cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term suppression of the Lake Trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) population in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho

A simulation model of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum 1792) population dynamics in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, was used to estimate (1) the optimal allocation of effort among gillnet mesh sizes that minimizes abundance in the shortest time; (2) the number of years needed to suppress the population to 90% of peak abundance; and (3) once suppressed, how much effort could be reduced to sustain abundance indefinitely. A density-dependent stochastic simulation model was parameterized from data in 2006–2016, including parameter uncertainty and implementation error. Time to suppression could be reduced by using more large-mesh gillnet than was used during 2007–2016. Continued fishing at the peak level of total gillnetting effort, but using an optimal effort allocation among meshes, would suppress abundance to the target level within 7–13 years. Once suppressed, gillnet effort could be reduced 76–86% (157,000 m, 95% CI 116,000–199,000 m) to sustain abundance at the target level. Our findings suggest that time to suppression of lake trout populations in other systems may be able to be reduced by optimizing gillnet effort allocation among mesh sizes, and that total effort can be greatly reduced to sustain abundance at the reduced level thereafter.
Heme uptake and utilization by gram-negative bacterial pathogens

Iron is a transition metal utilized by nearly all forms of life for essential cellular processes, such as DNA synthesis and cellular respiration. During infection by bacterial pathogens, the host utilizes various strategies to sequester iron in a process termed, nutritional immunity. To circumvent these defenses, Gram-negative pathogens have evolved numerous mechanisms to obtain iron from heme. In this review we outline the systems that exist in several Gram-negative pathogens that are associated with heme transport and utilization, beginning with hemolysis and concluding with heme degradation. In addition, Gram-negative pathogens must also closely regulate the intracellular concentrations of iron and heme, since high levels of iron can lead to the generation of toxic reactive oxygen species. As such, we also provide several examples of regulatory pathways that control heme utilization, showing that co-regulation with other cellular processes is complex and often not completely understood.
Implementation and Outcomes of a Molecular Tumor Board at Herbert-Herman Cancer Center, Sparrow Hospital

Objective. This paper describes our experience and outcomes from 54 cases presented to the (Molecular tumor board) MTB. Methods. 54 Cases presented between July 2017 and April 2018 were included in this analysis. These patients had different types of cancers that had either failed standard therapy or were expected to fail and physicians were looking for future options for anticipated progression. Patients who had obvious mutations and were candidates for Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry or Molecular Analysis for Treatment Choice clinical trials were not included. Oncologists presented the cases virtually and Foundation Medicine scientific and clinical team discussed the molecular pathways to find targeted options or trials. Tumor board attendees included oncologists, nurses, pharmacists, mid-level providers, residents and staff of the Cancer Center. Results. Amongst the 54 cases presented 81% had one or more potentially actionable alteration. 12 (22%) patients received genomically matched therapy as per MTB recommendations. Additional 13 (24%) patients have options available when they progress. Out of 12 patients who got treatment six are alive at the time of this analysis . Genomically matched therapy or Clinical Trials option were offered to the 46% of patients based on the MTB discussion. Conclusion. More widespread use of molecular diagnostics, better physician education and multidisciplinary collaboration between the staff involved in diagnosis and treatment, as well as third party payers are necessary for consensus on treatment and care of oncology patients.
Recurrent Perianal Abscesses

Evaluation for chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is recommended in a child with recurrent abscesses and/or concern for very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease A simple neutrophil count through CBC can be helpful in differentiating between defects in neutrophil number, chemotaxis, or function The index of suspicion for bacterial or fungal infection should be high when evaluating a CGD patient with symptoms of infection
The Spillover of Shareholder Litigation Risk and Corporate Voluntary Disclosure

We study how the spillover of peer firms’ litigation risk affects a focal firm’s voluntary disclosure. We find that focal firms facing greater litigation risk spillovers reduce disclosure activities by lowering both the likelihood of issuance and the frequency of management earnings forecasts. We show that the effect is likely causal using a difference-in-differences design where an unanticipated court ruling significantly reduces certain firms’ exposure to peers’ litigation risk spillover. Further analyses suggest that cross-ownership of institutional investors is a potential mechanism through which the diffusion of litigation risk externalities occurs.
Measuring High School Students' Science Identities, Expectations of Success in Science, Values of Science and Environmental Attitudes: Development and Validation of the SIEVEA Survey.

