cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Engineering persister-specific antibiotics with synergistic antimicrobial functions.

Most antibiotics target growth processes and are ineffective against persister bacterial cells, which tolerate antibiotics due to their reduced metabolic activity. These persisters act as a genetic reservoir for resistant mutants and constitute a root cause of antibiotic resistance, a worldwide problem in human health. We re-engineer antibiotics specifically for persisters using tobramycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic that targets bacterial ribosomes but is ineffective against persisters with low metabolic and cellular transport activity. By giving tobramycin the ability to induce nanoscopic negative Gaussian membrane curvature via addition of 12 amino acids, we transform tobramycin itself into a transporter sequence. The resulting molecule spontaneously permeates membranes, retains the high antibiotic activity of aminoglycosides, kills E. coli and S. aureus persisters 4–6 logs better than tobramycin, but remains noncytotoxic to eukaryotes. These results suggest a promising paradigm to renovate tradition...
Toward the design of successful electric micromotors

Various characteristics of electric micromotors are considered as well as the relations between those characteristics, in an attempt to organize the process by which successful micromotors can be designed. Special attention is paid to electromechanical characteristics. The resulting organization illuminates the interdisciplinary nature of the physics behind micromotor analysis and design and suggests specific research problems which should be pursued to support micromotor design, fabrication, and performance. A simple design example which considers the impact of friction torque on the top speed of both variable-capacitance and induction rotary micromotors is provided for illustration. >
The Effect of Light on the Thermal Conductivity of Selenium

Both thermal and electrical conductivities were measured for the same thin strip of Se, in order to compare the effect of illumination on both. The cells were made by winding a double spiral of Pt or Ni wire on a mica form, then pressing melted Se into a thin layer over and between them by means of another sheet of mica. The thermal effect was measured by heating one winding $\mathrm{CD}$ by an electric current and using the other $\mathrm{AB}$ as a resistance thermometer. The Se was rendered light sensitive by suitable heat treatment and the cell was placed in a well insulated box kept at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} C. Correcting for the heating effect of the light, the rate of rise of temperature of $\mathrm{AB}$ was 15 to 30 percent greater with the illumination than without, the percentage change for each cell being about half that observed for the electrical conductivity of the same cell for the same illumination. A cell which was not sensitive electrically was also not sensitive thermally. By using various color screens it was found that as in the case of the electrical sensitivity, the red end of the spectrum is more effective than the shorter wave-lengths. Sieg failed to find this effect and explained his negative result as due to the absence of an electric field, but an electric field applied by means of the winding $\mathrm{AB}$ was found to have no effect on the thermal conductivity. These results furnish additional evidence that thermal and electrical conductivities in metals both depend, at least to a considerable extent, upon the same factors.
The role of bio-renewables in national energy and transportation systems portfolio planning for low carbon economy

Abstract Bio-power and biofuels are promising alternative energy resources. This paper investigates their role in the long-term U.S. national energy and transportation portfolio planning, while considering the competition among other energy options. The paper presents a systematic modeling framework for integrating biomass pathways to the energy and transportation systems, and also captures the geographical variation in the feedstock availability and cost across the U.S. The paper then presents two different case studies-energy sector planning and integrated energy & transportation sectors planning. The studies reveal long-term cost and emission savings from bio-renewables, where the bulk of benefits are observed due to biofuels (with bio-power production limited by feedstock prices). Under a 40% CO2 emissions reduction scenario over the next 40 years, penetration of bio-renewables promise up to 10-Trillion USD (2010$) savings in system costs (investments and operational). Simulations also show that the impediment with bio-renewable penetration is mostly influenced by the availability of low-cost feedstock, specifically for bio-power production. According to current estimation of long-term feedstock availability, U.S will be able to power upto 150 Billion Gallons Year (BGY) (or approx. 560*109 L per year) bio-refinery capacity around 2020s, and about 200 BGY (or approx. 750*109 L per year) by 2050.
A Rapid Method for Establishing Short-Term Primary Cultures of Human Tumor Cells from Fresh Tumor Biopsies

SummaryA rapid method for the establishment of short-term primary cultures of human tumor cells obtained from fresh surgical biopsies is described. The method consists of the separation of the viable fraction of tumor cells by differential flotation on ficoll-hypaque density solution and its subsequent seeding into culture flasks. Tumor cell growth is established within 2–3 days. The incidence of overgrowth with fibroblasts is apparently reduced and usually delayed for 4–5 weeks, but cannot be prevented by this method.This study was supported by Grant NOI-CB-33888 from the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20014. Dr. Mavligit and Gutterman are the recipients of Career Development Awards (I KO4 CA 00130 and 5 KO4 CA 71007, respectively) from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014.
Odontoid fracture biomechanics.

