cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence of Pharyngitis, Sinusitis, Acute Otitis Media, and Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing Preventable by Vaccination Against Group A Streptococcus in the United States.

Background Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a leading cause of acute respiratory conditions that frequently result in antibiotic prescribing. Vaccines against GAS are currently in development. Methods We estimated the incidence rates of healthcare visits and antibiotic prescribing for pharyngitis, sinusitis, and acute otitis media (AOM) in the United States using nationally representative surveys of outpatient care provision, supplemented by insurance claims data. We estimated the proportion of these episodes attributable to GAS and to GAS emm types included in a proposed 30-valent vaccine. We used these outputs to estimate the incidence rates of outpatient visits and antibiotic prescribing preventable by GAS vaccines with various efficacy profiles under infant and school-age dosing schedules. Results GAS pharyngitis causes 19.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.3-21.1) outpatient visits and 10.2 (95% CI, 9.0-11.5) antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 US persons aged 0-64 years, annually. GAS pharyngitis causes 93.2 (95% CI, 82.3-105.3) visits and 53.2 (95% CI, 45.2-62.5) antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 children ages 3-9 years, annually, representing 5.9% (95% CI, 5.1-7.0%) of all outpatient antibiotic prescribing in this age group. Collectively, GAS-attributable pharyngitis, sinusitis, and AOM cause 26.9 (95% CI, 23.9-30.8) outpatient visits and 16.1 (95% CI, 14.0-18.7) antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 population, annually. A 30-valent GAS vaccine meeting the World Health Organization's 80% efficacy target could prevent 5.4% (95% CI, 4.6-6.4%) of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions among children aged 3-9 years. If vaccine prevention of GAS pharyngitis made the routine antibiotic treatment of pharyngitis unnecessary, up to 17.1% (95% CI, 15.0-19.6%) of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions among children aged 3-9 years could be prevented. Conclusions An efficacious GAS vaccine could prevent substantial incidences of pharyngitis infections and associated antibiotic prescribing in the United States.
Prepectoral 2-stage Breast Reconstruction with Carbon Dioxide Tissue Expansion.

Roughly 80% of patients undergoing mastectomy in the United States opt for reconstruction with implants. The introduction of acellular dermal matrices has allowed for placement of breast prostheses in the prepectoral plane, while a new carbon dioxide tissue expander (TE) (AeroForm) allows for needle-free, patient-controlled expansion. These 2 novel technologies have ushered in a new patient-centered era of breast reconstruction, with the possibility of reducing patient morbidity for the first time in decades. We hypothesize that AeroForm expanders placed in the prepectoral plane reduce time to second-stage reconstruction, reduce the number of clinic visits, and have lower complications than traditional saline TEs. Methods This is a retrospective review of all patients undergoing breast mastectomy and TE placement in the prepectoral plane over a 21-month period (169 patients, 267 breasts), comparing AeroForm expanders to TEs. Results The AeroForm group (n = 57) had a shorter period to second-stage reconstruction than the TE group (n = 210) (135.4 versus 181.7 days; P = 0.01) and required fewer clinic visits (5.1 versus 6.9; P < 0.01). Partial thickness (25.6% versus 12.3%, P = 0.03) and full thickness (8.7% versus 0.0%, P = 0.02) necrosis were more common in the saline cohort. The rates of infection, hematoma, and seroma requiring drainage were not statistically significant between the 2 groups. Conclusions Two-staged breast reconstruction with the use of AeroForm expanders in the prepectoral space marks progress in improving care for breast cancer patients by demonstrating a reduction in some adverse events, the number of clinic visits, and the time to second-stage reconstruction.
A Tropical Semiring Multiple Matrix-Product Library on GPUs: (not just) a step towards RNA-RNA Interaction Computations

RNA-RNA interaction (RRI) is important in processes such as gene regulation, and certain classes of RRI are known to play roles in various diseases including cancer and Alzheimer's. Other classes are not as well studied but could have biological importance, thus there is a need for high-throughput tools which enable the study of these molecules. Current computational tools for RRI are slow: execution times in days, weeks or even months for large experiments, because the algorithms have time and space complexity, respectively O(N 3 M 3 ) and O(N 2 M 2 ), for two sequences length N and M. No GPU parallelization of such algorithms exists. We show how the most computationally expensive portion of RRI base pair maximization algorithms, an O(NM) 3 computation, can be expressed as O(N 3 ) instances of such matrix products. We therefore propose an optimized library for the core computation of BPMax, an RRI algorithm based on weighted base pair counting. Our library multiplies multiple pairs of matrices in the max-plus semiring. We explore multiple tradeoffs: a square matrix product library attains close to the machine peak, but does 6-fold unnecessary computations and has a 2× higher data footprint, while the one with the minimum work and memory footprint has thread divergence and unbalanced load. We also specialize for upper banded (trapezoidal shaped) matrices, which are relevant to a windowed version of the algorithm. STOP PRESS: just before we submitted the camera-ready version of the paper, we incorporated our library into a GPU implementation of the complete BPMax algorithm. We will report performance numbers at the workshop.
Sexual organ-sparing with hydrogel spacer injections for rectal cancer radiotherapy: a feasibility pilot study.

