cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
All-optical data format conversions and reconversions between the wavelength and time domains for dynamically reconfigurable WDM networks

We demonstrate all-optical error-free 2 Gb/s data format conversions and reconversions between the wavelength and time domains. Conversion between these two domains is accomplished by performing single-stage TDM-to-WDM and WDM-to-TDM conversions. We also perform the function of converting back all-optically to the original domain by performing both WDM-to-TDM-to-WDM and TDM-to-WDM-to-TDM reconversions. All conversions and reconversions are realized by using the cross gain compression mechanism inherent in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA's). We first demonstrate our TDM-to-WDM converter by simultaneously time demultiplexing and wavelength shifting a four-channel 2 Gb/s TDM data stream into four 500 Mb/s WDM channels. Moreover, we extend this single-stage approach by demonstrating a two-stage TDM-to-WDM converter consisting of two cascaded single-stage TDM-to-WDM modules. This two-stage converter selectively time demultiplexes and wavelength shifts a four-channel 2 Gb/s TDM data stream into two 500 Mb/s WDM channels after the second stage. Furthermore, we demonstrate a WDM-to-TDM converter by simultaneously time multiplexing and wavelength shifting the data from two 1 Gb/s WDM channels into one 2 Gb/s TDM signal. Finally, we demonstrate reconversion between the wavelength and time domains for two channels by performing both WDM-to-TDM-to-WDM and then TDM-to-WDM-to-TDM reconversions. In order to demonstrate system robustness, we use 80 km of fiber and three EDFA's between the conversion and reconversion stages. We show that reconverting back to the TDM data format requires an interstage WDM channel wavelength range less than /spl sim/4 nm, due to the power penalty induced by the interstage relative phase shift between the channels. This constraint limits the operation of the TDM-to-WDM-to-TDM reconverter to data rates up to 10 Gb/s and interstage distances to /spl sim/100 km. All demonstrated conversion and reconversion processes are accomplished with low power penalties. These conversion and reconversion schemes could be useful in WDM switching nodes and may serve as key building blocks for all-optical WDM networks.
Interactions between mantle diapirs

Experimental, theoretical, and numerical results are presented for the dynamics of interacting and deforming diapirs. The clustering of diapirs may occur as a result of the deformation induced by their mutual interactions. The time required for two diapirs in the mantle to merge can be small compared to their ascent time. The clustering of many diapirs, however, is a relatively slow process and is unlikely to significantly affect their distribution in the Earth's mantle. If coronae on Venus are produced by diapirs, diapir clustering may explain the variation of coronae size, and may be related to the observed clustering of coronae on the surface.
Epigenetics meets estrogen receptor: regulation of estrogen receptor by direct lysine methylation.

The nuclear hormone receptor estrogen receptor α (ERα) promotes cellular growth through ligand-dependent activation of specific target genes, a process which is targeted in the treatment of ERα-expressing breast cancers. ERα activity is regulated at the protein level by post-translational modifications including phosphorylation and acetylation. A study now shows that ERα can also be directly methylated at lysine 302 (K302) by SET7, a histone methyltransferase that is known to monomethylate H3K4 and is associated with transcriptional activation. It was shown that K302 methylation stabilizes ERα protein and is suggested to increase sensitivity of ERα to estrogens, enhancing transcription of estrogen response elements. Furthermore, SET7 methylation of K302 is enhanced by a breast cancer-associated mutation at K303 (K303R) in vitro. These findings provide an additional mechanism of SET7 mediated transcriptional activation, as well as potential insight into the complex regulation of ERα stability and ligand sensitivity.
Insulin Stimulates Phosphorylation of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor by the Insulin Receptor, Creating a Potent Feedback Inhibitor of Its Tyrosine Kinase

