cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can the premises of the altered homeostatic theory permit improvement in the prevention of ischemic heart disease

In this communication, the altered homeostatic theory will be discussed and updated, and evidence will be presented that the premises of the theory might permit improvement of the prevention of ischemic heart disease (IHD). This hypothesis, first described in 1999, argues that IHD is due basically to an inappropriate shift of homeostasis, and the theory includes the position that S-RV directly induces symptoms. In contrast, the standard approach to IHD is based fundamentally on two principles: that atherosclerosis is due fundamentally to lipid abnormalities, and that symptoms in IHD are due to obstructive complications of atherosclerosis in epicardial coronary arteries. Suggestions for prevention stem from the altered homeostatic theory's different basic conceptualization of this disorder, and it seems reasonable that accepted basic pathogenetic mechanisms help shape measures to prevent IHD. Many of the theory's positions for preventing IHD parallel standard views, but the theory's basic premises have resulted in significant differences between the standard and the theory's overall approach to the prevention of IHD. Positions for the prevention of IHD include: the possibility that any preventative factor can improve any risk factor, the use of substitute preventative factors to counter unmodifiable or difficult to correct risk factors, underestimation of the risk of IHD by the standard position in individuals with normal lipid levels but multiple other risk factors, the probable relative overemphasis of the risk factor of cholesterol, the value of a national program to reduce the incidence of multiple disorders with similar risk factors, an alternate approach to the use of statins, and the value of an evolutionary approach to preventing IHD and other disorders.
A unified minimal path tracking and topology characterization approach for vascular analysis

We present a unified coarse-to-fine approach for extracting the medial axis representations (centerlines) of human vasculature in contrast enhanced (CE)-CTA/MRA. The proposed method constitutes two separate analysis stages that are successively applied (and repeated) for a refined extraction. The former stage involves the use of a graphbased optimization algorithm that identifies the minimum-cost paths between user-specified seed points. The costs of all feasible paths are efficiently computed via the medialness filter, which is a contrast- and scale-invariant local operator sensitive to the presence of tubular structures. Nonetheless, image noise and the presence of nearby blood vessels can affect the quality of detection and delineation. In the latter stage, we thereby employ a novel multiscale orientation descriptor so as to guide/stop additional minimal path extraction steps. Specifically, the descriptor is designed to classify a point of interest as vessel or non-vessel, as well as to obtain a reliable estimate of the number and directions of the vascular segments (branches) at a vessel point. Our method improves the accuracy of extraction by robustly identifying critical configurations such as bifurcations, endpoints, or non-vessel points, and thereby delineating/ eliminating missing/spurious vessel branches.
A RELATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF AND EMOTION

Begin with two premises. First, psychological experience always implies a connection, a relationship: with another person, with cultural tools or language, or with the natural environment. Life is a network of relationships. Second, psychological experience is always dynamic and changing. The simplest visual perception requires a change, either in a movement of the object or a movement of the eyes, head, or body. Thoughts and feelings fluctuate in a continuous pattern of change. These patterns of change themselves change as people develop. Life is a series of changes. On the other hand, part of psychological experience is a sense of one's uniqueness (the self) and a sense of one's permanence through time (identity). How can this occur? How can people have a sense of themselves and their stability over time if psychological experience is fundamentally relational and dynamic? The answer proposed in this chapter is that people experience the changes in their relationships according to different types of emotion and that emotions provide information about the self. Consistent with the two premises, emotions are conceptualized as dynamic experiences of harm or benefit, perceived as personally meaningful with respect to the individual's changing relationship with the environment (Barrett, 1993; Barrett and Campos, 1987; Fischer, Shaver, and Carnochan, 1990; Frijda, 1986; Lazarus, 1991b). According to Frijda, emotional experience “is glued, as it were, to its object, coinciding entirely with apprehending that object's nature and significance … [negative] emotional experience is perception of horrible objects, insupportable people, oppressive events” (Frijda, 1986: 188).
Pandemic 2009 H1N1 vaccine protects against 1918 Spanish influenza virus

The 1918 infl uenza A virus caused the most devastating pandemic, killing approximately 50 million people worldwide. Immunization with 1918-like and classical swine H1N1 virus vaccines results in cross-protective antibodies against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic infl uenza, indicating antigenic similarities among these viruses. In this study, we demonstrate that vaccination with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 vaccine elicits 1918 virus cross-protective antibodies in mice and humans, and that vaccination or passive transfer of human-positive sera reduced morbidity and conferred full protection from lethal challenge with the 1918 virus in mice. The spread of the 2009 H1N1 infl uenza virus in the population worldwide, in addition to the large number of individuals already vaccinated, suggests that a large proportion of the population now have cross-protective antibodies against the 1918 virus, greatly alleviating concerns and fears regarding the accidental exposure / release of the 1918 virus from the laboratory and the use of the virus as a bioterrorist agent.
Ablation of bcl-2 gene expression decreases the numbers of oocytes and primordial follicles established in the post-natal female mouse gonad

