cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heroic procedures in vascular injury management: the role of extra-anatomic bypasses.

The insertion of an extra-anatomic bypass graft is an accepted operative technique in highly selected patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease and contraindications to in situ grafting. In similar fashion, the technique should be considered in injured or septic patients with large soft tissue defects or wound infections overlying arterial repairs or involving native arteries. The combination of vigorous debridement of injured or infected soft tissue and insertion of an extra-anatomic bypass graft allows for appropriate care of the wound without concern for further injury to the now-displaced arterial repair.
A theory for inflorescence development and flower formation based on morphological and biophysical analysis in Echeveria.

Floral development is generally viewed as involving interactions between recently made organs and generative activity on the apical dome; one set of floral organs is thought to induce the next. To investigate such interactions, flowering in Echeveria derenbergii (J. Purpus) was studied at two levels of structure. At the larger, morphological, level the inflorescence apex is shown to have simple cyclic development. Seen from above, it elongates horizontally, then forms a transverse cleft to demarcate a flower primordium in one of two rows. The meristem then elongates at 90° to its previous axis, also horizontally, and demarcates a flower in the other row. Activity on the apical surface correlates well with the nature and activity of adjacent sub-apical organs. For example, the 90° shifts in elongation of the meristem correlate with that tissue's being attached, laterally, to successive large growing bracts whose bases lie at 90°. Also, on the flower primordium, the five sepals arise in a spiral sequence which correlates with one of increasing age, since formation by the cleft, of the edges of the primordium.The second level of study was to test whether the developmental correlations could have a biophysical explanation. By biophysical theory, organs arise where the dome surface is structurally predisposed to bulge. This is a function of the cellulose reinforcement pattern in the surface. Successive patterns of cellulose reinforcement in isolated surface layers from floral organs were determined using polarized light. This was done for the cyclic activity of the inflorescence meristem and the development of the flower. The results indicate that patterns of cellulose reinforcement on the apical dome surface could lead to the production of organs, through local promotion of bulging of the tunica. Subsequent growth of the base of each organ stretches the adjacent dome tissue in a directional fashion. Cytoskeletal responses of these stretched cells lead to new cellulose alignments on the dome which generate the reinforcement pattern for the next round of organs.
Magnetic moments: Study of the interplay between single-particle and collective excitations

Both theoretical descriptions of nuclei and experimental techniques for measuring magnetic moments have become very sophisticated. Yet, in general, good agreement between calculations and measurements still eludes us. Highlights are presented of new measurements of g factors of mixedsymmetry states in 92,94Zr, of the 4 1 + state in 70Ge, and of the 2 1 + states in some S and Ar isotopes.
Section III. Summary

The three articles in Section III, Classroom Practices, cohered around matters of knowing and doing as evidenced in classroom practices and showed how identity and living in community were unavoida...
Local asymptotic admissibility of a generalization of Akaike′s model selection rule

A model selection rule of the form minimize [−2 log (maximized likelihood)+complexity] is considered, which is equivalent to Akaike's minimum AIC rule if the complexity of a model is defined to be twice the number of independently adjusted parameters of the model. Under reasonable assumptions, when applied to a locally asymptotically normal sequence of experiments, the model selection rule is shown to be locally asymptotically admissible with respect to a loss function of the form [inaccuracy+complexity], where the inaccuracy is defined as twice the Kullback-Leibler measure of the discrepancy between the true model and the fitted version of the selected model.
Polar Transport Related to Mobilization of Plant Constituents

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid (dicamba), sucrose, and mannitol, were tested for polar transport through 5-mm hypocotyl segments of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris var. Pinto) seedlings. All 4 compounds were transported in a polar direction. Autoradiographs of segments through which 14C-labeled compounds were transported indicated areas of 14C concentration near the morphological base of segments. There was a direct correlation of IAA transport with the ability to initiate roots as well as with the degree of 14C accumulation in the morphological base of segments. Unlabeled IAA in lanolin applied to segments appeared to reduce transport of IAA-14C through those segments when measured by the accumulation of 14C in a receiver-block of agar, caused an increase in 14C accumulation in the region to which the unlabeled IAA was applied, and also caused a decrease in accumulation of 14C at the morphological base of upright segments. Histological studies showed that IAA accelerated cell division and the formation of root primordia particularly at the basal ends, and that these responses sometimes occurred at the expense of cell proliferation at the apical ends of segments. The data presented support the hypothesis that polar movement of IAA, and other endogenous and exogenous substances, in isolated stem segments was controlled by mobilization and utilization of plant constituents at the growth centers.
INFRARED REFLECTION ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY OF ADSORBATES ON SEMICONDUCTORS WITH BURIED METAL LAYERS - O2/GAAS

