cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glycerol metabolism in a freeze-tolerant arctic insect: an in vivo 13C NMR study.

Freeze-tolerance in larvae ofGynaephora groenlandica is enhanced by the accumulation of glycerol in the winter. Since summer larvae remain freeze-tolerant despite the lack of glycerol, we investigated glycerol metabolism as a function of acclimation and body temperature using non-invasive13C NMR spectroscopy. Major constituents of hemolymph isolated from cold- and warm-acclimated larvae were identified with the aid of standard NMR spectra and confirmed by TLC and GLC. Spectra obtained on live, warm-acclimated larvae showed the presence of lipids, glycogen, glucose, trehalose and amino acids. Similar spectra of cold-acclimated or previously frozen larvae showed the additional presence of glycerol. In vitro time-lapse13C spectra ofd-[1-13C]glucose added separately to hemolymph or extracted fat body tissue showed that glycerol is synthesized from glucose in the fat body tissue and distributed to the peripheral tissue via hemolymph. In vivo time-lapse13C spectra of cold- and warm-acclimated larvae were obtained after injection withd-[1-13C]glucose to monitor the production of labeled metabolic intermediates and end-products. [13C]Glycerol was produced between −30°C and 30°C but accumulated only below 5°C. Above 5°C glycerol was degraded and the13C label incorporated mainly into glycogen. The mechanism underlying temperature control of glycerol biosynthesis and degradation may provide a clue to the role of glycerol in enhancing freeze-tolerance in these insects.
A Minnesota Automated Plate Scanner Catalog of Galaxies Behind the Virgo Cluster and Toward its Antipode

We present a catalog of 1268 galxies, essentially complete to B(is less than or equal to)17.0, found by scanning glass copies of several fields of the original Palomar Sky Survey using the Minnesota Automated Plate Scanner in its isodensitometricmode(as opposed to the threshold densitometric mode used in the APS Catalog of the POSS I).
Directional Neutron Spectrometer

A detector capable of measuring the energy and direction of 1 - 15-MeV neutrons is decided. The instrument consists of two conventional neutron detectors (organic scintillators and phototubes) and electronics which, for events in which a neutron is scattered by the first scintillator into the second, measures the energy of the recoil proton in the first scintillator and the time of flight of the scattered neutron between the two detectors. These two quantities determine the energy of the incident neutron and its direction relative to the line joining the two detectors. The response to a point source of 2.5-MeV neutrons is shown.
The economic burden of depression in the United States: how did it change between 1990 and 2000?

BACKGROUND: The economic burden of depression was estimated to be 43.7 billion dollars in 1990. A subsequent study reported a cost burden of 52.9 billion dollars using revised prevalence data and a refined workplace cost estimation approach. The objective of the current report is to provide a 10-year update of these estimates using the same methodological framework. METHOD: Using a human capital approach, we developed prevalence-based estimates of 3 major cost categories: (1) direct costs, (2) mortality costs arising from depression-related suicides, and (3) costs associated with depression in the workplace. Cost-of-illness estimates from 1990 were updated to reflect the experience in 2000 using current epidemiologic data and publicly available population, wage, and cost information. RESULTS: Whereas the treatment rate of depression increased by over 50%, its economic burden rose by only 7%, going from 77.4 billion dollars in 1990 (inflation-adjusted dollars) to 83.1 billion dollars in 2000. Of the 2000 total, 26.1 billion dollars (31%) were direct medical costs, 5.4 billion dollars (7%) were suicide-related mortality costs, and 51.5 billion dollars (62%) were workplace costs. CONCLUSION: The economic burden of depression remained relatively stable between 1990 and 2000, despite a dramatic increase in the proportion of depression sufferers who received treatment. Future research will incorporate additional costs associated with depression sufferers, including the excess costs of their coexisting psychiatric and medical conditions and attention to the role of painful conditions as a driver of these costs. Language: en
Martensitic transformations in V3Ga and Nb3Al

Abstract It is shown by low-temperature heat capacity measurements using ac technique that martensitic transformation in small samples of V 3 Ga and Nb 3 A1 can be prevented by covering them nearly completely with copper plating.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDITY EVIDENCE SUPPORTING A TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION ASSESSMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Various policy papers and research studies assert that teamwork is one of the most important skills for students to learn if they are to become meaningful contributors to the 21st century workforce. However, outside of organizational psychology and adult populations, few reliable assessments of this construct exist, with suitable validity evidence scant or nonexistent. To redress this imbalance, teamwork assessments for high school students were developed using multiple methods: self-report ratings, situational judgment testing, and teacher reports. Exploratory factor, confirmatory factor, and latent class analyses were used to determine the structure of the scales. Measures showed reasonable reliability and promising validity evidence, relating to each other and to academic achievement, while remaining relatively independent from personality. The advantages and disadvantages of each methodology and the potential applications for identification and intervention, selection, and evaluation of training programs are discussed. This report also serves as an archival document for the teamwork and collaboration assessments that have been developed at ETS for high school students.
Self-organized criticality in a continuous, nonconservative cellular automaton modeling earthquakes

