cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Microenvironment on the Synovial Sarcoma Transcriptome

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is initiated by a t(X;18) chromosomal translocation and resultant SS18-SSX fusion oncogene. Only a few SS cell lines exist. None has been compared to its source tumor. In order to compare matched tumor and cell line pairs, we performed RNAseq on 3 tumor/cell line pairs from a genetically engineered mouse model of SS, as well as 2 pairs from human SS tumors. Transcriptomes of mouse tumors and derivative cell lines deviated significantly. Differentially expressed genes highlighted inflammatory infiltrates and metabolism. The same was found for the human tumor and cell line pairs. More was shared between different tumors than between any tumor and its cell line. Direct xenografting generated transcriptomes that more closely resembled the primary tumor than did its derivative cell line. SS tumor transcriptomes are powerfully impacted by the environment wherein they reside, especially with regard to immune interaction and metabolism.
Genome-Wide Maps of m6A circRNAs Identify Widespread and Cell-Type-Specific Methylation Patterns that Are Distinct from mRNAs.

Summary N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) is the most abundant internal modification of mRNAs and is implicated in all aspects of post-transcriptional RNA metabolism. However, little is known about m 6 A modifications to circular (circ) RNAs. We developed a computational pipeline (AutoCirc) that, together with depletion of ribosomal RNA and m 6 A immunoprecipitation, defined thousands of m 6 A circRNAs with cell-type-specific expression. The presence of m 6 A circRNAs is corroborated by interaction between circRNAs and YTHDF1/YTHDF2, proteins that read m 6 A sites in mRNAs, and by reduced m 6 A levels upon depletion of METTL3, the m 6 A writer. Despite sharing m 6 A readers and writers, m 6 A circRNAs are frequently derived from exons that are not methylated in mRNAs, whereas mRNAs that are methylated on the same exons that compose m 6 A circRNAs exhibit less stability in a process regulated by YTHDF2. These results expand our understanding of the breadth of m 6 A modifications and uncover regulation of circRNAs through m 6 A modification.
Shockwave Aerification Performance Study

Athletic field safety is a growing concern on all levels from young children to professional sports. Finding time to close the field to relieve compaction often is difficult, but new technology offers a potential solution. The objective of this project is to compare the performance of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) on native soil under simulated traffic subjected with various industry standard aerification methods and the Imants Shockwave. Safety parameters such as surface hardness and rotational resistance were tracked throughout the season to see if any benefits exist to athlete safety between treatments. This is the second year of a two-year study.
Effects of Cu-Dips on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

A number of mechanisms have been invoked to explain ischemia-induced tissue injury. One of these mechanisms, the production of oxygen-derived free radicals, has received particular attention in recent years. Oxygen-derived free radicals appear to play a major role in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury to digestive organs, such as the intestine,1,2,3,4 stomach,5 liver6 and pancreas.7 This assertion is largely based on observations that free radical scavengers significantly attenuate the microvascular and parenchymal damage associated with reperfusion of ischemic tissues. Also, when oxygen radicals are generated experimentally, the tissue damage produced mimics that observed after ischemia-reperfusion.8 Evidence to support the involvement of oxygen-derived free radicals in ischemic tissue injury also comes from studies of the coronary,9,10,11 renal12,13 and cutaneous circulations.14
A thread implementation project supporting an operating systems course

This paper describes an assignment for an operating systems course in which students implement a simple threading support library. This project provides practical experience with scheduling and dispatch using a single, discrete project, without the complexity of writing or modifying a full OS scheduler. Students can solve this problem entirely in C or C++, so they do not need assembler language. We describe a version of such an assignment used at Mississippi College, and some possible variations.
Fabry — Perot Analysis of the Acoustoelectric Interaction in CdS

In an acoustoelectric interaction, the attenuation or amplification of an elastic wave in a piezoelectric semiconductor with an applied electric field, is a function of the relative velocity of the wave and the drifting carriers. Through this type of interaction waves with a wide range of \[\overrightarrow K \left({\omega ,\,\overrightarrow n} \right)\,\] vector, and which include thermal noise phonons, can be amplified to very high levels of acoustic flux. Under some conditions the flux may increase monotonically along the crystal, and under other conditions a discrete, high energy density disturbance, or acoustoelectric domain, may form and propagate through the crystal. Most probes that can be used to study the acoustoelectric interaction are physically incapable of resolving all of the component waves which superpose to form the complicated acoustic flux pattern in the crystal. These probes essentially observe a collective acoustic Poynting vector and a corresponding group velocity in the crystal. Brillouin scattering may be the unique example of an experimental technique capable of analyzing the plane wave components of the disturbance, since the Bragg condition is equivalent to constructive interference from planes of constant phase. The Doppler frequency shift of the Brillouin components is determined by phase velocity, and the intensity of light scattered into the components is proportional to the Poynting vector of the acoustic plane waves. Acoustic anisotropy is one of the important factors involved in the superposition of component waves, propagating off axis relative to a principal crystallographic direction, in an acoustoelectric domain. The full potential of the Brillouin technique can only be realized by observing the scattered light through a high resolution interferometer, such as a Fabry-Perot.
Estimating the Modulus and Yield Strength of the Top-Layer Film on Multilayer BEOL Stacks

