cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Among older adults, age-related changes in the stool microbiome differ by HIV-1 serostatus.

Abstract Background HIV-1 infection and physiological aging are independently linked to elevated systemic inflammation and changes in enteric microbial communities (dysbiosis). However, knowledge of the direct effect of HIV infection on the aging microbiome and potential links to systemic inflammation is lacking. Methods In a cross-sectional study of older people living with HIV (PLWH) (median age 61.5 years, N = 14) and uninfected controls (median 58 years, n = 22) we compared stool microbiota, levels of microbial metabolites (short-chain fatty acid levels, SCFA) and systemic inflammatory biomarkers by HIV serostatus and age. Findings HIV and age were independently associated with distinct changes in the stool microbiome. For example, abundances of Enterobacter and Paraprevotella were higher and Eggerthella and Roseburia lower among PLWH compared to uninfected controls. Age-related microbiome changes also differed by HIV serostatus. Some bacteria with inflammatory potential (e.g. Escherichia) increased with age among PLWH, but not controls. Stool SCFA levels were similar between the two groups yet patterns of associations between individual microbial taxa and SCFA levels differed. Abundance of various genera including Escherichia and Bifidobacterium positively associated with inflammatory biomarkers (e.g. soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptors) among PLWH, but not among controls. Interpretation The age effect on the gut microbiome and associations between microbiota and microbial metabolites or systemic inflammation differed based on HIV serostatus, raising important implications for the impact of therapeutic interventions, dependent on HIV serostatus or age.
Multiphoton and harmonic generation imaging methods enable direct visualization of drug nanoparticle carriers in conjunction with vasculature in fibrotic prostate tumor mouse model

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer death in men. Targeted nanoparticles (NPs) that deliver effective doses of chemotherapeutic drugs specifically to PCA could improve chemotherapy efficacy without the toxicities. In the relevant mouse models, the direct visualization of such drug nanoparticles along with the vasculature and fibrillar collagen matrix at submicron resolution are critically important for the accurate measurements of the drug distribution in the tissue matrix. Multiphoton microscopy, which uses ultra-short IR laser pulses as the excitation source, produces multiphoton excitation fluorescence (MPEF) signals from exogenous or endogenous fluorescent proteins and induces specific second harmonic generation (SHG) signals from non-centrosymmetric proteins such as fibrillar collagens. The objective here is to visualize and quantify the 3D distribution of an aptamer conjugated calcium phosphosilicate based drug nanoparticle carriers along with vasculature and tissue matrix in ex vivo thick mouse prostate tumor tissue with submicron resolution. Human prostate tumor xenografts were established in athymic mice by injecting prostate cell line derived from human (PC-3 cells) and were grown for 4 weeks. Near-infrared imaging agent indocyanine green (ICG) loaded calcium phosphosilicate nanoparticles (CPSNPs) including targeted CPSNPs bioconjugated with DNA Aptamer, empty non-ICG containing CPSNPs (Ghost) and Dil (for blood vessel painting) were injected into the tail vein. The spectral unmixing was performed to extract Dil signal from ICG signal using measured emission spectra. The 3D reconstructions and subsequent quantitation showed accumulation of ICG in blood capillaries versus tissue matrix. We here conclude that this multiphoton based multimodal imaging approach can provide spatially resolved 3D images with spectral specificities that are sensitive enough to identity and quantify the distributions of drug nanoparticle carriers in conjunction with vasculature and tissue matrix in prostate tumor with structural precision.
Defining the role of mirtazapine in the treatment of refractory pruritus.

Mirtazapine has traditionally been used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, with an added benefit in patients who have comorbid insomnia or anxiety. Recent studies describe its usefulne...
Changes in vegetation cover and snowmelt timing in the Noatak National Preserve of Northwestern Alaska estimated from MODIS and Landsat satellite image analysis

Trends and transitions in the growing season Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensor at 250-m resolution were a...
Complete histopathologic examination of risk reduction gastrectomy specimens for CDH1 germline mutation: Is it warranted in routine clinical practice?

Abstract Aims CDH1 germline mutation is associated with high penetrance of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC). Due to the lack of endoscopically identifiable lesions, routine surveillance is ineffective in the early detection of gastric cancer, and risk-reduction gastrectomy is often recommended. Many academic pathology departments elect to submit the entire gastrectomy specimen for histological examination, which is associated with significantly increased cost, technical and professional time, and turnaround time. Methods We present our experience with 5 completely submitted and 2 representatively submitted prophylactic total gastrectomy cases in HDGC patients. Results Multifocal intramucosal signet ring cell carcinoma was identified in all cases except one, in which only in situ carcinoma was identified. The tumoral foci (2 to 35 per case; average 14.4) were concentrated in proximal stomach. No submucosal invasion or nodal metastases was seen in any case. The final stage was either stage 0 (pTisN0cM0) or stage 1a (pT1aN0cM0). Conclusions Our findings are in line with that reported in the literature. Considering that deeply invasive carcinoma is very rare in this situation, and no further treatment is indicated for the vast majority of those patients, complete submission and pathologic examination of the entire stomach provides little additional value for routine clinical management. We propose a two-step approach with targeted submission of the proximal stomach, and subsequent entire submission of the remaining stomach if no intramucosal carcinoma is identified during the initial targeted examination.
The first decade of scientific insights from the Deepwater Horizon oil release

