cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular phylogenetics, vocalizations, and species limits in Celeus woodpeckers (Aves: Picidae).

Abstract Species limits and the evolutionary mechanisms that have shaped diversification of woodpeckers and allies (Picidae) remain obscure, as inter and intraspecific phylogenetic relationships have yet to be comprehensively resolved for most genera. Herein, we analyzed 5020 base pairs of nucleotide sequence data from the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes to reconstruct the evolutionary history of Celeus woodpeckers. Broad geographic sampling was employed to assess species limits in phenotypically variable lineages and provide a first look at the evolution of song and plumage traits in this poorly known Neotropical genus. Our results strongly support the monophyly of Celeus and reveal several novel relationships across a shallow phylogenetic topology. We confirm the close sister relationship between Celeus spectabilis and the enigmatic Celeus obrieni , both of which form a clade with Celeus flavus . The Mesoamerican Celeus castaneus was placed as sister to a Celeus undatus – grammicus lineage, with the species status of the latter drawn into question given the lack of substantial genetic, morphological, and vocal variation in these taxa. We recovered paraphyly in Celeus elegans ; however, this result appears to be the consequence of mitochondrial introgression from Celeus lugubris considering the monophyly of elegans at the s-FIBI7 locus. A second instance of paraphyly was observed in Celeus flavescens with deep genetic splits and substantial phenotypic variation indicating the presence of two distinct species in this broadly distributed lineage. As such, we advocate elevation of Celeus flavescens ochraceus to species status. Our analysis of Celeus vocalizations and plumage characters demonstrates a pattern of lability consistent with a relatively recent origin of the genus and potentially rapid speciation history.
Tunable superluminal pulse propagation on a silicon chip

We demonstrate superluminal pulse propagation on a silicon chip using an all -optical analog to electromagnetically induced absorption created by the coherent interaction between two micro-resonators. We show group indices tunable between -1158 and -312.
Aluminum in Rutile [TiO2]: Characterization by Single‐Crystal and Magic‐Angle‐Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Using both single-crystal and magicangle-spinning (MAS) 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we have characterized the most abundant site for Al dissolved in rutile. The single-crystal spectrum of the dissolved Al indicates that most Al cations are isolated from each other and from paramagnetic defects, and they are in sites with only two orientations in the crystal. Interstitial octahedra, pairs of Al3+, and “shear planes” can thus be ruled out as the major Al sites, and substitution of Al in Ti sites is suggested. Spectra collected at temperatures up to 600°C show the onset of structural mobility or cation exchange. MAS NMR gives unique values of the quadrupolar coupling constant and asymmetry patameter of the Al site as 2.8 MHz and 1.0, respectively. Combination of both techniques permits the nature and relative proportions of both dissolved and exsolved Al to be determined, even when the latter dominates.
FLAVIN-CONTAINING MONOOXYGENASE AND ASCORBIC ACID DEFICIENCY QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DIFFERENCES*

Ascorbic acid deficiency causes qualitative and quantitative differences in the guinea pig hepatic flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO). Kinetic studies with purified FMO indicated no significant change in the apparent Km of dimethylaniline or NADPH in ascorbate-supplemented or -deficient animals. Following purification of ascorbate-deficient guinea pig FMO by DEAE-cellulose and blue agarose chromatography, exogenous FAD was required for 15% of the FMO microsomal activity recovered. In contrast, only 5% of the total microsomal enzyme recovered from ascorbate-supplemented animals required exogenous FAD. Furthermore, there was an enhanced sensitivity to time-dependent nonlinearity with the purified ascorbate-deficient guinea pig FMO. The degree of time-dependent nonlinearity was related to the concentration of substrate. Also, purified ascorbate-supplemented guinea pig FMO was stable for 4 weeks at -20 degrees, whereas the ascorbate-deficient enzyme was inactivated. A decrease in the quantity of ascorbate-deficient guinea pig FMO compared to ascorbate-supplemented was indicated by a marked reduction in total FMO activity recovered from blue agarose chromatography and reduced protein staining intensity with SDS-PAGE at 56,000 daltons.
High-order harmonic generation and other intense optical field-matter interactions: review of recent experimental and theoretical advances

Abstract An overview of recent experimental and theoretical developments in high-order harmonic generation (HHG), above threshold ionization (ATI), and other phenomena originating in intense optical field-matter interactions, is attempted here. A recurring theme in this review is the common bond between HHG, ATI, laser-assisted Auger decay, and the laser-assisted photoelectric effect, which is attributable solely to the photon field–electron interaction. It is argued that the dominant mechanism for photon production in HHG is not the recombination of an ion with a fast electron but rather is the result of coupling between the optical field and an electron that generates photons having energies that are an integral multiple of the pump photon energy. Characterized and steadily developed over the past decade, HHG and its attendant technology have matured to the extent that it now offers a versatile, table top source of coherent radiation in the vacuum ultraviolet to X-ray spectral regions with the capability of producing pulse widths as short as several hundred attoseconds. Combined with its comparative simplicity, the availability of average powers exceeding 1 mW from a single (plateau) harmonic at pulse repetition frequencies >1 kHz make HHG an attractive alternative to other nonlinear sources requiring tunable dye lasers and metal vapors. Emphasis is placed on the optical and spatial characteristics of the harmonic radiation and their potential impact on quantum electronics.
Profiling of nuclear extract proteins from human neuroblastoma cell lines: the search for fingerprints.

