cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trailblazer: An Application of The High Level Architecture To Joint Experimentation

The Trailblazer project was created to examine the application of a federation of simulations to joint experimentation. The purpose of this pa per is to describe the Trailblazer federation. The paper is organized by the steps of the Federa tion Development and Execution Process (FEDEP). The FEDEP is a systems engineer ing process for the development of federations of simulations using the High Level Architec ture (HLA) and was used as the roadmap for development of the Trailblazer federation. Les sons learned are presented for each step of the FEDEP, and a summary presents overall ob servations on the usefulness of the FEDEP and the HLA in the joint experimentation domain.
Visual attention, reaction time, and self-reported alertness upon awakening from sleep bouts of varying lengths.

The aim of the present study was to examine visual attention, especially the executive control functions that deal with conflict, when participants were in a low arousal state shortly after a nighttime awakening. Fifteen participants spent four consecutive nights at a laboratory and performed a flankers task using two levels of target-distractor spacing (0.75° and 1.50°) and three trial types (compatible, incompatible, and neutral). The first night was a habituation night. For the next three nights, participants went to sleep at 2300 hours and were then awakened at either 2400 hours (1-h sleep bout), 0300 hours (4-h sleep bout), or 0600 hours (7-h sleep bout) and were administered a flankers task and a self-report questionnaire that measured arousal level. These testing times were counter-balanced across participants, and a 2100 hours (pre-sleep) flankers task was also randomly assigned to be completed on one of the testing nights. Response time on neutral-flanker trials was increased if participants were awakened from a sleep bout and was slowest at 0300 hours, appearing to parallel circadian body temperature. In contrast, failures of selective attention, as indexed by the difference between compatible and incompatible trials, increased linearly as a function of the length of the sleep bout. Compared to the 2100 hours pre-sleep condition, self-reported energy was lower and Tiredness was higher after awakening from a sleep bout. Taken together, the current data suggest a dissociation between the processes that perform a non-conflict task and the executive control of attention. Specifically, longer sleep bouts seem to be associated with greater difficulty in inhibiting task-irrelevant information, perhaps due to a sleep inertia effect affecting the anterior cingulate cortex.
Reduced Space Optimal Interpolation of Historical Marine Sea Level Pressure: 1854–1992*

Near-global 4 83 48 gridded analysis of marine sea level pressure (SLP) from the Comprehensive Ocean‐ Atmosphere Data Set for monthly averages from 1854 to 1992 was produced along with its estimated error using a reduced space optimal interpolation method. A novel procedure of covariance adjustment brought the results of the analysis to the consistency with the a priori assumptions on the signal covariance structure. Comparisons with the National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐National Center for Atmospheric Research global atmosphere reanalysis, with the National Center for Atmospheric Research historical analysis of the Northern Hemisphere SLP, and with the global historical analysis of the U.K. Meteorological Office show encouraging skill of the present product and identifies noninclusion of the land data as its main limitation. Marine SLP pressure proxies are produced for the land stations used in the definitions of the Southern Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) indices. Surprisingly, they prove to be competitive in quality with the land station records. Global singular value decomposition analysis of the SLP fields versus sea surface temperature identified three major patterns of their joint large-scale and long-term variability as ‘‘trend,’’ Pacific decadal oscillation, and NAO.
An early surgical training module for compartment pressure measurement.

Abstract Background We test a novel simulated teaching module's ability to educate junior residents in the assessment of compartment syndrome (CS) and compartment pressure measurement (CPM). Methods Twenty-two postgraduate year 1 and postgraduate year 2 surgical residents received a 2-hour didactic and practical teaching module on CS assessment and CPM using a simulated model. A structured teaching session by a postgraduate year 5 surgical resident was assessed by carefully constructed pretest, post-test, and delayed retention tests and a practical testing session by 2 board-certified general surgeons. Results Analysis of variance demonstrated significant difference between pretest (6.1/10), post-test (7.9/10), and retention test (8.2/10) scores [F (2,49) = 9.24, P P = .90). Mean CPM scores were 8.5/10 for preparation, 9.0/10 for performance, and 8.5/10 for management components, which did not differ [F (2,57) = .46, P = .63]. Conclusions We demonstrate an efficient simulated CS and CPM teaching module for the education of junior surgical residents using a synthetic model.
Publication Productivity for Academic Ophthalmologists and Academic Ophthalmology Departments in the United States: an Analytical Report

