cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloud responses in the AMIP simulations of CMIP5 models in the southeastern Pacific marine subsidence region

The sensitivity of regimes dominated by low clouds has been identified as the largest contributor to uncertainties in tropical cloud feedback estimates in climate models. The Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project simulations of the low cloud response to sea surface temperature (SST) are compared with satellite observations in the southeastern Pacific subsidence region. The model ensemble annual average cloud fraction is only about 10% lower than Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer observations; however, many models compensate by overestimating the cloud liquid water path (LWP), especially in areas typically associated with shallow cumulus. Analysis of the monthly distribution also shows that models have considerable difficulty in simulating the annual cycle in the cloud radiative effect (CRE), cloud fraction, and LWP likely due in part to underestimation of the strength of lower tropospheric stability and the depth of the boundary layer. The interannual sensitivity of CRE to SST agrees with observations in about half of the models, with the other half generally underestimating the cloud radiative forcing sensitivity. Model-observational differences are driven by the varying interannual responses in cloud fraction and LWP. Most models, including those that capture the mean interannual sensitivity of CRE to SST, have lower sensitivity in cloud fraction that is compensated by oversensitivity in the cloud LWP, especially in areas of more frequent shallow cumulus. Results presented here also highlight the possibility of using the vertical gradient of moist static energy (MSE) to test the fidelity of a model's representation of clouds and cloud sensitivity. Models that reproduce the observed distribution of cloud fraction with the lower tropospheric MSE gradient not only show better regional distribution and annual cycle in clouds and radiative forcing, but also demonstrate cloud and radiative sensitivities to SST that are more well correlated with the observed cloud sensitivities.
Functional Analysis of Bacillus subtilis Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of 4-Thiouridine in tRNA

ThiI has been identified as an essential enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of thiamine and the tRNA thionucleoside modification, 4-thiouridine. In Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, ThiI acts as a sulfurtransferase, receiving the sulfur donated from the cysteine desulfurase IscS and transferring it to the target molecule or additional sulfur carrier proteins. However, in Bacillus subtilis and most species from the Firmicutes phylum, ThiI lacks the rhodanese domain that contains the site responsible for the sulfurtransferase activity. The lack of the gene encoding for a canonical IscS cysteine desulfurase and the presence of a short sequence of ThiI in these bacteria pointed to mechanistic differences involving sulfur trafficking reactions in both biosynthetic pathways. Here, we have carried out functional analysis of B. subtilis thiI and the adjacent gene, nifZ, encoding for a cysteine desulfurase. Gene inactivation experiments in B. subtilis indicate the requirement of ThiI and NifZ for the biosynthesis of 4-thiouridine, but not thiamine. In vitro synthesis of 4-thiouridine by ThiI and NifZ, along with labeling experiments, suggests the occurrence of an alternate transient site for sulfur transfer, thus obviating the need for a rhodanese domain. In vivo complementation studies in E. coli IscS- or ThiI-deficient strains provide further support for specific interactions between NifZ and ThiI. These results are compatible with the proposal that B. subtilis NifZ and ThiI utilize mechanistically distinct and mutually specific sulfur transfer reactions.
${\cal L}_1$ Adaptive Output Feedback Controller for Systems of Unknown Dimension

This note presents novel adaptive output feedback control methodology for systems of unknown dimension in the presence of unmodeled dynamics and time-varying uncertainties. The adaptive output feedback controller ensures uniformly bounded transient and asymptotic tracking for the system's both signals, input and output, simultaneously. The performance bounds can be systematically improved by increasing the adaptation rate. Simulations of an unstable nonminimum phase system verify the theoretical findings.
“Consumer” Recommendations for Batterers Programs

This exploratory “consumer” study summarizes the responses of batterers and their female partners to an open-ended question asking for recommendations for batterer programs. As part of a multisite evaluation (N = 840 men), 594 men and 616 female partners responded 3 and 6 months after—program intake. Nearly half of the men (42%) and half of the women (54%) made no recommendations, suggesting acceptance of the programs' approaches and formats. However, 14% of the men and 13% of the women did recommend modifications. Men's recommendations were more likely to call for more supportive counseling, and women's recommendations were more likely to relate to safety and information. Only a very small percentage (6%) of women recommended couples or coeducational counseling. Men with higher education and White women were more likely to offer recommendations. Recommendations significantly varied by program site, but no association existed for program dropouts.
Saturn: A scalable framework for error detection using Boolean satisfiability

This article presents Saturn, a general framework for building precise and scalable static error detection systems. Saturn exploits recent advances in Boolean satisfiability (SAT) solvers and is path sensitive, precise down to the bit level, and models pointers and heap data. Our approach is also highly scalable, which we achieve using two techniques. First, for each program function, several optimizations compress the size of the Boolean formulas that model the control flow and data flow and the heap locations accessed by a function. Second, summaries in the spirit of type signatures are computed for each function, allowing interprocedural analysis without a dramatic increase in the size of the Boolean constraints to be solved.We have experimentally validated our approach by conducting two case studies involving a Linux lock checker and a memory leak checker. Results from the experiments show that our system scales well, parallelizes well, and finds more errors with fewer false positives than previous static error detection systems.
Trends in Disease and Complications of Hepatitis A Virus Infection in the United States, 1999–2011: A New Concern for Adults

