cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemical Decontamination with N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine–Sodium Hydroxide Improves Recovery of Viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Organisms from Cultured Milk

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is shed into the milk and feces of cows with advanced Johne’s disease, allowing the transmission of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis between animals. The objective of this study was to formulate an optimized protocol for the isolation of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in milk. The parameters investigated included chemical decontamination with N-acetyl-L-cysteine–sodium hydroxide (NALC-NaOH), alone and in combination with antibiotics (vancomycin, amphotericin B, and nalidixic acid), and the efficacy of solid (Herrold’s egg yolk medium [HEY]) and liquid (Bactec 12B andpara-JEM) culture media. For each experiment, raw milk samples from a known noninfected cow were inoculated with 10 2 to 10 8 CFU/ml of live M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis organisms. The results indicate that an increased length of exposure to NALC-NaOH from 5 to 30 min and an increased concentration of NaOH from 0.5 to 2.0% did not affect the viability of M. avium subsp.paratuberculosis. Additional treatment of milk samples with the antibiotics following NALC-NaOH treatment decreased the recovery of viable M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis cells more than treatment with NALC-NaOH alone. The Bactec 12B medium was the superior medium of the three evaluated for the isolation of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis from milk, as it achieved the lowest threshold of detection. The optimal conditions for NALC-NaOH decontamination were determined to be exposure to 1.50% NaOH for 15 min followed by culture in Bactec 12B medium. This study demonstrates that chemical decontamination with NALC-NaOH resulted in a greater recovery of viable M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis cells from milk than from samples treated with hexadecylpyridinium chloride (HPC). Therefore, it is important to optimize milk decontamination protocols to ensure that low concentrations of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis can be detected.
Response to Prasenjit Duara, “Asia Redux”

In his provocative essay, Prasenjit Duara argues that prior to the nineteenth century, the web of maritime trade networks infused the ill-defined area we call “Asia” with a genuine coherence, providing a conduit for cultural flows that readily permitted interactive relationships and the mutual adoption of new beliefs and practices. By the late nineteenth century, however, the imperial powers sought to ensure their global dominance by creating regional blocs consisting of territories that were economically subservient to the metropole. The consequent focus on the establishment of territorial boundaries encouraged a “nationalist congruence between state and culture” that gathered pace over the next hundred years. Only now are we beginning to see an Asia where interdependence and increasing cultural contact, carrying echoes of past connectivities, have opened up new opportunities by which a “transnational consciousness” can and should be encouraged.
Drosophila CTCF tandemly aligns with other insulator proteins at the borders of H3K27me3 domains

Several multiprotein DNA complexes capable of insulator activity have been identified in Drosophila melanogaster, yet only CTCF, a highly conserved zinc finger protein, and the transcription factor TFIIIC have been shown to function in mammals. CTCF is involved in diverse nuclear activities, and recent studies suggest that the proteins with which it associates and the DNA sequences that it targets may underlie these various roles. Here we show that the Drosophila homolog of CTCF (dCTCF) aligns in the genome with other Drosophila insulator proteins such as Suppressor of Hairy wing [SU(HW)] and Boundary Element Associated Factor of 32 kDa (BEAF-32) at the borders of H3K27me3 domains, which are also enriched for associated insulator proteins and additional cofactors. RNAi depletion of dCTCF and combinatorial knockdown of gene expression for other Drosophila insulator proteins leads to a reduction in H3K27me3 levels within repressed domains, suggesting that insulators are important for the maintenance of appropriate repressive chromatin structure in Polycomb (Pc) domains. These results shed new insights into the roles of insulators in chromatin domain organization and support recent models suggesting that insulators underlie interactions important for Pc-mediated repression. We reveal an important relationship between dCTCF and other Drosophila insulator proteins and speculate that vertebrate CTCF may also align with other nuclear proteins to accomplish similar functions.
Optical suppression of drug-evoked phasic dopamine release

Brief fluctuations in dopamine concentration (dopamine transients) play a key role in behavior towards rewards, including drugs of abuse. Drug-evoked dopamine transients may result from actions at both dopamine cell bodies and dopamine terminals. Inhibitory opsins can be targeted to dopamine neurons permitting their firing activity to be suppressed. However, as dopamine transients can become uncoupled from firing, it is unknown whether optogenetic hyperpolarization at the level of the soma is able to suppress dopamine transients. Here, we used in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to record transients evoked by cocaine and raclopride in nucleus accumbens (NAc) of urethane-anesthetized rats. We targeted halorhodopsin (NpHR) specifically to dopamine cells by injecting Cre-inducible virus into ventral tegmental area (VTA) of transgenic rats that expressed Cre recombinase under control of the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter (TH-Cre+ rats). Consistent with previous work, co-administration of cocaine and raclopride led to the generation of dopamine transients in NAc shell. Illumination of VTA with laser strongly suppressed the frequency of transients in NpHR-expressing rats, but not in control rats. Laser did not have any effect on amplitude of transients. Thus, optogenetics can effectively reduce the occurrence of drug-evoked transients and is therefore a suitable approach for studying the functional role of such transients in drug-associated behavior.
Parallelism in backward-chained expert systems: experimental results

