the 1976 campaign, however, that the second presidential debates occurred, along with the first encounter between the two vice-presidential candidates, Walter Mondale and Robert Dole. Like the first top- of-the-ticket debates 16 years earlier, this precedent-setting encounter between vice-presidential nominees is one of the most analyzed debates of its type. Bob Dole made a memorable gaffe at one point labeling the two world wars, Vietnam, and Korea “democrat wars” (Sauter, 1990, p. 46). His opponent, Walter Mondale, responded that Dole’s reputation as a “hatchet man” was richly deserved, and the label would not only brand Bob Dole, but his gaffe in this encounter is remembered as “the biggest mistake of his political career” ( Sauter 1990, p. 43). Since there was no vice-presidential debate in 1980, the meeting between George H.W. Bush and Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 marks the beginning of this tradition during the general election
Relationship between the Chemiluminescence Intensity Ratio of C2* and CH*, Charge Pressure, and Equivalence Ratio for Gasoline

This work presents the results of an intensity-based fuel–air calibration for a range of charge pressures for gasoline fuel. The radical intensity ratio of diatomic carbon (C2*) to methylidene (CH*) was acquired through line-of-sight chemiluminescence imaging at pressures up to 10 bar. Certified gasoline (99% iso-octane, 0.9% n-heptane, and 0.1% other additives) and air are injected into an optically accessible pressure vessel capable of handling pressures up to 200 bar and ignited with an automotive spark plug. Line-of-sight images of C2* and CH* are recorded simultaneously on a single image sensor utilizing an intensifier, a high-speed camera, and various optical components to split the light signals associated with C2* and CH* (centered at 513 and 427 nm, respectively). The ratio of the signals (C2*/CH*) are acquired and compared to the measured equivalence ratio of the exhaust gases and charge pressure. The approach allowed for characterization of the behavior of the intensity ratio at various charge ...
Mapping glutathione utilization in the developing zebrafish embryo

Glutathione (GSH), the most abundant endogenous redox buffer in vertebrates, plays a key role in organogenesis and embryonic development. Toxic insults during development are commonly neutralized by glutathionylation and excretion. Despite its importance, scant information exists regarding organ-specific GSH utilization during development. Monochlorobimane (MCB) is a dye that is conjugated with GSH by glutathione-s-transferase (GST) to form a fluorescent adduct. Here, we use MCB staining to visualize organ-specific location of GSH utilization in live developing zebrafish embryos at developmental timepoints commonly used in the OECD fish embryo acute toxicity test. At 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf), GSH conjugation with MCB was highest in the heart, brain and yolk, increasing in the gut and otolith at 48 hpf. By 72 hpf, MCB staining was higher in the endoderm-derived lineage, and at 96hpf it was brightest in the liver, gut, and gill arches. We then tested the sensitivity and specificity of MCB staining with known GSH modulators . A 10-minute treatment at 48 hpf with the prooxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide, caused organ-specific reductions in MCB staining, with the heart and brain losing 30% fluorescence, and, the gut and myotome losing 50%. A 24 hour treatment from 24-48 hpf with the GSH precursor N-Acetylcysteine resulted in significantly increased fluorescence, with the brain showing a 640% increase and the heart showing a 350% increase. The gut and myotome showed a 100% increase. Ethacrynic acid, a highly specific GST inhibitor caused decreased fluorescence; the heart, brain and myotome lost 30% fluorescence and the gut lost 50%. 2-AAPA, an inhibitor of Glutathione Reductase, caused similar organ specific losses in fluorescence with the gut being more susceptible than the heart and brain. Our data indicate highly specific spatio-temporal GSH utilization, with different organs having differing resilience against GSH system disruptions during embryonic development.
Synchronous Rendezvous for Networks of Active Drifters in Gyre Flows

We develop a synchronous rendezvous strategy for a network of minimally actuated mobile sensors or active drifters. The drifters are tasked to monitor a set of Lagrangian Coherent Structure (LCS) bounded regions, each exhibiting gyre-like flows. This paper examines the conditions under which a pair of neighboring agents achieves synchronous rendezvous by leveraging the environmental dynamics in their monitoring region. The objective is to enable drifters in adjacent LCS bounded regions to rendezvous in a periodic fashion to exchange and fuse sensor data. We propose an agent-level control strategy to regulate the drifter speed in each monitoring region so as to maximize the time the drifters are connected and able to communicate at every rendezvous. The strategy utilizes minimal actuation to ensure synchronization between neighboring pairs of drifters to ensure periodic rendezvous. The intermittent synchronization policy enables a locally connected network of minimally actuated mobile sensors to converge to a common orbit frequency.
Needle biopsy in tuberculosis of the liver, with culture of acid-fast bacilli; a case report.

