cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Citizen Science Programs to Identify Host Resistance in Pest-Invaded Forests

Threats to native forests from non-native insects and pathogens (pests) are generally addressed with methods such as quarantine, eradication, biological control, and development of resistant stock through hybridization and breeding. In conjunction with such efforts, it may be useful to have citizen scientists locate rare surviving trees that may be naturally pest resistant or tolerant. The degree of resistance of individual trees identified in this way can be tested under controlled conditions, and the most resistant individuals can be integrated into plant breeding programs aimed at developing pest-resistant native stock. Involving citizen scientists in programs aimed at identifying rare trees that survive colonization by pests provides a low-cost means of maximizing search efforts across wide geographic regions and may provide an effective supplement to existing management approaches.
Creation Stories: Myth, Oil, and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Euro-American myths of Eden, the frontier, and the Promised Land continue to inform environmental literature and, therefore, mainstream environmental discourse. Laden with complex and conflicting social values, these myths undermine conservation policy at the expense of human and non-human communities.
Optical Tweezers-Based Immunosensor Detects Femtomolar Concentrations of Antigens

We used optical tweezers (optical trapping technology) to measure the force required to separate antigen–antibody bonds. Under competitive-binding conditions, we used the force determination to detect and measure protein antigen concentrations as small as 1 fmol/L (10−15 mol/L).
Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma (SNUC): Morphoproteomic-Guided Treatment Paradigm with Clinical Efficacy

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare and highly malignant tumor that occurs in the nasal cavity and/or paranasal sinuses. Prognosis is poor despite multimodality treatment. Currently, there is no optimal standard of treatment, partially due to a lack of research defining the biology of such tumors. This report discusses two SNUC cases where patients received a novel chemotherapeutic approach using cisplatin, etoposide, Adriamycin (doxorubicin), metformin, and adjuvant melatonin therapies based on morphoproteomic-guidance, followed by consolidation with chemoradiation therapy. This resulted in excellent and objective tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging and clinical responses including complete responses in the induction phase utilizing morphoproteomic-guided therapies. Later, endoscopic excision of the tumor bed failed to reveal any residual tumor. Morphoproteomics helped to define the biology of these SNUC tumors and provided targets for the agents employed, creating a new treatment paradigm for such tumors. This treatment regimen poses a new effective regimen to treat SNUC.
Atrial myocardial infarction: A tale of the forgotten chamber

It has been almost a century since atrial infarction was first described, yet data describing its significance remain limited. To date, there are still no universally accepted criteria for the diagnosis of atrial infarction. Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of atrial infarction but it has also been described in cor pulmonale and pulmonary hypertension. Atrial infarction almost always occurs concomitantly with ventricular infarction. Its clinical presentation depends largely on the extent and site of ventricular involvement. Atrial infarction can present with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for diagnosing atrial infarction have been described but none have yet to be validated by prospective studies. Atrial ECG patterns include abnormal P-wave morphologies, PR-segment deviations, as well as transient rhythm abnormalities, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, wandering atrial pacemaker (WAP) and atrioventricular (AV) blocks. Complications of atrial infarction include thromboembolic events and cardiogenic shock. There are no specific additional recommendations in the management of myocardial infarction with suspected involvement of the atria. The primary goal remains coronary reperfusion and maintenance of, or conversion to, sinus rhythm.
Visual function following trabeculectomy: effect on corneal topography and contrast sensitivity.

Summary:Purpose:This study was to determine the role of changes in refractive error, contrast sensitivity, and corneal topography in transient changes in visual function following trabeculectomy.Methods:We performed a prospective study evaluating these factors in 13 consecutive patients undergoing a
Use of fluorescein conjugated dextran for the detection of MOPC 104E tumor cells.

Abstract A simple procedure for conjugation of fluorescein isothiocyanate to bacterial dextran is described. Fluorescein conjugated dextran was used to detect dextran specific immunoglobulin M receptors on the surface of MOPC 104E tumor cells. The formation of fluorescent microprecipitate in the surrounding medium is required for detecting the antibody on the surface of the tumor cells. This procedure is used to estimate the number of tumor cells carrying IgM receptors in a mixed population.
Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion Caused by a Mitral Valve Papillary Fibroelastoma

Purpose We studied clinicopathologically a branch retinal artery occlusion caused by an embolus from a mitral valve papillary fibroelastoma. Methods At initial examination the patient, a 37-year-old woman, had visual acuity of 20/400 in her left eye, and eight months later her visual acuity improved to 20/20. The diagnosis required echocardiographic and radiologic studies to localize the lesion. Results The mitral valve papillary fibroelastoma was successfully treated with tumor resection involving the mitral valve. Conclusions It is important to diagnose intracardiac papillary fibroelastoma, because it can cause recurrent arterial embolization and because it responds favorably to tumor resection.
Alteration of tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, haemolymph composition by canavanine-amino acid mixtures.