We introduce a new nonconservative self-organized critical model. This model is equivalent to a quasistatic two-dimensional version of the Burridge-Knopoff spring-block model of earthquakes. Our model displays a robust power-law behavior. The exponent is not universal; rather it depends on the level of conservation. A dynamical phase transition from localized to nonlocalized behavior is seen as the level of conservation is increased. The model gives a good prediction of the Gutenberg-Richter law and an explanation to the variances in the observed b values.
System development: an empirical study of user communication

Computer systems1 have become an important part of today's businesses. These systems are commonly used to support the major business functions --- accounting, finance, management, marketing, and production. In the past, professionals relied on data processing (and computer science) personnel to successfully develop computer systems currently used in the decision making process. As computer system utilization increased in business applications, problems developed concerning the acceptability and performance of these systems. The widespread integration of computer systems into areas of business has resulted in a need for clear communication between the user/client and data processing personnel.
High-resolution electron microscopy study on the growth of zeolite L nanoclusters

Abstract The synthesis of zeolite L nanoclusters that starts from a clear mixture and proceeds through the formation of an amorphous gel phase is followed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It is shown that by examining the solid products from partially crystallized samples, it is possible to deduce information concerning growth events at the nanometer scale. HRTEM studies reveal a definite link between the gel microstructure and the zeolite L nanocluster morphology. Moreover, it is demonstrated that a cautious interpretation of HRTEM information does not justify the conclusion that growth takes place by agglomeration of individual zeolite L nanocrystals but rather by propagation of more isolated nucleation events through the gel network.
Intracellular staining for TNF and IFN-γ detects different frequencies of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells

CD8(+) T lymphocytes are important mediators of adaptive immunity against certain viral, protozoan and bacterial pathogens. Activated CD8(+) T cells are able to induce cytolysis of infected cells (perforin and CD95-CD95L mediated pathways) and also elaborate cytokines, including IFN-gamma and TNF after appropriate MHC class I-peptide recognition. New technologies for the detection of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells, including tetrameric MHC class I-peptide complexes, intracellular IFN-gamma staining and IFN-gamma ELISPOT analysis have revised our understanding of the magnitude of the CD8(+) T cell response to infection. Here, using intracellular cytokine staining, we compare detection of IFN-gamma and TNF in the analysis of pathogen-specific CD8(+) T cell lines and CD8(+) T cells after primary viral infection (LCMV) or secondary bacterial infection (Listeria monocytogenes). Under multiple conditions and with multiple epitopes, we find that staining for intracellular IFN-gamma consistently detects a higher frequency of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells than detection of intracellular TNF. However, (a) intracellular staining for TNF can be used to detect antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell responses and (b) intracellular staining for cytokines is a useful approach for in vitro characterization of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell lines.
Evaluation of Vaginal Bleeding in the Preadolescent Child

Vaginal bleeding in a prepubertal child is always a serious medical concern. Vaginal bleeding in this age group may result from estrogen stimulation, which is more likely to be pathological than physiological, infections, tumors of the lower genital tract, ovarian tumors, foreign bodies, or trauma. Evaluation and management of the prepubertal child requires an understanding of the techniques of the physical examination, comprehension of the normal prepubertal unestrogenized anatomy, and indications for a more comprehensive examination under anesthesia. Caution should be exercised by the clinician so that the physical examination and workup do not further traumatize the child.
Predictors of Adherence in a Community-Based Tai Chi Program

This study examined factors affecting adherence in a 16-week tai chi program among multi-ethnic middle-aged and older adults living in a low socioeconomic environment in Toronto. Analysis was based on data collected from three tai chi program cohorts that took place from August 2009 to March 2012. The main outcome variable, adherence, was measured by the total number of sessions attended by each of the participants. Total sample size was 210 participants with a mean age of 68.1 ± 8.6. Based on the regression model, greater adherence was significantly associated with older age, greater perceived stress, higher education, and higher mental and physical scores of Short Form-36 components. Conversely, lower adherence was significantly associated with higher baseline weekly physical activity. Our findings suggest that we target less-educated individuals with poor mental and physical health to optimize adherence for future community-based tai chi programs.
Cues intrinsic to the retina induce nAchR gene expression during development

Recent studies of optic nerve regeneration in goldfish have indicated that the optic tectum plays an important role in modulating the induction of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) gene expression in regenerating retinal ganglion cells (Hieber, Agranoff, and Goldman, 1992, J. Neurochem. 58:1009–1015). These observations suggest that induction of these genes is regulated by brain target regions. The appearance of nAChR mRNA in the developing rat retina coincides with a time when ganglion cells are sending axons to their brain targets (Hoover and Goldman, 1992, Exp. Eye Res. 54:561–571). Might a mechanism similar to that seen during goldfish optic nerve regenerationalso mediate induction of nAChR gene expression during development of the mammalian retina? This possibility was tested by either transplanting embryonic rat retina to different brain regions, or explanting it to organ culture and assaying for nAChR gene expression. These studies showed that induction of the nAChR genes in developing rat retina is independent of the environment in which the retina develops. These results indicate that either the retinal microenvironment or a signal intrinsic to the retinal ganglion cell is responsible for this induction. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Captive Audiences: A Concert for the Elephants in the Jardin des Plantes

