cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pasteurella multocida enters polarized epithelial cells by interacting with host F-actin

We investigated the interaction of an avian strain of Pasteurella multocida with the cytoskeleton of MDCK cells, which formed a polarized epithelium when grown on type I collagen coated filters. Bacteria were incubated with MDCK cells for 30 min. 2, 4 and 6 hours and their location and association with the cell cytoskeleton determined by double-label immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. Cells were stained with a polyclonal antiserum to the outer-membrane proteins of P. multocida and with rhodamine phalloidin which specifically binds filamentous (F) actin. Confocal microscopy revealed that bacteria entered the cells by 30 min, and that by 6 hours there was a marked alteration in the actin cytoskeleton in which long filaments were reorganized to discrete foci of short actin filaments, within which were one or more bacteria. Electron microscopy demonstrated that by 2 hours, each bacterium was associated with many short 5-6 nm filaments. Treatment of MDCK cells with cytochalasin D for either 30 minutes or 24 hours prior to infection disrupted the actin cytoskeleton and inhibited entry of P. multocida.
Conservation genetics of a peripherally isolated population of the wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) in Iowa

The North American wood turtle, Glyptemys insculpta, is a semi-aquatic species that is considered rare, threatened, or endangered over much of its range. In this study, a particularly vulnerable peripheral isolate population in Iowa has been monitored over a period of 7 years. Population census size, estimated from mark-recapture data, and age structure determined from morphology are compared with genetic variation assessed using microsatellites. For reference, the genetics and demographics of this peripheral isolate are compared to data from a more dense population nearer the core of the species range in West Virginia. Geneflow between the Iowa population and a nearby population in Minnesota also is assessed. Genetic data indicate that the Iowa population is isolated, unique, and diverse. Although the Iowa population has lower allelic richness, lower heterozygosity, and smaller genetic effective population size than does the West Virginia population, the difference is not dramatic despite its lower population size, position at the periphery of the species range, and biogeographic history. The Iowa population is not inbred, and there is no genetic signature of a recent population bottleneck. However, interpretations of recent population dynamics based on genetic data may be unduly encouraging in long-lived species such as G. insculpta. Field data suggest a nearly complete lack of recruitment in Iowa. A number of environmental and anthropogenic factors, including recent increases in summer flooding during egg incubation, may have a more negative impact on the Iowa population than on the West Virginia population.
Classification of simple surface points and a global theorem for simple closed surfaces in three-dimensional digital spaces

In this paper, we present two theorems: classification theorem and corner point theorem for closed digital surfaces. The classification theorem deals with the categorization of simple surface points and states that there are exactly six different types of simple surface points. On the basis of the classification theorem and Euler formula on planar graph, we have proved the corner point theorem: Any simple closed surface has at least eight corner points, where a corner point of a closed surface is a point in the surface which has exactly three adjacent points in the closed surface. Another result reported in this paper is that any simple closed surface has at least fourteen points.
One-to-one autoparametric resonances in infinitely long cylindrical shells

Abstract The nonlinear response of infinitely long circular cylinders (rings) to a primary excitation of one of the flexural modes was analyzed, taking into account its interaction with its companion mode. Due to the complete circular symmetry of the cylindrical shell, each natural frequency corresponds to two orthogonal mode shapes. The mode with the same spatial variation as the external excitation is called the driven mode, while the other orthogonal mode is called the companion mode. A combination of symbolic manipulator (MACSYMA) and the method of multiple scales is used to derive four first-order ordinary differential equations for the modulation of the amplitudes and phases of the interacting modes. The fixed points of the modulation equations provide the frequency-response curves. There are two possible fixed-point solutions: a single-mode solution consisting of the driven mode only and a two-mode solution consisting of the driven and companion modes. The latter solution corresponds to traveling waves. As the excitation frequency varies, the fixed points of the single-mode solution suffer saddle-node collisions resulting in jumps. On the other hand, the fixed points of the two-mode solution can undergo Hopf bifurcations. Between the Hopf bifurcation frequencies, a numerical solution of the modulation equations shows that they possess limit-cycle or chaotic solutions. For a range of excitation frequencies, the periodic single-mode solution coexists with either a periodic or a periodically or chaotically modulated two-mode solution.
A new morphometric model in distinguishing two closely related extinct brachiopod species

Pseudoatrypa (Atrypida, Brachiopoda) are extinct Paleozoic brachiopods that are the closest relatives of the modern brachiopods, rhynchonellids. Two Paleozoic brachiopod species were qualitatively ...
Whole grains and incident hypertension in men.

