cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Science–policy data compact: use of environmental monitoring data for air quality policy

Abstract Environmental policies often strongly depend on environmental monitoring data, yet these increasing datasets are not always used effectively in enacting and implementing public policy. We propose a science–policy data model that defines the conditions that facilitate the use of environmental monitoring data for policy and which could help scientists and policymakers diagnose impediments in the link between science and policy and work more effectively together to use monitoring data in environmental policy. The model includes two parts: (1) criteria for scientific monitoring data to become useful information for public policy; (2) a “data compact,” a relationship between senior scientists and midlevel policymakers that enables translation of environmental monitoring data into knowledge useful for public policy. We compare the model against two case studies in the air quality literature: ozone depleting substances and acid precipitation. Finally, we use the model to assess the potential of a newly developing area that we are researching, use of satellite remote sensing data for fine particulate matter transboundary policy.
Synthesis and characterization of TiO2 thin films on organic self-assembled monolayers: part I. Film formation from aqueous solutions

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) bearing sulfonate (-SO3H) surface functional groups, on single-crystal Si wafers, were used as substrates for the deposition of TiO2 thin films from aqueous solutions. Polycrystalline TiO2 thin films over 50 nm thick formed in 2 h by hydrolysis of TiCl4 in aqueous HCI solutions at 80 °C. The films were pore-free, showed excellent adherence and uniformity, and consisted of anatase crystallites 2–4 nm in diameter. Annealing at temperatures up to 600 °C caused coarsening of the anatase grains, but no loss of adherence or structural integrity.
Spectral-sliced optical interconnect testbed

One of the principal limitations in parallel real-time processing systems is the technique used to interconnect processors. Recent research has developed a novel optical transmission architecture to improve processor-to-processor connectivity bandwidth and permit reconfigurability of processor communications. Spectral sliced technology is used in this interconnect architecture to provide processor connectivity using a wavelength division multiple access addressing protocol. Spectral sliced technology employs the broad spectral output characteristics of light emitting diode (LED) sources and the spectral filtering characteristics of multiple channel WDM devices to provide a number of simultaneous non-blocking processor-to-processor connectivity paths. The spectral sliced interconnect technique can also support multicast and broadcast modes which permit one processor to simultaneously transfer data to more than one destination. This paper describes the architecture and provides measured results from an eight node prototype testbed configuration. A parametric study is presented that demonstrates the effects of source wavelength and spectral filter bandwidth on network performance and extent. These studies indicate that networks with high effective throughput rates can be constructed from commercially available off-the-shelf components.
Trehalose and dry dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine revisited.

Abstract Dry mixtures of sonicated vesicles of DPPC and trehalose which contained a maximum of 0.2 mol water/mol lipid were examined by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Samples of dry DPPC and trehalose prepared from aqueous solution had a minimum T m of 24°C for the gel to liquid-crystalline transition provided that the vesicles were dried with trehalose while the lipid was in liquid-crystalline phase. This low transition is compared to a transition of 105–112°C for dry pure DPPC and of 42°C for hydrated pure DPPC. The present work is an extension of earlier work from this laboratory using both other lipids and other methods of preparation.
Induction of normal levels of genetic transformation in a class of endonuclease-defective mutants of Pneumococci.

Abstract Pneumococcal mutants were isolated that showed no zones of DNA hydrolysis around the bacterial colonies, even after prolonged incubation on the surface of agar plates containing DNA and methylgreen. Lysates of such mutants contained only very low levels of endonuclease activity; the mutants were also defective in genetic transformation even though they could still bind DNA to their surface. However, the same mutants could be made to undergo normal, high frequency genetic transformation by treatment with the activator protein, under appropriate conditions. The same treatment caused no detectable increase in the endonuclease level. Poor transformability of these mutants seems to be related to an inhibitory factor(s) released into the growth medium. Activation in the presence of this factor(s) leads to an abnormal (non-productive) DNA adsorption-both in mutant and in wild type pneumococci.
Optimization of Mo-Si-B intermetallic alloys

Mo-Si-B intermetallics consisting of the phases Mo3Si and Mo5SiB2, and a molybdenum solid solution (“α-Mo”), have melting points on the order of 2000 °C. These alloys have potential as oxidation-resistant ultra-high-temperature structural materials. They can be designed with microstructures containing either individual α-Mo particles or a continuous α-Mo phase. A compilation of existing data shows that an increase in the volume fraction of the α-Mo phase increases the room-temperature fracture toughness at the expense of the oxidation resistance and the creep strength. If the α-Mo phase could be further ductilized, less α-Mo would be needed to achieve an adequate value of the fracture toughness, and the oxidation resistance would be improved. It is shown that microalloying of Mo-Si-B intermetallics with Zr and the addition of MgAl2O4 spinel particles to Mo both hold promise in this regard.
The Intra-Mercurial Planets

NATURE (vol. xviii. p. 569) in commenting upon my letter published the previous week, regarding the discovery of Vulcan, accused me of being not only “indefinite,” but “contradictory.” The number containing my letter (p. 539) has, from some unknown cause, not yet reached me, though I am in receipt of four numbers published later.
Effects of benzene inhalation on murine pluripotent stem cells.

