cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cultural Geographies lecture

As the 21st century picks up speed and settles into place, childhood has become a spectacle — a site of accumulation, commodification, and desire — in whose name much is done. In this article, I argue that the spectacle of childhood is associated with the rise of ontological insecurity provoked by anxieties around the political—economic, geopolitical, and environmental futures. I address how this spectacle is produced and made sensible, and lay out three configurations of the child — as accumulation strategy, ornament, and waste — that it calls forth. I suggest some of the consequences of these material social practices for actual children and the cultural geographies of their everyday lives. In exploring what is accomplished politically and socially by these cultural forms and material social practices, I draw out their connections with commodification, essence, distraction, and panic.
Anterior and posterior cervical fusion in patients with high body mass index are not associated with greater complications

Abstract Background context Obesity has been associated with adverse surgical outcomes; however, limited information is available regarding the effect of obesity on cervical spinal fusion outcomes. Purpose To determine the effect of obesity on complication rates after cervical fusions. Study design/setting Retrospective cohort analysis of prospectively collected data on cervical fusion surgeries. Patient sample Patients in the ACS-NSQIP database from 2005 to 2010 undergoing cervical anterior or posterior fusion. Outcome measures Primary outcome measures were 30-day postsurgical complications, including mortality, deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, septic complications, system-specific complications, and having ≥1 complication overall. Secondary outcomes were time spent in the operating room, blood transfusions, length of stay, and reoperation within 30 days. Methods Patients undergoing anterior or posterior cervical fusions in the 2005–2010 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program were selected using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Anterior cervical fusion patients were categorized into four groups on the basis of body mass index (BMI): nonobese (18.5–29.9 kg/m 2 ), obese I (30–34.9 kg/m 2 ), obese II (35–39.9 kg/m 2 ), and obese III (≥40 kg/m 2 ). Posterior cervical patients were categorized into two groups based on the basis of BMI: nonobese (18.5–29.9 kg/m 2 ) and obese (≥30 kg/m 2 ) due to the smaller sample size. Patients in the obese categories were compared with patients in the nonobese categories by the use of χ 2 , Fisher's exact test, Student t test, and analysis of variance. Multivariate linear/logistic regression models were used to adjust for preoperative comorbidities. The authors report no sources of funding or conflicts of interest related to this study. Results Data were available for 3,671 and 400 patients who underwent anterior or posterior cervical fusion, respectively. Obese class III patients only showed a greater incidence of deep-vein thrombosis after anterior fusions on univariate analysis. Obese patients only showed longer mean surgical times and total operating room times after posterior fusions on univariate analysis. On multivariate analyses, these differences did not remain significant. There were also no differences in multivariate analyses for overall and system-specific complication rates, lengths of hospital stay, reoperation rates, and mortality among the obesity groups when compared with the nonobese groups with anterior or posterior cervical fusions. Conclusions High BMI, regardless of obesity class, does not appear to be associated with increased complications after cervical fusion in the 30-day postoperative period.
Individual and Socio-Environmental Factors Associated with Unsafe Injection Practices Among Young Adult Injection Drug Users in San Diego

Unsafe injection practices significantly increase the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among injection drug users (IDUs). We examined individual and socio-environmental factors associated with unsafe injection practices in young adult IDUs in San Diego, California. Of 494 IDUs, 46.9 % reported receptive syringe sharing and 68.8 % sharing drug preparation paraphernalia in the last 3 months. Unsafe injection practices were associated with increased odds of having friends who injected drugs with used syringes, injecting with friends or sexual partners, and injecting heroin. Perceived high susceptibility to HIV and perceived barriers to obtaining sterile syringes were associated with increased odds of receptive syringe sharing, but not with sharing injection paraphernalia. Over half the IDUs reported unsafe injection practices. Our results suggest that personal relationships might influence IDUs' perceptions that dictate behavior. Integrated interventions addressing individual and socio-environmental factors are needed to promote safe injection practices in this population.
Travel and transplantation: travel-related diseases in transplant recipients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Travel-related diseases may be seen in transplant recipients after travel, after transplant tourism, and via transmission from blood and organ donors, augmented by recent increases in travel, migration, and globalization. Such infections include tuberculosis, Plasmodium (malaria), Babesia, Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease), Strongyloides, Coccidioides, Histoplasma, Leishmania, Brucella, HTLV, dengue, among numerous others. RECENT FINDINGS Review of cohorts of transplant recipients show that they tend to have minimal or suboptimal preparation prior to travel, with limited pretravel vaccination, medications, and education, which poses a greatly increased risk of travel-related infections and complications. The epidemiology of such travel-related infections in transplant recipients, along with methods for prevention, including vaccines, chemoprophylaxis, and education may help SOT recipients avoid travel-related infections, and are discussed in this review. SUMMARY Optimizing the understanding of the risk of tropical, geographically restricted, and other unusual or unexpected, travel-related infections will enhance the safety of vulnerable transplant recipients from potentially life-threatening infections.
Depurination causes mutations in SOS-induced cells.

