cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of osmotic stress on metabolism, shape, and amino acid content of Leishmania

An acute decrease in osmolality causes a rapid change in the shape of the parasitic protozoan Leishmania donovani as determined by light microscopy and by flow cytometry. Incubation of the cells is an isotonic buffer supplemented with glucose. 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), alanine, or proline also causes a shape change, presumably due to the swelling caused by the water that accompanies these substrates as they are actively transported into the cells. Hypo-osmolality also causes a rapid release of alanine and several other amino acids via a swelling activated amino acid channel. A sudden increase in osmolality causes a change in shape, an inhibition in the rates of oxidation of alanine, proline, leucine, and glucose, and in the rates of uptake of 2-aminoisobutyrate (AIB) and 2-DG. The protein kinase inhibitors staurosporine and genistein inhibited the rates of oxidation of alanine, glucose, and proline in a culture-age dependent manner and also altered the rate of release of AIB in response to hypo-osmotic stress. The possible roles of protein kinases in the culture-age dependent changes in the uptake, release and metabolism of several amino acids and of glucose are discussed.
Design and simulation of a multibeamlet injector for a high current accelerator

A multibeamlet approach to a high current ion injector, whereby a large number of beamlets are accelerated and then merged to form a single beam, offers a number of potential advantages over a monolithic single beam injector. These advantages include a smaller transverse footprint, more control over the shaping and aiming of the beam, and more flexibility in the choice of ion sources. A potential drawback, however, is a larger emittance. In this paper, we seek to understand the merging of the beamlets and how it determines the emittance. When the constraints imposed by beam propagation physics and practical engineering issues are included, the design is reduced to a few free parameters. We describe the physics design of a multibeamlet injector and produce a design for an example set of parameters. Extensive use of 2D and 3D particle simulations was made in understanding the injector. Design tolerances and sensitivities are discussed in general and in relation to the example.
Germination enhancement and inhibition ofDistichlis spicata andScirpus robustus seeds from Viriginia

Germination of mature, viable seeds ofDistichlis spicata (L.) Greene. andScirpus robustus Pursh. from two Virginia salt marshes was not significantly inhibited by aqueous washings from the rhizospheres of sand-culturedPhragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex. Stend.,Juncus roemerianus Scheele, orTypha angustifolia L. Germination ofS. robustus seed was inhibited by increased osmotic pressure whileD. spicata germination increased (2.5 fold) significantly when treated with leachate fromT. angustifolia rhizosphere.
High‐frequency plane waves in the ear canal: Application of a simple asymptotic theory

An asymptotic theory describing the propagation of plane waves in a variable cross‐section ear canal is combined with pressure measurements in order to determine the energy reflection coefficient at the eardrum and the standing wave patterns along the length of the canal. The relative phase of the reflected wave, and the cross‐sectional area function of the ear canal, are also determined from the noninvasive pressure measurements. The theory is based on a high‐frequency multiscale solution of the one‐dimensional horn equation and is shown to agree well with the phase and amplitude of experimental measurements in human replica ear canals.
The prevalence and intensity of internal parasites of horses in the U.S.A.

Fifty-five adult horses were necropsied over a 15-month period, and their worm burdens counted and speciated. Twenty-one species of Cyathostominae were recovered. Ten species: Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cyathostomum coronatum, Cylicostephanus goldi, C. calicatus, C. minutus, Cylicocyclus leptostomus, C. insigne and Cyathostomum pateratum, comprised 98.9% of the total cyathostome burdens. These same 10 species also demonstrated high prevalences in 4 previous surveys. Eight of these 10 species have been shown to be resistant to benzimidazole anthelmintics. Anthelmintic resistance apparently had little effect on the prevalence of a species, but appeared to increase its relative abundance within a mixed population. The prevalence of other internal parasites was similar to previous reports, but Strongylus vulgaris adults and arterial lesions were less common.
An Exploration of the Nature of Caring Relationships in the Writings of Florence Nightingale

The purpose of this qualitative, historical field study was to identify the nature and attributes of caring relationships as depicted in the writings of Florence Nightingale. Latent content analysis was the methodology used for the discovery and analysis of words, ideas, and themes from selected Nightingale works. Five themes were identified that represented a caring relationship: attend to, attention to, nurture, competent, and genuine. These themes are congruent with Nightingale's threefold concept of nursing. Watson's carative factors were used to cross-validate the results. The findings of this study indicate that the phenomenon of caring relationships in nursing has been a part of our professional language since Victorian times. Historical research provides a sense of connectedness to nursing's past and contributes to the ongoing education of nurses and further development of the nursing profession.
Dual effect of isoprostanes on the release of [3H]D-aspartate from isolated bovine retinae: Role of arachidonic acid metabolites

