cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What Have We Learned about the Microbiomes of Indoor Environments

The advent and application of high-throughput molecular techniques for analyzing microbial communities in the indoor environment have led to illuminating findings and are beginning to change the way we think about human health in relation to the built environment. Here I review recent studies on the microbiology of the built environment, organize their findings into 12 major thematic categories, and comment on how these studies have or have not advanced knowledge in each area beyond what we already knew from over 100 years of applying culture-based methods to building samples. I propose that while we have added tremendous complexity to the rich existing knowledge base, the practical implications of this added complexity remain somewhat elusive. It remains to be seen how this new knowledge base will change how we design, build, and operate buildings. Much more research is needed to better understand the complexity with which indoor microbiomes may affect human health in both positive and negative ways.
A Troubling Equation in Contracts for Government Funded Scientific Research: "Sensitive But Unclassified" = Secret But Unconstitutional

This Article addresses the constitutionality of the “sensitive but unclassified” (SBU) clauses that the federal government requires in contracts with scientists. General free speech principles, as well as those addressed specifically to secrecy clauses and speech-limiting conditions on government programs, indicate that the current SBU secrecy clause intrudes too far on the free speech right. Its problematic features are its imprecise definitions, its authorization of enforcement by prepublication review, and the fact that it is not part of a system that links protected information to a clear national security danger. Recent changes in the security environment may permit the government to impose secrecy requirements on some amount of “sensitive” information, even though it is not contained within the formal classification system. A balance of the government's national security interest with the free speech right must determine the extent of this protection. At a minimum, a constitutional system to protect SBU information must include features that resemble those of the classification system that are designed to protect the free speech right. These include precise definitions of types of SBU information tied to a definite national security interest, procedures to ensure that particular information is properly categorized and kept secret, and selective and limited use of prepublication review. These features provide the beginning of what must be an ongoing adjustment in the balance between secrecy and openness with respect to government funded scientific research.
Introduction to Green and Sustainable Chemistry

Initially introduced in 1998 to the scientific and engineering communities as operational pollution prevention strategies, the 12 principles of green chemistry have gone on to serve as a foundation and launch pad for continually waves of novel approaches, methods, and tools to increase the sustainability of chemicals, materials, and processes. Building off the entirety of these contributions new approaches that include alternative assessment and sustainable molecular design are being brought to the forefront to lead us into the next realm of sustainable chemicals and processes.
BladeMAC: Radio duty-cycling in a dynamic, cyclical channel

As wind energy continues to expand to new frontiers in terms of the location, number, and size of wind turbines, the industry has begun to seek smarter operations and management solutions. Wireless sensing nodes could provide a low-cost platform to support a variety of applications designed to reduce the levelized cost of energy and increase the safety of wind turbines. However, a wireless sensor node deployed on a wind turbine blade would have an extremely limited energy supply. To combat this limitation, we present BladeMAC, a new MAC-layer protocol designed for sensor nodes deployed on rotating wind turbine blades. BladeMAC overcomes a unique cyclical channel problem to allow a sensor node attached to a rotating blade to opportunistically and efficiently offload its data to a sink node attached to the turbine tower. We have implemented and evaluated BladeMAC using Contiki OS and the Cooja simulation tool. We present results showing that BladeMAC effectively deals with the cyclical channel problem at a wide range of data arrival intervals, and that BladeMAC is insensitive to rotation speed and rotation speed fluctuations.
P3.111 Optimising STI screening in hiv-infected men who have sex with men (MSM)

Introduction Current CDC guidelines recommend screening “at least annually” for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) at sites of exposure using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) in HIV-infected MSM. National screening rates remain suboptimal in this high-risk population, particularly at extra-genital sites. Methods We enrolled HIV-infected MSM from a routine care visit at the 1917 HIV clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. Inclusion criteria included age >18, receptive anal intercourse in the past 30 days and lack of antibiotic exposure. Participants provided four self-collected rectal swabs and a urine sample. A pharyngeal sample was provider-collected. Samples from the rectal and genital sites were run on four testing platforms with the composite infection standard (≥2 NAAT positive) defining a positive result. Pharyngeal samples were run on two platforms and the patient infection standard (2 NAAT positive) was used to define positivity. Results A total of 175 unique HIV-infected MSM were enrolled between December 2014 and November 2016. Overall, 34 men (19.4%) had CT or GC infection detected. CT infection rates by site were: 13.1% rectal, 3.4% urogenital, 0% pharyngeal. GC infection rates by site were: 8.6% rectal, 3.4% urogenital and 2.3% pharyngeal. In addition, 5.7% of men had co-infection with CT and GC at the rectal site and 1.7% had simultaneous CT or GC infection at genital and rectal sites. Most infections (79.4%) would have been missed by genital screening alone. Conclusion Sexually active, HIV-infected MSM in Birmingham, Alabama have high prevalence rates of CT and GC infection, particularly at the rectal site. This has public health implications since CT/GC coinfection may increase HIV transmission rates. Clinics that provide care for HIV-infected MSM should streamline extragenital testing; this may include the incorporation of patient-collected rectal swabs into routine care.
‘Private Letters’ for Public Audiences: The Complexities of Ethos in Louise Clappe’s The Shirley Letters from the California Mines, 1851–1852