Effects of benzene inhalation on mouse pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells have been evaluated. Male mice 8–12 wk old were exposed to 400 ppm benzene for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk, for up to 9½ wk. A t various time intervals exposed and control animals were killed, and cardiac blood was evaluated for changes in white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) content. In addition, femora and tibiae were evaluated for total marrow cellularity, stem cell content (as measured by the spleen colony technique), and the percent of stem cells in DNA synthesis (as determined by the tritiated thymidine cytocide technique). Exogenous spleen colonies grown from marrow of exposed animals were counted, identified, and scored by histological type. Exposure to benzene caused significant depressions of RBCs and WBCs throughout the exposure period, which continued for at least 14 d after exposure. Bone marrow cellularity and stem cell content were also depressed in exposed animals throughout the study. Tritiated thymidine cytocide of ...
Real-time pulmonary graphic monitoring

Real-time pulmonary graphics allow breath-to-breath assessment of pulmonary mechanics and patient-ventilator interaction. It allows the clinician to customize ventilator settings based on pathophysiology and patient response, and may enable detection of complications before they become clinically apparent. Graphics also provide objective information about the efficacy of pharmacologic agents and changes in patient status over time.
Sex differences in estrogen binding by cytosolic and nuclear components of rat liver

Abstract Specific estrogen receptors are present in male and female liver cytosol in equal amounts and exhibit similar binding characteristics in terms of steroid specificity and affinity. Liver cytosol from mature male rats contains an additional binding protein (male-SBP) exhibiting a high binding capacity for estrogens and androgens. It is either absent or present in small amounts in mature female and immature male and female liver cytosol. Male-SBP sediments in the 4S region of 5–20% sucrose gradients in low ionic strength buffers. Sedimentation studies show that it is not a plasma contaminant. Surgical manipulations demonstrate that the pituitary exerts a superior control in the maintenance of sexual differences in levels of 4S binding in liver cytosol. Under in vitro cell-free conditions both male and female partially purified (30% ammonium sulfate fraction ; not containing male-SBP) estrogen receptors promote nuclear translocation of estradiol to a similar extent. In contrast, the presence of male SBP in whole (unfractionated) cytosol preparations apparently retards translocation during short (20 min) incubations. However, translocation in the male exceeds that in the female during longer (60 min) incubations of nuclei with whole cytosol preparations. These studies indicate that male-SBP and specific estrogen receptors may play a synergistic role in the nuclear translocation of hormone in male liver.
Effects of nonhypotensive hemorrhage on renal organ and urinary clearances of vasopressin in the dog.

A study was undertaken to investigate the effects of moderate nonhypotensive hemorrhage on the renal organ and urinary clearances of vasopressin in anesthetized dogs. A nonhypotensive hemorrhage was conducted in nine dogs by withdrawal of 12 ml/kg arterial blood over 10 min. This reduction in blood volume increased the plasma vasopressin concentration from a prehemorrhage value of 4.3 ± 0.5 to 12.5 ± 3.4 μU/ml (P < 0.01) in the 15-min period immediately after hemorrhage and to 8.1 ± 1.4 μU/ml (P < 0.01) in the 45- to 60-min period after hemorrhage. The increased plasma vasopressin concentration was not associated with changes in either plasma osmolality or mean arterial blood pressure. The urinary excretion of vasopressin increased significantly after hemorrhage (P < 0.01, 0-15 min after hemorrhage; P < 0.05, 45–60 min after hemorrhage) and correlated significantly with the plasma vasopressin concentration (r = 0.92; P < 0.001). However, this moderate nonhypotensive hemorrhage did not change the renal vas...
eIF4G, eIFiso4G, and eIF4B bind the poly(A)-binding protein through overlapping sites within the RNA recognition motif domains.

