cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CsrA and TnaB Coregulate Tryptophanase Activity To Promote Exotoxin-Induced Killing of Caenorhabditis elegansby Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli(EPEC) requires the tnaA-encoded enzyme tryptophanase and its substrate tryptophan to synthesize diffusible exotoxins that kill the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we demonstrate that the RNA-binding protein CsrA and the tryptophan permease TnaB coregulate tryptophanase activity, through mutually exclusive pathways, to stimulate toxin-mediated paralysis and killing of C. elegans.
Air impingement technology for food processing: visualization studies

Abstract Food processing systems using air impingement consist of jets of high-velocity air (10–100 m/s) exiting from nozzles and impinging on a food product. The factors affecting efficiency of impingement systems include the nozzle exit velocity, nozzle design, boundary layer characteristics on the surface of the product and the design of the impingement equipment. In the present research, visualization studies were conducted to determine the importance and implication of these factors. Flow under the jets was visualized using planar flow visualization techniques for various nozzle diameters (D), lengths (L) and nozzle to plate spacings (H) for flow over flat surfaces and food products with single and double jets. Studies were conducted on the transition features, recirculation, confinement and boundary layer flow characteristics. Ideal range for the characteristic nondimensional ratio (H/D) was determined to be 6–8. The actual ratio will depend on the transition effect and the induction of turbulence in the jet wake, which depends on the Reynolds number (Re) based on nozzle exit conditions and the L/D ratio of the nozzle. Surface roughness affected the roughness Reynolds number (Rep) which in turn influenced the boundary layer characteristics.
Inhibitors of SARS-3CLpro: virtual screening, biological evaluation, and molecular dynamics simulation studies

SARS-CoV from the coronaviridae family has been identified as the etiological agent of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a highly contagious upper respiratory disease that reached epidemic status in 2002. SARS-3CL(pro), a cysteine protease indispensible to the viral life cycle, has been identified as one of the key therapeutic targets against SARS. A combined ligand and structure-based virtual screening was carried out against the Asinex Platinum collection. Multiple low micromolar inhibitors of the enzyme were identified through this search, one of which also showed activity against SARS-CoV in a whole cell CPE assay. Furthermore, multinanosecond explicit solvent simulations were carried out using the docking poses of the identified hits to study the overall stability of the binding site interactions as well as identify important changes in the interaction profile that were not apparent from the docking study. Cumulative analysis of the evaluated compounds and the simulation studies led to the identification of certain protein-ligand interaction patterns which would be useful in further structure based design efforts.
High-speed volumetric imaging of cone photoreceptors with adaptive optics spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

We report the first observations of the three-dimensional morphology of cone photoreceptors in the living human retina. Images were acquired with a high-speed adaptive optics (AO) spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) camera. The AO system consisted of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor and bimorph mirror (AOptix) that measured and corrected the ocular and system aberrations at a closed-loop rate of 12 Hz. The bimorph mirror was positioned between the XY mechanical scanners and the subject's eye. The SD-OCT system consisted of a superluminescent diode and a 512 pixel line scan charge-coupled device (CCD) that acquired 75,000 A-scans/s. This rate is more than two times faster than that previously reported. Retinal motion artifacts were minimized by quickly acquiring small volume images of the retina with and without AO compensation. Camera sensitivity was sufficient to detect reflections from all major retinal layers. The regular distribution of bright spots observed within C-scans at the inner segment / outer segment (IS/OS) junctions and at the posterior tips of the OS were found to be highly correlated with one another and with the expected cone spacing. No correlation was found between the posterior tips of the OS and the other retinal layers examined, including the retinal pigment epithelium.
A message-passing class library C++ for portable parallel programming

An object-oriented message-passing class library in C++, called PPI++, for portable parallel programming has been developed. PPI++ (parallel portability interface in C++) is designed to serve as a stable (unchanging) interface between the client parallel code and the rapidly evolving distributed computing environments. By taking advantage of encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism supported by C++, PPI++ provides a clean and consistent programming interface, which helps improve the clarity and expressiveness of client parallel codes and hides implementation details and complexity from the user to ease parallel programming tasks. In addition, the use of strong type-checking in C++ allows the detection of potential misuses of the library at compile time, and thus promotes code reliability. This paper describes the object-oriented design and implementation of PPI++. Evaluation of PPI++ on important performance issues, such as portability, ease-of-use, extensibility, and efficiency, is also discussed.
Cell Cycle-Driven Heterogeneity: On the Road to Demystifying the Transitions between “Poised” and “Restricted” Pluripotent Cell States