Study design In vitro biomechanical study. Objectives To investigate mechanisms of odontoid fracture. Summary of background data Odontoid fractures in younger adults occur most often due to high-energy trauma including motor vehicle crashes and in older adults due to fall from standing height. Methods Horizontally aligned head impacts into a padded barrier were simulated using a human upper cervical spine specimen (occiput through C3) mounted to a surrogate torso mass on a sled and carrying a surrogate head. We divided 13 specimens into 3 groups on the basis of head impact location: upper forehead in the midline, upper lateral side of the forehead, and upper lateral side of the head. Post-impact fluoroscopy and anatomical dissection documented the injuries. Time-history biomechanical responses were determined. Results Four of the 5 specimens subjected to impact to the upper forehead in the midline sustained type II or high type III odontoid fractures due to abrupt deceleration of the head and continued forward torso momentum. Average peak force reached 1787.1 N at the neck at 50.3 milliseconds. Subsequently, the motion peaks occurred for the head relative to C3 reaching 15.2° for extension, 2.1 cm for upward translation, and 5.3 cm for horizontal compression, between 62 and 68 milliseconds. Conclusion We identified impact to the upper forehead in the midline as a mechanism that produced odontoid fracture and associated atlas and ligamentous injuries similar to those observed in real-life trauma. We were not able to create odontoid fractures during impacts to the upper lateral side of the forehead or upper lateral side of the head. Dynamic odontoid fracture was caused by rapid deceleration of the head, which transferred load inferiorly combined with continued torso momentum, which caused spinal compression and anterior shear force and forward displacement of the axis relative to the atlas.
The Role of Structural Barriers in Risky Sexual Behavior, Victimization and Readiness to Change HIV/STI-Related Risk Behavior Among Transgender Women

This study examines the role of structural barriers experienced by a community-based sample of 63 HIV-positive and negative transgender women that may elevate HIV infection and transmission risks. Separate hierarchical linear multiple regression analyses tested the association between structural barriers (e.g., unemployment, lack of food, shelter) and condomless anal sex acts, abuse, and readiness to change risk behavior, while controlling for other related factors. Among this primarily Hispanic and African-American sample, HIV-positive and negative transgender women experienced a similar number of structural barriers and experiencing structural barriers was significantly associated with an increased number of condomless anal sex acts (p = .002), victimization (p = .000) and a decreased readiness to change HIV-related risk behavior (p = .014). Structural-level interventions are needed to address this elevated risk among this underserved and hard-to-reach population.
The Influence of Typhoon on the Operation of Power Grid and Countermeasures

Based on the information collection and analysis of tropical cyclones landed on the coastland of China as well as the prediction schemes and the practical operation of the power girds in the lands during the tropical cyclone landing on,this paper summarizes the influence of typhoon on the power grid,and proposes the principles to set the operation mode of the grid,to adjust dispatching and to treat possible accidents in order to react against typhoon attack
Impaired Activity of Blood Coagulant Factor XIII in Patients with Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) medical/surgical emergency of the newborn and a leading cause of preterm neonate morbidity and mortality. NEC is a challenge to diagnose since it often shares similar clinical features with neonatal sepsis. In the present study, plasma protein profiling was compared among NEC, sepsis and control cohorts using gel electrophoresis, immunoblot and mass spectrometry. We observed significant impairment in the formation of fibrinogen-γ dimers (FGG-dimer) in the plasma of newborns with NEC that could efficiently differentiate NEC and sepsis with a high level of sensitivity and specificity. Interestingly, the impaired FGG-dimer formation could be restored in NEC plasma by the addition of exogenous active factor XIII (FXIII). Enzymatic activity of FXIII was determined to be significantly lower in NEC subject plasma for crosslinking FGG when compared to sepsis. These findings demonstrate a potential novel biomarker and related biologic mechanism for diagnosing NEC, as well as suggest a possible therapeutic strategy.
Seven Words You Can't Say on Answerbag: Contested Terms and Conflict in a Social Q&A Community

On a social Q&A site with thousands of transactions per day, what constitutes inappropriate content is not always obvious. In virtual communities such as this, users largely define and continuously renegotiate what constitutes appropriate participation, and moderators must allow healthy debate while curbing conflict. This paper presents an empirical analysis of Answerbag, a social Q&A site where moderators combined content analysis and transaction log analysis with information retrieval principles to identify non-obvious words associated with reported and unreported instances of conflict on the site. Content and transaction log analysis revealed the processes by which Answerbag users negotiated the meaning of contested terms, and suggested instances when conflict was a positive force for the community.
Hibernal Habitat Selection by Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) in a Northern New England Montane Landscape

