cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium signaling differentiation during Xenopus oocyte maturation.

Ca 2+ is the universal signal for egg activation at fertilization in all sexually reproducing species. The Ca 2+ signal at fertilization is necessary for egg activation and exhibits specialized spatial and temporal dynamics. Eggs acquire the ability to produce the fertilization-specific Ca 2+ signal during oocyte maturation. However, the mechanisms regulating Ca 2+ signaling differentiation during oocyte maturation remain largely unknown. At fertilization, Xenopus eggs produce a cytoplasmic Ca 2+ (Ca 2+) rise that lasts for several minutes, and is required for egg activation. Here, we show that during oocyte maturation Ca 2+ transport effectors are tightly modulated. The plasma membrane Ca 2+ ATPase (PMCA) is completely internalized during maturation, and is therefore unable to extrude Ca 2+ out of the cell. Furthermore, IP3-dependent Ca 2+ release is required for the sustained Ca 2+ rise in eggs, showing that Ca 2+ that is pumped into the ER leaks back out through IP3 receptors. This apparent futile cycle allows eggs to maintain elevated cytoplasmic Ca 2+ despite the limited available Ca 2+ in intracellular stores. Therefore, Ca 2+ signaling differentiates in a highly orchestrated fashion during Xenopus oocyte maturation endowing the egg with the capacity to produce a sustained Ca 2+ transient at
Proliferation of Rhesus Ovarian Surface Epithelial Cells in Culture: Lack of Mitogenic Response to Steroid or Gonadotropic Hormones

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer, and approximately 90% of ovarian cancers derive from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), yet the biology of the OSE is poorly understood. Factors associated with increased risk of non-hereditary ovarian cancer include the formation of inclusion cysts, effects of reproductive hormones and the number of ovulations experienced in a woman's lifetime. Distinguishing between these factors is difficult in vivo, but cultured OSE cells are viable tools for some avenues of research. Here we establish rhesus macaque OSE cultures and demonstrate that these cells express cytokeratin, vimentin, N-cadherin, ER-alpha, and PR but are negative for E-cadherin. We show that these cells activate MAPK and proliferate in response to extracellular calcium, as do human and rat OSE. In contrast, the gonadotropic hormones FSH (4-400 IU/liter), LH (8.5-850 IU/liter), and human CG (10-1000 IU/liter) fail to stimulate proliferation. We find that concentrations of progesterone and estrogen normally present in follicles just before ovulation ( approximately 1000 ng/ml) significantly decrease the number of mitotically active rhesus macaque OSE cells as determined by PCNA labeling, total cell count, and (3)H-thymidine uptake, whereas lower steroid concentrations have no effect.
Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients Are Not at Higher Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding with More Aggressive Anticoagulation

Purpose Continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) have become a cornerstone of heart failure therapy. The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding has been noted to be higher in these CF-LVAD patients than in previous generations of pulsatile flow LVADs. A more aggressive anticoagulation regimen could reduce the incidence of thromboembolic complications. Our aim was to evaluate the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) before and after the initiation of an aggressive anticoagulation regimen. Methods and Materials 137 consecutive patients received a CF- LVAD with either a Heartmate II, Heartware or VentrAssist device. We undertook a retrospective review of our database of our single institution experience. We divided patients into two groups, one group was implanted prior to 3/15/2011 under a more conservative anticoagulation protocol and the second group was implanted after 3/15/2011 under a more aggressive anticoagulation protocol. Results The 6 month and 1 year mortality in our patients were 14.3% and 30.9% respectively. Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 25 patients with a total of 45 bleeding episodes for an overall rate of 0.53 bleeding episodes per patient year on support. When broken out into conservative and aggressive anticoagulation groups the bleeding rate was 0.51 and 0.63 per patient years on support, which was not statistically different. There were 9 patients (36%) with recurrent GIBs. In patients who suffered a GIB the average INR at the time of the bleeding episode was 2.1, and 57.8% of patients were on a full anticoagulation regimen at the time of their bleeding event. Conclusions CF-LVADs will continue to play a major role in the management of end stage heart failure. We have shown that a more aggressive management strategy for anticoagulation in an effort to reduce thromboembolic complications is safe and does not lead to a significant increase in GIB events in our population.
Hydrogen bonding in the crystal structure of bis[3-([thiomethyl]methyl)pyrazole]copper(II) perchlorate.