This essay examines the work of Louise Clappe (1819–1906), specifically The Shirley Letters from the California Mines, 1851–1852. Clappe’s Shirley Letters are significant because she uses the epistolary genre in the form of private letters to her sister to reach public audiences, a strategy practiced by few other American pioneer women who have been studied. Furthermore, although her location in the mining camps is extremely limiting in a material and social sense, Clappe creatively details her deprivations to highlight her distinctiveness and ingenuity in adapting to California’s challenging frontier.
Management of IVC Injury: Repair or Ligation? A Propensity Score Matching Analysis Using the National Trauma Data Bank.

Background Ligation can be used as part of damage-control operations under critical conditions after IVC injury. Inferior vena cava ligation could potentially yield greater survival benefit compared with repair after injury. We hypothesized that ligation significantly improves outcomes compared with repair. Study Design The National Trauma Data Bank dataset for 2007-2014 was reviewed. Eligible patients included those sustaining IVC injury who underwent surgical ligation or repair. Data on demographics, outcomes, and complications were collected. Comparative analysis of demographic characteristics, complications and outcomes were performed. Results There were 4,865 patients identified in the National Trauma Data Bank with IVC injury. A total of 1,316 patients met inclusion criteria. Four hundred and forty-seven patients (34.0%) underwent ligation and 869 (66.0%) underwent repair. Before matching, the ligation group was sicker than the repair group and the in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the ligation group (43.8% vs 36.2%; odds ratio [OR] 1.37; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.73). One to one propensity score matching generated 310 pairs. After propensity score matching, in-hospital mortality was similar (41.3% vs 39.0%; OR 1.10; 95% CI 0.80 to 1.52). However, IVC ligation was associated with significantly higher complication rates of extremity compartment syndrome (OR 5.23; 95% CI 1.50 to 18.24), pneumonia (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.86), deep venous thrombosis (OR 2.83 95% CI 1.70 to 4.73), pulmonary embolism (OR 3.63; 95% CI 1.18 to 11.17), and longer hospital length of stay (17.0 days [interquartile range 1.0 to 35.0 days] vs 9.0 days [interquartile range 1.0 to 22.0 days]; p = 0.002). Conclusions Inferior vena cava ligation is not superior to repair in terms of decreasing mortality in patients with IVC injury, but it is associated with higher complication rates and hospital LOS.
“Second-Class Status?” Insight into Communication Patterns and Common Concerns Among Men with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) is a cancer predisposition syndrome that affects both men and women, with more significant cancer risk elevations in women. Dissemination patterns regarding familial genetic risk information among females with HBOC are fairly well defined, but knowledge about how males share this information is limited. We interviewed 21 people primarily Ashkenazi Jewish men who were accrued via listserv email through Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE). Interviews focused on family cancer history, experiences with cancer and genetic testing, motivations to pursue genetic testing and subsequently disclose genetic test results, information-sharing patterns, health care provider response, and participants’ emotional support systems. The interviews were transcribed in their entirety, coded, and analyzed based on recurring themes. Eighteen transcripts were used for the analysis. Results were classified into five main themes. Participants (n = 8) were most concerned about cancer risk for their children and female family members, and most (n = 11) mentioned that HBOC provides them increased personal awareness, but has a negligible impact on their life overall (n = 9). Men (n = 11) were interested in a male-focused support group to discuss HBOC and gain knowledge and information. Participants (n = 9) took on active and open communication roles with family members and health care providers. The majority of participants (n = 14) discussed the need for knowledge and awareness among the health care community and general population regarding male HBOC risks. This study serves as a pilot study and provides important and novel insights into psychosocial impacts, communication patterns, encounters with health care professionals, and expressed needs of males with HBOC.
Necrotizing epiglottitis treated with early surgical debridement: A case report.

Abstract Objective Necrotizing supraglottitis is a rare but potentially morbid infection most often seen in immunocompromised patients. All reported cases have utilized intravenous antibiotic therapy as the mainstay of treatment and many have had associated morbidities. Methods We describe a case of a 50-year-old previously healthy female who presented with necrotizing epiglottis and was treated with immediate surgical debridement followed by directed antibiotic therapy. Results Our patient rapidly recovered with no further invasive interventions. On follow up she had no further complications or functional deficits. Conclusions Although uncommon, providers should be aware of the potential benefits of early debridement when treating patients with similar pathology. Early surgical intervention should be considered to avoid local tissue loss, airway interventions, and long-term sequelae.
Bacterial Siderophores Promote Animal Host Iron Acquisition and Growth.

