cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heterochromatin-mediated control of virulence gene expression.

Summary In recent years, the sequencing and annotation of complete genomes, together with the development of genetic and proteomic techniques to study previously intractable eukaryotic microbes, has revealed interesting new themes in the control of virulence gene expression. Families of variantly expressed genes are found adjacent to telomeres in the genomes of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms. This subtelomeric DNA is normally heterochromatic and higher-order chromatin structure has now come to be recognized as an important factor controlling both the evolution and expression dynamics of these multigene families. In eukaryotic cells, higher-order chromatin structure plays a central role in many DNA processes including the control of chromosome integrity and recombination, DNA partitioning during cell division, and transcriptional control. DNA can be packaged in two distinct forms: euchromatin is relatively accessible to DNA binding proteins and generally contains active genes, while heterochromatin is densely packaged, relatively inaccessible and usually transcriptionally silent. These features of chromatin are epigenetically inherited from cell cycle to cell cycle. This review will focus on the epigenetic mechanisms used to control expression of virulence genes in medically important microbial pathogens. Examples of such control have now been reported in several evolutionarily distant species, revealing what may be a common strategy used to regulate many very different families of genes.
Test Case Generation and Prioritization from UML Models

This paper proposes a novel approach to generating test cases from UML 2.0 activity diagrams and prioritizing those test cases using model information encapsulated in the activity diagrams. The test cases generated according to our approach are suitable for system level testing of the application. For prioritization of test cases, we propose a method based on coverage of all transitions in the activity diagram and usage probability of a particular flow in the activity model. We also propose an approach for selecting test data based on analysis of the branch conditions of the decision nodes in the activity diagrams.
Action and the Actionability in Exome Variation

As next-generation sequencing emerges as a clinical tool, one of the greatest challenges facing human geneticists and clinicians is the interpretation of the vast numbers of novel variants that are uncovered in each exome or genome. The traditional evaluation of genetic variation in Mendelian disease has hinged on several widely accepted criteria for causality.1 Before a variant can be considered potentially causal, it would normally be expected to abolish the synthesis of the encoded protein or to modify, through coding or splicing, amino acid residues of functional significance. Once this initial threshold has been attained, cosegregation with disease through a substantial number of meioses is expected. Functional significance is typically inferred from tight conservation across phyla or through specific biological assays. However, it may be difficult to relate effects in in vitro assays to the biological mechanisms responsible for disease.2 Additional variants meeting these criteria in the same gene would be anticipated in other kindreds with the same phenotype. The case for causality would be further buttressed by the documentation of de novo mutations in the gene in sporadic cases and by the generation of genetically accurate animal models that recapitulate the original phenotype.3 Article see p 602 These stringent requirements have been met to date for only a small minority of mutations annotated as definitive or high-confidence in databases of human disease-related genetic variation.4 As the numbers of control sequences available for most genes has increased, it has become clear that many reported mutations in known disease genes are present as rare variants in normal individuals. It is now apparent that the scale and nature of interindividual variation have been substantially underestimated. Indeed, an early insight from exome sequencing has been the lack of trustworthiness of most existing human disease mutation catalogs.5,6 …
Relationship of HDL and coronary heart disease to a common amino acid polymorphism in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein in men with and without hypertriglyceridemia

Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels are inversely re- lated to HDL-cholesterol levels and subjects with high TG and low HDL cholesterol have increased coronary heart dis- ease (CHD) risk. Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl esters from HDL to TG-rich lipoproteins. In this study we determined the relationship be- tween a common CETP amino acid polymorphism (I405V) and CETP and HDL levels and CHD prevalence in 576 men of Japanese ancestry in the Honolulu Heart Program co- hort. This conservative substitution was associated with al- tered plasma CETP concentration (1.95 6 0.54, 1.91 6 0.57, and 1.77 6 0.57 m g/ml for the II , IV and VV genotypes, re- spectively). The distribution of plasma CETP concentra- tions among the VV , but not II , men appeared bimodal ( P , 0.01), suggesting the presence of a functionally significant CETP gene mutation(s) in a subset of V alleles. HDL-C lev- els were higher in VV than IV for II men (55.4 6 17.4, 51.3 6 16.6, 51.1 6 17.0 mg/dl, P , 0.04). However, the increase in HDL was only significant in VV men with plasma TG . 165 mg/dl. Although CHD prevalence was not significantly different among the three genotypes in this population, in the subpopulation with high plasma TG, CHD prevalence appeared higher among VV than IV or II subjects (38% vs. 27% vs. 18%, P , 0.05 for an interaction of genotype and plasma TG levels). In fresh plasma from a separate group of normolipidemic subjects, the V/I polymorphism was not associated with any change in plasma CETP specific activ- ity. The data suggest that a widespread and common CETP gene mutation(s) in linkage disequilibrium with 405V causes low CETP. Among hypertriglyceridemic men this is associated with higher HDL and possibly with increased CHD.— Bruce, C., D. S. Sharp, and A. R. Tall. Relationship of HDL and coronary heart disease to a common amino acid polymorphism in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein in men with and without hypertriglyceridemia. J. Lipid Res. 1998. 39: 1071-1078.
A Voltage-Matching Method for Feeding Two-Tower Arrays

