cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of multitemporal Landsat data to monitor land cover changes in the Eastern Nile Delta region, Egypt

Due to the progressive increase in development of desert land in Egypt, the demand for efficient and accurate land cover change information is increasing. In this study, we apply the methodology of post-classification change detection to map and monitor land cover change patterns related to agricultural development and urban expansion in the desert fringes of the Eastern Nile Delta region. Using a hybrid classification approach, we employ multitemporal Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM)/Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images from 1984, 1990 and 2003 to produce three land cover/land-use maps. Post-classification comparison of these maps was used to obtain 'from-to' statistics and change detection maps. The change detection results show that agricultural development increased by 14% through the study period. The average annual rate of land reclamation during 1990-2003 (4511 ha a-1) was comparable to that during 1984-1990 (4644 ha a-1), reflecting a systematic national plan for desert reclamation that went into effect. We find that the increase in urbanization (by ca 21 300 ha) during 1990-2003 was predominantly due to encroachment into traditionally cultivated land at the fringes of urban centres. Our results accurately quantify the land cover changes and delineate their spatial patterns, demonstrating the utility of Landsat data in analysing landscape dynamics over time. Such information is critical for making efficient and sustainable policies for resource management.
Kinetics of altered angiotensin II responses in experimental vein grafts

Following vein grafting. responses in the arterial vein bypass grafis to angiotensin II, a known mitogen, increase. It is not known when these changes occur or whether these changes are due to alterations in endothelial cell function, excision/imphtation of the vessel, or exposure to arterial hemodynamics. Two studies were designed to examine these questions. New Zealand White rabbits underwent excision of the external jugular vein, common carotid artery, an external jugular veno-venous bypass (VVG), or a common carotid veno-arterial bypass (VAG). Half the jugular veins and carotid arteries were mechanically denuded of their endotheliwn. All vein grafts were harvested at 28 days. A set of VAG was also harvested at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. Isometric tension studies to angiotensin II (10-10 to 10-4 M) were performed on rings from each jugular vein, carotid artery, and vein graft. Jugular veins had a triphasic response to angiotensin II. Deendothelialized jugular veins had a triphasic response with an increased...
Percutaneous embolization of patent intercostal artery causing persistent type II endoleak and sac enlargement of thoracoabdominal aneurysm 2 years after hybrid repair

From the Cardiac and Vascular Institute and Aortic Disease Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Disclosures: Authors have nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support. Received for publication April 22, 2012; revisions received May 27, 2012; accepted for publication June 18, 2012; available ahead of print July 23, 2012. Address for reprints: Firas F. Mussa, MD, MS, FACS, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Aortic Disease Center, New York University School of Medicine, 530FirstAve, Suite 6F,NewYork,NY10016 (E-mail: firas.mussa@nyumc.org). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2012;144:e102-6 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2012 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2012.06.056
Identification of a Compensatory Mutant (lpg2−REV) of Leishmania major Able To Survive as Amastigotes within Macrophages without LPG2-Dependent Glycoconjugates and Its Significance to Virulence and Immunization Strategies

Different Leishmania species rely to different extents on abundant glycoconjugates, such as lipophosphoglycan (LPG) and related molecules, in mammalian infections. Previously, we showed that Leishmania major deletion mutants lacking the Golgi GDP-mannose transporter LPG2, which is required for assembly of the dominant phosphoglycan (PG) repeats of LPG, were unable to survive in macrophages. These lpg2- mutants, however, retained the ability to generate asymptomatic, persistent infections in mice. In contrast, Ilg and colleagues showed that Leishmania mexicana LPG2 mutants retained virulence for mice. Here we identified a partial revertant population of the L. major lpg2- mutants (designated lpg2(-)REV) that had regained the ability to replicate in macrophages and induce disease pathology through a compensatory change. Like the lpg2 parent, the lpg2(-)REV revertant was unable to synthesize LPG2-dependent PGs in the promastigote stage and thus remained highly attenuated in the ability to induce infection. However, after considerable delay lpg2(-)REV revertant-infected mice exhibited lesions, and amastigotes isolated from these lesions were able to replicate within macrophages despite the fact that they were unable to synthesize PGs. Thus, in some respects, the lpg2(-)REV amastigotes resemble L. mexicana amastigotes. Future studies of the gene(s) responsible may shed light on the mechanisms employed by L. major to survive in the absence of LPG2-dependent glycoconjugates and may also improve the potential of the lpg2- L. major line to serve as a live parasite vaccine by overcoming its tendency to revert toward virulence.
Formation and properties of porous GaAs

Porous structures on n-type GaAs (100) can be grown electrochemically in chloride-containing solutions. Crystallographic etching of the sample is a precursor stage of the attack. Polarization curves reveal the existanece of a critical onset potential for por formation (PFP). PFP is strongly dependent on the doping level of the sample and presence of surface defects. Good agreement between PFP and breakdown voltage of the space charge layer is found. Surface analysis by EDX, AES, and XPS show that the porous structure consists mainly of GaAs and that anion uptake in the structure can only observed after attackhas been initiated. Photoluminescence measurements reveal (under certain conditions) visible light emission from the porous structure.
Psychometric Properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale in a Longitudinal Study of Latinos with Anxiety Disorders.