Larvae of the 5th-instar tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L.), were fed artificial diets containing either 2.5 mM canavanine or 2.5 mM canavanine + 25 mM arginine. Haemolymph volume and concentrations of total carbohydrate, trehalose, amino acids, proteins, lipids and percent solids were determined daily through the day preceding larval-pupal ecdysis. Consumption of diet containing only canavanine resulted in an increased percent haemolymph and consumption of the canavanine-arginine diet intensified this effect. Thus, percent haemolymph of mature 5th-instar control larvae was 27% compared to 33% for canavanine and 38% for canavanine-arginine treated larvae. Treated larvae were unable to maintain the concentrations of carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins and lipids found in controls. Nevertheless, the synthetic mechanisms associated with the release of these compounds into the haemolymph were functioning because their total amounts present in the canavanine and canavanine-arginine treated larvae were not very different from the control after the additional haemolymph volume was taken into consideration. RESUME MODIFICATION DE LA COMPOSITION DE L'HEMOLYMPHE PAR DES MELANGES DE CANAVANINE ET D'ACIDES AMINES CHEZ MANDUCA SEXTA. La L-canavanine a des proprietes insecticides puissantes et protege sans aucun doute la plante contre l'activite alimentaire des insectes phytophages. Lorsque l'on nourrit des larves du 5eme stade du ver du tabac Manduca sexta (L.) avec une ration contenant un melange de canavanine et d'arginine, on obtient des larves geantes. L'augmentation de la biomasse est due a une accumulation de fluides. On a mesure quotidiennement le volume d'hemolymphe et les concentrations d'hydrates de carbone totaux, de trehalose, d'acides amines, de proteines, de lipides et le pourcentage de solides. La consommation d'une ration contenant de la canavanine a cause une augmentation de la quantite d'hemolymphe; cette augmentation a ete plus importante dans le cas d'une ration canavanine-arginine. C'est ainsi que le pourcentage d'hemolymphe etait de 27% chez les larves matures du 5eme stade temoins, de 33% chez les larves traitees a la canavanine et 38% chez les larves traitees a la canavanine-arginine. Les larves traitees ne parvenaient pas a maintenir les concentrations d'hydrates de carbone, d'acides amines, de proteines et de lipides constatees chez les temoins. Pourtant les mecanismes synthetiques associes a la decharge de ces composes dans l'hemolymphe fonctionnaient, puisque les quantites totales presentes n'etaient pas modifiees.
Measurement of the electromagnetic torque in rotating DIII-D plasmas

The electromagnetic torque due to either static or rotating magnetic perturbations, or both, on a rotating DIII-D plasma is studied by deriving an estimate of the torque from measurements of various components of the magnetic perturbation at the wall. This approach is based on the Maxwell stress tensor formalism (Hutchinson 2001 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 43 145). For the locking of large tearing modes, this measurement of the electromagnetic torque at the time of the locking is consistent with the equation of motion. Measurements and modeling show that for mode rotation frequencies above a few hundred hertz the momentum transfer between magnetic perturbations and the graphite tiles is no longer negligible, revealing the necessity for a new two-wall model of the tokamak. The shielding effect of the tiles on magnetic field measurements is calculated, and shown to be consistent with unrealistically small torques measured during high frequency modes. The electromagnetic torque proves to be an important factor in determining plasma rotation at a wide range of mode frequencies from zero to the kilohertz range. It can be comparable to other sources of torque, such as tangential neutral beam injection for heating.
Nonequilibrium Pathways during Electrochemical Phase Transformations in Single Crystals Revealed by Dynamic Chemical Imaging at Nanoscale Resolution

Author(s): Yu, YS; Kim, C; Liu, Y; Van Der Ven, A; Meng, YS; Kostecki, R; Cabana, J | Abstract: The energy density of current batteries is limited by the practical capacity of the positive electrode, which is determined by the properties of the active material and its concentration in the composite electrode architecture. The observation in dynamic conditions of electrochemical transformations creates the opportunity of identifying design rules toward reaching the theoretical limits of battery electrodes. But these observations must occur during operation and at multiple scales. They are particularly critical at the single-particle level, where incomplete reactions and failure are prone to occur. Here, operando full-field transmission X-ray microscopy is coupled with X-ray spectroscopy to follow the chemical and microstructural evolution at the nanoscale of single crystals of Li1+xMn2-xO4, a technologically relevant Li-ion battery electrode material. The onset and crystallographic directionality of a series of complex phase transitions are followed and correlated with particle fracture. The dynamic character of this study reveals the existence of nonequilibrium pathways where phases at substantially different potentials can coexist at short length scales. The results can be used to inform the engineering of particle morphologies and electrode architectures that bypass the issues observed here and lead to optimized battery electrode properties. Compositional and morphological transitions during the electrochemical reaction of a single Li1+xMn2-xO4 microcrystal are successfully probed at the nanoscale using operando full-field transmission X-ray microscopy coupled with X-ray spectroscopy. It is possible to visualize the directionality of the transitions and correlate them with fracture. The approach reveals nonequilibrium pathways where phases at different potentials can coexist within a microcrystal.
Arthroscopic Assessment of Intra-Articular Distal Radius Fractures After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation From a Volar Approach

