cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges of Distributed Computing for Pandemic Spread Prediction based on Large-Scale Human Interaction Data

Pandemic like COVID-19 poses severe challenges to public health and causes great damages to human lives and economy. Computational epidemiology allows the authorities (e.g., federal, state, city governments) to predict the future states of pandemic and take preventive measures based on that. However, due to widespread human mobility, epidemic prediction on a small-scale (e.g., city) may not produce effective results. Therefore, to obtain a clearer picture of pandemics, authorities often rely on large-scale human mobility data. Processing such a large graph dataset is highly computation intensive, and thus generates long latency. Distributed computing, in which the graph is partitioned and processed by multiple servers in parallel, is a solution to this problem. However, as human mobility changes over time, the graph varies over time, which may make the previous graph partition not effective anymore in limiting the communication overhead. In this paper, we study the existing works in the literature for processing large-scale human mobility graph data to predict pandemic spread. We conducted comprehensive experiments based on real-world large-scale human mobility data that covers the entire state of Virginia, USA. Based on the experimental evaluations, we present our findings and discuss the possible future research directions for the aforementioned challenge.
SU‐E‐J‐61: Monitoring Tumor Motion in Real‐Time with EPID Imaging During Cervical Cancer Treatment

Purpose: Traditional external beam radiotherapy for cervical cancer requires setup by external skin marks. In order to improve treatment accuracy and reduce planning margin for more conformal therapy, it is essential to monitor tumor positions interfractionally and intrafractionally. We demonstrate feasibility of monitoring cervical tumor motion online using EPID imaging from Beam’s Eye View. Methods: Prior to treatment, 1∼2 cylindrical radio opaque markers were implanted into inferior aspect of cervix tumor. During external beam treatments on a Varian 2100C by 4-field 3D plans, treatment beam images were acquired continuously by an EPID. A Matlab program was developed to locate internal markers on MV images. Based on 2D marker positions obtained from different treatment fields, their 3D positions were estimated for every treatment fraction. Results: There were 398 images acquired during different treatment fractions of three cervical cancer patients. Markers were successfully located on every frame of image at an analysis speed of about 1 second per frame. Intrafraction motions were evaluated by comparing marker positions relative to the position on the first frame of image. The maximum intrafraction motion of the markers was 1.6 mm. Interfraction motions were evaluated by comparing 3D marker positions at different treatment fractions. The maximummore » interfraction motion was up to 10 mm. Careful comparison found that this is due to patient positioning since the bony structures shifted with the markers. Conclusion: This method provides a cost-free and simple solution for online tumor tracking for cervical cancer treatment since it is feasible to acquire and export EPID images with fast analysis in real time. This method does not need any extra equipment or deliver extra dose to patients. The online tumor motion information will be very useful to reduce planning margins and improve treatment accuracy, which is particularly important for SBRT treatment with long delivery time.« less
Chlorinated biphenyl mineralization by individual populations and consortia of freshwater bacteria

Comparative studies were performed to investigate the contribution of microbial consortia, individual microbial populations, and specific plasmids to chlorinated biphenyl biodegradation among microbial communities from a polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated freshwater environment. A bacterial consortium, designated LPS10, was shown to mineralize 4-chlorobiphenyl (4CB) and dehalogenate 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl. The LPS10 consortium involved three isolates: Pseudomonas testosteroni (LPS10A), which mediated the breakdown of 4CB and 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl to 4-chlorobenzoic acid; an isolate tentatively identified as an Arthrobacter sp. (LPS10B), which mediated 4-chlorobenzoic acid degradation; and Pseudomonas putida bv. A (LPS10C), whose role in the consortium has not been determined. None of these isolates contained detectable plasmids or sequences homologous to the 4CB-degradative plasmid pSS50. A freshwater isolate, designated LBS1C1, was found to harbor a 41-megadalton plasmid that was related to the 35-megadalton plasmid pSS50, and this isolate was shown to mineralize 4CB. In chemostat enrichments with biphenyl and 4CB as primary carbon sources, the LPS10 consortium was found to outcomplete bacterial populations harboring plasmids homologous to pSS50. These results demonstrate that an understanding of the biodegradative capacity of individual bacterial populations as well as interacting populations of bacteria must be considered in order to gain a better understanding of polychlorinated biphenyl biodegradation in the environment.
Client Advocacy in Marriage and Family Therapy: A Qualitative Case Study