Abstract A technique is described whereby infrared reflection-absorption spectra of submonolayer coverages of small molecules adsorbed on ordered single-crystal surfaces of elemental and compound semiconductors can be obtained in a single external reflection. Molecular beam epitaxy is used to form a “buried metal layer” under the semiconductor surface of interest. Spectra can then be obtained at grazing incidence in p-polarization, as for a bare metal substrate. The method is illustrated for H on Si and O on GaAs.
Enhanced location update mechanism in wireless cellular networks using knowledge of mobility patterns

The distance-based location area update mechanism of CDMA 1X EV-DO achieves circular location areas around the cell in which the mobile makes the update. In this paper, we enhance this technique by achieving arbitrary location area shapes tailored to the known mobility patterns of mobiles. We develop a heuristic iterative algorithm that searches for the optimal shape which maximizes the time between location area updates of a mobile, for a given paging cost. We present numerical results that show significant improvement in the time between location area updates of our proposed algorithm over that of the pure distance-based location update scheme, provided there is sufficient bias in the mobility pattern of the mobile. Our heuristic is motivated by formulating the problem as a finite state absorbing Markov chain, with the objective of maximizing the time to absorption of the Markov chain. We investigate and numerically quantify the impact of several other parameters, such as, the total number of cells in the location area and different mean cell residence times across cells.
Using Cost Per Use to Assess Big Deals

This presentation from the 23rd North Carolina Serials Conference discussed the Carolina Consortium's recent consortium-wide analysis of its big deal ejournal packages, with cost per use as the primary metric. This session addressed the pros and cons of cost-per-use (CPU) data and considered how consortia and individual schools should best utilize the data. Bernhardt discussed how the Carolina Consortium gathered and analyzed CPU data and the impact the examination had on determining whether individual schools cancelled, renewed, or joined big deals. Seven schools were identified as having big deals with CPU higher than desired. Of those seven, four schools chose to renew their deals, while three chose to cancel. Bucknall determined that while CPU is an important metric to analyze in making renewal and cancellation decisions, it is not the only factor.
Structure of the catalytic trimer of Methanococcus jannaschii aspartate transcarbamoylase in an orthorhombic crystal form

Crystals of the catalytic subunit of Methanococcus jannaschii aspartate transcarbamoylase in an orthorhombic crystal form contain four crystallo­graphically independent trimers which associate in pairs to form stable staggered complexes that are similar to each other and to a previously determined monoclinic C2 form. Each subunit has a sulfate in the central channel. The catalytic subunits in these complexes show flexibility, with the elbow angles of the monomers differing by up to 7.4° between crystal forms. Moreover, there is also flexibility in the relative orientation of the trimers around their threefold axis in the complexes, with a difference of 4° between crystal forms.
School Choice and the Market: Lessons from the National Football League

School choice policies assume that market-like competition will create a dynamic educational environment that will produce desirable system-level outcomes, generally defined in terms of efficiency,...
Alterations of the gut microbiome and metabolome in alcoholic liver disease

Alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of liver diseases and liver-related death worldwide. The gut is a habitat for billions of microorganisms which promotes metabolism and digestion in their symbiotic relationship with the host. Alterations of gut microbiome by alcohol consumption are referred to bacterial overgrowth, release of bacteria-derived products, and/or changed microbiota equilibrium. Alcohol consumption also perturbs the function of gastrointestinal mucosa and elicits a pathophysiological condition. These adverse effects caused by alcohol may ultimately result in a broad change of gastrointestinal luminal metabolites such as bile acids, short chain fatty acids, and branched chain amino acids. Gut microbiota alterations, metabolic changes produced in a dysbiotic intestinal environment, and the host factors are all critical contributors to the development and progression of alcoholic liver disease. This review summarizes recent findings of how alcohol-induced alterations of gut microbiota and metabolome, and discusses the mechanistic link between gastrointestinal dyshomeostasis and alcoholic liver injury.
Effect of sex of therapist and client on therapists' attitudes towards assertiveness problems

Four hypothetical cases that contained descriptions of various assertiveness problems of male and female pseudo clients were presented to 57 male and 88 female mental health professionals. In two out of the four cases presented, female therapists found the client more in need of counseling than did male therapists, independent of the sex of the client. All therapists perceived a female client with a conflict between sexual assertiveness and negative judgments from peers to be more in need of counseling than a male client. All therapists preferred working with a female client in one of the cases. Thus, the effect of sex of therapist and client was not consistent across cases.
Magnetic Permeability of Iron and Magnetite in High Frequency Alternating Fields

