cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical and electrical properties of niobium carbide

The optical and electrical properties were measured for single crystals of ${\mathrm{NbC}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ for x=0.98, 0.87, and 0.76, and for one hot-isostatically-pressed sample of ${\mathrm{NbC}}_{0.88}$. Specular reflectance was measured between 0.025 and 11 eV, and ellipsometry measurements were made at 1.96 eV. By using the phase obtained from ellipsometry data to correct the Kramers-Kronig analyses of the reflectances, we were able to improve the accuracy of the resulting optical functions. For energies below 6.5 eV, there are differences in the reflectance and optical functions of the samples which are due to differences in x. We interpret the low-energy optical data in terms of intraband transitions, which allows us to calculate the dc conductivity as well as other electronic transport parameters. These parameters agree well with the electrical conductivities and the Hall coefficients obtained by the van der Pauw technique. The higher-energy optical data are interpreted in light of recent electronic-structure calculations, which suggest that most interband transitions occur near the square face of the Brillouin zone.
The medium-term findings in coronary arteries by intravascular ultrasound in infants and children after heart transplantation

Abstract OBJECTIVES The study purposes were to determine 1) whether intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was more sensitive than angiography for the detection of post-transplant coronary artery disease (PTCAD) in pediatric patients; and 2) whether those transplanted as neonates reacted differently than older patients. BACKGROUND Experience with IVUS for the diagnosis of PTCAD in children is limited. METHODS Patients were divided into two groups: those transplanted as neonates (early group) and those transplanted in infancy or childhood (late group). Morphometric analysis was performed, including maximal intimal thickness (MIT) and intimal index (II). Stanford classification was used to grade lesion severity. Acute rejection and cytomegalovirus (CMV) status were correlated with MIT and II. RESULTS Thirty children were studied (early group, n = 13; late group, n = 17). All segments studied were angiographically normal. Mean MIT and mean II were significantly greater in the late group (0.26 ± 0.14 vs. 0.13 ± 0.04 mm, p CONCLUSIONS Intravascular ultrasound was more sensitive than angiography in detecting PTCAD after pediatric heart transplantation. There is a possible role for acute rejection and CMV in the development of PTCAD.
Does Patient–Provider Racial/Ethnic Concordance Influence Ratings of Trust in People with HIV Infection?

Despite widely available and effective treatments, there are racial/ethnic disparities in HIV-related mortality rates. The reason for inadequate HIV/AIDS management among minority populations is not fully understood, however recent research indicates that patients rate the quality of their health care higher if they are racially/ethnically concordant with their providers. As trust plays prominently on health care ratings, we examined whether racial/ethnicity concordance was associated with two dimensions of trust, trust in the provider and mistrust in the health care system, in 380 HIV infected people New York City. In this sample, concordance was associated with lower mistrust in the health care system, but not with trust in provider. We conclude that in this patient population and within the health care system available to them, racial/ethnic concordance might be more important for helping patients to understand and navigate the health care system rather than in interpersonal relationships with a single provider.
Variations in population exposure and sensitivity to lahar hazards from Mount Rainier, Washington

Abstract Although much has been done to understand, quantify, and delineate volcanic hazards, there are fewer efforts to assess societal vulnerability to these hazards, particularly demographic differences in exposed populations or spatial variations in exposure to regional hazards. To better understand population diversity in volcanic hazard zones, we assess the number and types of people in a single type of hazard zone (lahars) for 27 communities downstream of Mount Rainier, Washington (USA). Using various socioeconomic and hazard datasets, we estimate that there are more than 78 000 residents, 59 000 employees, several dependent-population facilities (e.g., child-day-care centers, nursing homes) and numerous public venues (e.g., churches, hotels, museums) in a Mount Rainier lahar-hazard zone. We find that communities vary in the primary category of individuals in lahar-prone areas—exposed populations are dominated by residents in some communities (e.g., Auburn), employees in others (e.g., Tacoma), and tourists likely outnumber both of these groups in yet other areas (e.g., unincorporated Lewis County). Population exposure to potential lahar inundation varies considerably—some communities (e.g., Auburn) have large numbers of people but low percentages of them in hazard zones, whereas others (e.g., Orting) have fewer people but they comprise the majority of a community. A composite lahar-exposure index is developed to help emergency managers understand spatial variations in community exposure to lahars and results suggest that Puyallup has the highest combination of high numbers and percentages of people and assets in lahar-prone areas. Risk education and preparedness needs will vary based on who is threatened by future lahars, such as residents, employees, tourists at a public venue, or special-needs populations at a dependent-care facility. Emergency managers must first understand the people whom they are trying to prepare before they can expect these people to take protective measures after recognizing natural cues or receiving an official lahar warning.
Inhibition of ROS-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells by nitrone spin traps via induction of phase II enzymes and suppression of mitochondria-dependent pro-apoptotic signaling