Objectives:The aim of this pilot study was to investigate in two rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (nCRT) the implant feasibility and dosimetric benefit in sexual org...
Electronic Health Records’ Support for Primary Care Physicians’ Situation Awareness: A Metanarrative Review:

ObjectiveSituation awareness (SA) refers to people’s perception and understanding of their dynamic environment. In primary care, reduced SA among physicians increases errors in clinical decision-ma...
Location, Location, Location: The effect of location on evaluation and aesthetic judgment of off-premise signage

Academic scholars and practitioners uniformly suggest that off-premise signs such as billboards will be more effective if they are installed in high-traffic areas rather than low-traffic areas. In this research, we question the ubiquity of this claim and illustrate potential advantages of installing off-premise signs in low-traffic areas given that these environments also tend to be less cluttered (i.e., having fewer competing signs). Across two studies, we provide converging evidence that consumers evaluate a billboard more favorably when it is displayed by itself than when it is displayed next to other billboards. We show that the same billboard in a low-clutter (vs. high-clutter) location is judged to be more aesthetic, which in turn improves the overall evaluation of the billboard. We further delineate boundary conditions in which the benefits of a low-clutter environment are attenuated.
Pulmonary delivery of the broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor marimastat diminishes multiwalled carbon nanotube-induced circulating bioactivity without reducing pulmonary inflammation.

Background Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are an increasingly utilized engineered nanomaterial that pose the potential for significant risk of exposure-related health outcomes. The mechanism(s) underlying MWCNT-induced toxicity to extrapulmonary sites are still being defined. MWCNT-induced serum-borne bioactivity appears to dysregulate systemic endothelial cell function. The serum compositional changes after MWCNT exposure have been identified as a surge of fragmented endogenous peptides, likely derived from matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. In the present study, we utilize a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor, Marimastat, along with a previously described oropharyngeal aspiration model of MWCNT administration to investigate the role of MMPs in MWCNT-derived serum peptide generation and endothelial bioactivity. Results C57BL/6 mice were treated with Marimastat or vehicle by oropharyngeal aspiration 1 h prior to MWCNT treatment. Pulmonary neutrophil infiltration and total bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein increased independent of MMP blockade. The lung cytokine profile similarly increased following MWCNT exposure for major inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), with minimal impact from MMP inhibition. However, serum peptidomic analysis revealed differential peptide compositional profiles, with MMP blockade abrogating MWCNT-derived serum peptide fragments. The serum, in turn, exhibited differential potency in terms of inflammatory bioactivity when incubated with primary murine cerebrovascular endothelial cells. Serum from MWCNT-treated mice led to inflammatory responses in endothelial cells that were significantly blunted with serum from Marimastat-treated mice. Conclusions Thus, MWCNT exposure induced pulmonary inflammation that was largely independent of MMP activity but generated circulating bioactive peptides through predominantly MMP-dependent pathways. This MWCNT-induced lung-derived bioactivity caused pathological consequences of endothelial inflammation and barrier disruption.
qSeq: Full Algorithmic and Tool Support for Synthesizing Sequential Circuits in Superconducting SFQ Technology

Synthesizing general nonlinear sequential circuits in superconducting Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) technology is a challenging task involving the proper leveling of cyclic digraphs, handling nested feedback loops, and ensuring the full path balancing property throughout the synthesis process. This paper presents a precise definition of the level of a node in a cyclic digraph and a polynomial time algorithm for the corresponding level assignment and full path balancing in sequential SFQ circuits, including SFQ Finite State Machines (FSMs). A case study is conducted on a 3-bit counter, as an FSM, which has a power consumption of $44. 7 \mu W$ and $1. 4 \mu W$ using rapid SFQ and energy-efficient rapid RSFQ cells, respectively, with the local clock frequency of 55GHz (throughput of 11GHz) which is significantly higher than the typical CMOS clock frequencies. More results on larger SFQ circuits are also presented.
AXONAL LESIONS AND WALTZING SYNDROME AFTER IDPN ADMINISTRATION IN RATS. WITH A CONCEPT--"AXOSTASIS".