This paper describes a novel method for feeding two-tower arrays. If the self-impedance of each tower and the mutual impedance between the towers are known, then the feed-point voltage at each tower can be calculated for an assumed set of base currents. When a transmission line of specified impedance is connected to the base of each tower; the voltage at any point on these two lines can be calculated using transmission-line theory, since the loadend voltages are known. If the voltage phasor at some point on one of the lines is identical to the voltage phasor at some point on the other line, then each antenna feeder can be cut at that particular point and the two ends joined together. The resulting impedance at this "common point" can be transformed to 50 ohms (or any desired value) by a matching network which then connects to a single transmission line extending back to the transmitter. Software for implementing the technique either on a personal computer or programmable calculator is included for those who are interested.
Purification and partial characterization of 7,8-dihydro-6-hydroxymethylpterin-pyrophosphokinase and 7,8-dihydropteroate synthase from Escherichia coli MC4100.

Abstract The enzymes 7,8-dihydroxymethylpterin-pyrophosphokinase (HPPK) and 7,8-dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS), which act sequentially in the folate pathway, were purified to homogeneity from crude extracts of Escherichia coli MC4100. The enzymes represent less than 0.01% of the total soluble protein. HPPK was purified greater than 10,000-fold; the native enzyme appears to be a monomer with a molecular mass of 25 kDa and a pI of 5.2. DHPS was purified greater than 7,000-fold; the native enzyme has an apparent molecular mass of 52 to 54 kDa and is composed of two identical 30-kDa subunits. The amino-terminal sequences for both enzymes have been determined.
Test generation for resistive opens in CMOS

This paper develops new techniques for detecting both stuck-open faults and resistive open faults, which result in increased delays along some paths. The improved detection of CMOS open defects is made possible by a new delay fault model which combines the advantages of the gate delay fault model and the path delay fault model. We develop a test generation methodology for this fault model which enables generation of test vectors that test a percentage of the longest sensitizable paths in the design and also test each net for spot defects through their longest sensitizable paths. Real delay values are used to determine the true critical paths in the circuit. The high degree of effectiveness of this fault model under realistic assumptions for process characteristics is first enumerated, and experimental results demonstrate the improved coverage possible with the proposed approach.
A Durable Flash Memory Search Tree

We consider the task of optimizing the B-tree data structure, used extensively in operating systems and databases, for sustainable usage on multi-level flash memory. Empirical evidence shows that this new flash memory tree, or FM Tree, extends the operational lifespan of each block of flash memory by a factor of roughly 27 to 70 times, while still supporting logarithmic-time search tree operations.
Smoothed Block Empirical Likelihood for Quantiles of Weakly Dependent Processes

Inference on quantiles associated with dependent observation is a com- mon task in risk management. This paper employs empirical likelihood to construct confidence intervals for quantiles of the stationary distribution of a weakly depen- dent process. To accommodate data dependence and avoid any secondary variance estimation, empirical likelihood is formulated based on blocks of observations. To reduce the length of the confidence intervals, the weighted empirical distribution is smoothed by a kernel function. This shows that a rescaled version of the smoothed block empirical likelihood ratio admits a limiting chi-square distribution with one degree of freedom and facilitates likelihood ratio confidence intervals for quantiles. The practical performance of these confidence intervals is evaluated in a simulation study.
Initiation of sliding wear of the head-disk interface at very low rotational velocity

The initiation of sliding wear, typical of interactions at the head-disk interface, has been studied at very low rotational velocity. Wear features have been found on the surface of carbon-coated standard rigid disk media after only one pass without significant change being observed in the average friction force. The depth of typical wear features is estimated to be much greater than the thickness of the carbon overcoat. The accumulation of particles around the gap region on the head surface was also observed. The experimental results show that sliding wear during the initial stage of very low rotational velocity drag experiments is governed by molecular-mechanical interaction. >
Rechargeable Zn ‐ MnO2 Alkaline Batteries

In this paper progress in the development of rechargeable alkaline zinc-manganese dioxide cells is described. The advantages and limitations of the system are evaluated. Laboratory tests run on commercial primary alkaline cells as well as model simulations of a bipolar MnO{sub 2} electrode show that the rechargeable alkaline battery may be able to compete with lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and secondary lithium cells for low- to moderate-rate applications. However, because of this poor performance at high rates and low temperatures, the alkaline MnO{sub 2} battery is not suitable for present automotive starting applications.
A mobius automation: an application of artificial intelligence techniques

A research project applying artificial intelligence techniques to the development of integrated robot systems Is described. The experimental facility consists of an SDS-940 computer and associated programs controlling a wheeled vehicle that carries a TV camera and other sensors. The primary emphasis is on the development of a system of programs for processing sensory data from the vehicle, for storing relevant information about the environment, and for planning the sequence of motor actions necessary to accomplish tasks in the environment. A typical task performed by our present system requires the robot vehicle to rearrange (by pushing) simple objects in its environment A novel feature of our approach is the use of a formal theorem-proving system to plan the execution of high-level functions as a sequence of other, perhaps lower-level, functions. The execution of these, in turn, requires additional planning at lower levels. The main theme of the research is the integration of the necessary planning systems, models of the world, and sensory processing systems into an efficient whole capable of performing a wide range of tasks in a real environment.
Patient preparedness: an important predictor of surgical outcome.

