cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Newborn antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detected in cord blood after maternal vaccination - a case report.

Maternal vaccination for Influenza and Tetanus, Diphtheria, acellular Pertussis (TDaP) have been well studied in terms of safety and efficacy for protection of the newborn by placental passage of antibodies. Similar newborn protection would be expected after maternal vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a significant and urgent need for research regarding safety and efficacy of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy. A vigorous, healthy, full-term female was born to a COVID-19 naive mother who had received a single dose of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 3 weeks prior to delivery. IgG cord blood antibodies were detected to SARS-CoV-2 at the time of birth. Here, we report the first known case of an infant with SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies detectable in cord blood after maternal vaccination.
Activation of the autophagy pathway affects Dengue virus infection in Aedes aegypti

Abstract Mosquito-borne Dengue virus (DENV) has caused major disease worldwide, impacting 50 to 100 million people every year, and is spread by the major mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. Understanding mosquito physiology and developing new control strategies becomes an important issue to eliminate DENV. We focused on autophagy, a pathway suggested as having a positive influence on virus replication in humans, as a potential anti-viral target in the mosquito. To understand the role played by autophagy in Ae. aegypti, we examined the expression of the pathway in vitro (Aag-2 cell) and in vivo (Ae. aegypti). The results indicated that DENV infection in Aag-2 cells caused the microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3-II) protein levels to increase which indicated the activation of the autophagy pathway. Rapamycin and 3-Methyladenine were used to activate or suppress the autophagy pathway, respectively. Rapamycin treatment decreased the virus titer in the Aag-2 cells, but the 3-Methyladenine treatment did not affect DENV titer. In Ae. aegypti, microinjected rapamycin increased the DENV titer after one-day infection and was significantly different compared to the control group titer. Two ATG genes, ATG4 and ATG12, were expressed differentially under the rapamycin treatments. Although the results differed between in vitro and in vivo studies, findings from both support the interaction between autophagy and DENV. Our studies revealed the activation of the autophagy pathway through rapamycin could be related to DENV infection in the mosquito. The possibility of autophagy being associated with different antiviral mechanisms at different extrinsic incubation times and tissues in Ae. aegypti is discussed. Author Summary Dengue virus (DENV) has been a great threat to public health and has not developed an efficient method to stop the transmission. To understand the complex interaction between virus and mosquito, we investigate the autophagy pathway and its role during the infection process. We noticed the induction of autophagy pathways from DENV infection in Aag-2 cells and blood meal from Ae. aegypti. Moreover, activation of the autophagy pathway from rapamycin could alter the DENV titer. Our results indicated the autophagy pathway is associated with DENV and could be crucial during the DENV infection. Furthermore, we proved the practicality of small molecules in altering the autophagy pathway in mosquitoes, and thus the usage of small molecules as possible mosquito pathogen vaccines should be evaluated.
Size Matters: Body Size is Correlated with Longevity in Speckled Cockroaches (Nauphoeta cineria).

Background A relationship between body size and longevity has long been appreciated within eukaryotes, especially vertebrates. Introduction In general, large size is associated with increased longevity among species of mammals and birds but is associated with decreased longevity within individual species such as dogs and mice. In this study, we examined the relationship between measures of individual body size and longevity in a captive population of speckled cockroaches (Nauphoeta cineria). Method Newly molted adults of both sexes were removed from a mass colony housed in multiple terraria and housed individually with food and water provided ad libitum for the duration of their lifespan. Thrice weekly, the status (i.e. live/dead) of individual cockroaches was noted for the duration of the study. Individuals found dead were weighed and measured to obtain body mass and morphometric measures and the age at the time of death was recorded. The relationship between body size and lifespan was assessed. Result Contrary to what is commonly seen within vertebrates, large cockroaches were longer-lived than their smaller counterparts. Specifically, body mass, body length and pronotum width were all significantly correlated with the age at death in a mixed population of males and females (n = 94). In addition, we found that the longevity of a historically larger population in terms of both body mass and body length were significantly longer-lived than the population used in this study. Conclusion These data indicate there is a significant interaction between body size and aging in this species and that increased size results in a survival advantage. There is evidence in the literature indicating that a positive relationship between size and longevity may be common in insects.
Surface Science at the Nanoscale: Molecular Imaging and Surface Forces

This paper presents a general description of the use of the ne tip-based proximal probes—scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM)—to study the nanoscale properties of surfaces. Using STM, we have examined the nucleation and growth of C60 films on Au(111) and Ag(111). In addition to imaging, we have measured the charge transfer between the metal and C60 using STM in the spectroscopic mode. AFM studies which focus on developing quantitative methods for measuring surface forces and the mechanical properties of surfaces are also presented.
Analysis of DC/DC converters with resonant filters