The manufacturing process-caused variation in the modulus and the yield strength of individual layers in passivated metal stacks critically impacts the reliability of back-end-of-line (BEOL) structures. However, experimentally characterizing the elastic modulus and yield strength of thin films as fabricated, with sufficient sensitivity to distinguish process-induced property variations, remains a significant challenge. Towards this end, we utilize nanoindentation experiments to estimate the elastic modulus and yield strength of top-layer films in multilayer stacks. To address the challenge of extracting individual layer modulus from the composite modulus, in the present paper, we propose a depth-dependent mathematical model (dominant regime theory) by which the modulus of the top-layer can be estimated accurately. Additionally, we employ optimization-based inverse finite element analysis (IFEA) to numerically estimate the modulus and the yield strength of the top-layer film. The uniqueness of the properties estimated by IFEA is investigated through a full-factorial statistically designed numerical experiment. The developed techniques are demonstrated by estimating the modulus as well as the yield strength of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) film on a two-layer stack (TEOS, Silicon) and the same film deposited on a multilayer stack (TEOS, Aluminum, Silicon Nitride, Silicon).
Management of Plant Parasitic Nematode Pests in Florida

Florida is unique in the continental USA for its subtropical and tropical climates. The state is a major producer of fresh fruits, vegetables and ornamentals, in addition to its most renown crop, citrus. Nationally, Florida ranks first in production of citrus, sugarcane, tomato, cucurbits such as watermelon, cucumber and squash, and second in the value of ornamental or floriculture products, strawberry, bell pepper, sweet corn, and avocado. The warm, humid climate and porous soils permit extended nematode population growth with short overwintering, often resulting in extensive crop damage by one or multiple nematode species, including tropical nematodes not encountered elsewhere in North America. Although Florida has been accurately described as a nematologist’s paradise, here we focus on five genera that are of primary agricultural importance, while noting additional economically important species that occur in the state.
Non-alcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy: great masquerader

Thiamine is an important coenzyme, which is essential for metabolism and maintaining cellular osmotic gradient. Thiamine deficiency can cause focal lactic acidosis, alteration of the blood-brain barrier and the production of free radicals through cell death by necrosis and apoptosis. Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a clinical diagnosis. Cytotoxic and vasogenic oedema are the most typical neuroimaging findings of WE, presenting as bilateral symmetrical hyperintense signals on T2-weighted MR images. MRI is not necessary for the diagnosis of WE, but it can be helpful in ruling out alternative diagnosis. We present the case of an 61-year-old man with the history of class II obesity presenting with diplopia, dysarthria and vertigo, confirmed to be non-alcoholic WE. We aim to highlight the occurrence of WE in patients with large bowel resection though. Delay in diagnosis, particularly in obese individuals due to lack of suspicion, can lead to grim prognosis.
Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide for Removal of Surface Contaminants

Abstract Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) is an established precision cleaning technique with applications in many different industries. The gas-like viscosity and the liquid-like density of CO2 are the key characteristics that allow the process to be tuned to the application. In addition, the very low surface tension of SCCO2 ensures high wettability and makes it very attractive for precision cleaning applications. The cleaning process is operated at near-ambient temperatures. Applications range from cleaning and drying of micro and nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes; terminal sterilization of microbial organisms and food pasteurization; cleaning of metal surfaces, glass, optical elements, silicon wafers, and polymers; cleaning of soiled banknotes and other secure documents; precision cleaning and drying of narrow tubes and parts with complex geometries and tight spaces; sterilization of medical equipment; pesticide mitigation in museum collections; and decontamination of hazardous materials.
Rasch Analysis of Postconcussive Symptoms: Development of Crosswalks and the Brain Injury Symptom Scale.

