cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive characterization of an aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) leaf litter sample that maintained ice nucleation activity for 48 years

Abstract. Decaying vegetation was determined to be a potentially important source of atmospheric ice nucleation particles (INPs) in the early 1970s. The bacterium Pseudomonas syringae was the first microorganism with ice nucleation activity (INA) isolated from decaying leaf litter in 1974. However, the ice nucleation characteristics of P. syringae are not compatible with the characteristics of leaf litter-derived INPs since the latter were found to be sub-micron in size, while INA of P. syringae depends on much larger intact bacterial cells. Here we determined the cumulative ice nucleation spectrum and microbial community composition of the historic leaf litter sample 70-S-14 collected in 1970 that conserved INA for 48 years. The majority of the leaf litter-derived INPs were confirmed to be sub-micron in size and to be sensitive to boiling. Culture-independent microbial community analysis only identified Pseudomonas as potential INA. Culture-dependent analysis identified one P. syringae isolate, two isolates of the bacterial species Pantoea ananatis, and one fungal isolate of Mortierella alpina as having INA among 1170 bacterial colonies and 277 fungal isolates, respectively. Both Pa. ananatis and M. alpina are organisms that produce heat-sensitive sub-micron INPs. They are thus both likely sources of the INPs present in sample 70-S-14 and may represent important terrestrial sources of atmospheric INPs, a conclusion that is in line with other recent results obtained in regard to INPs from soil, precipitation, and the atmosphere.
Robust Stoichiometry of FliW-CsrA Governs Flagellin Homeostasis and Cytoplasmic Organization in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT Flagellin (Hag) is one of the most abundant proteins in Bacillus subtilis. Here we show that each flagellar filament is assembled from ∼12,000 Hag monomers and that there is a cytoplasmic pool of Hag that is restricted to 5% of the total. Hag is thought to be restricted at the level of translation by a partner-switching mechanism involving FliW and the homodimeric RNA-binding protein CsrA (CsrAdimer). We further show that the mechanism of translation inhibition is hypersensitive due to a 1:1 ratio of Hag to FliW, a 1:1 inhibitory ratio of FliW to CsrAdimer, and a nearly 1:1 ratio of CsrAdimer to hag transcripts. Equimolarity of all components couples single-molecule detection of Hag export to compensatory translation and causes cytoplasmic Hag concentrations to oscillate around the level of FliW. We found that stoichiometry is ensured by genetic architecture, translational coupling, and the ability of CsrAdimer to restrict hag transcript accumulation. We further show that homeostasis prevents Hag hyperaccumulation that would otherwise cause severe defects in intracellular architecture, perhaps due to increased molecular crowding. We note that FliW-CsrA-mediated structural homeostasis has similarities to that seen with some toxin-antitoxin systems. IMPORTANCE The intracellular concentration of flagellar filament protein Hag is restricted by the Hag-FliW-CsrA system in B. subtilis. Here we show that the Hag-FliW-CsrAdimer system functions at nearly 1:1:1 stoichiometry and that the system is both robust with respect to perturbation and hypersensitive to the Hag intracellular concentration. Moreover, restriction of cytoplasmic Hag levels is important for maintaining proper intracellular architecture, as artificial Hag hyperaccumulation led to generalized spatial defects and a high frequency of minicell production. The Hag-FliW-CsrA system is conserved in the deeper branches of bacterial phylogeny, and we note that the Hag-FliW-CsrA “homeostasis module” resembles a toxin-antitoxin system where, by analogy, CsrA is the “toxin,” FliW is the “antitoxin,” and Hag is the target.
Diet of Nestling Red-Headed Woodpeckers in South Carolina

Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Red-headed Woodpecker) has experienced sharp declines in portions of its range. Knowledge of how birds use their nesting habitats, particularly what foods they exploit, may be important in determining causes of population declines, but no modern quantitative study exists on diets of nestling Red-headed Woodpeckers. Our objectives were to identify diets of nestling Red-headed Woodpeckers and quantify variability in food types over time and between roles of males and females in provisioning their young. We conducted observations of nests on the Savannah River Site, SC, from June to September, 2006–2007. We recorded 791 food items fed to nestlings, representing 7 taxa of plants and 18 taxa of animals (16 invertebrate, 2 vertebrate). We assigned food items as either animal matter or soft mast and compared proportions using a binomial mixed model approach. Of the 12 models we tested, 3 received 67% of the cumulative AIC model weight and all included either year or month, indicating annual and monthly variation in foods fed to nestlings. Animal matter composed the majority of Red-headed Woodpecker nestling foods (71.5%), but notably, soft mast was an important component (28.5%). We suggest that future research on Red-headed Woodpeckers consider how the availability of soft mast may or may not limit productivity of this species.
Environmental Aldehyde Sources and the Health Implications of Exposure.

