cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Myasthenia Gravis After Vaccination in the United States. A Report from the CDC/FDA Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. (1990–2017) (P2.326)

Objective: To determine the reporting rates and characteristics of PMG after vaccination in the United States. Background: Pediatric myasthenia gravis (PMG) triggered by infections have been reported. However, the occurrence and exacerbation of PMG after vaccination was never studied. Design/Methods: Data from Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) from 1990 to 2017 was used. PMG cases were ascertained from VAERS and were classified into definite or possible MG according to a strict criterion. Results: 33 cases of PMG (8 boys, 24 girls, 1 unknown sex, age between 2.4 months and 18 years, mean 9.59 years±5.41) were reported (definite 20, possible 13). 94% of patients were newly diagnosed as PMG after vaccination. The reporting rate of PMG after vaccination was 1.2 per year which is the range expected in the general population. The onset was within 6 weeks of vaccination in 45% of cases (86% of them within 2 weeks), 9% between 6 and 12 weeks, 42.4 % after 12 weeks of vaccination. Most commonly associated vaccines were HPV (45.5%) followed by hepatitis A/B ( 27.3%). 57.5% required hospitalization at the time of diagnosis. 24.3% experienced myasthenia crisis. Crisis was the presenting feature in 22.5% of newly detected MG, whereas 35.4% of patients presented with ocular 39.3% presented with generalized symptoms. The average onset time and distribution of MG after vaccination was significantly different from non MG events and GBS after vaccination respectively (26.3 ± 32.8 Vs 7.5 ± 18.6 days, p Conclusions: Although the reporting rate of PMG after vaccination is in the range expected in the general population, the unbalanced distribution of PMG cases in the first 6 weeks after vaccination suggest that some cases could be triggered by vaccination and warrant continuous monitoring of PMG after vaccination. Study Supported by: Unrestricted grant from RAM Capital Department fund Disclosure: Dr. Hanumanthu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sanghani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Souayah has nothing to disclose.
Identification of H4K20me3- and H3K4me3-associated RNAs using CARIP-Seq expands the transcriptional and epigenetic networks of embryonic stem cells

RNA has been shown to interact with various proteins to regulate chromatin dynamics and gene expression. However, it is unknown whether RNAs associate with epigenetic marks such as post-translational modifications of histones, including histone 4 lysine 20 trimethylation (H4K20me3) or trimethylated histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3), to regulate chromatin and gene expression. Here, we used chromatin-associated RNA immunoprecipitation (CARIP) followed by next-generation sequencing (CARIP-Seq) to survey RNAs associated with H4K20me3- and H3K4me3-marked chromatin on a global scale in embryonic stem (ES) cells. We identified thousands of mRNAs and noncoding RNAs that associate with H4K20me3- and H3K4me3-marked chromatin. H4K20me3- and H3K4me3-interacting RNAs are involved in chromatin organization and modification and RNA processing, whereas H4K20me3-only RNAs are involved in cell motility and differentiation, and H3K4me3-only RNAs are involved in metabolic processes and RNA processing. Expression of H3K4me3-associated RNAs is enriched in ES cells, whereas expression of H4K20me3-associated RNAs is enriched in ES cells and differentiated cells. H4K20me3- and H3K4me3-interacting RNAs originate from genes that co-localize with features of active chromatin, including transcriptional machinery and active promoter regions, and the histone modification H3K36me3 in gene body regions. We also found that H4K20me3 and H3K4me3 are associated with distinct gene features including transcripts of greater length and exon number relative to unoccupied transcripts. H4K20me3- and H3K4me3-marked chromatin is also associated with processed RNAs (exon transcripts) relative to unspliced pre-mRNA and ncRNA transcripts. In summary, our results provide evidence that H4K20me3- and H3K4me3-associated RNAs represent a distinct subnetwork of the ES cell transcriptional repertoire.
A Novel Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis Protocol in Cytomegalovirus (CMV) D+/R- Heart Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience

Background We previously reported that after completion of 3 months of prophylactic treatment with valganciclovir in cytomegalovirus (CMV) donor positive, recipient negative (D+/R-) heart transplant patients, there was a high incidence of CMV disease, with six out of seven recipients (86%) developing CMV disease within the next 6 months. A novel, three-tiered CMV prophylactic strategy for D+/R-heart transplant recipients was thus implemented at our center in 2010. The efficacy of this strategy is unknown. Methods We retrospectively reviewed consecutive heart transplants between September 2010 and December 2013. The novel 3-tiered CMV protocol administered to D+/R- patients consisted of: 1) Renally-dosed valganciclovir, starting on post-operative day 5 and continuing for 12 months, if tolerated; 2) CMV Immune Globulin administration through 16 weeks; and 3) Azathioprine rather than mycophenolate mofetil for immunosuppression. The diagnosis of CMV disease, consisting either of the CMV syndrome or tissue-invasive CMV infection, was established according to American Society of Transplantation Guidelines for clinical CMV infection. Results Of seventy-five heart transplant recipients, 17 (23%) were CMV D+/R-. Three of the 17 died of non-CMV causes within the first year. Among the remaining 14 recipients, CMV disease occurred in the first year in 3 (21%) recipients. Following cessation of valganciclovir at one year, another 4 (29%) recipients developed CMV disease within the next 6 months. Conclusion CMV D+/R- heart transplant recipients appear to have a lower incidence of CMV disease in the first year using a novel prophylactic regimen as compared to a historical group at our program. CMV D+/R- patients remain at risk of developing CMV disease with valganciclovir discontinuation, even after a full year of prophylactic treatment. Figure 1
Coexpression of octopine and succinamopine Agrobacterium virulence genes to generate high quality transgenic events in maize by reducing vector backbone integration

