cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF SULFONYLUREA HERBICIDE RESISTANT ALS GENES

The enzyme acetolactate synthase (ALS) is the target of several classes of herbicides, including the sulfonylureas, the imidazolinones, and the triazolopyrimidines. ALS is required for the biosynthesis of isoleucine, leucine and valine. We have cloned ALS genes from a variety of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. The number of ALS genes in these species varies from one, as in Arabidopsis and sugar beets, to two or more, as in corn and soybeans. The deduced amino acid sequences of the mature plant ALS genes which have been sequenced are closely related. Three domains of the plant ALS proteins are also conserved relative to bacterial and yeast ALS proteins. ALS genes have been isolated and sequenced from sulfonylurea herbicide resistant plants and the resistance trait shown to result from single or double mutations in the conserved domains of the genes. To produce additional genes able to confer sulfonylurea herbicide resistance in transgenic crops, in vitro-generated mutations were introduced into the coding regions of cloned plant ALS genes. A number of single and double mutations were shown to be effective in conferring resistance, upon subsequent introduction of the altered genes into plants. The mutations conferred varying degrees of resistance, depending upon the site of the resulting amino acid substitution and upon the amino acid substituted at that site. Replacement of ALS regulatory sequences led to increases in the proportion of herbicide resistant enzyme such that up to 90% of the total ALS activity was herbicide resistant. The altered genes conferred sulfonylurea herbicide resistance in glasshouse trials of a wide variety of transgenic crop species. Additionally, transgenic tobacco, tomato and oilseed rape were shown to be herbicide resistant in field trials.
Modeling of Irradiation-Induced Changes in the Electrical Properties of Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Structures

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the characteristics of metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices. It models the transient behavior of MOS structures for applied voltage step functions and calculates the resulting distributions of charge in the oxide. The results of this model are modified and applied to cases where various quantities of ionizing radiation are absorbed in the oxide for a wide range of applied gate biases. The details of the model and the resulting conclusions are presented. Two types of observables— namely, direct observables and indirect are discussed to determine the effects of irradiation on MOS structures. Direct observables can be monitored directly either during or after termination of each irradiation increment, whereas indirect observables cannot be observed without additional irradiation increments and/or processing of the device. The chapter reviews two simple descriptive models as accurate representations of irradiated MOS structures: captured during transit (CDT) models and dynamic equilibrium (DE) models. It deals with the complete computer simulation of MOS system.
Hexahedral Mesh Structure Visualization and Evaluation

Understanding hexahedral (hex-) mesh structures is important for a number of hex-mesh generation and optimization tasks. However, due to various configurations of the singularities in a valid pure hex-mesh, the structure (or base complex) of the mesh can be arbitrarily complex. In this work, we present a first and effective method to help meshing practitioners understand the possible configurations in a valid 3D base complex for the characterization of their complexity. In particular, we propose a strategy to decompose the complex hex-mesh structure into multi-level sub-structures so that they can be studied separately, from which we identify a small set of the sub-structures that can most efficiently represent the whole mesh structure. Furthermore, from this set of sub-structures, we attempt to define the first metric for the quantification of the complexity of hex-mesh structure. To aid the exploration of the extracted multi-level structure information, we devise a visual exploration system coupled with a matrix view to help alleviate the common challenge of 3D data exploration (e.g., clutter and occlusion). We have applied our tool and metric to a large number of hex-meshes generated with different approaches to reveal different characteristics of these methods in terms of the mesh structures they can produce. We also use our metric to assess the existing structure simplification techniques in terms of their effectiveness.
Training the Interdisciplinary Civilian Airman

Competency Based Education (CBE) is becoming increasingly popular with Department of Defense (DoD) training and education. Air University, located at Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB) Alabama, recently identified CBE as a key factor for consideration in future training. This article discusses Air Force Competencies, analyzes the evaluation of competencies, and transfer of learning. The Civilian Associate’s Degree, currently under beta testing, is discussed as an example of the need to consider transfer of learning with respect to institutional competencies. Beta testing of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Air Force Leadership and Management Studies is meant to pave the way for the development and implementation of Civilian Airman training. Based on Civilian Associate’s Degree (CAD) Beta Testing student data, our research examines how CAD faculty can best capture professional interdisciplinary knowledge and experiences present in incoming students. In turn, leadership and management theories will add to the student knowledge and experience. This paper is an effort to capture the utilization of previous professional student experiences while developing and updating course curriculum based upon research and Beta Test student data.
Reactivity of Ln(II) Complexes Supported by (C5H4Me)1– Ligands with THF and PhSiH3: Isolation of Ring-Opened, Bridging Alkoxyalkyl, Hydride, and Silyl Products

