cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of atmospheric humidity on electrical conductivity of oil and implications in electrostatic atomization

Abstract In this work, the effect of the atmospheric humidity on the electrical conductivity of oil as well as its implications in the case of electrostatic atomizers are studied. It was observed that the electrical current through oil increased by at least two orders of magnitude when the relative humidity changed from ∼10% to ∼85%. A comparison of these results is made with the available model for the electrical conductivity of organic liquids. Additional experiments with oil previously subjected to elevated relative humidity were conducted to evaluate its performance in electrostatic atomizer. No improvement of electrostatic atomization was detected, rather a detrimental effect to the steady operation was introduced.
Geoecological alteration of surface soils by the Hawaiian silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense DC.) in Haleakala's crater, Maui

The geoecological effects of organic matter addition to soil byHawaiian silverswords (Argyroxiphium sandwicense DC.,Asteraceae) in Haleakala's crater (Maui) are examined. Sets of 12 surfacesoil samples were gathered in three positions: bare soils; under the crowncanopy of adjacent live plants; and below dead, withered rosettes. Silverswordstanding litter and live foliage were also collected. Several physical andchemical properties were investigated. Bare soils were coarse and exceptionallylow in chemical nutrients and water-holding capacity. Litter addition belowsilverswords altered all properties except particle-size distribution; soilsunder dead rosettes became modified more strongly than those below live plants.While rosettes grow, standing litter is tightly preserved, thus only smallamounts of organic matter are added to soil. When plants die, a substantialinflux of litter is released in a short period (7 to 9 years average); thisraises the C and N content, C/N ratios, exchangeable nutrient levels (Ca, Mg,K, P) and cation exchange capacity of soil. Physical properties, such as color,bulk density and porosity are also greatly affected; as a result, soilwater-retention at field capacity nearly doubles under withering plants. Soiltemperatures (5 cm depth) at noon were ∼18.1 °C lower beneath silversword canopies(18.5 °C mean) than in contiguous bare soils(36.6 °C). This cooling may result in lower evaporationand further conservation of soil moisture, thus increased seedgermination. Nutrient-retention strategies may have evolved in the semelparousArgyroxiphium to help it cope with the harsh,drought-prone soils and unpredictable climate of Haleakala. Silverswordflowering results in a tremendous seed output, but the plant needs to ensurethat some seeds – which have limited dispersal capability – willgerminate, and thus provides a nutrient-rich, water-retaining substrate moresuitable for seedling establishment than bare soils. Through itsself-regulating influence on underlying soils,Argyroxiphium affects both soil formation and its ownregeneration in Haleakala.
The benefit zone of full-endoscopic spine surgery

Minimally invasive spine procedures have undergone rapid development during the last decade. Efforts to decrease muscle crush injuries during prolonged retraction, avoid significant soft tissue stripping and minimize bony resection are surgical principles that are employed to prevent iatrogenic instability and provide patients with decreased post-operative pain and disability. Full-endoscopic spine surgery represents a tool for the spine surgeon to provide targeted access to spinal pathology utilizing these principles. Endoscopic techniques have seen over 30 years of evolution and innovation, however, early iterations of these techniques largely focused on transforaminal lumbar microdiscectomies. Currently, endoscopic techniques are utilized for approaching pathology in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. There has been a growing body of literature that not only confirms the efficacy of these procedures but also underscores the advantages these procedures offer with respect to less morbidity and safer complication profiles. Endoscopic decompressions have been utilized in the settings of degenerative spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, previous fusion, tumor and infection. Furthermore, endoscopic interbody fusion has also been utilized in the lumbar spine as technology continues to advance. As technological innovation continues to facilitate reproducible surgical technique and expand the indications for use, we believe that endoscopic spine surgical techniques will provide surgeons with a more powerful and less morbid approach to spinal pathology that ultimately elevates the standard of care when treating our patients. We present a brief review of the history of endoscopic spine surgery, an overview of current techniques and review current outcomes of endoscopic spine surgical procedures in the context of an invasiveness/complexity index to elucidate the benefit zone of these newer techniques.
Influenza Virus Infection Induces ZBP1 Expression and Necroptosis in Mouse Lungs

Programmed cell death and especially necroptosis, a programmed and regulated form of necrosis, have been recently implicated in the progression and outcomes of influenza in mouse models. Moreover, Z-DNA/RNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) has been identified as a key signaling molecule for necroptosis induced by Influenza A virus (IAV). Direct evidence of IAV-induced necroptosis has not been shown in infected lungs in vivo. It is also unclear as to what cell types undergo necroptosis during pulmonary IAV infection and whether ZBP1 expression can be regulated by inflammatory mediators. In this study, we found that IAV infection induced ZBP1 expression in mouse lungs. We identified that mediators implicated in the pathogenesis of IAV infection including interferons (IFNs), TNFα, and agonists for Toll-like receptors 3 and 4 were potent inducers of ZBP1 expression in primary murine alveolar epithelial cells, bone marrow derived macrophages, and dendritic cells. We further found that IAV infection induced a strong necroptosis through phosphorylation of the necroptosis effector mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein in infiltrating immune cells and alveolar epithelial cells by day 7 post-infection. Lastly, we found different cell type-specific responses to IAV-induced cell death upon inhibition of caspases and/or necroptosis pathways. Our findings provide direct evidence that IAV infection induces necroptosis in mouse lungs, which may involve local induction of ZBP1 and different programmed cell death signaling mechanisms in alveolar epithelial and infiltrating inflammatory cells in the lungs.
Books: Desmond Traces History of World Journalism

(1979). Books: Desmond Traces History of World Journalism. Journalism History: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 28-30.
Cyclodialysis Cleft Associated with Kahook Dual Blade Goniotomy.