Animal presence unsettles practices of spectatorship and reframes assumptions about embodiment and affect in four differently exemplary animal performances, including one dating back to the 18th century. In all of them, the ethics of watching other animals, human or nonhuman, and the call for evaluation and judgment is complicated by recognition of the multiplicitous and mysterious nature of pain and pleasure.
Application of DSM Topological Sort Method in Business Process

Because of its unique role in the information flow analysis, the design structure matrix (DSM) is widely used to the optimization of the organization, parameter and other aspects. Its matrix representation, the dynamic features make it possible that be applied to optimization of business processes, but so far the DSM in the business process application is also rare. In the paper, DSM is tentatively applied to topological sort in the business process and is compared to the traditional topological method. These explorations for the application of the DSM in the optimization of business processes are positive.
Effect of dietary fats on desaturase activities and the biosynthesis of fatty acids in rat-liver microsomes

Four groups of rats were fed diets containing 15% (w/w) high-oleic safflower oil (SFO, rich incis-18∶1 acids), a mixture of 80% partially hydrogenated soybean oil plus 20% corn oil (H+CO, rich intrans-18∶1 acids), lard (L, rich in saturated fatty acids) and corn oil (Co, rich in 18∶2ω6). Fatty acid composition of liver microsomes and activities of the Δ5, Δ6 and Δ9 desaturases were determined. Microsomal Δ6 desaturase activity and arachidonic acid were lower in the H+CO group compared with SFO of L. No difference was found in the Δ5 or Δ6 desaturase activity of CO and SFO groups. Thus, the oleic-acid level of the SFO diet had no effect on the metabolism of 18∶2ω6. Fluorescent polarization studies, usingtrans-parinaric acid as a probe, showed no differences between the physical states of phospholipid vesicles made from lipids isolated from each group. We concluded that thetrans-18∶1 acids in partially hydrogenated soybean oil have a more inhibitory effect than saturated acids on EFA metabolism, even in the presence of adequate amounts of essential fatty acid.
Effect of cytokines on 5-fluorouracil-mediated immunosuppression

Abstract The effect of cytokines on 5-fluorouracil-mediated suppression of antibody response to arsanilic acid-bovine gammaglobulin (ARS-BGG) in high- and low-responding strains of mice was determined. Single i.v. injections of 5-fluorouracil strongly inhibited both primary and secondary antibody responses. The high-responding strain was found to be more sensitive to 5-fluorouracil. Restoration of suppressed IgG antibody responses to ARS-BGG was achieved in vitro by addition of either rIL-4, or rIFNγ to the culture medium. Similarly, IgA titers recovered following the addition of exogenous rIL-5. The inhibition of IgM production, however, was not influenced by any of the cytokines tested. No significant differences were observed between experimental groups injected with antigen before or after 5-fluorouracil application. Our results suggest that the immunosuppression caused by 5-fluorouracil treatment can be abrogated by the addition of cytokines.
Electronic Markets for Truckload Transportation

A wide variety of electronic marketplace formats are used in the Truckload (TL) transportation industry, including combinatorial auctions, private and public exchanges, and electronic catalogs. Combinatorial multi-attribute auctions are commonly used strategically to populate electronic catalogs, commonly called “routing guides,” with pricing, assignments, and priority logic. Private and public exchanges are used to complement the electronic catalogs in cases where the catalog fails. This paper discusses the TL transportation market, places the procurement of services in the context of electronic marketplace formats, and illustrates how these are currently used.
Children's beliefs about adoption: A developmental study

Abstract Attributions about adoption were examined in adopted and nonadopted children between the ages of 6 and 13 years. Results indicated that nonadopted children had a more negative view of adoption than their adopted age-mates, at least during the early to middle childhood years. By 10–11 years, however, no group difference was noted in adoption beliefs. In addition, with increasing age nonadopted children became less negative about adoption whereas adopted children became more negative about adoption. These results are discussed in the context of differential socialization for adopted and nonadopted children. Implications of adoption beliefs for children's adoption adjustment also are raised.
Abstract B20: A genome-scale RNA interference screen for resistance mechanisms to BRAF inhibition in melanoma