Abstract The ability of a metal-coordinated pyrazole to engage in hydrogen bonding has been explored by synthesis of the title complex, bis{3-[(thiomethyl)methyl]pyrazole}copper(II) perchlorate ( 3 ). The coordination in 3 can be described as pseudo-octahedral, with two relatively tightly-bound 3-[(thiomethyl)methyl]pyrazole ligands occupying the equatorial plane, forming a [CuN 2 S 2 ] 2+ unit with the S donors mutually trans to each other. The axial positions are each filled by a weakly bound perchlorate counterion, one oxygen of which forms a hydrogen bond with the pyrazole N–H moiety on an adjacent [CuN 2 S 2 ] 2+ unit.
The Security of Northeast Asia

Although the Northeast Asian region is more stable now than during the Cold War, significant unresolved issues remain. Most significantly, North Korea remains a security and economic problem for the entire region. In addition, unresolved territorial and historical disputes, how to deal with China's emergence, and whether the USA will retain its leadership position, are all issues on the agendas of states in the region. This article will address those four issues, and argue that neither realism nor liberalism provide a comprehensive explanation for the relative salience and importance of these issues. Alternatively, I argue that identities and interests are central to explaining both the sources of stability and potential instability in East Asia, and that relative capabilities and economic relations, while important, do not provide a clear picture of the fundamental dynamics in the region. What states want is more important than how powerful they are, and it is the question of state intentions, and how they view their own position in the world and their relationship to their neighbors, that will ultimately determine whether Northeast Asia continues to move toward stability or slides into instability.
HOW EXPERIENCES IN A NURSING HOME AFFECT NURSING STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE ELDERLY

The projected increase in elderly Americans in the next few decades raises concern about the availability of health care professionals, especially nurses, to work with the elderly. Using cognitive dissonance theory, we examined attitudes of 169 senior‐level baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in a practicum in psychiatric mental health. The students completed pre‐ and post‐tests that included 24 descriptors of the elderly and questions concerning their feelings about the practicum and prior experiences with the elderly. Paired t‐test analysis revealed both positive and negative changes in their perceptions of the elderly. Two thirds of the students reported enjoying the practicum very much. After the practicum, nearly 30% reported that they “would really like” working professionally with the elderly. Recommendations include balancing practicums between nursing homes and sites that include productive and well elderly. Faculty need to provide ample opportunities for dialogue with students to reduce stre...
An historical approach to the nomenclature of rheumatoid arthritis.

The history of the nomenclature of rheumatoid arthritis has been traced from antiquity to the present discussion of “rheumatoid disease.” Although Guillaume de Baillou recognized rheumatism as being arthritis in 1611, Augustin Jacob Landre Beauvais was the first to describe clearly rheumatoid arthritis, calling it primary asthenic gout in 1800. Sir Alfred Baring Garrod coined the term rheumatoid arthritis in 1858. The British Ministry of Health adopted this term in 1922, and the American Rheumatism Association replaced atrophic arthritis with rheumatoid arthritis in 1941. Le historia del nomenclatura de arthritis rheumatoide esseva traciate ab le antiquitate usque al presente discussion del termino “morbo rheumatoide.” Ben que Guillaume de Baillou recognosceva in 1611 que rheumatismo es arthritis, Augustin-Jacob Landre Beauvais esseva le prime qui clarmente describeva arthritis rheumatoide. Ille lo designava in 1800 como primari gutta asthenic. Sir Alfred Baring Garrod creava le termino arthritis rheumatoide in 1858. Le Britannic Ministerio de Salute adoptava iste termino in 1922, e in 1941 le Association Rheumatologic American reimplaciava arthritis atrophic per arthritis rheumatoide.
Escaping the flow: boundary layer use by the darter Etheostoma tetrazonum (Percidae) during benthic station holding.

SUMMARY Aquatic habitats characterized by directional water flow (lotic environments) pose numerous challenges to their inhabitants, including the constant threat of dislodgement and downstream transport. As a result, many organisms exhibit morphological and/or behavioral adaptations that facilitate midwater or benthic station holding in these environments, such as the ventral sucker disc of armored catfishes. However, a few groups, including the species-rich group of small (7-8 cm long and 1-2 cm high) North American stream fishes called darters, exhibit no obvious morphological adaptations to life in lotic habitats. We therefore asked whether small size itself facilitates benthic station holding in these fish. We first used digital particle image velocimetry to quantify the fluid dynamics of flow over a variety of substrates. We then visualized the patterns of flow over the darter Etheostoma tetrazonum during benthic station holding. The thickness of the region of decreased water velocity (i.e. the boundary layer) associated with several types of rocky substrate was large enough (∼2 cm high in some cases) for E. tetrazonum and many other darter species to escape the oncoming flow. We also found that, despite the large size of its pectoral fins, E. tetrazonum is capable of producing only very weak negative lift forces with fins. These substrate-directed forces likely act in conjunction with upstream-directed frictional forces between the tail, anal and pelvic fins and the substrate to facilitate station holding. Thus, we hypothesize that, in darters, small size is an adaptation to life in the benthic boundary layer of lotic environments.
Theory of amorphization kinetics in intermetallics

Abstract An examination of amorphization kinetics in intermetallic alloys indicated that both a criterion based on cascade-induced point defects and a criterion based on a uniform production of point defects rationalized observed amorphization kinetics in ion irradiated NiTi. The dose dependencies of average defect concentrations were calculated and the fluctuations in concentration were simulated using a Monte Carlo technique. Assumed low interstitial mobilities and high sink strengths promoted amorphization. Faster interstitial mobilities caused shorter lifetimes for cascades and lesser accumulation of cascade damage. Assuming uniform production of point defects, the predicted dose exponent for amorphization increased with increasing critical defect concentration and increasing critical cluster size.
Cause and Prevention of Cane Molasses Gelling

