cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of Electrospun Nanofibrous Filters for Controlling Coronavirus Aerosols

Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 plays a critical role in spreading COVID-19. To protect public health, we designed and fabricated electrospun nanofibrous air filters that hold promise for applications in personal protective equipment (PPE) and the indoor environment. Due to ultrafine nanofibers (∼300 nm), the electrospun air filters had a much smaller pore size in comparison to the surgical mask and cloth masks (a couple of micrometers versus tens to hundreds of micrometers). A coronavirus strain served as a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate and was used to generate aerosols for filtration efficiency tests, which can better represent SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to other agents used for aerosol generation in previous studies. The electrospun air filters showed excellent performance by capturing up to 99.9% of coronavirus aerosols, which outperformed many commercial face masks. In addition, we observed that the same electrospun air filter or face mask removed NaCl aerosols equivalently or less effectively in comparison to the coronavirus aerosols when both aerosols were generated from the same system. Our work paves a new avenue for advancing air filtration by developing electrospun nanofibrous air filters for controlling SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission. ©
Formulating policies using visitor perceptions of Biscayne National Park and seashore

This study was conducted in a national park located near Miami, Florida. As Figure 1 depicts, most of the park is reef and water, but within its boundaries there are many keys or islands forming a north-south chain bounded by Biscayne Bay on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The area was selected for demonstration of the evaluation approach, discussed below, because it is part of a large diverse recreation system that includes public parks, beaches, marinas, boating, diving, and commercial water-related activities. It is a unique recreation area annually serving millions of visitors both domestic and foreign.
Analysis of the expression of genes encoding animal mRNA by in vitro techniques.

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the studies on genes that are transcribed by RNA polymerase II— that is, genes that, for the most part, give rise to mRNAs. It reviews what is know about the mechanisms and pathways of mRNA synthesis, concentrating on what has been learned from in vitro systems. Very little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which the expression of mammalian genes is regulated, but from the little that have been learned is also discussed in the chapter. It also deals with the genetics of mRNA synthesis, in particular, advances that have arisen from the application of in vitro mutagenesis technology will be emphasized. Studies on genes transcribed by other polymerases (e.g., nuclear RNA polymerases I and III, and various viral RNA polymerases) are discussed only to the extent that they complement or extend conclusions obtained from RNA polymerase II systems. The development of in vitro systems derived from mammalian cells that accurately reproduce many of the steps involved in RNA synthesis has begun to provide insights into the mechanisms and enzymology of gene expression and regulation.
Rendering by Manifold Hopping

In this paper, we present a novel image-based rendering technique, which we call manifold hopping. Our technique provides users with perceptually continuous navigation by using only a small number of strategically sampled manifold mosaics or multiperspective panoramas. Manifold hopping has two modes of navigation: moving continuously along any manifold, and discretely between manifolds. An important feature of manifold hopping is that significant data reduction can be achieved without sacrificing output visual fidelity, by carefully adjusting the hopping intervals. A novel view along the manifold is rendered by locally warping a single manifold mosaic using a constant depth assumption, without the need for accurate depth or feature correspondence. The rendering errors caused by manifold hopping can be analyzed in the signed Hough ray space. Experiments with real data demonstrate that we can navigate smoothly in a virtual environment with as little as 88k data compressed from 11 concentric mosaics.
First Principles Molecular Modeling of Sensing Material Selection for Hybrid Biomimetic Nanosensors

Hybrid biomimetic nanosensors use selective polymeric and biological materials that integrate flexible recognition moieties with nanometer size transducers. These sensors have the potential to offer the building blocks for a universal sensing platform. Their vast range of chemistries and high conformational flexibility present both a problem and an opportunity. Nonetheless, it has been shown that oligopeptide aptamers from sequenced genes can be robust substrates for the selective recognition of specific chemical species. Here we present first principles molecular modeling approaches tailored to peptide sequences suitable for the selective discrimination of small molecules on nanowire arrays. The modeling strategy is fully atomistic. The excellent performance of these sensors, their potential biocompatibility combined with advanced mechanistic modeling studies, could potentially lead to applications such as: unobtrusive implantable medical sensors for disease diagnostics, light weight multi-purpose sensing devices for aerospace applications, ubiquitous environmental monitoring devices in urban and rural areas, and inexpensive smart packaging materials for active in-situ food safety labeling.
The effects of hypersalinity on the physiology and morphology of a livebearing fish (1100.12)

The Poeciliidae family of livebearing fish exhibit broad environmental tolerances and occupy some of the most extreme aquatic environments on earth. One group in particular, the Limia genus, is wid...
Managing the spread of alfalfa stem nematodes (Ditylenchus dipsaci): the relationship between crop rotation periods and pest reemergence.

