cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 Tat promotes age-related cognitive, anxiety-like, and antinociceptive impairments in female mice that are moderated by aging and endocrine status

Hypogonadism is a common comorbidity associated with HIV-1 that is more prevalent among infected individuals over the age of 45. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, but both combined antiretroviral therapeutics and HIV-1 proteins, such as trans-activator of transcription protein (Tat), dysregulate steroid-synthetic mechanisms including lipid storage/synthesis and mitochondrial function. Thus, Tat expression may accelerate age-related comorbidities partly by impairing endocrine function. Few studies exist of Tat-mediated behavioral deficits in aged animals and effects of endocrine status have not been investigated. Accordingly, we tested whether conditional Tat expression in aged (~ 1.5 years old), female, Tat-transgenic [Tat(+)] mice increases anxiety-like behavior, impairs cognition, and augments mechanical allodynia, when compared to age-matched controls that do not express Tat protein [Tat(−)]. We further tested whether aged mice that maintained their endocrine status (pre-estropausal) were more resilient to Tat/age-related comorbidities than peri- or post-estropausal mice. Tat and endocrine aging status exerted separate and interacting effects that influenced anxiety-like and cognitive behaviors. Peri- and post-estropausal mice exhibited greater anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus-maze and impaired learning in the radial arm water maze compared to pre-estropausal mice. Irrespective of estropause status, Tat(+) mice demonstrated impaired learning, reduced grip strength, and mechanical allodynia compared to Tat(−) mice. Tat exposure reduced circulating estradiol in post-estropausal mice and increased the estradiol-to-testosterone ratio in pre-estropausal mice. Changes in circulating estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone correlated with grip strength. Thus, endocrine status is an important factor in age-related anxiety, cognition, neuromuscular function, and allodynia that can be accelerated by HIV-1 Tat protein.
Inconvenient strangers: Transnational subjects and the politics of citizenship: By Shui-Yin sharon yam, Ohio, the Ohio state university press, 2019, pp. 228, $119.95 (hardback), $34.95 (paperback), ISBN: 978-0-8142-1409-1; ISBN: 978-0-8142-5551-3

Published as part of “Intersectional Rhetorics,” a new series edited by Karma Chavez, Shui-Yin Sharon Yam’s Inconvenient Strangers: Transnational Subjects and the Politics of Citizenship explores t...
Overview of the role of artificial intelligence in pathology: the computer as a pathology digital assistant

Abstract Pathology is rapidly evolving as it begins to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as an enabling technology. In addition to the basic concepts of machine learning, it is important to understand the overall framework in which digital pathology and computational pathology are creating tremendous opportunities for advancing 21st century diagnostics. From a discussion of machine learning modalities, it will be shown that both now and in the foreseeable future, the computer will not replace human cognition, creativity, and imagination. AI, however, will become a tireless and accurate pathologist's assistant.
Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment in Cybersecurity Awareness Games

The promise of dynamic difficulty adjustment in personalized learning is discussed, along with the potential of low-cost electroencephalography (EEG) headsets to provide quick, continuous player feedback. This is followed by the results of a study involving these elements in the context of a cybersecurity educational video game. Player actions and EEG readings were recorded, along with a pretest and posttest of student knowledge and opinions regarding information security awareness and perceived immersion. This study employed Brute Force, a tower defense game that teaches players to choose strong, unique, and memorable passwords. Participants reported significantly more responsible attitudes regarding the importance of strong, unique passwords. More successful players who played the full 15 min tended to improve at identifying strong passwords from a list. After playing the game, participants were most likely to add password length and uniqueness as important password strategies.
Evolution of innate behavioral strategies through competitive population dynamics

Many organism behaviors are innate or instinctual and have been "hard-coded" through evolution. Current approaches to understanding these behaviors model evolution as an optimization problem in which the traits of organisms are assumed to optimize an objective function representing evolutionary fitness. Here, we use a mechanistic birth-death dynamics approach to study the evolution of innate behavioral strategies in a population of organisms in silico. In particular, we performed agent-based stochastic simulations and mean-field analyses of organisms exploring random environments and competing with each other to find locations with plentiful resources. We find that when organism density is low, the mean-field model allows us to derive an effective objective function, predicting how the most competitive phenotypes depend on the exploration-exploitation trade-off between the scarcity of high-resource sites and the increase in birth rate those sites offer organisms. However, increasing organism density alters the most competitive behavioral strategies and precludes the existence of a well-defined objective function. Moreover, there exists a range of densities for which the coexistence of many phenotypes persists for evolutionarily long times.
BI-RADS Ultrasound Lexicon Descriptors and Stromal Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Purpose Increased levels of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) have recently been considered a favorable independent prognostic and predictive biomarker in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) ultrasound lexicon descriptors and sTILs in TNBC. Materials and Methods Patients with stage I-III TNBC were evaluated within a single-institution neoadjuvant clinical trial. Two fellowship-trained breast radiologists used the BI-RADS ultrasound lexicon to assess pretreatment tumor shape, margin, echo pattern, orientation, posterior features, and vascularity. sTILs were defined as low Results The 284 patients (mean age 52 years, range 24-79 years) were comprised of 68% (193/284) with low-sTIL tumors and 32% (91/284) with high-sTIL tumors. TNBC tumors with high sTILs were more likely to have the following features: (1) oval/round shape than irregular shape (p = 0.003), (2) circumscribed or microlobulated margins than spiculated, indistinct, or angular margins (p = 0.0005); (3) complex cystic and solid pattern than heterogeneous pattern (p = 0.006); and (4) posterior enhancement than shadowing (p = 0.002). There was no significant association between sTILs and descriptors for orientation and vascularity (p = 0.06 and p = 0.49, respectively). Conclusion BI-RADS ultrasound descriptors of the pretreatment appearance of a TNBC tumor can be useful in discriminating between tumors with low and high sTIL levels. Therefore, there is a potential use of ultrasound tumor characteristics to complement sTILs when used as stratification factors in treatment algorithms for TNBC.
Minimally Invasive Approach to Anorectal Malformations