Relative values of the permeability of cast-iron filings, iron wires, and iron powder in high frequency magnetic fields.---Wwedensky and Theodortschik have found the magnetic permeability of iron, steel, and nickel in alternating fields to be abnormally large in certain frequency bands (at about 100 meters for iron) and nearly normal in other regions. The general appearance of the phenomenon suggested the existence, in the material, of resonators corresponding to these frequencies. The phenomenon has been observed also by Kralovec. Two experimental methods have been followed in the present investigation, one the resonance method and the other the heterodyne method. Both utilized, in principle, the measurement of the change in inductance of a coil due to the introduction of the sample of material into it. The wave-length ranges covered were from 80 to 1700 meters by the heterodyne method and from 50 to 160 by the resonance method. The heterodyne method was used in an improved form which eliminated drifts. The results are in disagreement with those of Wwedensky and Theordortschik and with those of Kralovec. No anomalous change in permeability was found at any frequency. The following errors, which may have misled previous investigators, were found in the course of the present work: (a) anomalous behavior of capacities in series when these are connected in tube circuits, an effect the nature of which is unknown but which is related in some way to the length of the connecting wires; (b) a general variation in the apparent permeability as measured by one coil, presumably due to effects of distributed capacity; (c) apparent anomalies when a number of coils are used without comparing the results at the same wave-length; (d) an apparent anomaly in the permeability, at a critical frequency, arising from the presence of a metal shield inside the coil; (e) an effect of drift in the heterodyne method.The absolute value of the permeability of powdered magnetite.---The permeability of magnetite in powdered form has been measured by two fairly independent methods. The values decrease from about 1.532 at 132.2 meters to 1.401 at 85.8 meters. After due allowance is made for density of packing, these values compare favorably with the results obtained by a static method by Welo and Baudisch.
Pre-dispositional juvenile detention: an analysis of race, gender and intersectionality

The current study investigated the impact of race and gender on the likelihood of receiving pre-dispositional secure detention, release, or a detention alternative with data from one juvenile court in Virginia. Guided by intersectionality theory, the research also analyzed the joint impact of being nonwhite and female on the pre-dispositional detention outcome. Findings indicate that race was not a significant predictor of the detention decision, but females were treated with more leniency compared to males. The interaction of race and gender was not found to significantly predict the detention decision. Relevant policy implications are discussed as well as limitations and directions for future research.
On the mechanism of DNA transfection: efficient gene transfer without viruses

From an investigation of how transfected DNA navigates from the cell surface to the nucleus, we have developed a transfection method for primary human fibroblasts that approaches the efficiency of viruses. We have visually tracked the subcellular routing of exogenous DNA and find that all cells in an asynchronous population are surprisingly competent in the nuclear uptake of DNA, but two steps practically limit efficient transfection to a minority of cells. First, regardless of the method used to traverse the cell membrane--CaPO4 precipitation, lipofection or electroporation--it appears that nuclear transport of DNA requires routing through endosomes and lysosomes. Apparent abrogation of endosome-lysosome fusion or translocation with microfilament or microtubule toxins, respectively, inhibits the nuclear accumulation of transfected DNA, but interruption of lysosomal function with protease inhibitors promotes it. Second, in normal human fibroblasts, which are refractory to transfection the exogenous DNA is rapidly excluded from the nucleus, but in HeLa cells, which are readily transfected, there is prolonged nuclear stability of the DNA, indicating the failure in HeLa cells of a mechanism for the elimination of foreign DNA. These observations imply strategies for optimizing gene transfer efficiency in virus-independent approaches to gene therapy.
Exploring Subjective Representationalism

Representationalism is, roughly, the view that experiencing is to be analyzed wholly in terms of representing. But what sorts of properties are represented in experience? According to a prominent form of representation- alism, objective representationalism, experiences represent only objective (i.e. suitably mind-independent) properties. I explore subjective representational- ism, the view that experiences represent at least some subjective (i.e. suitably mind-dependent) properties. Subjective representationalists, but not objective representationalists, can accommodate cases of illusion-free phenomenal inversion. Moreover, subjective representationalism captures the so-called transparency of experience, as it is standardly articulated, just as well as objec- tive representationalism. The core idea of representationalism is that experiencing is to be analyzed wholly in terms of representing. More precisely, representationalism is the view that a mental state is an experience in virtue of being an appropriate type of representational state, perhaps in conjunction with playing a certain functional role; experiences are phenomenally similar or different wholly in virtue of having similar or different representational contents. 1 A pressing question for representationalism, then, is just what goes into these phenomenal contents that determine the phenomenal similarities and differences among experiences. Contrast two sorts of properties. Objective properties are robustly mind-independent in this sense: whether or not something instantiates an objective property does not depend essentially on whether or not that thing is appropriately related to the minds of subjects. Meanwhile, subjective properties are mind-dependent in a related sense: whether or not something instantiates a subjective property does depend essentially on whether or not that thing is appropriately related to the minds of subjects. The subject in question might exist at some time other than when the subjective property is instantiated. 2 An obvious ques-
Energy diagram of triplet and singlet excited states in conjugated polymers