Purpose Quantifying scholarly output for academic ophthalmologists and academic ophthalmology departments provides a benchmark for academic productivity, offering information about how well an academic department facilitates the scholarly activity of its faculty. Bibliometrics is a statistical method to analyze scientific literature. Among benchmarking methods, the h-index has been the most widely accepted. The h-index samples a researcher's publication quantity while controlling for quality through citation count. The m-quotient adjusts the h-index according to the number of years since the first peer-reviewed publication, allowing for productivity assessments independent of career length. This study utilizes bibliometrics to create profiles for academic ophthalmology in the United States. Methods Bibliometric profiles were created for 2,824 ophthalmologists from 110 nonmilitary departments. Profiles included the h-index and m-quotient calculated from an online citation database. Comparisons between academic rank, gender, region, and subspecialty were performed. Departments were ranked by the summation as well as the mean of h-indices for each faculty member. Results The mean h-index and m-quotient were 10.56 ± 11.96 and 0.52 ± 0.44, respectively. Both of these values exhibited a positive relationship with increasing academic rank (p Conclusion This report benchmarks the publication productivity of academic ophthalmologists and academic ophthalmology departments in the United States. These results may serve program development in academic ophthalmology departments and prospective trainees and faculty.
Detection of Aortic Dissection by a Combined Abdominal Sonogram and Computed Tomography Angiogram A Case Study

Aortic dissection is a rare pathology of the aorta involving separation of the layers of the aortic wall—specifically, the tunica intima and the tunica media. The type of aortic dissection involved is classified by where the separation occurs on the aorta. This case study presents the instrumental significance of performing complete versus limited abdominal sonographic examinations, including abdominal aorta evaluation. Initially, a limited abdominal sonogram was ordered to rule out gallbladder disease. The sonogram was reordered as a complete abdominal study, which led to the diagnosis of aortic dissection. The diagnosis was supported through sonographic features and computed tomography evaluation. The combined use of these two imaging modalities provided an accurate diagnosis and classification regarding the type of aortic dissection. A proper diagnosis and classification facilitated the appropriate treatment related to this type of aortic dissection.
Convection modelling of flip chip and wirebond surface mounted modules

Forced convection and conjugate heat transfer of ceramic surface mount modules is studied by computational fluid dynamics technique. Both capless and capped flip chip and cavity down wirebond interconnections are considered in this study. Computational and experimental data of thermal resistance of capless flip chip modules are compared to assess the accuracy of the model. Thermal resistances, heat rate distributions, local temperature and heat transfer coefficient distributions are presented to study the detailed convective characteristics. Results show that the flip chip interconnections have higher thermal performance than the wirebond surface mount packages. It is also found that local heat transfer coefficients are needed for accurate prediction of temperature distributions.
Who Are the Experts? Assessing Expertise in Construction and Engineering Organizations

AbstractConstruction organizations seek to facilitate expertise identification so that employees can easily find solutions to problems they do not know how to solve on their own. A person is identi...
Examining a New Method to Studying Velopharyngeal Structures in a Child with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

Purpose To date, no studies have imaged the velopharynx in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) without the use of sedation. Dysmorphology in velopharyngeal structures has been show...
Exploring Proxy Measures of Mutuality for Strategic Partnership Development: A Case Study:

Partnerships between academic and clinical-based health organizations are becoming increasingly important in improving health outcomes. Mutuality is recognized as a vital component of these partner...
The shifting sands for applicants to maternal and child health training programs.

Objective: Anecdotal evidence suggests that fewer students today than in decades past are applying to maternal and child health (MCH) graduate training programs with previous clinical degrees. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which applicants accepted to an MCH training program demonstrated a shift away from the tradition of having a prior health professional degree and discuss options needed to provide responsive training. Methods: Twenty years of demographic face sheet data (1983 through 2002) for admitted applicants to the MCH training program at the University of South Florida College of Public Health were examined. Results: Quantitative analysis of admission records confirmed the anecdotal data. Today's applicants are more likely to possess undergraduate nonclinical backgrounds rather than clinical health professional training. Statistically significant differences were found between the students with clinical and without clinical degrees for ethnicity, GRE score, GPA, and the length of time needed to complete the MPH degree. Conclusion: Adjustments in MCH curricula may be necessary to be responsive to the “shifting sands” of clinical and public health work experience among program applicants. However, curriculum modifications need to be ones that maintain the zeal of the new generation of MCH students without diluting the rigor of traditional professional preparation. Some possible responses of training programs are suggested.
Neurosurgical "Squeeze Play": Single Incision with Dual Ipsilateral Craniotomies Versus 2 Separate Approaches for Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment.