This article describes the development and validation of an instrument called Science Identities, Expectations of Success in Science, Values of Science and Environmental Attitudes (SIEVEA). The instrument is a convenient online survey that can be used to measure students' science identities, expectations of success in science, values of science, and environmental attitudes. First, 1,764 high school students from 11 school districts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut took the SIEVEA. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The EFA results provided useful insights into the factor structure of the data and led to the formation of three candidate models. All three models were evaluated based on their fit to data, their alignment with the research constructs, and their factor loadings. Because of this evaluation, the three-factor model was selected as the final model. Next, the instrument was validated via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using a new sample data made up of responses of 1,495 high school students. The developed instrument is valuable for both researchers and educators, as it allows for measurement of constructs that play an important role in successful science learning.
Prune Belly Syndrome

Prune belly syndrome is characterized by three cardinal features: bilateral undescended testicles, dilated urinary tract, and deficient abdominal wall musculature. These manifestations place patients with prune belly syndrome at risk for testicular malignancy, infertility, urinary tract infections, and renal failure. In addition, extra-genitourinary manifestations may also affect the gastrointestinal, orthopedic, and cardiopulmonary organ systems. The syndrome affects males in 95% of cases with up to 29% of patients dying during the peri-natal period, the majority from complications of pulmonary hypoplasia. The complexity of these patients requires a thorough understanding of their pathophysiology by pediatric surgeons and pediatric urologists alike.
Electromagnetic property of polymer derived SiC–C solid solution formed at ultra-high temperature

Abstract High-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials in harsh environment are highly required for electronics and aerospace applications. This study reports the EMI shielding property of a polymer derived SiC–C solid solution formed at ultra-high temperature, which has not been reported in the open literature. The average total shielding effectiveness per unit thickness was 29.14 dB/mm, 18.05 dB/mm and 22.08 dB/mm when the polymer derived SiC (PDC-SiC) was annealed at 1700, 1900 and 2000 °C, respectively. High electrical conductivity leads to a high EMI effectiveness of the PDC-SiC annealed at 1700 °C. The electrical conduction loss was decreased while the dielectric loss was increased because of the formation of defects induced by the dissolution of carbon into the SiC lattice. At an annealing temperature of 1500 °C, the PDC-SiC showed microwave absorbing features, with a minimum reflection coefficient (at 3.37 mm) of −53.06 dB at 27.04 GHz. Microstructure characterization revealed that the change and distribution of carbon structure resulted in the electromagnetic property change. The results of this study provided a new method of designing EMI shielding materials by making a carbon solid solution that could change the potential application of the PDC-SiC from microwave absorption to EMI shielding.
The Future of Roe v. Wade: Do Abortion Rights End When a Human's Life Begins?

While legal scholars and Supreme Court Justices on both sides of the national abortion controversy argue that Roe v. Wade was incorrectly decided, this Article accepts the Court’s decision as a provisional holding that was based on the relevant societal, scientific, and legal records available to the Court in 1973. However, the stare decisis analysis outlined by the Court in Planned Parenthood v. Casey dictates that precedent can be overturned when a change in relevant facts robs a ruling of its original justification. If the Court agrees to hear a challenge to Roe, it will likely assess whether the relevant factual records relied upon by the Court in Roe are still responsive to present realities. In 1973, the Court in Roe held that a state’s interest in protecting life becomes compelling at fetal viability and fetuses do not have constitutional rights. The Court made these determinations because it could not find a consensus view on when life begins and it found that states were reluctant to recognize fetuses as legal persons outside of the abortion context. Today, the Court can take notice of recent scientific and legal developments: (1) an academic study found a consensus of biologists around the world (96%) agree with the biological fact that a human’s life begins at fertilization and (2) there are now eight legal contexts in which fetuses are protected as human persons under the law; today, 38 states have fetal homicide laws that recognize non-abortive killings of fetuses as homicides or murders of human persons. If the Court considers these developments, which establish fetuses as humans in fact and persons under the law, then it would likely hold that Casey’s stare decisis standard for reexamining precedent has been satisfied and Roe’s viability standard has been robbed of its original justification. Since U.S. Senators and Supreme Court Justices have held that all humans are persons within the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, these developments could also lead the Court to recognize that all humans have the constitutional right to equal protection under the law throughout their lives, from fertilization until death. Whether the Court overturns Roe and returns the abortion issue to the states, recognizes fetal rights, or uses a new justification to retain or expand abortion rights, this Article argues that the Court cannot allow our Nation to be governed by abortion jurisprudence which rests on outdated and incorrect factual records of the science of fetal development and the legal status of preborn humans.
SENTINEL LYMPH NODE MAPPING IN BREAST CANCER