A case of primary miliary tuberculosis of the liver was proved by positive culture of needle biopsy specimen.
Effect of Al2O3 coating on fretting wear performance of Zr alloy

Abstract Fretting wear caused by flow-induced vibration (FIV) is one of the predominant tribological failure modes in nuclear power plants and industry. This paper presents an experimental study of the effect on fretting performance of alumina (Al2O3) coatings produced by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on Zirlo (a Zr alloy), a common nuclear fuel cladding alloy. A coating with uniform thickness of about 750 nm was deposited onto a Zirlo flat. Because the typical thickness of fuel cladding is 1 mm, an ultra-thin coating is required. The hardness and elastic modulus of the ALD coating were measured by nano-indentation techniques. With a pin-on-flat contact configuration in low-amplitude reciprocating contact, fretting performance was measured for uncoated Zirlo, Al2O3-coated Zirlo, and Al2O3-coated Zirlo followed by heat treatment. Results showed that the as-deposited Al2O3 coating provided slight improvement in fretting wear performance. However, the heat-treated coating showed two orders of magnitude reduction in fretting wear of the Zr alloy. Wear in the uncoated material involves some local plastic deformation and debris accumulation at the contact interface. In the Al2O3-coated material, wear occurred by transfer of transparent Al2O3 oxide into the steel pin counterface. Localized removal of coating from the Zirlo alloy flat resulted in a “shark whale” pattern in a scanning electron microscopy image. There was minimal debris accumulation with the heat-treated sample.
The History of Pediatric Hip Surgery: The Past 100 Years

Children’s hip diseases were not well understood until the advent of X-ray in 1895. Thus childhood surgery prior to that time was limited to draining of infections, closed reductions (a few open) of dislocated hips and other limited procedures. X-ray availability, antibiotics, and stainless steel implants revolutionized thinking about childhood hip surgery. This chapter focuses on the key advances made over the last 100 years in the surgical treatment of congenital (developmental) dislocation of the hip, Perthes disease, and slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
Space-Time Low Complexity Algorithms for Scheduling a Fleet of UAVs in Smart Cities Using Dimensionality Reduction Approaches

In this paper, we propose three low complexity algorithms to solve a scheduling framework problem for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in smart cities. The objective is to assign UAVs to different missions having different characteristics such as geographical locations, starting times, and duration while minimizing the total energy consumption and ensuring sequential and parallel mission execution. A mixed integer linear programming is formulated and solved using the proposed algorithms, which employ dimensionality reduction techniques to decrease the computational complexity. In this paper, we describe the UAV scheduling problem as well as the developed algorithms. Significant computational saving has been achieved with the different proposed algorithms. In the selected simulation results, we evaluate the advantages and limitations of the algorithms and compare their performances to the ones of the optimal branch-and-bound-based solution.
Android Malware Detection in Large Dataset: Smart Approach

As the most widely used operating system for smartphones, Android is still growing, with many applications deployed in the mobile space, as well as other Android-based Internet-of-Things devices. A major side effect of the unprotected usage of such apps is the security loophole allowing app developers to access users’ critical data on their devices. Hence, the lack of modern, precise validation of Android apps necessitates a new technique for malware detection. Proposed is a new smart mechanism that utilizes several machine learning models to analyze Android app behavior. More than 100 thousand Android application packages (APKs) containing more than 80,000 malware variants from 179 different families (in addition to benign Android apps) were collected. For added robustness, the model was trained with various malware found between 2006 and 2018. In consideration of the utilized app-dataset size, our smart model is poised as a very fast processing method for vast amounts of apps, unimplemented by other works in the field. The proposed smart Android malware detector obtained a very encouraging accuracy, ranging between 95% and 97%, on average for around 100 thousand analyzed APKs.
The Impact of Implant Surface Characteristic and Genetics on Peri-implant Diseases

