cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internal-Gravity Waves Observed During the August 21, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse by National Eclipse Radiosonde Campaign

Internal gravity waves are oscillations of a fluid parcel about an equilibrium level generated by a buoyancy force when the stability of the fluid medium is disrupted. Such a disturbance occurs from the obstruction of solar irradiance during a solar eclipse and may generate a gravity wave that can be detected using radiosondes. In this study, surface and upper air measurements made from a series of radiosondes launched throughout the duration of the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse over the US as part of the National Eclipse Ballooning Project are examined for eclipse-induced gravity-wave activity. Preliminary results of radiosonde wind data collected throughout the eclipse from multiple sites within the path of totality in Wyoming reveal wave-like structures with intrinsic angular frequencies ranging 3.3 – 4.2 x 10-2 s-1 at altitudes within 18-20 km. The results of the wind data analysis presented here can be compared to results produced by wavelet analysis to either confirm or deny the generation of an eclipse-induced gravity-wave. Identifying the wave’s structure would aid in wave prediction software to improve weather forecast models.
Quantitative Indicators for Quality of Fit Assessment in Power System Model Validation Problems

In power system identification problems using synchrophasor measurements, we frequently encounter the question, whether the model responses match well with actual system responses or not. In power system model validation problems, we need to assess whether the simulated model response matches recorded system behavior. In ringdown analysis, we have to decide whether the model order is sufficient to capture critical system modes in the system measurements, again by comparing model responses with system measurements. In this paper, we propose quantitative indicators founded in rigorous theory to assess such quality of fit problems. Two different indicators, based on frequency domain and time domain formulations respectively, are proposed and are illustrated on power system identification problems.
Editing the human genome: where ART and science intersect

The rapid development of gene-editing technologies has led to an exponential rise in both basic and translational research initiatives studying molecular processes and investigating possible clinical applications. Early experiments using genome editing to study human embryo development have contradicted findings in studies on model organisms. Additionally, a series of four experiments over the past 2 years set out to investigate the possibilities of introducing genetic modifications to human embryos, each with varying levels of success. Here, we discuss the key findings of these studies, including the efficiency, the safety, the potential untoward effects, major flaws of the studies, and emerging alternative genome editing methods that may allow overcoming the hurdles encountered so far. Given these results, we also raise several questions about the clinical utilization of germline gene editing: For which indications is gene editing appropriate? How do gene-editing technologies compare with genetic testing methods currently used for screening embryos? What are the ethical considerations we should be concerned about? While further research is underway, and our understanding of how to implement this technology continues to evolve, it is critical to contemplate if and how it should be translated from the bench to clinical practice.
Socrates: Sisyphean or Overflowing?

Based on the ostensible fact that truly Socratic dialogue entails a considerable inequality between participants, Parens explores Socrates’s reasons for conversing dialectically with those who are manifestly his philosophic inferiors. Contrary to many Plato scholars who emphasize Socrates’s self-reported ignorance and, hence, the “Sisyphean” character of his philosophic activity, Parens intends to show—with the help of Maimonides—that Socrates is an “overflowing” philosopher, who cannot help but share his wisdom with others.
Efficacy and Safety of Sorafenib in a Racially Diverse Patient Population with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND There are few efficacy and toxicity data on sorafenib for patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are not Caucasian or Asian. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was carried out on 67 patients treated with sorafenib for advanced HCC at an urban referral center. Patients were categorized by race, age, sex, status, stage, and dose. Primary outcomes were time to progression (TTP), toxicity, and treatment discontinuation by race. RESULTS African-Americans and Caucasians had significantly shorter TTP than patients of other races (Hispanic, Asian, and unidentified) [African-Americans: hazard ratio (HR)=5.01, p=0.0068; Caucasians: HR=8.25, p=0.0008). There were no significant differences in time to toxicity (p=0.99). Caucasians had the shortest time to therapy discontinuation (p=0.0298). TTP was shorter for males (HR=3.51, p=0.028), and longer for patients experiencing toxicity (HR=0.47, p=0.046). CONCLUSION Among patients treated with sorafenib for advanced HCC, non African-American/non-Caucasian race, female sex, and toxicity were associated with significantly longer time to progression.
New Experimental Approaches to the Adoptive Immunotherapy of Cancer: Cytokines, Gene Therapy, Oncogenes and Transgenic Mice

Adoptive immunotherapy can be defined as transfer to the tumor bearing host of active immunologic cells with antitumor reactivity that can mediate, directly or indirectly, the regression of established tumors. Within this definition there are at least two distinct approaches to this form of therapy: One is a tumor-specific approach, envisioned as mediated by a classical cytotoxic or T-helper lymphocyte, and the second is a nonspecific approach, potentially mediated by natural killer (NK) cells or a promiscuous cytotoxic T cell.
Isolation of Antibodies that are Specific for Human Carboxypeptidase B but not for the Zymogen Procarboxypeptidase B by Affinity Chromatography

