cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
METABOLIC RESPONSE TO I.V. GLUCAGON IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Studies were performed to evaluate glucose homeostasis in children with intrahepatic biliary hypoplasia (IBH) with chronic cholestatic syndrome and growth retardation. Eight I.V. glucagon tolerance tests (30 μg/kg) on five IBH patients (4-12 yrs of age) were compared to 8 controls. Fasting (14-16 hr) glucose was lower in IBH (67 ± 4 mg% vs 80.8 ± 3.67; p < 0.025), and peak rise was significantly less (107 ± 10.6 vs 147 ± 7.9; p < 0.01). Baseline urinary cyclic AMP levels in IBH vs controls (5.8 ± 2 M ± S.E.M. nmoles/mg creatinine vs 4.5 ± 0.4) and 2 hour excretion response to glucagon (31.1 ± 3 vs 28.6 ± 5.2) were not significantly different. Insulin response to glucagon were similar in IBH vs control. Glucagon has previously been shown to lower plasma gluconeogenic amino acids as a indication of hepatic uptake and gluconeogenesis. Fasting plasma alanine was not significantly different in IBH vs control (210 ± 38 umoles/L vs 245 ± 40). Controls had a significant delta decline at 30 minutes post - glucagon of 100 umoles/L for alanine, 66 for glycine and 39 for glutamine plus asparagine. IBH patients failed to elicit a consistent reduction in gluconeogenic amino acids. These studies suggest that hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogen storage are impaired in chronic liver disease. The noted cyclic AMP response may reflect adequate adenyl cyclase activity in spite of hepatocellular damage.
Combine 1D and 3D color calibration methods for ensuring consistent color reproduction

Printer color calibration is a crucial step to ensure consistent color reproduction. In this paper, we present a color calibration system that can not only ensure the color consistency for a same printer at different times, but also ensure the color consistency for different printers of the same model. We will analyze the most significant sources of color variations in an ink jet printing system, and show that some factors produce only the luminance (optical density) variation, and some other factors produce both luminance and chrominance (hue and saturation) variations. Two adequate color calibration methods are proposed to compensate for these variations: one is based on 1D linearization, which is used to compensate for the luminance variation; and the other is based on a 3D search in an existing color conversion table, this method is particularly designed to compensate for the chrominance variation.
Fecundity of the Southern Atlantic Surfclam Spisula solidissima similis

Abstract Fecundity estimates for two groups of the southern Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima similis, a subspecies of the Atlantic Surfclam S. solidissima, from St. Catherines Sound, Georgia, were determined in laboratory spawning trials. For 1-year-old clams ranging in shell length from 26 to 50 mm, egg production per female ranged from 0.14 million to 13 million eggs. The House Creek group produced a greater mean number of eggs per female (4.8 × 106 versus 1.7 × 106) and spawned 2.8 times more than a St. Catherines Sound group. Overall, eggs from the House Creek group (mean, 59.1 μm) were significantly larger (P < 0.0001) than eggs (mean, 57.4 um) from the St. Catherines Sound group. Although small in size, 1-year-old southern Atlantic surfclams can produce sufficient numbers of eggs per female to be used as broodstock for the development of an aquacultural fishery for this subspecies.
Supersonic, variable-throat, blow-down wind tunnel control using genetic algorithms, neural networks, and gain scheduled PID

In this paper the design and application of a control algorithm is discussed to control the test conditions within plenum chamber and the test section of a supersonic blow-down, variable throat wind tunnel at the University of Alabama. The artificially intelligent controller algorithm was designed using a gain scheduled Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) control approach. The PID controller was augmented to work with time variant properties of the control problem by determining a functional form of the integral term of the controller from the governing equations of the tunnel. The controller was optimized using genetic algorithms (GA) on a neural network (NN) model of the tunnel and was compared to a conventional PID controller using the same NN model. The process was repeated for different throat settings to find the control gains for each setting. The controller algorithm was next applied to the actual wind tunnel at different throat settings and the results were compared. The optimized controller is proven to work very well at every throat setting.
Light from darkness.

Telescopes must respond quickly to pinpoint transient gamma-ray bursts and pick up their afterglow. Mysterious 'dark' bursts seemed to produce no light at optical wavelengths, but a faint signal has now been detected.
Inhibition of Cell Differentiation in Bacillus subtilis by Pseudomonas protegens