Mutation of the serine/threonine protein kinase BRAF is observed in approximately 50% of melanomas. This leads to enhanced activation of the kinase, stimulation of the MAPK pathway and aberrant cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Small molecule inhibitors such as vemurafenib (PLX4032) block BRAF-mediated cell proliferation and recent clinical trials show an overall response rate of about 50%. Evidently, some patients do not respond to the drug or go on to develop resistance while on treatment. Therefore, we designed an RNA interference screen to identify loss of function events that could drive resistance to growth-inhibitory concentrations of PLX4720. We used a pooled lentiviral shRNA library consisting of approximately 90,000 hairpins targeting over 16,500 genes. shRNA-infected cells were split into two groups, one treated with DMSO, the other treated with PLX4720. Following a period in culture, the abundance of each hairpin was assessed by PCR amplification of barcoded hairpin DNA followed by massively parallel paired-end sequencing. RIGER was used to rank the individual hairpins and identify candidate genes that were required for survival of A375 cells in the presence of DMSO, compared to an early time point control. Strikingly, BRAF emerged as the most depleted and therefore most essential gene, validating our screening approach. We then identified those hairpins that were enriched in the presence of PLX4720 compared to DMSO. A small number of genes were identified as candidate ‘resistance suppressors’, which when knocked down, conferred a survival advantage to BRAF inhibitor-treated cells. Validation of these genes in secondary assays and characterization of the resistance mechanism(s) will be presented. By integrating these findings with other genomic and functional studies we aim to identify clinically relevant genetic events that cause RAF-inhibitor resistance in melanoma.
Small bipolaronic hopping in boron carbides

Abstract D.c. conductivity, Hall mobility and Seebeck coefficient measurements on boron carbides, B1−xCx (0.1 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.2), between 300 and 1200 K are interpreted in terms on the hopping of small bipolaronic holes between B11C icosahedra that are inequivalent in energy and electron-lattice coupling strength.
Precipitation retrieval over land and ocean with the SSM/I - Identification and characteristics of the scattering signal

Abstract The subject of this study is the identification of precipitation in warm and cold land and ocean environments from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's (DMSP) Special Sensor Micmwave/Imager (SSM/I). The high sensitivity of the SSM/I 85.5 GHz channels to volume scattering by precipitation, especially ice above the freezing level, is the basis for this identification. This ice scattering process causes SSM/I 85.5 GHz brightness temperatures to occasionally fall below 100 K. It is demonstrated that the polarization diversity available at 85.5 GHz from the SSM/I allows discrimination between low brightness temperatures due to surface water bodies versus those due to precipitation. An 85.5 GHz polarization corrected temperature (PCT) is formulated to isolate the precipitation effect. A PCT threshold of 255 K is suggested for the delineation of precipitation. This threshold is shown to be lower than what would generally be expected from nonprecipitating cloud water alone, yet high enough to s...
Effects of charge and electrostatic potential on lightning propagation

[1] Three-dimensional lightning mapping observations are compared to cloud charge structures and electric potential profiles inferred from balloon soundings of electric field in New Mexico mountain thunderstorms. For six individual intracloud and cloud-to-ground flashes and for a sequence of 36 flashes in one storm, the comparisons consistently show good agreement between the altitudes of horizontal lightning channels and the altitudes of electric potential extrema or wells. Lightning flashes appear to deposit charge of opposite polarity in relatively localized volumes within the preexisting lower positive, midlevel negative, and upper positive charge regions associated with the potential wells. The net effect of recurring lightning charge deposition at the approximate levels of potential extrema is to increase the complexity in the observed storm charge structure. The midlevel breakdown of both normal intracloud flashes and negative cloud-to-ground flashes is observed to be segregated by flash type into the upper and lower parts of the deep potential well associated with the midlevel negative charge. The segregation is consistent with perturbations observed in the bottom of the negative potential well due to embedded positive charge that was probably deposited by earlier flashes. It is also consistent with an expected tendency for vertical breakdown to begin branching horizontally before reaching the local potential minimum. The joint observations reconcile the apparent dichotomy between the complex charge structures often inferred from balloon soundings through storms and the simpler structures often inferred from lightning measurements.
Carotid endarterectomy with routine electroencephalography and selective shunting

Carotid endarterectomy requires some sort of cerebral protection in some patients. Available strategies include routine shunting, pharmacologic cerebral protection, or selective shunting. Selective shunting may be based on preoperative criteria or, more commonly, some intraoperative determinant of adequacy of cerebral perfusion. There are several commonly used methods, but electroencephalography is a sensitive marker for adequacy of cerebral perfusion and we have found it an excellent tool in our strategy of selective shunting. This article reviews the various approaches to cerebral protection during carotid endarterectomy with emphasis on our experience with electroencephalography.
Protein‐Engineered Injectable Hydrogel to Improve Retention of Transplanted Adipose‐Derived Stem Cells

Improved retention of transplanted stem cells is achieved through minimally invasive delivery in MITCH, a mixing-induced two-component hydrogel that was engineered to possess shear-thinning and self-healing thixotropic properties. MITCH, an ideal injectable cell-delivery vehicle, supports 3D stem-cell culture, resulting in high cell viability and physiologically relevant cell morphology.
Quantum critical behavior for a model magnet