Reduction of CpMe3Ln(THF), 1-Ln (Ln = La and Gd; CpMe = C5H4Me), with KC8 in the presence of 2.2.2-cryptand (crypt) generates dark solutions, 2-Ln, with EPR spectra consistent with Ln(II) complexes: an eight-line hyperfine pattern for La at g = 1.971 and a broad single line for Gd at g = 1.988. The solutions decompose within minutes, and in the La system, a decomposition product was isolated in which a molecule of THF had been reduced by two electrons and ring-opened to generate an alkoxyalkyl-bridged bimetallic La(III) complex, [K(crypt)]2[(CpMe3La)2(μ-OCH2CH2CH2CH2)], 3-La. An analogous Pr complex, 3-Pr, was also crystallographically characterized. Since decomposition products were not readily isolated from the analogous yttrium CpMe3Y(THF)/KC8/crypt reaction, the composition of the solution of 2-Y was probed by addition of the hydrogen delivery reagent, PhSiH3, which had previously been reported to form U(III) hydrides from tris(cyclopentadienyl) U(II) complexes. This generated an Y(III) silyl complex,...
Rethinking the Modern Cardiology Morbidity and Mortality Conference: Harmonizing Quality Improvement and Education.

Morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences were originally developed in surgical and procedural-related fields as an attempt to identify errors leading to patient harm [(1)][1]. Following a mandate from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 1983 [(2)][2], M&M conferences
God, the Church and Today’s Child: Cavalletti in the Classroom?

In our twenty-first century, Western society’s paradigm shift is well underway, with its fragile families, crises of belief, and well-entrenched tyranny of social media. For many of today’s adults, faith itself has lost its relevance, with this having a flow-on effect in children’s own faith knowledge and understanding. These issues present educators with deep and real challenges. Employing effective and appropriate methods for teaching the Catholic faith within the context of Catholic schools are keenly debated.
The Measurement of Compressive Creep Deformation and Damage Mechanisms in a Single-Phase Alumina Part I Grain boundary sliding

Grain boundary sliding (GBS) has been hypothesized to act as the primary driving force for the nucleation and growth of grain boundary cavities in ceramics undergoing creep. In addition, GBS is often a major mode of deformation during high-temperature creep. This paper demonstrates the importance of GBS with mode II GBS measurements performed using a stereoimaging technique on a single-phase alumina tested under constant compressive stresses of 70 and 140 MPa at 1600 °C. Measurements were taken at constant time intervals during creep. The results support previous observations that GBS is stochastic and history independent. GBS displacements at given time intervals are shown to fit a Wiebull distribution. During steady-state creep, GBS displacements increased linearly with time at a constant sliding rate of ≈ 6.0 × 10−5 μm s−1 at 70 MPa and ≈ 1.3 × 10−4 μm s−1 at 140 MPa. Also, an average of 67% of the grain boundaries exhibited measurable sliding throughout the creep life of the 140 MPa test. Results of the GBS measurements are used to modify an existing creep model describing stochastic GBS. In part II of this paper [1], the GBS measurements reported are related to the associated creep cavitation measured in specimens tested under identical conditions.
Bright electroluminescence in ambient conditions from WSe2 p-n diodes using pulsed injection

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers are promising materials for next-generation nanoscale optoelectronics, including high-speed light sources and detectors. However, most past reports on TMDC light-emitting diodes are limited to operation in high vacuum, while most applications require operation under ambient conditions. In this work, we study the time-resolved electroluminescence of monolayer WSe2 p-n junctions under ambient conditions and identify the decay in current over time as the main issue preventing stable device operation. We show that pulsed voltage bias overcomes this issue and results in bright electroluminescence under ambient conditions. This is achieved in a simple single-gate structure, without the use of dual gates, heterostructures, or doping methods. Internal quantum efficiency of electroluminescence reaches ∼1%, close to the photoluminescence quantum efficiency, indicating efficient exciton formation with injected carriers. Emission intensity is stable over hours of device operation. Finally, our device exhibits ∼15 ns rise and fall times, the fastest direct modulation speed reported for TMDC light-emitting diodes.Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers are promising materials for next-generation nanoscale optoelectronics, including high-speed light sources and detectors. However, most past reports on TMDC light-emitting diodes are limited to operation in high vacuum, while most applications require operation under ambient conditions. In this work, we study the time-resolved electroluminescence of monolayer WSe2 p-n junctions under ambient conditions and identify the decay in current over time as the main issue preventing stable device operation. We show that pulsed voltage bias overcomes this issue and results in bright electroluminescence under ambient conditions. This is achieved in a simple single-gate structure, without the use of dual gates, heterostructures, or doping methods. Internal quantum efficiency of electroluminescence reaches ∼1%, close to the photoluminescence quantum efficiency, indicating efficient exciton formation with injected carriers. Emission intensity is stable over hours of devi...
A Common Food Glycan, Pectin, Shares an Antigen with Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsule

ABSTRACT We are exposed daily to many glycans from bacteria and food plants. Bacterial glycans are generally antigenic and elicit antibody responses. It is unclear if food glycans’ sharing of antigens with bacterial glycans influences our immune responses to bacteria. We studied 14 different plant foods for cross-reactivity with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against 24 pneumococcal serotypes which commonly cause infections and are included in pneumococcal vaccines. Serotype 15B-specific MAb cross-reacts with fruit peels, and serotype 10A MAb cross-reacts with many natural and processed plant foods. The serotype 10A cross-reactive epitope is 1,6-β-galactosidase [βGal(1-6)], present in the rhamno-galacturonan I (RG-I) domain of pectin. Despite wide consumption of pectin, the immune response to 10A is comparable to the responses to other serotypes. An antipectin antibody can opsonize serotype 10A pneumococci, and the shared βGal(1-6) may be useful as a simple vaccine against 10A. Impact of food glycans should be considered in host-pathogen interactions and future vaccine designs. IMPORTANCE The impact of food consumption on vaccine responses is unknown. Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an important human pathogen, and its polysaccharide capsule is used as a vaccine. We show that capsule type 10A in a pneumococcal vaccine shares an antigenic epitope, βGal(1-6), with pectin, which is in many plant foods and is widely consumed. Immune response to 10A is comparable to that seen with other capsule types, and pectin ingestion may have little impact on vaccine responses. However, antibody to pectin can kill serotype 10A pneumococci and this shared epitope may be considered in pneumococcal vaccine designs.
Case Report of Immuno-Oncotherapy (IO) Provoked Encephalitis Mimicking Brain Metastasis in a Patient with History of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Background Immuno-oncotherapy (IO) has revolutionized systemic cancer care but remains experimental in brain tumors. IO treatment risks multiorgan autoimmune inflammatory responses that limit its use. The central nervous system (CNS) is an immune-specialized compartment with restricted cellular access, thus fewer cases are reported for immune-mediated encephalitis. Interestingly, patients with history of blood–brain barrier compromise are potentially at higher risk for immune cell trafficking to the CNS. Case Description We report the first case, to our knowledge, of a 70-year-old man with clear cell renal cell carcinoma with pulmonary metastases treated with lung irradiation, nephrectomy, and chemotherapy prior to switching to single-agent nivolumab IO. The patient presented with new-onset generalized tonic-clonic seizure and left visual field-cut. Review of patient history revealed remote traumatic brain injury (TBI). Brain imaging noted a solid-enhancing right occipital mass that was presumed metastasis versus lymphoma. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was negative for malignancy but concerning for lymphoproliferative process not determined to be malignant. The patient started steroids and anti-epileptic therapy. After negative systemic cancer re-staging, IO was discontinued and steroids were initiated with demonstrated patient clinical improvement. Conclusions We concluded the diagnosis of immune-mediated encephalitis secondary to IO with collection of reactive T-cells within the area of encephalomalacia. The area of encephalomalacia from prior TBI served to compartmentalize the reactive lymphocytes, giving the appearance of a mass. Taken together, new onset seizure in patients on IO might signal encephalitis and CNS metastatic mimicry should be considered in patients with a prior history of TBI and encephalomalacia.
The Power of Antibody-Based Surveillance.

The Power of Antibody-Based Surveillance Galit Alter and Robert Seder comment on the study by Stefansson et al., in which SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing at a population level in Iceland produced insig...
Intramammary casein hydrolysate compared with other dry treatments in dairy cattle

Consumers and the dairy industry are interested in alternatives to standard antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) for dairy cows. Objectives were comparison of intramammary (IMM) casein hydrolysate (CH) alone or combined with DCT and/or internal teat sealant (TS) with DCT + TS (Control) dry treatments. Comparisons between treatments included change in mammary involution markers bovine lactoferrin (bLf) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in milk during the first 10 d dry and the intramammary infection (IMI) outcomes Cure, Chronic or New IMI following calving.
How do environmental, demographic, and geographical factors influence the spread of Covid-19

Abstract. Italy was the first European country to experience a rapid increase in confirmed cases and deaths of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study explains how COVID-19 transmitted so rapidly in northern Italy, analysing the underlying relationships between infected people and environmental, demographic, and geographical factors that influenced its spread. This study analyses data on COVID-19 cases alongside environmental data. This study finds out that cities with little wind, high humidity and frequently high levels of air pollution — exceeding safe levels of ozone or particulate matter — had higher numbers of COVID-19 related infected individuals and deaths. Overall, then, results here suggest that that geo-environmental factors may have accelerated the spread of COVID-19 in northern Italian cities, leading to a higher number of infected individuals and deaths.. Keywords. Air pollution, Environment and health, Natural hazards, Risk assessment, Urban environment, Sustainable development and policy assessment, Sustainable Growth. JEL. F64, I10, I18, I19, H75, H84, Q50, Q51, Q52, Q53, Q55, Q58.
IL‐37‐induced activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β promotes IL‐1R8/Sigirr phosphorylation, internalization, and degradation in lung epithelial cells