Aldehydes, which are present within the air as well as food and beverage sources, are highly reactive molecules that can be cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic. To prevent harm from reactive aldehyde exposure, the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) metabolizes reactive aldehydes to a less toxic form. However, the genetic variant of ALDH2, ALDH2*2, significantly reduces the ability to metabolize reactive aldehydes in humans. Therefore, frequent environmental aldehyde exposure, coupled with inefficient aldehyde metabolism, could potentially lead to an increased health risk for diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Degradation of the plaquemines sub-delta and relative sea-level in eastern Mississippi deltaic coast during late holocene

Abstract The stratigraphic architecture of Plaquemines sub-delta lobe is identified from sedimentary cores and sub-bottom seismic data collected at Lower Breton Sound, Louisiana, USA. Four lithofacies were identified in cores from bottom to top: (1) organic-poor mud; (2) organic-poor silty sand; (3) massive mud; (4) organic-rich peat and root-rich soft mud. Overall, the lithofacies displays a typical progradational deltaic deposit at bottom with upward-coarsening feature, and then an upward-fining deposit overlying on top. Stratigraphic position of the organic-rich peat facies indicates that it is formed after the fluvial sediment source moves away from this region, and it is recognized as a termination of progradation of the Plaquemines sub-delta. Dated peat samples show that sub-delta progradation stops between 876 and 1384 yr AD, during which a 20–70 cm relative sea-level rise is detected. The geological framework reported in this study provides critical information for future modeling on river diversions. The stratigraphic architecture underlying Lower Breton Sound implicates that top three facies of root-rich soft mud, organic-rich peat and massive mud are likely to be eroded away before the development of new crevasse-splay or sub-delta, when sediment diversion is in operation. The deeper organic-poor silty sand lithofacies, however, can serve as a firm foundation to build new land.
Efficient Distributed Optimization of Wind Farms Using Proximal Primal-Dual Algorithms

This paper presents a distributed approach to performing real-time optimization of large wind farms. Wind turbines in a wind farm typically operate individually to maximize their own performance regardless of the impact of aerodynamic interactions on neighboring turbines. This paper optimizes the overall power produced by a wind farm by formulating and solving a nonconvex optimization problem where the yaw angles are optimized to allow some turbines to operate in misaligned conditions and shape the aerodynamic interactions in a favorable way. The solution of the nonconvex smooth problem is tackled using a proximal primal-dual gradient method, which provably identifies a first-order stationary solution in a global sublinear manner. By adding auxiliary optimization variables for every pair of turbines that are coupled aerodynamically, and properly adding consensus constraints into the underlying problem, a distributed algorithm with turbine-to-turbine message passing is obtained; this allows for turbines to be optimized in parallel using local information rather than information from the whole wind farm. This algorithm is computationally light, as it involves closed-form updates. This approach is demonstrated on a large wind farm with 60 turbines. The results indicate that similar performance can be achieved as with finite-difference gradient-based optimization at a fraction of the computational time and thus approaching real-time control/optimization.
Economics, Capitalism, and Corporations : Contradictions of Corporate Law, Economics, and the Theory of the Firm

This book is a continuation of Corporate Law and the Theory of the Firm: Reconstructing Corporations, Shareholders, Directors, Owners, and Investors. The author extends his analysis of contract law, property law, agency law, trust law, and corporate statutory law and applies that analysis to defy conventional concepts and theories in economics, finance, investment, and accounting and expose the artificial boundaries established by decades of research founded on indefensible assumptions and fallacious conclusions. Using the Humpty Dumpty principle, where words mean what the authors want them to mean, economists have created "strange new worlds" where contract law, property law, agency law, and corporate statutory law no longer apply. The author dismantles the theory of the ﬁrm by proving the theory of the firm wilfully and intentionally ignores fundamental contract law, property law, agency law, and corporate statutory law. Contrary to the theory of the firm, shareholders do not own corporations, directors are not agents of shareholders, and shareholders are not investors in corporations. The author proves that by property law and corporate law, capital is not privately owned by capitalists but by corporations. Entire economic and social systems have been constructed that have no basis in law. With the advent of publicly traded corporations, the capital is there, but both capitalists and capitalism have been rendered extinct. This book will appeal to researchers and graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in economics, ﬁnance, accounting, law, and sociology, as well as legal scholars, attorneys and accountants.
Cutting, Amplifying, and Aligning Microtubules with Severing Enzymes.