Abstract Introduction of apurinic sites into phi X174 am3 DNA leads to loss of biological activity when measured in a transfection assay. For single-stranded DNA, approximately one apurinic site constitutes a lethal hit; for double-stranded (RFI) DNA, approximately 3.5 hits per strand are lethal. When the reversion frequency of am3 DNA is measured, no increase due to depurination is observed above the background level. However, a large increase in reversion frequency is observed when the same DNA is assayed by using spheroplasts derived from bacteria previously exposed to UV light. The results suggest that apurinic sites are impediments to a replicating DNA polymerase; however, nucleotides can be incorporated opposite these sites under SOS-induced conditions. We estimate the frequency of mutagenesis per apurinic site to be less than 1 in 1400 in normal spheroplasts and 1 in 100 in SOS-induced spheroplasts.
Atomistic analysis of phase segregation patterning in binary thin films using applied mechanical fields

The patterned compositional evolution in thin films of a binary alloy controlled by modulated stress fields is studied by employing Monte Carlo simulations. General features of stress-patterned phase segregation are probed using a binary Lennard-Jones potential in which the lattice misfit between the two components of the alloy is varied systematically. In general, patterning of the microstructure is found to be more robust in the low-mismatch binary systems because large lattice mismatch promotes plastic, and therefore, irreversible relaxation, during annealing. It is shown that some control over the relaxation process can be achieved by careful design of the applied thermal annealing history. Additional calculations have been performed using two other potentials for binary metallic systems, an embedded-atom method (EAM) potential for Cu–Ag and a modified embedded-atom method (MEAM) potential for Cu–Ni that represent examples of high and low-mismatched systems, respectively. The results obtained with gen...
Optimization of a precision-cut trout liver tissue slice assay as a screen for vitellogenin induction: comparison of slice incubation techniques.

Abstract An in vitro male rainbow trout liver slice assay has been developed for long-term incubation of precision-cut slices for the detection of vitellogenin (VTG) protein induction in response to xenobiotic chemicals. The assay was optimized to allow 72 h of incubation of slices to maximize detection of VTG, while maintaining slice viability. Two methods of incubation frequently used with rat liver slices were compared: (1) slices were submerged in media (11°C) and cultured in 12-well plates (PL) with continuous shaking; or (2) slices were floated onto titanium screens, placed into glass vials, and held under dynamic organ culture (DOC) conditions (11°C). Slices (200 μm) in modified L-15 media were exposed to 1.0 μM 17β-estradiol (E2) or diethylstilbestrol (DES). Protein from media and slice was sampled for Western blot analysis, using a polyclonal antibody to detect appearance of VTG protein. Maximum VTG was seen at 72 h, with detectable protein at 24 and 48 h in slices and media following PL incubation. In contrast, slices incubated in DOC showed little detectable VTG above background levels after 72 h. This difference was not attributable to protein loss to vial or plate surfaces. Standard viability assays did not reveal any differences between slices incubated in PL or DOC. However, histopathological examination revealed earlier and more severe vacuolization in slices incubated in DOC. Significantly more E2 uptake and conversion to water-soluble metabolites was noted in PL, compared with DOC, as well as more production of VTG in response to DES and E2, correlated with less histologic change. The in vitro assay described allows tissue-level assessment of estrogenicity in aquatic organisms, and will be useful for assessing not only comparative species receptor binding and transactivation, but also the role of tissue-specific activation factors in the estrogenic response of fish.
PREDICTIVE MEDICINE. IV. THE GRADATION CONCEPT

In the traditional philosophy of medicine, a diagnosis usually is made only when a set number and constellation of signs and symptoms prevail. Hence, when there is a long and tortuous incubation period, clinically and biochemically, the disease may remain either undiagnosed or labelled as an ill-defined psychologic syndrome. Sensitivity to clinical and biochemical changes is an integral part of predictive medicine.
Agreement between veteran and partner reports of intimate partner aggression.

We examined intimate partner aggression (IPA) reporting concordance between veterans and their partners and investigated relationship satisfaction, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and relationship attributions as correlates of IPA reporting discrepancies. The sample consisted of 239 veterans of different service eras and their intimate partners. Veterans and partners reported their physical and psychological IPA perpetration and victimization over the past 6 months. METHODological improvements over prior concordance studies included the use of clinician-assessed PTSD symptoms and the assessment of relationship attributions via observational coding of couples' conflict interactions. RESULTS suggested low to moderate levels of agreement between veterans and partners and indicated that relationship satisfaction was associated with reporting less IPA than one's partner reported, replicating prior concordance findings. Previous concordance findings with self-reported PTSD symptoms were also reproduced in the current study using clinician-assessed PTSD symptoms. Veterans' PTSD symptoms were associated with reporting less IPA than their partners reported and partners' PTSD symptoms were associated with reporting more IPA than the veterans reported. Additionally, we found an association between relationship attributions and reporting discrepancies. For both dyad members, making more positive and less negative relationship attributions was associated with reporting less IPA than one's partner reported. FINDINGS underscore the difficulty of obtaining objective self-reports of adverse behavior and highlight factors that may influence such reports. Clinically, this information could be used to better identify cases in which obtaining collateral reports of IPA are particularly warranted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Structural and catalytic properties of the oxygen-evolving complex. Correlation of polypeptide and manganese release with the behavior of Z+ in chloroplasts and a highly resolved preparation of the PS II complex