Molasses is a dark, viscous by-product of the sugar-refining process. However, molasses from sugar cane experience a sporadic problem with gelling during storage. Gelled molasses is impossible to pump, resulting in financial loss when it cannot be pumped out of the holding tank. The objective of this project was to discover what causes molasses gelling and how to prevent gelling in the future. Analysis of industrial samples determined that dextran, pH, and calcium content are correlated with gelling. Molasses gelling occurs when dextran chains are bound together by calcium at a slightly acidic pH. The exact values needed for gelling vary because of interaction effects. The addition of dextran, Ca, or Mn increases the speed of gelling. A pH below 3.5 or above 8.1 prevents gelling. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), aluminum lactate, and sodium citrate prevent gelling by chelating calcium so that it cannot bind the dextran chains. Addition of Mg, Cu, Zn, Sn, or Al prevents gelling through competitive inhibition with the calcium.
Respiration and excretion by the ctenophore Mnepiopsis leidyi

Respiration (dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide) and excretion (dissolved organic carbon, inorganic and organic nitrogen and phosphorus) rates were measured for a variety of sizes of Mnemiopsis leidyi over a temperature range of 10.3° to 24.5°C. Both respiration and excretion rates were a direct linear function of animal weight and very temperature sensitive (Q10≊4). Oxygen uptake ranged from 155 to 489 μg at O/(g dry weight) day-1 and carbon dioxide release from 43 to 166 μM. Organic carbon made up about 38% of the total carbon released. Inorganic nitrogen excretion, exclusively in the form of ammonium, comprised 54% of the total nitrogen release and ranged from 10 to 36 μM NH4/(g dry weight) day-1. Average release of dissolved primary amines (expressed as glycine equivalents) equaled 43% of the organic nitrogen fraction. Inorganic phosphorus release ranged from 2.0 to 4.9 μM/(g dry weight) day-1 and made up about 72% of the total phosphorus loss. The turnover of elements in the body was calculated as 5 to 19% per day for carbon and nitrogen, depending on the temperature, and an even higher 20 to 48% per day for phosphorus. These values are comparable to rates observed for small, active zooplankton.
Neganov-Luke Phonon Amplification in P-type Point Contact Detectors

The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) detectors measure ionization and athermal phonons in high purity germanium crystals to discriminate between nuclear recoils from dark matter candidates and radioactive backgrounds. In order to reach lower energy detection thresholds, the CDMSlite experiment operates the CDMS detectors with a larger voltage bias to increase the signal-to-noise ratio using the Neganov–Luke effect. Breakdown in those detectors was observed at fields of order 30 V/cm, but the reason for the breakdown is unknown. It is unclear if the breakdowns are due to surface leakage current, impact ionization in the bulk of the crystals, or some other effect due to the very low operating temperatures of the detectors. Germanium detectors used in gamma spectroscopy at 77 K are regularly operated with fields in excess of 1,000 V/cm. In order to understand the origin of breakdown in the CDMS detectors, a P-type Point Contact detector was equipped with transition edge phonon thermistors and operated at a base temperature of $$\sim $$ 30 mK. The linearity of the Neganov–Luke phonon amplification was studied and no sign of breakdown for biases up to 400 V was observed. This excludes impact ionization on neutral impurity states as the primary cause of the breakdown observed in the CDMSLite detectors. This demonstrates that the Neganov–Luke phonon amplification is a viable method for lowering the energy threshold in germanium detectors of masses of order 1 kg.
Predictions for particle deposition on natural waters

Abstract Deposition velocity predictions, for aerosol particles depositing on natural waters, are obtained by modifying earlier theory for deposition on smooth, solid surfaces. If particle growth by water vapor condensation occurs in the humid region adjacent to the air/water interface, then the deposition velocity for particles with (dry) radii near 1 μm is predicted to be essentially independent of particle size and equal to the limiting value set by atmospheric turbulence. That is, for these particles, v d — u ∗ 2 u = C D u where (for open waters, constant wind, near neutral stability, and a 10 m reference height) the drag coefficient CD = (1.3 ± 0.3) × 10−3.
The second-order neck in polyester films

Abstract A direct mechanical macro-experiment demonstrated the possibility of a second-order neck forming in a polyethylene terephthalate film. This neck forms at a low degree of stretching (1.25-1.30) and has a specific geometry. The kinetics of the second-order neck spread have been investigated and good agreement was found between the experimental results and the theoretical correlation.
IceCube searches for neutrino emission from galactic and extragalactic sources

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, located near the geographic South Pole, is currently the world’s largest neutrino telescope. IceCube is principally designed to detect high-energy neutrinos from galactic and extragalactic sources. The detector comprises more than a cubic-kilometer of glacial ice instrumented with 86 vertical strings, each with 60 optical sensors, and a square-kilometer array at the surface. IceCube sensors detect Cherenkov radiation from charged particles produced in all neutrino flavor interactions in the ice. We discuss the recent results from searches for high-energy neutrinos, including the first detection of a diffuse flux of extraterrestrial origin with energies between about 30 TeV and 2 PeV. The events with energies above 1 PeV are the highest energy neutrinos ever observed.
An investigation of electron transfer properties of (Cp)Mn(CO)3 and substituted Cp derivatives