A major theory for the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is that the normally inactive precursors of pancreatic proteases become activated, with subsequent destruction of enzymes, polypeptide hormones and other proteins in tissue and blood. To investigate the role of proteases in the disease, we developed radioimmunoassays for a number of these enzymes. However, experiments with serum samples fractionated by gel filtration showed that the amount of immunoreactive protein is not directly related to the amount of active enzyme against which the antiserum was directed. For example, procarboxypeptidase B effectively crossreacts about 30% with carboxypeptidase B using antiserum to active enzyme. To obtain antibodies that are specific for active enzyme, we treated the antiserum with resin containing immobilized procarboxypeptidase B. Stepwise addition of the resin produced antiserum with progressively less reactivity towards the zymogen relative to the enzyme, with the final material having less than 1% crossreactivity. The titer of enzyme-specific antiserum was 1% that of the original; however, it could be estimated that 10% of the original antibodies were specific for the active enzyme. To increase the yield of enzyme-specific antibodies, we are currently trying to obtain a mouse hybridoma that produces the desired antibody.
Reinventing the Customer Experience: Technology and the Service Marketing Mix

Technology continues to advance at a rapid rate. The challenge for retailers is to determine which technologies are likely to have the biggest disruption on the retail experience and should, therefore, be adopted to remain competitive. Several new technologies are already having a major impact on the customer experience. For example, shoppers can take a picture of a QR (Quick Response) code in a magazine advertisement using their mobile devices and then be forwarded to a website where they can learn more about the product and even purchase it, if so desired. Additionally, mobile devices can accept customized coupons (Groupons) and product recommendations through a loyalty program such as the one provided by Shopkick. Opinions about potential purchases from friends/family in remote locations can be garnered through the utilization of social networking technology such as Magic Mirrors (Buechner et al. 2007). A common element in these examples is that technology has the capability to radically alter the retail experience.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Acute Lung Injury is Characterized By Loss of Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU)

Acute lung injury (ALI) associates with loss of lung mitochondrial function. Oxidant damage by mitochondrial H2O2 may cause mitochondrial dysfunction. Since the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU...
Donald C. Cook: CPA, SEC Chairman, corporate legend, and presidential advisor

Abstract Donald C. Cook served as a member of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 1949 to 1953 and as Chairman during the last two years. His unique position as the only Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who served as Commission Chairman has been largely unnoticed and elicits the need for a profile about the individual, his background, career, and what, if any, legacy might be related to it. Cook was also unique in that his prior staff experience at the SEC was primarily in the public utilities division. This profile describes and identifies several episodes in Cook's career at the SEC and after. These include other public service positions in government and his executive career at American Electric Power (AEP) as president and board chairman. These years were often filled with controversy and challenges in dealings with the SEC and with issues relating to consolidation among utilities as the country's demand for electrical energy grew substantially. His government service roles beyond the SEC acquainted him with many political leaders. He was an advisor to President Lyndon Johnson, who shared the opinion of others that Cook was “the smartest man in the country” [Johnson, Telephone conversation No. 7070, March 16, 1965].
Transvaginal ultrasound guided trigone and bladder injection: A cadaveric feasibility study for a novel route of intradetrusor chemodenervation.

Purpose OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX) detrusor chemodenervation is an efficacious third-line treatment for overactive bladder. Despite high clinical efficacy rates for BTX injection, many patients refuse initial or repeat treatment due to the invasiveness of the cystoscopic route of delivery. We assess the feasibility of injecting the trigone and posterior bladder wall via a transvaginal route under ultrasound guidance using a human cadaveric model. Materials and Methods Eight de-identified anonymous fresh female deceased donor cadaver pelvises were placed in supine split leg position. A transvaginal ultrasound probe guided injections of India ink into the trigone in 3 sites and the posterior wall in 2 sites. Full thickness bladder biopsies were then obtained and histologic analysis was performed to confirm presence of India ink in the detrusor layer. Results The mean time from day of death was 11.0 days (range, 4.0-23.0 days). Three to five bladder biopsies were obtained per cadaver, for a total of 34 specimens (20 trigone, 14 posterior wall). Histologic analysis revealed presence of India ink within the detrusor layer in 8/8 (100.0%) of cadavers. The surgeon's perception of appropriate targeting under ultrasound guidance was confirmed in 8/8 cadavers (100.0%) involving the bladder trigone, and 7/8 (87.5%) involving the posterior wall. Of injections that were believed to have appropriately targeted the detrusor layer, 22/34 specimens (64.7%) demonstrated the presence of India ink under histologic analysis. Conclusions Intradetrusor injection of the bladder trigone and posterior wall under transvaginal ultrasound guidance is feasible and has acceptable accuracy.
Lp-square Function Estimates on Spaces of Homogeneous Type and on Uniformly Rectifiable Sets