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a complex process that is widely utilized for generating transgenic plants. However, one of the major concerns of this process is the frequent presence of undesirable T-DNA vector backbone sequences in the transgenic plants. To mitigate this deficiency, a ternary strain of A. tumefaciens was modified to increase the precision of T-DNA border nicking such that the backbone transfer is minimized. This particular strain supplemented the native succinamopine VirD1/VirD2 of EHA105 with VirD1/VirD2 derived from an octopine source (pTi15955), the same source as the binary T-DNA borders tested here, residing on a ternary helper plasmid containing an extra copy of the succinamopine VirB/C/G operons and VirD1. Transformation of maize immature embryos was carried out with two different test constructs, pDAB101556 and pDAB111437, bearing the reporter YFP gene and insecticidal toxin Cry1Fa gene, respectively, contained in the VirD-supplemented and regular control ternary strains. Molecular analyses of ~ 700 transgenic events revealed a significant 2.6-fold decrease in events containing vector backbone sequences, from 35.7% with the control to 13.9% with the VirD-supplemented strain for pDAB101556 and from 24.9% with the control to 9.3% with the VirD-supplemented strain for pDAB111437, without compromising transformation efficiency. In addition, while the number of single copy events recovered was similar, there was a 24–26% increase in backbone-free events with the VirD-supplemented strain compared to the control strain. Thus, supplementing existing VirD1/VirD2 genes in Agrobacterium, to recognize diverse T-DNA borders, proved to be a useful tool to increase the number of high quality events in maize.
The effects of the timing of exposure to cadmium on the oviposition behavior of Drosophila melanogaster

Animals can greatly increase their fitness by choosing oviposition sites free from damaging substances such as the heavy metal cadmium (Cd). Previous research has shown that Drosophila melanogaster reared on uncontaminated media lay fewer eggs on substrates containing Cd. In this study, we examined the effects of prior exposure to Cd on oviposition site preference. We tested flies that had been exposed to Cd continuously from egg to adult, only during pre-adult stages, or for the 4 days of adulthood prior to testing. We found that flies avoid laying eggs on Cd-contaminated medium and also that flies exposed to Cd as adults laid significantly fewer eggs than controls never exposed to Cd. We did not observe consistent changes in oviposition as a result of pre-adult exposure alone. Our results suggest that the presence of cadmium in the environment, even at low doses and for short periods of time during adulthood, can harm the fitness of Drosophila melanogaster.
Relational decomposition

We introduce relational decomposition, a technique for formally reducing termination-insensitive relational program logics to unary logics, that is program logics for one-execution properties. Generalizing the approach of selfcomposition, we develop a notion of interpolants that decompose along the phrase structure, and relate these interpolants to unary and relational predicate transformers. In contrast to previous formalisms, relational decomposition is applicable across heterogeneous pairs of transition systems. We apply our approach to justify variants of Benton's Relational Hoare Logic (RHL) for a language with objects, and present novel rules for relating loops that fail to proceed in lockstep. We also outline applications to noninterference and separation logic.
Perceptions of disaster resilience in four Texas coastal communities

Scholars and practitioners have long noted the importance of community resilience to disaster recovery and environmental risk mitigation. Yet we know surprisingly little about how local residents p...
A survey of feeding practices and use of food puzzles in owners of domestic cats.