Oocyte loss, either directly through attrition (germ cell death) or indirectly through follicular atresia (somatic or granulosa cell death), is a fundamental event associated with defining the time of normal or premature reproductive senescence in females. Although apoptosis has been reported to function as the underlying mechanism responsible for death of both germ cells and somatic cells in the ovary, the final molecular steps which commit ovarian cells to death have not been fully elucidated. To examine if death repressor activity of the bcl-2 gene product is important for germ cell survival, we conducted studies using a Bcl-2 loss-of-function (bcl-2 -/-) transgenic mouse model. Histological analyses revealed that ovaries collected from bcl-2 -/- mice possessed numerous aberrantly formed primordial follicle-like structures containing a single layer of granulosa cells without an oocyte. Additionally, the total number of primordial follicles present which contained a healthy oocyte was markedly reduced in bcl-2 -/- mice as compared to heterozygote (bcl-2 -/+) or wild-type (bcl-2 +/+) mice, suggesting that expression of the bcl-2 death repressor gene is critical for endowment of a normal complement of germ cells and primordial follicles in the mammalian ovary.
Mesenchymal stem cells from the outer ear: a novel adult stem cell model system for the study of adipogenesis

Adipocytes arise from multipotent stem cells of mesodermal origin, which also give rise to the muscle, bone, and cartilage lineages. However, signals and early molecular events that commit multipotent stem cells into the adipocyte lineage are not well established mainly due to lack of an adequate model system. We have identified a novel source of adult stem cells from the external murine ears referred to here as an ear mesenchymal stem cells (EMSC). EMSC have been isolated from several standard and mutant strains of mice. They are self-renewing, clonogenic, and multipotent, since they give rise to osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. The in vitro characterization of EMSC indicates very facile adipogenic differentiation. Morphological, histochemical, and molecular analysis after the induction of differentiation showed that EMSC maintain adipogenic potentials up to fifth passage. A comparison of EMSC to the stromal-vascular (S-V) fraction of fat depots, under identical culture conditions (isobutyl-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin), revealed much more robust and consistent adipogenesis in EMSC than in the S-V fraction. In summary, we show that EMSC can provide a novel, easily obtainable, primary culture model for the study of adipogenesis.
Interaction of DNA with Cationic Micelles: Effects of Micelle Surface Charge Density, Micelle Shape, and Ionic Strength on Complexation and DNA Collapse

Complexation between DNA and cationic/nonionic micelles of dodecyldimethylamine oxide (DMDAO) at various ionic strengths (I) was studied by monitoring turbidity or dynamic light scattering as a function of pH at various ionic strengths (I). Complexation takes place at a critical degree of micelle protonation (βc) and is therefore primarily controlled by the ratio of cationic:nonionic surfactant, not by the ratio of surfactant:DNA. βc corresponds to a critical micelle surface charge density (σc), which increases nearly linearly with I. The dependence of βc on I displays a discontinuity when the DMDAO micelle shape changes from spherical to rodlike. The proximity of the complexation boundary to the coil/coil−globule coexistence boundary reported from fluorescence microscopy1 indicates that the DNA−micelle complexation observed by scattering also corresponds to micelle-induced collapse of DNA.
Your phone will go to pieces

The modern smartphone is a masterpiece of adaptability. It lets you talk, snap photos, and tote around sprawling media collections. Downloadable apps let you do lots of other things, too, like track your workouts, monitor your diet, or remix a song. There's even an app that helps you find hidden treasure, thanks to software that turns your device into a metal detector using the magnetic-field sensors that make up your smartphone's compass.
A preliminary exploration of college smokers' reactions to nicotine dependence genetic susceptibility feedback.

INTRODUCTION Many young smokers underestimate their risk for becoming addicted to cigarettes. We explored whether informing light college smokers (i.e., fewer than 5 cigarettes/day) of their genetic predisposition to nicotine dependence influenced their perceived risks and worry about becoming addicted, their ability to quit (i.e., self-efficacy), their desire to quit, and smoking cessation. METHODS College smokers (n = 142) received educational materials on mechanisms and consequences of nicotine addiction and were offered genetic susceptibility testing for nicotine dependence. Participants who accepted testing were randomized to receive feedback or no feedback (i.e., control). Tested participants learned they were above or not above average genetic risk for nicotine dependence. All participants responded to questions about perceived risks and worry about becoming addicted, efficacy to quit, and desire to quit. Cessation was assessed during a 1-month follow-up. RESULTS Efficacy beliefs, worry about becoming addicted, and desire to quit did not differ by study condition or feedback. Perceived risk for becoming addicted was highest among tested participants informed they were above average risk for nicotine dependence. Overall, self-reported 30- but not 7-day quit rate was higher among participants who underwent genetic testing compared with control participants. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study is the first to show that among light college smokers, receipt of genetic susceptibility feedback to nicotine dependence potentially curbs smoking without producing detrimental effects.
Recent genome reduction of Wolbachia in Drosophila recens targets phage WO and narrows candidates for reproductive parasitism.