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster remains the largest single accidental release of oil and gas into the ocean. During the 87-day release, scientists used oceanographic tools to collect wellhead oil and gas samples, interrogate microbial community shifts and activities, and track the chemical composition of dissolved oil in the ocean’s interior. In the decade since the disaster, field and laboratory investigations studied the physics and chemistry of irrupted oil and gas at high pressure and low temperature, the role of chemical dispersants in oil composition and microbial hydrocarbon degradation, and the impact of combined oil, gas and dispersants on the flora and fauna of coastal and deep-sea environments. The multi-faceted, multidisciplinary scientific response to the released oil, gas and dispersants culminated in a better understanding of the environmental factors that influence the short-term and long-term fate and transport of oil in marine settings. In this Review, we summarize the unique aspects of the Deepwater Horizon release and highlight the advances in oil chemistry and microbiology that resulted from novel applications of emerging technologies. We end with an outlook on the applicability of these findings to possible oil releases in future deep-sea drilling locations and newly-opened high-latitude shipping lanes. The Deepwater Horizon disaster was the largest accidental discharge of oil into the environment, and was intensely studied during and after the event. In this Review, the subsequent advances made in oil chemistry, dispersant application, and microbiology are discussed.
83 Strengthening research partnership and health care systems to prevent violence: a SWOT analysis

Purpose The Jefferson Center for Injury Research and Prevention (JCIRP) is a full entity of the Department of Surgery’s Trauma Division and the College of Nursing at Thomas Jefferson University. The ability to have stakeholders at the table, with the sole mission of saving life and reducing disability, exemplifies the importance of strengthening research partnerships in a health care system. Our injury science experts devote themselves to conducting research, providing education, engaging social entrepreneurship and partnering with communities in the Delaware Valley and beyond. The aim of this Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of an injury-based research partnership within an academic, medical and trauma center. Methods/Approach The constant monitoring and a periodic review and reformation of health systems are of fundamental importance in all countries of the world, in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services delivery, quality, equity, and sustainable financing (Han, 2012). To identify the SWOT of JCIRP a thorough analysis was completed by the center’s leadership and stakeholders. Through this analysis, facilitators and barriers were identified that helped cultivate the growth of our research center. Results Analyzation of the SWOT analysis identified four prominent themes. The accessibility of multidisciplinary professionals with a common interest of injury research and prevention and continued opportunities to enhance research partnerships in various disciplines at Jefferson was a commonality. The demonstration of return of investment in injury prevention research and advocacy and the controversial nature of violence prevention research in an ICRC were identified barriers to the successful implementation of an ICRC. Conclusion The benefits of interdisciplinary partnerships and the investment of enterprise support are integral for the success of an ICRC. Significance and Contribution Strengthening research partnerships in an ICRC through various disciplines will afford us the opportunity to continue injury prevention research.
The LCLS-II Photo-Injector Drive Laser System

We present the new drive laser system for the photo-injector of the LCLS-II XFEL at SLAC, including the first commissioning results and challenges encountered due to high power, high repetition rate ultraviolet laser operation.
Efficacy of using sex-sorted semen technologies for laparoscopic artificial insemination in a commercial white-tailed deer farm (Odocoileus virginianus)

The objective of this project is to describe the efficacy of sex-sorting technologies in producing viable sperm for laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) in white-tailed deer (WTD). There is an increased demand for implementing advanced reproductive technologies in the WTD industry such as using sex-sorted semen. This could provide producers the ability to select for favorable gender ratios. Flow cytometry is the most effective cell-sorting method and uses DNA differences to sort X and Y chromosome spermatozoa. However, there is limited information available on the efficacy of this technique in cervid species.
Novel BRCA2 c.8434_8435insTT (p. Gly2812Valfs*10) mutation in a family with multiple hematologic malignancies and solid tumors

Hereditary breast cancer is caused by autosomal dominant germline mutations in human breast cancer genes, mainly BRCA1 and BRCA2. BRCA mutations are associated with increased risk of breast and ova...
Historical Fire and Ventenata dubia Invasion in a Temperate Grassland