Insulin counterregulates catecholamine action at several levels, primarily in liver, fat, and adipose tissue. Herein we observe that expression of increased levels of β2-adrenergic receptor increasingly inhibits insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of its primary downstream substrates (IRS-1,2). In Chinese hamster ovary cells, the insulin receptor phosphorylates dominantly Tyr364 in the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the β-receptor. A Y364A mutant form of the β2-adrenergic, in contrast, loses it ability to inhibit insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1,2. Upon phosphorylation, the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the β2-adrenergic receptor demonstrates a potent inhibitory feedback action that can block both insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor and phosphorylation of IRS-1,2 in NIH mouse 3T3-L1 adipocyte membranes. Studies in vitro with purified insulin receptor and the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the β2-adrenergic receptor demonstrate that the tyrosine-phosphorylated β-receptor domain is a potent counterregulatory inhibitor of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase.
Local muscle endurance is associated with fatigue-based changes in electromyographic spectral properties, but not with conduction velocity.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the associations amongst muscle fiber action potential conduction velocity (CV), spectral characteristics of the surface electromyographic (EMG) signal, and endurance time during a sustained submaximal isometric muscle action. Eleven men (mean±SD age=23±4yrs) performed a sustained, submaximal isometric muscle action of the dominant forearm flexors at 60% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) until the designated force level could no longer be maintained. Sixteen separate bipolar surface EMG signals were detected from the biceps brachii with a linear electrode array during this contraction. Two channels from this array were used to measure CV, and one of these two channels was used for further EMG signal processing. The channels that provided the highest signal quality were used for the CV measurements and further data analysis. A wavelet analysis was then used to analyze the bipolar EMG signal, and the resulting wavelet spectrum was decomposed with a nonparametric spectral decomposition procedure. The results showed that the time to exhaustion during the sustained contraction was not correlated with the rate of decrease in CV, but it was highly correlated with both the decrease in high-frequency spectral power ( r =0.947) and the increase in low-frequency spectral power ( r =0.960). These findings are particularly interesting, considering that the decrease in traditional EMG spectral variables (e.g., mean frequency or median frequency) with fatigue is generally attributed to reductions in CV. While this may indeed be true, the present results suggested that other factors (i.e., other than CV) that can affect the shape of the EMG frequency spectrum during fatigue are more important in determining the endurance capabilities of the muscle than is CV.
Observations on facilitation of the preovulatory rise of LH by estrogen.

Systemic levels of estradiol (E2) during the 4-day estrous cycle rise in abiphasic manner; slow elevations during diestrus II are followed by rapid increases during the early morning of proestrus (Kalra and Kalra, 1973). The relation of these alterations in systemic E2 levels to the proestrus surge of LH was investigated. Administration of progesterone (P, 4 mg/rat) to rats at 2200 hr of diestrus II blocked ovulation and the surge of LH in the afternoon of proestrus. Injection of estradiol benzoate (EB, 5 μg/rat) 2 hr prior to, together with or following P treatment at 0300 hr of proestrus restored ovulation and the surge of LH. However, blockade of ovulation was not reversed if EB was administered at 0500 or 0800 hr of proestrus following P treatment on diestrus II. Similarly, bilateral ovariectomy at 2300 hr of diestrus II but not at 0300 hr or later on proestrus abolished the proestrus surge of LH. Apparently, the rapid rise in systemic E2 between 2300 hr of diestrus II and 0300 hrs of proestrus is cru...
Organizational factors in program review

This chapter deals with organizational factors that promote the overall impact of program review at the college level and provides a theoretical framework for looking at the ways in which program review may affect community college programs.
Synchronous Presentation of Ampullary Adenocarcinoma and Common Bile Duct Cancer: Report of a Case and Review of Literature

Context Ampullary adenocarcinomas and bile duct cancers represent a very small minority of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Synchronous presentation of both malignancies is extremely rare. Case report We report a case of a 76-year-old male who presented with painless jaundice. His work-up showed an ampullary mass and a separate common bile duct stricture. Attempted endoscopic resection established the diagnosis of ampullary adenocarcinoma. Pathologic examination of the Whipple specimen identified a separate focus of bile duct cancer. Conclusion Synchronous presentation of an ampullary mass and separate distal bile duct stricture, especially in elderly patients, should raise concern for both lesions representing malignancies. In the absence of conclusive evidence for survival advantage in resected early stage ampullary and biliary cancers, close observation should be considered a valid alternative to adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. Image: EUS showing a hypoechoic oval mass in the ampulla.
Automated classification of RNA 3D motifs and the RNA 3D Motif Atlas

The analysis of atomic-resolution RNA three-dimensional (3D) structures reveals that many internal and hairpin loops are modular, recurrent, and structured by conserved non-Watson–Crick base pairs. Structurally similar loops define RNA 3D motifs that are conserved in homologous RNA molecules, but can also occur at nonhomologous sites in diverse RNAs, and which often vary in sequence. To further our understanding of RNA motif structure and sequence variability and to provide a useful resource for structure modeling and prediction, we present a new method for automated classification of internal and hairpin loop RNA 3D motifs and a new online database called the RNA 3D Motif Atlas. To classify the motif instances, a representative set of internal and hairpin loops is automatically extracted from a nonredundant list of RNA-containing PDB files. Their structures are compared geometrically, all-against-all, using the FR3D program suite. The loops are clustered into motif groups, taking into account geometric similarity and structural annotations and making allowance for a variable number of bulged bases. The automated procedure that we have implemented identifies all hairpin and internal loop motifs previously described in the literature. All motif instances and motif groups are assigned unique and stable identifiers and are made available in the RNA 3D Motif Atlas (http://rna.bgsu.edu/motifs), which is automatically updated every four weeks. The RNA 3D Motif Atlas provides an interactive user interface for exploring motif diversity and tools for programmatic data access.
Bifunctional polymeric inhibitors of human influenza A viruses