Aim The aim of this study is to report cyclodialysis cleft creation during Kahook dual blade (KDB) goniotomy. Background No known reports of cyclodialysis clefts have been published to the authors' knowledge after KDB goniotomy. Case description A 55-year-old myopic male with primary open angle glaucoma in both eyes (OU) underwent routine cataract extraction and intraocular lens implant with KDB goniotomy in the right eye (OD). Preoperative intraocular pressures (IOP) OD were in the low 20 mm Hg range on timolol and bimatoprost. Postoperative IOP was 4 mm Hg, with a moderate depth anterior chamber. Gonioscopy was slit in all quadrants, with no structures visible, and no improvement on indentation. Mild macular choroidal folds were present OD. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) revealed an area of supraciliary fluid. Anterior chamber reformation with viscoelastic was performed and repeat gonioscopy revealed a cyclodialysis cleft from 2:00 to 3:00. Treatment with multiple sessions of argon laser photocoagulation successfully closed the cleft. Conclusion KDB goniotomy may be complicated by cyclodialysis cleft formation and hypotony maculopathy. Visualization of a cleft on gonioscopy may require anterior chamber reformation. Clinical significance With an increasing use of KDB for goniotomy, previously unreported complications may arise including cyclodialysis cleft and resultant hypotony maculopathy. Because cleft following KDB goniotomy is rare, suspicion may be low and diagnosis could be delayed in the setting of postoperative hypotony with closed angles. How to cite this article Shue A, Levine RM, et al. Cyclodialysis Cleft Associated with Kahook Dual Blade Goniotomy. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2019;13(2):74-76.
Oligomeric Aβ in the monkey brain impacts synaptic integrity and induces accelerated cortical aging.

As the average age of the population continues to rise, the number of individuals affected with age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has increased and is projected to cost more than $290 billion in the United States in 2019. Despite significant investment in research over the last decades, there is no effective treatment to prevent or delay AD progression. There is a translational gap in AD research, with promising drugs based on work in rodent models failing in clinical trials. Aging is the leading risk factor for developing AD and understanding neurobiological changes that affect synaptic integrity with aging will help clarify why the aged brain is vulnerable to AD. We describe here the development of a rhesus monkey model of AD using soluble oligomers of the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide (AβOs). AβOs infused into the monkey brain target a specific population of spines in the prefrontal cortex, induce neuroinflammation, and increase AD biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid to similar levels observed in patients with AD. Importantly, AβOs lead to similar dendritic spine loss to that observed in normal aging in monkeys, but so far without detection of amyloid plaques or tau pathology. Understanding the basis of synaptic impairment is the most effective route to early intervention and prevention or postponement of age-related cognitive decline and transition to AD. These initial findings support the use of monkeys as a platform to understand age-related vulnerabilities of the primate brain and may help develop effective disease-modifying therapies for treatment of AD and related dementias.
Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risks in Adult Patients with Episodic or Chronic Migraine Treated With Galcanezumab: Data From Three Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studies (P1.10-010)

Objective: To evaluate data related to cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with episodic or chronic migraine from double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of galcanezumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Background: CGRP is a potent microvascular vasodilator and has a hypothesized protective role in CV health. Increased CV risks have been reported in patients with migraine. Design/Methods: In 2 similarly designed episodic migraine 6-month studies and 1 chronic migraine 3-month study, data from patients randomized (1:1:2) to subcutaneous injection of galcanezumab 120 mg/month (following initial 240 mg loading dose) or 240 mg/month or placebo were pooled and grouped into CV disease risk “yes” or “no” subgroups based on reported medical history at baseline. Potential CV treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE), identified using standard MedDRA queries and medical review, and categorical changes in blood pressure (BP), pulse, and electrocardiogram (ECG) were evaluated using the Cochran Mantel Haenszel test. Changes from baseline in BP, pulse, and ECG were evaluated using the analysis of covariance model. Results: At baseline, across all treatment groups, between 17% and 19% of patients were in the “yes” CV disease risk subgroup. Among treatment arms, the percentage of patients reporting ≥1 CV TEAE were low ( Conclusions: No clinically meaningful differences were observed for CV TEAEs, BP, pulse, or QTcF between patients treated with galcanezumab or placebo. Disclosure: Dr. Oakes has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Oakes holds stock and/or stock options in Eli Lilly. Dr. Kovacs has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Armaron, Prilenia, Jazz, and Lilly. Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Allergan, Axon Optics, Theranica, Allergan, Teva, Eli Lilly, Supernus, Promius, Curelator, Allergan. Dr. Doty has received personal compensation for consulting and serving on a scientific advisory board with Eli Lilly and Company, and has received personal compensation for speaking with the Allergan Botox Speakers Bureau, Amgen Speakers Bureau, and Teva Speakers Bureau. Dr. Doty holds stock and/or stock options in Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Kemmer has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Aurora has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Camporeale has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Eli Lilly and Company.
Lethality of racism for Black children in the USA: a primer.

