cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low pressure CO2 storage of raw milk: microbiological effects.

Abstract The effects of holding raw milk under carbon dioxide pressures of 68 to 689 kPa at temperatures of 5, 6.1, 10, and 20°C on the indigenous microbiota were investigated. These pressure-temperature combinations did not cause precipitation of proteins from the milk. Standard plate counts from treated milks demonstrated significantly lower growth rate compared with untreated controls at all temperatures, and in some cases, the treatment was microcidal. Raw milk treated with CO 2 and held at 6.1°C for 4 d exhibited reduced bacterial growth rates at pressures of 68, 172, 344, and 516 kPa; and at 689 kPa, demonstrated a significant loss of viability in standard plate count assays. The 689-kPa treatment also reduced gram-negative bacteria and total Lactobacillus spp. The time required for raw milk treated at 689 kPa and held at 4°C to reach 4.30 log 10 cfu/mL increased by 4 d compared with untreated controls. Total coliform counts in the treated milk were maintained at 1.95 log 10 cfu/mL by d 9 of treatment, whereas counts in the control significantly increased to 2.61 log 10 cfu/mL by d 4 and 2.89 log 10 cfu/mL by d 9. At d 8, Escherichia coli counts had not significantly changed in treated milk, but significantly increased in the control milk. Thermoduric bacteria counts after 8 d were 1.32 log 10 cfu/mL in treated milk and 1.98 log 10 cfu/mL in control milk. These data indicated that holding raw milk at low CO 2 pressure reduces bacterial growth rates without causing milk protein precipitation. Combining low CO 2 pressure and refrigeration would improve the microbiological quality and safety of raw milk and may be an effective strategy for shipping raw single strength or concentrated milk over long distances.
p115 is a general vesicular transport factor related to the yeast endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi transport factor Uso1p.

Abstract A recently discovered vesicular transport factor, termed p115, is required along with N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) and soluble NSF attachment proteins for in vitro Golgi transport. p115 is a peripheral membrane protein found predominantly on the Golgi. Biochemical and electron microscopic analyses indicate that p115 is an elongated homodimer with two globular "heads" and an extended "tail" reminiscent of myosin II. We have cloned and sequenced cDNAs for bovine and rat p115. The predicted translation products are 90% identical, and each can be divided into three domains. The predicted 108-kDa bovine protein consists of an N-terminal 73-kDa globular domain followed by a 29-kDa coiled-coil dimerization domain, a linker segment of 4 kDa, and a highly acidic domain of 3 kDa. p115 is related to Uso1p, a protein required for endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi vesicular transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which has a similar "head-coil-acid" domain structure. The p115 and Uso1p heads are similar in size, have approximately 25% sequence identity, and possess two highly homologous regions (62% and 60% identity over 34 and 53 residues, respectively). There is a third region of homology (50% identity over 28 residues) between the coiled-coil and acidic domains. Although the acidic nature of the p115 and Uso1p C termini is conserved, the primary sequence is not. We discuss these results in light of the proposed function of p115 in membrane targeting and/or fusion.
Opinions of IRB Members and Chairs Regarding Investigators' Relationships with Industry.

The effects of conflicts of interest on the conduct of human research have been roundly debated, but less attention has been paid to the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in their identifi...
APPRAISING THE U.S. OUTPUT AND PRODUCTIVITY ESTIMATES FOR GOVERNMENT–WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Output and productivity estimates for U.S. government organizations are a useful management tool, and are of potential value for improving national income accounts. Real gross government product is currently estimated on the basis of labor input data. However, this imparts a downward bias to real GNP estimates since labor productivity of federal civilian employees has risen, according to Labor Department estimates begun in 1972, at an average annual rate of 1; percent since 1967. The estimates now cover almost 70 percent of the employees. The chief avenue for further improvement lies in refinement of the output indicators. Coverage of state and local government employees is spotty and needs to be expanded. The author also recommends a major effort to estimate public capital stocks in current and constant prices as a basis for measuring rental values, capital inputs, and productivity.
Sex Hormones and the Incidence of Severe Retinopathy in Male Subjects with Type I Diabetes

Background: Diabetic retinopathy rarely occurs before puberty, suggesting that changes in sex hormones may influence the development of this condition. Methods: The authors measured total testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, estradiol, and dehydroepiandrosterone—sulfate levels in 44 men with type I diabetes participating in the 1984 to 1986 re-examination phase of the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy, a population-based study of diabetic complications. The mean age was 32.7 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was 15.4 years. Subjects who progressed to proliferative or preproliferative retinopathy 6 years later (cases, n=22) were compared with subjects who had little or no progression (controls, n=22). Both groups were matched on initial level of retinopathy. Seven stereoscopic retinal photographs of each eye were obtained at both examinations, and the photographs were read by the University of Wisconsin Reading Center. Results: Sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations (nmol/I) were significantly lower (reflecting increased androgenicity) in cases than in controls (22.4 ± 11.4 versus 32.5 ± 19.8; P = 0.04). No other statistically significant differences in hormone levels were observed. Conclusion: Neither serum testosterone nor other sex hormones were related to the incidence of severe retinopathy. The relationship to low-serum sex hormone-binding globulin suggests that increased androgenicity may be associated with the progression of retinopathy in male subjects with type I diabetes.
Experienced Community of Practice and Knowledge Transfer in a Science/Technology Company