The authors recognize the relevance and importance of minimally invasive procedures but also try to illustrate some of the current limitations and contraindications. A review of all publications on laparoscopic repair of anorectal malformation is presented. A detailed description of the misuse and technical errors that led to complications is presented in an effort to try to avoid serious important damage to the pelvic structures when minimally invasive procedures are attempted. Multiple examples are presented. All of this is illustrated with photographic material as well as animations.
The Characterization of Some 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenylisopropylamine (MDA) Analogs

The seizure in 1986 of a large-scale clandestine laboratory producing both the N-ethyl and the N,N-dimethyl analogs of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylisopropylamine (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine [MDA]) and the recent identification of N-hydroxy MDA hydrochloride (HCl) indicate an interest by illegal laboratory operators in the synthesis of noncontrolled MDA analogs. Currently, identification of these new analogs may be hampered due to lack of available standards or reference data or both. This potential problem prompted the synthesis of the following N-substituted MDA analogs: N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-hydroxy, and N,N-dimethyl MDA. Each compound was prepared by reductive amination of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone (MDP-2-P) using the appropriate amine hydrochloride and sodium cyanoborohydride. In addition, the acetyl derivatives of MDA, N-hydroxy MDA, and MDP-2-P oxime are reported. Spectral and chromatographic data are presented for each of the compounds synthesized.
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AUTOMOBILE EXHAUST CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEMS

In 1959 Ford Motor Co. developed a low-temperature, catalytic-converter system which used vanadium pentoxide as the catalyst. With the insertion of a carbon monoxide limit in the California Exhaust Standard, work on the low-temperature, catalytic converter system was discontinued since this system did not, and was not designed to, oxidize carbon monoxide. An engine-dynamometer catalyst screening procedure was developed and used to select catalysts capable of oxidizing both hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide for vehicle evaluation. Tests of vehicle systems employing catalysts selected from the screening tests showed the systems to be inadequate from the standpoint of the catalysts maintaining oxidation performance for extended mileage. If a satisfactory catalyst can be found to improve the performance of the systems to an acceptable level, much work still remains to be done to develop an acceptable catalytic converter system for vehicles.
In vitro studies of the rabbit immune system: IV. Differential mitogen responses of isolated T and B cells☆

Abstract The mitogenic responses of separated rabbit lymphocyte populations functionally analogous to mouse T and B cells have been tested in vitro . Purified T cells were prepared by passage over nylon wool (NW) and purified B cells prepared by treatment with antithymocyte serum and complement (ATS + C). ATS + C kills 70% of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL's) and 50% of the spleen cells while passage over NW yields 40% of the applied PBL's and 5–23% of the applied spleen cells. NW-purified T cells from the spleen or PBL's respond fully to concanavalin A (Con A) but have a reduced response to phytohemaglutinin (PHA) and little or no response to goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (anti-Ig). PBL's that survive ATS + C (B cells) are stimulated by anti-Ig but not by Con A or PHA. B cells purified from spleen do not respond to Con A or PHA but will respond to anti-Ig under appropriate conditions. A full spleen B-cell response to anti-Ig required removal of Ig produced by the cultures that blocked anti-Ig stimulation. It is concluded that, for rabbit lymphocytes, Con A and PHA are primarily T-cell mitogens and that anti-Ig is primarily a B-cell mitogen. However, the mitogen response of unfractionated PBL or spleen cell populations indicates an overlap in reactivity. This could be due to cells sharing T and B properties, alteration of cell populations by the fractionation procedures used, or recruitment of one population in the presence of a mitogenic response of the other population.
Risk of retinal tear or detachment with oral fluoroquinolone use: a cohort study.

