cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular 'barcodes' reveal lost whale hunts.

According to myth, the Maori people arrived in New Zealand riding the back of a whale; today, whales figure prominently in Maori art and stories. Now, it appears that Maori ancestors may also have systematically hunted the animals. A new technique for identifying species from short snippets of DNA in bone scraps has enabled researchers to identify the remains of five whale species in early New Zealand settlements, including smaller or slow-moving species, the likely targets for hunters. And on the opposite side of the world, a team used a simpler barcode method to suggest that the Romans hunted whales, too, potentially pushing back the first known commercial whaling industry by about 1000 years. By revealing species from once-meaningless bone fragments, barcodes are shedding light on the impact ancient cultures had on biodiversity.
Spectrum of shallow water gravity waves generated by confined two-dimensional turbulence

Two-dimensional turbulence can generate shallow water waves. These waves carry information about the structure of their turbulent source. A theoretical calculation of the wave spectrum is proposed, which may lead to an insightful way to characterize turbulence.
Performance Evaluation for Tape Storage Data Recall with T10KD Drive

Tape library storage is the best solution for archiving big data due to high capacity, low cost and long retention. However, as the nature of sequential media, its main drawback versus disk storage is the slow performance for data recall in random access order. With emerging of the modern technology from the enterprise tape drives, Recommended Access Order (RAO) should improve the data recall performance considerably.The Scientific Data and Computing Center (SDCC) in Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) is operating a tape library storage system which contains more than 100 PB data. It is managed by High Performance Storage System (HPSS) software. Starting from HPSS 7.5.1 release, a new feature named Tape Ordered Recall (TOR) has offered a great advantage for large amount of data recall. It is designed to reduce the file access time from tape media. In our test with Oracle T10K enterprise drive, TOR’s tape recall rates for small files (1GB) is almost 4 times of the unordered recall. TOR supports both RAO and non-RAO drives. It will use the RAO feature if available. Otherwise, it makes a linear offset ordering to recall the data. Additionally, Quaid is a smart recall tool introduced in HPSS7.5.1 as well. It uses new batch stage API to stage files in the background, improves the tape data recall performance significantly. Efficient Retrieval and Access to Data Archived on Tape, aka ERADAT, is a tape storage data recall tool developed mainly in SDCC. It sorts the staging requests based on file’s logical position order before submitting jobs to HPSS. Over a decade of utilization and improvement, ERADAT has been proven as a great performer serving BNL’s worldwide scientific community. In this paper we will present the test results for each individual tool under certain test setting and configuration, analyze and evaluate their performance advantage and disadvantage, find the best solution for BNL’s tape storage production system for different data characteristics.
Self-Reported Mental and Physical Health Symptoms and Potentially Traumatic Events Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Individuals: The Role of Shame.

Objective Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals disproportionately face exposure to potentially traumatic events-adverse experiences that may have a traumatizing effect-and experience shame as a common consequence. Previous research demonstrates associations between shame and psychological and physical health issues among those with exposure to potentially traumatic events in general, with limited attention among LGBTQ individuals specifically. This study determined whether shame partially mediated the relationship between potentially traumatic events exposure and self-reported mental and physical health symptoms among LGBTQ individuals. Method Participants were 218 self-identified LGBTQ individuals who reported experiencing at least one potentially traumatic event (e.g., childhood sexual abuse). Online surveys assessed the type and frequency of potentially traumatic events exposure, shame, self-reported mental health (depression symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and substance use), and physical health symptoms (sexual risk behavior, somatic symptoms, and chronic health conditions). Results Greater potentially traumatic events exposure was associated with greater shame, and greater shame was associated with worse self-reported mental and physical health. Potentially traumatic events exposure had a direct effect on self-reported mental and physical health, and shame partially mediated this relationship. Conclusion Shame represents an important and modifiable factor that relates to poor health and may be amenable to change through psychosocial interventions. Given the prevalence of negative self-attribution stemming from potentially traumatic events exposure, in addition to the internalization of stigma among this population, practitioners need to uncover interventions specifically targeting shame when working with LGBTQ individuals.
The Effect of Some Technological Factors on the Structure and Properties of the Equiatomic Titanium-Nickel Alloy

The equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy (45 wt.% titanium, 55% nickel) exhibits a number of of unique properties: high plasti-city, resistance to corrosion, and deformation memory.(1,2).
Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds and Use of Feminine Hygiene Products Among Reproductive-Aged Women in the United States

Background: Feminine hygiene products (FHPs) are personal care products widely used by women. A few studies have detected some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in FHPs, but no previous epidemiolog...
An Acaromyces species associated withb bark beetles from southern pine has inhibitory properties against Raffaelea lauricola , the casual pathogen of laurel wilt disease of redbay

Laurel wilt is a destructive disease of redbay (Persea borbonia) and other species in the laurel family (Lauraceae). It is caused by Raffaelea lauricola, a fungal symbiont of the redbay ambrosia be...
Preparing Mental Health Professionals to Work With Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of the Literature:

