cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Morphological Versus Molecular Characters for Discriminating Between Sympatric Meadow and Prairie Voles

Abstract Prairie (Microtus ochrogaster) and meadow (M. pennsylvanicus) voles are morphologically very similar species of rodents that are often found sympatrically. To assess the reliability of morphological characters typically used to differentiate between these two species, we compared the concordance of species identification based on morphological characteristics with identifications based on a species-specific difference within the avpr1a gene. We found that intraspecific variation in morphological characteristics resulted in erroneous or ambiguous species identification in the field (generally ≤5%) as well as for preserved specimens (up to ∼45%). Our data suggests that genotyping putative M. ochrogaster and M. pennsylvanicus at their avpr1a locus may be warranted for some individuals to ensure accurate species identification.
Intrinsic primary and secondary hydrogen kinetic isotope effects for alanine racemase from global analysis of progress curves

The pyridoxal phosphate dependent alanine racemase catalyzes the interconversion of L- and D-alanine. The latter is an essential component of peptidoglycan in cell walls of Gram-negative and -positive bacteria, making alanine racemase an attractive target for antibacterials. Global analysis of protiated and deuterated progress curves simultaneously enables determination of intrinsic kinetic and equilibrium isotope effects for alanine racemase. The intrinsic primary kinetic isotope effects for Calpha hydron abstraction are 1.57 +/- 0.05 in the D --> L direction and 1.66 +/- 0.09 in the L --> D direction. Secondary kinetic isotope effects were found for the external aldimine formation steps in both the L --> D (1.13 +/- 0.05, forward; 0.90 +/- 0.03, reverse) and D --> L (1.13 +/- 0.06, forward; 0.89 +/- 0.03, reverse) directions. The secondary equilibrium isotope effects calculated from these are 1.26 +/- 0.07 and 1.27 +/- 0.07 for the L --> D and D --> L directions, respectively. These equilibrium isotope effects imply substantial ground-state destabilization of the C-H bond via hyperconjugation with the conjugated Schiff base/pyridine ring pi system. The magnitudes of the intrinsic primary kinetic isotope effects, the lower boundary on the energy of the quinonoid intermediate, and the protonation states of the active site catalytic acids/bases (K39-epsilonNH2 and Y265-OH) suggest that the pKa of the substrate Calpha-H bond in the external aldimine lies between those of the two catalytic bases, such that the proton abstraction transition state is early in the D --> L direction and late in the L --> D direction.
Functional and Chemical Characteristics of Bovine Plasma Proteins Isolated as a Metaphosphate Complex

A protein isolate was prepared from edible beef plasma by complexing the proteins with sodium hexametaphosphate. The isolate contained 82% protein which was completely soluble within the pH range 5.0–8.0. Foam volumes of solutions of the phosphated protein was greater than those observed in egg albumen or in plasma proteins prepared by the ultrafiltration process. Electrophoretic resolution revealed small differences in the protein species in phosphated plasma isolates and that prepared by ultrafiltration. Amino acid analyses revealed no major difference between the two plasma protein isolates; the major difference was a reduced tryptophan content in the phosphated protein.
A Repeated Coiled-Coil Interruption in the Escherichia coli Condensin MukB

Abstract MukB, a divergent structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) protein, is important for chromosome segregation and condensation in Escherichia coli and other γ-proteobacteria. MukB and canonical SMC proteins share a common five-domain structure in which globular N- and C-terminal regions combine to form an ATP-binding-cassette-like ATPase domain. This ATPase domain is connected to a central, globular dimerization domain by a long antiparallel coiled coil. The structures of both globular domains have been solved recently. In contrast, little is known about the coiled coil, in spite of its clear importance for SMC function. Recently, we identified interacting regions on the N- and C-terminal halves of the MukB coiled coil through photoaffinity cross-linking experiments. On the basis of these low-resolution experimental constraints, phylogenetic data, and coiled-coil prediction analysis, we proposed a preliminary model in which the MukB coiled coil is divided into multiple segments. Here, we use a disulfide cross-linking assay to detect paired residues on opposite strands of MukB's coiled coil. This method provides accurate register data and demonstrates the presence of at least five coiled-coil segments in this domain. Moreover, these studies show that the segments are interrupted by a repeated, unprecedented deviation from canonical coiled-coil structure. These experiments provide a sufficiently detailed view of the MukB coiled coil to allow rational manipulation of this region for the first time, opening the door for structure–function studies of this domain.
Peroxide Bond Driven Dissociation of Hydroperoxy-Cholesterol Esters Following Collision Induced Dissociation

Oxidative modification of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which occurs through enzymatic and nonenzymatic processes, is typically initiated by the attachment of molecular oxygen to an unsaturated fatt...
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor: the controversy behind radiation therapy

