cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immune potentiator for increased safety and improved protection of vaccines by NF-kB modulation

Many modern vaccines include adjuvants that activate the immune system and provide an enhanced humoral or cellular response. Current approved adjuvants are unable to provide desired responses against some pathogens (e.g. HIV or dengue). Many new adjuvants have been developed and demonstrate promising results, but side effects from the inflammatory response induced by these adjuvants have resulted in limited FDA approvals. No adjuvants yet possess the capability to independently modulate inflammation and protection. Here we demonstrate a method to limit inflammation and side effects associated with vaccination while retaining the protective responses using a variety of promising adjuvants. To accomplish this, we combined a selective NF-kB inhibitor with the immune adjuvant. The resulting vaccines reduce systemic inflammation and boost antibody responses. In an influenza challenge model, we demonstrate that this approach enhances protection. This method is generalizable across a broad range of adjuvants and antigens. We anticipate these studies will lead to a novel approach to vaccine formulation design that may prove general across a wide range of adjuvants, enabling their greater use in the public realm.
The relationship between self-report and performance-based measures of physical function following an ICU stay.

Abstract Purpose To examine relationships between self-report and performance-based measures of physical function in ICU patients randomized to standardized rehabilitation therapy (SRT) or usual care (UC). Methods Physical function was assessed in 257 ICU patients using self-report (physical functioning scale of the SF-36 (SF-36 PFS)) and the functional performance inventory-short form (FPI-SF) as well as performance-based measures (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)) and muscular strength (MS). Assessments were at hospital discharge, 2, 4, and 6 months. Results Correlations between self-report and performance-based measures were not significantly different between the two groups. When examining the entire cohort, a significant, but weak, correlation (r = 0.286) was found between the SF-36 PFS and the SPPB. At 2 months, moderate correlations were found between self-report and performance-based measures. The SF-36 PFS and FPI were significantly correlated with the SPPB (r = 0.536 and 0.553, respectively) and muscular strength (r = 0.413 and 0.431, respectively). Similar associations were seen at 4 and 6 months in both groups. Conclusion Self-report and performance-based measures of physical function appear to assess different constructs at hospital discharge. Following recovery, these measures converge, but indicate different constructs are being assessed. As such, both self-report and performance-based measures of physical function should be used with ICU patients.
Human primary fibroblasts perform similarly to MSCs in assays used to evaluate MSC safety and potency.

Background Cellular therapeutic agents may benefit trauma patients by modulating the immune response to injury, and by reducing inflammation and vascular leakage. Administration of allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) shows some benefit in preclinical and clinical trials, but less testing has been performed with other cell types. Human primary fibroblasts (FBs) were compared to MSCs in assays designed to evaluate MSCs to determine if these assays actually evaluate properties unique to MSCs or whether related cell types perform similarly. Study design and methods MSC-related surface marker expression, tissue factor, and human leukocyte antigen-D related were evaluated by flow cytometry, and in vitro adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential were determined. Procoagulant activity was determined by thromboelastography. Two potency assays correlated with immunomodulation potential were utilized: the mixed lymphocyte reaction and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase enzyme activity assays. Results Human primary FBs performed similarly to MSCs in assays designed to evaluate MSC characteristics and potency. Although similar for MSC-positive cell surface marker expression, FBs did not show robust adipose differentiation and expressed some level of markers not expected on MSCs. Conclusions Human primary FBs are very similar to human MSCs, at least in assays currently used to evaluate MSC potency. Preclinical and clinical testing are required to determine if FBs show similar activity to MSCs in vivo. If FBs show inferior activity in vivo, development of new MSC-specific potency assays will be necessary to evaluate properties relevant to their unique clinical benefits.
Fast ES-RNN: A GPU Implementation of the ES-RNN Algorithm

Due to their prevalence, time series forecasting is crucial in multiple domains. We seek to make state-of-the-art forecasting fast, accessible, and generalizable. ES-RNN is a hybrid between classical state space forecasting models and modern RNNs that achieved a 9.4% sMAPE improvement in the M4 competition. Crucially, ES-RNN implementation requires per-time series parameters. By vectorizing the original implementation and porting the algorithm to a GPU, we achieve up to 322x training speedup depending on batch size with similar results as those reported in the original submission. Our code can be found at: this https URL
Size scaling of hypervelocity-impact ejecta mass and momentum enhancement: Experiments and a nonlocal-shear-band-motivated strain-rate-dependent failure model