Purpose The volar approach with locked plating is a common treatment for intra-articular distal radius fractures. The purpose of this study was to arthroscopically assess the articular surface after internal fixation through the volar approach as a means to evaluate the ability of an extra-articular reduction to anatomically restore the joint surface. Methods Sixteen patients with intra-articular distal radius fractures were prospectively enrolled. A volar approach and internal fixation using a locked volar plate was performed. Using a visual analog scale (VAS), the fracture reduction was clinically graded on the quality of reduction of the visible metaphyseal fracture lines, fluoroscopically graded, and arthroscopic graded. Maximum step and gap deformity were recorded from arthroscopy and plain radiograph. Results The mean VAS score for the fracture reduction based on extra-articular fracture lines was 7.4. The mean VAS score for the fluoroscopic reduction was 8.2. The mean VAS score for the arthroscopic reduction was 6.4. The arthroscopic VAS score was significantly lower than the VAS score for fluoroscopy but was not significantly different than the VAS score for metaphyseal reduction. Mean arthroscopic measurement of maximum step and gap deformity were 1 mm and 2 mm, respectively. Mean postoperative radiographic maximum step and gap deformity were both less than 1 mm. The arthroscopic step and gap deformities were significantly greater than the radiographic deformities. Conclusions A volar approach, indirect reduction, and locked plate fixation is a useful technique in restoring articular congruity after distal radius fracture. The number of fracture lines and presence of step and gap deformity can be adequately assessed using clinical and fluoroscopic assessment. However, the magnitude of step and gap deformity may be underestimated. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
The biochemical response of the heart to hypertension and exercise

Mechanical stress on the heart can lead to crucially different outcomes. Exercise is beneficial because it causes heart muscle cells to enlarge (hypertrophy). Chronic hypertension also causes hypertrophy, but in addition it causes an excessive increase in fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (fibrosis), death of cardiomyocytes and ultimately heart failure. Recent research shows that stimulation of physiological (beneficial) hypertrophy involves several signaling pathways, including those mediated by protein kinase B (also known as Akt) and the extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Hypertension, β-adrenergic stimulation and agonists such as angiotensin II (Ang II) activate not only ERK1/2 but also p38 and the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), leading to pathological heart remodeling. Despite this progress, the mechanisms that activate fibroblasts to cause fibrosis and those that differentiate between exercise and hypertension to produce physiological and pathological responses, respectively, remain to be established.
Kinetochore microtubules and chromosome movement during prometaphase in Drosophila melanogaster spermatocytes studied in life and with the electron microscope

Prometaphase I chromosome behavior was examined in wild-type Drosophila melanogaster primary spermatocytes. Cine analysis of live cells reveals that bivalents exhibit complex motions that include (1) transient bipolar orientations, (2) simultaneous reorientation of homologous kinetochores, (3) movements not parallel to the spindle axis, and (4) movement along the nuclear membrane. --Kinetochores and kinetochore microtubule have been analyzed for bivalents previously studied in life. The results suggest that most chromosome motions (complex though they may be) can be explained by poleward forces acting on or through kinetochore microtubules that span the distance between the kinetochore and the vicinity of a pole. The results also suggest that the majority of short kinetochore microtubules may be remnants of previous microtubule-mediated associations between a kinetochore and a pole.
Innovative Benefits In a Small Consulting Firm

Retaining good employees in the new millennium will require more than just a good salary. The best and the brightest have discovered that their talents come from a blend of work, home, and personal interests. Companies must determine how to recognize these intrinsic values and provide an attractive working environment in which to meet these new employee needs. Nielsen-Wurster Group, Inc., a management consulting firm of approximately 150 professionals that employs primarily engineers and individuals with experience in the engineering and construction industry, uses three methods primarily: flextime, home/office work-sharing, and sabbatical leave for key employees. Flextime means more than just adjusting the 8 hour work day forward or back an hour; it means meeting employees’ scheduling needs. The company also offers a 30-hour reduced-salary option, which is becoming especially attractive to parents who wish to work only while their children are at school. The home/office work-sharing program benefits from the fact that in today’s age of computers, Internet access, and electronic business technology, many work assignments can be accomplished from just about anywhere. The sabbatical program, typically used in law firms, rewards employees who consistently exhibit outstanding performance for their contribution to the company with time off to pursue those activities in life that he or she has never had time for.
Design, synthesis, and static charge tuning of organic semiconductors for sensing applications