Capturing what an organization knows and effectively managing the flow of knowledge across an organization is a challenge. One promising method used to facilitate knowledge transfer is the creation and development of Communities of Practice (COP) within the organization. This paper will focus on the relationship between organizational practices and technology tools for the development and support of "experienced" COP - the level and type of community experienced by the individual members. We present the results from survey measures and company archival data of Technical Account Representatives (TARs) at a Fortune 500 company. Results demonstrate support of our arguments for differential relationships between subcomponents of a model of COP and how these subcomponents differentially relate to tacit and explicit knowledge. We discuss how these results provide value to the flow of knowledge and organizations' ability to support the development of knowledge.
Effect of Thermal Fluctuations on the Performance of Particulate Media

Micromagnetic simulations are used to evaluate the effect of thermal fluctuations on the performance of perpendicular BaFe media. The write simulations are performed using a highly efficient particle micromagnetic solver running on graphics processing units. Thermal effects are found to reduce the field required to write optimally the medium, in agreement with the decay of the medium mean switching field with temperature. Thermal fluctuations also affect the system write performance: a broadband signal-to-noise ratio (BB-SNR) loss of several decibels is observed for a recording temperature of 400 K compared to the 0 K case. The SNR correlates with the increase of the written transition width and relates to the broadening of the medium switching field distribution at increasing recording temperatures. The presented results are also relevant for understanding thermal effects in granular media used in magnetic recording.
Police Consolidation in the News

Although there is a large body of research on media coverage of crime and criminal justice issues, there is significantly less information about policing issues generally, and there has not been a study that specifically examines how the consolidation of law enforcement agencies has been presented in the news. This study fills this gap. We explore two general themes. First, we detail what issues about consolidation have been emphasized in the news. Second, we examine the types of sources that news reporters have relied on and how they have used them in stories about consolidation.
Phonological processing is uniquely associated with neuro-metabolic concentration

Reading is a complex process involving recruitment and coordination of a distributed network of brain regions. The present study sought to establish a methodologically sound evidentiary base relating specific reading and phonological skills to neuro-metabolic concentration. Single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed to measure metabolite concentration in a left hemisphere region around the angular gyrus for 31 young adults with a range of reading and phonological abilities. Correlation data demonstrated a significant negative association between phonological decoding and normalized choline concentration and as well as a trend toward a significant negative association between sight word reading and normalized choline concentration, indicating that lower scores on these measures are associated with higher concentrations of choline. Regression analyses indicated that choline concentration accounted for a unique proportion of variance in the phonological decoding measure after accounting for age, cognitive ability and sight word reading skill. This pattern of results suggests some specificity for the negative relationship between choline concentration and phonological decoding. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide evidence that choline concentration in the angular region may be related to phonological skills independently of other reading skills, general cognitive ability, and age. These results may have important implications for the study and treatment of reading disability, a disorder which has been related to deficits in phonological decoding and abnormalities in the angular gyrus.
A Model of the Neural Basis of the Rat's Sense of Direction

In the last decade the outlines of the neural structures subserving the sense of direction have begun to emerge. Several investigations have shed light on the effects of vestibular input and visual input on the head direction representation. In this paper, a model is formulated of the neural mechanisms underlying the head direction system. The model is built out of simple ingredients, depending on nothing more complicated than connectional specificity, attractor dynamics, Hebbian learning, and sigmoidal nonlinearities, but it behaves in a sophisticated way and is consistent with most of the observed properties of real head direction cells. In addition it makes a number of predictions that ought to be testable by reasonably straightforward experiments.
Local Movements and Wetland Connectivity at a Migratory Stopover of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) in the Southeastern United States

Abstract. Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) use coastal wetlands in the southeastern United States during spring migration, some engaging in short-distance movements and brief refueling stops. Knowledge about the scale and factors that influence these movements could guide conservation planning, but often this information is not available. The influence of inter-wetland distance, prey biomass, amount of foraging habitat at depths of 0–4 cm, and density of migrating Semipalmated Sandpipers on their movement and stopover residency was investigated at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center in South Carolina in spring 2007. Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center contains three clusters of coastal wetlands separated by 2.6, 2.8 and 4.1 km. Probability of moving among wetland clusters and stopover residency were estimated using multi-state mark-recapture models and encounter histories from 502 marked Semipalmated Sandpipers. Sixty-four percent of Semipalmated Sandpipers remained within 2 km of site-of-capture for the dura...
The Origin of the Monophysite Church in Syria and Mesopotamia