There are many applications which may be done by an expert system in real time, if the system is capable of real-time response. The LISP and PROLOG-based expert systems have typically been too slow for real-time response. This has led to an effort to use other languages, the development of fast pattern matching techniques and other methods of improving the speed of expert systems. Another approach to developing faster expert systems is to make use of the emerging parallel processing computer technology. A further use for parallelism is to allow reasonable response time for large knowledge bases. The size of knowledge bases may become as large as 20,000 chunks of knowledge (and more) in the near future in medical and space applications. This paper describes the use of parallel processing in the EMYCIN backward chained rule-based model.
Inhibition of parallel flux and augmentation of counter flux shown by transport models not involving a mobile carrier.

Abstract Two models for mediated transport are described. The “allosteric” model involves transition of a combining site between two alternate shapes. The “H bond” model involves transition of a combining site between two alternate hydrogen bonded states. In both cases, the alternate forms have different directional properties. These models are kinetically equivalent to a mobile carrier model.
Influence of wavelength on the parameterization of drag coefficient and surface roughness

Surface waves are the roughness element of the ocean surface, the air-sea interaction processes are influenced by the wave conditions. The dynamic influence of surface waves decays exponentially with distance from the air-water interface. The relevant length scale characterizing the decay rate is the wavelength. The parameterization of drag coefficient and surface roughness can be significantly improved by using wavelength as the reference length scale of atmospheric measurements. The wavelength scaling of drag coefficient and dynamic roughness also receives support from theoretical studies of wind and wave coupling.
An optimal-aim control strategy for nonlinear regulation systems

A control strategy based on the optimal constrained aim of trajectory derivatives and intended for the regulation of special nonlinear systems is presented. A theorem useful for generating and implementing optimal-aim controls, an example of its application to a transient power-system model, and a qualitative comparison of the optimal-aim strategy and a classical optimal-control strategy for a linear harmonic-oscillator model are given.
Spiral and curved periodic crack patterns in sol-gel films

Thin silicate sol-gel films with four different crack patterns were created reproducibly by controlling the film deposition parameters. The crack geometry, periodicity, and amplitude were studied experimentally as a function of the film thickness, curing time, and temperature. Direct evidence was found that the physical interplay between stress relief through film cracking and stress relief through film warping results in sawtooth, spiral, closed loop, or straight line crack trajectories.
Localization of metabolic sites of action of herbicides

Abstract Time- and concentration-course studies were conducted to determine the effect of thirteen herbicides on photosynthesis, respiration, RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and lipid synthesis using isolated single leaf cells. Each herbicide was from a different chemical class. Appropriate 14 C-substrates and product purification procedures were used for each process prior to liquid scintillation counting. The most sensitive metabolic site of inhibition was photosynthesis for atrazine, bromacil, dichlobenil, monuron, and paraquat; RNA synthesis for dalapon and dinoseb; protein synthesis for chlorpropham; and lipid synthesis for CDAA, chloramben, 2,4-D, EPTC, and trifluralin. However, with several herbicides, one or more process was almost as sensitive as the one mentioned above. All herbicides inhibited more than one process, and the most sensitive site of inhibition may not be the same process that was inhibited the greatest at the maximum concentration and maximum exposure time used. Therefore, a concept of metabolic sites of action, rather than a primary site of action, appears to be more meaningful for herbicides.
Access to Care Is the Centerpiece in the Elimination of Socioeconomic Disparities in Health

Many health care professionals have sustained an almost single-minded conviction that disparities in access to health care across socioeconomic groups are the key reason for the major discrepancies in health status between wealthy persons and poor persons. Others, however, have argued that a host of factors work to create major impediments and that reducing or eliminating financial barriers to health care in particular will do little to reduce discrepancies in health status. This paper, while acknowledging the spectrum of contributing factors, argues that the elimination of financially based differences in access is central to any effort to create equity in outcomes across socioeconomic groups. Through selected review of the many studies on health insurance, access, outcomes, and socioeconomic status, it establishes that a core links affected populations, their difficulty in financing health care, and the threat to their well-being. In so doing, it cites findings that strongly associate lack of insurance (especially for persons who live in poverty), inability to obtain services, and adverse health outcomes. It also uses the example of Medicaid and other coverage for HIV-infected persons in particular as an important positive instance in which leveling the discrepancies in health care across socioeconomic groups can move toward creating quality in access and outcomes. The competitive pressures in today's health care environment threaten to drive socioeconomic groups further apart, especially insured and uninsured persons. However, the recent enactment of state actions, especially the State Child Health Insurance Program, represent powerful examples of health insurance expansion that have lessons for policymakers at all levels for the monitoring and reduction of socioeconomic disparities.
Autonomous Surface Vessel Target Tracking Experiments in Simulated Rough Sea Conditions