Purpose The aim of this study is to determine if oral fluoroquinolone exposure is associated with an increased hazard for having a retinal tear or detachment. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed using individuals who met inclusion criteria from The Health Improvement Network database. Cohorts were created for individuals who had a prescription written for either an oral fluoroquinolone or an oral β-lactam antibiotic (comparison group). Subjects were excluded if they had a previous diagnosis of a retinal tear or detachment (hereafter retinal break (RB)), or a procedure code to treat an RB, where in the practice for less than 365 days, had a previous prescription for either antibiotic within 365 days of the index date or had intraocular surgery or a diagnosis of endophthalmitis within 90 days prior to the antibiotic prescription. Covariates of interest were age, gender, diabetes, and year of index. The primary outcome measure of interest was the hazard ratio (HR) of undergoing a procedure to treat an RB within 7, 30, 90, or 365 days after exposure to an oral fluoroquinolone prescription versus an oral β-lactam prescription. Results After exclusions, 6 604 423 prescriptions (290 393 fluoroquinolone; 6 314 030 β-lactam) from 3 413 498 patients (247 073 fluoroquinolone; 3 303 641 β-lactam) and 2685 RB procedures were eligible for analysis (661 retinal tears and 2024 retinal detachments). For fluoroquinolones, 0, 1, 5, and 23 RBs occurred at the 7-, 30-, 90-, and 365-day time points, respectively. For β-lactam prescriptions, 7, 28, 87, and 373 RBs occurred at the 7-, 30-, 90-, and 365-day time points, respectively. Because of zero events occurring in the fluoroquinolone cohort during the 7-day observation period, an unadjusted or an adjusted HR (and subsequent p-value or confidence intervals) was unable to be calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that fluoroquinolones were not significantly associated with RB in the 30-, 90-, or 365-day observation periods (30-day HR = 0.78, p = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.11, 5.71; 90-day HR = 1.25, p = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.51, 3.08; and 365-day HR = 1.35, p = 0.16, 95%CI: 0.89, 2.06). Conclusions Our results do not support an association between oral fluoroquinolone use and subsequent procedures to treat an RB. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of a cluster of Clostridium difficile infections in a pediatric oncology setting.

Background We investigated an increase in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) among pediatric oncology patients. Methods CDI cases were defined as first C difficile positive stool tests between December 1, 2010, and September 6, 2012, in pediatric oncology patients receiving inpatient or outpatient care at a single hospital. A case-control study was performed to identify CDI risk factors, infection prevention and antimicrobial prescribing practices were assessed, and environmental sampling was conducted. Available isolates were strain-typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Results An increase in hospital-onset CDI cases was observed from June-August 2012. Independent risk factors for CDI included hospitalization in the bone marrow transplant ward and exposure to computerized tomography scanning or cefepime in the prior 12 weeks. Cefepime use increased beginning in late 2011, reflecting a practice change for patients with neutropenic fever. There were 13 distinct strain types among 22 available isolates. Hospital-onset CDI rates decreased to near-baseline levels with enhanced infection prevention measures, including environmental cleaning and prolonged contact isolation. Conclusion C difficile strain diversity associated with a cluster of CDI among pediatric oncology patients suggests a need for greater understanding of modes and sources of transmission and strategies to reduce patient susceptibility to CDI. Further research is needed on the risk of CDI with cefepime and its use as primary empirical treatment for neutropenic fever.
Theory of Two-Dimensional Spatially Indirect Equilibrium Exciton Condensates

We present a theory of bilayer two-dimensional electron systems that host a spatially indirect exciton condensate when in thermal equilibrium. Equilibrium bilayer exciton condensates (BXCs) are expected to form when two nearby semiconductor layers are electrically isolated, and when the conduction band of one layer is brought close to degeneracy with the valence band of a nearby layer by varying bias or gate voltages. BXCs are characterized by spontaneous interlayer phase coherence and counterflow superfluidity. The bilayer system we consider is composed of two transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers separated and surrounded by hexagonal boron nitride. We use mean-field theory and a bosonic weakly interacting exciton model to explore the BXC phase diagram, and time-dependent mean-field theory to address condensate collective mode spectra and quantum fluctuations. We find that a phase transition occurs between states containing one and two condensate components as the layer separation and the exciton density are varied, and derive simple approximate expressions for the exciton-exciton interaction strength which we show can be measured capacitively.
Metastability of Superconducting Compounds in the Y-Ba-Cu-O System

Precision isothermal solution calorimetry was used to determine the standard-state enthalpy of formation of a number of phases in the Y-Ba-Cu-O system. An analysis of the data indicates that YBa(2)Cu(4)O(8) is thermodynamically metastable under ambient conditions. Taken together with the results from previous investigations, these data show that all of the superconducting compounds in the Y-Ba-Cu-O system are thermodynamically metastable at low temperatures.
Brain wars: Passion and conflict in the localization of vision in the brain