Cellular heterogeneity is now considered an inherent property of most stem cell types, including pluripotent stem cells, somatic stem cells, and cancer stem cells, and this heterogeneity can exist at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels. Several studies have indicated that the stochastic activation of signaling networks may promote heterogeneity and further that this heterogeneity may be reduced by their inhibition. But why different cells in the same culture respond in a nonuniform manner to the identical exogenous signals has remained unclear. Recent studies now demonstrate that the cell cycle position directly influences lineage specification and specifically that pluripotent stem cells initiate their differentiation from the G1 phase. These studies suggest that cells in G1 are uniquely “poised” to undergo cell specification. G1 cells are therefore more prone to respond to differentiation cues, which may explain the heterogeneity of developmental factors, such as Gata6, and pluripotency factors, such as Nanog, in stem cell cultures. Overall, this raises the possibility that G1 serves as a “Differentiation Induction Point.” In this review, we will reexamine the literature describing heterogeneity of pluripotent stem cells, while highlighting the role of the cell cycle as a major determinant.
Understanding Scores in Forensic Speaker Recognition

Recent work in forensic speaker recognition has introduced many new scoring methodologies. First, confidence scores (posterior probabilities) have become a useful method of presenting results to an analyst. The introduction of an objective measure of confidence score quality, the normalized cross entropy, has resulted in a systematic manner of evaluating and designing these systems. A second scoring methodology that has become popular is support vector machines (SVMs) for high-level features. SVMs are accurate and produce excellent results across a wide variety of token types?words, phones, and prosodic features. In both cases, an analyst may be at a loss to explain the significance and meaning of the score produced by these methods. We tackle the problem of interpretation by exploring concepts from the statistical and pattern classification literature. In both cases, our preliminary results show interesting aspects of scores not obvious from viewing them "only as numbers."
A Mechanism of Rapidly Reversible Cerebral Ventricular Enlargement Independent of Tissue Atrophy

Ventricular enlargement, a common in vivo marker of aging, disease, and insult, is presumed to reflect atrophy of surrounding brain regions. Pathological mechanisms underlying ventricular enlargement, however, are likely specific to the condition under investigation. Here, multimodal imaging, incorporating structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MR spectroscopy (MRS), and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), was used in rats exposed to binge ethanol (EtOH) to provide insight into a mechanism of reversible ventricular enlargement. During intoxication, MRI revealed expansion of ventricles, but volume changes in dorsal or ventral hippocampi, caudate-putamen, or thalamus were not detectible. MRS of whole-brain parenchyma showed decreases in N-acetylasparate (NAA) and tissue water T2, and increases in choline-containing compounds (Cho). DWI showed decreased diffusivity selective to the thalamus. All MR parameters returned to baseline with 7 days of recovery. Rapid recovery of ventricular volume and the absence of detectable tissue volume reductions in brain regions adjacent to ventricles argue against atrophy as a mechanism of ventricular expansion. Decreased tissue water T2 and decreased thalamic diffusivity suggest lower tissue water content and a role for both NAA and Cho, as osmolytes is proposed. Together, these data support a model of fluid redistribution during acute EtOH intoxication and recovery to account for rapid ventricular volume changes.
Calibration Curve Preparation of Analytes in Liquid Solutions by Means of an Exponential Dilution Flask

An exponential dilution flask for liquid solutions is evaluated for automated calibration curve preparation and detection limit determination by spectroscopic methods. Linearity of the log concentration vs time plot is found to approach 5 orders of magnitude. Design parameters have been selected for use as a routine laboratory system.
An Objective Measure of the Vindication Motive.

Summary.-The development of a 30-item, self-report measure of vindication motivation is discussed. The reliability coefficient (KR-20) of the measure was .81 in the validation sample comprised of 279 undergraduates. Palmer (1969) has suggested that a vindication motive may underlie the relationship between attitude similarity-dissimilarity and interpersonal attraction since agreeing strangers can be thought of as defending or vindicating one's own beliefs and opinions whereas disagreeing strangers would threaten their validity. The vindicator or V-motivated individual would thus likely find attirudinal similarity and dissimilarity to be relatively more positively and more negatively reinforcing, respectively, than would the nonvindicator where attitudinal information is conceptualized as having reinforcement value (Byrne & Clore, 1970). To evaluate the relevance of the vindication construct to the attitude similarity attraction relationship, Paher manipulated the stranger's competence as well as attitude similariry in a factorial attraction experiment-the competent strangers being presented as more dominant, more intelligent and more able as students than the incompecent strangers. Palmer assumed that "agreement is more supporting and disagreement more threatening to S's opinion if it comes from a person perceived as competent than from a person perceived as incompetent" (p. 5 ). It was therefore predicted that a stronger positive relationship between attitude similarity and artraction would obtain for competent vis-h-vis incompetent strangers. This hypothesized interaction between competence and attitude similarity was verified by the experimental results which showed attitudinal similarity-dissimilarity significantly affecting attraction responses to the competent strangers but not to the incompecent strangers. The present study was undertaken to explore the potential of the vindication construct as an individual differences variable. It was assumed that the V-motivated individual is one who derives unusual satisfaction from having his views proven right or correct and who is prone to become highly involved in the process of trying to convince others that his views are right. Pathological aberrations of high need for vindication could possibly predispose one to consider the liquidation of one's real or imagined enemies, whereas unusually low need for vindication might predispose one toward extreme indifference concerning self-assertion and self-defendence in the belief and opinion realm.
Failure criterion for two-ply plain-weave CFRP laminates