ABSTRACT Interspecies interactions have been described for numerous bacterial systems, leading to the identification of chemical compounds that impact bacterial physiology and differentiation for processes such as biofilm formation. Here, we identified soil microbes that inhibit biofilm formation and sporulation in the common soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis. We did so by creating a reporter strain that fluoresces when the transcription of a biofilm-specific gene is repressed. Using this reporter in a coculture screen, we identified Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas protegens as bacteria that secrete compounds that inhibit biofilm gene expression in B. subtilis. The active compound produced by P. protegens was identified as the antibiotic and antifungal molecule 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG). Colonies of B. subtilis grown adjacent to a DAPG-producing P. protegens strain had altered colony morphologies relative to B. subtilis colonies grown next to a DAPG-null P. protegens strain ( phlD strain). Using a subinhibitory concentration of purified DAPG in a pellicle assay, we saw that biofilm-specific gene transcription was delayed relative to transcription in untreated samples. These transcriptional changes also corresponded to phenotypic alterations: both biofilm biomass and spore formation were reduced in B. subtilis liquid cultures treated with subinhibitory concentrations of DAPG. Our results add DAPG to the growing list of antibiotics that impact bacterial development and physiology at subinhibitory concentrations. These findings also demonstrate the utility of using coculture as a means to uncover chemically mediated interspecies interactions between bacteria. IMPORTANCE Biofilms are communities of bacteria adhered to surfaces by an extracellular matrix; such biofilms can have important effects in both clinical and agricultural settings. To identify chemical compounds that inhibited biofilm formation, we used a fluorescent reporter to screen for bacteria that inhibited biofilm gene expression in Bacillus subtilis. We identified Pseudomonas protegens as one such bacterium and found that the biofilm-inhibiting compound it produces was the antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG). We showed that even at subinhibitory concentrations, DAPG inhibits biofilm formation and sporulation in B. subtilis. These findings have potential implications for understanding the interactions between these two microbes in the natural world and support the idea that many compounds considered antibiotics can impact bacterial development at subinhibitory concentrations.
Constraints on rift propagation history at the cobb offset, juan de Fuca Ridge, from numerical modeling of tectonic fabric

Abstract Rift propagation has been proposed as the mechanism for the reorganization of the Juan de Fuca Ridge during the Cenozoic. In particular, magnetic anomalies in the Cobb Offset region of this ridge have been interpreted in terms of a complex “dueling propagator” history, in which rift propagation has occurred alternately in opposing directions on adjacent ridge segments. Although the overall propagation history has been inferred from the magnetic data, these data are limited in their resolution for the detailed history by the length of time during which magnetic polarity remains constant. We thus examine whether more detailed resolution within polarity chrons can be obtained using seafloor tectonic fabric from acoustic imagery. By modeling lineations as isochrons, synthetic fabric can be generated for a given rift propagation history and the fit of the model to the data can be compared numerically. For the Cobb, we used a propagation history model with a given timing and direction of propagation, and generated synthetic fabric for different propagation rates. The fabric is best fit for propagation rates between 400 and 900 mm/yr. Slower ( 900 mm/yr) propagation rates yield slightly poorer fits. The fabric results are thus in accord with the interpretation, based on magnetics alone, that the rates of rift propagation significantly exceeded the spreading rates. An interesting feature of the model is that the complex tectonic fabric is reasonably well fit on this scale ( ~ 1 km) by simple rift propagation models which do not invoke shear zone behavior and thus deviate from rigid plate tectonics.
Donor cell type can influence the epigenome and differentiation potential of human induced pluripotent stem cells

Mouse induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have been shown to retain an epigenetic 'memory' of their cell type of origin. Kim et al. study this question in human cells and document both incomplete erasure of methylation and aberrant de novo methylation during reprogramming.
On the significance of modeling nuclear fuel behavior with the right representation of physical phenomena

Abstract This work emphasizes the relevance of representation of appropriate mechanisms for understanding the actual physical behavior of the fuel pin under irradiation. Replacing fully empirical simplified treatments with more rigorous semi-empirical models which include the important pieces of physics, would open the path to more accurately capture the sensitivity to various parameters such as operating conditions, geometry, composition, and enhance the uncertainty quantification process. Steady state and transient fuel behavior demonstration examples and implications are given for sodium fast reactor metallic fuels by using FEAST-METAL. The essence of appropriate modeling of the fuel clad mechanical interaction and fuel clad chemical interaction of the metallic fuels are emphasized. Furthermore, validation efforts for oxide fuel pellet swelling behavior at high temperature and high burnup LWR conditions and comparison with FRAPCON-EP and FRAPCON-3.4 codes will be given. The value of discriminating the oxide fuel swelling modes, instead of applying a linear line, is pointed out. Future directions on fuel performance modeling will be addressed.
Pulse shape and spectrum of coherent diffraction-limited transition radiation from electron beams

The electric field in the temporal and spectral domain of coherent diffraction-limited transition radiation is studied. An electron bunch, with arbitrary longitudinal momentum distribution, propagating at normal incidence to a sharp metal-vacuum boundary with finite transverse dimension is considered. A general expression for the spatiotemporal electric field of the transition radiation is derived, and closed-form solutions for several special cases are given. The influence of parameters such as radial boundary size, electron momentum distribution, and angle of observation on the waveform (e.g., radiation pulse length and amplitude) are discussed. For a Gaussian electron bunch, the coherent radiation waveform is shown to have a single-cycle profile. Application to a novel THz source based on a laser-driven accelerator is discussed.
Electron Capture by Polar Molecules