Abstract Purpose Neuroblastoma (NB) commonly presents with advanced disease at diagnosis and is associated with poor survival. If identified early, however, survival is improved suggesting a benefit of early detection. The authors have used proteomics technology in an attempt to identify novel markers that permit early detection of NB and characterize its molecular makeup. Methods Three different human NB cell lines SK-N-AS, SK-N-DZ, and SK-N-FI were subjected to series of biochemical fractionation steps to extract nuclear proteins. These proteins were analyzed for differential expression by 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Polypeptides of interest were subsequently identified by liquid chromatography–linked tandem mass spectrometry. Results Multiple proteins were identified in these human NB cell lines including SET (a ubiquitous nuclear protein), stathmin (a cytosolic signal transduction protein), and grp94 (a heat shock protein). SET is a putative oncogene associated with the chromosomal translocation (6;9) leading to acute undifferentiated leukemia. Stathmin is an oncogene found in greater abundance in leukemic cells compared to nonleukemic cells. A total of 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein has been shown to be protective in human breast cancer cells in vitro and related with the occurrence, differentiation, and progression of human lung cancer. The first protein has not been previously associated with NB. Conclusions The identification of these 3 previously unrecognized cancer-related potential biomarkers in human NB cell lines may prove useful in developing diagnostic tests. The proteomic methodology of 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/mass spectrometry also provides an improved opportunity to understand the natural history of NB and develop novel chemotherapeutic agents for this prevalent childhood malignancy with a dismal outcome.
Quantification of increased cellularity during inflammatory demyelination

Multiple sclerosis is characterized by inflammatory demyelination and irreversible axonal injury leading to permanent neurological disabilities. Diffusion tensor imaging demonstrates an improved capability over standard magnetic resonance imaging to differentiate axon from myelin pathologies. However, the increased cellularity and vasogenic oedema associated with inflammation cannot be detected or separated from axon/myelin injury by diffusion tensor imaging, limiting its clinical applications. A novel diffusion basis spectrum imaging, capable of characterizing water diffusion properties associated with axon/myelin injury and inflammation, was developed to quantitatively reveal white matter pathologies in central nervous system disorders. Tissue phantoms made of normal fixed mouse trigeminal nerves juxtaposed with and without gel were employed to demonstrate the feasibility of diffusion basis spectrum imaging to quantify baseline cellularity in the absence and presence of vasogenic oedema. Following the phantom studies, in vivo diffusion basis spectrum imaging and diffusion tensor imaging with immunohistochemistry validation were performed on the corpus callosum of cuprizone treated mice. Results demonstrate that in vivo diffusion basis spectrum imaging can effectively separate the confounding effects of increased cellularity and/or grey matter contamination, allowing successful detection of immunohistochemistry confirmed axonal injury and/or demyelination in middle and rostral corpus callosum that were missed by diffusion tensor imaging. In addition, diffusion basis spectrum imaging-derived cellularity strongly correlated with numbers of cell nuclei determined using immunohistochemistry. Our findings suggest that diffusion basis spectrum imaging has great potential to provide non-invasive biomarkers for neuroinflammation, axonal injury and demyelination coexisting in multiple sclerosis.
Faculty Turnover within Academic Pharmacy Departments

BACKGROUND:Pharmacy faculty manpower has been debated within the academic pharmacy community over the last several decades. Previous investigations studied job satisfaction among faculty members, but have not evaluated faculty retention and turnover among academic pharmacy departments.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate retention and turnover rates in the departments of Pharmacy Practice and Basic Science (Pharmacology/Toxicology, Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Chemistry) over the last 5 years.METHODS:Individual instructors and assistant, associate, and full professors across 80 colleges of pharmacy in the US were tracked between the years 1996 and 2001 using the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy published rosters. Differences between departments were analyzed by year-stratified cross-tabulation table analysis.RESULTS:A greater percentage of Pharmacy Practice faculty resigned (10.6%) compared with Basic Science faculty (6.0%; percent ratio 1.76; 95% CI 1.58 to 1.95; p < 0.001), which remained constant across each ...
Ozonolysis and photolysis of alkene-terminated self-assembled monolayers on quartz nanoparticles: implications for photochemical aging of organic aerosol particles