1. Der primare Angriffspunkt der IDPN ist der marklose oder markarme proximale Axonabschnitt der Riesenneuronen des retikularen Systems des Hirnstammes, der Kerne des N. statoacusticus (VIII), der Vorderhorner des Ruckenmarks und — zu einem geringeren Grad — einiger Hirnnervenkerne. 2. Die Verteilung der schwersten Schaden deckt sich annahernd mit der Verteilung der Neurone, bei denen der Enzymtransport von der axonalen Stromung abhangig ist. 3. Durch IDPN erzeugte Schattenzellen („ghost-cells”), die bisher als Reste untergehender Neuronen gedeutet wurden, sind tatsachlich geschwollene Ursprungsabschnitte der Axone („Ballons”) mit angehauften partikularen Bestandteilen. 4. Die zunehmende Anhaufung von Axoplasmabestandteilen nahe den Perikarya wird als Zeichen einer „primaren Axostasis” aufgefast und nicht als Ergebnis einer Blockierung in der Hohe der Foramina intervertebralia. 5. Die fortgesetzte Produktion von Axoplasma, fur die die Grose der „Ballons” spricht, deutet darauf hin, das das Perikaryon noch funktionstuchtig ist. 6. Bemerkenswert ist das zeitliche Zusammenfallen der ersten klinischen Syndrome mit den ersten histologischen Veranderungen. 7. Der Begriff der „Axostasis” wird vorgeschlagen und diskutiert. „Axostasis” ist wahrscheinlich der fur das „Tanz-Syndrom” („waltzing syndrome”) verantwortliche pathogene Prozes. Die Bedeutung dieses Syndroms in Beziehung zu den retikularen Neuronen des Hirnstammes wird hervorgehoben.
Electro-encephalographic examinations of imbeciles; regarding the alpha frequency in spastics and mongoloid idiots.

Summary. 42 imbeciles (20 mongoloids and 22 spastic subjects) were examined with electro-encephalograms. Regular alpha frequency was recorded in 11 mongoloids and 10 spastic subjects, irregular and sparse alpha waves in 4 mongoloids and 4 spastic subjects The alpha waves appeared more sporadically and in shorter periods in the spastic subjects and mongoloids as compared with the normal cases. In all cases of regular alpha frequency, a lower frequency was found in the mongoloids than in the spastic subjects, with a single exception. The results in the cases with alpha-like, irregular waves correspond with the typical cases The alpha frequency in all the mongoloids with a low intelligence quotient was far below the normal values for the age, whereas the alpha frequency in all the spastic subjects, even in those with a very low intelligence quotient, fell within, or in the neighbourhood of, the normal limits of variation for the age.
Latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood. Unique features that distinguish it from types 1 and 2

A number of patients with poor glycemic control receive the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes despite the fact that they do not exhibit some of the traditional characteristics of the disease, such as obesity. A more accurate diagnosis for many of these patients is latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood (LADA). In this article, Dr Nabhan and coauthors describe features that LADA has in common with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as those that distinguish LADA from these more widely recognized forms of diabetes. The authors also describe the pathogenesis of the disease, potential complications, and treatment options.
The role of gender in peer victimization among youth: a study of incidence, interrelations, and social cognitive correlates

Abstract Students experience many forms of victimization at school, yet few studies address more than one form of victimization. In this study, we explored the incidence of multiple forms of peer victimization, including direct verbal and physical, relational, and sexual harassment victimization among urban middle school students. We examined the overlap and gender differences among victimization experiences. Further, social cognitive theory was used to better understand how victimization experiences influence beliefs about the acceptability of aggression. Youth in 6th through 8th grades (N=111) completed self-report measures assessing peer victimization experiences and normative beliefs about aggression. Results revealed overlap between victimization experiences, suggesting that students commonly experience multiple forms of victimization by peers. Males who were sexually harassed held the strongest beliefs supporting aggression in situations without provocation. Our findings suggest that direct physical...
Enabling technologies for broadband communications

Summary form only given. This paper characterizes the gigabit last mile race as driven by the infinite bandwidth fiber core network. As cable and telco service providers square off for the media convergence battle for market share, backbone capacity is growing to serve their perceived markets at rates (Metcalf's law) far exceeding what is supportable by traditional consumer technologies (Moore's law). We examine the strengths and weaknesses of each gigabit last mile solution and the enabling technologies that will change the equation, such as millimeter wave MMIC, free space optical components, edge routers and photonics components. This is intended to be a tutorial introduction to the opportunities ahead for microwave and antenna technologies.
Cooperative effects among partial waves in Mie scattering

Observations of an illuminated water droplet at a close distance are described mathematically by the Fourier transform of the Mie-scattering amplitude convolved with the aperture function of the observer’s eye. Most of the sharp enhancements found in the Fourier transform correspond to geometrical rays associated with the various terms in the Debye-series expansion of the Mie amplitude. However, there are some enhancements that cannot be ascribed to any individual Debye-series term. Instead, they arise from a constructive interference cooperation of the phase of a scattering resonance in a single partial wave with the region of the stationary phase corresponding to geometrical orbiting in the m-internal-reflection portion of the Fourier transform of the scattering amplitude. This phase cooperation amplifies the contribution that the scattering resonance makes to the Fourier-transform amplitude.
The α1-tubulin gene of Arabidopsis thaliana: primary structure and preferential expression in flowers