Interleukin (IL)-37 diminishes a variety of inflammatory responses through ligation to its receptor IL-1R8/Sigirr. Sigirr is a Toll like receptor/IL-1R family member. We have shown that Sigirr is not stable in response to IL-37 treatment. IL-37-induced Sigirr degradation is mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and the process is reversed by a deubiquitinase, USP13. However, the molecular mechanisms by which USP13 regulates Sigirr stability have not been revealed. In this study, we investigate the roles of glycogen synthesis kinase 3β (GSK3β) in Sigirr phosphorylation and stability. IL-37 stimulation induced Sigirr phosphorylation and degradation, as well as activation of GSK3β. Inhibition of GSK3β attenuated IL-37-induced Sigirr phosphorylation, while exogenous expressed GSK3β promoted Sigirr phosphorylation at threonine (T)372 residue. Sigirr association with GSK3β was detected. Amino acid residues 51-101 in GSK3β were identified as the Sigirr binding domain. These data indicate that GSK3β mediates IL-37-induced threonine phosphorylation of Sigirr. Further, we investigated the role of GSK3β-mediated phosphorylation of Sigirr in Sigirr degradation. Inhibition of GSK3β attenuated IL-37-induced Sigirr degradation, while T372 mutant of Sigirr was resistant to IL-37-mediated degradation. Furthermore, inhibition of Sigirr phosphorylation prevented Sigirr internalization and association with USP13, suggesting GSK3β promotes Sigirr degradation through disrupting Sigirr association with USP13.
Uncovering the Promises and Challenges of Social Media Use in the Low-Wage Labor Market: Insights from Employers

Social media has become an effective recruitment tool for higher-waged and white-collar professionals. Yet, past studies have questioned its effectiveness for the recruitment of lower-waged workers. It is also unclear whether or how employers leverage social media in their recruitment of low-wage job seekers, and how social media could better support the needs of both stakeholders. Therefore, we conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with employers of low-wage workers in the U.S. We found that employers: use social media, primarily Facebook, to access large pools of active low-wage job seekers; and recognize indirect signals about low-wage job seekers’ commitment and job readiness. Our work suggests that there remains a visible, yet unaddressed power imbalance between low-wage workers and employers in the use of social media, which risks further destabilizing the precarious labor market.
WS3.8. Cranial Nerve Assessment (with Demonstration)

The cranial nerve condition commonly tested in an EMG laboratory comprise mono or polyneuropathies affecting the accessory, trigeminal or facial nerve. A posterior triangle tumor or surgical procedures can damage the spinal accessory nerve. Other causes include stretch induced injury, carotid endarterectomy, and ligature injury during surgical exploration. The paralysis of the sternocleidomastoid causes weakness when the face is rotated toward the opposite shoulder. Stimulation of this nerve behind the sternocleidomastoid elicits a compound action potential (CMAP) recordable from the upper trapezius muscle. The differential diagnosis of facial palsy, which constitutes the most common disorder of the cranial nerve seen in an EMG laboratory, deserves a special mention. Weakness of the orbicularis oculi and frontalis suggests a peripheral type of facial palsy, which may herald other symptoms of multiple sclerosis, Lyme borreliosis and AIDS. Patients with Guillain Barre Syndrome and Charcot Marie tooth disease type 1 may develop bilateral, or rarely unilateral, involvement. An acoustic neuroma may compress the facial nerve. Bell's palsy develops sporadically, 80% showing a good prognosis with demyelination, and 20%, a less favorable outcome with axonal degeneration as in herpes zoster infection. The conduction study of the facial nerve and blink reflex reveal various degrees of abnormality in most of these patients. Stimulation of the facial nerve evokes CMAP usually recorded from the nasalis. Blink reflex elicited by supraspinal nerve consists of ipsilateral R1 and bilateral R2 components. The latency of R1 represents the conduction time along the trigeminal and facial nerves and poutine relay. Inherent latency variability makes R2 less reliable for diagnostic purpose. During the session, participants will observe various electrodiagnostic techniques currently in use for the evaluation of the cranial nerves, and learn pit falls which may lead to an erroneous interpretation of the acquired results. All these should lead to a better understanding of the use of electrodiagnostic studies in attending patients with a disorder of cranial nerves in the clinical practice. In patients with a diffuse process such as polyneuropathy, examination of the cranial nerves complements the routine studies of the upper and lower limb nerves.
Comparing 30-day outcomes between thoracoscopic and open approaches for resection of pediatric congenital lung malformations: Evidence from NSQIP.

