cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response to comment on Lopes-Virella et al. Baseline markers of inflammation are associated with progression to macroalbuminuria in type 1 diabetic subjects. Diabetes care 2013;36:2317-2323.

We appreciate the comments of Drs. Jialal and Devaraj (1) on our article (2). Our study was run concomitantly with the study reported by Joslin investigators (3) and reached similar conclusions concerning the predictive value of soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors in nephropathy progression. We mentioned their results in our discussion. We did not mention the possible role of increased Toll-like receptor (TLR) activity in triggering the TNF pathway as other alternative explanations could better explain our findings. We previously published data showing that oxidized LDL immune complexes (oxLDL-ICs) are associated with and predict the development of proteinuria (4) and that oxLDL-ICs are much stronger activators of the TNF pathway than oxLDL, which activates innate immunity through the interaction with TLR-4 (5). The concern over the relationship between soluble vascular cell adhesion …
Technology: Are We Using It To Its Best Advantage?

ABSTRACT U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region X has combined the immense storage capacity of CD-ROMs with interactive software to develop a user-friendly tool to provide quick and easy...
Bragg peak prediction from quantitative proton computed tomography using different path estimates

This paper characterizes the performance of the straight-line path (SLP) and cubic spline path (CSP) as path estimates used in reconstruction of proton computed tomography (pCT). The GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit is employed to simulate the imaging phantom and proton projections. SLP, CSP and the most-probable path (MPP) are constructed based on the entrance and exit information of each proton. The physical deviations of SLP, CSP and MPP from the real path are calculated. Using a conditional proton path probability map, the relative probability of SLP, CSP and MPP are calculated and compared. The depth dose and Bragg peak are predicted on the pCT images reconstructed using SLP, CSP, and MPP and compared with the simulation result. The root-mean-square physical deviations and the cumulative distribution of the physical deviations show that the performance of CSP is comparable to MPP while SLP is slightly inferior. About 90% of the SLP pixels and 99% of the CSP pixels lie in the 99% relative probability envelope of the MPP. Even at an imaging dose of ~0.1 mGy the proton Bragg peak for a given incoming energy can be predicted on the pCT image reconstructed using SLP, CSP, or MPP with 1 mm accuracy. This study shows that SLP and CSP, like MPP, are adequate path estimates for pCT reconstruction, and therefore can be chosen as the path estimation method for pCT reconstruction, which can aid the treatment planning and range prediction of proton radiation therapy.
Reliability studies on MIS solar cells

Research on Cr/oxide/p-type Si solar cells has produced a 12.2% efficiency on 2 cm2 area. Reliability studies have been conducted to determine if degradation occurs during use in an extreme environment. Several cells with A/R coatings and encapsulation have been tested with degradation occurring in some cases after 2 years of use. One cell without an A/R coating was used for 1+1/2 years with degradation occurring only after a crack had appeared. Dark I–V curves, photovoltaic data, and Auger analysis show a quite stable situation to exist. A stable MIS solar cell depends on selection of the insulator, deposition rate of the metal, elimination of moisture, selection of the A/R coating, bonding techniques, and choice of encapsulant. This work points to an optimistic view towards the fabrication of stable terrestrial MIS solar cells.
External Target Irradiation for the Princeton University A. V. F. Cyclotron

A comparatively simple and inexpensive facility is being completed to irradiate targets in the external beam of the Princeton A. V. F Cyclotron. The target can be removed and used relatively quickly. The target itself is held and cooled by a version of the Berkeley 88" Cyclotron target holder block, which also acts as a beam stop. We estimate on the basis of our calculations and Berkeley's experience that the block will easily handle the 3.36 kW we expect to deliver with a 60 ?A beam of 56 MeV protons or similar beams of other ions. The target holder block is lowered into a vacuum chamber on a supporting column which provides the block with cooling water and electrical leads for monitoring. The chamber is surrounded by shielding to attenuate fast neutrons during bombardment and to protect personnel handling the block afterwards. After irradiation the block is purged of water, vacuum is broken, and the block is lowered into a lead cart through a gate valve at the bottom of the facility. The block is then taken to a shielded handling area, where it can be disassembled quickly.
Respiratory Chain of Colorless Algae II. Cyanophyta

Whole cell difference spectra of the blue-green algae, Saprospira grandis, Leucothrix mucor, and Vitreoscilla sp. have one, or at the most 2, broad α-bands near 560 mμ. At −190° these bands split to give 4 peaks in the α-region for b and c-type cytochromes, but no α-band for a-type cytochromes is visible. The NADH oxidase activity of these organisms was shown to be associated with particulate fractions of cell homogenates. The response of this activity to inhibitors differed from the responses of the NADH oxidase activities of particulate preparations from the green algae and higher plants to the same inhibitors, but is more typical of certain bacteria. No cytochrome oxidase activity was present in these preparations. The respiration of Saprospira and Vitreoscilla can be light-reversibly inhibited by CO, and all 3 organisms have a CO-binding pigment whose CO complex absorbs near 570, 535, and 417 mμ. The action spectrum for the light reversal of CO-inhibited Vitreoscilla respiration shows maxima at 568, 534, and 416 mμ. The results suggest that the terminal oxidase in these blue-greens is an o-type cytochrome.
Equity in mathematics education: unions and intersections of feminist and social justice literature