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects millions of individuals across all demographics and ethnicities. Research has revealed a direct link between experiencing IPV and having adverse physical, me...
Career Accomplishments of Public Health Service Alumni of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences: Classes of 1980-2017.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to report on the career accomplishments of Public Health Service (PHS) alumni from the Uniformed Services University (USU) School of Medicine (SOM) in several professional areas such as specialty choice, board certification rates, leadership roles, academic achievements, deployments, and length of service. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted using the data obtained from the Long-Term Career Outcomes Study Alumni Survey. The cohort included all alumni who graduated from the SOM classes of 1980-2017. We analyzed the frequency distributions of the survey items of interest of the PHS alumni. RESULTS Out of the 144 PHS alumni we reached, 39 responded, yielding a 27.1% response rate. 56.0% of PHS alumni entered primary care specialties and 97.0% were board certified in their first residency trained specialty. 30.6% of PHS alumni completed residency training in a military facility. 87.2% of PHS alumni have been in a leadership role since medical school, and 67.6% of PHS alumni currently hold a leadership role. 7.7% of PHS alumni have deployed for ≥30 days to a theater of combat operations. 66.7% and 71.8% of PHS alumni engaged in medical humanitarian and volunteering missions, respectively, and 75% of PHS alumni stayed in active duty longer than their initial commitment. 71.8% of PHS alumni were published in peer-reviewed journals and 17.6% were academically affiliated with USU. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that PHS alumni are likely to enter primary care specialties, engage in medical volunteering and humanitarian missions, frequently remain in uniform longer than their initial active duty commitment, and are affiliated with numerous universities and medical schools throughout their career. PHS alumni appear to be successfully meeting the mission set forth by the U.S. PHS.
Intraoperative venous congestion and acute kidney injury in cardiac surgery: an observational cohort study

Abstract Background Increased intravascular volume has been associated with protection from acute kidney injury (AKI), but in patients with congestive heart failure, venous congestion is associated with increased AKI. We tested the hypothesis that intraoperative venous congestion is associated with AKI after cardiac surgery. Methods In patients enrolled in the Statin AKI Cardiac Surgery trial, venous congestion was quantified as the area under the curve (AUC) of central venous pressure (CVP) >12, 16, or 20 mm Hg during surgery (mm Hg min). AKI was defined using Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria and urine concentrations of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 ([TIMP-2]⋅[IGFBP7]), a marker of renal stress. We measured associations between venous congestion, AKI and [TIMP-2]⋅[IGFBP7], adjusted for potential confounders. Values are reported as median (25th–75th percentile). Results Based on KDIGO criteria, 104 of 425 (24.5%) patients developed AKI. The venous congestion AUCs were 273 mm Hg min (81–567) for CVP >12 mm Hg, 66 mm Hg min (12–221) for CVP >16 mm Hg, and 11 mm Hg min (1–54) for CVP >20 mm Hg. A 60 mm Hg min increase above the median venous congestion AUC above each threshold was independently associated with increased AKI (odds ratio=1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.10; P=0.008; odds ratio=1.12; 95% CI, 1.02–1.23; P=0.013; and odds ratio=1.30; 95% CI, 1.06–1.59; P=0.012 for CVP>12, >16, and >20 mm Hg, respectively). Venous congestion before cardiopulmonary bypass was also associated with increased [TIMP-2]⋅[IGFBP7] measured during cardiopulmonary bypass and after surgery, but neither venous congestion after cardiopulmonary bypass nor venous congestion throughout surgery was associated with postoperative [TIMP-2]⋅[IGFBP7]. Conclusion Intraoperative venous congestion was independently associated with increased AKI after cardiac surgery.
Immediate reaction to ibrutinib amenable to oral desensitization.

IntroductionAlthough up to half of patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents develop hypersensitivity reactions to the same, desensitization protocols can induce temporary tolerance to allow patie...
Expanding the Definition of Infectious Disease: A Review of HIV & Schistosomiasis

Over the past century, as the field of public health adopted new actors and new priorities, the definition of infectious disease expanded, yielding new ideas on controlling and treating disease. In its primary form, infectious disease referred to a collection of symptoms resulting from infection by a single pathogen. As this definition expanded, it incorporated upstream causes such as poverty, access to health infrastructure and stigma. However, we must now adopt an even more expansive definition of infectious disease that integrates symptoms stemming from a collection of pathogens and a collection of upstream factors. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and schistosomiasis illustrate the importance of recognizing the interactions that exist between different infections. In this specific case, as upstream factors lead to infection by one pathogen, the risk of transmission of the other diseases increases almost three-fold. As we move into the future and develop new interventions, control mechanisms are needed to combat specific pathogens, their upstream factors, and their interactions with each other. Once we accept that illness is affected by a combination of different infections, we can develop more effective treatments and public interventions to: 1) further prevent disease, 2) prolong life, and 3) promote health.
A bi-directional optical link using a stacked thin film emitter and detector