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a rapidly emerging treatment option for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer and a clinically negative axilla. In the era of mammographic detection, SLN biopsy has the potential to eliminate axillary dissection for the enlarging cohort of breast cancer patients who are node-negative. Using radioisotope, blue dye, or both methods, experienced surgeons can successfully localize SLNs in more than 90% of cases. The effects of isotope and blue dye may be additive. Sentinel lymph node biopsy reliably predicts axillary node status in 98% of all patients and 95% of those who are node-positive. The operation is best learned under a formalized protocol in which a backup axillary dissection is performed to validate the technique during the surgeon's early experience. Enhanced pathologic analysis, including serial sections and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, is an essential element of the procedure. In experienced hands, SLN biopsy has less morbidity and greater accuracy than conventional axillary dissection.
Spin multiplicity effects in doublet versus singlet emission: the photophysical consequences of a single electron.

Ambient-stable fluorescent radicals have recently emerged as promising luminescent materials; however, tailoring their properties has been difficult due to the limited photophysical understanding of open-shell organic systems. Here we report the experimental and computational analysis of a redox pair of π-conjugated fluorescent molecules that differ by one electron. A π-dication (DC) and π-radical cation (RC) demonstrate different absorption spectra, but similar red emission (λemiss,max = ∼630 nm), excitation maxima (λexc,max = ∼530 nm), fluorescence lifetimes (1–10 ns), and even excited-state (non-emissive) lifetimes when measured by transient absorption spectroscopy. Despite their experimental similarities, time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) studies reveal that DC and RC emission mechanisms are distinct and rely on different electronic transitions. Excited-state reorganization occurs by hole relaxation in singlet DC, while doublet RC undergoes a Jahn-Teller distortion by bending its π-backbone in order to facilitate spin-pairing between singly occupied molecular orbitals. This relationship between the excited-state dynamics of RC and its π-backbone geometry illustrates a potential strategy for developing π-conjugated radicals with new emission properties. Additionally, by comparing TDDFT and CIS (configuration interaction singles) excitations, we show that unrestricted TDDFT accurately reproduces experimental absorption spectra and provides an opportunity to examine the relaxed excited-state properties of large open-shell molecules like RC.
Using Concentrating-Solar-Power Plants as Economic Carbon-Free Capacity Resources

Abstract Deep decarbonization of electricity systems raises concerns about the need for generating capacity that can maintain reliable energy supply. Given this concern, we explore the ability of concentrating-solar-power plants with thermal energy storage to provide a carbon-free source of such capacity. We develop an approach to assessing the capacity contribution of concentrating-solar-power plants that considers future systems. Such considerations are important, because of potential differences in net-load patterns compared to today (e.g., due to higher renewable-energy penetrations). Using historical data spanning an 18-year period, we demonstrate that concentrating-solar-power plants with thermal energy storage can provide this necessary capacity with little impact on their financial viability. We examine the impact of myopic decisions and imperfect foresight of future system conditions on the operation of concentrating-solar-power plants and the resultant impact on their capacity contributions. We find that imperfect foresight can have limited impacts on such a use of concentrating-solar-power plants, so long as proper forecasting techniques are developed and used. Overall, our work shows that concentrating-solar-power plants with thermal energy storage may have a role to play in delivering reliable electricity supply in a decarbonized energy system.
Vaping and COVID-19 Risk: Perceived link and its correlates among at-risk adolescents.

Research shows that a significant number of adolescents and young adults quit vaping or reduced the amount of nicotine consumed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a lack of evidence on adolescent risk perceptions regarding the link between vaping and susceptibility to contracting COVID-19. This study examined the level of perceived COVID-19 risk due to vaping among at-risk adolescents. A sample (N = 1,251) of adolescents aged 13 to 17 and susceptible to future vaping were recruited through Qualtrics to participate in an online survey. More than two thirds of the sample (68.34%) reported that vaping would increase one's risk of contracting COVID-19. Ordinal logistic regression showed that this risk perception was positively associated with perceived prevalence of vaping among peers (AOR = 1.186, 95%CI = 1.019-1.382) and prior exposure to vaping product advertising (AOR = 1.371, 95%CI = 1.221-1.539), and negatively associated with past 30-day vaping (AOR = 0.579, 95%CI = 0.406-0.825) and number of closest friends who vaped (AOR = 0.873, 95%CI = 0.779-0.978). Further analysis stratified by past 30-day vaping showed that, among those who vaped in the past 30 days, vaping-related covid risk perception was positively associated with susceptibility to future vaping (AOR = 1.562, 95%CI = 1.161-2.101) and sensation-seeking (AOR = 1.212, 95%CI = 1.003-1.463). These results are open to different interpretations because of the cross-sectional nature of the data. Additional research is needed to better understand the observed relationships and their implications for vaping prevention during the pandemic.
Selected heavy metals in sediments and biota from desert streams of the gila river drainage (Arizona)

