cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unintended Effects of Emphasizing the Role of Climate Change in Recent Natural Disasters

In 2017, the United States experienced a series of natural hazards (hurricanes, wildfires, and blizzards) that resulted in significant loss of life and property. Emphasizing the role of climate cha...
Proto-Object Based Saliency Model with Second-Order Texture Feature

The nervous system can rapidly select important information from a visual scene and pay attention to it. Bottom-up saliency models use low-level features such as intensity, color, and orientation to generate a saliency map that predicts human fixations. Such algorithms work well for many images, however they miss the influence of texture. In this paper, we add a second-order texture channel to a proto-object based saliency model. The extended model shows significantly improved performance in predicting human fixations.
Dissolution of ionizable drugs into unbuffered solution: a comprehensive model for mass transport and reaction in the rotating disk geometry.

A model has been developed to describe the mass transport and reaction of ionizable compounds where mass transfer is caused by convection and diffusion from a rotating disk. Dissolution rates of benzoic acid, 2-naphthoic acid, and indomethacin in aqueous solutions of high ionic strength (I = 0.5 with potassium chloride) at 25°C were investigated. The model includes the effects of diffusion, convection, and simultaneous acid/base reaction at all points in the region adjacent to the dissolving solid. The solution of the transport equations is obtained numerically with an iterative algorithm which uses (a) closure of all material balances and (b) equilibria at the solid/liquid surface as constraints. The model solution yields both the flux of the dissolving acid and the concentration profile of each component. Reduced values of all reaction rate constants are used in the region adjacent to the dissolving surface to allow convergence of the computation. Although nonequilibrium concentration values are calculated, it is shown that the theoretical dissolution rate determined as the solution of the model is insensitive to the magnitude of the rate constants as their maximum useable values are approached. Comparisons of the model results with experimentally determined fluxes show close agreement and confirm that the transport mechanisms in the model formulation are consistent with the measured values. Further, the inclusion of convection allows accurate calculations without utilization of an arbitrary boundary layer thickness. Accurate dissolution rates can be determined using this technique under a wide range of conditions, except at low pH.
Physical Chemistry of Epigenetics: Single-Molecule Investigations.

The nucleosome is the fundamental building block of the eukaryotic genome, composed of an ∼147 base-pair DNA fragment wrapping around an octameric histone protein core. DNA and histone proteins are targets of enzymatic chemical modifications that serve as signals for gene regulation. These modifications are often referred to as epigenetic modifications that govern gene activities without altering the DNA sequence. Although the term epigenetics initially required inheritability, it now frequently includes noninherited histone modifications associated with gene regulation. Important epigenetic modifications for healthy cell growth and proliferation include DNA methylation, histone acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation (SUMO = Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier). Our research focuses on the biophysical roles of these modifications in altering the structure and structural dynamics of the nucleosome and their implications in gene regulation mechanisms. As the changes are subtle ...
What is new in the treatment of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The diagnosis of WM is established by the presence of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma in the bone marrow or other organs, a monoclonal IgM paraproteinemia and the recurrent MYD88 L265P somatic mutation. Some patients with WM can be asymptomatic, in which case treatment is not indicated. However, most patients with WM will become symptomatic during the course of the disease, due to anemia, hyperviscosity, neuropathy, or other processes, necessitating therapy. Current treatment options for symptomatic WM patients include alkylating agents, proteasome inhibitors and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. The approval of the oral Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib alone and in combination with rituximab has expanded the treatment options for WM patients. The present Perspective would focus on exciting treatment strategies under development for WM patients, such as proteasome inhibitors (e.g., ixazomib), BTK inhibitors (e.g., acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib, vecabrutinib), BCL2 inhibitors (e.g., venetoclax), and anti-CXCR4 antibodies (e.g., ulocuplumab), among others. It is certainly an exciting time for WM therapy development with novel and promising treatment options in the horizon.
Abstract 375: Acetyl-CoA Production by Specific Metabolites Promotes Cardiac Repair After Myocardial Infarction via Mediating Histone Acetylation

In this study, we set out to identify an interlinked metabolic and epigenetic network that produces acetyl-CoA for histone acetylation and gene regulation, and determine whether this network promot...
Gastrointestinal disorders-induced pain

Abstract Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), now better defined as disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are disorders of gut-brain interaction. Chronic episodic abdominal pain and discomfort constitute integral diagnostic criteria of these disorders. A common feature of these disorders is heightened pain sensitivity to experimental gut stimulation, termed visceral pain hypersensitivity (VPH). Visceral pain disorders are a tremendous health care burden; continues to pose a significantly unmet medical need, negatively affecting the lives of millions of individuals worldwide in all ethnic groups and all economic classes. The origin and maintenance of visceral pain involves peripheral and central mechanisms. In this review, we have highlighted the roles of the Microbiota, Nerve growth factor (NGF), NLRP3 inflammasome and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tried to address the potential for manipulating these as a therapeutic target for FGIDs associated with visceral pain hypersensitivity which may warrant for drug development in the future.
Merging to Dodge Taxes? Unexpected Consequences of VAT Adoption in India