Conventional DC/DC power converter topologies contain a single semiconductor switch, a diode and various arrangements of inductors and capacitors to filter the resulting waveforms into low ripple DC. The output or input voltage is limited to the rating of the semiconductor switch and diode. For high voltage performance, transformers are added to form forward, flyback or push-pull topologies. For high input voltages, semiconductor switches are arranged in an inverter bridge topology with a transformer to operate at higher voltages. Generally, conventional DC/DC power converters are limited to low voltage applications. The addition of a transformer to provide sufficient voltage gain adds significant weight to the converter. Series, parallel resonant circuits with dual bridge circuits can function like a DC/DC power converter with a transformer. Resonant converter topologies concepts have existed for the past 30 years. This paper presents a simplified generalized view of resonant circuits as /spl pi/-filters and T-filters which give insight into improving circuit performance and developing new resonant topologies for bidirectional power flow.
Macrolide biosynthesis—II : Origin of the carbon skeleton and oxygen atoms of the erythromycins

Abstract Feeding of [1-13C]propionate to cultures of Streptomyces erythreus gave erythromycin A and B labeled at C-1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, as established by 13C NMR analysis of the derived 2'- benzoate esters. Incorporation of [2-13C]propionate labeled C-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 20 while feeding of ethyl [2,3-13C2]succinate, an in vivo precursor of [2,2' -13C2]methylmalonate, gave rise to seven pairs of enhanced and coupled doublets in the spectra of labeled erythromycin A and B benzoate Subsequent incorporation of [1-18O2, 1-13C]propionate and 13C NMR analysis established the presence of excess 18O at C- 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, and 13 in both erythromycins A and B, as evidenced by the corresponding isotopically shifted 13C18O peaks. These results establish that in the biosynthesis of erythromycin all the O atoms of the initial aglycone, 6-deoxyerythronolide B (3) originate directly from propionate.
Social Justice in the Social Work Classroom: Applying a Professional Value to Social Work Education

Social justice is a primary value of social work and therefore has a place in discussions of social work education pedagogy. This is especially true for conversations pertaining to students who are underprepared, due to educational inequalities, for successful completion of writing assignments at the undergraduate level. If underprepared students are treated as equals to prepared students, then the social inequalities that contributed to or caused a student to be underprepared are perpetuated rather than challenged. The authors explore responses to underprepared students that are consistent with social work's professional value of social justice.
Layout-aware gate-sizing and buffer insertion for low-power low-noise DSM circuits

Today's densely packed deep sub micron circuits operate at high frequencies, dissipate large amounts of power, and have simultaneous switching noise (SSN) in the power and ground networks. We propose an integrated gate-sizing and buffer insertion layout-aware approach to spread out the switching times of the gates in a circuit, and thus reduce SSN. We have efficiently formulated our problem as a linear programming one, achieving improvements of 12-14 %, on average, in the peak-peak current swing values over the original circuit implementations.
Robotics echolocation test platform

This work describes a mobile system that has been developed to precisely and reliably carry out echolocation experiments (data collection) for later analysis. A Kobuki robot was used as a base unit, providing mobility and accurate odometry. Custom mounting hardware was designed for the robot to accommodate a laptop for controlling the robot, along with a Microsoft Kinect sensor and ultrasonic transducers for taking experimental measurements. A Python based software package was designed to provide simple control of the robot and its sensors. This software was designed to work within the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework, and includes high-level interfaces for controlling robot movement and for the simultaneous playing and recording of sounds. Each data-collection experiment consists of a sequence of movements and measurements that the robot should perform. The system we have developed will make future data collection simple, allowing for subsequent study and analysis of echo signals.
Anomalous Raman spectra from La2CuO4.

We show that some published Raman spectra from the superconductors (${\mathrm{La}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{\mathit{x}}$)${\mathrm{CuO}}_{4}$ and ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}$${\mathrm{NiO}}_{4}$ are incorrect. We believe that these spectra were obtained when the samples were ``burnt'' by the focused laser beam and were actually due to ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. Similar anomalous results can be obtained when starting with ${\mathrm{Nd}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CuO}}_{4}$ where the spectra come from ${\mathrm{Nd}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. A spectrum distinctly different from those of ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ or ${\mathrm{Nd}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ is obtained from ${\mathrm{Y}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$.
Production of hydrogen by Clostridium species in the presence of chlorinated solvents

Although anaerobic bioremediation of chlorinated organic contaminants in the environment often requires exogenous supply of hydrogen as an electron donor, little is known about the ability of hydrogen-producing bacteria to grow in the presence of chlorinated solvents. In this study, 18 Clostridium strains including nine uncharacterized isolates originating from chlorinated solvent contaminated groundwater were tested to determine their ability to fermentatively produce hydrogen in the presence of three common chlorinated aliphatic groundwater contaminants: 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA), 1,1,2-trichloroethane (TCA), and tetrachloroethene (PCE). All strains produced hydrogen in the presence of at least 7.4 mM DCA, 2.4 mM TCA, and 0.31 mM PCE. Some strains produced hydrogen in media containing concentrations as high as 29.7 mM DCA, 9.8 mM TCA, and 1.1 mM PCE. None of the strains biotransformed chlorinated solvents under the conditions tested. Results demonstrate that many Clostridium species are chlorinated solvent tolerant, producing hydrogen even in the presence of high concentrations of DCA, TCA, and PCE. These findings have important implications for bioremediation of contaminated soil and groundwater.
In-situ x-ray studies of compositional control during synthesis of LaGaO3 by radio frequency-magnetron sputtering