Photolysis of alkene-terminated self assembled monolayers (SAM) deposited on Degussa SiO2 nanoparticles is studied following oxidation of SAM with a gaseous ozone/oxygen mixture. Infrared cavity ring-down spectroscopy is used to observe gas-phase products generated during ozonolysis and subsequent photolysis of SAM in real time. Reactions taking place during ozonolysis transform alkene-terminated SAM into a photochemically active state capable of photolysis in the tropospheric actinic window (λ > 295 nm). Formaldehyde and formic acid are the observed photolysis products. Photodissociation action spectra of oxidized SAM and the observed pattern of gas-phase products are consistent with the well-established Criegee mechanism of ozonolysis of terminal alkenes. There is strong evidence for the presence of secondary ozonides (1,3,4-trioxalones) and other peroxides on the oxidized SAM surface. The data imply that photolysis plays a role in atmospheric aging of primary and secondary organic aerosol particles.
Human Cytomegalovirus UL38 Protein Blocks Apoptosis

Apoptosis is an innate cellular defense response to viral infection. The slow-replicating human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) blocks premature death of host cells prior to completion of the infection cycle. In this study, we report that the HCMV UL38 gene encodes a cell death inhibitory protein. A mutant virus lacking the pUL38 coding sequence, ADdlUL38, grew poorly in human fibroblasts, failed to accumulate viral DNA to wild-type levels, and induced excessive death of infected cells. Cells expressing pUL38 were resistant to cell death upon infection and effectively supported the growth of ADdlUL38. Cells infected with the pUL38-deficient virus showed morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, vesicle release, and chromatin condensation and fragmentation. The proteolytic cleavage of two key enzymes involved in apoptosis, namely, caspase 3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, was activated upon ADdlUL38 infection, and the cleavage was blocked in cells expressing pUL38. The pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK largely restored the growth of ADdlUL38 in normal fibroblasts, indicating that the defective growth of the mutant virus mainly resulted from premature death of host cells. Furthermore, cells expressing pUL38 were resistant to cell death induced by a mutant adenovirus lacking the antiapoptotic E1B-19K protein or by thapsigargin, which disrupts calcium homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum. Taken together, these results indicate that the HCMV protein pUL38 suppresses apoptosis, blocking premature death of host cells to facilitate efficient virus replication.
Patients Exposed to Rofecoxib and Celecoxib Have Different Odds of Nonfatal Myocardial Infarction

In this case–control study, rofecoxib was associated with higher odds of myocardial infarction than celecoxib. Although cardiovascular effects varied between the different cyclooxygenase-2 inhibito...
Establishment of cloned Anaplasma phagocytophilum and analysis of p44 gene conversion within an infected horse and infected SCID mice

Diverse p44 alleles at the p44 expression locus ( p44E s) encoding surface-exposed major membrane proteins, P44s, of Anaplasma phagocytophilum were hypothesized to be garnered by recombination to enact antigenic variation. However, this hypothesis has not been proven so far, due to inability to clone this obligate intragranulocytic rickettsia. To define the p44E recombination, we developed a novel method to clone A. phagocytophilum . This isogenic cloned population containing a defined p44E was used to infect a naive horse and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. During a 58-day infection period in the blood of the horse, p44E conversion was evident in a total of 11 new p44E s, 48% (115/242) of the sequenced p44E population. During a 50-day infection period in the blood of SCID mice, p44E conversion was manifested in a total of 13 new p44E s, 42% (192/460) of the p44E population. Thus, similar levels of p44E convertants were detected in either the presence or absence of an acquired immune system, suggesting that T- and B-cell immune pressure was not essential for recombination and/or selection of the p44E variants. Analysis of sequentially changed p44E s revealed that the entire central hypervariable region of donor p44 pseudogenes or of donor full-length p44 s replaced the same region of the resident p44E as a cassette. Putative recombination points were detected within p44 conserved regions flanking the central hypervariable region by the TOPALi analysis. Our results unambiguously demonstrated p44E recombination. The cloning method developed would facilitate precise analysis of the recombination process and the extent of diversity which the recombination creates in the antigenic repertoire.
Regulation of valanimycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces viridifaciens: characterization of VlmI as a Streptomyces antibiotic regulatory protein (SARP).

Streptomyces antibiotic regulatory proteins (SARPs) have been shown to activate transcription by binding to a tandemly arrayed set of heptameric direct repeats located around the −35 region of their cognate promoters. Experimental evidence is presented here showing that vlmI is a regulatory gene in the valanimycin biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces viridifaciens and encodes a protein belonging to the SARP family. The organization of the valanimycin biosynthetic gene cluster suggests that the valanimycin biosynthetic genes are located on three potential transcripts, vlmHORBCD, vlmJKL and vlmA. Disruption of vlmI abolished valanimycin biosynthesis. Western blot analyses showed that VlmR and VlmA are absent from the vlmI mutant and that the production of VlmK is severely diminished. These results demonstrate that the expression of these genes from the three potential transcripts is under the positive control of VlmI. The vlmA–vlmH and vlmI–vlmJ intergenic regions both exhibit a pattern of heptameric direct repeats. Gel shift assays with VlmI overproduced in Escherichia coli as a C-terminal FLAG-tagged protein clearly demonstrated that VlmI binds to DNA fragments from both regions that contain these heptameric repeats. When a high-copy-number vlmI expression plasmid was introduced into Streptomyces coelicolor M512, which contains mutations in the undecylprodigiosin and actinorhodin activators redD and actII-orf4, undecylprodigiosin production was restored, showing that vlmI can complement a redD mutation. Introduction of the same vlmI expression plasmid into an S. viridifaciens vlmI mutant restored valanimycin production to wild-type levels.
Targeted disruption of layer 4 during development increases GABAA receptor neurotransmission in the neocortex.