The distribution and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mine-polluted and nonpolluted desert streams was studied during 1975 and 1976. Heavy metal concentrations in reference streams were less than the detection limits; however, periodic input of mining and milling wastes increased the zinc, copper, manganese, and iron in receiving test streams to above this level. Copper and, to a lesser extent, manganese concentrations were higher in samples of sediment and biota collected from contaminated waters (P 0.05).
Methods for Isolation and Analysis of Gangliosides

Gangliosides were first isolated from the brain of a Niemann-Pick patient (Klenk, 1935) and later in much larger amounts from the brain of a Tay-Sachs patient (Klenk, 1939). Klenk (1942) then obtained the same substances from normal brain and found them to be concentrated primarily in gray matter. More recent investigations of mammalian brain (Suzuki, 1965a; Svennerholm, 1970a,b; Yu and Ledeen, 1970) have revealed gray matter levels of approximately 700–1000 μg lipid-bound sialic acid per gram of fresh tissue for a variety of species, with white matter concentrations one-third to one-fourth this amount. This differential led at first to the erroneous conclusion that gangliosides are unique to the neuron, but subsequent work demonstrated their presence in virtually all cellular and subcellular fractions of brain that have been carefully analyzed. They are widely distributed in peripheral nerve and extraneural tissues as well, generally at concentrations well below those of brain.
Household Production, the Bundling of Services and Degradation, and Non-monotonic Environmental Engel Curves

In this paper, we step back from the literature on "environmental Kuznets curves" (inverted-U relationships at the aggregate level between various indicators of environmental degradation and per-capita income) to consider one possible component of such relationships, i.e. the link between household income and household choices that impact upon the environment. Our approach is distinguished by explicit modeling of a household-level mechanism linking income to changes in environmental quality. Two facts are emphasized: (1) a household can not directly purchase environmental quality; and (2) a household starts with a positive endowment of environmental quality, which is degraded through consumption. We propose a household production model, in which households purchase marketed commodities that bundle a "good", non-environmental services, with a "bad", environmental degradation. We show that even if the environment is a normal good, household substitution towards less environmentally degrading marketed commodities, combined with natural constraints on the household's shifts between marketed commodities, could produce a non-monotonic relationship between household income and environmental quality, i.e. a non-monotonic environmental Engel curve.
Media and multimedia

Abstract The combination of new and advancing communication technologies and changing regulatory philosophies make this an opportune time to seriously examine once again the economics of media industries and the implications of a better understanding of media economics for communication policy. Many of the issues that will have to be addressed by economists and policymakers in the future relate to the development of multimedia firms and multimedia services. This article briefly discusses the historical relationship between communication policy and the economic study of media industries, and identifies multimedia-related policy questions that will have to be addressed with the tools of economic analysis in the future. The articles that follow in this volume are then discussed with respect to these policy questions.
Comparison of methods for determining the partition coefficient of gadolinium in the myocardium using T1 mapping

Purpose To develop and validate modified Look-Locker (MOLLI) protocols to generate myocardial T1 maps within clinically acceptable breath-hold durations and to compare partition coefficients (\g=l\) of gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA determined from either bolus injection (BI) or continuous infusion (CI) techniques.
New polyoxomolybdenum coordination compounds: Synthesis and characterization of mixed-valent Mo6O13(Hsal)2(sal)2(acac)2 and homovalent Mo4O10(acac)4 (Hsal- = 2-HO–C6H4CO2-, sal2- = 2-O–C6H4CO22-)

Abstract Coordination complexes containing extended metal–oxygen frameworks have been studied for a number of applications, including catalysis and as optical materials; however, very few neutral complexes that contain extended metal–oxygen frameworks have been characterized. The new hexanuclear, mixed-valence MoV/MoVI coordination complex Mo6O13(Hsal)2(sal)2(acac)2 has been synthesized by direct reaction of salicylic acid (2-HOC6H4CO2H; H2sal) with Mo(O)2(acac)2. The mixed-valence compound is composed of two edge-sharing Mo4(μ-O)4 rings, in which four Mo atoms are MoVI and two are MoV. The tetranuclear complex Mo4O10(acac)4 was obtained from residual washings of the same reaction and is composed of a single Mo4(μ-O)4 ring having only MoVI atoms. XPS studies confirmed that the hexanuclear complex contains both MoV and MoVI. Magnetic measurements reveal that the hexanuclear complex is diamagnetic suggesting an electron–electron coupling between the two MoV centers through an oxo-bridge.
Linear programming for phylogenetic reconstruction based on gene rearrangements