We present an experimentally based failure criterion for symmetric two-ply plain-weave laminates of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The criterion is formulated in terms of six force and moment stress resultants and consists of a set of three inequalities, related to in-plane, bending, and combined in-plane and bending types of failure. All failure parameters in the criterion are measured directly from five sets of tests. The new criterion is validated against an extensive data set of failure test results that use novel sample configurations to impose different combinations of stress resultants. It is found that the proposed criterion is safe for all test conditions and yet avoids excessive conservatism.
Indoor-outdoor relationships of respirable sulfates and particles

Abstract Indoor and outdoor concentrations of respirable particulates and sulfates have been measured in 68 homes in six cities for at least 1 yr. A conservation of mass model was derived describing indoor concentrations in terms of outdoor concentrations, infiltration and indoor sources. The measured data were analysed to identify important building characteristics and to quantify their effect. The mean infiltration rate of outdoor fine particulates was found to be approximately 70%. Cigarette smoking was found to be the dominant indoor source of respirable particulates. Increased indoor concentrations of sulfates were found to be associated with smoking and also with gas stoves. The effect of full air conditioning of the building was to reduce infiltration of outdoor fine particulates by about one half, while preventing dilution and purging of internally generated pollutants. The model for indoor respirable particulate and sulfate levels was found to compare well with measurements.
Criteria for basic emotions: Is DISGUST a primary “emotion”?

Tornochuk and Ellis argue that DISGUST should be considered a basic emotional system, on a par with the other basic emotional systems such as SEEKING, FEAR, RAGE, LUST, CARE, PANIC and PLAY, which constitute the groundwork for a cross-species emotion neuroscience with immediate implications for understanding emotional imbalances that characterise psychiatric disorders. Disgust is clearly a basic sensory/interoceptive affect (Rozin & Fallon, 1987), and a socially constructed moral emotion (Haidt, 2003a, b), but perhaps it is a category error to classify disgust as a basic emotion. It is more akin to a sensory affect. If we consider sensory disgust to be a basic emotional systems, then why not include hunger, thirst, fatigue and many other affective states of the body as emotions?
Expectancies and Social Issues: Introduction

This article introduces several broad issues concerning relations between expectations and social problems, issues that serve as the main themes of this volume. A myriad of social problems involve expectancies, and some expectancies create social problems whereas other expectancies reflect social problems. Expectancies may be either interpersonal (one person's expectations regarding another person) or intrapersonal (individuals' expectations for themselves). The paper concludes with an overview of the articles in this issue and the social problems they address.
Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation in Development and Beyond

Maternal mRNA translation is regulated in large part by cytoplasmic polyadenylation. This process, which occurs in both vertebrates and invertebrates, is essential for meiosis and body patterning. In spite of the evolutionary conservation of cytoplasmic polyadenylation, many of the cis elements and trans-acting factors appear to have some species specificity. With the recent isolation and cloning of factors involved in both poly(A) elongation and deadenylation, the underlying biochemistry of these reactions is beginning to be elucidated. In addition to early development, cytoplasmic polyadenylation is now known to occur in the adult brain, and there is circumstantial evidence that this process occurs at synapses, where it could mediate the long-lasting phase of long-term potentiation, which is probably the basis of learning and memory. Finally, there may be multiple mechanisms by which polyadenylation promotes translation. Important questions yet to be answered in the field of cytoplasmic polyadenylation are addressed.
Prenatal Course of Isolated Muscular Ventricular Septal Defects Diagnosed Only by Color Doppler Sonography Single-Institution Experience

Objective. Counseling patients with an isolated ventricular septal defect (i-VSD) is clinically important because with high-resolution ultrasound equipment, more small muscular VSDs are now being diagnosed. The prevalence of these lesions is not yet completely described, and the frequency with which muscular VSDs resolve in utero has also not been extensively reported. Methods. We investigated the perinatal course of isolated muscular VSDs diagnosed only on color Doppler examinations and followed between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2006. A complete evaluation of the fetal heart was performed by gray scale, spectral Doppler, and color Doppler examinations. Results. We performed a total of 2583 fetal echocardiographic examinations on 2410 fetuses during 2318 pregnancies. The study group included 78 twin gestations (3.4%) and 7 triplet gestations (0.3%). There were 16 fetuses with an i-VSD (6.6/1000 fetuses) within the study group. The mean gestational age ± SD at diagnosis was 23.5 ± 4.3 weeks. Two of the i-VSDs (12.5%) spontaneously resolved prenatally. One fetus with an i-VSD had trisomy 21 and also had increased nuchal translucency in the first trimester. One i-VSD was diagnosed among 22 fetuses with trisomy 21 examined during the study period. Conclusions. An i-VSD is a common congenital heart defect. Prenatal resolution of i-VSDs is less frequent than reported in the literature. A larger cohort is needed to provide a better risk estimate for aneuploidy in the presence of an i-VSD. Key words: congenital heart defect; isolated; ventricular septal defect.
EVIDENCE FOR SEX PHEROMONES IN PLANKTONIC COPEPODS