Microtubule-severing enzymes – katanin, spastin, fidgetin – are related AAA-ATPases that cut microtubules into shorter filaments. These proteins, also called severases, are involved in a wide range of cellular processes including cell division, neuronal development, and tissue morphogenesis. Paradoxically, severases can amplify the microtubule cytoskeleton and not just destroy it. Recent work on spastin and katanin has partially resolved this paradox by showing that these enzymes are strong promoters of microtubule growth. Here, we review recent structural and biophysical advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of severing and growth promotion that provide insight into how severing enzymes shape microtubule networks.
Top-induced contributions to H → b b ¯ $$ b\overline{b} $$ and H → c c ¯ $$ c\overline{c} $$ at O α s 3 $$ \mathcal{O}\left({\alpha}_s^3\right) $$

In this paper we present a fully-differential calculation for the contributions to the partial widths H → $$ b\overline{b} $$ and H → $$ c\overline{c} $$ that are sensitive to the top quark Yukawa coupling yt to order $$ {\alpha}_s^3 $$ . These contributions first enter at order $$ {\alpha}_s^2 $$ through terms proportional to ytyq (q = b, c). At order $$ {\alpha}_s^3 $$ corrections to the mixed terms are present as well as a new contribution proportional to $$ {y}_t^2 $$ . Our results retain the mass of the final-state quarks throughout, while the top quark is integrated out resulting in an effective field theory (EFT). Our results are implemented into a Monte Carlo code allowing for the application of arbitrary final-state selection cuts. As an example we present differential distributions for observables in the Higgs boson rest frame using the Durham jet clustering algorithm. We find that the total impact of the top-induced (i.e. EFT) pieces is sensitive to the nature of the final-state cuts, particularly b-tagging and c-tagging requirements. For bottom quarks, the EFT pieces contribute to the total width (and differential distributions) at around the percent level. The impact is much bigger for the H → $$ c\overline{c} $$ channel, with effects as large as 15%. We show however that their impact can be significantly reduced by the application of jet-tagging selection cuts.
Mucocele-like Lesion of the Breast Diagnosed on Core Biopsy: Histologic and Clinical Analysis of 78 Cases With Focus on Features Associated With Upgrade

Context.— Mucocele-like lesion of the breast (MLL) is an uncommon entity, and recent studies show low rates of upgrade from core needle biopsy (CNB) to excision. Objective.— To evaluate features associated with upgrade of MLLs diagnosed on CNB. Design.— Seventy-eight MLLs diagnosed on CNB from 1998-2019 and subsequent excisions were reviewed. Histologic parameters evaluated included the presence of atypia, presence and morphology of calcifications, and morphologic variant (classic [C-MLL], duct ectasia-like [DEL-MLL], or cystic mastopathy-like [CML-MLL]). Results.— Overall, 45 MLLs lacked atypia and 33 were associated with atypia (atypical ductal hyperplasia, 32; atypical lobular hyperplasia, 1). Most were C-MLLs (61) with fewer DEL-MLLs (14) and CML-MLLs (3). Half showed both coarse and fine calcifications, with fewer showing only coarse or fine calcifications, and some showing none. Subsequent excision or clinical follow-up was available for 25 MLLs without atypia-of which 2 (8.0%) were upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)-and 23 with atypia, of which 4 (17.4%) were upgraded to DCIS. No cases were upgraded to invasive carcinoma. All upgraded cases showed coarse calcifications on CNB, and all upgraded cases were associated with residual calcifications on post-CNB imaging. Conclusions.— Most MLLs present as calcifications and nearly half are associated with atypia. Upgrade to DCIS is twice as frequent in MLLs with atypia versus those without. A predominance of coarse calcifications and the presence of residual targeted calcifications following core biopsy may be associated with higher upgrade rates.
A Rare Presentation of Checkpoint Inhibitor Induced Distal RTA

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have opened a new era in treating advanced malignancies, resulting in a rapid increase in utilization, given the remarkable clinical outcomes. The incidence of immune-related adverse events increased due to the immunologic effects of these therapeutic agents. However, immune-related renal adverse events remain low, representing only a small incidence of reported cases. Common renal toxicity described includes acute interstitial nephritis, minimal change disease, and immune complex glomerulonephritis. Renal tubular acidosis has occasionally been reported but is highly uncommon. This report presents a case of a 68-year-old woman with a known history of metastatic melanoma undergoing treatment with ipilimumab+nivolumab, who developed distal renal tubular acidosis requiring stress dose steroids and sodium bicarbonate for treatment. We describe the clinical characteristics, potential mechanisms, and management of this case, highlighting the need among clinicians utilizing immune check inhibitors to be aware of this immune-related disease entity.
Propose Dissertation Topic: College Students Who Are Black Women or Women of Color and How They Cope With Stress

There are several studies relating to the mental health of college students. However, over the years, the assistance, in which these students receive help is very different depending on their race.
Recent Results in Geometric Analysis Involving Probability

We survey recent results in geometric analysis which explicitly involve both the geometry of Riemannian manifolds and probability. We include developments in spectral geometry, the study of isoperimetric phenomena, comparison geometry, minimal varieties, harmonic functions, and Hodge theory.
Diet and growth in the premature infant. The effect of different dietary intakes of ash-electrolyte and protein on weight gain and linear growth.

