cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Melatonin Chimeras Alter Reproductive Development and Photorefractoriness in Siberian Hamsters

Nightly melatonin (MEL) durations > 8 h provoke gonadal regression and decreases in body mass, whereas signals < 7 h stimulate gonadal and somatic growth in male Siberian hamsters. The authors sought to determine the mini- mum frequency of short MEL signals sufficient to induce the long-day phenotype in several photoperiodic traits. D,L-propranolol (hereafter propranolol) injec- tions shortened MEL signals on the night of treatment without altering MEL on the subsequent night; this permitted interpolation of short MEL signals at vari- able frequencies against a background of long MEL signals (chimeras). Hamsters kept in short days (10 h light/day, 10L) were injected with propranolol 6 h after dark onset for 28 consecutive weeks beginning at 30 days of age (Week 0) either every other day or once every 3, 6, or 9 days. Control animals were injected with saline or with propranolol during the light phase or were transferred to long days (16L) at Week 0. Hamsters in 16L underwent rapid gonadal development and increases in body mass and displayed summer pelage color, as did hamsters treated with propranolol every other day. Animals treated with propranolol less frequently than every other day uniformly maintained undeveloped gonads and winter-like body weights, but pelage color became proportionately darker with increased frequency of propranolol treatments. The onset of spontaneous testicular devel- opment in 10L was unaffected by propranolol injections. After termination of injections at Week 28, testicular regression was not observed in most 10L animals that previously had undergone spontaneous testicular development; however, 40% of hamsters that had been injected with propranolol every 3rd night did manifest the winter phenotype after Week 28. In an alternating sequence, short MEL signals completely override long signals and induce the summer pheno- type. Threshold frequencies differ for MEL stimulation of long-day pelage and gonadal phenotypes. The timing and development of refractoriness to MEL does not depend in any simple manner on the number of long MEL signals or on the accumulation of a reaction product produced by long, and depleted by short, MEL signals.
III–V Semiconductor Quantum-Well Devices Grown by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition

The metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technology for the growth of III-V compound semiconductors has been developed over the past 40+ years to become the dominant epitaxial materials technology for both research and production of light-emitting devices as well as many other optoelectronic devices. Because of the flexibility and control offered by this process, and the material quality produced by MOCVD, many important III-V devices have become commercially viable. This paper will describe the development of MOCVD for the growth of high-quality ultrathin layers and heterojunctions of III-V compound semiconductors, which are now commonly called “quantum wells (QWs),” and the optical devices, which exploit the unique properties of such layers, e.g., QW lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Factors associated with trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder among homeless youth in three U.S. cities: The importance of transience†

Homeless youth experience disproportionately high rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined correlates of trauma and PTSD among homeless youth with a focus on the impact of homeless culture, substance addiction, and mental health challenges. Homeless youth (N = 146) from Los Angeles, California, Denver, Colorado, and St. Louis, Missouri, were recruited from organizations providing services to homeless youth using comparable methods. Results indicate that 57% of respondents had experienced a traumatic event and 24% met criteria for PTSD. A multinomial logistic regression model revealed greater transience, alcohol addiction, mania, and lower self-efficacy predicted PTSD whereas trauma exposure was associated with alcohol addiction only. Findings have implications for screening and intervening with traumatized homeless youth across service settings.
Cinematographic Analysis of the Passive Straight-Leg-Raising Test for Hamstring Muscle Length

Cinematography was used to compare increases in the angle of straight leg raising in relation to the horizontal with increases in the angle of straight leg raising in relation to the pelvis during five minutes of passive straight leg raising. Cinematography was also used to monitor increases in the angle of the pelvis in relation to the horizontal. Eleven subjects underwent passive straight leg raising. Three methods similar to techniques reported in the literature were used in an attempt to stabilize each subject's pelvis during the procedure. Increases in the angle of straight leg raising in relation to the horizontal were found to be greater than increases in the angle of straight leg raising in relation to the pelvis. The differences in the increases had a high correlation with the increases in the angle of the pelvis in relation to the horizontal ( r = .93). The findings suggest that pelvic stabilization is difficult and that methods used to indicate hamstring length should take pelvic rotation into account.
Analysis of mice lacking DNaseI hypersensitive sites at the 5' end of the IgH locus.