Wolbachia are maternally transmitted endosymbionts that often alter their arthropod hosts’ biology to favor the success of infected females, and they may also serve as a speciation microbe driving reproductive isolation. Two of these host manipulations include killing males outright and reducing offspring survival when infected males mate with uninfected females, a phenomenon known as cytoplasmic incompatibility. Little is known about the mechanisms behind these phenotypes, but interestingly either effect can be caused by the same Wolbachia strain when infecting different hosts. For instance, wRec causes cytoplasmic incompatibility in its native host Drosophila recens and male killing in D. subquinaria. The discovery of prophage WO elements in most arthropod Wolbachia has generated the hypothesis that WO may encode genes involved in these reproductive manipulations. However, PCR screens for the WO minor capsid gene indicated that wRec lacks phage WO. Thus, wRec seemed to provide an example where phage WO is not needed for Wolbachia-induced reproductive manipulation. To enable investigation of the mechanism of phenotype switching in different host backgrounds, and to examine the unexpected absence of phage WO, we sequenced the genome of wRec. Analyses reveal that wRec diverged from wMel approximately 350,000 years ago, mainly by genome reduction in the phage regions. While it lost the minor capsid gene used in standard PCR screens for phage WO, it retained two regions encompassing 33 genes, several of which have previously been associated with reproductive parasitism. Thus, WO gene involvement in reproductive manipulation cannot be excluded and reliance on single gene PCR should not be used to rule out the presence of phage WO in Wolbachia. Additionally, the genome sequence for wRec will enable transcriptomic and proteomic studies that may help elucidate the Wolbachia mechanisms of altered reproductive manipulations associated with host switching, perhaps among the 33 remaining phage genes.
Screening for lung cancer revisited and the role of sputum cytology and fluorescence bronchoscopy in a high-risk group

Lung cancer is an epidemic disease that is underrepresented in the research funding for early detection and chemoprevention arenas. Screening programs have been discouraged for both financial and political reasons. Yet, increasing evidence suggests that screening and early detection may improve outcome in lung cancer. Sputum cytology examination has been shown in several studies to lead to detection of lung cancer at an earlier stage, resulting in an improved 5-year survival rate. Monoclonal antibody detection, fluorescence bronchoscopy, and low-dose spiral CT increase diagnostic sensitivity and improve the ability to localize early-stage lesions. Utilizing these new techniques and improving the definition of high-risk groups may improve the success and cost-effectiveness of early detection based on sputum cytology. The ultimate goal of improving long-term survival in lung cancer will be achieved only when cancer can be detected in its early stages and lesions can be localized in large numbers. Advances in the last 15 years offer an encouraging vision for the value of early detection and effective treatment for lung cancer.
Student attitudes toward science-technology-society resulting from visitation to a science-technology museum

Are student attitudes toward science-technology-society (TSS) affected by visitation to science-technology museums? The purpose of this study was to determine whether such visitations affected student STS attitudes, and in what ways particular factors of the visitation impacted these attitudes. Factors examined included prior classroom experience with STS, instructional methodology employed by teachers, grade level, socioeconomic status, school type (public or private), and gender. The subjects involved in the study were 194 Kansas students in grades 6-8, and their 13 classroom teachers. Data were collected via a pretest-posttest control group design by using study-specific questionnaires and the Moore-Sutman Scientific Attitudes Inventory. Results indicated that significant differences in attitudes were present between visiting and nonvisiting students and between grade levels. No significant differences were found between other factors. One possible conclusion is that sound pedagogy should be used prior to and during museum visitations as well as in the classroom.
CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR PLAYERS IN PURSUIT-EVASION GAMES BASED ON THEIR PREFERENCES

In this paper, a design of strategies for players in pursuit-evasion games, is provided. The design incorporates players' preferences captured in their goal functions which are constructed using particular functional forms that include multiattribute copulas. The approach provides closed-form strategies for the players governed by nonlinear models affine in control. A number of sufficient conditions based on differential inequalities for either evasion or capture is formulated. Finally, to demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed design, some illustrative simulations with players modeled as nonlinear and nonholonomic unicycles, are provided.
Randomly accessible procedural animation of physically approximate turbulent motion

Complex virtual environments can be simulated with physical or procedural motion. Physical motion is more realistic, but requires the integration of an ordinary differential equation from an initial state. Procedural motion has the advantage of being randomly accessible, though it is not physically based. We combine these techniques into a multiresolution model. A coarse-level simulation is sampled to yield keyframes. Then a physical motion between keyframes is calculated and distorted to meet its boundary conditions. We demonstrate these ideas with a simple virtual world consisting of wind blowing trees and leaves that can be entered and experienced efficiently at any point in time.
Synthesis and SAR of 2,4-diaminopyrimidines as potent c-jun N-terminal kinase inhibitors