Growth rates were determined from measurements of weight and length (crown-heel and tibia) on 29 premature infants (birth weight range 920 to 1,510 grams) who were fed 4 isocaloric formulas differing in ash and protein content. An unweighted means analysis showed that raising the protein content significantly increased all 3 rates of growth. Raising the ash content increased only weight, and this effect was limited to the neonatal period. These findings, supported by data from other workers, suggest that the increase in weight produced by ash in small, premature infants is not true growth. Increase in length is the best single measure of growth.
Design of a Microfluidic System for 3D Culture of Osteocytes In Vitro

Bone adapts to its mechanical environment so that its form follows function, a mechanism known as Wolff’s law, or bone adaptation. Although the basic concepts of Wolff’s law have been generally accepted, the regulatory signals and the underlying cellular and molecular pathways, which mediate this adaptive process, are unknown. Failure of normal bone adaptation plays a significant role in the etiology of metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopetrosis, bone loss in space flight and failure of total joint replacements. During the past three decades, there have been extensive in vitro studies addressing mechano-signal transduction mechanisms in bone cells including osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts [1–8].Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Coupling power flow from the mercury MIVA into a rod-pinch diode

The mercury machine at NRL, formerly known as KALIF-HELIA [P. Hoppe et al., June 17-22, 2001] at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (Germany), is a magnetically-insulated inductive voltage adder (MIVA), nominally delivering a 50-ns, 6-MV, 360-kA, 2.2-TW power pulse into a 16-/spl Omega/ load [R. J. Commisso et al., R. J. Allen et al., P. F. Ottinger et al., 2003]. Mercury is capable of operating in both positive and negative polarities with little penalty in pulsed-power output. Polarity reversal is achieved by insertion of the tapered center conductor into the opposite end of the MIVA. In this work, particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations [B. Goplen et al., 1995; D. R. Welch et al., 2001] are used to investigate the power flow within the magnetically-insulated transmission line (MITL) in both polarities. Of particular importance is the efficiency of operation when an over-matched 50-/spl Omega/ rod-pinch-diode load is couple to the MITL, operated in either positive [G. Cooperstein et al., 2001] or negative [G. Cooperstein et al., 2003] polarity. Such a diode is used for radiographic applications because of the small, high brightness radiation source produced by the electron pinch at the end of the diode's anode rod [R. J. Commisso et al., 2002]. Simple positive and negative polarity diode geometries are studied in preparation for initial rod-pinch diode experiments on mercury.
Remote sensing and snowpack management

The present work describes the use of an airborne electromagnetic sensing system for measuring snowpack depth, density, and water content. A transmitter sends a sequence of pulses of stepped frequencies, and the reflections are measured by a sensitive receiver. The combination of the snowpack and the earth interacts with the electromagnetic wave so as to modify the characteristics of the reflected signals. The variation of the reflected intensity with frequency provides the desired data. A theoretical analysis of return signal and snowpack parameter relationships is given, and the results of experimental verification of the theory are discussed.
Linking Bayesian and agent-based models to simulate complex social-ecological systems in semi-arid regions

Interdependencies of ecologic, hydrologic, and social systems challenge traditional approaches to natural resource management in semi-arid regions. As a complex social-ecological system, water demands in the Sonoran Desert from agricultural and urban users often conflicts with water needs for its ecologically-significant riparian corridors. To explore this system, we developed an agent-based model to simulate complex feedbacks between human decisions and environmental conditions in the Rio Sonora Watershed. Cognitive mapping in conjunction with stakeholder participation produced a Bayesian model of conditional probabilities of local human decision-making processes resulting to changes in water demand. Probabilities created in the Bayesian model were incorporated into the agent-based model, so that each agent had a unique probability to make a positive decision based on its perceived environment at each point in time and space. By using a Bayesian approach, uncertainty in the human decision-making process could be incorporated. The spatially-explicit agent-based model simulated changes in depth-to-groundwater by well pumping based on an agent’s water demand. Changes in depth-to-groundwater feedback to influence agent behavior, as well as determine unique vegetation classes within the riparian corridor. Each vegetation class then provides varying stakeholder-defined quality values of ecosystem services. Using this modeling approach allowed us to examine effects on both the ecological and social system of semi-arid riparian corridors under various scenarios. The insight provided by the model contributes to understanding how specific interventions may alter the complex social-ecological system in the future.
Coupling in design and robust control optimization

System performance can significantly benefit from optimally integrating the design and control of engineering systems. As part of an effort to improve the robustness properties of systems, the present article introduces a general approach that combines design with robust control and investigates the properties of coupling between them. This integrated design and robust control approach leads to a coupled optimization problem that is often difficult to solve. This article introduces an explicit measure of coupling between the design and robust control optimization problems. The effect of parameters (i.e., level of uncertainty, objective weights, design and control model parameters) on this coupling is then studied. Varying such parameters leads to establishing a relationship between coupling and robustness of the control system. This link between coupling and robustness can be utilized to aid the designer in assessing the parameters' influence on coupling and robustness. Results show that the coupling strength between design and robust control tends to increase as the applied level of uncertainty increases.
Federal Welfare and Housing Policy at the Crossroads : Outcomes from a Rent Incentive-Based Welfare-to-Work Initiative in a Low-Income, Predominantly African American, Urban Public Housing Community