It is shown that binding of electrons in the electric dipole field of polar molecules cannot possibly occur, if the molecules have an electric dipole moment smaller than the critical value ${D}_{0}=1.63\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ esu cm, irrespective of the size of the dipole. This result casts doubts on a proposed mechanism of electron scattering by polar molecules, namely, electron capture with rotational excitation of the molecule.
Adapting human pluripotent stem cells to high-throughput and high-content screening

The increasing use of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) as a source of cells for drug discovery, cytotoxicity assessment and disease modeling requires their adaptation to large-scale culture conditions and screening formats. Here, we describe a simple and robust protocol for the adaptation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to high-throughput screening (HTS). This protocol can also be adapted to human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and high-content screening (HCS). We also describe a 7-d assay to identify compounds with an effect on hESC self-renewal and differentiation. This assay can be adapted to a variety of applications. The procedure involves the culture expansion of hESCs, their adaptation to 384-well plates, the addition of small molecules or other factors, and finally data acquisition and processing. In this protocol, the optimal number of hESCs plated in 384-well plates has been adapted to HTS/HCS assays of 7 d.
Stepwise Discriminant Analysis of Free Fatty Acid Profiles for Identifying Sources of Lipolytic Enzymes in Rancid Butter

Abstract Stepwise discriminant analysis techniques, when applied to quantitative data for individual free fatty acids, were useful for characterization of lipolytic enzymes in experimental and commercial rancid butters. Specificities of lipases and esterases for major free fatty acids were determinative for categorization of enzyme types. Lipolytic enzymes in separator slime were heterogeneous.
MPEG-4 systems systems

MPEG-4 is a standardization effort under the auspices of ISO being developed by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), the committee that also developed the Emmy Award-winning standards known as MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. MPEG-4 addresses the "generic coding of audio-visual objects." In contrast to all other existing audio or video representation standards, MPEG-4 adopts an object-based approach for content description: the content is assumed to be constructed out of individual and independent entities called objects, which are coded and transmitted separately. These objects include, for example, rectangular or arbitrarily shaped natural video, graphics, text, natural or synthetic audio, and even face or body animations. MPEG-4 has defined a number of representation tools to address the coding needs of a large variety of media. Coding of such objects, however, is only the first step into constructing a complete multimedia scene. Additional information is needed in order to: 1) describe how these objects should be placed in space and time, 2) how they may interact with each other and the end-user, 3) how to multiplex all this information into one or more streams for delivery over a variety of networks, and 4) ensure proper synchronization among the various streams. This information is the realm of the MPEG-4 Systems specification (Part 1 of the MPEG-4 standard), which is also responsible for the overall architectural definition of MPEG-4. We describe the key features of the MPEG-4 Systems (ISO 14496-1) specification and their encoding methodology: scene description and BIFS, animation streams, object descriptors, the sync layer, object content information, as well as multiplexing. We also describe currently available products using MPEG-4, as well as early product prototypes still in the development stage.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Review of Quark Search Experiments

All of the experimental evidence for and against the existence of free, physical quarks from cosmic rays, particle accelerators, and stable matter is reviewed. There is no evidence for the existence of free quarks of fractional charge save for one recent report of niobium pellets of third-integral residual charge. The related searches for quarks of integral charge, for free magnetic monopoles, tachyons, dyons, and other postulated, stable elementary objects are also reviewed. Although some puzzling observations are noted, there is no firm evidence for any of these particles.
Analysis of Translational Initiation in Coxsackievirus B3 Suggests an Alternative Explanation for the High Frequency of R+4 in the Eukaryotic Consensus Motif

Translational initiation of most eukaryotic mRNAs occurs when a preinitiation complex binds to the 5′ cap, scans the mRNA, and selects a particular AUG codon as the initiation site. Selection of the correct initiation codon relies, in part, on its flanking residues; in mammalian cells, the core of the “Kozak” consensus is R −3 CCAUGG +4 (R = purine; the A residue is designated position +1). The R −3 is considered the most important flanking residue, followed by G +4 . Picornaviral mRNAs differ from most cellular mRNAs in several ways; they are uncapped, and they contain an internal ribosome entry site that allows the ribosome to bind near the initiation codon. The initiation codon of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is flanked by both R −3 and G +4 (AAAATGG). Here, we report the construction of full-length CVB3 genomes that vary at these two positions, and we evaluate the effects of these variant sequences in vitro, in tissue culture cells, and in vivo. A virus with an A→C transversion at position −3 replicates as well as wild-type CVB3, both in tissue culture and in vivo. This virus is highly pathogenic, and its sequence is stable throughout the course of an in vivo infection. Furthermore, the in vitro translation products from this RNA are very similar to the wild type. Thus, R −3 —thought to be the most functionally important component of the Kozak consensus—appears to be dispensable in CVB3. In contrast, a G-to-C transversion at G +4 is lethal; RNAs carrying this mutation fail to generate infectious virus either in tissue culture or in vivo. However, in vitro analysis indicates that G +4 has only a marginal effect on translational initiation, especially if R −3 is present; instead, the G +4 is required mainly because the second triplet of the polyprotein open reading frame must encode glycine, without which infectious virus production cannot proceed. In summary, our data indicate that CVB3 remains viable, even in vivo, in the absence of R −3 , and we propose that the most important factor contributing to the high frequency of G +4 —not only in CVB but also in other eukaryotic mRNAs, and thus in the consensus motif itself—may be the constraint upon the second amino acid rather than the requirements for translational initiation.
Here, Our Culture Is Hard: Stories of Domestic Violence from a Mayan Community in Belize.