Abstract Ventenata (Ventenata dubia L.) is an invasive annual grass that has rapidly expanded its range across temperate grassland and shrub-steppe ecosystems in western North America. However, there is little published regarding its ecology, especially its relationship with fire on rangelands. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of fire on ventenata invasion in the Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass (PNB) Prairie. Given the influence of fire on the invasion of other annual grasses such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), we expected that fire would facilitate the spread and increase in abundance of ventenata. In addition, we considered that annual variation in precipitation might mask the effect of fire and drive the year-to-year variation in production of ventenata. Therefore, we resampled 56 plots in 2015 and 2016 where frequency and foliar cover of ventenata had been recorded in 2008 and where 12 of these plots had burned in the past 15 yr. We then compared ventenata abundance (frequency and foliar cover) between burned and unburned plots within each sampling yr (2008, 2015, and 2016), as well as the change in abundance over time. Our data revealed that ventenata frequency and cover increased on all plots. However, there was not significantly higher abundance in burned plots in any of the sampling years. In addition, ventenata abundance did not increase more in burned plots over time. Our findings suggest that, unlike cheatgrass, fire may not be a driving factor in the spread and increase of ventenata across the PNB Prairie. This finding has important implications for the management and control of ventenata, as well as the conservation of the PNB Prairie.
Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Pretreatment Biliary Drainage for Pancreatic Head Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the USA. Although management strategies have evolved, there are continued controversies about the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and pretreatment biliary drainage (PBD) in patients with resectable and potentially resectable disease. We aimed to characterize the practice trends and outcomes for NAC and PBD. A single-center cohort study was performed. Electronic medical records were reviewed between 2011 and 2019, and 140 patients who had pancreaticoduodenectomy for PDAC were included. Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome data were captured. There were no statistically significant temporal trends relating to the use of chemotherapy and PBD. Overall, 41% of patients received NAC and had improved survival, independent of other factors. Of the 71% who received PBD, only 40% had appropriate indications; 30% experienced postprocedure complications, and 34% required reintervention. Factors associated with the application of PBD included preoperative jaundice (OR 70.5, 95% CI 21.4–306.6) and evaluation by non-tertiary therapeutic endoscopists (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.3–13.6). PBD was associated with a 12-day delay in surgery among those who did not receive NAC (p = 0.005), but there were no differences in surgical complications or mortality. Our findings suggest that (1) NAC may confer a survival benefit and (2) PBD should be reserved for individuals with jaundice requiring NAC. Implementation of guidelines by North American gastroenterology societies, multidisciplinary treatment models, and delivery of care at high-volume tertiary centers may help optimize management.
Aortic Valve Repair

Aortic valvuloplasty is being used with increasing frequency due to lack of an ideal valve substitute. Improved understanding of the anatomy and function of the normal and abnormal aortic valves has expanded the indications of the procedure to a multitude of conditions in both adults and children.
A democratic alternative to true cost pricing

The dollarization of food systems’ externalities carries economic and political risks. Local democratic experiments navigate these risks by embracing both the complexity of valuation and the processes necessary for systemic political change.
Application of trinity new model home nursing in postoperative management of children with Hirschsprung's disease.

OBJECTIVE To explore the application effect of Trinity new model home nursing in postoperative management of children with Hirschsprung's disease (HD). METHODS A retrospective control research was designed, including 80 HD children underwent surgical treatment. According to the nursing model, the children were divided into control group (n=40) and observation group (n=40). They received conventional nursing and Trinity home nursing intervention respectively. The defecation function and quality of life, scores of self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and family caregiver task inventory (FCTI), incidence of complications and nursing satisfaction before surgery, 3 and 6 months after surgery between the two groups were compared. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the children in the observation group had lower Wexner constipation and fecal incontinence scores at 3 and 6 months after surgery (both P<0.001), while the children's quality of life generic core scale (PedsQLTM4.0) scores at 6 months after operation were higher than those in the control group (P<0.001). The SAS and FCTI scores of family members in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after intervention (all P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the observation group had lower total incidence of complications and higher nursing satisfaction (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION Trinity new model home nursing can effectively increase the intestinal management quality of children undergoing HD surgery, improve their defecation function and quality of life, and reduce the risk of complications.
Evaluation of Virtual Learning Clinical Option in a Family Nurse Practitioner Program