Summary from only given. We demonstrate a fabrication method for stacking thin film emitters and detectors directly on top of one another to realize a bidirectional, co-located emitter/detector pair for bi-directional optical communication. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the stacking of an emitter/detector pair of active components that are independently grown and optimized before integration. To fabricate the bi-directional co-located optical link, a thin film GaAs-based inverted metal-semiconductor- metal (I-MSM) photodetector (PD) and a thin film GaAs-based light emitting diode (LED) have been independently grown, fabricated into devices, and bonded onto a SiO/sub 2/ coated host substrate.
Mémoires épistémiques et pouvoir d'experts dans une postcolonie africaine: Le cas de l'usage des savoirs africanistes par l'ORSTOM en Côte d'Ivoire

Resume Partant du constat que l'Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer (ORSTOM) s'est impose par son travail de recherche appliquee comme le concepteur primordial de la planification du developpement en Cote d'Ivoire a la fin des annees soixante, cet article montre que la mobilisation du souvenir des discours institues en science (ou memoires epistemiques) par les chercheurs de l'ORSTOM y a joue pour beaucoup. En se reappropriant les savoirs africanistes laisses par leurs predecesseurs que leur acces privilegie a la "bibliotheque coloniale" a rendu possible, les orstomiens en poste dans la postcolonie ivoirienne ont reussi a supplanter non seulement les chercheurs etrangers (americains surtout), mais aussi les experts francais des bureaux d'etudes et cabinets prives. Le succes de ses chercheurs a rendu necessaire l'institutionnalisation des sciences humaines de l'ORSTOM en Cote d'Ivoire.
Mercury contamination chronologies from Connecticut wetlands and Long Island Sound sediments

Sediment cores were used to investigate the mercury deposition histories of Connecticut and Long Island Sound. Most cores show background (pre-1800s) concentrations (50-100 ppb Hg) below 30-50 cm depth, strong enrichments up to 500 ppb Hg in the core tops with lower Hg concentrations in the surface sediments (100-300 ppb Hg). A sediment core from the Housatonic River has peak levels of 1,500 ppb Hg, indicating the presence of a Hg point source in this watershed. The Hg records were translated into Hg contamination chronologies through 210 Pb dating. The onset of Hg contamination occurred in ∼1840-1850 in eastern Connecticut, whereas in the Housatonic River the onsetis dated at around 1820. The mercury accumulation profiles show periods of peak contamination at around 1900 and at 1950-1970. Peak Hg* (Hg*= Hg measured minus Hg background) accumulation rates in the salt marshes vary, dependent on the sediment character, between 8 and 44 ng Hg/cm 2 per year, whereas modern Hg* accumulation rates range from 4-17 ng Hg/cm 2 per year; time-averaged Hg* accumulation rates are 15 ng Hg/cm 2 per year. These Hg* accumulation rates in sediments are higher than the observed Hg atmospheric deposition rates (about 1-2 ng Hg/dm 2 per year), indicating that contaminant Hg from the watershed is focused into the coastal zone. The Long Island Sound cores show similar Hg profiles as the marsh cores, but time-averaged Hg* accumulation rates are higher than in the marshes (26 ng Hg/cm 2 a year) because of the different sediment characteristics. In-situ atmospheric deposition of Hg in the marshes and in Long Island Sound is only a minor component of the total Hg budget. The 1900 peak of Hg contamination is most likely related to climatic factors (the wet period of the early 1900s) and the 1950-1970 peak was caused by strong anthropogenic Hg emissions at that time. Spatial trends in total Hg burdens in cores are largely related to sedimentary parameters (amount of clay) except for the high inventories of the Housatonic River, which are related to Hg releases from hat-making in the town of Danbury. Much of the contaminated sediment transport in the Housatonic River Basin occurs during floods, creating distinct layers of Hg-contaminated sediment in western Long Island Sound. The drop of about 40% in Hg accumulation rates between the 1960s and 1990s seems largely the result of reduced Hg emissions and to a much lesser extent of climatic factors.
Abstract 18045: Stem Cell Impregnated Nanofiber Stent Sleeve for Intravascular Paracrine Factor Production