Abstract A time-series design was used to investigate an innovative, rent incentive-based employment initiative in a predominantly African American public housing community. The purpose of the research was to assess the impact of the Welfare-to-Work (W-t-W) program on resident employment levels and on Public Housing Authority (PHA) revenues and costs. Data were collected on a purposive sample of heads of household (N = 313) representing 78.3% of those in the community. Over half of the residents were under 17 years of age, followed by 24.7% who were 18-34, and 15.5% who were 35-54 years of age. Mean annual income for most participants was less than $5,000, and 60% were welfare reliant. Fifty-six percent of the participants in the study (N = 179) received monthly rent credits (discounts) ranging from $23 to $333 (m = $87, s.d. = $38.60). Employment levels in the community increased considerably over the study period and the W-t-W initiative was cost-effective to the PHA. Implications are discussed regardin...
Squares in polynomial product sequences

Let F(n) be a polynomial of degree at least 2 with integer coefficients. We consider the products Nx = Q 1≤n≤x F(n) and show that Nx should only rarely be a perfect power. In particular, the number of x ≤ X for which Nx is a perfect power is O(X c ) for some explicit c < 1. For certain F(n) we also prove that for only finitely many x will Nx be squarefull and, in the case of monic irreducible quadratic F(n), provide an explicit bound on the largest x for which Nx is squarefull.
People with disabilities: assistive homes and environments

Assistive Homes and Environments are a category of Smart Homes and Environments and are an approach to independent living. All important devices are linked together and allow their integrated control by an accessible user interface. These environments have the ability to compensate some of the occupant's disabilities and therefore enhance the occupant's independence. This special thematic session deals with Assistive Homes and Environments and related developments and research. The topics reach from “Smart and Assistive Homes” over “Control of ICT devices by eye gaze” to “Health monitoring systems for elderly and disabled people”
Block preconditioners for finite element discretization of incompressible flow with thermal convection

SUMMARYWe derive block preconditioners for a ﬁnite element discretization of incompressible ﬂow coupled toheat transport by the Boussinesq approximation. Our techniques rely on effectively approximating theSchur complement obtained by eliminating the ﬂuid variables to obtain an equation for temperature alone.Additionally, the method utilizes existing block-structured preconditioners and multilevel methods for theNavier—Stokes equations and scalar convection-diffusion. We ﬁnd that the preconditioner remains robustand scalable even when the subsolves are applied quite inexactly. Copyright c 0000 John Wiley & Sons,Ltd. Received ... KEY WORDS: Finite element, incompressible ﬂow, Benard convection, multiphysics, block precondi-´tioner. 1. INTRODUCTIONIn this paper, we extend block preconditioners for inf-sup stable ﬁnite element discretizations of theincompressible Navier–Stokes equations,  u+ uru+ rp= fru= 0;(1)posed on some domain ˆR d for d= 2;3 and equipped with appropriate boundary conditions, toa particular non-dimensionalization of a coupled ﬂuid-thermal problem, Benard convection:´ u+ uru+ rp= RaPrgT^ru= 01Pr T+ urT= 0;(2)again posed on some domain along with boundary conditions. The ﬂuid velocity and pressureare uand p, respectively, in both equations, and the temperature is T. The in (1) is the ﬂuidviscosity. The Rayleigh number Rameasures the ratio of energy from buoyant forces to viscous
Identifying the uncertainty structure using maximum likelihood estimation

The identification of accurate disturbance models from data has application both to estimator design and controller performance monitoring. Methods to find the disturbance model include maximum likelihood estimation, Bayesian estimation, covariance matching, correlation techniques (such as autocovariance least-squares), and subspace identification methods. Here we formulate a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) problem for the unknown process and measurement noise covariances. To form the MLE problem, the entire set of measurements is written as a linear combination of the white noises affecting the system. This measurement signal then has a multivariate normal distribution with a known mean and unknown variance. Since the structure of the variance is known, the likelihood is expressed in terms of the unknown process and measurement noise covariance matrices. The MLE problem is a nonlinear optimization problem for these covariances. A solution to this problem is shown to exist. Necessary conditions for uniqueness are shown to be the same as those for the autocovariance least-squares problem. While the size of the measurement signal makes the problem computationally demanding, the symmetry and sparsity of the problem aid in the numerical optimization. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the MLE problem in finding the process and measurement noise covariances for low-dimensional systems. The MLE method is compared to existing approaches, and fruitful avenues of future research are discussed.
Independent origins of the feather lice (Insecta: Degeeriella ) of raptors