This paper investigates whether tax evasion creates incentives among firms to reorganize their production under Value-added Tax (VAT). VAT is world’s most popular consumption tax and is considered revenue efficient since cross-reporting of firm-to-firm transactions facilitates self- enforcement. However, the ability to evade tax on consumer transactions creates incentives for the last two firms in the production chain to integrate vertically. In this paper, I test this hypothesis by using a quasi-experiment in India where the sales tax was replaced with VAT in a staggered manner between 2003 and 2008, changing tax evasion opportunities along the production chain. A differences- in-differences analysis reveals that after the reform, treated firms sourced more “upstream” products and had a larger number of vertical mergers, indicating greater vertical integration under VAT. In addition, the effect is largest for firms that are closest to final demand indicating that tax-evasion is one of the channels. Overall, the results suggest that VAT is no longer production efficient in settings of low compliance.
Domain-Specific Tasks Differentiate Cortical Areas with Similar Sensory Responses

The brain is organized into distinct, but not rigid, networks. Sensory systems, for example, are enormously flexible, with cognitive variables such as attention, value, and memory able to alter sensory representations in accordance with moment-to-moment behavioral demands. Understanding these top-down modulations requires several experimental considerations. First, to understand network function, task demands must be congruent with the domain to which a network is sensitive. Second, bottom-up, sensory input must remain identical to isolate top-down effects. By combining high SNR functional imaging with the presentation of identical face stimuli under varying task demands, we have demonstrated the presence of novel face-relevant signals in regions homologous to those in non-human primate. Critically, one task was domain-specific, requiring that participants report face perception. The anterior inferior temporal region, which has historically proved difficult to resolve in humans, is both preferentially activated under challenging conditions and uniquely encodes the trial-by-trial variability of perception.
Mild traumatic brain injury induces transient, sequential increases in proliferation, neurogenesis, and cell survival: a time course study in the male mouse dentate gyrus

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) are prevalent worldwide. mTBIs can impair hippocampal-based functions such as memory and cause network hyperexcitability of the dentate gyrus (DG), a key entry point to hippocampal circuitry. One candidate for mediating mTBI-induced hippocampal cognitive and physiological dysfunction is injury-induced changes in DG neurogenesis, a process that mediates spatial/contextual memory. There are conflicting results on how TBI impacts DG neurogenesis; this is not surprising given that both the neurogenesis process and the post-injury period are dynamic, and that neurogenesis quantification varies widely in the literature. Even within the minority of TBI studies focusing specifically on mild injuries, there is disagreement about if and how mTBI changes DG neurogenesis. Here we utilized a clinically-relevant rodent model of mTBI (lateral fluid percussion injury, LFPI), gold-standard neurogenesis markers and quantification approaches, and three time points post-injury to generate a comprehensive picture of how mTBI affects adult hippocampal DG neurogenesis. Male C57BL/6J mice (6-8 weeks old) received either sham surgery or mTBI via LFPI. Proliferating cells, neuroblasts/immature neurons, and surviving cells were quantified via stereology in DG subregions (subgranular zone [SGZ], outer granule cell layer [GCL], molecular layer, and hilus) at short-term (3 days post-injury, dpi), intermediate (7 dpi), and long-term (31 dpi) time points. The data suggest this model of mTBI induces transient, sequential increases in ipsilateral SGZ/GCL proliferating cells, immature neurons, and surviving cells which are indicative of mTBI-induced neurogenesis. In contrast to these ipsilateral hemisphere findings, measures in the contralateral hemisphere show no increase in neurogenesis indices in the key neurogenic DG subregions. Our work in this mTBI model is in line with the large fraction of literature that reports increased DG neurogenesis in other and more severe models of TBI. As our DG neurogenesis data in this mTBI model provide temporal, subregional, and neurogenesis-stage resolution, these data are important to consider in regard to the functional importance of TBI-induced neurogenesis and future work assessing the potential of replacing and/or repairing DG neurons in the brain after TBI.
Who's practicing expedited partner therapy and why? Insights from providers working in high STI-volume specialties.