This paper presents a small scale experimental setup for autonomous target tracking of a surface vessel in the presence of obstacles in rough sea states through wave, current, and wind generation in an indoor pool. The experimental setup and a method of scaling and similitude with real world scenarios are discussed. Absolute position of the agent, the target, and obstacle size and position are provided through an overhead camera by detecting color light emitting diodes installed on all objects. A sliding mode control is implemented for real time tracking control which is capable of rejecting large wave and wind disturbances. The sliding mode control signals are sent to wireless receivers on the autonomous vessel where a proportional integral speed controller maintains the commanded speed. In these experiments, the USV mission is to follow a target vessel while avoiding any obstacles that are present on its path in rough sea conditions.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Performance studies of parallel networks for high data rate systems

The factors in parallel communications which can improve network performance are identified. Considering the IEEE token ring protocol as the basis for parallelization, the authors develop simulation models for parallel multiple token rings. Simulation is conducted at 100 Mbit/s and 1 GBit/s rates. The authors then compare the performance of 100 Mbit/s parallel multiple token rings and standard FDDI. An attempt is also made to introduce mechanisms to distribute and control tokens among parallel rings to achieve a high level of performance characteristics. Finally, the benefits and limitations of parallel networks for high data rate systems are discussed. >
Metal-catalyzed intramolecular hydrogen shift during hydrogenation and exchange of methyl vinyl ketone

Abstract The hydrogenation and exchange of methyl vinyl ketone were studied over palladium, platinum, and rhodium catalysts by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The unsymmetrical addition of deuterium across the CC double bond resembles results for α,β-unsaturated esters and is explained by a modified classical mechanism involving an intramolecular hydrogen shift.
P4-ATPase Requirement for AP-1/Clathrin Function in Protein Transport from the trans-Golgi Network and Early Endosomes

Drs2p is a resident type 4 P-type ATPase (P4-ATPase) and potential phospholipid translocase of the trans-Golgi network (TGN) where it has been implicated in clathrin function. However, precise prot...
How much information can one bit of memory retain about a Bernoulli sequence

The maximin problem of the maximization of the minimum amount of information that a single bit of memory retains about the entire past is investigated. The problem is to estimate the supremum over all possible sequences of update rules of the minimum information that the bit of memory at epoch (n+1) retains about the previous n inputs. Using only elementary techniques, it is shown that the maximin covariance between the memory at epoch (n+1) and past inputs is Theta (1/n), the maximum average covariance is Theta (1/n), and the maximin mutual information is Omega (1/n/sup 2/). In a consideration of related issues, the authors also provide an exact count of the number of Boolean functions of n variables that can be obtained recursively from Boolean functions of two variables, discuss extensions and applications of the original problem, and indicate links with issues in neural computation. >
Re-Placing the Nation: An Agenda for Comparative Urban Politics

As the world becomes more urbanized and the significance of governance and politics within cities and regions grows, comparative urban analysis has an increasingly prominent role to play in the com...
An edge modeling and reconstruction approach to subband image coding

A new multirate method is presented for very-low-bit-rate image coding. Some preliminary coding results are shown and compared with conventional subband coding using adaptive differential pulse-code modulation (ADPCM). Based on experiments performed on a test pattern, the new approach performs significantly better than conventional systems. By using edge modeling and deconvolution concepts, the new method avoids edge blurring and ringing (oscillatory distortion) near object boundaries. Other subband coding schemes suffer from both problems at low bit rates. >
Symptom interpretation in women with diabetes and myocardial infarction: a qualitative study.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe the role of diabetes in acute myocardial infarction (MI) symptom interpretation.MethodsThis is a secondary data analysis of a study of treatment-see...
Early prospective clinical results of a modern fixed-bearing total ankle arthroplasty.

Background: Several fixed-bearing total ankle arthroplasty systems are available in the United States. We report on the early clinical results of the largest known cohort of patients in the United States who received a Salto Talaris total ankle replacement for the treatment of end-stage arthritis of the ankle. Methods: We prospectively followed sixty-seven patients with a minimum clinical follow-up of two years. Patients completed standardized assessments and underwent physical examination, functional assessment, and radiographic evaluation preoperatively and at six weeks, three months, and six months postoperatively and yearly thereafter through their most recent follow-up. Results: Implant survival at a mean follow-up time of 2.8 years was 96% when metallic component revision, removal, or impending failure was used as the end point. Three patients developed aseptic loosening, and all instances involved the tibial component. One of the three patients underwent revision to another fixed-bearing total ankle arthroplasty system, one patient is awaiting revision surgery, and the third patient has remained minimally symptomatic and fully functional without additional surgery. Forty-five patients underwent at least one additional procedure at the time of the index surgery. The most common concurrent procedure performed was a deltoid ligament release (n = 21). Eight patients underwent additional surgery following the index arthroplasty, most commonly debridement for medial and/or lateral impingement (n = 4). As of the most recent follow-up, patients demonstrated significant improvement in pain scores, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society hindfoot score, and functional scores. Conclusions: Early clinical results indicate that the Salto Talaris fixed-bearing total ankle arthroplasty system can provide significant improvement in pain, quality of life, and standard functional measures in patients with end-stage ankle arthritis. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
DISSOCIATION OF IMPORT OF THE RIESKE IRON-SULFUR PROTEIN INTO SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE MITOCHONDRIA FROM PROTEOLYTIC PROCESSING OF THE PRESEQUENCE

