cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Truncated bovine herpesvirus-1 glycoprotein I (gpI) initiates a protective local immune response in its natural host.

Abstract Current modified live and killed BHV-1 vaccines have not reduced the incidence of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), the principal viral agent in bovine respiratory disease complex. The requirement for production of viral proteins for immune study has resulted in the establishment of a cell line which constitutively expresses BHV-1 gpI. A truncated BHV-1 envelope gpI protein was secreted into the culture supernatant of D17 cells transfected with the gpI gene lacking the coding sequence for the transmembrane region (TMR). The transmembrane domain is essential for gpI stability in the envelope, virus infectivity and, most probably, natural killer cell recognition; however, we have tested the possibility that this domain is not required for inducing an adaptive, protective immune response. Immunization of calves with this truncated gpI protein induced gpI-specific nasal IgA, IgG1, serum neutralizing antibodies and gpI-specific peripheral lymphocyte proliferation. All immunized calves were protected from clinical disease after BHV-1 challenge. Further, nine of ten immunized calves had no intranasal viral shedding. One animal shed a minimal amount of virus following challenge, but produced no antibodies to other viral proteins as evidenced by immunoprecipitation of 35 S-labelled viral proteins by sera from virus-challenged animals. This study represents the first evidence that a recombinant truncated gpI subunit vaccine can confer local mucosal immunity and establish a strong protective barrier against disease caused by BHV-1 in the natural host. Also, these data demonstrate the feasibility of preventing initial viral replication in the host and distinguishing vaccinated from wild-type virus-infected animals.
Results of flexible spacecraft attitude control studies utilizing hybrid coordinates

Explicit analyses are presented in sufficient detail to establish the utility in flexible space vehicle control system design of a hybrid coordinate formulation, employing a combination of discrete and distributed (modal) coordinates. A three-stage process for the design of attitude control systems for flexible vehicles is described: 1) preliminary design is based on root locus plots for single-axis response of linearized systems with sharply truncated modal coordinate matrices; 2) modifications are imposed as required by eigenvalue analyses of coupled linear systems; and 3) design confirmation is established by complex, nonlinear differential equation simulation using digital computer numerical integration. These procedures are illustrated by application to two vehicle models. A very simple model is used to demonstrate the potentially destabilizing influence of vehicle flexibility, and corresponding results are shown for a realistically complex model of the Thermoelectric Outer Planet Spacecraft (TOPS).
Stress in the Aftermath of the Economic Crisis in Urban Communities: The Interplay of Media Use, Perceived Economic Threat, and Community Belonging

Against the backdrop of the recent financial crisis, we investigate how the interplay of media use, perceived economic threat, and community belonging—conceived as a social support mechanism—impacts stress among urban community residents. Participants (N = 387) were recruited from the New York metropolitan area into an online survey. Results indicated that media do not impact stress directly but rather indirectly by influencing perceived economic threat and community belonging. Community belonging plays a protective role against stress. When perceived economic threat becomes too severe, however, its buffering effects dissipate.
Optimized compensation for atmospheric distortion in video

Atmospheric distortion is a problem that affects a broad range of optical sensors in both the visible-light and infrared spectra. This phenomenon is particularly problematic for sensors that acquire image and video data along trajectories that cross strong thermal gradients. We present a restoration algorithm that focuses on motion compensation with control grid interpolation to improve degraded video. In the past, algorithms of this type have proven difficult to implement in real time due to computational requirements. The proposed algorithm leverages specific characteristics of atmospheric distortion to improve efficiency. Through application-specific optimization mathematics and by exploiting parallelization opportunities inherent to the algorithm, a high-quality solution to the atmospheric distortion problem is realized that is also suitable for real time implementation on embedded platforms.
Nonlinear charge modeling for FET large-signal simulation and its importance for IP3 and ACPR in communication circuits

Nonlinear charge-storage (capacitance) characteristics are significant contributors to FET large-signal performance, determining, along with the well-known current-source nonlinearities, the figures of merit important for communication circuits such as PAE, IP3, and ACPR. This paper reviews the general theory and practice of nonlinear two port charge-storage modeling for FET devices. Topics covered include identification of nonlinear capacitances from measured data, transcapacitances, the modeling constraints of terminal charge conservation and energy conservation and their consequences, and the necessary and sufficient conditions for the construction of unique device-specific nonlinear charge-based models from experimental device data. This approach is largely independent of process and technology, and is therefore generally applicable to FET devices from Si JFETs and MOSFETs to GaAs and InP HEMTs. The fundamental theory and general methodology are independent of the explicit functional form for the capacitance constitutive (C-V) relations, so they apply equally well to closed form analytical empirical models and table-based models based on interpolation or approximation of measured device characteristics.
Unilateral Empyema as a Complication of Infectious Mononucleosis: a Pathogenic Variant of Lemierre’s Syndrome