Background: Results of stem cell studies for cardiomyopathy and peripheral artery disease are promising, but benefits remain modest in part due to cell washout and immune attack. Evidence suggests that many stem cell effects are paracrine-mediated, wherein secreted factors activate intrinsic repair. We now describe a stem cell impregnated nanofiber (NF) stent sleeve in which a biodegradable NF sleeve is electrospun around a stent and impregnated with a large number of stem cells. The porous sleeve nanostructure prevents cell washout and immune attack, and allows sustained local production and secretion of stem cell paracrine factors. Methods: NF stent sleeves are created by electrospinning poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) co-polymer onto expanded stents. Sleeves are impregnated with stem cells in a 1.2 mL solution of 3.2x10 6 mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Sleeve nanostructure was examined by electron microscopy. MSC adhesion and viability in the sleeve were assessed on days 1 and 8 using a fluorescent cell viability assay. VEGF and HGF secretion was quantified by ELISA over 7 days. Biological activity of sleeves with MSCs was determined by HUVEC tubule formation on day 8 and compared to sleeves without MSCs. Results: Stent sleeves consist of randomly oriented NFs (A) uniformly covering the stent (B) onto which MSCs readily attached. MSCs proliferated normally, remained CD90+ and CD44+, and were confluent on day 8 (C,D) with more than 90% viability. VEGF and HGF (E,F) continued to be secreted, and sleeves with MSCs induced HUVECs to organize into tubules to a 3.1±0.7 fold greater extent than control. NF sleeves can be crimped onto angioplasty balloons and delivered via 8F catheters. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the engineering feasibility of a stem cell impregnated NF stent sleeve, and pave the way for animal studies to assess the efficacy of local paracrine factor production and delivery to treat cardiomyopathy and peripheral artery disease.
Lower coated-platelet levels are associated with early hemorrhagic transformation in patients with non-lacunar brain infarction

Summary. Background: Coated-platelets, representing a subset of platelets with procoagulant potential, are elevated in patients with non-lacunar ischemic stroke and decreased in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. However, within the non-lacunar patient population there are individuals with lower levels of coated-platelets, which raises the possibility that these individuals would be susceptible to early hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of ischemic stroke. Objective: Because extremes in coated-platelet potential may be associated with either thrombotic or hemorrhagic events, we undertook a pilot study to investigate whether there is an association between coated-platelet production and the presence of early HT in patients with non-lacunar ischemic stroke. Patients and methods: Coated-platelet levels were determined in 115 consecutive eligible patients with a diagnosis of non-lacunar ischemic stroke. Early HT was determined on CT scan examination and confirmed by MRI studies. The distribution of coated-platelet levels was summarized using the median and interquartile range (25th–75th percentiles) and compared statistically between patients with and without early HT using the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: The median coated-platelet level in all non-lacunar stroke patients was 38.0% (interquartile range 30.5–48.3%). Early HT was detected in 11 patients (9.6%), and these patients had significantly lower coated-platelet levels compared with those without early HT [median 25.1% (interquartile range 20.4–35.5%) vs. 39.2% (31.6–49.5%), P = 0.003]. Conclusions: Lower levels of coated-platelets are associated with the presence of early HT in patients with non-lacunar ischemic stroke.
Electron Microscopic Studies on Opaque Colony Variants of Group A Streptococci

Opaque colony variants of two strains of group A streptococci have been compared with blue colonies of the same strains by electron microscopy. In opaque colonies, the cocci are joined into elongated chains by exaggerated intercellular septa that often occupy the major portion of each cell's circumference. The thickness and lamination of cell walls in opaque colony variants are identical to those aspects of cell walls in blue colony forms. The similarity in cell wall architecture is found between opaque and blue forms whether or not M protein (and M associated surface fimbriae) is present. Extensive, direct contact between the nucleoid and the cytoplasmic membrane beneath intercellular septa is seen in opaque colony variants. The relationship of this marked nucleoid-cytoplasmic membrane association to the unusual chain forms in the opaque colony variants is unclear.
The influence of process vibrations on precision polishing metrics

Abstract This work details the impact of process vibrations on precision polishing metrics such as material removal rates and surface finish. Process vibrations were measured on two different polishers operating under ‘identical’ conditions (same spindle speeds, tooling, and over-arm swing rates). Differences in the vibration signatures were noted between the two machines. Fused silica samples were polished on both machines using synthetic pitch tools and the resulting material removal rates and surface finishes compared. The machine with the greater vibration content at higher frequencies (>500 Hz) produced higher material removal rates and higher low spatial frequency roughness values.
Effects of cigarette rod length on puff volume and carbon monoxide delivery in cigarette smokers

As part of a continuing series of studies to investigate the variables controlling various topographical aspects of cigarette smoking, the present study examined the extent to which cigarette rod length influenced smoking. Cigarette smoking was examined under conditions in which subjects smoked cigarettes they could not see. Both puff volume and puff duration varied as a direct function of rod length, although they were not highly correlated. Peak flow rate was not affected by rod length. Other results suggest that visual stimulus control and satiation did not affect puff volume. Comparison of puffing whole cigarettes versus short cigarette rods suggests that puff volume, but not puff duration, may be decreased in response to increased pharmacological delivery as a result of particulate build-up during smoking of a whole cigarette. Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure was substantially greater after puffing full length cigarette rods than after short cigarette rods. Comparison of these human CO data with CO delivery from syringe-simulated puffing of full length and short cigarette rods indicates that knowledge of puff volume and duration during human smoking is insufficient for accurately predicting biological (CO) exposure.
The structure and dynamics of vorticity and rate of strain in incompressible homogeneous turbulence