With the advent of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, there is a growing need for more primary health care practitioners (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). Nurse practitioners can fill the gap; however, qualified applicants have been turned away from nurse practitioner programs due to lack of seats (American Academy of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2015a). Many programs struggle to guarantee clinical placement for NP students (AACN, 2015b). In the face of a national shortage of preceptors, nursing programs must explore alternate methods of concept delivery and the development of clinical judgment. Simulation is a potential solution, as clinical competence between students who participate in simulation compared with peers who do not is similar (Hayden, Smiley, Alexander, Kardong-Edgren, & Jeffries, 2014). The purpose of the project was to determine if a virtual simulation through Shadow Health offered similar results in clinical judgment as one-on-one preceptorships. Scores on the Advanced Practice Education Associates (APEA) national certification predictor exam were compared for two groups: an experimental group (n = 102) who completed 125 a virtual learning experience (VLE), and a control group (n = 102) who completed 125 hours of clinical one-on-one with a preceptor. A Mann-Whitney U Test revealed no significant difference in the APEA scores of traditional precepted students (Md = 72, n = 102) and virtual clinical students (Md = 73, n = 102), U = 5413, z = .501, p = .616. The effect size (r = .04) indicated that clinical placement had a very small effect on test performance (Pallant, 2016). Recommendations for future research and implications for nursing education are discussed.
Establishing Communication with Brookhurst: A Case Study in Community Involvement

This paper presents a case study of a community in Wyoming that found itself in the middle of a Superfund site in 1986. The paper explores the dynamics of reactions of the community members, the actions of various governmental agencies, and ultimately the empowerment of the community to make personal choices about their lives and the futures of their families. The paper concludes with two suggested research projects: (1) a definitive comparison of the benefits of involving communities early in the process vs. costs of ignoring them, and (2) a serious study of the risk associated with psychological stress in the quest for reducing technical risks to 10−6.
Single molecule conductance of aromatic, nonaromatic, and partially antiaromatic systems

Abstract We describe the syntheses of thiophene, cyclopentadienone and dimethylketalcyclopentadienone derivatives and their single molecule electrical conductivities. The ketone had the lowest conductivity of the three, although it has some antiaromaticity. The carbonyl group is electron attracting and its ionization potential outweighs any conductivity increase that the antiaromaticity effect might bring.
Integrating Geriatrics Into Oncology Ambulatory Care Clinics

BACKGROUND Geriatric oncology offers specialized care that incorporates comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) with oncology care. Geriatric syndromes, comorbidities, and caregiver concerns are relevant to the oncology assessment in older adult patients to make treatment decisions, which should be based not on age but on health and functional status, as well as on life expectancy. Developing a geriatric oncology ambulatory care clinic (GOACC) requires numerous resources and entails planning for longer patient encounter times, devising collaboration strategies with community care providers, and establishing dedicated time for team members. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this article is to provide information regarding the construction and sustainability of a GOACC. METHODS A comprehensive review of literature published from 1991-2015 was conducted using the following key words. FINDINGS Oncology primary care nurses and advanced practice nurses have a large role in the development and maintenance of GOACCs. Managing comorbidities, identifying patients who likely would benefit from a CGA, providing caregiver support, conducting a CGA, and creating an MDT are core elements of developing a sustainable GOACC.
Cholecystokinin Receptor Family

A review of the literature encompassing numerous pharmacological, physiological, and biochemical studies indicates the presence of at least four CCK receptor types, CCKA, CCKB, gastrin, and CG-4 receptors. Multiple subtypes of the CCKAR have been postulated to account for the differences in pharmacology or affinity cross-linking of CCKARs between pancreas and gallbladder and the presence of high and low affinity CCKARs on pancreatic acini. Multiple subtypes of the CCKBR have been postulated to explain the differences in pharmacology and physiology between gastric and gallbladder smooth muscle CCKBRs. We recently cloned and functionally expressed both the CCKAR and the CCKBR from rat, guinea pig, and human. The CCKAR and CCKBR are 48% homologous and constitute a family of receptors within the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein-coupled superfamily of receptors. Each receptor is highly conserved between species. A single cDNA encoding a single protein is present in both pancreas and gallbladder and can account for both high and low affinity CCKARs found on pancreatic acini when transfected into COS-7 cells. A single cDNA encoding a single CCKBR protein is present in both the central nervous system and the periphery including the gastrointestinal system. Therefore, the gastrin receptor is actually a CCKBR present on parietal cells. Genomic and cDNA library hybridization as well as Northern and Southern hybridization studies among rat, guinea pig, and human species identifies only two members of the CCK receptor family, CCKAR and CCKBR. Although these studies do not identify other closely related members of the CCK receptor family, they do not rule out the existence of other less closely related members. Furthermore, differences in tissue and species-specific posttranslational processing, receptor coupling, and associated membrane protein and lipid heterogeneity may be among some of the other factors that may account for the phenotypic expression of more receptor subtypes than molecular studies would predict.
Condorcet's paradox and the likelihood of its occurrence: different perspectives on balanced preferences*