The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) is one of the most commonly used measures of social anxiety symptoms. To date, no study has examined its psychometric properties in a Latino sample. The authors examined the reliability, temporal stability, and convergent validity of the LSAS in 73 Latinos diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The original LSAS subscales showed excellent internal consistency and temporal stability over a 1-year period. Participants with social anxiety disorder (SAD) scored significantly higher on all LSAS subscales than participants without SAD, supporting the convergent validity of the LSAS. Similar results were obtained for four subscales proposed by Safren and colleagues. Results have implications for the use of the LSAS as a measure of severity or outcome when comparing diverse populations. Future investigations in larger Latino samples are needed to examine the factor structure of the LSAS.
The trouble with Black boys

There is considerable confusion regarding why Black males are overrepresented in categories typically associated with negative behavioral outcomes. Drawing on research from a variety of disciplines, this article explores the influence of environmental and cultural factors on the academic performance of Black males. The article also examines the ways in which environmental and cultural forces shape the relationship between identity, particularly related to race and gender, and school performance. Finally, strategies for countering harmful environmental and cultural influences, both the diffuse and the direct, are explored with particular attention paid to recommendations for educators, parents, and youth service providers who seek to support young African American males.
Production of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) by porcine granulosa cells: identification of IGFBP-2 and -3 and regulation by hormones and growth factors.

Using ligand blotting and immunoprecipitation we have characterized the insulin like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) produced by cultured porcine granulosa cells. Ligand blot analysis of granulosa cell conditioned medium revealed 5 bands of IGF binding activity with apparent molecular sizes of 44, 40, 34, 29, and 22 kilodaltons (kDa). The 40-44 kDa bands of granulosa- conditioned medium were identified by immunoprecipitation with an antibody to porcine IGFBP-3, the acid-stable subunit of the 150 kDa GH-dependent serum IGFBP complex. The 34 kDa band was immunoprecipitated by an antibody to the rat IGFBP-2, the major IGFBP found in fetal rat serum and in BRL-3A cell cultures. To date we have been unable to immunoprecipitate the 29 and 22 kDa bands with any of the antibodies tested including a panel of monoclonal antibodies to human IGFBP-1, the amniotic fluid IGFBP. The pattern of secretion varied with size of the follicles from which granulosa cells were obtained and the culture conditions. With ce...
Potential for Largemouth Bass Virus to Associate with and Gain Protection from Bacterial Biofilms

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to investigate whether largemouth bass virus (LMBV) can exist within biofilms. Suspended LMBV was partitioned into either laboratory-grown Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms or pond-grown, mixed-population biofilms. Biofilm-entrapped LMBV retained infectivity when tested on epithelioma papillosum cyprini tissue culture cells. The LMBV associated with P. fluorescens biofilms were resistant to disinfection by sodium hypochlorite and an iodine-based compound (betadine) but were susceptible to ethanol. Largemouth bass virus was not detected in biofilms or water from ponds that had previously contained LMBV-positive fish, suggesting either that the viral concentrations were below the detection limit of qPCR or that the fish represented the main LMBV reservoir. This study illustrates the potential for LMBV to associate with bacterial biofilms and thereby gain protection from some chemical disinfectants.
Towards memory centric computing: a flexible address mapping scheme

Main memory increasingly affects computer system performance due to the exponentially growing performance gap between microprocessor and DRAM technology. A novel address mapping scheme is presented that, compared to conventional schemes, allows a much more efficient use of main memory with respect to performance as well as flexible support of different memory configurations. The mapping scheme can be used to build a high-performance memory that can adapt its operation to the way it is being used.
“You Aren't Going to Get Better by Just Sitting Around”: Physical Activity Perceptions, Motivations, and Barriers in Adults 75 Years of Age or Older

Despite accumulating evidence of cardiovascular benefits associated with physical activity in older people, sedentary behavior increases with age. Few physical activity research studies focus on underactive adults 75 years and older. In-depth qualitative interviews using open-ended questions explored perceptions, motivations, and barriers to physical activity in 33 previously sedentary or underactive adults age > or =75. Data were analyzed using the NUD*IST (Non-numerical, Unstructured Data Indexing, Searching, and Theorizing) qualitative analysis program. Participants saw sedentary behavior as harmful, considered themselves relatively active, were unsure of amounts of physical activity to do, and welcomed more physical activity information from their doctors. Motivations included health, independence, family, and appearances. Barriers were poor health, lack of time, aging, and adverse environments. Results suggest that people continue to be interested in physical activity as they age, but some misperceptions about physical activity exist. Even with health problems and age, physical activity counseling by doctors is valued and considered helpful by this age group.
Mechanisms of pathogenesis in Listeria monocytogenes infection. V. Early imbalance in host energy metabolism during experimental listeriosis.