The structure and dynamics of vorticity ω and rate of strain S are studied using direct numerical simulations (DNS) of incompressible homogeneous isotropic turbulence. In particular, characteristics of the pressure Hessian Π, which describe non-local interaction of ω and S, are presented. Conditional Lagrangian statistics which distinguish high-amplitude events in both space and time are used to investigate the physical processes associated with their evolution. The dynamics are examined on the principal strain basis which distinguishes vortex stretching and induced rotation of the principal axes of S. The latter mechanism is associated with misaligned ω with respect to S, a condition which predominates in isotropic turbulence and is dynamically significant, particularly in rotation-dominated regions of the flow. Locally-induced rotation of the principal axes acts to orient ω towards the direction of either the intermediate or most compressive principal strain. The tendency towards compressive straining of ω is manifested at the termini of the high-amplitude tube-like structures in the flow. Non-locally-induced rotation, associated with Π, tends to counteract the locally-induced rotation. This is due to the strong alignment between ω and the eigenvector of Π corresponding to its smallest eigenvalue and is indicative of the controlling influence of the proximate structure on the dynamics. High-amplitude rotation-dominated regions deviate from Burgers vortices due to the misalignment of ω. Although high-amplitude strain-dominated regions are promoted primarily by local dynamics, the associated spatial structure is less organized and more discontinuous than that of rotation-dominated regions.
An association between NQO1 genetic polymorphism and risk of bladder cancer

Abstract NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) is a detoxification enzyme that plays a critical role in protecting cells against chemically induced oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. NQO1 protects cells from oxidative damage by preventing the generation of reactive oxygen species and reducing certain environmental carcinogens, such as nitroaromatic compounds, heterocyclic amines, and possible cigarette smoke condensate. A C→T single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 6 was shown to reduce NQO1 enzyme activity, which may diminish the protection provided by NQO1. Therefore, we hypothesized that people with the variant allele genotypes of NQO1 are at higher risk for bladder cancer. In an ongoing case-control study, the NQO1 genotypes were successfully identified by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism in 265 bladder cancer patients and 261 control subjects matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. The frequency of the variant NQO1 allele was 18% for controls and 21% for cases. The variant allele genotypes of NQO1 were associated with a higher risk of bladder cancer in Caucasians (odds ratio (OR)=1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01–2.25). Further analysis in Caucasians showed an elevated bladder cancer risk in men (OR=1.75; 95% CI=1.08–2.85) but not in women (OR=1.16; 95% CI=0.57–2.37). In addition, the variant allele genotypes were associated with higher bladder cancer risk in ever smokers (OR=1.78; 95% CI=1.06–3.00), but not in never smokers (OR=1.19; 95% CI=0.65–2.20). These results suggest that the NQO1 genetic polymorphism modulates bladder cancer risk, especially in men and ever smokers.
Trajectory regularity and real analyticity: Some recent results

A general result on the regularity of optimal controls for real analytic problems is stated. An outline of the proof, emphasizing the steps that involve the desingularization theorem, is given. Some recent results for special classes of problems are then briefly discussed.
Functions of the Duplicated hik31 Operons in Central Metabolism and Responses to Light, Dark, and Carbon Sources in Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803

There are two closely related hik31 operons involved in signal transduction on the chromosome and the pSYSX plasmid in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. We studied the growth, cell morphology, and gene expression in operon and hik mutants for both copies, under different growth conditions, to examine whether the duplicated copies have the same or different functions and gene targets and whether they are similarly regulated. Phenotype analysis suggested that both operons regulated common and separate targets in the light and the dark. The chromosomal operon was involved in the negative control of autotrophic events, whereas the plasmid operon was involved in the positive control of heterotrophic events. Both the plasmid and double operon mutant cells were larger and had division defects. The growth data also showed a regulatory role for the chromosomal hik gene under high-CO2 conditions and the plasmid operon under low-O2 conditions. Metal stress experiments indicated a role for the chromosomal hik gene and operon in mediating Zn and Cd tolerance, the plasmid operon in Co tolerance, and the chromosomal operon and plasmid hik gene in Ni tolerance. We conclude that both operons are differentially and temporally regulated. We suggest that the chromosomal operon is the primarily expressed copy and the plasmid operon acts as a backup to maintain appropriate gene dosages. Both operons share an integrated regulatory relationship and are induced in high light, in glucose, and in active cell growth. Additionally, the plasmid operon is induced in the dark with or without glucose.
High-performance liquid chromatography of bis(η5-l,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-titanium, zirconium and hafnium dichlorides

Abstract The high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of bis(η 5 -1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-titanium, zirconium and hafnium dichlorides was demonstrated on cyano-bonded silica under normal-phase gradient elution conditions. Data reported include capacity factors, separation efficiencies, and compound resolutions. The linearity of detection is shown and detection limits are reported.
Aggregates, Crystals, Gels, and Amyloids: Intracellular and Extracellular Phenotypes at the Crossroads of Immunoglobulin Physicochemical Property and Cell Physiology

