cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Student Initiative Improves HIV Screening Rate in Student-Run Free Clinic.

Background The Center for Disease Control provides recommendations for preventative services and screenings including recommendations for a one-time HIV screening of all adult patients between the ages of 13-64. But not all clinics are fully compliant with these recommendations. We identified a need for increased screening at two clinics in a rural setting. As a healthcare quality improvement initiative, we developed educational informatics to increase screening compliance. Methods This project assessed HIV screening rates before and after educational interventions at two clinics, the Coyote Clinic and the Avera Downtown Clinic. Three changes were implemented to increase the HIV screening rate and ultimately provide more effective high-quality health care. The three initiatives focused on patients, physicians, and student volunteers in order to provide a strong foundation of knowledge to all parties involved in a patient's care. Results Prior to any interventions, the baseline screening rate (screenings/100 persons) at the Avera Downtown Clinic was 0.84 while the screening rate at the Coyote Clinic was 0.00. After the proposed interventions, the screening rate of the Downtown Clinic improved to 3.97 and the screening rate at the Coyote Clinic improved to 29.4. Using a Fisher's Exact test, we found a statistically significant post-intervention increase in HIV screening at the Coyote Clinic after the intervention (p = 0.0002) but not at the Downtown Clinic (p = 0.0940.) Conclusion HIV screening rates improved after the implementation of interventional education initiatives tailored for patients, medical students, and physicians. Implementation of low-cost quality improvement measures such as the ones detailed herein may significantly improve long-term patient management, particularly in the context of screening tests.
Observing Quantum Dynamics in Real Time: An Excel-Ready Finite-Difference Algorithm for Solving the Time-Dependent Schrödinger Equation.

We present an algorithm for solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation that is based on the finite-difference expression of the kinetic energy operator. Students who have some knowledge of lin...
Methionine Availability in the Arthropod Intestine Is Elucidated through Identification of Vibrio cholerae Methionine Acquisition Systems.

While only a subset of Vibrio cholerae are human diarrheal pathogens, all are aquatic organisms. In this environment, they often persist in close association with arthropods. In the intestinal lumen of the model arthropod Drosophila melanogaster, methionine and methionine sulfoxide decrease susceptibility to V. cholerae infection. In addition to its structural role in proteins, methionine participates in the methionine cycle, which carries out synthetic and regulatory methylation reactions. It is, therefore, essential for the growth of both animals and bacteria. Methionine is scarce in some environments, and the facile conversion of free methionine to methionine sulfoxide in oxidizing environments interferes with its utilization. To ensure an adequate supply of methionine, the genomes of most organisms encode multiple high affinity uptake pathways for methionine as well as multiple methionine sulfoxide reductases, which reduce free and protein-associated methionine sulfoxide to methionine. To explore the role of methionine uptake and reduction in V. cholerae colonization of the arthropod intestine, we mutagenized the two high affinity methionine transporters and five methionine sulfoxide reductases encoded in the V. cholerae genome. We show that MsrC is the sole methionine sulfoxide reductase active on free methionine sulfoxide. Furthermore, in the absence of methionine synthesis, high affinity methionine uptake but not reduction is essential for V. cholerae colonization of the Drosophila intestine. These findings allow us to place a lower limit of 0.05 mM and an upper limit of 0.5 mM on the methionine concentration in the Drosophila intestine. Importance Methionine is an essential amino acid involved in both biosynthetic and regulatory processes in the bacterial cell. To ensure an adequate supply of methionine, bacteria have evolved multiple systems to synthesize, import, and recover this amino acid. To explore the importance of methionine synthesis, transport, and recovery in any environment, all these systems must be identified and mutagenized. Here we have mutagenized every high affinity methionine uptake system and methionine sulfoxide reductase encoded in the genome of the diarrheal pathogen V. cholerae. We use this information to determine that high affinity methionine uptake systems are sufficient to acquire methionine in the intestine of the model arthropod Drosophila melanogaster but are not involved in virulence and that the intestinal concentration of methionine must be between 0.05 mM and 0.5 mM.
Soft Tissue Reconstruction of the Middle Third of the Leg

The tibia is one of the strongest bones in the body, but ironically, its anterior surface is covered by an extremely thin layer of soft tissue that is easily devascularized. Injuries to this part of the leg are high-energy, frequently resulting in comminution of both the tibia and fibula. Concomitant soft tissue degloving and necrosis are the norm. Goals of reconstruction at this level include durable coverage of open fractures or denuded bone in order to achieve reliable bone fixation and healing before osteomyelitis can set in. Aesthetically pleasing results in this area can be difficult, and in many instances a decision must be made to sacrifice some function of the limb in order to preserve the limb. In this high-stakes area, failure to adequately provide appropriate soft tissue coverage can result in non-union, mal-union, osteomyelitis, and eventual limb loss. For certain injuries, pedicled muscle flaps in the middle third of the leg can be used as an initial modality for the reconstructive surgeon. More devastating injuries or multilevel injuries will likely require free tissue transfer to achieve soft tissue coverage.
Fast and non-invasive fluorescence imaging from biological signals, in vivo using a flying spot scanner

A flying spot scanner has been developed to image fluorescence from intact tissues in near realtime. The instrument is based on a single-channel detection scheme. The scanner has been used to image fluorescence from living animal tissues undergoing various metabolic perturbations.
Assessing speech exposure in the NICU: Implications for speech enrichment for preterm infants.