When in the presence of potential mates, males of the copepods Ezcrytemorn affinis, Eurytemora he&man& and Pseuclodiuptomus coronatus performed mate-seeking behavior which appeared to be oriented. Males of E. affinis and P. coronutus located stationary females from up to 20 mm away. Males of E. affinis also chased and found secured females moved by a mechanical clevice. Eurytemora affinis males performed mate-seeking behavior toward females of all three species, and, to some extent, toward other conspecific males. IIowever, they attempted to copulate with conspecific females most frequently. Evidence suggested that males detected other copepods by means of diffusible chemicals. Males of the three species showed copulatory behavior toward secured females (or males) of their own species in about 80% of trial presentations. They usually did not try to copulate with animals of the other genus. Males of E. affinis were less selective between specimens of the two Eurytemora species than were E. herdmuni males. Relatively snecific chemical substances. active on contact, were probably the main factors eliciting copulatory behavior from males.
Anteromedial Impingement in the Ankle Joint: Outcomes Following Arthroscopy

Background: Arthroscopic debridement is a well-accepted method of removing osseous and/or soft tissue impingement from the ankle joint. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case series reporting the outcomes following arthroscopic resection of anteromedial impingement.Purpose: The authors report the results at a minimum 2-year follow-up of 41 patients who underwent arthroscopic resection for anteromedial impingement.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: Arthroscopic surgery for anteromedial impingement was performed on 43 patients under the care of the senior surgeon between January 2005 and July 2007; 41 patients were included in the present study. All patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot and Short Form 36 (SF-36v2) outcome scores. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 31.12 years (range, 13-57 years). The mean follow-up time was 34.41 months (range, 24-52 months). ...
Probiotics and the Immunocompromised Host

Current information concerning the use of probiotics in both the prevention and treatment of immunocompromised states associated with the breakdown of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier is discussed in this chapter. Many reports support the theoretical rationale for probiotic therapy in patients with short bowel syndrome. Further studies are needed, but initial results are encouraging for a role of probiotics in the treatment of hepatic disease. Probiotic supplementation has shown some promise in reducing antiretroviral therapy induced diarrhea.
Using a materials concept inventory to assess conceptual gain in introductory materials engineering courses

A materials concept inventory (MCl) has been created to measure conceptual knowledge gain in introductory materials engineering courses. The 30-question, multiple-choice MCI test has been administered as a pre and post-test at Arizona State University (ASU) and Texas A & M University (TAMU) to classes ranging in size from 16 to 90 students. The results on the pre-test (entering class) showed both "prior misconceptions" and knowledge gaps that resulted from earlier coursework in chemistry and, to a lesser extent, in geometry. The post-test (exiting class) showed both that some "prior misconceptions" persisted and also that new "spontaneous misconceptions" had been created during the course of the class. Most classes showed a limited, 15% to 20%, gain in knowledge between pre and post-test scores, but one class, which used active learning, showed a gain of 38%. More details on these results, on differences in results between ASU and TAMU, and on the nature of students' conceptual knowledge are described.
Mitochondrial DNA Biomarkers in Melanoma

The mitochondrial genome is a small [16,569 base pair (bp)], maternally-inherited circular DNA, that is present in copy numbers ranging from only a few to several thousand in the cytosol of a mammalian cell. The mitochondrial genome contains 37 genes. Of these, 13 genes encode polypeptides that represent components of the major respiratory chain complexes. Seven of these are components of complex I (NADH dehydrogenase), three are components of complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase), two are components of the ATP synthase complex (complex V), and one is the cytochrome b subunit of complex III.
Phase Noise and Transient Times for a Binary Quantized Digital Phase-Locked Loop in White Gaussian Noise