Abstract Impact tests were performed from 4 to 5.77 km/s of 3.0-cm-diameter aluminum spheres impacting 2024-T351 aluminum targets. This data was compared to previously published data for smaller scale impactors (0.1588 cm to 1.27 cm). It was seen that there are no size-scaling effects for the crater depth. The slight size-scaling effect in the crater diameter directly correlated with the nonlinear size-scaling effect in the ejecta mass. There is a qualitative change in the ejecta mass somewhere in the vicinity of 1.27-cm-diameter impactors, in that impactors with diameters less than this have ejecta mass showing a strong diameter dependence while for impactors larger than this diameter there is little size dependence and the ejecta mass scales only with impact velocity squared. A strain-rate-dependent failure model is developed based on a mechanical model of shear-band slip over a characteristic finite length. The underlying mechanical model is nonlocal, but, through certain assumptions, leads to a failure strain expression that depends on the equivalent plastic strain rate to the 2/3rds power. This failure model was implemented in the hydrocode CTH and showed excellent agreement with experimental ejecta mass data. It can explain the origin of the size scale dependence in the ejecta mass as well as the observed saturation. The saturation in the ejecta mass is due to the static failure properties of the material. The new data also shows that the 0.45 power dependence on the projectile diameter for the momentum enhancement β continues up through the 3.0-cm-diameter sphere impactors. This size scaling behavior of the momentum enhancement is surprising in that there is not a change in the momentum enhancement scaling behavior even though there is a qualitative and quantitative change in the ejecta mass scaling behavior. The new damage model does not predict the experimentally-observed momentum enhancement size-scaling behavior, even though it does predict the ejecta mass behavior.
Inverse-designed silicon photonic circuit for nonreciprocal transmission

Broadband nonreciprocal transmission is demonstrated in an inverse-designed silicon photonic circuit. Cascaded nonlinear resonators break the single-resonator fundamental bound on forward transmission at wide nonreciprocal intensity span.
How Can Food Hubs Best Serve Their Buyers? Perspectives from Vermont

ABSTRACTFood Hubs (FHs) have been touted for their role in local and regional food systems. This study aims to understand the perspectives of Food Hub (FH) buyers and identify effective practices f...
Clinical Issues to Consider for Clozapine Patients Who Vape: A Case Illustration.

Vaping uses an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) for inhaling vaporized and aerosolized ingredients. A significant subset of the psychiatric patient population will use ENDS and may have c...
A preliminary sinkhole raveling chart

Abstract Sinkholes are a major geohazard in karst areas where soluble carbonate bedrock exists. Downward seepage resulting from the groundwater recharge continuously erode cover soils into cavities within the underlying bedrock, resulting in raveling of cover soils. Identifying these raveled soils (or zones) is critial in preventing and mitigating the sinkhole collapse. In this study, a proof-of-concept was performed to demonstrate the concept of a sinkhole raveling chart that can quantify the severity levels of raveling. The raveling chart is constructed based on Cone Penetration Test (CPT) data collected through multiple sinkhole active sites in Central Florida. A preliminary analysis (e.g. data preparation, grouping, and zoning) was carried out to construct the prototype sinkhole raveling chart. This prototype raveling chart, as a function of tip resistance (qc) and sleeve friction (fs), could delineate not only the raveled and non-raveled zones but also the areas that correspond to different levels of raveling severity.
Projections and Epidemiology of Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in the United States to 2030

Abstract Background As the incidence of primary total joint arthroplasty rises in the United States, it is important to investigate how this will impact rates of revision arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence and future projections of revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) and revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) to 2030. Anticipating surgical volume will aid surgeons in designing protocols to efficiently and effectively perform rTHA/rTKA. Methods The national inpatient sample was queried from 2002 to 2014 for all rTHA/rTKA. Using previously validated measures, Poisson and linear regression analyses were performed to project annual incidence of rTHA/rTKA to 2030, with subgroup analyses on modes of failure and age. Results In 2014, there were 50,220 rTHAs and 72,100 rTKAs. From 2014 to 2030, rTHA incidence is projected to increase by between 43% and 70%, whereas rTKA incidence is projected to increase by between 78% and 182%. The 55-64 and 65-74 age groups increased in revision incidence during the study period, whereas 75-84 age group decreased in incidence. For rTKA, infection and aseptic loosening are the 2 most common modes of failure, whereas periprosthetic fracture and infection are most common for rTHA. Conclusion The incidence of rTHA/rTKA is projected to increase, particularly in young patients and for infection. Given the known risk factor profiles and advanced costs associated with revision arthroplasty, our projections should encourage institutions to generate revision-specific protocols to promote safe pathways for cost-effective care that is commensurate with current value-based health care trends. Level of Evidence IV.
Hughes Stovin Syndrome, a Rare Form of Behcet's Disease Presenting as Recurrent Intracardiac Thrombus.

Hughes Stovin syndrome (HSS) is a particularly rare disease characterized by multiple pulmonary artery and/or bronchial artery aneurysms with concomitant peripheral venous thrombosis and is believed to be a cardiovascular variant of Behcet's disease. Intracardiac thrombus occurring as a thrombotic manifestation of HSS is an unusual presentation and represents a challenge in diagnosis and treatment. Here we report a 25-year-old male presenting with recurrent right-sided intracardiac thrombi, in whom pulmonary artery aneurysm was later detected in the clinical course corroborating the diagnosis of HSS and leading to appropriate initiation of immunosuppressive agents. The patient required multiple cardiac surgeries during the clinical course for cardiovascular complications associated with recurrent cardiac thrombus. Unfortunately, the patient was readmitted a year later for massive hemoptysis secondary to pulmonary arterial aneurysm rupture requiring left lower lobectomy. Our case highlights also the significant morbidity, complications, and treatment challenges associated with this potentially life-threatening syndrome, which is intensified in the presence of cardiac involvement.
Slow degrading poly(glycerol sebacate) derivatives improve vascular graft remodeling in a rat carotid artery interposition model