The earliest extant sources of Syrian Christianity reveal a powerful spirit of self-consciousness for independence. This desire is imprinted on every page of the historical records. That which stands at the very forefront of Tatian's thought is profoundly instructive for our purposes: it is his dislike, nay more his hatred, fore everything bearing a Greek or Roman label. This spirit shows itself in whatever direction we look. Syrian gnosis is the least hellenized of all. The pattern of Christian life carries its own attributes of sovereignty in every respect. Autonomy is the hallmark of the early Syrian conception of the church. Theological thought travels along quite independent lines in accord with that genius—even in the works of Aphrahat written decades after the Council of Nicea.
Effects of alcohol-induced working memory decline on alcohol consumption and adverse consequences of use

Alcohol use appears to decrease executive function acutely in a dose-dependent manner, and lower baseline executive function appears to contribute to problematic alcohol use. However, no studies, to our knowledge, have examined the relationship between individual differences in working memory (a subcomponent of executive function) after alcohol consumption and drinking behaviors and consequences. The current study assessed the relationship between drinking behavior, alcohol-related consequences, and alcohol-induced changes in working memory (as assessed by Trail Making Test-B). Participants recruited from the community (n = 41), 57.3 % male, mean age 39.2, took part in a three-session, within-subjects, repeated-measures design. Participants were administered a placebo, 0.4 g/kg, or 0.8 g/kg dose of alcohol. Working memory, past 30-day alcohol consumption, and consequences of alcohol use were measured at baseline; working memory was measured again after each beverage administration. Poorer working memory after alcohol administration (controlling for baseline working memory) was significantly associated with a greater number of drinks consumed per drinking day. Additionally, we observed a significant indirect relationship between the degree of alcohol-induced working memory decline and adverse consequences of alcohol use, which was mediated through greater average drinks per drinking day. It is possible that greater individual susceptibility to alcohol-induced working memory decline may limit one’s ability to moderate alcohol consumption as evidenced by greater drinks per drinking day and that this results in more adverse consequences of alcohol use.
Building National Electronic Medical Record Systems via the World Wide Web

Electronic medical record systems (EMRSs) currently do not lend themselves easily to cross-institutional clinical care and research. Unique system designs coupled with a lack of standards have led to this difficulty. The authors have designed a preliminary EMRS architecture (W3-EMRS) that exploits the multiplatform, multiprotocol, client-server technology of the World Wide Web. The architecture abstracts the clinical information model and the visual presentation away from the underlying EMRS. As a result, computation upon data elements of the EMRS and their presentation are no longer tied to the underlying EMRS structures. The architecture is intended to enable implementation of programs that provide uniform access to multiple, heterogeneous legacy EMRSs. The authors have implemented an initial prototype of W3-EMRS that accesses the database of the Boston Children's Hospital Clinician's Workstation.
Aged BALB/c Mice as a Model for Increased Severity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Elderly Humans

Advanced age has repeatedly been identified as an independent correlate of adverse outcome and a predictor of mortality in cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). SARS-associated mortality may exceed 50% for persons aged 60 years or older. Heightened susceptibility of the elderly to severe SARS and the ability of SARS coronavirus to replicate in mice led us to examine whether aged mice might be susceptible to disease. We report here that viral replication in aged mice was associated with clinical illness and pneumonia, demonstrating an age-related susceptibility to SARS disease in animals that parallels the human experience.
Characterization of Chemically and Topographically Modified Siloxane Elastomer for Controlled Cell Growth

A main limitation of biomedical devices is the inability to start, stop, and control cell growth making it crucial to develop biomaterial surfaces that induce a desired cellular response. Micropatterns of ridges and pillars were created in a siloxane elastomer (Dow Corning) by casting against epoxy replicates of a micromachined silicon wafer. Silicone oils were incorporated to determine the change in modulus and surface energy caused by these additives. SEM and white light interference profilometry verified that the micropatterning process produced high fidelity, low defect micropatterns. Mechanical analysis indicated that varying the viscosity, weight percent and functionality of the added silicone oil could change the elastic modulus by over an order of magnitude (0.1-2.3 MPa). As a self-wetting resin, silicone oils migrate to the surface, hence changing the surface properties from the bulk. Both topographical and chemical features define the surface energy, which in combination with elastic modulus, dictate biological activity. The results imply that the morphology, mechanical properties and surface energy of the siloxane elastomer can be modified to elicit a specific cell response as a function of engineered topographical and chemical functionalization.
Tax Exporting and the Commerce Clause: Reflections on Commonwealth Edison