Early changes in hepatic carbohydrate metabolism without apparent hepatocyte dysfunction were reported previously in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes. This study was undertaken to examine possible imbalance in host regulatory mechanisms which might be responsible for these changes. Female CD-1 mice fasted 12 hr prior to the experiments were injected intraperitoneally with 105, 106, or 107Listeria. Control mice received either 109 heat-killed Listeria or 150 μg of Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide. Hepatic glycogen, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) (NAD+, NADH, NADP+, and NADPH) levels were assayed periodically. Activities of ATP hydrolyzing enzyme and NAD glycohydrolase were measured at various intervals after infection. Decreases in glycogen occurred as early as 10 hr after infection. Responses in the controls differed from those in infected mice. Hepatic ATP levels decreased as early as 10 hr after infection, with concomitant increases noted in ADP. Hepatic ATP hydrolyzing enzyme activity increased as the infection progressed. Decreases were noted in hepatic NAD levels, with the greatest reduction in the reduced form of NAD. Slight changes were observed after 10 hr, and greater differences were noted 20 hr after infection. The magnitude of these biochemical changes appeared to be dose-dependent. Significant increases in hepatic NAD glycohydrolase activity were noted as the infection progressed. Small but significant increases in serum inorganic phosphate were noted 10 and 20 hr after infection, with a larger increase observed 30 hr after infection. The results indicate impairment of host energy metabolism early in the course of experimental listeriosis.
The relationship between conductivity uncertainties and EEG source localization accuracy

The brain-to-skull conductivity ratio (BSCR) is an important parameter in EEG source imaging and localization. Misspecification of this value may introduce localization errors in the estimation of brain electrical activity. However, the effect of this ratio has not been well understood despite many investigations. In the present study, we conducted a series of computer simulations to investigate the relationship between BSCR and EEG source localization accuracy. Furthermore, we have attempted to correlate the localization accuracy of epileptogenic regions with the BSCR in epilepsy patients. Our results indicate that the dipole localization errors ranged from 10 to 20 mm. The localization accuracy resulting when the conductivity ratio used in the inverse calculation was set at 20 was better than those resulting when the ratio was set at 80 in epilepsy patients with a deep tumor. Future work is needed to validate this finding by experimental investigations in a large patient population.
The rate of convergence and the asymptotic distributions for some adaptive control problems

The rate of convergence is given for a strongly consistent, recursive estimator for the unknown average return rate of the risky asset in a bilinear stochastic differential equation for the wealth in a portfolio selection and consumption model. This rate is in a sample path sense. The asymptotic normality of the cost is shown for the adaptive control of a linear stochastic control system with quadratic cost where the parameters appear affinely in the drift term.
Derivation and Validation of New Simulation-Based Surrogate Safety Measure:

Traffic safety evaluation is one of the most important processes in analyzing transportation systems performance. Traditional methods like statistical models and before-after comparisons have many drawbacks, such as limited time periods, sample size problems, and reporting errors. The advancement of traffic conflict techniques combined with microsimulation offers a potentially innovative way for conducting safety assessment of traffic systems even before safety improvements are implemented. In this paper, simulation-based safety studies are reviewed, and a modified simulation-based surrogate safety measure and a new simulation-based surrogate safety measure that can capture the probability of collisions, as well as the severity of these potential collisions, are proposed. Conceptual and computational logic of the proposed surrogate safety indicators are described in detail. These surrogate safety indices are initially proposed for link-based analysis and should not be used for other purposes, such as inte...
Effect of Kosher vs Conventional Processing on Yield Quality, and Acceptability of Broiler Chickens

Broiler chickens processed in commercial plants using either conventional or kosher procedures were compared for yields and quality attributes. Conventionally processed chicken had greater water uptake during immersion chilling and lost more weight during storage. Due to the salting or “koshering” process, meat and skin of kosher chicken had four to six times as much sodium as nonkosher poultry. Perhaps as a reflection of the higher sodium content, kosher poultry meat generally was rated higher for overall acceptability; however, these differences were not always statistically significant. Breast meat from kosher poultry was also more tender than nonkosher breast, as evaluated by sensory techniques and shear tests. Although generally not significantly different, kosher poultry exhibited slightly higher TBA values and lower microbial numbers than nonkosher poultry.
Optimized pH-responsive cyanine fluorochromes for detection of acidic environments

Modulation of pH-responsive cyanine dye pKa values via heteroatom substitution allows for design of fluorescent reporters that are tuned for potential imaging of biologically relevant acidic environments.
Antioxidant neuroprotection against ethanol-induced apoptosis in HN2-5 cells

