cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex comparison of neuronal Fos immunoreactivity in the rat vomeronasal projection circuit after chemosensory stimulation

In rodents, reproductively relevant pheromonal cues are detected by receptors in the vomeronasal organ, which in turn transmit this information centrally via the accessory olfactory bulb, the medial nucleus of the amygdala, the posterior medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial preoptic area. In the rat, more neurons are present in males than in females at virtually every relay in this vomeronasal projection circuit. Using Fos immunoreactivity as a marker of neuronal activation, we compared the ability of pheromonal cues derived from the urine and feces of estrous or anestrous female rats to activate neurons in this vomeronasal projection circuit in sexually experienced, gonadectomized male and female rats which were chronically treated in adulthood with a high dose of testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg). When compared with rats killed after 2 h of exposure to clean bedding, male and female subjects exposed for 2 h to bedding from estrous females had similar and significant increments in the number of Fos-immunoreactive neurons at each level of the vomeronasal projection circuit, including the granular layer of the accessory olfactory bulb, the posterior dorsal portion of the medial amygdaloid nucleus, the posterior medial portion of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial preoptic area. Exposure to bedding from anestrous females stimulated similar and significant increments in Fos immunoreactivity in most of these same brain regions. Chemosensory stimulation failed to augment Fos immunoreactivity in neurons located in the ventrolateral subregion of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus or in the midbrain central tegmental field, sites at which mating has previously been shown to augment Fos immunoreactivity in both sexes. Finally, chemosensory stimulation augmented Fos immunoreactivity in the nucleus accumbens shell and core, two regions receiving dopaminergic afferents which have been implicated in sexual reward. On two occasions all subjects were given simultaneous access to bowls containing bedding from estrous versus anestrous females. Both males and females spent significantly more time investigating the estrous bedding, although the total time spent investigating either type of bedding was significantly greater in males. The results suggest that the previously established sexual dimorphism in the morphology of the rat's vomeronasal projection circuit is not reflected in the functional responsiveness of neurons in this circuit to chemosensory cues emitted by female conspecifics.
Multi-channel sampling and reconstruction of bandlimited two-dimensional signals

A deterministic two-dimensional bandlimited signal x(t/sub 1/, t/sub 2/) is used as a common input to m linear shift-invariant 2-D filters (channels). For m=m/sub 1/.m/sub 2/, the m channel outputs are 'downsampled' at rates in t/sub 1/ and t/sub 2/ that are reduced by factors of m/sub 1/ and m/sub 2/ respectively from the usual Nyquist rates required for input sample reconstruction. It is shown that if the transfer functions of the m-channels are 'independent', then the input x(t) is uniquely recoverable from the channel output samples taken at the indicated rates. Moreover, the recovery can be effected by the use of m linear shift-invariant post-filters. >
Effects of partial sleep deprivation on slow waves during non-rapid eye movement sleep: A high density EEG investigation.

Abstract Objective Changes in slow waves during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in response to acute total sleep deprivation are well-established measures of sleep homeostasis. This investigation utilized high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) to examine topographic changes in slow waves during repeated partial sleep deprivation. Methods Twenty-four participants underwent a 6-day sleep restriction protocol. Spectral and period-amplitude analyses of sleep hdEEG data were used to examine changes in slow wave energy, count, amplitude, and slope relative to baseline. Results Changes in slow wave energy were dependent on the quantity of NREM sleep utilized for analysis, with widespread increases during sleep restriction and recovery when comparing data from the first portion of the sleep period, but restricted to recovery sleep if the entire sleep episode was considered. Period-amplitude analysis was less dependent on the quantity of NREM sleep utilized, and demonstrated topographic changes in the count, amplitude, and distribution of slow waves, with frontal increases in slow wave amplitude, numbers of high-amplitude waves, and amplitude/slopes of low amplitude waves resulting from partial sleep deprivation. Conclusions Topographic changes in slow waves occur across the course of partial sleep restriction and recovery. Significance These results demonstrate a homeostatic response to partial sleep loss in humans.
Spo13 Maintains Centromeric Cohesion and Kinetochore Coorientation during Meiosis I

Abstract Background: The meiotic cell cycle, the cell division cycle that leads to the generation of gametes, is unique in that a single DNA replication phase is followed by two chromosome segregation phases. During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are segregated, and during meiosis II, as in mitosis, sister chromatids are partitioned. For homolog segregation to occur during meiosis I, physical linkages called chiasmata need to form between homologs, sister chromatid cohesion has to be lost in a stepwise manner, and sister kinetochores must attach to microtubules emanating from the same spindle pole (coorientation). Results: Here we show that the meiosis-specific factor Spo13 functions in two key aspects of meiotic chromosome segregation. In cells lacking SPO13 , cohesin, which is the protein complex that holds sister chromatids together, is not protected from removal around kinetochores during meiosis I but is instead lost along the entire length of the chromosomes. We furthermore find that Spo13 promotes sister kinetochore coorientation by maintaining the monopolin complex at kinetochores. In the absence of SPO13 , Mam1 and Lrs4 disassociate from kinetochores prematurely during pro-metaphase I and metaphase I, resulting in a partial defect in sister kinetochore coorientation in spo13 Δ cells. Conclusions: Our results indicate that Spo13 has the ability to regulate both the stepwise loss of sister chromatid cohesion and kinetochore coorientation, two essential features of meiotic chromosome segregation.
Efficient bounded distance decoders for Barnes-Wall lattices