In 1969, Deborah Johnson, a Black, pregnant woman in Chicago, witnessed the murder of 21-year-old Fred Hampton, her sleeping fiance, by law enforcement. Hampton, a rising leader in the Black Panther Party, had been the target of Federal Bureau of Investigation surveillance. Two years prior, the Panthers introduced the Ten-Point Program which broadly demanded economic justice, decarceration, social liberation for Black people, and specifically called for the ‘immediate end to police brutality and murder of Black people’. Over 50 years later, the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May 2020, demonstrated that racism continues to kill. The demands that preceded Hampton’s assassination mirror those of the present-day Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality, structural racism and anti-Blackness. For children, the violence of racism in the USA can take the form of police killings as it did for 12-year-old Tamir Rice (shot by police while holding a toy gun in 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio) or from a slow, chronic, wear-and-tear process1 that begins in utero, as might have been the case for Johnson and Hampton’s unborn son. Fred Hampton Jr would grow to face structural barriers including incarceration, and is now an activist for prisoners’ rights. Structural racism can be defined as differential access to resources and opportunities by race as well as policies, laws and practices that reinforce racial inequity. Stressors such as poverty, discrimination, lack of access to high-quality healthcare and education, as well as environmental toxicants such as air pollution and lead, are not evenly distributed throughout populations; Black …
Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription cell signaling in Spondyloarthritis: rationale and evidence for JAK inhibition.

Purpose of review The Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling proteins represent a group of intracellular kinase molecules that play a central role in the signaling pathways induced by cytokines, chemokines, and certain growth factors associated with systemic and local inflammation of autoimmune diseases including in Spondyloarthritis (SpA). Here, we will discuss (i) the functional significance of the JAK-STAT kinase cascades in the inflammatory-proliferative processes of SpA and its cellular/molecular mechanisms (ii) progress in the development of oral synthetic JAK inhibitors (JAKi) and their therapeutic efficacies in SpA. Recent findings Development JAKi is a fast-moving field in the medical science. Several new-generation JAKi are being identified for psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is expected these JAKi likely to have higher potency and less adverse effects. Summary Here, we are providing an updated review on the significance of JAK-STAT signaling proteins in SpA with an emphasis on new-generation of JAK-STAT inhibitors for the treatment of SpA.
Identifying Silver Linings During the Pandemic Through Natural Language Processing.

COVID-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge to human welfare. Indeed, we have witnessed people experiencing a rise of depression, acute stress disorder, and worsening levels of subclinical psychological distress. Finding ways to support individuals’ mental health has been particularly difficult during this pandemic. An opportunity for intervention to protect individuals’ health & well-being is to identify the existing sources of consolation and hope that have helped people persevere through the early days of the pandemic. In this paper, we identified positive aspects, or “silver linings,” that people experienced during the COVID-19 crisis using computational natural language processing methods and qualitative thematic content analysis. These silver linings revealed sources of strength that included finding a sense of community, closeness, gratitude, and a belief that the pandemic may spur positive social changes. People’s abilities to engage in benefit-finding and leverage protective factors can be bolstered and reinforced by public health policy to improve society’s resilience to the distress of this pandemic and potential future health crises.
Information and Bias Effects in Discretionary Pricing: Evidence from an OTC Drug Pricing Quasi-Experiment

In theory, discretionary pricing improves the company's performance by allowing managers to incorporate local information into their pricing decisions. However, in practice, managers are vulnerable to behavioral biases that can lead to inaccurate estimation of the customer's willingness to pay and price sensitivity, and precipitate poor decisions. This paper investigates the effectiveness of discretionary pricing and examines how information advantage and behavioral bias influence managers' pricing decisions. Collaborating with a pharmacy retailer, we analyze a quasi-field experiment that delegates pricing power to local pharmacy managers. Our analysis reveals that under discretionary pricing, managers incorporate local information into their pricing decisions. However, they are also subject to behavioral biases, which leads to aggressive, sub-optimal price adjustments. We find that managers increase prices of high-priced drugs by 8.6\%, resulting in significant sales and revenue losses. The effect is particularly prominent in stores located in low-competition areas. Moreover, we find that manager experience can alleviate such behavioral biases---more experienced managers from larger stores are not subject to these biases. Our findings highlight the importance of recognizing managers' behavioral biases in business decisions. We provide implications for pricing practices and offer solutions that allow companies to leverage local information while reducing the impact of human biases.
Core Concepts in Remediation: Lessons Learned from a 6-Year Case Study