Traditional models of gender equity incorporating deficit frameworks and creating norms based on male experiences have been challenged by models emphasizing the social construction of gender and positing that women may come to know things in different ways from men. This paper draws on the latter form of feminist theory while treating gender equity in mathematics as intimately interconnected with equity issues by social class and ethnicity. I integrate feminist and social justice literature in mathematics education and argue that to secure a transformative, sustainable impact on equity, we must treat mathematics as an integral component of a larger system producing educated citizens. I argue the need for a mathematics education with tri-fold support for mathematical literacy, critical literacy, and community literacy. Respectively, emphases are on mathematics, social critique, and community relations and actions. Currently, the integration of these three literacies is extremely limited in mathematics.
Frequency Estimation of Human Presence Detection Signals From a Scanning-Beam Millimeter-Wave Correlation Radiometer

The scanning-beam millimeter-wave correlation radiometer has recently been applied to human presence detection and classification. The natural frequency of the scanning-beam correlation radiometer signal, called the fringe frequency, results from human presence in the scanning beam and must be known in order to filter the signal and provide the best possible radiometric sensitivity. This letter presents new results in estimating the fringe frequency of a 27.4-GHz scanning-beam correlation radiometer by comparing different spectral estimation techniques, including CLEAN, RELAX, PHD, MUSIC, and ESPRIT. Experiments were performed with a human placed beyond the mean detection range of the sensor, resulting in signal power levels below the average power expected in an operational environment. Results show good performance for the CLEAN and RELAX algorithms at fringe frequencies in the range of 15-60 Hz and for the MUSIC and ESPRIT algorithms at fringe frequencies in the range of 60-155 Hz.
The Photoelectric Effect of the Deuteron

Theoretical cross sections for the dissociation of the deuteron by absorption of γ-rays, the Chadwick-Goldhaber effect, have been calculated, by using a square well law of potential, both of the ordinary type and of the Majorana type. The curves of cross section as a function of energy for various assumed widths are given. For widths less than 2 × 10-13 cm they are quite similar in shape for either type of interaction. For greater widths the ordinary, potential shows a fairly sharp peak at 4.7 MEV (for a width of 4 × 10-13 cm) whereas the Majorana shows for the same width a much flatter maximum at 6.2 MEV. It is pointed out that suitable measurements of relative cross sections would give a means of telling which type of interaction is obeyed and give an approximate figure for the range of interaction.
Low energy resolvent bounds for elliptic operators: an application to the study of waves in stratified media and fiber optics

For the positive self-addjoint operators on with n ≥ 3 it is shown that as Re(z) → 0+, by imposing several conditions on gij and q. In the special case gij = c2δij these conditions reduce to with t...
Dependence of the Quality of Adhesion between Poly(dimethylsiloxane) and Glass Surfaces on the Conditions of Treatment with Oxygen Plasma

Treatment with oxygen-containing plasma is an essential step for the fabrication of devices containing components of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Such oxidative treatment chemically modifies the surface of PDMS allowing it to permanently adhere to glass, quartz, PDMS and other silica-based substrates. Overexposure of PDMS to oxidative gas plasma, however, compromises its adhesiveness. Therefore, regulation of the duration and the conditions of the plasma treatment is crucial for achieving sufficient surface activation without overoxidation. Using a semiquantitative ternary approach, we evaluated the quality of adhesion ( QA) between flat PDMS and glass substrates pretreated with oxygen plasma under a range of different conditions. The quality of adhesion manifested good correlation trends with the surface properties of the pretreated PDMS. Examination of the QA dependence on the treatment duration and on the pressure and the RF power of the plasma revealed a range of oxidative conditions that allowed for permanent adhesion with quantitative yields.
Effects of bromobenzene and carbon tetrachloride on the synthesis and release of proteins by perfused rat liver

Abstract The effects of bromobenzene and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on the hepatic incorporation of 14C- l -leucine into protein were compared to ascertain the relationship between liver necrosis and impairment of radiolabeled protein synthesis and release caused by these toxicants. Male rats were treated with bromobenzene or CCl4 and 4 or 12 hr later the livers were removed and perfused in vitro in a recirculating perfusion apparatus. At 4 hr after its administration, CCl4 only slightly impaired the rate of synthesis of radiolabeled proteins (liver + serum) but markedly decreased the release of radiolabeled proteins into the serum (perfusate). At 4 hr after the administration of bromobenzene, the rates of incorporation of 14C- l -leucine into proteins and the release of radiolabeled proteins were not appreciably changed. At 12 hr after bromobenzene pretreatment, the rate of radiolabeled protein synthesis was not altered when compared to that of control livers, but the release of 14C-labeled proteins into the perfusate was decreased. After pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital, bromobenzene decreased the synthesis and the release of 14C-labeled proteins (4 hr). β-Diethylaminoethyl diphenylpropylacetate (SKF 525-A) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) did not alter the effect of bromobenzene on the accumulation of total radiolabeled protein synthesis, while SKF 525-A, but not 3-MC, blocked the ability of bromobenzene to decrease the release of 14C-labeled proteins into serum. Since bromobenzene does not alter the rate of 14C-labeled protein synthesis at either 4 or 12 hr after administration, impairment of protein synthesis is probably not a primary cause of bromobenzene-induced liver necrosis. Evidence is presented suggesting that the decrease in the release of 14C- labeled proteins in the perfusate is due to changes in the pattern of protein synthesis as well as to decreases in the rate of protein synthesis.
Diurnal sea breeze effects on inner-shelf cross-shore exchange