Abstract Poikilothermic species, such as amphibians, endure harsh winter conditions via freeze-tolerance or freeze-avoidance strategies. Freeze-tolerance requires a suite of complex, physiological mechanisms (e.g., cryoprotectant synthesis); however, behavioral strategies (e.g., hibernal habitat selection) may be used to regulate hibernaculum temperatures and promote overwintering survival. We investigated the hibernal ecology of the freeze-tolerant Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) in north-central Maine. Our objectives were to characterize the species hibernaculum microclimate (temperature, relative humidity), evaluate hibernal habitat selection, and describe the spatial arrangement of breeding, post-breeding, and hibernal habitats. We monitored 15 frogs during two winters (2011/12: N = 10; 2012/13: N = 5), measured hibernal habitat features at micro (2 m) and macro (10 m) spatial scales, and recorded microclimate hourly in three strata (hibernaculum, leaf litter, ambient air). We compared these data to...
A Brief Detour: Further Thoughts About the Discriminator of the Models

The behavior of the pacemaker, as considered up to this point, involves an acute nonlinearity in the properties of the discriminator: subthreshold input by the pacer ensemble is assumed to evoke no output whatever, and suprathreshold input to lead to full, maximally accelerating feedback: a simple switching operation. This mode of action permitted formulation of coupling in the model in Chap. 4 with only two parameters, θ and e. One can find instances in the vertebrate nervous system of somewhat comparable all-or-none signal tranformation, commonly known as gating of responses, but in the majority of interactions of nerve cells, there is a continuous, quantitative relationship between input and output, between stimulus intensity and magnitude of the response. The striking nonlinearity incorporated into the pacemaker may thus appear to be extremely unrealistic. What would be the consequences of making feedback by the discriminator a more continuous function of pacer input? This question is examined here, as a separate issue from those in Chap. 6, because it has ramifications which extend beyond the class of models of primary interest; and because certain matters considered in Chap. 7 will assist evaluation of the possibilities.
Abo, MN and RH Frequencies Among the Havasupai and Other Southwest Indian Groups

ABSTRACTIn June of 1962, 105 Havasupai, members of a Yuman-speaking group residing in Havasu Canyon, Arizona, were typed for the A-B-O, M-N and Rh red blood cell systems. All individuals were determined to be blood type O, while the M-N testing produced an M allele frequency of.600 and an N frequency of.400. The Rh haplotype (alleles inherited together) frequencies were estimated as follows: CDe (R1) =.552, cDE (R2) =.438, CDE (Rz) =.005, and cDe (RO) =.005. Compared with studies of other Yuman-speaking groups utilizing these three systems, the Havasupai were found to be most similar to the Maricopa, less similar to the Mohave and Quechan, and least similar to the Diegueno. Compared with non-Yuman groups, the Havasupai most closely resemble the Pima and Ute, are less like the Hopi, Tohono O'odham, and Zuni, and least like the Apache and Navajo. Finally, looked at in terms of language groupings, the Yumans most closely resemble the Pimans, are less like the Shoshoneans and Zuni, and least like the Athapaskans.
That Muslim Question: Islam and Secularism in Europe

Davidson, Naomi. 2012. Only Muslim: Embodying Islam in Twentieth-Century France. Ithaca: Cornell Univeristy Press. 320 pages.Laurence, Jonathan. 2012. The Emancipation of Europe's Muslims: The Stat...
Chapter Four – Parameter Estimation: A Five-Decade Trek From Magnetohydrodynamic-Free Convection to Bayesian Inference

Abstract The paper begins in Part I with at least a part of the answer to “Why did I become an engineer and a professor?” Growing up in a family unfamiliar with higher education, neither the implied question about attending college nor the answer were obvious. Because of the cataclysmic beginning of World War II in the Pacific and the associated scare of an attack, I ended up going to school 12 months a year. This had a major influence on my early schooling and may have been the impetus that led to my professional development. Part II describes my involvement with inverse problems and parameter estimation. The current emphasis on complex computer models to simulate thermal systems requires that the model parameters be known with precision. In addition, the uncertainties associated with the experimental data and the model predictions are topics of great interest to both experimentalists and modelers. This is particularly true when models are used to extrapolate performance to regions outside of the parameter space used for validation of the model. During a trip to Russia a fortuitous meeting with faculty of the Moscow Aviation Institute introduced me to inverse problems. This was a fascinating area and reading the literature, particularly that which was related to electrical engineering, particularly radar sensing, I became fascinated with Bayesian statistics and inference. This chapter describes the development of my interests and the technical details associated with both inverse problems and parameter estimation. Early parameter estimation efforts were based on the least squares technique which for normally distributed variables is equivalent to maximum likelihood. Unfortunately, these solutions give at best only approximate estimates of the uncertainty associated with the estimates. Bayesian inference supplies more precise estimates, but at a substantial increase in computational cost. An alternative approach is that of Markov Chain Monte Carlo, still very expensive. Part II describes these different methods and presents the results of their application to a number of thermal problems.
Re-Defining the Who, When, and Where of Mentoring for Professional Statisticians