The correlation between the import of the Rieske iron-sulfur protein into the mitochondrial matrix and processing of the precursor protein by matrix processing peptidase was investigated using high concentrations of metal chelators and iron-sulfur protein in which the recognition site for the matrix processing peptidase was destroyed by site-directed mutagenesis. High concentrations of EDTA and o-phenanthroline inhibit import of iron-sulfur protein into the matrix. The non-chelating structural isomers m-phenanthroline and p-phenanthroline inhibit import similar to o-phenanthroline, indicating that inhibition of import is mainly independent of the metal chelating ability of the compounds. Iron-sulfur protein in which the recognition site for the matrix processing peptidase had been destroyed by a point mutation was efficiently imported into the matrix space. Import of this mutant iron-sulfur protein was inhibited by the same concentrations of EDTA and o-phenanthroline which inhibit import of the wild-type protein. These results indicate that import of the iron-sulfur protein into the mitochondrial matrix is independent of proteolytic processing of the presequence, and that o-phenanthroline together with EDTA inhibits import of iron-sulfur protein into the matrix space of mitochondria by inhibiting a step other than proteolysis of the presequence.
Exploring physical prototyping techniques for functional devices using .NET gadgeteer

In this paper we present a number of different physical construction techniques for prototyping functional electronic devices. Some of these approaches are already well established whilst others are more novel; our aim is to briefly summarize some of the main categories and to illustrate them with real examples. Whilst a number of different tools exist for building working device prototypes, for consistency the examples we present here are all built using the Microsoft .NET Gadgeteer platform. Although this naturally constrains the scope of this study, it also facilitates a basic comparison of the different techniques. Our ultimate aim is to enable others in the field to learn from our experiences and the techniques we present.
Design verification of power electronics systems subject to bounded uncertain inputs

A method for design verification of power electronics systems is proposed. In this method, the system is described by a linear switched state-space representation, where some or all of the inputs may vary without control over some bounded range, e.g., load current and input voltage. The method relies on solving the reachability problem associated with this system, which is the computation of the set of all possible trajectories that arise from different initial conditions, uncontrolled inputs, and inherent switching. The method allows one to verify whether or not this set (called the reach set) remains within a region of the state-space defined by performance requirements, e.g., output voltage tolerance. Algorithms to solve the reachability problem for power electronics converters with both open- and closed-loop control are provided. The application of the method is illustrated in buck and boost converter examples.
International diversity in graduate engineering education: Development of a multi institutional survey

This study examines the experiences of one of engineering graduate schools largest populations: international students. This paper discusses the use of ethnographically guided observations and interviews in the development of a multi institution survey on graduate student experiences. The results of qualitative analysis will be briefly discussed to contextualize the survey sections and creation of individual questions. The development of this survey was the second part of a multi phase mixed methods study whose purpose was to investigate the role of international diversity in graduate engineering communities. Results of this study will help shape the future of graduate engineering education by bringing the experiences of both international and domestic graduate engineering students to the forefront. We conclude with implications for the current state of engineering graduate education as well as directions for future research.
Hair Loss in Children

PHYSIOLOGY OF NORMAL HAIR1,2 Unlike the hair of most animals, human hair usually follows a random pattern of growth, rest, and shedding, followed by the growth and emergence of a new hair from the follicle. This cycle is related to histologic changes in the follicle: The anagen phase involves active growth (long follicle); the telogen phase is resting (short follicle); and the catagen phase is a transition between anagen and telogen. The duration of the growing phase (anagen) determines the ultimate length of the hair: normally longest on the scalp, followed in descending order of length by the hairs of the beard, pubis, axillae, body, eyebrows, and eyelid margins. Longer hair is associated with a higher ratio (10:1) of anagen to telogen follicles. Hair plucking is the most rapid, convenient path to examine this relationship: anagen hairs have a glistening, cylindrical proximal sheath, approximately 3 mm long (Fig 1) whereas the telogen follicle yields a hair with a short, 1-mm knob, appropriately called a club (Fig 2). The shape and color of hair are usually determined genetically. Straight hair is round in cross section, with curly and kinky (spiral) varieties becoming progressively more ellipsoid. Hair color may normally darken and shape change for the first five to ten years of life; this tendency is most commonly seen in the transformation of a curly haired blond child into a tow-headed or brunette adolescent.
Adoption by Rank on Ifaluk