The poly(A)-binding protein (PABP), a protein that contains four conserved RNA recognition motifs (RRM1–4) and a C-terminal domain, is expressed throughout the eukaryotic kingdom and promotes translation through physical and functional interactions with eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4G and eIF4B. Two highly divergent isoforms of eIF4G, known as eIF4G and eIFiso4G, are expressed in plants. As little is known about how PABP can interact with RNA and three distinct translation initiation factors in plants, the RNA binding specificity and organization of the protein interaction domains in wheat PABP was investigated. Wheat PABP differs from animal PABP in that its RRM1 does not bind RNA as an individual domain and that RRM 2, 3, and 4 exhibit different RNA binding specificities to non-poly(A) sequences. The PABP interaction domains for eIF4G and eIFiso4G were distinct despite the functional similarity between the eIF4G proteins. A single interaction domain for eIF4G is present in the RRM1 of PABP, whereas eIFiso4G interacts at two sites, i.e. one within RRM1–2 and the second within RRM3–4. The eIFiso4G binding site in RRM1–2 mapped to a 36-amino acid region encompassing the C-terminal end of RRM1, the linker region, and the N-terminal end of RRM2, whereas the second site in RRM3–4 was more complex. A single interaction domain for eIF4B is present within a 32-amino acid region representing the C-terminal end of RRM1 of PABP that overlaps with the N-proximal eIFiso4G interaction domain. eIF4B and eIFiso4G exhibited competitive binding to PABP, supporting the overlapping nature of their interaction domains. These results support the notion that eIF4G, eIFiso4G, and eIF4B interact with distinct molecules of PABP to increase the stability of the interaction between the termini of an mRNA.
Stellar-winds and coronas in cool stars

Recent observational and theoretical results are reviewed that pertain to the presence and characteristics of stellar coronae and winds in latetype stars. It is found that stars - principally dwarfs - exist with “hot” coronae similar to the Sun with thermally driven winds. For stars at the lowest effective temperatures, and gravities characteristic of supergiant and giant stars, high temperature (}105K) atmospheres are absent (or if present are substantially weaker than in the dwarf stars), and massive winds are present. There also exist “hybrid” examples - lumi nous stars possessing both a “hot” corona and a supersonic stellar wind. Constraints for theoretical models are discussed.
H-2-linked genetic control of murine cell-mediated lympholysis to autologous cells modified with high and low concentrations of fluorescein isothiocyanate.

Abstract Spleen cells from H -2 k , H -2 d , and H -2 b mice were compared for their ability to generate primary in vitro cytotoxic responses to syngeneic cells modified with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). All strains tested so far generated effector cells which specifically lysed FITC—but not TNP—self targets. Effector activity of H -2 b cells was weaker than that of H -2 k and H -2 d cells. H -2 b spleen cells did not respond to syngeneic stimulating cells modified with low concentrations of FITC, whereas H -2 k and H -2 d cells generated effector activity even when stimulated by syngeneic cells modified with low concentrations of FITC. The cytotoxic response generated by H -2 d spleen cells to FITC-self was equivalent to the response of H -2 k mice. Further studies using ( H -2 k × H -2 b )F 1 responding cells and F 1 -modified stimulating cells indicated that the F 1 cells generated preferential cytotoxic activity in association with H -2 k compared with H -2 b self products. The results of this study indicate that H-2-linked genetic factors control the ability of inbred mouse strains to generate cytotoxic effector cells to FITC-self. Therefore, although H -2 k and H -2 b strains are respective high and low CTL responders to TNP, FITC, and other haptens, the present study demonstrates that H -2 d as well as H -2 k mice are high responders to FITC.
Sensing the Past: Hollywood stars and historical vision

Through a rethinking of the cultural impact of Hollywood stars embodying ‘master narratives’ of United States history, Jim Cullen challenges longstanding, but slowly changing, conceptions of histor...
Mastopexy after Massive Weight Loss

Abstract A negative consequence following weight loss, particularly as a result of successful bariatric surgery, is the appearance of the breasts. Damage to the skin, nipple position, and internal breast structures are reviewed. Evaluation of the post bariatric surgery patient as a candidate for mastopexy is discussed, as are approaches to reshaping and restoring the appearance of the breasts. Complications and limitations of the procedure are also reviewed.
The positive muon as a small polaron

A positive muon in a solid is typically taken to selftrap and move in analogy with an electronic small polaron. Here the dynamics of self-trapping and small-polaron motion are described. It is stressed that the physical circumstances defining electronic and light-interstitial small-polaron formation and motion differ qualitatively from one another. The muon is an intermediate case which in some instances is a unique hybrid of these two situations.
Delactosed, High Milk Protein Powder. 2. Physical and Functional Properties'

Abstract The objective of this research was to examine some physicochemical properties of a novel delactosed, high milk protein powder. Data indicate that the solubility index of the powder was dependent on temperature of mixing. Solubility index decreased (solubility increased) as temperature increased from 25 to 60°C. Foaming capacity, expressed as percentage overrun, was low at pH 7 and 8 but increased at higher pH, e.g., after 10min of whipping, overrun increased from 470 to 941% as pH increased from 7 to 10. Foaming increased with time at higher pH but not at lower pH. Particles of the high milk protein powders as examined by scanning electron microscopy were characterized by smooth surface and dents. Particles of skim milk powder prepared in the same spray dryer had a wrinkled surface. Commercial casein products had a structure similar to that of the high milk protein powders.
Changes in brain dopamine levels and aggressive behavior with aging in 2 mouse strains.