Recombinant immunoglobulins comprise an important class of human therapeutics. Although specific immunoglobulins can be purposefully raised against desired antigen targets by various methods, identifying an immunoglobulin clone that simultaneously possesses potent therapeutic activities and desirable manufacturing-related attributes often turns out to be challenging. The variable domains of individual immunoglobulins primarily define the unique antigen specificities and binding affinities inherent to each clone. The primary sequence of the variable domains also specifies the unique physicochemical properties that modulate various aspects of individual immunoglobulin life cycle, starting from the biosynthetic steps in the endoplasmic reticulum, secretory pathway trafficking, secretion, and the fate in the extracellular space and in the endosome-lysosome system. Because of the diverse repertoire of immunoglobulin physicochemical properties, some immunoglobulin clones' intrinsic properties may manifest as intriguing cellular phenotypes, unusual solution behaviors, and serious pathologic outcomes that are of scientific and clinical importance. To gain renewed insights into identifying manufacturable therapeutic antibodies, this paper catalogs important intracellular and extracellular phenotypes induced by various subsets of immunoglobulin clones occupying different niches of diverse physicochemical repertoire space. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that make certain immunoglobulin clones desirable or undesirable for large-scale manufacturing and therapeutic use are summarized.
Growth of Filipino infants who differ in body proportions at birth

Growth of infants who differ in body proportions at birth was followed during the first 12 months of life. The sample of 2,695 infants from Metropolitan Cebu, in the Central Philippines, was divided into five groups based on a cross tabulation of low-birth-weight(LBW) status (2,500 g or less) with low ( 90th percentile)Rohre's Index (RI). The groups exhibited significant differences in growth patterns. The importance of these groups, which reflect weight and body proportions of the infant at birth as a determinant of attained size at 2, 6, and 12 months of age, was evaluated by using multivariate techniques which took into consideration other factors known to affect growth. Results show that intergroup differences in growth patterns and attained size occur because of (1) differences in postnatal growth potential represented by weight and body proportions at birth, (2) differences in the important biological inputs that affect postnatal growth (such as feeding practices and morbidity), and (3) differences in the effects of inputs on growth. Infants who are LBW but well proportioned are most likely to remain small during the first year of life, while those with a low RI at birth are more capable of catch-up growth.
Configural Approaches to Temperament Assessment: Implications for Predicting Risk of Unintentional Injury in Children

This study used two configural approaches to understand how temperament factors (surgency/extraversion, negative affect, and effortful control) might predict child injury risk. In the first approach, clustering procedures were applied to trait dimensions to identify discrete personality prototypes. In the second approach, two- and three-way trait interactions were considered dimensionally in regression models predicting injury outcomes. Injury risk was assessed through four measures: lifetime prevalence of injuries requiring professional medical attention, scores on the Injury Behavior Checklist, and frequency and severity of injuries reported in a 2-week injury diary. In the prototype analysis, three temperament clusters were obtained, which resembled resilient, overcontrolled, and undercontrolled types found in previous research. Undercontrolled children had greater risk of injury than children in the other groups. In the dimensional interaction analyses, an interaction between surgency/extraversion and negative affect tended to predict injury, especially when children lacked capacity for effortful control.
Hepatocellular carcinoma incidence in Florida. Ethnic and racial distribution.

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the primary form of liver carcinoma, is increasing in incidence worldwide. The increasing numbers of Hispanic immigrants in Florida suggest that the rate of HCC in the Hispanic population should be of special concern. This study describes racial and ethnic distribution and trends of incident HCC in Florida from 1985 to 1995. METHODS A total of 2837 cases of incident HCC from 1985 to 1995 were examined from Florida's incident cancer registry, the Florida Cancer Data System. Age standardized and age specific average annual incidence rates were calculated for the state of Florida by gender and by racial and ethnic group. RESULTS Over the study period, the average annual incidence HCC rates in Florida among male and female Hispanics and blacks were consistently and significantly twice the rate of white males and females as standardized rate ratios. Males were at least twice as likely to have HCC compared with females in all three racial and ethnic subpopulations. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of HCC in Florida was comparable to the overall U.S. incidence with respect to average annual incidence and gender distribution. Florida blacks and Hispanics are at significantly increased risk for HCC incidence compared with Florida whites. These results have implications for preventive HCC recommendations in growing racial and ethnic subpopulations in the United States. Cancer 2001;91:1046–51. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Effect of pressure on cation partitioning between immiscible liquids in the system Ti02-SiO2