Abstract Objective The first aim of this study was to develop a Rasch-based crosswalk between 2 postconcussive symptom measures, the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) and the Rivermead Postconcussive Symptom Questionnaire (RPQ). The second goal was to utilize Rasch analysis to formulate a new proposed scale containing the best theoretical and psychometric items. Design Prospective cohort observational study. Setting Three acute inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. Participants Community-dwelling persons (N=497) who were previously hospitalized and were diagnosed with mild to severe traumatic brain injury. Participants were (1) 18-64 years old; (2) could give informed consent; (3) able to complete study measures in English; (4) did not have an interfering medical or psychiatric condition. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures NSI, RPQ. Results Rasch analysis revealed 4 subdimensions across the 2 scales: cognitive, affective, physical, and visual. Crosswalk tables were generated for the first 3. Visual items were too few to generate a crosswalk. Iterative Rasch analysis produced a new scale with items rated from none to severe including the best items in each of these dimensions. Conclusions The NSI and RPQ have considerable overlap and measure the same overarching constructs. Crosswalk tables may be helpful for clinicians and researchers to convert scores from 1 measure to the other. A more psychometrically sound scale, the Brain Injury Symptom Scale, composed of items from the NSI and RPQ, is proposed and will need further validation.
PET Imaging of Pancreatic Dopamine D2 and D3 Receptor Density with 11C-(+)-PHNO in Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has traditionally been characterized by a complete destruction of β-cell mass (BCM); however, there is growing evidence of possible residual BCM present in T1DM. Given the absence of in vivo tools to measure BCM, routine clinical measures of β-cell function (e.g., C-peptide release) may not reflect BCM. We previously demonstrated the potential utility of PET imaging with the dopamine D2 and D3 receptor agonist 3,4,4a,5,6,10b-hexahydro-2H-naphtho[1,2-b][1,4]oxazin-9-ol (11C-(+)-PHNO) to differentiate between healthy control (HC) and T1DM individuals. Methods: Sixteen individuals participated (10 men, 6 women; 9 HCs, 7 T1DMs). The average duration of diabetes was 18 ± 6 y (range, 14–30 y). Individuals underwent PET/CT scanning with a 120-min dynamic PET scan centered on the pancreas. One- and 2-tissue-compartment models were used to estimate pancreas and spleen distribution volume. Reference region approaches (spleen as reference) were also investigated. Quantitative PET measures were correlated with clinical outcome measures. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine colocalization of dopamine receptors with endocrine hormones in HC and T1DM pancreatic tissue. Results: C-peptide release was not detectable in any T1DM individuals, whereas proinsulin was detectable in 3 of 5 T1DM individuals. Pancreas SUV ratio minus 1 (SUVR-1) (20–30 min; spleen as reference region) demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (−36.2%) in radioligand binding (HCs, 5.6; T1DMs, 3.6; P = 0.03). Age at diagnosis correlated significantly with pancreas SUVR-1 (20–30 min) (R2 = 0.67, P = 0.025). Duration of diabetes did not significantly correlate with pancreas SUVR-1 (20–30 min) (R2 = 0.36, P = 0.16). Mean acute C-peptide response to arginine at maximal glycemic potentiation did not significantly correlate with SUVR-1 (20–30 min) (R2 = 0.57, P = 0.05), nor did mean baseline proinsulin (R2 = 0.45, P = 0.10). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated colocalization of dopamine D3 receptor and dopamine D2 receptor in HCs. No colocalization of the dopamine D3 receptor or dopamine D2 receptor was seen with somatostatin, glucagon, or polypeptide Y. In a separate T1DM individual, no immunostaining was seen with dopamine D3 receptor, dopamine D2 receptor, or insulin antibodies, suggesting that loss of endocrine dopamine D3 receptor and dopamine D2 receptor expression accompanies loss of β-cell functional insulin secretory capacity. Conclusion: Thirty-minute scan durations and SUVR-1 provide quantitative outcome measures for 11C-(+)-PHNO, a dopamine D3 receptor–preferring agonist PET radioligand, to differentiate BCM in T1DM and HCs.
The sporadic history of rubidium and its role in corrosion of steel related to nuclear material storage

Abstract The influence of rubidium (Rb), both in its metallic and oxidized states, on the corrosion resistance of steels has direct relevance to the storage of radioactive Kr-85 containing nuclear materials. Kr-85 undergoes a β-decay to generate stable, metallic Rb. The literature to date is sparse, contained primarily in company reports and divisive as to whether Rb metal, or its oxides, can lead to corrosion of steel materials. In both the direct storage of Kr-85 and used nuclear fuel that will contain Kr-85, if Rb is corrosive then continual decay of the Kr-85 will generate an increasingly corrosive environment for the steel canister it is stored in. This review was written to consolidate the known data to date on Rb corrosion of steels to identify consistencies, contradictions and remaining gaps in our understanding of the Rb: steel system.
An Affective Atmosphere of Religiosity: Animated Places, Public Spaces, and the Politics of Attachment in Ukraine and Beyond

When religious institutions engage the secular emotively and publicly, they can foster an affective atmosphere of religiosity, which potentially has motivational power, even for non-believers, because it shapes the sensorium of those who circulate in public space. When individuals appeal to “places animated with prayer” for the transformative energy that resides there through ritualized practices, they reaffirm an affective atmosphere of religiosity. In Orthodox Eastern Europe and elsewhere, a confessional tradition is allied with state borders, further normativizing this affective atmosphere and giving it pronounced political implications. When an affective atmosphere of religiosity inspires practices that are intentionally designed to prompt experiences rendered meaningful in otherworldly terms, over time such performativity can create mimetic instincts that become second nature. This is an essential step to religion becoming an expedient political resource and to the emergence of religious nationalism or a confessional state.
Bilateral uveitis associated with nivolumab therapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Purpose To report a case of bilateral uveitis secondary to intravenous nivolumab therapy in a patient with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Observations A 53-year-old male with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer presented with gradual onset of blurry vision in the left eye for nine days after completion of the first cycle of intravenous nivolumab chemotherapy. At initial presentation, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. Slit lamp biomicroscopy examination of the left eye showed temporal injection of the conjunctiva and sclera, granulomatous keratic precipitates, and vitreous cells in the posterior segment. Imaging studies, including fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, iridocyanine green angiography, and B scan ultrasonography, demonstrated acute inflammation in the posterior segment of the right eye and anterior, intermediate and posterior segments of the left eye. Nivolumab was discontinued and the patient received a course of corticosteroids resulting in resolution of visual complaints. The patient subsequently developed elevated and sustained intraocular pressures and decreased visual acuity in the left eye secondary to treatment complications. The patient was then lost to follow-up. Conclusions and Importance To our best knowledge, this is a rare case of bilateral uveitis secondary to intravenous nivolumab use and the sixteenth reported case of nivolumab-induced uveitis. Physicians should be aware of possible ocular complications associated with the use of nivolumab and provide prompt treatment when necessary.
La voz de los vencidos: Justicia y experiencia colonial en Walter Benjamin