The genetic programming of brain monoamine changes with aging show remarkable differences in 2 mouse strains. A marked increase in dopamine occurred in 32-week-old grouped ICR mice and the males showed intense irritability and aggressive behavior. Brain amines changed only slightly in old C57BL6J mice and behavior remained benign. Old females showed similar amine changes but aggressive behavior did not occur in either strain.
Compression of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve by the biceps tendon

Compression of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LACN) at the elbow by the lateral edge of the biceps tendon is a rarely recognized entrapment neuropathy. Nineteen cases have been reported to date. 2" 4, ~, 7, ro This study concerns an active duty marine who developed pain and paresthesias in the LACN distribution of his left arm after slam-dunking a basketball. Surgical intervention relieved symptoms refractory to conservative therapy. We present a review of the literature pertaining to the diagnosis, surgical findings, and treatment of this uncommon entity. (J SHOULDER ELBOW SURG 1996;5:330-2.)
Quantum superspace representation of superconformal algebras

Abstract The action for a supersymmetrical point particle introduced in a recent analysis of superspace is shown to have superconformal symmetry when all dimensional parameters are set equal to zero. This fact enables us to construct explicit representations of the d = 3 superconformal groups OSp( N ;4) and the d = 4 ones SU( N ; 2,2) in both classical and quantum superspace.
Beliefs about Obesity: Effects of Age, Ethnicity, Sex and Weight

To find out if subjects' knowledge of the complex nature of obesity increases with age, 447 nursery school, first grade, fifth grade, and adult subjects were asked if they knew anyone fat and, if so, who; what the causes of obesity are; and whose fault it is if someone is fat. Older subjects were increasingly likely to know people who were fat and to give complex causal explanations for obesity; moreover, adults were less likely than children to see the fat individual as responsible for his obesity. Female subjects were more likely than males to know someone fat and to give complex explanations of obesity. Anglo, Hispanic, Native American and black subjects did not differ on any measure. Children who were underweight, of average weight or overweight also did not differ in knowledge or beliefs. The results suggest that, although accuracy of knowledge increases with age, education about obesity at all age levels may be needed to reduce incorrect beliefs and accompanying negative attitudes toward obesity.
An Elder Abuse Case Study -- Caregiver Stress or Domestic Violence? You Decide

This article explores elder abuse from the perspective of caregiver stress and domestic violence theories. The author proposes that the theory of caregiver stress has shaped the elder abuse laws and the practice field, raising some important questions for examination. The need for policymakers and practitioners to evaluate their applied theory(ies) so they may better advocate for needed changes in policies and laws is examined by using a case example. In conclusion, the author suggests that the elder abuse protection field must consider the underutilized concepts of domestic violence theory for policy development, case assessments, and intervention strategies.
On the decidability of role mappings between modular ontologies

Many semantic web applications require support for mappings between roles (or properties) defined in multiple independently developed ontology modules. Distributed Description Logics (DDL) and Package-based Description Logics (P-DL) offer two alternative logical formalisms that support such mappings. We prove that (a) variants of DDL that allow negated roles or cardinality restrictions in bridge rules or inverse bridge rules that connect ALC ontologies are undecidable; (b) a variant of P-DL ALCHIO(¬)P that supports role mappings between ontology modules expressed in ALCHIO(¬) is decidable.
To Catch a Pre-Leukemia

Cancer has been a curable disease for a long time… if we catch it early. An estimated 80% of cancers can be cured if detected early enough. In contrast, late-stage cancers become so adept at circumventing the body’s many defensive mechanisms that they nearly always eventually acquire resistance
The utility of lockout valve reservoirs in preventing autoinflation in penile prostheses.

Introduction: Autoinflation is a troublesomecomplication following penile prosthesisplacement that may be potentiated by prevesicalscarring following radical prostatectomy. Weevaluated the frequency of autoinflation andother complications following penile prosthesisplacement in radical prostatectomy patients andcontrols as a surrogate to establishing theutility of lockout reservoirs in preventingautoinflation.Methods: 139 prostheses (including 14with lockout reservoirs) were placed in 132 men(including 35 post-prostatectomy patients) overa 51/2 year period at our institution. Outcomesassessed include postoperative complicationsand the need for revision or replacement of theprosthesis. Multivariable regression analysiswas used to determine the association ofpatient, device-specific, and perioperativecharacteristics with these outcomes.Results: There was no difference in thepostoperative complication and re-operationrates between post-prostatectomy patients andcontrols (both p > 0.77). The incidence ofautoinflation in post-prostatectomy patientsand controls was 3% and 5%, respectively(p > 0.99). Patients with prior prostheseswere 3 times as likely to develop apostoperative complication or requireprosthesis revision (p = 0.02).Conclusion: Penile prostheses are welltolerated in post-prostatectomy patients withcomparable outcomes to those men with organicerectile dysfunction. The frequency ofautoinflation does not appear to be increasedin post-prostatectomy patients. Initialresults with the lockout valve reservoir inpreventing autoinflation are encouraging thoughadditional study is warranted to justify theirroutine use.
Fiber reinforced hydrogel composite assembly