Client advocacy and social justice are topics of increasing importance in clinical practice. This study addresses the pragmatics of client advocacy in daily MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy) practice using qualitative case analysis. Researchers used Kvale's (1996) interview and analysis procedures to access detailed descriptions of the lived experience of advocacy from the client's perspective. The client's descriptions identify subtle aspects of advocacy that expand its current definition and challenge the suitability of certain clinical techniques, especially with diverse clients. Implications for practice include (1) conceptualizing advocacy as an attitude; (2) providing flexibility in service delivery; (3) collaborating with social services as a clinical intervention; and (4) promoting self-advocacy.
Stimulation of Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis by Chloramphenicol in a rel+ Aminoacyl-Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Synthetase Mutant of Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli strain 9D3 possesses a highly temperature-sensitive valyl-transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) synthetase (EC 6.1.1.9). Since 9D3 is a rel+ strain, it cannot carry out net RNA synthesis at high temperature. A 100-μg amount of chloramphenicol (CAP) per ml added in the absence of valine cannot stimulate RNA synthesis. Either 300 μg of CAP or 100 μg of CAP plus 50 μg of valine per ml, however, promotes nearly maximal RNA synthesis. These results can be understood as follows. (i) Valyl-tRNA is required for net RNA synthesis, (ii) the synthetase lesion is incomplete, (iii) the rate of mutant acylation of tRNAval at high temperature is valine-dependent, and (iv) the CAP concentration determines the rate of residual protein synthesis. Data are also presented which demonstrate that the rate of net RNA synthesis can greatly increase long after the addition of CAP, if the amount of valyl-tRNA increases.
Critical biogeochemical functions in the subsurface are associated with bacteria from new phyla and little studied lineages

Nitrogen, sulfur and carbon fluxes in the terrestrial subsurface are determined by the intersecting activities of microbial community members, yet the organisms responsible are largely unknown. Metagenomic methods can identify organisms and functions, but genome recovery is often precluded by data complexity. To address this limitation, we developed subsampling assembly methods to re-construct high-quality draft genomes from complex samples. We applied these methods to evaluate the interlinked roles of the most abundant organisms in biogeochemical cycling in the aquifer sediment. Community proteomics confirmed these activities. The eight most abundant organisms belong to novel lineages, and two represent phyla with no previously sequenced genome. Four organisms are predicted to fix carbon via the Calvin-Benson-Bassham, Wood-Ljungdahl or 3-hydroxyproprionate/4-hydroxybutarate pathways. The profiled organisms are involved in the network of denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia, ammonia oxidation and sulfate reduction/oxidation, and require substrates supplied by other community members. An ammonium-oxidizing Thaumarchaeote is the most abundant community member, despite low ammonium concentrations in the groundwater. This organism likely benefits from two other relatively abundant organisms capable of producing ammonium from nitrate, which is abundant in the groundwater. Overall, dominant members of the microbial community are interconnected through exchange of geochemical resources.
Soybean seed production: Decisions and their relationship to seed quality

New management practices and inputs are always being investigated in order to increase soybean [Glycines max L. (Merr.)] yields. Little information is available regarding the effects of these management practices and inputs on Phomopsis longicolla infection and seed quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate seven commonly used inputs for their impact on P. longicolla infection, seed quality, and yield across the Corn Belt in the United States. A field study was conducted at 17 site-years in Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Kentucky, Arkansas, and in Louisiana during 2009 and 2010. The seven inputs were arranged in a non-factorial manner to create nine management systems. The seven inputs were: 1) fungicide/insecticide seed treatment 2) foliar fungicide application at R3 growth stage 3) foliar fungicide application at both R3 and R5 growth stages 4) Bradyrrhizobia seed inoculant 5) soil fertilizer application 6) row spacing ( (357,100 vs. 604,000 seeds ha). Overall, no management system influenced the warm germination or the accelerated aging tests. An application of pyraclostrobin at growth stage R3 reduced P. longicolla infection by 1.9%. Soybean seed yield was increased by 0.32 Mg ha when planted in narrow rows ( These results indicate that P. longicolla can be reduced and seed yield increased with an application of fungicide at R3. Additionally seed yield can be increased through the use of row spacing less than
Behavioral components of tolerance to repeated inhalation of trichloroethylene (TCE) in rats.

Abstract The possibility that the acute neurotoxic effects of organic solvents change with repeated exposure will affect risk assessment of these pollutants. We observed previously that rats inhaling trichloroethylene (TCE) showed a progressive attenuation of impairment of signal detection behavior across several weeks of intermittent exposure, suggesting the development of tolerance. Here, we explored the development of tolerance to TCE during two weeks of daily exposures, and the degree to which learned behavioral modifications (“behavioral tolerance”) could account for the effect. Adult Long-Evans rats were trained to perform a visual signal detection task (SDT) in which a press on one lever yielded food if a visual stimulus (a “signal”) had occurred on that trial, and a press on a second lever produced food if no signal had been presented. In two experiments, with 2000 and 2400 ppm of TCE respectively, trained rats were divided into two groups ( n = 8/group) with equivalent accuracy and then exposed to TCE in two-phase studies. In Phase 1, one group of rats received daily SDT tests paired with 70-min TCE exposures, followed by 70-min exposures to clean air after testing. The other group received daily SDT tests in clean air, followed by 70-min exposures to TCE (unpaired exposure and testing). All rats thus received the same number and daily sequence of exposures to TCE that differed only in the pairing with SDT testing. Both concentrations of TCE disrupted performance of the paired groups and this disruption abated over the 9 days of exposure. In Phase 2, the pairing of exposure and test conditions were reversed for the two groups. The groups that were shifted from unpaired to paired exposures (Unpaired–Paired groups) showed qualitatively similar patterns of deficit and recovery as did the rats whose tests were initially paired with TCE (Paired–Unpaired groups), indicating that task-specific learning was involved in the development of tolerance. Quantitative differences in the magnitude and duration of the effects of TCE in the two groups indicated that other factors, not specific to the SDT, also contributed to the development tolerance to TCE. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
Knowledge Creation and Social Networks in Corporate Entrepreneurship: The Renewal of Organizational Capability:

This paper extends current theory by analyzing the knowledge dynamics and social structure of the internal selection-retention environment. On the knowledge side, our view is that entrepreneurial i...
Intermediate-age Magellanic Cloud globular clusters.

