cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental noise classifier using a new set of feature parameters based on pitch range

Abstract Automatic Noise Recognition was performed in two stages: (1) feature extraction based on the pitch range, found by analyzing the autocorrelation function and (2) classification using a classifier trained on the extracted features. Since most environmental noise types change their acoustical characteristics over time, we focused on the “pitch range” of the sounds in order to extract features. Two different classifiers, Support Vector Machines (SVM) and k-means clustering, were performed and compared using the proposed features. The SVM and k-means clustering classifiers achieve recognition rates up to 95.4% and 92.8%, respectively. Although both classifiers provided high accuracy, the SVM-based classifier outperformed the k-means clustering classifier by approximately 7.4%.
Five weeks of insulin-like growth factor-I treatment does not alter glucose kinetics or insulin sensitivity during a hyperglycemic clamp in older women

Abstract Insulin sensitivity and the activity of the hypothalamic-growth hormone (GH)- insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis both decline with age. Treatment with IGF-I increases insulin sensitivity in healthy young subjects. We hypothesized that increasing plasma IGF-I in postmenopausal women to levels characteristic of young women would enhance insulin sensitivity. To test the hypothesis, fasting glucose kinetics and insulin sensitivity were measured in 24 healthy, normoglycemic, postmenopausal women before and after 5 weeks of treatment with either recombinant human (rh)IGF-I (15 μg/kg body weight/d twice daily) or placebo in a double-blind study. Diet energy content and composition were rigidly controlled to maintain energy balance. A hyperglycemic clamp (8 mmol/L) coupled with stable isotope infusion ([6,6 2 H]glucose) was performed before and after treatment to assess whole-body insulin sensitivity; defined as the glucose rate of disappearance (Rd) or rate of infusion (GRIF) scaled to the steady-state insulin concentration (I). There were no differences in fasting glucose or insulin concentrations, glucose kinetics, or glucose oxidation after either treatment. During the clamps, steady-state insulin concentrations with placebo (pre = 151 ± 28 pmol/L, post = 173 ± 31 pmol/L) were slightly different than with IGF-I (pre = 182 ± 37 pmol/L, post = 163 ± 33 pmol/L), but the variations were not significant. No significant changes in whole-body insulin sensitivity were observed after treatment with IGF-I, calculated as Rd/I (pre = 17.7 ± 2.6 μg/kg/min/pmol/L, post = 19.3 ± 2.0 μg/kg/min/pmol/L for IGF-I v pre = 24.2 ± 2.5 μg/kg/min/pmol/L, post = 22.8 ± 3.4 μg/kg/min/pmol/L for placebo) or as GRIF/I (pre = 18.0 ± 3.9 μg/kg/min/pmol/L, post = 22.3 ± 3.5 μg/kg/min/pmol/L for IGF-I v pre = 26.4 ± 6.2 μg/kg/min/pmol/L, post = 26.9 ± 4.8 μg/kg/min/pmol/L for placebo). Baseline insulin sensitivity in women using hormone replacement therapy (HRT, n = 15) was similar to nonusers (n = 9), but HRT users derived a greater portion of energy expenditure from carbohydrate oxidation compared with nonusers. HRT use had no impact on the response to IGF-I. Overall, we observed subtle, but physiologically insignificant, variations after IGF-I treatment in the direction of enhanced insulin sensitivity. The data suggest that 5 weeks of low-dose rhIGF-I treatment has no material influence on whole-body insulin sensitivity in normoglycemic postmenopausal women.
Fragmentation of oligosaccharide ions with 157 nm vacuum ultraviolet light

The 157 nm photofragmentation of native and derivatized oligosaccharides was studied in a linear ion trap and in a home-built matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) tandem time-of-flight (TOF/TOF) mass spectrometer, and the results were compared with collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments. Photodissociation produces product ions corresponding to high-energy fragmentation pathways; for cation-derivatized oligosaccharides, it yields strong cross-ring fragment ions and provides better sequence coverage than low- and high-energy CID experiments. On the other hand, for native oligosaccharides, CID yielded somewhat better sequence coverage than photodissociation. The ion trap enables CID hybrid MS 3 experiments on the high-energy fragment ions obtained from photodissociation.
INFLUENCE OF HOST NUTRITION ON SYSTEMIC DEVELOPMENT OF TOBACCO MOSAIC.

In two previous papers it was shown (3, 4) that the mineral nutrition of tobacco plants had a marked effect on their susceptibility to primary infection with a yellow strain of tobacco-mosaic virus. In the present paper the influence of host nutrition on systemic infection of this same virus in infected tobacco plants will be discussed. Several workers have studied the movement of virus in plants, but little attention has been given to the influence which host nutrition may have on systemic spread of virus. Boning (1), in 1928, published the results of an experiment dealing with the effect of nitrogen nutrition on mosaic-virus spread in tobacco. The tip of the largest leaf on each plant was inoculated. With actively growing plants an average of 3 days was required for the virus to pass 13 cm. from the tip of the leaf to the stem. With slow-growing, nitrogen-deficient plants an average of at least 6 days was necessary for the virus to pass from a leaf 12 cm. long. Boning concluded that the rapidity of virus-spread from an inoculated leaf was greatly decreased by nitrogen deficiency. Yolk (5) studied the effect of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen on the spread of streak in tomato plants grown in nutrient sand cultures, and inoculated just prior to fruiting. He concluded that the spread of streak disease was most rapid and the effect of the disease most severe in plants fertilized with an ample supply of potassium and phosphorus or in plants deficient in nitrogen.
On-line monitoring with feedback control of bioreactors using a high ethanol tolerance yeast by membrane introduction mass spectrometry