The design and synthesis of a potent series of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK2) inhibitors is described. The development and optimization of the 2,4-diaminopyrimidines series was carried out from an earlier in-house kinase inhibitor program. Through the optimization of the scaffold 2, several cell potent compounds with good in vivo profiles were discovered.
A Reconfigurable Hardware Interface for a Modern Computing System

Reconfigurable hardware (RH) is used in an increasing variety of applications, many of which require support for features commonly found in general purpose systems. In this work we examine some of the challenges faced in integrating RH with general purpose processors and memory systems. We propose a new CPU-RH-memory interface that takes advantage of on-chip caches and uses virtual memory for communication. Additionally we describe the simulator model we developed to evaluate this new architecture. This work shows that an efficient interface can greatly accelerate RH applications, and provides a strong first step toward multiprocessor reconfigurable computing.
Lung Transplantation for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background Outcomes of lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are thought to be worse than those for other indications, although the reasons are unknown. In addition, the choice of single versus double lung transplantation is unclear. To guide decision-making, we (1) compared survival of patients receiving transplantation for IPF with survival of patients receiving transplantation for non-IPF diagnoses, (2) identified risk factors for mortality after transplantation for IPF, and (3) ascertained whether double lung transplantation for IPF confers a survival advantage. Methods From February 1990 to November 2005, 469 patients underwent lung transplantation, 82 for IPF. Multiphase hazard modeling was used to identify risk factors, and propensity matching was used to compare survival of IPF and non-IPF patients and to assess the effect of single versus double lung transplantation. Results Survival estimates after transplantation for IPF were 95%, 73%, 56%, and 44% at 30 days and 1, 3, and 5 years, somewhat worse than for matched non-IPF patients ( p = 0.03). Risk factors for mortality were earlier date of transplantation ( p = 0.07), single lung transplantation ( p = 0.03), and higher wedge pressure ( p = 0.003). Survival for double versus single lung transplantation was 81% versus 67% at 1 year and 55% versus 34% at 5 years; however, among matched non-IPF patients, corresponding survivals were 88% versus 71% at 1 year and 72% versus 48% at 5 years ( p = 0.3). Conclusions Survival after lung transplantation for IPF is worse than after other indications for transplantation when multiple clinical variables are accounted for. Survival may be improved by double lung transplant.
A Novel 2.4 GHz CMOS Variable Gain Low Noise Amplifier Design for Bluetooth and Wireless LAN Applications

This paper describes a 2.4 GHz fully differential variable gain low noise amplifier (VGLNA) in a 0.18-mum CMOS process. The VGLNA achieves a maximum small signal gain of 18.37 dB within 1-dB compression point (iCP1dB) of -11.35 dBm and a minimum gain of 6.4 dB. In the high gain mode, the noise figures (NF) is 2.1 dB with good input return loss. The LNA's IIP3 in the high gain mode is 2.47 dBm. The LNA consumes only 4.3 m A of current from a 1.5-V power supply.
GPCR-GRAPA-LIB--a refined library of hidden Markov Models for annotating GPCRs.

Summary: GPCR-GRAPA-LIB is a library of HMMs describing G protein coupled receptor families. These families are initially defined by class of receptor ligand, with divergent families divided into subfamilies using phylogenic analysis and knowledge of GPCR function. Protein sequences are applied to the models with the GRAPA curve-based selection criteria. RefSeq sequences for Homo sapiens, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans have been annotated using this approach. Availability: The HMMs and sequence alignments are available at http://www.affymetrix.com/community/ publications/affymetrix/index.affx. Annotation results are available at http://www.affymetrix.com/analysis/index.affx. Contact: ron shigeta@affymetrix.com
COFFEE, PLASMA CHOLESTEROL, AND LIPOPROTEINS A POPULATION STUDY IN AN ADULT COMMUNITY

The associations between intake of coffee or decaffeinated coffee and plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein measurements were examined in a probability sample from a defined community of adults. The results were based on 24-hour dietary recall interviews and laboratory measurements carried out in 1972-1974 on 381 women and 320 men conducted as part of the La Jolla Lipid Research Clinic study. Intake of 8+ oz (230+ ml) of coffee per day was reported by 65% of women and 70% of men. Plasma cholesterol increased with increasing coffee drinking in women as follows: 0-7 oz (0-229 ml), 214 mg/dl; 8-32 oz (230-960 ml), 222 mg/dl; and 33+ oz (961+ ml), 234 mg/dl. This trend was significant at p less than 0.01. Almost all of the difference could be accounted for by an increase in low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Plasma cholesterol was not affected by coffee intake in men or by decaffeinated coffee intake in either sex. The results were unaffected by adjustment for age, obesity index, number of cigarettes smoked per day, ml of alcohol consumed per day, oral contraceptive use, regular exercise, daily intake of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat, polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio, use of cream in coffee, and use of sugar in coffee. This study confirms the previously reported significant increase in plasma cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels with increasing coffee intake in women, and demonstrates that the increase is due largely to elevation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The reasons for a differential response to coffee in women and men, reported previously and in this study, deserve further investigation.
On Terminal Nodes and the Degree Profile of Preferential Dynamic Attachment Circuits.