Phylogenetic reconstruction from gene rearrangements has attracted increasing attention from biologists and computer scientists over the last few years. Methods used in reconstruction include distance-based methods, parsimony methods using sequence-based encodings, and direct optimization. The latter, pioneered by Sankoff and extended by us with the software suite GRAPPA, is the most accurate approach, but has been limited to small genomes because the running time of its scoring algorithm grows exponentially with the number of genes in the genome. We report here on a new method to compute a tight lower bound on the score of a given tree, using a set of linear constraints generated through selective applications of the triangle inequality (in the spirit of GESTALT). Our method generates an integer linear program with a carefully limited number of constraints, rapidly solves its relaxed version, and uses the result to provide a tight lower bound. Since this bound is very close to the optimal tree score, it can be used directly as a selection criterion, thereby enabling us to bypass entirely the expensive scoring procedure. We have implemented this method within our GRAPPA software and run several series of experiments on both biological and simulated datasets to assess its accuracy. Our results show that using the bound as a selection criterion yields excellent trees, with error rates below 5% up to very large evolutionary distances, consistently beating the baseline Neighbor-Joining. Our new method enables us to extend the range of applicability of the direct optimization method to chromosomes of size comparable to those of bacteria, as well as to datasets with complex combinations of evolutionary events.
Inflected words in production: Evidence for a morphologically rich lexicon

Current evidence suggests that there is a difference between the representations of multimorphemic words in production and perception. In perception, it is widely believed that both whole-word and ...
Reinventing Regional Science

[A] landscape tradition a thousand years old in our Western world is yielding to a fluid organization of space that we do not yet entirely understand, nor know how to assimilate as a symbol of what...
Using N-Nitrosodichloroacetamides to Conveniently Convert Linear Primary Amines into Alcohols

AbstractThe reported rearrangement of N-nitrosodichloroacetamides provides a practicalmethod for converting primary amines into primary alcohols. The reaction sequence is operationally simple, requires only a single purification, and is compatible with a number of common functional groups. Mechanistic studies of the nitrosylation and rearrangement reactions illustrate the increased utility of dichloroacetamides compared to various other amides for this transformation.
Thermal Stability Study of Self-Assembled Monolayers on Mica

In this Letter, we report on the use of atomic force microscopy to study the thermal stability of self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of octadecylphosphonic acid (OPA) grown on mica. The samples were sequentially annealed for 30 min steps at temperatures ranging from 50 to 200 °C. A major change in the SAM morphology takes place at temperatures ∼95 °C, with the disappearance of the original flat-topped and partial-coverage SAM morphology. Concomitantly, the nucleation and growth of OPA precipitates in the investigated temperature range are observed. Two separate regimes are identified: initially, for temperatures up to ∼110 °C, nucleation of OPA precipitates occurs, increasing their number density. Then, for temperatures above ∼10 °C, growth of OPA precipitate size dominates, with the density of precipitates remaining approximately constant. A simple model used to fit the experimental data of both regimes enables an estimate of ∼9 kcal/mol as the energy required for the disorganization (Ed) of OPA molecules ...
Abstract B7: microRNA regulation of cell viability and drug sensitivity in lung cancer