David Ferrier and Hermann Munk, both pioneers in early brain research, engaged in a running controversy regarding the primary vision center in the brain. Both misinterpreted their experimental observations, but in different ways. Ferrier placed vision in the parietal lobe, Munk in the occipital lobe, However, Munk also felt he had observed a ‘psychic blindness’ in his animals, which was in reality only a central scotoma or other primary vision defect, and not the impairment of higher visual capacities that he proposed. Munk’s concept has been repeatedly cited as the experimental correlate of visual agnosia, but is inherently fallacious.
Characterization of inertia-friction welds between a rapidly-solidified Al-Fe-Mo-V alloy and IM 2024-T351

The structures, mechanical properties and fracture behaviour of inertia-friction welds produced between rapidly-solidified/powder metallurgy (RS/PM) Al-9Fe-3Mo-1V (wt %) and ingot metallurgy (IM) 2024-T351 aluminium were investigated. Visual examination showed the axial displacement experienced by the specimens during welding and the degree of metal expulsion from the weld interface (i.e. “flash”) to increase with an increase in axial force. The weld flash was observed to originate principally from the IM 2024-T351, which was consistent with the lower elevated-temperature strength of this precipitation-hardened alloy. Although the weld interface region remained nearly flat in welds produced using low axial force, this surface became increasingly curved (concave into the Al-9Fe-3Mo-1V alloy) with an increase in axial force. Microstructure analysis using both light and analytical electron microscopy characterized the heat- and deformation-affected zones (HDZs) in each of the base metals and the weld interface regions. The HDZ directly adjacent to the weld interface in the IM 2024-T351 exhibited fine, recrystallized alpha aluminium grains and an absence of S′ precipitates present in the base metal microstructure. The HDZ directly adjacent to the weld interface in the Al-9Fe-3Mo-1V exhibited fine alpha grains and fine, spherical and acicular dispersoids, which in part originated from the plastic deformation and fracture of coarse base metal dispersoid particles. The extent of this dispersoid-refined region was greatest at the centre of the weld as opposed to the outer periphery, and in the low rather than the high axial force weld. At the weld interface in the vicinity of the axial centre line, the occurrence of highly localized mechanical mixing between the two alloys was determined using both light and electron microscopy and electron-microprobe analysis techniques. Microhardness traverses showed relatively little variation in hardness across the weld interface and an absence of hardness degradation at any location relative to the unaffected base metals. Room-temperature transverse-weld tensile testing showed tensile strengths to range between 85 and 90% of the RS/PM base metal, with fracture occurring in the Al-9Fe-3Mo-1V HDZ remote from the weld interface. Three-point guided bend testing also revealed fracture to occur in the Al-9Fe-3Mo-1V HDZ. SEM fractographic analysis of the fracture surfaces found fracture in the Al-9Fe-3Mo-1V to involve microvoid formation at dispersoid/alpha aluminium interfaces and subsequent ductile rupture in the alpha aluminium matrix.
Family processes for children in early elementary school as predictors of smoking initiation.

Abstract Objectives: To assess the relationship between family processes measured when children are in early elementary school and initiation of cigarette smoking in early adolescence. Methods: The analysis sample of 810 children was drawn from a longitudinal study of students from a suburban school district in the Pacific Northwest. Predictor variables were assessed when children were in second or third grade, and smoking initiation was measured when the children were in sixth or seventh grade. Measures of family processes were entered separately into logistic regression models that included controls for household structure and income, parent smoking, and peer and child characteristics. Results: Measures of child attachment to parent and parent involvement with the child's school were significantly and negatively associated with smoking initiation. Among control variables, parent smoking, child grade level, and child antisocial behavior and depression were the strongest predictors of smoking initiation. Conclusions: The results point to the importance of family bonding and parent supportiveness as protective factors and parent smoking and early childhood antisocial behavior and depression as risk factors for smoking initiation in pre- or early adolescence.
Ultrastructural and x-ray microanalytical observations of minocycline-related hyperpigmentation of the skin

In order to elucidate the nature and distribution of the pigment responsible for the circumscribed blue-black cutaneous hyperpigmentation occurring after administration of minocycline hydrochloride, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive electron x-ray microanalysis were performed on lesional skin. Ultrastructural observations demonstrated electron-dense iron-containing particles either incorporated into a variety of siderosomes, within dermal histiocytes, free within the cytoplasm, or, rarely, scattered among dermal collagen fibers. Electron x-ray microanalysis confirmed iron content present within these particles. Although siderosomal inclusions contained occasional melanosome complexes, the degree of deposition of electron-dense iron-containing particles in dermal histiocytes seemed to be primarily responsible for the blue-black discoloration of the skin. The present study is an investigation of the structure and composition of the pigment responsible for minocycline-related cutaneous hyperpigmentation.
Shope papillomavirus transcription in benign and malignant rabbit tumors