We present a case of a healthy 19-year-old female who developed infectious mononucleosis complicated by unilateral empyema.
Role of Astrocytes in Brain Function and Disease

Astrocytes assume multiple roles in maintaining an optimally suited milieu for neuronal function. Select astrocytic functions include the maintenance of redox potential, the production of trophic factors, the regulation of neurotransmitter and ion concentrations, and the removal of toxins and debris from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Impairments in these and other functions, as well as physiological reactions of astrocytes to injury, can trigger or exacerbate neuronal dysfunction. This review addresses select metabolic interactions between neurons and astrocytes and emphasizes the role of astrocytes in mediating and amplifying the progression of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), hepatic encephalopathy (HE), hyperammonemia (HA), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and ischemia.
Electrical Potentials from the Regenerating Eye of Strombus

Following amputation of the eye of Strombus luhuanus , a morphologically equivalent one is regenerated. Early regenerates exhibited a relatively simple, single-peaked electroretinogram (ERG) that progressively matured to display two ‘on’ peaks, a ‘steady state’ during sustained illumination, and repetitive ‘off’ potentials. ERGs of regenerates were dependent on stimulus intensity, wavelength, light adaptation and temperature, as are those of mature eyes. Intracellularly recorded light-evoked depolarizations from retinas of early stages of regeneration tended to be simpler in waveform than those of more mature stages. In addition, certain cells exhibited light-evoked and electrically evoked action potentials, while others were hyperpolarized by light. Optic nerves of eyes in early stages of regeneration showed only ‘on’ activity, while those of later stages also exhibited ‘off’ responses.
The effect of the signalling scheme on the robustness of pattern formation in development

Pattern formation in development is a complex process which involves spatially distributed signals called morphogens that influence gene expression and thus the phenotypic identity of cells. Usually different cell types are spatially segregated, and the boundary between them may be determined by a threshold value of some state variable. The question arises as to how sensitive the location of such a boundary is to variations in properties, such as parameter values, that characterize the system. Here, we analyse both deterministic and stochastic reaction-diffusion models of pattern formation with a view towards understanding how the signalling scheme used for patterning affects the variability of boundary determination between cell types in a developing tissue.
Quadriceps atrophy in the anterior cruciate insufficient knee

Atrophy of the quadriceps musculature is frequently associated with chronic knee instability. This atrophy may persist despite the patient's ability to return to athletic competition. When open biopsies of the quadriceps muscle from unstable knees were compared with those from normal acutely injured knees, it was found that clinical evidence of atrophy correlated with a relative decrease in the size of Type II or fast twitch muscle fibers. This supports the subjective, clinical impression that the unstable knee is less effective in explosive push-off. The findings also indicate the necessity of including exercise specific for the training of Type II fast twitch fibers in any program designed to rehabilitate the injured knee.
Characterization and identification of Na-Cl sources in ground water

Elevated concentrations of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) in surface and ground water are common in the United States and other countries, and can serve as indicators of, or may constitute, a water quality problem. We have characterized the most prevalent natural and anthropogenic sources of Na+ and Cl- in ground water, primarily in Illinois, and explored techniques that could be used to identify their source. We considered seven potential sources that included agricultural chemicals, septic effluent, animal waste, municipal landfill leachate, sea water, basin brines, and road deicers. The halides Cl-, bromide (Br), and iodide (I) were useful indicators of the sources of Na+-Cl- contamination. Iodide enrichment (relative to Cl-) was greatest in precipitation, followed by uncontaminated soil water and ground water, and landfill leachate. The mass ratios of the halides among themselves, with total nitrogen (N), and with Na+ provided diagnostic methods for graphically distinguishing among sources of Na+ and Cl- in contaminated water. Cl/Br ratios relative to Cl- revealed a clear, although overlapping, separation of sample groups. Samples of landfill leachate and ground water known to be contaminated by leachate were enriched in I and Br; this provided an excellent fingerprint for identifying leachate contamination. In addition, total N, when plotted against Cl/Br ratios, successfully separated water contaminated by road salt from water contaminated by other sources.
Helping Clients Develop Hopes for the Future