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the influence of patient readiness for reconstructive pelvic surgery on surgical outcomes. Study Design After undergoing standardized informed consent, consecutive women planning pelvic surgery completed a questionnaire assessing their knowledge and readiness for surgery pre- and postoperatively. Subjects underwent standardized follow-up 3 months after surgery, including postoperative satisfaction questionnaire and validated condition specific quality of life (QOL) and global improvement scales. All subjects had standardized urogynecologic evaluation pre- and postoperatively. Results The 79 women who completed preparedness questionnaires self-rated their symptom severity as severe (34%), moderate (58%), and mild (8%). Preparedness was associated with postoperative improvement ( P = .003), complete satisfaction ( P = .0005), and improved QOL ( P = .02). Objective measures of cure did not differ by preparedness. Conclusion Readiness for reconstructive pelvic surgery is measurable and associated with patient-perceived surgical outcome. Satisfaction, symptom improvement, and QOL are strongly associated with patients' expectations and preparedness.
Tracking Heat-Resistant, Cold-Thriving Fluid Milk Spoilage Bacteria from Farm to Packaged Product

Control of psychrotolerant endospore-forming spoilage bacteria, particularly Bacillus and Paenibacillus spp., is economically important to the dairy industry. These microbes form endospores that can survive high-temperature, short-time pasteurization; hence, their presence in raw milk represents a major potential cause of milk spoilage. A previously developed culture-dependent selection strategy and an rpoB sequence-based subtyping method were applied to bacterial isolates obtained from environmental samples collected on a New York State dairy farm. A total of 54 different rpoB allelic types putatively identified as Bacillus (75% of isolates), Paenibacillus (24%), and Sporosarcina spp. (1%) were identified among 93 isolates. Assembly of a broader data set, including 93 dairy farm isolates, 57 raw milk tank truck isolates, 138 dairy plant storage silo isolates, and 336 pasteurized milk isolates, identified a total of 154 rpoB allelic types, representing an extensive diversity of Bacillus and Paenibacillus spp. Our molecular subtype data clearly showed that certain endospore-forming bacterial subtypes are present in the dairy farm environment as well as in the processing plant. The potential for entry of these ubiquitous heat-resistant spoilage organisms into milk production and processing systems, from the dairy farm to the processing plant, represents a considerable challenge that will require a comprehensive farm-to-table approach to fluid milk quality.
Unsafe Sleep Practices and an Analysis of Bedsharing Among Infants Dying Suddenly and Unexpectedly: Results of a Four-Year, Population-Based, Death-Scene Investigation Study of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Related Deaths

Background. Prone sleep and unsafe sleep surfaces increase the risk of sudden infant death. Recent epidemiologic studies also suggest that when an infant9s head or face is covered by bedding, or when a sleep surface is shared with others, the risk of dying increases. The inference of a causal role for these risk factors is supported by physiologic studies and by the consistent finding that fewer infants die when risk factors are reduced. The prevalence of most of these risk factors in infant deaths in the United States is uncertain. Objective. To describe the prevalence of several important risk factors related to sleep practices among a defined population of infants dying suddenly and unexpectedly. Methods. In this population-based study, we retrospectively reviewed death-scene information and medical examiners9 investigations of deaths in the city of St Louis and St Louis County between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1997. Because of the potential for diagnostic overlap, all deaths involving infants Results. The deaths of 119 infants were studied. Their mean age was 109.3 days (range: 6–350). The diagnoses were SIDS in 88 deaths, accidental suffocation in 16, and undetermined in 15. Infants were found prone in 61.1% of cases and were found on a sleep surface not designed for infants in 75.9%. The head or face was covered by bedding in 29.4%. A shared sleep surface was the site of death in 47.1%. Only 8.4% of deaths involved infants found nonprone and alone, with head and face uncovered. Conclusions. Using detailed death-scene descriptions, we found that similar unsafe sleeping practices occurred in the large majority of cases diagnosed as SIDS, accidental suffocation, and cause undetermined. Considering these diagnoses together may be useful in public health campaigns during a time when there may be diagnostic overlap. Regardless of the diagnosis, recommendations that infants sleep supine on firm sleep surfaces that lessen the risk of entrapment or head covering have the potential to save many lives. Campaigns are needed to heighten awareness of these messages and of the risks of dangerous bedsharing.
Impact of Enabling solution design on SLI reliability during Temperature Cycling using Shadow Moire