Although diurnal birds of prey have historically been placed in a single order due to a number of morphological characters, recent molecular phylogenies have suggested that this is a case of convergence rather than homology, with hawks (Accipitridae) and falcons (Falconidae) forming two distantly related groups within birds. The feather lice of birds have often been used as a model for comparing host and parasite phylogenies, and in some cases there is significant congruence between the two. Thus, studying the phylogeny of the lice of diurnal raptors may be of particular interest with respect to the independent evolution of hawks vs. falcons. Using one mitochondrial gene and three nuclear genes, we inferred a phylogeny for the feather louse genus Degeeriella (which are all obligate raptor ectoparasites) and related genera. This phylogeny indicated that Degeeriella is polyphyletic, with lice from falcons vs. hawks forming two distinct clades. Falcon lice were sister to lice from African woodpeckers, whereas Capraiella, a genus of lice from rollers lice, was embedded within Degeeriella from hawks. This phylogeny showed significant geographical structure, with host geography playing a larger role than host taxonomy in explaining louse phylogeny, particularly within clades of closely related lice. However, the louse phylogeny does reflect host phylogeny at a broad scale; for example, lice from the hawk genus Accipiter form a distinct clade. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 114, 837‐847.
Hepatitis B inactive carriers: Clinical course and outcomes

Objective Hepatitis B virus (HBV) inactive carriers are HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and HBV DNA of ≤ 10 000 copies/mL. We aimed to determine the clinical impact of ALT and HBV DNA elevations during the course of HBV infection. Methods From January 1989 to January 2012, 146 inactive carriers were prospectively followed every 6–12 months with ALT and HBV DNA measurements and with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance. Results During the follow-up of 8 ± 6.3 years, 56 of the 146 patients maintained ALT ≤ 40 U/L and HBV DNA ≤ 10 000 copies/mL. However, 39 had rises of ALT > 40–80 U/L and 4 had ALT > 80 U/L; all except one reverted to baseline values. Also, during follow up, 69 (47.3%) inactive carriers had increases in HBV DNA of > 10 000–999 999 copies/mL; 38 of these patients’ HBV DNA returned to baseline levels, while the remaining 31 patients maintained elevated HBV DNA values but had corresponding ALT of ≤ 40 U/L. There were four liver-related outcomes: 129 (88.4%) remained “inactive carriers”, 13 (8.9%) had loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), one (0.7%) had a spontaneous reactivation to HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis, and two (1.4%) developed HCC. Conclusions Although the prognosis of inactive carrier is favorable, transient ALT and HBV DNA elevations may be observed but have minimal clinical significance. Moreover, continuous HCC surveillance remains necessary since the risk of development still exists.
Betrayal Trauma: The Logic of Forgetting Childhood Abuse

Preface Introduction: Sam's Comment and the Prep School Tradition Community The Vulnerability of Educational Communities The Family School Governing Independent Communities Diversity and Community Standards Student Incentives and the College Board System The Collision of Standards and Meritocracy The Challenge of Average College-Bound Students Personalization The Power of Personal Attention The Role of the Good Teacher Conclusion: Lessons from Privilege Appendix: Sources and Methods Notes Index
Pixel Classification By Morphologically Derived Texture Features

Local granulometric size distributions are generated by performing a granulometry on an image and keeping local pixel counts in a neighborhood of each pixel at the completion of each successive opening. Normalization of the resulting size distributions yields a probability density at each pixel. These densities contain texture information local to each pixel. Pixels can be classified according to the moments of the densities. Further refinement can be accomplished by employing several structuring-element sequences in order to generate a number of granulometries, each revealing different texture qualities. Classification is accomplished by comparing observed moments to those representing a database of textures. The collection of database moments are actually random variables dependent on random texture processes, and the method employed in the present paper involves the comparison of observed moments to the means of database-texture moments.
Precision Evaluation of the High-Frequency Limit of the Continuous X-Ray Spectrum Using a Gas Target X-Ray Tube

The major uncertainty in previous measurements of the high-frequency limit of the continuous x-ray spectrum was due to the fine structure associated with the observed cutoff. The development of a high-power mercury vapor target x-ray tube permitted observations to be made under idealized thin-target conditions. The x-ray intensity near the high-frequency limit was comparable to that of a solid target x-ray tube. The x-ray intensity was measured as a function of the voltage applied across the tube, with a double-crystal monochromator adjusted for the 1.537400 kxu wavelength of the Cu $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ line. The absence of fine structure in the observed isochromat, in contrast to most solid targets, greatly increased the accuracy in the determination of the voltage cutoff. Accurate measurements of this voltage yielded a voltage-wavelength conversion factor $V{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{s}=(12372.26\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}23 \mathrm{ppm})$ xu-volts. Using $\frac{h}{e}$ from non-x-ray data, the x-ray wavelength conversion factor from x units to cm (or angstroms) can be calculated, or conversely $\frac{h}{e}$ evaluated. The effects of a revision in the Cu $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ wavelength, which is now in publication by one of the authors, are also discussed.
Efficient form of the LANS-α turbulence model in a primitive-equation ocean model