Siderophores are small molecules produced by bacteria that bind ferric iron in the surrounding environment with extraordinary affinity. A new study provides evidence that a simple animal host, Caenorhabditis elegans, co-opts siderophores to promote its own iron acquisition and growth.
Copyright Law for Librarians and Educators: Creative Strategies & Practical Solutions by Kenneth D. Crews. 3rd ed.

Authored by the director of the Copyright Advisory Office at Columbia University and an instructor in the Columbia Law School, this revision of Copyright Essentials for Librarians and Educators (AL...
Improved strengthening in supersaturated Al-Sc-Zr alloy via melt-spinning and extrusion

Abstract A supersaturated ternary alloy with concentration of Al-0.5Sc-0.4Zr at. % was produced utilizing melt-spinning. The melt-spun ribbon was consolidated and extruded into a rod. A two-step heat treatment was designed to age supersaturated alloys to peak hardness. The melt-spun ribbon and extruded rod were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), microhardness and tensile strength measurements. The ambient microhardness of two-step aged melt-spun ribbon and extruded rod were 1120 MPa and 1180 MPa respectively. The yield and ultimate tensile strength of extruded rod were 300 and 315 MPa with 5.3% elongation. Larger precipitation volume fractions were found in two-step aged extruded rod than in melt-spun ribbon within shorter second-step aging. Strength levels in the melt-spun ribbon and extruded rod agree with order and Orowan strengthening predictions when using TEM measured precipitate radius and volume fractions.
Pronto: Easy and Fast Persistence for Volatile Data Structures

Non-Volatile Main Memories (NVMMs) promise an opportunity for fast, persistent data structures. However, building these data structures is hard because their data must be consistent in the wake of a failure. Existing methods for building persistent data structures require either in-depth code changes to an existing data structure using an NVMM-aware library or rewriting the data structure from scratch. Unfortunately, both of these methods are labor-intensive and error-prone. Pronto is a new NVMM library that reduces the programming effort required to add persistence to volatile data structures using asynchronous semantic logging (ASL). ASL is generic enough to allow programmers to add persistence to the existing volatile data structure (e.g., C++ Standard Template Library containers) with very little programming effort. Furthermore, ASL moves most durability code off the critical path, and our evaluation shows Pronto data structures outperform highly-optimized NVMM data structures written with other libraries by a large margin.
Venetoclax-induced tumor lysis syndrome in acute myeloid leukemia: Real world experience.

e19542Background: Venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) has become standard management for newly diagnosed older and unfit acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and an option...
Optimal transportation of grain boundaries: A forward model for predicting migration mechanisms

Abstract It has been hypothesized that the most likely atomic rearrangement mechanism during grain boundary (GB) migration is the one that minimizes the lengths of atomic displacements in the dichromatic pattern. In this work, we recast the problem of atomic displacement minimization during GB migration as an optimal transport (OT) problem. Under the assumption of a small potential energy barrier for atomic rearrangement, the principle of stationary action applied to GB migration is reduced to the determination of the Wasserstein metric for two point sets. In order to test the minimum distance hypothesis, optimal displacement patterns predicted on the basis of a regularized OT based forward model are compared to molecular dynamics (MD) GB migration data for a variety of GB types and temperatures. Limits of applicability of the minimum distance hypothesis and interesting consequences of the OT formulation are discussed in the context of MD data analysis for twist GBs, general Σ 3 twin boundaries and a tilt GB that exhibits shear coupling. The forward model may be used to predict atomic displacement patterns for arbitrary disconnection modes and a variety of metastable states, facilitating the analysis of multimodal GB migration data.
Chemoarchitecture of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis: Neurophenotypic diversity and function

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a compact but neurophenotypically complex structure in the ventral forebrain that is structurally and functionally linked to other limbic structures, including the amygdala nuclear complex, hypothalamic nuclei, hippocampus, and related midbrain structures, to participate in a wide range of functions, especially emotion, emotional learning, stress-related responses, and sexual behaviors. From a variety of sensory inputs, the BNST acts as a node for signal integration and coordination for information relay to downstream central neuroendocrine and autonomic centers for appropriate homeostatic physiological and behavioral responses. In contrast to the role of the amygdala in fear, the BNST has gained wide interest from work suggesting that it has main roles in mediating sustained responses to diffuse, unpredictable and/or long-duration threats that are typically associated with anxiety-related responses. Further, some BNST subregions are highly sexually dimorphic which appear contributory to the differential stress and social interactive behaviors, including reproductive responses, between males and females. Notably, maladaptive BNST neuroplasticity and function have been implicated in chronic pain, depression, anxiety-related abnormalities, and other psychopathologies including posttraumatic stress disorders. The BNST circuits are predominantly GABAergic-the glutaminergic neurons represent a minor population-but the complexity of the system results from an overlay of diverse neuropeptide coexpression in these neurons. More than a dozen neuropeptides may be differentially coexpressed in BNST neurons, and from variable G protein-coupled receptor signaling, may inhibit or activate downstream circuit activities. The mechanisms and roles of these peptides in modulating intrinsic BNST neurocircuit signaling and BNST long-distance target cell projections are still not well understood. Nevertheless, an understanding of some of the principal players may allow assembly of the circuit interactions.
Purification and Characterization of and [3H]Ouabain Binding to the Transport Adenosine Triphosphatase from Outer Medulla of Canine Kidney