Porous synthetic grafts made of poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) can transform into autologous vascular conduits in vivo upon degradation of PGS. A long-held doctrine in tissue engineering is the necessity to match degradation of the scaffolds to tissue regeneration. Here, we tested the impact of degradation of PGS and its derivative in an interposition model of rat common carotid artery (CCA). Previous work indicates a complete degradation of PGS within approximately 2 weeks, likely at the fast end of the spectrum. Thus, the derivation of PGS focuses on delay degradation by conjugating the free hydroxy groups in PGS with a long chain carboxylic acid: palmitic acid, one of the most common lipid components. We evaluated two of the resultant palmitate-PGS (PPGS) in this study: one containing 9% palmitate (9-PPGS) and the other16% palmitate (16-PPGS). 16-PPGS grafts had the highest patency. Ultrasound imaging showed that the lumens of 16-PPGS grafts were similar to CCA and smaller than 9-PPGS and PGS grafts 12 weeks post-operation. Immunohistological and histological examination showed an endothelialized lumens in all three types of grafts within 4 weeks. Inflammatory responses to 16-PPGS grafts were limited to the adventitial space in contrast to a more diffusive infiltration in 9-PPGS and PGS grafts in week 4. Examination of calponin+ and αSMA+ cells revealed that 16-PPGS grafts remodeled into a distinctive bi-layered wall, while the walls of 9-PPGS grafts and PGS grafts only had one thick layer of smooth muscle-like cells. Correspondingly, the expression of collagen III and elastin displayed an identical layered structure in the remodeled 16-PPGS grafts, in contrast to a more spread distribution in 9-PPGS and PGS grafts. All the three types of grafts exhibited the same collagen content and burst pressure after 12 weeks of host remodeling. However, the compliance and elastin content of 16-PPGS grafts in week 12 were closest to those of CCA. Overall, placing the degradation of PGS derived elastomer to a window of 4-12 weeks results in vascular conduits closer to arteries in a rat carotid artery interposition model over a 12-week observation period.
Nursing is a health equity and social justice movement.

Nursing has been grounded in the pursuit of health equity and social justice for over 100 years. Escalating health care costs, COVID-19, and racial conflict have spotlighted the impact of our social and health inequities and the interconnectedness of everyone's health. This study discusses two key nursing movements for health and social justice, the public health nursing movement and the nurse practitioner movement. This study also describes how the re-emerging focus on population health nursing and the increasing nurse activism are building on our history of addressing the social and environmental root causes of ill health. Changes in health care design, delivery, and payment will create more opportunities for population health nursing to continue nursing's long-standing efforts in pursuit of health equity and social justice.
mSphere of Influence: Whole-Genome Sequencing, a Vital Tool for the Interruption of Nosocomial Transmission.

ABSTRACT Ahmed Babiker’s work focuses on the clinical and genomic epidemiology of multidrug-resistant health care-associated pathogens and other high-consequence pathogens. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how the paper “Tracking a Hospital Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae with Whole-Genome Sequencing” by Evan S. Snitkin et al. (Sci Transl Med 4:148ra116, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.3004129) impacted his thinking on the use of whole-genome sequencing for nosocomial transmission investigation.
书评 Van Norden (2019): Classical Chinese for everyone: A guide for absolute beginners

This article reviews Classical Chinese for everyone: A guide for absolute beginners 978-1-62466-821-0
Narrating the Self as Immigrant: Construction of Self and Community in Cooperative Housing

This paper examines the notion of "community" as experienced by African immigrant students, using cooperative housing in Madison, Wisconsin, as a case study. How does an African immigrant adapt to communal living with strangers from different cultures? Through autoethnographic examination of my own experience in relation to others, I address the coop as a space where culture is mediated and constructed by people from diverse backgrounds. Through dialogue with existing scholarship on community living in Africa and how it differs in the USA, I add to recent literature on identity and belonging. It has been argued that immigrants take on the socio-cultural characteristics of the community that they join and that interactions at a micro-level influence the way people negotiate culture to shape a shared community (e.g. Hirshman, 2013). On the other hand, the absorbing society also undergoes change from the encounter. This process creates syncretism, with changes taking place both with the immigrant and the absorbing society (Sharaby, 2010). I use the notion of African community living as a lens through which to understand my own and others' experience of the daily contrasts between our own understandings of community, and that of the new culture in which we find ourselves. These experiences, I argue, influence the formation of new identities and create new cultural landscapes.
Relation between vector and axial-vector Cabibbo angles in brokenSU3 symmetry

The renormalization of the weak axial-vector coupling constant in the decay $$\Xi ^0 \to \Sigma ^ + + e^ - + \bar \nu $$ is calculated on the basis of the assumption that theSU 3 breaking is unimportant at high energies and the result used to show that the equality of the vector and axial-vector Cabibbo angles, which is expected to hold in the limit of exactSU 3 symmetry, is preserved by the symmetry breaking.
Continuous Control Paradigms for Direct Brain Interfaces