We announce a local T (b) theorem, an inductive scheme, and L p extrapolation results for L 2 square function estimates related to the analysis of integral operators that act on Ahlfors{David regular sets of arbitrary codi- mension in ambient quasi-metric spaces. The inductive scheme is a natural application of the local T (b) theorem and it implies the stability of L 2 square function estimates under the so-called big pieces functor. In particular, this analysis implies L p and Hardy space square function estimates for integral operators on uniformly rectiable subsets of the Euclidean space.
A Holistic Definition of Healthy Traditional Harvest Practices for Rural Indigenous Communities in Interior Alaska

Traditional harvest practices of the harvesting and sharing of fish, wildlife, and other wild resources are an integral source of food security that support physical, mental, and spiritual wellness, education, socio-economic development, and cultural identity of Indigenous communities in Interior Alaska. Many significant changes, including climate change, are impacting this way of life and challenging secure access to foods vital for sustenance and cultural preservation. We use a case study approach to develop a holistic and place-based definition of traditional harvest practices of Indigenous commu­nities in rural Interior Alaska that expands upon commonly accepted definitions of food security. This definition emphasizes the role of ecological health, culture, and decision-making power in strengthening food security and sovereignty. We also highlight how multistakeholer partnerships foster capacity building that can support commu­nities in their efforts to advocate for food security and sovereignty. See the press release for this article.
Toward Additively Manufactured Electrical Machines: Opportunities and Challenges

With the growing interest in electrification and as hybrid and pure electric powertrains are adopted in more applications, electrical machine design is facing challenges in terms of meeting very demanding performance metrics, for example, high specific power, and harsh environments. This provides clear motivation to explore the impact of advanced materials and manufacturing on the performance of electrical machines. This article provides an overview of additive manufacturing (AM) approaches that can be used for constructing electrical machines, with a specific focus on additively manufactured iron core, winding, insulation, and permanent magnet, as well as cooling systems. Since there has only been a few attempts so far to explore AM in electrical machines (especially when it comes to fully additively manufactured machines), the benefits and challenges of AM have not been comprehensively understood. In this regard, this article offers a detailed comparison of multiple multimaterial AM methods, showing not only the possibility of fully additively manufactured electrical machines but also the potential significant improvements in their mechanical, electromagnetic, and thermal properties. The articles will provide a comprehensive discussion of opportunities and challenges of AM in the context of electrical machines.
The Relationship between Workaholism and Negative Affect: Mindfulness Matters!

Relationships among workaholism, mindfulness, and negative affect (NA) were examined. Data were collected, through Amazon Mechanical Turk, from 400 working adults in the USA. Workaholism was positively related to weekly hours worked and NA, and mindfulness was negatively related to NA. Additionally, workaholism and weekly hours worked were negatively related to mindfulness. Moreover, mindfulness moderated the relationship between workaholism and NA such that as levels of mindfulness increased, the influence of workaholism on NA decreased. Thus, mindfulness can be developed like a skill through meditation, and it may be established as an intervention for workaholism by reducing the compulsive behavior of workaholics and weakening the relationship with NA.
Experimental Simulation Study to Assess Pressure Distribution of Different Compression Applications Applied Over an Innovative Primary Wound Dressing.