With widening access and increased class sizes, there is potential for more struggling medical students in need of remediation. This paper draws together lessons learned from a 6-year case study of a successful remedial intervention programme at one institution. When considered alongside a broad range of literature, this work illuminates some core concepts that can inform remediation work in other contexts. Remediation programmes need to foster development of students’ affective, cognitive and metacognitive practices if they are to have long-term effects. The course design should be context dependent, collaborative, adaptive, and combine the learning of process and content. Participation should be mandatory, so that students can meet regularly in small stable groups over an extended period of time, with an experienced faculty facilitator who presses the group to pay close attention to the language of medicine. Successful remediation also needs a systemic perspective with clear administrative support, and transparent policies and expectations for all stakeholders. With all the essential ingredients in place, students who have struggled can go on to become successful, mindful physicians.
The Measurement of Operating Performance Following Corporate Acquisitions: A Comparison of Event-Time to Calendar-Time Measures

We examine a sample of 1,175 firms following their acquisition of another firm. Consistent with previous work, we measure the operating performance of these firms in event-time, and find that they experience significantly positive abnormal operating performance subsequent to their acquisition. When we measure their abnormal operating performance in calendar-time, however, we find that our sample firms’ abnormal operating performance is insignificant. In short, we find that the standard event-time measures of abnormal operating performance overstate the benefits of corporate acquisitions.
Mars Exploration Rover Surface Mission Flight Thermal Performance

NASA launched two rovers in June and July of 2003 as a part of the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) project. MER-A (Spirit) landed on Mars in Gusev Crater at 15 degrees South latitude and 175 degree East longitude on January 4, 2004 (Squyres, et al., Dec. 2004)). MER-B (Opportunity) landed on Mars in Terra Meridiani at 2 degrees South latitude and 354 degrees East longitude on January 25, 2004 (Squyres, et al., August 2004) Both rovers have well exceeded their design lifetime (90 Sols) by more than a factor of 4. Spirit and Opportunity are still healthy and continue to execute their roving science missions at the time of this writing. This paper discusses rover flight thermal performance during the surface missions of both vehicles, covering roughly the time from the MER-A landing in late Southern Summer (Ls = 328, Sol 1A) through the Southern Winter solstice (Ls = 90, Sol 255A) to nearly Southern Vernal equinox (Ls = 160 , Sol 398A).
PLASMA GABA IN AFFECTIVE ILLNESS A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract Plasma levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were determined in 34 clinically symptomatic patients with diagnosis of affective disorder and in 20 normal controls. Lowest levels were found in patients with familial pure depressive disease and in depression spectrum disease, while levels of patients with sporadic depressive disease, though significantly lower than control, were not as low. Plasma GABA levels in secondary depression and in bipolar depression were similar to control. Bipolar manic patients had plasma GABA levels that were significantly higher than control values.
Incontinentia Pigmenti (Bloch-Sulzberger Syndrome)

Incontinentia pigmenti is not common. It is X-linked dominant and is lethal in most affected male infants. Usually the males with the disease are stillborn. There are dermal, central nervous system, ocular, and dental involvements with this disease.
Ovarian fibromas and mesenteric cysts: Their association with hereditary basal cell cancer of the skin

Abstract Five cases are reported of a rare hereditary syndrome with multiple system defects, which has as its major features basal cell cancers of the skin, mandibular cysts, and rib anomalies. Three of the 5 patients have had ovarian fibromas and 2 have had concomitant mesenteric lymphatic cysts.
Intermediates of Bacteriophage MS2 Assembly In Vivo

Abstract The in vivo process of virion assembly was studied in rifampin-treated, MS2-infected Escherichia coli during late times of infection—after 18 min postinfection. Differential sucrose gradient sedimentation of infected-cell lysates taken at various times after radioactive labeling indicated a definite temporal order of appearance of phage-specific protein in assembly-related structures. Labeled MS2 protein appears first as a low-molecular-weight peak at the tops of gradients, then as a peak at 40S and as a large number of almost unseparable structures between 40 and 80S, and finally as 80S mature phage particles. During the chase of a short labeling period, radioactive phage protein was found to disappear from gradients in the same temporal order as it appeared; the soluble peak disappears first, followed by the 40 to 70S region. The chased label appears quantitatively in the 80S phage peak. Labeled phage RNA was found to appear first in the 40S peak, then in the structures between 40 and 70S, and finally in 80S phage particles. The order of disappearance of labeled phage RNA during a chase is the same as its appearance. Resedimentation of the 40 to 70S region indicated the presence of distinct structures at 60 and 70S and many indistinct ones between 40 and 60S. The smaller intermediates exhibit separable maturation protein-rich and coat protein-rich segments, indicating nonrandom binding of the two proteins during the initial steps of assembly. Larger, discrete intermediates appear at 60 and 70S. Treatment of the various structures with pancreatic RNase results in destruction of those from 40 through 60S; treatment of the 70S structure results in the conversion of some of it to a 45S peak, presumably the complete capsid. A small fraction of the 80S phage peak is also sensitive to RNase, resulting in a similar 45S peak. Pulse-chase experiments indicate that structures from 40 through 60S as well as the RNase-sensitive 70S structure are assembly intermediates, but that the RNase-insensitive 70S and the RNase-sensitive 80S structures are not.
Ultrasonic Transducers, Imaging