In-situ synchrotron x-ray scattering has been used to monitor and control the synthesis of LaGaO3 epitaxial thin films by 90° off-axis RF-magnetron sputtering. Films deposited from a single LaGaO3 source were compared with those prepared by alternating deposition from separate La2O3 and Ga2O3 sources. The conditions for growth of stoichiometric films were determined by real-time monitoring of secondary phase formation as well as from features in the diffuse scatter from island formation during synthesis. These results provide atomic-scale insight into the mechanisms taking place during reactive epitaxial growth and demonstrate how in-situ techniques can be utilized to achieve stoichiometric control in ultrathin films.
EXPRESSION OF THE COPB OUTER MEMBRANE PROTEIN BY MORAXELLA CATARRHALIS IS REGULATED BY IRON AND AFFECTS IRON ACQUISITION FROM TRANSFERRIN AND LACTOFERRIN. • 974

EXPRESSION OF THE COPB OUTER MEMBRANE PROTEIN BY MORAXELLA CATARRHALIS IS REGULATED BY IRON AND AFFECTS IRON ACQUISITION FROM TRANSFERRIN AND LACTOFERRIN. • 974
Antagonism of the Positive Dromotropic Effect of Isoproterenol by Adenosine: Role of Nitric Oxide, cGMP-dependent cAMP-phosphodiesterase and Protein Kinase G

Abstract A. Zima, A. E. Martynyuk, C. N. Seubert, T. E. Morey, C. Sumners, R. F. Cucchiara and D. M. Dennis. Antagonism of the Positive Dromotropic Effect of Isoproterenol by Adenosine: Role of Nitric Oxide, cGMP-dependent cAMP-phosphodiesterase and Protein Kinase G. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (2000) 32, 1609–1619. We hypothesized that nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in mediating the anti-adrenergic effect of adenosine on atrioventricular (AV) nodal conduction. In guinea-pig hearts instrumented for measurement of AV nodal conduction time (atrium-to-His bundle, A–H, interval), the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, l-NMMA (100 μ m), reversibly inhibited 80% (P=0.009, n=6) of adenosine's anti-adrenergic action on the positive dromotropic effect of isoproterenol (0.01 μ m). In parallel studies carried out in rabbit AV nodal myocytes, intracellular mechanisms whereby NO mediates the inhibitory effect of adenosine on isoproterenol-induced A–H interval shortening were studied. Adenosine (3 μ m) inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated (0.1 μ m) ICa,L(β -ICa,L) by 46±6% (P l -NMMA (100 μ m) and L-NNA (500 μ m) attenuated the effect of adenosine onβ -ICa,Lby 69±8% (P
The temperature dependence of the solubility product constant of vivianite

Abstract Vivianite Fe3(PO4)2 · 8H2O is an important phosphate mineral in many natural and environmental aquatic systems. Yet, the solubility product constant of vivianite has been determined only at room temperature. A new apparatus has been designed to facilitate the study of redox sensitive elements. Using this apparatus the solubility product constant of vivianite has been determined from 5 to 90°C. The equilibrium aqueous model MINTEQA2 used for data interpretation assumes the formation of all possible aqueous complexes. The temperature dependence of the negative logarithm of vivianite solubility (pKsp) product can be described between 5 to 90°C by pKsp = −234.205 + 12,242.6/T + 92.510 log10T, where T is temperature in Kelvin, yielding log Ksp = −35.767 ± 0.076 at 25°C. Using this expression, the calculated values of ΔG°, ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔC°p at 25°C and 0.969 atm total pressure are 204.1 kJ mol−1, 5.05 kJ mol−1, −667.8 J K−1 mol−1, and −769 J K−1 mol−1, respectively.
Recent Developments in β-Lactamase Research and Their Implications for the Future

beta-Lactamases, major determinants of bacterial resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, can be classified into specific molecular classes following identification of active-site amino acid or nucleotide sequences. The use of gene probes for epidemiologic purposes is becoming commoner. A semiempirical classification scheme has been proposed using substrate profiles and inhibition by clavulanic acid and aztreonam as criteria. Class 1 cephalosporinases are potently inhibited by aztreonam but poorly inhibited by clavulanate, whereas class 2 penicillinases and broad-spectrum beta-lactamases have very poor affinities for aztreonam but are inhibited by clavulanic acid. Class 3 beta-lactamases include the metalloenzymes. Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics can be related to many beta-lactamase-mediated phenomena, including increased frequency of beta-lactamase production in clinical isolates, wider distribution of beta-lactamase-mediating plasmids, production of multiple beta-lactamases, induction of chromosomal class 1 cephalosporinases, selection of depressed mutants for production of class 1 enzymes, leakage of beta-lactamase from gram-negative organisms, functions of penicillin-binding proteins as beta-lactamases, and identification of novel beta-lactamases.
Properties of a partially purified heat-resistant inorganic pyrophosphatase