Abstract Cross-shore exchange by strong (cross-shore wind stress, τsx>0.05 Pa) diurnal (7–25 h) sea breeze events are investigated using two years of continuous wind, wave, and ocean velocity profiles in 13 m water depth on the inner-shelf in Marina, Monterey bay, California. The diurnal surface wind stress, waves, and currents have spectral peaks at 1, 2, and 3 cpd and the diurnal variability represents about 50% of the total variability. During sea breeze relaxation (−0.05 0.05 Pa), a uniform offshore profile develops that is different from the background undertow profile allowing cross-shore Lagrangian transport to develop, while including Lagrangian Stokes drift. The diurnal cross-shore current response is similar to subtidal (>25 h) cross-shore current response, as found by Fewings et al. (2008) . The seasonality of waves and winds modify the diurnal sea breeze impact. It is suggested that material is not transported cross-shore except during sea breeze events owing to near zero transport during relaxation periods. During sea breeze events, cross-shore exchange of material appears to occur onshore near the surface and offshore near the sea bed. Since sea breeze events last for a few hours, the long-term cross-shore transport is incremental each day.
Ethnography and popular memory: Postmodern configurations of welsh identities

(1994). Ethnography and popular memory: Postmodern configurations of welsh identities. Continuum: Vol. 7, Screening Cultural Studies, pp. 307-326.
Locomotion-based dynamic power management in embedded real-time systems

Most contemporary real-time distributed systems minimize computation energy consumption to reduce total system energy. However, wireless sensor networks expend a significant portion of total energy consumption on communication energy costs. Wireless transmission energy depends directly on the desired transmission distance, so the energy required for communication between neighboring nodes is less than that for distant ones. Mobile nodes can therefore reduce transmission energy costs by approaching one another before communicating. The penalty for energy reduction through locomotion is an increase in time consumed, thus care must be taken to meet system deadlines. We combine locomotion as a communication energy reduction strategy with well-known computation energy reduction schemes and demonstrate the resultant energy savings for representative systems.
Running Against a Woman: Do Female Opponents Shape Male Candidate Behaviors?*

Objective. The male-dominated nature of U.S. politics still means that the vast majority of women who run for office face a male opponent. As a result, one dramatic change in U.S. politics—the increase in women candidates—may contribute to another change, that being the experience of men who run for office. The research reported here begins to consider how running against a woman might have influenced the behavior of male candidates for Congress in 2002 and 2006. Past research suggests that men who run against women feel that they need to take steps to appeal to women voters by giving attention to issues of concern to women in their campaigns. Methods. To test the hypothesis that men will alter their attention to women's issues in the face of a woman candidate, I use campaign websites to examine the issue priorities of men who ran against women and compare them to a sample of men who ran against other men. Results. Counter to expectations, I find no evidence that men “play” to women voters through their attention to women's issues and instead demonstrate the relatively limited visibility that men give to these issues when they run against a woman. Conclusions. Running against a woman may have some limited impact on male candidate behaviors, but does not appear to be a significant influence.
Phylogeny and biogeography of Eupatorium (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae) based on nuclear ITS sequence data.

The classification of the predominantly Neotropical Eupatorieae depends upon the circumscription of the core genus Eupatorium. The recently proposed narrowing of Eupatorium to ;42 species in eastern temperate North America, Europe, and eastern Asia was tested with phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequence variation in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. A total of 40 samples (36 species) of Eupatorieae was analyzed. Several species from North America, South America, and Eurasia that were formerly recognized within a large Eupatorium s.l. (sensu lato) were included in the study. Other taxa included were representative of the majority of the subtribes native to eastern temperate North America. Parsimony analysis supported the contention that Eupatorium be defined narrowly and suggested that Eupatoriadelphus is distinct. The tree topology suggested that Eupatorium and Eupatoriadelphus share a common North American ancestor with Liatris relative to other Eupatorieae. It was apparent that the presumed sister taxa in Eupatoriinae from South America belong to a different clade. These results suggest that, following initial divergence in North America, Eupatorium reached Europe via dispersal during the late Pliocene with subsequent radiation in Asia.
The Putative Eukaryote-Like O-GlcNAc Transferase of the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 Hydrolyzes UDP-GlcNAc and Is Involved in Multiple Cellular Processes