This report describes a rapid procedure for purification of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from canine kidney outer medulla with a yield of 16 to 18 mg of protein per 100 g of tissue. The purified enzyme manifests the highest specific activity reported to date for a mammalian tissue source and binds between 3,000 and 4,000 pmoles of [3H]ouabain per mg of protein. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the detergent-solubilized enzyme yields two protein peaks of 89,000 and 56,000 daltons. The former is phosphorylated with [γ-32P]ATP in the presence of magnesium and sodium and the latter is stained with periodic acid-Schiff reagent. [3H]-ouabain reacts with the purified enzyme in a manner similar to that of crude enzyme preparations. Ouabain-enzyme complexes were formed in the presence of different ligands [Mg + ATP + Na], [Mg + Pi], [Mn], [Mg + ATP], and all complexes dissociated at similar rates when chase was carried out in presence of binding ligands. Using ouabainbinding data, we calculate a turnover number of 6,480 min-1.
Converting Mobile Sensing in Data and Data into Action

The proliferation of wearable sensor platforms (Jawbone, Fit Bit, Smart Watches) and sensor rich Smart Phones have produced a torrent of real time sensed signals that is interpreted to produce data (e.g. Sleep quality, step count). Often the volume of this data overwhelms users. Visualization is an effective way to summarize data and observe trends. This is especially valuable when someone, such as a doctor, has to monitor a large number of people. When a human expert is not available, a Virtual Coach can provide feedback and guidance. Virtual coaches can recognize actions, correct errors, recognize emotions, and provide motivation. We will illustrate how these two technologies can effectively convert data into action in dozens of real applications. Examples include monitoring physiological parameters, identifying trends, providing guidance, correcting errors, and motivating. We will conclude with a projection of future Virtual Coaches.
Autoignition of adiabatically compressed combustible gas mixtures

Measurements of explosion limits for fuel/air/diluent mixtures compressed by an expanding laminar flame have been made in a constant volume spherical bomb. The fuels studied to date range from butane to octane at fuel/air equivalence ratios from 0.8 to 1.3. The explosion pressures and temperatures range from 10 to 100 atm and 650 to 850 K. The pressure versus time curves show the behavior typical of the two-stage ignition process observed in rapid compression machines. A branched chain kinetic model has been developed to correlate the data. The model has been used to predict both the explosion limits measured in the current bomb experiments and ignition delays measured in prior rapid compression machine experiments. Good agreement between experiment and theory can be achieved with minor adjustment in published rate constants.
Global bioevents and the question of periodicity

The hypothesis of periodicity in extinction is an empirical claim that extinction events, while variable in magnitude, are regular in timing and therefore are serially dependent upon some single, ultimate cause with clocklike behavior. This hypothesis is controversal, in part because of questions regarding the identity and timing of certain extinction events and because of speculations concerning possible catastrophic extraterrestrial forcing mechanisms. New data on extinctions of marine animal genera are presented that display a high degree of periodicity in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic as well as a suggestion of nonstationary periodicity in the late Paleozoic. However, no periodicity is evident among the as yet poorly documented extinction events of the early and middle Paleozoic.
A New Species of Baenid Turtle from the Kaiparowits Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Campanian) of Southern Utah

ABSTRACTNewly discovered baenid turtle specimens from the middle Campanian Kaiparowits Formation of southern Utah are described herein as a new taxon, Arvinachelys goldeni, gen. et sp. nov. The holotype consists of a nearly complete articulated skeleton and shell. The skull was scanned using micro-computed tomography (μCT) to gain a better understanding of its internal anatomy. This baenid possesses two distinct external nares almost completely separated by a dorsal projection of the premaxillae and a ventral extension of the nasals, an autapomorphic feature among known baenid taxa. The skull is wedge-shaped with a broad rostrum and laterally expanded nasals. The importance of skull/shell associations is exemplified by Arvinachelys goldeni, because isolated shells attributable to this taxon had previously been assigned to the genus Plesiobaena, whereas phylogenetic analysis of more complete material supports a sister relationship with the Maastrichtian taxon Hayemys latifrons. These taxa are relatively ba...
Head trauma for the pediatrician