This paper appraises the conflicting contentions found in the majority and dissenting opinions in Commonwealth Edison Co. et al. v. Montana et al. about the feasibility of basing findings of constitutionality under the Interstate Commerce Clause on the results of incidence analysis. Severance taxes, property taxes, corporate income taxes levied by both producing and consuming states, and gross receipts taxes levied by consuming states in conjunction with price controls are considered. Factors affecting tax exporting by producing states include the degree of geographic concentration of natural resources, cartelization by producing states, the mobility of various resources, international competition, natural substitutability, government regulations, the prevalence of long-term contracts, and transportation costs. The analysis of tax exporting is sufficiently complicated that attempting to base constitutionality on estimates of tax exporting is fraught with danger, especially in times of rapid economic and institutional change, in part because it is so difficult to know when the tax exporting question is being asked properly.
Human Diagnostic Reasoning by Computer: An Illustration from Financial Analysis

A major complaint of people who use "decision-making" computer programs is that these programs merely provide a final decision, and fail to present the supporting argumentation, in terms the user can understand. This article presents an approach that makes computer programs more "human-like" by basing them on human decision making behavior. Decision making processes of student financial analysts are captured by asking them to think aloud during their evaluation. These verbal traces, called protocols, are analyzed at various levels of detail, resulting in specific models of the decision making processes involved, the strategies used, and the task-specific financial knowledge that is required to perform the task. The models and strategies are translated into executable computer programs. Extensive comparisons between human behavior and model simulation output are provided, assessing the extent that the computer program "thinks" and "talks" like a human decision maker. Although the model clearly suffers from "linguistic rigidity," it does appear to perform the evaluation in a similar manner as the human decision maker, examining the same information in the same order, making the same inferences, and reporting the same conclusions.
Flowfield Measurements in the Endwall Region of a Stator Vane

A first stage stator vane experiences high heat transfer rates particularly near the end wall where strong secondary flows occur. In order to improve numerical predictions of the complex endwall flow at low speed conditions, benchmark quality experimental data are required. This study documents the flowfield in the endwall region of a stator vane that has been scaled up by a factor of nine while matching an engine exit Reynolds number of Reex = 1.2·106. Laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) measurements of all three components of the mean and fluctuating velocities are presented for several flow planes normal to the turbine vane. Measurements indicate that downstream of the minimum static pressure location on the suction surface of the vane, an attenuated suction side leg of the horseshoe vortex still exists. At this location, the peak turbulent kinetic energy coincides with the center of the passage vortex location. These flowfield measurements were also related to previously reported convective heat transfer coefficients on the endwall showing that high Stanton numbers occur where the passage vortex brings mainstream fluid towards the vane surface.Copyright © 1999 by ASME
Automated image analysis method for quantifying damage accumulation in tendon

Tendon pathology is frequently sub-clinical prior to frank rupture, denoting the need for non-destructive methods of assessing disease presence and progression. Despite the lack of clinical presentation, previous studies have observed that distinct changes to the tendon microstructure are present, and that such qualitative changes have a dose-response relationship with the level of damage accumulated. These initial findings suggest that there is value in investigating the physical nature of damage within tendon, not only to better understand the pathological process, but also to gain insight into reparative processes and develop treatments. However, a necessary first step towards carrying out these avenues of research is to develop diagnostic tools for quantitatively assessing the level of damage present. In this study, we established a dose-response relationship between a quantitative measure of structural damage and the level of global damage induced. Furthermore, we developed and validated an automated technique for quantifying matrix disorganization (damage), which correlates and co-localizes strongly with manual quantification. In combination, these findings allow us to measure the amount of damage accumulation of a region of tendon on a clinical scale, rapidly and accurately.
Biogenic Amines Formation in Bigeye Tuna Steaks and Whole Skipjack Tuna

: Putrescine, cadaverine and histamine formation was monitored in fresh and frozen/thawed Bigeye tuna steaks (Thunnus obesus) and whole Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) stored at room temperature and in ice and to determine the potential use of putrescine and cadaverine as indicators of decomposition. While all biogenic amines were formed during both storage conditions, putrescine was formed at a much lower rate and concentration. For both storage conditions and species, cadaverine appeared prior to and/or accumulated at a faster rate than histamine. Skipjack tuna had a faster accumulation of cadaverine than Bigeye under the same storage conditions. The results indicated that cadaverine, either alone or with histamine, could be used as an index of decomposition for Skipjack and Bigeye tuna.
Improving communication performance in dense linear algebra via topology aware collectives