The sections in this article are 1 Types of Transducers 2 Basic Construction 3 Arrays 4 Design 5 Current Developments
Gas-to-particle conversion of sulfur in power plant plumes—II. Observations of liquid-phase conversions

Abstract The data from 5 days of plume measurements under wet conditions are presented for the transport of the Labadie plume (St. Louis, Missouri) and the Cumberland and Johnsonville plumes (Tennessee). Collectively, the data include instances of liquid-phase reactions in wetted aerosols, as well as in rain, cloud and fog droplets. Detailed case studies are presented for two days of the Tennessee measurements when considerable plume-cloud interactions occurred, and on one of these days, the plumes were also sampled in light rain conditions. The data indicate evidence of variable contributions of liquid-phase reactions to sulfate formation, depending on the type of liquid environment, the extent of plume exposure to it, and the state of dilution of the plume. Sulfate formation appears to be particularly rapid in light rain. In clouds, sulfate forms more rapidly in dilute aged plumes than in coherent fresh plumes. Tall-stack plumes emitted into stable elevated layers may experience a burst of sulfate formation if they pass through a cloud layer at the inversion base during entrainment into the growing daytime mixing layer. A larger set of the MISTT and STATE data indicates that 25 ± 15% of the SO 2 emissions from large midwestern power plants may ordinarily be converted to sulfate on a summer day (24 h), and that the liquid-phase contribution may be 40% or more of this, on average.
Nonequilibrium algebraic turbulence modeling considerations for transonic airfoils and wings

The nonequilibrium algebraic turbulence model of Johnson and King has been applied successfully to both airfoils and wings. However, in wing applications a different expression for the outer 'equilibrium' eddy viscosity has been used because of apparent difficulties in determining the boundary-layer thickness. It is shown in this paper, that this expression does not give eddy viscosity levels for two-dimensional flows that are consistent with Clauser's correlation for equilibrium turbulent boundary layers. And as a consequence, results in inferior predictions when used in airfoil calculations. The objective of this paper is to develop a formulation applicable to wing flows which reduces to the proper form in the two-dimensional case. This necessitates, in part, finding a better way of estimating the boundary-layer thickness from the computed flowfield.
Punctate epiphyses: a radiological sign not a disease

Punctate epiphyses are caused by a diverse group of conditions. They may be an inherited part of certain bone dysplasias or an incidental finding occurring occasionally in various disorders. The pattern of the puncta together with other radiologic findings aid in making the correct diagnosis.
Enactment and Implementation of the National Security Personnel System: Policy Made and Policy Unmade

This case study reviews the enactment and implementation of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) in the U.S. Department of Defense. Proponents of reform seized the opportunity to enact reform in the aftermath of 9/11, basing their arguments on national security concerns. However, the policy-making process did not produce a consensus for reform among key stakeholders in the personnel management policy community. Instead, the NSPS angered and alienated the Office of Personnel Management, the public employee unions, and a number of congressional Democrats. Implementation of the NSPS became problematic as Defense Department officials attempted to move quickly and independently to get the new system online, eventually forcing the department to put the system on hold. In the end, Congress imposed limits on its implementation, advocates for the system disappeared, and a new president supported the repeal of NSPS. This case provides useful insights into the formulation of future strategies for personnel management reform.
Damage-Induced Modeling of Elastic-Viscoelastic Randomly Oriented Particulate Composites

This paper presents a model for predicting the damage-induced mechanical response of particle-reinforced composites. The modeling includes the effects of matrix viscoelasticity and fracture, both within the matrix and along the boundaries between matrix and rigid particles. Because of these inhomogeneities, the analysis is performed using the finite element method. Interface fracture is predicted by using a nonlinear viscoelastic cohesive zone model. Rate-dependent viscoelastic behavior of the matrix material and cohesive zone is incorporated by utilizing a numerical time-incrementalized algorithm. The proposed modeling approach can be successfully employed for numerous types of solid media that exhibit matrix viscoelasticity and complex damage evolution characteristics within the matrix as well as along the matrix-particle boundaries. Computational results are given for various asphalt concrete mixtures. Simulation results demonstrate that each model parameter and design variable significantly influences the mechanical behavior of the mixture.
Cloning of restriction and modification genes in E. coli: The HhaII system from Haemophilus haemolyticus