Many studies have considered the probability that a pairwise majority rule (PMR) winner exists for three candidate elections. The absence of a PMR winner indicates an occurrence of Condorcet's Paradox for three candidate elections. This paper summarizes work that has been done in this area with the assumptions of: Impartial Culture, Impartial Anonymous Culture, Maximal Culture, Dual Culture and Uniform Culture. Results are included for the likelihood that there is a strong winner by PMR, a weak winner by PMR, and the probability that a specific candidate is among the winners by PMR. Closed form representations are developed for some of these probabilities for Impartial Anonymous Culture and for Maximal Culture. Consistent results are obtained for all cultures. In particular, very different behaviors are observed for odd and even numbers of voters. The limiting probabilities as the number of voters increases are reached very quickly for odd numbers of voters, and quite slowly for even numbers of voters. The greatest likelihood of observing Condorcet's Paradox typically occurs for small numbers of voters. Results suggest that while examples of Condorcet's Paradox are observed, one should not expect to observe them with great frequency in three candidate elections.
What Do Voters Know About Ballot Measures

Scores of surveys show that the average voter knows very little about government, including the identity of the Chief Justice of the United States. By contrast, little research has evaluated what voters know about the initiatives and referendums that regularly appear on their ballots. This lacuna is surprising given the direct and substantial impact — including the amendment of state constitutions — voters can have on the policymaking process through direct democracy. Analyzing survey data covering nine ballot measures in three states, I explore what voters actually know about ballot measures that would implement policies ranging from approving same-sex marriage to introducing voter identification laws. I find that there is a great deal of variation across ballot measures with regards to what voters know about the relevant endorsements and policy specifics. To provide some perspective, I compare their knowledge of initiatives and referendums to often-used measures of general political knowledge.
Low-PDG Raman amplification via 10 GHz polarization sweeping with LiNbO/sub 3/ phase modulator

We propose and demonstrate a novel scheme to achieve low polarization dependent gain (PDG) forward-pumped Raman amplification via polarization sweeping at 10 GHz. This scheme employs the asymmetry of electro-optic coefficients of LiNbO/sub 3/ crystals to sweep the pump SOP at 10 GHz across the Poincare sphere.
Multi layer rules based framework for vertical handoff

Seamless interoperability between two dissimilar networks require handoff from one network to the other. Such handoffs are known as vertical handoffs. Vertical handoff introduces a shift in the approach to handoffs. It deals with handoffs between dissimilar networks, such as from an access point to a base station or vice versa. A horizontal handoff, on the other hand, involves the scenario wherein the handoff is within the same network such as handoffs between cells. Most of the existing research proposes to implement vertical handoff on an overlay network, wherein a user moves from one geographic location to another, such as moving from a WLAN coverage area to a cellular coverage area, or vice versa. This research discusses the need to trigger a vertical handoff based on changes in the mobile environment independent of geographic changes of a user. We develop a novel framework that executes vertical handoff based on a multilayer approach coupled together with adjunct information such as pricing and user preference. This framework allows changes in applications, variations in network conditions and user preferences to trigger vertical handoffs. We conclude by providing a general evaluation of the framework.
Growth Spillover Dynamics from Crisis to Recovery

Can positive growth shocks from the faster-growing countries in Europe spill over to the slower growing countries, providing useful tailwinds to their recovery process? This study investigates the potential relevance of growth spillovers in the context of the crisis and the recovery process. Based on a VAR framework, our analysis suggests that the U.S. and Japan remain the key source of growth spillovers in this recovery, with France also playing an important role for the European crisis countries. Notwithstanding the current export-led cyclical upswing, Germany generates relatively small outward spillovers compared to other systemic countries, but likely plays a key role in transmitting and amplifying external growth shocks to the rest of Europe given its more direct exposure to foreign shocks compared to other European countries. Positive spillovers from Spain were important prior to the 2008 - 09 crisis, however Spain is generating negative spillovers in this recovery due to a depressed domestic demand. Negative spillovers from the European crisis countries appear limited, consistent with their modest size.
Distribution of exchanges upon homologous recombination of exogenous DNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Homologous recombination between DNA molecules injected into Xenopus oocyte nuclei was investigated by examining the recovery of information from differentially marked parental sequences. The injected recombination substrate was a linear DNA with terminal direct repeats of 1246 bp; one repeat differed from the other by eight single base-pair substitutions, distributed throughout the region of homology, each of which created or destroyed a restriction enzyme site. Recombination products were recovered and analyzed for their content of the diagnostic sites, either directly by Southern blot-hybridization or after cloning in bacteria. The majority (76%) of the cloned products appeared to be the result of simple exchanges-i.e., there was one sharp transition from sequences derived from one parent to sequences derived from the other. These simple exchanges were concentrated near the ends of the homologous interval and, thus, near the sites of the original molecular ends. Placing marked sites on only one side of the homologous overlap showed that marker recovery was governed largely by the positions of the molecular ends and not by the markers themselves. When a terminal nonhomology was present at one end of the substrate, the yield of recombinants was sharply decreased, but the pattern of exchanges was not affected, suggesting that products from end-blocked substrates arise by the same recombination pathway. Because of considerable evidence supporting a nonconservative, resection-annealing mechanism for recombination in oocytes, we interpret the distribution of exchanges as resulting from long-patch repair of extensive heteroduplex intermediates.
The ecology of indigenous populations of Rhizobium leguminosarum bvs. trifolii and viceae