DOI: 10.1590/2179-8966/2020/52665 Resumen La idea de rescatar la voz de los vencidos, tarea que Benjamin declara urgente e indispensable en las Tesis sobre la filosofia de la historia, tiene una historia que puede remontarse a su interes temprano por la colonizacion de America. Un ejemplo de este interes puede encontrarse en la pequena resena que se traduce con este articulo, Marcel Brion, Bartolome de Las Casas. Padre de los indios . Mi articulo reconstruye las circunstancias bajo las cuales se produjo este texto, indicando algunas claves de lectura que permiten relacionarlo con otras ideas que Benjamin elaborara a lo largo de toda su vida sobre el rol del lenguaje, la justicia y la historia. Ademas de ello, el articulo intenta esclarecer que significa “salvar la voz de los vencidos” y los problemas que esta idea acarrea en el contexto colonial. Siguiendo el metodo empleado por el propio autor, el ensayo utilizara la tecnica del montaje, colocando momentos biograficos y textos afines que permitiran iluminar una arista no tan conocida en la obra de Benjamin. Palavras-claves: Walter Benjamin; Teoria Postcolonial; Historia; Justicia; Lenguaje. Abstract The idea of rescuing the voice of the vanquished, a task that Benjamin declares urgent and indispensable in his Theses on the Philosophy of History , can be traced back to an early interest in the colonization of America. An example of this interest, translated for this article, can be found in Benjamin’s review Marcel Brion, Bartolome de Las Casas. Father of the Indians. My paper reconstructs the circumstances under which this text was produced and indicates possible readings that allow us to relate it to other ideas that Benjamin elaborated throughout his life on language, justice and history. In addition, the article attempts to clarify what it means to “save the voices of the vanquished” and the problems that this idea has in the colonial context. Following the method used by the author himself, this paper uses the technique of montage, placing biographical moments and texts, looking to illuminate an edge not that well-known in Benjamin’s work. Keywords: Walter Benjamin; Postcolonial Theory; History; Justice; Language.
A 10-year systematic review of theory-driven approaches to increasing catch-up HPV vaccination rates among young adult males in colleges/university settings

To describe rates and identify factors associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among young adult males in college/university settings. Study was reported according to Preferred Repor...
A Monograph of the British Fossil Brachiopoda. Part III. The Oolitic and Liasic Brachiopoda

(1851). A Monograph of the British Fossil Brachiopoda. Part III. The Oolitic and Liasic Brachiopoda. Monographs of the Palaeontographical Society: Vol. 4, No. 10, pp. 1-64.
Longitudinal Beam Manipulations

The RF systems installed in the synchrotrons can be used not only for beam acceleration but also to change the longitudinal beam characteristics. Below we present two nontrivial methods of “RF gymnastics” championed at the Fermilab accelerators to satisfy the needs of the Collider Run II—the so-called slip stacking and RF barrier buckets techniques.
Effect of sparteine sulfate on uterine contractility

Abstract The effect of intramuscular injections of sparteine sulfate on the pregnant term uterus in 36 patients was studied by a continuous recording of amniotic fluid pressure. Twenty-two patients were given 150 mg. doses of sparteine sulfate and 14 received 75 mg. doses. The spontaneous labors of an additional 15 patients were recorded as controls. Thirteen patients receiving 150 mg. doses had episodes of hypertonus, 2 of which were prolonged tetanic contractions. There were 4 episodes of hypertonus in the 14 patients receiving 75 mg. doses. It was concluded that the 150 mg. dose of sparteine sulfate was excessive and, as with other antepartum oxytocics, constant attendance of the patient under the supervision of a physician was necessary, regardless of dosage involved.
Interferon‐γ Mediates Anemia but Is Dispensable for Fulminant Toll‐like Receptor 9–Induced Macrophage Activation Syndrome and Hemophagocytosis in Mice

