cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ecological drivers of bacterial community assembly in synthetic phycospheres

In the nutrient-rich region surrounding marine phytoplankton cells, heterotrophic bacterioplankton transform a major fraction of recently fixed carbon through the uptake and catabolism of phytoplankton metabolites. We sought to understand the rules by which marine bacterial communities assemble in these nutrient-enhanced phycospheres, specifically addressing the role of host resources in driving community coalescence. Synthetic systems with varying combinations of known exometabolites of marine phytoplankton were inoculated with seawater bacterial assemblages, and communities were transferred daily to mimic the average duration of natural phycospheres. We found that bacterial community assembly was predictable from linear combinations of the taxa maintained on each individual metabolite in the mixture, weighted for the growth each supported. Deviations from this simple additive resource model were observed but also attributed to resource-based factors via enhanced bacterial growth when host metabolites were available concurrently. The ability of photosynthetic hosts to shape bacterial associates through excreted metabolites represents a mechanism by which microbiomes with beneficial effects on host growth could be recruited. In the surface ocean, resource-based assembly of host-associated communities may underpin the evolution and maintenance of microbial interactions and determine the fate of a substantial portion of Earth's primary production.
Reflections from a Science Teacher Educator: Supporting Pre-service Teachers to Teach Science in a Contextualized Manner

The purpose of this chapter is to reflect on the promise and challenges to translate the research findings, presented in the empirical chapters, into the preparation of future science teachers, through the lens of a science teacher educator. In doing so, the author draws some themes about how some of these ideas can be implemented in training pre-service teachers and in shaping teacher education programs, mainly in the urban settings. The author views contextualization as a guiding framework to design and transform science methods courses. By utilizing a contextualization framework, we can develop our pre-service teachers’ understanding of what it means to learn science within context, allowing voice to their students (and their families). By including contextualization as a leveraging practice in teacher education programs, we can hope for a better scientifically literate generations of students, fulfilled teachers, and content families.
Estimation of available epinephrine dose in expired and discolored autoinjectors via quantitative smartphone imaging

Epinephrine autoinjectors (EAIs) are important first aid medications for treating anaphylaxis. A 10-fold price increase over the past 12 years and evidence that expired EAIs may still contain significant doses of available epinephrine have motivated interest in the efficacy of expired EAIs as treatments of last resort. Degradation of expired EAIs, which can be caused by improper storage conditions, results in various degrees of discoloration of the epinephrine solution. Previous studies have determined that significant epinephrine remains available in expired EAIs, but these have only considered EAIs that show no discoloration. Here, we investigate the potential for colorimetric estimation of available epinephrine dose based on the degree of discoloration in expired EAIs. The correlation of available epinephrine dose and time since expiration date was poor (r = − 0.37), as determined by an industry standard UHPLC protocol. Visible absorbance of the samples integrated across the range 430–475 nm correlated well with available epinephrine dose (r = − 0.71). This wavelength corresponds to the blue channel of a typical smartphone camera Bayer filter. Smartphone camera images of the EAI solutions in various illumination conditions were analyzed to assign color indices representing the degree of discoloration. Color index of the samples showed similar correlation (|r| > 0.7) with available epinephrine dose as that of visible spectrophotometry. Smartphone imaging colorimetry is proposed as a potential point-of-use epinephrine dose estimator for expired and degraded EAIs.
An unusual late presentation of anti-NMDA Receptor (NMDA-R) Autoimmune Encephalitis following Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Encephalitis (P2.2-014)

Objective: To present a case of anti-NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis with atypical demographics and subtle clinical symptoms nine months after herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis. Background: HSV encephalitis has been reported to be followed by anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with the seroconversion rate up to 30 percent. Symptoms of NMDA-R encephalitis typically present within two months of initial onset of HSV infection and usually include mood disorder, psychosis and seizures.. Design/Methods: Case report. Results: a 74 year-old woman presented with confusion, fever and seizures in November 2017, diagnosed with HSV encephalitis. She was treated with 21-days of acyclovir, then discharged on levetiracetam, with apparent recovery. She re-presented in September 2018 with new-onset auditory hallucinations and mood changes, in the absence of prior psychiatric history. Auditory hallucinations featured complex, well-formed sounds and voices rather than simple auditory phenomena. She had full insight into the unrealistic nature of her hallucinations. She exhibited depressed mood with no other psychotic symptoms. MRI showed stable post HSV encephalitic changes. V-EEG monitoring showed left temporal periodic lateralizing epileptiform discharges (PLEDs); no electrographic seizure activity correlated with the events of auditory hallucinations. Initial CSF analysis was unremarkable; an autoimmune CSF panel was pending at the time of discharge. Her discharge diagnosis was depression with psychotic features and levetiracetam had been changed to oxcarbazepine secondary to mood symptoms. The patient presented three weeks later, with persistent auditory hallucinations. In the interim, CSF had returned positive for NMDA-R antibody. Surveillance MRI ruled out possible underlying malignancy. She was readmitted and treated with intravenous methyl-prednisone for five days; her status as a Jehovah’s Witness precluded treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin or plasmapharesis. Nonetheless, she experienced significant resolution of her symptoms, sustained at outpatient follow-up two weeks after discharge. Conclusions: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis following HSV encephalitis can present several months later in elderly with unusually mild psychotic symptoms. Disclosure: Dr. Ewida has nothing to disclose. Dr. Laxton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lou has nothing to disclose. Dr. Suryadevara has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sanders has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with PsyBar, Dane Street, Professional Disability Associates, and Academic Insurance.
Probing Membrane Protein Association Using Concentration-Dependent Number and Brightness