The classical, thermally driven transition in the dipolar-coupled Ising ferromagnet LiHoF_4 (T_c=1.53K) can be converted into a quantum transition driven by a transverse magnetic field H_t at T=0. The transverse field, applied perpendicular to the Ising axis, introduces channels for quantum relaxation, thereby depressing T_c. We have determined the phase diagram in the H_t−T plane via magnetic susceptibility measurements. The critical exponent, γ=1, has a mean-field value in both the classical and quantum limits. A solution of the full mean-field Hamiltonian using the known LiHoF_4 crystal-field wave functions, including nuclear hyperfine terms, accurately matches experiment.
Predators alter the scaling of diversity in prey metacommunities

Although predator effects on the number of locally coexisting species are well understood, there are few formal predictions of how these local predator effects influence patterns of prey diversity at larger spatial scales. Building on the theory of island biogeography, we develop a simple model that describes how predators can alter the scaling of diversity in prey metacommunities and compares the effects of generalist and specialist predators on regional prey diversity. Generalist predators, which consume prey randomly with respect to species identity, are predicted to reduce α-diversity and increase β-diversity thereby maintaining regional diversity (γ-diversity). Alternatively, specialist predators, which filter out prey species intolerant of predators, are predicted to reduce bothα-diversity andβ-diversity by causing the same prey species to be extirpated in each locality, resulting in regional prey species extinctions and lower γ-diversity. These distinct effects of generalist and specialist predators on prey diversity at different spatial scales are uniquely shaped by the extent of predation within those metacommunities. Overall, our model results make general predictions for how different types of predators can differentially affect prey diversity across spatial scales, allowing a more complete understanding of the possible implications of predator eradications or introductions for biodiversity.
Topical levofloxacin 1.5% overcomes in vitro resistance in rabbit keratitis models.

. Purpose: To determine whether topical levofloxacin 1.5% will successfully treat both levofloxacin-resistant and susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in rabbit keratitis models. Methods: For levofloxacin-resistant and susceptible SA, respectively, 32 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were intrastromally injected with 1000 colony-forming units (CFU). After 4 hr, the corneas of eight rabbits were homogenized to determine onset CFU/ml. Twenty-four rabbits were divided into three treatments: levofloxacin, vancomycin (cefazolin for levofloxacin-susceptible SA) and saline. Twenty-one drops were administered over 5 hr. One hour post-treatment, the corneas were homogenized for CFU/ml. For levofloxacin-resistant and susceptible PA, respectively, 32 NZW rabbits were intrastromally injected with 1000 CFU. After 16 hr, the corneas of eight rabbits were homogenized for CFU/ml. Twenty-four rabbits were divided into three treatments: levofloxacin, tobramycin (ciprofloxacin for levofloxacin-susceptible PA) and saline. Nineteen drops were administered over 8 hr. One hour post-treatment, the corneas were homogenized for CFU/ml. The CFU/ml data were analysed for sterilization and non-parametrically for reduction. Results: Levofloxacin 1.5% significantly reduced more (p 0.05) for levofloxacin-susceptible SA; was equivalent to tobramycin for levofloxacin-resistant PA; was equivalent to ciprofloxacin for levofloxacin-susceptible PA; and significantly reduced more SA and PA than saline and onset. Levofloxacin 1.5% sterilized the corneas in the levofloxacin-resistant and susceptible PA groups (32/32) and levofloxacin-susceptible SA group (16/16), but not the levofloxacin-resistant SA group (0/16). Conclusion: Levofloxacin 1.5% was effective for reducing SA and PA in the rabbit keratitis models regardless of in vitro resistance.
Theoretical lifetimes and line fluorescence yields of 1s2p24P levels

Abstract Theoretical lifetimes and line fluorescence yields for the metastable states 1s2p 2 4 P e 1 2 , 3 2 , 5 2 of the Li-sequence ( Z = 7, 8, 10 and 12) are presented. The contribution of the 2p to 2s X-ray transition is included in this work.
Search for cold fusion at D/Pd > 1 using ion implantation

Deuterium was introduced into palladium at atomic ratios greater than one by means of ion implantation at cryogenic temperatures, and a search was made for energetic charged particles from D-D nuclear reactions. Concentrations as high as 1.6 D/Pd were produced by 10 keV implantation at temperatures of 41 and 81 K, and the occurrence of lattice supersaturation in the Pd deuteride was indicated by a new, low-temperature stage of D redistribution. Fifteen hours of observation at low temperatures yielded no indication of energetic charged particles due to the reaction D(d,p)T or other nuclear processes. This result implies an approximate upper bound of 10−21 events/s per D atom on the reaction rate in the supersaturated deuteride. Negative results were also obtained for D-implanted zirconium and titanium.
Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using the NanoLantern Biosensor

