cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two New Hosts of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians.

Bacterial leaf spot of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians (proposed new names X. axonopodis pv. vitians / X. hortorum pv. vitians) is an economically important disease in many areas of the world (1,2). Serious outbreaks occurred in Ohio in 1995 and 1996. The primary sources of the causal agent are presumed to be contaminated seed and infected plant debris in the field. Once the disease is present in a field, crop rotation is required to decrease primary inoculum of the pathogen. Therefore, appropriate crop rotation sequences need to be determined based on the host range of the pathogen. Some vegetable crops, including tomato, pepper, cabbage, collard, kale, radish, and horseradish, were tested for susceptibility to four representative strains of X. campestris pv. vitians by spray inoculation in the greenhouse. Typical symptoms of bacterial leaf spot were observed on tomato and pepper plants 8 days after inoculation, whereas the other crops did not develop diagnostic s...
Economic Interdependence Within the Chicago Metropolitan Area: A Miyazawa Analysis

The present study explores the nature and strength of economic interde- pendence between inner-city communities and suburbs within the Chicago metropolitan area. Employing Miyazawa's extended input-output framework, a multiregional model is used to investigate the interdependence of income formation and output generation. The metropolitan area is divided into four regions and particular attention is directed to predominantly minority areas on the south and west sides of the city of Chicago. The region-to-region impacts of trade flows and their associated multipliers proved to be far less important in determining the strength of interregional interdependence in contrast to income flows derived from journey-to-work movements. The interrelational income multiplier revealed considerable interdependence between regions although the strength of this interdependence was asymmetric.
3-Dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging at 3 Tesla for early response assessment of glioblastoma patients during external beam radiation therapy.

Purpose To evaluate the utility of 3-dimensional magnetic resonance (3D-MR) proton spectroscopic imaging for treatment planning and its implications for early response assessment in glioblastoma multiforme. Methods and Materials Eighteen patients with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed glioblastoma had 3D-MR proton spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) along with T2 and T1 gadolinium-enhanced MR images at simulation and at boost treatment planning after 17 to 20 fractions of radiation therapy. All patients received standard radiation therapy (RT) with concurrent temozolomide followed by adjuvant temozolomide. Imaging for response assessment consisted of MR scans every 2 months. Progression-free survival was defined by the criteria of MacDonald et al. MRSI images obtained at initial simulation were analyzed for choline/N-acetylaspartate ratios (Cho/NAA) on a voxel-by-voxel basis with abnormal activity defined as Cho/NAA ≥2. These images were compared on anatomically matched MRSI data collected after 3 weeks of RT. Changes in Cho/NAA between pretherapy and third-week RT scans were tested using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank tests and correlated with progression-free survival, radiation dose and location of recurrence using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results After a median follow-up time of 8.6 months, 50% of patients had experienced progression based on imaging. Patients with a decreased or stable mean or median Cho/NAA values had less risk of progression ( P P P =.03). Most patients received the prescription dose of RT to the Cho/NAA ≥2 volume, where recurrence most often occurred. Conclusion Change in mean and median Cho/NAA detected at 3 weeks was a significant predictor of early progression. The potential impact for risk-adaptive therapy based on early spectroscopic findings is suggested.
Robust Real-Time Face Pose and Facial Expression Recovery

Face motion is the sum of rigid motion related with face pose and non-rigid motion related with facial expression. Both motions are coupled in the captured image so that they can not be easily recovered from the image directly. In this paper, a novel technique is proposed to recover 3D face pose and facial expression simultaneously from a monocular video sequence in real time. First, twenty-eight salient facial features are detected and tracked robustly under various face orientations and facial expressions. Second, after modelling the coupling between face pose and facial expression in the 2D image as a nonlinear function, a normalized SVD (N-SVD) decomposition technique is proposed to recover the pose and expression parameters analytically. A nonlinear technique is subsequently utilized to refine the solution obtained from the N-SVD technique by imposing the orthonormality constraint on the pose parameters. Compared to the original SVD technique proposed in [1], which is very sensitive to the image noise and numerically unstable in practice, the proposed method can recover the face pose and facial expression robustly and accurately. Finally, the performance of the proposed technique is evaluated in the experiments using both synthetic and real image sequences.
Unitary Chloride Channels Activated by Protein Kinase C in Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes

Recent evidence suggests that protein kinase A (PKA)-activated Cl- channels in heart are encoded by an isoform of the epithelial cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR). Macroscopic current measurements indicate that a similar time-independent Cl- conductance can be activated through a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway in guinea pig and feline ventricle. However, it is presently not clear whether PKC is activating the same population of channels as PKA or a separate class of Cl- channels. even though the regulatory (R) domain of CFTR is known to contain consensus phosphorylation sites for both PKA and PKC. In the present study we directly compare the properties of single Cl- channels activated by PKC and PKA in cell-attached patches of guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Pipette and bath solutions contained N-methyl-D-glucamine and Cs+ or tetraethylammonium as substitutes for Na+ and K+, respectively, and Cl- concentration in the patch pipette was either 150 mmol/L or 40 mmol/L. Bath application of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PDBu or PMA; 50 nmol/L), activators of PKC, resulted in the appearance of unitary Cl- channels with a mean conductance of 9.31 +/- 0.94 pS (n = 8) and 8.8 pS (n = 2), respectively, and reversal potentials were close to predicted ECl. Addition of staurosporine (500 nmol/L) reduced open probability (Po) of channels activated by PDBu. Bath application of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX, 500 mumol/L) resulted in the activation of Cl- channels with a conductance (mean 8.76 +/- 0.67 pS, n = 3) similar to those activated by PDBu.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ann Grodzins Gold and Bhoju Ram Gujar. In the Time of Trees and Sorrows: Nature, Power and Memory in Rajasthan. Durham: Duke University Press, 2002.

In the Time of Trees and Sorrows is an engaging and elegant exploration of the history of the former kingdom of Sawar, an area of twenty-seven villages in Rajasthan. The authors focus on the period from the 1930s to the 1950s, an era of dramatic changes in Sawar's (and India's) political and ecological landscape. Drawing on interviews with subjects of the former kingdom, mostly non-literate farmers, herders, and laborers, the authors provide a textured account of the pre-independence period (pre-1947) marked by what they term the “double oppression under colonial and regional rulers,” and a landscape rich with trees and wildlife, albeit resources to which the king's subjects were mostly denied access (p. 1). This period is contrasted with the post-independence period, during which India's princely kingdoms were absorbed in the Indian Republic, and the subjects of Sawar experienced “the sudden and radical transformation to democracy and modernity” (1). This latter period also witnessed, as the authors draw attention to from the outset, the complete devastation of Sawar's landscape which “transformed from one of rich biodiversity of trees and growth to one where hillsides have been stripped of indigenous growth and are now dominated by a single alien species” (3). In bringing political and ecological history into the same frame, Gold and Gujar explore a compelling paradox of the area's postcolonial history: as the residents of Sawar gained political rights, their environment was transformed and, in many ways, devastated.
Recipient Screening Prior to Solid-Organ Transplantation

Screening a potential transplant recipient for infectious diseases is an important component of the transplantation process. Such screening may lead to the discovery and treatment of occult active infection, may help determine posttransplant prophylactic strategies, or may disqualify the recipient from receiving a transplant. The pretransplant period also affords an opportunity for updating vaccination status and providing education regarding the reduction of posttransplant infectious risks. The present brief review will outline the investigation of preexisting active infection, as well as latent bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections. Recommendations for pretransplant immunization and education are provided.
Predicting Elements in White Pine and Red Oak Foliage with Visible-Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy:

Near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy was evaluated for its effectiveness at predicting Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Mn concentrations in white pine (Pinus strobus L.) and red oak (Quercus rubra L.) foliage. A NIR spectrophotometer was used to scan 470 dried, ground foliage samples. These samples were used to develop calibration equations using a modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression technique. For the calibration equations, concentrations of Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Mn as determined by acid digestion and laboratory analysis were regressed against second-difference absorbance values measured from 400 to 2498 nm. The regression models developed by NIR reflectance spectroscopy were unable to predict Fe. Predictions were satisfactory for Al, Ca, K, Mn and Mg. It still is uncertain which mineral/organic associations are being detected by NIR reflectance spectroscopy. Future applications may include prediction of element concentrations in the forest canopy via remote sensing.
AF5, a CNS cell line immortalized with an N-terminal fragment of SV40 large T: growth, differentiation, genetic stability, and gene expression.

Central nervous system progenitor cells that are self-renewing in culture and also differentiate under controlled conditions are potentially useful for developmental studies and for cell-based therapies. We characterized growth and plasticity properties and gene expression in a rat mesencephalic cell line, AF5, that was immortalized with an N-terminal fragment of SV40 large T (T155g). For over 150 population doublings in culture, the growth rate of AF5 cells remained steady, the cells remained responsive to bFGF, and telomerase activity and telomere lengths were unchanged. While karyotype analyses revealed some chromosomal abnormalities, these were also unchanged over time; additionally, no mutations in p53 gene sequences were found, and wild-type p53 activation was normal. AF5 cells produced PDGF, TGFbeta1, TGFbeta2, and bFGF. Similar to primary progenitor cells, AF5 cells retained their plasticity in culture; they could be propagated in an undifferentiated state as "neurospheres" in serum-free media or as adherent cultures in serum-containing media, and they differentiated when allowed to become confluent. Adherent subconfluent actively growing cultures expressed a marker for immature neurons, nestin, while few cells expressed the mature neuronal cell marker betaIII-tubulin. Confluent cultures ceased growing, developed differentiated morphologies, contained few or no nestin-expressing cells, and acquired betaIII-tubulin expression. Global gene expression was examined using a 15,000 gene microarray, comparing exponential growth with and without bFGF stimulation, and the differentiated state. The AF5 cell line exhibited stable genetic and growth properties over extended periods of time, while retaining the ability to differentiate in vitro. These data suggest that the AF5 cell line may be useful as an in vitro model system for studies of neural differentiation.
Cascade Configuration of Logical Gates Processing Information Encoded in Molecular Potentials