To date, approximately 200 cases of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) of the central nervous system have been described in the literature. This CNS tumor tends to present at an age of less than 3 years, and most patients succumb to their disease within 1 year of diagnosis. Prior to the rise in utilization of immunohistochemical (IHC) testing in the late 1990s, this tumor was likely mistaken as medulloblastoma and treated as such. However, lessons learned from regimens based upon medulloblastoma have revealed that AT/RT requires more aggressive treatment. A significant portion of patients die of local recurrence in spite of aggressive surgery and chemotherapy. As most patients with AT/RT present as infants or young children, radiation therapy has been a less than standard treatment option. However, recent evidence suggests that long-term survival can occur with use of more aggressive treatment approaches including dose-intense chemotherapy as well as adjuvant radiation therapy. A standardized and effective approach to treating this usually fatal tumor remains elusive, and the role of radiation therapy presents a particular dilemma as young patients with this disease may experience devastating late effects of therapy if they achieve a long-term survival. Review of the literature reveals an association between initial radiation therapy and the ability to achieve a prolonged survival. Our review underscores the importance or enrolling patients in multi-institutional prospective studies to further investigate the value of radiation to treat this pediatric neoplasm.
Incentives, choice, education and well‐being

It is a truism that giving people multiple reasons to engage in some activity will increase the chances of that activity—that two reasons are better than one. It is another truism, in the developed, Western world, that more freedom brings more well‐being, and that more choice brings more freedom. In education, these truisms have led to the use of financial incentives (along with the intrinsic incentives already presumed to be present) to motivate students and teachers alike, and to expanded curricular choice for students, and expanded school choice for students and their parents. The thesis of this paper is that both truisms, though plausible, are false. First, the paper reviews evidence that incentives extrinsic to the tasks at hand—whether administered to teachers or to students—can undermine intrinsic motivation to teach and to learn, resulting in worse performance than would have resulted without extrinsic incentives. Because of this ‘motivational competition’, I argue that standard extrinsic incentiv...
On the edge mode in the theory of TM scattering by a strip or strip grating

Consider a plane wave incident on a perfectly conducting strip (or strip grating), and let the incident electric vector be parallel with the edges of the strip. If the edge mode is included among the basis functions, it is found this greatly improves the convergence of the moment-method solution. Numerical data are included for the reflection coefficient of the strip grating. To correct an error in the previous literature, the rigorous solution is tabulated for broadside backscatter from a single strip.
Environmental Influences on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Expression

The etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unknown, but multiple genetic, epigenetic, and environmental risk factors have been implicated. The inheritance of genes alone is not sufficient for developing SLE, suggesting the influence of environmental triggers on disease expression. Despite the tremendous amount of progress in elucidating potential environmental risk factors for SLE, much more needs to be done. An interdisciplinary approach to studies of the causes and, ultimately, prevention of SLE is needed. This article reviews what is understood about the epidemiology of the relationship between environmental exposures and SLE, in addition to emerging areas of study.
Integration of Spectral–Spatial Information for Hyperspectral Image Reconstruction From Compressive Random Projections

Compressive-projection principal component analysis (CPPCA) has been developed to provide reconstruction from random projections of hyperspectral pixels and then subsequently extended by coupling it with classification such that the resulting class-dependent CPPCA yielded improved reconstruction performance. This letter provides an even greater integration of spatial and spectral information to further improve reconstruction performance. Specifically, instead of a pixel-based modulo partitioning employed by the original CPPCA sender, this work proposes an alternative block-based modulo partitioning, which preserves local spatial coherence; spatial segmentation is combined with the pixel-wise classification results using a majority voting rule at the receiver. Experimental results demonstrate not only improved reconstruction performance but also better detection of anomalies, as compared with previous approaches.
INTRAORAL CONTACT ALLERGY: A LITERATURE REVIEW AND CASE REPORTS

Signs and symptoms of contact allergic reactions affecting the oral mucosa may mimic other common oral disorders, making diagnosis difficult. Patients frequently seek multiple consultations and do not receive the correct diagnosis or effective management. As intraoral contact allergy may be more prevalent than previously believed, a review of this topic is warranted. This article emphasizes signs and symptoms that suggest intraoral contact allergy, and the authors discuss the allergens that most frequently affect the oral mucosa.
Demand sensitivity to space-price competition with Manhattan and Euclidean representations of distance

This paper provides extensive evidence from a simulation model supporting our claim that it is not appropriate to use the Euclidean metric in a competitive system where the Manhattan metric would provide a more accurate representation of distances. The Euclidean metric has the property of biasing firms' demands by a distortion of their sensitivity to competitive strategies and, therefore, generates an excessive level of competition.
Thermomagnetic duplication of chromium dioxide video tape