Alfalfa is a critical cash/rotation crop in the western region of the United States, where it is common to find crops affected by the alfalfa stem nematode (ASN) (Ditylenchus dipsaci). Understanding the spread dynamics associated with this pest would allow growers to design better management programs and farming practices. This understanding is of particular importance given that there are no nematicides available against ASNs and control strategies largely rely on crop rotation to nonhost crops or by planting resistant varieties of alfalfa. In this paper, we present a basic host-parasite model that describes the spread of the ASN on alfalfa crops. With this discrete time model, we are able to portray a relationship between the length of crop rotation periods and the time at which the density of nematode-infested plants becomes larger than that of nematode-free ones in the postrotation alfalfa. The numerical results obtained are consistent with farming practice observations, suggesting that the model could play a role in the evaluation of management strategies.
Acute myocardial infarction in a city hospital. II. Experience with anticoagulants.

Abstract 1. (1) The experience with anticoagulants in 66 patients as compared with 198 untreated during one year at a large municipal hospital has been presented. 2. (2) Anticoagulants did not improve the survival rate in this series. 3. (3) There was but one major hemorrhagic complication, i.e., hemopericardium without myocardial rupture, related to the use of these drugs, and this complication was not contributory to death. We observed three cases of cardiac rupture in patients who did not receive anticoagulants. 4. (4) The incidence of minor hemorrhagic complications, i.e., hematuria, in the treated group was of the same order as that previously reported by others.
Network configuration and hydrograph sensitivity to storm kinematics

[1] This paper explores the relationship between channel network configurations and hydrograph sensitivity to storm kinematics with different storm speeds, storm directions, and storm sizes. A synthetic circular catchment is introduced, in order to prevent bias due to interaction between storm directions and catchment geometry. The drainage network of the test catchment is simulated with Gibbs' model for a given network configuration (β). The peak response of the catchment is investigated with different configurations of drainage network, combined with different conditions of storm kinematics. The results show that the relationship between storm kinematics and the peak discharge response is dependent on the network configuration. The network configuration indicates the network efficiency in terms of the total drainage time of a network. The resonance condition can be defined for a 2-D drainage network as the inverse of the averaged total sum of flow distance. The results show that the storm kinematics that produces the maximum peak discharge depends on the network configuration because the resonance condition changes with the network configuration. The investigation of 12 catchments in the Chicago area indicates that urban drainage networks, typically, are highly efficient but can also be inefficient. The results illustrate that more inefficient networks (networks with lower β) are less sensitive to rainstorm movement and produce lower peak discharge, compared with efficient networks. In contrast, an efficient network produces higher peak discharges and is more sensitive to storm kinematics, compared with an inefficient network.
Blastomyces dermatitidis Cell Surface Determinants and Their Application in Vaccine Development

The favored substrate of Blastomyces dermatitidis appears to be material with a high organic content, with the assumption frequently being made that it, too, must grow within the soil. Developing an understanding of the functions and regulation of such factors is integral to understanding the pathogenesis of disease and could serve as the foundation for innovative approaches to the treatment of fungal infections. The comparison of wild-type strains with strains lacking specific yeast-phase characteristics requires reliable, precise methods of genetic manipulation. Investigation of pathogenesis in B. dermatitidis has required the adaptation of a wide variety of molecular biology tools to this task. The indispensable role of BAD1 in virulence was highlighted through the agency of several molecular genetic tools newly available for use in studies of B. dermatitidis. Cellular immunity is critical in acquired resistance to B. dermatitidis. Mice immunized with either viable or merthiolate-killed yeast demonstrate peak delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses that coincide temporally with maximal resistance to a lethal challenge with live B. dermatitidis given intranasally, intraperitoneally, and intravenously. Depletion of T-cell subsets during the period of vaccination (defined as the induction phase of vaccine immunity) and throughout the period postinfection gave striking results. Understanding antigen processing and presentation mechanisms and the development of memory immunity under the unusual circumstances will allow the rational design of safe, effective vaccines that harness natural or unnatural lung immunity against B. dermatitidis and other fungal pathogens.
The role of zooplankton as food in carp pond farming: a review

Summary This review paper aims to offer a current view on the function of zooplankton as food for common carp, as traditionally its role has been underestimated compared with benthic invertebrates or supplementary feeding. We prove the importance of zooplankton organisms in the life cycle of common carp in fishponds. As in other fish species, carp larvae feed mainly on zooplankton, starting with small organisms (rotifers) and as they grow then shifting to larger organisms, e.g. copepods and cladocerans. As adults they are commonly benthic feeders, concentrating principally on zoobenthos (mainly chironomid larvae); however, zooplankton is also an important part of the diet, depending on food availability and spatial and temporal variation. Zooplankton is high in protein (above 50% of dry matter for some groups) and lipids (approximately 10% of dry matter with a significant proportion of unsaturated fatty acids). Natural food therefore may provide a high nutritional content, compared to other diets. Appropriate management strategies in fishponds can potentially increase the production of zooplankton, e.g. monitoring zooplankton levels and stocking fish at the appropriate moment, control of environmental variables favouring zooplankton development, and utilizing sustainable fish stocking densities.
An Extended Presidential Honeymoon? Coverage of Barack Obama in the New York Times during 2009 and 2010