Abstract Treatment of intact thylakoid membranes with Triton X-100 at pH 6 produces a preparation of the PS II complex capable of high rates of O 2 evolution. The preparation contains four managanese, one cytochrome b -559, one Signal II f and one Signal II s per 250 chlorophylls. By selective manipulation of the preparation polypeptides of approximate molecular weights of 33, 23 and 17 kDa can be removed from the complex. Release of 23 and 17 kDa polypeptides does not release functional manganese. Under these conditions Z + is not readily and directly accessible to an added donor (benzidine) and it appears as if at least some of the S-state transitions occur. Evidence is presented which indicates that benzidine does have increased access to the oxygen-evolving complex in these polypeptide depleted preparations. Conditions which release the 33 kDa species along with Mn and the 23 and 17 kDa polypeptides generate an alteration in the structure of the oxidizing side of PS II, which becomes freely accessible to benzidine. These findings are examined in relationship to alterations of normal S-state behavior (induced by polypeptide release) and a model is proposed for the organization of functional manganese and polypeptides involved in the oxygen-evolving reaction.
FIRESCAP: A computer simulation model of reaction to a fire alarm

We develop a theoretical model and its computer‐simulation translation of evacuation response to a fire alarm, based on past research on fire emergencies and on crowd behavior as well as on our past and continuing investigation of the Beverly Hills fire disaster. The simulation model presents graphically the status of individuals and socially tied pairs in a room as they initiate evacuation—typically in response to ambiguous information—and move toward alternative exits. Individual and pair status—including choice of exit—can change during evacuation in response to changing physical and social cues; statuses include pace of movement and cooperativeness‐competitiveness. We also present some experimental results on the sensitivity of the model's outcomes to variation in several parameters.
Carbohydrate profiles in the graft union of young sweet cherry trees grown on dwarfing and vigorous rootstocks

Abstract In composite (scion–rootstock) dwarfing fruit trees, an overgrowth at the graft union is often observed, the severity of which is correlated with degree of dwarfing. The graft union of dwarfing sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L.) rootstocks may limit soluble sugar transport or starch mobilization, leading to localized accumulation. Soluble sugars and starch were measured in the tissues surrounding the graft union of young ‘Rainier’ (2002) and ‘Lapins’ (2003) sweet cherry trees on ‘Gisela 5’ (‘Gi 5’; dwarfing) and ‘Colt’ (vigorous) rootstocks. Separate rootstock shank, rootstock, graft union, and scion tissues were analyzed for both starch and soluble sugar content throughout the growing season in both years. Starch concentrations did not vary among locations within the graft union for ‘Rainier’ on either the dwarfing or vigorous rootstock, or for ‘Lapins’ on the dwarfing stock. However, for ‘Lapins’ on ‘Colt’, starch was highest in the rootstock shank and declined vertically (rootstock shank ≫ rootstock > union > scion). Soluble sugar concentrations were generally similar to or higher in scions on ‘Gi 5’ than on ‘Colt’, and were similar to or lower in the rootstock and rootstock shank on ‘Gi 5’ than on ‘Colt’. Results suggest that rootstock has a significant effect of localized accumulations of carbohydrates above and within the graft union of ‘Gi 5’ and below the graft union of ‘Colt’.
When is zero in the numerical range of a composition operator

We work on the Hardy spaceH 2 of the open unit disc $$\mathbb{U}$$ and consider the numerical ranges of composition operatorsC φ induced by holomorphic self-maps φ of $$\mathbb{U}$$ . For maps φ that fix a point of $$\mathbb{U}$$ we determine precisely when 0 belongs to the numerical rangeW ofC φ, and in the process discover the following dichotomy: either 0∈W or the real part ofC φ admits a decomposition that reveals it to bestrictly positive-definite. In this latter case we characterize those operators that aresectorial. For compact composition operators our work has the following consequences: it yields a complete description of the corner points of the closure ofW, and it establishes whenW is closed. In the course of our investigation we uncover surprising connections between composition operators, Chebyshev polynomials, and Pascal matrices.
The osteology and relationships of the phallostethid fishes