Background In recent years, few US adults have had exposure and resultant immunity to hepatitis A virus (HAV). Further, persons with liver disease have an increased risk of adverse consequences if they are infected with HAV. Methods This study used 1999-2011 National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System and Multiple Cause of Death data to assess trends in the incidence of HAV infection, HAV-related hospitalization, and HAV-related mortality. Results During 1999-2011, the incidence of HAV infection declined from 6.0 cases/100 000 to 0.4 cases/100 000. Similar declines were seen by sex and age, but persons aged ≥80 years had the highest incidence of HAV infection in 2011 (0.8 cases/100 000). HAV-related hospitalizations increased from 7.3% in 1999 to 24.5% in 2011. The mean age of hospitalized cases increased from 36.0 years in 1999 to 45.1 years in 2011. While HAV-related mortality declined, the mean age at death among decedents with HAV infection increased from 48.0 years in 1999 to 76.2 years in 2011. The median age range of decedents who had HAV infection and a liver-related condition was 51.0 to 68.0 years. Conclusions Although vaccine-preventable, HAV-related hospitalizations increased greatly, mostly among adults, and liver-related conditions were frequently reported among HAV-infected individuals who died. Public health efforts should focus on the need to assess protection from hepatitis A among adults, including those with liver disease.
High‐resolution NMR characterization of a spider‐silk mimetic composed of 15 tandem repeats and a CRGD motif

Multidimensional solution NMR spectroscopic techniques have been used to obtain atomic level information about a recombinant spider silk construct in hexafluoro-isopropanol (HFIP). The synthetic 49 kDa silk-like protein mimics authentic silk from Nephila clavipes, with the inclusion of an extracellular matrix recognition motif. 2D (1)H-(15)N HSQC NMR spectroscopy reveals 33 cross peaks, which were assigned to amino acid residues in the semicrystalline repeat units. Signals from the amorphous segments in the primary sequence were weak and broad, suggesting that this region is highly dynamic and undergoing conformational exchange. An analysis of the deviations of the (13)C(alpha), (13)C(beta), and (13)CO chemical shifts relative to the expected random coil values reveals two highly alpha-helical regions from amino acid 12-19 and 26-32, which comprise the polyalanine track and a GGLGSQ sequence. This finding is further supported by phi-value analysis and sequential and medium-range NOE interactions. Pulsed field gradient NMR measurements indicate that the topology of the silk mimetic in HFIP is nonglobular. Moreover, the 3D (15)N-NOESY HSQC spectrum exhibits few long-range NOEs. Similar spectral features have been observed for repeat modules in other polypeptides and are characteristic of an elongated conformation. The results provide a residue-specific description of a silk sequence in nonaqueous solution and may be insightful for understanding the fold and topology of highly concentrated, stable silk before spinning. Additionally, the insights obtained may find application in future design and large-scale production and storage of synthetic silks in organic solvents.
3B-4 Therapeutic Potential Metric for Diagnostic Transducers

The goal of this work is to develop a 'therapeutic potential' metric and experimental protocol to define the expected efficacy of commercial, diagnostic transducers for thermal therapy. Temperature rises at the transducer face were measured using thin-film thermocouples (TFTs) on a tissue mimicking phantom for sequences with moderate acoustic output as an indicator of the risk of damage to the transducer during therapeutic applications. Several measurements were then taken to evaluate the focal heating of the transducer and compared with thermocouple measurements. The acoustic power was measured near the surface of the transducer. Spatial peak and spatial average intensities were measured in the focal plane at low system voltages to avoid nonlinear effects. Finally, ARFI imaging displacements within plusmn25% of the focus in a tissue-mimicking phantom were evaluated. Four transducers were compared using these protocols (two curvilinear arrays, one phased array, and one two-dimensional array). Without focal gain considerations, acoustic power is an inaccurate predictor of focal heating. ARFI displacement cannot easily be used to estimate focal heating, primarily due to confounding mechanical phenomena. After normalizing each measurement by the ultrasound system input, measurement device properties, focal configuration, and temporal properties, the therapeutic potential metric can most efficiently and accurately be defined by maximizing the ratio of the spatial peak intensity at the focus to the heating at the transducer face. The ratio of spatial average intensity or temperature at the focus to surface temperature can be used as alternative or additional metrics. The ID, phased array was determined to have the highest therapeutic potential for focal depths near 3.75 cm.
PS1-27: Costs of Breast Cancer Care by Phase of Care: Medicare HMO vs. FFS Sectors

