cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex-Induced Silencing Operates During Opposite-Sex and Unisexual Reproduction in Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen that undergoes a dimorphic transition from yeast to hyphae during a-α opposite-sex mating and α-α unisexual reproduction (same-sex mating). Infectious spores are generated during both processes. We previously identified a sex-induced silencing (SIS) pathway in the C. neoformans serotype A var. grubii lineage, in which tandem transgene arrays trigger RNAi-dependent gene silencing at a high frequency during a-α opposite-sex mating, but at an ∼250-fold lower frequency during asexual mitotic vegetative growth. Here we report that SIS also operates during α-α unisexual reproduction. A self-fertile strain containing either SXI2a-URA5 or NEO-URA5 transgene arrays exhibited an elevated silencing frequency during solo and unisexual mating compared with mitotic vegetative growth. We also found that SIS operates at a similar efficiency on transgene arrays of the same copy number during either α-α unisexual reproduction or a-α opposite-sex mating. URA5-derived small RNAs were detected in the silenced progeny of α-α unisexual reproduction and RNAi core components were required, providing evidence that SIS induced by same-sex mating is also mediated by RNAi via sequence-specific small RNAs. In addition, our data show that the SIS RNAi pathway also operates to defend the genome via squelching transposon activity during same-sex mating as it does during opposite-sex mating. Taken together, our results confirm that SIS is conserved between the divergent C. neoformans serotype A and serotype D cryptic sibling species.
Toward Instantaneous Network-Based Real-Time Kinematic GPS over 100 km Distance

ABSTRACT: Instantaneous (single-epoch) ambiguity resolution may not always be possible because of the increasing noise and lack of sufficient redundancy to verify the integer selection in long-range real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS positioning. The algorithm proposed here is based on a single-baseline solution aided by double-difference (DD) ionospheric delay from the previous epoch (up to 60 s latency in DD ionospheric delay can be accepted), which supports the ambiguity resolution and provides a quality instantaneous kinematic position over long distances. However, obtaining the initial DD ionospheric delay requires atmospheric corrections provided by the reference network and some accumulation at the beginning of the session—i.e., on-the-fly (OTF) initialization is needed. Afterwards, instantaneous RTK positioning is assured. In this paper, a feasibility test of instantaneous real-time rover positioning is presented, and the effect of the latency of the DD ionospheric corrections on the instantaneous ambiguity resolution in long-range RTK is investigated. The positioning accuracy achieved in the tests, expressed as the differences between the resultant coordinates and the known “true” coordinates, is at millimeter-level accuracy for the horizontal components and centimeter-level for the vertical one for baselines over 100 km long.
Off-label drug use in a single-center pediatric cardiac intensive care unit.

Background:The frequency of off-label drug use and its association with morbidity and mortality in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) has not been previously studied.Methods:Patients less than ...
Organization of the chorion genes of Bombyx mori, a multigene family. III. Detailed marker composition of three gene clusters.

The chorion patterns produced by progeny from crosses that were used to define the linked gene clusters, Ch 1, Ch 2 and Ch 3 (strain C108 vs. strain Ascoli), were examined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (isoelectric focusing vs. SDS/urea). Approximately 60 proteins were assigned to four previously defined chorion classes, A, B, C and Hc, believed to represent the products of related genes, on the basis of size and relative cysteine content. All strain-specific markers showed co-dominance in the F1, indicating the likelihood that they are not products of post-translational modification. Twentyseven Ascoli markers co-segregated in testcross progeny, and none of the resolved proteins showed independent assortment, confirming their linkage to chromosome 2. Two-dimensional screening of recombinants demonstrated that all three clusters contain Class A and B markers; Hc markers have been found only in Ch 1 and Ch 2; whereas, mapped C markers were confined to Ch 3. This indicates that chorion clusters are heterogeneous with respect to the markers they contain.
The oxygen and neon abundances in planetary nebulae: implications for stellar nucleosynthesis

Les abondances en oxygene et en neon de 171 nebuleuses planetaires de notre galaxie, des 2 nuages de Magellan et de M31 sont determinees. Le rapport [Ne/H] en fonction du rapport [O.H] est compare pour chaque galaxie
Attentional control in the aging brain: insights from an fMRI study of the stroop task.