Direct Brain Interfaces (DBIs) offer great possibilities for people with severe disabilities to communicate and control their environments. However, many DBI systems implement discrete selection, such as choosing a letter from an alphabet, which offers limited control over certain tasks. Continuous control is important for applications such as driving a wheelchair or drawing for creative expression. This paper describes two projects currently underway at the Georgia Tech BrainLab exploring continuous control interface paradigms for an EEG-based approach centered on responses from visual cortex, and functional near Infrared (fNIR) imaging of the language center of the brain.
Theoretical Bounds on Mate-Pair Information for Accurate Genome Assembly

Over the past two decades, a series of works have aimed at studying the problem of genome assembly: the process of reconstructing a genome from sequence reads. An early formulation of the genome assembly problem showed that genome reconstruction is NP-hard when framed as finding the shortest sequence that contains all observed reads. Although this original formulation is very simplistic and does not allow for mate-pair information, subsequent formulations have also proven to be NP-hard, and/or may not be guaranteed to return a correct assembly. In this paper, we provide an alternate perspective on the genome assembly problem by showing genome assembly is easy when provided with sufficient mate-pair information. Moreover, we quantify the number of mate-pair libraries necessary and sufficient for accurate genome assembly, in terms of the length of the longest repetitive region within a genome. In our analysis, we consider an idealized sequencing model where each mate-pair library generates pairs of error free reads with a fixed and known insert size at each position in the genome. Even in this idealized model, we show that accurate genome reconstruction cannot be guaranteed in the worst case unless at least roughly R/2L mate-pair libraries are produced, where R is the length of the longest repetitive region in the genome and L is the length of each read. On the other hand, if (R/L)+1 mate-pair libraries are provided, then a simple algorithm can be used to find a correct genome assembly easily in polynomial time. Although (R/L)+1 mate-pair libraries can be too much to produce in practice, the previous bounds only hold in the worst case. In our last result, we show that if additional conditions hold on a genome, a correct assembly can be guaranteed with only O(log (R/L)) mate-pair libraries.
AL SERVICIO DE LA JUSTICIA SOCIAL: CONOCIMIENTOS, DESTREZAS Y ACTITUDES PARA LOS "NUEVOS TIEMPOS"

El proposito de este articulo es propiciar el dialogo y despertar el interes de los educadores, los administradores, y de aquellas personas involucradas directa o indirectamente con el ambito educativo sobre los problemas que enfrenta la educacion en la actualidad. Especificamente nos referimos a los ataques continuos que recibe la educacion publica y los desafios que presenta la preparacion de docentes para ensenar en los “nuevos tiempos.” Para lograr nuestro proposito, proponemos un modelo teorico que se vale del uso de cuatro plataformas: (a) pedagogia, curriculum y evaluaciones; (b) investigaciones educacionales; (c) profesionalizacion de la docencia; y (d) cambios sociales. Estas plataformas nos sirven de punto de partida para explicar los conocimientos, las destrezas y las actitudes que todo docente debe poseer en su bagaje profesional. Puesto que este modelo esta centrado en la importancia de la educacion equitativa y la considera su piedra fundamental discutimos algunos conceptos clave de la educacion multicultural, contrastamos los enfoques pedagogicos tradicionales con otros mas contemporaneos, y proponemos direcciones a seguir con respecto a ambos temas para de esta manera llegar a explicar lo que significa e implica cada plataforma.Tambien le damos una gran consideracion a las relaciones que existen entre estas cuatro plataformas y como se delinean los conocimientos, destrezas y actitudes que emergen de dichos vinculos. Para facilitar la visualizacion y un mejor entendimiento del modelo que proponemos damos ejemplos de programas y proyectos que estan siendo implementados con mucho exito en distintas instituciones estadounidenses. Dado el importante papel que juega la psicologia dentro de este contexto, mencionamos areas de esta disciplina que pueden ayudarnos a ser mejores abogados de la educacion equitativa y mas activos patrocinadores de la justicia social. Concluimos con recomendaciones para los lectores que esten genuinamente interesados en asumir el compromiso que implica abogar por la educacion equitativa y la justicia social.
Expression profiles of toll‐like receptors in anterior kidney of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), acutely infected by Edwardsiella ictaluri

Using quantitative PCR (QPCR), the relative transcriptional levels of five toll-like receptors (TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, TLR20a and TLR21) were studied in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), under uninfected and acutely infected conditions [1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 12-, 24-, 36- and 48-h post-injection (hpi)]. Under uninfected conditions, the transcriptional levels of the five TLRs were significantly lower than that of 18S rRNA (P < 0.001). QPCR results also revealed that the transcriptional levels of TLR20a and TLR5 were higher than those of TLR2, TLR3 or TLR21. The transcriptional level of TLR3 was significantly lower than that of the other four TLRs (P < 0.001). However, when channel catfish were acutely infected by Edwardsiella ictaluri through intraperitoneal injection, the transcriptional levels of TLRs increased significantly (P < 0.005) at 6 hpi. Among the five TLRs studied, the transcriptional levels of TLR3, TLR5 and TLR21 were never significantly lower than under uninfected conditions (P = 0.16, 0.27 and 0.19, respectively), suggesting these three TLRs might play important roles in host defence against infection by E. ictaluri. The amount of E. ictaluri in the anterior kidney increased at 12 and 24 hpi but decreased at 36 and 48 hpi. Our results suggest that TLRs are important components in the immune system in the channel catfish, and their rapid transcriptional upregulation (within 6 hpi) in response to acute E. ictaluri infection might be important for survival from enteric septicaemia of catfish.
Thermal preconditioning and heat-shock protein 72 preserve synaptic transmission during thermal stress.