Content analysis of front page New York Times stories during the first and second years of the Barack Obama presidency revealed news coverage that was far more positive in tone than the norm for recent U.S. presidents, particularly with respect to foreign policy coverage. While coverage of Obama was somewhat less positive during 2010 when compared to 2009, the Obama findings overall reveal a much longer honeymoon than seen in the past. Coverage of specific problematic policy areas, like offshore drilling issues in the wake of the BP oil spill, was particularly negative. Coverage of arms control matters was very positive in tone in 2010 for Obama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. Related Articles Farnsworth, Stephen J, and S. Robert Lichter. 2012. “News Coverage of New Presidents in The New York Times, 1981-2009.” Politics & Policy 40 (1): 69-91. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00338.x/abstract Bode, Leticia, and Valerie M. Hennings. 2012. “Mixed Signals? Gender and the Media's Coverage of the 2008 Vice Presidential Candidates.” Politics & Policy 40 (2): 221-257. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00350.x/abstract Fogarty, Brian J. 2011. “Modeling the Negotiation of Newsworthiness.” Politics & Policy 39 (6): 1053-1076. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00326.x/abstract Related Media Balz, Dan, and Jon Cohen. 2010. “Confidence in Obama Reaches New Low.” Washington Post. July 13. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/12/AR2010071205453.html Calderone, Michael. 2009. “How Media Sucks Up to the White House.” Politco.com. March 4. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19570.html Shear, Michael D. 2010. “Better Focus, Faster Response Part of Obama Communications Plan.” Washington Post. February 15. http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2010-02-15/politics/36853927_1_congressional-leaders-white-house-advisers-president-obama/2 Durante los primeros dos anos de su presidencia Barack Obama gozo de una cobertura muy positiva comparada con la de sus antecesores en sus respectivos primeros bienios. Esto es lo que destaca un analisis de contenido de primeras planas del New York Times que comprende el periodo mencionado. A pesar de que el ano 2010 (segundo ano) fue menos positivo que 2009, el analisis de contenido revela que la presidencia de Obama se distingue de la de sus antecesores por haber logrado la luna de miel mas prolongada con la opinion publica. La cobertura de areas problematicas de politicas como la perforacion de pozos marinos en la etapa inicial del derrame de BP en el Golfo de Mexico fue particularmente negativa. En contraste, la cobertura de la politica de control de armas fue muy positiva, como tambien lo fue el que Obama recibiera el Premio Nobel 2009.
Benign and malignant epididymal masses evaluated with scrotal sonography: clinical and pathologic review of 85 patients.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the clinical history and sonographic appearance of solid epididymal masses could aid in distinguishing benign and malignant disease. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who had solid epididymal masses evaluated by scrotal sonography at our institution between 1996 and 2004. We evaluated multiple clinical and sonographic variables, including lesion size, location, echogenicity, color Doppler characteristics, and calcifications. Results. Of the 85 patients included in the study, 25 (29%) underwent surgical intervention, and 5 (6%) had malignant disease. A mass size of greater than 1.5 cm and the presence of color Doppler flow were statistically significant markers for malignancy (P < .05). Combining these 2 variables as a test for malignancy yielded sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 80%, a positive predictive value of 24%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. Conclusions. Most solid epididymal masses (94%) are benign. A size of greater than 1.5 cm and the presence of color Doppler flow may help identify possible malignant masses.
Clifford W. Beers

Clifford Beers considered the various methods of ending his life –each uniquely dreadful in its own way –and decided that falling from three stories high would be the least unpleasant. The anxiety and paranoia encroaching upon him became unbearable, and suicide seemed the only escape. And so he gripped the windowsill and dangled along the side of his family’s home in New Haven, Connecticut, oblivious to the fact that he was destined to survive and become a great leader, which was made possible by a fortuitous patch of earth that broke his fall along with most of the bones in his feet.
Adoptive immunotherapy for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme using lymphokine activated killer cells and recombinant interleukin-2.