ObjectivesFood puzzles may provide enrichment to domestic cats. The purpose of our survey was to determine: (1) how respondents fed their cat (type[s] of food, amount and mode of delivery); (2) how...
In the Spirit of Art Criticism: Reading the Writings of Women Artists

This article focuses on a newly developed college course in art appreciation and art criticism titled, “In the Words of Women Artists.” This introductory level course yields credit in fine arts and women's studies and draws students from a variety of disciplines within the arts. The purpose of the article is threefold. First, it describes the theoretical foundations of the course as it is grounded in postmodern and feminist criticism. Second, it offers a rationale for teaching about contemporary women's art through postmodern and feminist critical theory and practice. Third, through examples drawn from class assignments and discussions, it explains the theoretical background and instructional advantages of rotating frames of reference, that is, of requiring students to reason and respond from multiple points of view: their own, as both viewer and reader; the perspectives of the artists, as they are intertwined within their visual and verbal creativity; and those of the critics who write about the artists ...
Eosinophilic Esophagitis: the Potential Role of Biologics in its Treatment

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the esophagus, characterized by the presence of significant esophageal mucosal eosinophilic infiltrates. The clinical presentation of EoE in childhood may include failure to thrive and feeding intolerance. The complication of food impaction is often related to the presence of strictures or narrow caliber esophagus. Over the last decade, there has been tremendous progress in the field of eosinophilic disorders, particularly eosinophilic esophagitis. Conventional treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis involves topical swallowed steroids, systemic steroids, elimination diets, and/or esophageal dilation. However, treatment outcomes with the above modalities are not satisfactory for all patients with EoE and alternative treatments are clearly needed. There has been ongoing research targeting the treatment-refractory population of patients with EoE and the population with long-term consequences of the disease and its treatment. With the significant eosinophilic infiltration that characterizes EoE, anti-IL-5 therapies designed to target eosinophilic inflammation have been some of the most studied anti-inflammatory biologic therapies in EoE. In the studies published to date, while various IL-5 inhibitors have decreased the numbers of esophageal eosinophils, they have not depleted them to the levels consistent with histologic remission of EoE. As additional biologics that modulate Th2-mediated immunity are trialed for the treatment of EoE, we stand to learn more about the inflammatory factors mediating this challenging condition. In this review, we discuss the alternative modes of therapy in EoE that have emerged, with a focus on anti-IL-5 therapies and other biologics, their variation of success, and ultimately, the future of treatment in this field.
Is Alzheimer’s Disease a Neurogenesis Disorder?

The existence of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) in humans has been controversial. However, recent reports have detected AHN in aged adults and patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD), suggesting that therapies aimed at promoting AHN may be useful for the prevention and treatment of AD.
Flights of a Multirotor UAS with Structural Faults: Failures on Composite Propeller(s)

Data acquired from several flights of a custom-fabricated Hexacopter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) with composite structure (carbon fiber arms and central hub) and composite (carbon fiber) propellers are described in this article. The Hexacopter was assembled from a commercially available kit (Tarot 690) and flown in manual and autonomous modes. Takeoffs and landings were under manual control and the bulk of the flight tests was conducted with the Hexacopter in a “position hold” mode. All flights were flown within the UAS flight cage at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology at Saint Louis University for approximately 5 min each. Several failure conditions (different types, artificially induced) on the composite (carbon fiber) propellers were tested, including failures on up to two propellers. The dataset described in this article contains flight data from the onboard flight controller (Pixhawk) as well as three accelerometers, each with three axes, mounted on the arms of the Hexacopter UAS. The data are included as supplemental material.
Perioperative Intravenous Lidocaine Infusion Adverse Reaction: A Case Report.

Intravenous lidocaine is increasingly being utilized as an opioid-sparing analgesic. A 55-year-old man with well-controlled human immunodeficiency virus on highly active antiretroviral therapy was prescribed a lidocaine infusion at 1 mg/kg/h for postoperative pain. On postoperative day 2, the patien
A generalized method for determining the crystal nucleation and growth rates in glasses by differential thermal analysis

A generalized experimental method that uses differential thermal analysis (DTA) has been developed for determining the nucleation rate (I), the crystal growth rate (U), and the concentration of quenched-in nuclei (Nq) in glasses. The method is applicable even for glasses, whose I and U curves (as a function of temperature) overlap to a considerable degree. Measuring I by the conventional method may yield an overestimated value for I if the chosen crystal growth temperature is within the region of overlap between I and U. When applied to a Na2O · 2CaO · 3SiO2 glass, whose I and U curves are known to overlap considerably, the present DTA method yields values for I, U, and Nq that are in excellent agreement with the same values determined by the conventional methods.
New possibilities for sustainability, environmental justice and hope for the commons will soar when Congress acts to create the US Department of the Environment

It is time to elevate the US Environmental Protection Agency to a departmental-level agency. The new US Department of the Environment would establish a focal point and permanent, authoritative position among the Presidential Secretaries for a coherent environmental vision for the country and a transition to a sustainable, flourishing society with a hope for the commons. The 21st century challenges demand action now as climate change and environmental justice are too critical for the environment not to be an official part of the cabinet. The congress can merge the council on environmental quality (CEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) into the DoE by amending certain federal environmental laws and enacting and enabling legislation with organic authority and sustainability principles. The DoE legislation must be clean and uncluttered with superfluous amendments. In addition, the legislation would establish sustainability principles, practices, guidelines and objectives for the new DoE. This paper demonstrates that a paradigm shift in US environmental governance is needed to begin moving toward sustainability and a new way of life.
Defining the phenotype, pathogenesis and treatment of Crohn's disease associated spondyloarthritis.