We describe a new family of parallelizable bounded distance decoding algorithms for the Barnes-Wall lattices, and analyze their decoding complexity. The algorithms are parameterized by the number p = 4k les N2 of available processors, work for Barnes-Wall lattices in arbitrary dimension N = 2n, correct any error up to squared unique decoding radius d2 min / A, and run in worst- case time O (Nlog2 N/radic(p)). Depending on the value of the parameter p, this yields efficient decoding algorithms ranging from a fast sequential algorithm with quasi- linear decoding complexity O(N log2 N), to a fully parallel decoding circuit with polylogarithmic depth O(log2 N) and polynomially many arithmetic gates.
Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding from an internal hernia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass causing superior mesenteric venous obstruction with associated intestinal varices.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 300 million people worldwide have class I obesity, with a body mass index 430 and the associated weight-related comorbidities. With the epidemic of obesity, it is no surprise bariatric surgery has gained popularity, with more than 220,000 operations done in 2008 [1]. Despite a documented positive safety profile, however, bariatric procedures are not without risks and complications. This case report describes a 31-year-old woman with recurrent, transfusion-dependent chronic intestinal bleeding from submucosal varices arising from obstruction of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) secondary to an internal hernia after laparoscopic Roux-enY gastric bypass (LRYGB).
Hemodynamic Disturbed Flow Induces Differential DNA Methylation of Endothelial Kruppel-Like Factor 4 Promoter In Vitro and In Vivo

Rationale: Hemodynamic disturbed flow (DF) is associated with susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Endothelial Kruppel-Like Factor 4 (KLF4) is an important anti-inflammatory atheroprotective transcription factor that is suppressed in regions of DF. Objective: The plasticity of epigenomic KLF4 transcriptional regulation by flow-mediated DNA methylation was investigated in vitro and in arterial tissue. Methods and Results: To recapitulate dominant flow characteristics of atheroprotected and atherosusceptible arteries, human aortic endothelial cells were subjected to pulsatile undisturbed flow or oscillatory DF containing a flow-reversing phase. Differential CpG site methylation was measured by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, bisulfite pyrosequencing, and restriction enzyme-polymerase chain reaction. The methylation profiles of endothelium from disturbed and undisturbed flow sites of adult swine aortas were also investigated. In vitro, DF increased DNA methylation of CpG islands within the KLF4 promoter that significantly contributed to suppression of KLF4 transcription; the effects were mitigated by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors and knockdown of DNMT3A. Contributory mechanisms included DF-induced increase of DNMT3A protein (1.7-fold), DNMT3A enrichment (11-fold) on the KLF4 promoter, and competitive blocking of a myocyte enhancer factor-2 binding site in the KLF4 promoter near the transcription start site. DF also induced DNMT-sensitive propathological expression of downstream KLF4 transcription targets nitric oxide synthase 3, thrombomodulin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. In support of the in vitro findings, swine aortic endothelium isolated from DF regions expressed significantly lower KLF4 and nitric oxide synthase 3, and bisulfite sequencing of KLF4 promoter identified a hypermethylated myocyte enhancer factor-2 binding site. Conclusions: Hemodynamics influence endothelial KLF4 expression through DNMT enrichment/myocyte enhancer factor-2 inhibition mechanisms of KLF4 promoter CpG methylation with regional consequences for atherosusceptibility.
Calorie Labeling And Food Choices: A First Look At The Effects On Low-Income People In New York City

We examined the influence of menu calorie labels on fast food choices in the wake of New York City’s labeling mandate. Receipts and survey responses were collected from 1,156 adults at fast-food restaurants in low-income, minority New York communities. These were compared to a sample in Newark, New Jersey, a city that had not introduced menu labeling. We found that 27.7 percent who saw calorie labeling in New York said the information influenced their choices. However, we did not detect a change in calories purchased after the introduction of calorie labeling. We encourage more research on menu labeling and greater attention to evaluating and implementing other obesity-related policies.
Role of DNA polymerase I in postreplication repair: a reexamination with Escherichia coli delta polA.

Abstract Using strains of Escherichia coli K-12 that are deleted for the polA gene, we have reexamined the role of DNA polymerase I (encoded by polA) in postreplication repair after UV irradiation. The polA deletion (in contrast to the polA1 mutation) made uvrA cells very sensitive to UV radiation; the UV radiation sensitivity of a uvrA delta polA strain was about the same as that of a uvrA recF strain, a strain known to be grossly deficient in postreplication repair. The delta polA mutation interacted synergistically with a recF mutation in UV radiation sensitization, suggesting that the polA gene functions in pathways of postreplication repair that are largely independent of the recF gene. When compared to a uvrA strain, a uvrA delta polA strain was deficient in the repair of DNA daughter strand gaps, but not as deficient as a uvrA recF strain. Introduction of the delta polA mutation into uvrA recF cells made them deficient in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks after UV irradiation. The UV radiation sensitivity of a uvrA polA546(Ts) strain (defective in the 5'----3' exonuclease of DNA polymerase I) determined at the restrictive temperature was very close to that of a uvrA delta polA strain. These results suggest a major role for the 5'----3' exonuclease activity of DNA polymerase I in postreplication repair, in the repair of both DNA daughter strand gaps and double-strand breaks.
Growth Rates of Marine Phytoplankton: Correlation with Light Absorption by Cell Chlorophyll a