Abstract The results of an electrochemical investigation of the reduction of (η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Mn(CO) 3 , (η 5 -C 5 H 4 COOCH 3 )Mn(CO) 3 , (η5-C 5 H 4 CH 3 )Mn(CO) 3 and (η 5 -C 5 H 4 Cl)Mn(CO) 3 are reported. Each compound was characterized with at least a single one-electron EC process. However, for (η 5 C 5 H 4 COOCH 3 )Mn(CO) 3 and (η 5 -C 5 H 4 CI)Mn(CO) 3 additional reduction processes were also observed. The first reduction potential of these compounds exhibits a potential range of 340 mV and a correlation with the Hammett parameter (σ p ). Voltammetric and IR analysis of the reduced solutions indicate that several species are formed upon reduction. A possible reaction scheme is suggested, although isolation of the proposed products and intermediates for identification has not been possible.
Analysis of the thymidine kinase gene from clinically isolated acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex viruses.

The isolation and description of acyclovir-resistant (ACVR) herpes simplex-2 viruses from patients with AIDS has recently been reported. These ACVR viruses were all markedly decreased in their thymidine kinase (TK) activity, and 6 of 10 of these TK viruses were able to establish latency. In addition, one of these isolates, ACVR-86012 was neuropathogenic in a murine encephalitis model. In this paper, the characteristics of these isolates with respect to TK polypeptide synthesis are examined. All but one isolate synthesized a detectable TK protein by immunoprecipitation, and 910 of the TK proteins had an altered electrophoretic mobility as compared to wild-type. The TK polypeptide from the neuropathogenic isolate ACVR-86012 was full-length and the gene was sequenced. An amino acid change from a glutamine to a proline at amino acid residue 105 was detected compared to the wild-type HSV-333 strain. These results indicate that an amino acid change in the NH2 portion of the TK protein is associated with a full-length peptide with decreased enzyme activity but the virus retains neuropathic virulence.
Environmental stress alters genes expression and induces ovule abortion: reactive oxygen species appear as ovules commit to abort

Environmental stress dramatically reduces plant reproduction. Previous results showed that placing roots in 200 mM NaCl for 12 h caused 90% of the developing Arabidopsis ovules to abort (Sun et al. in Plant Physiol 135:2358-2367, 2004). To discover the molecular responses that occur during ovule abortion, gene expression was monitored using Affymetrix 24k genome arrays. Transcript levels were measured in pistils that were stressed for 6, 12, 18, and 24 h, then compared with the levels in healthy pistils. Over the course of this experiment, a total of 535 salt-responsive genes were identified. Cluster analysis showed that differentially expressed genes exhibited reproducible changes in expression. The expression of 65 transcription factors, some of which are known to be involved in stress responses, were modulated during ovule abortion. In flowers, salt stress led to a 30-fold increase in Na+ ions and modest, but significant, decreases in the accumulation of other ions. The expression of cation exchangers and ion transporters were induced, presumably to reestablish ion homeostasis following salt stress. Genes that encode enzymes that detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS), including ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase, were downregulated after ovules committed to abort. These changes in gene expression coincided with the synthesis of ROS in female gametophytes. One day after salt stress, ROS spread from the gametophytes to the maternal chalaza and integuments. In addition, genes encoding proteins that regulate ethylene responses, including ethylene biosynthesis, ethylene signal transduction and ethylene-responsive transcription factors, were upregulated after stress. Hypotheses are proposed on the basis of this expression analysis, which will be evaluated further in future experiments.
Fractures of the scapula and ribs

F RACTURES of the scapuIa and ribs may be considered in a group because of their adjacent Iocation, simiIar etioIogy and somewhat simiIar treatment. Fractured ribs are, of course, much more common than fractured scapuIae, primariIy because there are twenty-four ribs and onIy two scapuIae. This ratio of 12 to I is approximated in our series of 551 rib fractures and 37 scapuIae in a proportion of 14.8 to I. The proportionate excess of ribs is due to easier accessibiIity of the ribs to trauma. AI1 the cases in this study were treated as in-patients at the Beekman Street HospitaI for the ten year period of 1926 to 1935 incIusive.
Does failure to visualize a sentinel node on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy predict a greater likelihood of axillary lymph node positivity