A heat-resistant inorganic pyrophosphatase from Azotobacter agilis (vinelandii) has been partially purified and some of its properties described. The enzyme is resistant to several proteolytic enzymes and certain hydrogen and disulfide bond-breaking reagents. In every instance there is a greater degree of resistance in the presence of magnesium than in its absence. The enzyme is insensitive to SH group inhibitors.
Market Reactions to Director Exits: Human Capital versus Entrenchment

Governance scholars debate the value of directors as an effective governance mechanism. We contribute to the resolution of this debate by examining the value placed on directors by shareholders, as...
Aminoacylation of tRNA by cell-free preparations from aging Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Aminoacylation of tRNA was measured in extracts of Drosphila melanogaster of increasing age. During the period when the rate of protein synthesis decreased by 70%, the rate of aminoacylation by a mixture of amino acids decreased no more than 20%. The ability of tRNA to accept amino acids decreased 36%. Aminoacylation of tRNA by each of the 20 amino acids showed age-related decreases in rate of up to 38% and decreases in extent of aminoacylation ranging up to 54%. Aminoacylation enzymes did not exhibit an age-related decrease in activity. However, both the levels of tRNA in the cytosol and the ability of the tRNA to accept amino acids decreased with age, and probably account for the observed decreases in aminoacylation.
SU-DD-A3-05: Real Time DMLC IMRT Delivery for Mobile and Deforming Target

Purpose: Assume image system in the treatment room provides the information about target motion/deformation during therapy in real time. The ultimate utilization of this information calls for applying it to the intensity modulated therapy so that intensity maps dynamically shift and deform in conjunction with the target motion. This presentation describes algorithms for the control of MLC leaves that deliver real time image guided therapy described above. Method and Materials: Target motions and deformations are modeled from data registered in real time. Real time IMRT aims for (1) delivery of predetermined intensity to target and surrounding tissue, (2) minimized time of delivery and (3) limitation of maximum speed of leaf motions to below the speed of maximum velocity admissible for MLC. As goals (1) and (3) constitute indispensable conditions of IMRTdelivery the minimization of the time of delivery (2) has to bee sacrificed. Thus the original set of equations relating leaf positions and velocities to deliver the predetermined intensity is set as the problem with over‐restrictive conditions on leaf speeds. Random perturbations are then imposed over target motions and relationships between leaf velocities are appropriately modified to respond to perturbations. This assures that the slope of local intensity is properly shaped at each point of moving target with unpredictable real time registered motions of the target. Results: A sequence of representative examples delivering real time IMRT to moving/deforming targets is presented. Examples considered are characterized by varied intensities and different pattern of target motions/deformations. Deliveries of planned intensities, with and without corrections for changes in target motions/deformations, are calculated and inter‐compared. Conclusion:MLC leaf motions can be controlled in real time so that image guided DMLC IMRTdelivery is feasible provided image system in the treatment room communicates to MLC controller target motion/deformation data during therapy in real time.
Kinetics of the reactivity of subpopulations of spleen cells of mice bearing virus-induced mammary tumors to syngeneic antigenic extracts in vitro. Supportive and suppressive effects of macrophages.

This study was designed to investigate the nature of lymphocyte reactivity to soluble tumor antigens with respect to the kinetics of the reactivity, the responding cell type, and the role of accessory cells, within a syngeneic system. BALB/c mice were inoculated with 1×106 viable cells of sygeneic MTV-induced mammary tumors. Assessment of proliferative activity of spleen cells of these animals by DNA synthesis (3H-thymidine incorporation in vitro) indicated a biphasic response to stimulation by 200 μg of a syngeneic perchloric acid (PCA)-soluble extract (AMMT) of the tumor over a 25-day period, with peak activities at days 13 and 19 post inoculation. The response was predominantly T-cell-mediated. Splenic macrophage population rose from less than 2% of total spleen cells by day 25 without any appreciable change in the T or B cell population. Depletion of spleen cells of macrophages abolished the first peak activity (at day 13) but significantly enhanced the second (at day 19). Reconstitution of the depleted cells with macrophages prepared from peritoneal exudates of tumor-bearing or normal mice restored the responses to undepleted values, thus indicating an accessory role for macrophages in these responses. These results provide new data which should contribute to a better understanding of the tumor-host relationship.
Ibuprofen improves survival and neurologic outcome after resuscitation from cardiac arrest.