We have investigated the fermentation of glucose with a genetically engineered yeast, strain 1400, which has a tolerance to high ethanol concentration. The concentration of the major product in the liquid phase, ethanol, was monitored on-line as a function of time using membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS). Minor products produced during the fermentation and identified by MIMS include lactic acid and glycerol. The concentration of the substrate, glucose, was monitored off-line using a glucose analyzer. A flow injection analysis (FIA) sampling system was used to inject, in sequence, the sample, the standard, and the flush solution (deionized water). Microfiltered broth plugs were introduced into the mass spectrometer, through a direct insertion membrane probe which uses a hydrophobic silicone membrane as the interface between the aqueous sample and the mass spectrometer. Isobutane chemical ionization was used to produce the protonated molecular ion of ethanol (m/z 47) in experiments with a quadrupole mass spectrometer and water chemical ionization was used in comparative experiments with an ion trap. All operations such as sampling, scanning, data acquisition, control of the FIA, calibration, and feedback control were carried out automatically, with the help of a control program written in C. The feedback control system described in this paper was employed to automate substrate addition. This allowed the inhibition of ethanol formation due to high substrate (glucose) concentration to be avoided. Batch fermentations with initial concentrations of glucose up to 150 g/l were carried out in this mode and an ethanol concentration of about 50 g/l was achieved after monitoring for 8 h. Fed-batch fermentations were also carried out, to reduce the inhibitory effect of the substrate. In a typical fed-batch fermentation, a final ethanol concentration of about 120 g/l was achieved, and the bioreactor was monitored for 50 h.
Tumor imaging with radioactive metal chelates conjugated to monoclonal antibodies

High-resolution gamma camera images of mouse erythroid tumors were obtained by use of leukemia cell-specific monoclonal antibodies labeled with bifunctional radioactive metal chelates. Small tumors (200 to 300 milligrams) were visible without subtraction or enhancement 1 to 5 hours after injection of antibody. Chelate-derivitized monoclonal antibodies permit targeting of a broad spectrum of radioisotopes, including those that are optimum for agamma for gamma camera imaging or positron tomography, as well as those that are tumoricidal.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A=236

Abstract The available experimental data pertaining to the nuclear structure of nuclei with A-236 are compiled; the results from various decay and reaction measurements are compared and evaluated. Adopted values, comparison with theory, arguments for assignment of J π and Nilsson quantum numbers, and explanations of adopted decay schemes are given. Inconsistencies and discrepancies in the level schemes are discussed. The adopted level and decay properties are based on data received before August 1970. Data received between April and July have been added in proof.
Disparate Effects of In Vitro Low-Dose UVB Irradiation on Intravenous Immunization with Purified Epidermal Cell Subpopulations for the Induction of Contact Hypersensitivity

Low-dose ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation suppresses contact hypersensitivity (CH) reactions and alters the antigen-presenting function of epidermal cells (EC) in mice. To identify the EC sources of immunosuppression in this system, we examined the effect of UVB on the capacity of EC to induce and to regulate CH to trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB). On day 0, cell sorter-purified populations of Ia+EC, Thy-1+EC, or Ia-/Thy-1-EC from CBA and C3H/HeJ mice were exposed to 200 J/m2 UVB from unfiltered FS20 Sunlamps, derivatized with hapten, and inoculated intravenously into syngeneic mice (5000 cells per inoculum). After 6 d, responsiveness was tested by challenging the left ear with 2% TNCB and measuring ear swelling responses. On day 14, regulation was tested by painting 7% TNCB on abdominal skin; after 6 d the right ear was challenged. Whereas mice which received haptenated unirradiated Ia+EC exhibited full CH responses without down-regulation, mice inoculated with haptenated irradiated Ia+EC displayed significantly diminished primary responses and, on subsequent immunization, displayed down-regulation. On the other hand, panels of mice that received haptenated unirradiated Thy-1+EC, and haptenated irradiated Thy-1+EC both showed hyporesponsiveness as well as down-regulation. Intravenous immunization with haptenated unirradiated Ia-/Thy-1-EC or with haptenated irradiated Ia-/Thy-1-EC led in each instance to immunologically "null events." These findings indicate that UVB irradiation profoundly affected Ia+EC such that their capacity to sensitize for CH was not only abrogated, but that such treatment also resulted in down-regulation of CH responses. By contrast, the same phototreatment had no effect on the inherent property of Thy-1+EC to mediate down-regulation of CH. We conclude that Ia+EC are immunologically relevant targets of low-dose UVB radiation, and that two populations of irradiated EC, Ia+EC, and Thy-1+EC, have the potential to deliver down-regulatory signals in this model of immunosuppression.
Can Consumers Taste the Difference between Canned and Bottled Beers