Introduction: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with the majority of deaths due to failed therapy from tumor drug resistance. Third-generation chemotherapeutic agents represent the standard first-line treatment for advanced small cell (SCLC) and non-small cell (NSCLC) lung cancer patients. Response rates are poor (20–40%) with a median survival of 8–10 months. Methods: In an unbiased and comprehensive approach, we have combined a high-throughput screening platform with a library of chemically synthesized microRNA mimics and inhibitors. We have used this platform to identify mimics and inhibitors that reduce cell viability in general, and those that specifically sensitize cells to taxanes. Results: We have identified several miRNAs for which over-expression or inhibition has a dramatic and selective effect on cell viability or drug response. We have demonstrated that miR-337-3p mimic sensitizes NSCLC cells to taxanes. By combining in vitro and in silico approaches, we identified STAT3 and RAP1A as direct targets that mediate the effect of miR-337-3p by enhancing taxane-induced arrest in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. We have also identified an inhibitor of miR-139-5p as a potent and selective regulator of SCLC cell viability. Inhibiting miR-139-5p decreases SCLC cell viability by over 80%, but has a minimal cytotoxic effect on that of NSCLCs or immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells. We are currently investigating the targets of miR-139-5p that mediate its effect on SCLC cell viability. Conclusion: We have identified miR-337-3p as a regulator of taxane sensitivity in NSCLC, and miR-139-5p as a modulator of viability in SCLC. Increasing levels of miR-337-3p and inhibiting miR-139-5p may therefore provide novel therapeutic tools for the treatment of NSCLC and SCLC lung tumors, respectively. Citation Format: Liqin Du, Christopher DeSevo, Borkowski Robert, Baker Michael, Adi F. Gazdar, John D. Minna, Alexander Pertsemlidis. microRNA regulation of cell viability and drug sensitivity in lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Noncoding RNAs and Cancer; 2012 Jan 8-11; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B7.
Does TRIPS increase technology transfer to the developing world? The empirical evidence

The World Trade Organization's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement has as a stated goal to increase the transfer of technology to the developing world. In the debate surrounding the merits of reforming intellectual property rights (IPR) law, it is important to ask if TRIPS is accomplishing its goal: does the agreement actually allow poorer nations greater access to technology and innovation, or is it simply a boon to the developed world? After reviewing several dozen empirical studies from the field of economics, it is shown that a positive, statistically significant relationship exists between stronger IPR protection and higher levels of technology diffusion, with three caveats. First, the evidence is suggestive, but problems in data, measurement, and statistical methods render the results less convincing. Second, the positive effect does not seem to hold for extremely impoverished countries and in some cases may be negative. Third and finally, it is always important to examine data disaggregated by industry since IPR protection affects various sectors differently.
The effect of different adhesives on vinyl polysiloxane bond strength to two tray materials.

Statement of problem Although stock trays often provide mechanical retention for elastomeric impression materials, manufacturers typically recommend the use of an adhesive, whether a stock or custom tray is used. Universal adhesives for vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) are used in practice, but comparative bond strengths have not been reported. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond of 3 VPS materials with a methylmethacrylate autopolymerizing and a light-polymerizing tray material, using the adhesive recommended by the manufacturer of the impression material, and 2 universal adhesives (paint-on and spray-on). Material and methods Ten specimens per group, for a total of 180 flat 15 × 15 × 20-mm specimens, were made from the 2 tray materials and finished to 320 grit with silicon carbide paper. Four paint-on adhesives (Coltene, Caulk, Kerr VPS, or universal VPS) and 1 spray-on adhesive (Sili Spray) were applied and dried following manufacturers' instructions or for 10 minutes. Three impression materials, Affinis, Aquasil, and Take I, were automixed and injected into a perforated cylinder positioned in a universal testing machine. Tray specimens were positioned against the open cylinder end in contact with the VPS material. Tensile tests (cross-head speed 5 mm/min) were conducted until adhesive separation failure. Mean values and standard errors of the adhesive strength were recorded in MPa for each material combination. Data were first analyzed with Welch analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine overall significance, and then with a 3-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test to make pairwise comparisons, with α=.05 for all testing. Results For all impression materials tested, the universal spray-on adhesive consistently demonstrated significantly lower bond strengths than all other adhesives ( P P Conclusion The use of GC paint-on universal adhesive provided significantly higher adhesive values than those obtained with the adhesives supplied by the manufacturers of the impression materials tested, with the exception of the Kerr impression and adhesive material combination where no significant differences were found.
A New Turnaround on the Urologist's Stance over the Inflammatory Signals