The 59 end of the IgH locus contains a cluster of DNaseI hypersensitive sites, one of which (HS1) was shown to be pro-B cell specific and to contain binding sites for the transcription factors PU.1, E2A, and Pax5. These data as well as the location of the hypersensitive sites at the 59 border of the IgH locus suggested a possible regulatory function for these elements with respect to the IgH locus. To test this notion, we generated mice carrying targeted deletions of either the pro-B cell specific site HS1 or the whole cluster of DNaseI hypersensitive sites. Lymphocytes carrying these deletions appear to undergo normal development, and mutant B cells do not exhibit any obvious defects in V(D)J recombination, allelic exclusion, or class switch recombination. We conclude that deletion of these DNaseI hypersensitive sites does not have an obvious impact on the IgH locus or B cell development.
Comparison of the Structure of Diffusion Flames of the Mixtures of CNG with Hydrogen

A comparative study of the flame structure and characteristics of diffusion flames of the mixtures of compressed natural gas (CNG) with hydrogen in a coflowing stream of air is presented. The volumetric content of natural gas in the fuel mixture was varied between 0 to 35%. The jet exit Reynolds number was varied from 150 to 3000. Measurements included flame length, radiative fraction of heat release, emission indices of NO, NOx, and CO, and in-flame temperature and composition profiles. Results indicate the following: The increase of natural gas concentration in the hydrogen-natural gas mixture increases both the flame luminosity and flame length., increases the radiative heat-loss fraction and soot concentration, monotonically decreases both NO and NOx emission, increases the CO emission index, and decreases the peak temperature in the near-burner, mid-flame, and farnozzle regions.
Integrals of the vorticity equation. Part I: General three- and two-dimensional flows

Abstract The integral of the vector vorticity equation for the vorticity of a moving parcel in 3D baroclinic flow with friction is cast in a new form. This integral of the vorticity equation applies to synoptic-scale or mesoscale flows and to deep compressible or shallow Boussinesq motions of perfectly clear or universally saturated air. The present integral is equivalent to that of Epifanio and Durran in the Boussinesq limit, but its simpler form reduces easily to Dutton’s integral when the flow is assumed to be isentropic and frictionless. The integral for vorticity has the following physical interpretation. The vorticity of a parcel is composed of barotropic vorticity; baroclinic vorticity, which originates from solenoidal generation; and vorticity stemming from frictional generation. Its barotropic vorticity is the result of freezing into the fluid the w field (specific volume times vorticity) that is present at the initial time. Its baroclinic vorticity is the vector sum of contributions from small s...
Relationship between elevated serum troponin values in end-stage renal disease patients and abnormal isotopic cardiac scans following stress.

One hundred asymptomatic high-risk renal transplant candidates were screened for asymptomatic coronary artery disease using stress cardiac isotopic imaging. The cardiac markers, serum cTnT, cTnI, and CKMB, were collected pre and post stress testing. Of the 99 patients whose cardiac scans were technically satisfactory, 32 were normal, 49 had a definite imaging abnormality and the scan was indeterminate in the remaining 18 patients. Based on these results, patients were stratified into either normal, indeterminate or abnormal scan groups. They then were analyzed to detect any correlations between cardiac perfusion defects and either elevated pre-stress cardiac markers or consistent changes 24h after stress testing. While the mean pre-stress serum values for both cardiac troponin T (0.117 +/- 0.12 microgram/L) and cardiac troponin I (0.235 +/- 0.89 microgram/L) were increased in the abnormal cardiac scan group, only the cTnT value proved to differ significantly from the normal group (p 0.1 microgram/L (OR 3.042, p = 0.030) proved to discriminate an abnormal scan in this population. It is concluded that the increase in pre-stress serum cTnT encountered in patients with chronic renal failure, with or without evidence of overt, symptomatic coronary artery disease, may represent a combination of subclinical myocardial damage and a prolonged half-life of the marker in the serum. Because of the frequency of elevated serum concentrations of cTnT and, to a lesser degree cTnI, the physician should exercise caution when interpreting a single elevated Troponin value during the evaluation of chest pain in patients with end-stage renal disease. A cTnT > 0.1 microgram/L increases the likelihood of finding significant coronary artery disease three fold in high-risk ESRD patients being evaluated for renal transplantation.
Recursive generalized eigendecomposition for independent component analysis

Independent component analysis is an important statistical tool in machine learning, pattern recognition, and signal processing. Most of these applications require on-line learning algorithms. Current on-line ICA algorithms use the stochastic gradient concept, drawbacks of which include difficulties in selecting the step size and generating suboptimal estimates. In this paper a recursive generalized eigendecomposition algorithm is proposed that tracks the optimal solution that one would obtain using all the data observed.
Glyph-based Overviews of Large Datasets in Structural Bioinformatics

The exponential growth of structural bioinformatics data implies a need for visualization tools that provide informative overviews of large datasets. Nevertheless, online query interfaces and domain-specific visualization tools have neglected to provide suitable overviews. We identify four functional goals for large-scale overviews. We apply these goals to create glyph-based visualizations of query results from the Protein Data Bank.
Linkage Map of Escherichia coli K-12, Edition 10: The Traditional Map