Quantify NICU speech exposure over multiple days in relation to NICU care practices. Continuous measures of speech exposure were obtained for preterm infants (n = 21; 12 M) born 75% of care time reflecting developmental care. Speech counts were higher during care than no care, for mature vs. immature infants, and for infants in open cribs vs. incubators. Family participation in care ranged widely, with the highest speech counts occurring during periods of intentional voice exposure. Care activities represent a small portion of NICU experiences. Speech exposure during Developmental Care, especially with intentional voice exposure, may be an important source of stimulation. Implications for care practices are discussed.
The Perfect Storm: How to Prepare against Climate Risk and Disaster Shocks in the Time of COVID-19

As governments tackle the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovery, broader institutional reforms should build shock-responsive systems for the future. The time is now to boost financial preparedness to climate risks and disasters.
Diazirine-based photo-crosslinkers for defect free fabrication of solution processed organic light-emitting diodes

The fabrication of solution deposited OLEDs is fraught with difficulties, largely due to the interlayer mixing and surface erosion during sequential deposition of the layers. We demonstrate that these problems can be circumvented by using photopolymerizable diazirine-based cross-linker capable of converting soluble organic materials into highly cross-linked insoluble networks. 3-Trifluoromethyl(aryl)diazirines photolyze readily upon the 10–15 min exposure of 365 nm UV irradiation to generate carbenes, which react with polymers or small molecules via C–H bond insertion producing highly cross-linked materials. This photo-generated cross-linking does not require any catalyst, initiator or short-wavelength UV light and is performed at room temperature, releasing molecular nitrogen as the only byproduct. To show the cross-linked polymer layers do not display inter-layer mixing, we deposited red-emitting regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) over cross-linked (10% cross-linker) blue emitting dioctyl polyfluorene (PFO) layer. The overlaid layers showed clear and well-defined boundary with no interlayer mixing. The surface morphology of the solution deposited layers was investigated by AFM to show that the cross-linked layers exhibited significant decrease in surface roughness. This is also shown on the example of the hole transporting material 4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenylamino]-biphenyl (NPB) which displayed roughness average to decrease from 6.4 nm to 1.0 nm. The effect of decreased surface roughness on the performance of phosphorescent OLEDs was investigated by fabricating devices with configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/NPB:(0%/5%/10%) cross-linker/MCP:6% Ir(mppy)3/TPBI/CsF/Al. Following the diazirine-mediated cross-linking, the OLEDs displayed a decrease in turn-on voltage from 3.8 V to 3.0 V along with a six-fold enhancement of external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) from 1.1% to 6.8% and maximum luminous efficiency increase from 3.8 cd A−1 to 22.9 cd A−1. These results demonstrate that the simple diazirine mediated photo-cross-linking using mild conditions compatible with organic layers is a promising strategy for improving the performance of the solution-processed OLEDs.
Non-contact surface temperature measurements of nanocrystalline diamond foil under intense ion beams

An all-reflective telescope based optical pyrometer has been designed and built to collect thermal radiation from a nanocrystalline diamond foil in harsh radiation environment at the Spallation Neutron Source accelerator. The primary use of this instrument is to monitor the foil temperature remotely while it is being bombarded by negative hydrogen ion beams with 1.4 MW power at 1.0 GeV energy. The pyrometer is composed of 4.0” Cassegrain reflector with f/10 configuration, two InGaAs PIN photodiodes, a dichroic mirror, two bandpass filters centered around 1000 nm and 1550 nm, a CMOS camera, and a pinhole mirror with 200 um diameter hole size. It is located 40 m from the foil in the accelerator. The measurement uncertainties demonstrated in this work was better than 2.5% for the temperature range of 1000 K to 2500 K. The design of the optical system, calibration with blackbody source and the temporally resolved measurements made with this pyrometer will be presented.
A graph-theoretic approach for multiscale modeling and prediction of crack propagation in polycrystalline materials