We introduce concentration-dependent number and brightness (cdN&B), a fluorescence fluctuation technique that can be implemented on a standard confocal microscope and can report on the thermodynamics of membrane protein association in the native plasma membrane. It uses transient transfection to enable measurements of oligomer size as a function of receptor concentration over a broad range, yielding the association constant. We discuss artifacts in cdN&B that are concentration-dependent and can distort the oligomerization curves, and we outline procedures that can correct for them. Using cdN&B, we characterize the association of neuropilin 1 (NRP1), a protein that plays a critical role in the development of the embryonic cardiovascular and nervous systems. We show that NRP1 associates into a tetramer in a concentration-dependent manner, and we quantify the strength of the association. This work demonstrates the utility of cdN&B as a powerful tool in biophysical chemistry.
The importance of pregnancy planning in lupus pregnancies

ObjectiveIn seeking new approaches to improve lupus pregnancy outcomes, we study the association between pregnancy planning, behaviors recommended by American College of Rheumatology’s Reproductive...
A role for Gcn5 in heterochromatin structure, gene silencing and NER at the HML locus in budding yeast

Histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 plays an important role in transcription activation, DNA replication-coupled nucleosome assembly and nucleotide excision repair (NER). However, its functions on the heterochromatin are unexplored. Here, we find that removal of Gcn5 leads to more condensed heterochromatin structure, as revealed by topology analysis of HML circles. Importantly, the altered heterochromatin structure is restored by re-expression of Gcn5 in the gcn5{Delta} cells. As a result of the more compact heterochromatin, gene silencing at the HML locus is increased and NER efficiency at HML is impaired in the absence of Gcn5. Interestingly, while the association of SIR complex with HML is enhanced in cells lacking Gcn5, the altered compaction of HML heterochromatin is also observed due to the deletion of Gcn5 from Sir- cells. These findings reveal a role of Gcn5 in the regulation of heterochromatin structure, gene silencing and NER efficiency at the heterochromatic HML locus in yeast.
Abstract 850: Multivitamin use and risk of overall and site-specific cancer in the National Institutes of Health - AARP Diet and Health Study

Although multivitamins are among the most commonly used supplements in the U.S., their effectiveness in preventing cancer and other chronic diseases is unclear. To help address this uncertainty, we prospectively investigated the association between multivitamin use and risk of overall and site-specific cancer in 489,640 participants enrolled in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - AARP Diet and Health Study. We defined site-specific cancers using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) incidence and the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology coding (3rd ed.). Multivitamin use was assessed by questionnaire at baseline and categorized as never, 1 per day. Cox proportional hazards regression models of multivitamin use estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) that adjusted for multiple potential confounders including gender, age, body mass index, smoking status, and Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) score. We observed no association between increasing multivitamin use and overall cancer risk (HRs 1.0 (reference, never use) 0.94, 0.96, 1.01, 1.00; trend P-value=0.42). Multivitamin use was, however, inversely associated with colon cancer risk: HR=0.79, 95% CI=0.70-0.89 (trend P-value 1 multivitamin daily compared with never users, a finding that was identical in men and women (HR=0.79, 95% CI=0.68-0.92 and HR=0.79, 95% CI=0.65-0.95, respectively). Although there were some additional suggestive findings (e.g., for oropharyngeal cancer and leukemia), multivitamin use was not associated with the risk of cancer of the breast, prostate, or lung. In this study that comprehensively evaluated multivitamin use in relation to the risk of overall and site-specific malignancies in both men and women, we found little evidence to support beneficial associations, with the exception of colon cancer risk in both sexes. Citation Format: Jungeun Lim, Stephanie J. Weinstein, Linda M. Liao, Jiaqi Huang, Demetrius Albanes. Multivitamin use and risk of overall and site-specific cancer in the National Institutes of Health - AARP Diet and Health Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 850.
Pan-cancer HLA Gene-mediated Tumor Immunogenicity and Immune Evasion