In this paper, I discuss some of the new facts that have been learned about Magellanic Cloud clusters, mostly thanks to new detectors and associated reduction code. I first show the extent of the LMC cluster system, in order to note that studies of age, abundance, and kinematics of the cluster system have been missing clusters to the north and south of the Hodge and Wright atlas, and to point out that star formation has gone on in places far from present day neutral hydrogen. I will concentrate on the intermediate age clusters (108-1010 y) in the discussion concerning new stellar evolution results, neglecting the 107 y clusters and 30 Doradus. I further restrict my choice of topics to 1) the luminosity of clump giants, 2) the youngest possible RR Lyrae stars, and 3) the patterns and history of cluster formation. The discussion of abundances of Cloud clusters leads readers to the excellent poster papers presented at this meeting.
Higher differentiation among subspecies of the house mouse (Mus musculus) in genomic regions with low recombination.

In the early stages of reproductive isolation, genomic regions of reduced recombination are expected to show greater levels of differentiation, either because gene flow between species is reduced in these regions or because the effects of selection at linked sites within species is enhanced in these regions. Here we study patterns of DNA sequence variation at 27 autosomal loci among populations of Mus musculus musculus, M. m. domesticus, and M. m. castaneus, three subspecies of house mice with co-linear genomes. We found that some loci exhibit considerable shared variation among subspecies, while others exhibit fixed differences. We used an isolation-with-gene-flow model to estimate divergence times, effective population sizes (Ne) and to disentangle ancestral variation from gene flow. Estimates of divergence time indicate that all three subspecies diverged from one another within a very short period of time roughly 350,000 years ago. Overall, Ne for each subspecies was associated with the degree of genetic differentiation: M. m. musculus had the smallest Ne and the greatest proportion of monophyletic gene genealogies, while M. m. castaneus had the largest Ne and the smallest proportion of monophyletic gene genealogies. M. m. domesticus and M. m. musculus were more differentiated from each other than either was from M. m. castaneus, consistent with greater reproductive isolation between M. m. domesticus and M. m. musculus. FST was significantly greater at loci experiencing low recombination rates compared to loci experiencing high recombination rates in comparisons between M. m. castaneus and M. m. musculus or M. m. domesticus. These results provide evidence that genomic regions with less recombination show greater differentiation, even in the absence of chromosomal rearrangements.
Retinol dehydrogenase 8 and ATP-binding cassette transporter 4 modulate dark adaptation of M-cones in mammalian retina.

Key points This study explores the molecular mechanisms that regulate the recycling of chromophore required for pigment regeneration in mammalian cones. We report that two chromophore binding proteins, retinol dehydrogenase 8 (RDH8) and photoreceptor-specific ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCA4) accelerate the dark adaptation of cones, first, directly, by facilitating the processing of chromophore in cones, and second, indirectly, by accelerating the turnover of chromophore in rods, which is then recycled and delivered to both rods and cones. Preventing competition with the rods by knocking out rhodopsin accelerated cone dark adaptation, demonstrating the interplay between rod and cone pigment regeneration driven by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This novel interdependence of rod and cone pigment regeneration should be considered when developing therapies targeting the recycling of chromophore for rods, and evaluating residual cone function should be a critical test for such regimens targeting the RPE. Abstract Rapid recycling of visual chromophore and regeneration of the visual pigment are critical for the continuous function of mammalian cone photoreceptors in daylight vision. However, the molecular mechanisms modulating the supply of visual chromophore to cones have remained unclear. Here we explored the roles of two chromophore-binding proteins, retinol dehydrogenase 8 (RDH8) and photoreceptor-specific ATP-binding cassette transporter 4 (ABCA4), in dark adaptation of mammalian cones. We report that young adult RDH8/ABCA4-deficient mice have normal M-cone morphology but reduced visual acuity and photoresponse amplitudes. Notably, the deletion of RDH8 and ABCA4 suppressed the dark adaptation of M-cones driven by both the intraretinal visual cycle and the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) visual cycle. This delay can be caused by two separate mechanisms: direct involvement of RDH8 and ABCA4 in cone chromophore processing, and an indirect effect from the delayed recycling of chromophore by the RPE due to its slow release from RDH8/ABCA4-deficient rods. Intriguingly, our data suggest that RDH8 could also contribute to the oxidation of cis-retinoids in cones, a key reaction of the retina visual cycle. Finally, we dissected the roles of rod photoreceptors and RPE for dark adaptation of M-cones. We found that rods suppress, whereas RPE promotes, cone dark adaptation. Thus, therapeutic approaches targeting the RPE visual cycle could have adverse effects on the function of cones, making the evaluation of residual cone function a critical test for regimens targeting the RPE.
Atrial natriuretic peptide in acute hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats

To test the hypothesis that exogenous atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) prevents the acute pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia, ANP (20-micrograms/kg bolus followed by 1-microgram.kg-1.min-1 infusion) or vehicle was administered intravenously to conscious rats beginning 3 min before exposure to hypoxia or room air for 90 min. Exogenous ANP abolished the acute pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia in association with marked and parallel increases in plasma ANP and guanosine 5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and with a significant increase in lung cGMP content. To examine whether endogenous ANP modulates the acute pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia, rats were pretreated with a monoclonal antibody (Ab) to ANP and exposed to hypoxia. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) in the Ab-treated rats was not different from control over the first 6 h of hypoxic exposure. Thereafter, the Ab-treated group had significantly higher MPAP than control. Our data suggest that 1) exogenous ANP blocks the pulmonary pressor ...
In Vivo Development of Outer Retinal Synapses in the Absence of Glial Contact

Astroglia secrete factors that promote synapse formation and maintenance. In culture, glial contact has also been shown to facilitate synaptogenesis. Here, we examined whether glial contact is important for establishing circuits in vivo by simultaneously monitoring differentiation of glial cells and local synaptogenesis over time. Photoreceptor circuits of the vertebrate retina are particularly suitable for this study because of the relatively simple, laminar organization of their connectivity with their target neurons, horizontal cells and bipolar cells. Also, individual photoreceptor terminals are ensheathed within the outer plexiform layer (OPL) by the processes of one type of glia, Muller glia cells (MGs). We conducted in vivo time-lapse multiphoton imaging of the rapidly developing and relatively transparent zebrafish retina to ascertain the time course of MG development relative to OPL synaptogenesis. The emergence of synaptic triads, indicative of functional photoreceptor circuits, and structural association with glial processes were also examined across ages by electron microscopy. We first show that MG processes form territories that tile within the inner and outer synaptic layers. We then demonstrate that cone photoreceptor synapses are assembled before the elaboration of MG processes in the OPL. Using a targeted cell ablation approach, we also determined whether the maintenance of photoreceptor synapses is perturbed when local MGs are absent. We found that removal of MGs had no appreciable effect on the stability of newly formed cone synapses. Thus, in contrast to other CNS circuits, contact from glia is not necessary for the formation or immediate stabilization of outer retinal synapses.
Preflight assessment of the cross-track infrared sounder (CrIS) performance

The Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) is a part of the Crosstrack Infrared and Microwave Sounding Suite (CrIMSS) that will be used to produce accurate temperature, water vapor, and pressure profiles on the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) and upcoming Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) operational missions. The NPP CrIS flight model has completed sensor qualification, characterization, and calibration and is now integrated with the NPP spacecraft in preparation for the launch. This paper reviews the CrIS performance during thermal vacuum tests, including the spacecraft integration test, and provides a comparison to the AIRS and IASI heritage sensors that it builds upon. The CrIS system consists of the instrument itself and ground-based scientific algorithms. The data reported in this paper was processed with the latest version of the CrIS science sensor data record (SDR) algorithm and thus reflects the performance of the CrIS SDR system. This paper includes the key test results for Noise Equivalent Differential Noise (NEdN), Radiometric Performance, and Spectral Accuracy. The CrIS sensor performance is outstanding and will meet the mission needs for the NPP /JPSS mission. NEdN is one of the key performance tests for the CrIS sensor. The overall NEdN performance for the CrIS in the LWIR, MWIR and SWIR spectral bands is excellent and is comparable or exceeds NEdN performance of AIRS and IASI. Also discussed is the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) approach developed to estimate contribution of random and spectrally correlated noise components to the total NEDN.
Scale dependence of the W and Z distributions at large transverse momentum

Abstract The dependence of the cross sections for production of W and Z bosons at large transverse momentum in p p collisions on ill-defined renormalization and factorization scales is shown to be greatly reduced by the inclusion of the full O(α 2 s ) QCD radiative corrections. The most appropriate range of choices of scale for extracting information about α s and the parton densities from cross sections measured at S =1.8 TeV is determined.
Acute Pancreatitis: A Review With an Emphasis on New Developments