This map is an update of the edition 9 map by Berlyn et al. (M. K. B. Berlyn, K. B. Low, and K. E. Rudd, p. 1715–1902, in F. C. Neidhardt et al., ed., Escherichia coli and Salmonella: cellular and molecular biology, 2nd ed., vol. 2, 1996). It uses coordinates established by the completed sequence, expressed as 100 minutes for the entire circular map, and adds new genes discovered and established since 1996 and eliminates those shown to correspond to other known genes. The latter are included as synonyms. An alphabetical list of genes showing map location, synonyms, the protein or RNA product of the gene, phenotypes of mutants, and reference citations is provided. In addition to genes known to correspond to gene sequences, other genes, often older, that are described by phenotype and older mapping techniques and that have not been correlated with sequences are included.
Space-exposure effects on optical-baffle coatings at far-infrared wavelengths

Reflectance of six optical-black coatings was remeasured over the near-infrared to the far-infrared region after nearly 6 years in space aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility satellite. Measurements were made at room temperature and at cryogenic temperatures. The most notable effect was a general decrease in reflectance for typical samples at all wavelengths. Analysis indicates that this decrease is caused by an increase in absorption resulting from an increase in the imaginary part of the index of refraction, and not by a change in thickness, or increased surface roughness giving rise to increased scattering. These results suggest that such optical-baffle materials will provide enhanced performance as a result of aging in the space environment.
Digest: In re Marriage of Sonne

Gordon Sonne was the former Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator of Monterey County and a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).1 Members of CalPERS participate in a retirement plan, which consists of an annuity (funded by member contributions) and a pension (funded by employer contributions).2 A member’s retirement allowance is computed primarily by calculating the number of years a member has served and contributed to CalPERS, otherwise called “service credit.”3 During his employment, Sonne accrued a certain amount of service credit in relation to his duties under the CalPERS retirement plan.4 During the time Sonne accrued his service credits, he was married to his first wife Dalia; in 1995, Sonne transferred to Dalia one-half interest of his service credit (8.677 years of service credit) pursuant to their divorce, in which Dalia waived all future rights to claim the retirement benefits of Sonne’s retirement account.5 Following the transfer of his one-half interest of service credit, Sonne remarried to Theressa Sonne.6 During the Sonne-Theressa marriage, Sonne had begun to redeposit contributions to his CalPERS account with the use of community funds deducted from his salary, in order to account for the one-
Dual mechanisms prevent premature chromosome segregation during meiosis

In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair and then attach to the spindle so that the homologs can be pulled apart at anaphase I. The segregation of homologs before pairing would be catastrophic. We describe two mechanisms that prevent this. First, in early meiosis, Ipl1, the budding yeast homolog of the mammalian Aurora B kinase, triggers shedding of a kinetochore protein, preventing microtubule attachment. Second, Ipl1 localizes to the spindle pole bodies (SPBs), where it blocks spindle assembly. These processes are reversed upon expression of Ndt80. Previous studies have shown that Ndt80 is expressed when homologs have successfully partnered, and this triggers a rise in the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK). We found that CDK phosphorylates Ipl1, delocalizing it from SPBs, triggering spindle assembly. At the same time, kinetochores reassemble. Thus, dual mechanisms controlled by Ipl1 and Ntd80 coordinate chromosome and spindle behaviors to prevent the attachment of unpartnered chromosomes to the meiotic spindle.
Similarity structure in perceptual and physical measures for visual Consonants across talkers

This paper investigates the relationship between visual confusion matrices and physical (facial) measures. The similarity structure in perceptual and physical measures for visual consonants was examined across four talkers. Four talkers, spanning a wide range of rated visual intelligibility, were recorded producing 69 Consonant-Vowel (CV) syllables. Audio, video, and 3-D face motion were recorded. Each talker's CV productions were presented for identification in a visual-only condition to six viewers with average or better lipreading ability. The obtained visual confusion matrices demonstrated that phonemic equivalence classes were related to visual intelligibility and were talker and vowel context dependent. Physical measures accounted for about 63% of the variance of visual consonant perception, with C/u/ syllables yielding higher correlations than C/a/ and C/i/ syllables.
Work in progress - Tailoring optics resources for K-5 pre-college outreach

Pre-college instruction in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is critical to preparing a workforce and citizens for a technology-based society. The K-5 years are especially important to creating interest and instilling basic concepts. Engineering-based pre-college outreach can provide useful resources in the K- 5 education classroom. However, interaction among K-5 teachers and STEM professionals is more effective if outreach is tailored to the K-5 environment. In particular, resources and outreach should accommodate K-5 assessment standards, level-appropriate concept definition, and grade continuity. This work uses a set of optics resources as an example of tailored outreach. Example lessons and activities illustrate pedagogy appropriate for the unique K-5 education environment, e.g. auditory, visual, and "kinesthetic" components, concept definition, terminology, and grade continuity. Optical engineering topics are related to Missouri science standards, STEM relevance and inquiry, and measurement activities.
Genome Modification in Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF Assessed by Bisulfite Sequencing and Single-Molecule Real-Time Sequencing

Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive bacterium that natively colonizes the human gastrointestinal tract and opportunistically causes life-threatening infections. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. faecalis strains have emerged, reducing treatment options for these infections. MDR E. faecalis strains have large genomes containing mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that harbor genes for antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants. Bacteria commonly possess genome defense mechanisms to block MGE acquisition, and we hypothesize that these mechanisms have been compromised in MDR E. faecalis. In restriction-modification (R-M) defense, the bacterial genome is methylated at cytosine (C) or adenine (A) residues by a methyltransferase (MTase), such that nonself DNA can be distinguished from self DNA. A cognate restriction endonuclease digests improperly modified nonself DNA. Little is known about R-M in E. faecalis. Here, we use genome resequencing to identify DNA modifications occurring in the oral isolate OG1RF. OG1RF has one of the smallest E. faecalis genomes sequenced to date and possesses few MGEs. Single-molecule real-time (SMRT) and bisulfite sequencing revealed that OG1RF has global 5-methylcytosine (m5C) methylation at 5′-GCWGC-3′ motifs. A type II R-M system confers the m5C modification, and disruption of this system impacts OG1RF electrotransformability and conjugative transfer of an antibiotic resistance plasmid. A second DNA MTase was poorly expressed under laboratory conditions but conferred global N4-methylcytosine (m4C) methylation at 5′-CCGG-3′ motifs when expressed in Escherichia coli. Based on our results, we conclude that R-M can act as a barrier to MGE acquisition and likely influences antibiotic resistance gene dissemination in the E. faecalis species. IMPORTANCE The horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria is a critical public health concern. Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen that causes life-threatening infections in humans. Multidrug resistance acquired by horizontal gene transfer limits treatment options for these infections. In this study, we used innovative DNA sequencing methodologies to investigate how a model strain of E. faecalis discriminates its own DNA from foreign DNA, i.e., self versus nonself discrimination. We also assess the role of an E. faecalis genome modification system in modulating conjugative transfer of an antibiotic resistance plasmid. These results are significant because they demonstrate that differential genome modification impacts horizontal gene transfer frequencies in E. faecalis.
Completing the cycle: maternal effects as the missing link in plant life histories

Maternal effects on seed traits such as germination are important components of the life histories of plants because they represent the pathway from adult to offspring: the pathway that completes the life cycle. Maternal environmental effects on germination influence basic life-history expression, natural selection on germination, the expression of genetic variation for germination and even the genes involved in germination. Maternal effects on seed traits can even influence generation time and projected population growth rates. Whether these maternal environmental effects are imposed by the maternal genotype, the endosperm genotype or the embryonic genotype, however, is as yet unknown. Patterns of gene expression and protein synthesis in seeds indicate that the maternal genotype has the opportunity to influence its progeny's germination behaviour. Investigation of the phenotypic consequences of maternal environmental effects, regardless of its genetic determination, is relevant for understanding the variation in plant life cycles. Distinguishing the genotype(s) that control them is relevant for predicting the evolutionary trajectories and patterns of selection on progeny phenotypes and the genes underlying them.
Inability of Cecal Microflora to Promote Reversion of Viable Nonculturable Campylobacter jejuni

Abstract Campylobacter jejuni cells are able to enter a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state when they are suspended in water. In the present experiments we inoculated day-of-hatch leghorn and broiler chicks with normal gut microflora and subsequently challenged these with high doses of VBNC C. jejuni. The objective was to determine if the pre-establishment of a normal gut flora would enable VBNC Campylobacter to recover, revert to the vibrionic form, and colonize the cecum. Day-of-hatch leghorn and broiler chicks were gavaged through the esophagus with 0.75 ml of a continuous-flow culture of normal cecal organisms. Two days after gavage, the same chicks were gavaged with 0.75 ml (greater than 109 colony-forming units) of a VBNC suspension of C. jejuni. Seven days later, cecal contents were collected, serially diluted, and examined for the presence of viable culturable C. jejuni. Our results demonstrated that the VBNC C. jejuni cells were unable to revert to a vibrionic culturable form capable of coloniz...
Cooperative sequential compressed spectrum sensing over wide spectrum band

Cognitive radio (CR) techniques promise to significantly increase the available spectrum thus wireless bandwidth. With the increase of spectrum allowed for CR, it is critical and challenging to perform efficient wideband sensing. We propose an integrated sequential wideband sensing framework which concurrently exploits sequential detection and compressed sensing (CS) techniques for more accurate and lower cost spectrum sensing. First, to ensure more timely spectrum detection while avoiding the high overhead involved in periodic recovery of CS signals, we design a CS-based sequential wideband detection scheme to effectively detect the PU activities in the wideband of interest. Second, to further identify the sub-channels occupied, we exploit joint sparsity of the signals among neighboring users to achieve efficient cooperative wideband sensing. Our performance evaluations demonstrate that our proposed scheme can outperform other peer schemes significantly in terms of the detection delay, detection accuracy, sensing overhead and sensing accuracy.
Increased interferon production in human cells irradiated with ultraviolet light.