Oxidative stress is the main etiological factor behind the pathogenesis of various diseases including inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Due to the spin trapping abilities and various pharmacological properties of nitrones, their application as therapeutic agent has been gaining attention. Though the antioxidant properties of the nitrones are well known, the mechanism by which they modulate the cellular defense machinery against oxidative stress is not well investigated and requires further elucidation. Here, we have investigated the mechanisms of cytoprotection of the nitrone spin traps against oxidative stress in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Cytoprotective properties of both the cyclic nitrone 5,5-dimethyl-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) and linear nitrone α-phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity were investigated. Preincubation of BAEC with PBN or DMPO resulted in the inhibition of H₂O₂-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Nitrone-treatment resulted in the induction and restoration of phase II antioxidant enzymes via nuclear translocation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) in oxidatively-challenged cells. Furthermore, the nitrones were found to inhibit the mitochondrial depolarization and subsequent activation of caspase-3 induced by H₂O₂. Significant down-regulation of the pro-apoptotic proteins p53 and Bax, and up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and p-Bad were observed when the cells were preincubated with the nitrones prior to H₂O₂-treatment. It was also observed that Nrf-2 silencing completely abolished the protective effects of nitrones. Hence, these findings suggest that nitrones confer protection to the endothelial cells against oxidative stress by modulating phase II antioxidant enzymes and subsequently inhibiting mitochondria-dependent apoptotic cascade.
MET abnormalities in patients with genitourinary malignancies and outcomes with c-MET inhibitors.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of MET amplification and mutation among GU malignancies and its association with clinical factors and responses to c-MET inhibitors. Patients and Methods Patients with GU malignancies referred to our Phase I Clinical Trials Program were evaluated for MET mutation and amplification and outcomes using protocols with c-MET inhibitors. Results MET amplification was found in 7 of 97 (7.2%) patients (4/27 renal [all clear cell], 1/18 urothelial, and 2/12 adrenocortical carcinoma), with MET mutation/variant in 3 of 54 (5.6%) (2/20 renal cell carcinoma [RCC] [1 clear cell and 1 papillary] and 1/16 prostate cancer). No demographic characteristics were associated with specific MET abnormalities, but patients who tested positive for mutation or amplification had more metastatic sites (median, 4 vs. 3 for wild type MET ). Median overall survival after phase I consultation was 6.1 and 11.5 months for patients with and without a MET alteration, respectively (hazard ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 6.9; P = .034). Twenty-nine (25%) patients were treated according to a c-MET inhibitor protocol. Six (21%) had a partial response (prostate and RCC) and 10 (34%) had stable disease as best response. Median time to tumor progression was 2.3 months (range, 0.4-19.7) for all treated patients with no responses in patients with a MET abnormality or single-agent c-MET inhibitor treatment. Conclusion MET genetic abnormalities occur in diverse GU malignancies and are associated with a worse prognosis in a phase I setting. Efficacy of c-MET inhibitors was more pronounced in patients without MET abnormalities and when combined with other targets/drugs.
Taiwan and Africa: Taipei’s Continuing Search for International Recognition

The United Nation's acceptance of the People's Republic of China's "One China Policy" forced Taiwan to pursue a more vigorous policy of legitimation through unofficial and non-political relations. The basis for this policy is historically tied to the post-World War II struggle for power and the outcome of the Chinese Civil War. Since these events, both Beijing and Taipei have actively courted African political movements and the states that grew out of these movements' struggles. The current issue of African recognition plays not only to conceptualizations of African states and the roles which they play in the international arena, but also to a re-conceptualization of Taiwan and the legitimacy of its interests on a world stage and Africa's part in that definition.
Effect—and removal—of an ultrashort pulse's spatial profile on the single-shot measurement of its temporal profile

Because single-shot ultrashort-pulse-measurement methods usually map delay onto the transverse spatial coordinate, a nonuniform pulse spatial profile could badly distort the measurement versus delay. Furthermore, beam-induced distortions could occur in techniques, such as GRENOUILLE, in which the pulse frequency is mapped to the angular coordinate in the orthogonal direction. We study these effects in the frequency-resolved-optical-gating (FROG) and GRENOUILLE techniques and show that they are considerably reduced by fortuitous aspects of, in particular, the GRENOUILLE beam geometry in practice. Also, we show that it is possible to remove both of these distortion effects by simply dividing the trace by a simple function of the beam input spatial profile. We demonstrate these (small) effects and their removal in GRENOUILLE measurements.
Frequency and amplitude of elevation of cerebrospinal fluid resting pressure by the Valsalva maneuver.