Abstract Background/Purpose Thoracoscopic surgery has been increasingly utilized in treating pediatric congenital lung malformations (CLM). Comparative studies evaluating 30-day outcomes between thoracoscopic and open resection of CLM are lacking. Methods There were 258 patients identified in pediatric NSQIP with a CLM and pulmonary resection in 2012–2013. Comparisons of patient characteristics and outcomes between surgical approaches were made using standard univariate statistics. In addition, a propensity score match was performed to evaluate outcomes in similar patient cohorts. Results One-hundred twelve patients (43.4%) received thoracoscopic resections and 146 patients (56.6%) received open resections. Patients undergoing open resections were more likely to be less than 5months of age and have a comorbidity/preoperative condition (47.3% vs. 25.0%, p p =0.001) and LOS (3 vs. 4days, p Conclusions Thoracoscopic and open resection provide comparable 30-day outcomes and safety in the management of congenital lung malformations.
Ironing Out Biosphere Oxidation

Various lines of evidence now indicate that the atmosphere became oxygen-rich about 2.3 billion years ago. In his perspective, [Kump][1] describes work by [Rouxel and colleagues][2] who used the stable isotopic composition of iron minerals to explore the environmental context of this monumental global change. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/307/5712/1058 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/307/5712/1088
Transposon Mutagenesis and Excision of R' Plasmids by Conjugative, Chimeric Plasmid pUW942 in Extra-Slow-Growing Rhizobium japonicum Strains

transconjugants were obtained atafrequency of10-7 to10-9. Thetransfer frequency ofstreptomycin resistance was lowerthanthatofmercuryresistance, andTn7 was relatively unstable. pUW942was notmaintained asan autonomously replicating plasmid inR.japonicum strains. However, some oftheHgrtransconjugants fromtheRJ19FY,RJ17W,andRJ12Sstrains acquired antibiotic markers ofthevector plasmid pUW942.Southern hybridization ofplasmid andchromosomal DNA ofR.japonicum strains with32P-labeled pUW942andpAS8Rep-l, thesame plasmid aspUW942except thatit doesnotcontain Tn501, revealed theformation ofcointegrates between pUW942andthechromosome ofR. japonicum. Moretransconjugants withonlyTn5OIinsertions inplasmids orthechromosome were obtained in crosseswithstrains RJ19FYandRJ17WthanwithRJ12S. Theseretained stable Hgrbothinplant nodules and undernonselective invitro growth conditions. OneoftheRJ19FYandtwooftheRJ12SHgrtransconjugants withvectorplasmid-chromosome cointegrates conjugally transferred plasmids of82,84or 86,and90 kilobases, respectively, into plasmidless Escherichia coli C.Theseplasmids strongly hybridized topUW942and EcoRIdigests oftotal DNA ofeachrespective R.japonicum strain butnottoindigenous plasmid DNA ofthe R.japonicumstrains. TheseR'plasmids consisted ofpUW942-specific EcoRIfragments andan additional one ortwonew fragments derived fromtheR.japonicum chromosome. Thegenetic analysis ofslow-growing rhizobia hasbeen hampered bythelackofsuitable genetransfer systems and apparent difficulties intheisolation ofauxotrophic mutants. Thegenetics oftheserhizobia arefurther complicated by spontaneous indigenous rearrangements between thechromosomeandplasmid DNA (2). We havebeeninterested in characterizing abiotype ofextra-slow-growing
Sustainable Natural Resource Management: For Scientists and Engineers

Natural resources support all human productivity. The sustainable management of natural resources is among the preeminent problems of the current century. Sustainability and the implied professional responsibility start here. This book uses applied mathematics familiar to undergraduate engineers and scientists to examine natural resource management and its role in framing sustainability. Renewable and nonrenewable resources are covered, along with living and sterile resources. Examples and applications are drawn from petroleum, fisheries, and water resources. Each chapter contains problems illustrating the material. Simple programs in commonly available packages (Excel, MATLAB) support the text. The material is a natural prelude to more advanced study in ecology, conservation, and population dynamics, as well as engineering and science. The mathematical description is kept within what an undergraduate student in the sciences or engineering would normally be expected to master for natural systems. The purpose is to allow students to confront natural resource problems early in their preparation.
Synthesis of trypanosome hsp70 mRNA is resistant to disruption of trans-splicing by heat shock

Abstract Synthesis of mRNA in trypanosomes involves an apparent trans-splicing reaction whereby a common 39-nucleotide mini-exon sequence is joined to the protein-coding exon of a mRNA precursor. We have previously shown (Muhich, M. L., and Boothroyd, J. C. (1988) Mol. Cell. Biol. 8, 3837-3846) that the trans-splicing pathway of Trypanosoma brucei is sensitive to disruption by severe heat shock. Here we demonstrate that the synthesis of heat shock protein 70 (hsp 70) mRNA in T. brucei is apparently resistant to the heat-induced disruption of splicing. The 5'-ends of hsp 70 mRNAs are shown to be identical for molecules synthesized at either normal or heat shock temperatures, and in both cases, the 5'-terminal mini-exon sequence is present. These results suggest that T. brucei has evolved a mechanism which directly compensates for the deleterious effects of heat shock on trans-splicing, one which allows for the continued mini-exon-dependent trans-splicing of selected pre-mRNAs.
Precise ultrahigh-pressure experiments