Peripheral and axial spondyloarthritis are the most common extra-intestinal manifestations reported in patients with Crohn’s disease. Despite the frequency of Crohn’s disease associated spondyloarthritis, clinical diagnostic tools are variably applied in these cohorts and further characterization with validated spondyloarthritis disease activity indexes are needed. In addition, the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease associated spondyloarthritis is not well understood. Evidence of shared genetic, cellular, and microbial mechanisms underlying both Crohn’s disease and spondyloarthritis highlight the potential for a distinct clinicopathologic entity. Existing treatment paradigms for Crohn’s disease associated spondyloarthritis focus on symptom control and management of luminal inflammation. A better understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in Crohn’s disease associated spondyloarthritis and the link between the gut microbiome and systemic immunity will help pave the way for more targeted and effective therapies. This review highlights recent work that has provided a framework for clinical characterization and pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease associated spondyloarthritis and helps identify critical gaps that will help shape treatment paradigms.
Practical Solutions to Forensic Contextual Bias

Abstract. In 2009, the National Research Council (NRC) globally criticized forensic science and, in particular, the potential for contextual bias to increase errors in forensic examination. Neverth...
Functional Characteristics Analysis of Dehydrins in Larix kaempferi under Osmotic Stress

Dehydrins (DHN) belong to the late embryogenesis abundant II family and have been found to enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stress. In the present study, we reported four DHNs in Larix kaempferi (LkDHN) which were identified from the published transcriptome. Alignment analysis showed that these four LkDHNs shared close relationships and belonged to SK3-type DHNs. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated that these four LkDHNs all possess sequence-independent binding capacity for double-strands DNAs. The subcellular localizations of the four LkDHNs were in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, indicating that these LkDHNs enter the nucleus to exert the ability to bind DNA. The preparation of tobacco protoplasts with different concentrations of mannitol showed that LkDHNs enhanced the tolerance of plant cells under osmotic stress. The overexpression of LkDHNs in yeasts enhanced their tolerance to osmotic stress and helped the yeasts to survive severe stress. In addition, LkDHNs in the nucleus of salt treated tobacco increased. All of these results indicated that the four LkDHNs help plants survive from heavy stress by participating in DNA protection. These four LKDHNs played similar roles in the response to osmotic stress and assisted in the adaptation of L. kaempferi to the arid and cold winter of northern China.
The lie of pandemic pivot and essential work

My emotional responses to this moment include feelings of anger, hope, and deja vu. Although the scope and scale of this pandemic is unprecedented in our lifetimes, what has been especially hard is...
When national drug surveys "take too long": An examination of who is at risk for survey fatigue.

Abstract Background National surveys are a leading method for estimating prevalence of substance use and other health-related behaviors. However, when a participant perceives a survey as too time-consuming, there is a higher probability of lower quality responses. Methods We examined data from the 2018 to 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized individuals ages ≥12 in the U.S. (N = 112,184). Participants were asked about 13 drug classes on this hour-long survey, and those reporting use of a drug were asked follow-up questions. We estimated prevalence and correlates of participants stating that the survey took too long to complete. Results An estimated 9.4 % (95 % CI: 8.9–9.8) felt the survey took too long. The more drugs used in the past year, the higher the odds of reporting that the survey took too long. Those reporting use of 8−13 drug classes in particular were at higher odds (aOR = 2.91, 95 % CI: 1.44−5.87). More missing responses was associated with higher odds—particularly when ≥5 drug-related questions were skipped (aOR = 3.26, 95 % CI: 2.26−4.71). Participants who did not speak any English (aOR = 1.74, 95 % CI: 1.31−2.32), have difficulty concentrating (aOR = 1.38, 95 % CI: 1.23−1.54), and/or had trouble understanding the interview (aOR = 3.99, 95 % CI: 3.51−4.53) were at higher odds, as were those who were older and non-white. Higher education and family income was associated with lower odds. Conclusion We identified subgroups of individuals most likely to experience fatigue on a national drug survey. Researchers should recognize that long surveys with extensive follow-up questions may lead to respondent fatigue.
Protective antigenic sites identified in respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein reveals importance of p27 domain.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines primarily focused on surface fusion (F) protein are under development. Therefore, to identify RSV-F protective epitopes, we evaluated 14 antigenic sites recognized following primary human RSV infection. BALB/c mice were vaccinated with F peptides, F proteins, or RSV-A2, followed by rA2-Line19F challenge. F peptides generated binding antibodies with minimal in vitro neutralization titers. However, several F peptides (including Site II) reduced lung viral loads and lung pathology scores in animals, suggesting partial protection from RSV disease. Interestingly, animals vaccinated with peptides (aa 101-121 and 110-136) spanning the F-p27 sequence, which is only present in unprocessed F0 protein, showed control of viral loads with significantly reduced pathology compared with mock-vaccinated controls. Furthermore, we observed F-p27 expression on the surface of RSV-infected cells as well as lungs from RSV-infected mice. The anti-p27 antibodies demonstrated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of RSV-infected A549 cells. These findings suggest that p27-mediated immune response may play a role in control of RSV disease in vivo, and F-p27 should be considered for inclusion in an effective RSV vaccine.
Providing Hope in Trouble Times Through Strategic Planning