As with other tissues, exposing the mammalian CNS to nonlethal heat stress (i.e., thermal preconditioning) increases levels of heat-shock proteins (Hsps) such as Hsp70 and enhances the viability of neurons under subsequent stress. Using a medullary slice preparation from a neonatal mouse, including the site of the neural network that generates respiratory rhythm (the pre-Botzinger complex), we show that thermal preconditioning has an additional fundamental effect, protection of synaptic function. Relative to 30 degrees C baseline, initial thermal stress (40 degrees C) greatly increased the frequency of synaptic currents recorded without pharmacological manipulation by approximately 17-fold (p < 0.01) and of miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs) elicited by GABA (20-fold) glutamate (10-fold), and glycine (36-fold). Thermal preconditioning (15 min at 40 degrees C) eliminated the increase in frequency of overall synaptic transmission during acute thermal stress and greatly attenuated the frequency increases of GABAergic, glutamatergic, and glycinergic mPSCs (for each, p < 0.05). Moreover, without thermal preconditioning, incubation of slices in solution containing inducible Hsp70 (Hsp72) mimicked the effect of thermal preconditioning on the stress-induced release of neurotransmitter. That preconditioning and exogenous Hsp72 can affect and preserve normal physiological function has important therapeutic implications.
Milk and Dairy Products

This chapter describes the interactions of microorganisms with dairy foods that lead to commonly encountered product defects. The major microbial inhibitors in raw milk are lactoferrin and the lactoperoxidase system. Fluid milk, cheese, and cultured milks are the major dairy products susceptible to spoilage by non-spore-forming fermentative bacteria. Non-spore-forming bacteria responsible for fermentative spoilage of dairy products are mostly in either the lactic acid-producing or coliform group. The most common fermentative defect in fluid milk products is souring caused by the growth of lactic acid bacteria. The defect in noncultured fluid milk products is usually caused by growth of specific strains of lactococci. Spore-forming bacteria that spoil dairy products usually originate in the raw milk. The defect in milk products is described as sweet curdling, since it first appears as coagulation without significant acid or off flavor being formed. The major heat-resistant species in milk is Geobacillus stearothermophilus (formerly Bacillus stearothermophilus). A practical means to prevent sporeformers from spoiling nonfermented liquid dairy products given sub-ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) heat treatments has not been developed. The most common yeasts present in dairy products are Kluyveromyces marxianus and Debaryomyces hansenii (the teleomorph) and their asporogenous counterparts (the anamorph), Candida species, and Zygosaccharomyces microellipsoides. Yeasts and molds that spoil dairy products can usually be isolated in the processing plant on packaging equipment, in the air, in salt brine, on manufacturing equipment, and in the general environment (floors, walls, ventilation ducts, etc.).
The Unemployment–Output Tradeoff in Transition Economies: Does Okun's Law Apply?

This paper investigates whether an Okun-type relationship between output and unemployment is taking hold in formerly planned economies as they move towards the market. Using a first-differences variant of Okun's Law, we test for its presence in 25 transition countries divided into groups of ``reform leaders'' and ``reform laggards.'' For leaders, represented by the 10 European Union (EU) accession countries, Okun's Law is detected in both 1991–94 and 1995–2000 periods. For laggards, represented by the remaining group, it is present only for the later period and only when countries affected by wars are removed from the sample. A comparison of unemployment–output elasticities and unemployment levels in EU candidates and EU members themselves indicates that their labor markets might be converging.
Complementation of bacteriophage lambda integrase mutants: evidence for an intersubunit active site.

Abstract Site-specific recombination of bacteriophage lambda starts with the formation of higher-order protein--DNA complexes, called 'intasomes', and is followed by a series of steps, including the initial DNA cleavage, top-strand exchange, branch migration and bottom-strand exchange, to produce recombinant products. One of the intasomes formed during excisive recombination (the attL complex) is composed of the phage-encoded integrase (Int), integration host factor (IHF) and one of the recombination substrates, attL DNA. Int is the catalytic recombinase and has two different DNA binding domains. When IHF is present, Int binds to two types of sites in attL DNA, the three arm-type sites (P'123) and the core-type sites (B and C') where the reciprocal strand exchange takes place. The Tyr342 residue of Int serves as a nucleophile during strand cleavage and covalently attaches to the DNA through a phosphotyrosyl bond. In vitro complementation assays have been performed for strand cleavage using attL suicide substrates and mutant proteins containing amino acid substitutions at residues conserved in the integrase family of recombinases. We demonstrate that at least two Int monomers are required to form the catalytically-competent species that performs cleavage at the B site. It is likely that the active site is formed by two Int monomers.
The Influence of Covalence on Capacity Retention in Metal-Substituted Spinels 7 Li NMR, SQUID, and Electrochemical Studies