To better predict plant production in the sea, it would be desirable to be able to calculate, from easily obtainable measurements at one sampling, the growth rate of the prevailing stock of phytoplankton. To this end growth rates, pigment composition, cell volume and cell surface area data were collected for several species of marine phytoplankton in logarithmic growth at 20–21°C and 0.07 cal/cm2. min light intensity. Similar data for one species, Dunaliella tertiolecta, are given for several combinations of light intensity and temperature, and for another species, Ditylum brightwellii, grown in nitrogen deficiency. The problem of estimating growth rates of phytoplankton was divided into three parts: 1) variation of growth rate among diverse species and its relationship to light absorption by cell chlorophyll a: 2) variation in growth rate with light intensity; 3) variation in growth rate with temperature. An equation has been formulated for calculating growth rate which provides a more precise fit of the data than do equations for growth rate based upon cell surface/volume ratios or cell volume. The formulation is based upon light absorption by chlorophyll a. It allows for variations in the efficiency of utilization of light absorbed by chlorophyll a and the changes in chlorophyll a content resulting from light intensity and temperature differences. We do not attempt to predict variations in growth rate with photoperiod or spectral distribution, nor do we allow for light effects upon growth rate not mediated by photosynthesis, so the model is, at best, a rough approximation of reality.
Pronunciation Modeling for Improved Spelling Correction

This paper presents a method for incorporating word pronunciation information in a noisy channel model for spelling correction. The proposed method builds an explicit error model for word pronunciations. By modeling pronunciation similarities between words we achieve a substantial performance improvement over the previous best performing models for spelling correction.
Production of Disulfide‐Bonded Proteins in Escherichia coli

Production of recombinant proteins at high yields in Escherichia coli requires extensive optimization of expression conditions. Production is further complicated for proteins that require specific post-translational modifications for their eventual folding. One common and particularly important post-translational modification is oxidation of the correct pair of cysteines to form a disulfide bond. This unit describes methods to produce disulfide-bonded proteins in E. coli in either the naturally oxidizing periplasm or the cytoplasm of appropriately engineered cells. The focus is on variables key to improving the oxidative folding of disulfide-bonded proteins, with the aim of helping the researcher optimize expression conditions for a protein of interest.
A Critical Discussion of Theories of Flame Spread across Solid and Liquid Fuels

Mathematical descriptions of flames spreading over liquid and solid fuels are obtained, using basic assumptions derived from observations or physical reasoning. A review of existing theories shows that they are incomplete in that they either treat an uncoupled problem of the condensed phase where the spreading rate and heat flux at the surface are given, or they merely determine the spreading rate in terms of a new vaguely defined eigenvalue. An important difference between the liquid and solid cases, due to convection, is pointed out, and it is shown that solid-fuel flame-spread theories which claim to apply to the liquid case, in reality do not apply to it. A mathematical formulation and a method of solution are presented for the phenomenon of flame spread over solid fuels with forward heat conduction in both the solid and the gas. The method uses an energy integral over the field to determine the spreading rate in terms of the basic properties of the fuel and air.
Brief communication: physical abuse of boys and possible associations with poor adult outcomes.

The authors interviewed a random sample of 197 men living in inner-city neighborhoods. One hundred participants (51%) reported a history of childhood physical abuse, which was severe in half of the...
Incorporating Multiple Actors and Guidance Instruments into Models of Regulatory Policymaking An Advocacy Coalition Framework

Models of policymaking by regulatory agencies need (1) to avoid focusing on a single causal factor, and (2) include analyses of the costs and efficacy of a variety of instruments—law, budgetary review, appointments, direct participation, evaluative studies—by which external actors can influence agency policy. The article proposes a conceptual framework focusing on advocacy coalitions—that is, actors from a variety of institutions who share a belief system—as a means of dealing with these considerations and as an alternative to the dominant institutional/organizational perspective for understanding policymaking by regulatory agencies.
A woman with complications from radiation therapy.