Abstract Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) expression contributes to the activation of anti-tumor immunity through interactions with T cell receptors. However, pan-cancer HLA-mediated immunogenicity and immunoediting mechanisms has not been systematically studied. In a retrospective analysis of 33 tumor types from the Cancer Genome Atlas, we uncovered HLA class I and class II differential expression, which outperformed traditional clinical metrics in predicting patient survival. We also characterized the distribution of HLA supertypes across cancers and showed that patients with high HLA allelic diversity and gene expression had better prognosis. Immune microenvironments with varied survival outcomes could be predicted using a neural network model trained on HLA expression data. Furthermore, we identified a subset of tumors which upregulated HLA class I but not class II genes and exploited HLA-mediated escape strategies. Our results suggest the potential of using HLA expression data to predict patient prognosis. Taken together, we emphasize the crucial role of HLA upregulation in shaping prolonged anti-tumor immunity. Synopsis In a retrospective analysis of 11080 patients of 33 TCGA cancer types, we showed HLA class I and class II differential expression shape various immune microenvironments and tumor immunoediting mechanisms, predicting tumor immunogenicity and patient survival.
Alteration of Membrane Compositional Asymmetry by LiCoO2 Nanosheets.

Given the projected massive presence of redox-active nanomaterials in the next generation of consumer electronics and electric vehicle batteries, they are likely to eventually come in contact with cell membranes, with biological consequences that are currently not known. Here, we present nonlinear optical studies showing that lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide nanosheets carrying a negative ζ-potential have no discernible consequences for lipid alignment and interleaflet composition in supported lipid bilayers formed from zwitterionic and negatively charged lipids. In contrast, lithiated and delithiated LiCoO2 nanosheets having positive and neutral ζ-potentials, respectively, alter the compositional asymmetry of the two membrane leaflets, and bilayer asymmetry remains disturbed even after rinsing. The insight that some cobalt oxide nanoformulations induce alterations to the compositional asymmetry in idealized model membranes may represent an important step toward assessing the biological consequences ...
An Approach to Ventilator-Dependent Neonates with Arthrogryposis

Objective. To identify the clinical factors and/or test results necessary to determine the diagnosis and prognosis for a group of neonates who presented with respiratory insufficiency and multiple contractures. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of medical records and identified 15 newborns over a 10-year period (1980 through 1990) who had arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and required ventilator support at birth. We designed a 104 item data base to record clinical information; this was subsequently analyzed using the Clinfo data base program for statistical analysis. Results. Fourteen of the 15 patients died. Of the fourteen, 13 were electively extubated after a variable time course (2 hours to 64 days). Autopsies performed on all 14 revealed an approximately equal distribution of central nervous system (CNS) malformations, peripheral neuropathies, and peripheral myopathies as the etiology. The single survivor had myasthenia gravis. Conclusion. In neonates with arthrogryposis, ventilator dependence at birth carries a poor prognosis. Prenatal factors that potentially predict respiratory insufficiency for the fetus with arthrogryposis include decreased fetal movements, polyhydramnios, micrognathia, and thin ribs. The combination of a thorough physical examination and radiographic and neuromuscular studies may not result in a specific diagnosis, but it can indicate whether the abnormality is in the CNS, peripheral nerves or muscles. Before elective withdrawal of ventilatory support, an edrophonium chloride challenge test should be performed to rule out myasthenia gravis.
SIV encephalitis lesions are composed of CD163(+) macrophages present in the central nervous system during early SIV infection and SIV-positive macrophages recruited terminally with AIDS.

Macrophage recruitment to the central nervous system (CNS) during AIDS pathogenesis is poorly understood. We measured the accumulation of brain perivascular (CD163 + ) and inflammatory (MAC387 + ) macrophages in SIV-infected monkeys. Monocyte progenitors were 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeled in bone marrow, and CNS macrophages were labeled serially with fluorescent dextrans injected into the cisterna magna. MAC387 + macrophages accumulated in the meninges and choroid plexus in early inflammation and in the perivascular space and SIV encephalitis (SIVE) lesions late. CD163 + macrophages accumulated in the perivascular space and SIVE lesions with late inflammation. Most of the BrdU + cells were MAC387 + ; however, CD163 + BrdU + macrophages were present in the meninges and choroid plexus with AIDS. Most (81.6% ± 1.8%) of macrophages in SIVE lesions were present in the CNS before SIVE lesion formation. There was a 2.9-fold increase in SIVp28 + macrophages entering the CNS late compared with those entering early ( P + macrophage recruitment to the CNS inversely correlated with time to death ( P + macrophage recruitment ( P = 0.02). Most perivascular macrophages that comprise SIVE lesions and multinucleated giant cells are present in the CNS early, before SIVE lesions are formed. Most SIV-infected macrophages traffic to the CNS terminally with AIDS.
Relationship of abnormal heart rate turbulence and elevated CRP to cardiac mortality in low, intermediate, and high-risk older adults.