Abstract The genes for a Class II restriction-modification system ( Hha II) from Haemophilus haemolyticus have been cloned in Escherichia coli . The vector used for cloning was plasmid pBR322 which confers resistance to tetracycline and ampicillin and contains a single endonuclease R· Pst I site, (5′)C-T-G-C-A ↓ -G (3′), in the ampicillin gene. The procedure developed by Bolivar et al. (1977) was used to form DNA recombinants. H. haemolyticus DNA was cleaved with Pst I endonuclease and poly(dC) extensions were added to the 3′-OH termini using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Circular pBR322 DNA was cleaved to linear molecules with Pst I endonuclease and poly(dG) extensions were added to the 3′-OH termini, thus regenating the Pst I cleavage site sequence. Recombinant molecules, formed by annealing the two DNAs, were used to transfect a restriction and modification-deficient strain of E. coli (HB101 r − m − rec A). Tetracycline-resistant clones were tested for acquisition of restriction phenotype (as measured by growth on plates seeded with phage λc I·O). A single phage-resistant clone was found. The recombinant plasmid, pDI10, isolated from this clone, had acquired 3 kilobases of additional DNA which could be excised with Pst I endonuclease. In addition to the restriction function, cells carrying the plasmid expressed the Hha II modification function. Both activities have been partially purified by single-stranded DNA-agarose chromatography. The cloned Hha II restriction activity yields cleavage patterns identical to Hin fI. A restriction map of the cloned DNA segment is presented.
Updates in Medical and Surgical Therapies for Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome is a complex neurobehavioral disorder defined by multiple motor and at least 1 vocal tic, persisting over 1 year, waxing and waning in severity, and not explained by another condition. The condition may range from mild nuisance to debilitating and disabling in severity. Management includes counseling and reassurance, behavioral interventions, pharmacologic, and rarely, surgical interventions. Traditionally, alpha-2 agonists and dopamine receptor antagonists have been utilized. In addition, a number of different pharmacotherapies have been implemented in the search for improved management of tics with better tolerability. In rare, severely disabling cases, neuromodulation with deep brain stimulation may be indicated. Optimal brain targets and candidate selection are still in evolution. This article will review the evidence for current medical and surgical therapies with a focus on recent updates.
Attenuation of hydrochlorothiazide-induced hypokalemia in dogs by a β-adrenergic blocking drug, timolol

Abstract Hydrochlorothiazide, administered at 1, 3 and 9 mg/kg/day p.o. for 4 days, produced a dose-dependent lowering of plasma potassium and an elevation in plasma renin activity in unanesthetized dogs. When plasma renin activity was suppressed in diuretic-treated dogs by the potent β-adrenergic receptor-blocking drug, timolol (0.5, 2 mg/kg/day p.o. for 4 days), the hypokalemia and hyperreninemia were significantly less pronounced. The data suggest that β-adrenergic blocking drugs can be used to antagonize these side effects of diuretics.
Facies variation of eruption units produced by the passage of single pyroclastic surge currents, Hopi Buttes volcanic field, USA

Abstract Base surges are a significant volcanic hazard associated with phreatomagmatism, but their transport and depositional dynamics are incompletely understood. Stratigraphic analysis and lateral tracing of surge eruption units produced by the passage of single base surges from Haskie tuff ring, Hopi Buttes volcanic field, USA, extend to > 1 km from the vent and show similar downcurrent changes in lithofacies. Within 200 m of the vent, eruption units are primarily disorganized lapilli-tuff that is rich in juvenile pyroclasts. At distances ≥ 200 m from the vent, eruption units transform into a couplet of juvenile-rich lapilli that grades upward into bedform-bearing ash tuff. At distances ≥ 900 m, upper and lower beds of the eruption unit couplet transform into planar-stratified beds. At distances ≥ 1100 m, couplets composing different eruption units are almost entirely composed of planar beds and amalgamate to form almost identical planar-bedded ash tuff. The collapse of dense eruption columns following explosive magma-wet sediment interaction generated turbulent surge currents. As the surges traveled away from the Haskie vent, they expanded and partitioned into a basal juvenile-rich traction carpet and overlying accidental-rich ash cloud surge. Near the limit of their runout, the surges cooled and lost their pyroclastic load, leaving planar beds of accidental-rich ash. The deposition of multiple surge eruption units with similar lateral and vertical facies transitions and a paucity of interbedded fallout suggests an eruption characterized by recurring phreatomagmatic explosions of similar size and the generation of surges with similar flow characteristics.
Controversial topics series: milk proteins and diabetes.

Summary of case-control studies of infant diet and type 1 diabetes. The studies are listed in chronological order of publicatio n. Were diabetic children less Were diabetic children breast-fed Were diabetic exposure Were diabetic childrenlikely to have been for a short duration earlier to breast-milk exposed earlier to cow’s milkbreast-fed compared with compared with substitute compared with protein compared withnon-diabetic children? non-diabetic children? non-diabetic children? non-diabetic children?Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes NoBorch-Johnsen Nigro Borch-Johnsen NigroVitanen Blom Dahlquist Kostraba1984 (17) 1985 (61) 1984 (17) 1985 (61) 1993 (73) 1989 (19) 1991 (77)* 1992 (59)Glatthaar FortMetcalfe MayerVerge Kostraba Virtanen Kostraba1988 (18) 1986 (62) 1992 (58) 1988 (20) 1994 (60) 1992 (59) 1993 (73) 1993 (65)Mayer Blom Virtanen Blom Perez-Bravo Bodington Verge Bodington1988 (20) 1989 (19) 1993 (73) 1989 (19) 1996 (71) 1994 (68) 1994 (60) 1994 (68)Metcalfe Siemiatycki Verge Kyvik Gimeno Wadworth Perez-Bravo Mijac1992 (58) 1989 (63) 1994 (60) 1991 (64) 1997 (75) 1997 (74) 1996 (71) 1995
Assessment of milk thistle and black cohosh supplementation on digoxin pharmacokinetics