Several recent studies of aging and cognition have attributed decreases in the efficiency of working memory processes to possible declines in attentional control, the mechanism(s) by which the brain attempts to limit its processing to that of task-relevant information. Here we used fMRI measures of neural activity during performance of the color-word Stroop task to compare the neural substrates of attentional control in younger (ages: 21-27 years old) and older participants (ages: 60-75 years old) during conditions of both increased competition (incongruent and congruent neutral) and increased conflict (incongruent and congruent neutral). We found evidence of age-related decreases in the responsiveness of structures thought to support attentional control (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal cortices), suggesting possible impairments in the implementation of attentional control in older participants. Consistent with this notion, older participants exhibited more extensive activation of ventral visual processing regions (i.e., temporal cortex) and anterior inferior prefrontal cortices, reflecting a decreased ability to inhibit the processing of task-irrelevant information. Also, the anterior cingulate cortex, a region involved in evaluatory processes at the level of response (e.g., detecting potential for error), showed age-related increases in its sensitivity to the presence of competing color information. These findings are discussed in terms of newly emerging models of attentional control in the human brain.
Pilot Model for Estimating Pedestrian Intersection Crossing Volumes

Better data on pedestrian volumes are needed to improve the safety, comfort, and convenience of pedestrian movement. This data collection requires more carefully developed methodologies for counting pedestrians as well as improved methods of modeling pedestrian volumes. The methodology used to create a simple pilot model of pedestrian intersection crossing volumes in Alameda County, California, is described. The model is based on weekly pedestrian volumes at a sample of 50 intersections with a wide variety of surrounding land uses, transportation system attributes, and neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics. Three alternative model structures were considered, and the final recommended model has a good overall fit (adjusted R2 =.897). Statistically significant factors in the model include the total population within a 0.5-mi radius, number of jobs within a 0.25-mi radius, number of commercial retail properties within a 0.25-mi radius, and the presence of a regional transit station within a 0.1-mi radiu...
Broadening of activity with flow across neural structures.

Synfire chains have long been suggested as a substrate for perception and information processing in the nervous system. However, embedding activation chains in a densely connected nervous matrix risks spread of signal that will obscure or obliterate the message. We used computer modeling and physiological measurements in rat hippocampus to assess this problem of activity broadening. We simulated a series of neural modules with feedforward propagation and random connectivity within each module and from one module to the next. We found that activity broadened as it propagated from one module to the next. This occurred over a wide array of parameters with greater broadening seen with increasing excitatory – excitatory synaptic strength. Activity broadening correlated positively with propagation velocity. Multi-electrode measurements of activity propagation in disinhibited CA1 slice demonstrated broadening of about 50% over 1 mm. Such broadening is a problem for information transfer that must be dealt with in...
Survey of Aerosol Delivery Techniques to Spontaneously Breathing Tracheostomized Children

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic inhaled aerosols are often delivered to spontaneously breathing tracheostomized children. Although aerosol delivery can be affected by several factors, no recommendations for device/drug formulation choice are available. We hypothesized that practice modalities will vary among different institutions. METHODS: The respiratory care departments in institutions in the United States that train pediatric pulmonologists were surveyed regarding their practices of delivering aerosols to spontaneously breathing tracheostomized children. Characteristics of the institution; use of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), nebulizers, and dry powder inhalers; use of a resuscitation bag to aid aerosol delivery (assisted); types of medication used; and factors affecting choice of delivery method were recorded. RESULTS: Of the invited institutions, 81% (38/47) participated, with 68% of them being freestanding children9s hospitals. MDIs were used by 92% of the institutions surveyed, with similar use of unassisted (32%, with 83% of them using spacers), assisted (34%, with 100% of them using non-valved spacers), and both techniques (34%). Nebulizers were used by 97% of the institutions surveyed, with all using unassisted and 32% also using assisted technique. Tracheostomy aerosol mask was the most commonly used interface (89%). Assisted technique for either MDI or nebulizer was used by 68% of the institutions surveyed, with similar use of flow-inflating bag, self-inflating bag, and both devices. Types of inhaled medications utilized by surveyed institutions included aerosolized antibiotics (82%), corticosteroids (100%), short-acting β agonists (100%), combination therapy (32%), and mucolytics (84%). Dry powders were not used. Patient cooperation was the most frequent and single most important factor influencing the choice of delivery method. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variation in practice of delivering aerosols to spontaneously breathing tracheostomized children was noted. In-vivo and in-vitro studies are needed to support clinical recommendations.
Who cares about lifelong learning

It seems that everyone agrees that lifelong learning is vital to the success of an individual's career. Yet, it seems that lifelong learning is not a high priority among engineers who have been in industry for some years. This paper discusses lifelong learning and focusses on the roles that the individual the company, the IEEE and the university must play if lifelong learning is to be a reality.
Plasmodesma-Mediated Selective Protein Traffic between “Symplasmically Isolated” Cells Probed by a Viral Movement Protein

Intercellular communication is essential for differentiation and development. In plants, plasmodesmata (PD) form cytoplasmic channels for direct communication. During plant development, programmed reduction in PD number and transport capacity creates the so-called symplasmic domains. Small fluorescent dyes and ions can diffuse among cells within a domain but not across domain boundaries. Such symplasmic isolation is thought to allow groups of cells to differentiate and develop into tissues with distinct structures and functions. Whether or how "symplasmically isolated" cells communicate with one another is poorly understood. One well-documented symplasmic domain is the sieve element-companion cell (SE-CC) complex in the phloem tissue. We report here that, when produced in the CC of transgenic tobacco, the 3a movement protein (3a MP) of Cucumber mosaic virus fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) can traffic out of the SE-CC complex via PD. The extent of 3a MP:GFP traffic across the boundary between vascular and nonvascular tissues depends on organ type and developmental stage. Our findings provide experimental evidence that endogenous machinery exists for protein traffic between the symplasmically isolated SE-CC complex and neighboring cells. We suggest that PD-mediated traffic of selected macromolecules can be a mechanism for symplasmically isolated cells to communicate with one another.
NMR Observable-Based Structure Refinement of Membrane Proteins in Explicit Membranes

