cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypermass Generalization of Einstein's Gravitation Theory

The curvilinear invariant quaternion formalism is examined for curved space time. Einstein's gravitation equation is shown to have a simple and natural form in this notation. The hypermass generalization of particle mass, which was generated in our studies of the Dirac equation, is incorporated in gravitation by generalizing Einstein's equation. Covariance requires that the gravitational constant be generalized to an invariant quaternion when the mass is. The modification appears minor and of no importance cosmologically, unless one begins considering time and mass dependence of G.
Evolution in the genus Cryptocercus (Dictyoptera: Cryptocercidae): no evidence of differential adaptation to hosts or elevation

In a recent paper, Kambhampati, Clark & Brock (Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 2002; 75: 163–172) suggested that members of the wood-feeding cockroach genus Cryptocercus are differentially adapted to two features of the environment: host log species and elevation. A re-examination of the evidence, however, fails to support their hypothesis. First, their analysis of host preferences was based on a general description of forest type, rather than on the level at which host choice occurs: the dead tree on the forest floor. Cryptocercus in both East Asia and in the eastern United States have been collected from a range of evergreen and deciduous logs. Although C. clevelandi in the western United States is associated primarily with conifers, no evidence of host adaptation exists. Second, there is no support for the described evolutionary trend toward low-altitude habitats among karyotype groups of C. punctulatus in the eastern United States. The findings of Kambhampati et al. are based on inadequate sampling; they did not include the highest and most topographically complex regions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, nor the lower elevation border regions to the north and east of the range. An analysis of elevational data from 71 collection sites revealed no significant difference in the range of altitudes at which karyotype groups of C. punctulatus are found. In contrast to the suggestions of these authors, a lack of specialization with regard to altitude and host logs was probably the factor that allowed all taxa in the genus to thrive during climatically driven shifts in the geographical location and plant species composition of northern hemisphere mesic forests. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 80, 223–233.
The decay of the mean solar magnetic field

We have analyzed the effects that differential rotation and a hypothetical meridional flow would have on the evolution of the Sun's mean line-of-sight magnetic field as seen from Earth. By winding the large-scale field into strips of alternating positive and negative polarity, differential rotation causes the mean-field amplitude to decay and the mean-field rotation period to acquire the value corresponding to the latitude of the surviving unwound magnetic flux. For a latitudinally broad two-sector initial field such as a horizontal dipole, the decay is rapid for about 5 rotations and slow with a t −1/2 dependence thereafter. If a poleward meridional flow is present, it will accelerate the decay by carrying the residual flux to high latitudes where the line-of-sight components are small. The resulting decay is exponential with an e-folding time of 0.75 yr (10 rotations) for an assumed 15 m s−1 peak meridional flow speed.
An evaluation of MRI safety and compatibility of a silver-impregnated antimicrobial wound dressing.

Purpose Wound infections can slow healing, increase pain, and have negative effects on a patient's quality of life. The recent emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains has led wound care specialists to revisit alternative topical agents such as silver to control wound bioburden. Aquacel Ag is an ionic silver-containing barrier dressing that is able to absorb large amounts of wound exudate. The aim of this study was to assess the magnetic resonance (MR) safety and compatibility of this dressing, according to the standard requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Methods Radiofrequency-induced temperature changes associated with the test dressing were assessed using an ASTM phantom at 123 and 64 MHz. Whether the dressing caused any image distortion or magnetic deflection or if the electric resistance of the hydrated dressing differed significantly from that of tissue was also investigated. Results Similar radiofrequency-induced temperature changes were observed during 123 MHz (nominal 3 T) MR imaging of the phantom material alone (1.3°C) and when the dressing was added (1.8°C-2.0°C). Similar increases in temperature were also observed at 64 MHz (1.5 T) in the phantom material alone (1.4°C-1.9°C) and with the dressing (1.6°C-1.7°C). The test dressing did not cause any discernible image distortion or magnetic deflection and had similar electric resistance to human body tissues. Conclusion The wound dressing impregnated with ionic silver evaluated in this study has similar magnetic and electric characteristics to human tissues and is MR safe as defined in ASTM standard F2503-05. Therefore, the dressings can be left in place when a patient is undergoing MR imaging.
On the Structure of Real-Time Encoding and Decoding Functions in a Multiterminal Communication System

A real-time communication system with two encoders communicating with a single receiver over separate noisy channels is considered. The two encoders make distinct partial observations of a Markov source. Each encoder must encode its observations into a sequence of discrete symbols. The symbols are transmitted over noisy channels to a finite memory receiver that attempts to reconstruct some function of the state of the Markov source. Encoding and decoding must be done in real-time, that is, the distortion measure does not tolerate delays. Under the assumption that the encoders' observations are conditionally independent Markov chains given an unobserved time-invariant random variable, results on the structure of optimal real-time encoding and decoding functions are obtained. It is shown that there exist finite-dimensional sufficient statistics for the encoders. The problem with noiseless channels and perfect memory at the receiver is then considered. A new methodology to find the structure of optimal real-time encoders is employed. A sufficient statistic with a time-invariant domain is found for this problem. This methodology exploits the presence of common information between the encoders and the receiver when communication is over noiseless channels.
LOOKING BACKWARD INSTEAD OF FORWARD: ASPIRATION-DRIVEN INFLUENCES ON THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CAPITAL ALLOCATION PROCESS