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of human illness, and has developed the remarkable ability to resist the bactericidal capabilities of many of the world's leading antibiotics (i.e. MRSA). In an effort to enable rapid detection and treatment of MRSA infections, we have developed a DNA detection technology termed the NanoLantern(TM). The NanoLantern(TM) biosensor technology is based on the simple immobilization of a fluorophore-terminated DNA hairpin onto a gold chip. This produces a label-free sensor that allows for a positive response to be obtained without extensive processing of the sample, saving cost and increasing accuracy. We will also discuss a newly developed method of partial gene analysis, used to develop a DNA hairpin probe that is capable of detecting the presence of the mecR gene, a gene necessary for methicillin resistance to be present in S. aureus, with 100% sequence specificity. The successful incorporation of this probe into the NanoLantern(TM) platform, along with the concomitant development of the paired PCR assay has allowed for the successful detection of methicillin-resistance directly from a culture of S. aureus. These results represent an important step forward in terms of developing the ability to rapidly and effectively detect the presence of antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections.
Life threatening emergencies involving children in the literature of the doctor

Life threatening emergencies involving infants and children are inherently dramatic, tension-filled situations. It is no wonder, then, that depictions of such events can be found in literature by and about doctors. In many ways, too, such depictions can illuminate key aspects of such events, such as the physician's own anxiety and the tensions between the various people involved, better than the medical literature. Hence it is suggested that the study of literary depictions of pediatric emergencies might be a useful adjunct for those, physicians and other health care providers, who are called upon to manage them.
Abrams's stable equivalence for graph braid groups

Abstract In his PhD thesis [1] , Abrams proved that, for a natural number n and a graph G with at least n vertices, the n-strand configuration space of G, denoted C n ( G ) , deformation retracts to a compact subspace, the discretized n-strand configuration space, provided G satisfies two conditions: each path between distinct essential vertices (vertices of degree not equal to 2) is of length at least n + 1 edges, and each path from a vertex to itself which is not nullhomotopic is of length at least n + 1 edges. Using Forman's discrete Morse theory for CW-complexes, we show the first condition can be relaxed to require only that each path between distinct essential vertices is of length at least n − 1 .
From Iranian studies to studies of Iranians in the United States

MORE THAN ANY OTHER FACTOR, THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION OF 1978-79 and its aftermath have contributed to the growth of the Iranian diaspora population worldwide. The revolution precipitated the exodus of Iranian exiles or political refugees,' and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran further discouraged the return of many Iranians already abroad. As a result, by about 1990, 637,500 Iranians were enumerated in official national censuses of the following ten countries on four continents: U.S., Canada, West Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, France, Norway, Australia, Israel, and Japan. With an Iranian population-defined as persons either born in Iran or of Iranian ancestry-of 285,000 in 1990, the U.S. contained nearly half (45%) of the Iranians living in the above-mentioned Western and Asian countries.2 This overwhelming concentration, an availability of good data on immigrants (including Iranians), and a number of Iranian students who have become social scientists in the U.S., have encouraged research on this group. Scholarly attention in the U.S. has been redirected from an exclusive preoccupation with Iran to a broader interest in Iranian immigrants, hence the title of this article. I would like here to provide an overview of the emerging field of IranianAmerican studies to contextualize the articles that follow in this issue. This article begins with a brief up-to-date review of Iranian immigration to the U.S., and then, using the 1980 and 1990 U.S. Censuses, highlights changes in the basic demographic, social, and economic characteristics of this population. It then turns to a review of the existing research and writings on Iranians in the U.S., and concludes by pointing out areas where further research is needed to fill in the gaps.
Antipyretic efficacy and tolerability of a single intravenous dose of the acetaminophen prodrug propacetamol in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract Background : Propacetamol is an acetaminophen prodrug that was available in Europe as an IV formu lation for the treatment of pain and fever for some time. One gram of propacetamol is hydrolyzed in blood to release 0.5 g of acetaminophen and pharmacologically inactive N,N -diethylglycine. Objective : This study compared the antipyretic efficacy and tolerability of IV propacetamol and placebo after a single administration in children with acute fever of infectious origin. The study was performed in anticipation of an application for US registration. Methods : This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which patients with a body temperature (tympanic probe) of 38.5°C to 41°C were randomized to receive propacetamol 30 mg/kg IV or a placebo of identical appearance, both administered as 15-minute infusions. Temperature was measured at baseline, 0.5 hour after drug administration, and hourly thereafter for 6 hours or until use of rescue medication. The primary efficacy variable was the change in body temperature at each evaluation time compared with baseline. Secondary efficacy variables included the number of children requiring rescue medication and the time to remedication; the number of children with a body temperature Results : Twenty children received propacetamol and 21 received placebo. Twenty patients were white, 17 black, and 4 Hispanic; their age ranged from 3 to 12 years. The actual mean (SD) dose of propacetamol received was 25.5 (0.6) mg/kg (equivalent to acetaminophen 12.8 [0.3] mg/kg). The reduction in body temperature was significantly greater in the propacetamol group compared with the placebo group at each time point over the 6-hour follow-up period ( P P = 0.004). The weighted mean (SD) sum of the change in body temperature indicated greater antipyretic efficacy for propacetamol compared with placebo (−7.9 [3.8]°C × h vs 0.1 [3.6]°C × h, respectively; P Conclusions : In these 41 children with acute fever of infectious origin, a propacetamol dose of 25.5 (0.6) mg/kg IV had significantly greater antipyretic efficacy than placebo and was equally well tolerated. Comparisons of this preparation with other IV antipyretic medications are needed.
Racial Disparities in Pretrial Diversion: An Analysis of Outcomes among Men Charged with Felonies and Processed in State Courts