New antiviral agents were prepared by attaching derivatives of sialic acid (1) and of the drug zanamivir (2) to poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (poly-(1 + 2)) or by mixing poly-1 and poly-2, followed by assaying them against wild-type and drug-resistant influenza A Wuhan viruses. Individually or together, 1 and 2 were covalently bonded to the polymer. The antiviral potencies of the resultant poly-1, poly-2, poly-(1 + 2), and poly-1 + poly-2, as well as 1 and 2, were assessed using plaque reduction assay. Attaching 1 to the polymer improved at best millimolar IC50 values over three orders of magnitude. While 2 exhibited micromolar IC50 values, poly-2 was >100-fold even more potent. The IC50 of poly-(1 + 2) against the wild-type strain was >300-fold and ∼17-fold better than of poly-1 and poly-2, respectively. In contrast, the potency of poly-(1 + 2) vs. poly-2 against the mutant strain merely doubled. The mixture of poly-1 + poly-2 inhibited both viral strains similarly to poly-2. The bifunctional poly-(1 + 2) acts synergistically against the wild-type influenza virus, but not against its drug-resistant mutant, as compared to a physical mixture of the monofunctional poly-1 and poly-2.
Hierarchical whitespace allocation in top-down placement

Increased transistor density in modern commercial ICs typically originates in new manufacturing and defect prevention technologies. Additionally, better utilization of such low-level transistor density may result from improved software that makes fewer assumptions about physical layout in order to reliably automate the design process. In particular, recent layouts tend to have large amounts of whitespace, which is not handled properly by older tools. We observe that a major computational difficulty arises in partitioning-driven top-down placement when regions of a chip lack whitespace. This tightens balance constraints for min-cut partitioning and hampers move-based local-search heuristics such as Fiduccia-Mattheyses. However, the local lack of whitespace is often caused by very unbalanced distribution of whitespace during previous partitioning, and this concern is emphasized in chips with large overall whitespace. This paper focuses on accurate computation of tolerances to ensure smooth operation of common move-based iterative partitioners, while avoiding cell overlaps. We propose a mathematical model of hierarchical whitespace allocation in placement, which results in a simple computation of partitioning tolerance purely from relative whitespace in the block and the number of rows in the block. Partitioning tolerance slowly increases as the placer descends to lower levels, and relative whitespace in all blocks is limited from below (unless partitioners return "illegal" solutions), thus preventing cell overlaps. This facilitates good use of whitespace when it is scarce and prevents very dense regions when large amounts of whitespace are available. Our approach improves the use of the available whitespace during global placement, thus leading to smaller whitespace requirements. Existing techniques, particularly those based on simulated annealing, can be applied after global placement to bias whitespace with respect to particular concerns, such as routing congestion, heat dissipation, crosstalk noise and DSM yield improvement.
Flow-conditioned HUVECs support clustered leukocyte adhesion by coexpressing ICAM-1 and E-selectin

Endothelial sequestration of circulating monocytes is a key event in early atherosclerosis. Hemodynamics is proposed to regulate monocyte-endothelial cell interactions by direct cell activation and establishment of flow environments that are conducive or prohibitive to cell-cell interaction. We investigated fluid shear regulation of monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion in vitro using a disturbed laminar shear system that models in vivo hemodynamics characteristic of lesion-prone vascular regions. Human endothelial cell monolayers were flow conditioned for 6 h before evaluation of monocyte adhesion under static and dynamic flow conditions. Results revealed a distinctive clustered cell pattern of monocyte adhesion that strongly resembles in vivo leukocyte adhesion in early- and late-stage atherosclerosis. Clustered monocyte cell adhesion correlated with endothelial cells coexpressing intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin as result of a flow-induced, selective upregulation of E-selectin expression in a subset of ICAM-1-expressing cells. Clustered monocyte cell adhesion assayed under static conditions exhibited a spatial variation in size and frequency of occurrence, which demonstrates differential regulation of endothelial cell adhesiveness by the local flow environment. Dynamic adhesion studies conducted with circulating monocytes resulted in clustered cell adhesion only within the disturbed flow region, where the monocyte rate of motion is sufficiently low for cell-cell interaction. These studies provide evidence and reveal mechanisms of local hemodynamic regulation of endothelial adhesiveness and endothelial monocyte interaction that lead to localized monocyte adhesion and potentially contribute to the focal origin of arterial diseases such as atherosclerosis.
An assessment of extraction versus nonextraction orthodontic treatment using the peer assessment rating (PAR) index