Shope papillomavirus induced benign and malignant tumors from both wild and domestic rabbits were analyzed by the Northern blotting technique for the presence of viral-specific RNAs. Virus-producing benign tumors of wild cottontail rabbits are shown to contain two major RNA species approximately 5000 and 3000 bases in length that originate in the early region and include the majority of the L1 and L2 late open reading frames. Non-productive tumors including wild-rabbit carcinomas, and benign warts and primary and metastatic carcinomas of domestic rabbits uniformly are shown to contain two major viral-specific RNA species, 2400 and 1400 bases in length. These transcripts map entirely within the early region of the viral genome. In addition, Southern blot analysis of metastatic tumors indicates that the viral DNA remains exclusively extrachromosomal and apparently unrearranged supporting previous findings with epithelial malignancies.
DNA cross-linking by a phototriggered pyrrolic progenitor developed from monocrotaline

Abstract A wide variety of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, such as monocrotaline, exert their cytotoxicity through the formation of DNA–DNA interstrand cross-links and DNA–protein cross-links. These pyrrolizidine alkaloids are oxidatively activated in vivo forming a highly reactive pyrrolic-type intermediate, which is responsible for the DNA cross-linking reaction. The oxidative pathway of activation leads to undesired toxicity. Based on a previously reported photochemically triggered progenitor of monocrotaline, we describe here the semi-synthesis and DNA cross-linking of a dicarbamate analogue of the original phototriggered progenitor.
The Biological Clock Confronts Complex Organizations Women's Ambivalence about Work and Implications for Feminist Management Research

This article argues that women's ambivalence about their work in complex organizations can be understood by recognizing that (a) an effemination of feminism has occurred, (b) "masculine work" requires "masculine work habits," and (c) a work-family mystique has supplanted "the feminine mystique." Implications for feminism's third wave and feminist management research are discussed.
Corporate Governance Practices: A Proposed Policy Incentive Regime to Facilitate Internal Investigations and Self-Reporting of Criminal Activities

Since the mid-1980s, internal corporate investigations have become commonplace in the U.S., with an upsurge occurring as a result of the corporate scandals of 2001–02 involving Adelphi Communications Corporation, Enron, Merck & Company, Riggs Bank, and other companies accused of financial malfeasance. After an introduction, this article first presents the U.S. public policy framework (as implemented through the U.S. Sentencing Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Securities and Exchange Commission) encouraging the use of corporate internal investigations and self-reporting of these results to federal authorities; second, evaluates this framework, identifying the public policy issues inhibiting companies from using corporate internal investigations and self-reporting significant results; third, proposes a policy incentive regime which attempts to ameliorate these outstanding issues; and fourth, offer policy recommendations and suggestions for further research on this topic, including increasing the maximum deduction in the Organizational Sentencing Guidelines Culpability Score available to a firm for development of an Effective Compliance and Ethics Program (from 3 to 5 points), and self-reporting the results of an internal investigation (from 5 to 7 points); evaluating the effectiveness of these enhancements in legal incentives over a period of 5–7 years after implementation; instituting a formal federal government effort to educate the American business community on the corporate reputation (and financial) benefits of an effective compliance program; and protecting attorney–client privilege and work product protection, through legislative action, to encourage company executives and directors to utilize independent, outside attorneys to conduct fair, comprehensive, and impartial internal investigations.
THE LIGHT SCATTERING PROPERTIES OF FOODS

The distribution of 632-nm radiation (laser source) transmitted through samples of high moisture nonpigmented slices of raw plant tissue was measured. The rate of change in the radiometric measurements with respect to the distance from the point of incidence is shown to be related to the K-M scattering coefficient of the tissue. The results are used to develop equations that describe the boundary conditions for the geometrical aspects of radiation interacting with plant tissue. These equations provide the basis for developing alternative methods of analyzing the reflectance and transmittance of diffusely transmitting samples. These new methods can serve as the basis for nondestructive compositional analysis of foods.
Spatial Considerations in Wet and Dry Periods for Phosphorus in Streams of the Fort Cobb Watershed, United States†

The Fort Cobb Watershed in Oklahoma has diverse biogeophysical settings and provides an opportunity to explore the association of water quality with a diverse set of landscapes during both wet (April 2007-December 2009) and dry (January 2005-March 2007) periods. The objective of this work was to identify spatial patterns in phosphorus (P) (soluble reactive P [SRP] and bioavailable P [BAP]) associated with landscape metrics for two distinct streamflow regimes. Spatial autocorrelation of P was evaluated using contiguous (side-by-side) and upstream (upstream:downstream) connectivity matrices. Biogeophysical metrics were compiled for each contributing area, and were partitioned based on association to P concentrations. Results for both SRP and BAP indicated that spatial autocorrelation was present (p < 0.05). There was more spatial autocorrelation and stream P concentrations were three to five times higher in the Wet phase than in the Dry phase (p < 0.05). Analysis with recursive partitioning resulted in higher R2 with spatial autocorrelation than without spatial autocorrelation and indicated that lateral metrics (topography, soil, geology, management) were better predictors for SRP than instream metrics. During Wet phase, lateral metrics indicative of rapid surface and subsurface water movement were associated with higher P stream concentrations. This research demonstrated that we can detect landscapes more vulnerable to P losses and/or contaminations in either drought or very wet periods.
Acute bioassays and hazard evaluation of representative contaminants detected in great lakes fish