This research work started with the development of a robotic system that mimics the process of spider web formation. The robotic system is able to convert small samples of biopolymer or synthetic polymer solution into 3D patterned non-woven structure. Fiber obtained from this system varies from sub micron diameter to 25 micron diameter depending upon the spinning process (dry spinning or wet spinning). The system is now being used to deposit fibers onto surfaces or into gels in order to build webs or fiber-reinforced hydrogel assembly. Currently we are using this approach to mimic the soft tissue structures such as cartilage or vertebral disc. For the matrix we are using epoxy-amine based hydrogel assembly. The fibrous 3D structure is used as reinforced to enhance the mechanical properties of hydrogel and also helps in controlling the swellability. In order to understand the hydrogel-fiber composite assembly, we have formulated various epoxy-amine gels which can be design from completely hydrophobic in nature to hydrophilic gel having swellability upto or more than 500% in water.
Constant-modulus Preamble Design for MIMO-OFDM Systems

A new preamble design for MIMO-OFDM is proposed in this paper. Based on the Chu sequence, the proposed preamble can be used to achieve frequency offset estimation, fine time offset estimation, and optimal least-squares channel estimation. In addition, since the preamble has constant modulus, it has low peak-to-average power ratio. Furthermore, channel estimation can be done through simple phase and magnitude justification, and enjoys low computational complexity.
BEST PREDICTION OF EXPONENTIAL FAILURE TIMES WHEN ITEMS MAY BE REPLACED2

Summary Best unbiased and best invariant predictors for exponential failure times are found when items may be replaced as they fail. The best predictors are linear.
Polarimetric wavelet phenomenology of space materials

This paper describes new polarimetric wavelet detection principles applied to the backscattering characteristics of space materials in the near infrared. Efficient polarimetric detection techniques are combined with cross-correlation and wavelet analysis for enhanced characterization of space materials. The outcome of this study will support remote characterization of space materials and structures with enhanced discrimination, localization, and high-dynamic range while maintaining uncompromised sensitivity.
Non-Interior continuation methods for solving semidefinite complementarity problems

There recently has been much interest in non-interior continuation/smoothing methods for solving linear/nonlinear complementarity problems. We describe extensions of such methods to complementarity problems defined over the cone of block-diagonal symmetric positive semidefinite real matrices. These extensions involve the Chen-Mangasarian class of smoothing functions and the smoothed Fischer-Burmeister function. Issues such as existence of Newton directions, boundedness of iterates, global convergence, and local superlinear convergence will be studied. Preliminary numerical experience on semidefinite linear programs is also reported.
The Nereus hybrid underwater robotic vehicle for global ocean science operations to 11,000m depth

This paper reports an overview of the new Nereus hybrid underwater vehicle and summarizes the vehicle's performance during its first sea trials in November 2007. Nereus is a novel operational underwater vehicle designed to perform scientific survey and sampling to the full depth of the ocean of 11,000 meters - almost twice the depth of any present-day operational vehicle. Nereus operates in two different modes. For broad area survey, the vehicle can operate untethered as an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capable of exploring and mapping the sea floor with sonars and cameras. For close up imaging and sampling, Nereus can be converted at sea to operate as a tethered remotely operated vehicle (ROV). This paper reports the overall vehicle design and design elements including ceramic pressure housings and flotation spheres; manipulator and sampling system; light fiber optic tether; lighting and imaging; power and propulsion; navigation; vehicle dynamics and control; and acoustic communications.
A compiler-assisted data prefetch controller

Data prefetching has been proposed as a means of hiding the memory access latencies of data referencing patterns that defeat caching strategies. Prefetching techniques that either use special cache logic to issue prefetches or that rely on the processor to issue prefetch requests typically involve some compromise between accuracy and instruction overhead. A data prefetch controller (DPC) is proposed that combines low instruction overhead with the flexibility and accuracy of a compiler-directed prefetch mechanism. At run-time, the processor and prefetch controller each execute separate, but cooperating instruction streams. Simulations in which both programs are generated from a single application source file using a commercial compiler show that the prefetch controller can significantly improve the cache utilization and execution time of several SPECfp95 benchmarks. Performance comparisons also indicate that the DPC outperforms software prefetching techniques and prefetching via a hardware reference prediction table.
Long-Term Effectiveness of Spaced-Retrieval Memory Training for Older Adults with Probable Alzheimer's Disease