– 10 Month program, met once a month, class project, and senior leaders came in to talk. Sponsored by 3 star general deputy. – Based on Army’s Field Manual on Leadership – Army culture requires leadership development at all levels. Performance appraisals assess your activities in “building the bench”. – Many leadership assessments (EQ, DISC, and Strengths Finder) – Great people in the class from many different Army leadership positions – Class project is eMentorship (web based mentoring tool) – Call at graduation was to give back – I found my role/strengths in a team, as a leader
General Measure Theory

If (X, S, µ) is a measure situation and A ∈ S, a partition of A is a sequence {A} n=1 ∞ of a pairwise disjoint sets in S and such that A = U n=1 ∞ A n . The measure µ is signed iff the range of µ is a subset of (-∞, ∞] or [-∞, ∞).
ICE CORE RECORDS | Thermal Diffusion Paleotemperature Records

Ice cores serve as archives of ancient air. At one point of time this air was interstitial air inside channels and pores of packed snow layers atop glaciers. Climate change occurring abruptly generated a persistent temperature difference across that layer, and changed isotopic composition of the air at its bottom, where air becomes entrapped in newly formed ice. The changing isotopic composition is due to a process known as ‘thermal diffusion’, a counterintuitive diffusion process that goes in the opposite direction to ordinary diffusion. Anomalies in the isotopic composition of ice-core air measured on a mass spectrometer (stable nitrogen and argon isotopes) demonstrate how large the temperature difference across diffusive layers was, and the magnitude of the abrupt temperature changes. Thermal diffusion constants are required to make the paleoreconstruction and have been determined precisely in laboratories. The method, which was pioneered by Severinghaus et al. (1998), compliments the conventional solid ice matrix isotopic method of Dansgaard and colleagues, in that it takes away nontemperature components that affect the blend of heavy/light H2O molecules in precipitation. Actual ice core gas-isotope datasets are shown for an illustration from the prominent abrupt changes at ca. 14, 69, and 73 thousand years before present.
Risk and protective factors for internalizing and externalizing outcomes among HIV-affected youth in Haiti

The present study aims to: (1) estimate the levels of internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors among youth affected by HIV in central Haiti; and (2) examine the risk and protective factors associated with these outcomes to identify potential areas of intervention for HIV-affected youth. Baseline data for 492 youth affected by HIV (ages 10–17) and their 330 caregivers were collected for a pilot study of a psychosocial support intervention. Participants were recruited from a list of HIV-positive patients receiving care at Partners In Health/Zanmi Lasante clinic sites. Internalizing and externalizing behaviors were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Demographic, economic, and social indicators were collected using a structured questionnaire administered by trained social workers. Youth affected by HIV in central Haiti displayed high levels of internalizing and, to a lesser degree, externalizing symptoms. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated risk factors most stron...
When should central bankers be fired

In recent years, a number of countries have changed their central banking institutions. Often these reforms involve granting long terms of office to central bankers. This threatens to limit the extent to which the central bank can be held accountability. Dismissal rules can help ensure accountability, and, in the presence of inflation shocks, the socially optimal commitment policy is supported by a dismissal rule similar to a modified nominal income rule. The government's promise to follow the rule is shown to be credible in a trigger strategy equilibrium for reasonable parameter values.
Chronic cholestasis in hepatic sarcoidosis with clinical features resembling primary biliary cirrhosis: Report of two cases

Two cases of sarcoidosis with predominantly hepatic involvement are reported, both with the gradual development of progressive jaundice and other clinical features of primary biliary cirrhosis without immunologic or morphologic evidence of that disease. The autopsy findings in one case are described.
Global protection against limited strikes: An unnecessary and unworkable system

Abstract Since the threat of nuclear conflict with the USSR has receded, the US Strategic Defense Initiative has metamorphosed into the Global Protection Against Limited Strikes (GPALS) system. But a dispassionate analysis shows that GPALS would not work against the threats adduced to justify its creation, nor do the threats themselves really exist. There is no need for the system other than political expediency. A far better guarantee of the USA's national security lies in updating the ABM Treaty together with a modest programme of research into space-based strategic defence.
The Eastern Mediterranean and the Making of Global Radicalism, 1860–1914 – By Ilham Khuri‐Makdisi