Background: Prospective data on the relation between whole grain intake and incident hypertension in men are limited, and no previous studies have quantitatively estimated total grams of whole grains in relation to risk of hypertension. Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the association of whole-grain intake (g/d) and risk of incident hypertension in a large prospective cohort of men. Design: The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study is a prospective cohort consisting of 51,529 male health professionals ranging in age from 40 to 75 y at enrollment in 1986. Baseline and updated measurement of whole-grain intake as well as important covariates were measured, and 31,684 participants without known hypertension, cancer, stroke, or coronary heart disease were followed prospectively for 18 y through 2004 for onset of hypertension. Results: A total of 9227 cases of incident hypertension were reported over the 18 y of follow-up. In multivariate-adjusted analyses, whole-grain intake was inversely associated with risk of hypertension, with a relative risk (RR) of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.75–0.87) in the highest compared with the lowest quintile (P for trend , 0.0001). In the multivariate model, total bran was inversely associated with hypertension, with a relative risk (RR) of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78, 0.92) in the highest compared with the lowest quintile (P for trend: 0.002). Conclusions: In summary, we found an independent inverse association between intake of whole grains and incident hypertension in men. Bran may play an important role in this association. These findings have implications for future dietary guidelines and prevention of hypertension. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;90:493–8.
Probability Distributions in Groundwater Hydrology: Methods and Applications

AbstractThis paper presents the most frequently used probability-density functions in groundwater hydrology and practical ways to apply them. The paper provides several examples of probability-density functions dealing with (1) their application to various types of groundwater phenomena, (2) the estimation of their parameters by the method of moments, and (3) the implementation of goodness-of-fit tests in probabilistic groundwater hydrology. The versatility of the log-gamma probability-density function to fit highly skewed groundwater data is demonstrated. Important univariate probability-density functions are covered, and the multivariate lognormal probability-density function’s applicability to goodness-of-fit testing and synthetic generation of random fields is elucidated.
Regulation of Soybean Embryogenesis by Abscisic Acid

Abscisic Acid (ABA) stimulates growth and protein accumulation in soybean (Glycine max. L. Merr.) embryos during the early phases of embryogenesis. Growth of mid-stage embryos is suppressed by ABA, but protein accumulation is not impaired. Metabolite distribution studies indicate that ABA alters partitioning of sucrose in older embryos such that protein accumulation is sustained at the expense of lipid accumulation. The responses of in vitro cultured embryos to ABA is consistent with the normal pattern of ABA accumulation and disappearance that occurs during embryogenesis in situ. A close correlation exists between ABA levels and embryo growth rates in situ in three cultivars of soybeans. Depending on the age or stage of the developing embryo, ABA either serves to promote or inhibit embryo growth.
Phosphatidic acid phosphatase, a key enzyme in the regulation of lipid synthesis.

PA2 phosphatase (PAP3; 3-sn-phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.4) catalyzes the Mg2+-dependent dephosphorylation of PA, yielding DAG and Pi (Fig. 1) (1–3). In de novo lipid synthesis, the DAG generated from the PAP reaction is utilized for the synthesis of the phospholipids PE and PC via the Kennedy pathway and for the synthesis of TAG (Fig. 1) (3). The enzyme substrate PA is also used for phospholipid synthesis via CDP-DAG (Fig. 1) (1–3). In lipid signaling, PAP generates a pool of DAG used for protein kinase C activation, and by the nature of its reaction, it attenuates the signaling functions of PA (Fig. 1) (4–8). Thus, the regulation of PAP activity may govern the pathways by which phospholipids are synthesized and control the cellular contents of important signaling lipids. Recent genetic and biochemical studies in yeast and mammalian cells have revealed key roles that PAP plays in lipid metabolism and cell physiology. FIGURE 1. Roles of PAP in lipid synthesis and signaling in yeast. The reaction catalyzed by PAH1-encoded PAP (highlighted in yellow) is shown. Regulation of PAP activity plays a role in governing whether cells synthesize membrane phospholipids via CDP-DAG or ...
Dendritic cells/chimerism/alleviation of chronic allograft rejection.

Chronic rejection (CR) is the major obstacle of long-term successful organ transplanta- tion. Using a recently developed rat model of CR, we found that heart allografts susceptible to devel- opment of CR showed an early (,10 days) dramatic disappearance of donor MHC class II 1 cells, includ- ing ED2 1 tissue macrophages, and an influx of recipient ED1 1 macrophages intermixed with small numbers of recipient ED2 1 and OX62 1 cells. In contrast, donor MHC class II 1 cells persisted in allografts resistant to CR with a small influx of recipient macrophages. MHC class II 1 cells func- tion as potent modulators of the immune system and may mediate both stimulatory and tolerogenic immune reactions after transplantation. Persis- tence of donor MHC class II 1 antigen-presenting cells (APC) in CR-free graft acceptance suggests that transplantation tolerance is an active immune response requiring antigen presentation to the re- cipient immune system in the proper context by dendritic cells and other APC. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 297-300; 1999.
When are Probabilistic Explanations Possible

The primary criterion of adequacy of a probabilistic causal analysis is that the causal variable should render the simultaneous phenomenological data conditionally independent. The intuition back of this idea is that the common cause of the phenomena should factor out the observed correlations. So we label the principle the common cause criterion. If we find that the barometric pressure and temperature are both dropping at the same time, we do not think of one as the cause of the other but look for a common dynamical cause within the physical theory of meteorology. If we find fever and headaches positively correlated, we look for a common disease as the source and do not consider one the cause of the other. But we do not want to suggest that satisfaction of this criterion is the end of the search for causes or probabilistic explanations. It does represent a significant and important milestone in any particular investigation.
Major Conformational Changes Occur during the Transition from an Initiation Complex to an Elongation Complex by T7 RNA Polymerase