Here, Our Culture Is Hard: Stories of Domestic Violence from. Mayan Community in Belize. Laura J. McClusky. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2001. 310 pp.
production and the patterning of social relations and values in two Guatemalan villages

Peasant communities in highland Guatemala have developed distinctive production specializations based largely on factors that are ecological in nature. Household heads from a village specializing in rope making are compared with neighboring agriculturalists, and a patterned difference in social features and cognitive and value orientations emerges. Opportunities to utilize extensively women's and children's labor are among the components of rope making that most strongly influence these patterns.
Mechanisms of dominance by the invasive hybrid cattail Typha × glauca

The mechanisms by which invasive plants displace native species are often not well elucidated, limiting knowledge of invasion dynamics and the scientific basis for management responses. Typha × glauca Godr. invades wetlands throughout much of North America. Like other problematic wetland invaders, Typha is large, grows densely, and leaves behind copious litter. It thus has the potential to impact wetlands both in life and after death. We assessed patterns in field settings and used simulated wetland-plant communities to experimentally test abiotic and community responses to live Typha, Typha litter, and water-level differences (confounded in the field) using a full-factorial design. In general, litter was a stronger driver of change than live Typha. The greatest impacts were seen where, as in nature, live and dead Typha co-occurred. Live-Typha treatments did not differ from controls in light or temperature conditions but did reduce community biomass and alter community composition. Litter strongly affected light, temperature and its variability, community and species-level plant biomass, and community composition. Interactions between live Typha and litter affected aspects of plant-community composition. Advantageously for Typha, interspecific litter effects were not mirrored by intraspecific suppression of live Typha. These findings clarify how Typha is such an effective invader. Similar mechanisms are likely involved in invasions by other plant species, particularly in wetlands. Managers should respond quickly to new Typha invasions and, when dealing with established stands, remove litter in addition to eradicating live plants.
Therapeutic Communities for Addictions: Readings in Theory, Research and Practice

(1987). Therapeutic Communities for Addictions: Readings in Theory, Research and Practice. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 109-111.
DEPENDING ON THE ANGLE: PERSPECTIVES OF CONFLICT AND WORKPLACE CLIMATE

This study closely examines the relationship between perspectives on conflict and workplace climate to create a model for forecasting the likelihood of successful organizational change. That change, in this case, is the implementation of new technology - electronic medical records (EMRs) - in nursing homes. A case study of ten nursing homes (on average 255 beds) in the New York City area is used to identify different workplace issues and managerial approaches to dealing with conflict. The research question examined is how organizations with the same types of conflict can experience vastly different workplace climates. The preliminary findings indicate that different perspectives, not merely types, of conflict were what shaped either a positive or negative workplace climate. Three managerial approaches to dealing with conflict are identified, and workplace climate is illustrated in feedback from personal interviews with both managers and front-line staff at eight of the ten homes. Scholarship would benefit from additional research that tests the proposed model.
Feature-based localization using scannable visibility sectors

This paper presents methods for navigating and localizing mobile robots in a known indoor environment. We introduce a restricted visibility concept called a scannable sector that can aid many existing navigation and localization algorithms. The scannable sectors are based on the physical characteristics of the environment and the limitations of the localization sensors used. We describe a complete navigation system that includes a scannable sector based localizer, sonar sensors, and a probabilistic roadmap path planner. Simulation and hardware results using a real robot with sonar sensors show the potential of our approach.
The concept of population health within the nursing profession.