Abstract A multiscale graph theory-based approach is introduced here to predict the microscale crack path in polycrystalline materials. The crack path is represented as the boundary of the partition of a geometric graph. The partitioning is carried out by optimizing an Ising-type hamiltonian. The hamiltonian parameters are chosen such that each partition cost is the same as the energy of the corresponding crack. The interplay of the loading conditions on the specimen and the microstructure of the material near the crack tip determines the crack growth angle in polycrystalline materials. Two different length scales of macro and micro is incorporated for the crack path by defining the crack total energy as the summation of macroscopic energy release and microscopic surface energy. The former term represents the macroscopically favorable crack growth angle by directing the crack to propagate from the crack tip along the direction of the maximum energy release. The latter term guides the microscopic crack path along the macroscopically preferred direction. At this scale, the crack path naturally accommodates both the intergranular and transgranular fractures. In the case of intergranular fracture, the crack propagates along the grain boundaries, while in the case of transgranular fracture, the crack propagates along the crystallographic cleavage planes. The mixed-mode fracture in a thin foil specimen is studied, and the effect of the dihedral angle of the 2D crack is included in defining the effective surface energy. The model is validated using the analytical results for mixed-mode fracture in an isotropic medium and mode-I fracture in a medium with a preferred crack direction. The proposed method can be used to design materials microstructure with optimal fracture resistance.
Violence structurelle, mondialisation et tuberculose multirésistante

Plus de cinquante ans apres l’introduction de la chimiotherapie comme traitement de la tuberculose, deux millions de personnes meurent de cette maladie tous les ans et 8,4 millions de nouveaux cas sont rapportes ; la tuberculose, en incluant ses formes multiresistantes, demeure parmi les maladies infectieuses guerissables celle qui fait le plus de victimes. Pourquoi les medi-caments qui permettraient d’arreter ou de ralentir ces epidemies ne sont-ils pas disponibles la ou on a le plus besoin? Pour repondre a cette question, nous explorons l’experience de vie d’une famille haitienne ainsi que les contextes sociaux dans lesquels les malades s’infectent, tombent malades et rencontrent toute une serie d’aventures therapeutiques qui menent a plus de compli-cations, a une transmission croissante a d’autres personnes et, trop souvent, a la mort. Nous analysons aussi comment ces trajectoires sont le resultat de la violence structurelle et des inegalites sociales renforcees par la mondialisation.
Adhesive small-bowel obstruction in children: predictors of vascular compromise of the intestine

The records of 228 episodes of adhesive small-bowel obstruction (ASBO) in 179 children were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate criteria to predict the presence of vascular compromise of the intestine and to establish safety limits for conservative treatment. Among 228 episodes of ASBO, 16 (7%) were associated with vascular compromise while 212 (93%) were without. The predictability of the proposed criteria, which included localized abdominal tenderness, tachycardia, fever, and leukocytosis was studied individually and in combination. Of the individual criteria, the presence of tachycaria and localized abdominal tenderness correlated significantly with the presence of vascular compromise (P <0.001, P <0.01, respectively). Mean body temperatures and white blood cell counts in vascularly compromised and noncompromised episodes also showed significant differences (P <0.001, P <0.01). When the criteria were evaluated in combination, in the absence of all four criteria all patients were without vascular compromise. 3n the presence of one, two, or three criteria, the chances of encountering vascular compromise were 3%, 18%, and 50%, respectively. Since vascular compromise was not encountered in cases without any of the four criteria, conservative treatment may safely be initiated in these selected cases. Operative treatment should be reserved for children who have one or more criteria.
Deconstructing DiGeorge syndrome.

DiGeorge syndrome is the most frequent contiguous-gene deletion syndrome in humans, occurring with an estimated frequency of 1 in 4,000 live births. Extensive microdeletion mapping in a large number of affected individuals has failed to identify a single gene or a combination of genes commonly deleted. Two new studies implicate the transcription factor TBX1 as a key candidate gene for the aortic arch malformations seen in DGS, and are consistent with the concept that some congenital diseases are caused by a reduced dosage of genes that control development. However, a similar study focusing on the adaptor protein Crkol shows that other genes within the deleted regions might affect the same developmental pathways.
High-temperature silicon carbide: characterization of state-of-the-art silicon carbide power transistors