The purposes of this article are (a) to examine cognitive, emotional, and spiritual aspects of hope as reflected in the literature; (b) to describe three clinical approaches that have been used in occupational therapy to engage clients in development of hopes for the future; and (c) to consider practical issues that have been raised by therapists seeking to incorporate development of hopes in their practice. Literature from health care and the social sciences indicates that cognitive, emotional, and spiritual aspects of hope are interwoven in a complex process that evolves over time after major loss. Three alternative clinical strategies for collaborating with clients in developing hopes are reviewed, including a goal-setting and goal-attainment approach, an occupational change approach, and a life history approach. These clinical strategies are illustrated by the stories of an elderly mental health client, an adult rehabilitation client, and an adolescent orthopedic client, which are drawn from research in which the authors have been involved. Discussion of issues involved in incorporating hope work into daily practice is based on the experiences of practicing therapists who participated in a workshop. These include pragmatic issues of documentation and reimbursement of this aspect of practice as well as clinical issues of how to develop hopes among clients who appear hopeless.
Cancer Genomics in Clinical Context

Precision medicine requires appropriate application of genomics in clinical practice. In cancer, we have witnessed practice-changing examples of how genomic knowledge is translated into more tailored and effective therapies. The next opportunity is to embed cancer genomics in clinical context so that patient-centric longitudinal clinical, genomic, and molecular phenotypes can be compiled for adaptive learning between precision medicine research and clinical care with the goal of accelerating clinically-actionable discoveries. We describe here an adaptive learning platform, APOLLO™ (adaptive patient-oriented longitudinal learning and optimization) designed to integrate genomic research in the context of, but not in the path of, routine and investigational clinical care for purposes of enabling data-driven discovery across disciplines such that every patient can contribute to and potentially benefit from research discoveries.
Effects of Chemical Preservatives on Storage and Nutrient Composition of Soybean Curd

Storage and nutrient composition of soybean curd in immersion solutions were determined. Chemical preservatives (acetic acid or potassium sorbate + acetic acid) in soybean curd immersion solutions maintained low viable cell counts but had little effect on soybean curd nutritional quality during storage at 4–7°C for 21 days. Thiamin and riboflavin in soybean curd decreased (P<0.05) during storage, representing leaching of the vitamins into immersion solutions. After 14 days of storage, soybean curd protein decreased and carbohydrate increased (P<0.05). Decreases (P<0.05) in proline and arginine occurred following 14 days of storage, but no losses were found in remaining amino acids.
μ 3 : Multiscale, Deterministic Micro-Nano Assembly System for Construction of On-Wafer Microrobots

One of the major issues enduring with micro-scale mechanics has been to design high fidelity miniature machines capable of performing complex operations. Though achieved in some proportion through conventional in-plane and out-of-plane designs, the efficacy of such micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) structures is highly limited due to complicate fabrication and inadequate robustness. On the other hand, the use of precise robots to assemble MEMS parts of comparatively simpler design to build 3D micromechanical structures has recently emerged as a viable approach. Such modular assemblies of microscale parts typically utilize minimum energy connectors that are multifunctional, e.g., mechanical, electrical etc. The μ3 is a 3D microassembly station consisting of 19 DOF arranged into 3 micromanipulators, with additional microgrippers and stereo microscope vision. The platform is capable of motion resolutions of 3nm and is small enough to be used inside of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for nano-manipulation. In this paper we discuss how systematic identification and calibration of the station, combined with appropriate part connector designs can lead to multi-degree of freedom active MEMS robots assembled on a wafer
Beyond Traditional Outcomes: Improving Quality of Life in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma

The introduction of molecular targeted therapies for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma has provided treatment options that are more efficacious and better tolerated than cytokine therapy, the previous standard of care. These advances have led to renewed efforts to define the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impact of disease status stabilization or improvement versus that of treatment-associated adverse events. The distinct classes of targeted agents have unique AE profiles related to their specific targets; therefore, treatment considerations should include the patient's pretreatment HRQOL along with the known HRQOL effects of each drug. With more second- and third-line treatment options available for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, HRQOL outcomes in earlier lines of therapy may guide treatment decisions for subsequent therapy, as poor HRQOL at therapy onset predicts poor survival. Both general and disease-specific instruments are used in clinical trials to reveal the impact of treatment on patient-reported outcomes. In this article, the common instruments used to assess HRQOL and the HRQOL outcomes observed in pivotal trials of targeted therapies are reviewed. Current data indicate that first-line therapy with sunitinib and first-line therapy in poor-prognosis patients with temsirolimus provide improved HRQOL compared with interferon-α. First- and second-line therapy with pazopanib and second-line therapy with everolimus and sorafenib maintained HRQOL levels similar to placebo, indicating that these agents do not worsen HRQOL. The HRQOL effects of bevacizumab plus IFN-α have not been reported. As new agents enter clinical investigation, HRQOL data can help determine their overall role in treatment.
Sensitive moisture response to Holocene millennial-scale climate variations in the Mid-Atlantic region, USA