This study examines the influence of backward-looking, reference-dependent decisions on forward-looking capital allocation investment choices across business units within a firm. Specifically, we develop an integrated behavioral framework for predicting how aspirations for business unit performance affect the efficiency of the internal capital allocation process. Results suggest that, contingent on dispersion in business unit performance and on firm slack, performance aspirations have pervasive effects; current performance above and below aspirations influences the efficiency of the allocation process. Given that prior examinations of aspiration-driven behavior have generally focused on changes in strategic organizational actions (e.g., R&D investment) without further considering the quality or appropriateness of such actions, this study contributes by also focusing on the appropriateness of capital allocations with clear implications for allocation efficiency.
Unimodular Möbius-Invariant Contractive Divisors for the Bergman Space

Let B be a Banach space of analytic functions in the open unit disk D. For a sequence {αν} (αν ∈D) let $$ {B_{\left\{ {{\alpha_v}} \right\}}} = \left\{ {{\text{f}} \in B} \right.|{\text{f}}\left( {{\alpha_v}} \right) = 0,\forall v $$ (1) (repeated values of αν correspond to multiple zeros of f). {αν} is called a B-zero set if B{αν} ≠}0}.
Passive Scrambling and Unscrambling for Secure Fiber Optic Communications

We propose an all-fiber based approach to scramble and un-scramble optical signal for secure fiber optic communications. A scrambler and un-scrambler pair with an operation range from 0.8 Gb/s to 1.4 Gb/s was demonstrated.
Electric and magnetic field monitoring for power line diagnostics

This work is an effort to develop robust and cost effective monitoring tools for electric power networks. Current and voltage transformers currently used in grid monitoring are limited in their capabilities, especially lacking in the frequency bandwidth needed to observe slow-moving phenomena as well as fast (kHz range) events related to faults and switching of power electronics equipment. The paper presents a novel voltage and current measurement sensor that can be easily deployed at a desired location in the live power transmission and distribution grids. The sensor does not require galvanic contact with the energized conductor. The sensor operation as well as experimental results are presented and discussed.
Should We Continue to Describe Culture as Capital? An Austrian Perspective

The dominant model of exchange between economists and our cousins in the other social sciences is export. We seldom learn or even try to learn from our compatriots. We peddle our analysis (of everything from the virtuous to the profane), our methods (too often borrowed from the natural sciences) and our concepts (think of notions like social capital, the economy of nature, etc.), assured that everyone else has much to learn from us. In some areas we do, indeed, have a lot to offer. I wonder, however, if the exchange between cultural studies and capital theory has benefited either trading partner. The belief that we can profitably think of culture as if it is capital, in my opinion, does not do justice to either capital or culture. Section II outlines what cultural theorists and economists mean by the concept of cultural capital. Section III, then, argues that notions of cultural capital are built on mistaken views of both capital (and its essential characteristics) and culture (and its significance). Culture properly conceived is not just a resource and capital correctly understood is not anything more than just a resource used in production. Section IV, thus, proposes that we jettison the cultural capital language; in my opinion, culture is much more like a constitution, a context where social interactions occur, than it is like a tool, which can be used and put away. Section V summarizes these results.
The Financial Meltdown of 2008: Causes and Symptoms

Contrary to Alan Greenspan's testimony where he pins the blame on free markets, the Government/Fed manipulation of supply and demand has primarily caused the current financial meltdown as banks left with depreciating assets and colossal loss are unable to provide loans which have become the lifeblood of our consumer credit dependent society. There is an unrealistic fear that without government intervention there will be a downward spiral and the world will go into a deflationary depression due to a self feeding cycle of falling consumer confidence. In fact contrary to popular opinion, we will go into a hyper-inflationary depression under more fiat money being pumped into the economy and more government regulations that will impede future growth. [This paper also won 2nd prize in a competition conducted by the Finance & Risk Engineering Department at New York University - Polytechnic Institute. The panel of judges comprised Dr. Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Dr. Charles Tapiero, Dr. Frederick Novomestky and Dr. Philip Z. Maymin.]
PURLs: It's time to use an age-based approach to D-dimer.