Abstract We have theoretically studied the triplet and singlet excited states of conjugated polymers for the purpose of further understanding the photophysics of these systems. Exact finite chain calculations within the Pariser-Parr-Pople and extended Hubbard models show that the triplet absorption energy is almost independent of the degree of bond alternation. Furthermore, the final state of this triplet-triplet transition lies below the so-called m 1 A g charge-transfer exciton due to correlation effects higher than single configuration-interaction. This indicates that the final state in triplet absorption is an exciton. Based on the exciton nature of the excited triplet state, and energy relationships between the 1 1 B u , 2 1 A g , and triplet ground state, we are able to determine the absolute lower limit for the exciton binding energy in poly( p -phenylene vinylene).
Effect of Thermal Processing and Carbon Dioxide-assisted High-pressure Processing on Pectinmethylesterase and Chemical Changes in Orange Juice

ABSTRACT: The effects of high-pressure processing (HPP), CO2-assisted high-pressure processing (HPP + CO2), and thermal processing on the chemical and physical properties of single-strength Valencia orange juice were evaluated over 4 mo of storage at 4 and 30 °C. The HPP + CO2 juice had the greatest cloud stability and highest ascorbic acid retention. Volatile compound losses were lowest in the HPP juice and lower in the HPP + CO2 juice compared to the thermally processed juice (p < 0.05). HPP + CO2 produced a cloud-stable orange juice with more ascorbic acid and flavor volatiles than thermally processed juice (p < 0.05).
Immediate Implant Placement Into Infected Sites: Bacterial Studies of the Hydroacoustic Effects of the YSGG Laser

This article describes the use of an erbium laser to use photoacoustics to reduce the bacteria in osteotomy sites that were infected by apical pathology. The author shows reduced bacterial counts by performing bacterial cultures following laser treatment. Swabs were taken after the extraction of the tooth and then after the laser was placed into the osteotomy site. The results showed a noticeable reduction of bacteria and no traces of virulent bacteria.
Synthesis of 1,2,4-triazines and the triazinoisoquinolinedione DEF ring system of noelaquinone

The intramolecular Staudinger-aza-Wittig reaction is used for a general synthesis of 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazines, a structural motif reported for the natural product noelaquinone. The DEF moiety of noelaquinone was obtained in 13 steps and 2% overall yield, and the structure of the synthetic product was confirmed by X-ray analysis.
Classes of network connectivity and dynamics

Many kinds of complex systems exhibit characteristic patterns of temporal correlations that emerge as the result of functional interactions within a structured network. One such complex system is the brain, composed of numerous neuronal units linked by synaptic connections. The activity of these neuronal units gives rise to dynamic states that are characterized by specific patterns of neuronal activation and co-activation. These patterns, called functional connectivity, are possible neural correlates of perceptual and cognitive processes. Which functional connectivity patterns arise depends on the anatomical structure of the underlying network, which in turn is modified by a broad range of activity-dependent processes. Given this intricate relationship between structure and function, the question of how patterns of anatomical connectivity constrain or determine dynamical patterns is of considerable theoretical importance. The present study develops computational tools to analyze networks in terms of their structure and dynamics. We identify different classes of network, including networks that are characterized by high complexity. These highly complex networks have distinct structural characteristics such as clustered connectivity and short wiring length similar to those of large-scale networks of the cerebral cortex. 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering imaging using noble metal nanoparticles

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging is a powerful technique for studying biological systems both in vitro and in vivo. In SERS, Raman scattering from molecules located near the surface of either gold or silver nanoparticles is enhanced by 10(5) - 10(8). This review describes the basic enhancement mechanism of SERS and provides experimental details that must be considered when performing a SERS imaging experiment with a focus on cellular imaging. Specific examples highlighting the power of SERS for measuring chemical distributions in cells, signal multiplexing, and following dynamic motion of SERS probes in vivo are provided. Potential future directions in which SERS is combined with super-resolution imaging are also described.
Mössbauer Effect Investigation of Hydrogen Rich Ternary Hydrides of YFe2, DyFe2 and ErFe2

The hydrogen rich ternary hydride phases of RFe2Hx (R = Y, Dy, Er) with x ≥ 4 have been investigated using 57Fe, 161Dy and 166Er Mossbauer spectroscopy and bulk magnetization. In all cases, the presence of hydrogen results in a dramatic reduction in the moment on Fe as well as the magnetic transition temperature. The data also imply a simultaneous weakening of the R-Fe magnetic exchange.
Effects of sex hormones on cardiovascular and hematologic responses to chronic hypoxia in rats.