The extraction of teeth for orthodontic purposes has always been a controversial subject in the specialty. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of orthodontic treatment in 100 patients treated with the extraction of four premolars and compare it with the outcome of 100 patients treated without extractions, using the peer assessment rating (PAR) index. Records were selected from 1,198 consecutively completed cases treated by a single provider (MGH) between 1981 and 1995. We chose the first 100 finished patients in each group (extraction and nonextraction) who were under the age of 16 and had no deciduous teeth at the start of treatment. The results of this study show that average treatment time for the extraction group was 29.7+/-6.1 months compared with 26.0+/-7.2 months for the nonextraction group. The extraction group had significantly higher initial PAR scores (T1-PAR ext = 30.01+/-8.20 vs. T1 PAR nonext = 25.21+/-8.55), with greater initial maxillary anterior crowding (PAR ext value = 6.05+/-3.85 vs. PAR nonext value = 4.21+/-2.90) and greater initial overjet (PAR ext value = 1.82+/-1.01 vs. PAR nonext value 1.28+/-1.04). All pretreatment differences were significant at the p < or = 0.0001 level. Although significantly different at the beginning of treatment, both groups were statistically identical at the end (PAR T2 ext = 6.18 + 3.04% reduction = 79.4% compared with PAR T2 nonext = 5.64 + 3.08% reduction = 77.6%). In conclusion, the results demonstrate that, given an additional 3 months of treatment, it is possible for an orthodontist to produce dento-occlusal relationships in extraction patients that are as good as those achieved in nonextraction cases.
Drug information (literacy) at Purdue: one librarian's serendipitous path to integrating information literacy throughout the pharmacy school curriculum

Twenty-five years ago, the phrase “information literacy” was relatively unknown; now it the major component in many academic librarian position descriptions. Coincidentally, or perhaps serendipitously, while ACRL was preparing their position on information literacy, another group of educators was incorporating the same concepts into their professional practice competencies. At the annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) in July 1986, the report of the Task Force for Development of Competency Statements for Pharmacy Practice was first presented to the membership for discussion and was subsequently accepted at the section meeting later that year during the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) midyear clinical meeting. The competencies were developed for the entry level degree in pharmacy – at that time, either a baccalaureate or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. The competencies were divided into four sections: general management and administration of pharmacy; activities related to processing the prescription; patient care functions; and, education of healthcare professionals. The responsibilities listed in the final section described how the pharmacist was responsible for organizing, maintaining, and providing drug information to other healthcare professionals with the final responsibility specifying the selection, evaluation and assessment of drug information resources for application to practice. (Pancorbo, Campagna, Devenport, Garnett & Littlefield, 1987)
A Meta-Analysis: The Relationship Between Parental Involvement and African American School Outcomes

This meta-analysis of 42 studies examines the relationship between parental involvement and the academic achievement and school behavior of African American pre-kindergarten through college freshma...
Solid State Carbon-13 NMR Studies of Vulcanized Elastomers. III, Accelerated Sulfur Vulcanization of Natural Rubber

Abstract In summary, the solid state C-13 NMR technique has proven to be a significant method for the detection of crosslinks and other structural modifications in accelerated sulfur-vulcanized NR systems. When the amount of accelerator is high in proportion to the amount of sulfur used, the network structure appears to be simpler with less crosslinking, less main chain structural modification, and fewer cyclic sulfide structures as observed in the C-13 NMR spectra. Polysulfidic crosslinks have been detected in addition to polysulfides terminated by accelerator residues. Cis-to-trans chain isomerization is also evident in these vulcanizates.
Clinical Genesis in Miami

This essay describes the first decade history of the University of Miami Law School's Center for Ethics and Public Service highlighting the contributions of its junior faculty in developing innovative clinical, ethics, and interdisciplinary education programs for undergraduate and graduate student in the fields of immigration law, professional responsibility, and public policy. Founded in 1996, the Center is an interdisciplinary clinical program devoted to the values of ethical judgment, professionalism, and public service in law and society. The Center's in-house clinics and educational programs provide legal representation to low-income communities in the areas of children's rights, public health entitlements, and nonprofit economic development, as well as legal ethics education and professional training to the Law School, University, and Florida business, civic, and legal communities. The Center observes three guiding principles: interdisciplinary collaboration, public-private partnership, and student mentoring and leadership training. Its mission is to educate law students to serve their communities as citizen lawyers.
Recent advances and remaining uncertainties in resolving past and future climate effects on global fire activity

Fire is an integral component of the Earth system that will critically affect how terrestrial carbon budgets and living systems respond to climate change. Paleo and observational records document robust positive relationships between fire activity and aridity in many parts of the world on interannual to millennial timescales. Observed increases in fire activity and aridity in many areas over the past several decades motivate curiosity as to the degree to which anthropogenic climate change will alter global fire regimes and subsequently Earth’s terrestrial biosphere. Importantly, fire responses to warming are not ubiquitous and effects by humans, fuels, and non-temperature climate variables are also apparent in both paleo and observational datasets. The complicated and interactive relationships among these variables necessitate quantitative modeling to better understand future fire responses to global change. Macro-scale fire models exhibit a wide spectrum of complexity. Correlation-based models are inherently superior at representing the current global mean distribution of fire activity but future projections developed from these models cannot account for important processes such as CO2 fertilization and vegetation response after extreme events. Process-based models address some of these limitations by explicitly modeling vegetation dynamics, but this requires false assumptions about processes that are not yet well understood. Continued empirical evaluation of interactions between fire, vegetation, climate, and humans, and resultant improvements to both correlation- and process-based macro-fire models, are mandatory to better understand the past and future of the Earth system.
Seeking Meaning: Capturing Patron Experience Through a User Survey