"An age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff-- rather than the conventional 500 mcg/L value -- is a better way to rule out VTE in patients over 50."
Activation of MAP kinase and translocation with HSP27 in bombesin-induced contraction of rectosigmoid smooth muscle

We have investigated whether mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade is essential for sustained contraction of smooth muscle cells of the rabbit rectosigmoid. We have identified MAP kinase a...
Preparing Social Work Students for Leadership in Human Service Organizations Through Student Philanthropy

ABSTRACTThe lack of macro content in social work curricula, particularly for undergraduate students, prepares them poorly for future leadership roles in human service organizations and contributes to the dearth of social workers serving as executives in human service organizations. The innovative experiential philanthropy model described here gives undergraduate social work students the opportunity to engage in macro practice through philanthropy. The model has resulted in students disbursing $60,000 to address urgent social problems in their community. Skills developed by these students in philanthropy, budgeting, and resource management will inform their future social work practice as leaders within human service organizations.
Multipactor in crossed rf fields on the cavity equator

Multipactor discharge in an accelerating superconducting elliptic cavity occurs usually near its equator. As simulations show, the dimensions of the trajectories of multipacting electrons are very small compared to the dimensions of a cavity. This feature gives a way for solving explicit equations of motion instead of cumbersome simulations. Electric and magnetic fields near the cavity equator are presented in a form of expansions up to the third power of coordinates. Comparisons with numerical calculations of fields made with the SLANS code for the TESLA cavity cells, as well as with the analytical solution for a spherical cavity, are done. These fields are used for solving the equations of motion of electrons in crossed rf fields near the equator. Based on the analysis of these equations, general features of multipacting in this area are obtained. Results are compared with simulations and experimental data. The experimental formulas for multipacting zones are explained and their dependence on the cavity geometries is shown. Because of small sizes of electron trajectories, the influence of the weld seams is taken into account. This suggests a possible explanation of multipacting in a cavity which was not found by simulations. The developed approach allows evaluation of multipacting in a cavity without its simulations but after an analysis of fields in the equatorial region. These fields can be computed by any code used for cavity calculation.
Effect of clathrate hydrate formation and decomposition on NMR parameters in THF-D2O solution.

The NMR spin–lattice relaxation time (T1), spin–spin relaxation time (T2) and the diffusion coefficient D were measured for 1H in a 1:17 mol % solution of tetrahydrofuran (THF) in D2O. The aim of the work was to clarify some earlier points raised regarding the utility of these measurements to convey structural information on hydrate formation and reformation. A number of irregularities in T1 and T2 measurements during hydrate processes reported earlier are explained in terms of the presence of interfaces and possible temperature gradients. We observe that T1 and T2 in solution are exactly the same before and after hydrate formation, thus confirming that the solution is isotropic. This is inconsistent with the presence of memory effects, at least those that may affect the dynamics to which T1 and T2 are sensitive. The measurement of the diffusion coefficient for a number of hours in the subcooled solution before nucleation proved invariant with time, again suggesting that the solution remains isotropic wit...
Surface and Bulk Oxidizing Species for Self Lubricating Ceramics

The use of ceramic materials for high temperature engine applications has prompted interest in the friction and wear characteristics of ceramicceramic pairs in mating contact. This interest has led to both surface and bulk material modifications aimed at improving the lubricity and wear resistance of these materials. This paper will discuss two basic systems developed to allow self-lubrication at high temperatures in ceramic materials through the formation of a lubricious oxide film. Both methods operate under the assumption that the oxide chemistry of the system controls the lubricity and wear properties. Relevant issues for each system will be presented and discussed.
Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid cells from an american child with Burkitt's Lymphoma.

Tumor cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of an American child with Burkitt’s lymphoma are described. The morphology of the cells was demonstrated better by use of the “millipore” technic and hematoxylin and eosin staining than by the Wright-stained smear.
Improved Resident Physician Confidence With Advance Care Planning After an Ambulatory Clinic Intervention

Many primary care providers feel uncomfortable discussing end-of-life care. The aim of this intervention was to assess internal medicine residents' advance care planning (ACP) practices and improve residents' ACP confidence. Residents participated in a facilitated ACP quality improvement workshop, which included an interactive presentation and chart audit of their own patients. Pre- and postintervention surveys assessed resident ACP-related confidence. Only 24% of the audited patients had an advance directive (AD), and 28% of the ACP-documentation was of no clinical utility. Terminally ill patients (odds ratio 2.8, P < .001) were more likely to have an AD. Patients requiring an interpreter were less likely to have participated in ACP. Residents reported significantly improved confidence with ACP and identified important training gaps. Future studies examining the impact on ACP quality are needed.
Codling moth (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae) control on commercial walnuts with a granulosis virus

Commercially produced, experimental lots of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), granulosis virus (CMGV) formulations were field-tested for control of codling moth larvae on commercial walnuts. Because it has little or no effect on beneficial species and probably would not disturb the control of the walnut aphid, Chromaphis juglandicola (Kaltenbach), by the parasite Trioxys pallidus (Haliday), CMGV was evaluated in 1980-1983 in Kings, Tulare, and Yolo counties in California. In 1980, control of codling moth by CMGV was similar to that of conventional insecticides (e.g., 80%). However, a maximum of 60% control was obtained in 1982. The level of control obtained in 1982 was lower than that suggested by the residue studies. In 1983, control was equivalent to that of a chemical insecticide standard, but control depended upon application timing. Field persistence of the virus was sufficient, to cause 90% larval mortality immediately after application and 80% mortality 5 d later. The addition of several concentrations of skim milk did not increase persistence. It was concluded that timing of CMGV applications to coincide with egg hatch and field persistence of formulations are critical to control of codling moth on walnuts.
Miniaturized sensors to monitor simulated lunar locomotion.