Dental implant treatment is now a common therapy performed on a daily basis to replace edentulous areas with fixed partial dentures or to support removable prostheses options. Despite the high successful rate for dental implants, peri-implantitis have a mean prevalence of 22%. Many factors can be linked to the development of peri-implantitis, such as patients with a history of severe periodontitis, patients with poor plaque control, or no regular maintenance care after implant therapy. Other potential risk indicators such as smoking, diabetes, occlusal overload, titanium particles, bone compression necrosis, overheating, micro-motion and biocorrosion for peri-implantitis remain to be determined. Emerging research and data are also exploring the relationship between surface morphology as well as genetics to the development of peri-implant diseases. There is still insufficient evidence to support the definite influence from different implant surfaces on the peri-implant marginal bone loss. However, scientific and clinical observations showed that rougher implant surface had a tendency to have more breakdown (e.g., marginal bone loss) and retain plaque if the implant was exposed into the oral cavity compared to turned surface implant which is more resistance to the plaque adherence. Therefore, in patients with a history of periodontitis or less than ideal home care, a smooth collar or a turned surface implant may be preferred to prevent future plaque retention on the implant and minimize future tissue breakdown. When patients have normal or pristine bone with no bone loss or periodontitis history, any implant surface can be used in this scenario. For patients with soft bone or sites that have previously been augmented through sinus lifting or guided bone regeneration, clinicians should avoid minimally rough surface implants and select moderately rough or rough surface implants in order to improve early osseointegration.
Beyond language fluidity: the role of spatial repertoires in translingual practices and stancetaking

In Research Group Meetings (RGM) and other professional activities, sometimes positions are fluid, but stances illustrate international scholars’ bilingual competence in an RGM in Microbiology. In ...
A rim-hook rule for quiver flag varieties

The rim-hook rule for quantum cohomology of the Grassmannian allows one to reduce quantum calculations to classical calculations in the cohomology of the Grassmannian. We use the Abelian/non-Abelian correspondence for cohomology to prove a rim-hook removal rule for the cohomology of quiver flag varieties. Quiver flag varieties are generalisations of type A flag varieties; this result is new even in the flag case. This gives an effective way of computing products in their cohomology, reducing computations to that in the cohomology ring of the Grassmannian. We then prove a quantum rim-hook rule for Fano quiver flag varieties (including type A flag varieties). As a corollary, we see that the Gu--Sharpe mirror to a Fano quiver flag variety computes its quantum cohomology.
Combating interference for long range LoRa sensing

Wireless sensing has become a hot research topic recently, enabling a large range of applications. However, due to the intrinsic nature of employing weak target-reflection signal for sensing, the sensing range is limited. Another issue is the strong interference from surroundings and therefore a lot of wireless sensing systems assume there is no interferer in the environment. One recent work explored the possibility of employing LoRa signal for long range sensing which is a favorable step in addressing the first issue. However, the interference issue becomes even more severe with LoRa due to its larger sensing range. In this paper, we propose Sen-fence - a LoRa-based sensing system - to significantly increase the sensing range and at the same time mitigate the interference. With careful signal processing, Sen-fence is able to maximize the movement-induced signal variation in software to increase the sensing range. To address the interference issue, we propose the concept of "virtual fence" to constrain sensing only within the area of interest. The location and size of virtual fence can be flexibly controlled in software to meet the requirements of different applications. Sen-fence is able to (i) achieve a 50 m sensing range for fine-grained human respiration, which is twice the state-of-the-art; and (ii) efficiently mitigate the interference to make LoRa sensing work in practice.
Alkalemia and Hepatic Encephalopathy in a Chronic Dialysis Patient