Millennial-scale climate variability has been increasingly recognized as one of the most prominent features of the Holocene. However, regional responses, especially in terms of moisture conditions, are poorly documented and understood. Here we present lithologic and magnetic evidence from White Lake in northern New Jersey, USA, to show that low lake levels occurred at about 1.3, 3.0, 4.4 and 6.1 ka (1 ka/1000 cal. yr BP). The low lake levels are indicated by heterogeneous coarse calcareous sediment layers showing strong magnetic intensities. These detrital layers were likely formed during low stands when shallow-water marls were exposed, oxidized, transported and redeposited. This model is supported by laboratory experiments showing that oxidation of marls can enhance magnetic intensities. The dry periods inferred from the low lake levels of White Lake appear to occur concurrently with the cold periods recorded in the North Atlantic sediments. The correlation between millennial-scale dry/wet cycles inferred from lake-level fluctuations of White Lake and cold/warm cycles in North Atlantic sediments suggests sensitive moisture responses to Holocene millennial-scale climate variability. The dry-cold (or wet- warm) association is supported by instrumental records of the last century showing that the Mid-Atlantic region was dominated by wet conditions, while most parts of the conterminous USA experienced droughts, when the North Atlantic Ocean was warm. The consistent moisture responses of the Mid-Atlantic region to temperature changes of the North Atlantic Ocean may have persisted for the past 6000 years.
A Case of Life‐threatening Staphylococcus aureus Endocarditis Involving Percutaneous Transcatheter Prosthetic Pulmonary Valve

While right ventricle to pulmonary artery homograft is the surgical procedure of choice for relieving right ventricle outflow tract obstruction; it is limited by the need for multiple surgical replacements owing to progressive conduit obstruction, valve dysfunction, or patient growth. Since January 2010, percutaneous transcatheter placement of prosthetic pulmonary valve (Melody valve) has emerged as an attractive alternative to surgical replacement of dysfunctional right ventricle to pulmonary artery homograft in the United States. We report a case of 19-year-old girl born with truncus arteriosus who underwent transcatheter placement of prosthetic pulmonary valve due to homograft insufficiency. She presented after 4 months with a febrile episode and was found to have Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis of her prosthetic valve. The infection caused multi-organ dysfunction despite bacteriological clearance and led to severe dysfunction of the valve which ultimately required surgical removal. The case highlights a rare but serious complication of percutaneous prosthetic pulmonary valves.
Stable Gene Selection from Microarray Data via Sample Weighting

Feature selection from gene expression microarray data is a widely used technique for selecting candidate genes in various cancer studies. Besides predictive ability of the selected genes, an important aspect in evaluating a selection method is the stability of the selected genes. Experts instinctively have high confidence in the result of a selection method that selects similar sets of genes under some variations to the samples. However, a common problem of existing feature selection methods for gene expression data is that the selected genes by the same method often vary significantly with sample variations. In this work, we propose a general framework of sample weighting to improve the stability of feature selection methods under sample variations. The framework first weights each sample in a given training set according to its influence to the estimation of feature relevance, and then provides the weighted training set to a feature selection method. We also develop an efficient margin-based sample weighting algorithm under this framework. Experiments on a set of microarray data sets show that the proposed algorithm significantly improves the stability of representative feature selection algorithms such as SVM-RFE and ReliefF, without sacrificing their classification performance. Moreover, the proposed algorithm also leads to more stable gene signatures than the state-of-the-art ensemble method, particularly for small signature sizes.
Solid-state fluoroscopic imager for high-resolution angiography: Physical characteristics of an 8 cm×8 cm experimental prototype

In this paper, the performance of an 8 cm×8 cm three-side buttable charge-coupled device (CCD)-based imager specially designed for high-resolution fluoroscopy and operating in fluoroscopic (30 frames/second) mode is presented in terms of the presampling modulation transfer function(MTF),noise power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE). The 8 cm×8 cm CCDimager is coupled to a 450 μm thick CsI:Tl scintillator by nondemagnifying (straight, 1:1) fiberoptics. The CCDimager has a fundamental pixel pitch of 39 μm and incorporates an optically opaque interline (data) channel. The CCDimager was operated at 156 μm pixel pitch by binning 4×4 adjacent pixels prior to readout. The fluoroscopic image lag was measured and accounted for in the DQE estimate to provide lag-corrected DQE. The measured limiting spatial resolution at 10% presampling MTF with the imager operated at 156 μm pixel pitch (Nyquist sampling limit: 3.21 cy/mm) was 3.6 cy/mm. In the pulsed fluoroscopic mode, the first-frame image lag was less than 0.9%. The lag-corrected DQE(0) of ∼0.62 was achieved even at a low fluoroscopic exposure rate of 1 μR/frame. Grid phantom measurements indicate no appreciable distortion. Results from DQE and image lag measurements at fluoroscopic exposure rates combined with the high spatial resolution observed from the MTF suggest that this type of imager or its variants may be a potential candidate for high-resolution neuro-interventional imaging, cardiovascular imaging, pediatric angiography, and small animal imaging. Since the CCD is three-side buttable, four such CCD modules can be joined to form a 2×2 matrix providing a field of view of 16 cm×16 cm.
Functional Role of Glycosphingolipids in Cell Recognition and Signaling