Until now, the refusal by many researchers to recognize curative treatments for pelvic pain other than the individual symptomatic treatment protocol is very disappointing. Furthermore, it should be recognized that finding an optimal individual treatment protocol may require a period of trial and error. This refusal appears to have shocked people suffering from chronic pain all over the world and those pursuing the best approach and cure through primary resolution of the cause of the pain. In a review article in the March issue, Yang et al. [1] stress the primacy of the host defense mechanisms and assert that the dysregulation of innate immune response can lead to inflammatory disease pathogenesis. They also suggest new challenges for the development of novel targets and appropriate situation-dependent adjustments for the treatment of auto-inflammatory disorders including interstitial cystitis (IC). Urogenital chronic pain including prostate or bladder pain is a significant healthcare issue and is not etiology specific one. I want readers to focus on the 2 prominent clinical conditions in practice, which are chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and IC/painful bladder syndrome. There is a new turnaround on the urologist's stance over the symptomatic treatment of urologic inflammatory disease, with pursuance of the primary causes of the diseases and with priorities placed on auto-inflammation. Urologists must recognize recent advances in the regulatory mechanisms of host defense and various inflammatory diseases to optimize diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the difficult-to-manage chronic pain that does not routinely respond to traditional treatment. Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes responsible for the activation of caspase-1 and caspase-5 protease required for processing and activation of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 [2]. Moreover, NLRP3 (nucleotide binding oligomerization domain [NOD/NACHT], LRR, and PYD domains containing protein 3; also known as NALP3, cryopyrin, or CIAS1) expression is found in the urothelial layer in the bladder [3]. I think that the presence of NALP3 in epithelial cells lining the urogenital tracts allows the rapid sensing of invading pathogens, thereby triggering an innate immune response.
Scales and Skills of Monopoly Power: Labor Geographies of the 1890–1891 Chicago Carpenters’ Strike

: This paper builds upon labor geography's contributions to our understanding of the role of workers in the production of scale. In addition to examining exactly how a particular group of workers controlled the scale of their labor market, this paper theorizes the connections between that process and struggles over monopoly power. The 1890–1891 Chicago carpenters’ strike, a work stoppage of significance to both the direction of labor politics within Chicago and to the broader 8 h movement in North America at the end of the nineteenth century, serves as a case study.
Optical damage performance measurements of multilayer dielectric gratings for high energy short pulse lasers

We investigate the laser damage resistance of multilayer dielectric (MLD) diffraction gratings used in the pulse compressors for high energy, high peak power laser systems such as the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) Petawatt laser on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Our study includes measurements of damage threshold and damage density (ρ(Φ)) with picosecond laser pulses at 1053 nm under relevant operational conditions. Initial results indicate that sparse defects present on the optic surface from the manufacturing processes are responsible for damage initiation at laser fluences below the damage threshold indicated by the standard R-on-1 test methods, as is the case for laser damage with nanosecond pulse durations. As such, this study supports the development of damage density measurements for more accurate predictions on the damage performance of large area optics.
Automatic Switching of Incoming Lines and Transformers Supplying Power to A-C. Substations

The early applications of automatic switching were confined principally to equipment which supplied or handled the outgoing power, such as conversion apparatus and outgoing feeders. As the field broadened and the capacity of the stations increased, it became necessary to provide for greater continuity of incoming power. In order to meet this requirement it has been customary to bring in two, and occasionally three, incoming lines. It is the purpose of this paper to describe briefly some of the more common forms of this type of automatic switching. By making a few minor modifications of the schemes which are described it has been possible to control automatically a complete loop or ring system. Balanced power or parallel incoming lines are quite common. Ordinarily two such lines are used, although as many as six have been contemplated. All lines are usually carrying power to the substation unless a fault has developed. When cleared of the fault, the line (or lines) is automatically replaced in service. In the case of the preferred-emergency type of equipment, it is customary for one line (the preferred) to carry the substation load. The second line (emergency or standby) takes this load upon failure of the first line. The application of these units to a system usually determines the sequence of operation between the two lines. A few typical combinations are described and illustrated. A brief description of automatic synchronizing and transformer switching has been included.
The use of titanium-based contact barrier layers in silicon technology

Abstract The requirements on contact metallurgy for high performance very-large-scale integrated circuit technology have become more and more stringent because of the need for shallow junctions less than 0.25 μm in depth and contact sizes of the order of 1 μm 2 or smaller. A deposition of aluminum directly onto single-crystal silicon or onto a metal silicide can no longer satisfy the needs to achieve a stable and reliable contact. The use of a diffusion barrier layer in the contact structure, which prevents metallurgical reactions as well as diffusion between the silicon or silicide and the contact metal, is the most common approach to achieve stable and reliable contacts. The general requirements of such an effective contact barrier will be discussed. Early contact structures as well as diffusion barrier materials currently used in aluminum metallization, such as titanium, W/Ti and TiW, are reviewed and their performance is compared with that of TiN as a contact barrier layer.
The effects of the social environment on stress-related cardiovascular activation: Current findings, prospects, and implications