The enabling solutions used in today's computer systems commonly apply some amount of preload on the socket/package. This load plays a critical role in modulating the reliability performance of the second level interconnects (SLI). The load manifests itself as a board warpage that can be quantified using techniques such as board level shadow moire (BLSM). This paper describes specifically the use of board level shadow moire as a viable and insightful technique for measuring the board warpage induced by a socket to enabling solution (ES) interaction. This paper also outlines thermal cycling experiments that have been conducted to study the impact of enabling solution on the thermal cycling performance. The empirical data from these thermal cycling experiments will be used to establish correlation to the areas of high curvature indicated by BLSM; Hence, validating its benefits
Influences of high and low variability on infant word recognition

Although infants begin to encode and track novel words in fluent speech by 7.5 months, their ability to recognize words is somewhat limited at this stage. In particular, when the surface form of a word is altered, by changing the gender or affective prosody of the speaker, infants begin to falter at spoken word recognition. Given that natural speech is replete with variability, only some of which determines the meaning of a word, it remains unclear how infants might ever overcome the effects of surface variability without appealing to meaning. In the current set of experiments, consequences of high and low variability are examined in preverbal infants. The source of variability, vocal affect, is a common property of infant-directed speech with which young learners have to contend. Across a series of four experiments, infants' abilities to recognize repeated encounters of words, as well as to reject similar-sounding words, are investigated in the context of high and low affective variation. Results point to positive consequences of affective variation, both in creating generalizable memory representations for words, but also in establishing phonologically precise memories for words. Conversely, low variability appears to degrade word recognition on both fronts, compromising infants' abilities to generalize across different affective forms of a word and to detect similar-sounding items. Findings are discussed in the context of principles of categorization that may potentiate the early growth of a lexicon.
Effect of Dark, Hard, and Vitreous Kernel Content on Protein Molecular Weight Distribution and on Milling and Breadmaking Quality Characteristics for Hard Spring Wheat Samples from Diverse Growing Regions

Kernel vitreousness is an important grading characteristic for segregation of subclasses of hard red spring (HRS) wheat in the United States. This research investigated the protein molecular weight distribution (MWD) and the flour and baking quality characteristics of different HRS wheat market subclasses. The U.S. regional crop quality survey samples obtained from six regions for three consecutive growing years were used for subclass segregation based on the dark, hard, and vitreous (DHV) kernel percentage. Flour milled from HRS wheat with greater percentages of DHV kernel showed higher water absorption capacity for breadmaking. Protein MWD parameters could be related to the association between DHV kernel level and water absorption. Specifically, flour protein fractions rich in gliadins and high-molecular-weight polymeric proteins in the SDS-unextractable fraction were identified to have significant and positive correlations with both DHV kernels and flour water absorption levels. An example further show...
Caring for the Child with Motor Delay

This chapter focuses on the child who fails to develop appropriate gross motor skills. In addition to walking, these include rolling over, sitting, pulling up to standing, standing independently, running, walking up stairs, and other functions, deficiencies of which cause parents lots of concern. Expectations regarding motor milestones are listed in Table 5.1. The other areas of childhood development, language, fine motor and social skills, will not be discussed in detail except as they relate to the differential diagnosis of gross motor problems.
Study of clitoral hood anatomy in the pediatric population

Summary Introduction and aims Pediatric female genitalia size and morphology have not previously been well described. The aims of this study were to create a standard reference for the anterior vulval structures, and examine the relationship between the clitoral hood and labia minora. Method Female patients between 0 and 16 years of age, and with normal external genitalia had the following measurements taken: length of clitoral hood, length of sides of clitoral hood, clitoral diameter, apex of clitoral hood to base of pubic symphysis, apex of clitoral hood to urethral orifice, distance of clitoral hood to labia majora, and length and depth of labia minora. Qualitative descriptors of the clitoral hood and labia were recorded. Patients were grouped into age ranges for analysis: 0–3 years, 4–8 years, 9–12 years, and 13–16 years. Results Fifty-eight girls were examined. There was a linear relationship between age and genital structure size. In the majority of patients, the labia minora converged under the clitoral glans, separate to the clitoral hood. Four shapes of clitoral hood were observed: horseshoe, trumpet, coffee bean, and tent. Discussion This study observed great variation in size and morphology of pediatric female genitalia, which is in keeping with other studies. The study was limited by ability to recruit older patients to the study (girls aged 11–16 years) and, therefore, there were lower numbers in this age category. However, the trends that were observed were present in both younger and older girls. Conclusion External genitalia size and morphology are varied in the pediatric female population. The clitoral hood and labia minora were observed to be distinctly separate structures. This study provides a reference for surgeons undertaking genital reconstruction procedures. The study demonstrated that the clitoral hood and labia minora are anatomically distinct structures. Age category measurement (mm) 0–3 years (n = 18) 4–8 years (n = 18) 9–12 years (n = 9) 13–16 years (n = 13) Mean length of clitoral hood 8.7 14.3 16.9 20.9 Mean clitoral diameter 2.5 3.4 3.9 4.5 Length of sides of clitoral hood 21.6 36.2 47.8 56.4 Clitoral hood to pubic symphysis 14.7 27.6 34.6 44.5 Clitoral hood to labia majora 2.3 3.0 6.4 6.8 Clitoral hood to urethral orifice 12.4 17.1 24.8 39.4 Length of labia minora 9.4 10.7 15.2 40.0 Depth of labia minora 3.5 3.6 3.9 12.2
Biogenic nano-particulate iron-sulfide produced through sulfate and Fe(III)-(hydr)oxide reductions was enhanced by pyruvate as the electron donor