The effect of 8-isoprostanes on potassium (K+)-depolarization-evoked release of [3H]D-aspartate from bovine isolated retinae was investigated. Isolated bovine retinae were prepared for studies of K+-evoked release of [3H]D-aspartate using the Superfusion Method. Low concentrations of 8-isoPGF2α(1–100 nM) inhibited whereas higher concentrations of this 8-isoprostane (100 nM–30 μM) enhanced K+-induced [3H]D-aspartate overflow. The excitatory effect of 8-isoPGF2α was mimicked by thromboxane receptor agonist, U-46619 and blocked by thromboxane receptor antagonist, SQ 29,548 (10 μM). Pretreatment of tissues with the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, flurbiprofen unmasked an inhibitory effect of high concentrations of 8-isoPGF2α(1–30 μM) on [3H]D-aspartate release that was attenuated by AH 6809 (10 μM). In conclusion, 8-isoPGF2α exhibits a dual regulatory effect on K+-induced [3H]D-aspartate release in isolated bovine retinae. The inhibitory action caused by 8-isoPGF 2α is due to the activation of EP1/EP2 receptors while the excitatory effects are due to the activation of thromboxane receptors.
Heat Transfer From Rods or Fins Which Extend Radially Outward From a Rotating Shaft

Etude experimentale, par la methode de la sublimation du naphtalene, des caracteristiques de transfert de chaleur de barres fixees perpendiculairement sur un arbre tournant en fonction de differents parametres: longueur et diametre, nombre de barres sur la circonference, distance aux extremites libres de l'arbre et nombre de Reynolds rotationnel
Cosmic-Ray-Produced Silicon-32 in Nature.

S>Sponges from the floor of the Gulf of California were chemically treated to remove silica. Silicon-32 was determined by milking and by counting the P/sup 32/ daughter. The half life of Si/sup 32/ was determined to be 13 plus or minus 4 days. The average global production rate of Si/sup 32/ in the atmosphere was determined to be 1.0 x 10/sup -4/ atoms/cm/sup 2/ per sec. The distribution of Si/sup 32/ various depths in the oceans was calculated. (C.J.G.)
Effects of mediated associations in paired-associate learning of children

Abstract This investigation was conducted to demonstrate that mediated associations can facilitate or impair the performance of children on a verbal paired-associate task. Natural language associates derived from freeassociation norms in the mediational chain were used in the investigation. Two chaining paradigms were tested: A-B, B-C, A-C and A-B, C-A, C-B. A-B learning was assumed from the normative data for sixth-grade children. Sixty Ss learned by the method of anticipation two lists of S-R pairs constructed such that each S served as his own control for the three experimental conditions: facilitation, interference, and control. The results for both paradigms revealed the facilitation condition to be significantly superior to the interference condition, with the control condition falling between. These results provide support for a theory of mediated association and demonstrate that existing language habits can influence the acquisition of new verbal habits by implementing the mediating process.
Sex-related differences and visual-spatial mental imagery as factors affecting symbolic motor skill acquisition

The ability of males and females to use visual-spatial imagery as a facilitator of symbolic motor skill acquisition was investigated. Subjects, ordered by gender into control and mental imagery groups, performed 15 trials on a mirrored drawing task. The results indicated that, although both male and female mental imagery groups performed the task more skillfully than the control groups, the male mental imagery group scores over the early stages of performance were better as compared to the female mental imagery group scores. This difference was eradicated during the latter stages of performance. The findings, in addition to supporting the positive effects of mental imagery, lend support to the hypothesis that sex-related differences in selected visual-spatial tasks may be amendable through training followed by practice.
Institutional Pluralism: The Incomplete Differentiation of Health Care in Nepal

Prior research on the presence of medical pluralism and factors affecting utilization patterns within such societies/systems have been able to provide only variable oriented explanations. This paper draws on differentiation theory to provide a theoretical framework for understanding the context of medical pluralism in the developing countries. For the purpose, the South Asian country of Nepal is selected as a basic example. It is inferred that the arguments/theory presented in the paper will be applicable to other third world societies which have medical pluralism as well. This paper suggests that differentiation in these third world societies has not resulted in the formation of a single formal health care complex as in most developed countries. For example, in Nepal three overlapping and competing health care systems (folk, traditional, modern) have evolved producing a pattern we call “incomplete differentiation” in which there are no clearly demarcated boundaries separating the responsibilities of each health care system. Furthermore, in this incompletely differentiated system, modern medicine faces stiff competition with the folk/traditional health care systems over cultural legitimation.
Inside the adaptive enterprise: an information technology capabilities perspective on business process agility