Ten older adults with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) were trained to recall everyday objects using the spaced-retrieval technique. Five persons had participated in a prior spaced-retrieval program (Cherry & Simmons-D'Gerolamo, 1999, Clinical Gerontologist, 20, 39-63). The authors retested these original participants to measure the long-term effectiveness of spaced-retrieval training. Five new participants were included for comparison purposes. During training, participants selected a target object from an array of items at increasingly longer retention intervals. To enhance the effectiveness of spaced-retrieval training, two original and two new participants were given a target object orientation task prior to training. Positive effects of prior experience occurred for most of the original participants. The orientation task enhanced memory for the target objects. Implications for memory remediation in late adulthood are considered.
Conceptually New Sulfone Analogues of the Hormone 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3: Synthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation

A conceptually new series of vitamin D(3)-like nonfluorinated and fluorinated 16-ene side chain tert-butyl sulfones 3-7 has been synthesized. Even though these novel C,D-ring side chain analogues of the hormone 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,1,25D(3)) lack a terminal OH group, thought previously to be essential for high biological activity, they are highly antiproliferative and, in several cases, transcriptionally active in vitro but desirably noncalcemic in vivo. The side chain sulfone group may be binding to the nVDR as a hydrogen-bond acceptor, in contrast to the hydrogen-bond donor function of the 25-OH group of natural 1,25D(3).
DNA Replication and Genomic Architecture of Very Large Bacteria

Large cell size is not restricted to a particular bacterial lifestyle, dispersal method, or cell envelope type. What is conserved among the very large bacteria are the quantity and arrangement of their genomic resources. All large bacteria described to date appear to be highly polyploid. This review focuses on Epulopiscium sp. type B, which maintains tens of thousands of genome copies throughout its life cycle. Only a tiny proportion of mother cell DNA is inherited by intracellular offspring, but surprisingly DNA replication takes place in the terminally differentiated mother cell as offspring grow. Massive polyploidy supports the acquisition of unstable genetic elements normally not seen in essential genes. Further studies of how large bacteria manage their genomic resources will provide insight into how simple cellular modifications can support unusual lifestyles and exceptional cell forms.
[Development of both multiple PCR and real-time SYBR green PCR for the detection of Vibrio cholerae non-O1/O139 serogroups].

Objective To develop methodology of both multiple PCR and real-time SYBR green PCR for the detection of Vibrio cholerae (V.cholerae) serogroups non-O1 and non-O139.Methods The outer membrane protein gene (ompW) specific for V.cholerae,as well as O antigen rfb genes specific for both O1 and O139,were used for the design of the PCR primers.Both multiple PCR and real-time SYBR green PCR systems were used to detect both O1 and O139.Specific rfb genes and ompW were developed to evaluate their specificity,limit of detection,reproducibility and consistency.Results We established multiple PCR and real-time SYBR green PCR methods.According to the specific electrophoretic bands (multiple PCR) and the specific melt curve temperature (real-time SYBR green PCR),both methods could specifically detect the non-O1,non-O139 V.cholerae,and to differentiate them from O1,O139 V.cholerae,other five Vibrios and 3 intestinal bacteria.The detection limits were 7 × 104 cfu/ml (multiple PCR) and 7 × 102 cfu/ml (real-time SYBR green PCR),with statistically significant difference seen (P＜0.05).For the reproducibility of real-time SYBR green PCR,the external coefficient variation ranging from 0.22％ to 0.92％ while the internal coefficient variation ranging from 0.27％ to 1.41％.370 strains of non-O1,non-O139 V.cholerae,were detected,with both consistency rates as 100％.Conclusion Both multiple PCR and real-time SYBR green PCR could detect non-O1,non-O139 V.cholerae,rapidly,specifically,and reproducibly,that could all be used for the detection and identification of non-O 1,non-O 139 under different conditions. Key words: Vibrio cholerae non-O1/O139 serogroups; Multiple PCR; Real-time SYBR green PCR
Managing Web Projects in Academic Libraries

Today’s academic library web sites are mission-critical library locations providing access to research content and online services. Managing these web sites and related projects has grown increasingly complex. The authors conducted a 24-item survey via a listserv to gain a better understanding of the current state of web project management in academic libraries today. Responses from 121 managers of web projects were received. The survey results provided quantitative and qualitative information about project managers, project management techniques and organizational structures used by libraries to manage web projects, the responsibilities of standing web committees, best practices, and remaining challenges. Web project management in libraries continues to be informally defined and is managed from a variety of organizational locations. The function of project management is still often only one part of a hybrid job and is not often included in job descriptions. Some project management techniques are used frequently, but the most formal practices are not. Web teams and workgroups vary widely among libraries and are occasionally the source for contention. While the survey data is not statistically generalizable to the larger population of academic libraries, it points to the need for research into specific aspects of library web project management, most notably in the area of web team effectiveness.
The Missouri Plan (Balanced Farming)