Digital phase-locked loops of the type employing discrete phase adjustments form an interesting class for which both steady-state and transient performance may be determined in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise. A general technique for obtaining this analysis is presented. A class of "sequential filters" is described that appears to be well suited to this type of loop. Their performance is characterized by a variable number of inputs per output (depending upon the input sequence) and the use of coarse quantization. Two specific examples are discussed. The closed-loop transient analysis shows these loops to have effectively a slew-rate limited phase adjustment, indicating that they are decidedly nonlinear. A digital loop "quasi-bandwidth" measure is defined in terms of this transient response. This definition allows the comparison of digital loops on a basis of equal signal-to-noise ratios within the loop bandwidth and, to a limited extent, makes possible a similar comparison of the digital loops with linear loops. Performance of the digital loops is found to be similar to that of the first-order linear phase-locked loop model for low loop bandwidth signal-to-noise ratio but reaches a limiting minimum phase error due to quantization of the phase adjustments for high signal-to-noise ratio. This limit, however, can be set as low as desired by choosing a small enough phase-correction quantum. The digitalloop bandwidth is found to vary with the signal energy per noise spectral density ratio rather than with the signal amplitude as in the case of the linear analog model.
History of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Tumour-induced granulocytic hyperplasia is associated with tumour vasculogenesis and escape from immunity via T cell suppression. Initially, these myeloid cells were identified as granulocytes or monocytes; however, recent studies have revealed that this hyperplasia is associated with populations of multipotent progenitor cells that have been identified as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). The study of MDSCs has provided a wealth of information regarding tumour pathobiology, has extended our understanding of neoplastic progression and has modified our approaches to immune adjuvant therapy. In this Timeline article, we discuss the history of MDSCs, their influence on tumour progression and metastasis, and the crosstalk between tumour cells, MDSCs and the host macroenvironment.
AN ESTIMATION ALGORITHM USING DISTANCE CLUSTERING OF DATA

The problem is to predict a value y∊ Y (output, class) from an observed value of a vector x ∊ X (predictors, inputs, attributes), the relations between y and x given in (empirical) data D − {(x i , y i ): i − 1,…,N}, listing N observed pairs. We propose an estimation algorithm using a classification of D in clusters {Ω 1 ,….,Ω m }, based on a distance function in X× Y. For each cluster Ω i compute the centroid y i of y, and denote me X — projection of Ω i by Ω i x . Prediction of y given x ∊ X is done by assigning the point x to a nearest projected cluster, say Ω i x , and using yi as estimate for y. Numerical tests show the method, in its basic general form, to give accurate predictions for well-known data sets.
Cerebral blood flow velocity during repeatedly induced ventricular fibrillation

Abstract Study Objective: To investigate the effect of induced ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation on cerebral blood flow (CBF) was investigated using a transcranial Doppler. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: University hospital. Patients: 12 ASA physical status III and IV patients who underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement during general anesthesia. Interventions: Cerebral blood flow velocity was measured repeatedly during induced ventricular fibrillation and subsequent defibrillation. Measurements and Main Results: The mean flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery was measured using a transcranial Doppler. The mean flow velocities decreased significantly immediately after ventricular fibrillation was induced, but they returned to preventricular fibrillation levels immediately after successful defibrillation. Repeatedly induced ventricular fibrillations have no cumulative detrimental effect on the CBF velocity. Conclusions: Repetitively induced ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation during the insertion of implantable cardioverter defibrillator did not show any detrimental changes in CBF. Transcranial Doppler may be a more sensitive device than other currently available cerebral monitors to detect changes in cerebral circulation during a brief episode of ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation.
The Pathophysiology of Respiratory Impairment in Pediatric Neuromuscular Diseases

This is a summary of the presentation on the pathophysiology of respiratory impairment in pediatric neuromuscular disorders presented as part of the program on pulmonary management of pediatric patients with neuromuscular disease at the 30th annual Carrell-Krusen Neuromuscular Symposium on February 20, 2008.
Effect of Oral Kohki Tea on Bladder Dysfunction Induced by Severe Partial Outlet Obstruction

Purpose: Extracts of the leaves of Engelhardtia chrysolepis, a subtropical plant that grows wild in southern China, have been used medicinally in east Asia for hundreds of years. A standard extract named Kohki tea (Maruzen Pharmaceuticals, Onomichi City, Japan) is sold over the counter in Japan as a sweet tea shown to confer many beneficial effects on general health and well-being. The tea contains strong antioxidants, including several dihydroflavonol glycosides. The results of previous studies show that natural products with antioxidant activities provide protective effects on the bladder of rabbits with partial outlet obstruction. We determined in vivo and in vitro whether oral pretreatment of rabbits with Kohki tea protects the bladder from dysfunction induced by partial outlet obstruction.Materials and Methods: A total of 28 New Zealand White rabbits were separated into 4 groups of 7 each. Rabbits in groups 1 and 2 were treated by gavage with 100 mg./kg. Kohki tea daily in distilled water, while thos...
Origin of High-Elevation Dendrochilum Species (Orchidaceae) Endemic to Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract Mount Kinabalu, (Sabah, Malaysia) is the youngest (ca. 1.5 million yrs old) and highest (4,095 m) mountain between the Himalayas and Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Because of this combination of youth and isolation, considerable mystery surrounds the origins of its high elevation endemics. We chose a group of high-elevation species from Dendrochilum subgen. Platyclinis sect. Eurybrachium to begin an investigation of the origin(s) of endemicity on Mount Kinabalu. We tested biogeographic hypotheses that the Kinabalu endemics arose from ancestors in: 1) the high mountains of Sumatra, 2) the high mountains of Mindanao, Philippines, and 3) lower elevations on Mount Kinabalu or elsewhere in Borneo. Using phylogenetic patterns predicted by the three competing hypotheses, we evaluated which had the highest support in a likelihood framework. Based on analyses of ITS 1 and ITS 2 sequence variation in Dendrochilum, we rejected hypotheses that the Kinabalu high-elevation endemics arose from ancestors in other high m...
Effect of Boot Weight and Sole Flexibility on Gait and Physiological Responses of Firefighters in Stepping Over Obstacles