We have provided a hazard ranking for 19 classes of compounds representing many of the nearly 500 organic compounds identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) from the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair. We initially made a provisional hazard ranking based on available published and unpublished information on aquatic toxicity, bioaccumulation, occurrence and sources. Acute toxicity tests with Daphnia pulex at 17°C in reconstituted hard water were performed with 30 compounds representative of the 19 classes that were highest in the provisional ranking. The resulting toxicity data, along with information on the compounds' occurrence in Great Lakes fish and their sources, were ranked and weighted and then used in calculating the revised hazard ranking. The 10 most hazardous classes, in descending order, are as follows (values shown are mean 48-h EC50s, in μg/ml): arene halides (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT), 0.0011; phthalate esters, 0.133; chlorinated camphenes (toxaphene), 0.0082; polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; e.g., dimethyl-naphthalene) and reduced derivatives, 1.01; chlorinated fused polycyclics (e.g., trwzs-nonachlor), 0.022; nitrogen-containing compounds (e.g., O-methylhydroxyl-amine), 1.35; alkyl halides (e.g., (bromomethyl)cyclohexene), 10.1; cyclic alkanes (e.g., cyclododecane), 20.9; silicon-containing compounds (e.g., dimethyldiethoxy silane), 1.25; and heterocyclic nitrogen compounds (e.g., nicotine), 2.48. We recommend that chronic bioassays be conducted with fish and invertebrates to determine the sublethal effects of the following classes of compounds, for which few toxicity data are available: PAHs, heterocyclic nitrogen compounds, other nitrogen-containing compounds, alkyl halides, cyclic alkanes and silicon-containing compounds. Information from these types of studies will aid researchers in determining the possible causal role these contaminants play in the decline and reproductive impairment of Great Lakes fish.
Structure of near wall turbulence downstream of a wall mounted protrusion: an interesting Reynolds stress suppression phenomena

A local suppression in the generation of near wall Reynolds stress is achieved by modifying the buffer region and sublayer (y+ <30) of a turbulent pipe flow with a 16.4 wall unit high wall mounted protrusion. Multi-component, multi-point, time resolved laser Doppler velocimetry measurements are made in the undisturbed and modified ARL/PSU glycerin tunnel pipe flow at a Reynolds number of approximately 10000. A downstream converging flow field is produced by the divergence of the approaching mean flow around the protrusion. A pair of counter-rotating vortices, ≈ 15 wall units in diameter with common flow down, are generated by the protrusion and also contribute to the wall directed flow convergence. The convergence region is 15 wall units high and more than 100 wall units long and appears to decouple the near wall region from the outer turbulent wall layer. Locally, turbulent velocity fluctuations in the form of Reynolds stress producing events, sweeps and ejections, are retarded within this region. This results in a reduction in near wall uv Reynolds stress and local wall shear. Interestingly, the counter-rotating vortices act to increase turbulent diffusion in a manner which is uncorrelated with Reynolds stress generation.
Comprehensive outpatient health assessment: a case-finding tool in 500 consecutive asymptomatic individuals.

This study appraises the case-finding efficiency of a single- day outpatient program of a broad-based clinical evaluation and laboratory studies in asymptomatic adults. The same protocol, varied only according to age and sex, was used for 500 individuals encountered consecutively over 15 months, and an unanticipated new diagnosis or important clinical or laboratory finding was established for one-third of them. The diagnoses varied widely, consistent with the breadth of the observations, and most led to specific recommendations for care. These findings confirm the case-finding efficacy of comprehensive clinical assessments supported by basic laboratory studies and counter the notion that specific tests and/or portions of the review of systems and physical examination can be eliminated in establishing a reliable medical database for asymptomatic adults. In addition, such comprehensive data provide essential reference material for later comparisons.
Do patient's get angrier following STN, GPi, and thalamic deep brain stimulation

Objective The objective of the study was to examine whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), the globus pallidus internus (GPi), and/or the ventralis intermedius thalamic nucleus (Vim) was associated with making patients angrier pre to post-surgical intervention.
Alteration of product formation by directed mutagenesis and truncation of the multiple-product sesquiterpene synthases δ-selinene synthase and γ-humulene synthase

Abstract Two recombinant sesquiterpene synthases from grand fir, δ-selinene synthase and γ-humulene synthase, each produce more than 30 sesquiterpene olefins from the acyclic precursor farnesyl diphosphate. These enzymes contain a pair of DDxxD motifs, on opposite lips of the presumptive active site, which are thought to be involved in substrate binding and could promote multiple orientations of the substrate alkyl chain from which multiple families of cyclic olefins could derive. Mutagenesis of the first aspartate of either DDxxD motif resulted in depressed kcat, with lesser effect on Km, for δ-selinene synthase and afforded a much simpler product spectrum composed largely of monocyclic olefins. Identical alterations in γ-humulene synthase produced similar kinetic effects with a simplified product spectrum of mostly acyclic and monocyclic olefins. Although impaired in product diversity, none of the mutant synthases lost entirely the capacity to generate complex structures. These results confirm the catalytic significance of the DDxxD motifs and imply that they also influence permitted modes of cyclization. Deletion of an N-terminal arginine pair in δ-selinene synthase (an element potentially involved in substrate isomerization) altered kinetics without substantially altering product outcome. Finally, mutation of an active-site tyrosine residue thought to play a role in proton exchange had little influence; however, substitution of a nearby active site aspartate dramatically altered kinetics and product outcome.
Dielectronic recombination as a function of electric field strength