Adoption in Oceania is widespread (e.g., Carroll 1970; Brady 1976). Sterility (Goodenough 1970), solidarity (Marshall 1976), and genealogical kinship (Silk 1980, 1987a, 1987b) have been suggested to explain variation in the frequency of adoption within and between groups. Another contributor might be rank (cf. Lambert 1970). Men of high rank, who often produce large families (e.g., Betzig 1986), might be better able to get others to help raise their children through adoption. Chiefs on Ifaluk, an atoll in the Western Caroline Islands, have been found to enjoy significant productive advantages by a number of measures-including extra food and extra leisure-over men of low status. Those chiefs had not, however, translated productive advantages into significantly higher reproduction, probably because of a higher incidence of sterility among them (see Turke and Betzig 1985; Betzig 1987). At the same time, Ifaluk chiefs of the next generation, that is, men named by consensus as these chiefs' most likely successors, enjoyed no significant productive advantages in any of these respects, but had produced significantly more children than their peers (Betzig 1987). These findings raise an obvious question: How have successors provided for their extra children? There are several possibilities. One is that they might have had help from others in raising children through adoption. People with power might outreproduce those without by bringing resources in to their children, or by farming their children out to resources, or both. Adoption might serve the latter function. That possibility is explored here. What "Adoption" and "Rank" Mean on Ifaluk
Coping strategies used by hypersexual patients to defend against the painful effects of shame

This article reports the findings of a study investigating coping strategies used by hypersexual patients (n = 71), compared with a control group (n = 73), in their attempts to defend against shame. Coping strategies were measured using the Compass of Shame Scale (CoSS) and hypersexual behaviour was measured by the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI). A multivariate analysis of variance of between-group differences was significant, and examination of post hoc univariate tests revealed that the sample of hypersexual patients defended against shame with higher levels of withdrawal and higher tendencies to attack self and others when compared with the control group. The effect sizes of these differences were moderate to large. A categorical analysis of the patient group indicated that the greatest percentages of elevated shame scores were clustered on the Withdrawal and Attack Self subscales of the CoSS. Between-group differences on the Avoidance subscale of the CoSS were not significant. The results of this study are discussed as they pertain to clinical practice, and future recommendations for research are offered.
Interactions of Fiber, Finish, and Wash Conditions in Laundering Cotton-Containing Fabrics':

Two shortcomings are attributed to all-cotton durable press fabrics: inadequate wear life and high energy demand care practices. This study reports some specific solutions to these problems. Chemic...
Strain-Specific T-Cell Suppression and Protective Immunity in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) frequently persists with an apparently ineffective antiviral T-cell response. We hypothesized that some patients may be exposed to multiple HCV subtypes and that strain-specific T cells could contribute to the viral dynamics in this setting. To test this hypothesis, CD4 T-cell responses to three genotype 1a-derived HCV antigens and HCV antibody serotype were examined in chronically HCV infected (genotypes 1a, 1b, 2, 3, and 4) and spontaneously HCV recovered subjects. Consistent with multiple HCV exposure, 63% of patients infected with genotypes 2 to 4 (genotypes 2-4) and 36% of those infected with genotype 1b displayed CD4 T-cell responses to 1a-derived HCV antigens, while 29% of genotype 2-4-infected patients showed serotype responses to genotype 1. Detection of 1a-specific T cells in patients without active 1a infection suggested prior self-limited 1a infection with T-cell-mediated protection from 1a but not from non-1a viruses. Remarkably, CD4 T-cell responses to 1a-derived HCV antigens were weakest in patients with homologous 1a infection and greater in non-1a-infected patients: proportions of patients responding were 19% (1a), 36% (1b), and 63% (2-4) (P = 0.0006). Increased 1a-specific CD4 T-cell responsiveness in non-1a-infected patients was not due to increased immunogenicity or cross-reactivity of non-1a viruses but directly related to sequence divergence. We conclude that the T-cell response to the circulating virus is either suppressed or not induced in a strain-specific manner in chronically HCV infected patients and that, despite their ability to clear one HCV strain, patients may be reinfected with a heterologous strain that can then persist. These findings provide new insights into host-virus interactions in HCV infection that have implications for vaccine development.
Positive selection for elevated gene expression noise in yeast