Post-ischemic inflammatory changes in the central nervous system (CNS) following cardiac arrest and resuscitation are potentially responsible for ultimate survival and much of the neurologic damage, producing greater morbidity and mortality in successfully resuscitated patients. This study was undertaken to assess the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, ibuprofen, in a controlled and monitored experimental model of canine cardiac arrest and resuscitation. With the investigator blinded as to the intervention, eight of 21 dogs were randomly assigned to receive ibuprofen as an i.v. bolus (10 mg/kg) and a 6-h i.v. infusion (5 mg/kg per h). The other 13 dogs received an equivalent volume of 0.9% NaCl to serve as controls. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were detected in any pre-arrest variables. All 21 dogs were successfully resuscitated. At 24 h, dogs receiving ibuprofen exhibited 100% survival, while control dogs exhibited only 54% survival (P = 0.03). The majority of deaths for the control group occurred within the first 6 h. Neurologic deficit scores were assigned at 1, 2, 6 and 24 h after resuscitation. A general trend occurred such that dogs treated with ibuprofen improved over time, while the control dogs remained severely impaired. A significant difference in neurologic deficit score was detected at 6 h (P = 0.01). At 24 h the ibuprofen group exhibited minimal neurologic deficit (5.9 +/- 3.2), and the control group exhibited significantly more severe neurologic impairment (52.2 +/- 13.0, P = 0.01). These results suggest that ibuprofen may be helpful in the pharmacologic management of cardiac arrest as a means of increasing survival and decreasing neurologic impairment.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a wiki internet site for medical topics

To evaluate the iterative process of a collaborative public database (a Wiki) as a reference for information on hand illnesses we tested the null hypothesis that the number and type of edits are comparable for web pages covering different topics. The history of 4 hand surgery related web pages on the English language Wikipedia (Trigger finger, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Ganglion cyst, and de Quervain Syndrome) were analyzed from inception to July 2011. Each edit was classified as one of six types: an addition is an edit that adds material; a deletion removes material; a modification is a combination of addition and deletion, or any rearrangement; a minor edit is a correction of spelling, grammar, or formatting errors; vandalism is any edit that is intended to harm the page; a vandalism fixed is an edit that addresses harm. The edits were also rated as possibly controversial or not (defined as edits that present information with a clear bias or do not list reliable sources). For both the Ganglion cyst and Trigger Finger pages, readability was measured at 1 year increments. Our primary null hypothesis was that the proportion of constructive edits (addition, deletion or modification) did not differ between the 4 web pages. The percentage of constructive edits (additions, deletions, and modifications) was significantly different for each page: 121/234 (52 %) for de Quervain, 258/448 (58 %) for CRPS, 103/156 (66 %) for Trigger Finger, and 160/389 (41 %) for Ganglion cyst. The percentage of edits related to vandalism was also significantly different: 28/234 (12 %) for de Quervain, 33/156 (7 %) for CRPS, 21/156 (14 %) for Trigger Finger, and 135/389 (35 %) for Ganglion cyst. Vandalism was quickly identified and addressed. Twenty-six percent of all edits were classified as potentially controversial. Forty percent of possibly controversial edits were deletions. The topic of a Wiki web page for information on hand illness influences the degree to which edits are constructive. A Wiki for hand illness could be a very useful resource for patients with hand illness, but it requires careful moderation because only about half the edits are constructive. Cohort Study.
A Global General Equilibrium Analysis of Biofuel Mandates and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In the last decade, global biofuel production has grown rapidly as a result of oil price increases and government policies promoting the development of biofuels. Though reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the stated policy goals (along with increasing energy security and promoting rural development), the GHG implications of biofuels have come under intense scrutiny. Particular attention has been focused on GHG impacts of the direct and indirect land use change (LUC) associated with feedstock production for the commercially viable,first-generation biofuels. Global biofuel production currently represents about 3% of total transportation fuels, with the vast majority of production concentrated in the United States, Brazil, and the European Union. The primary sources are maize feedstock ethanol in the United States, sugarcane feedstock ethanol in Brazil, and oilseed feedstock biodiesel in the European Union.All three regions have mandatory requirements to increase production or consumptionofbiofuelsoverthenextfivetoseven years, as well as other policies in place to promote production. The conventional wisdom has been that substituting ethanol for gasoline will reduce GHG emissions modestly with maize feedstock and substantially with sugarcane or second-generation cellulosic feedstocks and
Relationships Between Reading Flexibility and Speed Gains.

AbstractThirty-nine Ss in a college developmental reading program were classified according to initial flexibility ratios. Low, medium and high flexibility groups were formed. The hypothesis that the more flexible readers would accrue greater speed gains was supported. An analysis of variance and later multiple comparisons showed the high flexibility group to be significantly different from the low and medium groups.
Spatiotemporal Convexity of Stochastic Processes and Applications

A stochastic process { X t (s) } is viewed as a collection of random variables parameterized by time ( t ) and the initial state ( s ). { X t (s) } is termed spatiotemporally increasing and convex if, in a sample-path sense, it is increasing in s and t and satisfies a directional convexity property, which implies that it is increasing and convex in s and in t (individually) and is supermodular in ( s, t ). Simple sufficient conditions are established for a uniforniizable Markov process to be spatiotemporally increasing and convex. The results are applied to study the convex orderings in GI/M( n )/l and M( n )/G/1 queues and to solve the optimal allocation of a joint setup among several production facilities. For a counting process that possesses a stochastic intensity, we show that its spatiotemporal behavior can be characterized by its conditional intensity via a birth process.
Theory Involving Propionate and Vitamin B12 in the Low-Milk Fat Syndrome