Recent innovations in utility computing, web services, and service-oriented architectures, combined with a growing array of IT skills, have improved firms' ability to be more agile in responding to change. Using the resource-based view of the firm, prior research suggests that IT resources, in isolation, are unlikely to yield superior performance and so as firms try to boost their agility, the question becomes how to configure IT resources to prepare for, or react to, change. In this paper, we posit that managerial IT capabilities based on IT-business partnerships, strategic planning, and ex-post IT project analysis lead to the development of technical IT capabilities associated with a flexible IT infrastructure which in turn drives agility or a firm's ability to react to change in its products and markets. Using data from matched surveys of IT and business executives in 241 firms, we find that managerial and technical capabilities affect agility. In further testing, we reveal that in a stable setting, technical IT capabilities are more important to agility than managerial IT capabilities, while in a dynamic setting, the opposite is true. Thus, for firms operating in volatile markets, effective models of managerial IT governance are essential for delivering superior agility or adaptiveness.
Effects of a Single Application of Sodium Fluoride Gel on Dental Plaque Acidogenesis

The quantities of lactate and acetate produced by human dental plaque were compared before and after five-minute exposures to 1% sodium fluoride gel. A single topical application of the gel increased plaque fluoride by about 700 ppm, 79% of which was lost after six h. Gel use significantly reduced plaque L(+)-lactate production in vitro, and the production of L(+)- and D(-)-lactate and acetate in situ.
Endocrine and Immunologic Effects of Inhaled Fluticasone Propionate in Healthy Dogs

Background: Inhaled glucocorticoids reduce airway inflammation while minimizing systemic effects in several species. Hypothesis: Inhaled fluticasone suppresses the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPAA), modifies immune function, and induces clinical signs to a lesser extent than PO-administered prednisone in dogs. Animals: Seven healthy adult pet dogs. Methods: Dogs were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment groups in a crossover design: fluticasone propionate (220 μg actuation of a metered dose inhaler delivered via a spacer and mask, q12h), placebo (spacer and mask alone, q12h), or prednisone (1 mg/kg PO q24h). Each treatment was administered for 3 weeks followed by a 4-week washout. Appetite, attitude, and water consumption were recorded during the last week of each treatment period. Urine cortisol : creatinine ratios, ACTH stimulation tests, white blood cell counts, lymphocyte phenotype, and serum IgM and IgA concentrations were recorded at each baseline and after the last day of each treatment. Clinical observations were expressed descriptively. Friedman's test was applied to all data comparisons. Pairwise comparisons were made with a mixed model analysis when data were normally distributed, whereas signed rank tests were used otherwise (significance P-value <.01). Results: Appetite and water consumption increased during prednisone treatment. Peak serum cortisol concentrations post-ACTH were significantly decreased in prednisone- and fluticasone-treated dogs compared with placebo (prednisone > fluticasone). Serum IgM concentrations were significantly decreased in dogs treated with prednisone. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: As used, fluticasone suppresses the HPAA to a lesser extent than prednisone and may avert systemic signs associated with PO-administered glucocorticoids in dogs.
COMATOSE, a method for constrained refinement of macromolecular structure based on two-dimensional nuclear overhauser effect spectra

Abstract COMATOSE (complete matrix analysis torsion optimized structure) is a structure-refinement program based on the quantitative calculation of 2D NOE intensities taking into account the effects of network relaxation and spin diffusion (J. W. Keepers and T. L. James, J. Magn. Reson. 57, 404 (1984)). The macromolecular structure is defined by fixed bondlengths and two-bond angles, leaving only torsion angles and residue orientations as variable parameters. The performance of this structure refinement algorithm with idealized and experimental 2D NOE intensities for oligonucleotides is discussed. The structural information available from COMATOSE is compared with the distances obtained by analysis of the 2D NOE intensities, and with the distances available from the direct solution of the intensity eigenvalue problem. The most commonly used calculation of distances relies on the assumption that the intensities can be approximated by assuming that the individual spin pairs are essentially isolated from all other protons. This approach systematically results in underestimation of distances. Direct solution of the eigenvalue problem when all intensities (i.e., relaxation pathways) are not accounted for results in large errors especially at longer distances (greater than ∼3 A). COMATOSE is capable of optimizing the structure in favorable cases and, at least, yielding a set of reliable proton-proton distances (relative error ∼10% ). In most practical applications, an iterative approach to the development of the structure should probably be taken. An initial trial structure is subjected to COMATOSE to obtain accurate distance estimates from the 2D NOE. These in turn can be used as constraints in energy minimization of the structure to arrive at an improved structure for recycling into COMATOSE.
Bundling in medicare patients undergoing bidirectional endoscopy: how often does it happen?