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) includes cognitive, psychiatric and neuromotor abnormalities observed from brain dysfunction secondary to liver disease and/or porto-systemic shunting. HE can have a wide range of clinical manifestations ranging from trivial lack of awareness, decreased attention span, personality changes to confusion, seizures, coma, and death. The onset of HE in cirrhosis is a poor prognostic factor. While HE has a complex pathogenesis which is not completely understood, hyperammonemia plays an important role in neurotoxicity and brain dysfunction. Alkalemia facilitates the conversion of NH4+ to NH3, which is free to cross the blood-brain barrier exacerbating HE. Prompt recognition and correction of underlying risk factors is central to the management of HE.
Vibrosight++: City-Scale Sensing Using Existing Retroreflective Signs and Markers

Today’s smart cities use thousands of physical sensors distributed across the urban landscape to support decision making in areas such as infrastructure monitoring, public health, and resource management. These weather-hardened devices require power and connectivity, and often cost thousands just to install, let alone maintain. In this paper, we show how long-range laser vibrometry can be used for low-cost, city-scale sensing. Although typically limited to just a few meters of sensing range, the use of retroreflective markers can boost this to 1km or more. Fortuitously, cities already make extensive use of retroreflective materials for street signs, construction barriers, road studs, license plates, and many other markings. We describe how our prototype system can co-opt these existing markers at very long ranges and use them as unpowered accelerometers for use in a wide variety of sensing applications.
Abstract IA-005: Metabolic Stress in Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Therapy

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells depend on glutamine to meet their unique metabolic needs. The elevated consumption of glutamine leads to intratumoral nutrient depletion, causing metabolic stress that has the potential to impact tumor progression and therapy. We will show that nutrient stress caused by glutamine deprivation leads to the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PDAC cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that glutamine deficiency regulates EMT through the upregulation of the EMT master regulator Slug, a process that is dependent on both MEK/ERK signaling and ATF4. We find that Slug is required in PDAC cells for glutamine deprivation-induced EMT, cell motility and nutrient stress survival. Importantly, we decipher that Slug is associated with nutrient stress in PDAC tumors and is required for metastasis. These results delineate a novel role for Slug in the nutrient stress response and provide insight into how nutrient depletion might influence PDAC progression. During the development of a pharmacological in vivo system aimed at mimicking glutamine stress, we have serendipitously discovered an approach to profoundly affect PDAC tumor growth and metastasis. We will outline the metabolic mechanisms underlying these effects and discuss additional targeting strategies for PDAC. Citation Format: Cosimo Commisso. Metabolic Stress in Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2021 Sep 29-30. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(22 Suppl):Abstract nr IA-005.
The Extension Problem for Compact Submanifolds of Complex Manifolds I

Let X be a compact, complex submanif old of a V. We wish to consider over X certain analytic objects, such as: (i) a holomorphic vector bundle E → X (the notations are explained in § 1 below); (ii) a subspace S ⊂ H q (X, e); or (iii) a holomorphic mapping f: X → Y for some complex manifold Y. The extension problem we consider is, given an analytic object a over X, to find a corresponding analytic object β over V such that β restricted to X gives α.
SU-C-BRD-04: Comparison of Shallow Fluence to Deep Point Dose Measurements for Spine VMAT SBRT Patient-Specific QA

Purpose: To investigate the sensitivity of traditional gamma-index-based fluence measurements for patient-specific measurements in VMAT delivered spine SBRT. Methods: The ten most recent cases for spine SBRT were selected. All cases were planned with Eclipse RapidArc for a TrueBeam STx. The delivery was verified using a point dose measurement with a Pinpoint 3D micro-ion chamber in a Standard Imaging Stereotactic Dose Verification Phantom. Two points were selected for each case, one within the target in a low dose-gradient region and one in the spinal cord. Measurements were localized using on-board CBCT. Cumulative and separate arc measurements were acquired with the ArcCheck and assessed using the SNC patient software with a 3%/3mm and 2%/2mm gamma analysis with global normalization and a 10% dose threshold. Correlations between data were determined using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation. Results: For our cohort of patients, the measured doses were higher than calculated ranging from 2.2%–9.7% for the target and 1.0%–8.2% for the spinal cord. There was strong correlation between 3%/3mm and 2%/2mm passing rates (r=0.91). Moderate correlation was found between target and cord dose with a weak fit (r=0.67, R-Square=0.45). The cumulative ArcCheck measurements showed poor correlation with the measured point doses for both the targetmore » and cord (r=0.20, r=0.35). If the arcs are assessed separately with an acceptance criteria applied to the minimum passing rate between all arcs, a moderate negative correlation was found for the target and cord (r=−0.48, r= −0.71). The case with the highest dose difference (9.7%) received a passing rate of 97.2% for the cumulative arcs and 87.8% for the minimum with separate arcs. Conclusion: Our data suggest that traditional passing criteria using ArcCheck with cumulative measurements do not correlate well with dose errors. Separate arc analysis shows better correlation but may still miss large dose errors. Point dose verifications are recommended.« less
The Yersinia pestis siderophore, yersiniabactin, and the ZnuABC system both contribute to zinc acquisition and the development of lethal septicaemic plague in mice