Variable-temperature 7 Li nuclear magnetic resonance and superconducting quantum interference device (NMR and SQUID) magnetometry have been used to determine the supertransferred hyperfine coupling constant, an indicator of Li-O-Mn bond covalence, for metal-substituted spinels, LiM x Mn 2-x O 4 (M = Li, Zn, Al, Cr). The Curie and Weiss constants are reported for all compositions studied. The covalence of the Li-O-Mn bond is observed to increase upon substitution for all substituting metals studied. The greatest enhancement in covalence was achieved by substitution of ions that are similar in size to the Mn 3.5 ion. The covalence values are compared to electrochemical capacity retention of the same compositions when cycled on the 4 V plateau. A positive correlation between the effectiveness of a particular substituent at improving capacity retention and the effectiveness of that substituent at enhancing covalency is observed. The bond covalence for LiCr 0.175 Mn 1.825 O 4 remains unchanged upon electrochemical cycling, whereas that of LiMn 2 O 4 increases with cycling.
A ROADMAP FOR RIPARIAN INVASION RESEARCH

Riparian habitats provide numerous ecosystem services and support a diversity of ecological processes, yet they are environmentally sensitive landscapes susceptible to species invasion. As the global population grows, urban, exurban, suburban and rural development of riparian landscapes and dependence on the associated ecosystem services will increase. To preserve riparian systems, research should assess causes and consequences of riparian invasion and effective restoration measures across a diversity of biomes. This paper categorizes the types of riparian invasion research studies and investigates research trends in the riparian invasion literature. The analysis shows that research focuses on drivers and patterns of invasion is primarily focused on North America and Europe and is scant in high biodiversity biomes, such as the tropics and humid subtropics. Future population growth is predicted to occur in poorly researched regions. Future riparian invasion research should focus on regions of high biodiversity and identify consequences of invasion and restoration measures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic and phenotypic diversity of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-degrading bacteria isolated from 2,4-D-treated field soils.

Abstract Forty-seven numerically dominant 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-degrading bacteria were isolated at different times from 1989 through 1992 from eight agricultural plots (3.6 by 9.1 m) which were either not treated with 2,4-D or treated with 2,4-D at three different concentrations. Isolates were obtained from the most dilute positive most-probable-number tubes inoculated with soil samples from the different plots on seven sampling dates over the 3-year period. The isolates were compared by using fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles, chromosomal patterns obtained by PCR amplification of repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) sequences, and hybridization patterns obtained with probes for the tfd genes of plasmid pJP4 and a probe (Spa probe) that detects a distinctly different 2,4-D-degrading isolate, Sphingomonas paucimobilis (formerly Pseudomonas paucimobilis). A total of 57% of the isolates were identified to the species level by the FAME analysis, and these isolates were strains of Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, or Alcaligenes species. Hybridization analysis revealed four groups. Group I strains, which exhibited sequence homology with tfdA, -B, -C, and -D genes, were rather diverse, as determined by both the FAME analysis and the REP-PCR analysis. Group II, which exhibited homology only with the tfdA gene, was a small group and was probably a subset of group I. All group I and II strains had plasmids. Hybridization analysis revealed that the tfd genes were located on plasmids in 75% of these strains and on the chromosome or a large plasmid in the other 25% of the strains. One strain exhibited tfdA and -B hybridization associated with a plasmid band, while tfdC and -D hybridized with the chromosomal band area. The group III strains exhibited no detectable homology to tfd genes but hybridized to the Spa probe. The members of this group were tightly clustered as determined by both the FAME analysis and the REP-PCR analysis, were distinctly different from group I strains as determined by the FAME analysis, and had very few plasmids; this group contained more of the 47 isolates than any other group. The group III strains were identified as S. paucimobilis. The group IV strains, which hybridized to neither the tft prove nor the Spa probe, were as diverse as the group I strains as determined by the FAME and REP-PCR analyses. Most of group IV strains could not be identified by the FAME analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Cosmic Rate, Luminosity Function, and Intrinsic Correlations of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts

We calculate durations and spectral parameters for 207 Swift bursts detected by the Burst Alert Telescope from 2007 April to 2009 August, including 67 events with measured redshifts. This is the first supplement to our catalog of 425 Swift gamma-ray bursts (GRBs; 147 with redshifts) starting from GRB 041220. This complete and extensive data set, analyzed with a unified methodology, allows us to conduct an accurate census of intrinsic GRB energetics, hardnesses, durations, and redshifts. The GRB world model we derive reproduces well the observables from both Swift and pre-Swift satellites. Comparing to the cosmic star formation rate, we estimate that only about 0.1% of massive stars explode as bright GRBs. There is strong evidence for evolution in the Swift population at intermediate and high-z, and we can rule out (at the 5? level) that this is due to evolution in the luminosity function of GRBs. Instead, the Swift sample suggests a modest propensity for low metallicity, evidenced by an increase in the rate density with redshift. Treating the multivariate data and selection effects rigorously, we find a real, intrinsic correlation between E iso and E pk (and possibly also T r45,z ); however, the correlation is not a narrow log-log relation and its observed appearance is strongly detector-dependent. We also estimate the high-z rate (3%-9% of GRBs at z beyond 5) and discuss the extent of a large missing population of low-E pk,obs X-ray flashes as well as a potentially large missing population of short-duration GRBs that will be probed by EXIST.
ESD measurements and corrective actions for integrated circuits (IC) lead inspection/handling systems