Background Phytochemical-mediated modulation of p-glycoprotein (P-gp) and other drug transporters may underlie many herb-drug interactions. Serial plasma concentration-time profiles of digoxin (DIG) (a P-gp substrate) were used to determine whether supplementation with milk thistle (MT) or black cohosh (BC) modulated P-gp activity in vivo. Methods Sixteen healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive each supplement, on separate occasions, for 14 days followed by a 30-day washout period. Subjects were also randomized to receive rifampin (RIF) (600 mg daily for 7 days) and clarithromycin (CLT) (1000 mg daily for 7 days) as positive controls for P-gp induction and inhibition, respectively. DIG (Lanoxicaps, 0.4 mg) was administered orally before and at the end of each supplementation and control period. Serial DIG plasma concentrations were obtained over 24 hours. Comparisons of AUC, Cmax, and Tmax were used to assess the effects of MT, BC, RIF, and CLT on DIG pharmacokinetics. Results RIF produced significant reductions (p<0.01) in AUC and Cmax, while CLT increased these parameters significantly (p<0.01). No statistically significant effects on DIG pharmacokinetics were observed following supplementation with either MT or BC, although BC approached significance for AUC (p= 0.05). Conclusions When compared to RIF and CLT, supplementation with MT or BC did not appear to affect DIG pharmacokinetics, suggesting that these supplements are not potent modulators of P-gp in vivo. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P49–P49; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.078
Notes on Breeding and Size of Young in the Richardson Ground Squirrel

In connection with a problem on endocrine-influenced behavior, supported by National Institutes of Health Grant MH-969, a large colony of Wyoming ground squirrels, Citellus richardsonii elegans has been maintained for several years in our vivarium. On April 9 newly captured female No. 610 was found to have a cornified vaginal smear and was placed in our standard observation cage with an active healthy male squirrel at 10:50 a.m. He immediately approached the female and sniffed her nose, backed off and shoved sawdust toward her, reapproached and nibbled her neck and upper back. She now elevated her tail and chirruped. The male nuzzled her genital region and mounted the female at 11:08 a.m. The female whistled shrilly but did not resist. The male clasped the female from behind with his fore paws about her lower thorax. There was some palpation by …
1,2-Cycloheptanedionedioxime as a micro-gravimetric reagent for nickel

1,2-Cycloheptanedionedioxime (heptoxime), previously reported as a water-soluble gravimetric reagent for nickel, has been applied succesfully to the micro-gravimetric determination of this ion. The procedure, modified from the macro-determination, consists of precipitating nickelheptoxime in a micro-filter beaker and weighing the precipitate after drying at 110–120° C. The commonly encountered cations and metallic ions do not interfere or may be masked by complexing agents. The method has been tested on standard nickel solutions and standard steel samples.
Trypsin inhibition by mouse serum: sexual dimorphism controlled by testosterone

The trypsin inhibiting activity in the serum of male mice is substantially greater than that in females. In five strains of mice and two large groups of interstrain hybrids this difference ranged from 14 (in ICR mice) to 55 percent (in DBA mice). Castration of males significantly decreased the serum trypsin inhibiting activity, whereas the administration of testosterone restored the activity to its original level. Administration of testosterone to female mice increased the activity to a level similar to that in males of the same strain. Because almost all the change in inhibiting activity occurred in the electrophoretic alpha-1 region, alpha-1 region, alpha-1-antitrypsin is probably responsible for this effect.
Influence of the substrate bias on epitaxial growth of Si films by dc-discharge plasma chemical vapour deposition

We report on the investigation of the influence of the substrate bias on the structure of epitaxial Si films grown on Si (100) by low-energy dc-discharge plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition in the temperature range between and . The effect of the substrate bias was studied by reflection high-energy electron diffraction, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). The XTEM investigations showed that the Si films grown at a negative substrate bias below 10 V are of good quality and defect free. In the films grown at a higher negative substrate bias a critical thickness was observed up to which the films remain free of extended defects. This critical thickness was found to be related to the ion bombardment of the surface during growth and to be substrate temperature dependent. The STM studies showed that the nucleation of stacking faults at this critical thickness is connected to an evolution of the surface roughness and a change of the growth mode from two- to three-dimensional at ion energies above 10 eV.
Increased aminoacylation of tRNA as a function of the Abnormal abdomen genotype of Drosophila melanogaster