Earlier studies from this and other laboratories show that ethanol induces apoptotic death of fetal and neonatal neurons. One mechanism that underlies these effects is the ethanol-associated reduction in the phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase pro-survival pathway. Another mechanism involves the oxidative stress caused by the ethanol-associated increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we used the murine HN2-5 hippocampal-derived cell line to investigate the effects of ethanol on ROS levels and apoptosis. We also investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of two structurally unrelated antioxidants: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and melatonin. The results demonstrate that NAC blocked an ethanol-associated increase in ROS. In addition, NAC and melatonin prevented the augmentation of apoptosis in ethanol-treated neurons. Both antioxidants significantly elevated the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene XIAP in ethanol-treated and/or control neurons and melatonin increased Bcl-2 expression in ethanol-treated neurons. Thus, it is possible that the neuroprotective effects of NAC and melatonin involve their ability to augment the expression of one or more anti-apoptotic gene as well as their classical antioxidant actions. Additional studies are needed to establish the effectiveness of these antioxidants to prevent the loss of neurons which accompanies in utero exposure to ethanol.
Effects of heat stress on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in growing pigs

Heat stress (HS) jeopardizes human and animal health and reduces animal agriculture productivity; however, its pathophysiology is not well understood. Study objectives were to evaluate the direct effects of HS on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Female pigs (57 ± 5 kg body weight) were subjected to two experimental periods. During period 1, all pigs remained in thermoneutral conditions (TN; 20°C) and were ad libitum fed. During period 2, pigs were exposed to: (1) constant HS conditions (32°C) and fed ad libitum (n = 7), or (2) TN conditions and pair-fed (PFTN; n = 10) to minimize the confounding effects of dissimilar feed intake. All pigs received an intravenous glucose tolerance test (GTT) and an epinephrine challenge (EC) in period 1, and during the early and late phases of period 2. After 8 days of environmental exposure, all pigs were killed and tissue samples were collected. Despite a similar reduction in feed intake (39%), HS pigs tended to have decreased circulating nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA; 20%) and a blunted NEFA response (71%) to the EC compared to PFTN pigs. During early exposure, HS increased basal circulating C-peptide (55%) and decreased the insulinogenic index (45%) in response to the GTT. Heat-stressed pigs had a reduced T3 to T4 ratio (56%) and hepatic 5′-deiodinase activity (58%). After 8 days, HS decreased or tended to decrease the expression of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation in liver and skeletal muscle, and ATGL in adipose tissue. In summary, HS markedly alters both lipid and carbohydrate metabolism independently of nutrient intake.
Detecting insect infestation using a polymer based sensor array

Abstract An electro-active polymer based sensor array was designed, fabricated and tested to detect volatile organic compounds secreted by plants during insect infestation. The sensor array was inexpensive, and easy to fabricate and could be used for onsite detection of insect infestation. The array consisted of chemical resistor sensors with micro fabricated interdigitated electrodes coated with electro active polymers. Three types of polymers were used as active layers in this study: polythiophene, carbon/polymer and polyaniline. The polymer coatings were deposited onto the sensor platforms via drop casting and spin coating methods. The sensor array was exposed and found to be sensitive to a variety of phytochemical including γ-terpinene α-pinene, p -cymene, farnesene, limonene and cis-hexenyl acetate. The sensor array created a unique fingerprint pattern for each of these chemicals. The fingerprints were further analyzed using principal component analysis.
Defensive Response of Soybean Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to Predation by Insidious Flower Bug (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

During research on the life history characteristics of insidious flower bug, Orius insidiosus (Say), fed soybean aphids, Aphis glycines Matsumura, the mouthparts of some predators were covered by a substance excreted from the cornicles of attacked aphids. The cornicle exudate was found to encumber both nymphs and adults of O. insidiosus causing death because of molting failure and starvation. Among predator stages, first instars were most severely affected. Feeding frequency affected the number of predators affected by the exudate, with predators fed more often having higher rates of exudate exposure and mortality. Soybean aphids produce exudate during all life stages, and its production does not seem to compromise the survival of the aphid. The exudate also seems to contain an alarm pheromone as evidenced by increased movement and activity of aphids in the vicinity of exudate-producing aphids. The potential impact of the aphid’s cornicle defenses on aphid–predator dynamics in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., is discussed.
Factors Affecting Booster Seat Use

Objective To identify general awareness of booster seats as well as reasons for use and nonuse in an urban pediatric emergency room. Methods A total of 100 questionnaires were completed consisting of 24 questions each. Questions included knowledge of booster seat guidelines, source of knowledge, awareness of risks, and confidence in booster seats. Afterward, participants were provided an educational handout. Results Majority of parents reported currently using or having used a booster seat. The most popular reason was to protect from injury (78%), and reason for nonuse was size (44%). Majority of parents agreed that motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death in children. However, 56% of parents prematurely transitioned child out of a booster seat. Only 20% reported learning about booster seats from their pediatrician. Conclusion Parents continue to transition their children prematurely from booster seats. Current state laws need revision as well as further education using simplified illustrated guidelines.
A Simplified Model for Flow Boiling in Expanding Circular Micro-Channels