The primary structure of the α1-tubulin gene of Arabidopsis thaliana was determined and the 5′ and 3′ ends of its transcript were identified by S1 nuclease mapping experiments. The information obtained was used to (i) predict the amino acid sequence of the α1-tubulin, (ii) deduce the positions of introns within the α1-tubulin gene, and (iii) construct 3′ noncoding gene-specific hybridization probes with which to study the pattern of α1-tubulin transcript accumulation in different tissues and at different stages of development. The predicted amino acid sequence of the α1-tubulin has 92% identity with the predicted product of the previously characterized A. thaliana α3-tubulin gene. The coding sequence of the α1-tubulin gene is interrupted by four introns located at positions identical to those of the four introns in the α3 gene. RNA blot hybridization studies carried out with an α1-tubulin gene-specific probe showed that the α1 gene transcript accumulates primarily in flowers, with little transcript present in RNA isolated from roots or leaves. In order to investigate the pattern of α-tubulin gene expression in developing flowers, RNA was isolated from flowers at five different stages of development: flower buds, unopened flowers with pollen, open flowers, flowers with elongating carpels, and green seed pods. RNA blot hybridizations performed with 3′ noncoding gene-specific probes showed that the α3 tubulin gene transcript is present in flowers at all stages of development, whereas the α1-tubulin gene transcript could only be detected in RNA from unopened flowers with pollen, open flowers, and flowers with elongating carpels.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for facial nerve schwannomas: A preliminary assessment and review of the literature.

AbstractObjective. Facial nerve schwannomas (FNS) are rare tumors, and their appropriate management remains the subject of considerable debate. This report details the results of a series of patients with FNS treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) at the University of Virginia. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of the clinical and imaging outcomes of 5 patients who underwent Gamma Knife RS (GKRS) for small-to-medium-sized (< 5 mL) FNS at our institution. The study population consisted of 3 males and 2 females with a median age of 35 years. All patients presented with varying degrees of facial palsy and/or hearing dysfunction. Tumor volumes at GKRS ranged from 0.1 to 5 (median = 0.8) mL. The median maximum radiosurgical dose and tumor margin dose were 24 Gy and 12 Gy, respectively. Results. After a median follow-up period of 12 (range, 6–36) months, three tumors were radiographically smaller and two remained stable. Facial function improved in three patients, remained stable in one patient...
The Small Bovine Amelogenin LRAP Fails to Rescue the Amelogenin Null Phenotype

Amelogenins are the most abundant secreted proteins in developing dental enamel. These evolutionarily-conserved proteins have important roles in enamel mineral formation, as mutations within the amelogenin gene coding region lead to defects in enamel thickness or mineral structure. Because of extensive alternative splicing of the primary RNA transcript and proteolytic processing of the secreted proteins, it has been difficult to assign functions to individual amelogenins. To address the function of one of the amelogenins, we have created a transgenic mouse that expresses bovine leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) in the enamel-secreting ameloblast cells of the dental organ. Our strategy was to breed this transgenic mouse with the recently generated amelogenin knockout mouse, which makes none of the amelogenin proteins and has a severe hypoplastic and disorganized enamel phenotype. It was found that LRAP does not rescue the enamel defect in amelogenin null mice, and enamel remains hypoplastic and disorganized in the presence of this small amelogenin. In addition, LRAP overexpression in the transgenic mouse (wildtype background) leads to pitting in the enamel surface, which may result from excess protein production or altered protein processing due to minor differences between the amino acid compositions of murine and bovine LRAP. Since introduction of bovine LRAP into the amelogenin null mouse does not restore normal enamel structure, it is concluded that other amelogenin proteins are essential for normal appearance and function.
Exact Solution of a Constraint Optimization Problem for the Thermoelectric Figure of Merit

In the classical theory of thermoelectricity, the performance integrals for a fully self-compatible material depend on the dimensionless figure of merit zT. Usually these integrals are evaluated for constraints z = const. and zT = const., respectively. In this paper we discuss the question from a mathematical point of view whether there is an optimal temperature characteristics of the figure of merit. We solve this isoperimetric variational problem for the best envelope of a family of curves z(T)T.
Childhood adversity and immune and inflammatory biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk in youth: a systematic review.

Abstract Background Research suggests that adverse experiences in childhood affect the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and immune and inflammation dysregulation has been postulated to play role. However, it is unclear whether the effects of social adversity on immune-related biomarkers are evident in early life, and if these biomarkers may provide an early risk marker for targeting prevention and intervention. The purpose of this review is to evaluate research on the relationship between adversity and CVD-relevant immune biomarkers in youth, assess the consistency of the findings, and consider what additional research is needed. Methods PubMed and PsycINFO searches were conducted through September 2011. Studies were selected using criteria related to the childhood exposure, biomarker outcome, age range, and sample selection. Twenty articles were identified, examining associations between childhood adversity and immune biomarkers (assessed during childhood) that are potential risk markers for CVD later in life. Results Although childhood adversity was not consistently related to youth levels of inflammatory and other immune markers relevant to CVD, a trend toward positive findings was observed. No detectable patterns were evident based on measure of adversity, biomarker, study design, or sample size. Conclusions Overall, our findings suggest this avenue of research is worth continued investigation. We offer recommendations for future research related to (1) study design and sample, (2) definition and measurement of adversity, (3) statistical analysis, and (4) outcomes that will help distinguish whether there are immunologic alterations related to adversity and subsequent CVD risk that can be reliably detected in childhood.
The importance of luminal factors in neomucosal growth.