Population health is a concept that has been developed over several centuries by many disciplines. Over time various aspects of the concept have dominated as issues related to behaviors and beliefs surrounding health practices have emerged. This has created a cadre of terms that are often used interchageably but have different meanings among various disciplines. This paper will review the concept of population health within the discipline of nursing and discuss its relationship with public health, community health, and population-focused care.
Efficacy of a Single Oral Dose of 200,000 IU of Oil-soluble Vitamin A in Measles-associated Morbidity

In 1991 in Ndola Zambia staff at urban health centers randomly allocated children with acute measles who did not require hospitalization to receive either a single oral dose of 200000 IU of oil-soluble vitamin A (90 children) or a placebo (110 children). (A single oral administration of vitamin A at this dose is recommended by the World Health Organization [WHO]). This double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study aimed to determine whether or not a single oral dose of vitamin A would minimize measles-associated morbidity in children who do not require hospitalization. The cross-sectional analysis revealed that at week 4 the vitamin A group was more likely than the placebo group to have no symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) (93% vs. 78%) and less likely to have pneumonia (0 vs. 12%) (p = 0.005). It did not find any significant association prior to week 4 however. None of the three longitudinal analyses found vitamin A to have a significant benefit on morbidity. These analyses considered the effect of treatment on the movement of individual patients between ARI health states. The odds ratio for pneumonia in children with measles-associated cough and for measles-associated cough or pneumonia in asymptomatic measles patients suggested that vitamin A minimized morbidity (0.73 and 0.52 respectively). Yet vitamin A failed to improve pneumonia (odds ratio = 1.23 in favor of placebo). These findings suggest that a single oral dose of 200000 IU of oil-soluble vitamin A is not as effective at preventing measles complications as that indicated earlier for two 200000 IU doses of water-miscible vitamin A. Thus the WHO recommendations need to be reconsidered.
Large Area Electron Beam Enhanced Reactive Etching of SiO2

A large area (2.8 cm2) electron beam source has been developed, characterized, and applied to anisotropic etching of SiO2 masked with photoresist. This beam operates at high pressures (up to 100 mTorr), in reactive gases, and at more than 10 mA/cm2. Beam current can be controlled in several ways independently from beam energy. The 100 – 900 eV low energy beam propagates with collimation through several cm of reactive gas, and is believed to minimize space charge defocusing by collisionally ionizing the working gas.
Electrospray droplet exposure to polar vapors: delayed desolvation of protein complexes.

Rationale Fragile non-covalent complexes are susceptible to dissociation upon introduction into and transmission through the mass spectrometer. The exposure of nanoelectrospray droplets to various polar vapors, which are introduced into the curtain gas, is shown to stabilize non-covalent protein complexes even under relatively energetic ion transfer conditions. This study probes the mechanism by which polar vapor exposure appears to stabilize non-covalent protein complex ions in the gas phase. Methods Holomyoglobin and hemoglobin were dissolved in either aqueous 1 mM ammonium acetate or ammonium bicarbonate solutions and ionized via nanoelectrospray ionization in the positive polarity. Polar vapors were entrained within the counter-current drying gas and exposed to nanoelectrospray droplets for circa 1 ms within the interface of a quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Mass spectra were acquired using various voltage gradients within the mass spectrometer. Results In the absence of added reagent vapors, significant fragmentation of holomyoglobin ions is noted with high voltage gradients for ions either entering or departing q0, a transmission quadrupole closely coupled to the skimmer exit. However, upon the introduction of reagent vapors, essentially 100% of the holomyoglobin complex can be preserved. Significant stabilization is noted at both relatively high q0 entrance and exit gradients when ions are transmitted through q0. These results indicate that upon vapor exposure the holomyoglobin ions are not completely desolvated as they enter or exit q0 under normal ion transmission conditions. Conclusions The apparent stabilization of protein complexes and other non-covalent complexes noted here and elsewhere is attributed to the delayed desolvation of the ions. This allows the solvated ions to be transmitted through relatively high voltage gradients without disrupting the non-covalent interactions holding the complexes together. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Formulation and Analysis of Numerical Methods for Inverse Eigenvalue Problems

We consider the formulation and local analysis of various quadratically convergent methods for solving the symmetric matrix inverse eigenvalue problem. One of these methods is new. We study the case where multiple eigenvalues are given: we show how to state the problem so that it is not overdetermined, and describe how to modify the numerical methods to retain quadratic convergence on the modified problem. We give a general convergence analysis, which covers both the distinct and the multiple eigenvalue cases. We also present numerical experiments which illustrate our results.
Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein Regulates Pheromone-Mediated Bioluminescence at Multiple Levels in Vibrio fischeri ES114