For several decades, silicon (Si) has been the primary semiconductor choice for power electronic devices. During this time, the development and fabrication of Si devices has been optimized, which, in combination with the large abundance of material, has resulted in high manufacturing capability and extremely low costs. However, Si is approaching its limits in power conversion [1], [2]; improved efficiency, reduced size, and lower overall system cost can now be achieved by replacing Si devices with wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors [1]?[3].
Lactosylceramide causes endothelial dysfunction in porcine coronary arteries and human coronary artery endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND Lactosylceramide (LacCer) is a member of the glycosphingolipid family, which has been implicated in the atherogenic process. The goal of this study was to determine the effects and molecular mechanisms of LacCer on endothelial functions in porcine coronary arteries and human coronary endothelial cells (HCAECs). MATERIAL/METHODS The vessel rings and HCAECs were treated with different concentrations of LacCer for 24 hours. Vasomotor function was studied using a myograph tension system in response to thromboxane A2 analog U46619, bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Superoxide anion production was determined using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), NADPH oxidase subunit NOX4 and catalase was determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS LacCer (0.1, 1 and 10 microM) significantly decreased endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (bradykinin) in porcine coronary artery rings in a concentration-dependent manner compared with untreated controls (P<0.05). High concentration of LacCer (10 microM) also reduced endothelium-independent vasorelaxation (SNP). However, LacCer did not affect vessel contraction (U46619). Antioxidant selenomethionine (SeMet) effectively reversed LacCer-induced endothelial dysfunction in the vessel rings. Furthermore, LacCer significantly increased superoxide anion production in the vessel rings in a concentration-dependent manner compared with untreated controls (P<0.05). In response to LacCer treatment, NOX4 mRNA levels were significantly increased, while the expression of catalase and eNOS was significantly decreased in HCAECs compared with controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS LacCer causes endothelial dysfunction with potential mechanisms of the down-regulation of eNOS and increase of oxidative stress due to the activation of NADPH oxidase and inhibition of internal antioxidant catalase. This study suggests that LacCer may represent a risk factor to the vascular system and antioxidant SeMet may have clinical applications for prevention of vascular disease.
Aerobic metabolism of unembryonated eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides.

With homogenate techniques the enzymes associated with the Krebs cycle were demonstrated in unembryonated eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum. The Thunberg method provided evidence for the presence of succinic dehydrogenase, isocitric dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, pyruvic dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutaric dehydrogenase, and aconitase. Succinic dehydrogenase was also demonstrated manometrically. In the presence of oxalacetate, citrate was produced by the homogenates thereby demonstrating the presence of condensing enzyme. These results are taken as evidence for the presence of a Krebs cycle in the eggs. The homogenate system however does not provide a functional system. Contrary to earlier reports, evidence was presented demonstrating the ability of egg homogenates to respire. The Qo2 of the homogenate (0.18) is much less than the decoated eggs (0.35).
Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis of Ozone Nonattainment over the Continental United States

An application of the adjoint method in air quality management is demonstrated. We use a continental scale chemical transport model (STEM) to calculate the sensitivities of a nationwide U.S. ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) nonattainment metric to precursor emissions for the period July 1 to August 15, 2004. The model shows low bias and error (−4 and 24%, respectively), particularly for areas with high ozone concentrations. The nonattainment metric accounts for both 1-h and 8-h ozone standards, but is dominated by the 8-h exceedances (97% of the combined metric). Largest values of sensitivities are found to be with respect to emissions in the south and southeast U.S., Ohio River Valley, and California. When nonattainment sensitivities are integrated over the entire U.S., NOx emissions account for the largest contribution (62% of the total), followed by biogenic and anthropogenic VOCs (24% and 14%, respectively). For NO_x emissions, point/area and mobile sources account for 54% and 46% of the total sensitivities, respectively. We also provide a state-by-state comparison for the nonattainment magnitude, nonattainment sensitivity, and emission magnitudes to explore the influence of interstate transport of ozone and its precursors, and policy implications of the results. Our analysis of the nationwide ozone nonattainment metric suggests that simple cap-and-trade programs may prove inadequate in achieving sought-after air quality objectives.
Database Protection: Selected Legal and Technical Issues

Abstract What is a database? The information in a computerized system is often called a database although the term is used in many ways. For the purpose of this discussion, a database is a public or commercial collection of information such as Lexis—Nexis or Auerbach's IT Knowledge- base™. Many of these are fee-based services that include directories, compilations, searchable archives, and reference services.
tRNA Structure Goes from L to λ

In this issue of Cell, Ishitani et al. (2003) report, in a crystal, a new L-like structure of tRNA designated as lambda-form, where disruption of universal tertiary interactions is compensated by interactions with an enzyme that makes a base modification at the corner of the L.
Aortic Carboxypeptidase-Like Protein Is Expressed in Fibrotic Human Lung and its Absence Protects against Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis

The pathological hallmarks of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis include proliferating fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, as well as excessive collagen matrix deposition. In addition, both myofibroblast contraction and remodeling of the collagen-rich matrix contribute to the abnormal structure and function of the fibrotic lung. Little is known, however, about collagen-associated proteins that promote fibroblast and myofibroblast retention, as well as the proliferation of these cells on the extracellular matrix. In this study, we demonstrate that aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein (ACLP), a collagen-associated protein with a discoidin-like domain, is expressed at high levels in human fibrotic lung tissue and human fibroblasts, and that its expression increases markedly in the lungs of bleomycin-injured mice. Importantly, ACLP-deficient mice accumulated significantly fewer myofibroblasts and less collagen in the lung after bleomycin injury, as compared with wild-type controls, despite equivalent levels of bleomycin-induced inflammation. ACLP that is secreted by lung fibroblasts was retained on fibrillar collagen, and ACLP-deficient lung fibroblasts that were cultured on collagen exhibited changes in cell spreading, proliferation, and contraction of the collagen matrix. Finally, the addition of recombinant discoidin-like domain of ACLP to cultured ACLP-deficient lung fibroblasts restored cell spreading and increased the contraction of collagen gels. Therefore, both ACLP and its discoidin-like domain may be novel targets for anti-myofibroblast-based therapies for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
The Wilson equation for particles and p-branes