Thirteen patients with recurrent glioblastoma were treated with adoptively transferred autologous lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). Patients' blood mononuclear cells (MNC) obtained by leukapheresis were cultured at 2.5 million MNC per ml for 3 to 5 days in media containing 1000 U rIL-2/ml. After incubation, the nonadherent MNC from all cultures (0.5-5 X 10(9] were combined and concentrated for infusion in 5 to 10 ml saline containing 10(6) U rIL-2. Nine patients received one injection of LAK cells and rIL-2 into the brain tissue immediately surrounding the tumor cavity during craniotomy for subtotal tumor removal (Group 1). On each of the 3 days after surgery, patients received boosters of 10(6) U rIL-2 delivered into the tumor cavity through a skin flap or via an Ommaya reservoir. Approximately 1 to 2 weeks after this series of injections, these patients were treated with a second cycle of LAK cells and rIL-2 injected into the tumor cavity using the reservoir. Four patients received both adoptive immunotherapy cycles by intracavitary injection (Group 2). In this relatively small patient pool, neither age, sex, Karnofsky score, treatment history, nor anticonvulsant and steroid dosage appeared to influence a patient's ability to make LAK cells. The therapy, itself, was well-tolerated by all patients although they all displayed symptoms of aseptic meningitis and increased intracranial pressure, i.e., headache, fever, malaise on the days of LAK cell and/or rIL-2 infusion. The therapy did not appear to have a significant impact on patient survival (mean, 30 weeks) especially for those patients with a high postsurgical tumor burden. As the therapy is safe, the authors believe its efficacy can best be tested in patients with a newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma which lies in an area where a near-total resection is possible.
Poisson models for assessing rater agreement in discrete response studies

In this paper we discuss a method for assessing agreement among raters who are scoring the number of times, a specified event occurs. In such cases, it seems reasonable to define agreement in terms of raters' behaviours in correctly identifying responses which have in fact occurred, and in their falsely counting responses which have not. We exploit the discrete nature of the response variable, and examine a class of models for mean response assuming an underlying Poisson distribution. Test statistics are given for deciding on the applicability of the models, and whether there is agreement with respect to correctly detecting responses, as well as with falsely scoring responses.
Environmental effects on phosphorescence of naphthalene-ds in frozen solutions and matrices of cyclohexanes-h12,-d12,-f12

Abstract Phosphorescence spectra and lifetimes of C 10 D 8 were recorded in vapor deposited matrices and frozen solutions of C 5 H 12 C 6 H 12 , C 6 D 12 and C 6 F b12 at 20°K. C 10 D 8 in n -C 6 H 12 yields sharp spectral features and an exponential decay with τ p = 20 ± 2 sec. C 10 D 8 in C 6 H 121 and C 6 D 12 yields composite decay curves and complex emission spectra, with sharp features m frozen solutions and broad bands in matrices. Decay time and fine structure in both media are similar and can be explained by the coexistence of two solvent phases. The low temperature phase of cyclohexane yields T 1 → S o emission at 20°K with the origin at 21,300 cm −1 and a decay time of 20 ± 2 sec. The high temperature phase of cyclo hexane induces T 1 → S o emission at 20°K originating at 21,130 cm −1 and has a lifetime of 6.5 sec. In perfluoro cyclo hexane at 20°K also only broad bands and strong long lived decay, with τ = 20 ± 2 sec., are observed.
B-Lymphocyte Mediated Cytolysis: A Complement Independent Phenomenon

Spleen cell suspensions from C57BI mice immunized intraperitoneally with sheep erythrocytes were highly cytotoxic towards the erythrocytes in vitro. The cytolysis was specific: human type ‘O’ erythrocytes were not lysed. Cytolysis was inhibited when the interacting cells were incubated in the presence of anti-K or anti-γ1 plus anti-γ2 antisera. Pre-treatment of the immune spleen cells with anti-immunoglobulin antisera in hhe presence or absence of complement completely inhibited their subsequent cytolytic activity, but had no effect on plaque-forming cell numbers. The cytolytic activity was unaffected by the removal of θ-antigen bearing cells or of glass-adherent cells (presumably macrophages).In contrast, the lysis of DBA/2 mastocytoma cells by immune C57B1 lymphocytes was unaffected by treatment with any of the anti-immunoglobulin reagents. The lytic activity of the spleen cell suspensions towards the mastocytoma cells was completely abolished by removal of θ-antigen bearing cells.Both the B-cell mediat...
Effect of light backscattering on high-speed modulation performance in strongly injection-locked unidirectional semiconductor ring lasers

Greatly enhanced high-speed modulation performance has been recently predicted in numerical calculations for a novel injection-locking scheme involving a DBR or DFB master laser monolithically integrated with a unidirectional semiconductor microring laser. In this work, we investigate the effect of light backscattering between the two counterpropagating modes on high-speed modulation performance of strongly injection-locked unidirectional semiconductor microring lasers.
Axonal regulation of Schwann cell glycolipid biosynthesis.