Polyinosinate-polycytidylate [poly(I)·poly(C)]-induced interferon production in cultures of human foreskin fibroblast strains was increased by ultraviolet irradiation of cells at the time of exposure to inducer or at 2 h after induction. Incubation of cells with interferon prior to induction (priming) and ultraviolet irradiation exerted a cooperative enhancing effect on interferon production. The resulting interferon yields were generally somewhat higher than the yields from cultures subjected to sequential treatment with cycloheximide and actinomycin D.
Native and Indigenous Education in the Americas: Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Equity, and Economies

This chapter addresses the complex, historical, socio-political context of Native and Indigenous education within several national and regional contexts. Settler colonialism is particularly highlighted as a source of Native and Indigenous land dispossession, dehumanization, and disenfranchisement. Attention is devoted to the interplay between economic development, equity and human rights discourses in education, with a critical eye toward the Euro-dominance that allows limited forms of Native and Indigenous cultural and linguistic autonomy. Finally, neoliberal global capitalism’s impact on the educational contexts of Native and Indigenous peoples is explored in various specific social locations with specific examples.
Intergenerational choice: a paradox and a solution

In the quest for balanced criterion for the problem of intergenerational choice we explore the role played by different groups of generations, which are represented by the Cech-Stone compactification of the naturals.
Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification for detection of the tomato and potato late blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans

Aims To design and validate a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid detection of Phytophthora infestans DNA. Methods and results Two sets of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) primers were designed and evaluated for their sensitivity and specificity for P. infestans. ITSII primers targeted a portion of the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA. These primers had a limit of detection of 2 pg P. infestans DNA and cross-reacted with the closely related species Phytophthora nicotianae. Rgn86_2 primers, designed to improve assay specificity, targeted a portion of a conserved hypothetical protein. These primers had a limit of detection of 200 pg P. infestans DNA and did not cross-react with P. nicotianae. The specificity of the Rgn86_2 assay was tested further using the closely related species P. andina, P. ipomoeae, P. mirabilis and P. phaseoli. Cross-reactions occurred with P. andina and P. mirabilis, but neither species occurs on tomato or potato. Both primer sets were able to detect P. infestans DNA extracted from tomato late blight leaf lesions. Conclusions Two colorimetric LAMP assays detected P. infestans DNA from pure cultures as well as infected leaf tissue. The ITSII primers had higher sensitivity, and the Rgn86_2 primers had higher specificity. Significance and impact of the study This is the first report of a LAMP assay for the detection of P. infestans, the causal organism of potato and tomato late blight. These assays have potential for immediate utility in plant disease research and diagnostic laboratories.
Translation Criteria: How They May Affect International Business

This article studies how international business could suffer because of using the wrong translation criteria as guidelines in international business translation. The author starts with the discussi...
Comparison of the effects of infection with Salmonella enteritidis, in combination with an induced molt, on serum levels of the acute phase protein, alpha1 acid glycoprotein, in hens.

Abstract Periods of inflammation due to infection, injury, or malignancy are marked by increases in serum constituents known as acute phase proteins (APP), and these proteins have been used as markers for early stages of disease. Four experiments were performed to examine whether levels in chickens of one such APP, alpha1 acid glycoprotein (AGP), would be affected by an infection with Salmonella enteritidis (SE) and if the added stress of induced molting via 14-d feed withdrawal would increase these effects. In all experiments but Experiment 1, hens were divided into four equal groups: molted infected, nonmolted infected, molted noninfected, nonmolted non-infected (Experiment 1 lacked this last group). Blood and intestinal samples were collected at various times from the hens and assayed for AGP and SE levels, respectively. Infection with SE significantly elevated serum AGP levels above those found in the noninfected groups of hens in two of four experiments, whereas in molted infected hens, serum AGP levels were significantly higher than those found in the noninfected counterparts in all four experiments. Comparison of AGP titer between the infected groups of hens revealed that significantly higher SE levels generally did not guarantee significantly higher AGP levels, although when individual values were plotted, a trend was observed toward increasing serum levels concomitant with increasing SE counts. Serum AGP levels show promise as a method to detect infection problems in hens, especially when the severity of the infection is exacerbated by stress situations. However, more work is needed to determine what other factors may elevate serum AGP levels and potentially confound the picture.
The Racial Politics of Leadership, Culture, and Community:

An African American community and an all-White school board struggled along racial lines over re-naming an elementary school. In opposition to the name change, the school district enforced its scho...
Etiology research and early warning of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates from food- borne disease

Objective To understand the serotypes,virulence genes and drug resistance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from food-borne diseases in Xiacheng district of Hangzhou from 2002 to 2012,so as to provide basis for early warning. Methods In accordance with the test methods specified in GB /T4789. 7-2008,the serotypes of isolates were identified. Polymerase chain reaction( PCR) was employed to detect the direct heat-resistant hemolysin virulence genes( tdh) and related hemolysin virulence genes( trh). Loop-mediated isothermal amplification( LAMP) assay was used to detect the thermolabile hemolysin virulence genes( tlh),and susceptibility test was carried out by K-B paper method recommended by the WHO. Results In 358 Vp strains,215 Vp isolates were O3: K6 serotype,and 23 isolates were O4: K8 serotype. All 358 Vp strains carried tlh gene,297 strains carried tdh gene,and one strain carried the trh gene. The 358 Vp strains were 100% sensitive to cefotaxime,norfloxacin,cotrimoxazole. Conclusion O3: K6 is the main serotype to cause food-borne disease. The tlh gene was common gene of the 358 Vp strains. Most isolates carried tdh gene. Cefotaxime,norfloxacin,cotrimoxazole are the first choice for clinical treatment of food-borne diseases.
Immunologic features of thyroid diseases.