Abstract A new theory to explain the low-milk fat syndrome of cows fed high-grain, low-fiber diets is proposed. This theory involves alteration of propionate metabolism caused by increased rumen propionate production coupled with a deficiency of vitamin B 12 . Attempts to correct the low-milk fat problem were through administrations of vitamin B 12 to cows with depressed milk-fat. Daily intramuscular or intravenous injections of cyanocobalamin, cyanocobalamin plus folic acid, B-complex vitamins, and coenzyme B 12 (6 to 18mg of each compound) failed to increase milk fat percentage. Fifty milligrams of hydroxocobalamin injected intramuscularly increased milk fat yield approximately 200g per day. Tripling the dosage of hydroxocobalamin (150mg) increased milk fat percentage and yield in three of seven cows receiving the treatment. Milk fat percentage from the three cows which responded were restored to 88% of normal milk fat tests.
Prediction of Critical Heat Flux in Water-Cooled Plasma Facing Components Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Several commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes now have the capability to analyze Eulerian two-phase flow using the Rohsenow nucleate boiling model. Analysis of boiling due to one-side...
Equivalent step-index-fiber method for multicladding fibers

An equivalent step-index-fiber method (ESFM) has been extended to multicladding fibers. Upon defining the refractive-index profile for the multicladding preform, the transmission parameters, especially the cutoff wavelength of the fiber drawn from the preform, can be predicted directly before fiber-drawing, saving time and energy. Comparison between the theory and results from experimental fibers shows an accuracy of 5% in predicted cutoff wavelengths. >
A longitudinal, mixed methods study of sexual position identity, behavior, and fantasies among young sexual minority men.

Recent evidence suggests that young sexual minority men’s sexual position identities (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “versatile”) may be governed by dynamic influences. Yet, no study has prospectively examined whether, how, and why this aspect of sexual minority men’s sexuality changes over time. Consequently, the present study investigated the extent to which young sexual minority men use sexual position identities consistently over time, typical patterns of position identity change, explanations given for this change, and the correspondence of changing sexual position identities with changing sexual behavior and fantasies. A total of 93 young sexual minority men indicated their sexual position identity, behavior, and fantasies at two assessment points separated by 2 years. Following the second assessment, a subset (n = 28) of participants who represented the various sexual position identity change patterns provided explanations for their change. More than half (n = 48) of participants changed their sexual position identity. Participants showed a significant move away from not using sexual position identities toward using them and a significant move toward using “mostly top.” Changes in position identity were reflected, although imperfectly, in changes in sexual behavior and largely not reflected in fantasy changes. Participants offered 11 classes of explanations for their identity changes referencing personal development, practical reasons, changing relationships, and sociocultural influences. Previous investigations of sexual minority men’s sexual position identities have not adequately attended to the possibility of the changing use of the sexual position categories “top,” “bottom,” and “versatile” across young adulthood. Results of the present study suggest the possibility of a more fluid, context-dependent use of these terms than previously documented.
Acidocalcisomes are functionally linked to the contractile vacuole of Dictyostelium discoideum.

The mass-dense granules of Dictyostelium discoideum were shown to contain large amounts of phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, as determined by x-ray microanalysis, eitherin situ or when purified using iodixanol gradient centrifugation. The high phosphorus content was due to the presence of pyrophosphate and polyphosphate, which were also present in the contractile vacuoles. Both organelles also possessed a vacuolar H+-ATPase, an H+-pyrophosphatase, and a Ca2+-ATPase, as determined by biochemical methods or by immunofluorescence microscopy. The H+-pyrophosphatase activity of isolated mass-dense granules was stimulated by potassium ions and inhibited by the pyrophosphate analogs aminomethylenediphosphonate and imidodiphosphate and by KF and N-ethylmaleimide in a dose-dependent manner. The mass-dense granules and the contractile vacuole appeared to contact each other when the cells were submitted to hyposmotic stress. Acetazolamide inhibited the carbonic anhydrase activity of the contractile vacuoles and prolonged their contraction cycle in a dose-dependent manner. Similar effects were observed with the anion exchanger inhibitor 4,4′-diisothiocyanatodihydrostilbene-2, 2′-disulfonic acid and the vacuolar H+-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1. Together, these results suggest that the mass-dense granules of D. discoideum are homologous to the acidocalcisomes described in protozoan parasites and are linked to the function of the contractile vacuole.
A symmetric transformation for 3-body potential molecular dynamics using force-decomposition in a heterogeneous distributed environment

Evaluating the Force Matrix constitutes the most computationally intensive part of a Classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. In three-body MD simulations, the total energy of the system is determined by the energy of every unique triple in the system and the force matrix is three-dimensional. The execution time of a three-body MD algorithm is thus proportional to the cube of the number of atoms in the system. Fortunately, there exist symmetries in the Force Matrix that can be exploited to improve the running time of the algorithm. While this optimization is straight forward to implement in the case of sequential code, it has proven to be nontrivial for parallel code even in a homogeneous environment.In this paper, we present two force matrix transformations that are capable of exploiting the symmetries in a 3-body force matrix in both a homogeneous and a heterogeneous environment while balancing the load among all the participating processors. The first transformation distributes the number of interactions to be computed uniformly among all the slices of the force matrix along any of the axes. The transformed matrix can be scheduled using any well known heterogeneous slice-level scheduling technique. The second transformation distributes interactions to be computed uniformly over the entire volume of the force matrix allowing us to perform a block decomposition of the force matrix. The transformed force matrix can be scheduled by any block level scheduling algorithm. We also derive theoretical bounds for efficiency and load balance for our transformations and prove some interesting and useful properties of our transformations and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages. The performance of an MPI implementation of the transformations is studied in terms of the Step Time Variation Ratio (STVR) in a homogeneous and heterogeneous environment.
An inflow-outflow characterization of inhomogeneous permeable beds