Objective Patients with bilateral, multiple intracranial aneurysms (IA) can be safely treated using 1 lateral craniotomy. However, in patients with an additional pericallosal artery (PcaA) or distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysm, an interhemispheric approach through a bifrontal craniotomy is needed. We investigated the safety of a single incision with dual ipsilateral craniotomies (“squeeze play”) and compared results with 2 separate staged surgeries. Methods Retrospective data collection and analysis was performed of all cases of multiple IAs including a PcaA or complex ACA aneurysm between 1997 and 2016. Univariate statistical analysis was performed to compare radiologic and clinical outcomes. Results Both the squeeze play group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 16) showed similar female gender and mean age distribution, with a higher mean aneurysm number in the squeeze play group. Indication for surgery was mainly subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) for the control group (12/16). Mean aneurysm diameter of the largest aneurysm treated with the lateral craniotomy was higher in the squeeze play group (15.8 vs. 4.7 mm, P = 0.005), with comparable craniotomy types between both groups. Cumulative estimated blood loss was higher in the control group, with a comparable cumulative operating room time, reoperation rate, and favorable clinical outcome in both groups. Conclusions Single-staged surgery with a single incision and dual ipsilateral craniotomies is a safe treatment for multiple unruptured aneurysms that include PcaA and distal ACA aneurysms. The squeeze play results in clinical and radiologic outcomes comparable with those in a 2-staged control group. In the setting of SAH, 2-staged surgery with a recovery interval is preferred to prevent bilateral manipulation of the acutely injured brain.
Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction Using the Anatomical Two-Tailed Graft Technique: Clinical Outcomes in the Multiligament Injured Knee.

Injury to the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee can lead to both varus and rotational instability. Multiple PLC reconstruction techniques have been described, including one-tailed graft (fibula-based constructs) or two-tailed graft (combined fibula- and tibia-based constructs). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of anatomical two-tailed graft reconstruction of the PLC in the setting of multiligament knee injuries (MKLIs) with grade III varus instability. Patients were identified through a prospective MLKI database between 2004 and 2013. Patients who received fibular collateral ligament and PLC reconstructions using a two-tailed graft and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included. Patients were assessed for clinical laxity grade, range of motion, and functional outcomes using Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. Twenty patients (16 male, 4 female) with a mean age of 30.7 (range: 16–52) and a mean follow-up of 52.2 months (range: 24–93 months) were included. Knee dislocation (KD) grades included: 4 KD-1, 10 KD 3-L, 5 KD-4, and 1 KD-5. No patients had isolated PLC injuries. Mean IKDC and Lysholm score were 73.1 ± 25.8 and 78 ± 26, respectively. Mean range of motion was –1.1 to 122.8. In full extension, two patients (10%) had grade 1 laxity to varus stress. In 30 degrees of knee flexion, five (25%) patients had grade 1 laxity, and two (10%) had grade 2 laxity. Anatomical two-tailed PLC reconstruction can reliably restore varus stability when performed on patients with MLKIs and type C posterolateral instability with hyperextension external rotation recurvatum deformity. Satisfactory functional outcome scores were achieved in the majority of patients. This study supports the use of an anatomical two-tailed PLC reconstruction in the multiligament injured knee. The level of evidence is IV, case series.
Hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma: a unifying entity in a patient with hemolytic anemia, massive splenomegaly, and liver dysfunction

Hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare subtype of peripheral non-Hodgkin lymphoma, of which 20% of cases are associated with chronic immunosuppression. It often occurs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with immunomodulating medications such a thiopurines or TNF-alpha inhibitors. Cytopenias are commonly seen but autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is rare. Here we present a young male with longstanding ulcerative colitis on chronic azathioprine, exhibiting several rare features of HSTCL. He initially presented with refractory AIHA, thrombocytopenia, and massive splenomegaly, requiring splenectomy. Histologic examination of his spleen confirmed diagnosis of HSTCL. Approximately 3 months after diagnosis, he was found to have leukemic transformation, representing a secondary malignancy.
Affect Education at Tiers 1, 2, and 3

Often in the USA, popular movements provide the impetus for change in education rather than change driven by advances in science. A science journalist rather than a scientist popularized the concept of emotional intelligence.
The art of writing patient record notes.

Taking the time to retell patients' stories in medical record notes offers an opportunity to hone writing skills that will promote understanding of patient problems, improve the clarity of future notes, and, in some cases, help teach someone else.
Programmed Cardiomyocyte Death in Heart Disease

This chapter reviews the mechanisms, consequences, and clinical implications of programmed cardiac myocyte death. Mechanisms of programmed cell death include apoptosis, programmed necrosis, autophagy, and the endoplasmic reticular stress response. While it is conceptually convenient to categorize these processes separately, in reality each mechanism exhibits crosstalk with the others, and programmed cardiomyocyte elimination in disease likely represents the aggregate effect of multiple processes, with one dominating depending upon pathological context and temporal sequence. Here, the molecular factors that activate and transduce different programmed cell death responses are described, emphasizing their individual roles and their collective impact and inter-relationships between cell death pathways. Then evidence that different forms of programmed cell death play roles in myocardial infarction and heart failure is reviewed. Finally, experimental models wherein apoptosis or programmed necrosis have been interrupted by genetic manipulation of pharmacological inhibition are presented, with the implications of this work on clinical heart disease.
Signed Formulas and Fuzzy Operator Logics