Abstract Background: Patients are referred to ophthalmologists to evaluate for papilledema when they are found to have elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. However, some of these patients have no clinical history consistent with intracranial hypertension. We aimed to determine how often and how high patients with normal opening pressure could artificially elevate their CSF pressure to a pseudopathologic level by performing a Valsalva maneuver. Methods: We measured CSF pressure at rest and after a Valsalva maneuver in 15 consecutive normotensive patients referred for CSF analysis to determine the frequency and amplitude of elevation of pressure. Manometry was performed in the standard lateral decubitus position with legs and knees extended and abdomen relaxed and then again during a Valsalva maneuver with hip flexion and bearing down against a closed glottis. Results: All 15 normotensive patients elevated their CSF pressure to levels greater than 25 cm water. One patient reached a maximum pressure of 47 cm water. Interpretation: Artifactual elevation of CSF pressure may therefore occur frequently. Caution is advised before accepting a diagnosis of intracranial hypertension in those lacking this syndrome. These patients require repeat CSF pressure measurements to either verify or refute previous recordings.
Project STORMFURY: a scientific chronicle 1962-1983

Abstract Between 1962 and 1983, research in hurricane modification centered on an ambitious experimental program, Project STORMFURY. The proposed modification technique involved artificial stimulation of convection outside the eye wall through seeding with silver iodide. The artificially invigorated convection, it was argued, would compete with the convection in the original eye wall, lead to reformation of the eye wall at larger radius, and thus produce a decrease in the maximum wind. Since a hurricane's destructive potential increases rapidly as its maximum wind becomes stronger, a reduction as small as 10% would have been worthwhile. Modification was attempted in four hurricanes on eight different days. On four of these days, the winds decreased by between 10 and 30%. The lack of response on the other days was interpreted to be the result of faulty execution of the experiment or poorly selected subjects. These promising results have, however, come into question because recent observations of unmodified...
Rectangular and wedge-shaped multivariate normal probabilities

Abstract This paper demonstrates an easy way to obtain a substantial gain in precision in the popular GHK simulator, and the RIS simulator that extends it, of multivariate normal probabilities. On average, this gain translates into a 40% saving in computational time. It is also shown that the simulator can be used to compute probabilities over wedge-shaped areas. In this case, the RIS simulator based on the logit distribution has a substantial advantage over the GHK simulator.
Catalytic behavior of vanadium substituted mesoporous molecular sieves

Abstract A series of V-MCM-41 samples with different pore sizes has been systematically investigated with both gas and liquid phase reactions. Methanol oxidation has been performed in the gas phase on these catalysts. Turnover frequencies are normalized by oxygen uptake measured under reaction conditions. A strong effect of pore size on the catalytic activity was observed in the form of a “volcano curve” and may be correlated with a variation in the local bond angle of Si–O–V. Considering this effect, the catalytic activity may be `tuned' to maximum by varying the pore size. As expected, the same effect was observed in the liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene. In order to interpret the pore size effect, the reaction rates of both the gas phase and liquid phase oxidation were then correlated with the variation of edge energies of V K-edge XANES on these MCM-41 catalysts. Additional reactions were performed in the liquid phase to compare the activity of V-MCM-41 with that of crystalline vanadium and titanium silicalite zeolites. The possible causes of the difference in the catalytic behaviors of these materials is also discussed.
Development of a rat schematic eye from in vivo biometry and the correction of lateral magnification in SD-OCT imaging.

Purpose Optical magnification in optical coherence tomography (OCT) depends on ocular biometric parameters (e.g., axial length). Biometric differences between eyes will influence scan location. A schematic model eye was developed to compensate for lateral magnification in OCT images of the healthy rat. Methods Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images were acquired in 19 eyes of 19 brown Norway rats. Images were scaled using the OCT instrument's built-in scaling function and by calculating the micron per degree from schematic model eyes developed from in vivo biometry (immersion A-scan and videokeratometry). Mean total retinal thickness was measured 500 μm away from the optic nerve head and optic nerve head diameter was measured. Corneal curvature, lens thickness, and axial length were modified to calculate their effects on OCT scan location and total retinal thickness. Results Mean total retinal thickness increased by 21 μm and the SD doubles when images were scaled with the Built-in scaling (222 ± 13 μm) compared with scaling with individual biometric parameters (201 ± 6 μm). Optic nerve head diameter was three times larger when images were scaled with the Built-in scaling (925 ± 97 μm) than the individual biometric parameters (300 ± 27 μm). Assuming no other change in biometric parameters, total retinal thickness would decrease by 37 μm for every millimeter increase in anterior chamber depth due to changes in ocular lateral magnification and associated change in scan location. Conclusions Scaling SD-OCT images with schematic model eyes derived from individual biometric data is important. This approach produces estimates of retinal thickness and optic nerve head size that are in good agreement with previously reported measurements.
Investigations on Plasmonic Modes of Noble Metal Nano-Disks Using High-Resolution Cathodoluminescence Imaging Spectroscopy