Abstract We explore the possibility of expressing classical bosonic p-brane field equations as the Wilson equation of a p + 1 dimensional scalar field theory. We find consistent results only for p = 1, in which case we recover bosonic string theory.
New Anticoagulants for the Cardiovascular Patient

Manuscript received May 9, 1994; accepted July 7, 1994. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Jeanine M. Walenga, Department of Pathology, Loyola University Med ical Center, 2160 South...
Lipopolysaccharide and opioids activate distinct populations of Mytilus edulis immunocytes.

Studies in Mytilus edulis have indicated that immunoregulatory activities comoparable to those in vertebrates also exist in invertebrates. Mytilus immunocytes resemble cells of the vertebrate monocyte/macrophage lineage and are activated by similar substances. We searched for differential effects of opioids on these cells in comparison with those of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in order to determine if different subpopulations of immunoactive hemocytes are involved. We showed that Mytilus immunocytes respond to LPS in a fashion similar to that in vertebrate granulocytes by flattening, and increasing in cellular perimeter and mobility, that LPS administered in vivo results in a lowering of the number of free hemocytes that can be obtained from the animal, and that distinct immunoactive cell populations seem to exist since apparently different subsets of cells react when exposed to LPS or opioids and the opioid antagonist naloxone.
Evolving rank-size distributions of intra-metropolitan urban clusters in South China

Abstract Cities are the dominant form of human settlements and their interaction with the global environment presents great challenges for sustainability. This paper analyzes the evolution of urban form in three rapidly-growing Chinese metropolitan areas in the Pearl River Delta: Shenzhen, Foshan and Guangzhou. It is the first study to utilize a combination of time-series satellite imagery, GIS, and a time-series of spatial pattern statistics based on rank-size distributions to evaluate the evolving nature of urban clusters in Chinese cities. Defining the urban clusters – contiguous urban built-up areas – as the unit of our analysis, we estimate exponents of rank-size distributions for each city’s clusters for the years between 1988 and 1999. We observe substantial variation in the evolution of urban form across time. For all three metropolitan areas, the rank-size distribution exponents evolve in an oscillatory fashion within the 11-year period as the metropolitan areas grow through a process of cluster birth and coalescence. The analysis sheds light on the evolving nature of urban clusters that can help us better understand urban phenomena, and make inferences on how socioeconomic processes influence urban form which in turn has considerable effects on the ecology of the urban system and the local and regional environment. We show that a time-series analysis of rank-size distributions of urban clusters reveals trends in spatial patterns of urban form that can aid in the design of cities and help achieve more sustainable land-uses.
SU‐E‐T‐704: Differences Between 7MV‐Flattening Filter Free and 6MV‐Flat Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Plans at Different Fractionation and Dose Rates

Purpose: The purpose of the investigation is two‐fold. To determine clinical use sensitivity of the high and low dose rate modes of flattening filter free (FFF) inverse modulation radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment plans compared to flattened beam plans. Secondly, do the FFF plans have a conformity advantage? Methods: Planning comparisons were performed on C‐shape (AAPM TG‐119) and mock head and neck (H&N) cases for high and low dose rate 7MV FFF modes, 2000 (7UF2000) and 500 (7UF500) monitor units (MU) per minute, respectively, as well as for the 6MV‐Flat 300MU/min option. The 7UF2000 beam is limited to a minimum segment dose of 10MU. Plans utilized 200cGy and 500cGy fractionation schemes. Plans were compared based on target dose conformity index(CI) and heterogeneity, critical structure dose, integral dose, MU, segments, fractionation and the dose falloff at critical structures. Results: Data collected indicate that there is minimal difference between the three techniques in the 200cGy C‐shape plans. The high dose rate 7UF2000 was hotter for both cases than other techniques in conventional fractionation. For both fractionation levels in the C‐shape plans the 7UF500 technique provides a lower critical structure dose, however, the 7UF2000 200cGy level achieves the opposite. The dose falloff is worse in both cases at low fractionation for 7UF2000, whereas, at high fractionation dose falloff is similar. The CI for the 7UF2000 technique at 200cGy fractionation is less than other techniques. Conclusion: A clinically relevant finding was the potential of reduced conformity for the 7UF2000 technique compared to 7UF500 and 6MV‐Flat with conventional fractionation. The minimum deliverable MU/segment limitation results in a coarse granularity that impedes the optimizer in achieving adequate target coverage. Conversely, the 7UF500 results were comparable with those of the 6MV‐Flat. The potential high conformity of FFF beams over like energy flattened beams was equivocal. Further investigations are ongoing. Funding support provided by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities.
FIRST RECORD OF ACIZZIA JAMATONICA (HEMIPTERA: PSYLLIDAE) IN NORTH AMERICA: FRIEND OR FOE?