A physician9s concern about continued or progressive alteration in consciousness or neurologic function will result in the early recognition of head trauma complications that require medical or surgical intervention. The role of the pediatrician following "minor" head trauma is to serve as the overseer, coordinating observations and providing informed decisions on the necessity of additional medical or diagnostic requirements. This article provides an approach to handling the patient with mild head trauma based upon our experiences and interpretations of the literature. In conclusion, we emphasize the following points: (1) patients with head trauma, especially if associated with loss of consciousness, should be examined and subsequently evaluated by reliable observers; (2) skull x-ray films rarely provide information that affects medical management; (3) deterioration in the patient9s clinical condition demands consultation and appropriate neuroradiologic studies; (4) the presence of a seizure or basilar skull fracture does not in itself necessitate therapy; and (5) continued evaluation of head trauma management is required to determine the optimal approach.
Hydrogeomorphic and Biotic Drivers of Instream Wood Differ Across Sub‐basins of the Columbia River Basin, USA

Instream wood promotes habitat heterogeneity through its influence on flow hydraulics and channel geomorphology. Within the Columbia River Basin, USA, wood is vital for the creation and maintenance of habitat for threatened salmonids. However, our understanding of the relative roles of the climatic, geomorphic, and ecological processes that source wood to streams is limited, making it difficult to identify baseline predictions of instream wood and create targets for stream restoration. Here, we investigate how instream wood frequency and volume differ between seven sub-basins of the interior Columbia River Basin and what processes shape these differences within these sub-basins. We collected data on wood volume and frequency, discharge and stream power, and riparian and watershed forest structure for use in modelling wood volume and frequency. Using random forest models, we found that mean annual precipitation, riparian tree cover, and the individual watershed were the most important predictors of wood volume and frequency. Within sub-basins, we used linear models, finding that some basins had unique predictors of wood. Discharge, watershed area, or precipitation often combined with forest cover, riparian conifer, and/or large tree cover in models of instream large wood volume and frequency. In many sub-basins, models showed at least one hydrologic variable, indicative of transport competence and one ecological variable, indicative of the reach or upstream watershed's capability to grow measurable instream wood. We conclude that basin-specific models yield important insights into the hydrologic and ecological processes that influence wood loads, creating tractable hypotheses for building predictive models of instream wood. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal instability and the feedback regulation of hot haloes in clusters, groups and galaxies

We present global multidimensional numerical simulations of the plasma that pervades the dark matter haloes of clusters, groups and massive galaxies (the ‘intracluster medium’; ICM). Observations of clusters and groups imply that such haloes are roughly in global thermal equilibrium, with heating balancing cooling when averaged over sufficiently long time- and length-scales; the ICM is, however, very likely to be locally thermally unstable. Using simple observationally motivated heating prescriptions, we show that local thermal instability (TI) can produce a multiphase medium – with ∼ 104 K cold filaments condensing out of the hot ICM – only when the ratio of the TI time-scale in the hot plasma (tTI) to the free-fall time-scale (tff) satisfies tTI/tff≲ 10. This criterion quantitatively explains why cold gas and star formation are preferentially observed in low-entropy clusters and groups. In addition, the interplay among heating, cooling and TI reduces the net cooling rate and the mass accretion rate at small radii by factors of ∼ 100 relative to cooling-flow models. This dramatic reduction is in line with observations. The feedback efficiency required to prevent a cooling flow is ∼ 10−3 for clusters and decreases for lower mass haloes; supernova heating may be energetically sufficient to balance cooling in galactic haloes. We further argue that the ICM self-adjusts so that tTI/tff≳ 10 at all radii. When this criterion is not satisfied, cold filaments condense out of the hot phase and reduce the density of the ICM. These cold filaments can power the black hole and/or stellar feedback required for global thermal balance, which drives tTI/tff≳ 10. In comparison to clusters, groups have central cores with lower densities and larger radii. This can account for the deviations from self-similarity in the X-ray luminosity–temperature () relation. The high-velocity clouds observed in the Galactic halo can be due to local TI producing multiphase gas close to the virial radius if the density of the hot plasma in the Galactic halo is >rsim 10−5 cm−3 at large radii.
Lead, iron, chromium and zinc in road runoff at Pullman, Washington

Abstract The inputs of iron, lead, chromium and zinc to a 0.6 acre road surface were investigated. The selection of a viaduct in Pullman, Washington as a study area permitted the exclusion of metal input from non-road surfaces. Dust and precipitation metal deposition rates were measured at the viaduct as well as at a control location. It was found that the primary source of metals at the road surface was the operation of motor vehicles. For three separate storm events, runoff samples were collected, flow was measured and runoff samples were analyzed for total solids, total metals and dissolved-colloidal metals. Less than 5 percent of each metal in the runoff samples existed in the dissolved-colloidal fraction. Mean concentrations of total metals in road runoff were 1.86, 89, 0.139 and 19.1 mg/l for Pb, Fe, Cr, and Zn, respectively. A mathematical model was developed allowing the estimation of metal loadings for a storm event typical of the area, given the total runoff volume for the particular storm event. It was also found that a residual amount of metals remains on the road surface after each storm.
The Macrophage: A New Factor in UVR-Induced Melanomagenesis