Background/Aims Cancer-related costs for Medicare beneficiaries in the indemnity/fee-for-service (FFS) option are well-analyzed, but costs for aged HMO-enrolled cancer patients are less studied. We compared monthly costs for aged breast cancer patients by payment scheme.
SNARE proteins are essential in the potentiation of NMDA receptors by group II metabotropic glutamate receptors

The group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (group II mGluRs) have emerged as the new drug targets for the treatment of mental disorders like schizophrenia. To understand the potential mechanisms underlying the antipsychotic effects of group II mGluRs, we examined their impact on NMDA receptors (NMDARs), since NMDAR hypofunction has been implicated in schizophrenia. The activation of group II mGluRs caused a significant enhancement of NMDAR currents in cortical pyramidal neurons, which was associated with increased NMDAR surface expression and synaptic localization. We further examined whether these effects of group II mGluRs are through the regulation of NMDAR exocytosis via SNARE proteins, a family of proteins involved in vesicle fusion. We found that the enhancing effect of APDC, a selective agonist of group II mGluRs, on NMDAR currents was abolished when botulinum toxin was delivered into the recorded neurons to disrupt the SNARE complex. Inhibiting the function of two key SNARE proteins, SNAP-25 and syntaxin 4, also eliminated the effect of APDC on NMDAR currents. Moreover, the application of APDC increased the activity of Rab4, a small Rab GTPase mediating fast recycling from early endosomes to the plasma membrane, and enhanced the interaction between syntaxin 4 and Rab4. Knockdown of Rab4 or expression of dominant-negative Rab4 attenuated the effect of APDC on NMDAR currents. Taken together, these results have identified key molecules involved in the group II mGluR-induced potentiation of NMDAR exocytosis and function.
Time Domain Integral Equation Analysis of Scattering From Composite Bodies via Exact Evaluation of Radiation Fields

A novel marching on in time and Poggio-Miller-Chang-Harrington-Wu-Tsai (PMCHWT)-based time domain integral equation solver for analyzing transient scattering from composite multiregion structures comprising homogeneous penetrable volumes and perfectly conducting surfaces is presented. To render the marching on in time procedure stable, observer and source integrals are approximated via multipoint collocation and evaluated in closed form. The proposed scheme avoids the costly evaluation of five dimensional integrals required in full space-time Galerkin schemes, and proves to be stable for all targets investigated, including coated perfect electrically conducting surfaces and multiregion penetrable volumes.
Variation Within Herds Under Different Housing Systems

Abstract New York Holstein herds (1,152) including 75,875 cows were classified by housing system (stanchions, free stalls, and other combinations). Records initiated in these herds from 1964 to 1968 were used to determine the degree to which housing type might affect variance of milk production records in herds with 45 or more cows. The within-herd variances by lactation for each housing system in each year-season were examined by Bartlett's test for nonhomogeneity among housing systems. Records in the stanchion systems were less variable than those in free-stall systems. This difference was not large enough to require adjustment for type of housing in the present production analysis procedures.
Physical and physiological determinants of pulmonary venous flow: numerical analysis

To study the physical and physiological determinants of transmitral and pulmonary venous flow, a lumped-parameter model of the cardiovascular system has been created, modeling the instantaneous pressure, volume, and influx/efflux of the pulmonary veins, left atrium and ventricle, systemic arteries and veins. right atrium and ventricle, and pulmonary arteries. Initial validation has been obtained by direct comparison with transesophageal echocardiographic recordings of mitral and pulmonary venous velocity for the following clinical situations: normal diastolic function, delayed ventricular relaxation, restrictive filling due to severe systolic dysfunction, severe mitral regurgitation before and after valve repair surgery, and premature atrial contraction occurring during ventricular systole. Sensitivity analysis has been performed with a Jacobian matrix, representing the proportional change in a group of output indexes (yi) in response to isolated changes in input parameters (xj), [(delta yi/yi)/ ([delta xj/xj)], demonstrating the complementary nature of mitral and pulmonary venous A-wave velocity for predicting ventricular stiffness and atrial systolic function. This unified numerical-experimental programming environment should facilitate model refinement and physiological data exploration, in particular guiding more accurate interpretations of Doppler echocardiographic data.
A simple approach to optimization of completion interval in oil/water coning systems

An analytical solution is presented to estimate the maximum water-free production rate (critical oil rate) that considers the effect of limited wellbore penetration on the oil productivity of the well. To maximize the critical oil rate, an optimum wellbore penetration into an oil zone is determined theoretically. This analytical solution shows, that the optimum wellbore penetration into a pay zone is less than one-third the total pay-zone thickness.
RYT: Are You There? A Consortium's Switch to IM Reference

From pilot project to mainstream reference service, this article chronicles the HELIN consortium's history with commercial virtual reference (VR) software and details its decision to switch from a ...
Toward Tunable Adsorption Properties, Structure, and Crystallinity of Titania Obtained by Block Copolymer and Scaffold-Assisted Templating