The language of signed formulas offers a classical logic frame-work for multiple-valued logics. Fuzzy operator logic is cast in this frame-work, thereby making most classical inference techniques applicable to fuzzy logic. In particular, resolution for first order fuzzy operator logic is shown to be a special case of signed resolution.
Minimally invasive donor nephrectomy: current state of the art

The concept of a minimally invasive live donor nephrectomy developed over 20 years ago. Surgeons gained expertise with the laparoscopic technique and utilized multiple variations that are now utilized in transplant centers throughout the world. Recent modifications include laparoendoscopic single-site and robotic approaches that have been adopted by an additional smaller set of programs. Review was performed of the following eight different surgical approaches to a “minimally invasive” live donor nephrectomy: laparoscopic (LDN), hand-assisted laparoscopic (HALDN), retroperitoneoscopic (RLDN), hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic (HARS), single-port laparoscopic (LESS), robotic-assisted laparoscopic (RALDN), mini open, and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic (NOTES). The techniques are described and summaries of available outcomes and complications are presented. Traditional surgical techniques of open donor nephrectomy have transitioned to minimally invasive techniques. With adoption of these techniques as the preferred approach, several variations have and continue to evolve. The current minimally invasive donor nephrectomy techniques share low complication rates and excellent outcomes.
Preoperative Preparation and Workup

Obesity rates continue to increase worldwide with an estimated 400 million adults being classified as obese and an estimated 300,000 yearly deaths attributable to complications of obesity such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Bariatric surgery remains the most efficacious treatment for obesity and its comorbidities. Over the past 15 years, surgery-associated morbidity and mortality rates have decreased substantially secondary to the development of dedicated bariatric surgery fellowships, centers of excellence, defined protocols and procedures, databases, and ongoing research. Attention to appropriate patient selection, preoperative workup, and preparation are essential to continue these trends. The purpose of this chapter is to share our group’s experience combined with that of the published literature in the preoperative process. Although we are aware that this process can seem lengthy and may result in a delay to surgery, our aim is to fulfill the essence of the Hippocratic Oath: first do no harm.
Polarization Decomposition and Temperature Bias Resolution for Smap Passive Soil Moisture Retrieval Using Time Series Brightness Temperature Observations

In passive microwave remote sensing of soil moisture, the tau-omega $(\tau-\omega)$ model has often been used to provide soil moisture estimates at a spatial scale representative of the satellite footprint dimensions. For modeling simplicity, model parameters such as the single scattering albedo $(\omega)$ and vegetation opacity $(\tau)$ that go into the geophysical inversion process are often assumed to be independent of polarizations. Although this absence of polarization dependence can often be justified in special cases as in low-frequency remote sensing or under dense vegetation conditions, it is not a robust assumption in general. Additional model parameterization errors arising from this assumption are possible, leading to degradation in soil moisture estimation accuracy. In this paper, we propose a time series approach to try to resolve the polarization dependence of several $\tau-\omega$ model parameters as well as the temperature bias arising from the ancillary temperature data. The Version 4 of the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Level 1B brightness temperature time series observations were used to illustrate the mechanics of this approach, with an emphasis on the comparison between resulting satellite retrieval and in situ data collected at several core validation sites. It was found that this time series approach resulted in significant reduction of dry bias exhibited in the current SMAP passive soil moisture data products, while retaining the same performance in other metrics of the current baseline passive soil moisture retrieval algorithm.
Colorectal cancer screening barriers.

e14175 Background: Colorectal cancer is the third cause of cancer death in the U.S., yet only 53% of adults over 50 are screened. Rates for minorities and patients without a high school education a...
Proteomic Basis for the Increased Susceptibility of the Mammary Gland to Carcinogenesis After Perinatal Exposure to Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a compound used to produce a myriad of popular consumer goods, such as food and beverage containers, the lacquer lining of canned food, infant formula bottles, and some dental sealants. Recent studies have shown BPA to leach from these products in appreciable amounts, resulting in nearly ubiquitous exposure to humans. In this chapter, we review two key studies performed in our laboratory which investigate the ability of early life exposure to BPA to alter susceptibility to mammary cancer during adulthood. Prepubertal exposure to BPA (2–20 days of age only) increased mammary carcinogenesis and altered cell proliferation and apoptosis in the mammary gland in a classical model of chemically induced rodent mammary carcinogenesis (dimethylbenz(a)anthracene [DMBA] administered at 50 days of age). However, prenatal exposure to BPA (gestational days 10–21) failed to significantly alter tumorigenesis. However, genomic and ­proteomic data indicated that 100 days of age, as opposed to 50 days of age, ­represented a time in which the mammary gland had the most changes to gene and protein expressions. Accordingly, when the DMBA was administered at 100 days of age, prenatal BPA significantly altered mammary tumorigenesis. However, purely descriptive studies of chemical carcinogens do little to further our understanding into the molecular functions underpinning these deleterious effects. Thus, using prenatal exposure to BPA as a model, we utilized discovery proteomics technology in order to identify novel targets of the latent molecular action of BPA. Using bioinformatics software, these novel protein identifications allowed us to perform targeted analysis of the activation and expression of interconnected, downstream signaling pathways. These studies suggest potential adverse health effects to low ­concentrations of exposure during early life exist. Further, our work emphasizes the emerging role of new technology, such as proteomics, in prompting hypothesis-­generating research which can be utilized in deciphering the molecular mechanisms causing these deleterious effects.
Update on BELLA Center's Free-Electron Laser Driven by a Laser-Plasma Accelerator