Abstract Liquidus phase relations in the system Si02-TiO2 have been determined at 3.0 GPa to investigate the effect of pressure on the partitioning of Si and Ti between coexisting immiscible liquids. Experiments on oxide mixtures containing 10, 50, 90, and 100 mol% TiO2 were performed in multi-anvil and piston-cylinder apparatus at 2173–2740 K. At 1 atm, immiscible liquids form because the liquid structures are dissimilar: tetravalent cations occur in primarily fourfold (Si02-rich liquid) vs. sixfold (TiO2-rich liquid) coordination by oxygen. At 3.0 GPa, immiscible liquids also coexist, but the phase relations and liquid compositions are significantly different. The eutectic liquid is now Ti02-rich (78.4 vs. 8.1 mol% TiO2 at 1 atm). Above the liquidus, the coexisting immiscible liquids are enriched in Si02. The Si02 content of the TiO2-rich liquid has increased by more than a factor of 3, while the TiO2-content of the SiO2-rich liquid has decreased by 1 2 . The persistence of a wide solvus implies that pressure does not cause liquid structure assimilation. The observed shift in immiscible liquid compositions indicated that pressure has raised the activity of TiO2 in the liquid dominated by tetravalent cations in fourfold coordination and lowered the activity of SiO2 in a liquid dominated by tetravalent cations in sixfold coordination. The decrease in TiO2 content of the SiO2-rich liquid with pressure is probably related to the positive volume of mixing observed in 1 atm glasses in this composition range. The enhanced solubility of SiO2 in the TiO2-rich liquid with pressure may be due to a pressure-induced increase in the coordination state of Si.
Small scale structure in the brightness of the zodiacal light: Ground-based observations

Ground-based observations of the evening zodiacal light are used to derive a table of zodiacal light brightnesses at spatial resolutions as small as 0.5 deg in differential ecliptic longitude and 1.0 deg in ecliptic latitude. Significant differences are found in the brightness distribution above and below the ecliptic plane. Attention is given to a feature found in the brightness at all ecliptic latitudes, between differential ecliptic longitudes 39 deg and 42 deg.
The inhibitory effect of intraventricular administration of serotonin on spontaneous motor activity of rats

Spontaneous motor activity was studied following injection of 1, 10 and 50 μg of serotonin (5-HT) into the lateral ventricle of chronically cannulated rats. During the first 15 min, the rats receiving the higher doses of 5-HT showed significant decrements (P<0.01) in motor activity compared to saline controls. No activation was observed in either group. After 20 min, no significant differences for any treatment condition compared to saline controls were observed. It is concluded that a principal effect of directly increasing brain 5-HT concentration is to decrease activity. Possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed.
Patterns of Prescribing ACE Inhibitors after Myocardial Infarction

We attempted to determine physician prescribing patterns of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in patients who experienced a myocardial infarction, stratified by left ventricular function. We retrospectively reviewed drug therapy at discharge in 534 patients to assess prescription of ACE inhibitor therapy, including dosage. Thirty-four percent of patients were discharged taking an ACE inhibitor, of whom only 11% received recommended dosages. The drugs were prescribed more often for patients who had an ejection fraction below 40% than for those with an ejection fraction of 40% or above (54% vs 28%, p<0.05). We conclude that ACE inhibitors are underprescribed for patients who experienced a myocardial infarction, illustrating the gap between clinical research and clinical practice, and the need for programs to ensure optimal medical management.
Elevated CO2 differentially alters the responses of coocurring birch and maple seedlings to a moisture gradient.

To determine the effects of elevated CO2 and soil moisture status on growth and niche characteristics of birch and maple seedlings, gray birch (Betula populifolia) and red maple (Acer rubrum) were experimentally raised along a soil moisture gradient ranging from extreme drought to flooded conditions at both ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2 levels. The magnitude of growth enhancement due to CO2 was largely contingent on soil moisture conditions, but differently so for maple than for birch seedlings. Red maple showed greatest CO2 enhancements under moderately moist soil conditions, whereas gray birch showed greatest enhancements under moderately dry soil conditions. Additionally, CO2 had a relatively greater ameliorating effect in flooded conditions for red maple than for gray birch, whereas the reverse pattern was true for these species under extreme drought conditions. For both species, elevated CO2 resulted in a reduction in niche breadths on the moisture gradient; 5% for gray birch and 23% for red maple. Species niche overlap (proportional overall) was also lower at elevated CO2 (0.98 to: 0.88: 11%). This study highlights the utility of of experiments crossing CO2 levels with gradients of other resources as effective tools for elucidating the potential consequences of elevated CO2 on species distributions and potential interactions in natural communities.
Surface Segregation of Methyl Side Branches Monitored by Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) Vibrational Spectroscopy for a Series of Random Poly(ethylene-co-propylene) Copolymers

The surface composition and surface chain conformation of a series of random aspecific poly(ethylene-co-propylene) rubber copolymers (aEPR) was quantified by sum frequency generation surface vibrational spectroscopy (SFG). All of the copolymers are found to preferentially orient side-branch methyl groups out of the surface. As the ethylene content of the copolymer increases, the number of methyl groups contributing to the sum frequency signal decreases. However, the percentage of methyl groups oriented out of the surface, relative to the bulk concentration of methyl groups, increases. This surface excess of oriented methyl groups is proposed to be a result of decreased steric hindrances between adjacent methyl groups in ethylene-rich copolymers. Additionally, analysis of the CH2 bands in the SFG spectra suggests that the CH2 units at the surface become more oriented toward the surface normal and adopt a trans configuration as the ethylene content increases.
Delivery of high intensity beams with large clad step-index fibers for engine ignition