Video program material was duplicated thermomagnetically at copying speeds up to 165 cm/sec, which is 50 times real time for the VHS SP format. Blank chromium dioxide video tape was heated to above its Curie temperature and cooled while in close contact with a master tape bearing a mirror image video signal. The two tapes were held in close contact between a hard transparent polymethyl methacrylate wheel and a slightly deformable elastomeric roll, while heat was supplied by a neodymium YAG laser beam focused through the transparent wheel and the back of the copy tape onto the CrO 2 coating. The 1.06 μm beam was transmitted by the clear polyester base and efficiently absorbed by the opaque black chromium dioxide coating, raising the CrO 2 briefly above its 130° Curie temperature. On cooling, the CrO 2 layer was permanently magnetized in a mirror image of the master tape magnetic pattern. Heating and cooling took place in the 2.5 mm long nip between the two rolls in about two milliseconds, so the heat transferred to the polyester base was insufficient to deform it. The thermal copies had RF outputs approximately equal to real time copies.
Bounds on the Maximum SINR of Binary and Quaternary Code Division

In code-division multiplexing, the real/complex-valued sequence (signature) that maximizes the pre-detection signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) at the output of the maximum-SINR filter is simply the minimum-eigenvalue eigenvector of the disturbance autocorrelation matrix. SINR sequence optimization over a finite alphabet, however, is NP-hard in the sequence length. In this paper, we derive new easy to calculate upper and lower bounds on the SINR of the optimal binary and quaternary sequences that can serve as benchmarking tools for any suggested suboptimal designs.
Perceived Seriousness of Crime

Questionnaires concerning attitudes about crime and criminal victimization experiences were mailed to 4000 registered motor vehicle owners in Virginia. The number returned was 1324, of whom 1046 responded to questions on victimization. Analysis indicated two factors as significantly correlated with perceived seriousness of crime, experience of victimization and size of the community. Results are discussed relative to the interaction of these two variables on perceived seriousness of crime.
Time-dependent deformation of metals

The basic characteristics of timedependent deformation of metals are described in terms of dislocation properties. At high temperatures, diffusion controlled climb of edge dislocations is the rate limiting process, whereas at low temperatures, other forms of recovery involving cross-slip of screw dislocations operate. A composite model of plastic flow is used to describe the coupling between these recovery processes. The model is patterned after the persistent slip band structures observed in cyclically deformed fcc single crystals. Screw dislocations are allowed to move in the cell interiors and to deposit edge dislocations into the adjoining walls. Cross-slip and climb lead to dislocation rearrangement and annihilation in the two regions. These processes are coupled not only through the dislocation microstructure, but also through the mechanics of the composite structure. The model is used to describe various deformation properties of metals, including stage II, stage III, and stage IV strain hardening and saturation of the flow stress. The coupling of cross-slip and climb controlled recovery processes leads to gradual transitions in strain hardening and gives a natural account of the transition from low temperature deformation to high temperature creep. The model also leads to polarized dislocation structures, internal stresses, and anelastic creep properties.
Oltipraz inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase in vitro and inhibits nitric oxide production in activated microglial cells

The clinically relevant drug oltipraz (OPZ) has previously been shown to inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes [Chem. Res. Toxicol. 13 (2000) 245]. The current study reveals that OPZ is also able to inhibit *NO formation by purified inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) but not by neuronal nitric oxide synthase in hemoglobin assays. The inhibition of iNOS by OPZ is reversible and competitive with an IC(50) of 5.9 microM and Ki of 0.6 microM. In murine BV-2 microglial cells, an immortalized cell line that produces *NO in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), OPZ is able to block the formation of nitrite in LPS treated cells. The inhibitory effect of OPZ on LPS treated cells is not due to cell toxicity. Finally, treatment of cells with OPZ does not induce or suppress expression of iNOS protein as shown by Western blot analysis.
cGMP: The wayward child of the cyclic nucleotide family

Abstract An informal poll of neurobiologists indicates the following widely-held misconceptions about cGMP: (1) we know very little about it; (2) it must not be very different from cAMP; and (3) no new biological principles are likely to emerge from studying it. In fact, despite these prejudices, our understanding of the cGMP second messenger cascade has increased dramatically in the last few years. We now know that it is very different from the cAMP system in almost every particular, and the differences reveal interesting and novel solutions to the biological problem of receptor effector coupling.
Relapsing multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease modifying therapy exhibit highly variable disease progression: A predictive model