A computational model to study flow boiling in a diverging micro-channel of circular cross section is advanced. The applicable conservation of mass and linear momentum equations, coupled with Young-Laplace relation are derived analytically under the assumptions of steady, incompressible, uniaxial annular flow. Numerical solutions of the governing nonlinear system of differential equations, subject to appropriate initial conditions, yield predictions of vapor core radius and liquid and vapor velocities and pressures. Validation of the model by comparison with a previous model for flow boiling in a constant cross-section micro-channel reveals excellent agreement. Results for an expanding micro-channel indicate that dry-out conditions may be delayed or avoided in contrast with straight micro-channel, depending on expansion ratio. Both liquid and vapor velocity decrease while the pressures increase as a consequence of channel expansion, in accordance with mass conservation in steady flows. The model may be easily implemented to stabilize two-phase flow boiling and avert burn-out conditions in micro-channels used for electronic cooling applications
Urban ecologies: city space, material agency, and environmental politics in contemporary culture, by Christopher Schliephake, London, Lexington Books, 2014, xlviii + 219 pp., £60.00 (hardback), ISBN-13: 978-0739195758

As ecocritical scholarship proliferates, it is important to periodically assess its parameters, aims, and significance. Christopher Schliephake’s excellent book Urban Ecologies: City Space, Materia...
Analysis of death causes of 463 cases with HIV/AIDS in Taishan city

Objective To explore scientific prevention measures ,reduce AIDS mortality rate by analyzing the death causes with HIV/AIDS. Method General demographic characteristics, survival time, antiviral treatment, causes of death were analyzed by SPSS software. Results The total of death cases with HIV/AIDS from 2007 to 2012 amounted to 463. Men accounted for 90.93%, 41.47% aged from 30 to 39 years old, transmission by drug injection accounted for 85.53%. The death rate of sexual infections after being confirmed within two years was 74.55% , higher than that of the intravenous drug users (χ2=25.4,P0.01). AIDS patients accounted for 65.66% , and the report for AIDS death proportion had a decreasing tendency. Cases never done CD4 accounted for 68.68% .Mortality rate in the treatment group was 10.98% , significantly lower than 72.63% in without treatment group (χ2=232.42,P0.01). Cases dead within a year after being confirmed accounted for 32.40%. 45.39% of AIDS patients died of AIDS-related diseases. Conclusion Strengthen AIDS sentinel surveillance and follow-up, early diagnosis and timely development of antiviral therapy were the key to improve the survival rate and life quality of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Comprehensive survey of female sex workers of HIV

Objective:Entertainment female sex workers to understand the AIDS epidemic,Carried out in the crowd of AIDS,sexually transmitted diseases to provide the scientific basis for behavior intervention.Methods: By field investigations and a combination of serological investigation methods.Results: A total of 739 entertainment district female sex workers,of which two cases were detected positive for HIV antibody detection rate was 0.27%;also detected seven cases of syphilis and the detection rate was 0.95%.Conclusion: Through investigation and understanding of the entertainment female sex workers on AIDS,sexually transmitted disease lack of knowledge should be strengthened entertainment female sex workers on STD prevention knowledge and skills training urgently needed.
A failure of theological imagination: Beginning to deal with the legacy of Princeton Seminary on matters of slavery and race:

Princeton Theological Seminary has an ambiguous legacy around issues of slavery and race. From its founding in 1812 through at least the period of Reconstruction, the seminary’s faculty espoused African colonization as the only viable response to the problems caused by slavery in the United States. In their enthusiastic support for the colonization effort, the seminary’s faculty manifested a profound failure of theological imagination in that their efforts along these lines were premised upon an inability to conceive of a society in which Black and White could live together as equals before God. This article signals the beginning of an effort by current faculty to research the history of the seminary’s ambiguous legacy around matters or slavery and race with an eye toward developing a constructive way forward in the present and for the future.
Using Yeast Transposon-Insertion Libraries for Phenotypic Screening and Protein Localization