CliniCal History This case is about a 77-year-old right-hand–dominant female beautician with a 50-year pack history of smoking cigarettes. She presented to the emergency department with generalized weakness, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis of 3 days’ duration. Her private physician ordered posterior-anterior and lateral chest x-rays. The outside radiologist compared the chest x-rays to earlier radiographs. The posterioranterior chest x-ray revealed a left paravertebral softtissue density superior to the aorta, irregular interstitial process at the left lung base, and a left pleural effusion. The lateral chest x-ray confirmed bilateral hyperinflated lungs but did not clearly identify the left lung mass. Laboratory studies were obtained 2 weeks prior to her scheduled hospital admission for computed tomography (CT)–guided lung biopsy. An intravenous needle was introduced for vascular access. A 19-gauge needle was introduced in the prone position, obtaining 3 separate cores without complication. The postprocedure radiograph did not reveal a pneumothorax. The pathology report from the lung tissue sections demonstrated infiltrating adenocarcinoma, fibrosis, and chronic inflammation. Normal lung tissue was not identified in the selected section. She was then scheduled for 6 weeks of combined outpatient radiation therapy and chemotherapy. She was readmitted to the hospital for an unusual hypersensitivity to radiotherapy, including severe esophagitis (treated with oral viscous xylocaine) and radiation burn/skin erythema. She successfully responded to treatment and was discharged to follow-up. Six months later, she had a positron emission tomographic (PET) CT scan. PHysiCal Examination On admission, her blood pressure measurement was 150.80 mm Hg in the left arm: pulse, 72 beats/min with normal rhythm; height, 1.55 m; weight, 58 kg with a 3.6kg weight loss in 6 weeks.
Corrosion of Carbon Steel in High CO2 Containing Environments - the Effect of High Flow Rate

The development of hydrocarbon gas fields which contain very high CO2 contents (up to 80 mol%) using carbon steel seems a difficult proposal and calls for the use of expensive corrosion resistant alloys. This would have the potential to render project development costs untenable. Unlike transportation and sequestration of supercritical CO2, where the amount of water is normally very small or negligible, gas field development has to consider the presence of formation water. This water can contain a high concentration of corrosive species, generated by large amounts of dissolved CO2. The magnitude of corrosion and the effect of flow on corrosion in such environments are unknown and a better understanding is required. Flow has the possible effects of challenging the protectiveness of any corrosion product films that may form and will increase the mass transfer rates of corrosive species to the pipe wall, both leading to an increase in corrosion rate. In the present study, a High Pressure and High Temperature (HPHT) Thin Channel Flow Cell (TCFC) was employed to study the flow sensitivity of CO2 corrosion of carbon steel, at subcritical and supercritical CO2 partial pressures. The corrosion rate measured in the TCFC was related with the one obtained in a HPHT rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) autoclave tests. This was done to ascertain the independence of the measured corrosion rates from the specific flow geometry.
Shock in Bantu siderosis.

This paper describes five patients who had Bantu siderosis and who suffered shock, for which there was no obvious cause, shortly before death. It is considered that the condition is closely analogous to that occurring in idiopathic hemochromatosis. The theory that the shock is caused by extremely high serum iron levels is examined and considered to be inadequate. An alternative theory that the shock is septic in nature and results, in part at least, from enhancement of the virulence of enteric organisms by iron present in large amounts in patients with Bantu siderosis and idiopathic hemochromatosis is suggested.
The quantitation of isotope loss with tyrosine loss in the canine fibrinogen-fibrin transformation.

SummaryFibrinogen from the plasma of mongrel dogs was isolated and purified by fractional precipitation with ammonium sulfate. Cold-insoluble material and ammonium sulfate were removed by dialysis at 4° against 0.005 M sodium citrate. Portions of the resulting highly purified fibrinogen (95.1% clottability by 280 mμ analysis) were labeled with 131I by the iodine monochloride method. The percentage of the protein-bound radioactivity which (i) remained in association with the collected fibrin after thrombin addition; and (ii) was released in association with the split-off peptides into the clot supernatant fluid was determined by utilizing two different clotting procedures. The clotting procedure commonly used in an isotope dilution technique for fibrinogen quantitation has shown that 85% of the radioactivity remains associated with fibrin and the remaining 15.5% is recoverable in the supernatant fluid. The utilization of a clotting procedure for the colorimetric determination of fibrinogen in which the col...
Effect of insulin on blood glucose and corticosterone levels in sodium fluoroacetate induced diabetes.

SummaryThe hyperglycemia produced by SFA can be significantly reduced by small amounts of insulin. The very high levels of plasma corticosterone found to occur following treatment with SFA can be transiently increased by the administration of insulin. These high levels are thought to be due to a SFA induced decrease in the hepatic inacti-vation of the adrenal hormone.The authors wish to acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Mrs. Alice C. Weil.
Review of epinephrine solution use in 400 consecutive cases of burn reconstruction. Are infusion pumps safe

Infiltration of diluted epinephrine solutions is often used in reconstructive surgery to produce local vasoconstriction and minimize bleeding. A total of 400 burn reconstruction procedures were performed with the aid of epinephrine solution between July 2008 and July 2011. We used to consider this practice very safe, but after encountering several complications, we decided to perform a retrospective review to look at all complications in detail and identify opportunities to improve safety. We encountered nine complications including one case of flash pulmonary edema and one patient with acute carpal tunnel syndrome. All severe complications were seen when the epinephrine solution was infiltrated with the aid of an electric infusion pump. Infusion pumps do not allow for reliable control of the amount of infiltration of epinephrine solutions. We conclude that infusion pumps may unnecessarily increase the risk for complications. This has resulted in a change in our practice. We now use infusion pumps only in selected cases.
MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION IN MUROID RODENTS II. CRANIOMETRIC FACTOR DIVERGENCE IN SEVEN NEOTROPICAL GENERA, WITH EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS FROM ZYGODONTOMYS.