Growing neomucosa on patched intestinal defects has been investigated as a method of expanding the intestinal absorptive area. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of luminal factors on the rate of growth and function of neomucosa in rabbit ileum. A 2 × 5-cm distal ileal defect was patched with adjacent colon serosa in 10 New Zealand white male rabbits. A similar defect was patched in a bypassed ileal segment in an additional 10 rabbits. Five animals in each group were sacrificed at 4 and 8 weeks for determination of the gross and microscopic growth of neomucosa, glucose uptake, and disaccharidase activity. In addition, tritiated thymidine uptake was measured in neomucosa and incontinuity ileum at the 4-week sacrifice. Grossly, the patched defects were covered in nearly all animals by 4 weeks and coverage was complete at 8 weeks. Microscopically, the mucosa was less well developed in the bypassed group with a mean villous height significantly less than the incontinuity group (139.9 ± 13.9 μm vs 212.33 ± 30.3 μm, P < 0.0005). In vitro uptake of [3H]thymidine was significantly higher in neomucosa in bypassed segments when compared with neomucosa in incontinuity segments (692.5 ± 347.8 vs 278.0 ± 134.8, P < .05, expressed as percentage of normal incontinuity ileum). Glucose uptake was similar in both groups but disaccharidase activity was significantly less in the bypassed group. The increased uptake of [3H]thymidine in neomucosa in the bypassed segment may reflect the histologic immaturity of this tissue with a greater proportion of DNA synthesizing cells. Morphologically and functionally, the intestinal neomucosa appears better developed in incontinuity segments compared to bypassed segments. Thus, the growth of neomucosa appears to be influenced by luminal contents.
Thermal Conductivity and Specific Heat of Noncrystalline Solids

The thermal conductivity of vitreous Si${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, Se, and silica- and germania-based glasses has been measured between 0.05 and 100 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Comparison with earlier work on noncrystalline solids shows that they all have the same conductivity within a factor of 5 over the entire temperature range investigated, with the same characteristic plateau around 10 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and that their conductivity varies as ${T}^{n}$, $n\ensuremath{\sim}1.8$, below $T=1$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Furthermore, the average phonon mean free path is large by comparison with the phonon wavelength, about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ cm at 2 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and decreasing as ${T}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ at larger $T$, suggesting a Rayleigh-type scattering mechanism. Such a mean free path can be quantitatively explained by approximating the glassy structure with that of a crystal in which every atom is displaced from its lattice site. Then every atom scatters like an interstitial atom, or---even simpler---like one that is missing at its regular lattice site, with a scattering cross section determined by the missing mass (isotopic defect). The specific heat of amorphous Si${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, Ge${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, and Se has been found to vary as $AT+B{T}^{3}$ between 0.1 and 1 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, with $A=10$ erg/g \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$ within a factor of 2. This departure from the Debye specific heat may be characteristic of the glassy state, as all earlier measurements of other glasses [polystyrene, glycerol, Lucite (PMMA)] indicate a similar anomaly. Its origin is not clear. Impurities or surface effects through adsorbed gases are unlikely because of the many samples and experimental techniques used in different laboratories. We have tried to attribute the anomaly to low-lying electronic states, motional states of ions, trapped atoms or large groups of atoms, or one-dimensional vibrations within a three-dimensional solid, so far without success. At the present time, the only independent evidence for these excitations appears to be in the low-temperature thermal conductivity at $Tl1$ \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K described above.
Computational algorithm for the design of elliptic filters

A simple and fast algorithm, based on the simultaneous chebyshev character of the passband and stopband characteristic, is presented for the computation of the transfer function of elliptic filters. The algorithm does not use elliptic functions; rather, a set of nonlinear equations is established and solved using Newton's method. Since useful initial approximations are easy to find, the solution requires only 2–4 iterations. The results are obtained directly in the transformed variable z and hence are immediately usable for computer-aided design.
Gold nanoparticle decoration of DNA on silicon

Electrostatic assembly of cationic nanoparticles onto the negatively charged backbone of double-stranded DNA has been shown to produce one-dimensional chains with potential use as nanoelectronic components. In this paper, micron long DNA templates stretched on aminosilane- and hexamethyldisilazane-modified silicon surfaces are used to assemble 3.5 nm gold nanoparticles passivated with cationic thiocholine. Atomic force microscopy is used to analyze the density and defects along the approximately 5 nm high structures, with comparison between positively charged and neutral surfaces. Low background adsorption of nanoparticles is facilitated by both these surface chemistries, while the neutral surface yields a more densely packed assembly.
Mining-related and tectonic seismicity in the East Mountain area Wasatch Plateau, Utah, U.S.A.