In nature, the formation of iron sulfide solids is mainly attributed to reductions of sulfate and ferric minerals by microorganisms such as Desulfovibrio vulgaris. In order to evaluate the impacts on microbial activity and optimize iron sulfide production for potential application in uranium remediation, we tested two types of electron donors (lactate and pyruvate) with three synthetic Fe(III) (hydr)oxides (goethite, hematite, and 2-line ferrihydrite). We monitored bacterial metabolism comprehensively, and characterized the biogenic solids using transmission electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM/EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and mass distribution modeling. Despite similar amorphous FeS production when both e− donors were overdosed, D. vulgaris exhibited distinct patterns of metabolism and other solid production with the two electron donors. Once sulfate reduction was complete, further lactate fermentation was inhibited by accumulation of H2, and thus limited FeS production. In contrast, D. vulgaris utilized all pyruvate by diverting electrons from H2 to formate. In addition, the pH decrease due to the proton release during pyruvate utilization facilitated citrate-induced Fe(III) dissolution and consequently enhanced Fe(III) bioavailability. However, higher pH during lactate utilization and excess soluble Fe(II) during pyruvate utilization led to precipitation of Ca3(PO4)2 and Fe3(PO4)2, respectively. Together, these phenomena resulted in a substantial enhancement of Fe(III)-(hydr)oxide reduction and iron sulfide productivity with pyruvate, though the concentrations of calcium and phosphate need to be controlled to avoid precipitation of other minerals.
Medical Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Our understanding of PUD and its treatment has improved dramatically during the past 15 years. During this time, many new effective drugs have been approved by the FDA, and possibly even more potent and effective therapies are now being evaluated. The H2-blockers, sucralfate, and antacids heal over 90% of duodenal ulcers in 6 to 8 weeks, and H2-blockers heal about 80% of gastric ulcers by 8 weeks and over 90% by 12 weeks. The new, more potent pump blockers (omeprazole) promise to be even more effective drugs, even for the healing of patients who are taking NSAIDS. However, the potential hazards of marked, long-term acid suppression must still be evaluated. Maintenance therapy with H2-blockers or sucralfate, ideally used for patients who would otherwise have frequent symptomatic recurrences of duodenal ulcer disease or who have had complications, reduces the relapses, especially symptomatic relapses. Maintenance therapy with H2-blockers also seems to reduce the recurrences of GUD, but this use has not yet received FDA approval. Elimination of H. pylori infection with antibiotics may prove to reduce recurrent ulcer disease and negate the need for maintenance therapy. Colloidal bismuth subcitrate alone, which suppresses but does not eradicate H. pylori infection, seems to be an effective ulcer drug and may even reduce the rate of early recurrences. Effective ulcer therapy, especially if it prevents recurrent disease, may reduce the complications of PUD, but this expectation has yet to be established. The use of prophylactic cytoprotective prostaglandins (misoprostol) reduces the incidence of NSAID-induced GUD.
Alterations in Colonic Thymidine Kinase Enzyme Activity Induced by Consumption of Various Dietary Fibers

Dietary fibers may tend to enhance or inhibit chemically induced experimental colon cancer, depending on the particular fiber consumed. This study examined the relationship between colonic thymidine kinase enzyme activity and mucin histochemistry and the reported effects of various dietary fibers on chemically induced colon carcinogenesis. Fiber-supplemented diets containing fibers reported to inhibit (wheat bran) or enhance (guar gum, carrageenan) chemically induced colon carcinogenesis in the rat were selected. Four groups of male Fischer 344 rats consumed 10% wheat bran, 5% guar gum, 5% carrageenan, or fiber-free diets ad libitum for 4 weeks. At the completion of the treatment period, the distal 12 cm of colonic mucosa was scraped off and homogenized for determination of thymidine kinase activity, and a 0.5-cm section of midcolon was processed by the high-iron diamine/Alcian blue method for mucin histochemistry. Final animal weights did not differ significantly among groups. Thymidine kinase enzyme specific activity (mumole thymidine phosphate formed x 10(6)/min/mg protein, means +/- SEMs) was not significantly different in the fiber-free, wheat bran, and guar gum groups (10.98 +/- 1.50, 7.41 +/- 1.09, and 9.11 +/- 2.04, respectively) but was markedly elevated at 41.84 +/- 4.65 in the carrageenan group (alpha less than 0.001). Mucin histochemistry failed to reveal any significant differences among dietary groups.
The thermal decomposition of metal complexes—XX: Some amine copper(II) nitrate complexes