To examine changes that occur during the transition from an initiation complex (IC) to an elongation complex (EC) in T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP), we used nucleic acid-protein cross-linking methods to probe interactions of the RNAP with RNA and DNA in a halted EC. As the RNA is displaced from the RNA-DNA hybrid approximately 9 bp upstream from the active site (at -9) it interacts with a region within the specificity loop (residues 744-750) and is directed toward a positively charged surface that surrounds residues Lys-302 and Lys-303. Surprisingly, the template and non-template strands of the DNA at the upstream edge of the hybrid (near the site where the RNA is displaced) interact with a region in the N-terminal domain of the RNAP (residues 172-191) that is far away from the specificity loop before isomerization (in the IC). To bring these two regions of the RNAP into proximity, major conformational changes must occur during the transition from an IC to an EC. The observed nucleic acid-protein interactions help to explain the behavior of a number of mutant RNAPs that are affected at various stages in the initiation process and in termination.
Peck Substances of Sweet Cherries and Their Alteration during SO2 Brining

SUMMARY— During ripening the proportion of protopectin in the cherries decreased as did the average intrinsic viscosity of the pectic material. Brining of the cherries resulted in a further decrease in the intrinsic viscosity and a conversion of protopectin and pectinic acid to the pectic acid form. The texture of the brined cherries softened with increasing maturity of the starting material. On prolonged storage in SO2 brine the texture of the cherries softened, and the intrinsic viscosity of the pectic materials decreased. The use of brines with pH levels above and below pH 3.1-3.5 caused a decrease in the intrinsic viscosity. A slight increase in pectic breakdown was seen when the SO2 was raised to the 2% level. The overall effect of brining on the pectic materials of the cherries was to cause extensive de-esterification and a decrease in the viscosity average molecular weight.
Calculated microwave absorption of double-helical B-conformation poly(dG)·poly(dC)

We have estimated the absorption of microwave radiation by the four acoustic modes of poly(dG)·poly(dC) in B conformation. The eigenvectors used in this calculation are those obtained from a refined normal coordinate analysis by fitting the velocity of the longitudinal acoustic mode to that observed by Brillouin scattering. The acoustic modes couple to the radiation field when translational invariance is broken such as for finite segments of helix and as may be the case in vivo. Calculations for various helix lengths show that the estimated absorption is greater than that of water by at least two to three orders of magnitude in some cases.
Metallocene–methyl aluminoxane catalysts for olefin polymerization. VIII. Infrared spectra of anisotactic polypropylene

Polypropylenes obtained with the homogeneous racemic ethylene bis(indenyl) zirconium dichloride/methyl-aluminoxane catalyst were fractionated by solvent extraction. The IR absorbance ratios, A 998 /A 973 and A 841 /A 973 , were found to vary linearly with the homosteric sequence population, [m m m m] and [m m]. These results are compared with the results of a similar study by Burfield and Loi on commercial and laboratory polypropylenes of the conventional types
Roles of neighborhood race and status in the middle stages of juror selection

This study investigated impacts of neighborhood race, status, and stability on the likelihood that summoned citizens would appear at the courthouse for jury duty using a full year of geocoded summoning data from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (n = 256,204). A theoretical model based on jury selection models and the sociology of settlement patterns connected potential juror yield or turnout with neighborhood stability, and racial and status composition. Multilevel models using census block groups as neighborhoods and controllingforspatialautocorrelationfound,aspredicted,thatyieldvariedsignificantlyacrossneighborhoods,andwaslowerinlower status neighborhoods, less stable neighborhoods, more predominantly Asian neighborhoods, and more predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. As predicted by work on neighborhood integration, effects of African–American racial composition depended on the stage of neighborhood integration. Overall, the net effect of increasing African–American neighborhood racial composition was to increase yield. A significant spatial lag effect suggested localized dynamics operating beyond neighborhood boundaries. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Design and optimization of 3-D compact stripline and microstrip Bluetooth/WLAN balun architectures using the design of experiments technique

In this paper, various architectures of three-dimensional compact microwave balanced to unbalanced (balun) transformers for Bluetooth/WiFi antenna applications are successfully designed and optimized using the design of experiments (DOE) approach. Two different multilayer topologies, one microstrip and one stripline, are investigated on low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The design goals for both baluns are perfectly balanced outputs from 2 to 3 GHz and a resonant frequency of exactly 2.4 GHz. It is demonstrated, using only eight simulations, that perfectly balanced outputs are not possible under the given conditions in the case of the microstrip balun. Nevertheless, the stripline balun can be optimized due to its almost symmetrical structure, and both simulations and measurement results verify the conclusions. The DOE method is very simple to implement and gives a clear understanding of the system behavior at the beginning of the design process, reducing the amount of work required for achieving the design goals by orders of magnitude compared to the widely used trial-and-error approach. The matching and unique measurement issues regarding the calibration, placement of probes and the de-embedding of the microstrip to coplanar waveguide transitions are discussed in detail for the optimized stripline balun. This technique can be easily applied to the fast and efficient optimization of complicated radiation structures, such as reconfigurable or multilayer multiband antenna arrays.
Improvement in the transmission of iodine-polyvinyl alcohol polarizers.