Objective Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a devastating cytokine storm syndrome complicating many inflammatory diseases and characterized by fever, pancytopenia, and systemic inflammation. It is clinically similar to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which is caused by viral infection of a host with impaired cellular cytotoxicity. Murine models of MAS and HLH illustrate that interferon-γ (IFNγ) is the driving stimulus for hemophagocytosis and immunopathology. This study was undertaken to investigate the inflammatory contributors to a murine model of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9)–induced fulminant MAS. Methods Wild-type, transgenic, and cytokine-inhibited mice were treated with an IL-10 receptor blocking antibody and a TLR-9 agonist, and parameters of MAS were evaluated. Results Fulminant MAS was characterized by dramatic elevations in IFNγ, IL-12, and IL-6 levels. Increased serum IFNγ levels were associated with enhanced IFNγ production within some hepatic cell populations but also with decreased numbers of IFNγ-positive cells. Surprisingly, IFNγ-knockout mice developed immunopathology and hemophagocytosis comparable to that seen in wild-type mice. However, IFNγ-knockout mice did not become anemic and had greater numbers of splenic erythroid precursors. IL-12 neutralization phenocopied disease in IFNγ-knockout mice. Interestingly, type I IFNs contributed to the severity of hypercytokinemia and weight loss, but their absence did not otherwise affect MAS manifestations. Conclusion These data demonstrate that both fulminant MAS and hemophagocytosis can arise independently of IFNγ, IL-12, or type I IFNs. They also suggest that IFNγ-mediated dyserythropoiesis, not hemophagocytosis, is the dominant cause of anemia in fulminant TLR-9–induced MAS. Thus, our data establish a novel mechanism for the acute anemia of inflammation, but suggest that a variety of triggers can result in hemophagocytic disease.
Segmentation of spinal cord in the pediatric spinal Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging

Classification and segmentation of small structures such as spinal cord is extremely challenging. In this paper, a multi stage segmentation algorithm is proposed and tested to accurately and reliably segment the spinal canal and spinal cord from the background in the pediatric spinal Diffusion Tensor MR images. First, median filter and image compression methods were applied to mitigate the amplitude of the noise and improve the homogeneity of the image. Next, mathematical morphological processing was applied to segment and label the regions attributed to the spinal canal. These segmented regions were classified into the spinal canal and background using a Euclidean metric obtained by centroid coordinates of segmented regions in the volumetric DTI data. Finally, Otsu thresholding technique was applied to extract cord region from spinal canal. Segmentation accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and spatial overlap index were examined as performance measurements. The quantitative measurements represent the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Elucidation of the structural determinants of ARB binding to the human AT1R (1173.4)

The angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is the target for a widely used class of drugs named angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Polymorphisms in the ARB binding site are known to alter affinity. Mutagenesis studies identifying the binding site are limited as the site can be distorted simply by altering helical rotation/position. Previously, we demonstrated that wild-type (wt) opossum (o) AT1R does not bind ARBs. Therefore, we made a model of the human (h) AT1R and oAT1R based on the structure of the mu-opioid receptor through an iterative process. The models were optimized using all atomic molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with explicit membrane bilayer and water solvent. Utilizing docking and MD simulations the ARB binding pocket was elucidated; currently, both K199 in the 3rd helix and the backbone near the lipid-solvent interface appear to be involved in binding. Additionally, we cloned the hAT1R and made individual point mutations reflecting the differences between hAT1R and oAT1R. Each re...
Effect of initial seedling size, understory competition, and overstory density on the survival and growth of Pinus echinata seedlings underplanted in hardwood forests for restoration

There is interest in restoring shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) in pine–oak woodlands where it once was abundant. Because of its shade intolerance and slow initial growth rate, shortleaf pine restoration has remained a challenge because competition from hardwoods exhibits greater initial growth following canopy removal but greater shade tolerance with canopy retention. The study objective was to examine the survival and growth of underplanted shortleaf pine seedlings relative to competing hardwoods as a function of initial seedling size, overstory density, and understory competition. In the Ozark Highlands of southeastern Missouri, USA, 48, 0.4-ha experimental units were each harvested from below to a uniform stocking level from 0 to 90 % and 30, 1–0 improved shortleaf pine seedlings were planted on a 3.7 × 7.3 m spacing. Linear or logistic regression was used to determine how shortleaf pine seedling (1) survival, (2) basal diameter growth, and (3) shoot growth were related to initial seedling size, overstory stocking, and understory competitor height during the first 5 years after underplanting. After five growing seasons, the survival rate of shortleaf pine seedlings was 50 % and was positively related to the initial basal diameter but was not related to overstory stocking or competitor height. Increasing overstory stocking decreased the basal diameter and height growth of shortleaf pine seedlings, explaining >51 % of the variation in basal diameter and 54 % of the variation in seedling height. Although competing hardwood seedlings were consistently taller than the shortleaf pine seedlings throughout the study, shortleaf pine seedlings maintained similar growth rates as competitors from the second to the fifth growing season. The eventual release of shortleaf pine is essential for recruitment, but releases can be delayed for several years after underplanting.
Stability of H, D, 14N, and 15N atoms in solid ammonia above 100 K