Various NMR observables, such as chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) and dipolar coupling (DC) in solid-state NMR, and NOE-based distance and residual dipolar coupling (RDC) in solution NMR experiments, have been used to characterize membrane protein structures. However, most present membrane protein NMR structure determination approaches refine a protein structure in implicit solvent, and therefore do not provide detailed protein-lipid/detergent interactions, which are essential in determining the relative orientation in the protein's helical domains that is related to its function. In addition, membrane protein NMR observables are often insufficient to clearly define all the side chain-side chain interactions. These undefined interactions could be critical in the protein's structure and function. To overcome these limitations, various NMR observables were utilized as restraints for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in the explicit (bilayer and micelles) membranes. With various NMR restraint (CSA, DC, NOE and RDC) potentials, we have investigated the orientation of Pf1 coat protein and DAP12-NKG2C complex. The former is a single-pass transmembrane helical protein with a membrane associated periplasmic helix, and the latter is a complex with undefined but functionally required polar side chain interactions. The resulting structures satisfy the NMR observables and compared to the published structures. With respect to the explicit membrane, the disposition of Pf1 TM helix was identified and the dynamic nature of the periplasmic helix orientation was observed. For DAP12-NKG2C complex, several functionally required polar residues adopted different side chain conformations to enhance the complex assembly.
Inhibition of CD4+25+ T regulatory cell function implicated in enhanced immune response by low-dose cyclophosphamide

Regulatory T cells (T(REGs)) control the key aspects of tolerance and play a role in the lack of antitumor immune responses. Cyclophosphamide (CY) is a chemotherapeutic agent with a dose-dependent, bimodal effect on the immune system. Although a previous study demonstrated that CY reduces the number of T(REGs), the mechanism involved in this process has yet to be defined. In this report, it is established that low-dose CY not only decreases cell number but leads to decreased functionality of T(REGs). CY treatment enhances apoptosis and decreases homeostatic proliferation of these cells. Expression of GITR and FoxP3, which are involved in the suppressive activity of T(REGs), is down-regulated after CY administration, though the level of expression varies depending on the time studied. This is the first report demonstrating that CY, in addition to decreasing cell number, inhibits the suppressive capability of T(REGs). The relevance of the loss of suppressor functionality and the changes in gene expression are further discussed.
Isotopic evidence for in-lake production of accumulating nitrate in Lake Superior.

A century-long increase in nitrate (NO3 � ) in the water column of Lake Superior is a classic example of recent nitrogen accumulation in ecosystems, but its cause and relationship to historical NO3 � deposition is unknown. We used stable isotope ratios of oxygen and nitrogen in nitrate (d 18 O-NO3 and d 15 N-NO3) to examine its sources in this large lake, which represents 10% of the world's surficial liquid freshwater. The most parsimonious hypothesis to explain the rise in NO3 � is that the lake is accruing NO3 � deposited directly on the lake surface because it is too unproductive to completely assimilate all of it. Data for d 18 O- NO3 in external sources and the water column, however, are inconsistent with this hypothesis. Instead, the isotopic evidence indicates strongly that the accumulating NO3 � is almost entirely derived from nitrification occurring within the lake. While increases in atmospheric deposition of NO3 � may have played a role in its buildup in the lake, other factors such as increases in NH4 þ and dissolved organic nitrogen inputs from precipitation or rivers, increases in nitrogen fluxes from the sediments, and decreases in burial rates must also be considered as potential drivers of rising NO3 � . The sustained accumulation of nitrogen in Lake Superior is thus more
CHRONIC TERBUTALINE THERAPY AND PERIPARTUM CARDIOMYOPATHY A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Objective: A previous case report (1) described 15 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy documented by clinical and ECHO criteria, 4 of whom had received terbutaline long term (range 9.5-53 days, mean 4.2 ± 2.6 weeks) for premature labor. To further explore the significance of this observation a case-control study was designed specifically inquiring whether long-term 3-Mimetic therapy of at least 9 days duration for preterm contractions is associated with subsequent development of peripartum cardiomyopathy.Methods: Controls for the 15 cardiomyopathic patients were chosen by computer-generated random patient unit number selection from all deliveries occurring in the period 1985-1991. Medical records were reviewed to determine exposure to terbutaline and other tocolytics, as well as potentially confounding factors. A logistic regression analysis of the data was performed and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the covariates.Main Outcome Measure: Quantitation of ex...
Position and orientation in ad hoc networks