Controlled bleaching of the iodine dichromophore from iodine-polyvinyl alcohol polarizers has been demonstrated to result in a dramatic increase in transmission. Internal transmission of 95% for linearly polarized light has been observed in the spectral range of 5000–6000 A. Degradation of polarizer extinction is most severe at shorter wavelengths; however, the transmittance for the crossed polarization remains <0.1% through much of the visible spectrum.
Sight Unseen: How Frémont's First Expedition Changed the American Landscape

Review of: "Sight Unseen: How Fremont's First Expedition Changed the American Landscape" by Vernon L. Volpe.
The Domain of Finite Ontology

Systematic philosophy has been under attack for some time. It has been identified with some of its errors, and as a result stands condemned in many quarters. It has been charged, for instance, with extending its explanation beyond the data, so that it seems to have little more value in a didactic way than any other work in which imagination might parade before fact. We are children of an empirical age to whom all such wild extrapolations seem monstrous. But there has been a clear misunderstanding. We should make every effort to deny that we wish to build a system according to which the actual world as it exists to our senses, with all its color and conflicts and fragmentariness, would be impossible. There are philosophers great in their own right who have invented schemes capable of incorporating the largest number of formerly irreconcilable propositions, and that is why to some critics Spinoza and Hegel seem in the systematic sense the most important philosophers since Aristotle.
The safety of anticoagulation in patients with intracranial aneurysms

Background and purpose Little is known about the safety of long-term anticoagulation in patients with unruptured saccular intracranial aneurysms, although case reports of anticoagulation in patients with fusiform and saccular aneurysms have been published. The goal of this study was to estimate the rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to aneurysm rupture in patients with intracranial saccular aneurysms receiving therapeutic doses of anticoagulation. Methods This was a retrospective case series of patients with intradural aneurysms receiving therapeutic doses of anticoagulation (defined as a dose that achieves a target INR >2.0 or the equivalent dose of another anticoagulant). The primary outcome was SAH due to aneurysm rupture while receiving anticoagulation treatment. The rate of SAH due to aneurysm rupture was calculated among patients with aneurysms documented on imaging. Results 42 patients with 48 intradural aneurysms on anticoagulation were identified. Their mean age was 67 years (range 40–83) and 28 (67%) were women. The mean aneurysm size was 5.1±3.6 mm and 40 (83%) aneurysms were in the anterior circulation. The mean±SD follow-up was 495±749 days per patient. Twelve patients had their aneurysms coiled, clipped or surgically wrapped before the period of anticoagulation. Three patients had clipping or coiling of their aneurysms during the period of anticoagulation. Six patients had a history of aneurysm rupture prior to anticoagulation, of which two were treated by coiling and four by clipping. Among the 48 aneurysms, 32 were never coiled or clipped prior to anticoagulation. No anticoagulated patients with known aneurysms developed SAH during 57 patient-years of follow-up. The patients with untreated aneurysms had 31 patient-years of follow-up and those who underwent clipping, coiling or surgical wrapping of their aneurysms had 26 patient-years of follow-up while receiving anticoagulation (for a combined total of 57 years of follow up). Conclusions The risk of aneurysm rupture is not increased in patients receiving systemic anticoagulation. However, these results should be interpreted with caution given the small sample size in this study and the need for a prospective study to confirm these findings.
Behavior of the Tomato Fruitworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie) Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on Tomato

First-instar larvae of Heliothis zea (Boddie) were placed on flowers, terminals, and leaves of ‘Walter’ tomato plants in the greenhouse and on terminals in the field. Survival and feeding patterns of the larvae placed on terminals in the greenhouse and field were similar. Larvae tended to feed initially on the plant part on which they were placed. Larvae fed more frequently on leaflets than fruits, and a significant preference for flowers was observed. Larvae in all tests remained within about one node of their original placement for the first week. Larvae placed on flowers had the highest mean survival.
Paraneoplastic autoantibody panels: sensitivity and specificity, a retrospective cohort.