The Lagrangian-averaged Navier-Stokes alpha ([email protected]) model is a turbulence parameterization that has been shown to capture some of the most important features of high resolution ocean modeling at lower resolution. The [email protected] model improves turbulence statistics with an additional nonlinear term and a smoothed advecting velocity. In this work we investigate two smoothing techniques-Helmholtz inversions and filters-and their effect on the [email protected] model's results and efficiency. We show that convolution filters are an effective smoothing method; that filters and Helmholtz inversions produce similar trends-statistics like higher-resolution [email protected] simulations-as the smoothing parameter is increased; and that the filter is computationally more efficient. Filters must be constructed such that a pressure-velocity numerical instability is not excited. We show analytically that certain ranges of filter weights are unstable, and confirm this with numerical experiments. Our stability criterion also guarantees that the kinetic energy is well defined, and that the filtered velocity is smoother that the original velocity. Simulations of [email protected] using the largest filter (width nine) in the POP primitive-equation ocean model resemble doubled-resolution simulations of standard POP in statistics such as kinetic energy, eddy kinetic energy, and potential temperature fields. The computational cost of adding [email protected] with this filter is only 27%, as compared to a factor of 8-10 for a doubling of resolution.
Detection of 2-hydroxyethidium in cellular systems: a unique marker product of superoxide and hydroethidine

Various detection methods of the specific product of reaction of superoxide (O(2)(*-)) with hydroethidine (HE), namely 2-hydroxyethidium (2-OH-E(+)), and with its mitochondria-targeted analog are described. The detailed protocol for quantification of 2-OH-E(+), the unique product of HE/O(2)(*-) in cellular systems, is presented. The procedure includes cell lysis, protein precipitation using acidified methanol and HPLC analysis of the lysate. Using this protocol, we determined the intracellular levels of 2-OH-E(+) and E(+) in the range of 10 and 100 pmol per mg protein in unstimulated macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells. In addition to HE, 2-OH-E(+) and E(+), we detected several dimeric products of HE oxidation in cell lysates. As several oxidation products of HE are formed, the superoxide-specific product, 2-OH-E(+) needs to be separated from other HE-derived products for unequivocal quantification.
Delay of laser excited electron/hole interaction with germanium lattice

Laser pump/XAFS probe study of Ge using the high efficiency facility at PNC/XOR CAT at sector 20 of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) has discovered some surprising results of how the excited electrons/hole (e/h) decay. The 200 femtosecond (fs) pulse laser is triggered at the frequency of the APS ring so as to use the x-rays of one pulse of the 24 singlet mode at 100% efficiency. The higher efficiency of the use of the ring's x-rays (about two orders more efficient than usual) allowed the measurement of XAFS spectra at a large number of delay times between laser pump and x-ray probe and at different laser powers. The XAFS data determined the time dependence of the relative distances and their vibration amplitudes of the first and second Ge neighbors. The laser pulse excites a classical long wavelength optical mode that within 0.1 picoseconds (ps) or so excites only the vibrations of the 1st neighbor while to excite the second neighbor requires decay of the excited e/h through coupling with incoherent phonons. The surprising result is that this decay is delayed 11 ps, independent of the laser power as it is increased by a factor of two.
Observation of laser assisted photoelectric effect and femtosecond high order harmonic radiation.

We report the first observation of laser-induced free-free transitions in the primary photoelectron spectra of gaseous helium ionized by ultrashort soft x-ray pulses. Measured transition amplitudes are well described by projecting the initial electronic state onto a Volkov wavefunction. Additionally, we report the first direct measurements on the temporal duration of femtosecond high order harmonic radiation. The harmonic pulse duration is observed to exhibit strong dependencies upon both laser intensity and position of the generating medium relative to the laser focus.
How Will Classroom Response Systems “Cross the Chasm”?

A recent survey suggests that classroom response system use by chemistry faculty still remains in the early adopter stage. This commentary provides recommendations on what early adopters of classroom response systems might do to encourage their more pragmatic colleagues of the benefits of classroom response systems.
Afferent control of pressor responses to feeding in young rats.

Abstract A series of experiments investigated the eliciting stimuli and physiological systems involved in triggering the blood pressure (BP) response to feeding in the young rat. The studies included 1) tongue cannula (TC) infusions of milk to nipple-attached and unattached pups; 2) TC infusions of saline, sucrose, and water to nipple-attached pups; 3) maternal milk ejections to 3-week-old pups that rarely have stretch responses; 4) gastric cannula infusions of milk to nipple-attached pups; and 5) maternal milk ejections and TC infusions to pups whose mouths were topically anesthetized. The results implicate the contact of fluid with oral and/or lingual surfaces as the critical stimulus primarily responsible for the BP rise. Although nipple attachment appears to be an important precondition for the typical pressor response, the cooccurrence of a behavioral stretch response is not essential.
Estrogen and other female reproductive risk factors are not strongly associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis in elderly women