Position and orientation information of individual nodes in ad hoc networks is useful for both service and application implementation. Services that can be enabled by availability of position include routing and querying. At application level, position is required in order to label the reported data in a sensor network, whereas position and orientation enable tracking. Nodes in an ad hoc network may have local capabilities such as the possibility of measuring ranges to neighbors, angle of arrival (AOA), or global capabilities, such as GPS and digital compasses. This article investigates the possibility of using local capabilities to export global capabilities using a distributed, localized, hop by hop method. We show how position and orientation of all the nodes in a connected ad hoc network can be determined with a small fraction of landmarks that can position/orient themselves, given that all nodes have some combination of local capabilities. 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Computer-Generated Geometry Instruction: A Preliminary Study

This study hypothesized that increased intensity of graphic information, presented in computer-generated instruction, could be differentially beneficial for students with hyperactivity and inattention by improving their ability to sustain attention and hold information in-mind. To this purpose, 18 2nd–4th grade students, recruited from general education classes, were presented with sequenced geometry instruction, which involved projections of solid geometric images accompanied by text and color. Children were randomly assigned to two levels of intensity: high visual intensity (HVI) with information from the light source (e.g., contrasts, shadows) and low intensity (LVI) projecting only a single value. In support of theoretical predictions, students with hyperactivity/inattention performed better than typical comparisons during the performance of advanced problems in the HVI condition. Furthermore, the students with inattention demonstrated significantly better performance in the HVI than in the LVI condition. Educational, research, and development implications of these findings were discussed.
A four-marker signature of TNF-RII, TGF-α, TIMP-1 and CRP is prognostic of worse survival in high-risk surgically resected melanoma

Background E1694 tested GM2-KLH-QS21 vaccine versus high-dose interferon-α2b (HDI) as adjuvant therapy for operable stage IIB-III melanoma. We tested banked serum specimens from patients in the vaccine arm of E1694 for prognostic biomarkers.
On the irradiation history and origin of gas-rich meteorites

Abstract With the transmission electron microscope, we have made detailed studies of the track density gradients and irradiation geometries of track-rich grains and chondrules in sections of Fayetteville and Kapoeta. We have made the same type of studies in sections of lunar breccias and grains from lunar soil for comparison. A substantial fraction (50–90 per cent) of the meteoritic track-rich grains and chondrules show evidence of having been irradiated anisotropically in their different faces, as would be expected for irradiation on the surface of a parent body. Our observations thus support the hypothesis that the irradiation of these grains and chondrules took place on the regoliths of asteroidal-sized bodies. Measurement of steepest track density gradients indicate that while there are finite differences between spectra exhibited by individual gas-rich meteorites, the average solar flare spectral shapes have been similar over the last ~4 b.y. or so.
Maternal Self-efficacy and Family Health Routines

Purpose: Family health is a system comprising routines or habitual practices. This study investigated the relationships between maternal self-efficacy (SE) and obesity, habitual smoking, breastfeeding, and children’s sleeping patterns. Methods: Participants (98 women) attending a weight loss clinic reported on themselves and their 172 biological children. Mothers provided demographic information for parents and children and completed the 20-item Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Scale (FNPA). Maternal SE was assessed with a 13-item Confidence Survey, which measures confidence to carry out activities related to healthy family meals and family activity. FNPA results have been reported in an earlier publication. Results: Normal-weight mothers had more favorable (higher) SE scores compared with overweight mothers. There were positive relationships between SE and the FNPA and children’s sleep patterns in younger children. There were no significant relationships between SE and children’s body mass index (B...
A Probabilistic Latent Semantic Analysis Model for Coclustering the Mouse Brain Atlas

The mammalian brain contains cells of a large variety of types. The phenotypic properties of cells of different types are largely the results of distinct gene expression patterns. Therefore, it is of critical importance to characterize the gene expression patterns in the mammalian brain. The Allen Developing Mouse Brain Atlas provides spatiotemporal in situ hybridization gene expression data across multiple stages of mouse brain development. It provides a framework to explore spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression during development. We employ a graph approximation formulation to cocluster the genes and the brain voxels simultaneously for each time point. We show that this formulation can be expressed as a probabilistic latent semantic analysis (PLSA) model, thereby allowing us to use the expectation-maximization algorithm for PLSA to estimate the coclustering parameters. To provide a quantitative comparison with prior methods, we evaluate the coclustering method on a set of standard synthetic data sets. Results indicate that our method consistently outperforms prior methods. We apply our method to cocluster the Allen Developing Mouse Brain Atlas data. Results indicate that our clustering of voxels is more consistent with classical neuroanatomy than those of prior methods. Our analysis also yields sets of genes that are co-expressed in a subset of the brain voxels.
Transgenic expression of aflatoxin aldehyde reductase (AKR7A1) modulates aflatoxin B1 metabolism but not hepatic carcinogenesis in the rat