Background: Experts in the autoimmune paraneoplastic field recommend autoantibody testing as “panels” to improve the poor sensitivity of individual autoantibodies in detecting paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS). The sensitivity of those panels was not reported to date in a fashion devoid of incorporation bias. We aimed to assess the collective sensitivity and specificity of one of the commonly used panels in detecting PNS. Methods: A single-centered retrospective cohort of all patients tested for paraneoplastic evaluation panel (PAVAL; test ID: 83380) over one year for the suspicion of PNS. Case adjudication was based on newly proposed diagnostic criteria in line with previously published literature, but modified to exclude serological status to avoid incorporation bias. Measures of diagnostic accuracy were subsequently calculated. Cases that failed to show association with malignancy within the follow-up time studied, reflecting a possibly pure autoimmune process was considered paraneoplastic-li...
Probing ligand-induced modulation of metallic states in small gold nanoparticles using conduction electron spin resonance

Thiolate-protected gold nanoparticles have a rich history as model systems for understanding the physical and chemical properties of metallic nanoscale materials that, in turn, form the basis for applications in areas such as molecular electronics, photocatalytic systems, and plasmonic solar cells. It is well known that the electronic properties of gold nanoparticles can be tuned by modifying the geometry, size and dielectric surrounding of the particle. However, much less is known of how modifications to the surface chemistry modulates the electronic properties of gold nanoparticles. In part, this stems from the fact that there are few good tools for measuring the electronic properties with the sensitivity required for following the response to subtle changes in surface chemistry. In this work, we demonstrate conduction spin electron resonance (CESR) to be a sensitive and selective probe to determine how changes in surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles affect the metallic states near the Fermi energy. Using a series of para-substituted aromatic thiolate ligands, we find that the g-factor, as measured using CESR, correlates well with experimental and computational parameters often used to understand ligand effects in classical inorganic complexes. This suggests classical inorganic reasoning can function as a framework for understanding how to control the electronic properties of gold nanoparticles using their surface chemistry.
Transaction processing performance on PA-RISC commercial Unix systems

The authors present an introduction to transaction processing, describe a typical workload, and briefly examine the system with respect to the application, database, and operating system activities. They then briefly compare and contrast selected 'architectural results' (instruction set usage) and 'implementation results' (cache and TLB performance) from three diverse applications: transaction processing, general-purpose, and technical/scientific. Finally, they summarize current system performance data for selected HP systems. >
Predictors and prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation developed during dobutamine stress echocardiography: A propensity score-matched comparison.

AIMS Atrial fibrillation (AF) uncommonly occurs during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). We aimed to characterize the predictors and long-term prognostic significance of AF during DSE. METHODS The clinical, echocardiographic, and outcome data of patients in sinus rhythm who developed AF during DSE were reviewed and compared to a propensity score-matched group of controls. RESULTS Atrial fibrillation developed in 73 (1% of 7026) patients (age 70±10 years, 58% men). Compared to 144 propensity score-matched controls without AF during DSE, those with AF were more likely to have had history of prior AF (23% vs 8%, P=.002), known coronary artery disease (CAD; 22% vs 10%, P=.037), enlarged left ventricle (LV; 27% vs 9%, P=.002), LV wall-motion abnormality (33% vs 12%, P<.0001), enlarged aortic root (22% vs 8%, P=.009), or dilated left atrium (52% vs 30%, P=.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified prior history of AF (OR=3.7, 95% CI 1.5-9.0, P=.005), larger LV size (OR=3.1, 95% CI 1.3-7.3, P=.009), and lower LV ejection fraction (OR=-0.95, 95% CI -0.92 to -0.99, P=.02) as independent predictors of AF during DSE. At a mean follow-up period of 3.4 (0.5-7.3) years, those with AF during DSE were more likely to develop new coronary events (22% vs 10%, P=.0372), new-onset heart failure (19% vs 4%, P=.0003), or die from any cause (27% vs 6%, P<.0001). Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated significantly lower event-free survival in patients compared to controls (P by log-rank test=.001) over the follow-up period. CONCLUSION Dobutamine-induced AF occurs more commonly in those with prior history of AF and remodeled LV and is associated with unfavorable outcomes.
Fingermath for the Visually Impaired: An Intrasubject Design:

Fingermath may be an alternative to the abacus for instructing visually handicapped children in mathematics. This article describes a preliminary study conducted with three visually handicapped ele...
Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defects With the AMPLATZER Septal Occluder: A Prospective, Multicenter, Post-Approval Study.

Background—Prospective data on the medium-term safety and effectiveness of the AMPLATZER Septal Occluder in clinical practice are not available. The objective of this study was to prospectively eva...
An optical method for carbon dioxide isotopes and mole fractions in small gas samples: Tracing microbial respiration from soil, litter, and lignin.