THE Missouri Extension Service taught individual farm practices, as did all state colleges, until 15 years ago when the need became apparent for a system of farming that would tie together all of the good practices recommended by the college for a farm in a way to give the greatest net income consistent with continuing improvement of the soil. Throughout the years certain farmers have specialized in beef cattle production and perhaps failed to improve their pastures, and others specializing in crop production failed to receive high net income because of poor feeding practices. The college, with its traditional 12 to 14 departments and Extension specialists for each, undertook to save the farmer by teaching the individual practices, leaving it to the county agent or the farmer to tie these practices together, if any attempt along that line was made. This idea of developing a system of farming, called in many states Farm and Home Planning, is called Balanced Farming in Missouri. The objective has been to achieve a balance between input and outgo of soil fertility; between type of soil and crops; between pasture and crops and the livestock system; between the livestock system and the desires and abilities of the operator and his labor supply; between net income and the needs of the farm family; between good planning, hard work and a comfortable, attractive home. The Balanced Farming program has been handled largely by a committee of specialists and supervisors, with a soils specialist as chairman. The program does not belong to the farm management or any other department. Each specialist has an opportunity to push his line of work to the limit but does so in cooperation with other specialists in developing systems of farming. The dairy specialist has come to recognize that the dairy farmer will not succeed unless the soil is improved to enable an abundance of good feed to be grown for low cost production. Crops and soils specialists recognize that improving the soil and growing an abundance of feed is of no avail unless there is good livestock management to get the most dollars out of the increased feed production. Back in 1936, 22 specialists and supervisors spent four days in
The therapist's legal duty when the patient may be violent.

This article reviews the legal basis for the psychiatrist’s duty to protect third parties who are foreseeably endangered by their patients. Cases illustrating how courts decide whether the duty exists and whether it was violated are presented. Courts are impressed by, and clinicians should know about, threats to particular individuals, existence of a credible motive for violence, and a past history of violence. The importance of careful note taking and obtaining consultation about these cases is stressed.
High Yield Subcortical Patch Clamping in Vivo

Whole cell recording from subcortical structures has revealed much about the membrane properties of sensory systems. Since its introduction by Margrie et al in 2002, however, patch clamp recordings deep in the intact brain have suffered from low yield and high access resistance, primarily due to pipette contamination during descent to subcortical nuclei.We describe a novel algorithm and best practice for reducing pipette tip contamination and improving access resistance when targeting deep, subcortical neurons in mice (e.g., 1-3 mm deep). In this work, we introduce an automated method for dodging obstructions such as neurons and blood vessels during descent.Traditionally, pipettes are localized in the intact brain by blind, linear rapid descent to the subcortical region of interest (e.g., hippocampus, thalamus). During this descent, pipettes are often contaminated by debris that prevents gigasealing and increases access resistance. Using this new algorithm, pipette resistance is measured at 128 Hz during descent for a high spatial resolution. If an obstruction is encountered prior to the region of interest (as indicated by an increase in resistance >1 Mohm threshold), the pipette is stopped, retracted, and moved laterally in 20 um steps. Lateral steps are repeated until resistance decreases below threshold, indicating that the obstruction has been avoided and descent is resumed.Pipettes inserted using this method arrived at the region of interest without a significant change in resistance (<300 kohms at 3000 um) 69% of the time (n=46), while pipettes inserted using traditional blind, linear methods were inserted successfully 32% of the time (n=31); Whole cell recordings following successful descent resulted in lower access resistance recordings and smaller holding currents than those inserted with the traditional algorithm. This pipette localization method therefore greatly improves the quality and accessibility of subcortical tissues in the intact brain.
Abstract A58: Interaction of diabetes and obesity in postmenopausal breast cancer risk among black women

Purpose: Meta-analyses of the association between diabetes and postmenopausal breast cancer have been conducted primarily among white women with summary relative risks [RR] of approximately 1.15 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.24). The only related prospective cohort study among black women reported a RR of 0.93 (95% CI 0.73-1.19). We conducted a case-control study to examine whether diabetes was associated with subsequent breast cancer among postmenopausal black women and whether obesity modified this association. Methods: Women diagnosed with incident postmenopausal breast cancer between September 2009 and December 2012 were identified through statewide cancer registries in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. One control per case, individually matched on age at enrollment, state and household income, were selected from Southern Community Cohort Study participants. Women whose breast cancer and diabetes were diagnosed within one year of each other were excluded to minimize detection bias resulting in 839 cases and 839 controls for analysis. Data on diabetes (cases n=244, controls n=336) and obesity (cases n=468, controls n=466) were obtained from baseline surveys; data on breast cancer histologic subtype (estrogen receptor (ER) positive n=556, ER negative n=216) were from cancer registry records. Results: Using conditional logistic regression with further adjustment for educational level and health insurance coverage, there was a reduced risk of breast cancer associated with self-reported diabetes (odds ratio (OR) 0.63, 95% CI 0.49-0.80). Obesity did not significantly modify the effect of diabetes on breast cancer, but there was a stronger risk reduction among non-obese women (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34-0.77) than obese women (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50-0.94) (p for interaction=0.25). The inverse association was more pronounced for ER positive breast cancer (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.70) than ER negative breast cancer (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.51-1.37). However, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: In this large case-control study among black women, we found the first evidence suggesting a significant inverse association between diabetes and postmenopausal breast cancer risk. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings and to evaluate the underlying mechanisms, particularly regarding metformin use. Citation Format: Maureen Sanderson, Loren Lipworth, David Shen-Miller, Martha J. Shrubsole, Alicia Beeghly-Fadiel, Sarah Nechuta, Xiao-ou Shu, Wei Zheng. Interaction of diabetes and obesity in postmenopausal breast cancer risk among black women. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A58.
Sex differences in stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity following early life adversity: a two hit model.