In both experimental animals and humans, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent hepatic toxin and carcinogen against which a variety of antioxidants and experimental or therapeutic drugs (e.g., oltipraz, related dithiolethiones, and various triterpenoids) protect from both acute toxicity and carcinogenesis. These agents induce several hepatic glutathione S-transferases (GST) as well as aldo-keto reductases (AKR) which are thought to contribute to protection. Studies were undertaken in transgenic rats to examine the role of one inducible enzyme, AKR7A1, for protection against acute and chronic actions of AFB1 by enhancing detoxication of a reactive metabolite, AFB1 dialdehyde, by reduction to alcohols. The AFB1 dialdehyde forms adducts with protein amino groups by a Schiff base mechanism and these adducts have been theorized to be at least one cause of the acute toxicity of AFB1 and to enhance carcinogenesis. A liver-specific AKR7A1 transgenic rat was constructed in the Sprague-Dawley strain and two lines, AKR7A1Tg2 and AKR7A1Tg5, were found to overexpress AKR7A1 by 18- and 8-fold, respectively. Rates of formation of AFB1 alcohols, both in hepatic cytosols and as urinary excretion products, increased in the transgenic lines with AKR7A1Tg2 being the highest. Neither line offered protection against acute AFB1-induced bile duct proliferation, a functional assessment of acute hepatotoxicity by AFB1, nor did they protect against the formation of GST-P positive putative preneoplastic foci as a result of chronic exposure to AFB1. These results imply that the prevention of protein adducts mediated by AKR are not critical to protection against AFB1 tumorigenicity.
The burn autopsy. Fatal complications of burns.

The pathologic findings and interpretations of 335 autopsies performed on patients who died of extensive cutaneous burns during the period 1960 to 1967 are presented. The information accumulated during this period is unique in that the burn wounds were systematically examined postmortem, the patients studied were young, and the number with preexisting disease was negligible. Comparison of the major fatal complications prior and subsequent to topical antibacterial therapy confirms the marked decline in sepsis due to invasive bacterial infection of the burn wound that has been reported previously. There has been an increase in fungal colonization and infection of the burn wound coincident with the use of the topical antibacterial agent, Sulfamylon. Sepsis, although reduced in magnitude due to control of one of its major sources, continues to be the single most frequent fatal complication of burns. Infective and respiratory complications together account for two-thirds of deaths in patients who survive the initial phase of thermal injury. The infected cannulated vein now rivals infection of the burn wound as a source of sepsis in burned patients. The increase in deaths attributed to respiratory complications has occurred only in patients with extensive burns and may be an apparent rather than a real increase.
The effect of pH and dissolved inorganic carbon on the properties of iron colloidal suspensions

Discoloured water resulting from suspended iron particles is a relatively common drinking water consumer complaint. These particles result from the oxygenation of Fe(II), and this study shows that pH and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) have important effects on their properties. Bench scale tests were conducted at a single oxygen concentration over a broad pH range. Increasing the DIC concentration increased the turbidity and apparent colour of a fixed concentration of iron suspension below pH∼8.7. Inorganic carbon was incorporated into the particle structure at these pH values. Above pH∼8.7 and in higher DIC waters, an intermediate green solid that contained Fe(II), Fe(III) and inorganic carbon formed for a brief period prior to complete oxidation to an Fe(III) solid. The green solid apparently was green rust, Fe 4 II Fe 2 III (OH) 12 CO 3 . After complete oxidation of the intermediate solid to an Fe(III) solid, the iron particles did not include measurable amounts of inorganic carbon and appeared to maintain the physical structure of the green rust. Above pH∼8.7, DIC did not affect suspension colour and turbidity and inorganic carbon was not incorporated in the particle structure. The colour and turbidity of iron suspensions were largely related to particle size distribution.
Diffuse Neutron Scattering from Surfaces and Interfaces

The use of neutron scattering as a tool for exploring surfaces and interfaces has become more prevalent over the last several years, mainly due to the increasing popularity of reflectivity techniques, which study specular reflection from single surfaces or multilayers. Due to intensity limitations, the use of off-specular or grazing-incidence neutron scattering techniques has been much less prevalent. In this paper we shall discuss the origins of magnetic off-specular scattering (e.g., as observed in magnetic multilayers) and the origins of anomalies seen in the X-ray or neutron diffuse scattering from multilayers near Bragg reflections in terms of the Dynamical Theory of Scattering.
Credit Reports as Résumés: The Incidence of Pre-Employment Credit Screening