Abstract Objective: Endogenous and exogenous reproductive hormones have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in women, but data are inconsistent and no studies have assessed RA risk factors exclusively in elderly women. Methods: The authors examined the association between reproductive factors, exogenous hormone exposure, and RA in a prospective cohort study of 31,336 Iowa women who were aged 55 to 69 years at cohort baseline in 1986. Results: During 11 years of follow-up, 158 incident cases of RA were identified and validated. Age at last pregnancy ( P trend=.01) and age at menopause ( P trend=.03) were inversely associated with RA, whereas a history of polycystic ovary syndrome (relative risk [RR], 2.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 6.30), endometriosis (RR, 1.72; 95% CI, 0.93 to 3.18), and former use of hormone replacement therapy (RR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.06) were positively associated with RA. In multivariate analysis models, a history of polycystic ovary syndrome remained the most consistent predictor of RA, whereas the RRs for other factors attenuated. Conclusion: Few reproductive factors showed a strong or statistically significant association with RA in elderly women. The association of polycystic ovary syndrome may be indicative of perturbations of endocrine-immune activity that may influence the development of RA. This prospective cohort study adds to the understanding of the potential contribution of hormonal factors to the cause of RA in older women.
Relative efficacy of perioperative gemcitabine and cisplatin versus methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin in the management of locally advanced urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Objective To compare the outcomes of patients treated in the perioperative setting with methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin (MVAC) versus gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC). Systemic cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens are the mainstay of treatment for patients with advanced bladder cancer. GC has often been used interchangeably with MVAC in neoadjuvant or adjuvant settings for patients with locally advanced (cT2N0M0-cT4N2M0) bladder cancer without adequate evidence. Methods A total of 114 patients treated with systemic chemotherapy for Stage T2-T4N0-N2M0 urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder were included in the present study. The survival times were estimated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, respectively. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the statistical significance. Results Of the 114 patients included in the present study, 37 (32%) were treated with GC and 77 (68%) with MVAC. In the neoadjuvant group, no difference was found between the 2 chemotherapeutic regimens in terms of the pathologic complete response rate at either cystectomy or during cystoscopy (14 [31%] of 45 MVAC patients vs 4 [25%] of 16 GC patients; P = .645). On multivariate analysis, the choice of regimen was not an independent predictor of cancer-specific death (hazard ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 0.67-2.57; P = .421) or overall survival (hazard ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 0.76-2.24; P = .330). Conclusion Despite the lack of data on the relative efficacy of GC versus MVAC in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, these regimens have been used interchangeably. The present investigation did not find the choice of cisplatin-based regimen to be an independent predictor of survival. A trend was seen toward improved survival and a greater complete response rate in the MVAC group.
Contextual determinants of retrieval in three-month-old infants☆

Abstract Three-month old infants learned to kick to produce movement in an overhead crib mobile on a conjugate reinforcement (FRI) schedule. All infants were trained in the presence of one of two distinctive crib bumpers. In Experiment 1, infants receiving cued-recall tests in the presence of the original training bumper remembered the conditioned association 1 week later, but those tested in the presence of a different bumper did not. Two weeks later, neither training group evidenced retention of the contingency. In Experiment 2, infants who received a 3-min exposure (“a reactivation treatment”) to the original training bumper 24 h prior to the 2-week retention test exhibited excellent long-term retention, whereas those exposed to a different bumper as a reminder did not, irrepective of whether it was identical to the test bumper or not. These findings demonstrate that the context alone, even though it was never exclusively paired with reinforcement, can act as a retrieval cue.
Vascular endothelial growth factor in the CSF of elderly patients with ventriculomegaly: Variability, periodicity and levels in drainage responders and non-responders

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to examine lumbar CSF-VEGF levels from elderly patients with ventriculomegaly to evaluate the possible circadian or periodic concentration profile and relevance to the prediction of drainage response. Methods Lumbar CSF samples were collected in 1-h interval over 35 h from 22 patients with ventriculomegaly. CSF-VEGF levels were measured to elucidate the possible circadian or periodic concentration profiles. These VEGF levels were evaluated for correlations with clinical response to CSF drainage, ventricle size and other clinical information. Results The 35-h CSF-VEGF levels demonstrated a periodic concentration pattern with significant episodic fluctuation with 3–5 h intervals. CSF-VEGF levels in non-responder group in which patients did not show clinical improvement with CSF drainage were significantly higher than these in responder group. Conclusion VEGF variation in hydrocephalus patients suggests its possible pathophysiological role in hydrocephalus. The periodic concentration pattern of CSF-VEGF must be considered when choosing the most appropriate time for sample collection or clinical manipulation. Increased VEGF level in patients who showed no improvement with CSF drainage suggests that a possible greater ischemic or vascular injury may play a role in these patients. Pending further studies, these results suggest that high VEGF levels have a potential application in predicting non-responder patients with CSF drainage and so reducing the morbidity and cost of drainage and shunting in these patients.
Use of Telepathology for Routine Surgical Pathology Review in a Test Bed in the Department of Veterans Affairs

Background Routine surgical pathology review by telepathology could be an important service component of multi-institutional pathology laboratory systems. Such service networks would increase acces...