Two genera of the Phallostethid fishes were anatomized using both the clearing and the dissection methods. While resembling Poecillids and agreeing with them in numerous anatomical features, these fish are true Acanthopterygians and apparently are correctly placed by Myers in the suborder Phallostethoidea erected for them in the order Percesoces. The two divergent types of priapia found in the group are readily derivable one from the other, corresponding bone for bone. The priapial bones can be homologized with the missing pelvic fins and girdle plus, perhaps, the post cleithrum and some of the pectoral pterygials. A comparison is made between the Phallostethid priapial skeleton and the highly modified girdle complex of the Polynemids.
DISPARATE IMPACT AND THE QUOTA DEBATES: Law, Labor Market Sociology, and Equal Employment Policies

Bringing sociological theory and research to bear on the quota debates dogging discussion of federal civil rights legislation in the early 1990s, this article highlights sociology's role in shaping employment law and shows how apparently technical legal arguments about allocating burdens of proof affect labor market resource allocation among the classes, races, and genders. Contrasting institutional-sociological with liberal-legal concepts of discrimination, the article shows why disparate impact theory has been the most sociological approach to Title VII enforcement. It also shows how disparate impact-a theory and method for establishing legally cognizable employment discrimination injurious to women and minorities-is, and is not, related to affirmative action-a policy encompassing a broad range of procedures intended to provide positive consideration to members of groups discriminated against in the past. Finally, a competing incentive framework is used to show that, although disparate impact creates some incentives for employers to adopt quota hiring, such incentives are counter-balanced by major incentives working against race- and gender-based quotas. Major counterincentives stem from disparate impact itself, from other aspects of equal employment law, and from organizational goals shaping business response to the legal environment
How Do US Health Care Payers React to and Use Pharmacoeconomic Information

Abstract In 1997, Grabowski and Mullins described why pharmacy benefit management use of pharmacoeconomics was limited. The current manuscript examines recent changes in health care payers’ use of pharmacoeconomic information, payers’ perceptions of that information’s value for informing formulary decision making, and payers’ attitudes toward the generation and dissemination of pharmacoeconomic evidence. Despite a perceived improvement in the scientific rigor and “real-world applicability” of pharmacoeconomic information, payers remain skeptical of pharmacoeconomic evidence generated or funded by pharmaceutical manufacturers. This skepticism is reinforced when transparency is limited and when the picture provided of the comparative effectiveness of alternative products is incomplete. Payers suggest that greater two-way communications between payers and drug manufacturers could improve the usefulness of pharmacoeconomic information.
Membrane unpacking and the rapid disposal of apoptotic cells.

There is evidence that macrophages can recognize phosphatidylserine (PS) on the surface of apoptotic thymocytes, where PS exposure relates to looser packing ('unpacking') of the polar headgroups of the outer lamina, detectable by lipophilic dyes (Fadok, V.A., Voelker, D.R., Campbell, P.A., Cohen, J.J., Bratton, D.L. and Henson, P.M. (1992) J. Immunol. 148, 2207). We have shown that membrane unpacking also occurs in B cells, where this event actually precedes DNA cleavage (Mower, D.A. Jr., Peckham, D.W., Illera, V.A., Fishbaugh, J.K., Stunz, L.L. and Ashman, R.F. (1994) J. Immunol. 152, 4832). This paper demonstrates that the time interval between membrane unpacking (detected as merocyanine 540 binding) and DNA cleavage (detected by flow cytometry of propidium iodide stained nuclei) also occurs in both T cells and thymocytes. The tight coupling of these two apparently distinct events is emphasized by their co-regulation by a variety of agents which accelerate or inhibit apoptosis. One hypothesis to explain the very low numbers of free apoptotic cells seen in vivo is that macrophages can recognize cells with unpacked membranes and destroy them before they cleave their DNA. In support of this hypothesis, we demonstrated that parenteral cycloheximide triggers a wave of apoptosis in the spleen detected by merocyanine 540 as well as by hypodiploid nuclei. Significantly, both parameters returned from peak values at 2 h virtually to normal by 4 h, testifying to the existence of a rapid disposal mechanism in vivo for cells with unpacked membranes as well as hypodiploid nuclei.
Generalized delaunay triangulations of non-convex domains

AkRraet--The Delaunay triangulation associated with a finite set S of points in the plane is a triangulation of the convex hull of S. Delaunay triangulations have been used in a number of computational methods, for example in Lagrangian fluid dynamics. In this paper, we discuss two natural generalizations of the notion of Delaunay triangulation to non-convex domains. We show that the two generalizations are equivalent, and describe a method for the construction of generalized Delaunay triangulations.
Neuroprotective Strategies in Alzheimer's Disease