Dielectronic recombination (DR) is the dominant recombination mechanism at coronal temperatures and densities. We present a procedure for calculating DR rate coefficients as a function of electric field strength and apply this method to carbon ions. We focus on the competing effects of enhancement by plasma microfields and rate decrease through collisional excitation and ionization. We find that, in the case of C(3+), a significant rate enhancement results, leading to a reinterpretation of C IV emission-line intensities in the sun and late-type stars. We further consider how macroscopic electric fields, in particular motional electric fields, can affect DR rate coefficients, demonstrating dramatic rate increases for a number of the carbon ions.
The terrestrial planet finder-occulter (TPF-O) science program

We describe the TPF-O science program composed of interleaved imagery and spectroscopy of planets in the habitable zones of nearby stars. We give the rationale for the science program and argue that TPF-O offers the best approach to achieving the original goals set for the Terrestrial Planet Finder.
Equilibrium quasicrystal phase of a Penrose tiling model

A two-dimensional rhombus tiling model with a matching-rule-based energy is analyzed using real-space renormalization-group methods and Monte Carlo simulations. The model spans a range from T=0 quasiperiodic crystal (Penrose tiling) to a random-tiling quasicrystal at high temperatures. A heuristic picture for the disordering of the ground-state quasiperiodicity at low temperatures is proposed and corroborated with exact and renormalization-group calculations of the phason elastic energy, which shows a linear dependence on the strain at T=0 but changes to a quadratic behavior at Tg0 and sufficiently small strain. This is further supported by the Monte Carlo result that phason fluctuations diverge logarithmically with system size for all Tg0, which indicates the presence of quasi-long-range translational order in the system, meaning algebraically decaying correlations. A close connection between the rhombus tiling model and the general surface-roughening phenomena is established. Extension of the results to three dimensions and their possible implication to experimental systems is also addressed.
Very long-chain fatty acids in diagnosis, pathogenesis, and therapy of peroxisomal disorders

Abnormally high levels of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) are a feature in nine of the fifteen peroxisomal disorders that have been identified so far. Saturated VLCFA accumulate in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, appear to disrupt membrane structure, and may play a role in the pathogenesis of a brain inflammatory response. Dietary therapy initiated when patients are still asymptomatic may be of clinical benefit.
Wrist arthrography: the value of the three compartment injection technique.

Arthrography of the wrist was performed on 50 consecutive patients with obscure post-traumatic wrist pain by injecting contrast separately into the radiocarpal joint, midcarpal compartment, and distal radioulnar joint. When distal radioulnar joint and midcarpal compartment injections were added to the standard radiocarpal injection, many significant unsuspected abnormalities were identified. Of the 25 triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities identified, six (24%) were found only with the distal radioulnar joint injection. Of the 29 abnormal communications between the midcarpal compartment and the radiocarpal joint, ten (35%) were found only with the midcarpal injection. Similarly, five of 29 (17%) of the abnormal radiocarpal-midcarpal communication would have been missed if a midcarpal injection alone had been performed. These findings indicate that separate injections into the radiocarpal joint, midcarpal compartment, and distal radioulnar joint are needed to identify a large number of abnormalities not seen with injections into one compartment alone.
An Examination of the Influence of Ethnic Identity and Parental Attachment on the Body Esteem of Black Sorority Women

The primary goal of the current study was to explore the influence of ethnic identification and parental attachment on the body esteem of Black women who were members of a Black sorority. To date, there has been no published research examining determinants of body image in this population of Black women. The authors hypothesized that ethnic identity and attachment to mother would predict body esteem in this population. One hundred twelve women (M age 39.3) were surveyed, and hierarchical regression analysis revealed that attachment to mother was a significant predictor of body esteem, especially with regard to physical condition and weight control. The findings from the current study suggest that the mother-daughter relationship remains influential in the development of positive body esteem over the life span.
Site-specific, coupled-harmonic-oscillator model of carbon monoxide adsorbed on extended, single-crystal surfaces and on small crystals of platinum