Abstract The thermal dissociation of Cu(NH3)4(NO3)2, Cu(MeNH2)4(NO3)2, Cu(EtNH2)4(NO3)2· 2H2O, and Cu(i-PrNH2)4(NO3)2 was studied using TGA, DTA and MSA techniques. All of the complexes dissociated from the fused state in the temperature range of 150°–250°C. The primary dissociation products were copper(II) oxide, nitrogen, nitrogen(I) oxide, an alcohol (except for the ammonia complex) corresponding to the original amine, and an alkene hydrocarbon having the same carbon chain as the original amine. A mechanism is proposed to explain the dissociation reaction of the complexes.
DIVERSITY OF RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM POPULATIONS AFFECTING TOBACCO CROPS IN NORTH CAROLINA

One hundred eighty four strains of Ralstonia solanacearum isolated in 2007 and 2008 from 11 tobacco fields in North Carolina were evaluated for genotypic diversity and aggressiveness. All strains were race 1, biovar 1, and belonged to phylotype II. Genetic diversity of the strains was assessed with the use of repetitive sequence–based polymerase chain reaction. DNA primers (REP, ERIC, and BOX) were used to generate genomic fingerprints. Both REP and BOX revealed 3 patterns: Ar, Cr, and Dr and Ab, Cb, and Db, respectively. Five patterns were identified with ERIC-PCR. Pattern Ae was found in 80% of the strains collected. Pattern Be was in 4%, pattern Ce in 13%, pattern De in 2%, and pattern Ee in 1% of the strains collected. Cluster analyses showed that the strains were 88% similar and constitute a rather homogeneous group. Aggressiveness of strains was evaluated on 3 tobacco cultivars with different levels of resistance to bacterial wilt. Overall, aggressiveness depended on the field from which the strains...
Chemically modified capsular polysaccharides as vaccines.

Vaccination is one of the most useful scientific developments in the control and eradication of human disease. Early vaccines were based on whole organism preparations which, although efficacious in some cases (smallpox), had disadvantages which severely limited their general use. Because of the complexity of bacteria, it is difficult to maintain consistency of potency in terms of immunological protection, and, more importantly, to avoid severe toxic or other deleterious effects caused by indigenous component molecules (lipopolysaccharide or peptidoglycan) of some pathogenic bacteria. The discoveries of a “specific soluble substance” secreted by Pneumococci during growth1 and the immunogenicity of these substances (capsular polysaccharides)2 were new and important developments in vaccine technology. It was demonstrated3 that this substance was in fact a type-specific polysaccharide that was able to quantitatively precipitate4 antibodies produced in animals by injection of the homologous, whole organisms. In subsequent pioneering work5 it was demonstrated that when used as human vaccines these purified polysaccharides provide type-specific protection against the development of pneumococcal infection. However, at this critical stage of development the phenomenal success of antibiotic therapy for treating bacterial infections overshadowed the early promise of polysaccharide vaccines.
Communicative Strategies in Organizational Conflicts: Reliability and Validity of a Measurement Scale

(1982). Communicative Strategies in Organizational Conflicts: Reliability and Validity of a Measurement Scale. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 6, Communication Yearbook 6, pp. 629-652.
BDD-Based Boolean Functional Synthesis

Boolean functional synthesis is the process of automatically obtaining a constructive formalization from a declarative relation that is given as a Boolean formula. Recently, a framework was proposed for Boolean functional synthesis that is based on Craig Interpolation and in which Boolean functions are represented as And-Inverter Graphs (AIGs). In this work we adapt this framework to the setting of Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs), a standard data structure for representation of Boolean functions. Our motivation in studying BDDs is their common usage in temporal synthesis, a fundamental technique for constructing control software/hardware from temporal specifications, in which Boolean synthesis is a basic step. Rather than using Craig Interpolation, our method relies on a technique called Self-Substitution, which can be easily implemented by using existing BDD operations. We also show that this yields a novel way to perform quantifier elimination for BDDs. In addition, we look at certain BDD structures called input-first, and propose a technique called TrimSubstitute, tailored specifically for such structures. Experiments on scalable benchmarks show that both Self-Substitution and TrimSubstitute scale well for benchmarks with good variable orders and significantly outperform current Boolean-synthesis techniques.
Fluorescent Angiography Used to Evaluate the Perfusion Status of Anastomosis in Laparoscopic Anterior Resection.

Background Anastomotic leakage after gastrointestinal surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.1 Insufficient vascular supply is one cause.2 Recent reports of using intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent angiography to evaluate whether perfusion of the anastomosis is adequate has yielded positive outcomes.3–6 The authors describe their use of ICG-enhanced fluorescence angiography in a laparoscopic anterior resection.
Attitude Detection and Localization for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

AbstractOver the past decade, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have been developed rapidly for more and more applications among civilian uses such as reconnaissance, earth sensing, and scientific data collection. For achieving those applications, the UAVs have to be equipped with an accurate attitude detection and localization module to maintain a stable attitude and a correct heading direction during flight. This paper reports the implementation of an attitude detection and localization module for UAVs by integrating sensing data from the GPS sensor, inertial measurement unit (IMU), and digital compass. The module is realized based on the Arduino platform to compute the fused attitude and localization information and send the fused data to the ground station computer in real time. To avoid the data drift problem of the GPS sensor, the zero velocity updated algorithm is used to detect the zero motion of the vehicle from IMU measurements for deciding whether to update the localization information.
Streptococci in Dried and Frozen Foods