SummaryCastrated male rats exposed to high altitude (4000 m) for 5-6 weeks developed right ventricular hypertrophy, increased hematocrits and increased levels of 2,3-DPG. Treatment with testosteron...
High-energy saturable absorber mode-locked fiber laser system

We demonstrate a mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser with a 1-microm InGaAs saturable absorber that produces 84-ps, 1-nJ transform-limited pulses. Measurements of the InGaAs multiple quantum well revealed a slow saturable absorber that is useful for passive mode locking. Optical fiber was added to extend the cavity and vary the repetition rate from 51 kHz to 5.4 MHz. The narrow spectral width of the laser output (<0.04 nm) permits amplification to 0.2 microJ/pulse with minimal pulse broadening. Pulse energies as large as 1.7 microJ can be achieved with pulse widths of <330 ps. Average powers of 0.5 W at megahertz repetition rates are demonstrated.
Magnetic anisotropy in arrays of nanometer-scale iron particles

Arrays of ferromagnetic iron particles have been fabricated by a combination of chemical vapor deposition and scanning tunneling microscopy. Hall magnetometry and MFM measurements have been used to determine their magnetic properties. The measured switching fields indicate magnetization reversal by curling from which an exchange length, /spl lambda//sub ex/=3.1 nm, may be estimated. The cylindrically shaped particles have an easy magnetization direction (EMD) along their long axis due to shape anisotropy. The magnetic anisotropy is evaluated by fitting calculated magnetization curves to those measured with applied field perpendicular to the particles EMD.
Role of human liver microsomal CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 in catalyzing N-dechloroethylation of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide

The anticancer alkylating agents cyclophosphamide (CPA) and ifosfamide (IFA) are prodrugs that undergo extensive P450-catalyzed metabolism to yield both active (4-hydroxylated) and therapeutically inactive but neurotoxic (N-dechloroethylated) metabolites. Whereas the human liver microsomal P450 catalysts of CPA and IFA 4-hydroxylation are well characterized, the P450 enzyme catalysts of the alternative N-dechloroethylation pathway are poorly defined. Analysis of a panel of fifteen human P450 cDNAs in the baculovirus expression system ('Supersomes') demonstrated that CYP3A4 exhibited the highest N-dechloroethylation activity toward both CPA and IFA, whereas CYP2B6 displayed high N-dechloroethylation activity toward IFA, but not CPA. The contributions of each human P450 to overall liver microsomal N-dechloroethylation were calculated using a recently described relative substrate-activity factor method, and were found to be in excellent agreement with the results of inhibition studies using the CYP3A inhibitor troleandomycin and an inhibitory monoclonal antibody to CYP2B6. With CPA as substrate, CYP3A4 was shown to catalyze >/=95% of liver microsomal N-dechloroethylation, whereas with IFA as substrate, CYP3A4 catalyzed an average of approximately 70% of liver microsomal N-dechloroethylation (range = 40-90%), with the balance of this activity catalyzed by CYP2B6 (range = 10-70%, dependent on the CYP2B6 content of the liver). Because CYP2B6 can make a significant contribution to human liver microsomal IFA N-dechloroethylation, but only a minor contribution to IFA 4-hydroxylation, the selective inhibition of hepatic CYP2B6 activity in individuals with a high hepatic CYP2B6 content may provide a useful approach to minimize the formation of therapeutically inactive but toxic N-dechloroethylated IFA metabolites.
β-Casomorphin Induces Fos-Like Immunoreactivity in Discrete Brain Regions Relevant to Schizophrenia and Autism

The induction of Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) was used to determine the brain localization affected by b-casomorphin-7 (b-CM7). Peripheral administration of human b-CM7 at different doses (5, 10 and 30 mg/kg, IV for 1 hour) to rats induced moderate to strong FLI in discrete brain regions including the nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen, ventral tegmental and median raphe nucleus, and orbitofrontal, prefrontal, parietal, temporal, occipital and entorhinal cortex. All of the above areas have been shown to be altered either functionally or anatomically in patients with schizophrenia, and most have been shown to be functionally abnormal in autism. Some of these brain areas are originators or components of dopaminergic, serotoninergic and GABA-ergic pathways, suggesting that b-CM7 can affect the function of all of these systems. The role of some other affected areas in emotional and motivated behavior, social adaptation, hallucinations and delusions suggests that b-CM7, which was found in high concentration...
Nonlithographic fabrication of lateral superlattices for nanometric electromagnetic-optic applications