Cortical dysplasia (CD) associates with clinical pathologies, including epilepsy and mental retardation. CD results from impaired migration of immature neurons to their cortical targets, leading to...
An updated global earthquake catalogue for stable continental regions: reassessing the correlation with ancient rifts

SUMMARY We present an updated global earthquake catalogue for stable continental regions (SCRs; i.e. intraplate earthquakes) that is available on the Internet. Our database contains information on location, magnitude, seismic moment and focal mechanisms for over 1300 M (moment magnitude) ≥ 4.5 historic and instrumentally recorded crustal events. Using this updated earthquake database in combination with a recently published global catalogue of rifts, we assess the correlation of intraplate seismicity with ancient rifts on a global scale. Each tectonic event is put into one of five categories based on location: (i) interior rifts/taphrogens, (ii) rifted continental margins, (iii) non-rifted crust, (iv) possible interior rifts and (v) possible rifted margins. We find that approximately 27 per cent of all events are classified as interior rifts (i), 25 per cent are rifted continental margins (ii), 36 per cent are within non-rifted crust (iii) and 12 per cent (iv and v) remain uncertain. Thus, over half (52 per cent) of all events are associated with rifted crust, although within the continental interiors (i.e. away from continental margins), non-rifted crust has experienced more earthquakes than interior rifts. No major change in distribution is found if only large (M≥ 6.0) earthquakes are considered. The largest events (M≥ 7.0) however, have occurred predominantly within rifts (50 per cent) and continental margins (43 per cent). Intraplate seismicity is not distributed evenly. Instead several zones of concentrated seismicity seem to exist. This is especially true for interior rifts/taphrogens, where a total of only 12 regions are responsible for 74 per cent of all events and as much as 98 per cent of all seismic moment released in that category. Of the four rifts/taphrogens that have experienced the largest earthquakes, seismicity within the Kutch rift, India, and the East China rift system, may be controlled by diffuse plate boundary deformation more than by the presence of the ancient rifts themselves. The St. Lawrence depression, Canada, besides being an ancient rift, is also the site of a major collisional suture. Thus only at the Reelfoot rift (New Madrid seismic zone, NMSZ, USA), is the presence of features associated with rifting itself the sole candidate for causing seismicity. Our results suggest that on a global scale, the correlation of seismicity within SCRs and ancient rifts has been overestimated in the past. Because the majority of models used to explain intraplate seismicity have focused on seismicity within rifts, we conclude that a shift in attention more towards non-rifted as well as rifted crust is in order.
Metal extractability from contaminated SRS sediments: Comparison of column and batch results

Tims Branch, a stream on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site located near Aiken, South Carolina, received significant amounts U and Ni as a result of nuclear materials production and refinement. Batch and column experiments were used to evaluate potential remediation scenarios and the migration hazard of U and Ni from flood-plain sediments collected along Tims Branch. Treatment solutions included a low-ionic-strength groundwater surrogate (artificial groundwater), 1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 1 mM CaCl2 (pH 3.0), 1 mM Na-phytate (Na12C6H6O24P6), and 1 mM Ca-phytate (CaC6H16O24P6). The two organic phosphate compounds were included in the study because of their potential to serve as in-situ immobilizing agents through the formation of insoluble precipitates in association with the contaminant metals. Repacked columns were leached with a specific treatment solution for 30 pore volumes (PV) at a constant seepage velocity of 8 m day1 (26 ft day1). After leaching, solid-phase metal redistribution was evaluated using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure and sequential extraction methods. For comparison, batch extractions were conducted using a solid-to-solution ratio (1:20) that mimicked the total leaching volume. Despite differences in reaction time, batch and column results were generally consistent. The CaCl2 and EDTA column treatments removed substantial Ni from the labile fractions, i.e., water soluble and exchangeable, as indicted by subsequent extractions for the residual sediments. The effectiveness of the treatments in removing U and Ni was not evident from digestion of the residual column sediments. Ca-phytate significantly reduced U mobility in columns, with evidence for solid-phase redistribution to more recalcitrant fractions. Na-phytate extracted the most U in batch and columns despite inducing colloid dispersion that clogged the column and precluded further leaching after 8–10 PV.
Socioeconomic Status and Blood Pressure Reactivity in Healthy Black Adolescents