This protocol details how to use a transposon-insertion library for phenotypic screening and protein localization. The insertion library was generated by mutagenesis of a plasmid-based yeast genomic DNA library by using a multipurpose transposon; the transposon produces gene disruptions, and, by Cre-mediated recombination at lox sites incorporated within the transposon, alleles with an in-frame insertion can be truncated to a residual transposon encoding multiple copies of the hemagglutinin epitope. Insertions are generated in yeast by shuttle mutagenesis. Yeast genomic DNA containing a transposon insertion is released from the library, and the mutagenized DNA sequences are introduced into a desired strain of yeast, where the insertion alleles replace native loci by homologous recombination. The insertion mutants can be screened for phenotypes, and the site of transposon insertion can subsequently be identified in selected mutants by inverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In-frame insertions within genes of interest can be truncated to an epitope-tagged allele by Cre-lox recombination, and the subcellular localization of the encoded protein product can be identified by standard methods of indirect immunofluorescence. In summary, the transposon-insertion libraries represent an informative resource for large-scale mutagenesis, presenting a straightforward alternative to labor-intensive targeted approaches for the construction of deletion alleles and fluorescent protein fusions.
Planning JWST NIRSpec MSA spectroscopy using NIRCam pre-images

The Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) is the work-horse spectrograph at 1-5microns for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). A showcase observing mode of NIRSpec is the multi-object spectroscopy with the Micro-Shutter Arrays (MSAs), which consist of a quarter million tiny configurable shutters that are 0. ′′20×0. ′′46 in size. The NIRSpec MSA shutters can be opened in adjacent rows to create flexible and positionable spectroscopy slits on prime science targets of interest. Because of the very small shutter width, the NIRSpec MSA spectral data quality will benefit significantly from accurate astrometric knowledge of the positions of planned science sources. Images acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) have the optimal relative astrometric accuracy for planning NIRSpec observations of 5-10 milli-arcseconds (mas). However, some science fields of interest might have no HST images, galactic fields can have moderate proper motions at the 5mas level or greater, and extragalactic images with HST may have inadequate source information at NIRSpec wavelengths beyond 2 microns. Thus, optimal NIRSpec spectroscopy planning may require pre-imaging observations with the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) on JWST to accurately establish source positions for alignment with the NIRSpec MSAs. We describe operational philosophies and programmatic considerations for acquiring JWST NIRCam pre-image observations for NIRSpec MSA spectroscopic planning within the same JWST observing Cycle.
Jörg-Ulrich Fechner, (ed.), Das deutsche Sonett: Dichtungen, Gattungspoetik, Dokumente: München: Wilhelm Fink Verlag, 1969. 456 pp

(1971). Jorg-Ulrich Fechner, (ed.), Das deutsche Sonett: Dichtungen, Gattungspoetik, Dokumente. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 159-161.
Use of a motivational interviewing-informed strategy in group orientations to improve retention and intervention attendance in a randomized controlled trial

High retention and treatment adherence are essential to ensure the quality of evidence from clinical trials. Strategies for improving these have been explored but actual rates in lifestyle intervention trials indicate challenges. This study examined the use of a motivational interviewing-informed strategy during interactive group orientations prior to obtaining informed consent, collecting baseline data and randomization in a healthy dietary pattern intervention trial for asthma control in adults. The themes generated from small group discussions and echoed in large group discussions during the orientation sessions helped potential participants better understand the scientific rationale of the research design and procedures and the practical implications for them to participate in the study. Potential participants reported significantly lower confidence of completing the study after the group orientation. This suggests that the group orientations helped potential participants identify challenges to completing the study, have more realistic expectations about participation and be prepared if enrolled. Both retention (92% of 90 participants at 6 months) and intervention attendance (99% of 46 intervention participants attended 80% of 11 weekly group/individual sessions) were high, suggesting the motivation interviewing-informed group orientation strategy may help improve retention and adherence in clinical trials.
Redo Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Single-Center Experience Over 25 Years

Background Aortic disease is a lifelong, progressive illness that may require repeated intervention over time. We reviewed our 25-year experience with open redo thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA) repair. Our objectives were to determine patient outcomes after redo repair of DTAA/TAAA and compare them with nonredo repair. We also attempted to identify the risk factors for poor outcome. Methods We reviewed all open redo TAAA and DTAA repairs between 1991 and 2014. Patient characteristics, preoperative, intraoperative variables, and postoperative outcomes were gathered. Data were analyzed by contingency table and by multiple logistic regression. Results We performed 1,900 open DTAA/TAAA repairs, with 266 (14%) being redos. Redos were associated with younger age (62 ± 16.4 years vs 64.5 ± 13.4 years, p 70 years, glomerular filtration rate Conclusions The need for a redo operation in DTAA/TAAA repair is common and most often presents as an extension of the disease into an adjacent segment. A hybrid or completely endovascular treatment should be considered in high-risk patients.
Abrasive particle trajectories and material removal non-uniformity during chemical mechanical polishing

A mathematical model, a continuation of the work by Zhao et al. [1] that describes particle trajectories during chemical mechanical polishing, was extended to account for the effects of larger particles, particle location changes due to slurry dispensing and in-situ conditioning. Material removal rate (MRR) and within wafer non-uniformity (WIWNU) were determined based on the calculated particle trajectory densities in the absence of chemical activity from the slurry. The effect of pad-wafer rotary dynamics and reciprocating motion of the wafer carrier on MRR uniformity were included. It was also shown that in-situ conditioning improves the MRR uniformity of the polished wafers. Using the model, we also investigated the effect of particle size distribution and large particles (>200 nm in diameter) on WIWNU and scratch growth. It was shown that the presence of even 1 wt.% of larger particles can deteriorate the WIWNU.
Foreclosure Trustees as Non Debt Collectors