BACKGROUND Expedited partner therapy (EPT), the practice of prescribing antibiotics for sexual partners of patients, is underutilized in Georgia. This qualitative study in a large urban institution aimed to (1) characterize the clinical specialties that predominantly treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs), (2) identify perceived barriers to EPT, and (3) describe strategies to advance routine EPT use. METHODS Providers in obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN), infectious disease (ID), and emergency medicine (EM) were interviewed using a structured discussion guide. Transcripts were double-coded and iteratively analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Barriers and strategies were summarized and supported with quotes from providers (n = 23). RESULTS Perceived EPT barriers overlapped across OB/GYN, ID, and EM, yet the settings were diverse in their patient populations, resources, and concerns. Providers in OB/GYN were the only ones practicing EPT, yet there was a lack of standardization. Providers in ID noted that an EPT prescription from an ID provider could inadvertently disclose the HIV status of a patient to a sexual partner, posing an ethical dilemma. Providers in EM exhibited readiness for EPT, although routine empiric treatment for index patients in EM (estimated at 90%) gave some providers pause in prescribing for partners: "I do not know what I'm treating." Point-of-care testing could increase providers' confidence in prescribing EPT, yet some worried it could contribute to overutilization of the emergency department as a sexually transmitted infection clinic. All settings prioritized setting-specific training and protocols. CONCLUSIONS Providers in OB/GYN, ID, and EM report unique hurdles, specific to their settings and patient populations; tailored EPT implementation strategies, particularly provider training, are urgently needed to improve patient/partner outcomes.
Thymosin β4 dynamics during chicken enteroid development.

The sheared avian intestinal villus-crypts exhibit high tendency to self-repair and develop enteroids in culture. Presuming that this transition process involves differential biomolecular changes, we employed matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF–MS) to find whether there were differences in the spectral profiles of sheared villi versus the enteroids, assessed in the mass range of 2–18 kDa. The results showed substantial differences in the intensities of the spectral peaks, one particularly corresponding to the mass of 4963 Da, which was significantly low in the sheared villus-crypts compared with the enteroids. Based on our previous results with other avian tissues and further molecular characterization by LC-ESI-IT-TOF–MS, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), the peak was identified to be thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a ubiquitously occurring regulatory peptide implicated in wound healing process. The identity of the peptide was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry which showed it to be present in a very low levels in the sheared villi but replete in the enteroids. Since Tβ4 sequesters G-actin preventing its polymerization to F-actin, we compared the changes in F-actin by its immunohistochemical localization that showed no significant differences between the sheared villi and enteroids. We propose that depletion of Tβ4 likely precedes villous reparation process. The possible mechanism for the differences in Tβ4 profile in relation to the healing of the villus-crypts to developing enteroids is discussed.
Changing the time intervals between cisplatin cycles alter its ototoxic side effect.

Abstract Various methods have been tested and deployed clinically to identify and minimize cisplatin ototoxicity. Upon early identification of hearing loss, one of the possible approaches to reducing future ototoxicity is to increase the gaps or breaks between cycles or doses of cisplatin. However, recent findings about the retention of cisplatin in the cochlea and the potential for its long-term ototoxic effects call into question whether such an approach is effective in reducing hearing loss. The current study was undertaken to determine whether increasing the rest intervals between cycles of cisplatin altered the resulting ototoxicity. CBA/CaJ mice were exposed to a cumulative dose of 48 mg/kg cisplatin delivered in three cycles of 16 mg/kg (4 mg/kg per day for 4 consecutive days). The cycles were separated by either 10, 17, or 87 days to determine if the inter-cycle rest intervals affected resulting ototoxicity. Ototoxicity was measured using auditory brainstem response threshold shifts and hair cell losses. Results indicated that longer intervals between cycles of cisplatin led to lower threshold shifts and outer hair cell lesions. The results support the principle that ‘slowing down’ cisplatin dosing by increasing rest intervals between doses can reduce the ototoxic side effect. Further testing is needed to optimize the timing and to determine the impact of longer inter-cycle intervals on cisplatin's anti-tumor efficacy.
P77 Evaluation of “Deciding on a Nontraditional Career Path: Networking Nutrition Students with Professionals”

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a seminar featuring a variety of nontraditional career opportunities available for nutrition majors. Use of Theory or Research Social Learning Theory suggests that individuals learn from observing others (models). Alumni can be models for students. Target Audience Undergraduate and graduate nutrition majors. Program Description Since many students are only exposed to traditional careers in hospital, community and food service settings as part of curriculum, nutrition faculty sought to expand students’ perceptions of the nutrition field by highlighting nontraditional careers. Four alumni representing nontraditional careers in government, higher education, international work and business/website design were chosen to speak at a virtual panel. Each alumnus described their education/training, career path, lessons learned and words of wisdom. Prior to the program, a pre-event slideshow featured an additional 27 nutrition alumni in nontraditional careers including public relations, food policy, media, medicine, management and more. Evaluation Methods An IRB-approved survey was sent to participants via email immediately following the seminar. Before distribution, face validity and content were confirmed. Results Of the 203 seminar participants, 84% (n = 171) were students and 51% (n = 88) of the students completed the post-seminar survey. Of those responding, 87% (n = 77) were female, 78% (n = 69) were White and 91% (n = 80) were in a nutrition major. Of the 80 nutrition majors who finished the survey, 99% (n = 79) indicated they learned about new careers through the seminar and 96% (n = 77) stated they learned of resources to pursue a nontraditional career. Almost all, 95% (n = 76) responded their knowledge regarding the benefits of networking improved and 96% (n = 77) believed their knowledge of the role of nutrition professionals in nontraditional careers increased. Conclusion A seminar featuring alumni can be an effective way for faculty to expose students to nontraditional career options, the importance of networking and resources to navigate their future careers.
High inclusion rates of hybrid rye instead of corn in diets for growing-finishing pigs does not influence overall growth performance and most carcass traits are not influenced by hybrid rye.