Abstract Objective To describe a “new natural history” of multiple sclerosis (MS), characterizing three patterns of progression in Relapsing MS (RMS) patients during the “treatment era,” using newly developed definitions. By utilizing our simple model we intend to predict which patients are most likely to reach an EDSS of 6.0. Methods We stratified MS progression into three distinct patterns: aggressive MS (AMS), intermediate MS (IMS) and mild MS (MMS), based on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score rate of change. These groups were compared for progression of EDSS before and after reaching these definitions. Results The three groups remained significantly different in terms of disability throughout their disease courses p ≤ 0.001; 98% of the patients used disease modifying treatments (DMTs). AMS patients represent a significantly more disabling and aggressive form of MS than the IMS group. Conclusions Transition from relatively mild MS to aggressive course may begin at any time in the first 15 years, despite DMTs. Our definition for AMS is unique and identifies a group of patients who become permanently disabled within two years after a variable amount of time in a benign phase, despite treatment with modern DMTs.
Effect of air gap on cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna operating in TM01 mode

The results of a numerical study pertaining to the effect of an air gap on the input impedance and resonance frequency of a cylindrical dielectric resonator (CDR) antenna operating in the TM01 mode as a function of dielectric constant are presented. The CDR resides on a conducting ground plane and is excited by a coaxial probe through the bottom of the ground plane. Some of the numerical results are validated experimentally.
Partial reversal by sodium ascorbate of hyperoxia-induced damage to HEp-2 cell cultures

Hyperoxia induced cellular damage was used as an experimental model system for examining the ameliorative role of antioxidants. Multiplication of HEp-2 cells in monolayer culture was inhibited after exposure to 100% O2 either hyperbarically at 3 atm absolute (atma) or normobarically at 1 atma for periods from 15 s to 4 h. The inhibition was characterized by a slower rate of replication for a period from 1 to 3 d after exposure than in unexposed cultures, and then massive cellular death. Less killing followed exposure to normobaric O2 than to hyperbaric O2, and the shorter the period of exposure to hyperoxia the less killing. Addition of 100 μg/ml of sodiuml-ascorbate to unexposed cultures enhanced growth (cell number at 6 d) almost twofold. When added ascorbate was present only during hyperoxic exposure (but not afterward), subsequent growth in air was enhanced 1.6-fold. However, when cells were exposed without added ascorbate, there was from 2 to 12-fold greater growth in air in the presence of the added ascorbate (as compared to exposed controls). This greater growth was always only a partial reversal of the lethal effect resulting from hyperoxia. Addition of 25 μg/ml catalase did not affect control or exposed cultures. Addition of ascorbate plus catalase was not as effective as ascorbate alone in promoting growth; the catalase moiety antagonized some of the growth enhancing influence of ascorbate. This suggests that extracellular H2O2 was not a factor in the lethal effect resulting from hyperoxia.
Nicotine upregulates nerve growth factor expression and prevents apoptosis of cultured spinal cord neurons

Modulation of neurotrophic factor expression may constitute an important part of neuroprotective effects of nicotine. Therefore, the effects of nicotine on expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor, tyrosine receptor kinase A (trkA), were studied in cultured spinal cord neurons treated with arachidonic acid. Because injury to spinal cord is associated with elevated levels of arachidonic acid, this cell culture system has been developed in our laboratory as an in vitro model of neuronal injury in spinal cord trauma. Treatment with nicotine markedly upregulated NGF mRNA and protein expression in spinal cord neurons. In addition, a 12 h treatment with nicotine increased mRNA levels of trkA. Both nicotine and exogenous NGF inhibited arachidonic acid induced apoptosis of spinal cord neurons. However, the blockage of the trkA receptor prevented nicotine-mediated anti-apoptotic effects. The present results indicate that increased expression of NGF may be an important element of the neuroprotective effects of nicotine in injured spinal cord neurons.
ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF C4 GRASS INVASION OF A C4 GRASSLAND: A DILEMMA FOR MANAGEMENT

Many successful exotic invasive species are functionally distinct from the dominant native species they displace. Occasionally invasion occurs where the exotic species possesses functional traits relatively similar to those of the dominant native. We examined the ecological consequences of such an invasion within a mesic, temperate grassland at the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research site. We assessed potential changes in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling and plant diversity following the invasion of a C4 bunch grass species, Andropogon bladhii, into a tallgrass prairie dominated by the native C4 grass species, A. gerardii. In these prairies burning is an important management tool used to maintain native-species dominance. We determined how frequent spring fires affected the impacts of A. bladhii in this system. Over a two-year study our results show that burning regulated the effects that the invasive species has on the native prairie. Compared to the native species, A. bladhii exhibited significantly greater plant biomass, significantly lower pools of soil N, significantly lower rates of decay and C cycling, and higher foliar and root tissue C:N ratio in response to burning. Notable spatial heterogeneity in C and N cycling was evident in areas dominated by the invasive bunch grass. In addition to altered ecosystem processes, areas dominated by the invasive, A. bladhii, had significantly lower plant species diversity. In a grassland ecosystem where burning is an important management tool for controlling exotic-species establishment, maintaining native-species dominance, and increasing productivity, A. bladhii may be able to successfully out-compete the native C4 grass species by using traits typically used to explain the dominance of the native species. With frequent fire, the invasive species has the potential to decrease long-term fertility by lowering N inputs in litter and increasing erosion in non-vegetated soil between bunches, while also having a negative effect on plant diversity. By using fire to promote native C4 grasses and maintain these tallgrass prairies, the threat of invasion by nonnative C4 species may raise a dilemma for future management of these C4 grasslands.
Experimentally induced visual projections to the auditory thalamus in ferrets: Evidence for a W cell pathway