In addition to strategies designed to decrease amyloid beta (Aβ) levels, it is likely that successful Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutic regimens will require the concomitant application of neuroprotective agents. Elucidation of pathophysiological processes occurring in AD and identification of the molecular targets mediating these processes point to potential high-yield neuroprotective strategies. Candidate neuroprotective agents include those that interact specifically with neuronal targets to inhibit deleterious intraneuronal mechanisms triggered by Aβ and other toxic stimuli. Strategies include creating small molecules that block Aβ interactions with cell surface and intracellular targets, down-regulate stress kinase signaling cascades, block activation of caspases and expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, and inhibit enzymes mediating excessive tau protein phosphorylation. Additional potential neuroprotective compounds include those that counteract loss of cholinergic function, promote the trophic state and plasticity of neurons, inhibit accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and block excitotoxicity. Certain categories of compounds, such as neurotrophins or neurotrophin small molecule mimetics, have the potential to alter neuronal signaling patterns such that several of these target actions might be achieved by a single agent.
Repetitive pure flowshop problem: a permutation approach

Abstract This paper is an effort to bridge the existing gap between theory and practice in sequential scheduling. One of the simplifying assumptions of the traditional flowshop problem that assumes ‘each job in the shop has to be processed at most once on a machine’ is relaxed. In a repetitive flowshop problem the jobs may be processed on the machines for more than once. The prevailed solution procedure for solving the problem is applying dispatch rules, which have a large number of combinations, and also do not provide a central scheduling scheme. In this paper, we present, for the first time, a new solution procedure for the problem that provides a permutation scheduling. The computational results for a set of problems compared to two SPT and FIFO dispatching rules, show the superiority of the new procedure by the higher frequency of better solutions, and resulting in smaller makespans.
Rotational Raman gain suppression in H2

Abstract We report measurements of rotational Raman gain suppression in H 2 in the transient regime. Quantitative information about the dependence of the amount of the gain suppression on the pump energy and the propagation angle relative to the pump beam is obtained from angularly resolved measurements of the small signal amplification. These measurements, along with qualitative observations of the Stokes spatial distribution under gain conditions, demonstrate that the gain suppression is confined to a narrow region around the phase matching angle for collimated beams with relatively low gain per unit length. For focused beams with higher gain per unit length the suppressed region can extend to the forward direction, resulting in a two- to three-fold estimated increase in the Raman threshold.
Multiphasic thyrotropin responses to thyroid hormone administration in man.

The magnitude and temporal pattern of serum TSH suppression after single or multiple doses of thyroid hormone (T3, T4, or triiodothyroacetic acid) were studied using third and fourth generation TSH assays (sensitivities, 0.01 and 0.001 mU/L, respectively). A constant T3 dose (263 micrograms i.v.) administered at a uniform clock time (1200 h) produced identical serum TSH suppression patterns, (percent of control TSH vs. hours) in euthyroid and hypothyroid subjects. The percent log TSH vs. log time plot revealed three temporally distinct linear suppression phases: phase 1, a rapid TSH suppression, onset 1 h and lasting for 10-20 h; phase 2, slower suppression, onset between 10 and 20 h and lasting for 6-8 weeks; and phase 3, an invariable low TSH level ( 0.9), despite different ...
Civil Society and Social Capital Beyond Putnam

Both civil society and social capital have proven useful heuristics for drawing attention to neglected nonmarket aspects of social reality and constitute a needed corrective to narrowly economistic models. However, both break down, although in different ways, when treated as the basis for elaborating testable hypotheses and further theory. Civil society is most useful in polemical or normative contexts, but attempts to distinguish it from other sectors of society typically break down in unresolvable boundary disputes over just what constitutes civil society and what differentiates it from “state” and “market.” Work by Robert Putnam and others has assimilated social capital to the civic culture model, using it as just another label for the norms and values of the empirical democratic theory of the 1950s. This strategy undermines the empirical value of James Coleman and Pierre Bourdieu's useful social relational concept.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA RECONCEPTUALIZED FROM A PSYCHOSOCIAL TRANSACTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Anorexia nervosa is conceptualized as a number of very different instrumental actions that occur within particular family contexts. Six psychosocial transactional patterns--negativistic, attention centering, distracting, childlike, attractive, and self-punishing--are identified. This psychosocial transactional perspective is proposed as an alternative to approaches that focus on the "psychopathology" of young female anorexics.
Dominance effects of deleterious and beneficial mutations in a single gene of the RNA virus ϕ6.