Mimosa or silk tree ( Albizia julibrissin Durazzini) was introduced from Asia to Europe and then from Europe to North America in the mid eighteenth century (Cothran 2004). While still widely prized for landscaping purposes, the tree has become naturalized and is considered to be an invasive species throughout much of the southeastern United States (Miller 2003). In Sep 2006, one of us (MDU) noticed a group of A. julibrissin trees in Clarke County, Georgia (Athens, Lake Herrick, 33°55.853’N, 083°22.183’W) heavily infested with an unknown psyllid species. The insects were causing considerable stress to the trees with many leaves yellowed, wilted, or missing. Specimens were identified (by Debra Creel & DRM) as Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama), an Asian species that was recently found attacking the same tree species in Europe (Alma et al. 2002; EPPO Reporting Service 2002). Acizzia jamatonica , like some other members of the genus (Palmer & Witt 2006), appears to be highly host specific and is thought to feed exclusively on species of Albizia (Alma et al. 2002; EPPO Reporting Service 2002). If it is indeed monophagous, the species is unlikely to pose much risk to native plant species (Van Klinken & Edwards 2002) and may benefit efforts to control A. julibrissin in the southeast. However, with respect to the economic and aesthetic values of A. julibrissin in both Europe and the United States, A. jamatonica might be viewed by many as a harmful pest species (EPPO Reporting Service 2004). Further investigation is needed to better predict the potential biological, economic, and aesthetic impacts of this recent arrival. Acizzia jamatonica is the fourth species of Acizzia to be recorded in the United States. Other species include A. acaciaebaileyanae (Froggatt) first reported in 1987 from California on Acacia , A. hakae Tuthill first reported in 2003 from California on Grevillea , and A. uncatoides (Ferris & Klyver) first reported in 1954 from California on Acacia . The invasive species in California are native to Australia (Gill, personal communication 2006). We thank Jim Hanula (USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Athens, GA), Cecil Smith (University of Georgia, Athens, GA), and Debra Creel (Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Beltsville, MD) for their input and assistance. We also thank Ray Gill (Plant Pest Diagnostic Center, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA) for providing data on the invasive species of Acizzia in California. Voucher specimens have been deposited in the Georgia Museum of Natural History, Athens, Georgia.
Influences of evaluation methods and testing load on microhardness and Young's modulus of ZTA and ATZ ceramics

Abstract In this work, microindentation tests under different conditions were performed to determine the influence of indentation load on Young's modulus and microhardness of ZrO 2 reinforced with Al 2 O 3 particles (ATZ) and Al 2 O 3 reinforced with ZrO 2 particles (ZTA). Microhardness of ATZ and ZTA materials was measured using traditional Vickers and instrumented microhardness methods at 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mN loads. As for the instrumented method, Vickers microhardness was calculated from the force-indentation depth curves by analyzing the unloading segments, according to the Oliver–Pharr method. In this way the possible differences between the two methods were calculated. Furthermore, Young's modulus at each load was calculated using the instrumental method. The main differences between the two methods were analyzed, and the influence of the load on the definition of Young's modulus in the case of the instrumental method was studied. The results indicated an indentation load effect for both materials, as hardness and Young's modulus increase by decreasing the indentation load.
After Columbine: How People Mourn Sudden Death

Responses to the rampage killings at Columbine High School were analyzed at the national level, the level of the community, and that of the family. In many cases people responded by undertaking "grief projects" involving manipulation of symbols, either in the creation of artwork, the decoration of existing structures, on internet websites, and in the raising (and occasional destruction) of memorial objects. Many of these projects were undertaken together to create a community of bereavement. It is suggested that these projects are best understood within the context of Worden's task model of mourning (Worden, 1991), particularly task three, "Adjusting to an environment in which the deceased is missing." The differences between mourning sudden death and anticipated death are also explored.
Thorium field ion microscopy