Introduction We examined whether heart rate turbulence (HRT) adds to traditional risk factors for cardiac mortality in older adults at low, intermediate and high risk.
Phase Gates With Four-Level Inverted-Y System

The four-level atomic system in inverted-Y configuration is investigated for large Kerr-nonlinearities. The cross-Kerr nonlinearities generated in such system can produce phase-shifts of order pi and can be used for realizing polarization quantum phase gates
Shift share analysis of change in occupational sex composition

Abstract Studies of economic restructuring frequently use two-dimensional shift share analysis to isolate components of change in labor market categories of theoretical interest. This paper adapts the shift share technique to the analysis of change in occupational sex composition. The adaptation relies on a three-dimensional data array and discusses issues of hierarchically ordering the dimensions. Sex composition change is decomposed by first isolating surplus or deficit occupational change for one sex, and then decomposing the surplus/deficit into constituent components. The model is demonstrated using Current Population Survey data for 1973 and 1987.
Ingestion, Elimination, Sex, and Song: Trickster as Premodern Avatar of Postmodern Research Practice

In this article, I argue that the mythological figure of the Trickster may be read as a premodern avatar of postmodern research practice or what Denzin and Lincoln called the sixth and seventh mome...
Thermodynamics elucidation of the structural stability of a thermophilic protein

Abstract The structural stability of the protein, phycocyanin isolated from two strains of cyanophyta, Synechococcus lividus (thermophile) and Phormidium luridum (mesophile), are investigated by comparative thermal and denaturant unfolding, using differential scanning calorimetry, visible absorption spectrophotometry, and circular dichroism. The thermophilic protein exhibits a much higher temperature and enthalpy of unfolding from the native to the denatured state. The concentration of urea at half-completion of thermal unfolding is essentially the same between the thermophilic and mesophilic proteins; in contrast, the corresponding temperature and the enthalpy of thermal unfolding are much higher for the thermophilic protein. In addition, the concentration of urea at which the non-thermal (denaturant) unfolding of protein is half-completed, as detected by either circular dichroism or absorption spectroscopy, is significantly higher in the thermophilic protein, while the apparent free energy of unfolding only shows a moderate difference between the two proteins. The distinct differences in the enthalpy of thermal unfolding and the free energy of denaturant unfolding are interpreted in terms of a significant entropy change associated with the unfolding of these proteins. This entropy contribution is much higher in the thermophilic protein, and may be derived from its more rigid overall structure that possesses higher internal hydrophobicity and stronger internal packing.
Impact of location inconsistencies on geographic routing in wireless networks

Recently, geographic routing in wireless networks has gained attention due to several advantages of location information. Location information eliminates the necessity to set up and maintain explicit routes. These advantages allow scalability especially in dynamic and unstable wireless networks. However, no matter which technologies or techniques a location system uses, its measurements will have some amount of quantifiable inaccuracy depending on environment and system. These inaccuracies may affect the performance and even correctness of geographic routing. However, thus far, these impacts have not been studied in-depth. In this paper, we analyze the impact of location inaccuracy on geographic routing. Our study shows the significant impact of location inaccuracy on the performance of geographic routing in terms of packet drops, non-optimal paths and routing loops.
Effect of pressure on the magnetic properties of LiCuFe and LiCuFe@LiNiCr Prussian blue analogues

Abstract Magnetic studies on the Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) Li x Cu y [Fe(CN) 6 ] z · m H 2 O (LiCuFe–PBA) and Li j Ni k [Cr(CN) 6 ] l · n H 2 O (LiNiCr–PBA), as well as LiCuFe@LiNiCr–PBA core–shell heterostructures, have been conducted under pressures ranging from ambient to ≈1.4 GPa and at temperatures of 2–90 K. The results for the single component CuFe–PBA indicate robust magnetic properties under the range of pressures studied where a T c = 20 K was observed at all pressures. Our pressure studies of single component NiCr–PBA are consistent with previously published results by other workers below 1.0 GPa. However, at pressures above 1.0 GPa, the decrease in magnetization is accompanied by a decrease in the T c , an indication of changes in the superexchange value. The results obtained with the single component samples can be mapped onto the observations of the heterostructures.
Diagenetic Stability of Temperature-Sensitive Skeletal Properties in Mytilus from the Pleistocene of California

Skeletal structure, strontium and magnesium content, and mineralogy of the pelecypod Mytilus have been shown to vary with growth temperature and salinity. Based on these skeletal properties, paleotemperatures were determined from fossil specimens of Mytilus from five Pleistocene exposures along the Pacific coast. Paleotemperatures determined by the various methods do not always agree, suggesting that diagenesis has differentially modified some of the skeletal properties. As skeletal structure is not easily destroyed by diagenesis, skeletal-structure paleotemperatures can be used to evaluate the extent of alteration of shell chemistry and mineralogy. Strontium content appears to be altered at only one of the sites studied. A small amount of conversion of aragonite to calcite seems to have occurred. Oxygen isotopic composition was also determined for a sample from each locality. When used in conjunction with paleotemperatures determined by the other methods, oxygen isotopic composition of the samples can be used to determine the δO18 value of the water in which the shell grew, yielding information on paleoclimatic conditions. Paleotemperatures for all late Pleistocene localities are near present-day surface water temperature values for the nearby ocean. The paleotemperature data and oxygen isotope data suggest an interglacial origin for all late Pleistocene localities. The strontium content and δO18 value for the early Pleistocene (upper Merced Formation) locality indicate a lower temperature and slightly reduced salinity.
Platinum‐based combination chemotherapy in non‐small cell lung carcinoma