Technology to drive a free-electron laser with a compact laser-plasma accelerator is pursued. Recently we commissioned a new 5-Hz 100 TW laser, produced first electron beams (135 MeV), and built a dedicated FEL beamline, the status of which we report here. © 2019 The Author(s)
The Georgia Innovation Group: An assessment of the National Science Foundation's local government technology-sharing initiative

Numerous attempts have been made in recent years to make local governments more innovative. Several of these efforts have been directed by federal agencies through various “capacity-building” initiatives. The intergovernmental science division of the National Science Foundation recently sponsored a national technology-sharing project consisting of independent innovation networks. The project was called the NSF Innovation Group Program, and its goal was to establish a process whereby individual local governments could experiment with innovative concepts and transfer the results to other local governments. This paper details the experience of the Georgia Innovation Group. It offers insight into both the organizational development and the operational environment of the Group. The paper focuses on the problems the program encountered in Georgia, and elsewhere, and suggests that the interest in “innovation” among local governments may not be strong enough to justify extensive federal technology-sharing activities.
Total Synthesis of Spinosyn A. 2. Degradation Studies Involving the Pure Factor and Its Complete Reconstitution

A total synthesis of natural levorotatory spinosyn A (1) has been achieved. The first objective, to confirm the absolute configurational assignment of tricyclic ketone 2 prepared earlier, was accomplished by oxidative degradation of the macrocyclic lactone ring in 1. The route began with the implementation of a four-step one-pot process that resulted in the efficient conversion of 6 into 18. A combination of periodate cleavage and peracid oxidation events then led to 2. In the reconstruction phase, a Pd-catalyzed coupling of a vinylstannane with an acid chloride reestablished the great majority of the structure in an enantiocontrolled manner. Once macrolactonization had been effected, the 2,3,4-tri-O-methylrhamnose unit was introduced first with exceptionally good stereocontrol. The final glycosidation, which involved a 2-mercaptopyrimidine derivative of d-forosamine, was met with an expectedly diminished percentage of the desired β-anomer.
Public Shaming in The Social Media: Underlying Mechanisms and Future Research Agenda

Public shaming via social media has become increasingly frequent and has significant consequences to both organizations and their employees. In this paper, we integrate literature on moral convicti...
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Composition of Cerebrospinal Fluid Fractions Shows Their Contribution to Cognitive Resilience of a Pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease Cohort

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology is characterized by an early and prolonged decrease in the amyloid peptide (A) levels concomitant with a later increase in phospho-tau concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We propose that changes in lipid metabolism can contribute to the abnormal processing of A42 in AD. Our aim was to determine if polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism can differentiate pre-symptomatic AD from normal aging and symptomatic AD. Using neuropsychology measures and A42/T-tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), we classify three groups of elderly study participants: cognitively healthy with normal A42/T-tau (CH-NAT), cognitively healthy with pathological A42/T-tau (CH-PAT), and AD individuals. We determined the size distribution and the concentration of CSF particles using light scattering and quantified PUFA composition in the nanoparticulate (NP) fraction, supernatant fluid (SF), and unesterified PUFA levels using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Four PUFAs (C20:2n-6, C20:3n-3, C22:4n-6, C22:5n-3) were enriched in NP of AD compared with CH-NAT. C20:3n-3 levels were higher in the NP fraction from AD compared with CH-PAT. When normalized to the number of NPs in CSF, PUFA levels were significantly higher in CH-NAT and CH-PAT compared with AD. In the SF fractions, only the levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) differentiated all three clinical groups. Unesterified DHA was also higher in CH-NAT compared with the other clinical groups. Our studies also show that NP PUFAs in CH participants negatively correlate with CSF A42 while C20:4n-6, DHA, and n-3 PUFAs in the SF fraction positively correlate with T-tau. The profile of PUFAs in different CSF fractions that correlate with A42 or with T-tau are different for CH-NAT compared with CH-PAT. These studies show that PUFA metabolism is associated with amyloid and tau processing. Importantly, higher PUFA levels in the cognitively healthy study participants with abnormal A42/T-tau suggest that PUFA enhances the cognitive resilience of the pre-symptomatic AD population. We propose that interventions that prevent PUFA depletion in the brain may prevent AD pathology by stabilizing A42 and tau metabolism. Further studies to determine changes in PUFA composition during the progression from pre-symptomatic to AD should reveal novel biomarkers and potential preventive approaches.
The aerobic respiratory chain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultured in artificial urine media: Role of NQR and terminal oxidases