The posttranslational addition of a single O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to serine or threonine residues regulates numerous metazoan cellular processes. The enzyme responsible for this modification, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), is conserved among a wide variety of organisms and is critical for the viability of many eukaryotes. Although OGTs with domain structures similar to those of eukaryotic OGTs are predicted for many bacterial species, the cellular roles of these OGTs are unknown. We have identified a putative OGT in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 that shows active-site homology and similar domain structure to eukaryotic OGTs. An OGT deletion mutant was created and found to exhibit several phenotypes. Without agitation, mutant cells aggregate and settle out of the medium. The mutant cells have higher free inorganic phosphate levels, wider thylakoid lumen, and differential accumulation of electron-dense inclusion bodies. These phenotypes are rescued by reintroduction of the wild-type OGT but are not fully rescued by OGTs with single amino acid substitutions corresponding to mutations that reduce eukaryotic OGT activity. S. elongatus OGT purified from Escherichia coli hydrolyzed the sugar donor, UDP-GlcNAc, while the mutant OGTs that did not fully rescue the deletion mutant phenotypes had reduced or no activity. These results suggest that bacterial eukaryote-like OGTs, like their eukaryotic counterparts, influence multiple processes.
The gauge group of the dirac system

Abstract The algebra of infinitesimal symmetries of the Dirac Lagrangean is identified. It is shown that none of the corresponding conserved currents is invariant under the whole group, and that there exist currents which are invariant under the whole group.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with involved surgical margins: prognostic factors and the role of adjuvant radiotherapy.

Purpose: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) are rare neoplasms associated with poor outcomes without resection, and involved surgical margins are associated with a worse prognosis. The role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in these patients has not been characterized. Methods and Materials: We retrospectively evaluated 46 consecutive patients with positive or close (<1 mm) margins after pNET resection, treated from 1983 to 2010, 16 of whom received adjuvant RT. Median RT dose was 50.4 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions; half the patients received concurrent chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine. No patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Cox multivariate analysis (MVA) was used to analyze factors associated with overall survival (OS). Results: Median age at diagnosis was 56 years, and 52% of patients were female. Median tumor size was 38 mm, 57% of patients were node-positive, and 11% had a resected solitary liver metastasis. Patients who received RT were more likely to have larger tumors (median, 54 mm vs. 30 mm, respectively, p = 0.002) and node positivity (81% vs. 33%, respectively, p = 0.002) than those not receiving RT. Median follow-up was 39 months. Actuarial 5-year OS was 62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 41%-77%). In the group that did not receive RT, 3 patients (10%)more » experienced local recurrence (LR) and 5 patients (18%) developed new distant metastases, while in the RT group, 1 patient (6%) experienced LR and 5 patients (38%) developed distant metastases. Of all recurrences, 29% were LR. On MVA, male gender (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 3.81; 95% CI, 1.21-11.92; p = 0.02) and increasing tumor size (AHR = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; p = 0.007) were associated with decreased OS. Conclusions: Long-term survival is common among patients with involved-margin pNET. Despite significantly worse pathologic features among patients receiving adjuvant RT, rates of LR between groups were similar, suggesting that RT might aid local control, and merits further evaluation.« less
Biosynthesis of methyl branched hydrocarbons of the German cockroach Blattella germanica (L.) (Orthoptera, Blattellidae).

Abstract The precursors and directionality of synthesis of the methyl branched cuticular hydrocarbons and the female contact sex pheromone, 3,11-dimethyl-2-nonacosanone, of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, were investigated by radiotracer and carbon-13 NMR techniques. The amino acids [G-3H]valine, [4,5-3H]isoleucine and [3,4-14C2]methionine labeled the hydrocarbon fraction in a manner indicating that the carbon skeletons of all three amino acids serve as the methyl branch group donor. The incorporation of [1,4-14C2]- and [2,3-14C2]succinates into the hydrocarbon and acylglycerol/polar lipid fractions indicated that succinate also served as a precursor to methylmalonyl-CoA. Carbon-13 NMR analyses showed that [1-13C]propionate labeled the carbon adjacent to the tertiary carbon, and, for the 3,x-dimethylalkanes, that carbon-4 and not carbon-2 was enriched. [1-13C]Acetate labeled carbon-2 of these hydrocarbons. This indicates that the methyl branching groups of the 3,x-dimethylalkanes were inserted early in the chain elongation process. [3,4,5-13C3]Valine labeled the methyl, tertiary and carbon adjacent to the tertiary carbon of the methyl branched alkanes. Thus, the methyl branched hydrocarbon was formed by the insertion of methylmalonyl units derived from propionate, isoleucine, valine, methionine and succinate early in chain elongation.
Local gangs and residents' perceptions of unsupervised teen groups: Implications for the incivilities thesis and neighborhood effects