In this work, we report investigations on plasmonic nano-disks using cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging and spectroscopy. 50 nm thick gold disks fabricated using electron beam lithography were studied and several modes were identified. Detailed analysis of the modes using monochromatic imaging and CL spectra showed strong size dependence. Our investigations on these plasmonic nano-disks allow understanding of light-matter interaction at nanoscale, with several potential applications including next generation plasmonic nano-lasers.
VHF radio coordinated traffic light control system

Radio coordinated traffic light control permits the elimination of the conventional multiconductor cable which must tie together all traffic lights in a system. A VHF carrier modulated with audio-frequency control tones permits the radio coordinated system to perform the same as with the use of a cable plus the possibility of gaining additional benefits. All conventional traffic light control equipment may be used without modification. Several systems have been installed with complete success, gaining advantages in cost and flexibility. It may be expected that this form of control will grow rapidly within the next few years.
ACOUSTIC TWO-DIMENSIONAL RADIATION AND SCATTERING FROM CYLINDERS USING SOURCE DENSITY, SVD AND FOURIER METHODS

Acoustic two-dimensional harmonic radiation and rigid body scattering from cylinders of arbitrary shape with a plane of symmetry are addressed using an internal line monopole and dipole source distribution along the plane of symmetry. A previously developed least mean square error method is used to solve the Neumann boundary value problem. In contrast to the earlier method, Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) methods are presented to determine the line source harmonic multipole distributions from the specified normal velocity at the cylindrical surface and pressures are simply expressed here as line integrals of the source distributions which in the far field reduce to Fourier transform relationships. Several special examples are presented to illustrate the general spatial characteristics of the source strength distributions for cylinders with widely varying aspect ratios. Exact source strength distributions for circular cylinders are developed using the Fourier transform relationships. The resulting source strength distributions involve spatial derivatives of Dirac delta functions and thus have a vanishingly small region of support about the center of the cylinder. In contrast, for cylinders with large aspect ratios the spatial characteristics of the source strength distributions are more closely matched to the normal velocity distribution.
Platelet interactions with C1q in whole blood and in the presence of immune complexes or aggregated IgG.

Abstract Previous studies identified specific receptors for C1q on human blood platelets in purified systems using monomeric C1q. To assess the physiologic potential of platelet C1q receptors, C1q binding was evaluated in whole blood and in the presence of immune complexes or aggregated IgG. Blood was obtained from healthy volunteers and collected directly into EDTA (1 vol 100m M EDTA:9 vol whole blood) and purified, 125 I-labeled C1q or 125 I-C1q associated with albumin-anti-albumin immune complexes. Samples were incubated at 22 or 37°C for 60 min, and total cell bound C1q and platelet associated C1q were quantified. Platelet-bound, monomeric C1q or immune complex-associated C1q represented 40–50% of total peripheral blood cell-associated C1q. C1q binding was unaffected by the incubation temperature, but the preincubation of 125 I-C1q with immune complexes enhanced binding two- to threefold. This binding was partially inhibited by preincubating platelets with either the collagen-like amino-terminal fragments of C1q (c-C1q) or a monoclonal antibody Fab fragment recognizing platelet Fc receptors. A more complete inhibition was achieved if platelets were preincubated with both agents. Similar observations were made using washed platelets and 125 I-C1q associated with aggregated IgG. The role of C1q and platelet C1q receptors in enhancing aggregated-IgG binding to platelets was further supported by experiments demonstrating increased 125 I-aggregated IgG binding to platelets not only after preincubation of 125 I-aggregated IgG with C1q but also following platelet preincubation with C1q. These data suggest that C1q receptors may participate in the localization and presentation of C1q-associated immune complexes on the platelet surface and demonstrate that platelets contribute significantly to the C1q binding activity of peripheral blood.
Integrators for Lie-Poisson or dynamical systems

Abstract We reformulate the Ge-Marsden (1988) Lie-Poisson integration algorithm in terms of algebra variables alone and show how to implement it for regular quadratic Lie algebras to arbitrary order and for arbitrary Lie algebras to first order. We also describe two generalizations of Ruth's method (1983) that can be used to generate very fast algorithms.
Therapeutic efficacy of tirilazad in experimental multiple cerebral emboli: a randomized, controlled trial.