The measurements reported below quantify the stability and decay of hydrogen, deuterium, and nitrogen atoms in frozen ammonia above 100 K. The decay of H atoms is observed on a time scale of minutes in the range of 100–110 K and follows first-order kinetics. Analogous decays of D and N atoms are observed in the ranges 105–120 and 140–160 K, respectively. Activation energies for the decay processes range from 0.1 to 0.4 eV.
Observational Research of Negative Communication and Self-Reported Relationship Satisfaction

Clinical researchers suggest more real-world types of data are needed to understand negative communication in couples. This study asked, what is the relationship between partners’ reports of relationship satisfaction and frequencies of observed markers of negative communication? Fifty-three clinical and community couples completed self-report assessments and ten-minute discussions of relationship concerns. Data were analyzed using pooled regression to account for both actor and partner effects of relationship quality scores on hostility, distress-maintaining attributions, dysphoric affect, and withdrawal. Results yielded a significant actor female effect for hostility and a significant male-to-female partner effect for distress-maintaining attribution.
The Rhetoric of Serials at the Present Time

The rhetoric of serials promotes invisibility, timelessness, and order, and prevents us from being able to think what we might want from serial publications, or whether we want serials at all. Serial rhetoric makes us cling to our ideas of what serials publishing should be and think of any publishing in terms of traditional print paradigms. These limitations corroborate, on the one hand, a fin-de-siecle rhetoric associated with electronic text (discussed in the essay), and tie in on the other with the publishing world's attempts to think of new ventures in term of established practices. Postmodern Culture has offered new models for pricing serials which attempt to rethink what we want from published work. These have not met with success partly because of another rhetoric, that of experimental media. This rhetoric is in some ways like the rhetoric of serials, so that when the two combine they doubly screen us from our alternatives. This essay explicates the paradigms that govern our perception of serials a...
Bubble formation in a coflow configuration in normal and reduced gravity

A study of bubble generation for constant gas-flux condition by single-nozzle injection in a coflowing liquid is reported. Focusing on single-bubble generation in the dynamic and bubbly flow regime, the onset condition for bubble coalescence is investigated. The role of various forces involved in the bubble formation process is studied, and an overall force balance describing bubble dynamics is developed. Gas-momentum flux and buoyancy in normal gravity enhance, while the surface-tension force at the nozzle rim inhibits bubble detachment. On the other hand, liquid drag and inertia can act both as attaching or detaching forces, depending on the relative velocity of the bubble with respect to the surrounding liquid. Predictions of the theoretical model compare well with the present reduced-gravity experiment and available normal-gravity experiments. Effects of the fluid properties, injection geometry, and flow conditions on bubble size are investigated.
Pyroelectric glass‐ceramics

Highly oriented surface layers of lithium disilicate crystals were grown by crystallizing glasses of composition Li2Si2O5 in a temperature gradient. The polar c axes of the crystallites were oriented parallel to the temperature gradient and perpendicular to the sample surface. The pyroelectric response of the glass‐ceramic crystallized in a thermal gradient was approximately four times larger than that of a touramaline crystal of similar dimensions. The time dependence of the pyroelectric signal obeys the thin‐film equivalent circuit model developed by Chynoweth.
Feeding problems in cystinosis

Nephropathic cystinosis, a rare autosomal recessive storage disease characterized by intracellular storage of free cystine due to a defect in lysosomal cystine transport, is the most common cause of Fanconi syndrome in childhood. Although manifestations of extrarenal organ involvement during the course of the disease are diverse, the spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) problems has not yet been examined. In responses to a questionnaire from 70 (35%) of the 200 registered members of the Cystinosis Foundation, we found that GI symptoms are more common, more diverse, and occur at a younger age in patients with cystinosis than previously recognized. Ninety-three percent of interviewed subjects had GI symptoms at initial presentation, and the overall lifetime prevalence of GI problems in this group was 100%. Thirty percent have received gastric/jejunal tube feedings, and 7% required continuous or intermittent total parenteral nutrition. Fifty percent have been formally tested for GI abnormalities, and among these 77% have documented functional abnormalities (reflux/dysmotility, pseudo-obstruction, swallowing dysfunction). Early recognition and aggressive therapy of GI problems in cystinotic patients may ameliorate or prevent the development of disabling symptoms.
Crystallization and preliminary X‐ray analysis of thiaminase I from Bacillus thiaminolyticus: space group change upon freezing of crystals

Thiaminase I (Mr = 42 100) from B. thiaminolyticus, expressed in E. coli, has been crystallized by the vapor-diffusion method. Three crystal forms, two of which grew from 0.1 M sodium acetate (pH = 4.6), 0.2 M ammonium sulfate and 30%(w/v) PEG 2000, have been examined by X-ray analysis. One crystal form diffracted to 2.5 A at room temperature, was orthorhombic, and had unit-cell edges of a = 87.7, b = 120.5 and c = 76.7 A with space group P212121. A self-Patterson map showed a strong peak indicating noncrystallographic translational pseudosymmetry with (u, v, w) = (0.03, 0.0, 0.5). When these crystals were frozen at liquid-nitrogen temperatures, a second crystal form was observed which had unit-cell dimensions a = 85.5, b = 117.5 and c = 36.6 A with space group P21212. A third crystal form grew from 0.1 M Tris (pH = 8.5), 0.2 M sodium acetate trihydrate and 28%(w/v) PEG 6000 to produce orthorhombic crystals of space group P212121 with cell edges of a = 114.4, b = 123.1 and c = 92.5 A.
AN ESTIMATION OF THE BENEFITS OF AIR TRAFFIC FLOW MAN AGEMENT