Introduction Human activity monitoring is a useful tool in medical monitoring, military applications, athletic coaching, and home healthcare. We propose the use of an accelerometer-based system to track crewmember activity during space missions in reduced gravity environments. It is unclear how the partial gravity environment of the Moorn or Mars will affect human locomotion. Here we test a novel analogue of lunar gravity in combination with a custom wireless activity tracking system. Methods A noninvasive wireless accelerometer-based sensor system, the activity tracking device (ATD), was developed. The system has two sensor units; one footwear-mounted and the other waist-mounted near the midlower back. Subjects (N=16) were recruited to test the system in the enhanced Zero Gravity Locomotion Simulator (eZLS) at NASA Glenn Research Center. Data were used to develop an artificial neural network for activity recognition. Results The eZLS demonstrated the ability to replicate reduced gravity environments. There was a 98% agreement between the ATD and force plate-derived stride times during running (9.7 km x h(-1)) at both 1 g and 1/6 g. A neural network was designed and successfully trained to identify lunar walking, running, hopping, and loping from ATD measurements with 100% accuracy. Discussion The eZLS is a suitable tool for examining locomotor activity at simulated lunar gravity. The accelerometer-based ATD system is capable of monitoring human activity and may be suitable for use during remote, long-duration space missions. A neural network has been developed to use data from the ATD to aid in remote activity monitoring.
Analysis on Epidemiological Characteristics of Hand,Foot and Mouth Disease in Shenyang City from 2009 to 2010

[Objective]To learn the epidemic trend of hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD),provide a basis for development of prevention and control measures. [Methods]The epidemic data of HFMD in Shenyang were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method. [Results]From 2009 to 2010,the average annual reported incidence rate of HFMD was 99.52/lakh,and there was significant difference in the reported incidence rate between 2009 and 2010(P0.05).The reported incidence rate in males and females was 119.56/lakh and 78.91/lakh respectively,and the difference was significant(P0.01).EV71 virus infection accounted for 41.18%.81.80% of cases occurred from June to September,and cases reported from July to August accounted for 56.30%,which showed that there was a typical summer peak.The scattered children and kindergarten children respectively accounted for 72.60% and 23.60% of all cases,which showed an occupational peak.The average annual reported incidence rate in urban area and rural area was 96.15/lakh and 103.09/lakh respectively,and the difference was significant(P0.01).91.58% of cases were children aged 0~5 years old,and 64.57% were children aged 2~4 years old,which indicated that the incidence of infants and children was high. [Conclusion]It is important to strengthen the management of the prevention and treatment of infectious disease in nurseries and kindergartens to implement the prevention and control measures,carry out the health education to enhance the prevention and control awareness and levels,improve the surveillance and analysis of epidemic situation to release warning of the epidemic trend,and implement the emergency treatment to control HFMD outbreaks effectively.
A Case-Control Study on Influencing Factors of Congenital Heart Disease in Neonates in Shanghai,2011

[Objective]To analyze the occurrence of congenital heart disease(CHD) among neonates in Shanghai in 2011,to explore the risk factors associated with CHD,and to provide scientific basis for preventive measures.[Methods]A case-control study of CHD was conducted,combining with medical history and questionnaire,to collect information on life style and environmental factors of their parents of 464 CHD cases and 1585 healthy neonates in Shanghai in 2011.Risk factors were determined using single-factor and multivariate logistic regression analyses.[Results]In 2011,most CHD in Shanghai were found to be atrial septal defect(29.98%),followed by patent ductus arteriosus(28.05%) and ventricular septal defect(11.03%).Multivariate logistic regression(χ2=116.53,P0.0001) showed that multiple pregnancy,father’s age above 50 years,mothers without regular prenatal care,mothers’ experiences negative life events during pregnancy,and tobacco exposure during pregnancy were the possible risk factors(OR=22.65,4.60,1.31,2.52,and 1.62,respectively).[Conclusion]Choosing the best childbearing age,avoiding bad habits,maintaining mental health,strengthening health care,and taking regular prenatal care during pregnancy would help reduce the risk of CHD in neonates.
Structural and recovery mechanisms of 3D dental pulp cell microtissues challenged with Streptococcusmutans in extracellular matrix environment.