Schwann cell biosynthesis of glycolipids was studied by in vitro incorporation of [3H]galactose into neonatal rat sciatic nerves before and after endoneurial explant culture and in culture of purified Schwann cells. In neonatal nerves prior to culture, [3H]galactose was actively incorporated into galactocerebrosides (GalCe), monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), and the sulfatides (Su). In contrast, the incorporation of [3H]galactose into MGDG, GalCe, and Su was nearly undetected in endoneurial explants after 4 days in vitro (div). Instead, there was increased3H-labeling of glucocerebrosides (GlcCe) and its homologues, with tetrahexosylceramides (GL-4) being a major product, which continued through 8 div. This shift in glycolipid biosynthesis was further demonstrated in the purified Schwann cell cultures. These observations, together with our early findings in the permanent transection paradigm support a direct role of axons in specifying Schwann cell biosynthesis of the GalCe, MGDG, and Su and that the absence of this Schwann cell-axon interaction results in the phenotypic expression of glucocerebroside homologues by the Schwann cell.
Systems development by virtual project teams: a comparative study of four cases

Business organizations and global partners are increasing their utilization of "virtual project teams to enhance competitive advantages in the global market. More than ever, organizations are using virtual teamwork to bridge time zones and geographic distances. The use of virtual work environments has spurred interest in understanding how team members interact and collaborate over the life of a project. Not surprisingly, organizations are trying to understand what factors are determinants of success with respect to virtual teams. Increasing network bandwidth, continuously improving communication technologies, shifting global economies, and changes in social practices have caused business managers to reconsider traditional practices. This paper provides a comparative case study of four cross-cultural virtual project teams as they analyze, design, and develop information systems.
Differential moments: an anchorage system.

Controlled use of extraction space and extraction as a treatment choice are rapidly disappearing as essential elements in orthodontics. They have been abandoned to the vagaries of the current flavor of wire, the popular designer bracket system, and magical bracket prescriptions. Alignment of teeth in an indeterminate spatial relationship to the original malocclusion, or to traditional landmarks, is now acceptable treatment. Although, as Paquette et al stated, such treatment requires living in “a parallel universe predicated on treatments and theories that run counter to our collective experience,” it has gained acceptance by a significant percentage of our specialty. Rather than instruments as servants of the orthodontist, the reverse is true: the master has become the servant. Rarely have we heard medical surgeons discussing the metallurgical composition of the scalpel, the angular precision of the blade, or the magical independent performance of 1 scalpel versus another. By example, self-ligating brackets and elastic wires are lauded for their efficiency and speed in dental-arch alignment. Prescription brackets have more appeal than chocolate halvah. However, no matter the favorable or flavorful appearance of the quickly aligned dental arch, a pertinent question remains: in which spatial plane is the newly aligned dental arch located? The seeming disregard for the disciplines of space management and spatial relationships of aligned teeth is due to a serious professional misunderstanding and exaggeration of Little’s Law (a degree of relapse is inevitable, and relative stability of treated cases is unpredictable). Some orthodontists support a misinformed distortion of Little’s Law and conclude that extraction treatment is futile, and indefinite fixed retention is mandatory. As Boley observed, “Patients deserve more than resignation that transitory improve-
Animal model: Chromosomal fragile site expression in dogs: II. Expression in boxer dogs with mast cell tumors

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from boxer dogs with a history of cutaneous mast cell tumors were cultured for fragile site expression. As in a control group of dogs, cells from these dogs expressed folate-sensitive autosomal and X chromosome fragile sites. Cells from boxer dogs with mast cell tumors expressed the same three common fragile sites on the X chromosome as cells from control dogs. Three folate-sensitive autosomal fragile sites not observed in cells from the control dogs were identified in cells from boxers with mast cell tumors. These included fragile sites near the telomeres of the arms of chromosomes 3 and 4 and a fragile site on the distal half of chromosome 15. Cells from boxers with mast cell tumors showed a greater frequency of fragile site expression than did cells from control dogs, but this observation was attributed to an unintended selection bias for younger boxer dogs without mast cell tumors and older boxer dogs with mast cell tumors and an increased frequency of fragile site expression with increasing age in dogs of the boxer breed.
Pittsburgh's evolving steel legacy and the steel technology cluster

Using an industry studies approach, this article provides an assessment of a cluster of product and service providers that have leveraged regional expertise in a declining industry (steel) to continue to supply technology to a global industry. The formation of Pittsburgh's steel technology cluster has depended on three main regional factors: location, labour and legacy. In particular, Pittsburgh's expertise and long tradition in metallurgy and materials science has been the ultimate source of the cluster's success and the region's resilience. The results of this research have practical and theoretical implications for regional economic development policy and its relationship to path dependence.
Coupled biogeochemical and hydrological responses of streams and rivers to drought