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs), cell type-specific markers which change dramatically during ontogenesis and oncogenesis, have been implicated as playing major roles in cellular interactions and control of cell proliferation in multicellular organisms. These functional roles have been partially clarified through two types of studies: (i) Studies of cell recognition mediated by (a) GSL-GSL interaction, (b) GSL-lectin interaction, and (c) GSL-dependent modulation of integrin receptor function. (ii) Studies on control of transmembrane signaling by GSLs and/or sphingosine (Sph) derivatives, with emphasis on effects of these compounds on: (a) signaling pathways initiated by tyrosine kinase-linked receptors; (b) signaling systems mediated by protein kinase C, MAP kinase, other kinases, or cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, leading to changes in cellular phenotypes such as motility, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Conspecific and Heterospecific Attraction: A Mechanism of Web‐site Selection Leading to Aggregation Formation by Web‐building Spiders

This study investigated whether conspecific and/or heterospecific attraction to silk is a mechanism of web-site selection leading to aggregation formation by two species of web-building spiders, Hypochilus thorelli Marx (Araneae: Hypochilidae) and Achaearanea tepidariorung (C.L. Koch) (Araneae: Theridiidae). We determined that the spatial distribution of these two spiders was clumped and that H. thorelli had a greater tendency to aggregate than did A. tepidariorum. To determine the mechanism responsible for this spatial pattern, we conducted three field experiments. We examined web-site selection by H. thorelli in three contexts: no spiders or webs present (cue removed), vacant webs present, and occupied webs present. In the case where no webs were present, there was no tendency for spiders to choose previously occupied sites as web sites. When vacant webs were present, spiders chose to occupy the vacant webs. When occupied webs were present, spiders either invaded webs and evicted the owners, or settled adjacent to and attached their webs to those of residents. Various microhabitat variables (height, angle, temperature, humidity, and substrate character of the rock surface) of randomly selected unoccupied sites and the web sites chosen by spiders were compared. There were no detectable differences between web sites and unoccupied sites with respect to any of the variables measured. This leads us to conclude that web-site choice by immigrating spiders was based on the presence of silk rather than other features of the site.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis: another cause of a fluid-fluid level within an appendicular bony lesion.

We report a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) occurring in the pelvis of a 2-year 11-month-old female with fluid–fluid level seen on MRI. Aspiration of the fluid during biopsy showed it to be blood with a few inflammatory cells and eosinophils. Tissue obtained during the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis to be LCH. While fluid–fluid levels have been infrequently encountered in skull lesions due to LCH, they have yet to be reported in lesions of the appendicular skeleton. The aim of this report is to familiarize radiologists with the fact that fluid–fluid levels can occur in LCH of the appendicular skeleton in children.
Structural Adjustment And The Stability Of The Nigerian Money Demand Function

This paper uses cointegration vector error correction analysis to test the stability of the demand for real broad money (M2) in Nigeria over the quarterly period 1986:1 to 2001:4 in order to ascertain whether recent macroeconomic developments such as the implementation of the structural adjustment programme (SAP) in 1986; the liberalization of the exchange rate, domestic interest rate, and capital accounts; financial deepening and innovations; changes in monetary policy regimes; and increased integration of the economy with the rest of the world may have caused the real broad money demand function to become structurally unstable. Our empirical results indicate that there exists a long-run relationship between the real broad money aggregate, real income, inflation rate, domestic interest rate, foreign interest rate, and expected exchange rate. Furthermore, both the CUSUM and CUSUMSQ tests confirm the stability of the short- and long run parameters of the real money demand function. The stability of the parameters of the money demand equation provides the justification for the monetary authority to target the broad money supply in its bid to manage inflation and stimulate economic activity in Nigeria.
Body mass index and weight change in relation to triple-negative breast cancer survival