Bacterial pathogens must overcome host sequestration of zinc (Zn(2+) ), an essential micronutrient, during the infectious disease process. While the mechanisms to acquire chelated Zn(2+) by bacteria are largely undefined, many pathogens rely upon the ZnuABC family of ABC transporters. Here we show that in Yersinia pestis, irp2, a gene encoding the synthetase (HMWP2) for the siderophore yersiniabactin (Ybt) is required for growth under Zn(2+) -deficient conditions in a strain lacking ZnuABC. Moreover, growth stimulation with exogenous, purified apo-Ybt provides evidence that Ybt may serve as a zincophore for Zn(2+) acquisition. Studies with the Zn(2+) -dependent transcriptional reporter znuA::lacZ indicate that the ability to synthesize Ybt affects the levels of intracellular Zn(2+) . However, the outer membrane receptor Psn and TonB as well as the inner membrane (IM) ABC transporter YbtPQ, which are required for Fe(3+) acquisition by Ybt, are not needed for Ybt-dependent Zn(2+) uptake. In contrast, the predicted IM protein YbtX, a member of the Major Facilitator Superfamily, was essential for Ybt-dependent Zn(2+) uptake. Finally, we show that the ZnuABC system and the Ybt synthetase HMWP2, presumably by Ybt synthesis, both contribute to the development of a lethal infection in a septicaemic plague mouse model.
Primase from Escherichia coli primes single-stranded templates in the absence of single-stranded DNA-binding protein or other auxiliary proteins. Template sequence requirements based on the bacteriophage G4 complementary strand origin and Okazaki fragment initiation sites.

Abstract We find that neither the hairpins nor bound single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) are required for in vitro primase activity at the G4 complementary strand origin. Primase has the ability to prime synthetic DNA templates in the absence of any auxiliary proteins, including SSB, and in the absence of any DNA secondary structure. primase does, however, initiate primer synthesis starting at a specific nucleotide sequence present in both the G4 origin system and at sites of Okazaki fragment initiation. We tested a series of single-stranded DNA templates that consisted of various portions of the G4 complementary strand origin for the ability to support primer synthesis. Primer synthesis activity was determined using an assay in which primer length and quantity are monitored by the incorporation of [gamma-32P]ATP once per primer and the products analyzed on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel. We find that primase requires only a short DNA template, 5'-(AC)7CTG CAA AGC-3', to synthesize a 17-nucleotide primer starting at the thymidine residue. We also report primase's ability to incorporate dideoxyribonucleotide triphosphates into primers, which has allowed us to determine directly both length and sequence of primers synthesized.
Abstract 12437: Prediction of Mitral Regurgitation Progression With Advanced Ischemic Cardiomyopathy - A Multi-Modality Study