SUMMARY 1. Severe or extreme droughts occurred about 10% of the time over a 105-year record from central New Mexico, U.S.A., based on the Palmer Drought Severity Index. 2. Drought lowers water tables, creating extensive areas of groundwater recharge and fragmenting reaches of streams and rivers. Deeper groundwater inputs predominate as sources of surface flows during drought. Nutrient inputs to streams and rivers reflect the biogeochemistry of regional ground waters with longer subsurface residence times. 3. Inputs of bioavailable dissolved organic carbon to surface waters decrease during drought, with labile carbon limitation of microbial metabolism a byproduct of drought conditions. 4. Decreased inputs of organic forms of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and a decrease in the organic : inorganic ratio of nutrient inputs favours autotrophs over heterotrophs during drought. 5. The fate of autotrophic production during drought will be strongly influenced by the structure of the aquatic food web within impacted sites.
A second target of benzamide riboside: Dihydrofolate reductase

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an essential enzyme involved in de novo purine and thymidine biosynthesis. For several decades, selective inhibition of DHFR has proven to be a potent therapeutic ...
Iron limitation impact on eddy-induced ecosystem variability in the coastal Gulf of Alaska

Abstract A data assimilative, coupled physical–biological model for the northwestern coastal Gulf of Alaska (CGOA) is used to characterize lower trophic level ecosystem response to eddy variability at the shelfbreak over a 5-year period (1998–2002). The ocean circulation component is an implementation of the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), the lower trophic level ecosystem component is a six-compartment Nutrient-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton-Detritus (NPZD) model with iron limitation, and the data assimilation component is the adjoint-based, four-dimensional variational (4D-Var) system available in ROMS. Assimilated observations consist of weekly satellite sea surface height and temperature, as well as bimonthly in situ temperature and salinity measurements. Overall, the model results are in agreement with earlier observational studies, and confirm that eddy-induced cross-shelf transport of biological properties can potentially enhance phytoplankton concentrations in the basin by: (1) alleviating iron limitation on phytoplankton growth by transporting iron-rich shelf waters offshore, and (2) transporting elevated shelf phytoplankton concentrations offshore. Simulated nutrient anomalies during eddy events indicate a substantial increase in dissolved iron concentrations in near-surface waters, thereby suggesting that eddy-induced offshore transport of iron-rich shelf waters is the dominant mechanism regulating locally-generated offshore production in the CGOA high nutrient-low chlorophyll (HNLC) region during eddy events. In fact, for the period 1998–2002, the model results predict that approximately two thirds of the eddy-induced production in the Yakutat/Sitka “eddy corridor” is associated with locally-generated production resulting from alleviated iron limitation conditions on phytoplankton growth. The remaining third can be attributed to eddy-induced offshore export of chlorophyll concentrations of shelf origin.
Effect of alpha lipoic acid on cardiac autonomic dysfunction and platelet reactivity in type 1 diabetes: Rationale and design of the AUTOnomic function and platelet REACTivity trial (AUTO-REACT protocol)

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between cardiac autonomic dysfunction and increased platelet reactivity in patients with type 1 diabetes and whether alpha lipoic acid therapy (ALA) might improve both abnormalities in these patients. Methods and materials Cardiac autonomic function will be assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Platelet reactivity will be investigated by both measuring the aggregation time on the PFA-100 method and flow cytometry. HRV and platelet reactivity will be re-assessed in the patients with depressed HRV after 4 weeks from randomization to ALA or placebo. Discussion The cardiovascular autonomic system might play a role in the modulation of platelet reactivity which is increased in diabetes. Within this framework, ALA might be found to exercise antithrombotic effects in addition to its known antioxidants properties. Trial registration Australian Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12610000291088.
Marketing Jobs and Management Controls: Toward a Framework

The authors consider the relationships among two characteristics associated with senior marketing positions (procedural knowledge and performance documentation), four types of management controls, and three jab-related mini pathologies (job tension,dysfunctional behaviors, and information asymmetries between superiors and subordinates). Selected management control theory suggests that the choracteristics of a given marketing position should predict managers' reliance on specific types of management controls. In turn, these controls should directly predict the extent of job-related mini-pathologies. In contrast, contingency theories of control suggest that task characteristics moderate the direct effects of controls on these negative outcomes. In effect, they argue that whether outcomes are positive or negative depends on the extent lo which controls fit a given marketing position. To test these ideas, a national survey of senior morketing personnel was conducted. Three sets of findings emerged. First, the two task characteristics studied generally predict the type af controls-in-use. Second, certain controls-in-use have a modest effect on specific mini-pathologies. Third, the moderating effect of task characteristics is not confirmed, implications for marketing practice and directions for future research in marketing are proposed.
Outcome and Prognostic Factors for Patients Who Relapse after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Disease relapse remains a major obstacle to the success of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), yet little is known about the relevant prognostic factors after relapse. We studied 1080 patients transplanted between 2004 and 2008, among whom 351 relapsed. The 3-year postrelapse overall survival (prOS) rate was 19%. Risk factors for mortality after relapse included shorter time to relapse, higher disease risk index at HSCT, myeloablative conditioning, high pretransplantation comorbidity index, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurring before relapse. Important prognostic factors did not vary by disease type. Based on this, we could stratify patients into 3 groups, with 3-year prOS rates of 36%, 14%, and 3% (P < .0001). This score was validated in an historical cohort of 276 patients. Postrelapse donor lymphocyte infusion or repeat HSCT was associated with improved prOS, as was the development of GVHD after relapse. These differences remained significant in models that accounted for other prognostic factors and in landmark analyses of patients who survived at least 2 months from relapse. The results of this study may aid with prognostication and management of patients who relapse after HSCT and motivate the design of clinical trials aimed at relapse prevention or treatment in higher-risk patients.
Goal‐Based Learning and the Future of Performance Management