First principal components extracted from covariance matrices of log-transformed craniodental measurements closely approximate general size factors within field-collected samples representing 14 species in seven Neotropical muroid genera; because these samples are mixed-cross-sectional, scores are age-correlated and coefficients reflect postweaning growth allometries. Compared between congeners, sample first principal component coefficients are very similar, an observation that implies a nearly parallel orientation of ontogenetic trajectories in log-measurement space. On the assumption that a common general size factor (estimated as the first principal component of the pooled-within covariance matrix) accounts for most of the observed measurement covariance within samples, size-adjusted differences between congeneric species were estimated variable-by-variable in separate analyses of covariance; these differences reflect developmental adjustments of craniodental morphology that precede the measured interval of postweaning ontogeny. Vectors of size-adjusted difference coefficients are not similar from genus to genus, and a diversity of causal mechanisms is probably responsible. Analyses of captive-bred samples from two "species" of Zygodontomys provide prima facie evidence that size-adjusted differences estimated from field-collected samples have a genetic basis. Postweaning growth allometries in the muroid head skeleton may be conserved due to the biomechanical constraints of masticatory function; the apparent evolutionary plasticity of earlier ontogenetic adjustments may reflect the absence of such constraints in the fetus or suckling pup. The relevance of these results for current theories concerning the developmental genetics of mammalian morphometric evolution is discussed.
The Rolls of Oleron and the Admiralty Court in Fourteenth Century England

The poet's estimate held some truth in that life at sea was harsh, and those who chose it and persevered were up to the challenge. They acted as individuals at sea and behaved only as well as forced to under the command of their masters. The tales of keelhauling, drownings and piratical massacres leave the impression of lawless men on a lawless sea. Examples are plentiful in existing records, and several read like the case of a ship of Scarborough.2 Bound from Newcastle to Berwick in 1349 under master Adam de Selby, loaded with salt, timber and coal, she was attacked and boarded by a band of pirates led by Walter atte Park. All the crew were killed, including the master, and the ship taken away. There were many such occurrences and, in fact, piracy was popular
The Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry Kinome Is Essential for Chronic Infection

ABSTRACT Ingestion of the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii causes an acute infection that leads to chronic infection of the host. To facilitate the acute phase of the infection, T. gondii manipulates the host response by secreting rhoptry organelle proteins (ROPs) into host cells during its invasion. A few key ROP proteins with signatures of kinases or pseudokinases (ROPKs) act as virulence factors that enhance parasite survival against host gamma interferon-stimulated innate immunity. However, the roles of these and other ROPK proteins in establishing chronic infection have not been tested. Here, we deleted 26 ROPK gene loci encoding 31 unique ROPK proteins of type II T. gondii and show that numerous ROPK proteins influence the development of chronic infection. Cyst burdens were increased in the Δrop16 knockout strain or moderately reduced in 11 ROPK knockout strains. In contrast, deletion of ROP5, ROP17, ROP18, ROP35, or ROP38/29/19 (ROP38, ROP29, and ROP19) severely reduced cyst burdens. Δrop5 and Δrop18 knockout strains were less resistant to host immunity-related GTPases (IRGs) and exhibited >100-fold-reduced virulence. ROP18 kinase activity and association with the parasitophorous vacuole membrane were necessary for resistance to host IRGs. The Δrop17 strain exhibited a >12-fold defect in virulence; however, virulence was not affected in the Δrop35 or Δrop38/29/19 strain. Resistance to host IRGs was not affected in the Δrop17, Δrop35, or Δrop38/29/19 strain. Collectively, these findings provide the first definitive evidence that the type II T. gondii ROPK proteome functions as virulence factors and facilitates additional mechanisms of host manipulation that are essential for chronic infection and transmission of T. gondii. IMPORTANCE Reactivation of chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in individuals with weakened immune systems causes severe toxoplasmosis. Existing treatments for toxoplasmosis are complicated by adverse reactions to chemotherapy. Understanding key parasite molecules required for chronic infection provides new insights into potential mechanisms that can interrupt parasite survival or persistence in the host. This study reveals that key secreted rhoptry molecules are used by the parasite to establish chronic infection of the host. Certain rhoptry proteins were found to be critical virulence factors that resist innate immunity, while other rhoptry proteins were found to influence chronic infection without affecting virulence. This study reveals that rhoptry proteins utilize multiple mechanisms of host manipulation to establish chronic infection of the host. Targeted disruption of parasite rhoptry proteins involved in these biological processes opens new avenues to interfere with chronic infection with the goal to either eliminate chronic infection or to prevent recrudescent infections.
Analysis on immune-effects of recombinant yeast hepatitis B vaccine on adults