Background & Aims In patients with appropriate indications, performance of both colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at the same time (bundling) is convenient for patients, efficient for providers, and cost saving for the health care system. However, Medicare reimbursement for bundled procedures is at a rate that is less than the sum of the 2 procedures when charged separately, and this may create a disincentive to bundle. The practice patterns of bundling are unknown at a US population-based level. Methods We examined Medicare claims from 2007 to 2009 from the Carrier file in a national, random sample of fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 66 and older. We identified patients who had both a colonoscopy and EGD performed within 180 days of each other and calculated the proportions of patients with both procedures bundled on the same date, within 1 to 30 days, and within 31 to 180 days of each other. We compared patients in these 3 groups for demographics and clinical indications for the procedures (bleeding, lower or upper gastrointestinal symptoms, surveillance, and screening). Results We identified 12,982 Medicare-enrolled individuals who had a colonoscopy and an EGD performed within 180 days of each other. Approximately 35% of procedures were not bundled on the same day, and, of these, 2359 (18%) were performed within 30 days of each other, and 2219 (17%) were performed within 31 to 180 days of each other. There were marked geographic differences in the percentage of bundling, with the lowest occurrence in the Northeast and the highest in the West. Patients with bundled procedures were more likely to have gastrointestinal bleeding and less likely to have screening or surveillance indications. Conclusions Although same-day bundling of endoscopic procedures offers a number of advantages, it is not practiced in more than one-third of cases in a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries.
Origin and Evolution of Deep Plasmaspheric Notches

Deep plasmaspheric notches can extend over more than 2 R(sub E) in radial distance and 3 hours MLT in the magnetic equatorial plane, as observed by the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imager on the IMAGE mission. They are among the largest evacuated features in the exterior plasmaspheric boundary. They can last for days and exhibit a variety of shapes. It appears that weak convection and limited erosion precedes notch formation at the westward, near-Earth edge of the convection plume. Eighteen clear notch events were found and analyzed in 2000. Among these events, notches were found to drift as slowly as 44% of corotation. In only one case was a notch found to drift at the corotation rate within measurement error. On average, these notches drift at about 21.5 h d(sup -1) or 90% of the corotational rate. Notches sometimes exhibit an interior structure that appears as an extended prominence of dense plasma, which forms a W- or M-like feature in IMAGE/EUV images, depending on viewing perspective. Initial modeling suggests that notches and notch prominences may be caused in part by intense small-scale potential structures that result from the localized injection of ring current plasma. Plasma filling rates during recovery are examined in three L shell ranges from L = 2 to L = 3.5 with rates ranging from 5 to 140 cm(sup -3) d(sup -1). Plasma loss during a minor substorm is found to extend to surprisingly low L shell with rates ranging from 100 to 130 cm(sup -3) d(sup -1) across the L shells examined.
Radiographic Staging of Mediastinal Lymph Nodes in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

In order for non–small cell lung cancer patients to undergo the most appropriate treatment, accurate clinical staging (including an assessment for mediastinal lymph node metastasis) is essential. Imaging studies play a critical role in this process. To screen for mediastinal lymph node metastasis, the most sensitive and accurate imaging modality is a positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan. Despite improvements in the sensitivity and accuracy of imaging techniques, histologic assessment of the mediastinum is still required.
Significance of "Tethyan" Fossils in the American Cordillera

Equatorial faunas of the ancient Tethyan seaway, which extended from western Europe to southeastern Asia, comprise some of the most diverse marine taxa in the fossil record. Comparable or identical "Tethyan" species that occur far from the Tethyan seaway in Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks of the North and South American Cordillera have long been considered as a major biogeographic anomaly. Two leading theories to account for the occurrence of these anomalous "Tethyan" faunas in the Cordillera are that they were transported long distances to the east on tectonic blocks(suspect terranes that originated near the Tethys) or that they migrated westward via undiscovered marine corridors through continental areas of Pangea. An alternative model is that these "Tethyan" fauna were pantropic species that extended with attenuated diversities into the eastern proto-Pacific Ocean. This pantropic model can better account for the distribution patterns of many Paleozoic and early Mesozoic "Tethyan" species in the American Cordillera and provides a steady state hypothesis against which the other models can be tested. The distribution of pre-Cretaceous "Tethyan" faunas is similar to the known pantropic distribution of many Cretaceous and Cenozoic tropical biotas. During the Cenozoic, taxa were most diverse in the Tethys and Indo-West Pacific regions but extended with attenuated diversity to many parts of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, including the west coasts of North and South America. The eastern Pacific occurrence of many Indo-West Pacific species provides a modern analog for the occurrence of many anomalous "Tethyan" fossils in the American Cordillera.
Trabecular bone modulus–density relationships depend on anatomic site