ABSTRACTOrganizations tailor their mentoring strategies to accommodate internal resources and preferences, producing different approaches in academic, government, and corporate environments. Across these settings, three common barriers impede effective mentoring of statisticians: overspecialization, time constraints, and geographic dispersion. The authors share mentoring strategies that have emerged at their organization, Mathematica Policy Research, to overcome these obstacles. Practices include creating a methodology working group to unite researchers with diverse backgrounds, integrating mentoring into existing workflows, and harnessing modern technological infrastructure to facilitate virtual mentoring. Although these strategies emerged within a specific professional context, they suggest opportunities for statisticians to expand the channels through which mentorship can occur.
Three-Dimensional Boundary Layer in a Turbine Blade Passage

The boundary layer on the end wall of a turbine blade cascade is subject to cross-stream pressure gradients in the blade passage, which generate a cross-stream velocity component to make it three d...
Optogenetic pacing in Drosophila models (Conference Presentation)

The Drosophila melanogaster shares many similarities with vertebrates in heart development. Comparison of heart structural and functional characteristic between male and female Drosophila melanogaster at different developmental stages is helpful to understand heart morphogenesis and function for different genders. And also, it opens up the possibility to uncover the role of sex-related genes in heart development. In this longitudinal study, we cultured and tracked dozens of individually labeled flies throughout their lifecycle. The heart characteristic was measured at different developmental stages during culturing. The gender of each individual fly was determined by adult stage so that the collected data of early stages could be classified to male or female group. We adapted a high-speed optical coherence microscopy (OCM) system with axial and transverse resolution of 2um and 4um, respectively, to perform non-invasive M-mode imaging at a frame rate of 132Hz in Drosophila heart at third instar larva, early pupa and adult stage. Based on those GPU processed M-mode OCM images, we segmented the fly heart region and then quantified the cardiac structural and functional parameters such as heart rate, heart chamber size and so on. Despite large variances of wild type Drosophila in terms of some cardiac characteristic, our results suggest that the heart rate is lower for male flies than for female flies, especially at third instar larva stage. The end diastolic area (EDA) and end systolic area (ESA) of the heart are both slightly larger in female flies than in male flies at larva and adult stage. In summary, we showed gender differences of wild type drosophila in heart functional and structural characteristic.
Imaging Appearance of Advanced Chronic Adhesive Arachnoiditis: A Retrospective Review.

OBJECTIVE. Chronic adhesive arachnoiditis (CAA) is rare and has potentially devastating clinical consequences. The objective of this article is to review the clinical features of CAA and describe its appearance on imaging, to increase radiologists' awareness of this challenging diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twenty-nine cases of advanced CAA seen at our institution over 18 years (1995–2013) were retrospectively reviewed. Chart review was performed, with attention given to data on clinical presentation, suspected cause, and interventions performed. All patients underwent MRI, and seven patients also underwent CT myelography. Clinical and imaging features were evaluated and categorized. RESULTS. The 29 patients ranged in age from 23 to 96 years and included 11 women and 18 men. Suspected underlying causative factors included trauma (n = 10), prior surgery (n = 9), nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 7), infection (n = 3), myelography with iophendylate used as contrast medium (n = 1), Guillain-Barre...
Hemispherical optical dome for underwater communication

For many years, acoustic systems have been used as the primary method for underwater communication; however, the data transfer rate of such systems is low because sound propagates slowly through the water. A higher throughput can be achieved using visible light to transmit data underwater. The first issue with using this approach is that there is generally a large loss of the light signal due to scattering and absorption in water even though there is an optimal wavelength for transmission in the blue or green wavelengths of the visible spectrum. The second issue is that a simple system consisting only of a highly directional source transmitter and small optical detector receiver has a very narrow field of view. The goal of this project is to improve an optical, underwater communication system by increasing the effective field of view of the receiving optics. To this end, we make two changes to the simple system: (1) An optical dome was added near the receiver. An array of lenses is placed radially on the surface of the dome, reminiscent of the compound eye of an insect. The lenses make the source and detector planes conjugate, and each lens adds a new region of the source plane to the instrument's total field of view. (2) The receiver was expanded to include multiple photodiodes. With these two changes, the receiver has much more tolerance to misalignments (in position and angle) of the transmitter.Two versions of the optical dome (with 6 and 8 diameters) were designed using the CREO CAD software and modeled using the CODE V optical design software. A series of these transparent hemispherical domes, with both design diameters, were manufactured using a 5-axis mill. The prototype was then retrofitted with lenses and compared with the computer-generated model to demonstrate the effectiveness of this solution. This work shows the dome design improves the optical field of view of the underwater communication system considerably. Furthermore, with the experimental test results, a geometric optimization model was derived providing insights to the design performance limits.
Biogeochemical characterization of municipal compost to support urban agriculture and limit childhood lead exposure from resuspended urban soils