ABSTRACTA well-crafted localized survey is an excellent opportunity to efficiently collect data about library user feelings and experiences on a large scale. 800 undergraduate students and employees of a mid-sized public university responded to an online survey about their feelings on library space, communication, services, and collections. Employing a variety of question types, the authors sought to include measures that would yield both pertinent and meaningful feedback. Results were analyzed and prioritized by significance and librarians culled the results for actionable findings and opportunities for further study or long-term benchmarking.
A cross-sectional analysis of the association between perceived network social control and telomere length.

OBJECTIVE Social control in the health domain refers to attempts by social network members to get an individual to modify their health behaviors. According to the dual effects model of social control, having one's health behavior controlled by others should be related to healthier behavioral change, but might arouse psychological distress as one may resent being controlled. Despite potential healthy behavior change, the stress of social control may thus be detrimental as interpersonal stress has been related to negative health outcomes. In the present study, the association between perceived social control and telomere length was tested to examine its association to biological outcomes. METHOD In this cross-sectional study, a relatively healthy community sample of 140 middle age and older adults completed measures of perceived social control, perceived stress, and health behaviors. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to determine telomere length. RESULTS Main results showed that higher levels of perceived direct social network control were associated with shorter telomere length. These links were not influenced by statistical controls for medication use, self-rated health, trait hostility, and optimism. Perceived social control was also related to greater perceived stress but not health behaviors overall. However, neither perceived stress nor health behaviors mediated the link between social control and telomere length. CONCLUSIONS Although the study design precludes strong inferences, these results suggest that perceived social control may be associated with cellular aging. These data also highlight the utility of integrating biological outcomes into social control models. (PsycINFO Database Record
Cognitive Training and Work Therapy for the Treatment of Verbal Learning and Memory Deficits in Veterans With Alcohol Use Disorders.

AbstractObjective: This study focused on the efficacy of cognitive training for verbal learning and memory deficits in a population of older veterans with alcohol use disorders. Methods: Veterans with alcohol use disorders, who were in outpatient treatment at VA facilities and in early-phase recovery (N = 31), were randomized to receive a three-month trial of daily cognitive training plus work therapy (n = 15) or work therapy alone (n = 16), along with treatment as usual. Participants completed assessments at baseline and at three- and six-month follow-ups; the Hopkins Verbal Learning Task (HVLT) was the primary outcome measure. Results: Participants were primarily male (97%) and in their mid-50s (M = 55.16, SD = 5.16) and had been sober for 1.64 (SD = 2.81) months. Study retention was excellent (91% at three-month follow-up) and adherence to treatment in both conditions was very good. On average, participants in the cognitive training condition had more than 41 hours of cognitive training, and both condi...
Differentiation of cellular processes involved in the induction and maintenance of stimulated neutrophil adherence.

Neutrophil adherence stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was investigated by quantitating the attachment of 51Cr-labeled neutrophils to plastic surfaces and to the endothelium of umbilical veins mounted in compartmentalized Lucite chambers. PMA-induced adherence could be functionally separated into an induction phase requiring cellular metabolism and a Mg++ dependent maintenance phase that was independent of cellular metabolism. Thus, metabolic inhibitors (N-ethylmaleimide, 2- deoxyglucose) blocked adherence when added to neutrophils prior to PMA, but did not cause detachment of cells adhering as a consequence of prior exposure to PMA. PMA failed to induce adherence of neutrophils incubated at low (0.4 degree C) temperature, but temperature reduction, even for prolonged periods, did not cause detachment of adherent cells. Thus, the attractive forces that mediate stimulated adherence persist independently of any sustained metabolic response to the inducing stimulus. However, removal of Mg++ from the media above adherent cells resulted in immediate detachment, indicating that the cation was required for the persistent expression or maintenance of the attractive forces involved. The extent of stimulated adherence correlated well with the extent of degranulation when rates were varied by limiting the incubation time or stimulus concentration. This correlation was not absolute; in the absence of Mg++, PMA induced degranulation normally but failed to enhance adherence. To explain these findings, we investigated the possibility that PMA-stimulated adherence was maintained by Mg++-dependent cellular adherence molecules released during exocytosis. Supernatants of stimulated neutrophils were devoid of adherence-promoting activity, and only weak activity was recovered in supernatants of mechanically disrupted neutrophils. PMA effectively stimulated the tight adherence of degranulated neutrophil cytoplasts to plastic surfaces and did so in the absence of stimulated granule enzyme release. Thus, conditions have been identified under which degranulation occurs in the absence of adherence (removal of Mg++) and adherence occurs without concurrent degranulation. Since neutrophil cytoplasts do contain some granule products and granule material can be identified on cytoplast membranes, it is possible that degranulation or granule products may be involved in the adherent response. However, hyperadherence was shown to develop in the absence of de novo degranulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Bradyrhizobium japonicum Ferrous Iron Transporter FeoAB Is Required for Ferric Iron Utilization in Free Living Aerobic Cells and for Symbiosis.

The bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 does not synthesize siderophores for iron utilization in aerobic environments, and the mechanism of iron uptake within symbiotic soybean root nodules is unknown. An mbfA bfr double mutant defective in iron export and storage activities cannot grow aerobically in very high iron medium. Here, we found that this phenotype was suppressed by loss of function mutations in the feoAB operon encoding ferrous (Fe2+) iron uptake proteins. Expression of the feoAB operon genes was elevated under iron limitation, but mutants defective in either gene were unable to grow aerobically over a wide external ferric (Fe3+) iron (FeCl3) concentration range. Thus, FeoAB accommodates iron acquisition under iron limited and iron replete conditions. Incorporation of radiolabel from either 55Fe2+ or 59Fe3+ into cells was severely defective in the feoA and feoB strains, suggesting Fe3+ reduction to Fe2+ prior to traversal across the cytoplasmic membrane by FeoAB. The feoA or feoB deletion strains elicited small, ineffective nodules on soybean roots, containing few bacteria and lacking nitrogen fixation activity. A feoA(E40K) mutant contained partial iron uptake activity in culture that supported normal growth and established an effective symbiosis. The feoA(E40K) strain had partial iron uptake activity in situ within nodules and in isolated cells, indicating that FeoAB is the iron transporter in symbiosis. We conclude that FeoAB supports iron acquisition under limited conditions of soil and in the iron-rich environment of a symbiotic nodule.
Magnetic resonance of water protons in fresh human blood plasma.

Spin-lattice (T1-) relaxation times of fresh human blood plasma at 13.2 MHz and 29 degrees C ranged from 1263 milliseconds (msec) to 1709 msec. Spin-spin (T2-) relaxation times of those samples were between 446 msec and 753 msec. Proton magnetic resonance (p.m.r.) phantoms of such blood plasma were made with ferric chloride and corn starch in dilute hydrochloric acid, and also in dilute sulfuric acid. Their Fe3+ ion concentrations approximated 138 micrograms (micrograms) per deciliter (dl). Both T1 and T2 of any of these p.m.r. phantoms were within limits of those described above for fresh human blood plasma. Lowering of the concentration of the Fe3+ ion--in an experimental corn starch solution--was manifested in longer T1.
Barriers to Adult Learning

There is a growing need for an educated, skilled workforce that is able to learn and adapt to new challenges. Expecting this need to be met by those graduating from high school is not realistic as the current educational system has not adequately served the non-traditional student. This chapter reaffirms that career and technical education programs are excellent ways to meet adult learning and workforce development needs. The challenge, as described in the chapter, is to engage adults in becoming lifelong learners. This will require removing barriers to adult learning that relate to cost, accessibility, and interest. State and federal leaders also have a stake in addressing this need as it affects the nation's ability to compete on a regional and international level.
Applications of the Stationary Theory

A good approximation to the mathematical description of radiative transfer processes in planetary atmospheres is to consider the atmosphere as a medium that is plane parallel and invariant under arbitrary translations in horizontal directions. Although one excludes in this way processes such as zodiacal light where the light is incident at small angle with the planetary surface, it permits the study of the most important radiative phenomena.
Prediction of distortions and pattern allowances during sand casting of a steel bracket

AbstractMechanical interactions between the casting and mould generate unwanted distortions and lead to dimensional inaccuracies. In this study, the effects of mould expansion and mould restraint are investigated through sand casting experiments involving a U-shaped steel bracket. Distortions are quantified by in situ measurements of the evolution of the gap opening between the bracket legs. Mould expansion is observed immediately after filling. Outer mould restraint prevents distortions in the bracket legs until the time of mould fracture, after which the legs are pushed outward. The experiments are simulated using a sequential thermo-mechanical coupling. The steel and bonded sand are modelled using previously calibrated elasto-visco-plastic and Drucker–Prager Cap constitutive laws, respectively. Excellent agreement between measured and predicted pattern allowances (PA) is obtained. Distortions are greatly under-predicted unless mould fracture is considered. Variations in the packing density of the mould...
Modeling for the equitable and effective distribution of food donations under stochastic receiving capacities