Introduction: Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is associated with poor outcomes. Determining risk for the presence and progression of IMR may be critical for risk stratification. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that a multi-modality approach can evaluate the progression of IMR in patients with advanced ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and create a risk model for the prediction of IMR progression. Methods: Consecutive ICM patients who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and echocardiograms at baseline with echocardiographic follow-up were included. CMR was used to assess global and regional left ventricular (LV) remodeling, myocardial scarring, and mitral valve geometry. The effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) was calculated from the proximal isovelocity surface area by echocardiography. We identified the best performing model for prediction of worsening IMR based on the c-index. Results: We evaluated 693 patients (age 62±11). The following factors were independently predictive of an increased EROA...
Evidence for trafficking of Epstein-Barr virus strains between hairy leukoplakia and peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Hairy leukoplakia (HL), an epithelial lesion found on the side of the tongue in immunocompromised individuals, is characterized by high-level replication of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and multiple EBV strains. The source of these strains and their relationship to peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) strains has not previously been characterized. Using matched pairs of HL scrapings and PBL from 16 HIV-positive men, variation in EBV strain identity was characterized by detection of a 30 nucleotide deletion of the EBV latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 gene, variation in the LMP-1 repeat region and typing for Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA)-2. Multiple EBV strains were found in both the HL and PBL specimens, but 13 of 16 (81%) patients showed evidence of strain identity for at least one strain and analysis of two patients suggested that EBV strains from HL could infect the PBL. Our data are consistent with active trafficking of EBV between these two compartments.
Spatial amplification: an image-processing technique using the selective amplification of spatial frequencies

A novel technique of processing optical images that we call spatial amplification is proposed and demonstrated. The basic idea is to amplify coherently a set of selected spatial frequency components of an image. Unlike in the usual spatial filtering techniques, in which the components are selectively blocked out at the Fourier plane of a coherent processor, spatial amplification does not discard any of the incident image information. The advantages of the proposed technique over spatial filtering include high energy efficiency and the possibility for cascading several stages. In the demonstrated experiments, the required amplification is provided by two-beam energy coupling in a photorefractive BaTiO3 crystal with a nonuniform pump beam.
Examination of VLC-PUFA–Deficient Photoreceptor Terminals

Purpose Juvenile-onset autosomal dominant Stargardt-like macular dystrophy (STGD3) is caused by mutations in ELOVL4 (elongation of very long fatty acids-4), an elongase necessary for the biosynthesis of very long chain fatty acids (VLC-FAs ≥ C26). Photoreceptors are enriched with VLC polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs), which are necessary for long-term survival of rod photoreceptors. The purpose of these studies was to determine the effect of deletion of VLC-PUFAs on rod synaptic function in retinas of mice conditionally depleted (KO) of Elovl4. Methods Retina function was assessed in wild-type (WT) and KO by electroretinography. Outer plexiform structure was evaluated by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. Single-cell recordings measured rod ion channel operation and rod bipolar glutamate signaling. Sucrose gradient centrifugation was used to isolate synaptosomes from bovine retina. Proteins and lipids were analyzed by Western blotting and tandem mass spectroscopy, respectively. Results Inner retinal responses (b-wave, oscillatory potentials, and scotopic threshold responses) of the ERG were decreased in the KO mice compared to controls. However the rod ion channel operation and bipolar glutamate responses were comparable between groups. Biochemical analysis revealed that conventional and ribbon synapses have VLC-PUFAs. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the outer plexiform layer was disorganized and the diameter of vesicles in rod terminals was smaller in the KO mice. Conclusions Very long chain PUFAs affect rod function by contributing to synaptic vesicle size, which may alter the dynamics of synaptic transmission, ultimately resulting in a loss of neuronal connectivity and death of rod photoreceptors.
Hypertrophic scar formation following burns and trauma: new approaches to treatment.

Hypertrophic scar formation is a major clinical problem in the developing and industrialized injuries, and surgical procedures can give rise to exuberant scarring that resaults in permanent functional loss and the stigma of disfigurement. Figure 1 illustrates the scope of the problem. Annually, over 1 million people require treatment for burns in the United States [1], 2 million are injured in motor vehicle accidents [2], and over 34 million related surgical procedures are performed [3]. Although the incidence of hypertrophic scarring following these types of injuries is not known, it is a common outcome that creates a problem of enormous magnitude. Treatment of these cases is estimated to cost at least $4 billion per annum in the US alone [4]. The incidence of burns and traumatic injuries is even greater in the developing world [5]. This review will examine the process of hypertrophic scar formation, the results of current treatments, and areas likely to lead to significant advances in the field. Figure 1 Complications of Hypertrophic Scarring
The Triage of Women with ASCUS Cytology Using Human Papillomavirus DNA Testing