Many consumers perceive aluminum cans to be an inferior product, claiming they can taste the difference between bottled and can beers. Therefore, many restaurants do not carry canned beers. This study investigated whether consumers could taste a difference between beer in aluminum cans and beer in glass bottles. A series of triangle tests was conducted with 125 untrained panelists sampling 14 different types of beer. Of the 14 different types of beer, 9 showed no significant differences. Significant differences were identified when testing wheat beer, suggesting possible chemical interactions due to different grain ingredients. The average consumer could not taste the difference between canned and bottled beers for the majority of beers tested. The results suggest that though consumers may be able to taste differences between packaging methods for several types of beer, these difference may still be acceptable. In addition, cans may be more cost effective, provide storage and shipping advantages, and are ...
Measurement of patient fears about implantable cardioverter defibrillator shock: an initial evaluation of the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale.

Background:Psychological distress is both a precipitant and a consequence of ICD shock. Therefore, the assessment of patient anxiety and concerns related to receiving an ICD shock may prompt appropriate psychological referrals and treatment. Methods:The purpose of this study is to assess the initial validity and clinical utility of the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale (FSAS). Seventy-two ICD recipients completed the FSAS. Results:Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure with items loading such that Factor 1 could be conceptualized as a Consequence Factor (e.g., fearing creating a scene if the device were to fire) and Factor 2 as a Trigger Factor (e.g., fearing sexual activity). Alpha coefficients suggest good reliability (Cronbach's α= 0.91, split-half = 0.92), and FSAS Total Score was moderately correlated (r =−0.65) with total score on the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale. Conclusions:Two subscales, labeled consequence of shock and trigger of shock, were established via factor analysis. Collectively the FSAS demonstrates potential utility to assess shock distress and warrants additional investigation.
Observed and projected changes in absolute temperature records across the contiguous United States

Changes in the extent of absolute, all-time, daily temperature records across the contiguous United States were examined using observations and climate model simulations. Observations from station data and reanalysis from 1980 to 2013 show increased extent of absolute highest temperature records and decreased extent of absolute lowest temperature records. Conversely, station data from 1920 to 2013 showed decreased extent of absolute highest records with nearly half of such records occurring in the 1930s during exceptional widespread drought. Simulated changes in the extent of absolute temperature records from climate model experiments were in general agreement with observed changes for recent decades. However, fewer lowest temperature records and highest temperature records were observed since 2000 than simulated by most models. Climate models project a continued increase in the occurrence of highest temperature records and decline in lowest temperature records through the mid-21st century.
Three Views of Otherness

In this article, I retrace a development in psychoanalytic conceptions of the experience of otherness from narcissistic loss to enjoyment of difference and argue that the latter conception of otherness in terms of difference involves a subtle but important ambiguity. In one sense, difference remains compatible with the objectification of the other; I therefore propose that the experience of otherness is an experience of the freedom of the other, which is not compatible with objectification. And I show how certain basic affective interpersonal attitudes (such as feeling jealous or feeling self-conscious) presuppose an experience of others as free.
Zircon Age of a Precambrian Rhyolite, Northeastern Wisconsin

U-Pb isotopic analyses of three cogenetic zircon fractions from a Precambrian rhyolite of the Quinnesec Formation in northeastern Wisconsin yielded a concordia intercept age of 1905 (+30 to −10) m.y. Thus, at least part of the Quinnesec Formation is late or post-Animikie in age and is not correlative with the pre-Animikie complexes of Michigan, as has been previously believed.
Protein requirement of guinea keets.

Abstract An experiment was carried out in batteries with raised wire floors to study the protein requirements of guinea keets from one to 56 days of age. Keets were fed protein levels ranging from 18 to 28% using an isocaloric corn-soya diet. Keets in this experiment required a dietary protein level of 24% for optimal growth to eight weeks of age. Feed conversion was slightly better for the keets that received 28% protein; however, this result was not significantly different at the 0.05 level of probability. Feed consumption was generally related to growth rate. Mortality was not influenced by levels of protein.
Association Between Colonic Symptoms and Inattention/Hyperactivity in British Children

Background: Functional faecal retention and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common in childhood. There is some evidence, mostly from clinical samples, of an association between them. Methods: The association between parental reports of inattention/hyperactivity and colonic symptoms in children between four and ten years of age was examined using the Health Survey for England 2000. Results: Boys were about twice as likely to be rated by their parents as inattentive/hyperactive if they had colon symptoms. Conclusions: This study adds to existing evidence associating bowel function and behavioural symptoms, especially in boys. Given the high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in general, and the increasing personal and societal impact of childhood behavioural problems, further exploration of the relationship is warranted, with particular attention to causal pathways.
Resistivity minima in Pd-Ag and Pd-Au alloys

Abstract Resistivity minima have been observed in Pd1−xAg and Pd1−xAux alloys. It is proposed that in the appropriate concentration range scattering of the conduction electrons from localized exchange enhanced “pockets of holes” give rise to the observed resistivity minima.
Analyzer-dependent differences in results for ionized calcium, ionized magnesium, sodium, and pH