We demonstrate that the outputs of two molecular devices encoding information as electrostatic potentials are able to trigger a third one and yield a correct truth table, thus demonstrating the possibility to successfully interconnect extremely low-power consumption molecular devices. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Relations of Granitic and Gabbroic Rocks, Northern Santa Lucia Range, California

The plutonic rocks of the northern Santa Lucia Range arc calc-alkaline and consist of hornblende gabbro, tonalite-granodiorite, and quartz monzonite of probable Cretaceous age. They were emplaced as concordant plutons during regional folding and metamorphism at temperatures above 650° C and at depths of 15 to 20 km. The country rocks consist predominantly of quartzofeldspathic meta-sedimentary rocks (Sur series) of probable Paleozoic age. The earliest major intrusions were of hornblende gabbro and leucocratic quartz monzonite. These formed homogeneous, mappable plutons and heterogeneous mixtures of gabbro and quartz monzonite with locally abundant hybrid rock. Tonahte-granodionte plutons were emplaced next and locally intruded the heterogeneous gabbro-quartz monzonite terrane. The last major intrusions were of quartz monzonite. Contacts between quartz monzonite and hornblende gabbro vary Irom sharp to gradational, and hybrid rocks are locally developed. Most contact relations indicate that gabbro was solid when quartz monzonite magma intruded it. Structural evidence of the broad contemporaneity of quartz monzonitic and gabbroic magmas allows the possibility that some mixing of magmas furthered the development of hybrid rocks and gradational contacts. Tonalite-granodiorite plutons emplaced somewhat later may have formed by hybridization of gabbro and quartz monzonite.
X-Ray Fabric Study of Yule Marble

Analysis of the Yule marble of Colorado by the small-circle net X-ray technique has revealed the existence and position of minor fabric features that cannot be completely discerned by a 100- or 200-grain universal stage analysis. These include a c -axes minimum in or at low angles to the foliation plane; a number of minor maxima at high angles to the major point maximum which is split into two or more submaxima; and a sufficient concentration of axes connecting the major split point maximum to the minor maxima to reveal a weak girdle pattern. X-ray analyses of the c -axis direction were made from two contiguous portions of the same Yule marble specimen, with the orientation of the X-ray cuts with respect to the T section being different for each analysis. The fabric diagrams showed strong point maximum and interconnecting girdles in both cases, but different relative positions of these features with respect to megascopic coordinates. These results, along with a study of the optical fabric data in the literature, lead to the conclusion that the orientation of only the grossest aspect of the fabric is consistent from sample to sample and that the minor fabric features vary considerably within the domain of the hand sample. An optical analysis of 500 c axes from the T section of one X-ray sample gives good agreement with the major features of the c-axis X-ray diagrams, including the splitting of the major point maximum; but only a hint of the other minor features can be: observed. New X-ray fabric diagrams for the [11�0] = a, [10�1] = r, and [01�2] = e directions of Yule marble show little a -axis orientation, other than a broad girdle in the foliation plane, and considerable concentration of the r and e directions into maxima and into girdles concentric about the split c -axis maximum.
The Political Economy of the Kuznets Curve

The paper provides a political economy theory of the Kuznets curve. When development leads to increasing inequality, this can induce political instability and force democratization on political elites. Democratization leads to institutional changes which encourage redistribution and reduce inequality. Nevertheless, development does not necessarily induce a Kuznets curve, and it is shown that development may be associated with two types of nondemocratic paths: an “autocratic disaster,” with high inequality and low output, and an “East Asian Miracle,” with low inequality and high output. These arise either because inequality does not increase with development, or because the degree of political mobilization is low.
Remote surface mapping using orthophotos and geologic maps draped over digital elevation models: Application to the Sheep Mountain anticline, Wyoming

Remote mapping of surface structures can be conducted by draping digital orthophotos and geologic maps over digital elevation models in geographic information systems. Formational contacts can be mapped by viewing the intersections of these contacts with the topography on a true-to-scale, three-dimensional image. Bedding orientations can be determined from (1) the trends and slopes of dip slopes or (2) best fit planes to multiple points of intersection of a bedding surface with the topography. The methods are tested against mapped formation contacts and bedding attitudes for the Sheep Mountain anticline in the Bighorn basin, Wyoming. Detailed mapping of formation contacts is improved by careful observations of the contacts on three-dimensional images. Interpreted bedding attitudes from slope and multiple-point solutions show strong positive correlations with field measurements. This mapping method provides an efficient and accurate alternative to stereoscopic mapping using aerial photographs and satellite images, particularly for remote and inaccessible areas.
Audit Sampling Methods And Juror Negligence Awards: An Expectation Gap?