Objective. Our goal was to determine whether human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing is a valuable tool in triage of patients with cytology demonstrating atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). Methods. Our study included a total of 355 women who were referred for evaluation of a Papanicolaou smear with ASCUS diagnosed during routine screening. At the first visit, all patients had colposcopic examinations and HPV DNA testing by Hybrid Capture assay. Patients were evaluated every 4 to 6 months. Follow-up included repeat cytology and colposcopy at each visit; biopsy was performed if indicated. Follow-up continued for up to 2 years. Results. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of HPV DNA testing in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) or CIN3 were 85%, 77%, 12%, and 99%, respectively. The prevalence of oncogenic HPV types was higher in patients younger than age 35 (35% versus 25%) in whom ASCUS–favor dysplasia/ASCUS–not otherwise specified was diagnosed. The presence of oncogenic HPV types equated with a 12.4% risk of biopsy-proven CIN2 and CIN3. The rate of CIN2 and CIN3 was 0.4% in those who tested negative (95% confidence interval, 0–2.1%). Conclusions. HPV DNA testing appears to be a valuable tool for triage of women with ASCUS smears. Its high negative predictive value provides needed reassurance for follow-up with only periodic cytology.
Mechanism of the interaction of propranolol and a potent vasodilator antihypertensive agent — Minoxidil

A study, using non-invasive techniques, was carried out in ten patients with essential hypertension to examine the mechanism of the hypotensive effect of propranolol when used in combination with a potent vasodilator antihypertensive — minoxidil. The hypotensive effect of minoxidil, a mean (± SEM) decrease of 42.4±4.3 mm Hg, was accompanied by a marked increase in heart rate, cardiac index and plasma renin activity and a significant decrease in total peripheral resistance, limb vascular resistance and pre-ejection period. Addition of propranolol further reduced mean arterial pressure by an average of 12.9±2.0 mm Hg. Propranolol returned cardiac index to control values and total peripheral resistance index rose but not to control levels. Plasma renin activity was significantly reduced by propranolol. By multiple regression analysis no correlation was found between propranolol-induced decrease in mean arterial pressure and changes in cardiac index, total peripheral resistance index or plasma renin activity. Quantitatively, the reduction in cardiac index observed probably accounted for the hypotensive effect of propranolol. The role of plasma renin activity reduction in the hypotensive effect of propranolol in this situation remains to be clarified. The findings in the present study were consonant with the known actions of vasodilator antihypertensive agents and propranolol and indicate the applicability of non-invasive methodology to the investigation of cardiovascular drugs in man.
The significance of computational modelling in murine cardiac ventricular cells

Five decades of histological, electrophysiological, pharmacological and biochemical investigations exist, but relatively little is known regarding the ionic mechanisms underlying the action potential variations in the ventricle associated with healthy and disease conditions. The computational modelling in murine ventricular myocytes can complement our knowledge of the experimental data and provide us with more quantitative descriptions in understanding different conditions related to normal and disease conditions. This paper initially reviews the theoretical modelling for cardiac ventricular action potentials of various species and the related experimental work. It then focuses on the progress of computational modelling of cardiac ventricular cells for normal, diabetic and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Also presented is the recent modelling efforts of the action potential in mouse ventricular cells. The computational insights gained into the ionic mechanisms in rodents will enhance our understanding of the heart and provide us with new knowledge for future studies to treat cardiac diseases in children and adults.
Immigration and the Wages of Native Workers: Spatial versus Occupational Approaches

Using data from the Current Population Survey, we study the impact of the increasing proportion of immigrants on the wages of native workers. Two different approaches are contrasted. The most common method has been the spatial approach that uses some geographic unit of analysis to investigate the multivariate association between the proportion of immigrants and the wages of native workers. Previous studies using the spatial approach have generally found little evidence of a significant negative effect. We propose, however, a contrasting method that represents an occupational approach in which occupations are the unit of analysis to investigate the impact of the proportion immigrant. This occupational approach avoids the bias that is inherent in the spatial approach due to the endogenous nature of immigrants' decisions about where to reside and the economic opportunities of local areas. In contrast to the spatial approach, our results using the same data but employing the occupational approach yield consis...
Interaction of ethylene and acetylene with Ni(111): A SSIMS study