As part of a larger multi-institutional seismic monitoring experiment during June–August 1984 in the eastern Wasatch Plateau, Utah, data from a subarray of 20 portable seismographs were used to investigate seismicity in the East Mountain area, an area of active underground coal mining and intense microseismicity. Eight stations of the subarray were concentrated on top of East Mountain, about 600 m above mine level, at an average spacing of 2 to 3 km. The primary objective was the accurate resolution of hypocenters and focal mechanisms for seismic events originating at submine levels. Data from high-resolution seismic reflection profiles and drill-hole sonic logs yielded a detailed velocity model. This model features a strong velocity gradient in the uppermost 1 km, which has a significant effect on takeoff angles for first-arrivingP-waves from shallow seismic events. Two hundred epicenters located with a precision of ±500 m cluster within an area about 5 km in diameter and show an evident spatial association with four sites of longwall mining during the study period. A special set of foci rigorously tested for focal-depth reliability indicates submine seismicity predominating within 500 m of mine level and extending at least to 1 km, and perhaps to 2 km, below mine level. Continuous monitoring for a 61-day period (June 15–August 15) bracketed a 16-day mining shutdown (July 7–22) during which significant seismicity, comparable to that observed before the shutdown, was observed. Ten focal mechanisms for seismic events originating at or down to 2 km below mine level nearly all imply reverse faulting, consistent with previous results and the inferred tectonic stress field. Enigmatic events recorded with all dilatational first motions can be fit with double-couple normal-faulting solutions if they in fact occurabove mine level, perhaps reflecting overburden subsidence. If these events are constrained to occur at mine level, their first-motion distributions are incompatible with a double-couple source mechanism.
The Effect of a DNA Damaging Agent on Embryonic Cell Cycles of the Cnidarian Hydractinia echinata

The onset of gastrulation at the Mid-Blastula Transition can accompany profound changes in embryonic cell cycles including the introduction of gap phases and the transition from maternal to zygotic control. Studies in Xenopus and Drosophila embryos have also found that cell cycles respond to DNA damage differently before and after MBT (or its equivalent, MZT, in Drosophila). DNA checkpoints are absent in Xenopus cleavage cycles but are acquired during MBT. Drosophila cleavage nuclei enter an abortive mitosis in the presence of DNA damage whereas post-MZT cells delay the entry into mitosis. Despite attributes that render them workhorses of embryonic cell cycle studies, Xenopus and Drosophila are hardly representative of diverse animal forms that exist. To investigate developmental changes in DNA damage responses in a distant phylum, I studied the effect of an alkylating agent, Methyl Methanesulfonate (MMS), on embryos of Hydractinia echinata. Hydractinia embryos are found to differ from Xenopus embryos in the ability to respond to a DNA damaging agent in early cleavage but are similar to Xenopus and Drosophila embryos in acquiring stronger DNA damage responses and greater resistance to killing by MMS after the onset of gastrulation. This represents the first study of DNA damage responses in the phylum Cnidaria.
Another approach to a GPSS final examination

Preparing a final examination in a modeling and simulation course is always a problem for me since I am never satisfied with the results. I am not certain if the students 'memorized' different terms and procedures or have a realistic view of the subject. Last year, I faced the same problem when teaching a fourth year-graduate course in conceptual modeling for the Computer Science Department at Hofstra University.
Total proctocolectomy and ileostomy: procedure of choice for acute toxic megacolon.

• Of 42 critically ill patients with toxic megacolon, 31 required emergency surgery, and 11 were treated without operation. Of the 11 patients treated by medical measures alone, there were two deaths (18%): one early, secondary to undiagnosed colonic perforation, and one late death from recurrent ulcerative colitis. Nine of ten survivors (90%) experienced continued morbidity, and five (50%) required subsequent elective surgery. Thirty-one patients required emergency operation for failure of medical treatment (19), colonic perforation (ten), and uncontrolled hemorrhage (two). Early and late morbidity was 74% (two-thirds occurring after subtotal colectomy and ileostomy). Surgical mortality was 19% (8% over the last ten years). (Arch Surg112:518-522, 1977)
Vestibuloplasty and prosthodontic transfers in the rehabilitation of edentulous patients: Case reports

Abstract The 2 cases reported show that a combination of surgical and prosthodontic treatment for this lesion is both sound in its physiologic concept and necessary to the psychologic needs of the patient. The utilization of treatment denture splints and bases promoted postoperative comfort and healing by stimulation and conditioning of the alveolar tissues, with apparent preservation of the underlying tissue. The support of the facial and masticatory musculature was maintained. The acceptance by the patient of the heat-cured dentures with a changed maxillomandibular relationship was easily accomplished. Physiologically and psychologically, the patient's comfort was maintained throughout the entire procedure.
A developmental study of factivity and negation in complex syntax