Nanostructured titania and composite titania materials were synthesized for the first time by a one-pot strategy in an aqueous solution containing Pluronic P123 block copolymer and suitable precurs...
Wall modeled large eddy simulation of flow over a backward facing step with synthetic inlet turbulence

Application of Large Eddy Simulations (LES) to complex high Reynolds number problems has been limited by the computational cost. This paper uses wall layer modeling to mitigate near wall grid resolution requirements and the specification of inlet turbulence to reduce the cost of LES simulations. The wall model uses the two layer approach which is generalized for complex geometries and the synthetic eddy method (SEM) for the generation of inlet boundary conditions. Three different problems are considered, fully developed turbulent channel flow up to a Reynolds number of 2x10 6 , developing channel flow, and flow over a backward facing step at Re=40,000. Predictions with wall modeled LES are compared with available DNS and experimental data. Good agreement of the predicted mean flow velocity field and turbulent statistics with data indicates that the formulated wall modeled LES and the synthetic eddy method can be used effectively to predict high Reynolds number separated flows at a cost at least an order of magnitude less than wall resolved LES.
Stability analysis of cracks in nozzle made of silica phenolic resin molded composite subjected to pressure loading

In order to analyze the stability of cracks in the nozzle made of silica phenolic resin molded composite subjected to pressure loading,pattern I fracture toughness test was carried out to get the J-integral data of the material.The sample design and fabrication,testing parameter,data processing etc.were discussed in detail.Finally,the stability of nozzle cracks in a rocket motor was analyzed by using ABAQUS soft to get the safety coefficient based on breaking parameters.The static firing test results confirm that the approach is applicable in engineering experience.
Recognition of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells by quaternary and tertiary ligands is dependent upon temperature, cell integrity, and the presence of agonists.

The recognition of muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mAChRs) in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells by hydrophilic (quaternary) and lipophilic (tertiary) ligands has been examined. When quiescent cells were incubated at 37 degrees, the same maximum number of mAChRs was revealed by antagonists that possessed either a quaternary nitrogen, e.g., N-methylscopolamine (NMS) and N-methylquinuclidinyl benzilate, or a tertiary nitrogen, e.g., scopolamine and quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB). If cells were incubated at 0 degree, the quaternary [3H]NMS labeled 15-20% fewer sites than the tertiary [3H]scopolamine; but upon warming to 37 degrees, these inaccessible sites also became labeled. This suggests that mAChRs are present at both cell surface and sequestered sites in this cell, and that an equilibrium exists between the two cellular compartments. In competition studies at 37 degrees, NMS detected a population of [3H]QNB-binding sites which exhibited a very low affinity for the quaternary antagonist. However, the sites were not evident when mAChRs were labeled with [3H]scopolamine, suggesting that factors other than the lipophilic nature of the probe are involved. Although mAChRs were equally accessible to charged and uncharged antagonists at 37 degrees, the quaternary agonist carbamoylcholine competed for the sites labeled by quaternary antagonists with a 10- to 29-fold higher affinity than those labeled by tertiary antagonists, whereas the tertiary agonist OXO-2 displaced all sites with an equal affinity. However, carbamoylcholine competed equally well for [3H]scopolamine-and [3H]NMS-binding sites in either hypotonic cell lysates at 37 degrees or in intact cells maintained at 0 degree. These results suggest that, at 37 degrees, agonists induce the sequestration of cell surface receptors into a lipophilic environment in which receptors become inaccessible to quaternary, but not tertiary, ligands. Addition of NMS inhibited the stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis elicited by either carbamoylcholine or OXO-2. The Ki values were similar for both agonists. It is concluded that mAChRs in SK-N-SH cells cycle between cell surface and sequestered sites. At 37 degrees, this cycling is rapid and all receptors have access to the cell surface compartment, whereas at 0 degree, receptor translocation is prevented and a population of sequestered mAChRs is detected. When cells are exposed to an agonist at 37 degrees, the equilibrium shifts such that more mAChRs are found in a sequestered cell compartment that is inaccessible to quaternary ligands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Review: intensive insulin pump therapy slightly improves glycemic control in type 1 diabetes.