Background Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has become the standard of care for axillary staging in women with early-stage breast cancer. The purpose of the study was to investigate the hypothesis that nonvisualization of SLN on lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) predicts a subset of patients at risk of having a substantial burden of axillary tumor as evidenced by higher rate of lymph node involvement. Study Design We retrospectively reviewed the records of 1,500 patients who underwent dual-tracer SLN mapping for breast cancer between 1999 and 2004. LSG were reported as negative or positive. Results Ninety-one percent had axillary SLN(s) identified on LSG imaging. In 133 of 134 (99.3%) patients with a negative LSG, SLN(s) was identified intraoperatively either by blue dye or hand-held γ detection. SLN was positive in 28.4% of LSG nonvisualized group and was positive in 29.1% of LSG visualized group (p > 0.05). A significantly higher percentage of women older than 50 years of age had nonvisualization of SLN (p 2 ) was >30 in 42.5% of LSG nonvisualized group and in 26.3% in LSG visualized group (p Conclusions Failure to demonstrate axillary uptake by LSG appears to be related to technical factors and patient-related factors, such as body mass index and older age, but does not adversely affect SLN identification. The equivalent rate of positive SLNs in patients with a positive or negative LSG supports the null hypothesis that "failure to visualize" on LSG does not identify a subset of patients at higher risk of being axillary lymph node positive.
The Soul of a Polarized Democracy: Testing Theoretical Linkages Between Talk and Attitude Extremity During the 2004 Presidential Election

This study explores the relationships between discussion networks and the development of extreme attitudes toward stem cell research during the 2004 presidential election. The authors test competing theoretical models that address discrepancies in previous attitude polarization research—whether interpersonal discussion leads to attitude extremity or extremity leads to discussion, within the deliberating American public. Using data from a nationwide mail panel survey carried out between 2002 and 2005, the authors explore within-wave and between-wave causal paths, revealing patterns difficult to discern in cross-sectional survey or lab experimental designs. Our findings show that political talk plays a substantial role in shaping and polarizing attitudes on stem cell research, with discussion in networks composed of like-minded others leading directly to the development of extreme attitudes.
A televised entertainment-education drama to promote positive discussion about organ donation

This article investigates pathways between the exposure to an entertainment-education (E-E) television drama called Three Rivers and positive discussion of organ donation among viewers of the drama in the United States. A cross-sectional surveywasconductedusinganonlineadvertising for a period of one week. Survey participants included 1325 adults living in the United States, who had viewed the first episode of Three Rivers on television. Data were collected on recall of events in the storyline, perceived entertainment value,perceivedaccuracyofthe presented health information, rejection of organ donation myths and positive discussion oforgan donation and the storyline. Covariates were registration for organ donation, membership to the donation or transplant community and demographic variables. Results show that viewers with high recall of the storyline were more likely to reject myths about organ donation and engage in prodonation discussions with others. Perceived entertainment value and perceived accuracy acted as mediators in such relationships. The insertion of accurate health information in television dramamaybeeffectiveinpromotingpositivediscussions about organ donation and myth rejection. Recall of events from the televised E-E drama Three Rivers, entertainment value and accuracy perception were associated with positive discussion.
The strong chromatic number of a graph

It is shown that there is an absolute constant c with the following property: For any two graphs G1 = (V, E1) and G2 = (V, E2) on the same set of vertices, where G1 has maximum degree at most d and G2 is a vertex disjoint union of cliques of size cd each, the chromatic number of the graph G = (V, E1 U E2) is precisely cd. The proof is based on probabilistic arguments. © 1992 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variable selection in linear measurement error models via penalized score functions

Abstract We propose variable selection procedures based on penalized score functions derived for linear measurement error models. To calibrate the selection procedures, we define new tuning parameter selectors based on the scores. Large-sample properties of these new tuning parameter selectors are established for the proposed procedures. These new methods are compared in simulations and a real-data application with competing methods where one ignores measurement error or uses the Bayesian information criterion to choose the tuning parameter.
Facilitation of human tobacco self-administration by ethanol: a behavioral analysis.

Abstract The effect of ethanol on the cigarette smoking of alcoholic subjects was studied in a residential laboratory. During daily 6-hr sessions, cigarettes were obtained either by request to the ward staff or by operation of a lever (fixed-ratio 5 or 10). In a mixed sequence across days, sessions involved ingestion of either vehicle (orange juice or vehicle plus ethanol (133.7 g). During ethanol sessions, the rate of cigarette smoking increased from 26% to 117% of vehicle levels. A series of control studies eliminated a number of potential behavorial mechanisms for the observed effect and indicated that the ethanol-induced increase in cigarette smoking occurred under a variety of experimental conditions: (1) when smoking could not occur concurrently with ethanol or vehicle consumption; (2) when subjects were not allowed to socialize; (3) when ingestion of ethanol or vehicle was scheduled for a number of consecutive days; (4) when various doses of ethanol were administered under blind conditions. In control experiments, weighing unsmoked tobacco and counting the number of puffs per cigarette indicated the effect was not due to smoking less of each cigarette. The effect was not limited to the experimental sessions alone, since total daily smoking was higher on ethanol days than vehicle days.
Ecological risk assessment framework for low-altitude aircraft overflights: I. Planning the analysis and estimating exposure.