A nonlithographic technique that utilizes highly ordered anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) porous membrane as a template is employed as a general fabrication means for the formation of an array of vastly different two-dimensional lateral superlattice nanostructures. The fact that material systems as different as metals, semiconductors, and carbon nanotubes can be treated with the same ease attest to the generality of this nanofabrication approach. The original AAO membranes determine the uniformity, packing density, and size of the nanostructures. The flexibility of using a variety of materials, the accurate control over fabrication process, and the command over AAO template attributes, gives us the freedom of engineering various physical properties determined by the shape, size, composition, and doping of the nanostructures. The novel nanomaterial platform realized by this unique technique is powerfully enabling for a broad range of applications.
A Multi-Stage Problem Formulation for Concept Selection for Improved Product Design

In this paper, a new concept selection method is proposed and its application is demonstrated. The utility theory based proposed method formulates the concept selection problem as a multi-stage decision. The proposed method has improvements in its ease of use, and accounting for potentially coupled decisions in comparison to other methods found in the literature. We first present a comprehensive review of the existing concept selection methods, and then explain the proposed approach. The paper concludes with its application on a case study along with recommendations for future work.
Constitutive expression of the Vi polysaccharide capsular antigen in attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar typhi oral vaccine strain CVD 909.

Live oral Ty21a and parenteral Vi polysaccharide vaccines provide significant protection against typhoid fever, albeit by distinct immune mechanisms. Vi stimulates serum immunoglobulin G Vi antibodies, whereas Ty21a, which does not express Vi, elicits humoral and cell-mediated immune responses other than Vi antibodies. Protection may be enhanced if serum Vi antibody as well as cell-mediated and humoral responses can be stimulated. Disappointingly, several new attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi oral vaccines (e.g., CVD 908-htrA and Ty800) that elicit serum O and H antibody and cell-mediated responses following a single dose do not stimulate serum Vi antibody. Vi expression is regulated in response to environmental signals such as osmolarity by controlling the transcription of tviA in the viaB locus. To investigate if Vi antibodies can be stimulated if Vi expression is rendered constitutive, we replaced P(tviA) in serovar Typhi vaccine CVD 908-htrA with the constitutive promoter P(tac), resulting in CVD 909. CVD 909 expresses Vi even under high-osmolarity conditions and is less invasive for Henle 407 cells. In mice immunized with a single intranasal dose, CVD 909 was more immunogenic than CVD 908-htrA in eliciting serum Vi antibodies (geometric mean titer of 160 versus 49, P = 0.0007), whereas O antibody responses were virtually identical (geometric mean titer of 87 versus 80). In mice challenged intraperitoneally with wild-type serovar Typhi 4 weeks after a single intranasal immunization, the mortality of those immunized with CVD 909 (3 of 8) was significantly lower than that of control mice (10 of 10, P = 0.043) or mice given CVD 908-htrA (9 of 10, P = 0.0065).
Historical perspectives of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery: Richard H. Sweet (1901-1962).

Richard Harwood Sweet, the 41st president of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, was born in Newark, New Jersey, on May 30, 1901. He pursued his undergraduate education at ColumbiaUniversity and hismedical education at the Harvard Medical School. He graduated from Harvard in 1926 and became a house pupil at the Massachusetts General Hospital the same year, completing his residency on the East Surgical Service in 1930. He joined a prominent Boston surgeon, David Fiske Jones, one of themost exacting clinical surgeons of the day, as an assistant after residency in the old apprenticeship model of training. His initial practice was in general surgery, but he gradually developed an interest and specialty practice in general thoracic surgery during the 1930s, with a focus on the esophagus by 1940. Because all thoracic surgeons came from a foundational background of general surgery, it was only natural that a mixed practice was the result in the early years of our specialty. One of his favorite aphorisms was, ‘‘The battle of thoracic surgery is won on the playing fields of the pelvis,’’ his paraphrase of the famous statement by Lord Nelson (E. W. Wilkins, personal communication). The statement remains true today, at least in the field of general thoracic surgery. Richard Sweet and Edward D. Churchill, the chief of surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital at that time, were paired together as both collaborators and rivals in the budding field of thoracic surgery. Together they reported the Massachusetts General Hospital experience with esophagectomy in 1942, emphasizing the technical conduct of performing the anastomosis. Their technique involved careful preservation of the gastric blood supply and an interrupted fine silk suture anastomosis, principles that remain true to this day. With Churchill’s deployment to Europe in World War II, Sweet was declared essential to homeland surgical duties. Thoracic surgery became his responsibility, and he soon mastered surgery of the chest. By 1943 his clinical workload, and thus his surgical experience, had become enormous; he was recognized as the thoracic surgeon in Boston. Sweet established a thoracic surgery residency program at this time and provided additional training for 3 surgeons; Emerson Drake, Rodolfo Herrera, and Charles
Reduced Candida glabrata susceptibility secondary to an FKS1 mutation developed during candidemia treatment