We investigate terminal nodes and the degree profile in preferential dynamic attachment circuits. We study the distribution of the number of terminal nodes, which are the nodes that have not recruited other nodes, as the circuit ages. The expectation and variance of the number of terminal nodes are both linear with respect to the age of the circuit. We show via martingale that the number of terminal nodes asymptotically follows a Gaussian law. We also study the exact distribution of the degree of a specific node as the circuit grows. The exact expectation and variance of the degree of a node are determined via a series of Polya–Eggenberger urn models with “hiccups” in between and recurrence methods. Phase transitions of these degrees are discussed briefly.
Highly aligned epitaxial nanorods with a checkerboard pattern in oxide films.

One of the central challenges of nanoscience is fabrication of nanoscale structures with well-controlled architectures using planar thin-film technology. Herein, we report that ordered nanocheckerboards in ZnMnGaO4 films were grown epitaxially on single-crystal MgO substrates by utilizing a solid-state method of the phase separation-induced self-assembly. The films consist of two types of chemically distinct and regularly spaced nanorods with mutually coherent interfaces, ∼4 × 4 × 750 nm3 in size and perfectly aligned along the film growth direction. Surprisingly, a significant in-plane strain, more than 2%, from the substrate is globally maintained over the entire film thickness of about 820 nm. The strain energy from Jahn−Teller distortions and the film−substrate lattice mismatch induce the coherent three-dimensional (3D) self-assembled nanostructure, relieving the volume strain energy while suppressing the formation of dislocations.
Dynamic Properties of Composite Materials Using a T-Matrix to Describe Microstructure

A dispersion equation is obtained for plane wave propagation in a discrete random medium. The effect of multiple scattering between the discrete inhomogeneities, statistical correlation in the position of the scatterers, details of the geometry, size and properties of the inhomogeneity via the T-matrix are considered. The resulting effective wavenumber for the average or composite medium depends on the above parameters and the frequency. The complex effective wavenumber in turn can be related to the effective properties of the composite material. The formalism is extremely well suited for numerical computation and can thus yield results suited for engineering applications. The other advantage is that the generality of the T-matrix description makes it convenient for describing acoustic, electromagnetic and elastodynamic problems.
A Simple Deduction of the Differential of Logx.

(1897). A Simple Deduction of the Differential of Logx.. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 4, No. 12, pp. 306-306.
The Pretarsus (Articularis) in Coleoptera

The number of tarsal segments (tarsomeres) in the legs of insects varies between one and five. Because many holometabolous insects exhibit five divisions of the tarsus, this number has usually been considered as primitive. Since paurometabolous insects, as a rule, have less than five segments it has been suggested that fewer than five segments might be the more primitive condition. Snodgrass (1927, p. 81) advanced the theory that “the subsegments or articles of the adult tarsus, conveniently called tarsal ‘segments,’ therefore appear to be subdivisions of a single primitive shaft; they have no articular hinges with each other, though they are usually freely movable by inflected connecting membranes and they never have individual muscles.” He further indicates that tarsi with less than five segments represent “either a stage of progress in the division of the primitive, or a retrogressive condition in which some of the articles of a five-segmented tarsus have been lost or coalesced.” The question of primitiveness is thus far from settled.
Analysis of vertebrate eye movements following intravitreal drug injections. IV. Drug-induced eye movements are unyoked in the turtle.

1. Eye movements of awake turtles were measured from both eyes simultaneously using two search-coil contact lenses. Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) was evoked by full field patterns moving horizontally at different stimulus velocities. Intravitreal injections of either bicuculline or 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (APB) were then made into one eye, after which eye movements were again recorded under similar stimulus conditions. Several days later, eye movements were again recorded and recovery was observed. 2. The effects of these two synaptic drugs on the optokinetic responses of the injected eye were similar to those previously reported in turtles, rabbits, and decorticate cats. APB, which blocks the retinal ON pathways, completely blocked visually evoked responses to any stimulus direction or velocity presented to the injected eye. On the other hand, the uninjected eye was still responsive to optokinetic stimuli. This difference between the eyes is consistent with the nonconjugate nature of OKN in the turtle....
OUTCOME OF REFLUX IN CHILDREN WITH MYELODYSPLASIA MANAGED BY BLADDER PRESSURE MONITORING

Abstract From June 1984 to December 1992 voiding cystourethrography performed on 209 patients with myelodysplasia revealed vesicoureteral reflux in 57 (27%). High grade reflux (3 to 5/5) occurred in 33 patients (58%). Bladder pressure at typical capacity, defined as the pressure at average catheterization volume or bladder leak point pressure, was determined urodynamically. After a mean of 56 months vesicoureteral reflux resolved or improved in 55% of patients and remained unchanged in 28%. There was no correlation between the grade of reflux and the rate of spontaneous resolution. Pressure at typical capacity of 40 cm. water or more was significantly more common in patients with reflux (44%) than in those with no reflux (20%) (p
Reduction of Pathogens, Indicator Bacteria, and Alternative Indicators by Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Processes