A series of 35 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of cis-diamminedichloro platinum (II), Adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate and vincristine. The objective response rate was 37.1% and the overall median survival 52.8 weeks. Notable toxicity was infrequent and reversible. Although the investigators have obtained higher response rates with other platinum-based combination chemotherapies, the present regimen appears superior in that other regimens fail to yield superior survival times while consistently inducing more severe toxicity.
Metabolism of aspartame and its l-phenylalanine methyl ester decomposition product by the porcine gut☆

The intestinal metabolism of aspartame (N-l-α-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester; APM) and its l-phenylalanine methyl ester (PME) decomposition product was evaluated in six young pigs. Equimolar doses (2.5 mmol/kg body weight) of APM, PME, and l-phenylalanine (PHE) administered to the proximal jejunum produced similar increases in portal blood PHE concentrations. Methanol, nondetectable in portal blood after PHE ingestion, increased markedly after administration of either APM or PME. Portal blood aspartate concentrations were unchanged after PME and PHE administration, but increased significantly after APM administration. Increases in portal blood PHE concentrations were significantly greater than were increases in aspartate concentrations following APM administration. Neither APM, PME, nor aspartyl-phenylalanine (AspPhe) were detected in portal or vena caval blood following administration of any test compound. Steady-state perfusion of the small intestine with APM showed a net intraluminal appearance rate of AspPhe at 36% of the disappearance rate of APM. During steady-state PME perfusion, PHE had a significantly greater net appearance rate than during APM perfusion. Methanol appearance rates were slightly, but not significantly, higher during PME than during APM perfusions. The data suggest that (1) APM is hydrolyzed to AspPhe and both APM and PME are hydrolyzed to their constituent amino acids and methanol prior to entering the portal circulation; (2) AspPhe is an important intraluminal intermediate in aspartame metabolism; and (3) aspartate is rapidly metabolized by the enterocyte.
Flutter Prediction Involving Trailing-Edge Control Surfaces

AFLUTTER incident occurred during flight testing of the T-46A that was not predicted by analyses. The flutter mode consisted largely of wing bending and aileron rotation. Further calculations showed that the predicted effectiveness of the trailing-edge control surfaces had to be decreased in order to accurately predict flutter. Contents An unexpected flutter incident occurred during flight flutter testing of the T-46A jet trainer. The static unbalance of the ailerons had been changed in order to avoid a flutter mode predicted by analyses, and the intention was to fly up to 200 knots and excite the plane via stick raps. At approximately 205 knots, the pilot displaced the stick to excite the ailerons; this action was enough to induce flutter. Onboard measuring equipment showed oscillations of approximately 8 Hz. The flutter mode apparently involved the first bending mode of the wing coupling with an aileron rotation mode. The pilot was able to slow the plane quickly, and flutter stopped at approximately 150 knots. For this effort, the experimental flutter speed was assumed to be 150 knots. The T-46A is interesting to the dynamicist and the flutter analyst. The ailerons are not directly connected to the stick and are not connected to each other. Instead, they are supported by soft springs and driven by a small tab at the trailing edge of each aileron. The tabs are, in turn, connected to the stick via a cable arrangement. The result is that ailerons are quite free to move independently, and also that the first vibrational mode of the aircraft is the symmetrical aileron rotation mode at about 1.8 Hz. The next two modes both involve large amounts of wing bending and occur at about 8.2 and 8.9 Hz, respectively. The proximity of an aileron rotation mode and wing bending modes is unusual in an age of aircraft whose control surfaces are driven by very stiff electrical or hydraulic actuators. Military requirements state that aircraft must be free of flutter up to 115% of the design limit speed. The limit speed of 400 knots for the T-46 meant that the plane had to be free of flutter up to 460 knots. Analyses performed prior to the flight test in question indicated that a 33 Hz mode was present below 460 knots for aileron mass balance values above about 58%; 58% mass balance in this case means that weight was added ahead of the hinge line to equal 58% of the static unbalance of the aileron. These analyses also predicted an 8
Baffin Bay: Present-day analog of the central Arctic during late Pliocene to mid-Pleistocene time

Olive-green and olive-gray “glacial marine” sandy clays with rare planktonic foraminifera, dominated by a euryhaline and eurytherm species, blanket the northern Baffin Bay floor today. These sediments are analogous to those of the central Arctic Basin deposited between ∼3 and ∼0.9 m.y. ago. While today the central Arctic is covered with perennial sea ice, during part of the Gauss and most of the Matuyama epochs (unit II), hydrological conditions were very similar to those in northern Baffin Bay today—generally ice-free year round. These data lend support to the hypothesis of an ice-free Arctic during late Pliocene to mid-Pleistocene time.
Outcome after traumatic brain injury: effects of aging on recovery.