We describe a case of recurring Candida glabrata infection in a 68-year-old African-American female on caspofungin therapy. The initial isolate was susceptible, but isolates recovered during following relapses were not. All isolates were clonal, and high-MIC strains contained a mutation in the highly conserved hot spot 1 region of Fks1p.
Genome Sequences of Two Bacillus cereus Group Bacteriophages, Eyuki and AvesoBmore

ABSTRACT The genomes of two double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) bacteriophages isolated on Bacillus thuringiensis show similarity to previously sequenced phages and provide evidence of the mosaicism of phage genomes.
Healthcare professionals' attitudes, perceptions and practices regarding breast self-examination

e12513 Background: In 2009, the United States Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) published a revised guideline for breast cancer screening. The objectives of this study is to assess healthcare ...
The future of dynamic structural science

This compendium of articles came about because of the occurrence of a workshop held at the fabulous Ettore Majorana Centre for Scientific Culture, Erice, Sicily in mid 2013. The articles have been ...
Changing Minds With the Story of Adaptation: Strategies for Teaching Young Children About Natural Selection

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: Educational guidelines recommend a delayed, piecemeal approach to instruction on adaptation by natural selection. This approach is questionable given suggestions that older students’ pervasive misunderstandings about adaptation are rooted in cognitive biases that develop early. In response to this, Kelemen et al. (2014) recently showed that young children can learn a basic yet comprehensive explanation of adaptation by natural selection from a picture storybook intervention. However, this research was conducted in a laboratory-based setting with children from middle and higher socioeconomic backgrounds. To further explore the intervention’s efficacy, this investigation examined whether Kelemen et al.’s (2014, Experiment 2) findings extend to a more diverse sample of children tested in a more naturalistic setting, namely, after-school programs. After a 10-min picture storybook reading that described adaptation within a fictitious but realistic mammal species, 5- to 6- and 7- to 8...
A Petri Net Model for Secure and Fault-Tolerant Cloud-Based Information Storage.

Cloud computing provides a promising opportunity for both small and large organizations to transition from traditional data centers to cloud services, where the organizations can be more concerned with their applications, services, and data rather than the underlying network infrastructures and their associated cost. There are major concerns, however, with data security, reliability, and availability in the cloud. In this paper, we address these concerns by proposing a novel security mechanism for secure and fault-tolerant cloud-based information storage. We present a formal model of the security mechanism using colored Petri nets (CPN). The model utilizes multiple cloud service providers as a cloud cluster for information storage, and a service directory for management of the cloud clusters including service query, key management, and cluster restoration. Our approach not only supports maintaining the confidentiality of the stored data, but also ensures that the failure or compromise of an individual cloud provider in a cloud cluster will not result in a compromise of the overall data set. Keywords-Cloud computing; information storage; data security; fault tolerant; colored Petri nets; formal modeling and verification.
Sorting Genes Controlling Freezing Stress Resistance

Factors that contribute to a plant’s ability to survive winter or a frost episode include: a) freezing tolerance, i.e. tolerance of stresses associated with extracellular ice; b) freezing avoidance, i.e. ability to prevent ice formation; c) capacity to cold acclimate, i.e. ability to increase freezing tolerance and/or avoidance upon exposure to low (usually non-freezing) temperatures; and d) speeds of acclimation and deacclimation. We have demonstrated that freezing tolerance in the nonacclimated state and capacity to cold acclimate are under independent genetic control. In support of these genetic studies we have found that distinct plasma membrane lipids are associated with freezing tolerance in the nonacclimated state, and these lipids are different than those that are associated with increase in freezing tolerance during cold acclimation. We have also found evidence for genetic variations for the speeds of cold acclimation and deacclimation. In addition we have found that it is possible to independently select for freezing tolerance and freezing avoidance and then recombine them to get desired plants. Our results not only provide insight into molecular mechanisms of freezing stress resistance, but also provide avenues for improving frost/winter survival of crop plants.
Maternal Methylmercury From a Wild-Caught Walleye Diet Induces Developmental Abnormalities in Zebrafish

Maternal methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from a contaminated diet causes adverse effects in offspring, but the underlying mechanism(s) remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of maternal dietary MeHg-exposure on the offspring, using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model system. Female zebrafish were exposed to MeHg (0.88-3.10ppm) by consuming a diet made from wild-caught walleye originally intended for human consumption. While dietary MeHg exposure did not significantly influence fecundity, offspring showed increases in morphologic alterations and mortality, neurobehavioral dysfunction, and dysregulation of global gene expression. Gene expression analysis suggested that MeHg might affect neuronal and muscular development via dysregulation of genes related to transcriptional regulation (such as supt5h) and cell cycle (such as ccnb1). Results from this study provide evidence that food intended for human consumption, with relatively modest levels of MeHg, may induce adverse effects in offspring.
Use of Nanoparticles for Reduction of Odorant Production and Improvements in Dewaterability of Biosolids