Thorium metal (fee) is potentially useful in nuclear reactor technology [I], and is the object of increasing scientific interest [ 1,2]. Thorium has not previously been imaged with either field ion or field electron microscopy. Since field ion microscopy (FIM) is capable of resolving structures such as lattice steps, vacancies, impurities, dislocations, etc. on an atomic scale [3], the application of FIM to thorium provides an important investigative technique. We describe here a method of preparing and imaging thorium specimens. Wires 0.25 mm in diameter were prepared [4] from 99.9% thorium rods, 1 cm diameter. These were electrolytically thinned and tapered using either of the following polishing conditions: (i) 1 : 1 mixture of phosphoric and acetic acids, -50 V (ac), (ii) 1 : 10 mixture of 70% perchloric acid diluted in methanol, 20-10 V (ac). A carbon rod was used as the counter-electrode. Final tip sharpening was accomplished with either fresh, concentrated hydrochloric acid, 4 V (dc), or a 5102, mixture of perchloric acid (70%) in glycerin, 30-12 V (dc). Specimens were rinsed with methanol. A small platinum wire loop (0.127 mm diameter wire) containing a drop of electrolyte was moved about the thorium tip-end by a remote-control micromanipulator and the procedure observed at 250 magnification. The unbaked field ion microscope was equipped with a 90 mm diameter microchannel plate. The specimen temperature was controlled by adjusting the flow of cold gaseous helium from a liquid helium dewar over a specimen-mount feedthrough pin. During field ion microscopy reagent grade imaging gases flowed through the microscope. Imaging gas mixtures were made by simultaneously leaking the appropriate gases, and mixture compositions were estimated from ion gage pressure measurements. Fig. 1A is a helium promoted neon field ion micrograph of thorium showing the fee lattice symmetry. There are also extra bright spots distributed randomly with no crystal plane preference, indicating the presence of another species on the thorium surface. Both species, distinguished as normal and bright spots, field evaporated coincidently, indicating a bulk-wise distribution of the less abundant species. No obvious structural defects in the lattice were found in the bright spots’ vicinity.
Monoacylglycerol lipase exerts dual control over endocannabinoid and fatty acid pathways to support prostate cancer

Cancer cells couple heightened lipogenesis with lipolysis to produce fatty acid networks that support malignancy. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) plays a principal role in this process by converting monoglycerides, including the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), to free fatty acids. Here, we show that MAGL is elevated in androgen-independent versus androgen-dependent human prostate cancer cell lines, and that pharmacological or RNA-interference disruption of this enzyme impairs prostate cancer aggressiveness. These effects were partially reversed by treatment with fatty acids or a cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1) antagonist, and fully reversed by cotreatment with both agents. We further show that MAGL is part of a gene signature correlated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the stem-like properties of cancer cells, supporting a role for this enzyme in protumorigenic metabolism that, for prostate cancer, involves the dual control of endocannabinoid and fatty acid pathways.
Measurement of adenosine triphosphate content of crayfish stretch receptor cell preparations

Abstract A sensitive and rapid method for the assay of ATP down to 2× 10−14 mole was presented. This was achieved by the use of firefly luciferase-luciferin reaction and a scintillation spectrometer operated on single channel at high voltage. The ATP content of single resting orayfish stretch receptor cell preparations was determined. It was found to be 4.24 picomoles in the absence, and 5.02 picomoles in the presence, of 1 mM glucose.
A continuous form of post-stratification

The problem of estimating a given integral of a regression function is considered. The proposed estimate may be viewed as continuous analog of the post-stratified mean of sample survey theory. The asymptotic distribution of the estimate is derived, under regularity conditions, and an estimate of its variance suggested.
Is there racism in economic research

Abstract This paper examines the issue of racism in economic research. Black and non-black scholars do see the world differently. Black authors are 13% more likely to report a finding of racial discrimination against blacks. Additionally, among the profession as a whole, there is a continuous long-term trend against published studies finding racial discrimination in the economics of crime, credit, or labor markets. Further, papers published in The Review of Black Political Economy (RBPE)—a black controlled economics journal—receive nearly four fewer citations than papers published in the average economics journals, while papers published in the top-tier journals receive a premium of more than eight citations relative to the average economics journal. Finally, black authors were slightly less likely to publish in top-tier journals.
Lateral diffusion in an archipelago. Distance dependence of the diffusion coefficient

An understanding of the distance dependence of the lateral diffusion coefficient is useful in comparing the results of diffusion measurements made over different length scales, and in analyzing the kinetics of mobile redox carriers in organelles. A distance-dependent, concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient is defined, and it is evaluated by Monte Carlo calculations of a random walk by mobile point tracers in the presence of immobile obstacles on a triangular lattice, representing the diffusion of a lipid or a small protein in the presence of immobile membrane proteins. This work confirms and extends the milling crowd model of Eisinger, J., J. Flores, and W. P. Petersen (1986. Biophys J. 49:987–1001). Similar calculations for diffusion of mobile particles interacting by a hard-core repulsion yield the distance dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient. An expression for the range of short-range diffusion is obtained, and the distance scales for various diffusion measurements are summarized.
Clinical Assessment of the Macula by Retinal Topography and Thickness Mapping

Purpose To report a quantitative and objective method for assessing pathologic alterations in retinal structures to improve the evaluation of macular diseases. Methods We used a system based on the scanning retinal thickness analyzer to generate serial optical section images of the retina and provide mapping of the retinal topography and thickness in a normal subject and in patients with representative maculopathies including traumatic macular hole, central serous chorioretinopathy, branch retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema, and retinal pigment epithelial detachment. Results The effectiveness of the system in imaging both the vitreoretinal and chorioretinal interfaces was confirmed in the normal subject and in patients with various maculopathies. Mapping of retinal topography and thickness in a normal eye correlated well with normal anatomy, delineating the foveal depression clearly. The retinal thickness map in a patient with diabetic macular edema showed thickening of the retina and absence of a foveal depression. The patients with central serous chorioretinopathy and branch retinal vein occlusion had an elevated vitreoretinal surface. Conversely, the patient with retinal pigment epithelial detachments had a relatively flat vitreoretinal interface but an irregularly elevated chorioretinal surface. Conclusion Quantitative mapping of retinal topography and thickness is a promising tool that may improve evaluation of macular diseases.
Experimental arterial disease. I. The reaction of the pulmonary artery to minute emboli of blood clot.