Generally accepted auditing standards permit auditors to apply both statistical and nonstatistical sampling techniques in obtaining sufficient, competent evidential matter. However, several recent studies have shown that statistical sampling procedures have nearly disappeared from practice. Despite this trend and the heightened anxiety about professional liability, no studies to date have directly tested the potential implications of sampling method on jurors verdicts, damage awards, or sample size expectations. In this study we investigate the effect of sampling method on jurors’ judgments in auditor negligence trials. Overall, in a case where auditors were alleged to have used an insufficient sample size, the sampling method did not affect the likelihood of a “guilty of negligence” verdict. However, as predicted, damage awards were significantly higher when nonstatistical sampling was used compared with statistical sampling. Exploratory analysis revealed that subjects voting “guilty of negligence” would require the auditors to examine over 17% of the population (compared with the 1% examined) in order to change their verdict to “not guilty of negligence.” These findings have troubling implications for auditors employing sampling techniques.
Nitrogen Losses From Alkaline Water Impoundments

Results of an investigation of gaseous ammonia nitrogen losses from alkaline water impoundments are presented. A method of field measurement of these losses is described and a comparison made between rates of loss predicted from a study of impounded water samples with rates of loss obtained by direct field measurement. Results indicate that warm eutrophic impoundments are potentially able to liberate significant quantities of gaseous ammonia nitrogen to the atmosphere due to natural degasification processes.
Multidimensional Compressible Flows with Symmetry

We prove the global existence of weak solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations for compressible, heat-conducting flow, $$ \left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{{\rho }_{t}} + div(\rho {\text{U}}) = 0} \hfill \\ {{{{(\rho {{{\text{U}}}^{j}})}}_{t}} + div(\rho {{{\text{U}}}^{j}}{\text{U}}) + P{{{(\rho ,\theta )}}_{{{{x}_{j}}}}} = \mu \Delta {{{\text{U}}}^{j}} + (\lambda + \mu )div{{{\text{U}}}_{{{{x}_{j}}}}} + \rho {{{\text{F}}}^{j}}} \hfill \\ {{{{(\rho E)}}_{t}} + div(\rho E{\text{U}} + P(\rho ,\theta ){\text{U}}) = \Delta (\kappa \theta + \tfrac{1}{2}\mu |{\text{U}}{{|}^{2}})} \hfill \\ { + \mu div((\nabla {\text{U}}){\text{U}}) + \lambda div((div{\text{U}}){\text{U}}) + \rho {\text{U}}\cdot {\text{F}},} \hfill \\ \end{array} } \right. $$ (1) with initial data (ρ0, U 0, θ0) and external force F which are large, discontinuous, and spherically or cylindrically symmetric. Here x ∈, ℝ3 is the spatial coordinate, t > 0 is time, and ρ, U, θ, and P=Kρθ are respectively the density, velocity, temperature, energy density, and pressure of an ideal fluid (with unit specific heat), μ and λ are viscosity constants assumed to satisfy μ > and, and κ is a positive heat conduction coefficient.
Proteomic Analysis of Protein Posttranslational Modifications by Mass Spectrometry

The addition of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) to proteins is an influential mechanism to temporally control protein function and ultimately regulate entire cellular processes. Most PTMs are present at low stoichiometry and abundance, which limits their detection when analyzing whole cell lysates. PTM purification methods are thus required to comprehensively characterize the presence and dynamics of PTMs using mass spectrometry-based proteomics approaches. Here we describe several of the most influential PTMs and discuss the fundamentals of proteomics experiments and PTM purification methods.
A creative collaboration between the science of ecosystem restoration and art for sustainable stormwater management on an urban college campus

This article presents an interdisciplinary, on-campus, student project, titled “The Rain Project” that I designed as an urban ecosystem restoration model as well as a collaborative pedagogical approach between ecological science and art at George Mason University (GMU), Virginia, U.S.A. A group of students from several disciplines (e.g. environmental science, art, civil engineering, biology, communication, and film/media) participated in designing and constructing a floating wetland for a campus stormwater pond as part of sustainable stormwater management. The Rain Project has numerous implications for college education, scholarship, and service while presenting a novel way of building a sense of community among undergraduate students for ecological awareness and literacy. The work of Jackie Brookner, a renowned eco-artist who worked extensively on stormwater, and its relevance to the project is discussed. I strongly suggest the need for linking art and the science of ecosystem restoration to best obtain improvements in much-needed communication for the success of community participatory restoration projects. I also believe that this kind of interdisciplinary, campus project can facilitate the changes we need to train higher education students to be able to both think differently and communicate effectively. The Rain Project introduced students to new learning strategies that connected “systems thinking” with art, ecological science, and restoration practices.
Aortic intimal monocyte recruitment in the normo and hypercholesterolemic baboon (Papio cynocephalus) - An ultrastructural study: Implications in atherogenesis