ABSTRACT Bioluminescence in Vibrio fischeri ES114 is activated by autoinducer pheromones, and this regulation serves as a model for bacterial cell-cell signaling. As in other bacteria, pheromone concentration increases with cell density; however, pheromone synthesis and perception are also modulated in response to environmental stimuli. Previous studies suggested that expression of the pheromone-dependent bioluminescence activator LuxR is regulated in response to glucose by cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (CRP) (P. V. Dunlap and E. P. Greenberg, J. Bacteriol. 164:45–50, 1985; P. V. Dunlap and E. P. Greenberg, J. Bacteriol. 170:4040–4046, 1988; P. V. Dunlap, J. Bacteriol. 171:1199–1202, 1989; and W. F. Friedrich and E. P. Greenberg, Arch. Microbiol. 134:87–91, 1983). Consistent with this model, we found that bioluminescence in V. fischeri ES114 is modulated by glucose and stimulated by cAMP. In addition, a Δcrp mutant was ∼100-fold dimmer than ES114 and did not increase luminescence in response to added cAMP, even though cells lacking crp were still metabolically capable of producing luminescence. We further discovered that CRP regulates not only luxR but also the alternative pheromone synthase gene ainS. We found that His-tagged V. fischeri CRP could bind sequences upstream of both luxR and ainS, supporting bioinformatic predictions of direct regulation at both promoters. Luminescence increased in response to cAMP if either the ainS or luxR system was under native regulation, suggesting cAMP-CRP significantly increases luminescence through both systems. Finally, using transcriptional reporters in transgenic Escherichia coli, we elucidated two additional regulatory connections. First, LuxR-independent basal transcription of the luxI promoter was enhanced by CRP. Second, the effect of CRP on the ainS promoter depended on whether the V. fischeri regulatory gene litR was also introduced. These results suggest an integral role for CRP in pheromone signaling that goes beyond sensing cell density.
Obstacle detection from overhead imagery using self-supervised learning for Autonomous Surface Vehicles

We describe a technique for an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) to learn an obstacle map by classifying overhead imagery. Classification labels are supplied by a front-facing sonar, mounted under the water line on the ASV. We use aerial imagery from two online sources for each of two water bodies (a small lake and a harbor) and train classifiers using features generated from each image source separately, followed by combining their output. Data collected using a sonar mounted on the ASV were used to generate the labels in the experimental study. The results show that we are able to generate accurate obstacle maps well-suited for ASV navigation.
Proteomic Contributions to Personalized Cancer Care

Cancer impacts each patient and family differently. Our current understanding of the disease is primarily limited to clinical hallmarks of cancer, but many specific molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Genetic markers can be used to determine predisposition to tumor development, but molecularly targeted treatment strategies that improve patient prognosis are not widely available for most cancers. Individualized care plans, also described as personalized medicine, still must be developed by understanding and implementing basic science research into clinical treatment. Proteomics holds great promise in contributing to the prevention and cure of cancer because it provides unique tools for discovery of biomarkers and therapeutic targets. As such, proteomics can help translate basic science discoveries into the clinical practice of personalized medicine. Here we describe how biological mass spectrometry and proteome analysis interact with other major patient care and research initiatives and present vignettes illustrating efforts in discovery of diagnostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer, development of treatment strategies in lung cancer, and monitoring prognosis and relapse in multiple myeloma patients.
Impact of a Dietary Supplement Containing 1,3-Dimethylamylamine on Blood Pressure and Bloodborne Markers of Health: a 10-Week Intervention Study

Background: 1,3-dimethylamylamine is a commonly used ingredient within dietary supplements. Our prior work with this agent indicates a transient increase in blood pressure (systolic in particular) following oral ingestion of a single dosage, but no significant increase in resting blood pressure following chronic ingestion. Moreover, intervention studies involving both two and eight weeks of treatment with finished products containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine indicate minimal or no change in bloodborne markers of health. The present study sought to extend these findings by using a 10-week intervention trial to determine the change in selected markers of health in a sample of men. Methods: 25 healthy men were randomly assigned to either a placebo (n = 13) or to a supplement containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine (n = 12) for a period of 10 weeks. Before and after the intervention, resting blood pressure and heart rate were measured, and blood samples were collected for determination of complete blood count, metabolic panel, and lipid panel. Results: No significant differences were noted between conditions for blood pressure (P > 0.05), although systolic blood pressure increased approximately 6 mmHg with the supplement (diastolic blood pressure decreased approximately 4 mmHg). A main effect for time was noted for heart rate (P = 0.016), with values decreasing from pre to post intervention. There were significant main effects for time for creatinine (increased from pre to post intervention; P = 0.043) and alkaline phosphatase (decreased from pre to post intervention; P = 0.009), with no condition differences noted (P > 0.05). There was a significant interaction noted for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.043), with values decreasing in the supplement group from pre to post intervention approximately 7 mg • dL-1 (P = 0.034). No other effects of significance were noted for bloodborne variables. Conclusion: These data indicate that a dietary supplement containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine does not result in a statistically significant increase in resting heart rate or blood pressure (although systolic blood pressure is increased ~6 mmHg with supplement use). The supplement does not negatively impact bloodborne markers of health. Further study is needed involving a longer intervention period, a larger sample size, and additional measures of health and safety.
Determinants of nucleosome organization in primary human cells

The organization of nucleosomes across the genome influences gene regulation, and understanding the mechanisms that underlie this organization in different organisms is an active area of research. In this study, genome-wide maps of nucleosome positions in three primary human cell types and in vitro have been generated by high-throughput DNA sequencing. Most of the genome exhibits substantial flexibility of nucleosome positions, and a combination of intrinsic sequence-based nucleosome preferences and interactions with non-nucleosomal factors determine nucleosome organization in vivo.
Some Correlates of Language Distance and Their Factor Structure.