Streptococci were obtained on KF and bile-esculin agars from 209 (57%) samples of a variety of dried foods and from 299 (87%) samples of frozen vegetables. They were not obtained from dried tea, coffee, flavored drinks, or fruits. Numbers per gram were greater in frozen vegetables than in dried foods. Nearly 60% of the 2334 strains isolated were identified as follows: Streptococcus faecalis (8.9%), Streptococcus faecium (21.1%), S. faecium biotype casseliflavus (18.9%), Streptococcus lactis (2.2%), Streptococcus bovis (0.04%), Aerococcus (2.7%), and Leuconostoc (4.5%). The 1173 strains of unidentified streptococci formed 32 groups when characterized for growth at 10 and 45 C, in broth containing 6.5% NaCl, and in broth adjusted to pH 9.6; and the deamination of arginine. The isolated strains were classified into seven plant streptococcal (PS) types. Unidentified streptococci obtained from foods were as variable in their charcteristics as those obtained from plants. The variety of species obtained indicate...
Relationship of progestin receptor to estrogen receptor and the relevance of the progestin receptor in predicting survival in breast cancer.

e11514 Background: While estrogen receptor alpha (ER) and progestin receptor (PR) are commonly used biomarkers in breast cancer prognosis, the clinical value of PR is controversial and whether or h...
Lesion Optimization for Laser Ablation: Fluid Evacuation Prior to Laser-Induced Thermal Therapy.

Background Magnetic resonance–guided laser-induced thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for ablating intracranial lesions. The presence of a fluid body can sequester thermal energy generated by the laser catheter, which compromises the performance of MRgLITT, resulting in suboptimal ablation of cystic lesions. We report our use of stereotactic fluid evacuation followed by MRgLITT in 2 patients with cystic brain tumors. This is the first report on lesion optimization by fluid aspiration before MRgLITT. Methods Two cystic tumors in 2 patients were treated. In 1 patient, an external ventricular drain was placed stereotactically to allow drainage of cystic fluid 1 day before laser ablation. In the second patient, a stereotactic biopsy needle was used to aspirate the cystic fluid immediately before laser ablation. The remaining solid portions of the both tumors were ablated using the Visualase system. Both patients were followed clinically and radiologically after the procedures. Results Stereotactic placement of an external ventricular drain and a biopsy needle both successfully resulted in fluid evacuation. MRgLITT was performed without any complications in both patients after fluid evacuation. Both patients demonstrated clinical and radiologic improvement after the procedure. Conclusions Cystic fluid evacuation is a promising strategy for optimizing intracranial cystic lesions for MRgLITT. This novel approach may broaden the utility of MRgLITT in the management of various technically demanding lesions.
The Environment of the Binuclear Iron Coordination Complex in Methemerythrin

The three-dimensional model of the crystal structure of octameric methemerythrin has been refined to a point where features of the molecule which contribute to its biological activity can be discussed with some certainty. Attention is focused on the environment of the binuclear iron complex where the amino acid side-chains would be expected to affect the reversible oxygenation of the complex. Several aromatic residues are located in the region surrounding the iron complex and appear to interact with the iron ligands. Consideration is given not only to the O2 binding site but also to residues or groups of residues closely associated with the iron ligands: His 25, His 54, His 73, His 77 and His 101.
Neighborhood Prices of Healthier and Unhealthier Foods and Associations with Diet Quality: Evidence from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

It is known that the price of food influences the purchasing and consumption decisions of individuals; however, little work has examined if the price of healthier food relative to unhealthier food in an individual’s neighborhood is associated with overall dietary quality while using data from multiple regions in the United States. Cross-sectional person-level data came from The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (exam 5, 2010–2012, n = 2765); a food frequency questionnaire assessed diet. Supermarket food/beverage prices came from Information Resources Inc. (n = 794 supermarkets). For each individual, the average price of select indicators of healthier foods (vegetables, fruits, dairy) and unhealthier foods (soda, sweets, salty snacks), as well as their ratio, was computed for supermarkets within three miles of the person’s residential address. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios of a high-quality diet (top quintile of Healthy Eating Index 2010) associated with healthy-to-unhealthy price ratio, adjusted for individual and neighborhood characteristics. Sensitivity analyses used an instrumental variable (IV) approach. Healthier foods cost nearly twice as much as unhealthier foods per serving on average (mean healthy-to-unhealthy ratio = 1.97 [SD 0.14]). A larger healthy-to-unhealthy price ratio was associated with lower odds of a high-quality diet (OR = 0.76 per SD increase in the ratio, 95% CI = [0.64–0.9]). IV analyses largely confirmed these findings although—as expected with IV adjustment—confidence intervals were wide (OR = 0.82 [0.57–1.19]). Policies to address the large price differences between healthier and unhealthy foods may help improve diet quality in the United States.
Response by Lorenzano et al to Letter Regarding Article, “Oxidative Stress Biomarkers of Brain Damage: Hyperacute Plasma F2-Isoprostane Predicts Infarct Growth in Stroke”