Recent results have shown that topology aware mapping reduces network contention in communication-intensive kernels on massively parallel machines. We demonstrate that on mesh interconnects, topology aware mapping also allows for the utilization of highly-efficient topology aware collectives. We map novel 2.5D dense linear algebra algorithms to exploit rectangular collectives on cuboid partitions allocated by a Blue Gene/P supercomputer. Our mappings allow the algorithms to exploit optimized line multicasts and reductions. Commonly used 2D algorithms cannot be mapped in this fashion. On 16,384 nodes (65,536 cores) of Blue Gene/P, 2.5D algorithms that exploit rectangular collectives are significantly faster than 2D matrix multiplication (MM) and LU factorization, up to 8.7x and 2.1x, respectively. These speed-ups are due to communication reduction (up to 95.6% for 2.5D MM with respect to 2D MM). We also derive LogP-based novel performance models for rectangular broadcasts and reductions. Using those, we model the performance of matrix multiplication and LU factorization on a hypothetical exascale architecture.
Costs of needlestick injuries and subsequent hepatitis and HIV infection.

ABSTRACTBackground: Physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of bloodborne pathogens infection from needlestick injuries, but costs of needlesticks are little studied.Methods: We used the cost-of-illness and incidence approaches. We used the perspective of the medical provider (medical costs) and the individual (lost product­ivity). Data on needlesticks, infections from hepatitis B and C (HBV, HCV) and human immune-deficiency (HIV) among HCWs, as well as data on per-unit costs were culled from research literature, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, and Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. We also generated estimates based upon industry employment and scenarios for source-patients. These data and estimates were combined with assumptions to produce a model that generated base-case estimates as well as one-way and multi-way probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Future costs were discounted by 3%.Results: We estimated 644 963 needlesticks in the healthcare industry for ...
Critical Analysis of Different Hilbert-Huang Algorithms for Pavement Profile Evaluation

Pavement profile analysis is a major component in pavement infrastructure management decision making for maintenance and rehabilitation. This paper takes an in-depth look at pavement profile characterization and evaluation, taking into account the inherent nature of road profile data, i.e., nonstationary and non-Gaussian. Although there have been several studies aimed at the analysis and characterization of pavement profile, the bulk have been limited to applying relatively conventional signal processing techniques, such as the Fourier analysis. Using this approach, only the average condition of the local conditions can be represented. Most transient and changing signals will not be handled well due to the averaging effect of the technique. The Hilbert-Huang transform operates at the scale of every oscillation, an extremely important property for obtaining localized profile information. In this paper, the different algorithms of the Hilbert-Huang transform: empirical mode decomposition (EMD), ensemble EMD...
Taking the Domestic View in Hawthorne’s Fiction

Abstract Shifting the emphasis within feminist criticism from the act of speech to the act of hearing, this article argues that, in The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, and Blithedale Romance, Nathaniel Hawthorne reveals how the public sphere depends on the voices of dispossessed women even as it attempts to silence them.
A Ferredoxin Disulfide Reductase Delivers Electrons to the Methanosarcina barkeri Class III Ribonucleotide Reductase

Two subtypes of class III anaerobic ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) studied so far couple the reduction of ribonucleotides to the oxidation of formate, or the oxidation of NADPH via thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase. Certain methanogenic archaea contain a phylogenetically distinct third subtype of class III RNR, with distinct active-site residues. Here we report the cloning and recombinant expression of the Methanosarcina barkeri class III RNR and show that the electrons required for ribonucleotide reduction can be delivered by a [4Fe-4S] protein ferredoxin disulfide reductase, and a conserved thioredoxin-like protein NrdH present in the RNR operon. The diversity of class III RNRs reflects the diversity of electron carriers used in anaerobic metabolism.
Practitioner survey and measurement error in manual bicycle and pedestrian count programs

ABSTRACTManual bicycle and pedestrian count programs that involve community volunteers can be a low-cost means to collect nonmotorized traffic data while providing opportunity for public involvement. The purposes of this study were to investigate why communities are performing manual counts and estimate the degree of measurement error associated with conducting manual counts. An online questionnaire was sent to transportation specialists across the United States. There were 92 responses received from 25 states. Eleven communities were contacted for phone interviews. Information about community volunteers, scheduling and logistics, data collection techniques, and reasons for conducting manual counts were summarized. Some of the reasons cited by the survey respondents for conducting manual counts seem unrealistic and possibly flawed. Measurement error was assessed through a controlled field experiment with 25 counters at five intersections. Lower measurement error rates were observed when using a four-movem...
Neighborhood context and binge drinking by race and ethnicity in new york city