An analysis was undertaken to estimate the total annual dollar benefit, to airlines and other airspace users, of air Traffic Flow Management (TFM). Two major components of TFM were considered: managing airport volume and managing airspace during severe weather. Using Total Airport and Airspace Modeler (TAAM), the phenomenon of airport demand volume was modeled. Benefits of TFM are realized by: 1) assignment of pre-departure delay instead of airborne holding delay when arrival capacity is lacking, and 2) proper spacing of arrival flows, allowing interleaving of departures at airport where this is an issue. A baseline scenario without TFM was compared to an alternate scenario with TFM actions. A second TFM component was modeled and estimated: Using a MITRE-developed simulation model known as systemwideModeler, severe en route weather was modeled with accompanying air traffic. Again baseline and alternate scenarios were contrasted. The model represented weather impacts in the NAS via reduced en route sector capacity. Applying various assumptions, some flight re-routing around weather was effected either by airline/pilot decision or by FAA directive. Weather-impacted flights that weren’t re-routed were subjected to airborne delay when blocked sectors were encountered. Estimated annual benefits: Airport Volume: $291 M Severe En Route Weather: $110 M ------------------------------------------Total: $401 M 1 Background and Introduction
Separation and radioautography of microgram quantities of ribosomal proteins by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Recently a two dimensional polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis system was described by which all of the ribosomal proteins of E. coli were separated into distinct spots [ 11. This system and others have been used to separate eukaryotic as well as prokaryotic ribosomal proteins [2-61. The system developed by KaltSchmidt and Wittmann [l] gives excellent resolution of both types of ribosomal proteins; moreover, standard and highly useful nomenclature of E. coli ribosoma1 proteins has been defined in terms of this system ]71. We have adopted the basic system of Kaltschmidt and Wittmann to use thinner and smaller slabs which require smaller amounts of sample, and which can be dried for radioautography of radioactive proteins. The advantages of the smaller two-dimensional slab described here are summarized as follows: Ribosomal protein required: 50 100 pg; total electrophoresis time: 12 hr; staining and destaining time: 3-5 hr; radioautography: readily possible; gel can be totally dried in 2-3 hr without distortion or shrinkage for accurate radioautograms; estimated cost of basic apparatus, about $ 160 (not yet commercially available). The resolution of E. coli ribosomal proteins with the miniature slab gel system described here is essentially identical to that reported by Kaltschmidt and Wittmann [ 11. It has also been employed to separate eukaryotic ribosomal proteins and to identify by radioautography those phosphorylated by protein kinase [8].
Simultaneous assessment of NF-κB/p65 phosphorylation and nuclear localization using imaging flow cytometry

Aberrant activity of Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-κB) is associated with many diseases and is therapeutically targeted. Post-translational modifications, particularly phosphorylation of the RELA/p65 sub-unit, are essential for cytoplasmic to nuclear localization of NF-κB/p65 and initiation of transcription of downstream target genes. Immunoblot and phospho-flow cytometry have been used to study the relationship between phosphorylation motifs and NF-κB activation and microscopic analysis of nuclear localization of p65 is also used as a parameter for activation. The labor intensive nature of these approaches commonly limits the number of sampling points or replicates. Recent insights into the relationship between p65 phosphorylation motifs and their nuclear localization indicate that these parameters have different significances and should not be used interchangeably. In this study, we demonstrate feasibility and reproducibility of studying the relationship between p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation using imaging flow cytometry (IFC). TNFα- or PMA/Ionomycin-induced phosphorylation of p65 at serine 529 in cell line models and healthy donor lymphocytes served as the experimental model. IFC analysis demonstrated that expression of phosphorylated serine 529 (P-p65(s529)) increased rapidly following stimulation and that nuclear localization of P-p65(s529) followed the nuclear localization pattern of total p65. However, in the presence of tacrolimus, P-p65(s529) expression was inhibited without affecting nuclear localization of total p65. The data demonstrate the application of IFC to simultaneously assess phosphorylation of p65 and its cellular localization and the results obtained by this analysis corroborate current insights regarding the specific effect of tacrolimus on serine 529 phosphorylation.
Stringent control of the transcriptional activities of ribosomal protein genes in E. coli.