Introduction Compression is integral to the management of edema and the prevention of venous leg ulcers (VLUs). Objective The aim of this study is to assess the sub-bandage pressure distribution under 3 compression applications as well as to assess the impact of an innovative primary wound dressing, applied under the compression products, on pressure distribution. Materials and methods A series of controlled tests were performed using a simulated leg model (SLM). A pressure mapping sensor and system software was used to measure the interface pressure (IP) and pressure distribution created by the application of 3 different compression systems with and without the addition of an elastic longitudinal stockinette (fuzzy wale compression; FWC). These included: (1) 2-layer cohesive wrap; (2) 3-layer compression application; and (3) 4-layer compression application. The IP was pressure between the SLM and the innovative dressing over which the compression applications were applied. Seven different configurations were tested, including the compression applications alone and in combination with the FWC. In addition to the IP measurements, pressure mapping visualizations were captured with the pressure mapping sensor and system software. A custom MATLAB program was written for data analysis, differentiations in discrete high- and low-pressure locations across the compressed area, and graphing of the pressure readings. Results The overall average pressure for each testing setup without FWC ranged from 34.65 ± 4.84 mm Hg for the 2L configuration to 63.92 ± 7.08 mm Hg for the 4L configuration. The addition of the FWC resulted in a 19% increase for the 2L, 9% increase for the 3L, and 7% increase for the 4L compression systems. Additionally, it was noted that the inclusion of FWC resulted in a significant change in pressures vertically oriented under the 2-, 3-, and 4-layer compression applications of 34.52 ± 9.06 mm Hg, 99.21 ± 29.81 mm Hg, and 128.96 ± 22.97 mm Hg, respectively. The pressure distribution under the compression alone was observed to be largely uniform except for areas of overlap that produce horizontal bands of elevated pressures. The presence of the primary wound dressing did not have a significant impact on the IP measurements. The addition of FWC to all compression applications demonstrated a vertical distribution of compression along the sensor with alternating areas of little or no compression. Conclusions The unique alternating pressure distribution observed in the in vitro pressure testing with the use of FWC in a clinical setting has been observed to produce better edema management and wound edge migration that mirrors the vertical pressure distribution observed in the study. Additional in vitro and in vivo research to evaluate the biophysical impact of IP created by the use of a combination of primary wound dressings and compression applications with focus on the total pressure and the distribution across the surface of intact tissue and open wound bed is warranted.
Unexpected benefits: new resilience among intergenerational Asian-Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives drastically. In this essay, we offer to share what we have witnessed as social workers working with the South and East Asian communities in terms of thei...
Radioprotectors and Chemoprotectors in the Management of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in most developed countries. The prognosis remains poor with an overall survival rate at 5 years of only about 15%. Between 70 and 85% of all cases are histologically classified as non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Radiation therapy has traditionally been the treatment of choice for locally advanced disease and medically inoperable early stage NSCLC. However radiation therapy alone was not effective treatment for patients with locally advanced NSCLC. The addition of cytotoxic drugs to radiotherapy considerably improves treatment outcome, and the combination of chemotherapy with radiotherapy has become common practice for the treatment of locally advanced lung cancer. The addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy has two principal objectives: one, to increase the chance of local tumor control and two, to eliminate metastatic disease outside of the radiation field. Several randomized trials have shown improvement of local control and survival by application of concurrent chemotherapy rather than sequential chemotherapy followed by radiation treatment. This combined treatment approach results in median survival times of 13 to 14 months and survival rates at 5 years as high as 15 to 20%. These improvements have been achieved by using standard chemotherapeutic agents, primarily cisplatin-based drug combinations. However, concurrent chemoradiotherapy has increased significant normal tissue toxicity such as esophagitis and pneumonitis. Therefore normal tissue protectors without protective cancer cells became necessary to improve therapeutic ratio. We will discuss mechanism and efficacy of Amifostine to protect normal tissue followed by other normal tissue protectors or molecular targeted treatment without increasing normal tissue damage e.g., prostanoids (COX-2) inhibitors, Growth factor and Cytokines inhibitors, Basic and other inhibitors targeting Fibroblast Growth Factor, Karatinocyte Growth Factors, Epidermoid Growth Factor Receptor, Pentoxifylline, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Flavopiridol Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase, Bcl-2 , and Efaproxaril, as well as Radioprotective Gene Therapy/ Antioxidant Therapy: and Superoxide Dismutase
Joseph Brodsky, One Poem at a Time

Books reviewed in this article Lev Loseff and Valentina Polukhina, (eds.), Joseph Brodsky: The Art of a Poem L. V. Losev and V. P. Polukhina (eds.), Kak rabotaet stikhotvorenie Brodskogo: Iz issledovanii slavistov na Zapade
Incomplete particles of adenovirus. I. Characteristics of the DNA associated with incomplete adenovirions of types 2 and 12.

Abstract When KB or HeLa cells are infected with either human adenovirus type 2 or 12, in addition to the complete infectious adenovirions, five discrete types of incomplete particles are produced in large quantity. These particles can be purified by equilibrium centrifugation in CsCl density gradients. Each type of incomplete adenovirion has a unique buoyant density in CsCl, and contains a specific-sized fragment of adenovirus DNA. The incomplete adenovirions have a very low specific infectivity as compared to that of the mature virion. Although other explanations cannot be excluded, this infectivity is likely to be due to a low level of contamination with complete virions.
Low Latency in Wireless Mesh Networks

Multimedia requirements of the 1990s drove wired and optical network architects to examine how to combine the advantages of packet switching with the long proven methods of circuit-switching to implement traffic engineering to reduce variance in end-to-end delay. Methods, such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), have been used to create virtual circuits. Because both are mature and proven technologies for wired and optical network architectures, much research has been done to apply these methods to wireless mesh networks (WMNs). But as these are applied, optimal performance improvement eludes WMN designers because of the inherent shortcomings of contention-based WMNs and the differences between the wired/optical and wireless environments in the provision of noninterfering unidirectional internodal links. This chapter will present issues regarding the development of such low-latency WMNs to include multiple orthogonal channels, virtual cut-through and wormhole switching, physical layer circuit switch design, and reservation protocols.
Impaired IL-20 expression in lung cancer contributes to high levels of COX-2/PGE2 and angiogenesis