In wastewater reclamation systems, microbiological monitoring is conducted to ensure that the users of reclaimed water are exposed to minimal risks from exposure to pathogens. Typically, utilities rely on the use of process controls to remove or inactivate pathogens. Routine monitoring of indicator organisms is conducted to evaluate overall process performance and for regulatory compliance. However, the effectiveness of individual treatment processes for removal of pathogens is dependent on process variables. This project was conducted to compare the effectiveness of biological treatment, filtration, and disinfection for removal of bacterial and viral indicators, enteric viruses, and protozoan pathogens. Six full-scale treatment facilities were each sampled a minimum of four times over a one year period. The relative impacts of loading conditions, process design, and operating parameters on the removal/inactivation of a suite of nine microbial species (bacteria, coliphages, enteric viruses, and protozoan pathogens) was evaluated. Bacterial removal was consistent for all types of biological systems, however, increased virus removal was associated with biological nutrient removal and nitrification processes. Parasite removal was highly variable. The effectiveness of filtration was impacted most by the use of upstream chemicals (either chlorine or coagulant chemicals). Chlorine disinfection was more effective in cases where ammonia levels were low (biological nutrient removal or nitrification facilities). Infectivity assays for protozoan pathogens suggest that the proportion of infective cysts or oocysts increases with increasing level of treatment. This title belongs to WERF Research Report Series ISBN: 9781843397304 (Print) ISBN: 9781780404370 (eBook)
Improved auscultation with a stethoscope using model inversion for unknown input estimation

This paper presents a method for improved auscultation with an electronic stethoscope by estimating and removing the effects of unknown disturbance inputs. By replacing the single transducer in a stethoscope with a dual piezo transducer assembly, it is shown that an inverse dynamic mapping can be used to relate the two measured signals to original directional inputs acting on the stethoscope. Specifically, model inversion is used to estimate and remove physician handling noise from chest sound signals. An experimental test platform which uses a vibration shaker to simulate the desired auscultation signal is used to experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of the dual-piezo stethoscope approach in improving auscultation.
Four Principles and a Fifth

Before I landed at the St. Agnes Center for Reading and Writing, I’d taught my way through New York City’s informal adult education system. I taught basic education, literacy instruction, English as Second Language, and GED prep for community organizations, city programs, non-profits, and a community college.
Business Combinations and Public Enterprise

Mass production and specialisation are the keynotes of big industry and large-scale organisations. The big firms amalgamate with each other and absorb the smaller firms, seeking to widen their market by reducing competition and economising in advertising and in production overheads. There are two main types of combination.
A facile and low-cost route to high-aspect-ratio microstructures on silicon via a judicious combination of flow-enabled self-assembly and metal-assisted chemical etching

A viable and low-cost strategy for fabricating high-aspect-ratio microstructures on silicon (Si) based on a judicious combination of flow-enabled self-assembly (FESA) and metal-assisted chemical etching (MaCE) is reported. First, polymer patterns were directly formed on a bare Si substrate in one step by FESA of polymers in a two-parallel-plate setup consisting of a fixed upper plate and a movable lower Si substrate that was placed on a programmable translation stage. The implementation of FESA to yield polymer patterns eliminates the complicated manipulation of polymer resist in conventional lithography methods. Subsequently, these polymer patterns were utilized as a stable etching mask in the MaCE step and exhibited a remarkable selectivity of 467 : 1 over Si during etching. Notably, such a combined FESA and MaCE strategy (i.e., a FESA–MaCE route) avoids the use of a hard mask which is necessary for the conventional plasma etching method. During MaCE, a layer of Au thin film was used as a catalyst and hydrogen peroxide–hydrofluoric acid solution was employed as the etching solution. Consequently, trenches and gratings on Si at a micrometer scale with uniform controllable geometry were successfully produced. The aspect ratio of microstructures was up to 16 : 1 and the lateral edge roughness was below 0.5 μm. The influence of processing conditions on the geometry of the etched structures was scrutinized through a comparative study. The geometry of the etched structures was found to effectively adjust their surface wettability in a continuous manner. Clearly, due to the ease of implementation and the batch processing capability, the FESA–MaCE strategy is promising in manufacturing a broad range of high-quality Si-based devices at low cost.
Effects of Atherosclerosis and Regression of Lesions

Our studies address two aspects of atherosclerosis: vasospasm, and regression of atherosclerotic lesions. One goal of the studies is to understand the pathophysiology of vasospasm. The second goal is to determine whether vasomotor abnormalities of atherosclerotic arteries are corrected by regression of lesions.
Evolution of reproductive isolation in stickleback fish.