The spectrum of acute pancreatitis can range from mild and self-limited to severe and fatal. A number of aspects of the condition remain poorly understood or controversial, although recent advances have improved our understanding in many areas. A substantial number of cases of "idiopathic" acute pancreatitis may be caused by occult biliary microlithiasis. The mechanism by which enzymes and bioactive substances become activated within the pancreas is a major unanswered question in acute pancreatitis; however, recent studies suggest that lysosomal enzymes within the pancreatic acinar cell may play a role. A recent refinement in computed tomography, contrast-enhanced dynamic pancreatography, has shown itself to be an extremely useful tool for detecting pancreatic necrosis and its extent, which correlates with the severity of pancreatitis and is useful in identifying patients who may have pancreatic infection and other complications. The management of acute pancreatitis includes supportive measures, observation for development of complications, and the identification of the cause of pancreatitis to prevent recurrences. Specific treatments introduced with the goal of halting the cycle of pancreatic autodigestion and benefiting the course of pancreatitis have generally proved ineffective. Early aggressive treatment of biliary pancreatitis remains controversial; however, endoscopic sphincterotomy may be helpful in more severe cases of biliary pancreatitis if there is no clinical improvement over 48 to 72 hours. Computed tomography—guided percutaneous needle aspiration appears to be a safe and reliable method for diagnosing infected pancreatic necrosis, pancreatic abscess, and infected pancreatic fluid collections. (Arch Intern Med. 1993;153:1185-1198)
Preferential expression of TCR Vα regions in CD4/CD8 subsets: class discrimination or co-receptor recognition?

Abstract The preferential expression of T-cell receptor (TCR) Vα regions in the CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell subsets suggests that they have a special role in distinguishing recognition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I from class II, or CD4 from CD8. Here, Bee-Cheng Sim, David Lo and Nicholas Gascoigne review recent data indicating the molecular basis for this discrimination, and how polymorphism within Vα subfamilies and between TCR α-chain haplotypes contributes to the T-cell repertoire.
Solution behavior, circular dichroism and 220 MHz PMR studies of the bovine myelin basic protein

Abstract Bovine myelin basic protein has been investigated with regard to its solution behavior, circular dichroism and 220 MHz PMR spectral properties. At pH 4.8 γ/2 = 0.1 acetate buffer, light scattering yielded a Mr of 17 700 and a virial coefficient of 1.0·10−4 mol·ml/g2. Above pH 7.0 the protein was found to aggregate to higher mol. wt species. Sedimentation experiments at pH 4.8 yielded s°20,w of 1.27 S at γ/2 = 0.1 and 1.46 S at γ/2 = 0.35. The diffusion coefficient determined from ultracentrifugal experiments was 7.25·10−7 cm2/s at γ/2 = 0.1 and 0.35. The value of ƒ/ƒ 0 from diffusion at pH 4.8 and γ/2 = 0.35 was 1.64, corresponding to an axial ratio of 11 to 1. The radius of gyration was calculated as 4.28 nm and the root mean square end to end distance was 10.5 nm. At pH 9.0, γ/2 = 0.1, s°20,w was 1.71 S and D°20,w was estimated at 7.4·10−7 cm2/s. The behavior at pH 9.0 reverted to the behavior at pH 4.8 when the pH was readjusted. The E1cm1% = 5.64 at 276.4 nm and 225 at 196 nm. Titration of the protein with trifluoroethanol elicited three distinct regions of conformational stability having increasing helical content as the mol fraction of trifluoroethanol increased. The results of the present study have permitted some comparison of analogous properties and conformational behavior with the basic membrane protein cytochrome c.
Literary politics and the Champ of French sociology

Certainly it cannot be claimed that French sociology has definitive answers to the problems besetting sociologies everywhere. What can be claimed is that among those sociologies outside the strict and direct domination of American sociology, France's is one of the most interesting. Having avoided the Scylla of mimicking American empiricism and the Charybdis of philosophical devolution, French sociology stands as a small but coherent body of research, the quality of which is frequently very high. Stylistically, its example of theoretical inventiveness and scope is well worth our while. Substantively, its consideration of such topics as inequality, critique, practice, structural analysis, social change, control, and the State, among others, deserves international attention. Those sociologies, such as the American, which have just lately discovered the full significance of certain of these topics would do well to heed the example of the French who, by virtue of intellectual heritage and political-economic curcumstance, have long seen them as central. If the French do not give answers, they do give questions and, more than this, they offer the witness of their situation-bound solutions. The only positive thing I can, for the moment, think to say of the spread of international capitalism is that it has at least made national circumstances less determinant. As the present fiscal crisis deepens and as the control of national ruling classes gives way to the hegemony of international money interests, whatever differences separate others from the French will become even less important: hence, a reason to transcend sociological provincialism.
Examining the impact of excipient material property variation on drug product quality attributes: A quality-by-design study for a roller compacted, immediate release tablet

A quality-by-design study examining the impact of variability in excipient material properties on the quality attributes of an immediate release tablet was performed. A literature review and risk analysis identified particle size of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), spray-dried lactose (SDL), and magnesium stearate (MgSt), and polymorph and specific surface area of MgSt as potential high-risk material properties. The following results were obtained with laboratory-scale processing equipment: (1) a 32-µm increase in d(50) (mean particle diameter) of MCC and SDL led to a ∼ 30-µm increase in blend and granulation d(50) and a statistically significant increase in the blend and granulation flow function coefficients, and (2) a 32-µm increase in d(50) of MCC and SDL, a 4.4 m(2)/g increase in the surface area, and a 19-µm decrease in the particle size of MgSt yielded an 18%-28% increase in ribbon tensile strength and tablet hardness. Confirmatory experiments with kilo-scale equipment showed impact of excipient variability on granulation particle size and tablet hardness was ∼ 50% smaller. Although the impact of these differences on overall manufacturability and performance of the tablets examined here were deemed low, the presence of statistically significant effects supports examining excipient variability as part of the design and control strategy of new drug products.
Relaxin receptor in the rat myometrium: regulation by estrogen and relaxin.