Organic and polymeric semiconductors are among the alternatives to silicon being considered for sensing devices and circuitry. Their synthesis is now well established, and some performance metrics such as charge carrier mobility and optoelectronic quantum yield exceed those of inorganic counterparts such as amorphous silicon. The best fit for organic semiconductors is in applications where inherent capabilities such as rational modification of carrier energy levels and covalent connection between charge channels and surface receptors are leveraged. This presentation will describe newly synthesized organic molecular solids and polymer films where these attributes are emphasized. For example, addition of a borane to a semiconductor enhances response to ammonia, and introduction of highly electron donating tetrathiafulvalenes into moderately electron-rich polymers enhances response to electron-poor analytes (for example, TNT), for the development of chemical sensors. Carrier energy levels are markedly and predictably altered by static charge embedded in polystyrene films adjacent to organic semiconductors, for multiple device activities to be obtained from a single device layout using one semiconductor, and also the avoidance of powering gate electrodes to set optimal sensor sensitivities during operation.
The Limits of Inclination for Binary Star Partial Eclipses

Algorithms are given for calculating the inclinations at which total eclipses become partial eclipses and partial eclipses become grazing eclipses. It is shown that the larger star in a contact or nearly contact system is so distorted in shape that it becomes self-eclipsing, as a shallow concavity develops near the point of contact. Algorithms are also given for calculating critical values of the Roche equipotential and for calculating the coordinates of some of the Lagrangian points.
106 PURINE NUCLEOTIDE RESTORATION IN HPRT− CELLS

Most metabolic therapies for HPRT deficiency have been aimed at restoring the nucleotide deficiency which is thought to occur as a result of the enzyme deficiency. None of these therapies has been successful, and this may be because they do not significantly increase purine nucleotides, particularly guanine nucleotides. A number of precursors were tested for their ability to form purine nucleotides in both normal and HPRT− cells. In both cell types, adenine and adenosine were incorporated into purine nucleotides; virtually all this incorporation was into adenine nucleotides. Neither formamidoimidazole carboxamide (FAICA) nor its nucleoside (FAICAR) were incorporated. Aminoimidazole carboxamide (AICA) and its nucleoside (AICAR) formed purine nucleotides in both normal and HPRT− cells. AICAR was the more efficient nucleotide precursor in normal cells, whereas AICA was superior in HPRT− cells. These precursors produced approximately 9036 adenine and 10% guanine nucleotides. Incorporation of AICA and AICAR was half maximal at approximately 200 uM and was not increased by addition of folate to the medium. Sodium formate greatly increased the incorporation of AICA and AICAR; this increase was half maximal at approximately 500 uM. Quantitatively, nucleotide production from 200 uM AICA or AICAR and 200 uM formate is greater than nucleotide production from a saturating concentration of hypoxanthine in normal cells. It is concluded that AICA or AICAR plus sodium formate could be used for nucleotide replacement in HPRT deficiency.
Axial penile buckling forces vs Rigiscan radial rigidity as a function of intracavernosal pressure: why Rigiscan does not predict functional erections in individual patients.

Axial penile buckling forces vs Rigiscan™ radial rigidity as a function of intracavernosal pressure: why Rigiscan does not predict functional erections in individual patients
Violence in the Black Church

Violence in the Black Church is an issue that is frequently discussed in quiet corners, mainly among church devotees. This article argues that the Black Church is the backbone of the Black community. Moreover, if it becomes secularized, and ensnared with disruptive factionalism, its role may be significantly diminished. Faith-based programs, school vouchers, the role of women in the church, and ministerial behaviors are among the structural issues giving rise to violence in the Black Church. The paper draws on many sources of data, and is interpreted within the theoretical framework of a systems perspective.
The Quest for Kρ—Preliminary Results from Direct Measurements of Turbulent Fluxes in the Ocean

Abstract Simultaneous measurements of vertical velocity fluctuations, w′, and temperature fluctuations, T′, on scales of three-dimensional turbulence yield a direct measure of the turbulent heat flux, Jq. The scales contributing most significantly to Jq are tens of centimeters or about 10 times larger than the scales contributing to the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation for the data examined. A limited sample indicates that, instantaneously, Jq is almost as frequently positive (countergradient) as negative (downgradient). In contrast, instantaneous estimates of Jq from microstructure measurements of ϵ or χ are always, by definition, downgradient.
Chromatin in Need of a Fix: Phosphorylation of H2AX Connects Chromatin to DNA Repair

A bevy of recent reports have firmly established a mechanistic link between a histone posttranslational modification associated with DNA double-strand breaks and recruitment of chromatin-modifying activities. These papers show that in addition to providing signals for transcriptional regulation, specific histone "codes" can coordinate and target multiple activities involved in DNA repair.
Exploiting undulator radiation for X-ray interferometry

Abstract Undulator radiation from a low emittance electron beam exhibits symmetric side lobes, coherent from any one electron , and having substantial fluxes. A configuration is proposed that uses these lobes as coherent sources for X-ray interferometry. The undulator beam, after optical collimation using an “undulator-specific X-ray lens”, passes through a monochromator that excludes the central peak but passes two symmetrically opposite lobes. The relative phase of these beams can be altered by placing variable thickness material in one of their paths. After refocusing both beams using another undulator-specific lens, the beams impinge on a detector. Interference fringes are anticipated which shift as the relative phase of the two amplitudes is altered. Since the fringe spacing is still too small for other than photographic detection, the combined beams then pass through a “double crystal fringe expander”. One possible further apparatus to prove the interferometer's ability to measure an absolute X-ray diffraction phase is sketched.
Translocation of botulinum neurotoxin light chain protease through the heavy chain channel.