There is considerable reason to believe that immunologic processes are involved in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's and Graves' diseases, since many immunologic abnormalities have been demonstrated in such patients. Current theories on the disordered immunity and indications for pertinent tests are presented here.
Higher Mean Arterial Pressure Values Correlate with Neurologic Improvement in Patients with Initially Complete Spinal Cord Injuries.

Background Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) guidelines recommend to maintain mean arterial pressures (MAPs) above 85 mm Hg for 7 days following SCI to minimize spinal cord ischemia. Some physicians doubt that patients with initially complete injuries benefit. Objective To assess the relationship between MAP augmentation and neurologic improvement in SCI patients stratified by initial American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) score. Methods High-frequency MAP values of acute SCI patients admitted over a 6-year period were recorded, and values were correlated with degree of neurologic recovery in an analysis stratified by postresuscitation AIS score. Results Sixty-two patients with SCI were analyzed. Thirty-three patients were determined to have complete injuries, and of those 11 improved at least 1 AIS grade by discharge. The average MAP of initially AIS A patients who improved versus those who did not was significantly higher (96.6 ± 0.07 mm Hg vs. 94.4 ± 0.06 mm Hg, respectively; P P Conclusion A positive correlation was observed between MAP values and neurologic recovery in AIS A, B, and C patients but not AIS D patients. These data raise the possibility that patients with an initially complete SCI may derive greater benefit from MAP augmentation than patients with initial AIS D injuries.
Thalidomide (HAL) Maintenance Following High-Dose Melphalan with Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) for Myeloma.

Background: High-dose chemotherapy with ASCT has improved survival in myeloma, but remains a non-curative therapy. Recent experience with THAL maintenance after ASCT has shown improvement in progression-free and event-free survival (Attal 2006). The tolerability and efficacy of maintenance THAL following high-dose melphalan with ASCT was investigated in this single institution study. Methods: From May 2001 to March 2005, 38 myeloma patients were enrolled and treated with melphalan 200 mg/m2 followed by ASCT. THAL was started on day 60 post-ASCT after recovery of blood counts (neutrophils ≥750 mm3/mL, platelets ≥20 k/μL), and was continued for 1 year. THAL was started at 50 mg/day, and escalated in 50 mg increments every 2 weeks to a maximum dose of 200 mg/day. Patients did not receive prophylactic anticoagulants while on THAL. Results: The median patient age was 60, and 92% of patients had Durie-Salmon stage II or III disease at diagnosis (26% stage II, 66% stage III). Nine patients (24%) had previously been treated with THAL. The median time from diagnosis to transplant was 7.3 months. Of the 38 enrolled patients, 7 patients never received THAL for reasons including early progression (n=1), early toxic death (n=1), and patient refusal (n=5). Thirty-one patients received maintenance THAL and are considered evaluable for tolerability and efficacy. Only 10/31 evaluable patients achieved a dose of 200 mg/day and just 5 were able to maintain this dose for ≥75% of the planned treatment course. In fact, only 16/31 patients were able to tolerate THAL at a dose of ≥100 mg/day for ≥75% of the planned treatment course. Fourteen patients received <1 year of thal. The primary reasons for early discontinuation were sensory neuropathy and fatigue, and the median duration of treatment in these 14 patients was 5.2 months. Sensory neuropathy was the most commonly reported toxicity and reason for dose modification (1 grade 3 event, 17 ≤grade 2 events). Other reasons for discontinuation or dose modification included constipation, depression, and recurrent infections. No patient required discontinuation of THAL for hematologic toxicities and no thromboembolic complications were observed. A complete (CR) or near complete response (nCR) was achieved in 60% and 58% of patients at 2 months and 1 year post-ASCT, respectively. THAL maintenance improved responses post-ASCT in 9 of 31 patients (29%). At a median follow-up of 34 months, median PFS was 31.4 months, and median OS was 50.2 months (survival from date of transplant). Conclusion: THAL maintenance at a goal dose of 200 mg/day was not feasible post-ASCT. Just 10/38 (26%) even achieved the goal dose and only 5/38 (13%) were able to maintain the goal dose. The major reason for intolerance was peripheral neuropathy. Our data suggest that 100 mg is a more reasonable goal dose post-ASCT. Recent data in relapsed myeloma show similar survival with high-dose (400 mg/day) vs. low-dose (100 mg/day) THAL (Yakoub-Agha 2006), and support the concept of a lower maintenance dose post-ASCT.
A prospective multi-center study of intramedullary nailing vs casting of stable tibial shaft fractures.