RATIONALE Carbon dioxide isotope (δ13 C value) measurements enable quantification of the sources of soil microbial respiration, thus informing ecosystem C dynamics. Tunable diode lasers (TDLs) can precisely measure CO2 isotopes at low cost and high throughput, but are seldom used for small samples (≤5 mL). We developed a TDL method for CO2 mole fraction ([CO2 ]) and δ13 C analysis of soil microcosms. METHODS Peaks in infrared absorbance following constant volume sample injection to a carrier were used to independently measure [12 CO2 ] and [13 CO2 ] for subsequent calculation of δ13 C values. Using parallel soil incubations receiving differing C substrates, we partitioned respiration from three sources using mixing models: native soil organic matter (SOM), added litter, and synthetic lignin containing a 13 C label at Cβ of the propyl side chain. RESULTS Once-daily TDL calibration enabled accurate quantification of δ13 C values and [CO2 ] compared with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), with long-term external precision of 0.17 and 0.31‰ for 5 and 1 mL samples, respectively, and linear response between 400 and 5000 μmol mol-1 CO2 . Production of CO2 from native soil C, added litter, and lignin Cβ varied over four orders of magnitude. Multiple-pool first-order decay models fitted to data (R2 > 0.98) indicated substantially slower turnover for lignin Cβ (17 years) than for the dominant pool of litter (1.3 years) and primed soil C (3.9 years). CONCLUSIONS Our TDL method provides a flexible, precise, and high-throughput (60 samples h-1 ) alternative to IRMS for small samples. This enables the use of C isotopes in increasingly sophisticated experiments to test biogeochemical controversies, such as the fate of lignins in soil.
Influence of Distribution Modulus of Particle Size Distribution on Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High-Strength SHCC Matrix

Particle packing models, such as the modified Andreasen and Andersen (A&A) method, have been adopted by researchers for determining the target particle size distribution (PSD) with given ingredients in an Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC). The curvature of the target PSD is governed by a parameter known as the distribution modulus (q). It determines the ratio of aggregate/cementitious paste content needed for achieving the densest possible particle packing which likely achieves the greatest compressive strength. In addition to the hardened properties, q influences the rheological properties of a UHPC. While achieving the densest particle packing may be the primary objective in a UHPC design, controlling the plastic viscosity of the fresh matrix for homogenous fiber dispersion and reducing the matrix fracture toughness for improved tensile ductility are important objectives for a Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composite (SHCC) design. The design of an Ultra-High-Strength SHCC (UHS-SHCC) therefore requires achieving both the objectives, simultaneously. There is lack of knowledge about the correlations between the distribution modulus and rheological and mechanical properties of SHCC matrices. This paper attempts to address this knowledge gap. In this experimental research, central composite experimental design for reducing the number of trials, along with modified A&A method for mixture proportioning, are employed to investigate the aforementioned correlations for a UHS-SHCC matrix. Results show that there exists an optimum value of q for UHS-SHCC design with given set of ingredients.
The “Lembeh Frogfish” Identified: Redescription of Nudiantennarius subteres (Smith and Radcliffe, in Radcliffe, 1912) (Teleostei: Lophiiformes: Antennariidae)

The “Lembeh Frogfish” or “Ocellated Frogfish,” a distinct antennariid, known for many years, especially among members of the dive community, and suggested by some to represent an undescribed species, is identified as Nudiantennarius subteres (Smith and Radcliffe). Unique in several ways—including reduced dermal spinules, the body appearing naked; illicium short, about half the length of the second dorsal-fin spine; second dorsal-fin spine unusually long and narrow, without a posterior membrane; pectoral lobe narrow, somewhat detached from the body; membranes between the rays of the paired fins deeply incised; and all pelvic-fin rays simple—the species is redescribed and figured below. Morphological and molecular analyses indicate a close relationship with the Sargassumfish, Histrio histrio.
Abnormalities of the Endosomal-Lysomal System in Alzheimer’s disease

The lysosome is a major component of a dynamic and polymorphic system of acidic vacuolar compartments in the cell that is capable of degrading most large cellular molecules, i.e., nucleic acids, polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, to low molecular weight products. As the major site of intracellular digestion, lysosomes contain dozens of hydrolytic enzymes that are housed within membrane-bound, low pH compartments (1, 2). The use of electron microscopy, enzyme and immunocytochemistry techniques have provided morphological criteria to identify lysosomes and to distinguish among different lysosomal stages and types. Lysosomal biogenesis begins within the endomembrane system of organelles. Synthesis and glycosylation take place in the endoplasmic reticulum followed by posttranslational modification and acquisition of phosphmannosyl residues within the Golgi apparatus. Mannose phosphate receptors interact with trans Golgi-derived coated vesicles containing nascent hydrolases and deliver these to acidic prelysosomal compartments, the late endosomes (3–5). The membrane-bound compartments that house both enzyme and the material to be digested are quite heterogeneous and include different morphological types of structures such as dense bodies, multivesicular bodies, and autophagic vacuoles. As digestion proceeds, a third type of lysosome-derived structure forms containing accumulating material that is resistant to degradation along with varying amounts of acid hydrolase activities. These residual granules, which are characterized by the color and autofluorescence of the accumulated material include lipofuscin, ceroid, and hemofuscin (1–5).
Industry 4.0: state of the art and future trends

Rapid advances in industrialisation and informatisation methods have spurred tremendous progress in developing the next generation of manufacturing technology. Today, we are on the cusp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In 2013, amongst one of 10 ‘Future Projects’ identified by the German government as part of its High-Tech Strategy 2020 Action Plan, the Industry 4.0 project is considered to be a major endeavour for Germany to establish itself as a leader of integrated industry. In 2014, China’s State Council unveiled their ten-year national plan, Made-in-China 2025, which was designed to transform China from the world’s workshop into a world manufacturing power. Made-in-China 2025 is an initiative to comprehensively upgrade China’s industry including the manufacturing sector. In Industry 4.0 and Made-in-China 2025, many applications require a combination of recently emerging new technologies, which is giving rise to the emergence of Industry 4.0. Such technologies originate from different disciplines ...
Aqueous Colloid + Polymer Depletion System for Confocal Microscopy and Rheology