Living with a felony conviction exposes people to a host of negative life experiences, including unemployment, low income, and family instability. Pretrial diversions offer defendants a rare chance to escape this fate. Using data from the State Court Processing Statistics, this study examines racial disparities in pretrial diversion among men charged with felony crimes in metropolitan counties in the even years from 1990 to 2006. The study finds that prosecutors are more likely to grant pretrial diversions to White defendants than they are to grant these diversions to Black or Latino defendants with similar legal characteristics. Moreover, while disparities disadvantaging Latinos are only present among defendants whose most serious arrest charge is for a drug crime and who have no prior convictions, those disparities disadvantaging Blacks occur both among defendants whose most serious arrest charge is for a drug crime regardless of prior convictions and among defendants charged with violent crimes who hav...
Microstructure of pasteurized process cheese manufactured from vacuum condensed and ultrafiltered milk

Milk standardized to 45 g·kg-1 protein (UF1 and CM1) and 60 g·kg-1 protein (UF2 and CM2) using ultrafiltered milk (150 g·kg-1 protein) or vacuum condensed milk (120 g·kg-1 protein) was used for manufacturing Cheddar cheese. Pasteurized Process cheeses were manufactured using a 1:1 blend of 18-week and 30-week Cheddar cheese. The moisture content of the Process cheeses ranged from 393 to 402 g·kg-1. Fat content was the highest in the control cheese (350 g·kg-1) and the lowest in UF2 (316 g·kg-1). Microstructure of cheeses was observed using cryo-scanning elec- tron microscopy. Fat globules of different sizes embedded in the continuous protein network were observed. Whereas, a porous structure with relatively large pores was noted in the control cheese, more compact protein masses were observed in cheeses made from concentrated milk. Fat globules in all cheeses were surrounded by cavities. Firmness of cheese was associated with less porous (compact) protein network. Large areas of dense highly fused protein were observed in UF2 chee- ses, which showed the highest resistance to compression (highest firmness). Fractures in the protein network were observed as the firmness of cheese increased. Such fractures reduced the ability of protein network to entrap fat and increased the level of free oil. Appendages connecting fat globules to protein network were seen in cheese containing low amounts of free oil which indicated good emulsifying properties. The continuous less rigid protein structure with good emulsifying properties (the presence of appendages connecting protein network to fat globules) produced cheese with increased meltability. This study shows that the application of concentrated milks for Cheddar cheese-making influences Process cheese functionality and structure.
A feel for systems

Mol Syst Biol. 8: 609 Over the period of just one decade, systems biology has emerged from obscurity and moved center stage. The novelty and rapidly growing notoriety have, unsurprisingly, piqued the interest of students in biology, and also in engineering, physics, computing, and a number of other fields. This growing interest has led to a demand for courses and even complete educational programs in systems biology. The creation of such courses is challenging due to the students’ different backgrounds and also because systems biology has roots in an unusually wide variety of parent disciplines, which no student can fully master. Faced with these complications, one appears to be forced to teach a selection of representative topics and techniques. We believe that this default solution is not always optimal and that it is much more important instead to instill in students a ‘feel’ for biological systems and for models that can be used to explore them. ‘Instilling a feel’ may not sound scientifically rigorous, but the ability to gauge the complexity of a system, without executing a formal analysis, is arguably more beneficial to next‐generation molecular biologists than mastery of selected techniques of systems analysis. Likewise, it will become increasingly more critical for biologists to assess how a computational model could be set up, how it might add genuine value, and where its limitations are. Like others, we had previously taught the typical stepwise design, diagnosis, analysis, and utilization of models in the classroom. We discussed with the students that one must decide early whether to use deterministic or stochastic, continuous or discrete, static or dynamic models, partial …
Nonverbal Communication on Television News: The Facial Expressions of Broadcasters during Coverage of a Presidential Election Campaign

This research examined the facial expressions of the network television news anchorpersons during their coverage of the 1976 presidential election campaign. 7he possibility for systematic yet subtle nonverbal communication in the news was explored through a "nonverbal content analysis" in which we studied the facial expressions which accompanied the uttering of the candidates' names. Significant differences were found in the perceived positivity of the facial expressions of broadcasters as a function of the candidates. 7he results were seen to have important implications for the role of nonverbal communication in the transmission of affective information to TV viewers.
The kinase LYK5 is a major chitin receptor in Arabidopsis and forms a chitin-induced complex with related kinase CERK1