We show, for the first time, that step-index silica fibers with a large clad (400 μm core and 720 μm clad) can be used to transmit nanosecond duration pulses in a way that allows reliable (consistent) spark formation in atmospheric pressure air by the focused output light from the fiber. The high intensity (>100 GW/cm2) of the focused output light is due to the combination of high output power (typical of fibers of this core size) with high output beam quality (better than that typical of fibers of this core size). The high output beam quality, which enables tight focusing, is due to the large clad which suppresses microbending-induced diffusion of modal power to higher order modes owing to the increased rigidity of the core-clad interface. We also show that extending the pulse duration provides a means to increase the delivered pulse energy (>20 mJ delivered for 50 ns pulses) without causing fiber damage. Based on this ability to deliver high energy sparks, we report the first reliable laser ignition of a natural gas engine including startup under typical procedures using silica fiber optics for pulse delivery.
Hematopoietic precursor cells within the yolk sac tumor component are the source of secondary hematopoietic malignancies in patients with mediastinal germ cell tumors.

Background. Patients with mediastinal germ cell tumors (MGCT) have a high incidence of hematologic malignancies unrelated to cytotoxic chemotherapy. It has been suggested that these leukemic conditions originate from a MGCT progenitor cell capable of undergoing non-germ cell (hematopoietic) differentiation. Methods. To assess this hypothesis, histologic material from six patients with MGCTs associated with leukemia was examined using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies capable of labeling cells of the different marrow cell lineages. Results. Morphologically identifiable hematologic cells were found within the yolk sac tumor component of the MGCT in four of these patients. In three of the four cases, the cells consisted of poorly differentiated blast cells, whereas in the fourth, clusters of erythroblasts were identified. The leukemic cells within the MGCT and in the bone marrow had similar morphology, constant expression of the early progenitor cell marker CD34, and variable expression of more mature myeloid, monocytic, erythroid, and megakaryocytic markers. Three cases expressed p53, a nuclear protein associated with neoplastic transformation in a wide range of malignancies, including testicular cancers, but which rarely is reported in leukemias. Karyotype of the leukemia was assessed in five cases: two showed an i(12p), a cytogenetic marker of GCT not identified in the usual cases of leukemia. Conclusions. The results support the hypothesis that these leukemic conditions originate in the MGCT through a mechanism of differentiation from a yolk sac tumor-derived progenitor cell, with subsequent homing to the marrow.
Experimental Study of Dynamic Permeability in Porous Media

We report experimental measurements of ac permeability made on a variety of fused glass beads and crushed glass in a frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 1 kHz. We observe a rollover in $\ensuremath{\kappa}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ from a viscous flow regime to an inertial one, and determine the values of the transport coefficients in both the high-frequency limit and the low-frequency limit. A good agreement is found with the scaling theory $\frac{\ensuremath{\kappa}}{{\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{0}}=f(\frac{\ensuremath{\omega}}{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}})$ with only two independent parameters.
Putting Quality First in Ideation Research

Teams use ideation techniques such as brainstorming to generate alternatives in response to a crisis or opportunity with the goal of converging on a few high-quality ideas. Ideation research, however, tends to focus on developing techniques that generate a large quantity of ideas, sometimes giving little attention to the cognitive mechanisms that give rise to good-quality ideas, or to the validity of the metrics by which ideation quality is measured . This study examines a theoretical link between idea quality and quantity in the ideation literature using Bounded Ideation Theory (BIT). BIT proposes that the relationship between participant ability and ideation quality is moderated by cognitive factors such as scarcity of attention resources, mental and physical exhaustion, understanding of the problem, and goal congruence, as well as attributes of the problem being addressed. Ideation quality is measured in the literature using a number of approaches which diverge to differing research conclusions, even when applied to the same data set. We use a Monte Carlo simulation to demonstrate conditions under which some of these measures exhibit a bias. We present theoretical and methodological arguments to support our call for future ideation research to shift its focus from quantity to quality by focusing on the cognitive factors that influence ideation quality and using unbiased measures of ideation quality.
EXPERIMENTAL LATHYRISM. AN AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDY.

In normal and lathyritic chick embryos bone collagen was synthesized primarily in the periosteum of the femurs, and was organized as radioactive spicules in these bones. Saline extraction of the lathyritic bones removed the radioactive spicules, although they eventually seemed to become non-extractable. Normal bone seemed to be unaffected by saline extraction. Marked variation in the degree of isotope incorporation was seen in collagenous and non-collagenous tissues. All the tissues of any one embryo, however, showed a similar degree of isotope incorporation. Tritiated s-aminopropionitrile was diffusely distributed throughout bone and was completely removed by saline extraction. This autoradiographic study supports the postulate that a portion of extractable lathyritic collagen is recently synthesized and is organized in fibrous structures in bone.