We developed a model depletion system with colloidal particles that were refractive index- and density-matched to 80 (w/w)% glycerol in water, and characterized the effect of interparticle interactions on the structure and dynamics of non-equilibrium phases. 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate-co-tert-butyl methacrylate copolymer particles were synthesized following Kodger et al. (Sci. Rep. 5, 14635 (2015)). Particles were dispersed in glycerol/water solutions to generate colloidal suspensions with good control over electrostatic interactions and a moderately high background viscosity of 55 mPa-s. To probe the effects of charge screening and depletion attractions on the suspension phase behavior, we added NaCl and polyacrylamide (M_w = 186 kDa) at various concentrations to particle suspensions formulated at volume fractions of phi = 0.05 and 0.3 and imaged the suspensions using confocal microscopy. The particles were nearly hard spheres at a NaCl concentration of 20 mM, but aggregated when the concentration of NaCl was further increased. Changes in the particle structure and dynamics with increasing concentration of the depletant polyacrylamide followed the trends expected from earlier experiments on depletion-driven gelation. Additionally, we measured the viscosity and corrected first normal stress difference of suspensions formulated at phi = 0.4 with and without added polymer. The solvent viscosity was suitable for rheology measurements without the onset of instabilities such as secondary flows or edge fracture. These results validate this system as an alternative to one common model system, suspensions of poly(methyl methacrylate) particles and polystyrene depletants in organic solvents, for investigating phase behavior and flow properties in attractive colloidal suspensions.
Hypocretin/orexin antagonists decrease cocaine self-administration by female rhesus monkeys.

Abstract Background The hypocretin/orexin system is involved in regulating arousal, and much recent work demonstrates that decreasing hypocretin receptor-1 (HCRTr1) activity using antagonists decreases appetitive behavior, including stimulant drug self-administration and reinstatement. Methods The present study determined the effects of hypocretin-1 and HCRTr1 antagonists on responding reinforced by intravenous (i.v.) cocaine self-administration (0.0125 – 0.05 mg/kg/infusion) in 5 female rhesus monkeys. Responding was examined using 3 schedules of reinforcement: 1) a Fixed interval 1 min, Fixed ratio 10 Chain schedule [FI 1-min (FR10:S)], 2) a Progressive Ratio (PR) schedule, and 3) a cocaine vs. candy. Results Choice schedule: the HCRTr1 antagonist SB-334867 (8–24 mg/kg, i.m.) decreased cocaine taking under the Chain schedule and PR schedule in all 5 monkeys and in 4 of the 5 monkeys under the Choice schedule. d- Amphetamine (0.06 – 0.25 mg/kg, i.m.), tested as a control manipulation, decreased cocaine taking in all 5 monkeys under the Chain schedule. The peptide hypocretin-1 (0.072 mg/kg, i.v.) increased cocaine taking in the monkeys with low rates of cocaine taking under the Chain (3/4) and Choice (4/5) schedules. Reinstatement of extinguished cocaine responding following response-independent delivery of a large dose of cocaine (0.3 mg/kg) was attenuated in 3 of the 5 monkeys by the HCRTr1 antagonist SB-334867. Conclusions These data expand upon work accomplished in predominantly male rodents suggesting that the hypocretin system modulates the response to appetitive stimuli. A better understanding of this system offers promise as a novel approach in medication development for appetitive disorders.
INTRAMOLECULAR CONTROL OF LIGHT INDUCED ELECTRON TRANSFER

The results of photophysical studies on chromophore-quencher complexes, ligand-bridged metal complexes, and soluble polymers which contain combinations of chromophores and quenchers are described. The results begin to show how light induced electron and energy transfer processes can be controlled by chemical design in intramolecular chemical systems.
Distribution and Transformation of Fenitrothion Sprayed on a Pond: Modeling Under Uncertainty

Fenitrothion* was used during the period 1969–1977 in New Brunswick, Canada, to control the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clemens]) in the province’s forests. Millions of hectares were sprayed annually with 150–300 g active ingredient per hectare. The routes and rates of its environmental transformation and disappearance are subjects of much interest (National Research Council of Canada, 1975, 1977). Maguire and Hale (1980) recently reported on the aquatic fate of fenitrothion. Surface water microlayer, subsurface water, suspended solids, and sediment samples were collected from a small pond in a spruce-fir forest in New Brunswick before and after the aerial spraying of a fenitrothion formulation for spruce budworm control; the samples were then analyzed for fenitrothion and its degradation and transformation products. Fenitrothion concentrations in the surface microlayer, subsurface water, suspended solids, and sediment fell below detectable levels two days after the spray; the only identified products were p-nitro-m-cresol in water, which persisted less than two days, and aminofenitrothion (O,O-dimethyl-O-(p-amino-m-tolyl)phosphorothionate) in sediment, which persisted less than four days. Laboratory experiments showed that chemical hydrolysis of fenitrothion and volatilization of fenitrothion from true solution were both slow processes; however, volatilization of fenitrothion from surface slicks was very fast (t 1/2= 18 min at 20°C). Thus, a large fraction of the fenitrothion that reached the pond surface appeared to volatilize rapidly, while the fraction that remained in the water disappeared or degraded within a few days, largely through photolysis and microbial reduction.
Comparison of immunotherapy response rates in non-small cell lung cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy.