Chronic low-level lead exposure among low-income minority children is an urgent environmental justice issue. Addressing this ubiquitous urban public health crisis requires a new transdisciplinary paradigm. The primary goals of this work are to inform best practices for urban gardeners working in lead contaminated soils and to reimagine urban organic waste management schemes to produce compost, which when covering or mixed with urban soil, could minimize lead exposure. We investigate bulk and bioaccessible lead from five types of compost used in urban gardens in Boston, MA. We categorized them by feedstock and measured bulk elemental concentrations and physical characteristics. Our results show that different feedstocks exhibit unique geochemical fingerprints. While bulk lead concentrations in compost are a fraction of what is typical for urban soils, the bioaccessible lead fraction in compost is greater than the default parameters for the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) model. The lack of geochemical differences across feedstocks for lead sorption to carbon indicates a similar sorption mechanism for all compost. This suggests that municipal compost would be suitable for capping lead contaminated urban soils. Risk assessment models should consider lead bioaccessibility, to prevent the underprediction of exposure risk, and should include compost along with soils as urban matrices. Based on the observed bioaccessibility in our compost samples, 170 mg/kg total lead in compost will yield the same bioaccessible lead as the IEUBK model predicts for the 400 mg/kg EPA soil lead benchmark. Local logistical challenges remain for interdisciplinary teams of city planners, exposure scientists, and urban agricultural communities to design organic waste collection practices to produce compost that will support urban agriculture and primary lead exposure prevention.
An Anti-Inflammatory Role for NLRP10 in Murine Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

The role of the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing receptor NLRP10 in disease is incompletely understood. Using three mouse strains lacking the gene encoding NLRP10, only one of which had a coincidental mutation in DOCK8, we documented a role for NLRP10 as a suppressor of the cutaneous inflammatory response to Leishmania major infection. There was no evidence that the enhanced local inflammation was due to enhanced inflammasome activity. NLRP10/DOCK8-deficient mice harbored lower parasite burdens at the cutaneous site of inoculation compared with wild-type controls, whereas NLRP10-deficient mice and controls had similar parasite loads, suggesting that DOCK8 promotes local growth of parasites in the skin, whereas NLRP10 does not. NLRP10-deficient mice developed vigorous adaptive immune responses, indicating that there was not a global defect in the development of Ag-specific cytokine production. Bone marrow chimeras showed that the anti-inflammatory role of NLRP10 was mediated by NLRP10 expressed in resident cells in the skin rather than by bone marrow–derived cells. These data suggest a novel role for NLRP10 in the resolution of local inflammatory responses during L. major infection.
Bio-inspired innovations in cyber security

The 21st century has pioneered a technological revolution like no other, where anyone from the government to international corporations to the public can use smart technology and computers to store personal information and conduct large transfers of money or sensitive information. However, along with the widespread use of such technology come the growing risks of cyber attacks and security breaches that can pose disastrous consequences for the system attacked. Over time, humans and other living creatures have developed various natural forms of protection for survival, and these biological instincts and predispositions can be synthetically replicated and applied to cyber security systems to enhance a system's resilience in the face of an attack.
Modulation of lower extremity joint stiffness, work and power at different walking and running speeds