The ultrastructural features of peripheral blood monocyte margination, migration, and aortic intimal accumulation have been described in the normo- and mildly hypercholesterolemic baboon. Intimal monocyte-macrophage recruitment over fatty streaks and fibro-fatty plaques was enhanced by dietary cholesterol-fat supplementation, resulting in an 8-fold increase in monocyte-macrophages and macrophage-derived foam cells in the subendothelial space. Margination or attachment observed over both plaques and normal areas was not associated with morphologic evidence of endothelial injury. Migration through continuous aortic endothelium was principally between endothelial cells via junctions. Transitional sequences from the typical morphology of the blood monocyte to the lipid-containing macrophage or foam cell were discerned. The intimal accumulation of monocytes and macrophages reinforces our view of atherosclerosis as an inflammatory process, in which monocyte attachment is likely to reflect changes in the endothelial surface-membrane complex and surface charge, while migration to and accumulation in the SES may result from one or more chemoattractants originating in the intima or media.
Third-order nonlinear plasmonic materials: Enhancement and limitations

We develop a rigorous and physically transparent theory of enhancement of third-order nonlinear optical processes achievable in plasmonic structures. The results show that the effective nonlinear index can be enhanced by many orders of magnitude, but, due to high metal losses the most relevant figure of merit, the amount of phase shift per one absorption length, remains very low. This makes nonlinear plasmonic materials a poor match for applications requiring high efficiency, such as all-optical switching and wavelength conversion, but does not preclude the applications where overall high efficiency is not required, such as sensing.
Analytical Variability in the Single Disk Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test

Although one method of performing the single disk test for antimicrobial susceptibility has been identified as producing the most reliable results, insufficient criteria have been established for evaluation and control of precision and accuracy. The authors compared barium sulfate and powdered glass turbidity standards. The latter appeared more stable. Both produced inoculum density of about 1 × 108± 5 × 107 colony-forming units. Plate size and disk location did not produce significant differences in precision and accuracy. Variability observed over an extended period was greater than that observed from day to day. The authors suggest that this may be a clue to interlaboratory disagreement and may be caused by variation in lots of disks, batches of commercial dehydrated culture media, and criteria for measurement of zone diameters.
The reproductive physiology of the screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae). II. Effect of constant temperatures on oogenesis.

In laboratory studies, screwworm flies developed mature eggs over an observed temperature range of 15.7° to 43.3°C. The observed optimal temperature range was 21.8° to 37.8°C. Flies died before developing mature eggs at temperatures of 12.3°C or less. The lower and upper temperatures for maturing eggs were calculated to be greater than 12.3° and less than 47.2°C.
Regulation of Cytoskeleton Contractility and Osteogenesis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells using Acoustic Tweezing Cytometry (ATC)

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have great potential for cellular therapeutics for treating degenerative bone diseases such as osteoporosis. However, in vitro cell culture conditions for hMSC osteogenesis still remain suboptimal. In this study, we used an ultrasound-based technique, acoustic tweezing cytometry (ATC), to apply dynamic subcellular mechanical forces to enhance in vitro hMSC osteogenesis. In previous work, we have shown that single ATC application for 10-20 sec could lead to a sustained increase of the total cytoskeleton contractility of hMSCs for 30 min. As the contractile force of hMSCs has been implicated as a functional predictor of their long-term osteogenesis, we studied the effect of ATC stimulation on hMSC contractility for 24 hr. To identify the optimal experimental conditions to promote hMSC osteogenesis, we explored the effects of different ATC doses, as well as cell shape and substrate rigidity on cytoskeleton contractility of hMSCs. Substrate rigidity was modulated by varying the height of an elastomeric micropost array. We used micro-contact printing to print different adhesive islands to modulate cell shape. Moreover, we characterized the effect of ATC to regulate osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. We plan to study how the RhoA/ROCK/myosin signaling axis is involved in intracellular force transduction by ATC in hMSCs in the future. In summary, our results showed that ATC was capable of modulating cytoskeleton contractility and enhancing osteogenesis of hMSCs in vitro for cell-therapeutics applications for treating bone diseases.
Early Plant Life — the Thallophytes

In Chapter 2 we saw that several lines of indirect evidence point to the existence of plants from some 3 billion years ago. It is necessary now to look into the more direct evidence that can be provided only by fossils of the plants themselves. This evidence, if forthcoming, would substantiate the biogeochemical data presented earlier. Until recent years it has been generally accepted that many Precambrian rocks were highly metamorphosed and devoid of fossils. From time to time bacteria or various macrofossils have been reported, but none gained wide acceptance. A recent review of Precambrian animal records indicates that all are extremely dubious. However, commencing with the first report of microorganisms in the Gunflint chert in southwestern Ontario, both the evidence for Precambrian plants and the belief in their authenticity have increased remarkably. New physical, chemical, and microscopical techniques have aided the study of fossils, and space research and chemical experiments on the origin of life have led many investigators to accept such discoveries.
Global challenges in human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis coinfection among men who have sex with men