Cariopathogen Streptococcus mutans exists in infected dental pulp of deciduous teeth and is frequently linked with heart diseases. Organotypic (3D) dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) cultures/microtissues, developed to mimic the physiological conditions in vivo, were utilized to assess the bacterial impact on their (i) 3D structural configuration and (ii) recovery mechanisms. The cultures, developed in extracellular matrix (ECM) bio-scaffold (Matrigel™), interacted with WT and GFP-tagged bacterial biofilms by permitting their infiltration through the ECM. Challenged cell constructs were visualized by F-actin/nuclei staining. Their pluripotency (Sox2) and differentiation (osteocalcin) markers were assessed by immunocytochemistry. Secreted mineral was detected by alizarin red, and 3D structural arrangements were analysed by epi-fluorescence and confocal scanning microscopy. Bacterial biofilm/ECM-embedded DPSC interactions appeared in distinct areas of the microtissues. Bacterial attachment to the cell surface occurred without evidence of invasion. Surface architecture of the challenged versus unchallenged microtissues was apparently unaltered. However, significant increases in thickness (138.42 vs 106.51 µm) and bacterial penetration were detected in challenged structures causing canal-like microstructures with various diameters (12.94 –42.88 µm) and average diameter of 20.66 to 33.42 µm per microtissue. Challenged constructs expressed pluripotency and differentiation markers and secreted the mineral. Presented model shows strong potential for assessing pulp–pathogen interactions in vivo. S. mutans infiltrated and penetrated the microtissues but did not invade the cells or compromise major cell repair mechanisms. These findings would suggest reexamining the role of S. mutans as an endodontic pathogen and investigating DPSC resistance to its pathogenicity.
To what extent does attention underlie language in aphasia

ABSTRACTBackground: It is well established that persons with aphasia (PWA) exhibit impaired performance on assessments not only of language function but also of cognitive skills, including attention processing. Attention is a particularly important cognitive skill to examine in aphasia because of its fundamental, domain-general nature, as well as the fact that a link between attention deficits and language deficits in this population has been proposed in previous work.Aims: We review and discuss the current understanding of attention in aphasia and offer a literature-based schema for understanding how attention may influence language in PWA.Main Contribution: We first identify two common features of current models of attention in healthy populations, specifically, the domain-generality of attention and the existence of multiple types of attention. We then review the literature on attention in aphasia in light of these two features and discuss what the evidence in this area thus far indicates about the nat...
Insiders and Outsiders in Baluchistan: Western and Indigenous Perspectives on Ecology and Development

The evolutionary ecologist knows implicitly that his professional activity, like all other human activity, takes place within the evolutionary process. Ecology as a type of study has been pursued in various paradigms, most particularly a systemic "ecosystems" paradigm, and an evolutionary paradigm. Social scientists are prepared for questions of politics and morals, but with rare exceptions do not adequately understand ecology. The organization of human activity commonly transcends the boundaries of ecosystems or habitats, and cannot therefore be usefully analyzed in terms of the ecologists' universe of study. Baluchistan is the western province of Pakistan. The name comes from the Baluch, who comprise the majority of the population throughout most of the province, as well as in the neighboring province of Iran and the adjoining part of southern Afghanistan. In Makran, the south-western division of the province of Baluchistan in western Pakistan, and across the border in Iran, the nomadic pastoralists play a particularly significant social role.
The curious case of Carnatic: The last nawab of Arcot (d. 1855) and Persian literary culture:

While the nineteenth century is a period that generally witnessed Persian’s longue duree of decline in post-Mughal South Asia, it is also one in which Persian literary culture reconstituted itself in multiple ways that allowed participants to remain invested in its production. This article focuses on one such environment in the nineteenth century—the court of the last Nawab of Arcot (d. 1855). It highlights the development of Persian literary culture at Arcot, its promotion by the last Nawab through an exclusive Persian poetry society and the personal clashes and poetic rivalries that beset debates around Persian poetry. It demonstrates how Persian literary culture not only remained an important part of the Arcot court’s cultural milieu but also how its poetic debates remained connected to larger issues vexing poets elsewhere in the Persianate world, in particular around the questions of ‘who speaks for Persian’ and ‘what constitutes the Persian canon’.
High-Potency Phenylquinoxalinone Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Activators.

We previously identified phenylquinoxalinone CFTRact-J027 (4) as a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activator with an EC50 of ∼200 nM and demonstrated its therapeutic efficacy in mouse models of constipation. Here, structure–activity studies were done on 36 synthesized phenylquinoxalinone analogs to identify compounds with improved potency and altered metabolic stability. Synthesis of the phenylquinoxalinone core was generally accomplished by condensation of 1,2-phenylenediamines with substituted phenyloxoacetates. Structure–activity studies established, among other features, the privileged nature of a properly positioned nitro moiety on the 3-aryl group. Synthesized analogs showed improved CFTR activation potency compared to 4 with EC50 down to 21 nM and with greater metabolic stability. CFTR activators have potential therapeutic indications in constipation, dry eye, cholestatic liver diseases, and inflammatory lung disorders.
Reverse gyrase is essential for microbial growth at 95 °C