Adolescents in low-socioeconomic-status environments are more susceptible to illnesses, such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. This study examined the influence of both neighborhood- and family-level socioeconomic status (SES) on blood pressure (BP) reactivity in a healthy sample of 76 black adolescents. It was hypothesized that a higher level of parental education and/or income would reduce the elevated BP reactivity associated with living in poorer neighborhoods. Census-derived data were obtained using each participant's address. Neighborhood level of SES was based on percentage of households below the poverty line, female-headed households, owner-occupied housing, percentage vacant housing, and average number of persons per household. Family level of SES was based on self-reported level of parental education and annual family income. Adolescents participated in a competitive video game to establish their BP reactivity scores. As predicted, adolescents who lived in poorer neighborhoods had lower diastolic BPs if their parents were more (versus less) educated (P<0.05; 7+/-8 versus 13+/-6 mm Hg). Adolescents who lived in poorer neighborhoods also had significantly lower diastolic BP reactivity (P<0.05) if their family had a higher (versus lower) annual income (7+/-7 versus 12+/-8 mm Hg). These data are the first to demonstrate the buffering effect of family SES on the negative health consequences of living in low-SES neighborhoods in healthy black adolescents.
Justice and home health aides

Abstract Recently I heard a radio report describing a new surveillance system that worked through telephones and was being used to track home health aides (HHAs). Home health agencies were using the system to determine precisely when an aide arrived at and left a client's home. In this radio discussion, the system was presented as a means to counteract fraud in home health care.
Building a database driven/ADA compliant website

The Learning Environment and Internet Service (LEIS) a unit of Information Technology Services has redesigned the departmental website to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. This website is intended to be a model for web development projects at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). The initiative was in response to a growing government and grant requirements for ADA compliance.In the past creating an ADA compliant website often involved developing and managing two separate websites. To eliminate the need to build and manage separate websites, LEIS chose to develop a database driven website. The database model allowed the user to select a graphically enhanced or ADA compliant view of the website.The end result has been a site with improved user accessibility. The graphically enhanced site is now easier to navigate and loads quicker. The ADA compliant view provides an easy to read site for screen reader software and text based browsers.
Gaming and Statutory Duty of Care – A Requirement?

For many people gambling is a legitimate part of their leisure and recreation activities. While most people who gamble do so in a responsible manner and enjoy gambling as entertainment, for some it is a cause of problems for themselves, their families and the community. The Productivity Commission report, Australia’s Gambling Industries (2010), in respect of the latter, found that levels of problem gambling are of major concern. By drawing on approaches taken in the United States, Canada and a number of European Union Member States, this piece outlines that Australia may be falling behind the mark in its need to address actions brought by [problem] gamblers’ to obtain judicial redress against gambling providers.
Plastics: Engineering Materials

This paper is concerned solely with the engineering characteristics of plastics. It describes their reaction to the various environments of force, time, and temperature.
Tree Species Abundance Predictions in a Tropical Agricultural Landscape with a Supervised Classification Model and Imbalanced Data

Mapping species through classification of imaging spectroscopy data is facilitating research to understand tree species distributions at increasingly greater spatial scales. Classification requires a dataset of field observations matched to the image, which will often reflect natural species distributions, resulting in an imbalanced dataset with many samples for common species and few samples for less common species. Despite the high prevalence of imbalanced datasets in multiclass species predictions, the effect on species prediction accuracy and landscape species abundance has not yet been quantified. First, we trained and assessed the accuracy of a support vector machine (SVM) model with a highly imbalanced dataset of 20 tropical species and one mixed-species class of 24 species identified in a hyperspectral image mosaic (350–2500 nm) of Panamanian farmland and secondary forest fragments. The model, with an overall accuracy of 62% ± 2.3% and F-score of 59% ± 2.7%, was applied to the full image mosaic (23,000 ha at a 2-m resolution) to produce a species prediction map, which suggested that this tropical agricultural landscape is more diverse than what has been presented in field-based studies. Second, we quantified the effect of class imbalance on model accuracy. Model assessment showed a trend where species with more samples were consistently over predicted while species with fewer samples were under predicted. Standardizing sample size reduced model accuracy, but also reduced the level of species over- and under-prediction. This study advances operational species mapping of diverse tropical landscapes by detailing the effect of imbalanced data on classification accuracy and providing estimates of tree species abundance in an agricultural landscape. Species maps using data and methods presented here can be used in landscape analyses of species distributions to understand human or environmental effects, in addition to focusing conservation efforts in areas with high tree cover and diversity.
Paleobiology goes into the field

Paleobiology traditionally has received most of its stimulus from large datasets compiled from the literature and from analyses of museum specimens. The role of field work and the incorporation of the field context has been relatively minor. However, in part resulting from the recent revolution in the stratigraphic sciences, there has been a trend for more field-based paleobiological research. The paleobiological questions being addressed through field work fall between the "traditional" research avenues of paleobiology and field-based paleontology and can be considered the domain of "field paleobiology." These questions require the collection of fossils in a field context and directly incorporate field data into their solution. Examples include questions about radiations, extinctions, and recoveries. New approaches and sampling strategies are also reviewed.
Photonic Jet and its Applications in Nano-Photonics