We compared two ion-selective analyzers (AVL 988-4 and NOVA CRT) for determining ionized calcium (iCa2+), ionized magnesium (iMg2+), sodium (Na+), and pH in serum specimens from healthy and diseased individuals. For assays of three levels of protein-based control materials, total imprecision (CV) was < 3% for all analytes except iMg2+ (< or = 6.5% on NOVA, and < or = 4.9% on AVL). We found a significant difference between the analyzers (P < 0.001) for the mean iMg2+ concentration in patients but no significant correlation (r = 0.253) between the analyzers for iMg2+ in specimens from healthy volunteers, even though the mean iMg2+ concentration did not differ significantly between these groups. The reference interval (central 95 percentiles) for iMg2+ with AVL (0.44-0.60 mmol/L) was contained within that of NOVA (0.39-0.64 mmol/L). The AVL gave higher values for iCa2+ (P < 0.001) and lower values for pH (P < 0.001) in specimens from normal volunteers and patients. The mean value for Na+ in patients' samples was significantly higher by the NOVA (P < 0.01) than by the AVL analyzer. Thus, we found significant differences between these two analyzers for all four analytes.
Neighborhood Conditions and Risk of Incident Lower-Body Functional Limitations among Middle-aged African Americans

The authors investigated the association between observed neighborhood conditions and lower-body functional limitations (LBFLs) using data from 563 subjects of the African-American Health Study. This population-based cohort received in-home evaluations. Five items involving LBFL were obtained at baseline (2000-2001) and 3 years later. Subjects were considered to have LBFL if they reported difficulty on at least two of the five tasks. The external appearance of the block the respondent lived on was rated during sample enumeration by use of five items (rated excellent, good, fair, or poor). Of 563 subjects with 0-1 LBFL at baseline, 15% and 14% lived in neighborhoods with 4-5 and 2-3 fair/poor conditions, respectively. Logistic regression adjusting for propensity scores showed that persons who lived in neighborhoods with 4-5 versus 0-1 fair/poor condition were 3.07 times (95% confidence interval: 1.58, 5.94) more likely to develop two or more LBFLs. The odds ratio was 2.24 (95% confidence interval: 1.07, 4.70) when living in neighborhoods with 2-3 conditions versus 0-1 fair/poor condition. Odds ratios for individual neighborhood characteristics varied from 3.45 (fair/poor street conditions) to 2.01 (fair/poor noise level). Sensitivity analyses showed the robustness of the findings. Poor neighborhood conditions appear to be an independent contributor to the risk of incident LBFLs in middle-aged African Americans.
Reconstructing a fragmented face from a cryptographic identification protocol

Secure Computation of Face Identification (SCiFI) [20] is a recently developed secure face recognition system that ensures the list of faces it can identify (e.g., a terrorist watch list) remains private. In this work, we study the consequences of malformed input attacks on the system - from both a security and computer vision standpoint. In particular, we present 1) a cryptographic attack that allows a dishonest user to undetectably obtain a coded representation of faces on the list, and 2) a visualization approach that exploits this breach, turning the lossy recovered codes into human-identifiable face sketches. We evaluate our approach on two challenging datasets, with face identification tasks given to a computer and human subjects. Whereas prior work considered security in the setting of honest inputs and protocol execution, the success of our approach underscores the risk posed by malicious adversaries to todays automatic face recognition systems.
The acquired pellicle: enzyme and antibody activities.

— Assays for enzyme and antibody activities have been applied to evaluate functional properties of proteins in 2-h, experimental acquired pellicles. Enzyme activity was demonstrated for human salivary lysozyme and amylase in pellicles grown in vivo as well as in vitro, and antibody activity was demonstrated for rabbit immunoglobulins incorporated in pellicles grown in vitro. Desorption of pellicles prior to functional tests variously affected the activity of the proteins under study, thereby implying differences in the tenacity of protein binding to the pellicles.
Cooling Configuration Design Considerations for Long-Length HTS Cables

Recent successes in demonstrating high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable systems hundreds of meters in length have inspired even longer length projects. A compact and energy efficient cooling configuration can be achieved using a counterflow-cooling arrangement. This is particularly attractive when all three phases are contained in a single cryostat because of the elimination of the space and thermal requirements of a separate liquid nitrogen return line. Future cable projects will utilize second generation (2G) wire which is expected to become lower in cost but may have different thermal requirements than first generation (1G) BSCCO wire due to the lower critical temperature and to a lesser extent, the lower thermal conductivity of the wire. HTS cable configurations are studied with a numerical model to assess thermal hydraulic performance with AC and thermal losses; a summary of the results from the analysis will be presented. An analysis of the cable thermal-hydraulic response to over-current faults will be presented.
X-Ray Spectral and Timing Observations of AO Piscium