Clostridial botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) abort the process of neurotransmitter release at presynaptic motor nerve terminals, causing muscle paralysis. An enigmatic step in the intoxication process is the mechanism by which the neurotoxin heavy chain (HC) forms the conduit for the translocation of the light chain (LC) protease across the endosomal membrane into the cytosol, its site of action. Here we investigate the mechanism of LC translocation by using the combined detection of channel currents and substrate proteolysis, the two hallmark activities of BoNT. Our data are consistent with the translocation of the LC through the HC channel and show that the LC protease activity is retrieved in the trans compartment after translocation. We propose that the BoNT HC–LC complex embedded in the membrane is a transmembrane chaperone, a dynamic structural device that prevents aggregation and achieves translocation of the LC. In this regard, the complex is similar to the protein conducting/translocating channels of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and chloroplasts.
The numerical simulation of steady transonic rotational flow using a dual potential formulation

A finite-difference method is presented that simulates steady transonic rotational flow of an inviscid fluid by representing the velocity field as the sum of scalar and vector potentials. This dual potential velocity decomposition extends the validity of the scalar (full) velocity potential to include vorticity. The inclusion of a vector potential also permits an alternate treatment of lift that does not require a circulation wake cut. This is accomplished by specifying the vector potential as a constant on the airfoil surface in order to satisfy a Kutta condition. The governing equations are solved as iteratively decoupled scalar equations using approximate factorization techniques, and the overall efficiency approaches that of the full potential equation. The governing equations are able to convect entropy and vorticity throughout the flow field and are equivalent to the Euler equations in continuous flow domains, however at shocks the Rankine-Hugoniot entropy jump must be supplied. An entropy correction method is presented and verified with transonic airfoil solutions of the Euler equations.
Connexin26 (GJB2) deficiency reduces active cochlear amplification leading to late-onset hearing loss

Connexin26 (Cx26, GJB2) mutations account for >50% of nonsyndromic hearing loss. The deafness is not always congenital. A large group of these patients (∼30%) demonstrate a late-onset hearing loss, starting in childhood. They have normal hearing early in life and are therefore good candidates for applying protective and therapeutic interventions. However, the underlying deafness mechanism is unclear. In this study, we used a time-controlled, inducible gene knockout technique to knockout Cx26 expression in the cochlea after birth. We found that deletion of Cx26 after postnatal day 5 (P5) in mice could lead to late-onset hearing loss. Similar to clinical observations, the mice demonstrated progressive, mild to moderate hearing loss. The hearing loss initiated at high frequencies and then extended to the middle- and low-frequency range. The cochlea showed normal development and had no apparent hair cell loss. However, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) was reduced. The reduction was also progressive and large at high-frequencies. Consistent with DPOAE reduction, we found that outer hair cell electromotility-associated nonlinear capacitance was shifted to the right and the slope of voltage dependence was reduced. The endocochlear potential was reduced in Cx26 conditional knockout (cKO) mice but the reduction was not associated with progressive hearing loss. These data suggest that Cx26 deficiency may impair active cochlear amplification leading to late-onset hearing loss. Our study also helps develop newer protective and therapeutic interventions to this common nonsyndromic hearing loss.
Viscoelastic Properties of Entangled Star Polymer Melts: Comparison of Theory and Experiment

We determine the linear viscoelastic properties of star polymer melts through an exact solution to the first-passage time expression developed by Milner and McLeish (Macromolecules 1997, 30, 2159) (MM), and compare with both the approximate solution proposed by MM and experimental data. The approximate and exact solutions show quite similar scalings of the terminal relaxation time with the number of entanglements per star arm ne, with only a modest shift in time scale, accounting for the success of the approximate solution in treating moderately entangled stars. We also calculate the ne dependence of the recoverable shear compliance and the zero-shear viscosity and compare these with extensive data taken from the literature. Zero-shear viscosities for stars of four different monomer chemistries and a range of ne values are accurately represented by the MM theory, using plateau moduli and monomeric friction coefficients in good agreement with literature values.
Pressure effects on charge, spin, and metal-insulator transitions in the narrow bandwidth manganite Pr1-xCaxMnO3