We study recent bans on employers' use of credit reports to screen job applicants – a practice that has been popular among employers, but controversial for its perceived disparate impact on racial minorities. Exploiting geographic, temporal, and job-level variation in which workers are covered by these bans, we analyze these bans' effects in two datasets: the panel dimension of the Current Population Survey (CPS); and data aggregated from state unemployment insurance records. We find that the bans reduced job-finding rates for blacks by 7 to 16 log points, and increased subsequent separation rates for black new hires by 3 percentage points, arguably contrary to the bans' intended effects. Results for Hispanics and whites are less conclusive. We interpret these findings in a statistical discrimination model in which credit report data, more so for blacks than for other groups, send a high-precision signal relative to the precision of employers' priors.
Focal shift and focal switch of partially coherent annular beam focused by lens

Applying the Huygens-Fresnel diffractive integral,the on-axis intensity distribution and the phenomena of focal shift and focal switch are theoretical studied when a partially coherent annular light is focused by a lens.The results show that the amount of the focal shift depends on not only the Fresnel number of the annular beam,but also the spatial coherence and the central obstruction ratio of the incident partially coherent light.It is also shown that the greater the Fresnel number,the smaller the focal shift;the higher the spatial coherence,the smaller the focal shift.For a fixed Fresnel number,the larger the central obstruction ratio is,the larger the focal shift is.For a given spatial coherence,the phenomenon of focal switch will occur as the Fresnel number decreases.The results are helpful to the research of the focus of partially coherent annular beam.
Lighting Up the Nascent Cell Wall

Many antibiotics target the assembly of the cell wall of eubacteria, a netlike 3D structure composed of layers of peptidoglycan (PG). Very little is known about how the lipid precursor of PG, lipid II, is inserted into the existing cell wall in a growing and dividing cell. A new study provides a powerful tool for investigating this insertion process and opens the door to understanding the mechanism of eubacterial cell wall biogenesis.
EUROPE, NORTHERN AND WESTERN | Bronze Age

The Bronze Age in northern and western Europe continued many of the developments in technology, economy, commerce, ritual, ceremony, and social complexity that began during the Late Neolithic. Long-distance trade, fueled by the demand for copper and tin to make bronze, the elaboration of mortuary rituals, and the emergence of hereditary differences in status, power, and wealth are the hallmarks of this period between about 2500 and 800 BC.
Using the age-based insurance eligibility criterion to estimate moral hazard in medical care consumption

This paper uses fuzzy regression discontinuity design to estimate the moral hazard effect in health care consumption in the population of young adults. We use invoice data for outpatient hospital services from a regional hospital in Croatia.The estimation is complicated by the fact that the data set consists only of users of medical services, which would tend to underestimate the moral hazard effect. To address this issue we use a modified version of the instrumental variables approach.We find a 92% reduction in the number of hospital visits for individuals who lost insurance coverage when crossing the 18th birthday threshold.
Power of an Adaptive Trial Design for Endovascular Stroke Studies: Simulations Using IMS (Interventional Management of Stroke) III Data.

Background and Purpose—Adaptive trial designs that allow enrichment of the study population through subgroup selection can increase the chance of a positive trial when there is a differential treat...
Effectiveness of online simulation training: Measuring faculty knowledge, perceptions, and intention to adopt.

Abstract Background Best practice standards of simulation recommend standardized simulation training for nursing faculty. Online training may offer an effective and more widely available alternative to in-person training. Objectives Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study evaluated the effectiveness of an online simulation training program, examining faculty's foundational knowledge of simulation as well as perceptions and intention to adopt. Design One-group pretest-posttest design. Setting A large school of nursing with a main campus and five regional campuses in the Midwestern United States. Participants Convenience sample of 52 faculty participants. Methods Knowledge of foundational simulation principles was measured by pre/post-training module quizzes. Perceptions and the intention to adopt simulation were measured using the Faculty Attitudes and Intent to Use Related to the Human Patient Simulator questionnaire. Results There was a significant improvement in faculty knowledge after training and observable improvements in attitudes. Attitudes significantly influenced the intention to adopt simulation (B = 2.54, p Conclusions Online simulation training provides an effective alternative for training large numbers of nursing faculty who seek to implement best practice of standards within their institutions.
Preparation and identification of some metal complexes with new heterocyclic azo dye ligand 2-[2−- (1- Hydroxy -4- Chloro phenyl) azo ]- imidazole and their spectral and thermal studies

Abstract The preparation and spectral identification of metal complexes for Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) ions with new heterocyclic azo dye as ligand 2-[2−- (1- Hydroxy - 4- Chloro phenyl) azo ]- imidazole (HClPAI) were prepared by reacting adizonium chloride salt solution of 2-amino -4- chloro phenol with imidazole in alkaline ethanolic solution. Azo dye ligand and their metal complexes have been characterized by analytical data, 1H NMR, Mass spectrum, Infrared, Electronic spectral data, XRD, SEM, thermal analysis (TG-DSC-DTG), magnetic susceptibility and molar conductance. The elemental analysis of the metal complexes confirm the stoichiometry of the type [M(L)2] Cl where M = Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and [M(L)2] where M = Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) and L = azo dye ligand. Molar conductance measurements for prepared metal complexes showed 1:1 electrolyte for Cr(III), Fe(III) and Co(III) ions and non-electrolyte the rest metal complexes. The data show that the azo dye ligand behaves a tridentate and coordinates to the metal ion via nitrogen atom of azo group which is the farthest of imidazole molecule, nitrogen atom of azomethine group of heterocyclic imidazole ring and phenolic oxygen. Octahedral environment is suggested for all metal complexes.
Patients’ esthetic expectations and satisfaction with complete dentures