Although competitive nodulation has been studied for many years (1,3,5,7,8), it has been difficult to gain an understanding of what biological and abiological factors control the outcome of this phenomenon in natural soils containing native rhizobial populations. An issue which has received considerable attention is concerned with the debate about whether differences in saprophytic competence exist among members of soil rhizobial populations. If such differences occur, can they affect the outcome of competitive nodulation by influencing the sizes and physiological states of subpopulations? The alternate scenario is that particular rhizobial strains within the soil population are ‘preferred’ as microsymbionts by the host. As a result, differences in population size and free-living saprophytic attributes are relegated to minor roles in the affairs of competitive nodulation.
Fiber optic pulse sensor for noninvasive cardiovascular applications

A dual-channel noninvasive fiber-optic sensor system developed for the simultaneous recording of the carotid and radial artery pulses is presented. These pressure waveforms were recorded in six normal and three hypertensive subjects. The results of a time-domain analysis are in close agreement with those of previous studies and indicate an expected increase in the pulse wave velocity and elasticity of the arteries with hypertension. >
Theory of laser-induced electron transport through molecular gases

Conditions are found for the growth of a current in an electron swarm in gaseous media in the presence of intense, monochromatic radiation. For transport to occur by free-free absorption, it is necessary for the medium to have left- or right-handed chirality (as in a sample of chiral molecules), such that the radiative-dipole rate of absorption by the swarm is unequal for electron velocities $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{v}$ and $\ensuremath{-}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{v}$ relative to the photon direction.
Annual cycles of multiyear sea ice coverage of the Arctic Ocean: 1999–2003

For the years 1999-2003, we estimate the time-varying perennial ice zone (PIZ) coverage and construct the annual cycles of multiyear (MY, including second year) ice coverage of the Arctic Ocean using QuikSCAT backscatter, MY fractions from RADARSAT, and the record of ice export from satellite passive microwave observations. An area balance approach extends the winter MY coverage from QuikSCAT to the remainder of the year. From these estimates, the coverage of MY ice at the beginning of each year is 3774 x 10(exp 3) sq km (2000), 3896 x 10(exp 3) sq km (2001), 4475 x 10(exp 3) sq km (2002), and 4122 x 10(exp 3) sq km (2003). Uncertainties in coverage are approx.150 x 10(exp 3) sq km. In the mean, on 1 January, MY ice covers approx.60% of the Arctic Ocean. Ice export reduces this coverage to approx.55% by 1 May. From the multiple annual cycles, the area of first-year (FY) ice that survives the intervening summers are 1192 x 10(exp 3) sq km (2000), 1509 x 10(exp 3) sq km (2001), and 582 x 10(exp 3) sq km (2002). In order for the MY coverage to remain constant from year to year, these replenishment areas must balance the overall area export and melt during the summer. The effect of the record minimum in Arctic sea ice area during the summer of 2002 is seen in the lowest area of surviving FY ice of the three summers. In addition to the spatial coverage, the location of the PIZ is important. One consequence of the unusual location of the PIZ at the end of the summer of 2002 is the preconditioning for enhanced export of MY ice into the Barents and Kara seas. Differences between the minimums in summer sea ice coverage from our estimates and passive microwave observations are discussed.
Periodic corrugated dielectric waveguides

Abstract Grating coupled radiation and distributed feedback are analyzed in periodically corrugated dielectric waveguides. Several results are derived. First it is shown that gratings (periodic corrugations) have nonzero radiation Fourier coefficients and nonzero distributed feedback Fourier coefficients for all Bragg scattering orders regardless of gating tooth shape—even for sinusoidal and other symmetrical grating teeth. The single exception can occur for rectangularly shaped teeth. Second, an equation for coupling coefficients of hybrid modes is derived. Third, Fourier coefficients of multiple periodic gratings are obtained for rectangular modulation of an arbitrarily shaped grating and for arbitrary modulation of a rectangular shaped grating. Both expansions contain all sum and difference spatial frequencies of the two periods. Finally, a waveguide with two different grating periods on opposite surfaces is studied. To first order the sum and difference spatial frequency Fourier coefficients are zero.
Control of Gene Expression by Modulated Self-Assembly