Consideration of a Ninth Circuit decision holding deed of trust trustees are not debt collectors.
Delivering Chest Compressions and Ventilations With and Without Men's Lacrosse Equipment

Context: Current management recommendations for equipment-laden athletes in sudden cardiac arrest regarding whether to remove protective sports equipment before delivering cardiopulmonary resuscit...
Declining urban and community tree cover in the United States

Abstract Paired aerial photographs were interpreted to assess recent changes (c. 2009–2014) in tree, impervious and other cover types within urban/community and urban land in all 50 United States and the District of Columbia. National results indicate that tree cover in urban/community areas of the United States is on the decline at a rate of about 175,000 acres per year, which corresponds to approximately 36 million trees per year. Estimated loss of benefits from trees in urban areas is conservatively valued at $96 million per year. Overall, for both urban and the broader urban/community areas, 23 states/districts had statistically significant declines in tree cover, 25 states had non-significant decreases or no change in tree cover, and three states showed a non-significant increase in tree cover. The most intensive change occurred within urban areas, with tree cover in these areas dropping one percent over the 5-year period, compared to a 0.7 percent drop in urban/community areas. States/districts with the greatest statistically significant annual decline in percent urban tree cover were: Oklahoma (−0.92%/yr), District of Columbia (−0.44%/yr), Rhode Island (−0.40%/yr), Oregon (−0.38%/yr) and Georgia (−0.37%/yr). Coinciding with the loss of tree cover was a gain in impervious cover, with impervious cover increasing 0.6 percent in urban/community areas and 1.0 percent in urban areas over the 5-year period. Such changes in cover types affect the benefits derived from urban forests and consequently the health and well-being of urban residents.
Facial Expression Recognition by De-expression Residue Learning

A facial expression is a combination of an expressive component and a neutral component of a person. In this paper, we propose to recognize facial expressions by extracting information of the expressive component through a de-expression learning procedure, called De-expression Residue Learning (DeRL). First, a generative model is trained by cGAN. This model generates the corresponding neutral face image for any input face image. We call this procedure de-expression because the expressive information is filtered out by the generative model; however, the expressive information is still recorded in the intermediate layers. Given the neutral face image, unlike previous works using pixel-level or feature-level difference for facial expression classification, our new method learns the deposition (or residue) that remains in the intermediate layers of the generative model. Such a residue is essential as it contains the expressive component deposited in the generative model from any input facial expression images. Seven public facial expression databases are employed in our experiments. With two databases (BU-4DFE and BP4D-spontaneous) for pre-training, the DeRL method has been evaluated on five databases, CK+, Oulu-CASIA, MMI, BU-3DFE, and BP4D+. The experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method.
Not-so-working memory: Drift in fMRI pattern representations during maintenance predicts errors in a visual working memory task

Working memory (WM) is critical to many aspects of cognition, but it frequently fails. Much WM research has focused on capacity limits, but even for single, simple features, the fidelity of individual representations is limited. Why is this? We used fMRI and a pattern-based index of "representational drift" to investigate how ongoing changes in brain activity patterns throughout the WM maintenance period predicted performance, using a delayed-match-to-sample task for a single item with a single critical feature: orientation. In trials where the target and probe stimuli matched, participants incorrectly reported more non-matches when their activity patterns drifted away from the target. In trials where the target and probe did not match, participants incorrectly reported more matches when their activity patterns drifted towards the probe. Our results suggest that WM errors are not simply due to unstructured noise, but also drift within representation space that can be indexed by neuroimaging.
Effects of inflammation on social processes and implications for health

Although at first glance inflammation and social behavior may appear unrelated, research points to an important role for inflammation in shaping social processes. This review summarizes findings in this field, specifically highlighting work that provides support for the idea that inflammation can lead to (1) increases in sensitivity to negative, threatening social experiences and (2) increases in sensitivity to positive, socially rewarding experiences. These diverging sensitivities in response to inflammation may depend on context and be adaptive for recuperation and recovery from illness. This review also discusses the implications of these findings for health and future research, including implications for depression, loneliness, and inflammatory disorders.
Substrate temperature effects on the splat formation, microstructure development and properties of plasma sprayed coatings: Part II: case study for molybdenum