Objective: The authors investigated the effect of boot weight and sole flexibility on spatiotemporal gait characteristics and physiological responses of firefighters in negotiating obstacles. Background: Falls and overexertion are the leading causes of fire ground injuries and fatalities among firefighters. There have been few in-depth studies conducted to evaluate the risk factors of falls and overexertion associated with firefighter boots. Method: For the study, 13 female and 14 male firefighters, while wearing full turnout clothing and randomly assigned boots, walked for 5 min while stepping over obstacles. The independent variables included boot weight, sole flexibility, gender, and task duration. Spatiotemporal measures of foot trajectories and toe clearance were determined. Minute ventilation, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and heart rate were measured. Results: Increased boot weight was found to significantly reduce trailing toe clearance when crossing the 30-cm obstacle. Significant increases in lateral displacement of the foot were found near the end of the 5-min walk compared with the beginning of the task. Increased boot weight significantly increased oxygen consumption. There were significant decreases in oxygen consumption for more flexible soles. Conclusion: Firefighters were more likely to trip over obstacles when wearing heavier boots and after walking for a period of time. Boot weight affected metabolic variables (5% to 11% increases per 1-kg increase in boot weight), which were mitigated by sole flexibility (5% to 7% decrease for more flexible soles). Application: This study provides useful information for firefighters and boot manufacturers in boot selection and design for reducing falls and overexertion.
Democracy, shared governance, and the university

This research builds on a connection between adult education and democracy by exploring best practices in shared governance in a major venue of adult education—the academy. Its purpose is to enhance democratic practices within the university and encourage the creation of new structures for shared decision making.
Geschwülste des Bauches und andere Tumoren

Die Diagnose von Bauchtumoren ist in den meisten Fallen leicht oder unmoglich; sie ist aber niemals leicht, wenn man nicht aus betrachtlicher Erfahrung weis, welche Tumoren in jeder Region des Leibes vorzukommen pflegen, wenn man nicht eine sorgfaltige Anamnese aufgenommen und eine genaue Palpation vorgenommen hat. Auserdem sind oft chemische und mikroskopische Laboratoriumsuntersuchungen und Rontgenaufnahmen von Wichtigkeit.
Beta-adrenergic and prostanoid inhibition of canine fundic mucosal mast cells

We examined regulation of histamine release from canine hepatic and fundic mucosal mast cells in short-term culture. We found that beta- but not alpha-adrenergic agonists markedly inhibited concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated histamine release. Inhibition by epinephrine was reversed by the beta-antagonist propranolol, but not by the alpha-adrenergic antagonists phentolamine or yohimbine. The beta 2-selective antagonist ICI 115881 reversed the effects of epinephrine, whereas the beta 1-antagonists practolol and betaxolol had little effect. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), but not its analogue enprostil, inhibited ConA-stimulated histamine release. This difference may relate to the ability of PGE2, but not enprostil, to stimulate adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production. Forskolin, cAMP analogues, and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine also effectively inhibited ConA-stimulated histamine release. Neither adrenergic agonists nor PGE2 inhibited histamine release stimulated by the combination of phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate plus the calcium ionophore A23187. These data suggest that inhibition was mediated via cAMP-dependent mechanisms and was exerted on primary cell activation, rather than on postreceptor activating events.
Consumers' and workers' perspectives about consumer-directed services in the United States

Abstract Background Consumer direction is a service delivery model that shifts decision-making from agencies to the individuals they serve. Using government funding, consumers hire, supervise, and schedule their own staff and maintain control over the delivery of their services. Objective This study sought to understand the process of consumer direction as well as the experiences and perspectives of both the consumers and employees. The study also sought to better understand if and how consumer direction allows the consumer to direct his or her life, the impact consumer direction may have on the individual's health and health care, and how employment in consumer directed programs impacts the workers providing direct care services. Method This qualitative study included interviews with consumers (N = 20) and workers (N = 15) in Virginia, a southern state in the US. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted by one member of the research team and transcribed and coded for themes by the research team using grounded theory methodology. Results Consumers reported greater control over their services and increased access to health care, compared to what they previously received with traditional services. Conversely, consumers reported challenges in managing their staff and fulfilling the role of an employer. Employees reported a lack of training prior to starting their jobs, as well as an inability to live off on low hourly wages. Still, the majority of employees reported job satisfaction and fulfillment. Conclusion Policymakers should expand and strengthen the consumer directed program.
Comparison of the Osteogenic Potential of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Endosequence Root Repair Material in a 3-dimensional Culture System.