Numerous transcription factors self-assemble into different order oligomeric species [1] in a way that is actively regulated by the cell. Here, we use a novel quantitative framework to capture the effects of modulated self-assembly in gene expression [2]. We show that this mechanism provides precision and flexibility, two seemingly antagonistic properties, to the sensing of diverse cellular signals by systems that share common elements present in transcription factors like p53, NF-κB, STATs, Oct and RXR [2]. Applied to the nuclear hormone receptor RXR, this framework accurately reproduces a broad range of classical sets of gene expression data and corroborates the existence of a precise functional regime with flexible properties that can be controlled both at a genome-wide scale and at the individual promoter level. We show that key to the success of the computational framework is that it incorporates the regulatory complexity of RXR mediated signaling [1,3,4], which involve multiple DNA-binding sites at the promoters of retinoid targeted genes and the ability of RXR to precisely tailor the response to each individual gene depending on the arrangement of these sites.References:[1] L. Saiz and J.M.G. Vilar, Nature/EMBO Molecular Systems Biology, 2, doi:10.1038/msb4100061 (2006).[2] J.M.G. Vilar and L. Saiz, Nucleic Acids Research, 39: 6854-6863 (2011). Highlighted as a featured article.[3] J.M.G. Vilar and L. Saiz, Bioinformatics, 26:2060-2061 (2010).[4] L. Saiz and M.L. Klein, Acc. Chem. Res., 35: 482-489 (2002).
Where am I? What am I looking at? (cinematography)

The author considers the problem, in making space movies, of figuring out where to place the camera and in what direction to point it to get an interesting picture. He develops an approach whereby the program is told what is to appear on the screen and determines where to place and point the camera. He bases the approach on the standard 'look at' transformation. >
The pathobiology of mucositis.

Oral and gastrointestinal mucositis is a toxicity of many forms of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It has a significant impact on health, quality of life and economic outcomes that are associated with treatment. It also indirectly affects the success of antineoplastic therapy by limiting the ability of patients to tolerate optimal tumoricidal treatment. The complex pathogenesis of mucositis has only recently been appreciated and reflects the dynamic interactions of all of the cell and tissue types that comprise the epithelium and submucosa. The identification of the molecular events that lead to treatment-induced mucosal injury has provided targets for mechanistically based interventions to prevent and treat mucositis.
Regional anesthesia: Testing whether it makes a difference

© 1990 Butterworth Publishers Early practitioners of anesthesia had only a few clinical decisions to make. After they decided whether it was prudent to proceed with anesthesia induction at all, they chose one of the few agents available. Beyond these few preoperative decisions, the consequences of anesthesia were determined primarily by the physical skill with which it was administered. Although this skill is still important, its preeminence in determining the consequences of anesthesia has been tempered in recent years. Today, practicing anesthesiologists are confronted daily with a wide variety of important clinical decisions. They are involved in preoperative patient assessment, preoperative treatments designed to reduce operative morbidity, initiating and using various intraoperative physiologic monitors, and extending anesthetic management well into the postoperative period. Decisions reached in any of these important categories may have a profound effect on the course of the operation and on the course of postoperative events. Perhaps the most basic decision is made when choosing a particular anesthetic agent or technique for an operation. Here our choices are no longer so limited (they sometimes seem unlimited). And if choosing an anesthetic agent or technique is a basic decision, one might suppose that there would be a plethora of good clinical information that evaluates the important clinical effects of different agents and techniques. In fact, there is very little. There is a good deal of literature regarding the physiologic effects of a single agent or technique but very few comparisons. In this issue of The Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, Damask et al. present the results of a clinical study that compares the hemodynamic consequences of two different anesthetic techniques: lumbar epidural anesthesia and general endotracheal anesthesia. The study included patients undergoing lower extremity vascular reconstruction. Since one recent survey found that approximately 50% of practitioners use general anesthesia for vascular surgery and approximately 50% use regional anesthesia,' the techniques chosen for this study have clinical relevance. Also, since this patient population is known to have a high incidence of myocardial disease, especially coronary artery disease," the measured param-
The effects of malnutrition on the generation time of Nosema whitei in larval Tribolium castaneum reared on several commercial flours

The generation time ofNosema whitei in larvalTribolium castaneum reared on flours with slight nutritional deficiencies (e.g., protein and B-vitamin deficiencies) was not affected. However, the generation time was significantly increased when the host was reared on diets with marked nutritional deficiencies and with alleged toxic components.
Making the Best of a Bad Situation: Career Counseling Young Adults in the Aftermath of the Great Recession

Because of the changes in the economy hastened by the Great Recession, recent college graduates face unprecedented challenges finding employment in the current labor market. In this new economic era, Krumboltz's (2009) happenstance learning theory provides college career counselors with a practical framework for helping students learn how to engage in proactive career behaviors, evaluate opportunities as they arise, and initiate actions to benefit from them. A 6-component framework is provided to guide college career counselors working with this population.
Classical behavior of few-electron parabolic quantum dots