Abstract Temperature programmed static secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TPSSIMS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) were used to study the interaction of ethylene and acetylene with Ni(111). Surface concentrations of ethylene, acetylene, hydrogen and ethylidyne were followed by secondary ion ratios and intensities, NiC2H+4/Ni+ ( NiC2D+4/Ni+), NiC2D+2/Ni+, Ni2H+/Ni+( Ni2D+/Ni+), andCH+3+ (CD+3) respectively. Both ethylene and acetylene adsorb molecularly on Ni(111) at 120 K. Only hydrogen and parent molecules were found in TPD. For ethylene, there were isotope effects in its molecular desorption and its decomposition steps. There was strong coverage dependence; at saturation coverage, the conversion to surface acetylene was not inhibited, but the decomposition of the latter was strongly inhibited and some ethylidyne was formed in the process. Below saturation coverage, neither the first nor the second decomposition step was inhibited and no ethylidyne accumulated. For dosed acetylene, the first step in decomposition (most probably C-C bond cleavage) started at 190 K whereas C-D bond cleavage started between 230 and 260 K. Acetylene decomposition also showed a strong coverage dependence; above 70% of saturation, the first step was inhibited, the second was not, and some ethylidyne was formed around room temperature. Below 70% of saturation, neither decomposition step was inhibited and no ethylidyne was found.
The catabolism of phthalideisoquinoline alkaloids

Fumariflorine (1a, the only known alkaloidal o-(β-dimethylaminoethyl)benzoic acid, has been isolated as its ethyl ester 1 from Fumaria parviflora Lam. (Fumariaceae). Since alkaloids 2–6 are also present in the plant, it is probable that the biogenetic sequence for the catabolism of the lactonic phthalideisoquinolines involves initial quatermination to an N-metho salt, Hofmann elimination, and oxidative cleavage of the resulting olefin to supply a substituted o-(β-dimethylaminoethyl)benzoic acid.
US born vs. immigrant Latino sexual minority women satisfaction with life: an item response theory analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the measurement equivalence of the satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) among foreign-born (non-US born) and US born Latino sexual minority women (i.e., ‘lesbian, bisexual, queer, or questioning/other’ women) through an item response theory (IRT) analysis. Results show that US born (n = 137) and non-US born (n = 62) women did not differ in their item-level responses nor in their total score level responses on the SWLS. Overall, non-US born and US born Latino sexual minority women evaluate their personal accomplishments or task performance similarly. This study contributes to the growing literature supporting the use of the SWLS as the well-being measure of choice, even among a culturally diverse population of Latino women.
On the Other “Phylogenetic Systematics”

De Queiroz and Gauthier, in a serial paper, argue that biological taxonomy is in a sad state, because taxonomists harbor “widely held belief” systems that are archaic and insufficient for modern classification, and that the bulk of practicing taxonomists are essentialists. Their paper argues for the scrapping of the current system of nomenclature, but fails to provide specific rules for the new “Phylogenetic Systematics”—instead we have been presented with a vague and sketchy manifesto based upon the assertion that “clades are individuals” and therefore must be pointed at with proper names, rather than diagnosed by synapomorphies. They claim greater stability for “node pointing,” yet even their own examples show that the opposite is true, and their node pointing system is only more stable in a purely metaphysical sense detached from characters, evidence, usage of names, and composition of groups. We will show that the node pointing system is actually far LESS stable than the existing Linnaean System when stability is measured by the rational method of determining the net change in taxa (species) included in a particular group under different classifications.
Fusion study of polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Relation of Processing time and processing temperature to the degree of fusion

Several polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds were prepared in a Haake Torque Rheometer, equipped with noninterchangeable rotors and an electrically-heated mixing head, at various processing times and processing temperatures, with a constant rotor speed of 60 rpm. A Seiko 220C Automatic Cooling Differential Scanning Caloriometer (DSC) was then used to characterize the degree of fusion of these compounds. Afterwards, a Cambridge 260 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to study the morphological characteristics of these compounds. In this paper, a correlation has been established between the processing time and processing temperature and the degree of fusion of these PVC compounds.