An ecological risk assessment framework for low-altitude aircraft overflights was developed, with special emphasis on military applications. The problem formulation and exposure analysis phases are presented in this article; an analysis of effects and risk characterization is presented in a companion article. The intent of this article is threefold: (1) to illustrate the development of a generic framework for the ecological risk assessment of an activity, (2) to show how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ecological risk assessment paradigm can be applied to an activity other than the release of a chemical, and (3) to provide guidance for the assessment of ecological risks from low-altitude aircraft overflights. The key stressor for low-altitude aircraft overflights is usually sound, although visual and physical (collision) stressors may also be significant. Susceptible and regulated wildlife populations are the major assessment endpoint entities, although plant communities may be impacted by takeoffs and landings. The exposure analysis utilizes measurements of wildlife locations, measurements of sound levels at the wildlife locations, measurements of slant distances from aircraft to wildlife, models that extrapolate sound from the source aircraft to the ground, and bird-strike probability models. Some of the challenges to conducting a risk assessment for aircraft overflights include prioritizing potential stressors and endpoints, choosing exposure metrics that relate to wildlife responses, obtaining good estimates of sound or distance, and estimating wildlife locations.
Ethics and the Politics of Advancing Nursing Knowledge

The politics of academia involve intricate human relationships that are political in nature as nurse leaders and scholars struggle to advance nursing science with complex leading-following situations. This article begins a dialogue of considering potential meanings for what it means to be political within competing interest groups in academia, and within the discipline of nursing. What is most important in the struggle for identity and what possibilities surface when potential competing interests in academia collide? The ethical tenets of humanbecoming and the leading-following model are used to illustrate issues surrounding academic integrity and possibilities for the advancement of nursing scholarship in future generations.
Optical-communication systems based on chaos in semiconductor lasers

Chaotic optical-communication systems using semiconductor lasers are studied. The dynamics, synchronization, and message encoding and decoding are modeled and studied numerically and experimentally for two systems which are based on optical injection and delayed optoelectronic feedback of semiconductor lasers, respectively. An optically-injected single-mode semiconductor laser is a nonautonomous nonlinear system of three dynamical variables. It has phase-sensitive dynamics that follow a period-doubling route to chaos. A single-mode semiconductor laser with delayed optoelectronic feedback is an autonomous, delayed-feedback nonlinear system with only two dynamical variables, but its dimension can be very high when the delay time is large. It has phase-insensitive pulsing dynamics that follows a quasi-periodic route to chaotic pulsing. Stable synchronization for both systems are devised, modeled, and studied numerically and experimentally. Message encoding schemes for chaotic communication systems based on the concept of chaos modulation are devised and implemented for both systems to encode and decode optically transmitted messages.
Validation of a single-item measure of usual physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of a single-item measure of Usual Physical Activity and to assess its usefulness as a physical activity tool for perimenopausal women. 188 perimenopausal women participated (age: M = 47 yr., SD = 3; range = 40-55). Data were collected using the Women's Health Assessment Scale, the Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Perimenopause-related Quality of Life Scale, a health history and demographic questionnaire, and the rater. Scores were stable over a 2-wk. interval. Convergent validity was supported by a correlation of .66 between ratings on Usual Physical Activity and the Physical Activity Questionnaire. Concurrent validity was supported by the association of the rating of Usual Physical Activity with three parameters of Body Mass Index, psychosomatic symptoms, and perimenopause related quality of life, known to be associated with physical activity. Highly active women had a lower Body Mass Index than less active and inactive women. Active women tended to report fewer and less distressing psychosomatic symptoms and better quality of life. These findings support the use of rating of Usual Physical Activity to classify perimenopausal women into categories of physical activity.
A Total Organic Aqueous Redox Flow Battery Employing a Low Cost and Sustainable Methyl Viologen Anolyte and 4‐HO‐TEMPO Catholyte

Increasing worldwide energy demands and rising CO2 emissions have motivated a search for new technologies to take advantage of renewables such as solar and wind energies. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) with their high power density, high energy efficiency, scalability (up to MW and MWh), and safety features are one suitable option for integrating such energy sources and overcoming their intermittency. However, resource limitation and high system costs of current RFB technologies impede wide implementation. Here, a total organic aqueous redox flow battery (OARFB) is reported, using low-cost and sustainable methyl viologen (MV, anolyte) and 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (4-HO-TEMPO, catholyte), and benign NaCl supporting electrolyte. The electrochemical properties of the organic redox active materials are studied using cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk electrode voltammetry. The MV/4-HO-TEMPO ARFB has an exceptionally high cell voltage, 1.25 V. Prototypes of the organic ARFB can be operated at high current densities ranging from 20 to 100 mA cm2, and deliver stable capacity for 100 cycles with nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency. The MV/4-HO-TEMPO ARFB displays attractive technical merits and thus represents a major advance in ARFBs.
Focusing impulse radiating antenna for medical imaging

The use of prolate-spheroidal reflectors as part of sub-nanosecond impulse radiating antennas (IRA) allows us to generate near-field electric fields with high spatial resolution in biological tissue. This work focuses on the design and construction of subnanosecond pulse generators, which has resulted in a 160 ps, 50 kV, 50 Omega generator. The design of prolate-spheroidal antennas for these medical applications is pursued in cooperation with C. Baum at the University of New Mexico. A three-dimensional, time-dependent electromagnetic code (MAGIC) is used to model the electric field distribution in tissue. The pulse power research efforts are complemented by studies on the biological effect of subnanosecond electrical pulses.
New insights on the development of fungal vaccines: from immunity to recent challenges