We have previously reported that following specific neonatal brain lesions in ferrets, a retinal projection is induced into the auditory thalamus (Sur et al., Science 242:1437, '88). In these "rewired" ferrets, a novel visual pathway is established through auditory thalamus [the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN)] and primary auditory cortex (A1); cells in both MGN and A1 are visually responsive and exhibit properties similar to those of visual cells in the normal visual pathway. In this paper, we use three approaches--physiological, anatomical, and developmental--to examine which of the retinal ganglion cells project to the MGN in these rewired ferrets. We find that: 1) physiological response properties of postsynaptic visual cells in the MGN are W-like; 2) retinal ganglion cells back-filled from the MGN are small and similar to soma sizes of subsets of the normal retinal W cell population; and 3) subpopulations of these small cells can be preferentially rerouted to the MGN in response to different surgical manipulations at birth, consistent with differential W cell projection patterns in normal animals. These data suggest that retinal W cells come to project to the MGN in rewired animals. These findings not only provide a basis on which to interpret functional properties of this novel visual pathway, but also provide important information about the developmental capabilities of specific retinal ganglion cell classes and the regulation of their projections by target structures in the brain during development.
Multiplicity of Phase Transitions and Mean-Field Criticality on Highly Non-Amenable Graphs

We consider independent percolation, Ising and Potts models, and the contact process, on infinite, locally finite, connected graphs.
Transport properties of palladium from 40 mK to 6K

The electrical resistivity rho , thermal conductivity kappa , thermopower S and thermoelectric ratio G have been measured in the range 40 mK to 6K in samples of nominally pure palladium before and after annealing in air. The electrical resistivity fits rho = rho 0+AT2 above 0.5K. Below 0.5K, rho decreases more rapidly with T than this equation implies. S similarly shows anomalies in the same temperature region. kappa is accurately linear from 50 mK up to the maximum temperature at which measurements were taken. The Wiedemann-Franz law is obeyed within the experimental error of 2% throughout. Annealing in air has a marked effect on all the parameters.
Pleiotropic effects on cardiovascular risk factors within and between the fourth and sixth decades of life: Implications for genotype × age interactions

We used an approach for detecting genotype × environment interactions to detect and characterize genotype × age interaction in longitudinal measures of three well known cardiovascular risk factors: total plasma cholesterol (TC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and body weight (Wgt). Our objectives were to determine if the same gene or suite of genes influences quantitative variation in each of these phenotypes in the 4th and 6th decades of life, to assess the impact of additive gene effects in these two decades, and to evaluate the stability of pleiotropic relationships among these phenotypes. Using the Framingham Heart Study data, we constructed two cross-sectional samples comprising individuals on whom these phenotypes were measured at ages 30-39 years (Original Cohort: exam 1, Offspring Cohort: exam 2) and at ages 50-59 years (Original Cohort: exam 11, Offspring Cohort: exam 5). We also constructed a longitudinal sample from the cross-sectional sample members for whom measures on these traits were available at both ages (i.e., 4th and 6th decades of life). Patterns of pleiotropy, inferred from genetic correlations between traits, differ between the two age classes. Further, additive genetic variance in SBP during the 4th decade of life is attributable to a different gene or suite of genes than during the 6th. The magnitude of the effect increases for SBP. Variation in TC and Wgt appear to be influenced by the same gene or genes in both decades. The magnitude of the effect is stable for TC, but increases dramatically with age for Wgt.
Laser-induced defect reactions governing damage performance in KDP and DKDP crystals

The interaction of damage initiating defect precursors in KDP and DKDP crystals with laser pulses is investigated as a function of laser parameters to obtain experimental results that contain information about the type and nature of the defects. Specifically, the focus is to understand (a) the interaction of the precursors with sub-damage laser pulses leading to improvement to the damage performance (laser conditioning) and (b) the synergetic effects during multi-wavelength irradiation. Our results expose complex behaviors of the defect precursors associated with damage initiation and conditioning at different wavelengths that provide a major step towards revealing the underlying physics.
L12 enhances gonococcal transcytosis of polarized Hec1B cells via the lutropin receptor.