All levels of government have begun to pursue results-based reforms, which assume that managers will use performance information to make better decisions. However, reforms have neglected the insights of a large and relevant literature on organizational learning. This article revisits this literature, treating results-based reform as an organizational learning mechanism and a deliberate structural effort to induce learning. From an organizational learning perspective, most results-based reforms target narrow process improvement (single-loop learning) rather than a broad understanding of policy choices and effectiveness (double-loop learning), even though the latter is more critical for long-term organizational success. Case evidence from state governments illustrates single- and double-loop learning and the importance of two frequently neglected aspects of organizational learning: learning forums—routines where performance information is deliberately examined—and the role of organizational culture in enabling or limiting learning.
A comparison of conventional and radio frequency defrosting of lean beef meats: Effects on water binding characteristics

The effect of defrosting rate (slow conventional air vs. fast radio frequency (RF) method) on water holding properties of lean beef meat (whole, minced and comminuted) was investigated using a conventional centrifugation method (drip loss), nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry (NMR) and dielectric spectroscopy. Tempering by radio frequency (RF) or a conventional air method had no subsequent effect (P ⩾ 0.05) on drip loss. However, thawing by RF resulted in a significant decrease in drip loss (P < 0.05) when compared to air thawing. Micronutrient loss (μg/mL of drip) was also greater in air thawed samples (P < 0.05). NMR T2 distributions did not show any marked difference between thawing methods. The dielectric properties of lean beef, measured from 0.01–20 GHz at 5 °C, were higher following RF thawing. Increased comminution reduced dielectric values, while fine comminution gave an additional fraction in the NMR T2 distribution. These results provide valuable information on water binding in meat following RF tempering/thawing.
AMINO ACID CONCENTRATIONS IN MATERNAL AND FETAL BLOOD AND IN AMNIOTIC FLUID AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF A PHENYLALANINE LOAD IN PREGNANT FASCICULARIS MONKEYS

AMINO ACID CONCENTRATIONS IN MATERNAL AND FETAL BLOOD AND IN AMNIOTIC FLUID AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF A PHENYLALANINE LOAD IN PREGNANT FASCICULARIS MONKEYS
Laparoscopic renal surgery in the octogenarian.

OBJECTIVE To describe our experience with laparoscopic renal surgery (LRS) in the octogenarian. Octogenarians are generally suboptimal surgical candidates but the recent upsurge of minimally invasive options for the management of kidney lesions, such as laparoscopic excision, cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), have changed that perception. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 26 patients aged >or=80 years underwent LRS at Brown University and the University of Wisconsin between 2000 and 2006. Demographic information, anatomical location, tumour stage, comorbidities, type of laparoscopic approach, management and outcomes were assessed. Complications during and after LRS, hospital stay, analgesia requirements and return to normal activity were analysed. RESULT The mean age of the patients was 81 years. The procedures performed included hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (three patients), hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (10), hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (four), laparoscopic-assisted cryoablation (seven), laparoscopic RFA (one), and laparoscopic unroofing of a renal cyst (one). The mean (range) follow-up was 40 (8-84) months. The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.5. The average hospital stay was 5.6 days and the mean time to normal activity after discharge was 19 days. There were two major and five minor complications. Nineteen of 22 patients evaluable had no evidence of disease at the last follow-up. The three deceased patients died of unrelated causes. CONCLUSION LRS in the octogenarian is safe to perform in patients with multiple comorbidities. The major and minor complication rates were 7% and 19%, respectively. Recent trends show that ablative procedures are being performed more commonly than surgical excision in this age group.
A BEHAVIORAL SYSTEMS APPROACH TO ADAPTIVE COMPUTERIZED INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

A computerized multimedia instructional system has been developed that adheres to behavioral systems principles for presenting both adaptive programmed instructional materials and laboratory simulations. This instructional software system, called MediaMatrix, is both an authoring environment and a presentation vehicle that adapts the complexity of presentations in real time to changes in a student’s current rate of progress. It incorporates an automated knowledge-generation system that tracks all interactions between the user and any instructional objects within the system. Such knowledge is used both for a research database and for an artificial-intelligence engine that constructs an estimate ofconcept association networks (Verplanck, 1992a). Such networks reflect a learner’s developing knowledge and skill base, and may be used for tutorial advising during student use.
Review of Super Crunchers by Ian Ayers