Chitin is a fungal microbe-associated molecular pattern recognized in Arabidopsis by a lysin motif receptor kinase (LYK), AtCERK1. Previous research suggested that AtCERK1 is the major chitin receptor and mediates chitin-induced signaling through homodimerization and phosphorylation. However, the reported chitin binding affinity of AtCERK1 is quite low, suggesting another receptor with high chitin binding affinity might be present. Here, we propose that AtLYK5 is the primary chitin receptor in Arabidopsis. Mutations in AtLYK5 resulted in a significant reduction in chitin response. However, AtLYK5 shares overlapping function with AtLYK4 and, therefore, Atlyk4/Atlyk5-2 double mutants show a complete loss of chitin response. AtLYK5 interacts with AtCERK1 in a chitin-dependent manner. Chitin binding to AtLYK5 is indispensable for chitin-induced AtCERK1 phosphorylation. AtLYK5 binds chitin at a much higher affinity than AtCERK1. The data suggest that AtLYK5 is the primary receptor for chitin, forming a chitin inducible complex with AtCERK1 to induce plant immunity.
Effect of structure on the temperature dependence of gas transport and sorption in a series of polycarbonates

The permeabilities and solubilities of five gases are reported for bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC), tetramethyl polycarbonate (TMPC), and tetramethyl hexafluoro polycarbonate (TMHFPC) at temperatures up to 200°C. The temperature dependence of permselectivity is discussed in terms of solubility and diffusivity selectivity changes with temperature for CO2/CH4 and He/N2 gas separations. The activation energies for permeation and diffusion and the heats of sorption are also reported for each gas in the three polycarbonates. Analysis of these values provides a better fundamental understanding of the effect of polymer-penetrant interactions and polymer backbone structure on the temperature dependence of the transport and sorption properties of gases in membrane separation processes. Important factors affecting the solubility and diffusivity selectivity losses or gains with increased temperature are also identified through correlation of these data with physical properties of the gases and polymers. These conclusions provide a framework for choosing the most promising membrane materials for particular gas separations at elevated temperatures. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Distribution of Methylomonas methanica and Methylosinus trichosporium in Cleveland Harbor as Determined by an Indirect Fluorescent Antibody-Membrane Filter Technique

An indirect fluorescent antibody-membrane filter staining technique, which permitted the autecological study of Methylomonas methanica and Methylosinus trichosporium, was developed. This technique was used to assay the numbers of these two organisms in Cleveland Harbor. The concentrations of M. methanica and M. trichosporium were found to be inversely proportional to the sampling depth, with the highest cell counts observed in the sediments. M. methanica was observed at every sampling station, whereas M. trichosporium was found at only two of the stations.
How accurately can one's interests be inferred from friends

Search and recommendation systems must effectively model user interests in order to provide personalized results. The proliferation of social software makes social network an increasingly important source for user interest modeling, because of the social influence and correlation among friends. However, there are large variations in people's contribution of social content. Therefore, it is impractical to accurately model interests for all users. As a result, applications need to decide whether to utilize a user interest model based on its accuracy. To address this challenge, we present a study on the accuracy of user interests inferred from three types of social content: social bookmarking, file sharing, and electronic communication, in an organizational social network within a large-scale enterprise. First, we demonstrate that combining different types of social content to infer user interests outperforms methods that use only one type of social content. Second, we present a technique to predict the inference accuracy based on easily observed network characteristics, including user activeness, network in-degree, out-degree, and betweenness centrality.
ELLIPTICAL VORTICES AND INTEGRABLE HAMILTONIAN DYNAMICS OF THE ROTATING SHALLOW-WATER EQUATIONS

The problem of the dynamics of elliptical-vortex solutions of the rotating shallow-water equations is solved in Lagrangian coordinates using methods of Hamiltonian mechanics. All such solutions are shown to be quasi-periodic by reducing the problem to quadratures in terms of physically meaningful variables. All of the relative equilibria - including the well-known rodon solution - are shown to be orbitally Lyapunov stable to perturbations in the class of elliptical-vortex solutions.
Compression and dilation of the membrane-cortex layer generates rapid changes in cell shape

Rapid changes in cellular morphology require a cell body that is highly flexible yet retains sufficient strength to maintain structural integrity. We present a mechanism that meets both of these requirements. We demonstrate that compression (folding) and subsequent dilation (unfolding) of the coupled plasma membrane–cortex layer generates rapid shape transformations in rounded cells. Two- and three-dimensional live-cell images showed that the cyclic process of membrane-cortex compression and dilation resulted in a traveling wave of cortical actin density. We also demonstrate that the membrane-cortex traveling wave led to amoeboid-like cell migration. The compression–dilation hypothesis offers a mechanism for large-scale cell shape transformations that is complementary to blebbing, where the plasma membrane detaches from the actin cortex and is initially unsupported when the bleb extends as a result of cytosolic pressure. Our findings provide insight into the mechanisms that drive the rapid morphological changes that occur in many physiological contexts, such as amoeboid migration and cytokinesis.