Four studies have yielded eight variables that are related to Greenberg and Jenkins' (1964) concept of language distance. These values for each of the 24 CCVCs of Greenberg and Jenkins' (1964) list 1 were correlated. The correlations were subjected to a principal components analysis with a varimax rotation. Three factors that account for 96% of the variance are reported. These are: (1) the perception and production of speech sounds, (2) language distance, and (3) the effort involved in pronouncing sounds subvocally.
Uncertainty tolerance in underwater acoustic signal processing

Because of the difficulties in accurately characterizing the statistical behavior of underwater acoustic channels, tolerance to uncertain statistical modeling is an important property for underwater acoustic signal processing procedures to possess. This paper provides an overview of a number of techniques developed in recent years that can be applied to provide uncertainty tolerance in underwater signal processing applications. In addition to a discussion of general concepts of uncertainty tolerance, specific methods for attaining tolerance to uncertainty in temporal/spatial statistics for procedures such as Wiener and matched filtering, time-delay estimation, sonar system design, and signal prediction are reviewed. Tolerance to uncertainty in amplitude statistics is also a key issue in underwater channels, and techniques for achieving this goal are discussed in the contexts of signal estimation, identification, and detection procedures.
Attitudes About Community Notification: A Comparison of Sexual Offenders and the Non-offending Public

Public notification laws have been enacted by legislatures to address the risk posed by sex offenders to the public. Little research has been done regarding either the public’s or sex offenders’ knowledge and attitudes about community notification and its impact. This study compared the experiences and perceptions of 125 sex offenders in outpatient treatment to 193 members of the public in Brevard County, Florida. Sex offenders were significantly more likely to believe that community notification laws and society are unfair, to feel that such laws should be applied to fewer sex offenders based on their level of risk or threat, and to view notification as being ineffective at reducing sex crimes. Nearly half of the offenders reported experiencing threats, property damage, or physical assault as a result of public disclosure. In comparison, only 10% of the public was aware of vigilantism against sex offenders. Implications for public policy and future research are discussed.
Effects of ethanol on immune response in the brain: region-specific changes in aged mice

Background: Alcohol abuse has dramatic effects on the health of the elderly. Recent studies indicate that ethanol increases immune activity in younger animals and that some of these proinflammatory molecules alter alcohol consumption and addiction. However, the effects of alcohol on immune activation in aged animals have not been thoroughly investigated. Findings: We compared the effects of ethanol on chemokine and cytokine expression in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex of aged C57BL/6 mice. Mice were treated via gavage with 6 g/kg ethanol for 10 days and tissue was harvested 1 day post-treatment. Ethanol selectively increased mRNA levels of the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2/monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in the hippocampus and cerebellum, but not in the cortex of aged mice relative to control animals. In this paradigm, ethanol did not affect mRNA levels of the cytokines IL-6 or TNF-α in any of these brain regions in aged animals. Conclusions: Collectively, these data indicate a region-specific susceptibility to ethanol regulation of neuroinflammatory and addiction-related molecules in aged mice. These studies could have important implications concerning alcohol-induced neuropathology and alcohol addiction in the elderly.
Examining short-term nutritional status among BaAka foragers in transitional economies.

Foragers in transitioning economies are at an increased risk of negative health outcomes as they undergo changes in subsistence patterns and diet. Here, we provide anthropometric data and examine the nutrition and health of adult BaAka foragers in relationship to declining wildlife and economic change in the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas (APDS), Central African Republic. From June to August 2012, we collected biological data and dietary recall surveys from individuals in Mossapoula (MS) and Yandoumbe (YDBE) villages using standard anthropometric techniques and a single capillary blood finger prick. In our analysis, we identified variation in anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin levels by village (MS = 66, YDBE = 75) and gender (64 men, 77 women). Immigration, increased gun hunting and wildlife trades have reduced forager reliance on forest resources. These changes are evidenced in the marginal health of contemporary BaAka foragers of APDS. Although anthropometric measures of nutritional status do not significantly differ between communities, hemoglobin data highlight inequities in access to forest products between villages with different proximity to community hunting zones. Further, poor dietary diversity and low frequency of purchased foods in the diet indicate that the transition to a market economy has not been fully realized and diets are impoverished. Economic changes appear to have had the most impact at MS village, where forest use is most restricted and consumption of meat and forest products was reduced. This work highlights the nutritional and health needs of foragers in rapidly transitioning economies; especially those impacted by conservation management and zoning policies.
Steenrod operations in chow theory

An action of the Steenrod algebra is constructed on the mod p Chow theory of varieties over a field of characteristic different from p, answering a question posed in Fulton's Intersection Theory. The action agrees with the action of the Steenrod algebra used by Voevodsky in his proof of the Milnor conjecture. However, the construction uses only basic functorial properties of equivariant intersection theory.
Endogenous angiotensin II inhibits production of cerebrospinal fluid during posthypoxemic reoxygenation in the rabbit.