Most of our knowledge of dominance stems from studies of deleterious mutations. From these studies we know that most deleterious mutations are recessive, and that this recessivity arises from a hyperbolic relationship between protein function (i.e., protein concentration or activity) and fitness. Here we investigate whether this knowledge can be used to make predictions about the dominance of beneficial and deleterious mutations in a single gene. We employed a model system – the bacteriophage φ6 – that allowed us to generate a collection of mutations in haploid conditions so that it was not biased toward either dominant beneficial or recessive deleterious mutations. Screening for the ability to infect a bacterial host that does not permit infection by the wildtype φ6, we generated a collection of mutations in P3, a gene involved in attachment to the host and in phage particle assembly. The resulting collection contained mutations with both deleterious and beneficial effects on fitness. The deleterious mutations in our collection had additive effects on fitness and the beneficial mutations were recessive. Neither of these observations were predicted from previous studies of dominance. This pattern is not consistent with the hyperbolic (diminishing returns) relationship between protein function and fitness that is characteristic of enzymatic genes, but could have resulted from a curve of increasing returns.
Frequency content of normal and diabetic plantar pressure profiles: Implications for the selection of transducer sizes

How small do pressure transducers need to be in order to faithfully measure the plantar pressure profiles (PPPs) under normal and diabetic feet? In this study, pressures were collected from five diabetic and six non-diabetic subjects using a commercial measurement system with 25 mm2 transducers. Discrete Fourier Transform techniques were then used to determine (i) the spatial frequency content of diabetic and non-diabetic PPPs, and (ii) the effects of quadrupling the transducer area (from 5 mm × 5 mm to 10 mm × 10 mm). When the data were filtered to represent the effects of using 10 mm × 10 mm transducers, it was found that the ensuing reductions in peak pressure in the toe region (50 kPa) were significantly greater than in all other regions of the foot (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between pressure underestimations and measured peak pressures in the metatarsal regions. Based on data collected with 25 mm2 transducers it was concluded that transducer sizes greater than 6.36mm × 6.18 mm (medio-lateral and antero-posterior directions) would result in sub-optimal sampling of PPPs.
Tailored Core−Shell−Shell Nanostructures: Sandwiching Gold Nanoparticles between Silica Cores and Tunable Silica Shells

Size tunable and structure tailored core-shell-shell nanospheres containing silica cores, gold nanoparticle shells, and controlled thicknesses of smooth, corrugated, or porous silica shells over the gold nanoparticles have been synthesized. The synthesis involved the deposition of gold nanoparticles on silica cores, followed by sol-gel processing of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or sodium silicate to form dense or porous silica shells, respectively, over the gold nanoparticles. The structures and sizes of the resulting core-shell-shell nanospheres were found to heavily depend on the sizes of the core nanoparticles, the relative population of the gold nanoparticles on each core, and the concentration of TEOS. While a higher TEOS concentration resulted in thicker and more uniform silica shells around individual larger silica cores (approximately > or =250 nm in diameter), the same TEOS concentration resulted in aggregated and twin core-shell-shell nanostructures for smaller silica cores (approximately < or =110 nm in diameter). The thinner silica shells were synthesized by using a lower TEOS concentration. By using sodium silicate (Ung et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 1999, 103, 6770), the porous silica shells were synthesized. Controlled chemical etching of the core-shell-shell nanoparticles with an aqueous KCN solution resulted in corrugated silica shells around the gold nanoparticles or corrugated silica nanospheres with few or no gold nanoparticles. This has allowed synthesis of new types of core-shell-shell nanoparticles with tailored corrugated shells. The nanoporous silica shells provided accessible structures to the embedded metal nanoparticles as observed from the electrochemical response of the gold nanoparticles.
Stricture dilation after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Abstract Background In surgical treatment of morbid obesity, maintaining a restrictive anastomosis is key to long-range success. However, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) may result in gastrojejunal (GJ) stricture, requiring treatment in up to 27% of patients. Methods This is a retrospective review of the outcome of 223 consecutive LRYGB patients. Patients developing stricture received standard endoscopic balloon dilation by the same surgeon. Stricture and nonstricture groups were compared for excess body weight loss (EBWL) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results GJ stricture requiring dilation occurred in 38 patients (17%). After dilation all patients were relieved of stricture symptoms and none required revision. By 12 months, patients with stricture had an EBWL of 86% compared with nonstrictured patients at 75%. Conclusion Endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe and effective treatment option for GJ stricture. Improved weight loss occurred for patients with stricture requiring dilation.
Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis

Psychological effects of air ions have been reported for more than 80 years in the media and scientific literature. This study summarizes a qualitative literature review and quantitative meta-analysis, where applicable, that examines the potential effects of exposure to negative and positive air ions on psychological measures of mood and emotional state. A structured literature review was conducted to identify human experimental studies published through August, 2012. Thirty-three studies (1957–2012) evaluating the effects of air ionization on depression, anxiety, mood states, and subjective feelings of mental well-being in humans were included. Five studies on negative ionization and depression (measured using a structured interview guide) were evaluated by level of exposure intensity (high vs. low) using meta-analysis. Consistent ionization effects were not observed for anxiety, mood, relaxation/sleep, and personal comfort. In contrast, meta-analysis results showed that negative ionization, overall, was significantly associated with lower depression ratings, with a stronger association observed at high levels of negative ion exposure (mean summary effect and 95% confidence interval (CI) following high- and low-density exposure: 14.28 (95% CI: 12.93-15.62) and 7.23 (95% CI: 2.62-11.83), respectively). The response to high-density ionization was observed in patients with seasonal or chronic depression, but an effect of low-density ionization was observed only in patients with seasonal depression. However, no relationship between the duration or frequency of ionization treatment on depression ratings was evident. No consistent influence of positive or negative air ionization on anxiety, mood, relaxation, sleep, and personal comfort measures was observed. Negative air ionization was associated with lower depression scores particularly at the highest exposure level. Future research is needed to evaluate the biological plausibility of this association.
Effects of a 6‐week, co‐taught literacy unit on preservice special educators' literacy‐education knowledge