Abstract A model describes the vibration of CO molecules adsorbed on extended crystal surfaces and small particles of platinum by treating the molecules as coupled harmonic oscillators. The frequency of vibration of single, adsorbed CO molecule and the forces coupling the vibrations of adsorbed CO molecules depend on the coordination numbers of the platinum atoms on which the CO molecules are adsorbed. The model is applied to CO adsorbed on several extended, single-crystal surfaces of platinum and to CO adsorbed on small nearly spherical particles of platinum. A calculation gives the normal modes and infrared intensities for the idealized case of a ring of molecules adsorbed in a great circle about a small particle. This idealized example helps us understand which of the collective vibration modes contribute to the infrared adsorption spectrum for systems with three-dimensional geometries (non-infinite, non-flat surfaces).
CorePal: A standards-based content hub for STEM fields

In an effort to generate and retain student interest in STEM fields, this work focused on providing middle school teachers with resources to engage students using hands-on activities and demonstrations directly related to the state science standards. The project involved generating a library of content for 8th grade physical science standards. The demonstrations and activities were specifically selected to promote interest and engage students, while being easy-to-implement for the teachers. The resources were packaged as a mobile app, called CorePal, to make the content highly accessible. CorePal was designed to allow teachers to track their progress and more importantly serve as a powerful guide to integrate science and engineering activities within their curriculum. Since the project was inspired by feedback from middle school teacher workshops for incorporating hands-on activities in classrooms, local science teachers participated in focus group discussions, workshops and surveys to inform CorePal's development. This paper introduces this standards-based hub for middle-school teachers to engage students within the STEM fields. The paper details CorePal's design philosophy and development. Initial feedback from teachers is included to provide context for these efforts. Even though the feedback has been positive, success of CorePal rests on its ability to build a collaborative community around it. Upon its launch, CorePal will exist as the only standards-based content tool on a mobile platform.
Enhanced expression of murine β-defensins (MBD-1, -2,- 3, and -4) in upper and lower airway mucosa of influenza virus infected mice

Abstract Although defensins are known to inhibit the replication of human influenza A virus (IAV) in vitro, their in vivo expression during IAV infection is not known. Here we investigated mRNA and protein expression of several β-defensins in the airways of IAV infected mice. Expression of murine β-defensin (MBD)-3 and -4 was enhanced (3 to 5-fold, p
Targets for molecular therapy of skin cancer

Abstract Cancers of the skin encompass the first and second most common neoplasms in the United States, epidermal basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), respectively, as well as the melanocytic malignancy, malignant melanoma (MM). Recently identified alterations in the function of specific genes in these cancers provide new potential therapeutic targets. These alterations affect conserved regulators of cellular proliferation and viability, including the Sonic Hedgehog, Ras/Raf, ARF/p53, p16 INK4A /CDK4/Rb and NF-κB pathways. New modalities designed to target these specific proteins may represent promising approaches to therapy of human skin cancers.
Lyapunov stability of two-dimensional digital filters with overflow nonlinearities

In this paper, the second method of Lyapunov is utilized to establish sufficient conditions for the global asymptotic stability of the trivial solution of zero-input two-dimensional (2-D) Fornasini-Marchesini state-space digital filters which are endowed with a general class of overflow nonlinearities. Results for the global asymptotic stability of the null solution of the 2-D Fornasini-Marchesini second model with overflow nonlinearities are established. Several classes of Lyapunov functions are used in establishing the present results, including vector norms and the quadratic form. When the quadratic form Lyapunov functions are considered, the present results involve necessary and sufficient conditions under which positive definite matrices can be used to generate Lyapunov functions for 2-D digital filters with overflow nonlinearities.
Inhibition of Cellobiohydrolase I from Trichoderma reesei by Palladium

Cellulase from Trichoderma reesei is a multienzyme mixture that hydrolyzes cellulose to glucose. Two enzymes in this mixture, cellobiohydrolase (CBH) and endoglucanase (EG), possess a common structure comprising a distinct cellulose-binding domain (CBD) and catalytic domain. Inhibition of the catalytic domain of cellulases without affecting their CBD function might be useful for structure/function studies of these enzymes. Complexes of the platinum group metals were tested for their ability to inhibit the major cellulase enzyme from T. reesei, cellobiohydrolase I (CBH I). Only palladium complexes inhibited CBH I, inhibition being dependent upon the molar ratio of palladium to CBH I with 1 microM CBH I retaining only 10% of its activity in the presence of 100 microM ammonium hexachloropalladate(IV) and after the incorporation of 28 mol Pd/mol CBH I. Inhibition was irreversible and could be completely prevented by including histidine, cysteine, and cystine in the assay mixture. Although the primary mechanism of inhibition of CBH I by palladium remains to be elucidated, it could involve the binding of palladium to sulfur or cystine residues resulting in their degradation. This is based on the findings that (i) palladium-inhibited CBH I was less thermally stable than native CBH I; (ii) CBH I, chemically modified by the attachment of pentaammine ruthenium(III) to the imidazole-N of either H206 or H228, showed greater sensitivity to inhibition by palladium compared to native CBH I; and (iii) ammonium hexachloropalladate cleaved 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)--Ellman's reagent. Binding of CBH I to crystalline cotton linters was not affected by palladium.