Source Citation Pickup J, Mattock M, Kerry S. Glycaemic control with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion compared with intensive insulin injections in patients with type 1 diabetes: meta-analy...
Using the clinical interview and curriculum based measurement to examine risk levels

This paper investigates the power of the computer guided clinical interview (CI) and new curriculum based measurement (CBM) measures to identify and help children at risk of low mathematics achievement. We use data from large numbers of children in Kindergarten through Grade 3 to investigate the construct validity of CBM risk categories. The basic issue is whether the CBM measures assign children correctly to the basic risk categories of At Risk, Emerging, and On Track. The data show that the CBM can be useful for identifying children at risk, but that the CI offers insight into the cognitive processes underlying student difficulties. The CI is particularly useful for identifying children whose underlying mathematical reasoning is more competent than their overt performance. Information of this type is more valuable for teachers than simply learning that a student is at risk.
Financial Innovation and Borrowers: Evidence from Peer-to-Peer Lending

This paper provides empirical evidence on the impact of financial innovation on credit demand and supply in consumer credit markets. I study the effect of financial innovation on access to credit by looking at borrowers on a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform. I document the presence of two effects from credit disintermediation. The first effect is repricing of credit that induces borrowers to shift from banks to P2P lending. I show that creditworthy borrowers reduce utilization of their revolving accounts by paying down revolving balances with proceeds from P2P loans. The second effect is credit expansion because of reduced credit rationing. Using regression discontinuity design, I estimate the causal impact of disintermediation on credit to marginally-funded borrowers. I find that banks respond to financial innovation by increasing credit limits and improving access to mortgages for this category of borrowers. I also find that these borrowers increase utilization of revolving credit over and above the increase in credit limits. Collectively, these findings suggest that financial innovation may reduce profits of financial intermediaries but improve availability of credit for financially constrained consumers.
The AEF Fights

By late fall of 1917, American Army units were beginning to occupy positions along the Western Front. Over the course of the next year, they would fight in six major and many minor engagements with differing levels of success. Overall, the entry of American troops into the front lines relieved pressure on the Allies and put increasing pressure on the Germans. By August 1918, two million Americans were in France and over the next 100 days would make an increasingly important impact on the fighting and the ultimate outcome of the war.
Perceived Involvement in Reengineering and the Marketing Concept: Theory Foundations and Practitioner Perceptions

This article explores the key elements that constitute reengineering and compares them to another widely embraced philosophy—the marketing concept. Over 200 marketing professionals from firms in ex...
Abstract OT2-04-01: Study on the usefulness of the skin wound therapeutic agent 'Neo dermal activator' in breast cancer surgery

Background : Wound infection after breast cancer surgery is considered to be factors that increase the discomfort of the patient and increase of the extension and the use of antibiotics in the treatment time period, in particular breast cancer postoperative wound infection resulting slow the implementation of adjunctive therapy such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy after surgery can cause, it is important to effectively prevent, there has been a development of a variety of skin wound therapeutic agent to reduce them. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the wound dressing with existing wound dressing Neo dermal activator compared to the patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy. Methods : A total of 54 breast cancer patients who recieved BCS & mastectomy devided two group(each 27 patients) through the random assignment between Jan, 2016 and June, 2016. Day one weeks after surgery to examine the wound infection rate (surgical site infection, SSI rate). After six months of outpatient surgery visits to check the wounds of patients, using the VAS records the scar of the wound satisfaction. For patients who underwent radiation therapy, check out the time it took to begin radiation therapy after surgery. All tests were two-sided. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). Eligbility criteria is : - one side breast cancer - not inflammatory breast cancer - recieved BCS and mastectomy only (without immediate reconstruction surgery) - stage IV breast cancer. Citation Format: Kim JH, Lim SM, Kim SI, Park SH, Park HS, Kim JY. Study on the usefulness of the skin wound therapeutic agent 9Neo dermal activator9 in breast cancer surgery [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-04-01.
Identification of Major Effect QTLs for Agronomic Traits and CSSLs in Rice from Swarna/Oryza nivara Derived Backcross Inbred Lines.

Backcross inbred lines (BILs) derived from elite x wild crosses are very useful for basic studies and breeding. The aim of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with yield and related traits and to identify chromosomal segment substitution lines (CSSLs) from unselected BC2F8 BILs of Swarna/Oryza nivara IRGC81848. In all, 94 BILs were field evaluated in two years (wet seasons, 2014 and 2015) for nine traits; days to 50% flowering (DFF), days to maturity (DM), plant height (PH), number of tillers (NT), number of productive tillers (NPT), panicle weight (PW), yield per plant (YLDP), bulk yield (BY) and biomass (BM). BILs were genotyped using 111 polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSRs) distributed across the genome. Fifteen QTLs including 10 novel QTLs were identified using composite interval mapping (CIM), Inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) and multiple interval mapping (MIM). O. nivara alleles were trait-enhancing in 26% of QTLs. Only 3 of 15 QTLs were also reported previously in BC2F2 of the same cross. These 3 included the two major effect QTLs for DM and PH detected in both years with 13 and 20% phenotypic variance (PV). Further, a set of 74 CSSLs was identified using CSSL Finder and 22 of these showed significantly higher values than Swarna for 5 yield traits. CSSLs, 220S for panicle weight and 10-2S with consistent high yield in both years was worth for large scale field evaluation. The major QTLs and 22 significantly different CSSLs are a useful resource for rice improvement and dissecting yield related traits.
Methods for protoplast formation in Escherichia coli.