BACKGROUND: Neighborhood context is associated with binge drinking and has significant health, societal, and economic costs. Both binge drinking and neighborhood context vary by race and ethnicity. We examined the relations between neighborhood characteristics-neighborhood norms that are accepting of drunkenness, collective efficacy, and physical disorder-and binge drinking, with a focus on examining race and ethnic-specific relationships. METHODS: Respondent data were collected through 2005 random digit-dial-telephone survey for a representative sample of New York City residents; neighborhood data were based on the 2005 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey. Participants were 1,415 past-year drinkers; Whites (n = 877), Blacks (n = 292), and Hispanics (n = 246). Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate population average models. RESULTS: For the overall sample, neighborhood norms that were more accepting of drunkenness were associated with greater binge drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09, 1.37); collective efficacy and physical disorder were not significant. However, when examining this by race/ethnicity, greater collective efficacy (OR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.62, 0.91) and greater physical disorder (OR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.62, 0.93) were associated with less binge drinking for Whites only. Neighborhood norms that were more accepting of drunkenness were associated with binge drinking among Whites (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.05, 1.38) and, while not significant (perhaps due to power), the associations were similar for Hispanics (OR = 1.18; 95% CI = 0.83, 1.68) and slightly lower for Blacks (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.67, 1.84). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, results suggest that neighborhood characteristics and binge drinking are shaped, in part, by factors that vary across race/ethnicity. Thus, disaggregating data by race/ethnicity is important in understanding binge drinking behaviors.Copyright © 2016 by the Research Society on Alcoholism. Language: en
Plasma IL-10 Levels to Guide Antiviral Prophylaxis Prevention of Late-Onset Cytomegalovirus Disease, in High Risk Solid Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients.

Background Immune measurements that distinguish solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients who control cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection from those who progress to CMV-disease (CMV-dz) may be clinically useful in guiding tailored prevention strategies. We previously reported that elevated plasma levels of the immune-modulator IL-10 are associated with late CMV-dz. Here we evaluate whether IL-10 levels measured soon after prophylaxis discontinuation are predictive of CMV-dz risk. Methods Plasma IL-10 levels were quantitatively measured by ELISA kit in 40 D/R SOT patients. All 40 D/R high-risk patients were prospectively followed for at least 12 months post-SOT: 13 subjects developed CMV-dz, all within 6 months of prophylaxis discontinuation. Results IL-10 was detectable at the first post-prophylaxis measurement for 11 of 13 subjects who developed CMV-dz. In contrast, IL-10 was detectable in only 6 of 27 CMV asymptomatic patients. Monitoring IL-10 plasma levels within 1 month prophylaxis suspension appeared to have clinically useful level of 85% sensitivity and 78% specificity. Conclusions The exact role of IL-10 with its multiple immunoregulatory effects during CMV infection is not clear. Moreover, IL-10 production can be influenced by pathological and infectious contexts, and/or anti-rejection immunosuppressant therapy. Despite mechanisms of IL-10 dysregulation may substantially differ among SOT patients, our findings suggest that measurable plasma IL-10 soon after prophylaxis discontinuation may be an adequate indicator of subsequent CMV-dz. If a similar prognostic performance is confirmed in a larger D/R cohort, IL-10 plasma levels could be used to guide the length of prophylaxis, providing a clinically useful means to reduce the incidence of CMV-dz in high risk patients.
Cytotaxonomic notes on eleven species of Cirsium native to Mexico

Data on chromosome numbers in eleven species and three forms ofCirsium are presented. The species treated areC. nivale (H.B.K.) Schultz Bip.,C. jorullense (H.B.K.) Spreng.,C. durangense (Greenman) Ownbey,C. ochrocentrum Gray,C. undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng.,C. velatum (Wats.) Petrak,C. mexicanum DC.,C. rhaphilepis (Hemsley) Petrak,C. occidentalis (Nutt.) Jepson subsp.acrolepis Petrak,C. conspicuum (Sweet) Schultz Bip., andC. ehrenbergii Schultz Bip. A case of autotriploidy is reported forC. durangense. Natural hybridization betweenC. durangense and a form ofC. mexicanum is reported. Photomicrographs of the mitotic or meiotic chromosomal configurations of nine species and two forms are reproduced.C. ochrocentrum Gray var.durangense Greenman is raised to species rank.
New Choristodera from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in Chaoyang Area,Western Liaoning

Based on an incomplete skeleton with a skull, a new genus and species of Simoedosauridae, Liaoxisaurus chaoyangensis is erected. Liaoxisaurus comes from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of western Liaoning. It is distinguished from other derived Choristodera in that the short mandibular symphysis, less than 20% the length of the lower jaw, and the nearly square tooth alveolus. Liaoxisaurus has a relatively short rostrum, which occupies 49.8% of the whole skull length.
Digital ischemia and occult malignancy

Since the early transcript by Raynaud and Trousseau, there has been wide acceptance of the association of occult malignancy and peripheral vascular disease. Recently, there have been a few case reports of acute onset monophasic digital ischemia heralding an occult malignancy. It appears that the site and tumor types seem unimportant in the development of ischemia; tumor resection however, usually results in rapid improvement of the affected digit. The mechanism remains to be established.
The End of the Beginning: 1942