It is well known that the expression noise is lessened by natural selection for genes that are important for cell growth or are sensitive to dosage. In theory, expression noise can also be elevated by natural selection when noisy gene expression is advantageous. Here we analyze yeast genome-wide gene expression noise data and show that plasma-membrane transporters show significantly elevated expression noise after controlling all confounding factors. We propose a model that explains why and under what conditions elevated expression noise may be beneficial and subject to positive selection. Our model predicts and the simulation confirms that, under certain conditions, expression noise also increases the evolvability of gene expression by promoting the fixation of favorable expression level-altering mutations. Indeed, yeast genes with higher noise show greater between-strain and between-species divergences in expression, even when all confounding factors are excluded. Together, our theoretical model and empirical results suggest that, for yeast genes such as plasma-membrane transporters, elevated expression noise is advantageous, is subject to positive selection, and is a facilitator of adaptive gene expression evolution.
Quadrature-Rule Type Approximations to the Quasicontinuum Method for Long-Range Interatomic Interactions

A quadrature-rule type method is presented to approximate the quasicontinuum method for atomistic mechanics. For both the short-range and long-range interaction cases, the complexity of this method depends on the number of representative particles but not on the total number of particles. Simple analysis and numerical experiments are provided to illustrate the accuracy and performance of the method. It is shown that, for the same accuracy, the quadrature-rule type method is much less costly than the quasicontinuum method.
Relation of Microstructure to Translucency of Porcelain Bodies

The influence of various structural factors on the translucency of an unglazed porcelain body was studied. These included (u) total concentration of crystals, (b) relative proportions of quartz and mullite, (c) refractive index of the glass phase, (d) its degree of iron coloration, and (e) content and size of voids. Porcelain bodies in the compositional vicinity of a 50% clay, 25% flint, 25y0 feldspar base body and corresponding simulated bodies composed of suspensions of mullite and quartz mixtures in liquids were studied. Translucencies of several representative commercial bodies were also measured.
On sequential fixed-width confidence intervals for the mean and second-order expansions of the associated coverage probabilities

In order to construct fixed-width (2d) confidence intervals for the mean of an unknown distribution function F, a new purely sequential sam- pling strategy is proposed first. The approach is quite different from the more traditional methodology of Chow and Robbins (1965, Ann. Math. Statist., 36, 457-462). However, for this new procedure, the coverage probability is shown (Theorem 2.1) to be at least (1 - a) + Ad 2 + o(d 2) as d --* 0 where (1 - (~) is the preassigned level of confidence and A is an appropriate functional of F, un- der some regularity conditions on F. The rates of convergence of the coverage probability to (1 - a) obtained by Csenki (1980, Scand. Aetuar. J., 107-111) and Mukhopadhyay (1981, Comm. Statist. Theory Methods, 10, 2231-2244) were merely O(dl/~-q), with 0 < q < 1/2, under the Chow-Robbins stopping time T*. It is to be noted that such considerable sharpening of the rate of con- vergence of the coverage probability is achieved even though the new stopping variable is Op (T*). An accelerated version of the stopping rule is also provided together with the analogous second-order characteristics. In the end, an exam- ple is given for the mean estimation problem of an exponential distribution.
LONG-LASTING CAPSICUM BACCATUM ‘ORGANOGENIC CALLUS’ FORMATION

Capsicum regeneration is often obtained through direct (adventious) regeneration and only a few reports claim indirect regeneration (through callus) as an option to obtain complete plants. A possible reason for this may be because Capsicum cultures offer a narrow window in time for the regeneration process to occur, and after that, the ability to regenerate plants rapidly diminishes. In this study, the C. baccatum radicle-side half-seed was the explant of choice to induce the formation of callus on semisolid Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with 5 mgl−1 (22.2μM) 6-benzylaminopurine, 1 mgl−1 (5.7μM) indole-3-acetic acid, and 2 mgl−1 (6.1μM) gibberellic acid. Organogenic calluses developed within 4–5 mo. and were subcultured every 2 mo. thereafter. Eventual bud elongation occurred and these shoots developed into complete plants after transfer to medium without plant growth regulators. The organogenic callus type retained its organogenic ability for more than 3 yr.
Halogenated quinolines discovered through reductive amination with potent eradication activities against MRSA, MRSE and VRE biofilms

Small molecules capable of eradicating non-replicating bacterial biofilms are of great importance to human health as conventional antibiotics are ineffective against these surface-attached bacterial communities. Here, we report the discovery of several halogenated quinolines (HQs) identified through a reductive amination reaction that demonstrated potent eradication of MRSA (HQ-6; MBEC = 125 μM), MRSE (HQ-3; MBEC = 3.0 μM) and VRE (HQ-4, HQ-5 and HQ-6; MBEC = 1.0 μM) biofilms. HQs were evaluated using the Calgary Biofilm Device (CBD) and demonstrated near equipotent killing activities against planktonic and biofilm cells based on MBC and MBEC values. When tested against red blood cells, these HQ analogues demonstrated low haemolytic activity (3 to 21% at 200 μM) thus we conclude that these HQ analogues do not operate primarily through the destruction of bacterial membranes, typical of other biofilm-eradicating agents (i.e., antimicrobial peptides). HQ antibacterial agents are potent biofilm-eradicating compounds and could lead to useful treatments for biofilm-associated bacterial infections.
Ethnic Differences in Maternal Adipokines during Normal Pregnancy