Reverse gyrase is an enzyme that induces positive supercoiling in closed circular DNA in vitro. It is unique to thermophilic organisms and found without exception in all microorganisms defined as hyperthermophiles, that is, those having optimal growth temperatures of 80 °C and above. Although its in vivo role has not been clearly defined, it has been implicated in stabilizing DNA at high temperatures. Whether or not it is absolutely required for growth at these high temperatures has yet to be fully determined. In a previous study with an organism that has an optimal growth temperature of 85 °C, it was shown that the enzyme is not a prerequisite for life at extreme temperatures as disruption of its gene did not result in a lethal phenotype at the supraoptimal growth temperature of 90 °C. Herein we show that the enzyme is absolutely required for microbial growth at 95 °C, which in this case is a suboptimal growth temperature. Deletion of the gene encoding the reverse gyrase of the model hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, which has an optimal growth temperature of 100 °C, revealed that the gene is required for growth at 95 °C, as well as at 100 °C. The results suggest that a temperature threshold above 90 °C exists, wherein the activity of reverse gyrase is absolutely necessary to maintain a correct DNA twist for any organism growing at such temperature extremes.
Microscale thermal gradient continuous-flow PCR: A guide to operation

Abstract Thermal-gradient continuous flow polymerase chain reaction (CF-PCR) is one promising way to amplify DNA on a microchip, a key technology in point-of-care diagnostics. But questions remain about its efficacy in the field, where DNA sample temperature, operating environment, and volumetric flow rate vary. This paper investigates the effects of these parameters for one practical CF-PCR design. It is found that sample temperature has negligible effect on chip temperature distributions and thus DNA outcomes, and heated or chilled samples may be used. In contrast, environmental conditions of ambient temperature and convective heat transfer will affect results unless heaters are adjusted. Volumetric flow rate is the most limiting factor, and flow rates above 1 mL/h are unsuccessful. While DNA outputs have been presented in the literature for this device, this paper provides a detailed look at the fluid temperature distributions that affect these outputs, data missing from the literature but fundamentally important in effective chip design and operation.
Multi-temporal trajectories of landscape change explain forest biodiversity in urbanizing ecosystems

Forest loss and fragmentation negatively affect biodiversity. However, disturbances in forest canopy resulting from repeated deforestation and reforestation are also likely important drivers of biodiversity, but are overlooked when forest cover change is assessed using a single time interval. We investigated two questions at the nexus of plant diversity and forest cover change dynamics: (1) Do multitemporal forest cover change trajectories explain patterns of plant diversity better than a simple measure of overall forest change? (2) Are specific types of forest cover change trajectories associated with significantly higher or lower levels of diversity? We sampled plant biodiversity in forests spanning the Charlotte, NC, region. We derived forest cover change trajectories occurring within nested spatial extents per sample site using a time series of aerial photos from 1938 to 2009, then classified trajectories by spatio-temporal patterns of change. While accounting for landscape and environmental covariates, we assessed the effects of the trajectory classes as compared to net forest cover change on native plant diversity. Our results indicated that forest stand diversity is best explained by forest change trajectories, while the herb layer is better explained by net forest cover change. Three distinct forest change trajectory classes were found to influence the forest stand and herb layer. The influence of forest dynamics on biodiversity can be overlooked in analyses that use only net forest cover change. Our results illustrate the utility of assessing how specific trajectories of past land cover change influence biodiversity patterns in the present.
Vestibular vertigo is associated with abnormal sleep duration

Background/objective Several small studies in animals and humans have suggested a relationship between vestibular function and sleep. In this study, we evaluate the association between vestibular vertigo and sleep duration in a large, representative sample of US adults. Methods We used data from the National Health Interview Survey, which administered a Balance Supplement in 2008 in a sample of 20,950 adult respondents. We evaluated the cross-sectional association between vestibular vertigo (based on a well-validated definition) and sleep duration (defined as short 8 hours). We performed multiple and multinomial logistic regression analyses to estimate the odds ratio and relative risk ratio (RRR) of impaired sleep duration compared to normal sleep duration associated with vestibular vertigo. Analyses were adjusted for demographic, lifestyle and health behavior characteristics as well as relevant comorbid conditions. Results Thirty percent of individuals with vestibular vertigo reported abnormal sleep duration (15.5% short duration and 14.8% long duration). In adjusted analyses, individuals with vestibular vertigo had a 1.75 (95% CI 1.45-2.11) RRR of having short sleep duration compared to individuals without vestibular vertigo, and a 1.55 (95% CI 1.26-1.91) RRR of having long sleep duration compared to individuals without vestibular vertigo. Conclusion This study presents epidemiologic evidence to support the association between vestibular function and sleep duration. Individuals with vestibular vertigo had a higher RRR for abnormally short or long sleep duration. Further work is needed to evaluate the causal direction(s) of this association.
On the Generation of Nondiffracting Beams in Extremely Subwavelength Applications