Objective A significant proportion of patients who undergo cardiac surgery or carotid endarterectomy appear to develop subtle cognitive deficits, with the occurrence of multiple cerebral microemboli documented by Doppler ultrasound during these procedures. We used an experimental multiple cerebral embolism model to test whether treatment with tirilazad (U74006F), a putative inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, would improve functional outcome after multiple brain emboli. Design Randomized, controlled trial. Setting Animal care facility procedure room. Subjects A total of 44 New Zealand White rabbits weighing 2 to 3.0 kg. Interventions Variable quantities of 125I-labeled 50-microns microspheres were injected via a carotid catheter to produce multifocal brain ischemia. Rabbits randomly received either: tirilazad (3 mg/kg i.v.) 5 mins before embolization (pretreatment), or 30 mins after embolization (posttreatment) followed by 1.5 mg/kg every 5 hrs x 3 doses. A third group received vehicle only (control) 5 mins before, followed by three doses every 5 hrs. Measurements and main results The animals were rated by a blinded observer at 18 hrs after ischemia and scored as either grossly abnormal/dead or normal. The animals were killed and the amount of microspheres in the brain that were required to produce abnormal function at 18 hrs was calculated for each group. To determine if tirilazad also modified leukocyte function during ischemia, neutrophil adhesion to laminin was determined at baseline and 18 hrs after ischemia using a myeloperoxidase assay. In this study, pretreatment, but not posttreatment with tirilazad produced a significant reduction in neurologic deficits. Tirilazad also attenuated postischemic increases in neutrophil adhesion. Conclusions Tirilazad pretreatment reduces neurologic deficits from multiple cerebral emboli. This significant protective effect suggests that pretreatment with tirilazad may play a role in clinical situations where the risk of cerebral emboli is high, with changes in leukocyte adherence as a potential mechanism.
An Accuracy Metric: Percentages, Randomness, and Probabilities

Practitioners and researchers regularly refer to error rates or accuracy percentages of databases. The former is the number of cells in error divided by the total number of cells; the latter is the number of correct cells divided by the total number of cells. However, databases may have similar error rates (or accuracy percentages) but differ drastically in the complexity of their accuracy problems. A simple percent does not provide information as to whether the errors are systematic or randomly distributed throughout the database. We expand the accuracy metric to include a randomness measure and include a probability distribution value. The proposed randomness check is based on the Lempel-Ziv (LZ) complexity measure. Through two simulation studies we show that the LZ complexity measure can clearly differentiate as to whether the errors are random or systematic. This determination is a significant first step and is a major departure from the percentage-alone technique. Once it is determined that the errors are random, a probability distribution, Poisson, is used to help address various managerial questions.
STRUCTURE DETERMINATION OF THE Ge(111)-(3×1)Ag SURFACE RECONSTRUCTION

For the first time, during the investigation of the Ag submonolayer on the Ge(111) system, large, independent domains of the Ge(111)-(3×1)Ag phase were imaged and investigated. Previous studies have reported it only as small insets between Ge(111)-(4×4)Ag and Ge(111)-c(2×8) domains. The transmission electron diffraction data were analyzed using a Direct Methods approach and "heavy-atom holography," with the result of an atomic model of the structure similar to that of Ge(111)-(3×1)Ag.
Methods for studying the dynamic behavior of biological macromolecules

Abstract Multivariate statistical analysis of molecule projections opens up new possibilities in the study of the dynamical behavior of molecular structure.
Frequency-based analysis of the early rapid filling pressure-flow relation elucidates diastolic efficiency mechanisms.

Stiffness- and relaxation-based diastolic function (DF) assessment can characterize the presence, severity, and mechanism of dysfunction. Although frequency-based characterization of arterial funct...
DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID, FATTY ACID–INTERACTING PROTEINS, AND NEURONAL FUNCTION: Breastmilk and Fish Are Good for You

In contrast to other tissues, the nervous system is enriched in the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3). Despite their abundance in the nervous system, AA and DHA cannot be synthesized de novo by mammals; they, or their precursors, must be ingested from dietary sources and transported to the brain. During late gestation and the early postnatal period, neurodevelopment is exceptionally rapid, and substantial amounts of PUFAs, especially DHA, are critical to ensure neurite outgrowth as well as proper brain and retina development. Here, we review the various functions of DHA in the nervous system, the proteins involved in its internalization and metabolism into phospholipids, and its relationship to several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and depression.
Inflammation II: sepsis.

T P IT IS 15:30 ON A FRIDAY afternoon. Dr. Bill, the anesthesiologist who is covering the weekend, walks into the PACU to ask who is working late. Friday evenings are notorious for cases added to the schedule, so you slowly identify yourself as the late person. Dr. Bill tells you that he just saw a very sick 88-year-old patient in the emergency room (ER) who will be coming to the OR as soon as a room is prepared. He tells you she has free air under the diaphragm on x-ray and is quite unstable with severe hypotension and shock. You flash your coworker a look of anxiety and begin to make mental notes of what you need to do to get ready to care for this patient.
A Note on the Moderation Concept in the Life Course

The authors have advanced a moderation concept as relevant to understanding the aging process and some classes of potentially harmful behavior, such as alcohol abuse and smoking. Because studies have not been devised specifically to examine the process, statistical information cannot be directly interpreted as reflecting moderation. Competing hypotheses of cohort effects, attrition, and other effects cannot be discounted or partitioned with any confidence. Limited interpretations are advanced, and the research directions required are noted, along with the importance of the concept for possible policy formulation.
Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Biofilms to Sanitizing Agents in a Simulated Food Processing Environment