One outstanding issue regarding the relationship between elastic modulus and density for trabecular bone is whether the relationship depends on anatomic site. To address this, on-axis elastic moduli and apparent densities were measured for 142 specimens of human trabecular bone from the vertebra (n=61), proximal tibia (n=31), femoral greater trochanter (n=23), and femoral neck (n=27). Specimens were obtained from 61 cadavers (mean+/-SD age=67+/-15 years). Experimental protocols were used that minimized end-artifact errors and controlled for specimen orientation. Tissue moduli were computed for a subset of 18 specimens using high-resolution linear finite element analyses and also using two previously developed theoretical relationships (Bone 25 (1999) 481; J. Elasticity 53 (1999) 125). Resultant power law regressions between modulus and density did depend on anatomic site, as determined via an analysis of covariance. The inter-site differences were among the leading coefficients (p 0.08), which ranged 1.49-2.18. At a given density, specimens from the tibia had higher moduli than those from the vertebra (p=0.01) and femoral neck (p=0.002); those from the trochanter had higher moduli than the vertebra (p=0.02). These differences could be as large as almost 50%, and errors in predicted values of modulus increased by up to 65% when site-dependence was ignored. These results indicate that there is no universal modulus-density relationship for on-axis loading. Tissue moduli computed using methods that account for inter-site architectural variations did not differ across site (p>0.15), suggesting that the site-specificity in apparent modulus-density relationships may be attributed to differences in architecture.
A New Era in Defining Indications for Resectability of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Recent developments have expanded the criteria for resectability of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM). Pre-hepatectomy chemotherapy, portal venous occlusion, and two-stage hepatectomy may enable complete lesion extirpation while maintaining a liver remnant with suitable size, biliary drainage, and vascular inflow and outflow to provide sufficient hepatic function after resection. Enthusiasm for chemotherapy must be tempered by the potential deleterious effects on the non-tumor-bearing liver, which may render some patients unresectable. The presence of extrahepatic metastatic disease, multiple CRCLM, and the inability to envision a 1-cm negative resection margin no longer are absolute contraindications for surgical extirpation. Resection of CRCLM in the presence of nodal disease, particularly distant disease, remains controversial. Although still in relative infancy, criteria for resection should be expanded to include consideration of laparoscopic approaches for small lesions located in peripheral segments lying away from major vessels.
Problems of Milk Supply Associated with Possible Nuclear Reactor Accidents

Problems related to handling a significantly contaminated milk supply are discussed. The questions raised are secondary to monitoring and protection of public health by restricting the milk supply. The problems discussed are primarily problems not of public health but of public relations. An attempt is made to show that broad policies can and should be made in advance, which would eliminate the need for hurried and possibly ill-considered decisions in the heat of an emergency. Reference is made to the Windscale incident in England. (P.C.H.)
Frameworks for sharing knowledge toward a professional language for teaching practices

In many organizations, collaborating with peers, sharing resources, and codifying know-how are not typical facets of work activity. For such organizations, knowledge management support must help people identify and orient to opportunities for collaboration and sharing, articulate values and best practices, and assimilate sharing knowledge as an everyday experience. We discuss a participatory design project in which we are exploring these issues in the design of knowledge management support for public school teachers, leveraging a community networking infrastructure and everyday representational frameworks for knowledge.
Local SNR considerations in decentralized CFAR detection

We consider the decentralized detection problem, involving N sensors and a central processor, in which the sensors transmit unquantized data to the fusion center. Assuming a homogeneous background for constant false-alarm rate (CFAR) analysis, we obtain the performances of the system for the Swerling I and Swerling III target models. We demonstrate that a simple nonparametric fusion rule at the central processor is sufficient for nearly optimum performance. The effect of the local signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) on the performances of the optimum detector and two suboptimum detectors is also examined. Finally, we obtain a set of conditions, related to the SNRs, under which better performance may be obtained by using decentralized detection as compared with centralized detection.
Age related changes in striatal resting state functional connectivity in autism

Characterizing the nature of developmental change is critical to understanding the mechanisms that are impaired in complex neurodevelopment disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and, pragmatically, may allow us to pinpoint periods of plasticity when interventions are particularly useful. Although aberrant brain development has long been theorized as a characteristic feature of ASD, the neural substrates have been difficult to characterize, in part due to a lack of developmental data and to performance confounds. To address these issues, we examined the development of intrinsic functional connectivity with resting state fMRI from late childhood to early adulthood (8-36 years), using a seed based functional connectivity method with the striatum. Overall, we found that both groups show decreases in cortico-striatal circuits over age. However, when controlling for age, ASD participants showed increased connectivity with parietal cortex and decreased connectivity with prefrontal cortex relative to TD participants. In addition, ASD participants showed aberrant age-related changes in connectivity with anterior aspects of cerebellum, and posterior temporal regions (e.g. fusiform gyrus, inferior and superior temporal gyri). In sum, we found prominent differences in the development of striatal connectivity in ASD, most notably, atypical development of connectivity in striatal networks that may underlie cognitive and social reward processing. Our findings highlight the need to identify the biological mechanisms of perturbations in brain reorganization over development, which also may help clarify discrepant findings in the literature.
A 1.6-GS/s 12-bit return-to-zero GaAs RF DAC for multiple Nyquist operation