e21175Background: Three immunotherapy agents are currently FDA-approved for the treatment of NSCLC after platinum-based chemotherapy. These agents have demonstrated superior outcomes and tolerabili...
Introduction to Clinical Trials, Clinical Trial Designs, and Statistical Terminology Used for Predictive Biomarker Research and Validation

This chapter provides an introduction to clinical trial designs and analysis techniques used in evaluating new experimental drugs for cancer patients. It also provides an overview of two major types of biomarkers, prognostic and predictive, that are commonly used in oncology. The chapter closes with descriptions of different clinical trial designs that incorporate, or discover, potential biomarkers.
Mobility of Polymer-Tethered Nanoparticles in Unentangled Polymer Melts.

A scaling theory is developed for the motion of a polymer-tethered nanoparticle (NP) in an unentangled polymer melt. We identify two types of scaling regimes depending on the NP diameter d and the ...
Molecular survey for the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) trypanosome parasites Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim

Honey bee populations in the United States have been fluctuating in recent years. Although this has not been attributed to any one cause, recent studies have shown that multiple interactions among ...
Evaluation of a Modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills Tool for the Assessment of Pediatric Laceration Repair Performance.

Introduction The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has developed milestones including procedural skills under the core competency of patient care. Progress in training is expected to be monitored by residency programs. To our knowledge, there exists no tool to evaluate pediatric resident laceration repair performance. Methods The Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills was adapted to evaluate resident laceration repair performance using two components: a global rating scale (GRS) and a checklist. Pediatric and family medicine residents at a tertiary care children's hospital were filmed performing a simulated laceration repair. Videos were evaluated by at least five physicians trained in laceration repair. Concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) were calculated for the GRS and checklist scores. Scores for each resident were compared across levels of training and procedural experience. Spearman's rank order correlations were calculated to compare the checklist and GRS. Results Thirty residents were filmed performing laceration repair procedures. The CCC showed fair concordance across reviewers for the checklist (0.55, 95% CI: 0.38-0.69) and the GRS (0.53, 95% CI: 0.36-0.67). There was no significant difference in scores by self-reported experience or training level. There was correlation between the median GRS and checklist scores (Spearman ρ = 0.730, p < .001). Conclusions A novel tool to evaluate resident laceration repair performance in a pediatric emergency department showed fair agreement across reviewers. The study tool is not precise enough for summative evaluation; however, it can be used to distinguish between trainees who have and have not attained competence in laceration repair for formative feedback.
Persistent effects of in utero overnutrition on offspring adiposity: the Exploring Perinatal Outcomes among Children (EPOCH) study

We previously showed that intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases selected markers of adiposity in pre-pubertal adolescents. In the present study, we examined these associations in adolescence, and explored whether they are strengthened as the participants transition through puberty. Data from 597 individuals (505 unexposed, 92 exposed) participating in the longitudinal Exploring Perinatal Outcomes among Children (EPOCH) study in Colorado were collected at two research visits when the participants were, on average, 10.4 and 16.7 years old. Adiposity measures included BMI, waist/height ratio, and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (as determined by MRI). Separate general linear mixed models were used to assess the longitudinal relationships between exposure to maternal GDM and each adiposity outcome. We tested whether the effect changed over time by including an interaction term between exposure and age in our models, and whether the associations were explained by postnatal behaviours. Compared with unexposed participants, those exposed to maternal GDM had higher BMI (β = 1.28; 95% CI 0.35, 2.21; p < 0.007), waist/height ratio (β = 0.03; 95% CI 0.01, 0.04; p = 0.0004), visceral adipose tissue (β = 4.81; 95% CI 1.08, 8.54; p = 0.01) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (β = 35.15; 95% CI 12.43, 57.87; p < 0.003). The magnitude of these differences did not change over time and the associations did not appear to be explained by postnatal behaviours. Our data provide further evidence that intrauterine exposure to maternal GDM is associated with increased offspring adiposity, an effect that appears early in life and tracks throughout adolescence. Efforts to prevent childhood obesity following intrauterine exposure to maternal GDM should target the prenatal or early life periods.
The Forgotten Brown Case: Briggs v. Elliott and Its Legacy in South Carolina

There is not much debate regarding the Brown decision and the significance of the foundation it provided for access to equal educational opportunity and the school funding litigation movement; howe...