Fungal infections are emerging as a major problem in part due to high mortality associated with systemic infections, especially in the case of immunocompromised patients. With the development of new treatments for diseases such as cancer and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic, the number of immunosuppressed patients has increased and, as a consequence, also the number of invasive fungal infections has increased. Several studies have proposed new strategies for the development of effective fungal vaccines. In addition, better understanding of how the immune system works against fungal pathogens has improved the further development of these new vaccination strategies. As a result, some fungal vaccines have advanced through clinical trials. However, there are still many challenges that prevent the clinical development of fungal vaccines that can efficiently immunise subjects at risk of developing invasive fungal infections. In this review, we will discuss these new vaccination strategies and the challenges that they present. In the future with proper investments, fungal vaccines may soon become a reality.
Development in a Roma family by discourse of social workers in the Czech Republic

This article describes how social workers identified the development of Czech Roma families to emancipation and gives an insight into the differences in the roles of men and women in society and the family. It deals with the discourse of social workers, gained through three focus groups and objectifies it through 60 interviews with Roma men and Roma women, who are in a relationship. Although the element of equality is more and more emphasized within social life, distinctive inequality between genders is still documented in expert ethnographic literature.
The effect of arsenic on inflammation.

There is clinical and experimental evidence that an amount of arsenicals which will not produce lesions on normal skin will markedly increase the severity of a quantitated, induced, bacterial infection. It is also known that suppression of early inflammation increases the severity of bacterial infections. Art experimental model is presented in which arsenic is shown to prevent one type of early inflammation. It is proposed that arsenic damages enzymes of inflammation which are active before the cellular phase occurs.
Draft Genome Sequences of Six Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Strains That Establish Bacteremia in the Infant Rat Model of Invasive Disease

ABSTRACT Haemophilus influenzae is an important cause of invasive disease. The infant rat is the accepted model of invasive H. influenzae disease. Here, we report the genome sequences of six nontypeable H. influenzae strains that establish bacteremia in the infant rat.
The Austro-Hungarian occupation regime in Serbia and its break-down in 1918

This paper discusses the occupation of Serbia during the First World War by Austro-Hungarian forces. The first partial occupation was short-lived as the Serbian army repelled the aggressors after the Battle of Kolubara in late 1914, but the second one lasted from fall 1915 until the end of the Great War. The Austro-Hungarian occupation zone in Serbia covered the largest share of Serbia’s territory and it was organised in the shape of the Military Governorate on the pattern of Austro-Hungarian occupation of part of Poland. The invaders did not reach a clear decision as to what to do with Serbian territory in post-war period and that gave rise to considerable frictions between Austro-Hungarian and German interests in the Balkans, then between Austrian and Hungarian interests and, finally, between military and civilian authorities within Military Governorate. Throughout the occupation Serbia was exposed to ruthless economic exploitation and her population suffered much both from devastation and from large-scale repression (including deportations, internments and denationalisation) on the part of the occupation regime.
Acoustic Impulse Generation by Piezoelectric Shock in Acoustoelectric Phonon Domains

In the course of Brillouin scattering studies of acoustoelectrically amplified phonon domains,1 at scattering angles very close to and within the Gaussian width of the reflected light beam, we observed very strong, unexpected modulation of the reflected light by the domains. This led to the discovery of a new phenomenon, - the emanation from the domains of mechanical impulses propagating both in the forward and backward directions. This effect was observed most easily in CdS. The impulses manifested themselves optically by inducing a rocking motion of the reflected light beam with respect to a narrow slit placed in front of the detector [Fig. 1(a)]. Examples of the optical signals are shown in Fig. 1(b). The shapes of the signals depend on the initial position of the light beam with respect to the slit. From Fig. 1(c) it is evident that a simple rocking of the reflected light beam with respect to the slit (in the sequence of positions 0→1→0→2→0) is capable of generating signals (as shown encircled), closely matching the observed signals. From the shape and phase of the signals shown, it can be readily deduced that the mechanical disturbance has the form of a ridge-like bulge propagating to the positive end of the sample.
What do Good Research Organizations and Good Jazz Combos Have in Common

(1996). What do Good Research Organizations and Good Jazz Combos Have in Common? Materials Technology: Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 70-72.
The AMA’s Misguided Report on Human and Environmental Effects of LED Lighting

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently issued a report and recommendations regarding the use of light emitting diode (LED) lighting in outdoor installations [AMA 2016]. The high-level goal...
Predicting 30-Day Risk and Cost of "All-Cause" Hospital Readmissions

The hospital readmission rate of patients within 30 days after discharge is broadly accepted as a healthcare quality measure and cost driver in the United States. The ability to estimate hospitalization costs alongside 30 day risk-stratification for such readmissions provides additional benefit for accountable care, now a global issue and foundation for the U.S.~government mandate under the Affordable Care Act. Recent data mining efforts either predict healthcare costs or risk of hospital readmission, but not both. In this paper we present a dual predictive modeling effort that utilizes healthcare data to predict the risk and cost of any hospital readmission (``all-cause''). For this purpose, we explore machine learning algorithms to do accurate predictions of healthcare costs and risk of 30-day readmission.Results on risk prediction for ``all-cause'' readmission compared to the standardized readmission tool (LACE) are promising, and the proposed techniques for cost prediction consistently outperform baseline models and demonstrate substantially lower mean absolute error (MAE).
FISHing Out the Hidden Enemy: Advances in Detecting and Measuring Latent HIV-Infected Cells.