Abstract Introduction The ability to promote osteoblast differentiation is a desirable property of root-end filling materials. Several in vitro studies compare the cytotoxicity and physical properties between mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Endosequence root repair material (ERRM), but not their osteogenic potential. Three-dimensional cultures allow cells to better maintain their physiological morphology and better resemble in vivo cellular response than 2-dimensional cultures. Here we examined the osteogenic potential of MTA and ERRM by using a commercially available 3-dimensional Alvetex scaffold. Methods Mandibular osteoblasts were derived from 3-week-old male transgenic reporter mice where mature osteoblasts express green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by a 2.3-kilobase type I collagen promoter (Col(I)-2.3). Mandibular osteoblasts were grown on Alvetex in direct contact with MTA, ERRM, or no material (negative control) for 14 days. Osteoblast differentiation was evaluated by expression levels of osteogenic genes by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and by the spatial dynamics of Col(I)-2.3 GFP-positive mature osteoblasts within the Alvetex scaffolds by using 2-photon microscopy. Results ERRM significantly increased alkaline phosphatase (Alp) and bone sialoprotein (Bsp) expression compared with MTA and negative control groups. Both MTA and ERRM increased osterix (Osx) mRNA significantly compared with the negative control group. The percentage of Col(I)-2.3 GFP-positive cells over total cells within Alvetex was the highest in the ERRM group, followed by MTA and by negative controls. Conclusions ERRM promotes osteoblast differentiation better than MTA and controls with no material in a 3-dimensional culture system. Alvetex scaffolds can be used to test endodontic materials.
Novel biodegradable protonic ionic liquid for the Fischer indole synthesis reaction

ABSTRACTNovel eco-friendly tetramethylguanidinium propanesulfonic acid trifluoromethylacetate ([TMGHPS][TFA]) ionic liquid was developed as catalyst and medium for the Fischer indole synthesis of a wide variety of hydrazines and ketones. The indole products were isolated in high yields and with minimal amounts of organic solvent. This reaction showed that [TMGHPS][TFA] can be regenerated and reused with reproducible yields without eroding the integrity of the ionic liquid.
Technical advances in proteomics: new developments in data-independent acquisition

The ultimate aim of proteomics is to fully identify and quantify the entire complement of proteins and post-translational modifications in biological samples of interest. For the last 15 years, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in data-dependent acquisition (DDA) mode has been the standard for proteomics when sampling breadth and discovery were the main objectives; multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) LC-MS/MS has been the standard for targeted proteomics when precise quantification, reproducibility, and validation were the main objectives. Recently, improvements in mass spectrometer design and bioinformatics algorithms have resulted in the rediscovery and development of another sampling method: data-independent acquisition (DIA). DIA comprehensively and repeatedly samples every peptide in a protein digest, producing a complex set of mass spectra that is difficult to interpret without external spectral libraries. Currently, DIA approaches the identification breadth of DDA while achieving the reproducible quantification characteristic of MRM or its newest version, parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). In comparative de novo identification and quantification studies in human cell lysates, DIA identified up to 89% of the proteins detected in a comparable DDA experiment while providing reproducible quantification of over 85% of them. DIA analysis aided by spectral libraries derived from prior DIA experiments or auxiliary DDA data produces identification and quantification as reproducible and precise as that achieved by MRM/PRM, except on low‑abundance peptides that are obscured by stronger signals. DIA is still a work in progress toward the goal of sensitive, reproducible, and precise quantification without external spectral libraries. New software tools applied to DIA analysis have to deal with deconvolution of complex spectra as well as proper filtering of false positives and false negatives. However, the future outlook is positive, and various researchers are working on novel bioinformatics techniques to address these issues and increase the reproducibility, fidelity, and identification breadth of DIA.
Preformed Nanoporous Carbon Nanotube Scaffold-Based Multifunctional Polymer Composites

Multifunctional polymer nanocomposites that simultaneously possess high modulus and strength, high thermal stability, novel optical responses, and high electrical and thermal conductivity have been actively researched. Carbon nanotubes are considered an ideal additive for composites because of their superlative physical, electronic and optical properties. While nanotubes have successfully added electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and novel optical responses to polymers, mechanical reinforcements, although substantial, have been well below any theoretical estimations. Here, we integrated preformed hydrogels and aerogels of individually dispersed nanotubes with polymer to increase elastic modulus of composites according to Halpin–Tsai model up to at least 25 vol % of nanotubes. Our solution-based fabrication method allowed us to create bulk composites with tunable form-factors, and with polymers that were incompatible with nanotubes. Further, in this approach, nanotubes were not covalently linked am...
‘The shock of the old: Early English and its modern re-tellings’