A nuclear-explosive-generated shock has been used to obtain Hugoniot data at pressures corresponding to threefold compressions. The shock passed through a 12-mm-thick by 180-mm-diam molybdenum base plate and into 13 samples; 80 electrical-contact pins were used to determine shock velocities with uncertainties of 1.4 to 2.6%. The measured molybdenum shock velocity of 30.60 km/s corresponds to a pressure of 6.43 TPa, based on its SESAME equation of state. Impedance-matching analyses provided Hugoniot data in pressure (TPa)-particle velocity (km/s) coordinates (P,u) for the following materials: Al(2.93,27.57), 19%-porosity Mo(4.65,19.99), C(2.64,28.38), LiH(1.225,35.52), Cu(6.06,21.15), Fe(5.71,21.73), and crystalline quartz(2.75,26.76). These results indicate the need for improved theoretical calculations for some materials.
Correction: Dynamics and yielding of binary self-suspended nanoparticle fluids

Correction for ‘Dynamics and yielding of binary self-suspended nanoparticle fluids’ by Akanksha Agrawal et al., Soft Matter, 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5sm00639b.
1019 ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGE FUNCTION IN EXPERIMENTAL RESPIRATORY VIRAL PNEUMONIA

Aucte viral pneumonia predisposes both humans and experimental animals to secondary bacterial infection. One hypothesis is that defects exist in the phagocytic and killing function of alveolar macrophages (AM). To examine this hypothesis, AM function was evaluated during experimental viral pneumonia. Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) inoculated with human parainfluenza type 3 virus (P3V) were sacrificed at selected points during infection and AM were collected by trans-tracheal saline lavage. To assess AM function, the cells were exposed in vitro to zymosan and their activity as indicated by light generation was measured. In P3V infected animals the total number of cells increased slightly by 72-96 hr. but there was a significant decrease in the chemiluminescent response (mean peak reduction, 55%). AM cultures inoculated with P3V did not become infected as determined by immunofluorescence; this suggests an indirect mechanism for the decreased chemiluminescence. AM metabolism may be suppressed since the luminescence of phagocytes is thought to be caused by extracellular release of oxygen radicals; alternately, the effect may be due to decreased phagocytosis of the zymosan. The findings support the premise that AM dysfunction plays a role in bacterial complications of P3V infections and perhaps of other respiratory viral diseases. (Supported by NHLBI SCOR Grant P50-HL19171.)
Feature-accelerated block matching

We study the relationship between local features and block matching in this paper. We show that the use of many features can greatly improve the block matching results by introducing several fast block matching algorithms. The first algorithm is pixel decimation-based. We show that pixels with larger gradient magnitude have larger motion compensation error. Therefore for pixel decimation-based fast block matching, it benefits to subsample the block by selecting pixels with the largest gradient magnitude. Such a gradient-assisted adaptive pixel selection strategy greatly outperforms two other subsampling procedures proposed in previous literature. Fast block matching can achieve the optimal performance obtained using full search. We present a family of such fast block matching algorithm using various local features, such as block mean and variance. Our algorithm reduces more than 80 percent computation, while achieving the same performance as the full search. This present a brand new approach toward fast block matching algorithm design.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Underestimating protection and overestimating risk: examining descriptive normative perceptions and their association with drinking and sexual behaviors.

Individuals who engage in risky sexual behavior face the possibility of experiencing negative consequences. One tenet of social learning theory is that individuals engage in behaviors partly based on observations or perceptions of others’ engagement in those behaviors. The present study aimed to document these norms–behavior relationships for both risky and protective sexual behaviors, including alcohol-related sexual behavior. Gender was also examined as a possible moderator of the norms–behavior relationship. Undergraduate students (n = 759; 58.0% female) completed a Web-based survey, including various measures of drinking and sexual behavior. Results indicated that students underestimate sexual health-protective behaviors (e.g., condom use and birth control use) and overestimate the risky behaviors (e.g., frequency of drinking prior to sex, typical number of drinks prior to sex, and frequency of casual sex) of their same-sex peers. All norms were positively associated with behavior, with the exception ...
Anatomy of a rainfall index

Abstract One particular index has been commonly used to monitor precipitation in drought-prone regions such as the West African Sahel and the Brazilian Northeast. The construction of this index involves standardizing the annual total rainfall for an individual nation and then averaging these standardized rainfall deviations over all the stations within the region to obtain a single value. Some theoretical properties of this “Standardized Anomaly Index” are derived. By studying its behavior when applied to actual rainfall data in the Sahel, certain aspects of the practical utility of the index are also considered. For instance, the claim that the Sahel has recently experienced a long run of relatively dry years does not appear to be sensitive to the exact form of index that is employed. On the other hand, it is shown by means of principal components analysis that no single index can “explain” a large portion of the variation in Sahelian rainfall, implying that much information, that is at least potentially...
Assessment of the performance of rigid pavement back-calculation through finite element modeling