It was hypothesized that hybrid rye may replace corn in diets for growing and finishing pigs without impacting growth performance, carcass characteristics, or meat quality. A total of 128 pigs (23.69 ± 2.51 kg) were allotted to 4 treatments with 8 replicate pens per treatment. Phase 1 and 2 diets were fed for 35 d each and phase 3 diets were fed for 27 d. Within each phase, pigs were fed a control corn and soybean meal diet or a diet in which 33, 66, or 100% of the corn in the control diet was replaced with hybrid rye. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased (linear, P < 0.05) in phase 1 with increased dietary inclusion of hybrid rye. In phase 3, gain:feed (G:F) increased and then decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) with more hybrid rye in the diet. Overall ADG, ADFI, and G:F did not differ among treatments. Diet did not impact most carcass traits, but loin (visual) and backfat (instrumental L*) color were paler (linear, P < 0.05) with greater inclusion of hybrid rye in the diet. Organ weights increased (linear, P < 0.05) with increased dietary hybrid rye. In conclusion, pigs fed hybrid rye consumed less feed in phase 1, resulting in reduced ADG, but growth performance for the entire growing-finishing period did not differ among treatments. Hybrid rye may replace all the corn in growing and finishing pig diets without diminishing growth performance or carcass quality, but feed intake may be reduced at high inclusion rates.
Novel role for tumor suppressor gene, liver kinase B1, in epithelial mesenchymal transition leading to chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated to play a role in chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), a tumor suppressor gene, can regulate EMT. However, its role in CLAD development following lung transplantation remains unknown. Using qRT-PCR, biopsies from lung transplant recipients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) demonstrated significant downregulation of LKB1 (p=0.0001), compared to stable biopsies. To determine the role of LKB1 in EMT development, we analyzed EMT in human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. Knockdown of LKB1 by siRNA significantly dysregulated mesenchymal markers expression in BEAS-2B cells. Following incubation of human primary bronchial epithelial cell or BEAS-2B cells with exosomes isolated from BOS or stable lung transplant recipients, LKB1 expression was inhibited when incubated with BOS-exosome. Incubation with BOS-exosomes also decreased LKB1 expression and induced EMT markers in air-liquid interface culture method. Our results provide novel evidence that exosomes released from transplanted lungs undergoing chronic rejection are associated with inactivated tumor suppressor gene LKB1 and this loss induces EMT leading to the pathogenesis of CLAD following human lung transplantation.
Molecular Systematics and the Evolution of Arthropods

Systematics is the study of phylogeny and taxonomy. Taxonomy is into descriptive taxonomy and identification. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is suitable for systematics studies because it provides the most direct analysis of a genetic material possible and is unlikely to be confounded by life stage or environmentally induced variability. Molecular techniques commonly used include analyses of isozymes, molecular cytogenetics, restriction analyses of DNA sequences, and DNA sequencing. Each method has virtues and limitations in the amount and type of information provided, their technical difficulties, and their costs. There have been several significant controversies associated with the use of molecular techniques to study systematics and evolution. These include debates over the relative importance of molecular versus morphological data, the constancy of a molecular clock for evaluating time of divergence of taxa, the proper use of the terms “homology” and “similarity”, and the neutrality of a DNA sequence variation. Another issue of how to resolve incongruencies between molecular- and morphology-based phylogenies is discussed in the chapter. The immense diversity of insects and their long evolutionary history provide a challenge, but the use of molecular data provides new opportunities to discern the long and diverse evolutionary histories of arthropods and their relatives. With the use of molecular methods, systematists and population geneticists have started to use common approaches to study both intraspecific and interspecific genetic diversity.
Discontinuous DNA synthesis by purified mammalian proteins.

Five proteins purified from mouse cells acting together efficiently convert a single-stranded circular DNA template to covalently closed duplex circle by a discontinuous mechanism. DNA polymerase alpha/primase with the assistance of alpha accessory factor covers the single-stranded circle with RNA-primed DNA fragments. Primers are removed by a combination of RNase H-1 and a 5‘-exonuclease that was identified by its ability to complete this in vitro system. The 5‘-exonuclease is required to remove residual one or two ribonucleotides at the primer/DNA junction that are resistant to RNase H-1. Gap filling is by the DNA polymerase alpha/primase, and DNA ligase I converts the DNA fragments to continuous strand. The concerted action of the five proteins emulates synthesis of the staging strand at the replication fork.
Abstract 1133: Parasympathetic Effect On Cardiac Electrophysiology Is Preserved At Rest In Patients With Depressed Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Introduction: Parasympathetic effects (PE) on cardiac electrophysiology during exercise (Ex) and post-exercise recovery (Rec), a time of heightened risk for sudden death, have not been studied in patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We hypothesized that PE are suppressed in subjects with low LVEF. Methods: Non-invasive programmed stimulation (NIPS) was performed during multiple bicycle exercise sessions in 10 subjects (9 men, age 60 ± 9 yr, LVEF 29 ± 8%) with ICDs during rest, Ex, and Rec at baseline and after parasympathetic blockade with atropine. PE was calculated as the difference in the value of the parameter of interest in the absence of atropine minus its value in the presence of atropine. Results: PE (figure; *p Conclusions: Surprisingly, PE is preserved in patients with depressed LVEF, though there may be a longer lag to restoration of PE in the recovery period. These data underscore that understanding the pathophysiologic role of PE in sudden death cannot be achieved with surrogate measures of sinus node effects.
Cerium chloride-catalyzed addition of grignard reagents to vinylogous esters: An improved route to 3-substituted cyclopent-2-en-1-ones