It is proposed that the inflow to and outflow from a permeable bed be related by an integral. For vanishing fluid velocities, it is linear and its kernel is a material property characterizing the bed. Some of the properties of the kernel are considered here. The approach is particularly useful for tilted, fractured and other inhomogeneous beds, since no continuum characteristics need be assumed. The effects of nonlinearity are also discussed.
James R. Arnold: From the Manhattan Project to the moon and beyond

On January 6, 2012, the field of cosmochemistry (more specifically, meteoritics and lunar and planetary sciences) lost one of its founding scientists. Jim Arnold's scientific endeavors ranged widely, ranging from work on the Manhattan Project to the origin and use of cosmogenic nuclides in meteorites and lunar samples and to sampling cosmic dust with balloons.
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 accumulation is negatively correlated with growth rate in TM-3 cells.

Summary Cellular growth is controlled by multiple regulators, including the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). In some cells, the IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) are thought to be inhibitory molecules for cell growth and may be related to the process of contact inhibition. In the TM-3 (mouse Leydig) cell line, IGFBP-4 is the major IGFBP secreted into conditioned media (CM), as we have reported. In this study, we investigated cell growth, the peptide levels of IGFBP-4 in CM, and the inverse relationship between IGFBP-4 accumulation and cell growth rate. Quantification of TM-3 growth in serum-containing media demonstrated that TM-3 cell number gradually rose after plating, and plateaued when cells became confluent. The rate of cell growth fell gradually, and net cell growth stopped when cells reached confluency. IGFBP-4 peptide levels in CM, as measured by Western ligand blot, rose gradually during the culture period and plateaued when cells reached confluency. The amount of IGFBP-4 peptide level in CM correlated for cell number (IGFBP-4 accumulation rate) also rose gradually during the course of culture and plateaued. The IGFBP-4 accumulation rate was strongly negatively correlated with the rate of cell growth ( r =0.98, P In conclusion, our data suggest that in TM-3 cells, cell growth is related to IGFBP-4 accumulation. The negative correlation between IGFBP-4 accumulation and the rate of cell growth suggests that IGFBP-4 may be a primary regulator of TM-3 cell growth and possibly participate in the process of contact inhibition.
Five invaginations and shedding of the larval epidermis during development of the hoplonemertean Pantinonemertes californiensis (Nemertea: Hoplonemertea)

We describe the planuliform larval development of the high intertidal hoplonemertean Pantinonemertes californiensis using confocal microscopy. We discovered that the newly hatched planuliform larva has two pairs of epidermal invaginations that disappear later in development. The anterior pair of invaginations has an apparent counterpart in other planuliform nemertean larvae; they give rise to the cerebral organs in at least two other hoplonemertean species. Although the adult P. californiensis possesses cerebral organs, we were not able to distinguish the anterior invaginations after 3 days of development. The developmental fate and homology of the posterior pair of invaginations is uncertain. We show that the proboscis develops in newly hatched larvae as a fifth distinct invagination just ventral of the apical plate. P. californiensis possesses a transitory larval epidermis, composed of approximately 80 multiciliated cells, which is normally shed at 3–4 days of development at 12–16°C.
Intestinal phosphatase and fat absorption.

SummaryAfter administration of a meal, containing 56 g of fat, serum alkaline phosphatase of intestinal origin was demonstrated electrophoretically in 14 subjects lacking it in the fasting state. Other subjects ingesting skim milk or glucose did not develop the intestinal component. A dilution technique indicating the sensitivity of the electrophoretic method is presented and shows that 2–3 mU/ml of phosphatase activity can be detected. Because of this sensitivity, intestinal phosphatase could be demonstrated in types of subjects in whom it had not been found by other authors. The importance of diet in studies of intestinal phosphatase is emphasized.
A new method to combine 3D reconstruction volumes for multiple parallel circular cone beam orbits.