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM), and the rate of coinfection has been increasing over the last decade. HIV and syphilis coinfection is particularly challenging because the infections interact synergistically thereby increasing the risk of acquisition and transmission as well as accelerating disease progression.Areas covered: This paper reviews and summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical management and prevention of HIV and syphilis coinfection among MSM.Expert commentary: Research does not support a different syphilis treatment for coinfected individuals; however, coinfection may warrant a recommendation for antiretroviral therapy. In order to reverse the epidemic of syphilis and HIV coinfection, there needs to be greater awareness, improved cultural sensitivity among health care providers, improved access to preventative services and increased screening for syphilis and HIV.
Determinants of Treatment Eligibility in Veterans With Hepatitis C Viral Infection.

Abstract Purposes The objective of this study was to determine the percentage of veterans with active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who were deemed to be candidates for treatment and to identify factors associated with treatment ineligibility. Methods This was a multisite, retrospective cohort analysis of veterans with HCV infection within the Veteran Integrated Service Network 21. Patients evaluated between August and November 2015 who were viremic and not receiving HCV treatment were included in the analysis. Reasons for treatment exclusion were determined by an experienced clinician and recorded into a regional population management dashboard. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population. The t test for normally distributed data, the Mann-Whitney rank sum test for data that failed normality testing, or the χ 2 test were used to examine differences between the treatment eligible and ineligible cohorts. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were conducted to estimate patient outcomes relevant to various disease states and characteristics while controlling for interfacility variability. Findings The cohort included 1,003 veterans within 5 medical centers; 988 (98.5%) were male, and 625 (62%) had a fibrosis 4 score >3.25, indicating the presence of ALD. According to clinician classification, 478 (48%) were considered HCV treatment candidates, whereas 525 (52%) were determined to be treatment ineligible. The most common reasons documented by clinicians for treatment ineligibility included unstable or uncontrolled comorbidities (n = 118 [22.4%]), excessive alcohol use (n = 116 [22.1%]), and treatment refusal by the patient (n = 69 [13%]). On the basis of statistical modeling and reporting odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs, diagnoses of active alcohol use disorder (OR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47–0.98; P = 0.038), hepatocellular carcinoma (OR = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.13–0.47; P P = 0.049) were statistically associated with treatment ineligibility, whereas posttraumatic stress disorder (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.01–2.18; P = 0.046) was associated with treatment eligibility. There were no statistically significant differences found for other psychiatric diagnoses or an encounter for homelessness. Implications Results of this study indicate that a high percentage of patients may not be considered treatment eligible at initial clinical review. Within this veteran population, the presence of uncontrolled comorbidities and excessive alcohol use were the most commonly reported reasons for treatment ineligibility. On the basis of this analysis, processes could be established to address modifiable barriers to treatment, thus expanding the number of individuals receiving potentially curative therapy for HCV infection.
Interpreting Visual Texts: Use of an Analytic Rubric to Evaluate Student Responses to Writing Prompts

ABSTRACTYounger students’ visual texts are statements and stories conveyed through drawings or other artwork and often convey meaning beyond the child’s capability to communicate with written expression. Although opportunities for expression through drawing are routinely offered to children in the initial and middle stages of early childhood literacy education, children in the latter stages are more often limited to verbal communications and responses. An analytic rubric devised to evaluate the narrative aspects of the visual texts generated by early childhood students was used to assess the drawn responses of 19 third-grade students who were approximately age 8 years. The participants in this study created visual texts as responses to two prompts based on narrative and expository writing genres. Results suggest that the rubric can provide ample guidance for interpreting visual text developed by 3rd-grade students. The implications of using an analytic rubric for evaluating students’ visual texts are expl...
Preservice Teachers' Beliefs About Using Maker Activities in Formal K–12 Educational Settings: A Multi-Institutional Study

AbstractThis qualitative study examined preservice teachers' beliefs about using maker activities in formal educational settings. Eighty-two preservice and early-career teachers at three different universities in the United States took part in one-time workshops designed to introduce them to various maker tools and activities applicable to K–12 educational environments. Data were collected from 16 focus groups conducted during the workshops in spring 2016. Researchers analyzed the data using the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985, 1991) to better understand the teachers' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control related to making activities, with the ultimate goal of using this information to assist teacher preparation programs in preparing their students to implement maker tools and strategies in their future classrooms. Participants expressed favorable attitudes toward implementing maker activities in their future classrooms and noted these tools and activities aligned with inst...
Electro-optic frequency combs for multiplexed pump-probe spectroscopy