Abstract Testa JA, Malec JF, Moessner AM, Brown AW. Outcome after traumatic brain injury: effects of aging on recovery. Objective To identify differences in outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared with orthopedic injuries as a function of age. Design Longitudinal data analyses from an inception cohort. Setting Outpatient rehabilitation program. Participants Eighty-two orthopedic injury patients and 195 TBI patients. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Independent living, employment, and level of functioning 1 to 2 years after injury. Results Older patients and those with TBI were more likely to have increased dependence postinjury. Older TBI patients were more likely to have changes in employment status compared with orthopedic injury patients younger or TBI. The Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory and Disability Rating Scale were moderately predictive of level of functioning, return to employment, and independent living status 1 to 2 years postinjury. Injury severity was only mildly predictive of outcome. Conclusions The effect of age on outcome affects recovery from neurologic injuries and, to a lesser extent, orthopedic injuries. Outcome after TBI is best predicted by patients' age and estimates of level of function at discharge. Findings suggest that older patients and those with TBI have a greater likelihood of becoming physically and financially dependent on others. Rehabilitation efforts should focus on maximizing levels of independence to limit financial and emotional costs to patients and their families.
Energetics of cation mixing in urania-ceria solid solutions with stoichiometric oxygen concentrations.

Cation mixing energetics in urania–ceria solid solutions with stoichiometric oxygen concentrations (U1−yCeyO2) have been measured by high-temperature oxide-melt drop-solution calorimetry. Measurements have been performed on eight samples with compositions spanning y = 0.119 to y = 0.815. The measured mixing enthalpies (ΔHmix) range from −0.6 ± 3.3 to 3.9 ± 3.0 kJ mol−1. These values are discussed in the context of results from atomistic modeling which take into consideration the possibility of charge transfer between uranium and cerium cations to form solid solutions with mixed charge states. A comparison between measured and calculated results for ΔHmix suggests that such charge transfer takes place to a limited extent in the most concentrated mixtures studied.
Open-renal biopsy in uremic patient

Abstract Results of 100 consecutive open-renal biopsy examinations are presented. In each case adequate tissue was obtained for light, fluorescent, and electron microscopy. In the nonuremic patient the mortality rate was 0 per cent; however, when azotemia had been poorly controlled or when such factors as abnormal bleeding tendencies complicated the patient's course, the mortality rate was as high as 4 per cent. To minimize the incidence of complications, paraoperative precautions relating to the uremic patient are outlined.
Anesthetic management of children with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Summary Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with significant perioperative risk for major complications, including pulmonary hypertensive crisis and cardiac arrest. Several mechanisms of hemodynamic deterioration, including acute increases in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), alterations of ventricular contractility and function and coronary hypoperfusion can contribute to morbidity. Anesthetic drugs exert a variety of effects on PVR, some of which are beneficial and some undesirable. The goals of balanced and cautious anesthetic management are to provide adequate anesthesia and analgesia for the surgical procedure while minimizing increases in PVR and depression of myocardial function. The development of specific pulmonary vasodilators has led to significant advances in medical therapy of PAH that can be incorporated in anesthetic management. It is important that anesthesiologists caring for children with PAH be aware of the increased risk, understand the pathophysiology of PAH, form an appropriate anesthetic management plan and be prepared to treat a pulmonary hypertensive crisis.
An implicit multidomain spectral collocation method for stiff highly non-linear fluid dynamics problems

Abstract An implicit, multidomain, Chebyshev spectral collocation technique for solving highly non-linear stiff problems is presented. First, the accuracy and efficiency of the explicit—implicit Adams—Bashforth Crank—Nicolson (ABCN) and the implicit Crank—Nicolson (CN) methods in obtaining solutions to the Burgers equation are compared. Then, the implicit CN scheme is used to solve the highly non-linear Reynolds equation of lubrication for a gas bearing separating two textured surfaces. Surface texture is approximated by fifty sinusoidal waves each of which is assigned a separate subdomain. An additional subdomain is used to resolve the trailing edge boundary layer. The combined method is shown to be well suited for the simulation of highly non-linear phenomena that exhibit high frequency spatial variations in the desired solution and that possess very sharp interior or boundary layers.
Automated Knowledge Acquisition in a Neural Network–Based Decision Support System for Incomplete Database Systems

: A neural network–based decision support system has been designed and simulated to be used as a filter to improve the system performance of large incomplete databases enhanced with maybe algebra. To train the network, a knowledge-acquisition module equipped with a fuzzy logic technique was used to automatically generate a set of training pairs according to the semantics of the underlying database, the specific characteristics of the user query, and user requirements. Based on the notion of relative graded membership, a fuzzy logic–based controller was used to monitor and measure the quality of each training pattern as a means to generate a set of “good” training pairs. Finally, the proposed scheme has been simulated and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the automatic training pairs generation process.
Protein Kinase D Isoforms Are Activated in an Agonist-specific Manner in Cardiomyocytes *