In this paper, extremely subwavelength evanescent Bessel beam launchers are designed, simulated, and experimentally tested to generate nondiffracting beams. The launching apertures consist of several concentric coils strategically positioned to spatially filter the fields of a single actively fed radiating coil. The geometrical properties of each coil element of the aperture were obtained through a procedure based on the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm in order to maximize the quality of the launched beam while minimizing manufacturing complexity. Two apertures with outer diameters of 64 and 48 mm were fabricated and the generated field distributions were measured at the operating frequencies of 13.66 and 13.86 MHz, respectively. Desired and measured field distributions exhibited correlations above 0.9 even as the distance from the aperture was increased, demonstrating the ability of the apertures to approximate the field distribution and harmonic content of a Bessel beam. This paper furthers the study and practical implementation of Bessel beams and other types of beams in extremely subwavelength applications such as focusing, wireless power transfer, magnetic stimulation, and microwave ablation.
Structural Damage from Tsunami at Hilo, Hawaii

A team of engineers and scientists visited Hilo on the Island of Hawaii after the tsunami of 1960 to survey the damage. The principal items studied were the general wave characteristics and the structural damage caused by the waves. The portion of the survey which pertained to onshore effects is reported. Included are studies of height of wave, structural damage caused by the wave, and the pressures on structures from the force of the wave. The velocity of the wave was estimated by three different methods. Reasonable agreement was noted among the three methods. The damage caused by the tsunami is described in some detail, together with the various conditions which affected the degree of damage. Analyses of several structural elements are presented, and conclusions and recommendations are formulated.
Raising the Bar for Lawyers Who Represent Children: ABA Standards of Practice for Custody Cases

This article chronicles how the new ABA Standards of Practice for Lawyers Who Represent Children in Custody Cases evolved over nearly ten years. These Custody Standards clarify the roles lawyers should play in representing children and, hopefully, will serve as a model for states looking to upgrade representation for children in custody disputes.
Cost-effectiveness of Access to Critical Cerebral Emergency Support Services (ACCESS): a neuro-emergent telemedicine consultation program.

Aims: Access to Critical Cerebral Emergency Support Services (ACCESS) was developed as a low-cost solution to providing neuro-emergent consultations to rural hospitals in New Mexico that do not off...
Altered expression of the Cdk5 activator-like protein, Cdk5α, causes neurodegeneration, in part by accelerating the rate of aging

ABSTRACT Aging is the greatest risk factor for neurodegeneration, but the connection between the two processes remains opaque. This is in part for want of a rigorous way to define physiological age, as opposed to chronological age. Here, we develop a comprehensive metric for physiological age in Drosophila , based on genome-wide expression profiling. We applied this metric to a model of adult-onset neurodegeneration, increased or decreased expression of the activating subunit of the Cdk5 protein kinase, encoded by the gene Cdk5α , the ortholog of mammalian p35. Cdk5α -mediated degeneration was associated with a 27-150% acceleration of the intrinsic rate of aging, depending on the tissue and genetic manipulation. Gene ontology analysis and direct experimental tests revealed that affected age-associated processes included numerous core phenotypes of neurodegeneration, including enhanced oxidative stress and impaired proteostasis. Taken together, our results suggest that Cdk5α -mediated neurodegeneration results from accelerated aging, in combination with cell-autonomous neuronal insults. These data fundamentally recast our picture of the relationship between neurodegeneration and its most prominent risk factor, natural aging.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Natural Product Lipoxazolidinone A.

Natural products have historically been a major source of antibiotics and therefore novel scaffolds are constantly of interest. The lipoxazolidinone family of marine natural products, with an unusual 4-oxazolidinone heterocycle at their core, represents a new scaffold for antimicrobial discovery; however, questions regarding their mechanism of action and high lipophilicity have likely slowed follow-up studies. Herein, we report the first synthesis of lipoxazolidinone A, 15 structural analogues to explore its active pharmacophore, and initial resistance and mechanism of action studies. These results suggest that 4-oxazolidinones are valuable scaffolds for antimicrobial development and reveal simplified lead compounds for further optimization.
High quality draft genome sequences of Mycoplasma agassizii strains PS6 T and 723 isolated from Gopherus tortoises with upper respiratory tract disease

Mycoplasma agassizii is one of the known causative agents of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) and in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). We sequenced the genomes of M. agassizii strains PS6T (ATCC 700616) and 723 (ATCC 700617) isolated from the upper respiratory tract of a Mojave desert tortoise and a gopher tortoise, respectively, both with signs of URTD. The PS6T genome assembly was organized in eight scaffolds, had a total length of 1,274,972 bp, a G + C content of 28.43%, and contained 979 protein-coding genes, 13 pseudogenes and 35 RNA genes. The 723 genome assembly was organized in 40 scaffolds, had a total length of 1,211,209 bp, a G + C content of 28.34%, and contained 955 protein-coding genes, seven pseudogenes, and 35 RNA genes. Both genomes exhibit a very similar organization and very similar numbers of genes in each functional category. Pairs of orthologous genes encode proteins that are 93.57% identical on average. Homology searches identified a putative cytadhesin. These genomes will enable studies that will help understand the molecular bases of pathogenicity of this and other Mycoplasma species.
Some high-injection-level effects