Objective To evaluate immune-effect of recombinant yeast hepatitis B vaccine on adults.Methods A total of 800 subjects were selected in Danyang County of Jiangsu Province,who were aged 16~60,with informed consent and negative on5 indicators for hepatitis B.All subjects were inoculated with 20μg recombinant yeast hepatitis B vaccine on 0-1-6 month schedule,5ml blood samples were collected at 7month and 12 month after the first dose of vaccination.HBsAb level was detected by Abbott chemiluminescence kit.Results At 7 month and 12 month,HBsAb sero-conversion rates were 92.95%(95%CI:90.79%~94.74%)and 86.47%(95%CI:83.71%~88.93%),respectively;while rates that HBsAb level acquired for long term protection were 83.02%(95%CI:80.02% ~85.74%)and 67.48%(95%CI:63.86% ~70.96%),respectively.GMC of HBsAb at 7month and 12 month were(1 032.49±14.41)IU/L and(249.59±12.01)IU/L,respectively.Significant difference was observed on different time points,age groups and genders(all P0.05).Conclusion For adults inoculated with 20μg recombinant yeast hepatitis B vaccine,better immune-effect was observed on younger subjects and female subjects,additional inoculation is necessary.
Radiation as a therapeutic modality in sarcomas of the soft tissue

Management of the primary lesion in patients with soft tissue sarcomas is combined modality in the majority of instances. The modalities are surgery and irradiation. Radical surgery as currently practiced in major oncology centers does not achieve local control in an important proportion of patients.
Flash trends: Challenges and future

• Chip Characterization: Revealing a New Landscape to the NAND Flash Community • Leveraging large-scale flash drives: Write point per chip for parallelism • Flash Trends: Capacity: 43x, Latency: 2.6x, Bandwidth: 40% • Chip & Application Symbiosis: SLC performance in MLC parts - > 1 write point per chip - Bursts: up to 100% (89% on average) of SLC performance - Sustained: up to 95% (65% on average) performance improvement
Active–Passive Disaggregation of Brightness Temperatures During the SMAPVEX12 Campaign

The goal of this study is to assess the performance of the active–passive disaggregation algorithm for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission using airborne observations from the Soil Moisture Active Passive Validation Experiment 2012 (SMAPVEX12). This algorithm disaggregates the whole domain resolution (around 30 km) radiometer brightness temperature (TB) using the 1.6-km-resolution radar backscatter $(\sigma^{o})$ observations (both acquired by the aircraft-based Passive Active L- and S-band Sensor), to a medium 6.4-km resolution. The parameters of the disaggregation method are affected by changes in soil and vegetation. Different time windows are studied to assess the best representation of the campaign vegetation growth and senescence processes. The algorithm performance is evaluated by comparing disaggregated and observed TB at the medium resolution. A minimum performance algorithm is also applied where the radar data are withheld. The minimum performance algorithm serves as a benchmark to assess the value of the radar to the SMAP active–passive algorithm.
Modeling survey of ices in Titan's stratosphere

Abstract Processes in Titan's upper atmosphere, such as photochemical destruction of methane along with the destruction of nitrogen molecules from energetic electrons, result in the production of a number of hydrocarbon and nitrile compounds which are capable of condensing in the colder temperatures of Titan's mid to lower stratosphere. Stratospheric ices can contribute to the opacity of Titan's atmosphere as well as affect the chemistry of the more optically thick clouds seen in the troposphere, should they serve as condensation nuclei. We model the microphysics of a dozen trace species in Titan's atmosphere and show the resulting cloud properties. Clouds form and settle into layers between 50 and 80 km. Condensation timescales can be slow, with half the species only growing to a radius ≲ 1 μ m . Ethane cloud particles grow the largest with radii up to 20 µm. Factors such as the vapor pressure equation, nucleation rate, gas abundance, and temperature profile can have a significant effect on the appearance of the cloud particles. Though the data on optical constants is sparse for many of these ices, estimates show opacities of 10 − 5 − 10 − 3 for visible wavelengths.
Polygenic risk assessment reveals pleiotropy between sarcoidosis and inflammatory disorders in the context of genetic ancestry.

Sarcoidosis is a complex disease of unknown etiology characterized by the presence of granulomatous inflammation. Though various immune system pathways have been implicated in disease, the relationship between the genetic determinants of sarcoidosis and other inflammatory disorders has not been characterized. Herein, we examined the degree of genetic pleiotropy common to sarcoidosis and other inflammatory disorders to identify shared pathways and disease systems pertinent to sarcoidosis onset. To achieve this, we quantify the association of common variant polygenic risk scores from nine complex inflammatory disorders with sarcoidosis risk. Enrichment analyses of genes implicated in pleiotropic associations were further used to elucidate candidate pathways. In European-Americans, we identify significant pleiotropy between risk of sarcoidosis and risk of asthma (R2=2.03%; P=8.89 × 10−9), celiac disease (R2=2.03%; P=8.21 × 10−9), primary biliary cirrhosis (R2=2.43%; P=2.01 × 10−10) and rheumatoid arthritis (R2=4.32%; P=2.50 × 10−17). These associations validate in African Americans only after accounting for the proportion of genome-wide European ancestry, where we demonstrate similar effects of polygenic risk for African-Americans with the highest levels of European ancestry. Variants and genes implicated in European-American pleiotropic associations were enriched for pathways involving interleukin-12, interleukin-27 and cell adhesion molecules, corroborating the hypothesized immunopathogenesis of disease.
Structural health monitoring using a hybrid network of self-powered accelerometer and strain sensors