Abstract Addition of Grignard reagents to vinylogous esters in the presence of cerium chloride results in an improved one-pot synthesis of 3-substituted cyclopent-2-en-1-ones
Induction of Hormone Receptors and Responsiveness during Cellular Differentiation

Publisher Summary The chapter focuses primarily on the hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase system as one indication of the state of cellular differentiation. During the process of differentiation, cells acquire various specialized functions, and the responsiveness of cells to hormones is often associated with a more differentiated state. Differentiation is a complex process. Even when studying a single function, such as hormone sensitivity, numerous other factors must be considered. Therefore, by using cultured cells, the cellular environment can be brought under better control, thus reducing the number of variables within the experimentation. Due to adaptation to artificial growth conditions, established cell cultures often become partially dedifferentiated and, in many cases, no longer retain the initial cellular characteristics. Certain chemical compounds induce differentiated functions in several established cell lines. Friend erythroleukemic cells (a line of erythroblasts transformed with Friend leukemia virus) and HeLa cells derived from a human cervical carcinoma, are well characterized in this regard. Various model systems such as 3T3-LI adipocyte, liver cells, granulosa cells, and Madin-Darby Canine kidney (MDCK) cells are discussed.
The effect of gate-voltage-dependent mobility on thermal noise in MOSFETs

Abstract It is shown that while the gate-voltage-dependent mobility in MOSFETs has a very large effect upon the ( I ds , V g ) characteristic,, it has only a relatively small effect on the thermal noise parameter α sat = R n g max .
Preliminary Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Particulate Deposition on IGCC Turbine Film-Cooling in a High-Pressure Combustion Facility

Researchers at West Virginia University are working with the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to study the effects of particulate deposition on turbine film cooling in a high pressure and high temperature environment. To simulate deposition on the pressure side of an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) turbine first stage vane, angled film-cooled test articles with thermal barrier coatings (TBC) are subjected to accelerated deposition at a pressure of approximately 4 atm and a gas temperature of 1100°C. Two different test article geometries were designed, with angles of 10° and 20° to the mainstream flow. Both geometries have straight-cooling holes oriented at a 30° angle to the hot-side surface. A high pressure seeding system was used to generate a particulate concentration of approximately 33.3 ppmw. Particle concentrations of 0.02 ppmw exist in the IGCC hot gas path. An accelerated simulation method was developed to simulate deposition that would occur in 10000 hr of engine operation. Preliminary tests were performed at 4 atm and 1100 °C to validate the deposition process. The results showed more deposition on the 20° test article than the 10° test articles; however no substantial deposition developed on either test article. A lumped mass analysis showed that the fly ash particles dropped below the theoretical sticking temperature as they approached the test article. Deposition was analyzed non-destructively through visual observation and scanning with a scanning laser microscope. Based on the initial test run results, a detailed plan was created to increase the operating temperature of the rig and allow two 3-hour tests to be performed on each of the test articles. Non-destructive testing will be used before, in between and after the runs to examine the evolution of the deposition growth. Following the final run, destructive testing will be used to examine the chemical composition of the deposits and their potential interaction with the TBC. Preliminary work will lead to a future study the would enhance the understanding of particle deposition evolution and examine the effects of deposition on film cooling by performing the tests in a high-pressure and high-temperature environment that is similar to the high-pressure combustion exhaust gas environment of the first stage region in IGCC turbines.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Heisenberg equations of motion for the charged spin-3/2 fields

We show that contrary to recent claims, the Lagrange and Heisenberg equations of motion are the same for the quantized charged spin-$\frac{3}{2}$ field in the presence of a minimal external electromagnetic interaction. For dynamical systems with constraints depending upon external fields, the explicit dependence of the dynamical variables upon these external fields must be taken into account.
Survey of dating habits of male and female college students: A necessary precursor to measurement and modification

A survey that assessed dating behavior and dating problems was administered to 90 male and 105 female students at a large American university. Data were analyzed in terms of differences in college class, sex, and dating frequency. There were few differences in reported behaviors or problems across college class. In contrast, there were substantial differences between male and female students and between high- and low-frequency daters. The results were discussed in terms of current literature and recommendations for future research.
Stimulation of growth in Papaya and other plants by dilute salt solutions