Electro-optic frequency combs were generated using a train of frequency chirped waveforms. These combs had up to 10,000 teeth with a spacing as narrow as 200 kHz which enabled Doppler and sub-Doppler spectroscopy of 39K.
Towards Safe Change in Transportation Systems

Abstract The constant demand for increased capacity and efficiency has led to numerous changes or proposals for change in transportation systems. The proposed changes often entail increased levels of automation and claim constant or improved levels of safety. This paper describes an approach to ensuring safe change in transportation systems, by eliminating or mitigating the occurrence of hazards resulting from the change. The approach, inspired from systems theory and control theory, takes into account all the components of the system and their interactions. An air traffic control conflict detection tool, MTCD, is used to illustrate the methodology.
Hip fracture outcomes in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Patients with chronic idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) are at a high risk for fractures, particularly of the hip, accounting for 4.3% of all emergency admissions for PD patients. The causes may be multifactorial, including poor balance and other forms of neurological dysfunction. Osteopenia and
What’s in It for Me? Perspective Taking as an Intervention for Improving Attitudes Toward Diversity Management:

Hospitality organizations are increasingly investing in diversity management to address the reality of a diverse hospitality workforce. The effectiveness of diversity management highly depends on e...
Optic nerve head edema among patients presenting to the emergency department

Objective To determine the frequency of and predictive factors for optic nerve head edema (ONHE) among patients with headache, neurologic deficit, visual loss, or elevated blood pressure in the emergency department (ED). Methods Cross-sectional analysis was done of patients with ONHE in the prospective Fundus Photography vs Ophthalmoscopy Trial Outcomes in the Emergency Department (FOTO-ED) study. Demographics, neuroimaging results, management, and patient disposition were collected. Patients in the ONHE and non-ONHE groups were compared with bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Results Of 1,408 patients included, 37 (2.6%, 95% confidence interval 1.9–3.6) had ONHE (median age 31 [interquartile range 26–40] years, women 27 [73%], black 28 [76%]). ONHE was bilateral in 27 of 37 (73%). Presenting complaints were headache (18 of 37), visual loss (10 of 37), acute neurologic deficit (4 of 37), elevated blood pressure (2 of 37), and multiple (3 of 37). The most common final diagnoses were idiopathic intracranial hypertension (19 of 37), CSF shunt malfunction/infection (3 of 37), and optic neuritis (3 of 37). Multivariable logistic regression found that body mass index ≥35 kg/m 2 (odds ratio [OR] 1.9, p = 0.0002), younger age (OR 0.5 per 10-year increase, p p = 0.0002) were associated with ONHE. Patients with ONHE were more likely to be admitted (62% vs 19%), to be referred to other specialists (100% vs 54%), and to receive neuroimaging (89% vs 63%) than patients without ONHE ( p Conclusions One in 38 patients (2.6%) presenting to the ED with a chief complaint of headache, neurologic deficit, visual loss, or elevated blood pressure had ONHE. Identification of ONHE altered patient disposition and contributed to the final diagnosis, confirming the importance of funduscopic examination in the ED.
Online Tobacco Marketing and Subsequent Tobacco Use

BACKGROUND: Nearly 2.9 million US adolescents engaged with online tobacco marketing in 2013 to 2014. We assess whether engagement is a risk factor for tobacco use initiation, increased frequency of use, progression to poly-product use, and cessation. METHODS: We analyzed data from 11 996 adolescents sampled in the nationally representative, longitudinal Population Assessment for Tobacco and Health study. At baseline (2013–2014), we ascertained respondents’ engagement with online tobacco marketing. At follow-up (2014–2015), we determined if respondents had initiated tobacco use, increased frequency of use, progressed to poly-product use, or quit. Accounting for known risk factors, we fit a multivariable logistic regression model among never-users who engaged at baseline to predict initiation at follow-up. We fit similar models to predict increased frequency of use, progression to poly-product use, and cessation. RESULTS: Compared with adolescents who did not engage, those who engaged reported higher incidences of initiation (19.5% vs 11.9%), increased frequency of use (10.3% vs 4.4%), and progression to poly-product use (5.8% vs 2.4%), and lower incidence of cessation at follow-up (16.1% vs 21.5%). Accounting for other risk factors, engagement was positively associated with initiation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.57), increased frequency of use (aOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.24–2.00), progression to poly-product use (aOR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.20–2.43), and negatively associated with cessation (aOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.50–1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Engagement with online tobacco marketing represents a risk factor for adolescent tobacco use. FDA marketing regulation and cooperation of social-networking sites could limit engagement.
Tunability of Free Volume and Viscoelastic Damping of Thiol–Ene Networks Deep in the Glassy State