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI), weight change on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) prognosis in a population-based prospective cohort study. The current analysis included 518 participants diagnosed with TNBC in Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study. Weight at 1 year prior to cancer diagnosis, at diagnosis, and at 6, 18 and 36 months after cancer diagnosis and height at 6 months after cancer diagnosis were assessed. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in relation to BMI and weight change using Cox proportional hazard models. Obesity (BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m(2)) at 1-year pre-diagnosis was associated with higher risk of total mortality and recurrence/disease-specific mortality, with multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.79 (95 % CI 1.06-3.03) and 1.83 (95 % CI 1.05-3.21), respectively. The associations between BMI and TNBC prognosis attenuated over time from pre-diagnosis to post-diagnosis. Compared with stable weight (change within 5 %), weight loss ≥5 % at 18- or 36-month post-diagnosis was related with higher risk of total mortality and recurrence/disease-specific mortality. Respective multivariate HRs were 2.08 (95 % CI 1.25-3.46) and 1.42 (95 % CI 0.77-2.63) for OS, and 2.50 (95 % CI 1.45-4.30) and 2.17 (95 % CI 1.14-4.12) for DFS. However, the association of weight loss and OS/DFS attenuated after excluding patients whose weight was measured after recurrence. Weight gain ≥5 % at 18- or 36-month post-diagnosis was associated with a non-significant increased risk of death. The results showed that obesity pre-diagnosis and weight loss post-diagnosis was inversely associated with TNBC prognosis. Emphasis on maintaining stable weight after cancer diagnosis for TNBC patients may be considered.
Electro-Chemical Methods for Decontaminating and Treating Radioactive Waste Resulting from Weapons-Facilities Clean-Up

Production and dismantling of nuclear weapons inevitably generate radioactive waste that can be divided into two groups: bulk contaminated and surface contaminated. Electro-chemical treatment offers convenient and economical ways to separate radioactive and non-radioactive components of waste. This paper discusses applications of electro-chemical treatment methods for destruction of hazardous components and metal decontamination. In numerous cases these methods allow for recovery and re-use of non-radioactive components.
Adaptive protocol switching using Dynamically Insertable Bumps in the stack

Mobile networked devices face a unique set of challenges, particularly when used in an adversarial environment. These devices must be able to respond to changing circumstances in both their physical and network environment. We present DIBS, a system that enables devices to dynamically insert bump-in-the-stack protocols in response to changing conditions. We evaluate this system by measuring connection throughput and CPU usage as it switches between an unmodified protocol stack, a VPN, and a high-secrecy multichannel stack. Our experiments show that DIBS is able to switch seamlessly between protocols without interrupting ongoing connections or introducing additional network or processing overhead. This ability will enable devices to adapt communications rapidly in response to changing cybersecurity and physical environments.
CellLab-CTS 2015: continuous-time stochastic cellular automaton modeling using Landlab

Abstract. CellLab-CTS 2015 is a Python-language software library for creating two-dimensional, continuous-time stochastic (CTS) cellular automaton models. The model domain consists of a set of grid nodes, with each node assigned an integer state code that represents its condition or composition. Adjacent pairs of nodes may undergo transitions to different states, according to a user-defined average transition rate. A model is created by writing a Python code that defines the possible states, the transitions, and the rates of those transitions. The code instantiates, initializes, and runs one of four object classes that represent different types of CTS models. CellLab-CTS provides the option of using either square or hexagonal grid cells. The software provides the ability to treat particular grid-node states as moving particles, and to track their position over time. Grid nodes may also be assigned user-defined properties, which the user can update after each transition through the use of a callback function. As a component of the Landlab modeling framework, CellLab-CTS models take advantage of a suite of Landlab's tools and capabilities, such as support for standardized input and output.
The Sex Pheromone Blend of Caribbean Fruit Fly Males: Isolation Biological Activity, and Partial Chemical Characterization

A blend of 4 components, 2 alcohols and 2 lactone esters, was isolated from 114,000 male Caribbean fruit flies, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew). Pheromone was also purified from water washes of the holding cages. The alcohols contain 9 carbons and 1 and 2 double bonds, respectively. The lactone esters have a molecular weight of 196. A male contains 0.012 and 0.016 μg, respectively, of the 2 alcohols, and 0.12 and 0.41 μg, respectively, of the lactone esters. Each compound is attractive to female flies, and combinations of all 4 are significantly more attractive than combinations of 2 or 3.
APPLICATION OF THE FLUTTER AND STRENGTH OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM (FASTOP) TO THE SIZING OF METALLIC AND COMPOSITE LIFTING-SURFACE STRUCTURES

A new computer program entitled FASTOP is described, and results obtained from its application to the structural sizing of three lifting-surface structures for combined strength and flutter-speed requirements a r e presented. Two detailed finite-element models of metallic structures (having between 600 and 900 elements) and a preliminary-design representation of an advanced-composite wing a r e considered. Nearminimum-weight designs a r e achieved in only six combined strength and flutter resizing cycles for the two metallic structures, one of which includes mass-balance design variables. For the composite wing, FASTOP is used to resize the individual ply thicknesses of a strength-based design for increased flutter speed; the same excellent convergence characteristics a re demonstrated.
Effect of streptomycin on experimental infections produced in mice with streptomycin resistant strains of M. tuberculosis var. hominis.