4642 >Background: Up-regulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the cycloxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) have been reported to play a role in the process of carcinogenesis and angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible correlation between iNOS, COX-2 and angiogenesis in ovarian serous carcinoma (OSC) Methods: We identified 118 patients with high-grade, advanced stage OSC from our database. Clinical data including patients’ and tumor characteristics and overall survival were collected. Two to 3 paraffin blocks were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) with antibodies to COX-2, VEGF and iNOS. For all three markers both intensity and percentage of positive cells were evaluated to give an overall score. Statistical analysis included Chi-square testing to evaluate the correlation between the various markers and the Kaplan-Meier method to evaluate survival Results: Up-regulation of all three markers was noted in a significant number of the cases. The frequencies of overexpression of the specific markers in the study population were: 49% for iNOS, 69% for COX-2 and 77% for VEGF. High iNOS expression strongly correlated with high expression of COX-2 and VEGF. In fact, 98.3% of tumors with high iNOS expression exhibited high COX-2 expression and 98.1% exhibited high VEGF expression. The median survival of patients with high iNOS expressing tumors was 637 days compared to 1107 days for those with low iNOS expressors; this difference did not reach statistical significance Conclusion: High expression of iNOS is noted in a significant number of OSC tumors. This high expression is associated with high expression of COX-2 and VEGF. This suggests a significant role for iNOS in the process of ovarian carcinogenesis and tumor angiogenesis and warrants further investigation
The Career Ladder Program: Implementing Re-ED Principles in Vocational Settings:

Youths in transition and in programs which address special needs such as mild handicaps and emotional disturbance are often the defining members of a discordant ecosystem. Employment and employer behavior play a crucial role in any successful transition from school to independent adult life. The Career Ladder Program utilizes principles from Re-ED such as team building, affective education, ecosystematic intervention, and long-range enablement planning to address the issues faced by these young people and to facilitate successful transitions. This article outlines some of the relevant principles, dynamics of the transition experience, and examples of how the principles are actually applied.
Supporting Effects-Based Operations (EBO) with Information Technology Tools: Examining Underlying Assumptions of EBO Tool Development Practices

Abstract : Throughout the course of history, great leaps in progress and understanding have been facilitated through the questioning of basic assumptions. In an effort to uncover critical opportunities and vulnerabilities within effect-based operations (EBO), similar questions must be posed to our current assumptions underlying EBO tool development practices. Required for these assumptions to be examined is a shared understanding of strategy formulation as an intensely human process. The breadth of approaches used in recent years to help commanders formulate effects-based courses of action (CoA) is quite diverse including expert systems, Bayesian networks, and scenario analysis. All of these approaches represent best guess assumptions of how to codify aspects of the strategy development process, often with out regard for the principles of automation. The adverse unintended consequences made possible from this neglect are wide ranging, including the potential to inadvertently foster convergent vs. divergent thinking, conditioning commanders and policy makers to accept a dangerously limited view as an accurate model of real world threats. Imperative to avoiding this conceivable eventuality is a strategic perspective on EBO tool development practices. Identified in this paper are four major paradigms or schools of thought of strategic decision support: autonomous, directive, predictive, and emergent. The proposed paradigms are offered to illustrate how recent EBO tool development approaches may be classified and subsequently characterized based upon their inherent gravitation to a particular decision support paradigm.
Linguistic properties of non-native speech

As speech recognition systems improve in quality, they become attractive as components in applications which will be used by non-native speakers, both applications designed specifically for language learners and those intended for general use. Recognizer performance on speakers who are not fluent in the language they are speaking, however, is often poor. A number of factors contribute to recognition failure for non-native speakers; pronunciation, lexical choice, and syntactic structure are a few of the elements of speech that set native and non-native speakers apart. In this paper we examine the character of non-native speech, both spontaneous and read, describing how features that are known to be important in recognition system development compare with those of native speakers.
IS946-mediated integration of heterologous DNA into the genome of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis.

Abstract The lactococcal insertion sequence IS946 was used to construct suicide vectors for insertion of heterologous DNA into chromosomal and plasmid sequences of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. Electroporation of L. lactis strains, including the recombination-deficient strain MMS362, with the suicide vector pTRK145 yielded 10(1) to 10(3) transformants per micrograms of DNA. pTRK145 insertions occurred primarily in the chromosome, with one insertion detected in a resident plasmid. Vector-specific probes identified junction fragments that varied among transformants, indicating random insertions of pTRK145.
Application for Superconvergence of Finite Element Approximations for the Elliptic Problem by Global and Local L 2 -Projection Methods

Numerical experiments are given to verify the theoretical results for superconvergence of the elliptic problem by global and local L2-Projection methods.
Flexible cystoscopy and retrograde catheterization in renal transplant patients.