Model thiol-click glassy networks with low shrinkage and sharp glass transition temperatures are studied down to cryogenic temperatures to relate viscoelastic damping to changes in microscopic hole volume. Networks synthesized by polymerization of divinyl sulfone with pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP), trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) (TMPTMP), and pentaerythritol tetrakis(2-mercaptoacetate) (PETT) were studied to ∼50 K using positron annihilation and thermal analysis methods. Across the glass transition temperature, overall volume expansivity is dominated by expansion of microscopic holes. Beneath Tg, holes contract upon cooling and then become static with negligible expansivity at temperatures well above 0 K. A trade-off between complete rigidity of static free volume and viscoelastic damping ability below Tg is discussed. All samples show moderate damping (tan δ > 0.05), and one sample exhibits a prominent β-transition in its viscoelastic loss spectra. These results in...
Heteroclinics in x 1 and x 2

In this section the results of Chaps. 2–3 will be extended to the next level of complexity, providing solutions of (PDE) heteroclinic in both x1 and x2. To describe such solutions more precisely, suppose that (*)0 holds and also \(\mathrm{M}\)1 = \(\mathrm{M}\) 1 (v0, w0) has gaps, i.e., \( \rm there\,\, \rm are\,\, \rm adjacent\,\, v_1, w_1\,\, \epsilon \,\,\mathrm{M}_1 (v_0, w_0)\,\,\rm with \,\,v_1 < w_1.\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, \,\,(*)_1\)
Fractal Solids, Product Measures and Continuum Mechanics

This paper builds on the recently begun extension of continuum thermomechanics to fractal porous media which are specified by a mass (or spatial) fractal dimension D, a surface fractal dimension d, and a resolution length scale R. The focus is on pre-fractal media (i.e., those with lower and upper cut-offs) through a theory based on a dimensional regularization, in which D is also the order of fractional integrals employed to state global balance laws. In effect, the governing equations may be cast in forms involving conventional (integer-order) integrals, while the local forms are expressed through partial differential equations with derivatives of integer order but containing coefficients involving D, d and R. The formulation allows a generalization of the principles of virtual work, and virtual stresses, which, in turn, allow us to extend the extremum and variational theorems of elasticity and plasticity, as well as handle flows in fractal porous media. In all the cases, the derived relations depend explicitly on D, d and R, and, upon setting D=3 and d=2, reduce to conventional forms of governing equations for continuous media with Euclidean geometries. While the original formulation was based on a Riesz measure—and thus more suited to isotropic media—the new model is based on a product measure making it capable of grasping local material anisotropy. The product measure allows one to grasp the anisotropy of fractal dimensions on a mesoscale and the ensuing lack of symmetry of the Cauchy stress, as noted in condensed matter physics. On this basis, a framework of micropolar mechanics of fractal media is developed.
PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE C: PROPERTIES, SPECIFICITY AND STRUCTURAL RELATIONSHIP TO A LARGER HOLOENZYME

Publisher Summary This chapter describes properties of protein phosphatase C. Phosphorylase phosphatase/ Protein Phosphatase C was discovered as an enzymatic activity in rabbit muscle extracts, which catalyzed the conversion of phosphorylase a to phosphorylase b. The nature of the interconversion was only later shown to involve phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of phosphorylase. Attempts were made to isolate the enzyme from rabbit liver. It was discovered that treatment of rabbit liver extracts with high concentrations of ethanol at room temperature led to the activation of phosphorylase phosphatase activity and its conversion to a discrete lower molecular weight form of Mr 35,000. This low molecular weight form was readily amenable to further purification and a procedure was developed which allowed the separation of the enzyme in a homogeneous form from rabbit liver. The enzyme was characterized as having a molecular weight of ca. 35,000 by gel filtration and by SDS disc gel electrophoresis. The procedure also allowed the purification of the enzyme from rabbit skeletal muscle and from bovine heart. This Mr 35,000 phosphatase appears to be distributed in both liver and muscle tissues, and it is also present in tissues from different mammalian species.
Toward exploiting EEG input in a reading tutor

A new type of sensor for students' mental states is a single-channel portable EEG headset simple enough to use in schools. To gauge its potential, we recorded its signal from children and adults reading text and isolated words, both aloud and silently. We used this data to train and test classifiers to detect a when reading is difficult, b when comprehension is lacking, and c lexical status and word difficulty. To avoid exploiting the confound of word and sentence difficulty with length, we truncated signals to a uniform duration. The EEG data discriminated reliably better than chance between reading easy and difficult sentences. We found weak but above-chance performance for using EEG to distinguish among easy words, difficult words, pseudo-words, and unpronounceable strings, or to predict correct versus incorrect responses to a comprehension question about the read text. We also identified which EEG components appear sensitive to which lexical features. We found a strong relationship in children between a word's age-of-acquisition and activity in the Gamma frequency band 30--100 Hz. This pilot study gives hope that a school-deployable EEG device can capture information that might be useful to an intelligent tutor.