This essay considers the issue of adapted and new Old English poetry, as it is manifested through modern translations and poems ‘after’ the originals, and it also evaluates contemporary responses to new versions of the old, and contemplates how Anglo-Saxonists might exploit the popular interest in Creative Writing, particularly among graduate students. There is a wide and enthusiastic audience for Old English, who might appreciate both the original verse and its adaptations in university courses that emphasize translation and rewriting. Appended to the essay are poems by Florida State University Creative Writing graduate students, which showcase excellent translation skills influenced by a semester of learning traditional Old English literature and literacies.
Concentration of Dilute Solutions of Virus of Mouse Encephalo-myelitis by Pervaporation and Ultracentrifugation.

SummaryMouse brains infected with the FA strain of Theiler's mouse encephalomyelitis virus have been diluted ten million times so that the solutions were no longer infective. By means of pervaporation it has been possible to concentrate 4000 cc samples of such inactive solutions into volumes of 40 to 80 cc. The virus present in the pervaporated solutions has been further concentrated by sedimentation in the ultracentrifuge into active fractions less than 1 cc in volume.
Cotton-textile-enabled flexible self-sustaining power packs via roll-to-roll fabrication

With rising energy concerns, efficient energy conversion and storage devices are required to provide a sustainable, green energy supply. Solar cells hold promise as energy conversion devices due to their utilization of readily accessible solar energy; however, the output of solar cells can be non-continuous and unstable. Therefore, it is necessary to combine solar cells with compatible energy storage devices to realize a stable power supply. To this end, supercapacitors, highly efficient energy storage devices, can be integrated with solar cells to mitigate the power fluctuations. Here, we report on the development of a solar cell-supercapacitor hybrid device as a solution to this energy requirement. A high-performance, cotton-textile-enabled asymmetric supercapacitor is integrated with a flexible solar cell via a scalable roll-to-roll manufacturing approach to fabricate a self-sustaining power pack, demonstrating its potential to continuously power future electronic devices.
The red connection: a review of aortic and arterial fistulae with an emphasis on CT findings

Fistulae between the aorta and adjacent structures are a rare, emergent, and potentially life-threatening process. Most commonly, aortic fistulae arise secondarily as a complication of prior aortic surgery with fistulization to adjacent structures. Rarely, a primary fistula may arise from the aorta in the setting of a pre-existing aneurysm or from a mass, inflammation, or infection. Although the incidence of aortic fistulae remains low, the frequency continues to increase as aortic surgical interventions and post-surgical follow-up with imaging become more common. Computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice in evaluating the patient with suspected aortic fistula because of its accessibility and short scan time. In addition, CT allows for more clear depiction of para-aortic or intra-aortic gas than ultrasound or magnetic resonance (MR). This gas may be the first clue of a fistula. Given the high mortality associated with aortic fistulae, familiarity with the imaging findings of the spectrum of aortic fistulae is essential knowledge in the emergency setting. This review will discuss the imaging appearance of aortic and arterial fistulae to the bronchi, esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, ureters, and veins on CT.
Sub-national Estimates of Human Capital Indicators: Localizing Investments for the Demographic Dividend

Declining fertility in many countries of Africa and Asia combined with a growing proportion of people of working age is opening potential for a demographic dividend in many countries. A demographic dividend is defined as the economic benefit that can arise when a population has a relatively large proportion of working age people coupled with a history of effective human capital investment. Adopting the Global Agenda Council policy framework on achieving a demographic dividend, this research has developed a method for measuring human capital needs at the national and sub-national level by using a “demographic dividend index”. By mapping the dependency ratios and human capital indicators of the districts of Nepal, this paper illustrates an innovative descriptive method for showing policy makers the priority geographic areas for investments that will maximize prospects for a demographic dividend. Besides the identification of priority districts using the index, the research visualizes the spatial distribution of each indicator, as well as further disaggregates the indicators by urban/rural and gender. This disaggregated data are helpful in identifying the key issues within districts, as well as reducing urban/rural and gender inequality in each district level. The findings provide important insights pertaining to place of residence and gender issues.
Going Underground: The Origins of Divergent Forms of Labor Parties in Recently Democratized Countries

This study explores how different forms of civic solidarity emerge during authoritarian eras and how they evolve into diverse labor-based political institutions after transitions to democracy. I in...
Application-enabling kiloWatt Average Power Petawatt Lasers

A new generation of high power lasers is enabled by recent advancement of optical materials and processing techniques, laser performance modeling and laser control systems, diode technology and new laser architectures. One of the most remarkable and promising opportunities of these light sources is the combination of high peak intensity, high energy, short pulses, and high repetition rate that allow experiments of unprecedented fidelity and new commercial applications.