Post-microsomal supernatant enzymes isolated from adults of the Abnormal Abdomen (A53g) mutant strain of Drosophila melanogaster stimulate the in vitro aminoacylation of tRNA. This stimulation is due to an altered enzyme system in the mutant which exhibits an increased level of aminoacylation of isoaccepting tRNA molecules. Observations of in vitro aminoacylation studies, as well as the results of MAK and BD-cellulose column chromatography of tRNAs aminoacylated by mutant and wild-type Drosophila supernatant enzymes, support this hypothesis.
Hair Follicle Disruption Facilitates Pathogenesis to UVB-Induced Cutaneous Inflammation and Basal Cell Carcinoma Development in Ptch+/− Mice

Hairless mice carrying homozygous mutations in hairless gene manifest rudimentary hair follicles (HFs), epidermal cysts, hairless phenotype, and enhanced susceptibility to squamous cell carcinomas. However, their susceptibility to basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), a neoplasm considered originated from HF-localized stem cells, is unknown. To demonstrate the role of HFs in BCC development, we bred Ptch+/−/C57BL6 with SKH-1 hairless mice, followed by brother-sister cross to get F2 homozygous mutant (hairless) or wild-type (haired) mice. UVB-induced inflammation was less pronounced in shaved haired than in hairless mice. In hairless mice, inflammatory infiltrate was found around the rudimentary HFs and epidermal cysts. Expression of epidermal IL1f6, S100a8, vitamin D receptor, repetin, and major histocompatibility complex II, biomarkers depicting susceptibility to cutaneous inflammation, was also higher. In these animals, HF disruption altered susceptibility to UVB-induced BCCs. Tumor onset in hairless mice was 10 weeks earlier than in haired littermates. The incidence of BCCs was significantly higher in hairless than in haired animals; however, the magnitude of sonic hedgehog signaling did not differ significantly. Overall, 100% of hairless mice developed >12 tumors per mouse after 32 weeks of UVB therapy, whereas haired mice developed fewer than three tumors per mouse after 44 weeks of long-term UVB irradiation. Tumors in hairless mice were more aggressive than in haired littermates and manifested decreased E-cadherin and enhanced mesenchymal proteins. These data provide novel evidence that disruption of HFs in Ptch+/− mice enhances cutaneous susceptibility to inflammation and BCCs.
An ab Initio Post-Hartree-Fock Comparative Study of 5-Azacytosine and Cytosine and Their Dimers with Guanine

The post-Hartree-Fock ab initio studies were performed to predict the properties of eight tautomers of 5-azacytosine. All geometries were optimized without symmetry restrictions by the gradient procedure at the MP2 level of theory using the standard 6-31G(d,p) basis set. Single-point calculations have been performed at the MP2/6-311++G(d,p), MP2/6-31++G(2df,2pd), MP4(SDTQ)/6-31G(d,p), and CCSD(T)/6-31G(d,p) levels for all eight tautomers. The calculations of the stabilities of the tautomers in a polar medium have been performed using explicitly water molecules which form a first solvation shell, and PCM solvation model. The results are compared to the corresponding data for cytosine tautomers. Ab initio calculations predict a different order of tautomers in cytosine and 5-azacytosine; however, the relative stabilities of the two lowest energy tautomers are the same for both bases. The molecular geometries of guanine-5-azacytosine and guanine-cytosine base pairs have been optimized using the MP2/6-31G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory. The interaction energies have been calculated at the MP2/6-31G(d,p), MP2/6-311++G(d,p), MP4(SDQ)/6-31G(d,p), and B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) levels and corrected for the basis set superposition error. The interaction and solvation energies of base pair complexes with water have been estimated using first solvation shell of water molecules and PCM solvation model. The study has shown the similar geometrical parameters for fragments of both bases associated with the formation of hydrogen bonds with guanine and different molecular parameters associated with the moieties involved in the interactions with cytosine-5-methyltransferase.
The Effects of Engine Speed on the Scavenging Characteristics of a Two-Cycle Engine

Influence de la vitesse du moteur sur les caracteristiques de balayage d'un moteur a deux temps
The delicate dance of translation and folding

The past decade has seen rapid growth in our knowledge of how proteins are synthesized in cells. This includes the basic step of how transfer RNAs (tRNAs) decode messenger RNAs (mRNAs) with high fidelity and speed, how the ribosome moves along mRNA from codon to codon during translation, and how synthesis of the corresponding polypeptide chain is initiated and terminated at specific points on the mRNA ( 1 ). Structures of the ribosomal particles—megadalton RNA-protein assemblies—have provided detailed molecular views of the active sites for mRNA decoding and peptide bond formation, and suggested pathways for movement of ligands, factors, and the ribosomal subunits themselves. Obscured in this rich cache of knowledge is the fate of the protein product. How does it fold during mRNA translation and how might protein folding affect translation itself? These questions are addressed by elegant biophysical and biochemical approaches reported by Goldman et al. ( 2 ) and Kim et al. ( 3 ) on pages 457 and 444, respectively, of this issue, adding to a growing appreciation of cotranslational protein folding ( 4 – 6 ).
No Man's Child: The Campaign in Mesopotamia, 1914–1916

(1984). No Man's Child: The Campaign in Mesopotamia, 1914–1916. The International History Review: Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 358-385.