article i nfo Available online xxxx Purpose: The current work responds to calls for more conceptual clarity in disorder and incivility models, and for closer tiesbetween gang andneighborhood effectsresearch.Focusingonthe perceivedincivilitythatispivotal to the dynamics of several theories incommunity criminology—unsupervised teen groups—and adopting Messick's (1995) unified perspective on construct validation, the current work examines ecological and psychological impacts of street gang set spaces on these perceptions. Methods: Survey responses of over 900 residents in 55 census block groups in the northeast quadrant of the District of Columbia were combined with census data and expert assessments of gang set spaces. Results: Residents living in closer proximity to gang set spaces, within and beyond their neighborhood, reported more problems with unsupervised teen groups. This held true even after controlling for social integration. Conclusions: Results support Hunter's (1978) distinction between general social disorder and specific correlated manifestations thereof, like incivilities, and Thrasher's (1926) view of gangs as consequences of social disorder, furthering our understanding of this key social incivility.
Ethnic Differences in Insulin Sensitivity and β-Cell Function in Premenopausal or Early Perimenopausal Women Without Diabetes The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

OBJECTIVE —To assess differences in insulin sensitivity and β-cell function between nondiabetic premenopausal or early perimenopausal non-Hispanic white women and African American, Chinese American, Japanese American, and non–Mexican-American Latino women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Homeostasis model assessments (HOMAs) of insulin sensitivity (HOMA%S) and β-cell function (HOMA%β) were used. Stepwise multivariable ethnic-specific ANCOVA models were used to compare HOMA%S and HOMA%β between non-Hispanic whites and each of the four ethnic groups. RESULTS —HOMA%S was lower in African Americans, Chinese Americans, and Japanese Americans when compared with non-Hispanic white women after correcting for waist circumference, presence of impaired fasting glucose, and site. Significant differences persisted only between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites after inclusion of triglycerides in the model. Triglycerides indirectly corrected for the differences in HOMA%S in the other two groups. There were no differences in HOMA%S between the non–Mexican-American Latinos and the non-Hispanic whites. Japanese Americans and Chinese Americans had lower HOMA%β than non-Hispanic whites, whereas African Americans had higher HOMA%β than non-Hispanic whites after correcting for confounders. HOMA%β was similar between non–Mexican-American Latinos and non-Hispanic whites. CONCLUSIONS —These data suggest that type 2 diabetes prevention strategies for African-American women should initially target decreased insulin sensitivity, whereas strategies for Japanese-American and Chinese-American women may initially need to target both decreased insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. Previous studies of Mexican-American populations may not apply to non–Mexican-American Latino women.
Age-Related Changes to Layer 3 Pyramidal Cells in the Rhesus Monkey Visual Cortex

The effects of normal aging on morphologic and electrophysiologic properties of layer 3 pyramidal neurons in rhesus monkey primary visual cortex (V1) were assessed with whole-cell, patch-clamp recordings in in vitro slices. In another cohort of monkeys, the ultrastructure of synapses in the layers 2-3 neuropil of V1 was assessed using electron microscopy. Distal apical dendritic branching complexity was reduced in aged neurons, as was the total spine density, due to specific loss of mushroom spines from the apical tree and of thin spines from the basal tree. There was also an age-related decrease in the numerical density of symmetric and asymmetric synapses. In contrast to these structural changes, intrinsic membrane, action potential (AP), and excitatory and inhibitory synaptic current properties were the same in aged and young neurons. Computational modeling using morphologic reconstructions predicts that reduced dendritic complexity leads to lower attenuation of voltage outward from the soma (e.g., backpropagating APs) in aged neurons. Importantly, none of the variables that changed with age differed in neurons from cognitively impaired versus unimpaired aged monkeys. In summary, there are age-related alterations to the structural properties of V1 neurons, but these are not associated with significant electrophysiologic changes or with cognitive decline.
Robust video signature based on ordinal measure