Publisher Summary The investigation of bacterial membrane structure and function has relied on the isolation of membranes from osmotically sensitive forms, protoplasts, and spheroplasts. In this chapter “protoplast” refers to a grampositive organism after complete digestion of the cell wall; “spheroplast” describes gram-negative forms surrounded by or retaining part of the outer membrane. The outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria is difficult to remove from spheroplasts. It either surrounds the cell or peels back, exposing the cell surface membrane. In both cases the outer membrane remains attached to the cell. A method was recently developed for complete removal of the outer membrane from gram-negative cells, and this method is described here. These protoplasts can be obtained from log-phase and stationary cultures of Escherichia coli by enzymic and chemical alteration of the cell wall. This alteration includes rapid cell wall lysis wherein the outer membrane detaches from the cell body, forming small vesicles. This detachment proceeds without restraint until the cell is bound only by the cytoplasmic or inner membrane.
VARIATION AND SPECIFIC DETERMINATION IN DIPHYLLOBOTHRIID CESTODES

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on variation and specific determination in diphyllobothriid cestodes. Existing accounts of the morphology, life cycles, and development of diphyllobothriid cestodes are so incomplete and imperfect that it is difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between the dozens of described species. Redescriptions, based on incorrectly determined specimens, have added to the confusion. The demonstration of primary plerocercoids in small fishes that feed on the crustaceans that harbor the procercoids and of secondary plerocercoids in larger fishes that ingest the primary plerocercoids with their hosts explains the failures to obtain infection in birds and mammals when primary plerocercoids are fed. The recognition of primary and secondary strobilas in the intestines of the final hosts and the structural differences in proglottids of the successive strobilas explains much of the confusion from conflicting accounts of certain species.
Effects of teriparatide on morphology of aortic calcification in aged hyperlipidemic mice.

Parathyroid hormone regulates bone mineralization and may also affect vascular calcification, which is an important issue, given that its active fragment, teriparatide, is widely used for the treat...
Personalized pose estimation for body language understanding

To achieve high accuracy and stability in human pose estimation from videos, we propose a personalized model with a specially designed ConvNet structure and a visual similarity based iteration step. This model consists of: 1) a fully convolutional network with spatial fusion architecture to boost the accuracy of single-frame based joint predictions, 2) optical flow-based refinement to incorporate motion and temporal information, and 3) iterative personalized annotation to boost the reliability of the joint predictions. For benchmarking, our model outperforms the state-of-the-art on the public pose estimation datasets Chalearn and FLIC. Moreover, our model performs the best on a new psychiatric conversation dataset for computer vision based body language and emotion study.
Rorövovarorsospoproråkoketot: Language games and Swedish phonology

This paper examines the phonology of language games, using two case studies from the Swedish language game Rovarspraket. The language game forms are analyzed in a rule-based implementation of Substance-Free Phonology. It is shown that Rovarspraket can shed light on problems in Swedish phonology, as well as on issues of general theoretical relevance. Using Rovarspraket data, I argue that the processes of pre-palatal raising and nasal assimilation have been phonologized. The argument illustrates the possibility of using language games to investigate whether a process is phonetic or phonological. The nasal assimilation process is formalized using phonetic underspecification. I also use Rovarspraket to show that a counterfeeding interaction in Swedish is fully productive, suggesting that opacity must be accounted for by our theories of phonology. This is in line with earlier work on language games and opacity, and with other work in phonological theory. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate more work on language games, and on those empirical and theoretical phenomena that they can help us understand.
Abstract 18012: Variability in the Utilization of Mechanical Circulatory Support in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating STEMI: Impact of Hospital PCI Volumes

Despite controversy about efficacy, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is often utilized in patients with cardiogenic shock after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to characterize the variability in MCS utilization in cardiogenic shock patients across hospitals in the US, according to annual volume of primary percutaneous interventions (PPCI). Methods: We used the 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the study. All admissions with principal diagnosis of STEMI, with an additional diagnosis of cardiogenic shock, were identified using ICD 9 diagnosis codes. MCS devices were identified using ICD-9 procedure codes. All hospitals were divided into quartiles based on annual PPCI volume. Results: Of 372984 admissions with STEMI, we identified 32482 (8.5%) cases with cardiogenic shock during admission. Of these, MCS was utilized in 17415 (53.6%) patients. All hospitals treating cardiogenic shock patients were divided into quartiles such that quartiles 1-4 corresponded to hospitals performing There was progressive increase in MCS utilization across hospital quartiles with increasing PPCI volume (Figure). MCS utilization in quartiles 1-4 hospitals was 44.9%, 55.2%, 57.6% and 58.5% respectively (p-trend Conclusion: There was significant variability in MCS utilization among STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock, based on annual PPCI volume of the treating hospital. Increase in annual PPCI volume was correlated with an increase in MCS utilization in STEMI patients complicated by cardiogenic shock.
Feasibility of off-pump ASD closure using real-time 3-D echocardiography.