Abstract Catheterizing the ureteral orifice of a renal transplant patient can be difficult using traditional rigid instruments. This report describes our experience with 4 patients who underwent cystoscopy and attempted retrograde catheterization of a transplanted ureter. In all cases attempted catheterization using, rigid instruments was unsuccessful, while in 3 of the 4 patients, successful cannulation was accomplished using the flexible cystoscope. These results are attributed to the expanded range of motion achieved with the tip of the flexible cystoscope. The increased mobility afforded by this instrument facilitates access to the ureteral orifice, which is often positioned on the distensible portion of the bladder.
Citrus rootstock responses to herbivory by larvae of the sugarcane rootstock borer weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus)

The responses of roots to feeding by larvae of a citrus root weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus) were investigated in Citrus grandis (L.) Osb. x Poncirus trifoliata (2N) (L.) Raf.; C. grandis x P. trifoliata (4N); P. trifoliata x C. grandis (Flying Dragon x Nakon); C. paradisi Macf. x P. trifoliata (Swingle citrumelo); C. aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle (Citrus macrophylla); C. reticulata Blanco (Cleopatra mandarin); C. sinensis (L.) Osb. x P. trifoliata (Carrizo citrange); C. aurantium (L.) (sour orange). Chitinase, chitosanase. β-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase and lysozyme activities were measured and significant differences were observed for some of the cultivars between infested and uninfested rootstocks. Generally, increased activities were observed for chitinases and decreased activities were observed for the other enzymes measured. Numerous significant differences in hydrolase and peroxidase activities were observed between cultivars. Immunological detection revealed that new protein bands occurred in root protein extracts for six of the eight cultivars infested with larvae when an antibody to a class I potato leaf chitinase was used. Antibodies generated against two citrus chitinases of Mr 24 000 (basic chitinase cv. Valencia (C. sinensis) callus, BCVC) and Mr 28 000 (basic chitinase/lysozyme cv. Valencia callus, BCLVC) indicated that chitinases in Carrizo were induced in infested roots when the BCVC antibody was employed. These findings justify calling these proteins pathogenesis-related proteins. The chitinase that BCLVC was prepared from exhibited high lysozyme activities, and the results of western blots showed the presence of proteins at Mr 24 000 and 27 000 which are presumed to be lysozymes. Similar tests using antibodies against β-1, 3-glucanases and peroxidases indicated a diminution of protein bands that cross-reacted with infested root protein extracts compared with what occurred in controls. All of the root extracts were tested against chitosans with various percentages of acetylation; activities were linearly dependent on the amount of chitosan acetylation; i.e. the larger the amount of acetylation, the greater the activity. Significant differences in hydrolase activities were observed between infested and uninfested roots for the rootstocks using the variously acetylated substrates. All of the root protein extracts were capable of degrading peritrophic membranes removed from larvae of D. abbreviatus. This suggests that citrus chitinases may play a role in disrupting the peritrophic membrane such that ingested substances that pose a hazard to the insect may penetrate the membrane more easily.
Interferon Treatment of Mooren's Ulcers Associated With Hepatitis C

Purpose/Methods The cause of Mooren's ulcer is unknown. We examined a patient with chronic hepatitis C who had a corneal ulceration that resembled Mooren's corneal ulcer. Results/Conclusion The corneal ulceration progressed despite appropriate medical and surgical interventions. Recombinant interferon α2b finally led to resolution of the process. The resolution correlated with normalization of the patient's liver function tests. Corneal ulcerations that resemble Mooren's ulcer may be associated with hepatitis C. Recombinant interferon α2b seems to induce remission in the corneal as well as the systemic condition.
Two-sided Brownian motion with quadratic drift and its least concave majorant

The main result of Wang [Wang, Y., 1994, The limit distribution of the concave majorant of an empirical distribution function. Statistics and Probability Letters, 20, 81–84.], the limiting distribution of the difference between the empirical distribution and its least concave majorant at a fixed point, is extended by noting its asymptotic independence with the well-known limiting normal distribution of the difference between the empirical distribution and the true distribution function at the same fixed point. Furthermore, Wang’s limiting distribution, the least concave majorant of two-sided Brownian motion with quadratic drift evaluated at 0, is simulated, tabled, and a stochastic upper bound is derived using two-sided Brownian motion with absolute drift. Some stationarity properties associated with two-sided Brownian motion with quadratic drift and its least concave majorant are also presented.
An evaluation of the automaticity of sensory processing using event‐related potentials and brain‐stem reflexes

Selective attention effects on reflexes and evoked potentials are reviewed with the aim of evaluating three theories regarding sensory automaticity. (a) The peripheral-gating theory, which assumes that ignored stimuli can be filtered out soon after transduction, was tentatively rejected because neither auditory-nerve nor retinal potentials are reliably affected by attention. (b) At the other extreme, the assumption that sensory analyses are obligatory and cannot benefit from attentional resources (i.e., strong-automaticity theory) was also rejected, because longer latency components were found to be modifiable by attention. (c) An intermediate theory provides the best fit to present electrophysiological data. The earliest sensory analyses are assumed to be strongly automatic and then, at forebrain levels, there is a transition from strong to weak automaticity (i.e., analyses are obligatory but modifiable by attention). This transition can begin as early as about 15 ms for audition and about 80 ms for vision.
POLYMERIZATION-INDUCED PHASE SEPARATION: INTERMEDIATE DYNAMICS