Abstract We previously reported that gonococci convert to a more invasive phenotype (Inv + GC) following contact with cells expressing the lutropin receptor (LHr) and that Inv + GC express a novel adhesin that interacts with LHr. We propose that this adhesion allows Inv + GC to activate LHr and induce gonococcal transcytosis, usurping normal LHr function in fallopian and endometrial epithelium, which is to transport fetal chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) into the mother. Infected polarized Hec1B monolayers, grown on collagen-coated transwells, showed that the passage of GC across the monolayer occurred rapidly, within 30 min, and proceeded at a constant rate with Inv + GC passage three-fold faster than GC grown in tissue culture media alone (Inv − GC). Electron microscopy found that Inv + GC triggered pseudopod formation around the bacterium, with GC found throughout the Hec1B targets within 30 min, while Inv − GC did neither. Pre-treatment of Inv − GC with recombinant ribosomal protein L12, a gonococcal «hCG-like» protein previously shown to increase invasion, also increased Inv − GC transcytosis to the rate of Inv + GC. This enhancement was completely abolished by addition of luteinizing hormone, a cognate ligand of LHr. This is convincing evidence that surface expressed L12 mediates gonococcal invasion and transcytosis via LHr, a mechanism that could be important in the development of invasive gonococcal disease in women.
Investigating Response Bias in an Information Technology Survey of Physicians

Monitoring the diffusion of electronic health records (EHR) into ambulatory clinical practice has important policy implications. However, estimates of EHR use are typically derived from survey data and may be subject to significant response bias. The current study is a retrospective analysis testing for response bias in a large information technology survey of physicians (n=14,921). To detect bias, respondents were compared to nonrespondents on known characteristics. Moreover, early respondents were compared to late respondents with respect to key variables in the survey that are likely to influence participation. The 4203 respondents (28.2% participation rate) did not differ demographically from nonrespondents. Response rates, by specialty, differed slightly. When comparing early and late survey respondents, no differences were detected in EHR use, length of time since EHR installation, practice size, physician age, years since medical school graduation, and years of practice in their current community. Overall, response bias was not detected using established methodologies in this mailed survey of physician EHR use. Similar surveys of physicians, even with a lower than expected response rate, may still be valid.
Treatment of hypertension in diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Hypertension and diabetes mellitus, two of the most common diseases in the United States, coexist more frequently than predicted from individual incidence. Insulin resistance, carbohydrate intolerance, and diabetes mellitus occur more commonly with hypertension, while hypertension is more frequent in the diabetic than in the nondiabetic individual. Genetics, environment, hormones, and other pathophysiologic factors contribute to this relationship. Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal damage are compounded; morbidity and mortality are increased. While therapy must include optimal control of blood pressure and carbohydrate intolerance, careful attention must be given to the specific complications that occur in the hypertensive diabetic patient. Nonpharmacologic modalities should be the initial treatment, followed by an individually tailored pharmacologic approach. Antihypertensive therapy should be based on an understanding of the hemodynamic derangements and on antihypertensive drugs' effects on coronary heart disease risk factors such as serum glucose, electrolytes, lipids, lipid subfractions, left ventricular hypertrophy, and exercise. Such therapy must also consider specific medical problems and complications in the diabetic patient and quality of life and adverse effects. In general, diuretics and β-blockers have relative contraindications, whereas α-blockers, calcium blockers, central α-agonists, and ACE inhibitors are recommended at first-line monotherapy.
ICCAD-2014 CAD contest in incremental timing-driven placement and benchmark suite

Circuit performance is greatly affected by the quality and optimization metrics of placement algorithms. At modern technology nodes, improving routability and reducing total wirelength are no longer sufficient to close timing, as nets may require specialized attention to reduce negative slack. To this end, incremental timing-driven placement (TDP) seeks to address these imposed timing constraints by leveraging timing information during optimization while respecting relative density and displacement thresholds with respect to the original placement.The goal of the ICCAD-2014 Contest is to encourage research in incremental TDP by providing (i) a flexible timing-oriented placement framework, including a publicly-available academic timer, (ii) a set of benchmarks and the associated cell library with timing information and (iii) an evaluation metric that objectively defines the quality of newly-developed algorithms.
Expanding the Acculturation Gap-Distress Model: An Integrative Review of Research.