BACKGROUND If surgeons could "see " through blood and cardiac chamber walls, it would ultimately be unnecessary to open the heart or use cardiopulmonary bypass to perform procedures such as atrial septal defect (ASD) closure or mitral valve repair. Conventional echocardiography generates cross-sectional images that are not satisfactory as the only visualization for surgical procedures, and current 3-Dimensional (3-D) CT and echo systems take several minutes to compose and process a single still frame. Recently, however, the first system for real-time 3-D echocardiography has been developed. This study examines whether real-time 3-D echocardiography can provide images of sufficient anatomic definition, depth perception, and image resolution to substitute for optical visualization in performing ASD closures. METHODS A prototype Volumetrics 3-D echocardiographic system was evaluated in a water bath on a complex-surfaced standard reference model to determine the image resolution and define the ideal imaging parameters. A static image and views of sutures being placed with an endoscopic needle driver and two commercial suture placement devices were evaluated at multiple angles and distances from the target. The resulting images were graded by a blinded reviewer. Once the best imaging parameters were determined, five porcine ASDs were closed with interrupted sutures, running sutures, or a pursestring suture using only echo visualization. RESULTS The highest quality images were obtained with the probe at a distance of 4-6 cm and at angles perpendicular or 45 degrees forward to the target. Spatial and temporal resolutions were adequate to suture all ASDs closed under only echo guidance. CONCLUSIONS The evaluated real-time 3-D echo system provided adequate spatial and temporal information to act as a guide for surgical procedures.
Phenology and Remote Sensing

The more we extend the frontiers of remote sensing for earth resources, the more we begin to realize that, despite the wide array of sophisticated remote sensing devices, one of our major problems is still the unraveling of complex spectral relationships within the biological skin of the earth. Until we learn to detect, identify, and categorize vegetational patterns with remote sensors, we will not have fully achieved the promise of remote sensing.
Intrapreneurship as a Peaceful and Ethical Transition Strategy Toward Privatization

The problem this article is concerned with is the failure ofmany large organizations in formerly socialist countries and inpublic sectors of market economies to make effective, peaceful,and ethical transformation from command to market responsiveorganization and privatization. There are at least threeimportant behavioral causes of this problem. First, organizationtransformation is blocked because the organization tries tochange "all at once" before the organization has learned how toact successfully in a new for the organization environment as amarket responsive instead of a command organization (Churchman,1971; Quinn, 1980; Nystrom and Starbuck, 1984; Mintzberg andWaters, 1985; Mintzberg, 1994; Goldman, 1994). Second,organization transformation is blocked because "all at oncechange" stimulates so much fear and political opposition thatchange is politically not possible (Argyris and Schon, 1974;Argyris, 1990; Goldman, 1994; Sachs, 1992). Third, organizationtransformation is blocked because the "guardian" ethics syndromeof command organization is less appropriate for market responsiveorganization than a "commercial" ethics syndrome (Jacobs, 1992;Harris, 1995). Gradual intrapreneurship (Burgelman, 1983; Nielsenet al., 1985) can serve as a peaceful and ethical transitionstrategy. Intrapreneurship can help bridge some of thecontradictions between "commercial" vs. "guardian" ethicssyndromes (Jacobs, 1992; Nielsen, 1996).
Cognitive and Antipsychotic Medication Use in Monoallelic GBA-Related Parkinson Disease

Mutations in glucosidase, beta, acid (GBA) are associated with cognitive impairment in Parkinson disease (PD) as well as dementia with Lewy bodies. For both of these diseases, dementia and hallucinations are typically treated with cholinesterase inhibitors and antipsychotics. However, in some lysosomal storage disorders certain antipsychotic medications are poorly tolerated. This study examined cholinesterase inhibitor and antipsychotic use in monoallelic GBA-related PD to explore potential pharmacogenetic relationships. Monoallelic GBA mutation carriers with PD (GBA-PD) with at least two clinic visits (n = 34) were matched for age-of-onset and gender to GBA and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutation negative idiopathic PD subjects (IPD) (n = 60). Information regarding cholinesterase inhibitor and antipsychotic use as well as impaired cognition (UPDRS Mentation >1) and hallucinations (UPDRS Thought Disorder >1) were obtained. GBA-PD more frequently reported hallucinations (HR = 5.0; p = 0.01) and they were more likely to have cognitive impairment but this was not statistically significant (HR 2.2, p = 0.07). Antipsychotic use was not significantly different between GBA-PD and IPD (HR = 1.9; p = 0.28), but GBA-PD were more likely to have sustained cholinesterase inhibitor use (HR = 3.1; p = 0.008), even after adjustment for cognition and hallucinations. Consistent with reports of worse cognition, GBA-PD patients are more likely to use cholinesterase inhibitors compared to IPD. While there was no difference in antipsychotic use between IPD and GBA-PD, persistent use of quetiapine in GBA-PD suggests that it is tolerated and that a significant interaction is unlikely. Further prospective study in larger samples with more extensive cognitive assessment is warranted to better understand pharmacogenetic relationships in GBA-PD.
Invasive lumbricid earthworms in northeastern North American forests and consequences for leaf-litter fauna