Rabbits were injected with saline suspensions of fibers of filter paper and of mixtures of filter paper and human fibrin or filter paper and rabbit whole blood. The emboli became impacted in the pulmonary arteries or adhered to the intima. In one rabbit an embolus adhered to the endocardium of the right ventricle. An acute arteritis resulted which was finally organized leaving a diffuse or eccentric scar on the intima. The filter paper fibers were surrounded by a foreign body granuloma and localized in either the intima or adventitia. Frequently they passed entirely through the wall clausing varying amounts of injury and were found in the adventitia or perivascular lung tissue. This is interpreted as indicating the existence of a mechanism for ridding the circulation of foreign material in the blood.
A conversation and commentary on from Millwrights to Shipwrights

Through their mutual dialog, the authors answer and explore seven questions about the audience,goals, assumptions, impact, and educational value of R.John Brockmann s 1998 history of technical communication in the United States.
Ultrasonic measurement of blood flow changes in canine renal allografts.

Abstract Renal allografts were carried out in dogs, the kidney being placed in the neck. After operation, ultrasonic and electromagnetic renal blood flow studies were carried out on alternate days. Postoperatively, an increase in blood flow was seen for the first 2–3 days, and thereafter a progressive fall in blood flow was observed until the animal died of rejection. A high degree of correlation was observed between the two methods of blood flow measurement. From these observations, it is concluded that ultrasonic methods of monitoring blood flow changes in rejection of human renal allografts is a useful adjunct in the clinical diagnosis of rejection.
The North American Society of cardiovascular imaging.

We at the North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging (NASCI) are very proud of our long and fruitful relationship with the International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging. As the official journal of the society, the publication has promoted cardiac and vascular multimodality imaging across our ranks. NASCI was established in 1972 with the specific goal of advancing the science and art of cardiac radiology. Forty years later, the mission of the Society has been expanded to:
Iloperidone for schizophrenia.

Importance of the field: No existing antipsychotic adequately controls all symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Also, no antipsychotic adequately benefits most patients with this disorder. Finally, the safety and tolerability of each antipsychotic frequently dictate the choice of agent.Areas covered in the review: The mechanism of action of iloperidone, its efficacy and its safety and tolerability when used to treat patients with schizophrenia.What the reader will gain: An appreciation of the potential advantages and disadvantages of iloperidone when used for the treatment of schizophrenia.Take home message: Iloperidone is a recent addition to the current group of second-generation antipsychotics. While it may share many qualities with other agents in this class, its unique neuroreceptor signature and adverse-effect profile may prove beneficial in clinical practice.
Role of contact and genetic transmission of endogenous virus-21 in the susceptibility of chickens to avian leukosis virus infection and tumors

The role of contact and genetic transmission of endogenous virus-21 (EV21) on response of chickens to avian leukosis virus (ALV) infection and tumors was studied. F1 progeny of a cross between RPRL late-feathering (LF) line EV21+ males and RPRL early feathering (EF) line 15B1 females harboring or lacking EV21 were used. The EF chicks lacking EV21 were inoculated with a field strain of subgroup A ALV at hatch and contact exposed to LF, EV21+ hatchmates for various time intervals. In a second experiment, EV21 contact-exposed and unexposed EF chicks as well as LF, EV21+ hatchmates were inoculated with ALV at various ages. Chickens were tested for ALV-induced viremia and antibody and were observed for tumors until 24 wk of age. Antibody to EV21 in EF chickens contact-exposed to LF, EV21+ hatchmates varied from 10 to 65%, and was detected by 10 wk of age. By 24 wk of age, ALV-induced viremia and tumors in EF chickens varied from 5 to 30%, and from 15 to 32%, respectively, regardless of exposure to EV21. The incidence of ALV-induced tumors was significantly higher in LF chickens genetically infected with EV21 than in EV21 contact-exposed or unexposed EF chickens, but only in chickens inoculated with ALV at hatch. The data suggest that contact infection with EV21 has no influence on ALV infection and tumors. The data also suggest that genetic transmission of EV21 may increase susceptibility of chickens to ALV infection and tumors following infection with ALV at hatch, but not at 4 wk of age or older.