Photonic jet – an unusually elongated intensive near-field focal point of microspheres – has been utilized for many nano-photonic applications such as novel nanolithography and enhancing light-matter interaction. In microsphere nanolithography, we have realized hexagonal array of arbitrary patterns with sub-80-nm feature size using 254 nm DUV wavelength. This approach provides a high-throughput path for practical production of metamaterial with deep sub-micron features and over large areas, for a broad range of applications such as thermosphotovoltaics. We have also used the unique properties of the photonic jets to realize monolithic compact hybrid optical antenna with excellent performance in terms of directionality and quantum efficiency. Our results show that quantum efficiencies exceeding 50% and directivity gain of 16 dB are possible. Unlike many near-filed counterparts, the lossless and non-resonant nature of photonic jet makes it uniquely scalable over a broad EM spectrum from deep UV to THz.
Improvement in Asthma Control Using a Minimally Burdensome and Proactive Smartphone Application

Background Integrated chronic disease treatment models that enable patient self-care and shared treatment decision making have recently been shown to improve medication adherence and outcomes. Smartphone applications (apps) are a readily available means to enable this model, although sustained user engagement remains a challenge. Objective To assess the efficacy of improving asthma control using a proactive smartphone app without required regular inputs. Methods We designed a minimally intrusive smartphone app to provide individualized and timely support to patients with asthma based on the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines and Scripps management pathways. In this proof-of-concept study, we enrolled 60 adults with poorly controlled asthma to test the usability and effectiveness of this app over a 4-month period. The Asthma Control Test survey was used to assess control before, during, and after app use. As a corollary, a retrospective chart review was also used to assess changes in lung function and prescribed courses of systemic corticosteroids. Results Our patients, with a mean age of 50 years, reported an improvement in Asthma Control Test scores from 16.6 (inadequate to poor) to 20.5 (controlled) over the study period. Concurrently, there was a 7.9% absolute increase in FEV1, while courses of systemic corticosteroids decreased from 0.5 to 0.3 courses per 6-month period. Fifty-eight of 60 patients completed the final survey, with high satisfaction reported. Conclusions This app improved asthma control in a cohort of patients with uncontrolled asthma (age range, 17-82 years), while minimizing burdensome inputs and proactively providing individualized teaching and treatment support. The app and treatment model are scalable to cost-effectively manage chronic disease.
Indications for gastrointestinal endoscopy in childhood

Endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) for diagnostics and therapy in children has evolved markedly over the last 20 or so years and is now usually undertaken by paediatric endoscopists. Updated diagnostic and management guidelines for common disorders including coeliac disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, eosinophilic oesophagitis and inflammatory bowel disease highlight the central role of endoscopy. Therapeutic endoscopic approaches are also now widely available and further broaden the referral spectrum to include treatment of GIT bleeding, gastrostomy insertion, dilation of strictures and polypectomy. Lastly, the advent of newer technologies allows the examination of hitherto inaccessible areas of the GIT such as the mid-small bowel by wireless capsule video-endoscopy and enteroscopy. We summarise recent current practice and clinical guidelines, focussing on the key indications for referrals that are likely to require endoscopic assessment.
Model Checking Via Parametric Bootstraps in Time Series Analysis

SUMMARY This paper uses parametric bootstraps in conjunction with selected functionals such as the spectral density function to derive methods for model checking in time series analysis. The methods proposed emphasize the reproducibilities of the fitted models. They are widely applicable and easy to implement. In particular, they can be used to check special characteristics of the underlying process such as time reversibility and long memory dependence. The paper also addresses the importance of model-building objectives in model checking. Several examples including a wind speed data set for Ireland are used to illustrate the procedures proposed.
Experimentelles Asthma bronchiale bei Hunden: funktionsanalytische und röntgenologische Untersuchungen

Inhalation spezifischer Antigene fuhrt bei allergischen Hunden zu einer schweren Broncho constriction. Wir haben bei diesem tierexperimentellen Asthmamodell in fruheren immunologischen Untersuchungen zeigen konnen, das der Bronchoconstriction eine allergische Reaktion vom Soforttyp zwischen spezifischen Antigenen und IgE-ahnlichen Antikorpern zugrunde liegt [3]. Unsere Untersuchungen wurden an Hunden durchgefuhrt, weil Hunde auf weit verbreitete naturliche Infektionen mit Nematoden Antikorper von Reagincharakter bilden und auserdem gelegentlich Pollenallergien mit respiratorischen Symptomen haben.
Rhodopsin Gene Mutations Causing Retinitis Pigmentosa

Major progress in understanding retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a group of hereditary retinal degenerations, occurred with the discovery that some forms of autosomal dominant (ad) RP are caused by mutations in the gene encoding the rod visual pigment, rhodopsin (reviewed in Humphries, et al, 1993). An important question arising from these molecular genetic discoveries is: How does the molecular pathology lead to rod photoreceptor dysfunction and progressive retinal degeneration? A number of different scientific approaches, from molecular to clinical, are being used to try to answer this question. We are studying patients with rhodopsin gene mutations using non-invasive tests of retinal function to try to understand the relationship between the molecular lesions and the clinical phenotype (Jacobson et al, 1991; Kemp et al, 1992a; Jacobson et al, 1994).
Fractionation and flux decline studies of surface-patterned nanofiltration membranes using NaCl-glycerol-BSA solutions