The effects of substrate temperature on plasma sprayed molybdenum splat morphology, deposit microstructure development, and properties have been investigated. The molybdenum splat morphology changes from a fragmented (splashed) to a more contiguous disk shape with increasing substrate or deposit surface temperature. Furthermore, the flattening ratio of the splats prepared on glass is significantly higher than those prepared on steel or molybdenum substrates. With an increase in substrate temperature the deposit exhibits improved lamellar structure with less interlayer pores and fine particle debris (arising from splashing). The oxygen content in the deposit increases with substrate temperature associated with increased surface oxidation subsequent to deposition. The thermal conductivity, hardness and intesplat contact area are enhanced with increased substrate temperature. The fracture characteristics change gradually from interlamellar to translamellar, indicating enhanced interlamellar bonding among splats. The residual stress changes gradually from tensile to compressive with increasing temperature, its magnitude depending on the substrate materials and associated thermal mismatch stresses. A higher substrate temperature dramatically improves the adhesion and bonding of the splats and, therefore, enhances the physical and mechanical properties of the coatings.
Protein Metabolism and Requirements in the Elderly

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses protein metabolism and requirements in the elderly. Aging in man is the accumulation of insults and not merely the passing of years. These insults result from injury, infection, emotional and physical stress, malnutrition, genetic inheritance, randomly distributed biochemical errors, and overindulgence. A simple, economical method of evaluating nutritional status with respect to protein is the measurement of total serum proteins and of their principal fractions. Despite the general similarity of requirements for dietary protein in the young and the old, the needs for essential amino acids can well increase with age. The reduction in performance of an organ or organ system is commonly found in normal aging. For example, in the kidney, there are linear decrements in filtration rate, effective renal plasma flow, and transfer maxima for a variety of compounds between youth and old age. The basic cause for the production of the defective RNA is the accumulation of somatic mutations with age.
Factors associated with excited delirium deaths in police custody

Increasingly, police respond to confrontations in which the individual demonstrates violent and combative behavior as a result of drug-induced delirium. From medical, legal, and police documents, 61 cases of excited delirium decedents in police custody between 1988 and 1997 are analyzed. In all of the cases, the person fought with and was restrained by police; the person was more likely to die at the scene of the incident or during police transport; and the police were likely to be responding to a disturbance call. In a number of cases, survival time was less than 1 hour. In a majority of cases, acute cocaine toxicity and physical restraint in police custody were contributory to death. The literature is reviewed, analyses of case circumstances are provided, and recommendations for medicolegal investigators and police personnel are discussed.
SOME SELECTED TOPICS IN ACTINIDE, TRANSACTINIDE, AND SUPERHEAVY ELEMENTS RESEARCH AT OAK RIDGE

Single crystals of a new compound of heptavalent neptunium, LiCo(NH 3 ) 6 -Np 2 O 8 (OH) 2 · 2H 2 O have been grown to allow the determination of their structure by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. It was found that the monoclinic crystals contain Np atoms at the centers of arrays of oxygen atoms that form distorted octahedra with four short and two long bonds. There are two Np atoms per asymmetric unit each having a different site symmetry. The distorted octahedra of oxygens surrounding the neptuniums are bridged into a continuous zig-zag chain. The distorted octahedron is reminiscent of that found in Li 4 UO 5 . The finding that four oxygens are held to the Np(VII) by such short bonds suggests this as the basis of stabilization of the high valence state in the central ion. The stabilization of Np(VII) therefore appears somewhat analogous to that of Np(VI) in the neptunyl ion (Burns et al. ).
Raman Difference Spectroscopyic Study of Enzymatic Catalysis in Dihydrofolate Reductase

A number of important issues need to be understood if the molecular mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis are to be understood. In general, enzymes bind their substrates specifically and close together, and this requires specific binding interactions between the reacting species and the protein. In general, enzymes stabilize the transition state of the reaction, and the nature of how this is brought about is of paramount interest. Often, the stabilization of the transition state leaves signatures in ground state electronic properties. For example, the bond order of the particular bond undergoing cleavage in a bond breaking/bond making step is changed from its solution value. In any case, vibrational spectroscopy is in general a powerful method for probing such effects because of its sensitivity compared to, for example, x-ray diffraction techniques. The interaction energy between protein groups and particular moieties of bound ligands is typically on the order of the size of a hydrogen bond, and this is difficult to quantify with diffraction techniques.
Job Scheduling for Acceleration Systems in Cloud Computing

With the increase of various of applications, CPU is no longer adequate for the computation tasks. Accordingly, some providers deploy accelerators in their cloud. Since not all the servers in the cloud can carry accelerators, how to schedule jobs onto accelerators and improve the system performance is an important issue. Due to the distributed computing frameworks in cloud computing systems, the jobs usually arrive in batches, and hence we try to minimize the make-span of a batch of jobs in this paper. To this end, we first formulate this problem as a mathematic programming model, and prove the NP-hardness of this problem. To solve this problem efficiently, we propose a 4- approximation algorithm. Through extensive simulations, we find that our algorithm can reduce the make-span of a batch of jobs by about 32%, and enhance the system throughput by up to 29% compared with our comparison baseline.