This study focuses on examining the behavior of rigid pavement layers during the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) test. Factors affecting the design of a concrete slab, such as whether the joints are doweled or undoweled and the spacing between the transverse joints, were considered in this study. Explicit finite element analysis was employed to investigate pavement layers' responses to the action of the impulse of the FWD test. Models of various dimensions were developed to satisfy the factors under consideration. The accuracy of the finite element models developed in this investigation was verified by comparing the finite element- generated deflection basin with that experimentally measured during an actual test. The results showed that the measured deflection basin can be reproduced through finite element modeling of the pavement structure. The resulting deflection basins from the use FE modeling was processed in order to backcalculate pavement layer moduli. This approach provides a method for the evaluation of the performance of existing backcalculation programs which are based on static elastic layer analysis. Based upon the previous studies conducted for the selection of software, three different backcalculation programs were chosen for the evaluation: MODULUS5.0, EVERCALC4.0, and MODCOMP3. The results indicate that ignoring the dynamic nature of the load may lead to crude results, especially during backcalculation procedures.
Abstract B35: Validation of a multiplex method for detection of several oncosignaling proteins with potential utility for assessment of pharmacodynamic activity of hsp90 inhibitors

Biomarkers are increasingly being used in early phase clinical trials not only to determine pharmacodynamic activity but also as surrogate end points of clinical efficacy. BIIB021 is a synthetic small molecule that inhibits the activity of Hsp90, a molecular chaperone involved in the folding of multiple oncogenic signaling proteins. Treatment of tumor models and cancer patients with BIIB021 resulted in proteosomal degradation of key cancer survival proteins e.g., AKT, RAF, IGF‐1R, ER and HER‐2. BIIB021 is currently undergoing Phase I/II testing in GIST, Breast Cancer and Solid tumors. We are exploring robust methods for assessing multiple signaling markers with an objective of using them to confirm inhibition of Hsp90 activity and support dose/schedule finding studies. To that end, we have evaluated the utility of a sensitive multiplex assay on the Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) platform. This platform measures the levels of total and phosphorylated proteins of the MAPK and AKT signaling pathways. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy, breast and prostate cancer patients were treated ex vivo with BIIB021 and the levels of multiple signaling proteins were determined in the MSD assay. A significant decrease in the AKT family of signaling proteins was observed in all of the donors tested, while up to 75% of the subjects showed a marked reduction in the MAPK family of proteins over a period of 24hrs. The depletion of the similar oncosignaling proteins by BIIB021 was also confirmed in mouse models of human breast cancer and in vitro studies using the MSD platform 1 . Furthermore, to support the future development of BIIB021 in oncology, the multiplex assay will be validated for various clinical parameters (i.e., Quantitation range, reproducibility, accuracy, precision, linearity, longitudinal variability, and stability). We anticipate a rationally developed and rigorously validated multiplex assay measuring key signaling proteins involved in the survival of tumor cells would fully support the clinical development of BIIB021 and a wide range of anti‐cancer agents affecting the AKT/MAPK pathways. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):B35.
Maternal prenatal pregnancy-related anxiety and spontaneous preterm birth in Baltimore, Maryland.

OBJECTIVE To focus on the relationship between pregnancy-related anxiety and spontaneous preterm birth. Psychosocial factors have been the subject of inquiries about the etiology of preterm birth; a factor of recent interest is maternal prenatal pregnancy-related anxiety (worries and concerns related to the pregnancy). METHODS From 1991 to 1993, a total of 1820 women completed the study questionnaire during their first prenatal visit to clinics in Baltimore, Maryland. Pregnancy-related anxiety was assessed using six questions from the Prenatal Social Environment Inventory; scores ranged from 0 to 6. Data on pregnancy outcome and clinical and behavioral covariates were obtained from the women's clinical records. RESULTS After adjustment for covariates (first or second trimester bleeding, drug use, employment, prior poor pregnancy outcome, smoking, low body mass index, maternal education, age, and race), women with higher levels of pregnancy-related anxiety (scores of 5 or 6) had a significantly increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth compared with those with scores of < or =3. CONCLUSIONS If additional research confirms these results, then this finding may suggest the possibility of intervention to reduce maternal prenatal pregnancy-related worries and concerns, thereby reducing the risk of spontaneous preterm birth.
HOME REMEDIES TO CONTROL HEAD LICE: ASSESSMENT OF HOME REMEDIES TO CONTROL THE HUMAN HEAD LOUSE: PEDICULUS HUMANUS CAPITIS (ANOPLURA: PEDICULIDAE)

As the frequency and level of pediculicide resistance increases throughout the world, the need for novel solutions to control pediculosis has intensified. The development and registration of new pesticides has become so costly that many chemical companies are unwilling to pursue it and health-care providers now face a serious lack of new commercial pediculicides. Many infested people resort to using "home-remedy" approaches that have not been scientifically tested. In this article, we examined the potential value of six purportedly effective "home remedies" (vinegar, isopropyl alcohol, olive oil, mayonnaise, melted butter, and petroleum jelly) to treat head louse infestations and the likelihood of drowning lice by water submersion. Results indicated that only the application of petroleum jelly caused significant louse mortality but no treatment prevented lice from laying eggs. Most home remedy products did little to kill eggs, despite prolonged exposure. Petroleum jelly caused the greatest egg mortality, allowing only 6% to hatch. It was extremely difficult to drown lice, despite extended periods (i.e., 8 hr) of water submersion, suggesting that killing lice by depriving them of oxygen is inefficient. None of the home remedy products we surveyed was an effective means of louse control. This suggests that when treatment failure occurs, an increased amount of time and effort should be focused on alternative chemical pediculicides and/or manual louse removal (i.e., combing) rather than using any of these products.
On the effects of dislocation density on micropillar strength