Hard X-ray observations of AO Piscium acquired using the Proportional Counter Array detector on board the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer(RXTE) satellite on 1997 July 11-15 are presented. The data are modeled using theoretical spectra from two-temperature radiative shocks. Based on fits to the X-ray continuum, we find best-fit shock models for M,, consistent with earlier works. Using our models, we M p 0.60 0.05 ∗ next consider the result of Mukai et al., who found that the soft X-ray emission-line spectrum for AO Psc acquired by Chandra was better fitted by a photoionization model powered by a power-law spectrum rather than by a cooling-flow model. The power-law spectral index found by Mukai et al. is not consistent with the RXTE data but could be produced by a shock generated by accretion onto a massive white dwarf, M,. Furthermore, M 1.2 ∗ a high-mass white dwarf shock model, M,, is consistent with the Fe lines at 6.7 and 6.97 keV found M ≈ 1 ∗ by Mukai et al. These lines are generally thought to be produced by thermal plasma. The Chandra result that the white dwarf in AO Psc is more massive than implied by earlier X-ray observations is intriguing and warrants further study. Optical studies have found that the white dwarf in AO Psc is spinning up. We show that based on X-ray data acquired from 1983 to 1997, the spin period had small consistent with zero. ˙ P
Mechanical axial flow blood pump to support cavopulmonary circulation

We are developing a collapsible, percutaneously inserted, axial flow blood pump to support the cavopulmonary circulation in infants with a failing single ventricle physiology. An initial design of ...
Speech Acts and Clinical Practice

Formal analysis of speech events, from the standpoint of meaning and reference, cannot be incorporated easily into a motivational psychology, unless one postulates an organizational model of mind that includes means-ends sequences or concepts, such as drive reduction involving a release of motor effectors on the efferent side of a hypothetical reflex arc. The latter variety of explanation, used so well by Freud, provided a useful but somewhat mechanistic model of mind. It understands meaning from the standpoint of its biological beginnings and an ontogenetic sequence of overlapping phase- and stage-related fantasies. The derivatives of these basic idea constellations press continuously for discharge in behavior. Such a system links the infant with the child and the verbal adult via the biological substrate but has very little to say about how the formalisms of language intersect with the effectiveness of speech as an action equivalent and modifier in human communication.
Optimality Functions and Lopsided Convergence

Optimality functions pioneered by E. Polak characterize stationary points, quantify the degree with which a point fails to be stationary, and play central roles in algorithm development. For optimization problems requiring approximations, optimality functions can be used to ensure consistency in approximations, with the consequence that optimal and stationary points of the approximate problems indeed are approximately optimal and stationary for an original problem. In this paper, we review the framework and illustrate its application to nonlinear programming and other areas. Moreover, we introduce lopsided convergence of bifunctions on metric spaces and show that this notion of convergence is instrumental in establishing consistency of approximations. Lopsided convergence also leads to further characterizations of stationary points under perturbations and approximations.
Mourning, Regeneration, and the Psychic Future: A Discussion of Levine’s “A Mutual Survival of Destructiveness and Its Creative Potential for Agency and Desire”

Lauren Levine’s paper illustrates how she straddled the lines between helping her patient to grieve his substantial loss and exploring new psychic possibilities. As she discusses the transformation of traumatic loss into developing capacities for mourning and regeneration, she also examines the analyst’s limits that are directly and indirectly expressed to the patient. This discussion examines the intrinsic relationship in analytic work between grieving, the depressive position, and psychic change.
College and the Learning Disabled Student

(1988). College and the Learning Disabled Student. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 59, No. 3, pp. 361-363.
Isolation, Characterization, and Reactivity of Fe8Me12(-): Kochi's S = 1/2 Species in Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings with MeMgBr and Ferric Salts.

Iron-catalyzed cross-couplings with simple ferric salts have been known since the 1970s, pioneered by Kochi for cross-coupling using alkylmagnesium nucleophiles including MeMgBr. While Kochi observed the formation of a S = 1/2 iron species in reactions of simple ferric salts with MeMgBr proposed to be an iron(I) species, the identity of this species has remained undefined for nearly 40 years. Herein, we report the isolation and characterization of [MgCl(THF)5][Fe8Me12], which combined with EPR and MCD studies is shown to be consistent with Kochi’s S = 1/2 species. Reaction studies with β-bromostyrene demonstrate that this species alone displays minimal reactivity but, when combined with additional MeMgBr, leads to rapid and selective formation of cross-coupled product.
Starved Escherichia coli preserve reducing power under nitric oxide stress

Nitric oxide (NO) detoxification enzymes, such as NO dioxygenase (NOD) and NO reductase (NOR), are important to the virulence of numerous bacteria. Pathogens use these defense systems to ward off immune-generated NO, and they do so in environments that contain additional stressors, such as reactive oxygen species, nutrient deprivation, and acid stress. NOD and NOR both use reducing equivalents to metabolically deactivate NO, which suggests that nutrient deprivation could negatively impact their functionality. To explore the relationship between NO detoxification and nutrient deprivation, we examined the ability of Escherichia coli to detoxify NO under different levels of carbon source availability in aerobic cultures. We observed failure of NO detoxification under both carbon source limitation and starvation, and those failures could have arisen from inabilities to synthesize Hmp (NOD of E. coli) and/or supply it with sufficient NADH (preferred electron donor). We found that when limited quantities of carbon source were provided, NO detoxification failed due to insufficient NADH, whereas starvation prevented Hmp synthesis, which enabled cells to maintain their NADH levels. This maintenance of NADH levels under starvation was confirmed to be dependent on the absence of Hmp. Intriguingly, these data show that under NO stress, carbon-starved E. con are better positioned with regard to reducing power to cope with other stresses than cells that had consumed an exhaustible amount of carbon. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Chromosome biorientation produces hundreds of piconewtons at a metazoan kinetochore