Abstract Statement of problem Understanding the factors affecting patients' satisfaction with their dentures is essential to achieving higher satisfaction rates. Purpose The purpose of this clinical study was to test for possible relationships between the esthetic satisfaction of complete denture therapy and factors including age, sex, and esthetic expectations. Material and methods Data were integrated from 4 previous studies of complete denture satisfaction, and a secondary data analysis was performed. All studies, which had similar methodologies, recorded patients' esthetic expectation and satisfaction scores using a 0 to 10 visual analog scale. The Sign test was used to test the difference between satisfaction and expectations. The Fisher exact, Spearman rank correlation, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, as well as the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test using ridit scores, were used to assess the relationships regarding the heterogeneity among studies, satisfaction, and factors of interest. Results Of the 283 participants studied, 52% were female, and the median age was 58 years. The satisfaction scores exceeded expectation scores significantly ( P P P =.004). After adjusting for the study, men had higher expectations than women ( P =.005); there was no sex difference in level of satisfaction. Only in men was satisfaction positively correlated with expectations (r=0.300; P Conclusions Overall, patients were more esthetically satisfied than they expected after completing denture therapy; esthetic satisfaction did not differ between sexes or with age. The expectation of men was higher than that of women and was positively correlated with their level of satisfaction.
Screening for Novel Constitutively Active CXCR2 Mutants and Their Cellular Effects

Abstract Chemokines play an important role in inflammatory, developmental, and homeostatic processes. Deregulation of this system results in various diseases including tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis. Deregulation can occur when constitutively active mutant (CAM) chemokine receptors are locked in the “on” position. This can lead to cellular transformation/tumorigenesis. The CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed on neutrophils, some monocytes, endothelial cells, and some epithelial cells. CXCR2 activation with CXC chemokines induces leukocyte migration, trafficking, leukocyte degranulation, cellular differentiation, and angiogenesis. Activation of CXCR2 can lead to cellular transformation. We hypothesized that CAM CXCR2s may play a role in cancer development. In order to identify CXCR2 CAMs, potential mutant CXCR2 receptors were screened using a modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae high-throughput system . S. cerevisiae has been used successfully to identify GPCR/G-protein interactions and autocrine selection for peptide agonists. The CXCR2 CAMs identified from this screen were characterized in mammalian cells. Their ability to transform cells in vitro was shown using foci formation, soft-agar growth, impedance measurement assays, and in vivo tumor growth following hind flank inoculation into mice. Signaling pathways contributing to cellular transformation were identified using luciferase reporter assays. Studying constitutively active GPCRs is an approach to “capturing” pluridimensional GPCRs in a “locked” activation state. In order to address the residues necessary for CXCR2 activation, we used S. cerevisiae for screening novel CAMs and characterized them using mammalian reporter assays.
Vaginal versus Robotic Hysterectomy for Commonly Cited Relative Contraindications to Vaginal Hysterectomy.

Abstract Study Objective To compare outcomes of vaginal hysterectomy (VH) and robotic-assisted hysterectomy (RH) among women with conditions perceived as contraindications to VH (uterine size ≥ 12 weeks' gestation, no vaginal parity, prior cesarean delivery, and obesity). Design Retrospective chart review (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Tertiary US medical center. Patients Women with VH or RH. Women with conditions perceived as contraindications affecting surgical choice were excluded. Interventions VH or RH for benign uterine disease at our institution during 2009 through 2013. Measurements and Main Results Among women with the perceived contraindications, a logistic regression model was fit to compare each binary outcome between VH and RH. Models were weighted using inverse probability of treatment weights derived from propensity scores to adjust for covariate imbalance between procedures. The cohort had 692 VHs and 472 RHs. Among 160 women with uterine size ≥ 12 weeks' gestation, RH patients were less likely to have uterine debulking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], .37; 95% confidence interval [CI], .15–.95]) than VH patients and more likely to have accordion grade ≥ 2 postoperative complications (aOR, 7.20; 95% CI, 1.46–35.42) and readmission (aOR, 15.55; 95% CI. .85–285.20). Among 272 women with prior cesarean section, RH patients were more likely to have grade ≥ 2 postoperative complications (aOR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.29–6.30). No outcomes were significantly different between surgical routes among women with no vaginal parity or obesity. Mean operative time was significantly longer for RH. Conclusion VH is a surgical option for patients with the conditions perceived as contraindications for vaginal surgery evaluated herein.
A MULTIPLE-LOOP SLIDING MODE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH SECOND-ORDER BOUNDARY LAYER DYNAMICS