This paper presents a structural damage identification approach based on the analysis of the data from a hybrid network of self-powered accelerometer and strain sensors. Numerical and experimental studies are conducted on a plate with bolted connections to verify the method. Piezoelectric ceramic Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT)-5A ceramic discs and PZT-5H bimorph accelerometers are placed on the surface of the plate to measure the voltage changes due to damage progression. Damage is defined by loosening or removing one bolt at a time from the plate. The results show that the PZT accelerometers provide a fairly more consistent behavior than the PZT strain sensors. While some of the PZT strain sensors are not sensitive to the changes of the boundary condition, the bimorph accelerometers capture the mode changes from undamaged to missing bolt conditions. The results corresponding to the strain sensors are better indicator to the location of damage compared to the accelerometers. The characteristics of the overall structure can be monitored with even one accelerometer. On the other hand, several PZT strain sensors might be needed to localize the damage.
Using Facebook in K-12 Classrooms: Ethical considerations for safe social networking

Teacher educators and school administrators face a fast-moving balancing act when making decisions on how new technology should be harnessed to enhance education. With the increasing popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook, the idea of utilizing social networking in the K-12 classroom has gained traction in some educational circles. However, critics charge that Facebook has had some negative impacts on users, particularly adolescents, which suggests that inclusion in K-12 classroom settings may not be practical. This article examines the literature on social networking and its potential impact on educational settings and argues that including Facebook in K-12 requires a plan for managing the potential risks involved.
Surface Integrity and Corrosion Performance of Biomedical Magnesium-calcium Alloy Processed by Hybrid Dry Cutting-finish Burnishing

Abstract Biodegradable magnesium-calcium (MgCa) alloy is a very attractive orthopedic biomaterial compared to permanent metallic alloys. However, the critical issue is that MgCa alloy corrodes too fast in the human organism. Compared to dry cutting, the synergistic dry cutting-finish burnishing can significantly improve corrosion performance of MgCa0.8 (wt %) alloy by producing a superior surface integrity including good surface finish, high compressive hook-shaped residual stress profile, extended strain hardening in subsurface, and little change of grain size. The measured polarization curves, surface micrographs, and element distributions of the corroded surfaces by burnishing show an increasing and uniform corrosion resistance to simulated body fluid.
Design of compact memristive in-memory computing systems using model counting

Crossbars of nanoscale memristors are being fabricated to serve as high-density non-volatile memory devices. The flow of current through memristor crossbars has been recently used to perform in-memory computations. However, existing approaches based on decision procedures only scale to the simplest circuits such as one-bit adders and other approaches employing decision diagrams produce large crossbar designs. In this paper, we present a new method for synthesizing compact combinational circuits using nanoscale crossbars. Our synthesis procedure exploits a symbolic representation of Boolean functions and employs model counting to guide a simulated annealing based search procedure. The proposed method creates crossbars that are up to about 6.3 times more compact than crossbars synthesized using decision diagrams. Our approach can scale to problems at least 4 times larger than the approach based on quantified decision procedures.
Primal-dual potential reduction algorithm for symmetric programming problems with nonlinear objective functions

Abstract We consider a primal-dual potential reduction algorithm for nonlinear convex optimization problems over symmetric cones. The same complexity estimates as in the case of the linear objective function are obtained provided a certain nonlinear system of equations can be solved with a given accuracy. This generalizes the result of K. Kortanek, F. Potra and Y. Ye [7] . We further introduce a generalized Nesterov–Todd direction and show how it can be used to achieve a required accuracy (by solving the linearization of above mentioned nonlinear system) for a class of nonlinear convex functions satisfying scaling Lipschitz condition. This result is a far-reaching generalization of results of F. Potra, Y. Ye and J. Zhu [8] , [9] . Finally, we show that a class of functions (which contains quantum entropy function) satisfies scaling Lipschitz condition.
Cardiovascular Alterations in Acute and Chronic Liver Failure

The liver and heart are closely related in health and in disease; the liver receives 25 to 30% of total cardiac output via the hepatic artery, and the portal vein. Liver disease can result from right-sided heart failure, with manifestations ranging from mild reversible liver injury to hepatic fibrosis, and, in its most severe form, cardiac cirrhosis. On the other end of the spectrum, advanced liver disease can manifest itself as a hyperdynamic state with decreased vascular resistance, but with concomitant cardiac dysfunction that is termed cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. The degree of cardiac derangement correlates with the degree of liver dysfunction, and may lead to other disease processes such as hepatorenal syndrome and hepatic encephalopathy. Prompt recognition and treatment of the underlying cause of acute decompensation is the only definitive therapy for this devastating disease process.
Genetic signatures of microbial altruism and cheating in social amoebas in the wild