The concentration and affinity of the receptors for relaxin in the myometrium of rats were compared during the estrous cycle, in pregnancy, after ovariectomy, and after estrogen and/or relaxin administration. The concentration of the myometrial relaxin receptors in cyclic rats appeared to be related to plasma estrogen levels. Ovariectomy of cyclic animals resulted in the disappearance of receptors by 7 days after surgery. Recovery of the receptors was demonstrable upon estrogen administration to these animals. The response of the uterus to estrogen was biphasic and dependent on the time of exposure to the hormone in vivo. Relaxin receptor concentration increased 5- and 30-fold relative to those at estrus and proestrus within 24 h of the administration of 5 and 200 μg of the steroid, respectively, with no significant change in the receptor's affinity constant. The number of myometrial receptors found in pregnancy were unrelated to the known changes in plasma estrogen levels. However, during late pregnancy,...
The conformation of the isoprenyl chain relative to the semiquinone head in the primary electron acceptor (QA) of higher plant PSII (plastosemiquinone) differs from that in bacterial reaction centers (ubisemiquinone or menasemiquinone) by ca. 90 degrees

The conformation and partial electron spin density distribution of the reduced primary electron acceptor (QA-), a plastosemiquinone-9 (PQ-9-) anion radical, in photosystem II protein complexes from spinach as well as free PQ-9- in solution have been determined by EPR and 1H ENDOR spectroscopies. The data show that the conformation of the isoprenyl chain at C beta relative to the aromatic ring differs by 90 degrees for QA- in higher plant PSII versus both types of bacterial reaction centers, Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas viridis [containing ubiquinone (UQ) or menaquinone (MQ) at QA site, respectively]. This conformational distinction between the QA- species in PSII vs bacterial RCs follows precisely the conformational preferences of the isolated semiquinone anion radicals free in solution; type II semiquinones like PQ-9- have the isoprenyl C beta C gamma bond coplanar with the aromatic ring, while type I semiquinones like UQ- and MQ- place the C beta C gamma bond perpendicular to the ring. This conformational difference originates from nonbonded repulsions between the isoprenyl chain and the C6 methyl group present in type I semiquinones, forcing the perpendicular conformation, but absent in type II semiquinones having the smaller H atom at C6. Thus, the QA binding site in both higher plant PSII and bacterial reaction centers accommodates the lower energy conformation of their native semiquinones observed in solution. The energy difference between ground (C beta C gamma bond perpendicular to the ring) and excited (C beta C gamma bond coplanar with the ring) conformations of UQ- and vitamin K1- radicals is estimated to be sufficiently large (ca. 6 kcal/mol) to produce greater than a 10-fold difference in populations of these conformations at room temperature. For PQ-9-, a similar number is estimated. We propose that the strong confornational preferences of type I and type II semiquinones has lead to the evolution of different reaction center protein structures surrounding the isoprenyl/quinone head junction of QA to accommodate the favored low energy conformers. This predicted difference in protein structures could explain the low effectiveness (high selectivities) observed in quinone replacement experiments for type II vs type I quinones seen in higher plant PSII and bacterial reaction centers, respectively.
How English-learners joke with native speakers: an interactional sociolinguistic perspective on humor as collaborative discourse across cultures

Abstract An approach to humor grounded in interactional sociolinguistics starts not with reified abstractions such as ‘humor’, ‘wit’, or ‘irony’ but rather with the situated interpretation of joking as a speech activity. Using videotaped data of crosscultural conversation groups, and employing a close linguistic analysis based in Gumperz's theory of conversational inference, this paper documents the ability of beginning language learners to collaborate in the construction of conversational joking discourse with native English speakers. The claim is made that communication is achieved indirectly within these jointly-constructed joking episodes through displaying understanding by playing within the frame set out by the other. Such fine-tuning of understanding is the core of why the ability to participate in such joking is important in the development of rapport. Illustrative joking episodes represent differences along several dimensions: the exploitation of limited sociolinguistic resources, with examples of primary reliance on the nonverbal and lexical, on the prosodic, and on the pragmatic; the interactional roles of the native English speaker and learner(s), with examples of different patterns of initiation and collaboration; and the focus of the joking within the general theme of the learners’ perspective on the language learning experience, in effect, the culture of the language learner, with examples highlighting the apparently arbitrary nature of idiomatic expressions, the difficulty of coping with interaction in the new language, and the general powerlessness of the language learner in a world of native speakers.
PrgK, a Multidomain Peptidoglycan Hydrolase, Is Essential for Conjugative Transfer of the Pheromone-Responsive Plasmid pCF10