Protein kinase D (PKD) exists as a family of structurally related enzymes that are activated through similar phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms involving protein kinase C (PKC). While individual PKD isoforms could in theory mediate distinct biological functions, previous studies identify a high level of functional redundancy for PKD1 and PKD2 in various cellular contexts. This study shows that PKD1 and PKD2 are activated in a stimulus-specific manner in neonatal cardiomyocytes. The α1-adrenergic receptor agonist norepinephrine selectively activates PKD1, thrombin and PDGF selectively activate PKD2, and endothelin-1 and PMA activate both PKD1 and PKD2. PKC activity is implicated in the α1-adrenergic receptor pathway that activates PKD1 and the thrombin- and PDGF-dependent pathways that activate PKD2. Endothelin-1 activates PKD via both rapid PKC-dependent and more sustained PKC-independent mechanisms. The functional consequences of PKD activation were assessed by tracking phosphorylation of CREB and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), two physiologically relevant PKD substrates in cardiomyocytes. We show that overexpression of an activated PKD1-S744E/S748E transgene increases CREB-Ser133 and cTnI-Ser23/Ser24 phosphorylation, but agonist-dependent pathways that activate native PKD1 or PKD2 selectively increase CREB-Ser133 phosphorylation; there is no associated increase in cTnI-Ser23/Ser24 phosphorylation. Gene silencing studies provide unanticipated evidence that PKD1 down-regulation leads to a compensatory increase in PKD2 activity and that down-regulation of PKD1 (alone or in combination with PKD2) leads to an increase in CREB-Ser133 phosphorylation. Collectively, these studies identify distinct roles for native PKD1 and PKD2 enzymes in stress-dependent pathways that influence cardiac remodeling and the progression of heart failure.
Effect of substrate temperature on opto-electrical properties of Nb-doped In2O3 thin films

Abstract Highly conducting and transparent Nb-doped In 2 O 3 thin films were deposited on quartz substrate using pulsed laser deposition technique. The effect of substrate temperature on structural, electrical and optical properties was studied. The XRD results show that the films grown at low temperature are amorphous, while the films grown at higher temperature are crystalline. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that films are very smooth with root mean square roughness of 2.1 nm. The conductivity and mobility of the films increase with increase in the substrate temperature. The resistivity and mobility of the films grown at 600 °C are 9.16×10 −5 Ω cm and 85 cm 2 /V s, respectively. The transparency of the films is seen to largely depend on the growth temperature. The transparency and band gap are found varying between 62–84% and 3.52–3.82 eV, respectively, for various temperatures.
Membrane Localization of TRAF 3 Enables JNK Activation

Members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family as well as other receptors achieve their diverse biological effects through the activation of intracellular signals including the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Such signals are believed to be delivered through mediators known as TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAFs). Although the N-terminal zinc finger region of TRAFs has been shown to be essential for downstream signaling, there is no indication yet as to the nature of its role or of the factors that distinguish the N terminus of TRAF 3, which does not activate JNK in the systems examined thus far, from those of other TRAFs, which do activate this pathway. In the present study, it is shown that, among the known TRAFs, localization to the insoluble cell pellet fraction consistently correlates with JNK activation and that both characteristics map to the TRAF N terminus. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that forced localization of TRAF 3 to the cell membrane is sufficient to convert this molecule into an activator of JNK. This suggests that one of the roles of the TRAF N terminus may be to participate in interactions that promote the recruitment of TRAFs to the membrane and that this localization effect plays an important role in TRAF-mediated JNK activation.
Use of Amniostat-FLM in detecting the presence of phosphatidylglycerol in vaginal pool samples in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: The presence of phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid from the vaginal pool has been established as a reliable marker of pulmonary maturity in pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes because its presence is not affected by contaminants. This study was undertaken to determine the distribution of positive phosphatidylglycerol relative to gestational age from vaginal pool amniotic fluid samples and to assess the efficacy and accuracy of the Amniostat-FLM (Hana Biologies; Irvine Scientific after Sept. 14, 1989), an antibody agglutination method for rapidly detecting phosphatidylglycerol. Study design: All singleton nondiabetic pregnancies between 26 and 36 weeks with premature rupture of membranes from whom a vaginal pool sample was obtained were studied. The percent positive by gestational age was analyzed. The neonates that were delivered with a positive phosphatidylglycerol were evaluated for the presence of hyaline membrane disease and other immediate sequelae of prematurity. Results: Of the 201 vaginal pool amniotic fluid samples assayed for phosphatidylglycerol with the Amniostat-FLM procedure, 18% (36/201) were positive for phosphatidylglycerol and none of the delivered infants developed hyaline membrane disease. Conclusion: The Amniostat-FLM seems to be accurate in predicting pulmonary maturity from vaginal pool samples.
Further studies on the inhibition of cellular protein synthesis by vesicular stomatitis virus.