Colonization of North America by exotic earthworms has been implicated in undesirable changes in soil structure, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity. Invasion by putative European earthworms has a long history in northeastern North America. Partly for this reason, factors that may be continuing to facilitate expansion of earthworm distributions and the consequences of earthworm spread in the Northeast get relatively little attention. We sampled earthworms and environmental attributes at 85 sites in central New York. We additionally sampled leaf-litter fauna at 25 of these sites. We detected no earthworms at 27 of 71 forested sites (38%). Forested sites without detectable earthworm populations were farther from the nearest road and had soils of lower pH than forested sites with earthworms. Proximity of the nearest road was strongly associated with earthworm diversity and abundance, and earthworm biomass was highest in low, moist areas. We found a strong, negative relationship between the biomass of earthworms and abundance of invertebrates in the litter layer. This association was likely mediated by the abundance of organic litter, which was lower at sites with high biomass of earthworms. Sites with only the putative native Bimastos (Dendrodrilus) rubidus had a high mass of leaf litter and large numbers of leaf litter animals despite high densities of this species. We believe that there is potential for further expansion of European earthworm taxa in the Northeast and strong evidence for negative consequences of this expansion. Additional regulations on activities that promote introduction may be necessary.
Food Insecurity Associated With Underestimation of Weight Status in Children With a Healthy Weight

Abstract Objective Accurate parental weight perception of one's child is an important step in addressing healthy behaviors, but its associations with socioeconomic status (SES) and household food insecurity (HFI) are unclear. We aimed to assess the association of parental weight perception with HFI. Methods This was a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study of 284 children ages 2 to 8 years whose parents completed surveys about weight perception, SES, and HFI. Height and weight were measured to determine the children's body mass index scores and were self-reported by parents. We performed chi-square tests to compare HFI and accuracy of parental weight perception and used logistic regression to assess accuracy, adjusting for significant covariates and stratifying by child weight category. Results Approximately two thirds of children had healthy weight, 18% had overweight, and 15% had obesity. About one third of parents inaccurately identified their child's weight category, almost always underestimating weight status. Twenty-eight percent of the families were food insecure. HFI was not associated with parental weight perception in bivariate analysis. When stratified by weight status, food insecure families with children at healthy weight had 0.16 times the odds of accurately perceiving their children's weight status. There was no association between HFI and accuracy of weight perception in children with overweight or obesity. Conclusions Food insecurity was associated with a decrease in the accuracy of parental weight perceptions in children with healthy weight. Pediatricians should clearly communicate about weight status, as families with HFI may adopt unhealthy eating behaviors under the incorrect assumption that their child is underweight.
Single vibronic level emission spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime of the B∼1A″→X∼1A′ system of CuOH and CuOD

Abstract We report new studies of the B ∼ 1 A ″ ↔ X ∼ 1 A ′ system of CuOH/CuOD, generated in a pulsed discharge source under jet-cooled conditions. Single vibronic level (SVL) emission spectra obtained from the 0 0 0 and 2 0 1 levels of the B ∼ 1 A ″ state reveal new information on the bending and Cu–O stretching frequencies in the ground state. The derived vibrational parameters are in good agreement with recent high level ab initio calculations. Rotationally resolved laser induced fluorescence excitation spectra of the 2 0 1 band were obtained, and a rotational analysis performed for the 63 CuOD isotopomer. Additionally, B ∼ 1 A ″ state fluorescence lifetimes are reported.
Aiming the Mobile Targets in a Cross-Cultural Context: Effects of Trust, Privacy Concerns, and Attitude

With the rapid growth of mobile phone use, mobile advertising has increasingly become a powerful tool for marketers to reach targeted consumers worldwide. This study investigates how attitude, trus...
Thinking about complex decisions: How sleep and time-of-day influence complex choices

In this study, we systematically manipulate a person's state of sleep; Sleep-deprived and Well-rested along with Matching or Mismatching the decision time-of-day to their circadian preferred time-of-day. We assessed how these conditions influenced performance on an incentivized complex decision task. In the overall analysis of these variables no differences emerged. However, a comparison of the more cognitively depleting Sleep-deprivation/Circadian-mismatch condition to the cognitively enhancing Well-rested/Circadian-match condition showed improved performance in the Well-rested/Circadian matched group for one complex decision task but not for the other. These findings build upon the existing literature on sleep and circadian rhythm effects while uniquely observing the combined effects of these variables on complex decision making.