UVR is one of the major risk factors for melanoma development. However, the mechanisms by which UVR leads to the development of melanoma are not fully understood. Handoko et al. (this issue) explicitly indicate that macrophages are essential for UVR-induced melanocyte proliferation and migration using a neonatal mouse model. Although the functions and mechanisms of macrophages on melanoma development must be investigated further, the link between macrophages and melanocyte responses is striking, suggesting that macrophages might be a target for preventing UVR-induced melanoma.
Wind power potential in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract The Pacific Northwest is endowed with substantial resources of both hydro energy and wind energy for electrical power generation. The combination of these energy sources into an integrated and optimized system has the potential for supplying a major portion of the future energy requirements of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, western Montana and northeastern Nevada. The objective of the Pacific Northwest Wind Regional Energy Assessment Program (PNW WIND-REAP) is to identify areas of high wind-power density and develop an order-of-magnitude estimate of the maximum installed capacity, seasonal and annual energy and possible firm capacity available to the region from wind power when integrated with the Columbia River hydroelectric system. This paper presents an assessment of the potential resource and is not a recommended plan of implementation since obvious nontechnical considerations, i.e., institutional, environmental, aesthetics, etc., must be included in the final decision-making process before sites...
How Plant Cells Go to Sleep for a Long, Long Time

Seeds are plant spores—desiccated, dormant cells in which metabolism and growth have been drastically slowed, so that the organism can wait out adverse conditions. This is especially important for plants, which cannot run away from environmental threats. Instead of motility, they use dormancy to outlast adversarial conditions caused by pathogens or severe weather. Indeed, some seeds remain viable for hundreds of years. On page 1373 of this issue, Nishimura et al. ( 1 ) and four other groups ( 2 – 5 ) report the initial biochemical mechanisms that allow the complex cellular machinery of this multicellular eukaryote to live for so long in a dormant state.
Conventional and biomass harvesting costs by forest tract size

Seven conventional logging systems were identified and their costs estimated for a variety of conventional and biomass harvests. For typical southern pine harvests, highly mechanized systems using feller-bunchers and grapple skidders were cheapest. Chainsaw felling followed by cable skidding was the least expensive system for harvesting hardwoods, but still cost more than pine harvests. Costs on small tracts were not much greater than on large tracts, indicating some promise for biomass harvesting.
Footnote to the quantum mechanical virial theorem

The quantum mechanical virial theorem is extended to a time dependent superposition of stationary bound states. (AIP)
Simulation of wave‐propagation in three dimensions using fortran on the CYBER 205

The description of a FORTRAN program made on CYBER 205 is presented for solving reaction-diffusion equations.
A low power, high-speed miniaturized thermal modulator for comprehensive 2D gas chromatography

In comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC), a modulator is placed at the juncture between two separation columns to focus and re-inject eluting mixture components, and thereby enhance the selectivity, sensitivity, and analyte capacity. Here, we present the design, fabrication, and testing of a two-stage microscale thermal modulator (µTM). The °™ cryogenically trap analytes eluting from the first column and thermally inject them into the second column. For this operation, each stage is periodically heated to 200 °C for 100 ms and then cooled to −50 °C for a few second. Preliminary results using a conventional capillary column interfaced to the µTM demonstrate successful modulation of a mixture of alkanes with a sensitivity enhancement as high as 24 folds
Protection by MK-801 against hypoxia-, excitotoxin-, and depolarization-induced neuronal damage in vitro

Exposure of rat hippocampal slices to 12-min hypoxia produced only mild neuronal damage, as 72% of all slices recovered their CA1-evoked population spike following a 30-min recovery period. However, when this hypoxic insult was administered in the presence of 2.5 microM kainate or AMPA, only 6 and 15% of the slices, respectively, recovered their neuronal function. This enhancement of hypoxic damage by kainate could be attenuated in a dose-dependent fashion by the kainate/AMPA antagonist GYKI 52466 but not by the competitive NMDA antagonist APV. Unexpectedly, the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 also attenuated the kainate- and AMPA-enhanced hypoxic neuronal damage and was more efficacious than GYKI 52466. Considering (1) the ability of MK-801 to antagonize hypoxic neuronal damage in the absence or the presence of NMDA, kainate or AMPA; (2) the antihypoxic effect of MK-801 in the presence of APV + 7-chlorokynurenate, a pairing that supposedly blocks MK-801 binding to the NMDA receptor; (3) the ability of MK-801 to protect hippocampal slices against brain damage induced by depolarization + excitotoxin (50 mM KCl + mM glutamate for 60 min); and (4) the ability of diltiazem, an L-type calcium channel blocker, to protect hippocampal slices against hypoxic neuronal damage, we conclude that the mode of action of MK-801 cannot be explained by its NMDA receptor antagonistic properties alone. A possible blockade of Ca2+ channels, most likely of the L-type, by MK-801 should be considered along with other mechanisms.
Semantic category effects in visual word search