Two adipokines (adiponectin and resistin) have opposite relations with insulin resistance and inflammation. Our major focus was to determine whether there were detectable ethnic differences in maternal adipokines during pregnancy. We also explored the correlation of the adipokines with maternal glucose homeostasis, blood pressure and anthropometric parameters. Pregnant women (n = 1634) were from a large prospective cohort study in Camden NJ (African-American 36.8%; Hispanic 47.6%; Caucasian 15.6%). Serum adiponectin and resistin were measured at entry (week 16.8) and the 3rd trimester (week 30.7) using the Luminex xMapTechnology. Significant differences were observed among ethnic groups, controlling for confounding variables. African American women were exceptional in that they had decreased adiponectin and increased resistin throughout the course of pregnancy (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001) and a greater than two fold risk of simultaneously exhibiting low adiponectin (lowest tertile) and high resistin (highest tertile) compared to Caucasians and/or Hispanics. The cohort as a whole and each ethnic group showed similar negative correlations between adiponectin, and glucose homeostasis, blood pressure and anthropometric parameters but there was lesser correspondence with resistin. Our data underscore the need for further research on ethnic variation in adipokines and other physiologic biomarkers during complicated and uncomplicated pregnancy.
Students' Experiences with Community in an Open Access Course.

Online open access courses have become regular offerings of many universities. Building community and connectedness is an important part of branding and success of such offerings. Our goal was to investigate students’ experiences with community in an open access course. Therefore, in this study, we explored the sense of community of 342 participants in an open access chemistry course. We found that participants did not rate a sense of community as important to them, and did not report feeling very connected to the online course. We will discuss opportunities for building community features in such courses in the future.
Tobacco Smoke Pollution in Hospitality Venues Before and After Passage of Statewide Smoke‐Free Legislation

Objective In 2012, North Dakota enacted a comprehensive statewide law prohibiting smoking in enclosed public places. Disparities in tobacco control exist in rural areas. This study's objective was to determine the extent to which the passage of a comprehensive, statewide, smoke-free law in a predominantly rural state influenced tobacco smoke pollution in rural and nonrural venues. Design and Sample A longitudinal cohort design study comparing the levels of tobacco smoke pollution before and after passage of the statewide smoke-free law was conducted in 64 restaurants and bars statewide in North Dakota. Measures Particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (a valid atmospheric marker of tobacco smoke pollution) was assessed. Results A significant 83% reduction in tobacco smoke pollution levels occurred after passage of the law. Significant reductions in tobacco smoke pollution levels occurred in each of the rural categories; however, no difference by rurality was noted in the analysis after passage of the law, in contrast to the study before passage. Conclusions To our knowledge, this was the largest, single, rural postlaw study globally. A comprehensive statewide smoke-free law implemented in North Dakota dramatically decreased the level of tobacco smoke pollution in bars and restaurants.
Parallel programming with pictures is a Snap

For decades, computing speeds seemingly doubled every 24 months by increasing the processor clock speed, thus giving software a free ride to better performance. This free ride, however, effectively ended by the mid-2000s. With clock speeds having plateaued and computational horsepower instead increasing due to increasing the number of cores per processor, the vision for parallel computing, which started more than40 years ago, is a revolution that has now (ubiquitously) arrived. In addition to traditional supercomputing clusters, parallel computing with multiple cores can be found in desktops, laptops, and even mobile smartphones.This ubiquitous parallelism in hardware presents a major challenge: the difficulty in easily extracting parallel performance via current software abstractions. Consequently, this paper presents an approach that reduces the learning curve to parallel programming by introducing such concepts into a visual (but currently sequential) programming language called Snap!, which was inspired by MITs Scratch project. Furthermore, our proposed visual abstractions can automatically generate parallel code for the end user to run in parallel on a variety of platforms from personal computing devices to supercomputers. Ultimately, this work seeks to increase parallel programming literacy so that users, whether novice or experienced, may leverage a world of ubiquitous parallelism to enhance productivity in all walks of life, including the sciences, engineering, commerce, and liberal arts. Introduction of explicit parallel-programming constructs into a picture-programming environment.Block-based programming abstractions to reduce the learning curve to parallel programming.Automated generation of OpenMP code from our parallel picture-programming environment.
Predictors and Barriers to Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Older Veterans Living With HIV.