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative γ-proteobacterium that forms part of the normal human microbiota and it is also an opportunistic pathogen, responsible for 30% of all nosocomial urinary tract infections. P. aeruginosa carries a highly branched respiratory chain that allows the colonization of many environments, such as the urinary tract, catheters and other medical devices. P. aeruginosa respiratory chain contains three different NADH dehydrogenases (complex I, NQR and NDH-2), whose physiologic roles have not been elucidated, and up to five terminal oxidases: three cytochrome c oxidases (COx), a cytochrome bo3 oxidase (CYO) and a cyanide-insensitive cytochrome bd-like oxidase (CIO). In this work, we studied the composition of the respiratory chain of P. aeruginosa cells cultured in Luria Broth (LB) and modified artificial urine media (mAUM), to understand the metabolic adaptations of this microorganism to the growth in urine. Our results show that the COx oxidases play major roles in mAUM, while P. aeruginosa relies on CYO when growing in LB medium. Moreover, our data demonstrate that the proton-pumping NQR complex is the main NADH dehydrogenase in both LB and mAUM. This enzyme is resistant to HQNO, an inhibitory molecule produced by P. aeruginosa, and may provide an advantage against the natural antibacterial agents produced by this organism. This work offers a clear picture of the composition of this pathogen’s aerobic respiratory chain and the main roles that NQR and terminal oxidases play in urine, which is essential to understand its physiology and could be used to develop new antibiotics against this notorious multidrug-resistant microorganism.
Characteristic Modes of Circular Conducting Plate with Zernike Polynomials as Entire-Domain Basis

This paper studies the use of entire-domain basis functions constructed with the Zernike polynomials to evaluate the characteristic modes of a circular conducting plate. Some new mathematical relations of the Zernike polynomials are discovered, which allows the generalized impedance matrix to be obtained in a completely analytical manner without the need of meshing or numerical integrations. This new approach is stable and efficient, and its validity is verified by comparing to the results produced by the common RWG sub-domain basis functions.
COVID-19 and the differential dilemma.

The conundrums of choosing candidate genes, via differential expression between treated and mock specimens, are tackled by Ghandikota et al. in this issue of Patterns in their efforts to tease out genetic patterns that are characteristic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes.
To Talk or Not to Talk: An Analysis of Parents’ Intentions to Talk with Children About Different Sexual Topics Using the Theory of Planned Behavior

Parents’ intentions to engage in parent-child sexual communication (PCSC) are largely understudied, especially when children are young. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study aimed to explore what factors are associated with parental intentions to talk with their children about different sexual topics. A sample of 561 parents of an oldest child between the ages of 6 and 11 were recruited to complete a survey through Prolific.co between December 2019 and January 2020. Results of a path analysis showed that all components of the TPB (attitudes, subjective norms, self-efficacy) were significantly associated with parents’ intentions to talk to their children about at least three of the five categories of sexual topics (“the basics,” “pleasure,” “sex in relationships,” “gender identity/sexual orientation,” and the “religious meaning of sex”). Of these components, self-efficacy was most consistently and strongly associated with increased intentions to discuss all topics, followed by the attitude of believing sex education was the parents’ responsibility. These findings support the assumptions of the TPB as applied to PCSC. These findings suggest that building self-efficacy and helping parents feel responsible for educating their children about sex would be most important in attempting to increase parental intentions to engage in PCSC on a wide variety of topics. Funding for parent-targeted programming should be allocated to increase parent intentions to engage in PCSC. This programming should focus on helping parents develop self-efficacy and a sense of responsibility for educating children about multiple sexual topics.
Differentiating complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus and placental mesenchymal dysplasia: A series of 9 cases and review of the literature