A 12-bit 1.6-GS/s digital-to-analog converter (DAC) implemented with 4-/spl mu/m/sup 2/ GaAs HBT process is presented. Return-to-zero (RZ) current switches are added to current steering DAC for high-frequency wideband applications to achieve 800-MHz bandwidth at first and second Nyquist band without the need for a reverse sinc equalization filter in wideband transmitter application. The RZ circuit also improves spectral purity by screening the switching noise from the analog output during data transition. Measured performance shows two-tone third-order harmonic distortion of -70 dB at 1.5-GHz output frequency, clocked at 1.6 GHz. Reliable interface with CMOS logic IC is guaranteed with the inclusion of a four-clock-deep FIFO circuit. The DAC dissipates 1.2 W at -5 V when sampled with 1.6-GHz clock, with typical output voltage swing of 1.2 V/sub PP/.
Comparative In Vitro Activities of the Investigational Fluoroquinolone DC-159a and Other Antimicrobial Agents against Human Mycoplasmas and Ureaplasmas

The in vitro susceptibilities of 151 unique clinical isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma fermentans, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma species to DC-159a, an investigational fluoroquinolone, in comparison with those to other agents were determined. Macrolides were the most active agents against M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium, whereas clindamycin was most active against M. hominis. DC-159a MICs were ≤0.5 μg/ml for all Mycoplasma species and ≤4 μg/ml for ureaplasmas. DC-159a was the most active fluoroquinolone tested against M. pneumoniae and M. fermentans, and it was second to moxifloxacin against the other species. It was bactericidal against 10 M. pneumoniae isolates and demonstrated killing of ≥99.9% of the inoculum at 24 h for 2 isolates. The excellent in vitro activity of DC-159a demonstrates its potential for use in the treatment of infections due to mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas.
Derandomization and distinguishing complexity

We continue an investigation of resource-bounded Kolmogorov complexity and derandomization techniques begun in [E. Allender (2001), E. Allender et al., (2002)]. We introduce nondeterministic time-bounded Kolmogorov complexity measures (KNt and KNT) and examine the properties of these measures using constructions of hitting set generators for nondeterministic circuits [P. B. Miltersen et al., (1999), R. Shaltiel et al., (2001)]. We observe that KNt bears many similarities to the nondeterministic distinguishing complexity CND of [H. Buhrman et al., (2002)]. This motivates the definition of a new notion of time-bounded distinguishing complexity KDt, as an intermediate notion with connections to the class FewEXP. The set of KDt-random strings is complete for EXP under P/poly reductions. Most of the notions of resource-bounded Kolmogorov complexity discussed here and in [E. Allender (2001), E. Allender et al., (2002)] have close connections to circuit size (on different types of circuits). We extend this framework to define notions of Kolmogorov complexity KB and KF that are related to branching program size and formula size, respectively. The sets of KB- and KF-random strings lie in coNP; we show that oracle access to these sets enables one to factor Blum integers. We obtain related intractability results for approximating minimum formula size, branching program size, and circuit size. The NEXP/spl sube/NC and NEXP/spl sube/L/poly questions are shown to be equivalent to conditions about the KF and KB complexity of sets in P.
Key Caveats and Emerging Creative Solutions to Achieve

Effective, sustained innovation remains one of the great challenges facing almost every corporation. This paper outlines several key caveats that corporations need to understand and adhere to if they wish to win the innovation game. The paper also outlines emerging creative solutions being used by several corporations designed to abide by such caveats and in doing so improve their innovation success rates.
Dynamics of the double scroll circuit

Consideration is given to a system of differential equations which has two homoclinic solutions to a same saddle-focus point. The authors prove the existence of a subsystem of solutions which remain in a neighborhood of those homoclinic orbits. In addition to the upper and lower subsystem already described by L. Slinikov's (1965) theorem, this theorem contains solutions that switch in every turn from the neighborhood of one homoclinic to the neighborhood of the other. >
RISC microprocessors and scientific computing

This paper discusses design features in currently available RISC microprocessors that sometimes result in less-than-optimal sustained performance on large-scale scientific calculations. Recommendations for future designs are suggested.
A Reevaluation of the Role of Aedes albopictus in Dengue Transmission

Vector-borne pathogen transmission cycles are complex. Understanding the factors that drive the major events of transmission— introduction, emergence, persistence, and expansion—is a sought-after goal. Dengue is a major public health concern and is spreading rapidly through tropical, subtropical, and even (transiently) temperate areas [1].Estimates indicate that almost 100 million cases of dengue occur annually [2]. Pathogen introductions fail more often than they succeed. In 2014, for example, the Florida Department of Health Arbovirus Surveillance program reported 80 cases of dengue diagnosed in returned travelers. Despite this number, there were only 6 cases of local transmission, the timing of which suggests, at minimum, 3 small chains of transmission [3]. Additionally, there were almost 1000 cases of chikungunya virus infection diagnosed in returning travelers in the continental United States and only 11 cases of autochthonous transmission in Florida (again, likely involving several very small chains of transmission) [3]. So what confounds large-scale emergence of these pathogens? And once a pathogen has emerged, what will drive the level towhich it persists? Further still, what factors will lead to expansion, either spatially, as a pathogen moves to new areas, or temporally, as the transmission season lengthens? There are some obvious answers, including increased global travel, urbanization and habitat encroachment (for zoonoses), population susceptibility profiles, and availability of requisite vectors and climate change [1]. When assessed on a global scale, these factors may be enough to evaluate correlative relationships among variables and transmission outcomes and to predict large-scale transmission patterns, but with low precision or limited geospatial scale [4, 5]. However, understanding these transmission patterns may be more complex. Much attention has been given to the differences among and within dengue virus (DENV) serotypes with respect to vector competence. This is the intrinsic ability of a mosquito vector to support replication of a virus, leading to a disseminated infection of the salivary glands, whereby virus is expectorated upon blood feeding, culminating in a transmission event [6]. And while there are historical studies regarding DENV infection in humans [7, 8], there is less contemporary focus on the infectivity of humans to mosquitoes [9]. In this issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Whitehorn et al present the first direct comparison of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus acquisition potential by the simultaneous feeding on viremic individuals, with implications for the important transmission events listed above.
Inheritance of resistance to anti-microtubule dinitroaniline herbicides in an "intermediate" resistant biotype of Eleusine indica (Poaceae).