Abstract After infection of L cells by vesicular stomatitis virus, the rate of protein synthesis steadily declines. Simultaneously, polysomes disaggregate and 80 S ribosomes accumulate. Transit time studies indicate that the average rate of polypeptide chain elongation is virtually identical for infected and uninfected cells. Cellular mRNAs remain intact and potentially functional in infected cells, as determined by their ability to be translated into cellular proteins in nuclease-treated reticulocyte lysates. More template activity is present in infected cells than in uninfected cells as a result of the presence of viral mRNAs in infected cells. Extracts from infected L cells translate their endogenous mRNAs less efficiently than do comparable extracts from uninfected cells. Nuclease-treated extracts from infected cells also show a lesser ability to translate given amounts of exogenous L cell or vesicular stomatitis virus mRNAs than do comparable extracts from uninfected cells. This observation suggests that the translation of both cellular and viral mRNAs is affected equally by the lesion induced in the cell by virus infection. The lesion appears to act at the level of initiation of protein synthesis and results in an underutilization of the total template activity present in infected cells.
Morphology and Properties of Thermoplastic Sugar Beet Pulp and Poly(butylene adipate-co-terepthalate) Blends

In this work, sugar beet pulp (SBP), the residue remaining after sugar extraction, was first turned into a thermoplastic-like compound by extrusion in the presence of water and glycerol. The resulting thermoplastic SBP (TSBP) was then blended with poly(butylene adipate-co-terepthalate) (PBAT) and extruded into sheets in a single process. The effects of polymeric diphenyl methane diisocyanate (pMDI) as compatibilizer and TSBP content on rheological properties, phase morphology, mechanical properties, and water absorption of the extruded sheets were studied. In comparison, dried SBP powder was also blended with PBAT by extrusion. It was found that when SBP was used as a plastic in compounding, it yielded blends with much finer dispersion of the SBP phase than when SBP was used as a filler in compounding. The dispersion of SBP in the blends was greatly improved with the addition of pMDI. The PBAT/SBP blends with fine phase morphology showed enhanced mechanical properties and moisture resistance.
Microscopic calculation of spin waves in antiferromagnetically coupled multilayers: Nonreciprocity and finite-size effects.

We present a calculation of spin waves in coupled multilayered structures that is based on exact evaluation of both exchange and dipolar fields. We compare our results with earlier continuum treatments. The ground-state spin configuration in antiferromagnetically coupled multilayers can differ significantly from the uniformly canted ground state usually assumed. This nonuniform ground state is found to alter radically the character of the spin-wave modes and sometimes lead to a strong localization of the wave to the outermost magnetic films of the multilayer. In addition, we examine the validity of effective-medium theory---a continuum theory---and find that it does not completely describe spin-wave excitations in finite antiferromagnetically coupled multilayers. Finally, the spin-wave frequencies are found to be nonreciprocal with respect to propagation direction for most directions, i.e., \ensuremath{\omega}(q)\ensuremath{\ne}\ensuremath{\omega}(-q) where q is the propagation wave vector. This nonreciprocal behavior is explained from basic symmetry considerations. Again, the nonreciprocity is not properly described within effective-medium theory.
Sewage Sludge and Mycorrhizal Effects on Secar Bluebunch Wheatgrass in Mine Spoil

Establishing vegetation on mine spoil often requires amendments to supply nutrients and microorganisms to re-establish attributes associated with developed soil. Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and composted sewage sludge (CSS) were evaluated as possible minespoil amendments to create a topsoil substitute for revegetation of the Midnite Mine, Stevens County, Washington. Most original topsoil was buried and existing spoil is low in nutrients and organic matter and not capable of supporting desired vegetation. Secar bluebunch wheatgrass [Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love x Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould] was grown in nonsterile spoil amended with 0.0, 6.2, 12.4, 24.5, and 49.0 g dry CSS per liter of spoil-sand mix for 16 wk in a glasshouse experiment. Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi treatments were spores of Glomus mosseae [(Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappel collected from native bluebunch wheatgrass plants, non-native spores of Glomus intraradices (Schenck & Smith) and Entrophaspora sp. (Ames & Schneider), or no added spores. In addition, Secar was grown in nonsterile, stockpiled topsoil with both AMF treatments to compare to AMF present in the topsoil. Each CSS rate increase produced increased above-ground and belowground plant growth. Secar growth was enhanced by native AMF in CSS-amended spoil. Composted sewage sludge appeared to reduce AMF colonization; however, hyphae levels in plants with native AMF were unaffected. Plant growth was not affected by AMF treatments in stockpiled topsoil but AMF colonization was greater in plants with the topsoil alone. Benefits from CSS and selection of an effective AMF culture are evident.