SummaryStreptomycin resistant human type tubercle bacilli were found to be as virulent for white mice as streptomycin sensitive strains. Infection produced in mice with these streptomycin resistant cultures was not suppressed by treatment of the mice with streptomycin.
Parental Knowledge and Misconceptions of Risks to Healthy Newborns in Genotypic Driven Pediatric Research

Purpose: To describe parental knowledge and misconceptions of genetics. Study design and methods: A qualitative, descriptive study utilizing semi-structured interviews (n=32) was conducted in private rooms with mothers or mother-father dyads 24-48 hours after the birth of their healthy, full-term infant. Audio recording and field notes were collected. Thematic analysis identified major categories pertaining to parental knowledge of genetics in healthcare. Results: Two themes were identified: parental lack of knowledge and misconceptions of genetics in healthcare and parent’s perception of the value of the genetics in healthcare. Parental source of genetic information emerged as an accounting of where parents obtained genetic information. Thirty-eight percent of parents felt they had little knowledge of genetics. Twenty percent of parents acquired their genetic information from personal experience. Seventeen percent of parents acquired their genetic information from public media, and 10% of parents acquired their genetic information from someone who experienced genetic testing. Parents perceived value in prenatal diagnosis of variable conditions or disease but had mixed opinions on the value of genetics in healthcare after the child was born. Clinical implications: Significant gaps and misunderstandings in parental knowledge of genetics were identified. Removing potential parental knowledge barriers is essential for parental understanding of the role of genetics in health, illness, and pediatric genetic research.
The role of locally adapted mycorrhizas and rhizobacteria in plant–soil feedback systems

Summary The plant–soil feedback (PSF) framework has become an important theory in plant ecology, yet many ecological and evolutionary factors that influence PSFs have yet to be fully considered. Here, we discuss the importance of local adaptation among plants and root-associated fungi and bacteria. Furthermore, we show how inclusion of the optimal resource allocation (OA) model can help predict the direction and outcome of PSFs under environmental change. Plants and associated soil microbes have co-evolved for millennia, generating adaptations to each other and to their local environment. This local co-adaptation is likely generated by a suite of multidirectional exchanges of goods and services among plants, fungi and bacteria, and the constant changes in above-ground–below-ground interactions. Resource limitation may be a driver of local adaptation among organisms involved in nutritional symbioses. The OA model states that when an essential resource is limited, natural selection will favour taxa that forage optimally by adjusting their biomass and energy allocation such that productivity is equally limited by all resources. Co-adaptation will therefore respond to the local limiting resource conditions through taxa-specific resource transfer interactions. The OA model can help predict the outcomes of PSFs across a range of resource gradients and environmental changes such as increasing drought or atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Positive feedback is predicted in systems where resource exchange among plants and associated soil microbes can ameliorate resource limitation, or in systems where microbes provide another important service such as pathogen defence. Feedback strength is expected to diminish as resources become less limiting. Negative feedback is predicted when resources are in luxury supply and populations of opportunistic plant pathogens increase relative to commensal or mutualist microbes. Future, field-based studies that integrate naturally co-occurring systems of plants, microbes and their local soil are needed to further test the hypothesis that resource availability is an effective predictor of the direction and magnitude of PSFs. A more mechanistic understanding of PSFs will help land managers and farmers to manipulate plant–microbial soil interactions to respond to environmental change and to effectively harness beneficial symbioses for plant nutrition and pathogen control.
Decision-making in worker fitness and risk evaluation.