To understand how new species form and what causes their collapse, we examined how reproductive isolation evolves during the speciation process, considering species pairs with little to extensive divergence, including a recently collapsed pair. We estimated many reproductive barriers in each of five sets of stickleback fish species pairs using our own data and decades of previous work. We found that the types of barriers important early in the speciation process differ from those important late. Two premating barriers—habitat and sexual isolation—evolve early in divergence and remain two of the strongest barriers throughout speciation. Premating isolation evolves before postmating isolation, and extrinsic isolation is far stronger than intrinsic. Completing speciation, however, may require postmating intrinsic incompatibilities. Reverse speciation in one species pair was characterized by significant loss of sexual isolation. We present estimates of barrier strengths before and after collapse of a species pair; such detail regarding the loss of isolation has never before been documented. Additionally, despite significant asymmetries in individual barriers, which can limit speciation, total isolation was essentially symmetric between species. Our study provides important insight into the order of barrier evolution and the relative importance of isolating barriers during speciation and tests fundamental predictions of ecological speciation.
Complex emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Impact on tuberculosis control.

Abstract Objective/background The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has witnessed the largest refugee crisis in history. Overall, 70% of the global refugee populations are from Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, or Somalia. We reviewed the possible impact of such crisis on the tuberculosis situation in EMR. Methods We used the available data and information from the World Health Organization and other international and national institutions. Results Overall, 15 out of 22 countries in the EMR are either engulfed in complex emergencies (10 countries) or suffering from their neighbors’ complex emergencies (7 countries), whereas two countries suffer from both. Eighty-five percent of the total population (636 million) in the region lives in these 15 countries. For tuberculosis, these 15 countries account for a significant burden in EMR: 94% of the estimated total incidence of 740,000 cases a year and 95% of the estimated total mortality of 91,000 a year. These countries have yet to show the significant negative impact on tuberculosis epidemiology as such changes take considerable time to manifest. Still, there are reports on health systems impact: access to health facilities, destruction of health facilities, health staff casualties, and shortage of medicines. Conclusion Complex emergencies pose a significant negative impact on tuberculosis in the EMR. This issue should be raised in the global health and political arena. This is a time bomb for tuberculosis.
The Dutch Revolt: What Kind of Revolution?

A special place in historical studies belongs to those great events that everyone knows of, but few know — at least, know deeply and accurately. In such cases, received notions of sequence, character, causes, and results continue to be passed on, unchallenged by any requirement that the explanation fit the facts and that the facts receive explanation. One such great event is the Revolt of the Low Countries in the sixteenth century.
The 9-d CIDR-PG protocol II: Characterization of endocrine parameters, ovarian dynamics, and pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI following use of long-term CIDR-based estrus synchronization among mature beef cows.

An experiment was designed to evaluate endocrine parameters, ovarian dynamics, and pregnancy rates to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) following the 9-d CIDR-PG protocol in comparison to the 14-d CIDR-PG protocol. While both are long-term protocols using CIDR treatment for presynchronization, the 9-d CIDR-PG protocol differs from the 14-d CIDR-PG protocol in that prostaglandin F2α (PG) is administered at CIDR insertion and removal to facilitate a decreased length of progestin treatment and potentially enhance response to the presynchronization treatment. Estrus was synchronized for 393 mature beef cows across five locations. Treatments were represented in each location, and cows within each location were randomly assigned to one of the two protocols based on age, days postpartum (DPP), and body condition score (BCS). Cows assigned to the 14-d CIDR-PG treatment received a CIDR insert (1.38 g progesterone) on Day 0 with removal of CIDR on Day 14, and 25 mg PG 16 d after CIDR removal on Day 30. Cows assigned the 9-d CIDR-PG treatment received 25 mg PG and a CIDR insert (1.38 g progesterone) on Day 5; 25 mg PG and removal of CIDR on Day 14; and 25 mg PG 16 d after CIDR removal on Day 30. In both treatments, cows received FTAI on Day 33, 72 h after PG. All cows were administered 100 μg gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) concurrent with insemination. For a subset of animals in each treatment, ovarian ultrasound was performed and blood samples were collected for determination of serum estradiol concentrations at CIDR removal, PG administration, and FTAI. Protocols were compared on the basis of estrous response and pregnancy rate resulting from FTAI. Serum estradiol concentrations, follicle size, and estrous response did not differ based on treatment. However, cows assigned to the 9-d CIDR-PG protocol tended to achieve greater FTAI pregnancy rates than cows assigned to the 14-d CIDR-PG protocol (62% versus 52%; P = 0.07). Across treatments, greater pregnancy rates tended (P = 0.10) to be achieved by cows that expressed estrus prior to FTAI (69% for 9-d CIDR-PG, 58% for 14-d CIDR-PG) than by cows that failed to express estrus (55% for 9-d CIDR-PG, 47% for 14-d CIDR-PG). In summary, the 9-d CIDR-PG protocol is an effective protocol for synchronization of estrus among mature beef cows, and pregnancy rates to FTAI tended to be improved through use of the 9-d CIDR-PG compared to the 14-d CIDR-PG protocol.
Genetic Depletion of Adipocyte Creatine Metabolism Inhibits Diet-Induced Thermogenesis and Drives Obesity