High-fidelity transmission of the genome through cell division requires that all sister kinetochores bind to dynamic microtubules (MTs) from opposite spindle poles. The application of opposing forces to this bioriented configuration produces tension that stabilizes kinetochore-microtubule (kt-MT) attachments. Defining the magnitude of force that is applied to kinetochores is central to understanding the mechano-molecular underpinnings of chromosome segregation; however, existing kinetochore force measurements span orders of magnitude. Here we measure kinetochore forces by engineering two calibrated force sensors into the Drosophila kinetochore protein centromere protein (CENP)-C. Measurements of both reporters indicate that they are, on average, under ∼1-2 piconewtons (pNs) of force at metaphase. Based on estimates of the number of CENP-C molecules and MTs per Drosophila kinetochore and envisioning kinetochore linkages arranged such that they distribute forces across them, we propose that kinetochore fibres (k-fibres) exert hundreds of pNs of poleward-directed force to bioriented kinetochores.
Building a Progressive-Situational Model of Post-Diagnosis Information Seeking for Parents of Individuals With Down Syndrome

This grounded theory study used in-depth, semi-structured interview to examine the information-seeking behaviors of 35 parents of children with Down syndrome. Emergent themes include a progressive ...
Reconfigurable meta-surface for millimeter-wave beam-scanning

We present voltage-controlled millimeter-wave beam-scanning through a fully-integrated vanadium dioxide (VO2) reconfigurable meta-surface. The meta-surface consists of a two-dimensional array of resonant unit-cells with a cross-shape metallic pattern layer constructed on a heating electrode layer. By tuning the applied voltage to the heating electrodes we control the dielectric properties of the VO2 layer of each meta-surface row and hence, we introduce a linear phase gradient across the meta-surface for the transmitted millimeter-wave through the meta-surface. As a result we scan the millimeter-wave beam direction electronically by applying appropriate voltages across the array, and achieve 44° of beam-scanning at 0.1 THz.
Influence of seasoning on vegetable selection, liking and intent to purchase.

Low vegetable intake continues to be a health concern, and strategies to increase vegetable intake have resulted in only small increases. One strategy that has received less attention is the use of seasonings. This study's objective was to determine the impact of seasoning on vegetable selection, liking, and intent to purchase. We conducted a 3-week study in a public cafe on a university campus. Customers buying a main dish could select a vegetable side (seasoned [SS] or steamed [ST]) at no cost. Based on cafe data and power analysis (alpha 0.05, 80% power), 2 days per vegetable pair were conducted with carrot, broccoli, and green bean pairs randomized 3 days/week 1 and 3, with normal service week 2. Selection was greater for SS vs ST, n = 335 vs. 143 for all 3 vegetables combined; n = 97 vs 47 for carrots; n = 114 vs. 55 for broccoli; n = 124 vs. 41 for green beans (p < 0.001 Chi-Square). Liking responses were similar for SS vs ST and were high for all vegetables. Response distribution was not significantly different for SS vs ST vegetables when people were asked if they would purchase the vegetable that they selected. More customers chose the 'somewhat likely' and 'very likely' (n = 353) than the 'not likely' and 'definitely would not' (n = 121) purchase responses. Regression showed that people who did not often consume a vegetable with lunch while dining out were 1.59 times more likely to select the SS vegetables over the ST (p = 0.007). Given a choice, consumers were more likely to select a seasoned vegetable. With low vegetable consumption as a predictor of seasoned vegetable choice, offering seasoned vegetables may increase intake in those with poor vegetable intake in a cafe setting.
Quantitative Erythrocyte Omega-3 EPA Plus DHA Levels are Related to Higher Regional Cerebral Blood Flow on Brain SPECT.

Background The interrelationships between omega-3 fatty acids status, brain perfusion, and cognition are not well understood. Objective To evaluate if SPECT brain imaging of cerebral perfusion and cognition varies as a function of omega-3 fatty acid levels. Methods A random sample of 166 study participants was drawn from a psychiatric referral clinical for which erythrocyte quantification of omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (the Omega-3 Index) was available. Quantitative brain SPECT was done on 128 regions based on a standard anatomical Atlas. Persons with erythrocyte EPA+DHA concentrations were dichotomized based on membership in top 50th percentile versus bottom 50th percentile categories. Two-sample t-tests were done to identify statistically significant differences in perfusion between the percentile groups. Partial correlations were modeled between EPA+DHA concentration and SPECT regions. Neurocognitive status was assessed using computerized testing (WebNeuro) and was separately correlated to cerebral perfusion on brain SPECT imaging and omega-3 EPA+DHA levels. Results Partial correlation analyses showed statistically significant relationships between higher omega-3 levels and cerebral perfusion were in the right parahippocampal gyrus (r = 0.20, p = 0.03), right precuneus (r = 0.20, p = 0.03), and vermis subregion 6 (p = 0.21, p = 0.03). Omega-3 Index levels separately correlated to the feeling subsection of the WebNeuro (r = 0.25, p = 0.01). Conclusion Quantitative omega-3 EPA+DHA erythrocyte concentrations are independently correlated with brain perfusion on SPECT imaging and neurocognitive tests. These results have implications for the role of omega-3 fatty acids toward contributing to cognitive reserve.
The Relationship between Social Competence, Symptom Severity and Employment in Schizophrenia