Abstract One of the major challenges in applying membrane technology is how to mitigate fouling, which decreases membrane productivity and lifetime. We previously developed a technique for preparing thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes with submicron-patterned surfaces (via nanoimprint lithography), using interfacial polymerization techniques consistent with those used in the commercial production of reverse osmosis membranes. Herein, we present results from crossflow permeation experiments with these patterned and non-patterned TFC membranes using aqueous NaCl/glycerol solutions, with and without bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein foulant. The NaCl/glycerol/water fractionation properties of these membranes were not significantly affected by the imprinting process, and their separation performance is similar to that of commercially available materials. At a low transmembrane pressure with operation likely experiencing weak concentration polarization, the permeance decline is small with both imprinted and non-imprinted membranes. At a higher transmembrane pressure, however, a rapid flux decline was observed for the non-patterned membranes but not for the patterned ones. Furthermore, the patterned membranes recovered more of their initial pure water permeance after the fouling permeation experiments. These initial findings reinforce the prospect of improved long-term fouling mitigation due to surface patterning. In particular, our results suggest that even regular ~30 nm protruding surface patterns increase the flux with low protein deposition and may also lead to a looser structure (and, thus, easier removal) of any deposited surface protein layer.
Single-Protein Tracking Reveals That NADPH Mediates the Insertion of Cytochrome P450 Reductase into a Biomimetic of the Endoplasmic Reticulum.

Cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) is the redox partner for most human cytochrome P450 enzymes. It is also believed that CPR is an integral membrane protein exclusively. Herein, we report that, contrary to this belief, CPR can exist as a peripheral membrane protein in the absence of NADPH and will transition to an integral membrane protein in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of NADPH or greater. All experiments were performed in a solid-supported cushioned lipid bilayer that closely matched the chemical composition of the human endoplasmic reticulum and served as an ER biomimetic. The phase characteristics and fluidity of the ER biomimetic was characterized with fluorescence micrographs and temperature-dependent fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. The interactions of CPR with the ER biomimetic were directly observed by tracking single CPR molecules using time-lapse single-molecule fluorescence imaging and subsequent analysis of tracks. These studies revealed dramatic changes in diffusion coeffi...
Mechanical Deformation Accelerates Protein Ageing.

A hallmark of tissue ageing is the irreversible oxidative modifications of its constituent proteins. We show that single proteins, kept unfolded and extended by a mechanical force, undergo accelerated ageing in times scales of minutes to days. A protein forced to be continuously unfolded, loses completely its ability to contract by folding becoming a labile polymer. Ageing rates vary amongst different types of proteins, but in all cases they lose their mechanical integrity. Random oxidative modification of cryptic side chains exposed by mechanical unfolding can be slowed by the addition of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, or accelerated by oxidants. By contrast, proteins kept in the folded state and probed over week-long experiments show greatly reduced rates of ageing. We demonstrate a novel assay where protein ageing can be greatly accelerated: the constant unfolding of a protein for hours to days is equivalent to decades of exposure to free radicals under physiological conditions
Establishing upper bounds on CO2 swing capacity in sub-ambient pressure swing adsorption via molecular simulation of metal–organic frameworks

Swing capacity is a key performance metric for processes designed to capture CO2 by pressure swing adsorption (PSA). Sub-ambient operation of PSA units enables large changes in CO2 swing capacity, and can be economically viable when coupled with heat integration and power recovery. Here, we examine what upper bounds on CO2 swing capacity exist via molecular simulation of a large collection of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). As has been observed previously for zeolites, the materials with the largest swing capacity at a given temperature have large pore volumes and heats of adsorption within a narrow range of optimal values. A number of materials are identified with swing capacities up to 40 mol kg−1 using a pressure swing from 0.1 bar to 2.0 bar.
Dilutions and Concentrations