We thank Kazushi Tsuda for his thoughtful comments on our article on oxidative stress biomarkers of brain damage.1 We absolutely agree with Tsuda that oxidative stress triggers biochemical cascades and signaling pathways that can negatively impact infarct progression in patients with ischemic stroke also through direct effects on the endothelial cells. In fact, oxidative stress represents a major cause of endothelial dysfunction in cerebral vessels, as suggested by several evidence, and this can be considered a common characteristic of neurovascular diseases.2 Endothelial dysfunction can result from the reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and increased oxidant excess. NO, produced from eNOS (endothelial NO synthase), 1 of the 3 isoforms of NOS present in the nervous system, diffuses to the underlying smooth muscle, stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase with subsequent increase of …
DAVID II did not slay Goliath.

The DAVID II (Dual Chamber and VVI Implantable Defibrillator II) trial tested two bradycardia programming modalities for a population of patients who received dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) but had no clear indication for pacing. Two key questions arise when one
Body distribution of ethchlorvynol.

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl®) is a nonbarbiturate sedative hypnotic. Two fatal cases of ethchlorvynol overdose are reported. Toxicological analyses of body fluids and tissues were performed by gas chromatography using a flame-ionization detector. The quantitative method was sensitive and reproducible. Body distribution of ethchlorvynol in blood and other tissues is presented. Biological samples analyzed included blood, urine, bile, liver, kidney, eye fluid, and gastric contents. Results presented add to the pharmacokinetic data needed to study the disposition of drugs in different tissues. Findings in present two cases are compared with published toxicological data.
Uncertainty estimation method and Landsat 7 global validation for the Landsat surface temperature product

Abstract Surface temperature is a valuable metric for many Earth monitoring applications, which motivated the development of the Landsat Surface Temperature (LST) product. The initial LST algorithm, developed by Cook, was geographically restricted since the atmospheric inputs and truth data were limited to North America (Cook, 2014. Atmospheric Compensation for a Landsat Land Surface Temperature Product. Rochester Institute of Technology). The main objectives for this product are to produce an LST image for every available Landsat thermal image, and to also provide a per-pixel estimate of LST uncertainty. Various studies were performed in order to allow the LST algorithm to operate globally, after which a thorough global validation study was performed for Landsat 7 images. In this study, the LST algorithm was found to have an average error for all cases of −0.211 K compared to the MODIS Sea Surface Temperature (SST) product. For cases where transmission was less than 0.3 and clouds were within 1 km of the validation, the LST RMSE was 2.61 K. When transmission was at least 0.85 and clouds were more than 40 km away, the RMSE was 0.51 K. A LST uncertainty estimation method was developed that utilizes standard error propagation in combination with observed trends between LST error, transmission, and cloud proximity. When the uncertainty method was applied to the global validation dataset, 20% of the estimated LST uncertainties were less than 1 K and 63% were less than 2 K. LST uncertainty can be extended to other Landsat sensors pending small validation studies, and will be an extremely beneficial tool for users, since it allows them to select all pixels in an LST image that meet their accuracy requirements.
Family Service Agency Personnel Profiles in the 1980s: Implications for Leadership and Practice:

A nationwide survey of the executive directors/chief executive officers of Family Service America member agencies was undertaken to assess changes that occurred in personnel and staffing patterns d...
Postmortem cesarean section.

Abstract Postmortem cesarean section continues to carry a bleak fetal outlook. The present report adds to the literature three recent cases in which the infant was not saved. Analysis of the literature is used to produce guideposts to timing and performance of the procedure. The possible impact of today's technology on the problem is discussed. The need for earlier intervention in the patient near death is presented as a possible method of improving fetal salvage.
Reforming Unemployment Insurance in the Age of Non-Standard Work

Unemployment Insurance (UI) is one the nation’s most effective anti-poverty and economic stabilization measures. Unfortunately, the number of workers receiving benefits has substantially declined in recent decades. This Note probes one likely cause of this phenomenon that scholars have mostly ignored: the rise of non-standard employment, including part-time, temporary, contract, on-call, and independent contract work. Like many New Deal programs, UI was designed to aid individuals with long-term, full-time jobs. It is therefore poorly adapted to a non-standard workforce characterized by low wages, uncertain schedules, and short-lived assignments. Indeed, the analysis shows that UI’s monetary eligibility criteria, non-monetary eligibility requirements, outreach mechanisms, and exclusions all disadvantage non-standard workers. The Note proposes reforms in each of these areas to combat this imbalance.
Desymmetrization of Phosphinic Acids via Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation: Rapid Access to P-Chiral Phosphinates.

The synthesis of P-chiral compounds is challenging, especially since useful catalytic methods for preparing such molecules are scarce. Herein we disclose a desymmetrization that employs phosphinic ...