When phase separation is induced by polymerizating monomers in a mixture of monomers and nonreacting molecules, the dynamics is different depending on the time scale of polymerization τpl and the time scale of phase separation τps. Previous studies have explored the dynamic regimes where τpl ≪ τps and that where τpl ≫ τps. In the former, a spanning gel emerges before the phase separation and the phase separation is driven largely by activation. In the latter, phase separation occurs first between polymers and nonbonding molecules and then the polymers turn into a gel, and therefore the driving mechanism is the same as in the usual liquid–liquid demixing processes. Using Molecular Dynamics simulations, we explore in this paper the intermediate dynamic regime where the two time scales are comparable. When the polymerization is done by means of the thermal condensation reaction, we observe the expected crossover, one limit behavior at early times and then the other at late times. When the polymerization is done by means of the radical addition reaction, the results suggest that the driving mechanism changes more than once.
Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Star-forming Regions in NGC 3994/3995

We obtained ultraviolet and optical images of star-forming regions in the interacting galaxy system NGC 3994/3995 using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. We describe the characteristics of 56 detected knots, a majority of which are younger than 20 Myr old. There is no discernible pattern of knot age with respect to position within the galaxies. The knots have masses and radii ranging from 7.2 × 103 to 4.4 × 106 M⊙ and from 4 to 23 pc, respectively. Using a conservative criterion, we find that ~15% of these knots may be proto-globular clusters; the percentage of proto-globular clusters may be as high as ~70%. The UV flux distribution of the knots in NGC 3995 can be fitted with a power law with α = -0.72 ± 0.11, with no turnover detected brightward of the completeness limit.
Counting Hopf Galois Structures on Non-Abelian Galois Field Extensions

Let L be a field which is a Galois extension of the field K with Galois group G. Greither and Pareigis [GP87] showed that for many G there exist K-Hopf algebras H other than the group ring KG which make L into an H-Hopf Galois extension of K (or a Galois H∗object in the sense of Chase and Sweedler [CS69]). Using Galois descent they translated the problem of determining the Hopf Galois structures on L/K into one which depends only on the Galois group G. By this translation, they showed, for example, that any Galois extension with non-abelian G admits at least one non-classical Hopf Galois structure. Byott [By96] further translated the problem to a more amenable group-theoretic problem, and showed that a Galois extension L/K of fields with group G has a unique Hopf Galois structure, namely that by KG, iff n, the order of G, is a Burnside number, that is, is coprime to φ(n), Euler’s phi-function of n. (This implies that G is cyclic of square-free order.)
Treaty-Making Procedure in the United Kingdom*

The power to conclude and ratify treaties in the United Kingdom is one of the few remaining prerogatives of the crown. We may search in vain for constitutional laws, provisions, and decrees specifying the required formalities incident to the negotiation, conclusion, and ratification of treaties by Great Britain, because these matters are not governed by any act of Parliament or by any written regulations. British constitutional law on these points has not been embodied in statute and rests upon the common law alone. Thus there is no express definition of the treaty-making power and no reference to the authority by whom the treaty-making power may be exercised. Nevertheless, it may be said that under British constitutional law, which in this instance is common law, the authority to make treaties is vested absolutely in the crown as the unquestioned prerogative of sovereignty.
On the mechanical performance of closed cell Al alloy foams

Abstract The mechanical properties of three different commercially available closed cell Al alloys all made by foam casting are examined. The objective is to assess the roles of cell morphology and of imperfections in governing the basic properties: stiffness, yield strength and fracture resistance. This assessment provides goals for manufacturing strategies that enable attainment of good mechanical performance with affordable process technologies. A prevalent role of curves and wiggles in the cell walls on stiffness and strength (anticipated by models) is affirmed by the present measurements. Systematically larger stiffnesses and yield strengths found in tension than in compression are consistent with a prominent role exerted by such imperfections. Moreover, foam casting is apparently capable of cell morphologies that impart properties approaching the best achievable values for an isotropic closed cell solid, devoid of imperfections. There are associated implications for performance and affordability. Fracture measurements indicate crack growth occurring along the cell walls by a mechanism analogous to the plastic tearing of thin sheets. The crack growth resistances are in the range of 1 kJm−2. This mechanism infers a toughness that scales with the cell wall thickness and its yield strength.
Locating the Site of Absorption of Xanthophylls in the Chicken by a Surgical Technique