Many microbes engage in social interactions. Some of these have come to play an important role in the study of cooperation and conflict, largely because, unlike most animals, they can be genetically manipulated and experimentally evolved. However, whereas animal social behavior can be observed and assessed in natural environments, microbes usually cannot, so we know little about microbial social adaptations in nature. This has led to some difficult-to-resolve controversies about social adaptation even for well-studied traits such as bacterial quorum sensing, siderophore production, and biofilms. Here we use molecular signatures of population genetics and molecular evolution to address controversies over the existence of altruism and cheating in social amoebas. First, we find signatures of rapid adaptive molecular evolution that are consistent with social conflict being a significant force in nature. Second, we find population-genetic signatures of purifying selection to support the hypothesis that the cells that form the sterile stalk evolve primarily through altruistic kin selection rather than through selfish direct reproduction. Our results show how molecular signatures can provide insight into social adaptations that cannot be observed in their natural context, and they support the hypotheses that social amoebas in the wild are both altruists and cheaters.
DIVERGENCE OF ERGODIC AVERAGES AND ORBITAL CLASSIFICATION OF NON-SINGULAR TRANSFORMATIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on a problem that is connected with the relationship between the convergence properties of the averages for nonsingular transformations of a measure space and the classification of such transformations up to orbital equivalence. The method of the proof presented in the chapter shows that many cutting and stacking constructions can be embedded into a given orbital class. The chapter presents Chacon's example of divergence of ergodic averages. It also presents the definition of the asymptotic ratio set r(τ) for a nonsingular ergodic transformation τ.
The Quadratic Sieve

This chapter will discuss the Linear Sieve and Quadratic Sieve, algorithms for factoring the product of two distinct prime integers, or any other composite number. The main purpose of the algorithm is to break the famous cryptosystem RSA. The algorithms use matrices over \(\mathbb{G}\mathbb{F}\)(2), but they will be sparse matrices rather than dense matrices.
Deoxyfluorination of Phenols.

A new imidazolium based deoxyfluorination reagent is presented for the ipso-fluorination of a wide range of phenols (I) and hetaryl alcohols (III).
Effect of Lewis Acids on the Structure and Reactivity of a Mononuclear Hydroxomanganese(III) Complex

The addition of Sc(OTf)3 and Al(OTf)3 to the mononuclear MnIII-hydroxo complex [MnIII(OH)(dpaq)]+ (1) gives rise to new intermediates with spectroscopic properties and chemical reactivity distinct from those of [MnIII(OH)(dpaq)]+. The electronic absorption spectra of [MnIII(OH)(dpaq)]+ in the presence of Sc(OTf)3 (1-ScIII) and Al(OTf)3 (1-AlIII) show modest perturbations in electronic transition energies, consistent with moderate changes in the MnIII geometry. A comparison of 1H NMR data for 1 and 1-ScIII confirm this conclusion, as the 1H NMR spectrum of 1-ScIII shows the same number of hyperfine-shifted peaks as the 1H NMR spectrum of 1. These 1H NMR spectra, and that of 1-AlIII, share a similar chemical-shift pattern, providing firm evidence that these Lewis acids do not cause gross distortions to the structure of 1. Mn K-edge X-ray absorption data for 1-ScIII provide evidence of elongation of the axial Mn-OH and Mn-N(amide) bonds relative to those of 1. In contrast to these modest spectroscopic perturbations, 1-ScIII and 1-AlIII show greatly enhanced reactivity toward hydrocarbons. While 1 is unreactive toward 9,10-dihydroanthracene (DHA), 1-ScIII and 1-AlIII react rapidly with DHA (k2 = 0.16(1) and 0.25(2) M-1 s-1 at 50 °C, respectively). The 1-ScIII species is capable of attacking the much stronger C-H bond of ethylbenzene. The basis for these perturbations to the spectroscopic properties and reactivity of 1 in the presence of these Lewis acids was elucidated by comparing properties of 1-ScIII and 1-AlIII with the recently reported MnIII-aqua complex [MnIII(OH2)(dpaq)]2+ ( J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 12695-12699). Because 1-ScIII and 1-AlIII show 1H NMR spectra essentially identical to that of [MnIII(OH2)(dpaq)]2+, the primary effect of these Lewis acids on 1 is protonation of the hydroxo ligand caused by an increase in the Bronsted acidity of the solution.
Distinction of strontium isotope ratios between water-soluble and bulk coal fly ash from the United States

Abstract Coal ash is one of the largest industrial waste streams in the United States and contains elevated concentrations of hazardous elements that could pose environmental and human health risks. Due to the relatively high strontium concentrations in coal ash and the distinctive 87Sr/86Sr ratios, strontium isotopes have been utilized to trace coal ash contaminants in impacted water resources. While previous studies have characterized the Sr isotope ratios for the water-soluble Sr derived from coal ash, the strontium isotopic composition of the bulk coal ash has not been systematically evaluated. In the current study, we report the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of bulk and water-soluble Sr in fly ash derived from coals of the three major coal-producing basins in the U.S., the Appalachian Basin, Illinois Basin, and Powder River Basin. The data show a wide range of 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the bulk fly ash samples (0.710788–0.722311), with the most radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr ratios in fly ash originating from Illinois Basin coals (0.718029 ± 0.003365; n = 16), followed by those from Appalachian Basin coals (0.712641 ± 0.000860; n = 16), and those from Powder River Basin coals (0.711663 ± 0.000489; n = 7). The 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the water leachates are significantly lower than the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the bulk fly ash for Illinois Basin and Appalachian Basin (0.711660 ± 0.001172 and 0.710694 ± 0.000317, respectively, p-value