The initial question was whether subjects could categorize a word semantically before they precisely identified the word itself. This failed to occur. When searching a visual display for a single target word, subjects searched at the same rate whether the distractors were in the same or in a different semantic category. However, when the size of the target set was increased to three, then six, items, subjects increasingly used category information to speed their search rate when targets and distractors belonged to different categories. Subjects appeared to perform the task by comparing the category of each display word to the category of the target set.
A content-based system for human identification based on bitewing dental X-ray images

This paper presents a system for assisting in human identification using dental radiographs. The goal of the system is to archive antemortem (AM) dental images and enable content-based retrieval of AM images that have similar teeth shapes to a given postmortem (PM) dental image. During archiving, the system classifies the dental images to bitewing, periapical, and panoramic views. It then segments the teeth and the bones in the bitewing images, separates each tooth into the crown and the root, and stores the contours of the teeth in the database. During retrieval, the proposed system retrieves from the AM database the images with the most similar teeth to the PM image based on Hausdorff distance measure between the teeth contours. Experiments on a small database show that our method is effective for dental image classification and teeth segmentation, provides good results for separating each tooth into crown and root, and provides a good tool for human identification.
Antifibrotic Therapies: Will We Ever Get There?

Progressive hepatic fibrosis is the final common pathway for most chronic liver injuries, leading to cirrhosis with risk of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is now recognized that fibrosis is a dynamic process, and may be reversible prior to the establishment of advanced architectural changes to the liver. The most effective antifibrotic strategy is to cure the underlying disease process before advanced fibrosis has developed. Unfortunately, this is often not possible, and specific antifibrotic therapies are needed. Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis have identified several potential novel therapeutic targets, but unfortunately clinical development has been disappointing. One major limitation has been the often prolonged natural history of fibrosis compared to experimental models, and difficulties in accurate noninvasive fibrosis assessment, thus making clinical trial design difficult. In this review, we highlight the most promising current antifibrotic strategies.
GIST 1, chemotherapy 0, with a brand new hitter up next.

In this issue of Cancer Investigation, clinical investigators from the Mayo Clinic report their experience using a type of combination chemotherapy regimen in patients with abdominal sarcomas. For ...
Experimental investigation into the convective heat transfer and system-level effects of Al 2 O 3 -propanol nanofluid

It has been speculated that the application of nanofluids in real systems could lead to smaller, more compact heat exchangers and reductions in material cost. However, few studies have been conducted which have carefully measured the thermo-physical properties and thermal performance of these fluids as well as examine the system-level effects of using these fluids in traditional cooling systems. In this study, dilute suspensions of 10 nm aluminum oxide nanoparticles in propanol (0.5, 1, and 3 wt%) were investigated. Changes in density, specific heat, and thermal conductivity with particle concentration were measured and found to be linear, whereas changes in viscosity were nonlinear and increased sharply with particle loading. Nanofluid heat transfer performance data were generally commensurate with that measured for the baseline. For the 1 wt% concentration, a small but significant enhancement in the heat transfer coefficient was recorded for 1800 < Re < 2800, which is attributed to an earlier transition to turbulent flow. In the case of high particle loading (i.e. 3 wt%), the thermal performance was observed to deteriorate with respect to the baseline case. Discoloration of the fluid was also observed after being cycled at high flow rates and increased temperature.
Impedance studies of the growth of porous magnetite films on carbon steel in high temperature aqueous systems

Abstract The growth of porous magnetite on carbon steel in high temperature chloride solution has been studied using the a.c. impedance technique. At both 200 and 250°C the reciprocal of the polarization resistance, which is proportional to the corrosion rate, at first increases with time, but eventually tends to a constant value. Accordingly, the early stages of corrosion are autocatalytic, but at longer times a linear rate law is observed. The early autocatalytic stage is attributed to the gradual development of a highly aggressive solution within the porous film due to cation hydrolysis and transport of chloride ions from the bulk solution into the pores. The frequency dispersion of the impedance of the growing film has been successfully accounted for by a finite transmission line model. Numerical analysis has shown that the total impedance is a sensitve function of the film thickness and of the impedances along the pore wall and at the base of the pore. These analyses have demonstrated that the a.c. impedance technique is well suited for studying the corrosion of metals and the growth of porous films in high-temperature aqueous systems.
Detection of chromosome aberrations in metaphase and interphase tumor cells by in situ hybridization using chromosome-specific library probes