Abstract Locomotion task and speed changes affect dynamic joint function. Walking and running require different coordination patterns of lower extremity joint mechanics. These coordination differences can result in measurable changes in kinematic and kinetic patterns. When locomotion speed changes, the functional role and movement strategy of each joint is altered. A deeper understanding of joint level mechanics and functional interactions will benefit rehabilitation programs and assistive device development. In this study, joint stiffness, joint mechanical work and power were assessed, as they relate to dynamic function of joints during locomotion. Ten young healthy subjects (5 males, 5 females) participated in a treadmill walking (0.8–2.0 m/s) and running (1.8–3.8 m/s) study. When running speed increased, the stiffness of all three joints tended to increase. The ankle joint played a dominant role during the stance phase of running, generating more positive work than the knee (p = .003) and hip (p = .0001). The knee and hip joint were more dominant in walking and running swing phase energy absorption and generation, respectively. When locomotion speeds increased, stance phase ankle positive work, swing phase knee negative work, and hip joint positive work tended to increase. These findings suggest that change of locomotion speed or task results in definitive changes to lower extremity joint level mechanics patterns.
Meropenem and Vaborbactam: Stepping up the Battle against Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Vaborbactam (VAB; formerly RPX7009) is a novel beta-lactamase inhibitor based on a cyclic boronic acid pharmacophore with potent inhibitory activity against Ambler class A and C beta-lactamases. It has been co-formulated with meropenem to restore its activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPC). VAB does not inhibit class B or D carbapenemases, nor does it improve the activity of meropenem against multidrug-resistant nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli, notably Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The purpose of this article is to review existing data pertaining to the biochemistry, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, in vitro activity, and current progress in clinical trials of meropenem and VAB (MV). Phase 1 studies have demonstrated single and multiple doses of VAB up to 2000 mg, alone or in combination with meropenem 2000 mg administered as a prolonged infusion over 3 hours, are well tolerated with an adverse effect profile similar to that of meropenem monotherapy. The available data suggest preexisting resistance among KPC-producing isolates is rare. Strains with elevated MICs have been characterized by multiple resistance determinants including porin defects, increased drug efflux, and increased blaKPC expression. It remains uncertain whether multifactorial resistance will emerge during MV treatment and with more widespread use. Early data are positive for complicated urinary tract infections and MV compared with best available therapy in patients with serious carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaciae (CRE) infections. As clinicians contemplate how to incorporate MV into CRE treatment strategies, it will be important to track and understand resistance, discern the role, if any, of combination therapy in enhancing efficacy and/or preserving activity, and define the specific therapeutic niche of MV among the expanding anti-CRE armamentarium.
Purification of Lymphocytes by Acoustic Separation in Plastic Microchannels

Emerging cell therapies have created new demands for instruments that will increase processing efficiency. Purification of lymphocytes prior to downstream steps of gene transfer currently relies on centrifugal separation, which has drawbacks in output sample purity and process automation. Here, we present an alternative approach to blood cell purification using acoustic forces in plastic microchannels. We provide details regarding the system's ability to purify lymphocytes relative to other blood cell types while maintaining a high overall recovery, testing performance starting from leukapheresis product, buffy coat, and whole blood. Depending on settings, the device achieves for lymphocytes up to 97% purity and up to 68% recovery, and depletes 98% of monocytes while also reducing red cells and platelets. We expect that future scale-up of our system for increased throughput will enable its incorporation in the cell therapy workflow, and that it could ultimately reduce costs and expand access for patients.
Effect of display case cooling technologies on shelf-life of beef and chicken

Abstract Shelf-life is defined as the time a food product retains its desired sensory, chemical, and physical characteristics while also remaining safe for consumption. Bacteria associated with meat spoilage produce off-odors and flavors, tissue discoloration, gas, and slime. The objectives of this study were, 1) to determine the effect of refrigerated-display-case type on the shelf-life and microbial load of the natural flora found on beef steak and chicken breasts and, 2) to evaluate the effect of gravity coil conductive cooling vs. complete conductive cooling on the growth of Escherichia coli K12 artificially inoculated onto beef steak under abusive conditions. In Study 1, beef steak and chicken breasts were placed for 8 or 5 days, respectively, in a conduction cooling gravity assist service case, gravity coil service case with partial conduction coil base deck, gravity coil service case with serpentine assist, or blower coil service case with an additional fogging system. Mesophilic bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. and psychrotrophic bacterial counts on meat surfaces, and meat color, internal meat temperature, case temperature and case relative humidity were determined daily. In Study 2, two of the four types of display case the complete conductive cooling and gravity-coil conduction cooling systems were chosen to evaluate microbial growth on beef steak due to novel conductive cooling technologies. Temperature and weight loss, aerobic plate counts and viable E. coli colony-forming-units on the beef steaks were determined daily. In study 1, the warmest display ambient air temperature was found in the gravity coil service case with partial conduction coil base deck (PCC). The coldest tissue temperatures were observed for steaks and chicken breasts placed in the conduction cooling gravity assist service display case. The lowest RH also tended to occur in the PCC case. Overall, the type of retail display case had no effect on the growth of mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria or Pseudomonas on both steaks and chicken breasts. In study 2, the initial numbers of viable E. coli K12 on inoculated steaks were low and remained low through 7 days storage, regardless of display case. The novel conduction cooling gravity assist service display case used in this study has the greatest potential for extending shelf-life due to lower overall tissue temperatures and reduced water loss from meat products held in this case during high traffic and abusive retail conditions.
Genetic diversity in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.): IV. An evaluation of Chinese germplasm1