The objective of this study was to evaluate the resistance of biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes to sanitizing agents under laboratory conditions simulating a food processing environment. Biofilms were initially formed on stainless steel and Teflon coupons using a five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes. The coupons were then subjected to repeated 24-h daily cycles. Each cycle consisted of three sequential steps: (i) a brief (60 s) exposure of the coupons to a sanitizing agent (a mixture of peroxides) or saline as a control treatment, (ii) storage of the coupons in sterile plastic tubes without any nutrients or water for 15 h, (iii) and incubation of the coupons in diluted growth medium for 8 h. This regimen was repeated daily for up to 3 weeks and was designed to represent stresses encountered by bacteria in a food processing environment. The bacteria on the coupons were reduced in number during the first week of the simulated food processing (SFP) regimen, but then adapted to the stressful conditions and increased in number. Biofilms repeatedly exposed the peroxide sanitizer in the SFP regimen developed resistance to the peroxide sanitizer as well as other sanitizers (quaternary ammonium compounds and chlorine). Interestingly, cells that were removed from the biofilms on peroxide-treated and control coupons were not significantly different in their resistance to sanitizing agents. These data suggest that the resistance of the treated biofilms to sanitizing agents may be due to attributes of extracellular polymeric substances and is not an intrinsic attribute of the cells in the biofilm.
Reply to D.R. Minor

arm. The incidence of ATEs was 1.0% (95% CI, 0.7 to 1.5%) for trials withtreatmentdurationsof3monthsorless,and1.5%(95%CI,1.2to 1.9%) for trials with treatment durations of more than 3 months. Similarly, the incidence of ATEs for trials with median treatment durationsof6monthsorlesswas1.9%(95%CI,1.0to3.7%),andfor trials longer than 6 months, 1.3% (95% CI, 1.0 to 1.6%). The differences failed to reach statistical significance for both cutoffs (P .276 and 0.281, respectively). These results suggest that there is no difference in incidence of ATEs between patients receiving treatment of short or long duration. Similarly, we examined the association between median treatment duration of the placebo group and incidence of ATEs with three trials, and found no significant association (P .426), suggesting that increasing the observation time by 1 month does not affect incidence of ATEs among placebo groups, either. In reference to the study by Nalluri et al, 2 we understand that patients with cancer are predisposed to have venous thrombotic events, and with additional follow-up on one treatment arm, more venous thrombotic events could potentially be recorded; however, this does not necessarily apply to arterial thrombosis. Our observation is also supported by several preclinical studies in which inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor signaling was shown to lead to prothrombotic events, such as disruption of the regenerative capacity of endothelial cells, decrease in nitric oxide production, and induction of platelet aggregation. 3,4
The Role of the Skin Microbiome in Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease that affects a large proportion of the population worldwide. The incidence of AD has increased over the last several decades along with AD’s burden on the physical and psychological health of the patient and family. However, current advances in understanding the mechanisms behind the pathophysiology of AD are leading to a hopeful outlook for the future. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonization on AD skin has been directly correlated to disease severity but the functions of other members of the skin bacterial community may be equally important. Applying knowledge gained from understanding the role of the skin microbiome in maintaining normal skin immune function, and addressing the detrimental consequences of microbial dysbiosis in driving inflammation, is a promising direction for development of new treatments. This review discusses current preclinical and clinical research focused on determining how the skin microbiome may influence the development of AD.
Fighting Exclusion with Culture and Art: Examples from Brazil

EnglishThis article demonstrates that artistic activity is an important tool for deepening democracy, because it provides a vehicle for the excluded to reach the public sphere, thus making it more ...
Raman-induced gain distortions in double-pumped parametric amplifiers

Raman-induced gain distortions in broadband (pump separations of 132 and 155nm) double-pumped parametric amplifiers are theoretically and experimentally analyzed. A gain profile possessing 100nm of 3dB ripple and 140nm of 4.7dB ripple is demonstrated.
Ranking the Linear Correspondence Axiom

The overarching question addressed here is how syntactic structures based on constituency (dominance, c-command) are to be mapped onto linear phonetic strings. I argue that both prosodie principles and narrow-syntactic principles play a role in the linearization of syntactic structures. I take Kayne's (1994) Linear Correspondence Axiom as a starting point: (asymmetric) c-command maps onto precedence relations. Two wide-ranging predictions of Kayne's theory are that specifiers precede their heads and that a head can only have one specifier or adjunct. Although abundant evidence supports these predictions, there is nonetheless a well-known class of apparent counterexamples: Romance languages allow both rightward and multiple dislocations. I take the LCA to be a soft constraint, overruled by a constraint of the Wrap family that seeks to combine a verb and its extended projection in one intonational phrase. Apparent rightward movement is the outcome of rightward linearization forced by Wrap. The possibility o...
A Bayesian Approach to Building Footprint Extraction from Aerial LIDAR Data