1 hybrids were identified, and F 2 populations were produced by selfing. The dinitroaniline-herbicide response phenotype (DRP) of F 1 plants, and F2 seedlings was determined using a rootgrowth bioassay. The DRP of F1 plants of S 3 I was ‘‘susceptible’’ (i.e., identical to the S parental plants), and the DRP of F1 plants of I 3 R was ‘‘intermediate’’ (i.e., identical to the I parental plants). Nonparental phenotypes were not observed in F1 plants. Results indicated susceptibility to be dominant over intermediate resistance and intermediate resistance to be dominant over high resistance. Analysis of reciprocal crosses ruled out any role for cytoplasmic inheritance. When treated at the discriminating concentration (e.g., 0.28 ppm oryzalin), F 2 seedlings of S 3 I were classified as either S or I phenotype, and F2 seedlings of I 3 R were classified as either I or R phenotype. Again, nonparental phenotypes were not observed. The 3:1 (S:I or I:R) segregation ratios in F 2 seedlings were consistent across all eight F 2 families. The results show that dinitroaniline herbicide resistance in the I biotype of goosegrass is inherited as a single, nuclear gene. Furthermore, it suggests that dinitroaniline resistance in goosegrass is controlled by three alleles at a single locus (i.e., Drp-S, Drp-i, and Drp-r). The anti-microtubule, preemergence dinitroaniline herbicides (DNHs) are routinely used to control weeds in cotton, soybean, turf grass, and many vegetable crops, as well as to produce polyploids for breeding and genetic studies. Two commonly used DNHs are trifluralin [2,6dinitro-N,N- dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzen amine] and oryzalin [4-(dipropylamino)-3,5-dinitrobenzenesulfonamide]. DNH resistance in goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.], one of the world’s worst weeds (Holm et al., 1991), was discovered in cotton and soybean production fields of South Carolina (Mudge, Gossett, and Murphy, 1984) where trifluralin had been applied repeatedly for many years. Since then, there have been a number of reports documenting the occurrence of DNH-resistant goosegrass throughout the southeastern United States (Vaughn, 1986; Vaughn and Vaughan, 1990; Baird et al., 1992). Currently, three distinct biotypes of goosegrass are recognized. These biotypes are characterized based on their resistance to the anti-microtubule DNHs and are referred 1
Source-independent full wavefield converted-phase elastic migration velocity analysis

Converted phase (CP) elastic seismic signals are comparable in amplitude to the primary signals recorded at large offsets and have the potential to be used in seismic imaging and velocity analysis. We present an approach for CP elastic wave equation velocity analysis that does not use source information and is applicable to surface-seismic, microseismic, teleseismic and vertical seismic profile (VSP) studies. Our approach is based on the cross-correlation between reflected or transmitted PP and CP PS (and/or SS and CP SP) waves propagated backward in time, and is formulated as an optimization problem with a differential semblance criterion objective function for the simultaneous update of both P- and S-wave velocity models. The merit of this approach is that it is fully data-driven, uses full waveform information, and requires only one elastic backward propagation to form an image rather than the two (one forward and one backward) propagations needed for standard reverse-time migration. Moreover, as the method does not require forward propagation, it does not suffer from migration operator source aliasing when a small number of shots are used. We present a derivation of the method and test it with a synthetic model and field micro-seismic data.
Effect of finite charging time on particulates in RF discharges

The effect of the finite charging time on spherical and cylindrical particulates in an RF discharge is considered. Using probe theory, analytical expressions for the charging rate under various conditions are derived and compared with numerical solutions. Scaling of the charging time with discharge parameters, in particular the electron temperature, is demonstrated. Using a one-dimensional fluid model for an rf discharge, the equilibrium electric and ion drag forces are compared for spherical and cylindrical particulates. The effect of the finite charging time on the dynamics of particulates of various sizes in the model discharge are discussed. Overall, a long cylindrical particle with the same mass as a spherical particle charges up more slowly to a larger net (negative) charge and has a significantly larger polarization. As a consequence, small cylindrical particles introduced near the electrodes are more likely to escape from the sheath region before becoming fully charged. >
Collaborative VLSI-CAD Instruction in the Digital Sandbox