ABSTRACTWe present and analyze stochastic models developed to facilitate the equitable and effective distribution of donated food by a regional food bank among the population at risk for hunger. Since demand typically exceeds the donated food supply, the food bank must distribute donated food in an equitable manner while minimizing food waste, leading to conflicting objectives. Distribution to beneficiaries in the service area is carried out by local charitable agencies, whose receiving capacities are stochastic, since they depend on factors (such as their budget and workforce) that vary significantly over time. We develop a single-period, two-stage stochastic model that ensures equitable distribution of food donations when the distribution decisions are made prior to observing capacities at the receiving locations. Shipment decisions made at the beginning of the period can be corrected at an additional cost after the capacities are observed in the second stage. We prove that this model has a newsvendor-t...
Cervical spine bone density in young healthy adults as a function of sex, vertebral level and anatomic location

Purpose Bone mineral density (BMD) measured using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) has been shown to correlate with bone mechanical properties. Knowledge of BMD within specific anatomic regions of the spine is valuable to surgeons who must secure instrumentation to the vertebrae, to medical device developers who design screws and disc replacements, and to researchers who assign mechanical properties to computational models. The objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize BMD in the cervical spine of young healthy adults.
Rank-constrained optimization and its applications ☆

Abstract This paper investigates an iterative approach to solve the general rank-constrained optimization problems (RCOPs) defined to optimize a convex objective function subject to a set of convex constraints and rank constraints on unknown rectangular matrices. In addition, rank minimization problems (RMPs) are introduced and equivalently transformed into RCOPs by introducing a quadratic matrix equality constraint. The rank function is discontinuous and nonconvex, thus the general RCOPs are classified as NP-hard in most of the cases. An iterative rank minimization (IRM) method, with convex formulation at each iteration, is proposed to gradually approach the constrained rank. The proposed IRM method aims at solving RCOPs with rank inequalities constrained by upper or lower bounds, as well as rank equality constraints. Proof of the convergence to a local minimizer with at least a sublinear convergence rate is provided. Four representative applications of RCOPs and RMPs, including system identification, output feedback stabilization, and structured H 2 controller design problems, are presented with comparative simulation results to verify the feasibility and improved performance of the proposed IRM method.
Thermal Remote Sensing of Temperature Distribution in Glass

Abstract A method is developed for recovering the temperature distribution in glass from spectral radiation emission data. An analytical model is formulated and the desired temperature distribution is obtained using an optimization scheme which determines the best temperature profile from the data in a form of discrete points or a polynomial. In order to evaluate the accuracy and validity of the thermal remote sensing method, the recovered temperatures are compared with independent measurements using surface thermocouples and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Experimental results are reported for Corning Code 7940 fused silica using a Perkin-Elmer spectrometer to measure the spectral radiant energy emerging from the glass. The recovered and measured temperatures are found in reasonably good agreement; i.e., within about 1 1/2 percent at temperatures up to about 800°K.
Impact of non-guideline-based treatment of status epilepticus.

Abstract Background This retrospective study analyzed benzodiazepine usage patterns in relation to guideline recommendations for the treatment of generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) as practiced by emergency medical services (EMS) and the emergency department (ED) of an inner-city hospital. Secondary outcomes of interest were adverse events and admission/discharge outcomes. Methods Records of all patients ≥ 18 years old diagnosed with GCSE between June 2012 and September 2015 and transported by EMS to our hospital ED were reviewed. Results Of 44 patients analyzed, 43 (98%) had a history of epilepsy. Benzodiazepine utilization varied; EMS preferred midazolam (69% of cases) while the ED utilized lorazepam (91% of cases). Benzodiazepine dosages used were lower than guideline recommendations. Seizure activity was aborted with benzodiazepines alone in 22 (50%) patients. Twelve patients (27%) experienced seizure recurrence following SE treatment and achievement of seizure cessation. Twenty-three (52%) patients required intubation after arrival to ED. All 44 patients were admitted; 30 (68%) required admission to the intensive care unit. Conclusions There was consistent underdosing of benzodiazepines in treatment of GCSE in both EMS and ED settings likely resulting in underachievement of seizure cessation, while intubation rates were higher than reported when compared to previous studies. Prospective studies are needed to identify barriers to optimal benzodiazepine usage in GCSE patients.
Suggestions for a State Budget

Efficiency and economy in government involve in a large measure the question of budget control, and in the formulation of the budget, as well as in the carrying out of its provisions, the executive and legislative departments of government are brought into close relationship. The budget is the government's fiscal plan; it is the forecast of the receipts and expenditures for a terminable period. It should exhibit the amount of revenue to be raised in accordance with the plan and show the sources from which these funds are to be drawn, as well as the purposes of all expenditures. There must not only be a buget balance—a correlation of the estimated revenues and the expenditures of the state—but the proposed expenditures should be comparable, so that it may be easily determined how much it is proposed to grant for each of the several services. This necessitates the formulation by a central agency of a fiscal policy.
Whole genome sequencing in multiplex families reveals novel inherited and de novo genetic risk in autism