Odor production and dewaterability are two major issues of concern for many utilities during conditioning and beneficial use of biosolids. Several studies have been performed over the past decades to understand the factors influencing polymer-aided dewatering. In the last few years, much research has been performed to better understand the mechanisms of odor production from biosolids, and the factors that affect their production. However, no reliable methods have yet been developed to control these issues. This study proposes a new concept, using nanoparticle additives for improving dewatering and reducing odoers, based on an understanding of the mechanisms of dewatering and odorant production in biosolids. Nanoparticles (or nanomaterials) are novel materials with uniques physical and chemical properties. Ten different nanoparticles with varying chemistry and structures were developed and evaluated. Digested and return activated sludges from a number of treatment plants were tested using these nanoparticles for improvement in dewatering and reduction in odorant production. Results from these preliminary studies indicated that some of the nanoparticles were effective in improving dewatering and/or reducing odors. Depending upon the source of sludge, between 20% and 60% reduction in polymer dose was observed. This was accompanied by a 10–20% increase in cake solids. Further, 30% to over 70% reduction in the production of volatile organic sulfur compounds (odor causing compounds) was observed. Filtrate TSS as well as colloidal and soluble concentrations decreased by 50–75% using nanoparticles. While this study provide preliminary information on the role of nanoparticles for sludge dewatering and odor control, additional studies are required to understand the mechanisms and to improve nanoparticles composition and configuration for cost effective biosolids treatment using nanoparticles.
Prophylactic Antibiotic Administration in Vascular Interventional Radiology

Abstract Vascular interventional radiology (VIR) laboratories perform a myriad of procedures. Although antibiotic prophylaxis is not beneficial in all procedures performed in the VIR laboratory, in cases where antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended, evidence-based processes should be implemented to ensure guidelines established by the Society of Interventional Radiology are followed. This project evaluated if the addition of an evidence-based algorithm to the current prophylactic antibiotic process would improve compliance with administration within 1 hr of the procedure start time. Algorithms were developed and used for five common procedures in the VIR laboratory to ensure that prophylactic antibiotics were administered according to guidelines. Use of the algorithms was initiated in December 2016. The prophylactic antibiotic compliance rate using the algorithms for 3 months was compared with customary practice prophylactic antibiotic compliance rates for the same period 1 year earlier. The customary practice compliance rates averaged between 39% and 55% during the preintervention 3 months studied. After implementation of the algorithms, prophylactic antibiotic compliance rates ranged from 92% to 97%, thus indicating that the use of algorithms to help support usage of prophylactic antibiotics can positively impact quality improvement.
Risk of recurrent cervical artery dissection

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD), a common cause of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged adults, accounts for ∼15% of all stroke in patients <50 years old.1 Etiologies, including motor vehicle whiplash and other mechanical traumas, are readily identified and widely publicized. Although the pathogenesis of spontaneous CeAD remains uncertain, patient-specific characteristics may increase the risk of such events. Hypertension, migraine, and recent infection may increase risk, whereas hypercholesterolemia and obesity may protect against spontaneous CeAD.2–5 The identification of underlying genetic etiologies lends credence to the notion that CeAD is in fact a multifaceted disease.6 Evaluating protein expression profiles and related biological pathways of connective tissue disorders for less penetrant genetic variations and epigenetic drivers represents an area of active research.
An observational assessment of parent–teacher cocaring relationships in infant–toddler classrooms

Cocaring encompasses how parents and teachers work together to coordinate caregiving. Two critical components of cocaring have demonstrated importance for child and parent well-being: support and u...
Temporal trends and developmental patterns of plasma polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations over a 15-year period between 1998 and 2013

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were used extensively as flame retardants in furniture containing polyurethane foam until they were phased out of use, beginning in 2004. We examined temporal changes in plasma PBDE concentrations from 1998 to 2013 and characterized patterns of exposure over the early lifecourse among 334 children (903 samples) between birth and 9 years. We examined time trends by regressing PBDE concentration on year of sample collection in age-adjusted models and characterized developmental trajectories using latent class growth analysis (LCGA). Controlling for age, BDE-47 concentrations decreased 5% (95% confidence interval (CI): −9, −2) per year between 1998 and 2013. When considering only postnatal samples, this reduction strengthened to 13% (95% CI: −19, −9). Findings for BDE-99, 100 and 153 were similar, except that BDE-153 decreased to a lesser extent when both prenatal and postnatal samples were considered (−2%, 95% CI: −7, 0). These findings suggest that, on average, pentaBDE body burdens have decreased since the 2004 phase-out of these chemicals. When examining developmental period, PBDE concentrations peaked during toddler years for the majority of children, however, our observation of several unique trajectories suggests that a single measure may not accurately reflect exposure to PBDEs throughout early life.