Two groups of preschoolers and one group of young grade-schoolers were tested for their comprehension of presuppositions and negation in complex syntax. Four types of sentences were presented to each child: affirmative and negative versions of sentences with factive main predicates, which presuppose the truth of the proposition of the complement clause, and nonfactive main predicates, which do not. A forced-choice design was used: the children chose the agent subject mentioned in the complement clause, thus affirming the complement; or the unmentioned agent, thus denying the complement. Five factive predicates and five non-factive predicates were used so as to permit a comparison within each group. Competence increased into the early school years: the oldest group of participants showed a fair mastery of the syntax-semantics of the predicates of the study. The younger children showed errors of two different kinds, described as the Overextended Negation Tendency and the Overextended Affirmation Tendency. Both of these errors decreased markedly in the oldest group. The non-unitary nature of the acquired competence is discussed. In particular, it is pointed out that (1) factivity is not a grammatically marked operation and as such leads to what appears to be a gradual acquisition pattern; (2) the test of factivity comprehension employed here demanded a competence beyond that of normal use.
RECENT RESULTS IN B PHYSICS

Great progress has been made in last year in determining the properties of B mesons. Of particular interest is the determination of the couplings for the weak decays of quarks which in the standard model can be described by the unitary Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) mixing matrix. The elements V{sub cb} and V{sub ub} can be measured directly in the transitions b {yields} c and b {yields} u, and B{sup 0}{bar B}{sup 0} mixing can be used to determine V{sub td}. The general properties of B meson decays are also of interest in determining the properties of heavy quark systems. Rare decay modes are sensitive to higher order weak processes and provide a window to observe possible deviations from the standard model and the CKM description, such as a fourth generation. This brief review covers some selected highlights with the major results coming from the CLEO detector at Cornell and the ARGUS detector at DESY.
Reactivity of 3- and 4-pyridinylnitrene-n-oxide radical anions

Abstract Ion–molecule reactions in a flowing afterglow are used to examine the electronic structure of 3- and 4-pyridinylnitrene-n-oxide radical anions. Reactions with nitric oxide are generally similar to those reported previously for other aromatic nitrene radical anions. In particular, phenoxide formation by nitrogen–oxygen exchange is observed with both isomers. Oxygen atom abstraction by NO is also observed with both isomers. Very significant differences in the reactivity are observed in the reactions of the two isomers with carbon disulfide. The reactivity of the 3-n-oxide isomer with CS2 is similar to that observed previously for nitrene radical anions, and reactions of the n-oxide moiety are not observed, similar to what is expected based on solution chemistry. The 4-n-oxide isomer, however, undergoes many reactions, including oxygen atom and oxygen ion transfer and sulfur–oxygen exchange, that involve the n-oxide oxygen. The increased reactivity of the oxygen is attributed to increased charge density at the oxygen due to pi electron donation of the nitrene anion in the para position.
A new acoustic pH transmitter for studying the feeding habits of free-ranging sharks

Little is known about the feeding habits of large free ranging fish, due in large part to lack of an appropriate technique for quantifying feeding variables. A previous study demonstrated that changes in gastric pH can be used as a proxy for feeding events in free-ranging sharks. Here we describe the development of a new acoustic pH transmitter to remotely measure gastric pH in sharks in the field. The transmitter consists of a dual sensor (pH and temperature) continuous pinger, and was tested in captive adult blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus). The transmitter was retained in the shark's stomach for between 5-12 days. The empty stomach had a low pH (1.6 ± 0.2) and feeding induced a rapid increase in gastric pH, which was clearly distinguishable from baseline levels. Meal size showed a significant linear relationship with the magnitude of the pH changes. Measurement accuracy of the pH transmitter ranged from 0.05-0.9, although resolution of the VR100 receiver that decoded the transmitter signal was 0.1 units. The pH transmitter can be used to determine when free-ranging sharks in the field are feeding and hence quantify feeding chronology, frequency and daily ration.
Relationship between Escherichia coli growth and deletions of CTG.CAG triplet repeats in plasmids.

Instabilities that are intrinsic to natural repetitive DNA sequences produce high frequencies of length changes in vivo. Triplet repeats cloned in plasmids in Escherichia coli undergo expansions and deletions, and this instability is affected by multiple factors. We show that CTG-CAG repeats in plasmids can influence the growth of E. coli, which affects the observed stabilities. At extended growth periods, the observed frequencies of deletions were dramatically increased if the cells passed through stationary phase before subculturing. Deletions were particularly pronounced for a plasmid containing the longest repeat, 525 bp in total, with the CTG sequence as the lagging strand template for replication. Measurements of cell growth showed that the lag phase associated with E. coli growth was increased for cultures containing plasmids with long CTG-CAG repeats, particularly when the CTG-containing strand was the lagging template. High frequencies of deletions were observed because of a growth advantage of cells containing plasmids with deleted triplet repeats. Incubation conditions that reduced the bacterial growth-rate produced a decreased extent of deletions, presumably because they alleviated the growth advantage of cells harboring plasmids with deleted triplet repeats. The experimental observations were simulated by a model in which shorter triplet repeats provided a growth advantage due to a shorter lag phase. We demonstrate that the accumulation of deletions within repeating sequences during growth of E. coli can be prevented, and discuss these findings in relation to the studies of repetitive DNA sequences. These are the first observations to show a direct influence between a plasmid-based DNA sequence or structure and factors controlling bacterial growth.
Stimuli which provoke secretion of azurophil enzymes from human neutrophils induce increments in adenosine cyclic 3′-5′-monophosphate