The choroid plexus, the major source of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), contains receptors for angiotensin II and a very high concentration of angiotensin converting enzyme. Circulating angiotensin II decreases blood flow to the choroid plexus and the production of CSF. During recovery from hypoxia, marked increases in circulating angiotensin II have been described in some studies. We tested the hypothesis that CSF production decreases during posthypoxemic reoxygenation and examined related changes in plasma concentrations of angiotensin II. We also determined whether effect of posthypoxic reoxygenation on production of CSF is due to endogenous release of angiotensin II.We measured production of CSF in chloralose-anesthetized rabbits using ventriculocisternal perfusion of artificial CSF containing blue dextran. After control measurements, rabbits were subjected to one of the following interventions: (1) 30 minutes of hypoxia (PaO2 = 36 +/- 1 mmHg [mean +/- SE]) followed by 90 minutes of reoxygenation; (2) 30 m...
Value Added Privacy Services for Healthcare Data

The widespread use of digital data, storage and sharing for data mining has given data snoopers a big opportunity to collect and match records from multiple sources for identity theft and other privacy-invasion activities. While most healthcare organizations do a good job in protecting their data in their databases, very few organizations take enough precautions to protect data that is shared with third party organizations. This data is vulnerable to data hackers, snoopers and rouge employees that want to take advantage of the situation. Only recently has the regulatory environment (like HIPAA) tightened the laws to enforce data and privacy protection. The goal of this project was to explore use of value added software services to counter this invasion of privacy problem when data is shared with an external organization for data mining, statistical analysis or other purposes. Specifically, the goal of this service is to protect data without removing sensitive/non-sensitive attributes. Sophisticated data masking algorithms are used in these services to intelligently perturb and swap data fields making it extremely difficult for data snoopers to reveal personal identity, even after linking records with other data sources. Our software service provides value added data analysis with the masked dataset. Dataset-level properties and statistics remain approximately the same after data masking; however, individual record-level values are changed or perturbed to confuse the data snoopers.
Recovering degraded quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells by applying electrical pulses

We discovered a method of applying a forward pulsed bias to recover the degraded quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Up to 30.7% of the power conversion efficiency (η) of a degraded poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based DSSC was recovered by a double-pulse. The recovered η remained higher than that before the double-pulse treatment for at least 28 days. It is deduced that the blocking of ion-transport channels in the quasi-solid-state electrolyte causes degradation of the DSSCs. This study will shed light on the efficiency enhancement and long-term stability of quasi-solid-state DSSCs.
Time to Remission for Depression with Collaborative Care Management (CCM) in Primary Care

Background: Collaborative care management (CCM) has been shown to have superior outcomes to usual care (UC) for depressed patients with a fixed end point. This study was a survival analysis over time comparing CCM with UC using remission (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] score Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 7340 patients with depression cared for at 4 outpatient primary care clinics was conducted from March 2008 through June 2013. All adult patients diagnosed with depression (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision [ICD-9], codes 296.2–3) or dysthymia (ICD-9 code 300.4) with an initial PHQ-9 score ≥10 were included. CCM was implemented at all clinics between 2008 and 2010. Kaplan-Meyer survival curves for time to remission and PDSs were plotted. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to adjust for expected differences between patients choosing CCM versus UC. Results: Median time to remission was 86 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 81–91 days) for the CCM group versus 614 days (95% CI, 565–692 days) for the UC group. Likewise, median duration of PDSs was 31 days (95% CI, 30–33 days) for the CCM group versus 154 days (95% CI, 138–182 days) for the UC group. In the Cox proportional hazards model, which controlled for covariates such as age, sex, race, diagnosis, and initial PHQ-9 score, CCM was associated with faster remission (hazard ratio of the CCM group [HRCCM], 2.48; 95% CI, 2.31–2.65). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that patients enrolled in CCM have a faster rate of remission and a shorter duration of PDSs than patients choosing UC.
High-Index-Contrast, Wide-FSR Microring-Resonator Filter Design and Realization with Frequency-Shift Compensation

Rigorous electromagnetic simulations are used to design high-index-contrast microring-resonator filters. The first fabricated third-order filters compensated for passband distortion due to coupling-induced and fabrication-related frequency shifts demonstrate a 20nm FSR and the highest reported thru-port extinction (14dB).