Genetic variation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. var. sativus) accessions from China was assessed by examining variation at 21 polymorphic isozyme loci. One hundred and forty-six Chinese accessions acquired by the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) before 1994 were compared to 67 recently collected Chinese accessions. Of the 67, 39 were collected during a 1994 U.S.–China expedition and 28 were donated in 1996. Isozymic profiles of all of these Chinese accessions were also compared with 853 previously examined NPGS cucumber accessions. Principal component analysis of allele frequencies identified two distinct groups of Chinese accessions: one containing accessions collected in 1994 (Group 1) and the other containing accessions received by NPGS in 1996 (Group 2) (P<0.01). Variation at Gpi, Gr, Mdh-2, Mpi-2, Pep-gl and Pep-la was important in the detection of this difference. Isozymic variation in U.S. NPGS accessions of Chinese origin acquired before 1994 differed significantly (P<0.01) from those collected during 1994 and those received in 1996. Eleven loci (Fdp-1, Gpi, Gr, Idh, Mpi-2, Pep-gl, Pep-la, Pep-pap, Per, Pgm and Pgd-1), were important in the detection of this difference. When Chinese accessions taken collectively (i.e., those acquired before 1994, and those during 1994 and 1996) were compared with an array of 853 C. s. var. sativus accessions examined previously, relationships between accessions grouped by country or subcontinent differed from those found in the previous work. Accessions from China and India were distinct from each other and from all other groupings and the C. s. var. hardwickii (feral form of C. s. var. sativus) accessions examined. Thus, Chinese and Indian accessions represent the most diverse genetic variation present in the NPGS cucumber collection. Further collection in India and China would be strategically important for increasing genetic diversity of the U.S. NPGS cucumber collection.
Review of an 8-year experience with modifications of endoscopic suspension of the bladder neck for female stress urinary incontinence.

AbstractSeveral modifications of endoscopic suspension of the bladder neck for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence have been used during an 8-year period. Of 154 patients treated 25 failures occurred, for an over-all success rate of 84%. Fifteen patients had postoperative complications for an over-all complication rate of 9.8%. Hospital stay decreased steadily throughout the review period to a current average of 2.2 days, with many patients presently undergoing an operation on an outpatient basis. (J. Urol, 143:44-45, 1990)
Facilitating Task Acquisition through the Use of a Self-Operated Auditory Prompting System.

This study investigated effects of a self-operated auditory prompting system, utilizing a Walkman-type cassette player, on the acquisition and maintenance of functional tasks by adolescents with se...
Sleep Quality in Ulcerative Colitis: Associations with Inflammation, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life

Treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), given its chronicity and its associated disruptive and often distressing symptoms, is increasingly focusing on maximizing patient quality of life. Poorer quality of life has been found among patients with poor sleep quality, which is much more common in patients with UC than in the general population and may be associated with inflammation and psychological distress. Forty-seven patients with UC (n = 11 flaring) completed measures of sleep quality, depression, state anxiety, gastrointestinal-related anxiety, perceived stress, and quality of life. Measures of inflammation were also obtained. Patients endorsed high rates of poor sleep quality, which was highly correlated with depression and poorer inflammatory bowel disease-related quality of life, but was generally not related to other areas of psychological functioning or inflammation. Sleep quality was significantly independently associated with depression and female gender. Poor sleep quality is prevalent in patients with UC and is strongly related to depression, suggesting that sleep and mood are important areas to assess in patients with UC in order to inform tailored treatment to improve quality of life.
Acetate Production from Glucose and Coupling to Mitochondrial Metabolism in Mammals

Acetate is a major nutrient that supports acetyl-coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) metabolism and thus lipogenesis and protein acetylation. However, its source is unclear. Here, we report that pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis and key node in central carbon metabolism, quantitatively generates acetate in mammals. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced in the context of nutritional excess, such as during hyperactive glucose metabolism. Conversion of pyruvate to acetate occurs through two mechanisms: (1) coupling to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and (2) neomorphic enzyme activity from keto acid dehydrogenases that enable function as pyruvate decarboxylases. Further, we demonstrate that de novo acetate production sustains Ac-CoA pools and cell proliferation in limited metabolic environments, such as during mitochondrial dysfunction or ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) deficiency. By virtue of de novo acetate production being coupled to mitochondrial metabolism, there are numerous possible regulatory mechanisms and links to pathophysiology.
Low Back Pain in Adults With Transfemoral Amputation: A Retrospective Population-Based Study.