We propose a video signature based on an ordinal measure of resampled video frames, which is robust to changing compression formats, compression ratios, frame sizes and frame rates. For effective localization of a short query video clip in a long target video through the proposed video signature, we developed a coarse-to-fine signature comparison scheme. In the coarse searching step, roughly matched positions are determined based on sequence shape similarity, while in the fine searching step, dynamic programming is applied to handle similarity matching in the case of losing frames, and temporal editing processes are employed on the target video. Experiments show that the proposed video signature has good robustness and uniqueness, which are the two essential properties of video signatures.
Genetic Basis of Persister Tolerance to Aminoglycosides in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Persisters are dormant variants that form a subpopulation of drug-tolerant cells largely responsible for the recalcitrance of chronic infections. However, our understanding of the genetic basis of antibiotic tolerance remains incomplete. In this study, we applied transposon sequencing (Tn-Seq) to systematically investigate the mechanism of aminoglycoside tolerance in Escherichia coli. We constructed a highly saturated transposon library that covered the majority of E. coli genes and promoter regions and exposed a stationary-phase culture to a lethal dose of gentamicin. Tn-Seq was performed to evaluate the survival of each mutant to gentamicin exposure. We found that the disruption of several distinct pathways affected gentamicin tolerance. We identified 105 disrupted gene/promoter regions with a more than 5-fold reduction in gentamicin tolerance and 37 genes with a more than 5-fold increased tolerance. Functional cluster analysis suggests that deficiency in motility and amino acid synthesis significantly diminished persisters tolerant to gentamicin, without changing the MIC. Amino acid auxotrophs, including serine, threonine, glutamine, and tryptophan auxotrophs, exhibit strongly decreased tolerance to gentamicin, which cannot be restored by supplying the corresponding amino acids to the culture. Interestingly, supplying these amino acids to wild-type E. coli sensitizes stationary-phase cells to gentamicin, possibly through the inhibition of amino acid synthesis. In addition, we found that the deletion of amino acid synthesis genes significantly increases gentamicin uptake in stationary phase, while the deletion of flagellar genes does not affect gentamicin uptake. We conclude that activation of motility and amino acid biosynthesis contributes to the formation of persisters tolerant to gentamicin. IMPORTANCE Persisters are responsible for the recalcitrance of chronic infections to antibiotics. The pathways of persister formation in E. coli are redundant, and our understanding of the mechanism of persister formation is incomplete. Using a highly saturated transposon insertion library, we systematically analyzed the contribution of different cellular processes to the formation of persisters tolerant to aminoglycosides. Unexpectedly, we found that activation of amino acid synthesis and motility strongly contributes to persister formation. The approach used in this study leads to an understanding of aminoglycoside tolerance and provides a general method to identify genes affecting persister formation.
Bacterial endophytes enhance competition by invasive plants.

 Premise of the study: Invasive plants can alter soil microbial communities and profoundly alter ecosystem processes. In the invasive grass Sorghum halepense , these disruptions are consequences of rhizome-associated bacterial endophytes. We describe the effects of N 2 -fi xing bacterial strains from S. halepense ( Rout and Chrzanowski, 2009 ) on plant growth and show that bacteria interact with the plant to alter soil nutrient cycles, enabling persistence of the invasive.  Methods: We assessed fl uxes in soil nutrients for ~4 yr across a site invaded by S. halepense . We assayed the N 2 -fi xing bacteria in vitro for phosphate solubilization, iron chelation, and production of the plant-growth hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). We assessed the plant’s ability to recruit bacterial partners from substrates and vertically transmit endophytes to seeds and used an antibiotic approach to inhibit bacterial activity in planta and assess microbial contributions to plant growth.  Key results: We found persistent alterations to eight biogeochemical cycles (including nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron) in soils invaded by S. halepense . In this context, three bacterial isolates solubilized phosphate, and all produced iron siderophores and IAA in vitro. In growth chamber experiments, bacteria were transmitted vertically, and molecular analysis of bacterial community fi ngerprints from rhizomes indicated that endophytes are also horizontally recruited. Inhibiting bacterial activity with antibiotics resulted in signifi cant declines in plant growth rate and biomass, with pronounced rhizome reductions.  Conclusions: This work suggests a major role of endophytes on growth and resource allocation of an invasive plant. Indeed, bacterial isolate physiology is correlated with invader effects on biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen, phosphate, and iron.
Faraway point: A sentinel point for delaunay computation

Implementations of incremental Delaunay diagram algorithms often handle boundary cases in somewhat ad-hoc manners. The most common is to add a single point at infinity in one dimension higher. This does not interact well with perturbation schemes to remove degeneracies—perturbing can introduce flat simplices. We propose a "faraway point" instead, which can be thought of as infinitesimal perturbation of the point at infinity. The faraway point resolves this perturbation issue, restoring a nice structural property of the computed polytope that would be lost if there were degeneracies in the input. Furthermore, there is a simple implementation policy consistent with the faraway point.
Chiral uranium phosphonates constructed from achiral units with three-dimensional frameworks.

Two chiral, porous uranium methylenediphosphonates, [C2H10N2]{UO2[CH2(PO3)2]}·H2O (UC1P2N-1) and [N(C2H5)4]K{(UO2)3[CH2(PO3)2]2(H2O)2}·1.5H2O (KUC1P2-1), have been synthesized without chiral starting materials. Both compounds display channels ∼1 × 1 nm that are large enough for these materials to conduct ion-exchange with coordination complexes such as [Co(en)3]3+.
Energetics-Based Methods for Protein Folding and Stability Measurements

Over the past 15 years, a series of energetics-based techniques have been developed for the thermodynamic analysis of protein folding and stability. These techniques include Stability of Unpurified Proteins from Rates of amide H/D Exchange (SUPREX), pulse proteolysis, Stability of Proteins from Rates of Oxidation (SPROX), slow histidine H/D exchange, lysine amidination, and quantitative cysteine reactivity (QCR). The above techniques, which are the subject of this review, all utilize chemical or enzymatic modification reactions to probe the chemical denaturant– or temperature-induced equilibrium unfolding properties of proteins and protein-ligand complexes. They employ various mass spectrometry-, sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)-, and optical spectroscopy–based readouts that are particularly advantageous for high-throughput and in some cases multiplexed analyses. This has created the opportunity to use protein folding and stability measurements in new applications such ...
Hierarchical subdivision of Arctic tundra based on vegetation response to climate, parent material and topography