Purpose: This article presents a new reconstruction method for 3D imaging using a multiple 360° circular orbit cone beam CT system, specifically a way to combine 3D volumes reconstructed with each orbit. The main goal is to improve the noise performance in the combined image while avoiding cone beam artifacts. Methods: The cone beam projection data of each orbit are reconstructed using the FDK algorithm. When at least a portion of the total volume can be reconstructed by more than one source, the proposed combination method combines these overlap regions using weighted averaging in frequency space. The local exactness and the noise performance of the combination method were tested with computer simulations of a Defrise phantom, aFORBILD head phantom, and uniform noise in the raw data. Results: A noiseless simulation showed that the local exactness of the reconstructed volume from the source with the smallest tilt angle was preserved in the combined image. A noise simulation demonstrated that the combination method improved the noise performance compared to a single orbit reconstruction. Conclusions: In CT systems which have overlap volumes that can be reconstructed with data from more than one orbit and in which the spatial frequency content of each reconstruction can be calculated, the proposed method offers improved noise performance while keeping the local exactness of data from the source with the smallest tilt angle.
COMPLEMENT COMPONENT C9 (C9) POTENTIATES THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CEFOTAXIME IN NEONATAL RATS SEPTIC WITH E. COLI. |[bull]| 1759

C9 is required for rapid complement-mediated killing of E. coli by serum. Previous studies revealed that a diminished C9 concentration restricts the bactericidal capacity of serum from neonatal humans and neonatal rats. Also, significant morbidity and mortality from E. coli sepsis persist in neonates despite the use of bactericidal antibiotics, such as cefotaxime (CEF). Therefore, in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to determine whether supplemental C9 potentiates the bactericidal and protective effects of CEF in neonatal rats. Undegraded and hemolytically active human C9 was purified from Cohn fraction III paste. First, the survival of E. coli (5 × 104 cfu/ml) was quantitated in vitro during 60 min of incubation with 20% serum pooled from neonatal rats (NeoRS). The bacteria proliferated in NeoRS(bacterial survival [x±SEM] = 199±15% of the original inoculum). Similarly, the bacteria proliferated in NeoRS supplemented with 2.5 ng/ml CEF(bacterial survival = 170±26%) or with 20 μg/ml C9 (147±11%). In contrast, only 54±27% of the bacteria survived in serum supplemented with both CEF and C9 (P .11 vs recipients of only PBS). In contrast, 36/45 recipients of both CEF and C9 survived (P<.05 vs only PBS, vs CEF alone, and vs C9 alone). In conclusion, supplemental C9 potentiated the bactericidal activity of CEF against E. coli in NeoRS and potentiated the protective effect of CEF in septic neonatal rats. These observations may contribute to the development of new strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with E. coli sepsis in human neonates. Funded by the Alliant Community Trust Fund.
FULLY COUPLED MODEL OF ICE-JAM DYNAMICS

This paper presents a numerical model that simulates the dynamic failure and re-formation of an ice jam. The model comprises a simultaneous solution of the 1D, unsteady flow equations (conservation of mass and momentum) for water flow and ice motion. Its use is demonstrated in the routing of flow hydrographs through a channel containing an initial jam or accumulation of broken ice. The model shows the extent to which changes in flow discharge may affect profiles of jam thickness and flow depth for these situations. It also shows how ice momentum may affect the jam-thickness profile. Dimensionless parameters, characterizing initial jam stability and the shape of the hydrograph, are identified to indicate conditions when changes in flow discharge and ice momentum should be taken into account when estimating jam thickness.
Relationship between Bulk-Modulus Temperature Dependence and Thermal Expansivity

The relationship between two anharmonic physical properties is considered: the bulk-modulus temperature dependence (1/B) (∂B/∂T) and the thermal expansivity (1/V) (∂V/∂T). For the first, Varshni's relationship is used, which derives from an Einstein-oscillator model of crystals. For the second, a relationship from Slater is used with a similar basis. The ratio of the two properties is found to be γ + 1, where γ denotes the usual Groneisen parameter, Varshni's adjustable parameter s is interpreted in terms of the Groneisen parameter, the Einstein temperature, and the atomic volume. Applied to metals, our relationship works well for those with s-p-electron bonding, but poorly for those where d-electrons contribute to bonding.
An Inductively Derived Typology of Verbal Aggression and Its Association to Distress

Threats elicit distress in the form of negative affect. To examine how communication functions as a threat, this study developed a typology of verbal aggression and then examined its association to distress. To develop the typology, similarity data for 100 written aggressive messages were submitted to a hierarchical cluster analysis. The results revealed messages clustered into three broad domains of attack: group membership, personal failings, and relational failings. The typology demonstrated reliability, predictive validity, and content validity. In addition, a multidimensional scaling was conducted on an audiotaped subset of the 100 messages. The results revealed aggressive messages can be characterized along three dimensions (disposition, target, and force) that define the nature of an attack. These three dimensions elicited different emotional reactions in recipients and suggest nonverbals allow recipients to discriminate aggressive messages in terms of the tone and the force of an attack.
Graph-based relational learning: current and future directions

Graph-based relational learning (GBRL) differs from logic-based relational learning, as addressed by inductive logic programming techniques, and differs from frequent subgraph discovery, as addressed by many graph-based data mining techniques. Learning from graphs, rather than logic, presents representational issues both in input data preparation and output pattern language. While a form of graph-based data mining, GBRL focuses on identifying novel, not necessarily most frequent, patterns in a graph-theoretic representation of data. This approach to graph-based data mining provides both simplifications and challenges over frequency-based approaches. In this paper we discuss these issues and future directions of graph-based relational learning.