Background Low back pain (LBP) is common among individuals with transfemoral amputation (TFA) and has a negative impact on quality of life. Little is known about health care utilization for LBP in this population and whether utilization varies by amputation etiology. Objective To determine if individuals with TFA have an increased likelihood of seeking care or reporting symptoms of acute or chronic LBP during physician visits after amputation compared with matched individuals without amputation. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Olmsted County, Minnesota (2010 population: 144 248). Participants All individuals with incident TFA (N = 96), knee disarticulation, and transfemoral amputation residing in Olmsted County between 1987 and 2014. Each was matched (1:10 ratio) with non-TFA adults on age, sex, and duration of residency. Individuals were divided by etiology of amputation: dysvascular and trauma/cancer. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measurements Death and presentation for evaluation of LBP (LBP event) while residing in Olmsted County. LBP events were identified using validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes and corresponding Berkson, Hospital International Classification of Diseases Adapted (HICDA), and ICD-10 diagnostic codes. Hurdle and competing-risk Cox proportional hazard models were used. Results Having a TFA of either etiology did appear to correlate with increased frequency of LBP events, although this association was only statistically significant within the dysvascular TFA cohort (dysvascular TFA cohort: relative risk [RR] 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-3.03, median follow-up 0.78 years; trauma/cancer TFA cohort: RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.58-2.22, median follow-up 7.95 years). In time to event analysis, dysvascular TFA had an increased risk of death and event. Obesity did not significantly correlate with increased frequency of LBP events or time to event for either cohort. At any given point in time, individuals with TFA of either etiology who had phantom limb pain were 90% more likely to have an LBP event (hazard ratio [HR] 1.91, 95% CI 1.11-3.31). Conditional on not dying and no LBP event within the first 2.5 years, individuals with prosthesis had a decreased risk of LBP events in subsequent years. Conclusions Risk of LBP events appears to vary by TFA etiology. Obesity did not correlate significantly with increased frequency of LBP event or time to event. Phantom limb pain correlated with decreased time to LBP event after amputation. The association between prosthesis receipt and LBP events is ambiguous. Level of evidence III.
An introductory educational session improves medical student knowledge and comfort levels in caring for patients with physical disabilities.

Abstract Background Despite a growing number of people living with disabilities (PWD), many experience health disparities related to access to high quality medical care. Lack of knowledge and low comfort level of medical providers in caring for PWD is a significant barrier and can lead to poor health outcomes. Education of future physicians is an important factor in addressing these health disparities. Objective/Hypothesis The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and comfort level of first-year medical students towards PWD before and after a mandatory educational session focused on the health disparities and appropriate care of PWD. We hypothesized that this introductory session would lead to a greater awareness and improved comfort level around caring for PWD. Methods For the two academic years 2016–2018, we created a mandatory educational session for first-year students consisting of a 30-min lecture followed by discussion of video vignettes and a PWD patient panel. Students completed pre- and post-session surveys that evaluated changes in knowledge and comfort levels around working with PWD, and elicited their feedback. Results 355 students participated in the educational session and among 278 matched pre- and post-survey responses, we found a significant improvement in knowledge and comfort levels towards encountering PWD. Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive with the PWD panel receiving the highest effectiveness rating. Conclusion A mandatory educational session for medical students including didactics, videos, and testimonials on caring for PWD improved students’ knowledge and comfort levels. Additional research on the long-term effects of early training is needed.
Antivirulence activity of auranofin against vancomycin-resistant enterococci: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Abstract Introduction: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a leading cause of nosocomial infections because of the limited number of effective therapeutic options. In an effort to repurpose FDA-approved drugs against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, auranofin has been identified as a potent drug against VRE. Methods and Results The present study determined that auranofin's antibacterial activity was not affected when evaluated against a higher inoculum size of VRE (~107 CFU/mL), and auranofin successfully reduced the burden of stationary phase VRE cells via a time-kill assay. In addition, auranofin reduced VRE production of key virulence factors, including proteases, lipase and haemagglutinin. The promising features of auranofin prompted evaluation of its in vivo efficacy in a lethal mouse model of VRE septicaemia. All mice receiving auranofin at 0.125 mg/kg orally, 0.125 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) or 0.0625 mg/kg (SC) survived the lethal VRE challenge. Additionally, auranofin was superior to linezolid, the current drug of choice, in reducing VRE burden in the liver, kidneys and spleen of mice. Remarkably, auranofin successfully reduced VRE below the limit of detection in murine internal organs after 4 days of oral or subcutaneous treatment. Conclusion These results indicate that auranofin warrants further investigation as a new treatment for systemic VRE infections.
Noninvasive Detection of Elevated Intracranial Pressure Using Tympanic Membrane Pulse

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) can lead to serious health complications. Hence, this pressure needs to be monitored in patients at risk of increased ICP. The gold standard for ICP measurements are invasive manometers and pressure transducers [1] . However, the risks, discomforts, and expenses of invasive diagnostic can be avoided if satisfactory non-invasive approaches are used. In this presentation, a noninvasive method of monitoring ICP utilizing measurements of Tympanic Membrane pulsation (TMp) is discussed. TMp signals were acquired from 5 healthy subjects at different tilt positions where ICP is expected to increase with head-down positioning. Consistent TMp waveform morphological changes were observed in each subject with the head down position, which is known to increase ICP [2] . The changes tended to reverse with hyperventilation, which is a process known to decrease ICP [3] . These results suggest that TMp waveform measurements may provide a reliable non-invasive method for monitoring ICP.