This study focuses on the nexus of three cities in the Mediterranean—Beirut, Cairo, and Alexandria—that were connected through Syrian migrants and whose influence was spread globally by the Syrian ...
A Genetic Wallace's Line Across Wyoming- Genetic Structure of North American Rosy-Finches

North American rosy-finches (genus Leucosticte) are currently classified by the American Ornithologists' Union (1998) as three species - the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, L. australis, with a breeding range largely restricted to the Colorado Rockies, but extending barely into southeast Wyoming and northern New Mexico, the Black Rosy-Finch, L. atrata, breeding from Utah north through western Wyoming (including GTNP) and west to Idaho and Nevada, and the Gray-crowned RosyÂ­Finch, L. tephrocotis, breeding from the Sierra Nevada through the Cascades and from northern Montana through the Rockies to Alaska. Based on previous results for a surprising genetic break for black bears (Ursus americanus) across Wyoming, I was interested in the degree of genetic differentiation among populations of rosy-finches, particularly between Brown-capped Rosy-Finches in Colorado and Black Rosy-Finches in Wyoming. Because the mating system is largely unknown, and because of reports in the literature of highly male-biased sex ratios (e.g., 6 males per female; French, 1959), I was also interested in using genetic markers to assess patterns of parentage in rosy-finches. Because of its striking plumage (often indicative of strong sexual selection) I was particularly interested in the Black Rosy-Finch. Using polymorphic microsatellites (nuclear DNA) we have now analyzed an initial sample of individuals from the three North American forms, including three sets of nestling Black RosyÂ­Finches and the behavioral father at one of the nests.
Venture Capital Investment in the Clean Energy Sector

We examine the extent to which venture capital is adequately positioned for the rapid commercialization of clean energy technologies in the United States. While there are several start-ups in clean energy that are well-suited to the traditional venture capital investment model, our analysis highlights a number of structural challenges related to VC investment in the sector that are particularly acute for start-ups involved in the production of clean energy. One of key bottlenecks threatening innovation in energy production is the inability of VCs to exit their investments at the appropriate time. This hurdle did exist in industries such as biotechnology and communications networking that faced a similar problem when they first emerged, but was ultimately overcome by changes in the innovation ecosystem. However, incumbents in the oil and power sector are different in two respects. First, they are producing a commodity and hence face little end-user pressure to adopt new technologies. Second, they do not tend to feel as threatened by potential competition from clean energy start-ups, given the market structure and regulatory environment in the energy sector. We highlight that the problem is unlikely to get solved without the active involvement of the government. Even if it does, historical experience suggests it may take several years.
A Review of “Eden on the Charles, The Making of Boston”

Boston has been blessed with an abundance of scholarly surveys since Thomas Pendleton wrote his history of the city in 1794. The latest title, Eden on the Charles, is written by historian Michael R...
The Poly1305-AES message-authentication code

Poly1305-AES is a state-of-the-art message-authentication code suitable for a wide variety of applications. Poly1305-AES computes a 16-byte authenticator of a variable-length message, using a 16-byte AES key, a 16-byte additional key, and a 16-byte nonce. The security of Poly1305-AES is very close to the security of AES; the security gap is at most 14D⌈L/16⌉/2106 if messages have at most L bytes, the attacker sees at most 264 authenticated messages, and the attacker attempts D forgeries. Poly1305-AES can be computed at extremely high speed: for example, fewer than 3.1l+780 Athlon cycles for an l-byte message. This speed is achieved without precomputation; consequently, 1000 keys can be handled simultaneously without cache misses. Special-purpose hardware can compute Poly1305-AES at even higher speed. Poly1305-AES is parallelizable, incremental, and not subject to any intellectual-property claims.
Neutron inelastic scattering in natural Cu as a background in neutrinoless double- β decay experiments

Inelastic neutron scattering on Pb isotopes can result in {gamma} rays near the signature endpoint energy in a number of {beta}{beta} isotopes. In particular, there are {gamma}-ray transitions in {sup 206}Pb and {sup 207}Pb that might produce energy deposits at the {sup 76}Ge Q{sub {beta}{beta}} in Ge detectors used for 0{nu}{beta}{beta} searches. The levels that produce these {gamma} rays can be excited by n,n'{gamma} reactions, but the cross sections are small and previously unmeasured. The cross section on {sup nat}Pb to produce the 2041-keV {gamma} ray from {sup 206}Pb is measured to be 3.1 {+-} 0.6 (stat.) {+-} 0.3 (syst.) mb at {approx} 9.6 MeV. The cross section on {sup nat}Pb to produce the 3062-keV {gamma} ray from {sup 207}Pb is measured to be 4.3 {+-} 0.8 (stat.) {+-} 0.4 (syst.) mb at the same energy. We place upper limits on the cross sections for exciting some other levels in Pb that have transition energies corresponding to Q{sub {beta}{beta}} in orhter {beta}{beta} isotopes.
The level of IgE produced by a B cell is regulated by norepinephrine in a p38 MAPK- and CD23-dependent manner