The purpose of this study was to determine optimal treatment of stable tibial shaft fractures using intramedullary nailing (IMN) or casting. We performed a multi-center prospective study cohort. Patients with stable tibia shaft fractures meeting Sarmiento’s criteria (isolated closed fractures with less than 12 mm of shortening and 10° of angulation) were enrolled prospectively and treated with either a reamed IMN with static interlocking screws or closed reduction followed by long-leg casting. Both groups were weight bearing following surgery. Radiographs were taken until union, and range of motion of knee and ankle joints was assessed. Malalignment (>5°) and malunion (>10°) were determined. Functional outcome measures using short musculoskeletal assessment scores (SMFA) and a knee pain score were scheduled at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. At 3 months, differences between the casting and IMN groups were noted in return to work (6/15 vs 3/17, P < 0.05); ankle dorsiflexion (7° vs 12°, P < 0.05); plantar flexion (28° vs 39°, P < 0.05); and SMFA domains of Dysfunction Index, Bother Index, daily activities, emotional status, and arm/hand function (P < 0.05). The SMFA mobility function demonstrated a significant trend (P = 0.065). At 6 months, malalignment was present in 3/15 in the casting group and in 1/17 in the IMN group (P = 0.02). Malunion was present in 1/15 in the cast group. One fracture in the casting group went on to nonunion and required late IMN placement at 7 months and eventually healed. There were no differences in ankle motion, SMFA scores, or return to work. There was no difference in knee pain between the groups as measured by VAS and Court-Brown pain scale at 6 months. Patients with stable tibia fractures treated with intramedullary nailing have improved clinical and functional outcomes at 3 months compared with those treated with casting, but there are no differences in any other outcome measure. Patients treated in a cast may have a higher incidence of malalignment or malunion. Level-II prognostic.
Circulating microparticles in severe pulmonary arterial hypertension increase intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression selectively in pulmonary artery endothelium

Background Microparticles (MPs) stimulate inflammatory adhesion molecule expression in systemic vascular diseases, however it is unknown whether circulating MPs stimulate localized ICAM-1 expression in the heterogeneically distinct pulmonary endothelium during pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary vascular lesions with infiltrating inflammatory cells in PAH form in the pulmonary arteries and arterioles, but not the microcirculation. Therefore, we sought to determine whether circulating MPs from PAH stimulate pulmonary artery endothelial cell-selective ICAM-1 expression.
A solid state tilt meter for current meter attitude determination

Earth coordinate determination of current requires measurement of heading and tilt of the sensor to rotate the instrument frame measurement of velocity into Earth frame coordinates. Gimbaled magnetometer coils allow the magnetic heading to be determined but solid state three-axis magnetometers require tilt in addition to the Earth's magnetic vector to resolve heading. A measure of tilt is also desirable if the current meter cannot be assured of a vertical orientation. Two-axis MEMS accelerometers by Analog Devices, Inc. are capable of providing this tilt measurement but require temperature correction to remove a significant error at zero tilt. The determination and application of this temperature coefficient to correct the error has enabled a versatile attitude sensor to be incorporated in the modular acoustic velocity sensor (MAVS) for conversion of flow measurements by the sensor into Earth-coordinate currents. Residual tilt error is less than 0.3 degrees from 5degC to 28degC. Absolute accuracy of the sensor is better than 1deg between -50deg and +50deg and is better than 3deg between -70deg and +70deg. Because the accelerometer works equally well inverted, the current meter can be mounted upside down to place the velocity sensor above instead of below the housing without opening the case. A second socket for the accelerometer at right angles to the first permits a horizontal mounting of the current meter with only minor internal rearrangement of a part
Thermal Fluctuations in Nonlinear Systems

The simple physical assumptions on which the familiar linear fluctuation theory is based do not carry over to the nonlinear case. In order to treat this case, one has to start from the master equation, and expand it in reciprocal powers of a suitable parameter (roughly speaking, the size of the system). The successive powers yield first the phenomenological law, next the linear fluctuation theory, and subsequently the influence of nonlinearity in successive approximations. The coefficients in the expansion are connected with each other by relations of the same type as the fluctuation‐dissipation theorem in the linear theory. Whether or not these relations are sufficient to uniquely determine the coefficients from phenomenological data is not known at present.
The plasticizer BBP selectively inhibits epigenetic regulator sirtuin during differentiation of C3H10T1/2 stem cell line.