Author(s): Moore, Raeanne C; Marquine, Maria J; Straus, Elizabeth; Depp, Colin A; Moore, David J; Schiehser, Dawn M; Richtand, Neil M; Jeste, Dilip V; Eyler, Lisa T | Abstract: ObjectiveTo identify key mood, social, and functional correlates of current participation in mental health treatment and barriers to participation in mental health treatment among older HIV infected (HIV+) veterans.MethodsHIV+ veterans (N = 150) aged ≥ 50 years receiving HIV-related medical care at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, anonymously completed a survey assessing current self-reported mood, social support, daily functioning problems, mental health service utilization, and barriers to participating in mental health services. Veterans also completed the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), a validated depression screening instrument frequently used in primary care settings. Data were collected from February 2014 to May 2014.ResultsOverall, 44% of participants screened positive for depressive symptomatology on the PHQ-2; 55% of those who screened positive were participating in mental health treatment. Of the 45% of veterans who screened positive on the PHQ-2 and were not in treatment, two-thirds (66%) stated they had been offered services; however, they were not engaging in or accepting the services. Regardless of PHQ-2 status, current self-reported depressive symptoms emerged as an independent, significant positive predictor of participation in mental health treatment (odds ratio = 5.98; 95% CI, 1.16-30.72; P = .03), whereas anxiety, HIV-related stigma, sufficiency of social support, and daily functioning problems were not associated with mental health treatment utilization. Primary reported barriers to mental health treatment included scheduling/availability, travel time and transportation, and discomfort with group settings.ConclusionsResults of this study suggest there may be a need to better engage older HIV+ veterans in depression-related treatment. The use of telehealth technology, such as teletherapy, electronic devices, and cell phone-based programs, may be beneficial in helping older HIV+ veterans overcome many barriers that restrict their participation in mental health treatment.
The Russian Industry in 2015-2016: Was There Any Crisis?

The monitoring of a representative set of indicators of business surveys carried out by the Gaidar Institute permits to identify the specifics of the 2015–2016 crisis in Russian industry. Firstly, within the two crisis years the dynamics of the main indicators (demand, output and prices) were rather weak which situation was quite an unexpected one for observers and different from the previous crises. Secondly, one could get psychologically prepared to the 2015 crisis several years in advance when the thesis of “the second wave of the crisis” was introduced. The above factors formed the third specifics of 2015 – Russian enterprises went through that crisis rather smoothly. Fourthly, the only manifestations of the 2015–2016 crisis for Russian industry were a dramatic surge in the interest rate on bank loans and a collapse of investment plans.
Transcriptional profiles of JIA patient blood with subsequent poor response to methotrexate.

Objective: The mechanisms that determine the efficacy or inefficacy of MTX in JIA are ill-defined. The objective of this study was to identify a gene expression transcriptional signature associated with poor response to MTX in patients with JIA. Methods: RNA sequencing was used to measure gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from 47 patients with JIA prior to MTX treatment and 14 age-matched controls. Differentially expressed baseline genes between responders and non-responders were evaluated. Biological differences between all JIA patients and controls were explored by constructing a signature of differentially expressed genes. Unsupervised clustering and pathway analysis was performed. Results: A signature of 99 differentially expressed genes (Bonferroni-corrected P < 0.05) capturing the biological differences between all JIA patients and controls was identified. Unsupervised clustering of samples based on this list of 99 genes produced subgroups enriched for MTX response status. Comparing this gene signature with reference signatures from sorted cell populations revealed high concordance between the expression signatures of monocytes and of MTX non-responders. CXCL8 (IL-8) was the most significantly differentially expressed gene transcript comparing all JIA patients with controls (Bonferroni-corrected P = 4.12 × 10-10). Conclusion: Variability in clinical response to MTX in JIA patients is associated with differences in gene transcripts modulated in monocytes. These gene expression profiles may provide a basis for biomarkers predictive of treatment response.
Embolization in Post-operative Hemorrhage

• There are many causes of post-operative hemorrhage. The sites of bleeding usually relate to the following:
Associative Deficit Hypothesis

One suggested reason for age-related declines in episodic memory is older adults' compromised ability to bind together and associate the different components of an episode during encoding and to access these bound elements during retrieval. A large body of empirical evidence supports such an associative deficit hypothesis, demonstrating that older adults show significantly poorer memory for different types of associations even though memory for the components involved in these associations shows little age-related decline. The associative deficit is mediated by a decline in automatic binding processes, and even more so in strategic-effortful ones both at encoding and at retrieval, and these seem to be related to declines in the integrity of the prefrontal and medial temporal brain regions. The associative deficit has been shown to be ameliorated by integrating associations into previous knowledge, and also by inducing strategies that help to combine the different components into cohesive units. Keywords: aging; associative memory; binding; encoding; episodic memory; recognition memory; strategic–effortful processes
The First Case of Trypanosoma cruzi–Associated Retinitis in an Immunocompromised Host Diagnosed With Pan-Organism Polymerase Chain Reaction

We report the first case of Trypanosoma cruzi-associated retinitis diagnosed using 28s ribosomal DNA sequencing. The case highlights the utility of broad-range molecular diagnostics for detecting rare and unsuspected ocular pathogens. Ocular involvement in Chagas disease is also discussed.