Summary Current land-cover classifications used for global modelling portray Arctic tundra as one or two classes. This is insufficient for analysis of climate–vegetation interactions. This paper presents a simple three-level vegetation-map legend system useful for modelling at global, regional, and landscape scales. At the highest level (global scale: 107−108 km2) the Tundra Zone is divided into four subzones based on vegetation response to temperature along the latitudinal temperature gradient from north to south: (1) Cushion-forb, (2) Prostrate Dwarf-shrub, (3) Erect Dwarf-shrub, and (4) Low Shrub subzones. The boundaries follow a modification of Yurtsev's phytogeographic subzones. Parent material and topography are also major considerations at global, regional, and landscape scales. Soil pH is a key variable for many ecosystem responses, and a division into acidic (pH 5.5 or less) and nonacidic soils is used. A conceptual mesotopographic gradient is used to characterize the influence of soil-moisture and snow regimes. The example legend framework focuses on the Northern Alaska floristic subprovince, and could be expanded to other floristic provinces using local expert knowledge and available literature. Dominant plant functional types within each habitat type within the four subzones are also presented. Modellers could include or ignore different levels of resolution depending on the purpose of the model. The approach resolves conflicts in terminology that have previously been encountered between the Russian, North American, and Fennoscandian approaches to Arctic zonation.
Modeling of an impact transducer for in situ adaptive disdrometer calibration

In situ calibration of a rainfall impact disdrometer using a collocated tipping bucket rain gauge has been previously reported. Several factors affect the accuracy of this technique. These include the specific mathematical model of the transducer, tipping bucket errors, clock/time accuracy, switch delay time and calibration reference window used to update the transducer model coefficients. In this work, two general forms of an empirical transducer model have been investigated: a simple two-coefficient power-law and an Nth order polynomial, where the input is a specific measure of the electrical signal from the transducer and the output is the hydrometeor diameter. Even though previous work allowed for a more general non-linear transducer model description, the subsequent implementation of an adaptive calibration algorithm required use of a steepest descent recursive gradient search algorithm, which can be difficult to implement in a real-time system. Linear transducer models allow an implementation suitable in a real-time signal processing system.
TROP-2 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Potential Diagnostic Utility

TROP-2 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein which is over-expressed in various malignancies, and is related to epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), also called TROP-1, gp40, and KSA. In this study, we evaluated TROP-2 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and compared it to other thyroid neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. Immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation for TROP-2 was performed on 137 thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) cell blocks (CB) which included classic PTC (64), follicular variant PTC (FVPTC) (10), anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (AC) (2), medullary carcinoma (MC) (8), follicular neoplasms (FN) (8), Hurthle cell neoplasms (HCN) (9), follicular lesion of uncertain significance (FLUS) (12), and benign thyroid nodule (BTN) (24). IHC for TROP-2 expression was also performed on 331 BTN and malignant tumor tissue sections in tissue microarray (TMA). Membranous staining in >5% of tumor cells was considered positive. TROP-2 stained 61 of 64 PTC CB, 7 of 10 FVPTC CB, and 9 of 12 FLUS CB. All other cases were negative for TROP-2. TROP-2 showed a sensitivity of 95.31% and specificity of 89% for classic PTC in FNA CB. In TMA samples, TROP-2 stained 54 of 60 classic PTC cases and hence showed a high sensitivity and specificity. All BTN in CB and TMA were negative. We conclude that TROP-2 is a highly sensitive and specific IHC marker for identifying classic PTC. TROP-2 may play an important role in diagnosing classic PTC, especially in equivocal cases. This study also identifies a strong role for TROP-2 in separating PTC from BTN.
Chiropractic Clinical Research: Progress and Recommendations

Abstract Objective The purpose of this white paper is to help inform the chiropractic clinical research agenda with a focus on the United States. Methods and Discussion The recommendations and action items from 2 previous articles published in 1997 are discussed within the context of 3 broad topics: research culture, research infrastructure, and clinical research studies. Progress made toward the action items in these areas is summarized. A summary of findings is presented of the most influential clinical research studies during the past decade performed by or with major contributions by chiropractic investigators. In light of the current evidence and previous recommendations, new clinical research recommendations are proposed. Conclusions Based on the assessment of the scientific literature and research currently underway, it is evident that members of the chiropractic research community have made important progress in becoming active players in the clinical research arena. During the past decade, the work of chiropractic researchers has contributed substantially to the amount and quality of the evidence for or against spinal manipulation in the management of low back pain, neck pain, headache, and other conditions.
Middle cerebral artery territory infarction and early brain swelling: progression and effect of age on outcome.