For special education preservice teachers to be prepared to assist students with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential in literacy, an innovative, co-taught literacy unit was implemented within existing methods courses. The intensive, 6-week unit was created to prepare all candidates in both mild interventions and severe interventions licensure programs to meet the literacy needs of diverse learners. The curriculum was designed around the National Reading Panel's five critical components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension) in addition to the topics of emergent literacy and writing. Pre- and posttests were administered, revealing a significant growth in participant knowledge related to literacy assessment and instruction. Implications for future efforts to improve literacy outcomes for students with disabilities by improving teachers' knowledge and skills related to literacy instruction are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The place of hunters in global conservation advocacy

Hunters consider themselves conservationists, but they also think of themselves as hunters first. Some environmentalists perceive this as a paradox. This hunting-conservation paradox is typically reconciled in very similar ways across the hunting world, and for many they do so through associational life. Specifically, the sustainable hunting model of governance is promoted by hunters; proponents argue that revenue from hunting increases the funding, and therefore efficacy, of conservation efforts at various scales. While conservation worldwide has benefitted tremendously by this governance, there have been variations in the levels of success of different expected social and economic outcomes. Such variation could be explored through greater incorporation of sustainable hunting in global conservation dialogue, while simultaneously broadening conservation advocacy worldwide. However, this does not typically occur due to low levels of trust, stemming from divides in values and styles of reasoning among various environmentalists and hunting advocates. This paper provides insight into such limitations and, hopefully, informs and encourages further dialogue to improve sustainable hunting governance worldwide and expand the breadth of global conservation advocacy
Rapid identification of multi-PTMs peptide sequence tags with a graph search approach

Identifying post-translational modifications (PTMs) is a big challenge for proteomics. Mass spectrometry is a popular tool for the identification of peptide sequence. Here we present a method for rapid identification of PTMs by mass spectrometry based on graph theory. The approach takes advantage of several possibility pair's values of corresponding Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS), and uses score function to screen candidate peptide sequences. We proposed the Pair Peak of Set (PPS) and used the most possibility mass of PPS as the root of graph tree, the rest ones are viewed as the reference node of graph. Our experiment on 2620 experimental MS/MS with two PTMs shows that our approach achieves better accuracy than PepNovo approaches with higher efficiency and it could deal with low quality PTMs data.
Somatic inactivation of the PHD2 prolyl hydroxylase causes polycythemia and congestive heart failure

Pharmacologic activation of the heterodimeric HIF transcription factor appears promising as a strategy to treat diseases, such as anemia, myocardial infarction, and stroke, in which tissue hypoxia is a prominent feature. HIF accumulation is normally linked to oxygen availability because an oxygen-dependent posttranslational modification (prolyl hydroxylation) marks the HIFα subunit for polyubiquitination and destruction. Three enzymes (PHD1, PHD2, and PHD3) capable of catalyzing this reaction have been identified, although PHD2 (also called Egln1) appears to be the primary HIF prolyl hydroxylase in cell culture experiments. We found that conditional inactivation of PHD2 in mice is sufficient to activate a subset of HIF target genes, including erythropoietin, leading to striking increases in red blood cell production. Mice lacking PHD2 exhibit premature mortality associated with marked venous congestion and dilated cardiomyopathy. The latter is likely the result of hyperviscosity syndrome and volume overload, although a direct effect of chronic, high-level HIF stimulation on cardiac myocytes cannot be excluded.
Strong bending of the DNA double helix

During the past decade, the issue of strong bending of the double helix has attracted a lot of attention. Here, we overview the major experimental and theoretical developments in the field sorting out reliably established facts from speculations and unsubstantiated claims. Theoretical analysis shows that sharp bends or kinks have to facilitate strong bending of the double helix. It remains to be determined what is the critical curvature of DNA that prompts the appearance of the kinks. Different experimental and computational approaches to the problem are analyzed. We conclude that there is no reliable evidence that any anomalous behavior of the double helix happens when DNA fragments in the range of 100 bp are circularized without torsional stress. The anomaly starts at the fragment length of about 70 bp when sharp bends or kinks emerge in essentially every molecule. Experimental data and theoretical analysis suggest that kinks may represent openings of isolated base pairs, which had been experimentally detected in linear DNA molecules. The calculation suggests that although the probability of these openings in unstressed DNA is close to 10(-5), it increases sharply in small DNA circles reaching 1 open bp per circle of 70 bp.
Community Colleges and Universities as Providers of Education and Training.