This paper describes a graduate level, collaboratively taught VLSI Computer-aided Design (CAD) course concurrently offered between the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), and The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). The course leveraged computing facilities at each of the three universities provided by The Technology Collaborative (TTC), formerly the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse, called the Digital Sandbox.
Response to letter regarding "Impact of local ablation on inter-connected channels within ventricular scar: mechanistic implications for substrate modification".

We would like to thank Dr Berruezo et al for their interest in our article.1 The findings of our work are indeed consistent with the scar dechanneling approach in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy described by this accomplished group in 2012 and can be considered as a validation of that work. However, it is important to understand 2 important differences between these 2 studies. The aim of our study, which was primarily mechanistic, was to use a double access technique to monitor the remote effects of (1) a single ablation …
Optical Second Harmonic Generation Method For Silicon Material Monitoring And Characterization During Ion Implantation And Annealing Processes

Non-linear optical second harmonic generation (SHG) from bulk silicon is very weak because of the inversion symmetry of the silicon lattice structure. However, when silicon material is subjected to the ion implantation and thermal annealing processes, the inversion symmetry will be broken. As a result, the optical second harmonic generation from the material will increase, and the characteristics of the second harmonic signal are related to the material conditions. In this study, we compare SHG results with Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) observations for silicon material that has been treated with phosphorous ion implantation and rapid thermal annealing, and suggest that the SHG method may be used for the detection and monitoring of impurities and defects during ion implantation and thermal annealing processes.
Fetoplacental vascular responses to prostacyclin after thromboxane-induced vasoconstriction

The vasodilator prostacyclin is produced by fetal tissues and may serve to protect umbilical blood flow. We hypothesized that prostacyclin could reverse fetoplacental vasoconstriction produced by a thromboxane mimic (U-46619). Fetal regional blood flow was measured by the radioactive microsphere technique in six unanesthetized, near-term ovine fetuses. Measurements were made in the control period, again 20 minutes after a fetal infusion of U-46619 was begun, and finally 20 minutes after prostacyclin was added to the U-46619 infusion. Mean arterial pressure rose significantly in response to U-46619 (38 +/- 1 to 51 +/- 2 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) and returned to baseline after prostacyclin (42 +/- 2 mm Hg). Renal resistance was increased from 0.16 +/- 0.01 to 0.22 +/- 0.01 mm Hg.ml-1.min.100 gm-1 (p less than 0.05) by U-46619 and decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) below baseline by addition of prostacyclin (0.10 +/- 0.02 mm Hg.ml-1.min.100 gm-1). Placental resistance also increased significantly (p less than 0.03) in response to U-46619 (from 0.15 +/- 0.01 to 0.21 +/- 0.01 mm Hg.ml-1.min.kg-1 fetal weight) but was further increased to 0.29 +/- 0.03 mm Hg.ml-1.min.kg-1 fetal weight by the addition of prostacyclin. Umbilical placental blood flow decreased significantly (p less than 0.03) when prostacyclin was added to U-46619 (315 +/- 40 to 195 +/- 30 ml.min-1.kg-1 fetal weight). Whereas U-46619 had no effect on fetal arterial blood gases, the addition of prostacyclin resulted in significant fetal acidosis (p less than 0.03). We conclude that thromboxane mimic causes fetal hypertension and renal and placental vasoconstriction. Prostacyclin reverses hypertension and renal vasoconstriction but, unexpectedly, worsens fetal placental vasoconstriction produced by thromboxane. It is likely that the observed fetal acidosis is a result of compromised placental function.
Investigating intra-ethnic differentiation: /ay/ in Lumbee Native American English

This article demonstrates the importance of investigating language variation and change both within and across ethnic groups, especially those that have been relatively insular historically. The focus is on the variable patterning of /ay/ in the variety of English spoken by the Lumbee Indians in tri-ethnic Robeson County, North Carolina. (The Lumbee refer to themselves as “Indians” rather than “Native Americans”; I use their term when referring to their tribe.) The analysis reveals that the Lumbee have been surprisingly innovative and heterogeneous. Explanations are both linguistic and extralinguistic. Insular groups do not face linguistic pressure to level intra- and inter-community differences or to curb internal innovations. In addition, insular groups are often more concerned with intra- than inter-group relations and hence with intra-group social and linguistic distinctions. The study also shows a lessening of inter- and intra-group dialect differences with increased inter-group contact. However, the Lumbee still preserve a degree of dialectal distinctiveness, indicating that the need to preserve cultural uniqueness may outweigh linguistic pressure to level out differences.