There is an increasing amount of experimental evidence that the plastic behavior of crystals changes at micro- and nano-scales in a way that is not necessarily captured by state-of-the-art plasticity models. In this paper, length scale effects in the plasticity of crystals are analyzed by means of direct numerical simulations that resolve the scale of the carriers of plasticity, i.e., the dislocations. A computationally efficient, atomistically informed dislocation dynamics framework which has the capability of reaching high dislocation densities and large strains at moderately low strain rates in finite volumes is recalled. Using this theoretical framework, a new type of size effect in the hardening of crystals subject to nominally uniform compression is discovered. In light of such findings, behavior transitions in the space of meaningful structural parameters, from foresthardening dominated regime to an exhaustion hardening dominated regime are discussed. Various scalings of the flow stress with crystal size emerge in the simulations, which are compared with recent experimental data on micro- and nano-pillars.
A splitting theorem for the Medvedev and Muchnik lattices

This is a contribution to the study of the Muchnik and Medvedev lattices of non-empty Π01 subsets of 2ω. In both these lattices, any non-minimum element can be split, i. e. it is the non-trivial join of two other elements. In fact, in the Medvedev case, ifP > MQ, then P can be split above Q. Both of these facts are then generalised to the embedding of arbitrary finite distributive lattices. A consequence of this is that both lattices have decidible ∃-theories.
Comparative Response to a Survey Executed by Post, E-mail, & Web Form

Recent developments in communication technologies have created alternative survey methods through e-mail and Web sites. Both methods use electronic text communication, require fewer resources, and provide faster responses than traditional paper and pencil methods. However, new survey methodologies also generate problems involving sampling, response consistency and participant motivation. Empirical studies need to be done to address these issues as researchers implement electronic survey methods. In this study we conduct an analysis of the characteristics of three survey response modes: post, e-mail, and Web site. Data are from a survey of the National Association of Science Writers (NASW), in which science writers' professional use of e-mail and the Web is evaluated. Our analysis offers two lessons. First, a caution. We detect a number of potentially important differences in the response characteristics of these three groups. Researchers using multi-mode survey techniques should keep in mind that subtle effects might be at play in their analyses. Second, an encouragement. We do not observe significant influences of survey mode in our substantive analyses. We feel, at least in this case, that the differences detected in the response groups indicate that using multi-mode survey techniques improved the representativeness of the sample without biasing other results.
Cooling water use patterns at US nonutility electric generating facilities

Abstract Cooling water is used by many industrial facilities. The largest user of cooling water is the electric power industry, although other significant users include the pulp and paper, chemical, iron and steel, aluminum, and petroleum refining industries. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently developing regulations to implement section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act, which deals with cooling water intake structures. The EPA will examine cooling water use patterns at various industries. Data pertaining to cooling water use patterns at utility plants are readily available; however, no information has been assembled for cooling water use at electric power generating facilities owned or operated by entities other than utilities (nonutilities). This paper presents data concerning cooling water use from two subsets of the nonutility sector and focuses on plants using once-through cooling systems. The first subset includes 123 nonutility plants that each generate at least 150 MW of power. Collectively, they represent 41,494 MW of generating capacity, or about 56% of the total nonutility generating capacity. Approximately 17% of the installations within that subset utilize once-through cooling water. The second subset includes 58 waste-to-energy facilities, which individually produce less than 80 MW but collectively generate about 2200 MW. Only 11% of this subset of plants uses once-through cooling water. The total 15,372 MW generated by once-through nonutilities is equivalent to only 6% of the 258,906 MW generated by utilities utilizing once-through cooling. From a national perspective this share may appear relatively insignificant. However, in some states, the nonutility once-through total is equivalent to a more significant percentage of the utility once-through total.
Differential separation of thromboxanes from prostaglandins by one and two-dimensional thin layer chromatography.

[14C]-labelled thromboxane B2 and hydroxy fatty acids were isolated using thin layer and gas chromatographic procedures from human platelets incubated with [1-14C]-arachidonic acid. A number of TLC solvent systems were evaluated for differential separation of thromboxanes and hydroxy fatty acids from prostaglandins E2, A2, D2 and F2α. Chromatographic properties in nine different solvent systems are tabulated. Two dimensional TLC procedures suitable for complete resolution of mixtures of these compounds on a single plate were developed. The systems were used to demonstrate conversion of [1-14C]-arachidonic acid to thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 by human lung fibroblasts in tissue culture.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Physical Therapy Practice in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Physical therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has developed as an advanced pediatric practice area since the 1970s and now comprises a scientifically based clinical specialty. Compete...