To identify the differentiating features in clinical presentation, management, and maternal/fetal outcome in complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus compared with placental mesenchymal dysplasia. Between 1997 and 2015, five women with complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus and four women with placental mesenchymal dysplasia were managed at the University of California San Francisco. Clinical features were analyzed and compared with previously published data. Of the five cases of complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus, two had live births. β-hCG levels were > 200,000 IU/L in all cases. On imaging, a clear plane between the cystic component and the placenta favored a diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus. None of the patients went on to develop gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), with a range of follow-up from 2 to 38 months. Combining this data with previously published work, the live birth rate in these cases was 38.8%, the rate of persistent GTN was 36.2%, and the rate of persistent GTN in patients with reported live births was 27%. Of the four cases of placental mesenchymal dysplasia, all four had live births. One patient developed HELLP syndrome and intrauterine growth restriction; the remaining three were asymptomatic. Maternal symptoms, fetal anomalies, β-hCG level, and placental growth pattern on imaging may help differentiate between complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus and placental mesenchymal dysplasia. There was not an increased risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in patients with complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus who opted to continue with pregnancy.
A layered architecture to model interdisciplinary complexity in the deregulated power industry

The highly interdisciplinary nature of existing deregulated power industries makes research a challenge. Recognizing the complexity associated with the domain we propose a layered, modular approach to modeling and studying this domain. Such an approach helps in establishing a clear relationship among the various engineering and economic aspects of power systems, which is essential to gain insight into the nuances of the field. In this paper we describe our methodology and provide the architecture for an environment to support such investigation. With rapid technological advances as well as deregulation of power systems in most parts of the world we feel that such an approach would be very valuable in studying the various issues of interest.
Factors influencing renal sodium reabsorption in volume expansion.

This review summarizes factors influencing renal sodium reabsorption in volume expansion. The influence of renal blood flow and intrarenal blood flow distribution on renal sodium excretion during extracellular volume expansion is unclear. There is no convincing experimental evidence that an increase in renal blood flow per se or a change in the intrarenal distribution of renal blood flow is responsible for the natriuresis of ECVE. An increase in whole kidney glomerular filtration rate has been ruled out as the primary cause of the increase in sodium excretion following volume expansion, and several studies have shown that ECVE is not associated with a change in the intrarenal distribution of GFR. Several investigators propose that the primary variables regulating sodium transport during ECVE are physical factors in the peritubule circulation. There is much evidence to indicate that acute ECVE decreases sodium reabsorption by the proximal tubule. In animals with chronic ECVE, sodium transport along the loop of Henle is decreased. The role of hormonal factors in mediating the natriuresis of volume expansion is controversial. Although current evidence suggests that neurohumoral factors may be important, a role for other hormones, including “natriuretic hormone”, is still not settled. In addition, there is no convincing experimental evidence to date to indicate that a sodium ion receptor exists in the gut or portal circulation.
A hospital rooming-in unit for four newborn infants and their mothers; descriptive account of background, development, and procedures with a few preliminary observations.

introduction Rooming-in is the term currently in use to designate the hospital arrangement whereby a mother may have her newborn baby in a crib by her bedside whenever she wishes. The term was first used by Gesell and Ilg.1 Such an arrangement was established for study purposes on the University Service of the Grace-New Haven Community Hospital in October 1946. The four-bed ward used for this purpose is known as the Rooming-In Unit. An account of development of this Unit with a few preliminary observations is the subject of this paper. Because of the enthusiastic participation of fathers in the project from the day of its inception, the authors were inclined to entitle the paper,“ Rooming-In for Parents and Newborns.” The husband may be with his wife throughout the first stage of labor if mutually agreeable; under normal circumstances he may see his baby shortly after birth—even hold him; he may continue to get closely acquainted with his child day after day in the hospital, and watch his wife and the baby at nursing time if that happens to occur during visiting hours. This paternal participation has afforded obvious satisfaction to both parents which we believe is salutary for the baby. Indeed, the first major assumption in making plans for the Rooming-In Unit has been that a mother9s satisfaction with herself and with the attention and care bestowed upon her (by husband, parents, members of medical and nursing staff) is the best guarantee for her inclination and ability to satisfy
Country and Region of Origin Predict Risk of Food Insecurity among Hispanic-born in US

Reports on food insecurity often lump Hispanics together, ignoring potential geographical and cultural differences that may be important for identifying and targeting at-risk populations. The objective of this analysis was to determine the influence of Hispanic country and region of origin on US household and child food security status. We analyzed data from the December 2013 supplement of the Current Population Survey. We tested logistic regression models of household and child food insecurity among persons born in a Hispanic country versus the US, the reference group. Models controlled for significant predictors of food insecurity: income, number of children < 18y, education, marital status, and Hispanic ethnicity. We adjusted estimates with survey weights for persons. Persons originating from Mexico (p=0.00; OR=1.22) and Puerto Rico (p=0.02; OR=1.39) were at significantly higher risk of household food insecurity than US-born. Mexico-born persons (p=0.00; OR=1.28) were at significantly higher risk of ch...
Fine Structure in Nuclear Charge Distribution