Pressure effects on the charge and spin states and the relation between the ferromagnetic and metallic states were explored on the small bandwidth manganite ${\mathrm{Pr}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ ($x=0.25$, 0.3, 0.35). Under pressure, the charge ordering state is suppressed and a ferromagnetic metallic state is induced in all three samples. The metal-insulator transition temperature $({T}_{\mathit{MI}})$ increases with pressure below a critical point $P*$, above which $({T}_{\mathit{MI}})$ decreases and the material becomes insulating as at the ambient pressure. The ${e}_{g}$ electron bandwidth and/or band filling mediate the pressure effects on the metal-insulator transition and the magnetic transition. In the small bandwidth and low doping concentration compound $(x=0.25)$, the ${T}_{\mathit{MI}}$ and the Curie temperature $({T}_{C})$ change with pressure in a reverse way and do not couple under pressure. In the $x=0.3$ compound, the relation of ${T}_{\mathit{MI}}$ and ${T}_{C}$ shows a critical behavior: They are coupled in the range of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.8--5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ and decoupledoutside of this range. In the $x=0.35$ compound, ${T}_{\mathit{MI}}$ and ${T}_{C}$ are coupled in the measured pressure range where a ferromagnetic state is present.
Six-year survival of patients with and without painless myocardial ischemia and out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation

Out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (OHVF) is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. Of 1,070 patients with OHVF who entered this study, 150 were discharged alive. Of this group, 120 were free of anoxic brain damage. Of these survivors, 67 (57%) had no previously demonstrated anginal symptoms. Treadmill stress testing revealed painless ST depression in 76% of these neurologically intact patients. Exercise ventriculography in a subset of 9 patients without angina before OHVF and in 6 patients with typical anginal symptoms revealed marked left ventricular dysfunction with ST depression in the absence of chest pain in all 15 patients. Sublingual nitroglycerin reversed this evidence of ischemia in the asymptomatic patients. Patients were followed for 6 years after discharge. No statistical difference in mortality could be demonstrated for patients who had previous anginal symptoms vs those who did not, nor was age a predictor of mortality. Women had the same risk of death as men at 2 years after OHVF, but a significantly higher risk by year 6. Myocardial infarction associated with OHVF did not predict lower mortality throughout the study.
Workforce Diversity: An Application of Diversity and Integration Indices to Small Agencies

Over the past 40 years, the research on workforce diversity has increased significantly. Despite this increased research, little attention has been given to the application of diversity and integra...
Effect of Surface Treatment on Diffusion and Domain Formation in Supported Lipid Bilayers

Supported lipid bilayers are widely used as model systems due to their robustness. Due to the solid support, the properties of supported lipid bilayers are different from those of freestanding bilayers. In this article, we examine whether different surface treatments affect the properties of supported lipid bilayers. It will be shown that depending on the treatment method, the diffusion of the lipids can be adjusted approximately threefold without altering the composition. Additionally, as the bilayer-support interaction decreases, it becomes easier to form coexisting liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered domains. The physical/chemical alterations that result from the different treatment methods will be discussed.
A New Plastometer

Abstract AT THE Swampscott meeting of the American Chemical Society an analysis was given of the meaning of plasticity when this term names a property of solids that concerns the molding of plastics such as rubber. A function for plasticity was deduced with some suggestions on the adoption of a C. G. S. unit of plasticity. Also, a design of a plastometer, based upon this analysis, was outlined. It is the purpose of this paper to give a full description of such a plastometer. Original Plastometer A detailed drawing of the instrument as first conceived in February, 1927, is given in Figure 1. The rubber sample, 1, in the form of a cylinder 1 cm. long, 1 sq. cm. cross section, is held between two vertical round rods, A and B, which will be designated as upper and lower plungers. These plungers consist of contacting end caps, 15, 20, of steel mounted upon porcelain tubes, 19, which in turn are cemented into sockets 16, 21. The lower socket, 21, slides through a bushing 22. Its nether end is cut obliquely, and...
Studies on Nickel Metabolism: Interaction with Other Mineral Elements

Nickel toxicity was studied in young chicks fed a semi-purified diet. Dietary nickel concentrations of 300 mg/kg and higher resulted in significant reduction in growth rate. Mortality and anemia were observed in chicks receiving 1100 mg/kg nickel. Dietary nickel content of 300 mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in kidney nickel content while higher dietary levels were required to affect the nickel content of other body tissues. Supplementation of nickel toxic diets (500 mg/kg) with 100 mg/kg of cobalt, iron, copper, and zinc did not alleviate the symptoms of nickel toxicity or consistently affect tissue nickel accumulation. The addition of cobalt resulted in a further depression in growth rate when added to the nickel toxic diet. However, subsequent studies showed that this was due to the toxicity of cobalt and no evidence was found for an interaction between these two elements. The lack of interaction of nickel with copper, iron, and zinc is in contrast to the results observed by other investigators at low dietary concentrations of nickel.
Squared-error minimization with stability constraints

Minimization of the mean-squared error in linear closed-loop control systems may result in a poorly damped system response to deterministic inputs. To improve the results, it is suggested to minimize the same performance index with a relative stability constraint so that all the characteristic roots have the relative damping coefficient greater or at least equal to a prescribed value.
Short-term recognition memory correlates with regional CNS expression of microRNA-138 in mice.