Abstract Increases in the level of blood xanthophylls and visual pigmentation of xanthophyll depleted cockerels were used to indirectly measure the absorption of xanthophylls. Surgical removal of either the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, or large intestine resulted in a slight but significant decrease in absorption of xanthophylls when compared to the sham operated chicks. With a similar comparison, ligation of the ceca resulted in a slight increase in pigmentation. Only the removal of that section of the jejunum-ileum affected by E. maxima resulted in chicks with no absorption when compared to chicks fed a diet free of xanthophylls. It was, therefore, concluded that most of the absorption of xanthophylls takes place in the area of the jejunum-ileum (the same section in which E. maxima infections occur), that a small amount of absorption, if any, takes place in the duodenum and large intestine, and that none takes place in the ceca.
Electronic Radiography For Rapid Non-Invasive Intervention In Neurological Surgery

We have developed and applied clinically a low cost electronic radiographic system for rapid intervention in neurosurgical procedures. The apparatus is operated by means of a single push-button control which pulses the x-ray tube, and simultaneously stores an individual television field on a magnetic disc, producing a frozen image which is instantly displayed on a small television monitor. During surgery this system has benefitted the neurosurgeon by enabling him to record and instantly display electronic radio-graphs for more rapid intervention with reduced risk of mortality and morbidity.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Human Mre11/Human Rad50/Nbs1 and DNA Ligase IIIα/XRCC1 Protein Complexes Act Together in an Alternative Nonhomologous End Joining Pathway

Recent studies have implicated a poorly defined alternative pathway of nonhomologous end joining (alt-NHEJ) in the generation of large deletions and chromosomal translocations that are frequently observed in cancer cells. Here, we describe an interaction between two factors, hMre11/hRad50/Nbs1 (MRN) and DNA ligase IIIα/XRCC1, that have been linked with alt-NHEJ. Expression of DNA ligase IIIα and the association between MRN and DNA ligase IIIα/XRCC1 are altered in cell lines defective in the major NHEJ pathway. Most notably, DNA damage induced the association of these factors in DNA ligase IV-deficient cells. MRN interacts with DNA ligase IIIα/XRCC1, stimulating intermolecular ligation, and together these proteins join incompatible DNA ends in a reaction that mimics alt-NHEJ. Thus, our results provide novel mechanistic insights into the alt-NHEJ pathway that not only contributes to genome instability in cancer cells but may also be a therapeutic target.
Genetic determinants of response and survival in momelotinib-treated patients with myelofibrosis.

Somatic mutations (for example, CALR, ASXL1) and karyotype have been shown to independently influence survival in patients with myelofibrosis (MF).1, 2 The objectives of the current study were to determine if such genetic markers also influence treatment response in MF patients receiving single agent momelotinib and whether such therapy overcomes the detrimental effect of prognostically relevant mutations in MF. Momelotinib is a Janus kinase (JAK)-1/2 inhibitor currently being evaluated in phase-3MF clinical trials (NCT01969838, NCT02101268). In an earlier phase-1/2 study (n=166), the drug was shown to improve anemia (53% response rate), reduce spleen size (39% response rate) and alleviate constitutional symptoms (>50% response rate) in MF patients.3 The current study considers 100 consecutive patients, who were part of the aforementioned phase-1/2 study and received momelotinib therapy at the Mayo Clinic.
Systematic repetition of the first person singular pronoun wo in Mandarin conversation: Negotiation of conflicting stance in interaction

While repetition was once thought to be “just a marker of a ‘disfluent’ or ‘sloppy’ speaker,” it has been increasingly recognized as a “human social activity, clearly part of our everyday conduct or behavior” (Schegloff 1987). The present study, using video recorded natural conversation data, aims to describe ways in which native speakers of Mandarin Chinese employ repetition of the first person pronoun wo for interactional moves. Repetition of wo is analyzed in conjunction with other interactive strategies, such as syntactic features, phonological features, pragmatic features, gesture, self-grooming, and gaze, as a way to organize and negotiate stances toward the proposition expressed and the co-participants and at the same time to enable intersubjectivity. By showing that within the speech of a single speaker pronominal repetition acts as a stance marker, this paper provides a new perspective on Chinese pronominal use and enriches our understanding of the functions of “disfluent” language in general.
Being on track for no child left behind : Examining the organizational capacity of massachusetts public eighth-grade programs

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it examines the requirement in No Child Left Behind (NCLB) that states have all students “proficient” in math and reading by 2013-2014. Second, the article assesses the organizational capacity of eighth-grade programs in Massachusetts to meet that directive. Issues of organizational capacity, system adequacy, and performance accountability frame this discussion. The findings reveal that significant differences persist in the organizational capacity of eighth-grade programs across the state. Moreover, no Massachusetts school has met the NCLB goal of 100% proficiency in either math or reading, calling into question the adequacy of the system or the appropriateness of the policy.