Charge generating source on an integrated circuit (IC) lead scanner was identified using a fast response electrostatic voltmeter in conjunction with storage oscilloscope and plotter. Alternative low tribo-charging material was used in this pick and place equipment to provide an ESD safe handling environment for the IC.
Unitary and hermitian matrices in an external field

Abstract We analyze unitary and hermitian matrix models in an external field, deriving a method for finding the free energy to all orders in 1 N . We investigate the double scaling limits, and find unusual multicritical points similar to those of the recently solved d =−2 model.
Polydeoxyaminohexopyranosylnucleosides. Synthesis of 1-(2,3,4-Trideoxy-3-nitro-β-D-erythro- and threo-hexopyranosyl)-uracils from Uridine 1

Abstract The first synthesis of nitro-multideoxy-sugar containing nucleosides was achieved. 1-(4,6-O-Benzylidene-3-deoxy-3-nitro-β-D-glucopyranosyl)uracil (3) was converted in 75% yield into 1-(4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-dideoxy-3-nitro-arabinohexopyranosyl)uracil (7) by acetylation followed by NaBH4 reduction in methanol. De-O-benzylidenation with CF3CO2H afforded crystalline 1-(2,3-dideoxy-3-nitro-β-D-arabinohexopyranosyl)uracil (S) was obtained in 87% yield. Raney Ni reduction of 8 afforded the corresponding 3′-amino-nucleoside 9. Acetylation of 8 followed by NaBH4 treatment afforded an 8:1 mixture from which 1-(2,3,4-trideoxy-3-nitro-β-D-threohexopyranosyl)-uracil (14) was obtained in pure crystalline form. After Raney Ni reduction of the mixture, 1-(3-amino-2,3,4-trideoxy-β-d-threo-hexopyranosyl)uracil (16) and its erythro epimer 21 were isolated. 1-(4,6-O-Benzylidene-2,3-dideoxy-3-nitro-β-d-lyxohexopyranosyl)uracil (24) was prepared in 72% yield from 1-(4,6-O-benzylidene-3-deoxy-3-nitro-β-d-galactopyrano...
Authorship, collaboration, and predictors of extramural funding in the emergency medicine literature

Abstract Objectives The objectives of the study were to examine the last decade of general emergency medicine (EM) literature published in the United States for trends with regard to authorship and multidisciplinary collaboration and to estimate the effect on extramural funding. Methods Print articles published in the Academic Emergency Medicine , Annals of Emergency Medicine , Journal of Emergency Medicine , and American Journal of Emergency Medicine between 1994 and 2003 were reviewed. Original research, case reports/series, and others (consensus/educational) were considered; abstracts, book reviews, and editorials were not. The author byline was reviewed for number, specialty, nationality, collaboration, and presence of extramural funding. Multidisciplinary collaboration was defined as authors from 2 or more specialties, whereas multi-institutional collaboration was defined as EM authors from more than one institution. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of extramural funding from the variables collected. Results Of 5728 articles identified, there were 3278 (57%) original research, 1437 (25%) case reports/series, and 975 (17%) classified as others. The percentage funded was 22% for all articles (32% for original research). The literature had at least one EM investigator as coauthor 84% of the time. Article location of origin was the United States (63%), foreign (15%), and combined (22%). Multidisciplinary collaboration increased overall from 33% in 1994 to a high of 43% in 2003. Multi-institutional collaboration also increased from 16% in 1994 to 26% in 2003. The percentage of articles having 6 or more authors increased from 12% to 18% over the decade. Of all variables studied, only article type (original research: odds ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 4.0-5.6) and foreign source (non–United States: odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.5) predicted extramural funding. Conclusions The number of authors per article in the EM literature has steadily increased over the last decade, as has evidence of collaboration with other specialties. This increase in collaboration and author number has not been associated with increased extramural funding in the general EM literature published in the United States.
Glacier annual balance measurement, forecasting and climate correlations, North Cascades, Washington 1984–2006

Abstract. North Cascade glacier annual balance measured on 10 glaciers from 1984–2006 yielded mean annual balance (ba) of −0.54 m/a, and −12.38 m cumulatively. This is a significant loss for glaciers that average 30–60 m in thickness, 20–40% of their entire volume. Two observed glaciers, Lewis Glacier and Spider Glacier, no longer exist. The ba of North Cascade glaciers is reliably calculated, correlation coefficient 0.91, using 1 April snowpack water equivalent and ablation season temperature. Utilizing ba from 10 glaciers 1984–2006 and net balance (bn) from South Cascade 1960–2005, a set of forecast rules for glacier mass balance were derived utilizing October–April Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Multivariate El Nino Southern Oscillation index values. The forecast rules provide a correct assessment in 41 of the 46 years for South Cascade Glacier and 20 of 23 years for NCGCP glaciers. Glacier annual balance forecasting is an important step for summer water resource management in glacier runoff dominated stream systems. The forecast for North Cascade glaciers in 2007 is for a negative ba.
Radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary malignant tumors in nonsurgical candidates.