Peptidoglycan (PG) hydrolases associated with bacterial type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are thought to generate localized lesions in the PG layer to facilitate assembly of the translocation channel. The pheromone-responsive plasmid pCF10 of Enterococcus faecalis encodes a putative cell wall hydrolase, PrgK, and here we report that a prgK deletion abolished functionality of the pCF10-encoded T4SS as monitored by pCF10 conjugative transfer. Expression in trans of wild-type prgK fully complemented this mutation. PrgK has three potential hydrolase motifs resembling staphylococcal LytM, soluble lytic transglycosylase (SLT), and cysteine-, histidine-dependent amidohydrolase/peptidase (CHAP) domains. Complementation analyses with mutant alleles established that PrgK bearing two hydrolase domains in any combination supported near-wild-type plasmid transfer, and PrgK bearing a single hydrolase domain supported at least a low level of transfer in filter matings. When exported to the Escherichia coli periplasm, each domain disrupted cell growth, and combinations of domains additionally induced cell rounding and blebbing and conferred enhanced sensitivity to osmotic shock. Each domain bound PG in vitro, but only the SLT domain exhibited detectable hydrolase activity, as shown by zymographic analyses and release of fluorescent PG fragments. Genes encoding three T4SS-associated, putative hydrolases, Lactococcus lactis CsiA, Tn925 Orf14, and pIP501 TraG, partially complemented the ΔprgK mutation. Our findings establish that PrgK is an essential component of the pCF10-encoded Prg/Pcf T4SS and that its hydrolase domains coordinate their activities for full PrgK function. PrgK is indispensable for plasmid transfer in liquid matings, suggestive of a role in formation or stabilization of mating junctions.
Hurewicz fiber maps with ANR fibers

IN THIS paper we will be concerned with Hurewicz fiber maps with fibers which are ANRs. All of the spaces (except function spaces) under consideration will be locally compact, separable, and metric. Recall that a Q-manifold is a separable metric manifold modeled on the Hilbert cube. We will be concerned with the following problem: 1f E “-B is a jibration with Q-manifold fibers, when is (E, p, B) a locally trivial bundle? Here is our main result.
Powell's Pearls: eponyms in medical and surgical history. The Smead-Jones closure of abdominal wounds.

1 Professor Powell initially produced “Powell’s Pearls,” which were short history lessons about physicians who developed surgical instruments and operations, for his residents in the program at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC beginning in 1994. Since 1998, more than 100 “Pearls” have been published in Journal of Pelvic Surgery, Obtetrical and Gynecological Survey, ACOG Clinical Review, and ournal of Pelvic Medicine and Surgery. In the early days of abdominal surgery, wound dehiscence as common and associated with significant mortality. Over he years, better suture materials and wound closure techniques ave reduced this complication. William Wayne Babcock 1872–1963) was the first to publish about the use of alloy steel ire for abdominal closure. The method with the lowest risk of ound dehiscence was described in the classic article by homas E. Jones, Edward T. Newell, Jr., and Robert E. Bruaker of the Cleveland Clinic in 1941. Dr. Jones and his colleagues reported no disruptions in 116 cases of abdominoperineal resections with steel wire closures compared with 3.9% disruption rate in 76 cases using catgut in layers with stay sutures. In a footnote, they attributed the stitch technique to Dr. Louis Smead of Toledo, Ohio. They spelled Dr. Smead’s first name incorrectly. His name is actually Lewis Frederic Smead. This suture technique was devised by Dr. Smead during his surgical internship and residency under John Miller Turpin Finney, Sr., at Union Protestant Infirmary in Baltimore, Maryland (1905–1908). The name of Union Protestant Infirmary was changed to Union Memorial Hospital in 1920. The technique involves a figure-of-eight suture passing through anterior rectus fascia, rectus muscle, posterior fascia, and peritoneum on both sides. One end is then passed through the anterior fascia on both sides again. The wire ends were cut flush with the jaws of a hemostat, which was clamped snugly against the knot. The hemostat was then rotated 180 degrees, turning the ends downward. A smooth knot was thus presented to the subcutaneous
Interference and quantization in semiclassical response functions.