The growth of Solo papaya, Winter rye and Chinese cabbage is enhanced when they are cultivated in saline waters at 2500 to 3200 ppm total dissolved solids. Stimulation began at the germinating stage with rye and cabbage, but in the case of papaya only with 6 to 8 week old plants. The stimulation noted was not nutritionally based, as a complete nutrient was included.
Racial Differences in Breast Cancer Survival in Iowa

: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of race on breast cancer survival, while controlling for the effects of patient age and stage at diagnosis. Subjects were 35,594 women diagnosed with primary breast cancer in Iowa from 1973 through early 1993. Data on subjects were provided from the State Health Registry of Iowa's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result program, a population-based tumor registry. To determine if race was a significant predictor of survival, independent of patient age and stage at diagnosis, Cox's proportional hazards multiple regression analyses were used to estimate relative risk of death between races. Separate analyses were conducted for outcomes of breast cancer deaths and deaths from all cancers. Results of univariate analyses indicated African-American women had significantly poorer survival from breast cancer. However, after controlling for patient age and stage at diagnosis, race was not a significant independent predictor of survival. African-American women were 1.18 times as likely to die from breast cancer as Caucasian women (95% confidence interval: 0.94, 1.50). Results were similar for all cancer mortality. African-American women had poorer survival from breast cancer than Caucasian women, apparently due to breast cancer diagnosis at significantly younger ages and more advanced stage. These results indicate that public health measures aimed at earlier diagnosis in African-Americans might produce success in reducing racial differences in survival.
Decoding the (24,12,8) Golay code

A simplified procedure, called the shift-search method, is developed to decode the three possible errors in a (23,12,7) Golay codeword. The algebraic decoding algorithm developed recently by Elia is compared with this algorithm. A computer simulation shows that both algorithms are modular, regular and naturally suitable for either VLSI or software implementation. Both of these algorithms decode efficiently the 1/2-rate (24,12) Golay code for correcting three errors and detecting four errors. The algebraic technique is a slightly faster algorithm in software than the shift-search procedure.
Beyond white matter damage: fetal neuronal injury in a mouse model of preterm birth

Objective The purpose of this study was to elucidate possible mechanisms of fetal neuronal injury in inflammation-induced preterm birth. Study Design With the use of a mouse model of preterm birth, the following primary cultures were prepared from fetal brains: (1) control neurons (CNs), (2) lipopolysaccharide-exposed neurons (LNs), (3) control coculture (CCC) that consisted of neurons and glia, and (4) lipopolysaccharide-exposed coculture (LCC) that consisted of lipopolysaccharide-exposed neurons and glia. CNs and LNs were treated with culture media from CN, LN, CCC, and LCC after 24 hours in vitro. Immunocytochemistry was performed for culture characterization and neuronal morphologic evidence. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed for neuronal differentiation marker, microtubule-associated protein 2, and for cell death mediators, caspases 1, 3, and 9. Results Lipopolysaccharide exposure in vivo did not influence neuronal or glial content in cocultures but decreased the expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 in LNs. Media from LNs and LCCs induced morphologic changes in control neurons that were comparable with LNs. The neuronal damage caused by in vivo exposure (LNs) could not be reversed by media from control groups. Conclusion Lipopolysaccharide-induced preterm birth may be responsible for irreversible neuronal injury.
Hyperactive interneurons impair learning in a neurofibromatosis model.

Neurofibromatosis type I is often associated with learning disabilities. Recent work shows that lack of neurofibromin impairs memory because overactive ERK signaling in hippocampal interneurons causes excessive GABA release.
The role of KasA and KasB in the biosynthesis of meromycolic acids and isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis has two discrete β-ketoacyl synthases encoded by kasA and kasB that are located in tandem within a five-gene operon that has been implicated in isoniazid-sensitivity and mycolic acid synthesis. We have developed an in vitro meromycolic acid synthase assay to elucidate the anabolic role of these enzymes. Overproduction of KasA and KasB individually and together in M. smegmatis enabled cell-free incorporation of [ 14 C]malonyl-CoA into lipids whose chain length was dependent upon the M. tuberculosis elongating enzyme used. KasA specifically elongated palmitoyl-CoA to monounsaturated fatty acids that averaged 40 carbons in length. KasB hyperproduction in the presence of KasA produced longer chain multiunsaturated hydrocarbons averaging 54 carbons in length. These products comigrated with a synthetic standard of meromycolic acid and their production was sensitive to isoniazid, thiolactomycin, and triclosan. KasA mutations associated with isoniazid resistance produced an enzyme that had a diminished overall catalytic activity but conferred enhanced resistance to isoniazid. In vivo analysis confirmed that overexpression of each of the four mutant KasAs enhanced isoniazid resistance when compared to overexpression of wild-type KasA. These results suggest discrete anabolic roles for both KasA and KasB in mycolic acid synthesis and substantiate the involvement of KasA mutations in isoniazid resistance.
Synthesis of Phosphine−Rhodium Complexes Attached to a Standard Peptide Synthesis Resin