In 1942 the war appeared to move permanently to favour Britain and the allies. Some neutrals applauded, some despaired; the Swiss maintained their usual air of official indifference. All neutrals took note of the fact that certain factors were implied no matter whether Germany or the allies won. Neutral governments’ behaviour now reflected a realistic, if not friendly, approach to the allies.
Zonal evolution of Alaskan Stream structure and transport quantified with Argo data

The Alaskan Stream (AS) flows west-southwestward along the south side of Alaska and the Aleutian Island Arc; a western boundary current at the northern edge of the North Pacific subpolar gyre. The Argo float array has improved sampling of the Gulf of Alaska, allowing quantification of the AS's zonal evolution from 140°W to 175°W. Geostrophic alongshore transport of the AS in the upper 1000 dbar referenced to an assumed level of no motion at 1000 dbar shows little change from east to west. However, alongshore absolute geostrophic transports in the top 2000 dbar (obtained by combining mean absolute 1000-dbar velocities from float displacements with the geostrophic velocity fields) generally increase to the west. We estimate full-depth transports by fitting a barotropic and the first two baroclinic modes calculated from a climatology to the absolute geostrophic velocities in the upper 2000 dbar and applying the velocities from these fits from 2000 dbar to the seafloor. Flowing west from its formation region at 140°W–145°W the full-depth AS becomes stronger, more barotropic, and also narrower once it reaches ∼160°W, with along-shore transports increasing from −16.4 ± 4.9 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s−1) at 140°W to −32.6 ± 5.2 Sv at 175°W. Mean concentrations of relatively warm, salty, oxygen-poor, and nutrient-rich Pacific Equatorial Water (PEW) in the AS decrease from 17.8% ± 0.3% to 8.5% ± 0.5% between 140°W and 175°W. However, the volume transport of PEW by the AS exhibits little change over the PEW density range between these longitudes.
Anisotropic Mechanical Behavior of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced by Selective Laser Melting

AlSi10Mg cylinders produced by laser powder-bed fusion have somewhat different yield behavior for cylinders with XY orientation and Z orientation. Earlier yielding for Z-oriented samples is likely related to micro-residual stress, resulting from the difference in thermal expansion of the aluminum matrix and cellular silicon. Smaller tensile reduction in area of Z-oriented samples is related to tearing along the softer region at the boundaries of melt pools, where the silicon cell spacing is larger. Indentation measurements confirmed the lower hardness at the edges of melt pools.
Estimates of Non-Heterosexual Prevalence: The Roles of Anonymity and Privacy in Survey Methodology

When do people feel comfortable enough to provide honest answers to sensitive questions? Focusing specifically on sexual orientation prevalence-a measure that is sensitive to the pressures of heteronormativity-the present study was conducted to examine the variability in U.S. estimates of non-heterosexual identity prevalence and to determine how comfortable people are with answering questions about their sexual orientation when asked through commonly used survey modes. We found that estimates of non-heterosexual prevalence in the U.S. increased as the privacy and anonymity of the survey increased. Utilizing an online questionnaire, we rank-ordered 16 survey modes by asking people to rate their level of comfort with each mode in the context of being asked questions about their sexual orientation. A demographically diverse sample of 652 individuals in the U.S. rated each mode on a scale from -5 (very uncomfortable) to +5 (very comfortable). Modes included anonymous (name not required) and non-anonymous (name required) versions of questions, as well as self-administered and interviewer-administered versions. Subjects reported significantly higher mean comfort levels with anonymous modes than with non-anonymous modes and significantly higher mean comfort levels with self-administered modes than with interviewer-administered modes. Subjects reported the highest mean comfort level with anonymous online surveys and the lowest with non-anonymous personal interviews that included a video recording. Compared with the estimate produced by an online survey with a nationally representative sample, surveys utilizing more intrusive methodologies may have underestimated non-heterosexual prevalence in the U.S. by between 50 and 414%. Implications for public policy are discussed.
Molecular Basis of Kidney Disease

Summary The kidney is a complex organ populated by a variety of unique, specialized cells that function in a coordinated fashion to maintain homeostasis in the body. Diseases affecting the kidney are numerous, and their clinical manifestations are dependent on specific cellular, molecular, and immunological abnormalities. Current research has revealed much about the molecular pathology underlying diabetic nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, IgA nephropathy, acute tubular necrosis/acute kidney injury, and interstitial nephritis, among many others. The final common pathway of all progressive kidney diseases leading to renal failure is tubulointerstitial fibrosis, characterized by the replacement of normal kidney with scar tissue. Inflammation, myofibroblast activation, matrix accumulation, and tubular and vascular atrophy and dysfunction are all involved in this fibrotic response. This chapter correlates common clinical symptoms and histopathologic findings with our current molecular understanding of kidney disease.
Inhibition of DNA methylation with zebularine alters lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation in mice

Inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), the enzymes that catalyze DNA methylation, alter DNA methylation globally in the brain and at individual neural plasticity-associated genes. This suggests that DNA methylation is dynamically regulated in the brain, but how DNMT inhibitors centrally influence lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation is not known. Specifically, we sought to determine if zebularine would alter DNA methylation of the Il1b promoter as well as expression of inflammatory genes in the hippocampus and microglia. Adult 3–6 month-old C57BL/6J mice were implanted with an intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannula, and after 7 days of recovery were injected ICV with saline or the DNMT inhibitor zebularine (300 ng/ul). LPS (10 ng/ul) or saline was injected ICV 30 min later. Using bisulfite pyrosequencing, novel findings indicate that ICV zebularine led to decreased DNA methylation of one of the CpG sites near the Il1b proximal promoter alone or in combination with LPS ( p p > 0.05). Ongoing work will assess treatment effects 4 h post-injection when inflammation is expected to be maximal. Taken together, these data suggest that modulation of DNA methylation with a DNMT inhibitor in the brain can affect molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammation. Supported by NIH AG016710.
Respiratory Complications in Acute and Chronic Liver Disease

The association between liver disease and respiratory symptoms is well established. Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), portopulmonary hypertension (POPH), and hepatic hydrothorax (HH) are three important pulmonary complications associated with underlying liver disease. Patients with liver disease are also at higher risk of developing ARDS and its associated mortality and morbidity. In this chapter, we review the respiratory complications associated with liver disease.
OSR1 regulates a subset of inward rectifier potassium channels via a binding motif variant

The with-no-lysine (K) (WNK) signaling pathway to STE20/SPS1-related proline- and alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) and oxidative stress-responsive 1 (OSR1) kinase is an important mediator of cell volume and ion transport. SPAK and OSR1 associate with upstream kinases WNK 1-4, substrates, and other proteins through their C-terminal domains which interact with linear R-F-x-V/I sequence motifs. In this study we find that SPAK and OSR1 also interact with similar affinity with a motif variant, R-x-F-x-V/I. Eight of 16 human inward rectifier K+ channels have an R-x-F-x-V motif. We demonstrate that two of these channels, Kir2.1 and Kir2.3, are activated by OSR1, while Kir4.1, which does not contain the motif, is not sensitive to changes in OSR1 or WNK activity. Mutation of the motif prevents activation of Kir2.3 by OSR1. Both siRNA knockdown of OSR1 and chemical inhibition of WNK activity disrupt NaCl-induced plasma membrane localization of Kir2.3. Our results suggest a mechanism by which WNK-OSR1 enhance Kir2.1 and Kir2.3 channel activity by increasing their plasma membrane localization. Regulation of members of the inward rectifier K+ channel family adds functional and mechanistic insight into the physiological impact of the WNK pathway.
Setting up the dermis for scar-free healing

During mouse back skin development, subsets of fibroblastic lineages transition from anti-fibrotic Engrailed-1 (En1) negative to pro-fibrotic En1-positive cells. Injuries of adult skin heal with scarring, whereas En1-deficient embryonic fibroblasts have the potential to promote scarless regeneration and repair.
Nearly diffraction limited beam qualities in an Anderson localizing optical fiber

Nearly diffraction limited beams are demonstrated in a disordered optical fiber. High quality beams with M2 ∼ 1 are obtained at various transverse positions across the output facet of the fiber.
Electrospinning Functionalized Polymers for Use as Tissue Engineering Scaffolds.

Electrospinning polymers is a versatile technique to generate fibrous, three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Modifying polymers with functional groups prior to electrospinning offers the opportunity to control the spatial presentation of functional groups within the scaffold as well as incorporate multiple bioactive cues. This chapter describes methods to modify poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) with peptides and electrospin these peptide-PCL conjugates to functionalize a scaffold surface in a single step. Methods to adapt standard electrospinning setups to create single- or dual-peptide gradients within a single construct are also described.
Erosive Arthritis, Fibromatosis, and Keloids: A Rare Dermatoarthropathy

Polyfibromatosis is a rare disease characterized by fibrosis manifesting in different locations. It is commonly characterized by palmar fibromatosis (Dupuytren’s contracture) in variable combinations with plantar fibromatosis (Ledderhose’s disease), penile fibromatosis (Peyronie’s disease), knuckle pads, and keloids. There are only three reported cases of polyfibromatosis and keloids with erosive arthritis. We report one such case and review the existing literature on this rare syndrome.
A Methodology to Assess the Quality of Travel Time Estimation and Incident Detection Based on Connected Vehicle Data

Connected vehicle (CV) technologies are expected to have a significant influence on the investment decisions of transportation system management and operations (TSMO) in the near future. One of the...