Genetic studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have revealed a complex, heterogeneous architecture, in which the contribution of rare inherited variation remains relatively un-explored. We performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in 2,308 individuals from families containing multiple affected children, including analysis of single nucleotide variants (SNV) and structural variants (SV). We identified 16 new ASD-risk genes, including many supported by inherited variation, and provide statistical support for 69 genes in total, including previously implicated genes. These risk genes are enriched in pathways involving negative regulation of synaptic transmission and organelle organization. We identify a significant protein-protein interaction (PPI) network seeded by inherited, predicted damaging variants disrupting highly constrained genes, including members of the BAF complex and established ASD risk genes. Analysis of WGS also identified SVs effecting non-coding regulatory regions in developing human brain, implicating NR3C2 and a recurrent 2.5Kb deletion within the promoter of DLG2. These data lend support to studying multiplex families for identifying inherited risk for ASD. We provide these data through the Hartwell Autism Research and Technology Initiative (iHART), an open access cloud-computing repository for ASD genetics research.
Discussion: CNS maturation and behavorial development.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the problems that arise in relating behavioral events to indices of maturation obtained by other disciplines. It focuses briefly on such problems by raising two major points. First of all, while most studies of behavioral or central nervous system (CNS) maturation emphasize gradual, usually linear, increases in amount or proficiency of the phenomenon under investigation, there are, in contrast, other studies that indicate nonlinear increases, increases then decreases, or events unique to a particular growth period, such as pseudospines on the cell bodies of neurons. The second major point is the difficulties in obtaining meaningful behavioral data per se from immature animals, that is, data to be utilized for subsequent correlations with other indices of maturation. The chapter also discusses a research that is primarily concerned with the relationship between emerging visual behavioral capabilities and electrophysiological indices of the developing visual system, as reflected by alterations in the cortical potential evoked by light input.
Statistical Evidence of Discrimination: The Randomization Test

In 1972, 48 male bank supervisors were each given the came personnel file and asked to judge whether the person should be promoted to a branch manager job that was described as “routine” or the person’s file held and other applicants interviewed. The files were identical except that half of them showed that the file was that of a female and half showed that the file was that of a male. Of the 24 “male” files, 21 were recommended for promotion Of the 24 “female” files, 14 were recommended for promotion (B.Rosen and T. Jerdee(1974),“Influence of sex role stereotypes on personnel decisions,” J. Applied Psychology, 59:9–14.)
Breeching Epithelial Barriers – Physiochemical Factors Impacting Nanomaterial Translocation and Toxicity

With the surging nanotechnology industry, the likelihood of intentional consumer and unintended worker-related skin and lung exposures to various types of nanomaterials is assured. From existing literature, there is clear evidence that some nanomaterials can passively breech epithelial barriers. For skin, mechanical flexing can facilitate penetration of large micron-sized particles and, for both skin and lung, the health status will affect barrier function. Nanoparticle toxicology is, however, an emerging field and inconsistencies in the published literature exist. Inconsistencies should be anticipated as there is currently no standardized set of tests by which nanoparticle toxicity can be determined. Therefore, the question of nanomaterial toxicity resulting from unintended epithelial permeation remains open. In vitro cytotoxicity studies clearly indicate that nanomaterials are toxic to skin and lung cells under certain conditions. The relevance of these results is difficult to extrapolate, as there is a presumption of epithelial permeation. This chapter discusses what is known and what is not known about physiochemical factors impacting nano material translocation and toxicity.
Socioeconomic disparities in a population of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign disease.

Background This study examines the effect of insurance status (as a measure of socioeconomic status) on patient with benign thyroid disease. Methods A retrospective review was performed among 60 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease. Univariate and multivariable analyses examined the relationship between insurance status and thyroid volume (sum of the left and right lobe volumes). Results Twenty-eight (47%) patients were considered of underinsured/uninsured status, and 32 (53%) patients were considered of private/government/military insurance status. Median pathologic whole thyroid volume was 66 mL (range, 2-855). After multivariable linear regression, underinsured/uninsured status was the only significant predictor of larger volume (correlation coefficient [r] = 118; 95% CI, 42 to 194; P = .003), after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and presence of concomitant thyroid disease and compressive symptoms. Conclusion Patients of underinsured/uninsured status suffered more severe disease presentations at time of thyroidectomy, as measured by larger thyroid volumes.
Random laser dynamics with temporally modulated pumping

We present a detailed experimental study of the temporal dynamics of lasing in disordered dielectric nanostructures. The irregular temporal modulations of the pump intensity lead to strong fluctuations of the emission intensity and lasing spectrum.