Quantum dots are intricate and fascinating systems to study novel phenomena of great theoretical and practical interest because low dimensionality coupled with the interplay between strong correlations, quantum confinement and magnetic field creates unique conditions for emergence of fundamentally new physics. In this work we consider two-dimensional semiconductor quantum dot systems consisting of few interacting electrons confined in an isotropic parabolic potential. We study the many-electron quantum ground state properties of such systems in presence of a perpendicular magnetic field as the number of electrons is varied using exact numerical diagonalizations and other approaches. The results derived from the calculations of the quantum model are then compared to corresponding results for a classical model of parabolically confined point charges who interact with a Coulomb potential. We find that, for a wide range of parameters and magnetic fields considered in this work, the quantum ground state energy is very close to the classical energy of the most stable classical configuration under the condition that the classical energy is properly adjusted to incorporate the quantum zero point motion.
Isobaric Height Perturbations Associated with Mountain Waves Measured by Aircraft during the Terrain-Induced Rotor Experiment

AbstractIt has only been in the last few years that accurate measurement of the horizontal pressure gradient has been possible over complex terrain using an airborne platform. To infer forcing mechanisms for the wind, an independent measure of the height of an isobaric surface is required. Differential GPS analyses have enabled determination of the aircraft height with sufficient accuracy to infer isobaric heights. When coupled with an accurate measurement of static pressure, the horizontal pressure field can be determined. To demonstrate this measurement technique, research flight legs by the University of Wyoming King Air (UWKA) conducted in support of the Terrain-Induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX) in March and April 2006 are examined. UWKA flights conducted on 14 and 25 March and 16 April 2006 encountered strong mountain waves in response to winds directed primarily normal to the Sierra Nevada ridgeline. Winds at flight level showed pronounced variation that suggested topographic influence. The magnitude...
On the Everettian Epistemic Problem

Recent work in the Everett interpretation has suggested that the problem of probability can be solved by understanding probability in terms of rationality. However, there are *two* problems relating to probability in Everett --- one practical, the other epistemic --- and the rationality-based program *directly* addresses only the practical problem. One might therefore worry that the problem of probability is only `half solved' by this approach. This paper aims to dispel that worry: a solution to the epistemic problem follows from the rationality-based solution to the practical problem.
A new, accurate, statistical mechanical theory for simple fluids

Abstract A new integral equation in which the hypernetted chain and Percus-Yevick approximations are “mixed” as a function of interparticle separation is described. Calculations with fluids varying from hard spheres to the one-component plasma show good agreement with Monte Carlo calculations.
Myth, Magic, Witchcraft, or Fact? aloe vera Revisited

The beneficial effects of Aloe vera extract have been examined experimentally. In order to ascertain the distribution of the chemical constituents present in Aloe vera that may exhibit these beneficial effects, a complete chemical analysis was first performed. Inorganic substances (eg, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and inorganic phosphorus) along with organic compounds (eg, glucose, protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, and salicylic acid) were found to be present. Trace metal analysis revealed that magnesium and zinc were also present. The bactericidal effects of the extract were also examined. Concentrations as low as 60% were found to be bactericidal against nine of the 12 species of organisms tested. These were Citrobacter sp., Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcus agalactiae, and Candida albicans. The remaining three species, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, and Bacillus subtilis, all exhibited some resistance to the 60% concentration. However, all of these were susceptible to concentrations of 80% and 90%. A cream base containing 70% o/Aloe vera extract was found to be most effective in preserving the dermal microcirculation after thermal injury. This compound was demonstrated to inhibit some of the products of arachidonic acid metabolism such as thromboxane B, and to limit the production of prostaglandin F/x, thus preventing progressive dermal ischemia. These experimental data clearly show that the effects elicited by the Aloe vera extract are truly beneficial in a burn wound
Forensic Application of Gas Chromatography–Differential Mobility Spectrometry with Two-Way Classification of Ignitable Liquids from Fire Debris

With respect to the emerging role of forensic science for arson investigation, a low cost and promising onsite detection method for ignitable liquids is desirable. Gas chromatography−differential mobility spectrometry (GC−DMS) was investigated as a tool for analysis of ignitable liquids from fire debris. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was applied as the preconcentration and sampling method. The combined information afforded by gas chromatography and differential mobility spectrometry provided unique two-way patterns for each sample of ignitable liquid. Two-way GC−DMS data were classified into one of seven ignitable liquids using a fuzzy rule-building expert system (FuRES). The performance of the classifier was validated using bootstrap Latin partitions (BLPs) and also compared to optimized partial least-squares (PLS) classifiers. Better prediction results can be obtained by using two-way GC−DMS data than only using one-way total ion chromatograms or integrated differential mobility spectra. ...