Abstract Presented is a method of continuous sliding mode control design to provide for the second-order sliding mode on the selected sliding surfaces in a three-loop control system, where two outer-loop virtual control signals must be smooth enough to be tracked in the inner loops. The control law in the vicinity of the sliding surface is a nonlinear dynamic feedback that in absence of unknown disturbances provides for finite-time convergence of the second-order reaching phase dynamics. The controller with a second-order disturbance observer in a combination with the proposed continuous dynamic feedback attracts the system trajectories to boundary layers around two sliding surfaces of the outer control loops with the second-order sliding accuracy in presence of unknown disturbances and the discrete-time control update.
Prediction of sorghum biomass based on image based features derived from time series of UAV images

High throughput plant phenotyping has gained significant interest in the plant science community due to its potential impact in advancing the use of advanced plant genetics for problems ranging from global food security to biomass-based energy crops. While traditional collection of field-based phenotypes is manual, automated remote sensing-based methods can reduce the manual requirements, expand the number of sampled points, and accelerate associations with genotypes. In this preliminary work, we use multiple types of features derived from multi-temporal UAV-based hyperspectral and RGB image data for prediction of sorghum biomass. Considering the nonlinear properties of the spectral input features, multiple layer perception (MLP) neural networks and support vector regression (SVR) are explored for predicting dry biomass. The analysis is conducted on datasets acquired during June-August 2016 over an agricultural test field at the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) at Purdue University.
Further Characterization of the Sensitizing Bursa Cells and of the Target for Suppression in the Transfer of Agammaglobulinemia

In previous studies, we have investigated the phenomenon of the transfer of agammaglobulinemia in chickens (first described by Blaese et al.) (1) and have extended their findings to 2 additional chicken strains (2). We have also described a phenomenon in which the T cells of agammaglobulinemic (BX) chickens develop the capacity to suppress the adoptive antibody response of histocompatible bursa cells after “presensitization” of the agammaglobulinemic donors with bursa cells from chickens of the same strain (3). The present studies were undertaken to: 1) define the target of suppression in recipients, 2) identify the “immunizing” antigen on bursa cells, and 3) tolerize agammaglobulinemic birds against bursa cells.
Self-Consistent Theory of Surface Phonon Dispersion Curves at the (110) Surface of Aluminum

Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the experimental determination of surface phonon dispersion curves for metals by inelastic helium atom scattering [1] and by electron energy loss spectroscopy [2]. Relatively little progress has been made, however, in the first-principles calculation of surface phonon dispersion curves for metals. In the pseudopotential perturbation-theoretic calculations of CALANDRA et al.[3] for alkali metal surfaces, the ground state and response properties of the electronic subsystem were calculated using the infinite-barrier model (IBM) for the electron wave functions. Surface phonon dispersion curves were then calculated from the response function. Although this procedure is relatively simple, it does not provide a self-consistent treatment of the metal surface. In a different approach HO and BOHNEN [4] used the local density approximation (LDA) to density functional theory and the frozen-phonon method to calculate the surface phonon frequencies for Al(110) at a few high symmetry points on the boundary of the surface Brillouin zone. They then employed a force constant model to interpolate between these points and the origin and thus obtain surface phonon dispersion curves. Clearly, such a calculation is a hybrid and not a bona fide first-principles calculation of surface phonon dispersion curves.
Cyclosporine A Directly Affects Human and Mouse B cell Migration in vitro by Disrupting a HIF-1α Dependent, O2 Sensing, Molecular Switch

Abstract Background Hypoxia is a potent molecular signal for cellular metabolism, mitochondrial function, and migration. Conditions of low oxygen tension trigger regulatory cascades mediated via the highly conserved HIF-1α post-translational modification system. In the adaptive immune response, B cells (Bc) are activated and differentiate under hypoxic conditions within lymph node germinal centers, and subsequently migrate to other compartments. During migration, they traverse through changing oxygen levels, ranging from 1-5% in the lymph node to 5-13% in the peripheral blood. Interestingly, the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A is known to stimulate prolyl hydroxylase activity, resulting in HIF-1α destabilization and may alter Bc responses directly. Over 60% of patients taking calcineurin immunosuppressant medications have hypo-gammaglobulinemia and poor vaccine responses, putting them at high risk of infection with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Results We demonstrate that O2 tension is a previously unrecognized Bc regulatory switch, altering CXCR4 chemokine receptor signaling in activated Bc through HIF-1α expression and controlling critical aspects of Bc migration. Our data demonstrate that calcineurin inhibition hinders this O2 regulatory switch in primary human Bc. Conclusion This previously unrecognized effect of calcineurin inhibition directly on human Bc has significant and direct clinical implications.
Becoming a Presidential Candidate: Social Media Following and Politician Identification

Political candidates increasingly use social media to tell their stories, share their thoughts and feelings and chronicle an unfolding election. We argue that the concept of identification—the proc...