Dilution and concentration of solutions are used for a variety of reasons related to food analysis. Along with describing these reasons, this chapter covers the basic calculations and strategies for calculating the final concentration when one is given the initial concentration and a known dilution/concentration scheme. Also covered are strategies for designing and performing dilutions to obtain standard curves that can be used for determining the concentration of analytes in a sample. This chapter includes practice problems, for which the answers are at the end of the lab manual.
Effects of Weight Loss with and without Exercise on Regional Body Fat Distribution in Postmenopausal Women.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The purpose was to determine whether lifestyle interventions have different effects on regional fat in women with normal glucose tolerance vs. impaired glucose tolerance (NGT vs. IGT). METHODS Changes in glucose metabolism (2-h oral glucose-tolerance tests), android to gynoid fat mass ratio (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), visceral to subcutaneous abdominal fat area ratio (CT), and abdominal to gluteal subcutaneous fat cell weight (FCW; adipose tissue biopsies) were determined in 60 overweight postmenopausal women (45-80 years) following 6 months of weight loss alone (WL; n = 28) or with aerobic exercise (AEX + WL; n = 32). RESULTS The interventions led to ∼8% decrease in weight, but only the AEX + WL group improved fitness (↑11% in VO2max) and reduced the android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio (↓5%; p < 0.05). Both NGT and IGT groups reduced visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat areas and abdominal and gluteal FCWs, which related to improvements in homeostatic model assessment (r = 0.34-0.42) and 2-h glucose (r = 0.34-0.35), respectively (p < 0.05). The decline in FCW was 2× greater in women with IGT following WL (p < 0.05). The ratios of abdominal-to-gluteal FCW did not change following either intervention. CONCLUSIONS The mechanisms by which WL with and without exercise impact regional fat loss should be explored as reductions in abdominal fat area and subcutaneous FCW appear to influence glucose metabolism. This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Foreign copyrights may apply. Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.
Reproductive Desires and Considerations of HIV-Positive Men in Heterosexual Relationships in New York City

The reproductive desires of HIV-positive men have been investigated far less than those of HIV-positive women, especially in the US. This qualitative study of a sample of 94 HIV-positive men in New York City who were in a relationship with a woman of reproductive age examined their reasons for wanting a child as well as the conditions under which they would feel ready to attempt conception. Participants felt a child would make them feel normal, give meaning to their lives, or make others in their life happy. Although they reported HIV-related concerns (i.e., horizontal or vertical transmission, reinfection, or shortened life expectancy), participants mostly discussed factors unrelated to HIV (e.g., finances, housing, incarceration, substance abuse, or relationships) as deterrents to acting on their desire to having a child. When providing information on safer conception, healthcare providers should be aware of the broad desires and factors informing HIV-positive men's reproductive goals.
Nested dependent city-regions: FDI, uneven development, and Slovakia’s Bratislava, Nitra, Trencin, Trnava, and Zilina city-regions

ABSTRACTDespite their growing dependence upon foreign direct investment, the growth trajectories of the postsocialist city-regions of Central Europe have remained tightly embedded in their national development contexts. Guided by nested city theory and drawing upon empirical data and the author’s field research, this article argues that Slovakia’s postsocialist state development approach has served to reinforce historical uneven development among the Bratislava, Nitra, Trencin, Trnava, and Zilina city-regions (hereafter the Bratislava–Zilina auto corridor) and these areas’ dependency upon foreign capital. It also contends that this embedded policy framework has helped transform these 5 city-regions into nested dependent city-regions. That is, the current level of economic unevenness among them and their overreliance upon foreign transnational corporations has been shaped by central government policy initiatives, which themselves have been tightly embedded within Slovakia’s past and contemporary national a...
When Everybody’s Blocked: Understanding Shared Perceptions of Workarounds and Workaround Behaviors

Workarounds – the steps taken to navigate a block in a process – are a persistent issue in healthcare management. To date, they have been studied as an individual-level phenomenon caused by individual-level antecedents (e.g., burnout) and organization- level factors (e.g., supply shortages). Using multilevel theory and studies of behavioral contagion, we add to the literature on workarounds by conceptualizing them as a department-level phenomenon. We argue that the homogeneous social context within hospitals allows individuals within departments to form shared perceptions of process blocks and work around these process blocks in similar ways. In our sample of 373 hospital employees nested within 32 departments, we find that safety climate (i.e., higher levels of managerial safety practices) leads to fewer workarounds at the department level. Contrary to expectations, we find that higher levels of the priority of safety dimension of safety climate lead to a reduction in workarounds at the department level ...
MICROBIAL NITROGEN CYCLING IN A SEAGRASS COMMUNITY

The seagrass, Thalassia testudinum , is a highly productive marine plant which grows in shallow waters of the tropical and sub-tropical Atlantic Ocean. Its production in these nutrient poor environments is regulated by availability of nitrogen. Studies of N 2 (C 2 H 2 ) fixation associated with T. testudinum communities indicate that bacterial activity in the rhizosphere contributes a substantial fraction of the plant's nitrogen requirement. In the phyllosphere, N 2 fixation by heterocystous cyanobacteria may promote development of other leaf epiphytes. Nitrogenase activity is also associated with detrital leaves, and this provides another locus of nitrogen input to the seagrass community. Nitrogen fixation and denitrification (measured by C 2 H 2 blockage/N 2 O production) occur simultaneously in anaerobic assays of rhizosphere sediments, but the latter process requires the addition of NO 3 - . The significance of the presence of denitrifying bacteria therefore depends on the rate of in situ NO 3 - production. Nitrification would be promoted both by the high levels of NH 4 + in these sediments and by the O 2 conveyed into the rhizosphere by the extensive rhizome system of T. testudinum. A comprehension of the interplay of bacterial activities and their relevance to the nitrogen cycle of this seagrass, particularly with respect to nitrification, requires further scrutiny.