Objective To determine the clinical course and outcome in patients with a middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion and early computed tomographic (CT) scan findings of infarction, particularly relative to age of the patient. Material and Methods The clinical and neuroimaging features of 42 consecutive patients with MCA occlusion and early CT signs of swelling (within 24 hours after ictus) were studied. CT scans were graded for displacement of the pineal gland and septum pellucidum as well as compression of the frontal horn of the ventricular system. Young adults, defined as younger than 45 years of age, were assessed separately. Results Overall mortality was 55% in this patient population at risk for further neurologic deterioration. Of the 42 patients, 33 had deterioration—an impaired level of consciousness ensued in 3, a diencephalic herniation syndrome developed in 19, and uncal herniation occurred in 11. Mortality was 70% in these patients with deterioration. Mortality was significantly lower in younger patients with deterioration in comparison with older patients (3 of 11 patients versus 20 of 22; P = 0.00018, Fisher's exact test). Factors predictive of deterioration and poor outcome were older age (more than 45 years) and the presence of hyperdense clot in the MCA on CT scan, in addition to early swelling. Conclusion Deterioration from further brain swelling is common in patients with MCA occlusion and sulci effacement on early CT scan. The outcome is fatal in most patients who deteriorate. Mortality was significantly higher in deteriorating older patients than in younger patients. Clearly defined criteria for decompressive hemicraniotomy in young patients with complete MCA occlusion are needed, preferably derived from a randomized clinical trial.
The clinical significance of intermittent sinusoidal fetal heart rate

Sinusoidal fetal heart rate may have a spectrum of occurrence that indicates degree of fetal morbidity. Twelve cases of intermittent sinusoidal fetal heart rate were reviewed for fetal outcome. Findings of anemia, low umbilical cord pH, and large base excess support that intermittent sinusoidal fetal heart rate may be an early indicator of impending fetal compromise.
Use of flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and PCR- based techniques to assess intraspecific and interspecific matings of Armillaria species

For assessments of intraspecific mating using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, two compatible basidiospore-derived isolates were selected from each of four parental basidiomata of North American Biological Species (NABS) X. The nuclear status in NABS X varied with basidiospore-derived isolates. Nuclei within basidiospore-derived isolates existed as haploids, diploids (doubled haploids), or a mixture of haploids and diploids (doubled haploids). Depending on the nuclear status of the basidiospore-derived lines of NABS X, intraspecifically mated cultures can exist as diploids or tetraploids, and possibly triploids or aneuploids under in vitro conditions. Based on previous in vitro mating studies, seven basidiospore isolates were specifically selected to assess rare, interspecific mating among Armillaria cepistipes, A. sinapina, NABS X, and NABS XI. Cultures from basidiospore-derived isolates were paired to produce four interspecifically paired cultures, and matings were assessed using flow cytometry and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses. Based on flow cytometric analysis, the A. cepistipes isolate exhibited compatibility with a NABS X isolate, and the A. sinapina isolate exhibited compatibility with a NABS X isolate, and the A. sinapina isolates were individually compatible with isolates of NABS X and NABS XI. Mean fluorescence intensities of A. cepistipes‹NABS X, A. sinapina‹NABS X, and A. sinapina‹NABS XI mated cultures revealed a triploid or tetraploid nuclear status compared to the haploid or diploid (doubled haploid) nuclear status of initial basidiospore-derived isolates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and RFLP of the intergenic spacer (IGS) region generated banding patterns for basidiospore-derived isolates and mated cultures. Four species-specific RFLP banding patterns were observed in basidiospore-derived isolates of A. cepistipes, A. sinapina, NABS X, and NABS XI. PCR-RFLP analysis showed combined banding patterns from mated cultures. Flow cytometry and PCR-RFLP analysis are eective tools to assess matings of Armillaria species.
The transient and qualitative performance of a self-excited single-phase induction generator

The modeling and transient performance of a single-phase induction generator with series or parallel connected load is the theme of this paper. The system of equations are expressed in terms of flux linkages and includes the effect of magnetizing flux linkage saturation. Generator self-excitation and voltage collapse phenomena are simulated. The balance of the paper deals with the qualitative behavior of the generator using concepts of harmonic balance and system bifurcation. >
Thermal Barrier Coatings for Aeroengine Applications

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) have been in use in aeroturbine engine hot sections for over 20 years. The initial applications were driven by the need to suppress component degradation caused by excessive thermal gradients in vane airfoils. A TBC is essentially a layered, multimaterial structure that must withstand harsh temperature, environmental, thermal cycling, and stress conditions for an extended number of aircraft takeoffs and landings. A description of the TBC materials systems presently in use is presented, together with a summary of current understanding of materials and failure issues in TBCs.
Antagonism of brain insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors blocks estradiol effects on memory and levels of hippocampal synaptic proteins in ovariectomized rats

Rationale Treatment with estradiol, the primary estrogen produced by the ovaries, enhances hippocampus-dependent spatial memory and increases levels of hippocampal synaptic proteins in ovariectomized rats. Increasing evidence indicates that the ability of estradiol to impact the brain and behavior is dependent upon its interaction with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).