The original elastic electron scattering experiments on nuclei produced charge distributions that were characterized by two basic parameters; the half-density radius r0.5 and the skin thickness t . It was possible using a phenomenological charge distribution, containing only these two parameters, to fit the experimental data from a wide range of nuclei. This situation has changed considerably in recent years. The amount of experimental cross sections in existence has increased and the data has been extended to higher values of the recoil momentum q . The ability to measure cross sections at larger values of q together with the better accuracy of the experimental data allows details of the charge distribution to be seen that were previously unobservable.
Animal occurrence and space use change in the landscape of anthropogenic noise

Abstract Habitat fragmentation, destruction, and disturbance are major threats to biodiversity. Global road networks represent one of the most significant human impacts on ecosystems, and a spatially extensive source of anthropogenic disturbance and noise. We developed a novel approach by combining traffic monitoring with noise mapping on the basis of a standardized traffic-noise stimulus generated by controlled vehicle operation to investigate temporal and spatial heterogeneity of traffic noise. We used animal presence or absence, radio-telemetric monitoring of space use, and remotely sensed habitat characteristics with occupancy modeling and spatial analysis to assess influences of distance from roads, habitat characteristics, and traffic noise level on site occupancy and space use of Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis). Traffic noise had spatially extensive and negative effects on site occupancy. Animal occurrence decreased as traffic noise increased after accounting for distance from roads. Traffic noise levels in animal core home ranges were lower than noise levels within total home ranges. Our study disentangled effects of traffic noise from confounding environmental characteristics and demonstrated the chronic impacts of traffic noise on animal distribution. We highlight the importance of incorporating spatial and temporal heterogeneity of traffic noise at a local scale when investigating effects of anthropogenic noise on wildlife.
Guidance of callosal axons by radial glia in the developing cerebral cortex

During development, columns of the mammalian cerebral cortex are formed by migration of neurons along fascicles of radial glia. Subsequently, axons of the corpus callosum connect reciprocal regions of each cerebral hemisphere. To determine whether the radial growth of callosal afferents through the developing cortex may be guided by particular cellular elements, we examined the ultrastructural relationship between callosal afferents and radial fibers in the early postnatal hamster sensorimotor cortex. Developing callosal axons and their growth cones were labeled with HRP injected into the cortex at 3 d postnatal when the growth cones have extended across the callosum and are just entering the contralateral cortex. An EM analysis of 30 HRP-labeled axons and their growth cones revealed that they extended upon fascicles of radial processes associated with migrating neurons. Reconstruction of seven of these growth cones, serially sectioned in their entirety, showed that growth cones were associated with the same radial fascicle as their axon. Growth cones also touched other cellular elements such as axons. However, the finding that callosal afferents, from the point at which they enter the cortex to their growth cones, were apposed to a continuous fascicle of radial fibers suggests that callosal axons are tracking along radial processes. We conclude that the majority of the radial processes within fascicles are likely to be glial, based on their relatively large diameters, electron-lucent cytoplasm with a regular array of microtubules, the presence of glycogen granules, occasional cytoplasmic protrusions lacking microtubules, and their consistent association with migrating neurons. We propose therefore that radial glia may serve a guidance function for growing callosal axons in their radial trajectory through the developing cerebral cortex.
Civil Rites: The Gay Marriage Controversy in Historical Perspective

This short essay, written for a volume that celebrates and reflects on Lawrence M. Friedman’s work in legal history and legal culture, explores the modern controversy about same-sex marriage through a historical lens. The legalization of same-sex marriage by five states, and the express condemnation of it by more than forty others, has reintroduced the age-old problem of non-uniform marriage laws and the complicated interactions that follow. This modern story - a challenge to traditional marriage, a divisive moral debate, and the emergence of strong oppositional forces that are stuck, at least temporarily, but perhaps indefinitely, in a kind of stalemate - is not an original one. American states have never been of one mind about the appropriate level of state control over domestic relations, and the federal government has, for the most part, steered clear. Though most conflicts involving state regulation of marriage and divorce had been resolved by the middle of the twentieth century, the battles were long, hard fought, and left an indelible imprint on family law history. In this essay, I argue that the same-sex marriage controversy re-invokes a long history of battles among states over regulation of marriage and divorce, and that lessons from these historical battles are still relevant. The lessons of history - about the legal structures produced in times of panic, the influence of social and economic pressures on law’s development, and the importance of the “separate histories of the law of the fifty states” - cannot be ignored. Nor should we lose sight of Friedman’s recurring observation that social forces, eventually, “shape the legal order.”
Trends in microwave photonics and related research at the Center for Microwave-Lightwave Engineering

The rapid development of microwave and optical electronics over the past decades led to the natural merger of these important technologies, and microwave photonics emerged as a viable, exciting field of research with many potential areas of applications. This paper highlights some of the current and anticipated trends in microwave photonics. In particular, three areas are concentrated on: high speed fiberoptic links, optically controlled microwave devices and selected application areas. Emphasis is placed on research performed in the author's laboratory.