At high injection levels occurring in power thyristors, the injected carrier concentration may exceed several times the impurity concentration for the lightly doped regions. As a result, semiconductor and device properties are significantly modified as compared to those at moderate or low injection levels.
Putnam on theA priori

Discussion de la these de Putnam, qui soutient qu'il y a au moins une verite a priori, contredisant ainsi ses declarations precedentes. Sa conception de l' " a priori contextuel ". La necessite d'une nouvelle theorie de la rationalite
The Process of Applied Mathematics

In discussing the applications of mathematics in the undergraduate curriculum, one is inclined to begin with a precise definition of what is meant by applied mathematics. There are many informative discussions of the nature of what is commonly referred to as applied mathematics, for example, [4], [10], [12], and [13], and it is not our purpose here to expand on these. Instead, we shall initially adopt a relatively informal approach, avoiding definitions and relying on comments and examples to convey ideas. It is our hope that the reader will acquire from this chapter an appreciation of the process that is exemplified in the modules that comprise this book and its three companion volumes.
Adsorption of the cyano complexes of Ag(I), Cu(I), Hg(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) on activated carbon

The adsorption of the cyano complexes of Ag(I), Cu(I), Hg(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) on activated carbon was investigated as a function of pH and correlated with the speciation diagram for each metal. The results show marked changes in uptake with pH, closely resembling the predominance profiles of their neutral and singly charged cyano complexes. Multicharged negative complexes are repelled by the negatively charged carbon surface. The sensitivity of activated carbon to the charge of the adsorbing species indicates that silver adsorbs as an anion, not chemically bound to the coadsorbing counterions. For the same reason, activated carbon is selective to metals that preferentially form neutral and singly charged cyano complexes, namely gold and silver.
Inflammation as a unique marker of suicide ideation distinct from depression syndrome among U.S. adults.

Abstract Background Recent evidence suggests that pro-inflammatory states may be independently associated with the risk of suicidality, above and beyond depression. This study assesses whether four indicators of inflammation, circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count and immunoglobulin E (IgE), and dietary inflammatory potential, measured using the Dietary Inflammatory Index® (DII), distinguish suicidal ideation (SI) from major depression (MD). Methods Data come from multiple cycles of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NCRPW NDII= 17,076; NIgE= 4,060). MD was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); SI was indicated by the last item of the PHQ-9. To assess SI independent from MD, participants were classified into four categories: SI with MD, SI without MD, MD without SI, and neither MD nor SI. Regression models were used to assess the relationship between indicators of inflammation and SI with and without MD. Results None of the inflammatory indicators were able to distinguish SI status among MD cases. DII was associated with SI among individuals without MD. CRP, DII, and WBC were associated with MD. No associations were found for IgE. Limitations Cross-section data prevent drawing causal conclusions. Underreporting of MD and suicidal ideation and measurement of habitual diet using 24 h dietary recalls are also weaknesses. Conclusion Dietary inflammatory potential was associated with suicide ideation among US adults with and without depression. Diet may play a role in suicide ideation and more empirical evidence is needed to determine whether nutritional protocols could aid in the treatment of suicidal behaviors. Findings did not support inflammatory factors having a relationship with suicide ideation distinct from depression.
An Unusual Cause of Epistaxis: Paranasal Sinus Myeloid Sarcoma.

We report a case of a 65-year-old female who presented with right-sided headaches, blurring of vision in the right eye, cold-induced epistaxis, and facial numbness in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Laboratory studies revealed a significant number of myeloblasts on peripheral smear with granulated cytoplasm, irregular nuclei, and prominent vacuoles. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated a T1-enhancing 1.5 cm right-sided dural-based lesion involving the medial sphenoid wing, cavernous sinus, infratemporal fossa, and sphenoid sinus region. An endoscopic biopsy of the lesion within the sphenoid sinus confirmed the diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma, with myeloblasts comprising 30% of cellularity by flow cytometry. A subsequent bone marrow biopsy revealed a hypercellular marrow with 23% blasts by flow cytometry that demonstrated a similar immunophenotypic pattern to those seen in the sinus mass. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing revealed the balanced translocation t(8;21)(q22;q22.1), consistent with a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia with RUNX1-RUNX1T1-balanced translocation by WHO 2016 criteria. Myeloid sarcoma represents a rare extramedullary presentation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), either alone or in conjunction with blood or bone marrow involvement. This case emphasizes the need for a broad differential diagnosis and an aggressive work-up for any unusual paranasal sinus mass.