Abstract 1. 1. Stimuli for human neutrophils were divided into two classes on the basis of their ability to induce degranulation: complete secretagogues provoked release of both azurophil and specific granules, while incomplete secretagogues only induced release of specific granules. 2. 2. Complete secretagogues, which possessed the ability to induce secretion of azurophil granules, also induced transient increments in total cellular cyclic AMP levels: incomplete secretagogues did not. 3. 3. Complete secretagogues, unlike the incomplete variety, also induced further increments of cyclic AMP in prostaglandin E 1 -pretreated neutrophils. 4. 4. Inhibition of lysosomal enzyme release by prostaglandin E 1 was closely correlated with elevated levels of cyclic AMP induced by the prostaglandin alone, than with the much higher transient increment in cyclic AMP produced by stimulation of prostaglandin E 1 -treated cells. 5. 5. Our results describe the first biochemical difference between neutrophil responses associated with secretion of azurophil granules, as opposed to specific granules; transient increments in cyclic AMP.
Effect of HLA-C and DQ matching on Pediatric Heart Transplant Graft Survival

Background Higher degree of HLA matching at the A, B, and DR-loci has been associated with improved long-term survival after pediatric heart transplantation in multiple ISHLT registry reports. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of HLA matching at the C and DQ loci with pediatric graft survival.
Infectivity of a Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Isolated from Anagrapha falcifera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Against Production and Postharvest Pests and Homologous Cell Lines

The nuclear polyhedrosis virus (Af M NPV)isolated from the celery looper, Anagrapha falcifera (Kirby), was tested against six species of production and postharvest lepidopteran pests and four insect cell lines. LC50s in PIB/mm2 were 23.9, 42.2, 47.3, and 510.4, respectively, for raisin moth, Cadra figulilella (Gregson), navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner). The almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker), and the tobacco moth, Ephestia elutella (Hubner), were not susceptible. Histological examination revealed that hypodermis, fat body, tracheal matrix, midgut epithelium, and Malpighian tubules in all four susceptible species were infected. The Trichoplusia ni cell line TN368 and the P. interpunctella cell line PID2 were permissive to Af M NPV as well as to a contaminant cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV). However, two navel orangeworm celllines, ATIO and AT20, were permissive to the CPV only. Restriction endonuclease analysis showed that the NPV was unchanged after passage through all of these hosts. Probably of greatest significance is that Af M NPV is the first baculovirus reported to be infectious to the navel orangeworm, a major pest of almonds.
Implications of the unusual redox behavior exhibited by the heteropolyanion [EuP5W30O110]12−

Abstract We report on the novel electrochemical behavior of the heteropolyanion [EuP 5 W 30 O 110 ] 12− , with specific emphasis on the valence of Eu in both the oxidized and reduced forms of the anion. In aqueous electrolytes, the P–W–O framework is electroactive, and can reversibly accept up to 10 electrons before the potential becomes reducing enough for H 2 evolution. Europium L 3 -edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) results demonstrate that Eu is also electroactive under the same conditions. The implications of this work will be discussed in terms of their contribution to long-standing questions about intermediate-valent materials.
An examination of overjustification under conditions of extended observation and multiple reinforcement: Overjustification or boredom?

Previous research on overjustification has typically utilized only a few brief periods of baseline observation and reinforcement. The exceptions suffer from problems which make the interpretation of their results ambiguous. In the present study, one group of 10 first-grade children underwent 9 days of baseline observation in a free-play situation, 11 days of reinforcement for playing with target activities, and 9 days of follow-up observation, all in their normal classroom. A second group of 10 children were simply observed for 29 consecutive days. Half the subjects in each group were in a high-base-rate condition and half in a low-base-rate condition. Using a between-subjects analysis, no evidence for an overjustification effect was found.
A heuristic model of creativity

Im Rahmen eines heuristischen Modells und unter dem Einfluss der psychoanaleptischen Drogc Psilocybin wird die regulierend-complementierende geistige Tatigkeit untersucht. Gesunde, junge Volontare vermogen nach oraler Verabreichung von 10–12 mg Psilocybin gedruckte Texte zu lesen, obgleich der obere Teil jeder Zeile bis zu 74% unsichtbar ist.
Manifestation of Mie Resonances in Coherent Light Backscattering from Random Media

Utilization of Optical Low Coherence Reflectometry (OLCR) for measurement of coherent backscattering of light from media with randomly-distributed spherical particles shows the influence of Mie resonances over the parameter interval where particle radii are comparable to the wavelength of light. Results advance the understanding of the theoretically and practically important problem of wave propagation in multiscattering random media.
One-dimensional Schrödinger operators with random or deterministic potentials: New spectral types

Abstract We prove sufficient conditions involving only potential asymptotic near one of the infinities in order to have purely absolutely continuous components in the spectrum. These deterministic results are then applied to random cases and exhibit classes of models for which, with probability one, one component of the spectrum is purely absolutely continuous and the rest is dense pure point with exponentially decaying eigenfunctions.