Chromosome aberrations in two glioma cell lines were analyzed using biotinylated DNA library probes that specifically decorate chromosomes 1, 4, 7, 18 and 22 from pter to qter. Numerical changes, deletions and rearrangements of these chromosomes were radily visualized in metaphase spreads, as well as in early prophase and interphase nuclei. Complete chromosomes, deleted chromosomes and segments of translocated chromosomes were rapidly delineated in very complex karyotypes. Simultaneous hybridizations with additional subregional probes were used to further define aberrant chromosomes. Digital image analysis was used to quantitate the total complement of specific chromosomal DNAs in individual metaphase and interphase cells of each cell line. In spite of the fact that both glioma lines have been passaged in vitro for many years, an under-representation of chromosome 22 and an over-representation of chromosome 7 (specifically 7p) were observed. These observations agree with previous studies on gliomas. In addition, sequences of chromosome 4 were also found to be under-represented, especially in TC 593. These analyses indicate the power of these methods for pinpointing chromosome segments that are altered in specific types of tumors.
Integro-differential operators associated with diffusion processes with jumps

We show existence andW loc 2,p ⋂ W1,∞-regularity results for the integro-differential equation, associated with a diffusion process with jumps on a bounded domain. The second order elliptic partial differential operator and the integral operator involved here are both maximum principle type operators, which enables us to makeW1,∞ a priori estimates.
An examination of the validity of social subtypes in Autism

The validity of a social subtyping scheme forwarded by Wing and her colleagues is examined in a sample of 53 autistic individuals. Clinical ratings of subtype (aloof, passive, active-but-odd), IQ estimates, and measures of adaptive functioning and level of autism were obtained. Subjects were individually administered the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) by the principle examiner, who was blind to subtype assignment. The general findings supported the validity of aloof and active-but-odd subtypes as predictors of behavior across language/communication, reciprocal social interaction, and stereotyped behavior/restricted interest domains and suggested that individuals assigned to these respective groups differed in a number of important ways (e.g., level of autism, IQ, adaptive behavior). Partial support for an intermediate, passive subtype was garnered. The clinical utility of social subtypes is discussed as an important implication of this work.
Photoaffinity labelling of a receptor structure for macrophage cytotoxicity inducing factor (MCF)

Abstract Monocyte cytotoxicity inducing factor (MCF) is a cytokine derived from CD4+ lymphocytes which was isolated using its ability to cause human blood monocytes to become cytotoxic for tumour targets. An N-terminal derived biologically active peptide (GAAVLEDSQ) of the intact molecule was previously used to demonstrate a single class of high affinity binding sites on human blood monocytes and U937 cells. Photoaffinity labelling was carried out to identify the receptor. The N-terminal nonapeptide fragment (P2) could be cross-linked to a single molecular species on the surface of U937 cells when cross-linking was performed on intact cells. Under fully reducing conditions, this molecule had an average molecular weight of 58 kD. In contrast, the apparent molecular weight when determined under nonreducing conditions was 158–163 kD. Octylglucoside solubilized U937 membranes were then applied to a P2 ligand affinity column. The major protein peak when eluted had an apparent molecular weight of 73 kD when determined by a 12% SDS PAGE gel. Photoaffinity labelling of the ligand affinity product was carried out in solution. Gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions demonstrated cross-linking to a 163 kD and a 29 kD protein, while under reducing and denaturing conditions additional species were seen at 97 kD, 67 kD and 50 kD. Photoaffinity cross-linking performed both on whole cells and partially purified receptor in solution, and could be specifically abolished by the addition of unlabelled peptide. These data present evidence that the single high affinity binding site corresponds to a U937 membrane protein having an average molecular weight of 58 kD which exists as an apparent homodimer under native conditions, but may have additional low molecular weight components which were not available for binding and derivatization using intact cells.
Emission enhancement through dual donor sensitization: modulation of structural and spectroscopic properties in a series of europium tetracyanoplatinates.

The synthesis of three different europium tetracyanoplatinates all incorporating 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (terpy) have been carried out in acetonitrile/water mixtures by reaction of Eu3+ salts with terpy and potassium tetracyanoplatinate. The use of different Eu3+ sources results in the isolation of Eu(C15H11N3)(H2O)2(NO3)(Pt(CN)4)·CH3CN (1), {Eu(C15H11N3)(H2O)3}2(Pt(CN)4)3·2H2O (2), or [Eu(C15H11N3)(H2O)2(CH3COO)2]2Pt(CN)4·3H2O (3) for the nitrate, triflate, or acetate salts, respectively. All three compounds have been prepared as colorless crystals, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction has been used to investigate their structural features. Crystallographic data (MoKα, λ = 0.71073 A, T = 290 K): 1, monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 12.835(1), b = 15.239(1), c = 13.751(2) A, β = 105.594(9)°, V = 2590.8(5) A3, Z = 4; 2, triclinic, space group P1, a = 9.1802(8) A, b = 10.8008(9) A, c = 13.5437(9) A, α = 84.491(6)°, β = 75.063(7)°, γ = 79.055(7)°, V = 1272.4(2) A3, Z = 1; 3, triclinic, space group P1, a =...