Although the causes of asthma vary, the severity of the disease correlates with the level of IgE produced. In this study we show that mice produced less IgE when they were depleted of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) before the administration of Ag. The suppression was prevented when a β 2 -adrenergic receptor (β 2 AR)-selective agonist was administered, suggesting that NE stimulated the β 2 AR to regulate the level of an IgE response in vivo. Although the cell targeted by NE to produce this effect in vivo is unknown, we show in vitro that the level of IgE increased on a per cell basis without an effect on class switch recombination when NE stimulated the β 2 AR on a B cell directly. The β 2 AR-induced increase in IgE depended on p38 MAPK but not protein kinase A activation, was due to an increased rate of mature IgE mRNA transcription, and was lost when β 2 AR-deficient B cells were used. Also, CD23 transcription was increased in a p38 MAPK-dependent manner and resulted in an increased level of soluble CD23 (sCD23). The β 2 AR-induced increase in sCD23 was associated with IgE up-regulation and possibly interacted with CD21/CD19. Using B cells from respective knockout mice, data showed that the β 2 AR-induced increase in IgE depended on B cell expression of CD23, CD21, and CD19. These findings suggest that at least one mechanism by which endogenous B cell activity in vivo is regulated by NE involves stimulation of the β 2 AR on the B cell alone to increase the level of IgE produced in a p38 MAPK- and sCD23-dependent manner.
Thermodynamics of solubilization of aromatic compounds by bovine serum albumin

Abstract The bovine serum albumin solubilizabilities, K, of a series of substituted non-ionic aromatic compounds have been correlated with their water solubilities, x, according to the isotherm log K=a log x+b The temperature variation of a and b has been interpreted consistently with adsorption of the solutes on the protein surface by hydrophobic bonding.
Cardiovascular Clinical Trials in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: Lessons From the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) Study

Diabetes mellitus is a well-established risk factor for virtually all cardiovascular outcomes, with clinical trials and observational studies demonstrating greater mortality, more myocardial infarctions, and more episodes of heart failure in diabetic than in nondiabetic individuals.1–6 Moreover, diabetes mellitus is often associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes has made diabetic patients a particularly relevant target group for therapies that reduce cardiovascular risk because diabetic patients appear to benefit as much as or more than nondiabetic patients from successful cardiovascular therapies.7–9 Clinical trials that have assessed strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetic populations have generally focused on treatment of factors that have been linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease, such as blood pressure, lipid levels, or albuminuria. Trials of therapies for these risk factors in exclusively diabetic populations benefit from higher overall event rates, which translate to increased power in clinical trials, so that therapies can be tested in fewer patients at lower cost. Although this approach may come at the expense of a broad indication for a specific therapy, the increasing worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus somewhat mitigates this concern and makes trials exclusively in diabetic populations financially more palatable for sponsors. Another reason to test therapies exclusively in a specific patient population is the finding of differential benefit in that population. Such a differential benefit in diabetic patients was observed in a subgroup analysis of the original Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI) trial, which randomized patients with multivessel coronary disease to either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).10 Although BARI showed no difference between those randomized to PCI or those randomized to CABG, CABG appeared superior in the subgroup of diabetic patients. Whether this differential benefit was a result …
Changes in the phospholipid composition in the differentiating cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract 1. 1. The phospholipid composition of Dictyostelium discoideum was determined at different stages of development by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography, and both qualitative and quantitative changes in the composition of membrane phospholipids occurred during differentiation. 1,2-Diacylglycero- sn -3-phosphoryl-ethanolamine and its alkenyl-acyl derivative were the major phospholipids in all stages comprising 40–44 molar percent of the phospholipid phosphorous. The level of three phospholipids increased: 1,2-diacylglycero- sn -3-phosphorylcholine went from 7 to 24%; 1,2-diacylglycero- sn -3-phosphorylinositol from 6 to 13%; and 1,2-diacylglycero- sn -3-phosphate and its alkenyl-acyl derivative from 1 to 6%. The amount of 1-acylglycero- sn -3-phosphorylethanolamine and its 1-alkenyl form gradually decreased from 17% in amoebae to about 2% in mature fruiting bodies. 2. 2. Two unique unidentified plasmalogens comprising about 16% of amoebae phospholipids disappeared during aggregation, reappeared during culmination to 6%, and dropped to 2% in fruiting bodies. They were present in amoebae grown or produced in the absence of bacteria at relatively low levels, about 2–4%. 3. 3. The observed changes in phospholipid composition occurred during the time when cell membrane antigens were changing and when membrane-bounded prespore vesicles were forming. Since phospholipids are major components of membranes, these results suggest that D. discoideum membrane phospholipids change when the cells begin to adhere to each other and during spore formation.
Intercalate lattice dynamics in stage-1 rubidium graphite