This study focused on the reasons why community colleges and universities are or are not used for corporate education and training of employees. An 83‐closed‐item survey instrument was sent to the chief executive officers of 494 manufacturing companies in three chamber of commerce service areas in a midwestern state. Overall, there was broader use of community colleges than of universities, and although companies were less than satisfied with the corporate education and training offered by community colleges, they were more satisfied with community college offerings than with those offered by universities. Community colleges need to focus on and strengthen their market niches of technical training, job‐ and skill‐related training, and seminars and workshops and further customize their training efforts. In general, institutions of higher education need to be attentive to company needs and sources of dissatisfaction with the corporate education and training provided to companies.
Pupillary reactivity to emotional stimuli in children of depressed and anxious mothers

Background: The primary aim of this study was to examine differences in physiological reactivity (measured via pupillometry) to emotional stimuli between children of depressed versus nondepressed mothers. A second goal was to examine differences in pupil dilation to emotional stimuli between children of anxious versus nonanxious mothers. Method: Participants included 117 mother–child pairs drawn from the community. Children were between the ages of 8 and 14. Pupil dilation was assessed using an eye-tracker while participants viewed angry, happy, or sad faces. Results: Children of mothers with a history of major depression (MDD) exhibited increased pupil dilation to sad, but not happy or angry, faces compared with children of nondepressed mothers. Second, we found that children of anxious mothers exhibited increased pupil dilation to angry, but not happy or sad, faces compared to youth of nonanxious mothers. Conclusions: The current findings add to the growing body of research suggesting that differences in physiological reactivity to depression- and anxiety-relevant cues may represent an important mechanism in the intergenerational transmission of MDD and anxiety. Keywords: Pupil dilation, vulnerability, depression, anxiety, intergenerational transmission.
A High Speed Multi-Channel Data Recorder To Replace Oscilloscope Data Acquisition Systems

We have developed and tested a photonic high speed analog data recording system that, when compared with conventional oscilloscope-based systems, offers greater economy, higher bandwidth, electrical isolation, and compactness. The basis of this approach is to record analog photonic signals rather than analog electrical signals. A key component is a prototype High Speed Multi-Channel Data Recorder (HSMCDR). It uses a picosecond streak camera with a digital readout to record multiple fiber-optic data channels, and a dedicated microcomputer to reduce and process that data. To record signals from analog electrical sensors, laser diode transmitters provide an interface to the HSMCDR. Interactive software written for the HSMCDR separates, calibrates, and plots up to 20 waveforms in the customary amplitude versus time format. We describe the HSMCDR, its performance, applications in pulsed power experiments, and its impact in diagnostic technology.
Building organic assemblies with 2-pyridone and dicarboxylic acids: relating molecular conformation and synthon stability to crystal structure

Abstract The syntheses and crystal structures of five cocrystals; 2-pyridone oxalic acid (2/1), 2-pyridone succinic acid (2/1), 2-pyridone adipic acid (2/1) dihydrate, 2-pyridone suberic acid (2/1), and 2-pyridone sebacic acid (2/1), are reported. The competition between two similar self-complementary hydrogen-bonded synthons (carboxylic acid and 2-pyridone) are examined systematically in this series of cocrystals. In each case, the crystal structure contains planar dimers of 2-pyridone which are bridged by a dicarboxylic acid via a combination of C–H ⋯ O and O–H ⋯ O hydrogen bonds to generate infinite 1-D ribbons. The orientation of these ribbons is determined by changes in molecular shape and conformational flexibility of the dicarboxylic acid.
Cloning and Optimization of a Nisin Biosynthesis Pathway for Bacteriocin Harvest

Nisin is an important antimicrobial peptide that has enormous applications in biotechnology. Despite many encouraging efforts, its overproduction has been a long-standing challenge due to the complexity of the underlying pathway and the difficulty in genetic modification of lactic acid bacteria. Here, we cloned an entire nisin biosynthesis pathway from a nisin-producing strain (Lactococcus lactis K29) into a plasmid and transplanted the plasmid into a nisin deficient strain Lactococcus lactis MG1363, resulting in successful heterologous expression of bioactive recombinant nisin. To increase nisin harvest, we also overexpressed nisA, a gene responsible for nisin precursor production, with a set of constitutive promoters. To further optimize nisin yield, we minimized the metabolic cost of the engineered strains by integrating nisA overexpression cassettes and the recombinant pathway into a single circuit. With our rational construction and optimization, our engineered optimized strain is able to produce bioactive nisin with a yield of 1098 IU/mL, which is more than six times higher than that of the original strain.