The acculturation gap-distress model purports that immigrant children acculturate to their new culture at a quicker pace than their parents, leading to family conflict and youth maladjustment. This article reviews literature on the acculturation gap-distress model, showing that acculturation gaps function in unique ways depending on many social and contextual variables. In contrast to the original model, which only discusses 1 type of acculturation gap, there are at least 4 types of acculturation gaps: (1) the child is more acculturated than the parent in the host culture, (2) the child is less acculturated than the parent in the host culture, (3) the child is more acculturated than the parent in the native culture, and (4) the child is less acculturated than the parent in the native culture. A review of research indicates that each of these types of gaps function in unique ways.
Optimization of a Stormwater Quality Management Pond System

Stormwater system management in urban watersheds is often achieved by effective design and use of detention ponds which help mitigate impacts of urban drainage from water quantity and quality perspectives. The costs associated with these tasks for management can be minimized considering the fulfillment of objectives of environmental and regulatory compliance. Nonlinear and mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulations with discrete and binary variables is developed in this study to obtain an optimal design for a multiple stormwater detention pond system. The main objective considered is the minimization of cost constrained on system performance related to pollution control. Analytical probabilistic expressions in mathematically closed form for system performance depicting watershed hydrology, control system hydraulics and pollution removal processes are integrated into the optimization formulations. Gradient-based NLP and genetic algorithm-based solvers are used to obtain optimal solutions. Application of the methodology is demonstrated with a hypothetical case study system with realistic hydrologic and water quality parameter values and the benefits of solutions for effective pollution control are reported. Results from the solutions of the formulations provide optimal design parameters considering the runoff control and pollutant reduction considering environmental and regulatory constraints. A comparison of results from these formulations to those from a dynamic programming (DP) formulation developed in an earlier study indicates that limitations associated with discretization within DP can be overcome with the proposed optimal formulations.
Raman superradiance & and matter wave amplification in bose-einstein condensates

We observe superradiant light scattering on a Raman transition between different hyperfine levels in 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensates. This effect is used to demonstrate Raman matter wave amplification
The behavioral treatment of a “transsexual” preadolescent boy

Behavioral treatment procedures were developed to suppress feminine sex-typed behaviors and to increase masculine sex-typed behaviors in an 8-year-old boy with “childhood cross-gender identity.” The boy's clinical history paralleled the retrospective reports of adult transsexuals, including (1) feminine voice inflection and predominantly feminine content in speech, (2) verbal self-reference as “sissy” and “fag” and statements about his preference to be a girl, (3) feminine hand and arm gestures and “swishy” gait, (4) an aversion to masculine play activities, (5) a strong preference for girl playmates and taking a feminine role in play and role-playing, and (6) improvised cross-dressing. With a multiple-baseline intrasubject design across stimulus environments and across behaviors, the subject was treated sequentially in the clinic, at home, and in the school. The boy's mother was trained to administer a token economy program in the home, and the school teacher was taught to apply a response-cost procedure in the classroom. The initial treatment effects were found to be largely response specific and stimulus specific, necessitating treatment for a number of behaviors in the three major environments. Followup data 12 months after treatment termination suggest that the boy's sex-typed behaviors have become essentially normalized. This treatment holds promise for correcting pathological gender identity development in boys and for relieving the associated emotional adjustment problems.
The Holmes reports

Abstract There has not yet been an attempt to categorize or critique the substantial body of literature that has arisen around the Holmes Group’s three reports regarding the treatment of teaching and teacher education: Tomorrow’s Teachers (1986), Tomorrow’s Schools (1990) and Tomorrow’s Schools of Education (1995). This article represents an initial attempt to do so, as well as to discuss what impact, if any, the Holmes suggestions have had on current practice. This literature revolves around the themes of gender, professionalism, and epistemology—themes which have dominated discussions of American teacher education for at least 150 years. Criticism of the reports accuses the Holmes Group of covering over and even perpetuating dilemmas related to thee issues with politically calculating pseudo-solutions. Favorable responses to the Holmes reports generally claim that they ‘professionally’ empower teachers by showing increased respect for teachers’ ways of knowing and doing in the classroom.
Endoscopic features of long-standing primary intestinal lymphangiectasia

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Utilization of microbial organic aggregates by bay scallops, Argopecten irradians (Lamarck)

Abstract The use of organic aggregates as a food source by bay scallops, Argopecten irradians (Lamarck), was quantified and compared with the use of phytoplankton, a known good food. In two experiments, the first designed to characterize nitrogen incorporation and the second nitrogen release, 15 N was used to trace N into and out of scallops under defined, laboratory conditions. Scallops were fed experimental diets of labelled organic aggregates, produced from the dissolved material released by either a brown ( Fucus vesiculosis ) or red ( Gracilaria tikvahiae ) alga, or phytoplankton, Thalassiosira weissflogii (Grunow), for periods of 5–15 h in a flow-through system. More N was incorporated by scallops fed phytoplankton (523 μg · gDW −1 · h −1 ) than by those fed aggregates (70 μg · gDW −1 · h −1 for aggregates derived from F. vesiculosis and 306 μg · gDW −1 · h −1 for those derived from G. tikvahiae ). On both diets, fecal material and 15 N was released rapidly during the first 6 h of depuration. It was estimated that scallops incorporated aggregate N with an absorption efficiency of 77 to 79% as compared with an efficiency of 90% for phytoplankton N. Estimated assimilation efficiency ranged from 14 to 43% for scallops fed aggregates, and 75% for those fed phytoplankton. Despite these differences, aggregates represent a potentially important source of nutrition for suspension-feeding bivalves living in near-shore regions rich in natural seston.
Modeling Alzheimer's disease and other proteopathies in vivo: is seeding the key?