Given the functional impairments associated with schizophrenia, engaging in work activities is challenging for most individuals with the illness. This study examined clinical and social barriers to employment among individuals with schizophrenia. Data came from a study on psychosocial rehabilitation involving 149 racially and ethnically diverse individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who had recently enrolled in community-based mental health services. A model that included social competence, symptom severity, and years of education was tested using binary logistic regression. Findings indicate that although symptom severity predicted employability, increased social competence and more years of education played a greater role in employability. In particular, social competence was a stronger predictor in the multivariable model. Findings underscore the need for not only timely interventions to reduce symptom severity but also psychosocial approaches designed to improve social and interpersonal skills that are essential for increasing employability.
Abstract 3793: Wake-up Strokes Similar to Known-Onset Morning Strokes in Severity and Outcomes

Background: Stroke symptoms first noticed upon waking (wake-up strokes) account for 15-30% of all acute ischemic strokes. Whether or not the onset of ischemic stroke wakes people from sleep is not ...
Achieving Equity through Reducing Variability in Accepting Deceased Donor Kidney Offers

In this issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology , Huml et al. ([1][1]) report an important analysis of the outcomes for all offers of deceased donor kidneys to transplant centers in the United States over a 5-year period. From May of 2007 to July of 2012, over 7 million
Differential Redox Changes in Liver Mitochondrial Proteomes from Phenotypically Distinct Mouse Models of Glutathione Deficiency

Intrahepatocyte generation of free radicals and depletion of glutathione (GSH) are believed to be key mediators involved in the cellular pathogenic events underlying fatty liver disease (FLD). As the most abundant intracellular non-protein thiol, GSH has an important biochemical role in electrophile detoxification and oxidant elimination. Additionally, changes in GSH/GSSG (its oxidized form) redox couple may modify protein functions via redox post-translational modification. We have developed two unique transgenic mouse models in which hepatic GSH synthesis is repressed by abolishing the expression of the catalytic (GCLC) or the modifier (GCLM) subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase, the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH biosynthesis. Our previous studies show that these mice have GSH deficiencies at different levels but exhibit either resistance to steatosis (GCLM knockout mice) or develop spontaneous liver pathologies featuring all clinical stages of FLD (liver-specific GCLC knockout mice). Importantly our studies show that functional integrity of the mitochondria is a key determinant of the hepatic phenotype under conditions of chronic GSH deficiency. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the hypothesis that GSH plays an important regulatory role in mitochondrial redox signaling network. We performed redox proteomics analysis of liver mitochondrial proteomes derived from two phenotypically distinct mouse models. Cellular redox buffering couples (GSH-GSSG, NADH-NAD and NADPH-NADP) were measured in parallel. The proteomics analysis revealed phenotype-associated Cysteine redox profiles of mitochondrial proteins that are involved in oxidative phosphorylation, lipid metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism, and cellular stress response. Biochemically, decreased NAD/NADH ratio appears to correlate with a protective phenotype. In conclusion, our preliminary data suggest a redox-based role of GSH in modulating mitochondrial pathways that are mechanistically linked to the pathogenesis of FLD.
Design consideration of active clamp flyback converter with highly nonlinear junction capacitance

Active clamped flyback converter performs zero voltage switching (ZVS) and recycling the leakage energy of transformer to boost the efficiency in higher frequency operation. Although it is well known that the switch-node capacitance determines the circulating energy for ZVS, the capacitance-nonlinearity impacts from each of the two primary-side switches and from the secondary synchronous rectifier have not been well understood. In this paper, the design tradeoff and system performance with different nonlinearity of junction capacitance from each switching device are investigated across the full load to light load operations, and then control strategies to overcome the capacitance nonlinearity are proposed. Then, analytical equations and design procedures are developed, considering the nonlinearity impact. Finally, the above studies and control method are supported with the experimental verifications on a 30W charger and a 45W adapter using state-of-the-art GaN and silicon FETs.
Low serum thymic hormone levels in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease

We tested the hypothesis that chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is due to inadequate thymic function by examining pretransplant serum levels of facteur thymique serique (FTS). Four of five patients with no detectable FTS activity developed chronic GVHD, while one of four with some FTS activity did. Further patient numbers are needed to confirm or reject this hypothesis. We further postulated that chronic GVHD, whatever its cause, involves thymic epithelium as a target organ. When tested 11 mo or more posttransplant, patients with chronic GVHD had lower absolute FTS levels (p less than 0.02) and lower age-corrected levels (p = 0.05) than patients without chronic GHVD. Low values in chronic GVHD were associated with the disease itself and not its therapy. These findings show that thymic epithelial secretory function is impaired in chronic GVHD, and this may in part be responsible for the immunodeficiency characteristic of these patients.
Der Flash-Mode im richtigen Menschen