Objectives We hypothesized that microRNA (miR) expression may be involved in memory function because it controls local protein translation at synapses and dendritic spines. Design Case-control animal study. Methods We assessed the miR repertoire in the hippocampus of young, 6-month-old (N = 18) mice compared with aged, 26-month-old (N = 23) mice and compared miR quantity to memory scores as determined by the novel object recognition task. We performed a histological brain regional analysis of miR-138, acyl protein thioesterase 1 (APT1) mRNA, and APT1 protein. Results We found that higher miR-138 expression in the mouse hippocampus is correlated with better memory performance. We also found that APT1 (a depalmytoylation enzyme expressed at dendritic spines whose translation is controlled by miR-138) mRNA is increased in the mouse hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus in aged mice compared with young mice, but not in mice with memory impairment. We found APT1 protein distribution to be lower in cells with high miR-138 expression. Conclusions These results suggest that increased miR-138 is associated with better memory and increased APT1 gene transcription occurs with aging. The role of miR-138 and APT1 protein function in memory and aging warrants further investigation.
Modeling sudden stops: The non-trivial role of preference specifications ☆

Abstract A puzzling ambiguity in current international economics literature is the link between sudden stops and output drops. While some studies predict the link, others find sudden stops lead to output increases. This paper theoretically shows that the ambiguity results from alternative preference specifications.
Bermudagrass management in the Southern Piedmont USA. V: Gastrointestinal parasite control in cattle

Parasite-free pastures would improve cattle health and performance, resulting in possible economic return to producers. Our objective was to determine the effect of a single series of anthelmintic treatment of steers prior to stocking on Coastal bermudagrass pastures, during five consecutive summers, on the parasite burden in cattle. The site for this experiment had been conventionally cropped for several decades, with no exposure to cattle, and would be expected to be relatively free of nematode larvae. The experimental design was a randomized complete block (landscape features) with a split plot arrangement of treatments where main plots were pasture fertilization treatments (mineral, clover plus mineral, and broiler litter) and split plots were low and high forage mass. Anthelmintic treatment included pour-on ivermectin on day -21, albendazole on day -7, and injectable ivermectin 48 h prior to stocking of pastures, with the cattle remaining in drylot during the 48-h period prior to being placed on the experimental paddocks. All steers received only one series of treatments during any given year. Yearling Angus steers (Bos taurus) were managed in a put-and-take grazing system with three "tester" steers assigned to each paddock and "grazer" steers added or removed at 28-day intervals. From 1994 to 1998, steers grazed the paddocks for a 140-day period from mid May until early October each year. Fecal samples for worm egg counts were obtained on day 0 and at 28-day intervals, thereafter. On all sampling days after day 0, samples were obtained only from tester animals. Over the 5-year period, the mean eggs per gram of feces (epg) gradually increased from 0 (following treatment) to a mean of 2.2 (range from 0.7 to 3.0) by the end of the grazing season (the last sampling date) in October. Although the epg were not zero, they were below threshold levels that would allow development of a parasite burden in cattle. In traditional management systems, cattle graze parasite-contaminated pastures; therefore, parasites negatively impact growth and productivity throughout the entire grazing period. Periodic anthelmintic treatments simply give a temporary reprieve from those parasitic infections. Conceptually, using the current grazing system, it should be possible to maintain these pastures in a parasite-free status indefinitely; however, from a drug resistance perspective, it would be most applicable in sod-based rotation systems where cattle graze from two to five years before land is returned to row-crops. By removing the effect of parasites, cattle can grow without the physiological constraints that gastrointestinal parasites place on appetite, digestion, nutrient utilization, and general well being.
Some remarks about the wave speed and travelling wave solutions of a nonlinear integral operator

In this paper, we extend the existence of travelling wave solutions of a nonlinear operator in the inferior case to higher dimensions and establish the uniqueness of that solution. In addition we determine the sign of the wave speed in a special case.
Developmental changes in the concentration of α-bungarotoxin binding sites in the brain of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

A moiety in the brain of Manduca sexta larvae that binds ?-bungarotoxin (?-BGT) specifically has been characterized and the concentration of binding sites determined during larval-larval and larval-pupal development. The protein nature of this moiety was determined by its susceptibility to proteolytic digestion and its location in the membrane ascertained by differential centrifugation and subsequent detergent extraction. The association of specific binding approaches equilibrium after 15 min of incubation (K(1) = 4.7 x 10(4) M(?1).s(?1)), while the half life of the receptor-ligand complex is 55 min, and the rate of dissociation is 3.5 x 10(?4).s(?1). Saturation of binding occurs at an ?-BGT concentration of 90 nM. The saturation curve yielded a B(max) of 2.5 pmol ?-BGT binding sites/mg brain protein, a concentration some 25-250 times greater than values reported for mammalian nervous tissue. Scatchard plot analysis of saturation binding revealed a K(D) of 16 nM, the highest recorded for insect nervous tissue, but within the range of published data for other invertebrate nervous tissues. A lower K(D) of 7.4 nM was obtained from on-off kinetics. Pharmacological analysis revealed that nicotinic ligands competed weakly with ?-BGT for binding sites and the K(i) obtained for the various agonists and antagonists used was ? 10-fold greater than those reported previously for the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The developmental study of ?-BGT binding sites revealed specific changes in the concentration of this binding protein that appeared to correlate temporally with the release of the brain neurohormone, prothoracicotropic hormone, a neuropeptide that elicits insect molting. Since a detergent-solubilized brain extract was used in these studies, the noted fluctuations in the concentration of binding sites probably reflect synthesis and degradation of the binding protein. These data indirectly implicate the cholinergic system with the release of the brain neurohormone and, therefore, suggest a critical role for the cholinergic system in insect molting.
Use of Dual Control Groups to Estimate False Positive Rates in Laboratory Animal Carcinogenicity Studies