Building footprints have been shown to be extremely useful in urban planning, infrastructure development, and roof modeling. Current methods for creating these footprints are often highly manual and rely largely on architectural blueprints or skilled modelers. In this work we will use aerial LIDAR data to generate building footprints automatically. Existing automatic methods have been mostly unsuccessful due to large amounts of noise around building edges. We present a novel Bayesian technique for automatically constructing building footprints from a pre-classified LIDAR point cloud. Our algorithm first computes a boundederror approximate building footprint using an application of the shortest path algorithm. We then determine the most probable building footprint by maximizing the posterior probability using linear optimization and simulated annealing techniques. We have applied our algorithm to more than 300 buildings in our data set and observe that we obtain accurate building footprints compared to the ground truth. Our algorithm is automatic and can be applied to other man-made shapes such as roads and telecommunication lines with minor modifications.
Cross‐Sectional Study of Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation Effects on Chronic Periodontitis

Background: A low dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium hastens bone loss and osteoporosis. Because vitamin D metabolites may also alter the inflammatory response and have antimicrobial effects, we studied whether the use of vitamin D and calcium supplements affects periodontal disease status.Methods: A cohort of 51 subjects receiving periodontal maintenance therapy was recruited from two dental clinics; 23 were taking vitamin D (≥400 IU/day) and calcium (≥1,000 mg/day) supplementation, and 28 were not taking such supplementation. All subjects had at least two interproximal sites with ≥3 mm clinical attachment loss. Daily calcium and vitamin D intake (from food and supplements) were estimated by nutritional analysis. The following clinical parameters of periodontal disease were recorded for the mandibular posterior teeth: gingival index, probing depth, cemento-enamel junction–gingival margin distance (attachment loss), bleeding on probing, and furcation involvement. Posterior photostimulable-phosphor bi...
"In our own hands": Lynching, justice, and the law in Bolivia

Vigilantes in the marginal communities of a Bolivian city take the law into their own hands both to police their communities against crime and as a way of expressing their dissatisfaction with the state and its official policing and justice systems. In this article, I examine an incident of vigilante violence (lynching) in one such Bolivian barrio to explore the ways in which vigilantism acts as a moral complaint against state inadequacy, challenging state legitimacy and redefining ideas about justice, citizenship, and law in the process. I also analyze the range of discourses that surrounds lynching in contemporary Bolivian society, exploring the interpretive conflict that results as barrio residents attempt to counter official representations of the meaning of vigilantism in their community. [violence, vigilantism, legal anthropology, citizenship, Bolivia, the Andes]
Design of a Tapered and Twisted Blade for the NREL Combined Experiment Rotor

A tapered/twisted blade was designed to operate on the Combined Experiment Rotor (CER) of the National Renewable Energy Lab., which is a stall-regulated downwind wind turbine having a rated power of 20 kilowatt. The geometry of the new blade set was optimized based on annual energy production subject to the constraints imposed on the design. These constraints were mainly related to scientific needs for fundamental research in rotor aerodynamics. A trade-off study was conducted to determine the effect of the different design constraints. Based on the results of this study, which considered nonlinear twist and taper distributions as well as the NREL S809, S814, S822 and S823 airfoils, a blade having a linear taper and a nonlinear twist distribution that uses the S809 airfoil from root to tip was selected. This blade configuration is the logical continuation of the previous constant-chord twisted and untwisted blade sets and will facilitate comparison with those earlier blades. Despite the design constraints based on scientific needs, the new blade is more representative of commercial blades than the previous blade sets.
IcsA, a polarly localized autotransporter with an atypical signal peptide, uses the Sec apparatus for secretion, although the Sec apparatus is circumferentially distributed.

Asymmetric localization of proteins is essential to many biological functions of bacteria. Shigella IcsA, an outer membrane protein, is localized to the old pole of the bacillus, where it mediates assembly of a polarized actin tail during infection of mammalian cells. Actin tail assembly provides the propulsive force for intracellular movement and intercellular dissemination. Localization of IcsA to the pole is independent of the amino-terminal signal peptide (Charles, M., Perez, M., Kobil, J.H., and Goldberg, M.B., 2001, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98: 9871-9876) suggesting that IcsA targeting occurs in the bacterial cytoplasm and that its secretion across the cytoplasmic membrane occurs only at the pole. Here, we characterize the mechanism by which IcsA is secreted across the cytoplasmic membrane. We present evidence that IcsA requires the SecA ATPase and the SecYEG membrane channel (translocon) for secretion. Our data suggest that YidC is not required for IcsA secretion. Furthermore, we show that polar localization of IcsA is independent of SecA. Finally, we demonstrate that while IcsA requires the SecYEG translocon for secretion, components of this apparatus are uniformly distributed within the membrane. Based on these data, we propose a model for coordinate polar targeting and secretion of IcsA at the bacterial pole.
Autism and Folate-dependent One-carbon Metabolism: Serendipity and Critical Branch-point Decisions in Science.

Folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism is present in every cell of the body. It represents a central systems biology hub that reverberates into countless other pathways with more specialized roles in specialized cell types throughout the body. I have spent 25 years of research on this core biochemical pathway with several unanticipated iterations that led me from Down syndrome to congenital heart defects to leukemia and finally to autism about 12 years ago. Figure 1 provides an overview of the three interdependent pathways involved in folate-dependent methionine “transmethylation” and “transsulfuration.” Methionine is necessary for the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the major methyl donor for all cellular methylation reactions. It is also the major precursor for cysteine, the rate-limiting amino acid for glutathione synthesis linking transmethylation and transsulfuration pathways. Methionine levels can be negatively affected by genetic and environmental factors that reduce folate availability an...
A simple and efficient SEC/GPC linear calibration technique using broad-range standards

A simple method for calibrating high-performance SEC/GPC systems is presented. This technique sequentially finds the correct slope, D2, by tracking the calculated polydisperity, P, using arbitrary calibration slopes from which the intercept, D1, is ultimately back-calculated. The case of application and relative efficiency of this search technique are highlighted and discussed. Theoretical justification of the simple form of the convergence equation is presented using two distribution models—the Gaussian (pseudo-Flory) and the sine (cosine) exponential models. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Macroecology of Aquatic Insects: A Quantitative Analysis of Taxonomic Richness and Composition in the Andes Mountains of Northern Ecuador'

To determine the spatial dynamics of Neotropical lotic insect species, specimens were collected from 41 streams on the eastern and western flanks of the Andes Mountains in Ecuador. We examined the manner in which taxonomic richness and composition differed with elevation, latitude, and versant. Statistical analyses were limited to 5 families (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae, Leptohyphidae, Oligoneuriidae; Heteroptera: Naucoridae; Coleoptera: Elmidae), comprising 32 genera and 85 species, for which identifications or morphospecies assignments were reliable. Assessment of taxonomic diversity was based on the richness of genera and species at each site. In addition, each site was characterized by species richness within each of 4 families with more than 10 species. The effects of versant and transect on composition and structure were family-specific. Mean site differences between versants in elmid richness at generic and specific levels depended on transect. Only baetid richness was affected by versant and transect in a consistent manner. Variation among sites in composition based on all genera and species was captured using multidimensional scaling (MDS). Subsequent MANOVAs based on scores from MDS axes revealed that differences between versants were much stronger in the southern transect, although transects differed from each other at specific and generic levels. A Jaccard's similarity matrix was computed for each family to reflect the spatial organization of taxonomic composition. Mesogeographic patterns of species composition for each of the four families were correlated (Mantel analysis) at both the regional level and at the level of the entire study area. At the regional level, the only pair of families to exhibit correlated patterns of species composition was elmids and naucorids in the southwestern region. The pattern of species composition for each family was correlated with the patterns for one or more other families at the level of the entire study area. Thus, spatial dynamics of species composition was similar for the families examined, suggesting that the Andes exert a consistent influence on species distributions within families, regardless of ordinal affiliation. At a local scale, however, the way in which taxonomic composition changed with latitude and versant was family-specific. Mayflies, the most vagile of the taxa studied, had the highest percentage of species overlap between versants. Of three genera of Naucoridae collected, species of Ambrysus, of probable Mexican origin, were found only on the eastern versant, corroborating other evidence that the genus is recent in South America. Moreover, dispersion by Ambrysus across the Andes Mountains may not have occurred, as it has for Cryphocricos and Limnocoris, which are of probable South American origin.
Comparison of Three Ki-67 Index Quantification Methods and Clinical Significance in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

The Ki-67 index is essential in the pathological reports for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. There are three methods to determine the Ki-67 index including eyeball estimation, manual counting, or automated digital imaging analysis. The goal of this study was to compare the three quantification methods with the clinical outcome to determine the best method for clinical practice. Ki-67 immunostaining was performed on 97 resected pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The three methods of quantification were employed: (1) an average of eyeball estimation by three pathologists; (2) manual counting of at least 500 tumor cells; and (3) digital imaging analysis quantitation by selecting 8-10 hot spot regions. All tumors were graded according to the 2010 WHO grading system. The three quantification methods for the Ki-67 index had almost perfect agreement. The concordance between manual counting and digital imaging analysis and between manual counting and average eyeball estimation were 0.97 and 0.88, respectively. The concordance among the three pathologists' eyeball estimation was 0.86. All three methods correlated with patients' survival using the 2010 WHO grading system. Eyeball estimation scores were significantly less than those of the other two methods and tended to downgrade more tumors to grade 1, but they had higher predictive ability for survival and recurrence. The WHO system using the mitotic rate could also separate patients with different survival and even downgraded more tumors to grade 1. The results suggest the necessity of a consensus among pathologists for the method to determine the Ki-67 index and proper cutoff of the Ki-67 index for better clinical correlation.