The indomitable aspect of HIV-1 infection is not that HIV-1 proviral DNA is integrated into host DNA but that it can also turn itself off, remaining invisible to drug or immune surveillance. Thus, the goals of eradication include ways to precisely excise HIV-1 DNA or wake up the silent HIV-1 provirus and eliminate the infected cells thus identified. Methods to identify and fish out the latently infected cells or to delineate their characteristics are being rapidly developed. In 2016, Baxter et al. (A. E. Baxter, J. Niessl, R. Fromentin, J. Richard, F. Porichis, R. Charlebois, M. Massanella, N. Brassard, N. Alsahafi, G. G. Delgado, J. P. Routy, B. D. Walker, A. Finzi, N. Chomont, and D. E. Kaufmann, Cell Host Microbe 20:368-380, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2016.07.015) and Martrus et al. (G. Martrus, A. Niehrs, R. Cornelis, A. Rechtien, W. Garcia-Beltran, M. Lutgehetmann, C. Hoffmann, and M. Altfeld, J Virol 90:9018-9028, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.01448-16) reported using the fluorescence in situ hybridization-flow cytometry technique to identify and quantify cells expressing HIV-1 RNA and Gag protein, as well as bearing unique cell surface markers. In a recent article in mBio, Grau-Exposito et al. (J. Grau-Exposito, C. Serra-Peinado, L. Miguel, J. Navarro, A. Curran, J. Burgos, I. Ocana, E. Ribera, A. Torrella, B. Planas, R. Badia, J. Castellvi, V. Falco, M. Crespo, and M. J. Buzon, mBio 8:e00876-17, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00876-17) reported a similar method that they claim to be more sensitive. With these methods, researchers are one step closer to measuring latent reservoirs and eliminating critical barriers to HIV eradication.
Using Tablet Technologies to Engage and Motivate Urban High School Students

In this two-year study, researchers examined the impact of using tablet technologies across content areas in an urban high school setting. Class observations provided notable examples of how student motivation and learning appeared to be enhanced by use of the iPads in conjunction with opportunities to collaborate and be creative in the context of their learning. Interviews from a set of teachers with a range of classroom teaching experience provided multiple perspectives of the program’s impact. The opportunity for teachers and students to have the flexibility to select the apps they believe achieve curricular and/or learning goals supports the shift in educational settings to including teacher and student voice and choice for more collaborative blended learning (self-directed and self-paced) environments.
High Average Power Thulium-Doped Silica Fiber Lasers: Review of Systems and Concepts

Thulium-doped fiber lasers (TDFLs) have had the second highest growth in average output power next to ytterbium-doped fiber lasers. This has been enabled by access to high power, high brightness ∼790-nm pump diodes in conjunction with the cross-relaxation process that improves laser efficiency. While numerous high power TDFLs have been recently demonstrated, a 1-kW result from 2010 remains the highest output power system reported to date. This paper reviews these systems and the concepts behind high power TDFLs. The spectroscopic properties of Tm3+ -doped silica are first detailed, revealing complex processes and large variations among published measurements. Notable multi-100 W TDFLs are then summarized, with outputs ranging from 1908 to 2130 nm. Another route for power scaling is to in-band pump with another TDFL to enable >90% efficiencies. Both 790- and 1900-nm pumped TDFL architectures are theoretically modeled based on currently available systems. Hindered by high background losses and available pump sources, achieving >4 kW like ytterbium-fiber systems will be a substantial challenge.
A protocatechuate biosensor for Pseudomonas putida KT2440 via promoter and protein evolution.

Abstract Robust fluorescence-based biosensors are emerging as critical tools for high-throughput strain improvement in synthetic biology. Many biosensors are developed in model organisms where sophisticated synthetic biology tools are also well established. However, industrial biochemical production often employs microbes with phenotypes that are advantageous for a target process, and biosensors may fail to directly transition outside the host in which they are developed. In particular, losses in sensitivity and dynamic range of sensing often occur, limiting the application of a biosensor across hosts. Here we demonstrate the optimization of an Escherichia coli-based biosensor in a robust microbial strain for the catabolism of aromatic compounds, Pseudomonas putida KT2440, through a generalizable approach of modulating interactions at the protein-DNA interface in the promoter and the protein-protein dimer interface. The high-throughput biosensor optimization approach demonstrated here is readily applicable towards other allosteric regulators.