The stringent control system regulates the expression of not only rRNA genes but also r-protein genes. The regulation of r-protein genes takes place by a mechanism which determines the amount of r-protein mRNA available for translation. Presumably this mechanism operates at the level of initiation of transcription at r-protein gene promoters.
Modification of ricin A chain, by addition of endoplasmic reticulum (KDEL) or Golgi (YQRL) retention sequences, enhances its cytotoxicity and translocation

A pKK expression system in Escherichia coli was used to produce recombinant ricin A chain (rRTA) and rRTA modified by addition of organelle-specific amino acid retention sequences, including KDEL (an endoplasmic reticulum, ER, lumen retention signal), KKMP (an ER membrane retention signal), YQRL (a trans-Golgi network retention signal) and KFERQ (a lysosome-targeting signal) to the C terminus of rRTA. The toxicities of these RTA mutants were assessed in Jurkat cells following fluid-phase endocytosis. rRTA-KDEL and rRTA-YQRL were significantly more cytotoxic for Jurkat cells than rRTA, rRTA-KKMP or rRTA-KFERQ. This difference did not result from signal(KDEL or YQRL)-mediated binding of these RTA mutants to the cell surface. Reconstituted ER and Golgi vesicles have been employed to assess translocation of rRTA and mutant rRTA. RTA-KDEL and RTA-YQRL respectively exhibited 6.7-fold and 6.1-fold more protection against papain digestion in reconstituted ER vesicles and 2.2-fold and 1.8-fold more protection in reconstituted Golgi vesicles, than unmodified rRTA. These mutants were reassociated with ricin B chain to form holotoxins. The mutant RTA-KDEL and RTA-YQRL holotoxins were 3.8-fold and 1.5-fold more cytotoxic for target cells, respectively, than ricin produced using unmodified rRTA. Our results suggest that both ER and the trans-Golgi network may play important roles in the intracellular trafficking and translocation of ricin A chain.
‘Traduttore Traditore’? Alexis Kagame's transposition of Kinyarwanda poetry into French

Abstract Alexis Kagame (1912–1981) wrote on African philosophy, linguistics, poetry, religion, ethnology and oral literatures. His literary production in the national language of his country, Rwanda, the Kinyarwanda, includes works of poetry that he claimed to have conceived by his own imagination and in other cases texts collected from oral sources and transposed into the written form. This transcription of stories collected from storytellers of Rwandan oral tradition passed through some transformations and linguistic adaptations of the initial esoteric language. Alexis Kagame translated some of his works into French, thus adding other transformations to initial literary forms, images, aesthetics, rhythms, ethno‐historical representations, and of course languages. His poetical practice was motivated by his nationalist project to represent Rwanda as one ‘Nation’ consolidated by politico‐historical, ethnological, philosophical, religious, linguistic and literary elements. How is this aesthetic ideology ref...
Effective transverse elastic moduli of composites at non-dilute concentration of a random field of aligned fibers

We consider a transversal loading of a linearly elastic isotropic media containing the identical isotropic aligned circular fibers at non-dilute concentration c. By the use of solution obtained by the Kolosov–Muskhelishvili complex potential method for two interacting circles subjected to three different applied stresses at infinity, and exact integral representations for both the stress and strain distributions in a microinhomogeneous medium, one estimates the effective moduli of the composite accurately to order c2.
Hermitian harmonic maps from complete Hermitian manifolds to complete Riemannian manifolds

In this paper we study a nonlinear elliptic system of equations imposed on a map from a complete Hermitian (non-Kahler) manifold to a Riemannian manifold. This system is more appropriate to Hermitian geometry than the harmonic map system since it is compatible with the holomorphic structure of the domain manifold in the sense that holomorphic maps are Hermitian harmonic maps. It was first studied by Jost and Yau in [J-Y], and was applied to study the rigidity of compact Hermitian manifolds. We extend their existence and uniqueness results to the case where both domain and target manifolds are complete. Hopefully the results will be useful to study corresponding rigidity of complete Hermitian manifolds. Let M be a complex manifold with Hermitian metric (hαβ), and let N be a Riemannian manifold with metric (gij) and Christoffel symbols Γ i jk. A Hermitian harmonic map u : M → N satisfies the following elliptic system
Activation of Myosin Va Function by Melanophilin, a Specific Docking Partner of Myosin Va

It is known that melanophilin is a myosin Va-targeting molecule that links myosin Va and the cargo vesicles in cells. Here we found that melanophilin directly activates the actin-activated ATPase activity of myosin Va and thus its motor activity. The actin-activated ATPase activity of the melanocyte-type myosin Va having exon-F was significantly activated by melanophilin by 4-fold. Although Rab27a binds to myosin Va/melanophilin complex, it did not affect the melanophilin-induced activation of myosin Va. Deletion of the C-terminal actin binding domain and N-terminal Rab binding domain of melanophilin resulted in no change in the activation of the ATPase by melanophilin, indicating that the myosin Va binding domain (MBD) is sufficient for the activation of myosin Va. Among MBDs, the interaction of MBD-2 with exon-F of myosin Va is critical for the binding of myosin Va and melanophilin, whereas MBD-1 interacting with the globular tail of myosin Va plays a more significant role in the activation of myosin Va ATPase activity. This is the first demonstration that the binding of the cargo molecule directly activates myosin motor activity. The present finding raises the idea that myosin motors are switched upon their binding to the cargo molecules, thus avoiding the waste of ATP consumption.