Ayers, I. Super Crunchers: Why Thinking-by-Numbers Is the New Way to be Smart. (Bantam Dell Publishing Group, 2007). 272 pp. Hard cover $25 ISBN 978-0-553-80540-6. Super Crunchers tells the story of how analyzing data is changing the ways in which decisions are made. We in the National Numeracy Network make a case for the importance of quantitative literacy by referring to how much quantitative information is now available to each of us: “a world awash in numbers.” Ian Ayres zeroes in on the people who are making a living crunching all of these data. From the seemingly innocuous (how wines are rated, and the scouting of baseball players) to the life impacting (diagnosis of disease, and parole of inmates), this book paints a vivid portrayal of how data analysis is impacting decision making at every level in our society. The use of simple regression models and randomized trials is calling into question who the “experts” of the twenty-first century will be, and why thinking-by-numbers really is the new way to be smart.
Study of Zn-Ni and Zn-Co alloy coatings electrodeposited on steel strips II: Corrosion, dezincification and sulfidation of the alloy coatings

Abstract The results of electrochemical experiments and simple corrosion studies conducted on several Zn-Ni and Zn-Co alloy coatings with different phase structures and compositions are presented. Experimental studies exploring the dezincification and sulfidation behaviors of optimized dual-layer coatings consisting of a Zn-5wt.%Ni or Zn-1wt.%Co alloy underlayer and a thinner Ni-22wt.%Zn alloy surface layer, are also described. The results are discussed and compared with those of similar studies conducted with Cu-35wt.%Zn brass strips. Such qualitative comparisons illustrate the improved corrosion resistance and the retention of a high level of adhesion to natural rubber compounds of the new dual-layer coating system in a corrosive environment.
Preliminary laboratory production and characterization of biochars from lignocellulosic municipal waste

Abstract Converting lignocellulosic municipal waste to biochar represents a carbon sequestration mechanism and a production route that diverts potentially useful feedstocks from landfills. In this preliminary investigation, slow pyrolysis to 480 °C was used to produce biochars from 18 different wastes which were characterized by proximate analysis to determine ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon content. Desirable soil amendment properties such as cation exchange and gas adsorption capacities and pH were also measured. Pristine wood and several closely related products exhibited low ash and high fixed carbon content while paper and cardboard products were found to have higher ash and volatile matter content. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) values were comparable to activated carbon (AC) and within a similar range for most feedstock biochars, with grass and cardboard biochars having the highest CEC. All biochars were found to have similar gas adsorption capacities (GAC) that were lower than AC while newsprint biochar had a GAC twice as high as other samples. All biochars showed neutral to slightly alkaline pH values. In general, lignocellulosic municipal waste biochars exhibited a diverse range of potentially beneficial properties and should be further investigated as prospective soil amendments.
The insertion of large pieces of foreign genetic material reduces the stability of bacterial plasmids

The stability of genetically engineered bacterial plasmids under continuous culture fermentation is of crucial importance in the application of microbiology to many processes of potential industrial importance. In order to determine the effect of inserting large pieces of foreign DNA on the stability of bacterial plasmids we have studied the behavior of pAT153 with DNA inserts of various sizes derived from cytomegalovirus. Foreign DNA up to 2 kb in length had no effect on stability, whereas the insertion of an 8-kb fragment resulted in a transient instability. This instability was overcome by the spontaneous appearance of leu+ cells in the culture. Insertion of a 21-kb DNA fragment resulted in a rapid loss of plasmid, which was not prevented by the appearance of leu+ cells. In all cases copy number analyses indicated that plasmid loss was due to segregational instability, probably because the plasmid placed an unacceptable metabolic load on the cell.
The Evolutionarily Conserved Pol II Flap Loop Contributes to Proper Transcription Termination on Short Yeast Genes

Current models of transcription termination factor recruitment to the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription complex rely exclusively on the direct interaction between the termination factor and phosphorylated isoforms of the Pol II C-terminal domain (CTD). Here, we report that the Pol II flap loop is needed for physical interaction of Pol II with the Pcf11/Clp1 subcomplex of cleavage factor IA (CF IA), which functions in both 3? end processing and Pol II termination, and for proper termination of short RNAs in vitro and in vivo. Deletion of the flap loop reduces the in vivo interaction of Pol II with CF IA but increases the association of Nrd1 during stages of the transcription cycle when the CTD is predominantly Ser5 phosphorylated. We propose a model in which the flap loop coordinates a binding equilibrium between the competing termination factors Pcf11 and Nrd1 to Pol II during termination of short RNA synthesis.