Abstract Collective intercalate models have been observed in C8Rb by neutron scattering. The partial phonon density of states for in-basal-plane Rb vibrations agrees remarkably well with a calculation treating the Rb-Rb interactions as unscreened Coulomb forces.
Productivity in the Provision of Hospital Services: A Challenge to the Management Community

Productivity improvement has a role in holding down escalating costs of hospital services. A research model is developed for obtaining higher levels of productivity and quality in hospital departments. A challenge is issued to the management community for more research on hospital productivity.
Comparison of Subjective and Objective Measurements of Fixation Disparity

Fixation disparity was measured while the subject fixated a target 51.4 cm away in the median plane. Prism vergence was varied through a range of 20 prism diopters base-in to 20 prism diopters base-out. Subjective measurements were made with a modified haploscope. Photographic, or objective, measurements were made by placing contact lenses with plane mirrors on both eyes of the subject and reflecting light to an oscillographic camera, by using the optical-lever principle. The subjective and objective methods gave results which were in close enough agreement to support the conclusion that the mean primary uniocular visual direction does not vary as the fusional stress is changed. Photographic records made with steady binocular fixation of the target for over 1 min showed that the vergence of the eyes varies by less than 10 min of arc, which is consistent with the concept of Panum’s fusional areas.
A CORRELATION BETWEEN THE APICAL CELL AND THE HETEROBLASTIC LEAF SERIES IN MARSILEA

A B S T R A C T Plants of three species of Marsilea (M. vestita, M. villosa, AM. drummondii) were grown in sterile culture under controlled conditions, and stem apices were sampled at one of the three heteroblastic leaf forms typical of this plant: spatulate, bifid, or quadrifid leaves. Statistical analyses were made of the relationship between the area of the apical cell and the leaf form which the plant produces under varied growth conditions. For all three species there is a statistically significant correlation (1% level) between apical cell area and leaf form. The analysis indicates that 83% of the variation in apical cell area in Marsilea vestita, 52% in M. villosa, anid 54% in M. drummondii can be related to the change in leaf form. An increase in the glucose concentration of the culture medium increases the average apical cell area, and the addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor 2-thiouracil at concentrations of 10 mg/liter and 25 mg/liter decreases the average apical cell area. A certain average apical cell area is necessary for the production of a particular leaf form in the series. The area is a relative rather than an absolute size under any one particular growth condition. Any growth condition which inhibits or reverses the increase in apical cell size (which is typical of the normal growth pattern) will inhibit or reverse the normal heteroblastic series. Under constant conditions, the average size at which particular leaf forms develop appears to be species specific. These results confirm a generally held idea that the apex size is related to the heteroblastic leaf series, and they indicate that the area of the apical cell is the key factor rather than the volume or the number of cells of the apex. Undoubtedly the area of the apical cell is only a reflection of the physiological or morphological characteristics of the apical meristem that underlie the heteroblastic leaf series and which currently do not appear to lend themselves to more direct quantitative analysis. ALTHOUGH heteroblastic development mav refer to changes in the morphology of any successively formed organ of a plant as it proceeds from the young or juvenile stages of development to the form more typical of the adult (Goebel, 1889, 1900), probably the best known and widely recognized of these changes is the heteroblastic leaf series (Allsopp, in press; Ashby, 1948;
An alternate derivation of the distribution of the conditioned signal-to-noise ratio

A result in multiple regression analysis is used to derive the probability distribution of the conditioned signal-to-noise ratio.
An analysis and approach to using existing ontological systems for applications in manufacturing

This paper reports on the results of an analysis of existing ontological systems to determine which is most appropriate for the manufacturing domain. In particular, this involved the exploration of efforts that are studying both the uses of ontologies in the general sense and those that are using ontologies for domain-specific purposes. Eleven ontological systems were analyzed and, using a set of analysis criteria, it was determined that the Cyc (Cyc is a registered trademark of Cycorp Inc.) system was most appropriate for modeling concepts in the manufacturing domain. After the analysis is described, examples are given to show how manufacturing concepts could be modeled in the Cyc system. This work is part of a larger project whose objective is to move closer to the ultimate goal of seamless manufacturing systems integration using the principle behind ontological engineering to unambiguously define domain-specific concepts. The output of this work will be a taxonomy of manufacturing terms and concepts along with formal definitions of exactly what each of those terms and concepts mean and how they interrelate.
The wave function of the universe and the square root of minus one

The euclidean action for gravity is unbounded from below and leads to trouble when used in a sum over paths. I argue that this is an artifact of euclideanization. I propose replacing the euclidean action by the old Minkowski signature action with the i. In a minisuperspace example this leads directly to a sensible quantum theory. Perhaps this is true in the full gravity theory as well.