Application of the Herman–Kluk semiclassical propagator to the calculation of spectroscopic response functions for anharmonic oscillators has demonstrated the quantitative accuracy of these approximate dynamics. In this approach, spectroscopic response functions are expressed as multiple phase-space integrals over pairs of classical trajectories and their associated stability matrices. Here we analyze the Herman–Kluk semiclassical approximation to a linear response function and determine the origin of the capacity of this method to reproduce quantum effects in a response function from classical dynamical information. Our analysis identifies those classical trajectories that contribute most significantly to the response function on different time scales. This finding motivates a procedure for computing the linear response function in which the interference between pairs of classical trajectories is treated approximately, resulting in an integral over a single average trajectory, as in a purely classical calculation.
Tom Corwin's “reply to General Crary”: The speech that launched the campaign of 1840 and immortalized the Tippecanoe Legend

(1979). Tom Corwin's “reply to General Crary”: The speech that launched the campaign of 1840 and immortalized the Tippecanoe Legend. Central States Speech Journal: Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 368-373.
Some Differential Effects of Music on Projective and Structured Psychological Tests

To assess the differential influence of music on psychological test responses, 40 female Ss were randomly assigned to one of two groups who responded to a battery of psychological tests while listening to either exciting or calming music. Ss' responses were more affected on projective than on structured tests. Ss listening to exciting music more frequently told hostile stories and stories with female power themes. With exciting music Ss also drew significantly taller figures on the Draw-A-Person Test and tended to show more Fear of Failure on Bass' Famous Sayings. Discussion concerned effects of ambiguity of musical stimuli and the effects of music on content and structure of test responses.
Transient free convection with mass transfer on an isothermal vertical flat plate

Abstract Transient, laminar free convection along a vertical, isothermal flat plate arising from buoyancy forces created by both temperature and concentration gradients is investigated. All fluid properties, except for the temperature and concentration dependent body forces, are assumed to be constants in the analysis. Non-dimensionalization of the governing boundary layer equations results in the following parameters: (1) N, the buoyancy ratio parameter, (2) Pr , the Prandtl number, and (3) Sc , the Schmidt number. The coupled nonlinear partial differential equations are solved numerically using an explicit finite difference procedure. Results are obtained for Pr = 1 and a realistic range of Sc and positive N. Representative transient and steady state velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles are presented, along with transient mean Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. For short times, heat transfer is by conduction only and mass transfer is by diffusion only. Following this initial period, the body forces generate motion in the fluid and both convective heat and mass transfer become important. The transient velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles all reach maximum values before decreasing slightly to their respective steady state values. Owing to this overshoot phenomenon in the temperature and concentration profiles, a temporal minimum is observed in both the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. For mass transfer aiding the flow, the results show that the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are higher than those for pure thermal convection.
Budgetary rules to minimize societal poverty in a general equilibrium context

Abstract This paper derives budgetary rules for the allocation of an exogenously supplied budget to mutually exclusive socioeconomic groups so that the maximum reduction of poverty for society as a whole is attained. Budgetary rules are derived for two mechanisms of intra-group benefit distribution and for the cases where the effects of economic interaction within and between groups is considered and where it is not. A computer simulation of the budgetary rules on a hypothetical economy demonstrates the importance of economic interaction both to the optimal allocation of benefits and to the resulting reduction in poverty.
Implications of the Temporal Distribution of High‐Mg Magmas for Mantle Plume Volcanism through Time

Abstract We compile a 3.7‐b.yr.‐long time series of ultramafic and mafic rocks including extrusives and shallow intrusives (dikes and sills). We infer that peaks in the time series represent mantle plume events. Rocks erupted from plumes are becoming more Ti rich through time, and several rock types having >18 wt % MgO are Phanerozoic analogs for komatiites. These include meimechites, ankaramites, and rocks previously called “picrites.” Spectral analysis reveals the time series is driven by periods of ∼800 and ∼273 m.yr. Two 256‐m.yr.‐long data subsets, one sampling the Archean and one sampling the Phanerozoic, are driven by periods of \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodi...
Identifying patients who require urodynamic testing before surgery for stress incontinence based on questionnaire information and surgical history.

Objectives. To determine whether knowledge about previous surgical history for incontinence and responses to a validated lower urinary tract symptom questionnaire for women could identify those who should undergo urodynamic testing before surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods. A retrospective analysis of all women who completed the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 questionnaire (UDI-6) and then underwent complete urodynamic studies was conducted. The critical urodynamic diagnoses to determine before anti-incontinence surgery were defined as coexisting SUI and detrusor instability (DI), Valsalva leak point pressure less than 60 cm H2O, and DI alone in women suspected clinically of having SUI. Models were established for deciding who should undergo urodynamic studies on the basis of questionnaire responses and information about previous surgical history. Cost savings and the ability of the various models to identify patients with critical urodynamic diagnoses were calculated. Results. A total of 174 women completed the UDI-6 and underwent urodynamics studies. Sixty-two had SUI (36%), 54 had DI (31%), 18 had both SUI and DI (10%), and 19 women suspected of having SUI were found instead to have DI (11%). Among women with SUI, 39 had a Valsalva leak point pressure less than 60 cm H2O (63%). No group of question responses or combination of question responses and presence of previous incontinence surgery was able to identify all three critical urodynamic diagnoses with statistical significance. Still, the combination of a response of “2” or “3” to question 3 on the UDI-6 and a positive history of previous surgery would have identified 91% of the critical diagnoses, and a substantial cost savings would have been realized. Conclusions. Using the UDI-6 and information obtained from the patient’s history to determine who should undergo urodynamic testing before surgery for SUI can result in substantial cost savings without sacrificing patient care.