Summary Diet-induced thermogenesis is an important homeostatic mechanism that limits weight gain in response to caloric excess and contributes to the relative stability of body weight in most individuals. We previously demonstrated that creatine enhances energy expenditure through stimulation of mitochondrial ATP turnover, but the physiological role and importance of creatine energetics in adipose tissue have not been explored. Here, we have inactivated the first and rate-limiting enzyme of creatine biosynthesis, glycine amidinotransferase ( GATM ), selectively in fat (Adipo-Gatm KO). Adipo-Gatm KO mice are prone to diet-induced obesity due to the suppression of elevated energy expenditure that occurs in response to high-calorie feeding. This is paralleled by a blunted capacity for β3-adrenergic activation of metabolic rate, which is rescued by dietary creatine supplementation. These results provide strong in vivo genetic support for a role of GATM and creatine metabolism in energy expenditure, diet-induced thermogenesis, and defense against diet-induced obesity.
Control of Networks of Coupled Dynamical Systems

We study networks of coupled dynamical systems where an external forcing control signal is applied to the network in order to align the state of all the individual systems to the forcing signal. By considering the control signal as the state of a virtual dynamical system, this problem can be studied as a synchronization problem. The main focus of this chapter is to link the effectiveness of such control to various properties of the underlying graph. For instance, we study the relationship between control effectiveness and the network as a function of the number of nodes in the network. For vertex-balanced graphs, if the number of systems receiving control does not grow as fast as the total number of systems, then the strength of the control needed to effect control will be unbounded as the number of vertices grows. In order to achieve control in systems coupled via locally connected graphs, as the number of systems grows, both the control and the coupling among all systems need to increase. Furthermore, the algebraic connectivity of the graph is an indicator of how easy it is to control the network. We also show that for the cycle graph, the best way to achieve control is by applying control to systems that are approximately equally spaced apart. In addition, we show that when the number of controlled systems is small, it is beneficial to put the control at vertices with large degrees, whereas when the number of controlled systems is large, it is beneficial to put the control at vertices with small degrees. Finally, we give evidence to show that applying control to minimize the distances between all systems to the set of controlled systems could lead to a more effective control.
The tetraspanin CD151 is an activation molecule that characterizes M. tuberculosis- specific effector CD4+ T cells

Tetraspanins are a family of membrane proteins regulating cell morphology, motility, fusion, and signaling. CD151 is expressed on T cells that stabilizes the immune synapse during antigen recognition, engages in integrin signaling, and primes T cell activation. We have recently demonstrated that CD151 expression leads to increased proliferation and activation in human CD4 + T cells. Given its important functional role, we hypothesized that CD151 may be elevated on M. tb -specific effector CD4 + T cells. We assessed CD151 on ex vivo PBMCs from PPD+ donors (Purified Protein Derivative from M. tb ) stimulated with M. tb H37Rv whole cell lysate. CD151 + frequencies were elevated on IFN-γ + (52 ± 6% vs. 17 ± 2%, P + (74 ± 6% vs. 17 ± 2%, P + T cells compared to overall baseline levels. To assess the functionality of CD151 on M. tb -specific CD4 + T cells, we established an ex vivo culture model with M. tb -infected monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) in the presence of autologous PPD+ or PPD− donor CD4 + T cells. Upon day 6 of culture, PPD+ donor cultures, proliferating Ki67 + CD4 + T cells were elevated in CD151 and CD25, but diminished in CD57, cell surface expression. Additionally, enhanced frequencies of CD151 + Ki67 + CD4 + T cells were associated with reduced M. tb growth within autologous MDMs during ex vivo culture. In summary, CD151 is a novel T cell activation marker that is elevated on M. tb - specific CD4 + T cells, and is associated with diminished M. tb growth in culture. CD151 could thus be an interesting candidate to supplement the existing TB-TAM diagnostic (T cell activation marker of tuberculosis) – the first to assess the quality of the CD4 + effector T-cell response to M. tb – and may guide future CD4 + T-cell based vaccine strategies.
Thinking Fragments: Adisciplinary reflections on Feminism and Environmental Justice

Feminisms and environmental justice are some of the names of struggles to understand nature-culture linkages and conceptualize just worlds for non-humans and their human kin. In this paper, I revisit my journey of doing environmental justice research, i.e. of my feminist scientific practice in Asia and Latin America. In this retrospective telling I highlight how gender, political economy, and race were and remain fundamental in producing the subjects and objects of my research and analysis. I discuss how an implicit feminism helped me grapple with the complex nature-culture linkages I observed in the field. Postcolonial and marxist insights supplement and complement feminisms in the questions I pose as we attempt to imagine new nature-cultures.