Abstract The information needed to determine fitness or risk and to make employment recommendations and decisions is reviewed. Four key questions are discussed: What are the risks and demands of a specific job? Is the worker capable of performing the job? Would the job place the worker at increased risk? What should the clinician do when there is a likelihood of increased risk or decreased capabilities?
39 ISOLATION AND EXPRESSION OF NOGO-A IN THE DEVELOPING CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Purpose NOGO-A is a myelin associated protein best known for its ability to inhibit CNS regeneration in adults and may be involved in the maintenance of established neural pathways. Recent experiments have identified NOGO-A during development, when regeneration is less relevant. Thus, its role during development is unclear. We hypothesize that NOGO-A has a role in neural tube induction or early neuronal differentiation. Methods To test our hypothesis we isolated chicken NOGO-A using RT-PCR. We utilized a protocol for difficult templates to isolate and replicate the GC rich NOGO-A transcript. A 219 base pair probe was synthesized and used to perform whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) to localize NOGO-A expression in Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) stages 4-17 chick embryos. Regulation and induction of NOGO-A was tested by Shh, Fgf8b and RA bead implantation in HH4 embryos. These were harvested after 4 and 8 hours and processed by WISH. Results We identified two different isoforms of NOGO-A in the chick embryo; 3.8KB and 4.3KB isoforms that we have sequenced. WISH showed initial NOGO-A expression in the neural plate at induction (HH4). Expression then followed formation of the neural tube (HH8), primary brain vesicles (HH12) and somites (HH17). Ectopic Shh increased local NOGO-A expression at 4 hours, Fgf8b showed increased local expression at 8 hours, and RA showed no increased expression. Conclusions Our WISH experiments demonstrated that NOGO-A expression begins early in development and is induced by Shh and Fgf-8, known mediators of neural tube development. Additionally, we identified two isoforms of NOGO-A in the chicken embryo. It remains to be determined if these two isoforms are splice variants, and if they have distinct roles. Our results support our initial hypothesis that NOGO-A has a role beyond inhibition of CNS regeneration and is involved in CNS development.
Minimally Invasive Open Nephrectomy for Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney in Children

Objective To evaluate the preliminary experience of the operation for multicystic dysplastic kidney(MCDK) with a minimally invasive open nephrectomy in children. Methods A retrospective review of the consecutive minimally invasive open nephrectomies in the last two years was performed.Fifteen patients(12 boys and 3 girls;right 5 cases and left 10 cases) with unilateral MCDK had the operation by using an open flank incision.All patients were diagnosed by CT,emission computerized tomographic and ultrasound.No anomaly in the contralateral functioning kidney was found.Posterior subcostal muscle splitting approach was utilized.The mean incision was 1.7 cm long(range:1.5 to 2.0 cm).The average age at the age of surgery was 2.4 years(range:3 months to 5.6 years).The mean operative time was 34.6 min(range:30 to 45 min).The estimated blood loss was less than 5 mL in every patient.Prophylactic intravenous antibiotics were administered for 2 to 4 days postoperatively. Results The operation was successful in all children.The average length of hospital stay was 2.8 days(range:2 to 4 days) postoperatively.No complications were seen in follow-up after surgery. Conclusions The minimally invasive approach to open nephrectomy can be performed through a small incision with minimal morbidity.The procedure is superior with regard to operative time,cosmesis,and length of stay.It is a safe and effective treatment choice for MCDK and can be easily performed in children.
A Versatile Axle for the Construction of Disassemblage Rotaxanes

Rotaxanes are unique mechanical devices that hold great promise as sensors. We report on two new rotaxanes that contain an acid or base sensitive trigger and readily disassemble in a wide range of environments. Disassemblage was observed under TLC and 1H-NMR analysis. The axle is highly charged, which enhances solubility in aqueous environments, and can be readily derivatized with sensor components. The trigger was swapped in a one-pot method, which is promising for the rapid production of a series of sensors.
Epidemiology of Food-Borne Viruses

The prototype norovirus strain, Norwalk virus, was first described in 1972 following investigation of an outbreak of gastroenteritis at an elementary school in Norwalk, Ohio (Kapikian et al. 1972). Five years later, similar small round virus-like particles were identified in a series of outbreaks of food poisoning associated with consumption of cockles in the United Kingdom in which no bacterial etiology could be identified (Appleton and Pereira 1977). Despite these ground-breaking reports of what would later be classified as noroviruses causing gastroenteritis and specifically foodborne disease outbreaks dating back nearly 4 decades, recognition of the role of noroviruses in foodborne disease has been relatively recent. Insensitive early diagnostic methods, including electron microscopy and serology, and inability to culture noroviruses in vitro were largely to blame until the development of PCR-based diagnostic methods in the 1990s. The subsequent widespread implementation of these highly sensitive assays in both research and public health practice helped fuel a rapid expansion of knowledge in the field and specifically define the role of noroviruses in foodborne disease (Widdowson et al. 2005). Over the last decade, continued improvements in surveillance have helped establish noroviruses as the leading cause of foodborne disease in the United States and characterize their broader epidemiology.
The Role of Values in Disease

A loud point of contention among scholars who have examined the character of disease is the extent to which value judgments are requisite for or are implicit in these concepts. Perhaps this should come as no surprise given the popular presumption that medicine as a science should be value-neutral because any involvement of values means that the enterprise is subjective. Addressing this are those thinkers who hold that there is no need to resort to value considerations to identify, understand, or analyze accounts of disease. On the other side are those who hold that values play a key role in the identification of diseases. This chapter examines the axiology of disease, and specifically whether values are involved in disease and, if so, what are their nature. It argues that values do play a role and that the values that frame disease are stipulative in a limited way.