Ich habe bis jetzt, und wir sind schon mitten im Buch, noch gar nicht richtig erklart, was denn uberhaupt naturliche Menschen seien, wogegen ich die richtigen und die wahren Menschen schon in extenso besprach. Sie werden jetzt sehen: Es ging nicht anders, weil ich fur das Begreifen des naturlichen Menschen erst grundlich uber unsere Seismographensysteme spekulieren musste.
Glucose/Sugar Transport in Bacteria

Three types of sugar transport systems are found in bacteria: the phospho enol pyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS), electrochemical cation-gradient-driven, and binding protein-dependent adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) import systems. Different forms of biological energy are utilized to catalyze translocation and accumulation of various sugars across the cytoplasmic membrane and into the cell where they are metabolized. Moreover, in some bacteria, there may be preferential utilization of a specific carbohydrate. For example, Escherichia coli has evolved so that glucose is used preferentially as a carbon source. One of the components of the PTS downregulates expression of non-PTS permeases by inhibiting adenylate cyclase and by binding to basal levels of non-PTS permeases, thereby blocking entry of inducing sugars. For some of the non-PTS permeases, X-ray crystal structures are available, and many biochemical and biophysical properties have been well characterized. An overall conformational mechanism has been suggested in which a single sugar-binding site is alternately exposed to each side of the membrane in each transport cycle for both the cation-driven symporters and ABC importers.
The Mothership Connection: Utopian Funk from Bethune and Beyond

In this paper, educational pathways emerge from the nexus of ancient narratives and future possibilities. Such imaginings are as much attributed to the African American intellectual tradition as to contemporary Afrofuturisms, including those born in histories of Blackness. The overlay of what was and what is not yet is significant because it engenders educational potentialities that are central to aesthetics and onto-epistemological wonderings. The author uses seminal dialogues from scholars like Sojourner Truth, Mary McLeod Bethune and Anna Julia Cooper as a springboard for envisioning Afrofuturisms in which schooling functions to transgress the assemblages of violence and capital of shame that pervade classrooms and corridors contemporary education. Not unlike the call of Sylvia Wynter, Sun Ra, bell hooks, Octavia Butler and other Afrofuturist activists of the feminine, this paper (re)imagines schooling from the roots of its past and the future conditional they portend.
Furnace: Self-service Tenant VMI for the Cloud

Although Virtual Machine Introspection (VMI) tools are increasingly capable, modern multi-tenant cloud providers are hesitant to expose the sensitive hypervisor APIs necessary for tenants to use them. Outside the cloud, VMI and virtualization-based security’s adoption rates are rising and increasingly considered necessary to counter sophisticated threats. This paper introduces Furnace, an open source VMI framework that outperforms prior frameworks by satisfying both a cloud provider’s expectation of security and a tenant’s desire to run their own custom VMI tools underneath their cloud VMs. Furnace’s flexibility and ease of use is demonstrated by porting four existing security and monitoring tools as Furnace VMI apps; these apps are shown to be resource efficient while executing up to 300x faster than those in previous VMI frameworks. Furnace’s security properties are shown to protect against the actions of malicious tenant apps.
Evaluation of Access to Hospitals Most Ready to Achieve National Accreditation for Rectal Cancer Treatment

Importance The American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) promotes multidisciplinary care to improve oncologic outcomes in rectal cancer. However, accreditation requirements may be difficult to achieve for the lowest-performing institutions. Thus, it is unknown whether the NAPRC will motivate care improvement in these settings or widen disparities. Objectives To characterize hospitals’ readiness for accreditation and identify differences in the patients cared for in hospitals most and least prepared for accreditation. Design, Setting, and Participants A total of 1315 American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer–accredited hospitals in the National Cancer Database from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2015, were sorted into 4 cohorts, organized by high vs low volume and adherence to process standards, and patient and hospital characteristics and oncologic outcomes were compared. The patients included those who underwent surgical resection with curative intent for rectal adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, or signet ring cell carcinoma. Data analysis was performed from November 2017 to January 2018. Exposures Hospitals’ readiness for accreditation, as determined by their annual resection volume and adherence to 5 available NAPRC process standards. Main Outcomes and Measures Hospital characteristics, patient sociodemographic characteristics, and 5-year survival by hospital. Results Among the 1315 included hospitals, 38 (2.9%) met proposed thresholds for all 5 NAPRC process standards and 220 (16.7%) met the threshold on 4 standards. High-volume hospitals (≥20 resections per year) tended to be academic institutions (67 of 104 [64.4%] vs 159 of 1211 [13.1%];P = .001), whereas low-volume hospitals ( Conclusions and Relevance Hospitals least likely to receive NAPRC accreditation tended to be community institutions with worse survival outcomes, serving patients at a lower socioeconomic position. To possibly avoid exacerbating disparities in access to high-quality rectal cancer care, the NAPRC study findings suggest enabling access for patients with socioeconomic disadvantage or engaging in quality improvement for hospitals not yet achieving accreditation benchmarks.