Tumor incidence data from 18 recently completed carcinogenicity studies utilizing male and female mice and rats were examined to determine if the frequency of significant (p < 0.05) pairwise differences between the two concurrent control groups employed in these experiments exceeded chance expectation. Although marked study-to-study variability was observed for some tumors, no evidence of extra-binomial within-study variability between the two concurrent control groups was found. The total number of observed significant (p < 0.05) paired-control differences was virtually identical to what would be expected from the usual binomial model assumptions; the corresponding overall observed (44%) and expected (47–50%) false positive rates were essentially the same. While one should not overgeneralize the implications of these findings, these results should lessen concerns that elevated false positive rates resulting from extra-binomial within-study variability might be adversely affecting the interpretation of long-term laboratory animal carcinogenicity studies. On the other hand, these results reaffirm the conclusions of other investigators that (particularly for commonly occurring tumors) more stringent evidence than an isolated p < 0.05 effect should be required before an increased tumor incidence is regarded as biologically significant; otherwise, the study may have an unacceptably high false positive rate.
Disruption of differentiation in human cancer: AML shows the way

Although much is understood about the ways in which transcription factors regulate various differentiation systems, and one of the hallmarks of many human cancers is a lack of cellular differentiation, relatively few reports have linked these two processes. Recent studies of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), however, have indicated how disruption of transcription-factor function can disrupt normal cellular differentiation and lead to cancer. This model involves lineage-specific transcription factors, which are involved in normal haematopoietic differentiation. These factors are often targeted in AML--either by direct mutation or by interference from translocation proteins. Uncovering these underlying pathways will improve the diagnosis and treatment of AML, and provide a working model for other types of human cancer, including solid tumours.
Metallization of the Single Component Molecular Semiconductor [Ni(ptdt)2] under Very High Pressure

The four-probe electrical resistivity measurements on a single-component molecular semiconductor [Ni(ptdt)(2)] (Ni(S(8)C(9)H(6))(2)) was performed up to 20.7 GPa by using a diamond anvil cell. A newly improved method was employed to reduce the effect of uniaxial pressure. The semiconducting behavior persisted up to 17.9 GPa. The pressure-induced metallization began to appear at 18.9 GPa, and the complete metallic behavior down to 1 K was observed at 19.9 GPa.
Molecular Proximity of Kv1.3 Voltage-gated Potassium Channels and β1-Integrins on the Plasma Membrane of Melanoma Cells Effects of Cell Adherence and Channel Blockers

Tumor cell membranes have multiple components that participate in the process of metastasis. The present study investigates the physical association of β1-integrins and Kv1.3 voltage-gated potassium channels in melanoma cell membranes using resonance energy transfer (RET) techniques. RET between donor-labeled anti–β1-integrin and acceptor-labeled anti-Kv1.3 channels was detected on LOX cells adherent to glass and fibronectin-coated coverslips. However, RET was not observed on LOX cells in suspension, indicating that molecular proximity of these membrane molecules is adherence-related. Several K+ channel blockers, including tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, and verapamil, inhibited RET between β1-integrins and Kv1.3 channels. However, the irrelevant K+ channel blocker apamin had no effect on RET between β1-integrins and Kv1.3 channels. Based on these findings, we speculate that the lateral association of Kv1.3 channels with β1-integrins contributes to the regulation of integrin function and that channel blockers might affect tumor cell behavior by influencing the assembly of supramolecular structures containing integrins.
Erosion of AISI 4140 steel

Abstract The erosion behavior of AISI 4140 steel under various heat treatment conditions was investigated. A variety of microstructures, such as the primary and tempered martensites, varying proportions of martensite and bainite, cementite spheroids embedded in a ferrite matrix and ferrite and pearlite were obtained. The erosion tests were performed in a sand-blast-type test rig. Except in the region where temper embrittlement occurred, the erosion decreased with increasing tempering temperatures. Erosion decreased with the increasing percentage of bainite in the austempered condition and also with increasing tempering time during spheroidization. From the point of view of the mechanical properties, erosion decreased with increasing ductility and decreasing hardness or ultimate strength. The abraded surfaces were also studied using scanning electron microscopy.