Abstract Exposure to environmental chemicals can perturb an individual's metabolic set point, especially during critical periods of development, and as a result increase his or her propensity towards obesity that is manifested later in life and possibly in successive generations. We hypothesized that benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), a widespread endocrine disruptor, may impair one important epigenetic regulator, sirtuin, in mesenchymal stem cells and induce adipogenesis. Our results showed that gene expression of two well-known adipogenic markers, aP2 and PPARγ, were significantly increased from day 2 to day 8 under 50 μM BBP exposure when compared to control in C3H10T1/2 stem cells (p
On the Width of Semi-Algebraic Proofs and Algorithms.

In this paper we initiate the study of width in semi-algebraic proof systems and various cut-based procedures in integer programming. We focus on two important systems: Gomory-Chvatal cutting planes and Lovasz-Schrijver lift-and-project procedures. We develop general methods for proving width lower bounds and apply them to random k-CNFs and several popular combinatorial principles like the perfect matching principle and Tseitin tautologies. We also show how to apply our methods to various combinatorial optimization problems. We establish an “ultimate” trade-off between width and rank, that is give an example in which small width proofs are possible but require exponentially many rounds to perform them.
Evaluating Human Drives and Needs for a Safe Motivational System

The human motivational system can be viewed as either being composed of drives or of needs. Our actions can be explained as being based upon reflexes, desires and goals evolved from pressures to maintain or fulfill instrumental sub-goals. Or we can use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as another lens to provide a different view. Both correlate well with the ways we look at decisions when we are making them as well as how they interact over time and build upon one another to better meet our needs and fulfill our goals. We also focus on two drives in particular that seemingly drive the factionalism in machine intelligence safety.
Jeannette Rankin, “Democracy and Government,” Carnegie Hall, New York, 2 March 1917

[1] Perhaps some of you came here tonight hoping to learn something of the state that would send a woman to Congress; you may have the impression that there is something rather unusual about a stat...
Vaccines for Viral Diseases

Vaccination against viral agents has considerably alleviated the burden associated with viral diseases and has saved millions of lives worldwide. Global vaccination eradicated diseases like polio and other vaccines have led to a significant decline in infection rates and related complications of viral diseases. Important criteria for a disease to be susceptible of global elimination are that the disease is specific to humans and that there are no animal reservoirs for the infection.
A pilot study evaluating the association between physical activity and cognition among individuals with Parkinson's disease

Abstract Background Few studies have examined the association between daily physical activity and cognitive function among older adults with Parkinson's disease (PD). Objective Here we evaluate the association between accelerometer-assessed physical activity and cognition among older patients with PD. Methods Cognition assessed via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed via accelerometry over a 1–2 week monitoring period. Results After adjusting for motor impairment severity, for every 1 min/day increase in MVPA, participants had a 0.09 unit increase in MoCA-determined cognitive function (β = 0.09; 95% CI: −0.003–0.19; P = 0.05). When further adjusting for motor impairment, age and gender, results were unchanged (β = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.004–0.19; P = 0.04). Conclusion The present study provides suggestive evidence of a favorable association between daily physical activity behavior and cognitive function among adults with PD.
Software productivity decoded: how data science helps to achieve more (keynote)

Many companies are looking into understanding and improving productivity of individual software developers as well as software teams. In this talk, I will motivate the need for data analytics in software teams and describe how data scientists work in a large software companies helping software teams to infer actionable insights. I will then show how data from software development can be used to learn more about the productivity of organizations, teams, and individuals and help them to become more effective in building software.
A Commentary on Hughes: The Tension Between Pragmatics and Rigor

Abstract Since 1949, when the Boulder Conference promoted the ideal of the scientist–practitioner, professional psychology has struggled to identify research methodologies and empirical measures that capture meaningful clinical improvements in objective ways (Hayes, Barlow, & Nelson-Gray, 1999) . This tension between objectivity and meaning has presented a special challenge for psychology because those assessments of therapy that are most easily and precisely described and quantified may lack immediate and obvious importance to client adjustment. For the past 50 years, debates surrounding this tension were principally internal to the profession and we had the luxury of leisurely disassembling the finer points of theory, methodology, practice, and therapeutic purposes. However, rapid change in the mechanisms for funding psychological services has pulled this dialogue into public attention, and the debate now has a new audience composed of those who pay for and the consumers who receive psychological services. Their question of professional psychology is deceptively simple: What psychological services offer the best chance of restoring psychological health? Or as Lonigan and his colleagues stated more simply, “What works?” (Lonigan, Elbert, & Bennett-Johnson, 1998) . Hughes, in her article “The Essential Role of Theory in the Science of Teaching Children: Beyond Empirically Supported Treatments” [this issue], characterizes this question as grossly oversimplified and I agree, but I also recognize its pragmatic legitimacy. I ask similar questions of my family physician: Should my husband take gold derivatives for his arthritis? Should my daughter undergo surgery for her shattered ankle or will it heal without? In the current healthcare structures, my physician must make medical recommendations within the scope of our HMO's guidelines for acceptable medical treatment in the same way that psychologists need to provide psychological services within the scope of emerging guidelines for acceptable psychological treatment.