Protein misfolding and aberrant polymerization are salient features of virtually all central neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, triplet repeat disorders, tauopathies, and prion diseases. In many instances, a single amino acid change can predispose to disease by increasing the production and/or changing the biophysical properties of a specific protein. Possible pathogenic similarities among the cerebral proteopathies suggest that therapeutic agents interfering with the proteopathic cascade might be effective against a wide range of diseases. However, testing compounds preclinically will require disease-relevant animal models. Numerous transgenic mouse models of β-amyloidosis, tauopathy, and other aspects of AD have now been produced, but none of the existing models fully recapitulates the pathology of AD. In an attempt to more faithfully replicate the human disease, we infused dilute AD-brain extracts into Tg2576 mice at 3-months of age (i.e. 5–6 months prior to the usual onset of β-amyloid deposition). We found that intracerebral infusion of AD brain extracts results in: 1) Premature deposition of β-amyloid in eight month-old, β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP)-transgenic mice (Kane et al., 2000); 2) augmented amyloid load in the injected hemisphere of 15 month-old transgenic mice; 3) evidence for the spread of pathology to other brain areas, possibly by neuronal transport mechanisms; and 4) tau hyperphosphorylation (but not neurofibrillary pathology) in axons passing through the injection site. The seeding of β-amyloid in vivo by AD brain extracts suggests pathogenic similarities between β-amyloidoses such as AD and other cerebral proteopathies such as the prionoses, and could provide a new model for studying the proteopathic cascade and its neuronal consequences in neurodegenerative diseases.
Minimizing entrainment of extract liquid by settling maize particles

Abstract An ethanol soluble protein (zein) can be extracted from maize meal. Development of a cost effective protein recovery process requires that the extracted maize particles be separated from the extract. We have previously shown that the particles can be settled into a water layer, through a stagnant interface, with low dilution of the protein-containing extract liquid. In this article, we describe testing done to develop settling tank base inclinations that enable the settled particles to be pumped from the tank as rapidly as they settle to the water layer. Ethanol extracts were pumped to one side of an ethanol solution layer floating on a water layer. The ethanol solution was kept at a constant height by pumping from a port opposite and higher than the inlet port and by maintenance of a constant water layer height. The solid particles in the extract settled into the water. Water was continuously pumped to and from the tank. Laminar water flow alone did not remove the particles at the lowest sustainable extract feed rate. Particles could be pumped out of the tank at rates equal to practical rates of extract feed when they settled on a base inclined 35° to the horizontal. The rate of extract liquid entrainment by the settling particles was determined from measurements of the mass of the solids settled into the water layer and the density of the dilute ethanol solution pumped from the bottom of the tank. The mass ratio of the extract liquid lost:solid particle settled was similar to the corresponding ratio for decanter centrifugation. Settling promises to be a cost-effective method of separating extracted particles from alcoholic extracts with low extract liquid dilution.
Mathematical modeling of tricalcium silicate hydration. II. Hydration sub-models and the effect of model parameters

Abstract Further details are reported for a previously developed mathematical model for the hydration of tricalcium silicate. The model is based on conceptual models for the different stages of hydration. Sub-models are given which consider the effects of the particle size, thickness of the barrier layer, and diffusivities through the hydrate layers. Model predictions were consistent with experimental data.
DNA specimens and the 'International code of botanical nomenclature'

Existing rules of the 'International code of botanical nomenclature' apply to the nomenclature of a DNA-based species concept. DNA can serve as the type element. Two hypothetical examples of validation of fictitious new mycological species are given, one for a mix of DNA and morphological type materials and the other for DNA type material only. It is recommended that herbaria prepare to curate genomic DNA material as types.
Gamma-Ray Imaging Using a Fresnel Zone Plate Aperture, Multiwire Proportional Chamber Detecior, and Computer Reconsteuction

The use of the multiwire proportional chamber in a Fresnel zone plate coded aperture gamma-ray imaging system is described. Image reconstruction is by computer using the fast Fourier transform algorithm. Criteria for design parameters of the imaging system are established. A calculation of the signal/noise ratio of images reconstructed from computer-generated on-axis zone plate holograms gives values, for larger numbers of gamma-ray events, which are somewhat smaller than theoretical values based on a shot-noise formula. The use of a positive and a negative zone plate combination is shown to eliminate the large background usually associated with on-axis zone plate imaging.