Abstract Objective: Radiofrequency ablation applies thermal energy with a catheter delivery system, resulting in coagulation necrosis. Radiofrequency ablation is frequently used for hepatic malignant tumors, but few reports exist regarding its use for lung tumors. We report our experience with radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of pulmonary malignant tumors. Methods: We evaluated the results of lung radiofrequency ablation for patients not considered surgical candidates. Indications for radiofrequency ablation were pulmonary malignant tumors in patients with medical comorbidities, pulmonary compromise, or refusal of surgery. Results: Thirty-three lung tumors in 18 patients (12 male, 6 female) were treated with radiofrequency ablation. Tumors included metastatic carcinoma (n = 8), sarcoma (n = 5), and lung cancer (n = 5). Mean age was 60 years (range 27-95 years). Thoracic surgeons performed radiofrequency ablation by minithoracotomy (n = 5) or computed tomography-guided percutaneous methods (n = 13) with patients under general anesthesia in the operating room. Mean length of stay was 3 days (range 1-7 days). Complications included procedure-related pneumothorax in 7 of 13 percutaneous procedures (53.8%), delayed pneumothorax (1/18), pneumonitis/pneumonia (4/18), small pleural effusion (9/18) and transient renal failure (1/18). One death occurred as a result of hemoptysis 19 days after radiofrequency ablation of a central nodule. This patient had also received recent brachytherapy. After a mean follow-up of 6 months (range 1-14 months), radiofrequency ablation had achieved a radiographically determined response in 8 of 12 patients with treated tumors smaller than 5 cm (66.6%). Death with progressive metastatic disease occurred in 7 of 18 patients (38%) during follow-up. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of radiofrequency ablation for small peripheral lung tumors. Larger tumors responded poorly. Additional trials are needed to determine safety and efficacy. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003;125:929-37
Introduction to the special issue on "LGBTQ campus experiences".

Perhaps nowhere is the expression “the only constant is change” more evident than in higher education. The experiences of college students are ever changing, which means that staff and faculty memb...
A Rapid Testing Framework for a Mobile Cloud

Mobile clouds such as network-connected vehicles and satellite clusters are an emerging class of systems that are extensions to traditional real-time embedded systems: they provide long-term mission platforms made up of dynamic clusters of heterogeneous hardware nodes communicating over ad hoc wireless networks. Besides the inherent complexities entailed by a distributed architecture, developing software and testing these systems is difficult due to a number of other reasons, including the mobile nature of such systems, which can require a model of the physical dynamics of the system for accurate simulation and testing. This paper describes a rapid development and testing framework for a distributed satellite system. Our solutions include a modeling language for configuring and specifying an application's interaction with the middleware layer, a physics simulator integrated with hardware in the loop to provide the system’s physical dynamics and the integration of a network traffic tool to dynamically vary the network bandwidth based on the physical dynamics.
Cationic polymerizations by aromatic initiating systems. II. Correlation between cationic model and polymerization reactions with the p‐CH3C6H4CH2Cl/Et3Al system

Model experiments and subsequent polymerization runs have been carried out to elucidate the mechanism of cationic olefin polymerizations initiated by aromatic carbenium ions. Thus, the p-methylbenzylation of 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene, a nonpolymerizable model olefin for isobutylene, was investigated by using the p-CH3C6H4CH2Cl/Et3Al initiating system and CH2Cl2 solvent under various conditions. All the important organic reaction products were identified and most of them, quantitatively determined. Analysis of the nature of the products and their distributions gave important mechanistic information about the chemistry of elementary events and their relative rates; for example, hydridation and ethylation by the Et3AlCl⊖ counteranion of various cations occurs and these processes mimic termination in carbocationic polymerizations. Hydridation and ethylation are much faster than proton elimination (chain transfer in polymerization) and experimental conditions (e.g., Al/Cl ratio and temperature) influence the relative rates of these processes. According to model experiments, the p-CH3C6H4CH2Cl/Et3Al system may initiate olefin (isobutylene) polymerization; chain transfer to monomer should be relatively unimportant, but rapid hydridation or ethylation should reduce the kinetic chain and give low conversions. Predictions derived from model experiments were substantiated by polymerizations with isobutylene and the aromatic initiating system.
Panic and the Congenital Heart A Case of Comorbid Anxiety and Tetralogy of Fallot

Panic disorder is commonly encountered in primary care and specialty clinics, with prevalence rates of 10%-60%. Frequently, no organic pathology is discovered. When organic conditions are present, they must be addressed both medically and with respect to their contextual relevance to the psychiatric disorder. A collaborative approach is often needed among several professionals and across disciplines. The authors present the case of a young man with comorbid anxiety and tetralogy of Fallot. Coordinated care between family physician, psychologist, and specialists expanded treatment interventions, improved medical prognosis, and contributed to the resolution of panic activity.