Solid-phase peptide synthesis was used to synthesize polymer-supported, peptide-based bis(phosphine sulfides). Chemistry was developed that allows for the conversion of the phosphine sulfides to phosphines while they remain attached to the support resin. The transformation of protected phosphine to phosphine to metal complex was followed by solid-state 31P NMR. The resin-supported rhodium complexes were used in the hydrogenation of olefins.
Transpiration and Stomatal Opening with Changes in Carbon Dioxide Content of the Air

Increasing the carbon dioxide content of air reduces the transpiration rate of corn and sorghum plants and, to a lesser extent, of cotton, soybean, and tomato plants by causing the stomata to close. Closure of corn and sorghum stomata occurred when the concentrations of carbon dioxide were 2000 and 3000 parts per million, respectively. Cotton, soybean, and tomato stomata did not close completely at concentrations of carbon dioxide up to 4000 parts per million.
Analysis of a long period fading component in saturated VHF amplitude scintillation observed at Ascension Island

Abstract Previous studies of saturated VHF amplitude scintillations on geostationary satellite beacon signals measured at Ascension Island have shown that the temporal coherence time of the saturated scintillation is generally on the order of several tenths of a second in the post-sunset to pre-midnight period. These scintillation events are often associated with equatorial plasma bubbles. In this paper we show that this rapid fading is accompanied by slow fluctuations on time scales on the order of several minutes having peak to peak amplitudes of ~ 6 dB. These fluctuations are associated with the scale sizes in the diffraction pattern on the ground that are more than 10 times the Fresnel dimension. Analysis of this fading component shows that a characteristic long period fading signature is often present at the very beginning and end of a patch. By modeling this signature, it is shown to be consistent with what is expected for a wave encountering the sharp, vertically elongated edge of a large scale depletion in electron density. In addition, a composite fading spectrum covering 4 1 2 decades in frequency is shown to agree closely with strong scintillation model spectra computed using a two component power-law spectrum model for the ionospheric irregularities. This composite spectrum extends previously reported spectra down in frequency by 2 decades, and offers the rare opportunity to verify predictions based on scintillation theory.
MINDO/3, MNDO and AM1 calculations for nitro compounds

Abstract Although the MINDO/3, MNDO and AM1 molecular orbital programs accurately predict physical properties for a wide variety of classes of chemical compounds, their ability to estimate the physcial properties of nitro-compounds has not been rigorously tested. This paper compares MINDO/3, MNDO and AM1 calculations to each other and to available experimental data for 105 nitro-compounds – both aliphatic and aromatic. Properties evaluated include heats of formation, dipole moments, ionization potentials and molecular geometries. In general MINDO/3 predicts heats of formation, dipole moments and ionization potentials more accurately than MNDO and AM1. All three semi-empirical methods accurately predict molecular geometries.
Neuropeptide K (NPK) suppresses copulatory behavior in male rats

Recent studies show that neuropeptide K (NPK), a member of the tachykinin family of neuropeptides, is found in various hypothalamic sites implicated in the control of gonadotropin secretion, food intake and sexual behavior. Since our previous studies showed that NPK inhibited feeding and gonadotropin secretion in rats, we have now assessed the effects of NPK on sexual behavior in male rats. Copulatory behavior was recorded subsequent to injection of different doses of NPK either into the third ventricle of the brain or intraperitoneally in sexually experienced male rats. We observed that intraventricular (IVT) administration of 0.125 nmol NPK produced only a slight effect on behavior as indicated by a significant increase in intromission latency. However, a four-fold higher dose of 0.5 nmol of NPK completely eliminated copulatory behavior. These rats displayed no overt locomotor deficit but ignored the receptive females, rarely approaching them during the test period. Only two mounts and no intromissions were observed in 6 rats during the test period. In contrast, neither the same dose of 0.5 nmol nor a higher dose of 3.14 nmol injected intraperitoneally produced any discernible effect on sexual performance. These results show that NPK acts centrally to inhibit sexual behavior in male rats and that hypothalamic NPK may be an important part of the neural circuit that regulates reproduction and related behaviors.
Surface relaxation of Ti(0001): Influence of hydrogen contamination