Background Early life adversity (ELA) has been indicated as a risk factor for the development of stress axis dysfunction in adulthood, specifically in females. We previously showed that unpredictable ELA induces visceral hyperalgesia in adult female rats. It remains to be determined whether ELA alters visceral nociceptive responses to stress in adulthood. The current study tested the hypothesis that following ELA, exposure to an adulthood stressor, or second hit, serves as a risk factor for exaggerated stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity that is sex-specific. Methods Following ELA, adult stress was induced via a single exposure (acute) or repetitive daily exposure, 1 h/day for 7 days (chronic), to water avoidance stress (WAS). Key Results Acute WAS increased pain behaviors in all adult female rats, however, females that experienced unpredictable ELA exhibited significantly more pain behaviors compared to those exposed to predictable ELA or controls. Following chronic WAS, all adult females exhibited increased pain responses, however, an exaggerated response was observed in rats exposed to unpredictable or predictable ELA compared to controls. Similarly, in adult male rats exposure to acute or chronic WAS increased pain behaviors, however, there were no differences in pain behaviors between ELA groups. Conclusions & Inferences This study highlights a novel consequence of ELA on stress-induced visceral nociception in adulthood that is sex-specific. More importantly, our study suggests that ELA not only serves as a risk factor for development of chronic pain in adulthood, but also serves as a predisposition for worsening of visceral pain following adult stress in female rats.
Autonomous Robotic Assembly with Variable Material Properties

This paper discusses the problems within autonomous robotic assembly workflows as they encounter a variable property of assembly parts or materials. This is shown through a case study with an industrial robot in an enclosed work cell and a simple assembly task with wooden sticks of variable lengths, designed as an adaptive feedback control system. To perform the study, the development of a virtual model for the persistent storage of material data and computation of next build-actions is required. Different sensing strategies are used to address issues of substantial, and minute, material variabilities of dimensional properties as they deviate from a predictive virtual model. Establishing communication strategies for a live-control pipeline as the infrastructure for this system allows the system to respond to pre-build scans of part dimensions, as well as update the virtual model when post-build scanning detected deviation. In the worst-case scenario—if preconditions were not met—the post-build scan would be unsuccessful and the system would self-terminate. Otherwise, deviations would update and influence future actions. This influence is what leads to the indeterminate nature of the resultant forms.
Updates on Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Review

Importance Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the acute manifestation of ischemic heart disease, remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is responsible for more than 1 million hospital admissions in the United States annually. Considerable research is being conducted in the field. This review provides a contemporary overview of key new findings on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ACS. Observations While plaque rupture is the most frequent cause of coronary thrombosis, studies with optical coherence tomography demonstrate that superficial plaque erosion is more common than previously thought. High-sensitivity troponin assays (not yet available in the United States) and cardiac computed tomographic angiography are being increasingly used in diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with suspected ACS. New data from long-term dual antiplatelet therapy studies and investigations of anticoagulants provide important insights into the balance between ischemic and bleeding risks. The added benefit of percutaneous coronary intervention in non–infarct-related arteries in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction has been demonstrated in randomized trials, and the radial approach has become the standard of care in patients with ACS undergoing angiography. Promising old and new adjunctive therapies, such as pretreatment with β-blockers, ezetimibe, and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, are discussed. New guidelines on the management of non–ST-segment elevation ACS were published in the last 2 years, as well as scientific documents on ACS in understudied populations, such as women and patients with renal dysfunction. Conclusions and Relevance Substantial progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of patients with ACS has been accomplished in recent years. Despite optimal pharmacological and invasive therapies, the burden of recurrent ischemic events and mortality remains high, and future research is ongoing to prevent and improve the outcome of patients with ACS.
Ticks Take Cues from Mammalian Interferon

Interferons are considered a first line of immune defense restricted to vertebrates. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Smith et al. (2016) demonstrate that mammalian interferon γ activates an antimicrobial response within ticks feeding on blood. The study suggests that arthropods have a parallel interferon-like defense system.