Low-energy electron-diffraction intensity versus voltage (LEED $I\ensuremath{-}V)$ measurements and analysis are used to determine the multilayer surface relaxation of Ti(0001). Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) measurements are used to accurately characterize the level of hydrogen contamination on the Ti(0001) surface during LEED measurements. While the EELS studies suggest that it is impossible to maintain a hydrogen-free Ti(0001) surface during LEED measurements, a suitably low average surface hydrogen contamination is achieved to establish a meaningful value for the intrinsic first-layer relaxation by extrapolation to the clean surface value. The Ti(0001) surface with the lowest achieved level of residual hydrogen exhibits first ${(d}_{12})$ and second ${(d}_{23})$ layer relaxations of $\ensuremath{-}4.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1%$ and $+1.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1%,$ respectively, relative to the bulk lattice spacing ${d}_{0}=2.342\AA{}.$ This result for ${d}_{12},$ which represents a lower limit (minimum value) of first-layer contraction, is more nearly in agreement with theoretical predictions than the previous experimental value, and tends to support the ``promotion-hybridization'' picture of surface relaxation proposed by Feibelman. LEED data indicate that, at high coverage, hydrogen induces disorder in the Ti(0001) surface.
Theoretical proposal: a tunable heterogeneous catalyst

First principle calculations predict that the massive surface reconstruction of cubic alumina can be switched on or off by controlling the bulk H content and temperature. In one state the surface contains highly valence unsaturated Al atoms, the source of surface acidity central to catalysis. In the other state, these Al atoms bury themselves below the surface, giving a weaker surface acidity and a softer catalyst. These results evince a surface catalytic activity of alumina that can be tuned by switching between these two modes, opening the way for tunable heterogeneous catalysis.
The mixed cell agglutination method for typing mummified human tissue.

A, B, and O(H) antigens have been demonstrated in mummified epidermal tissue by means of the mixed agglutination method. This mixed erythrocyte-epidermal cell agglutination is possible since both cell types possess a common antigen. Tissue samples derived from prehistoric aboriginal populations of the Aleutian Islands, the Southwestern United States and Peru and Chile were subjected to testing using this technique. The continuity in ABO type between these aboriginal specimens and those of living populations is remarkable. A, B, AB and O(H) types were found to be represented in the 30 Aleut specimens while the Southwestern United States materials revealed just antigens A and O. Only the O antigen was recorded from specimens from Peru and Chile.
The conserved terminal guanosine of a group I intron can help prevent reopening of the ligated exons.

Abstract The highly conserved terminal guanosine of the Tetrahymena group I intron was mutated to an adenosine. The intron still excised itself but more slowly than the wild-type. At very low concentrations of GTP only ligated exons were produced, but at high concentrations of GTP unligated exons accumulated and the 3′ exon acquired a GTP at its 5′ end. A series of experiments suggested that GTP was primarily reopening the ligated exons, rather than directly cleaving the 3′ splice site. 5′ Truncated forms of the wild-type intron can cleave RNA in trans . Cleavage takes place downstream of sequences similar to the last few bases of the 5′ exon. The ligated exons would therefore be a potential substrate. We believe that the intron uses the terminal guanosine to compete with exogenous GTP until the ligated exons have dissociated from their binding site. Other interactions between intron sequences which are known to aid in 3′ splice-site recognition may assist in this process.
Evaluation of thin film coatings for erosive–corrosive wear prevention in die casting dies

AbstractDie casting dies are exposed to an extreme erosive–corrosive environment during a typical die casting operation using aluminium alloys. The erosive actions are primarily due to the high velocity injection of the liquid melt through narrow gates. This molten spray of liquid droplets attacks surfaces in front of the gates and normal to the flow front and is called ‘washout’ by die casters. The corrosive action on the other hand is governed by the solubility of the die material (often H13) in the molten aluminium alloy and is controlled by the composition of the cast metal and the die steel, and causes ‘soldering’ in die casting. To protect die surfaces from these erosive–corrosive actions, surface treatments and thin film ceramic coatings applied by PVD and CVD techniques have been evaluated using both laboratory tests and production evaluation. This paper provides details of the coating candidates, the tests, and the analysis of coating failure. It presents the results of these tests and explains t...
Shedding Light on Mysterious Microtubules

We have known for decades that vertebrate kinetochores can nucleate microtubules. However, the role of such microtubules was unclear. Kitamura et al. investigated this issue by following a marked budding yeast centromere after its conditional reactivation to examine microtubule capture at unattached kinetochores. They found not only that yeast kinetochores can nucleate microtubules, but also that such microtubules facilitate attachment by decreasing the time required for spindle-pole-associated microtubules to make contact with unattached kinetochores. Historically, the fact that microtubules nucleated at kinetochores are opposite in polarity to those in mature spindle fibers was used to argue that they were not physiologically relevant for spindle assembly. Kitamura et al. have now shown that they, in fact, do play a role, and then rapidly depolymerize after spindle fiber attachments form. In sum, this paper provides a function for a previously mysterious microtubule population and outlines a surprising and dynamic mechanism through which kinetochore-originated microtubules assist spindle pole microtubules to efficiently "locate" unattached kinetochores. It also shows how this assistance mechanism is shut off to dim the "locator beacon" after correct attachments have been made. Understanding Kinetochore-Nucleated Microtubules Tomoyuki Tanaka, with the help of Etsushi Kitamura and Shinya Komoto, explains his group's key findings regarding the roles of kinetochore-generated microtubules in mitosis.