Social relationships have been shown to be health-protective and to improve cardiovascular disease prognosis. One of the mechanisms by which social relationships may alter health status is through altering patterns of neuroendocrine or hemodynamic responding to ongoing activity. For example, research with non-human primates suggests that disrupted social relationships may increase cardiovascular risk through their effects on sympathetic nervous system activation. In humans, a number of recent reports have shown that the presence of an affiliative companion can reduce cardiovascular activity during psychologically challenging tasks, results which are consistent with this proposed mechanism of effect. We review the recent human literature which has examined the effects of the social environment on stress-related cardiovascular activity. Although findings in this literature are generally consistent, recent anomalous results are reviewed which shed light on some of the context-dependent effects of social affiliation. Additional areas for further investigation are examined, including possible mechanisms for explaining these social affiliation effects, individual differences which may moderate these effects, and emerging methodological advances for examining how these effects may generalize to the natural environment.
Biological activities of laminin

Laminin is a multifunctional protein with diverse biological activities. Like fibronectin, it can influence cell adhesion, growth, morphology, differentiation, migration, and agglutination as well as the assembly of the extracellular matrix. Laminin primarily affects cells of epithelial origin, and the response varies depending on the cell. Because most differentiated cells are difficult to maintain in culture, laminin may be an important supplement in studies on cell differentiation in vitro.
Nuclear genetic diversity in human lice (Pediculus humanus) reveals continental differences and high inbreeding among worldwide populations.

Understanding the evolution of parasites is important to both basic and applied evolutionary biology. Knowledge of the genetic structure of parasite populations is critical for our ability to predict how an infection can spread through a host population and for the design of effective control methods. However, very little is known about the genetic structure of most human parasites, including the human louse (Pediculus humanus). This species is composed of two ecotypes: the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer), and the clothing (body) louse (Pediculus humanus humanus Linnaeus). Hundreds of millions of head louse infestations affect children every year, and this number is on the rise, in part because of increased resistance to insecticides. Clothing lice affect mostly homeless and refugee-camp populations and although they are less prevalent than head lice, the medical consequences are more severe because they vector deadly bacterial pathogens. In this study we present the first assessment of the genetic structure of human louse populations by analyzing the nuclear genetic variation at 15 newly developed microsatellite loci in 93 human lice from 11 sites in four world regions. Both ecotypes showed heterozygote deficits relative to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and high inbreeding values, an expected pattern given their parasitic life history. Bayesian clustering analyses assigned lice to four distinct genetic clusters that were geographically structured. The low levels of gene flow among louse populations suggested that the evolution of insecticide resistance in lice would most likely be affected by local selection pressures, underscoring the importance of tailoring control strategies to population-specific genetic makeup and evolutionary history. Our panel of microsatellite markers provides powerful data to investigate not only ecological and evolutionary processes in lice, but also those in their human hosts because of the long-term coevolutionary association between lice and humans.
39 Phylogeny of aulacoseira (bacillariophyta)

The phylogeny of 67 populations representing 45 species of Aulacoseira is estimated by maximum parsimony methods using a combination of nucleotide sequence data and qualitative and quantitative morphological characteristics of the silica cell wall gathered primarily from original observation by LM and SEM. A new type of character employing continuous quantitative variables describing the ontogenetic-allometric trajectories of cell wall characteristics over the life cycle (size range) of diatoms is introduced. In addition to the 45 Aulacoseira species, the phylogeny also incorporates one Alveolophora species, and two outgroup species (Melosira varians and Stephanopyxis cf. broschii). Fifteen species, represented by 24 populations, also contain molecular data from the chloroplast genome (rbcL) as well as the nuclear genome (18S), which were sequenced or downloaded from GenBank. The phylogeny of Aulacoseira is composed of five major clades: 1) an A. crenulata and A. italica clade, which is the most basal, 2) an A. subarctica and A. distans clade, 3) an A. granulata complex clade, 4) an A. ambigua clade, and 5) an A. islandica, A. skvorzowii, A. baicalensis, clade that also contains Alveolophora and many extinct Aulacoseira taxa. Monophyly of Aulacoseira is only achieved if Alveolophora, originally identified as Aulacoseira, is no longer given separate generic status.
Management of regression-model data

Abstract Statisticians are becoming increasingly ambitious in the size and complexity of the data populations they are analyzing. Database support is becoming increasingly important to them, and in particular, they are demanding archiving of analysis results for possible later use, a facility not generally provided in statistical packages. We discuss the key database issues of managing regression-data models, one such analysis result, and we propose data structures including multiple partial indexes to support model-inference methods. We suggest a role for inference methods analogous to those used in artificial intelligence (especially inheritance inferences), to provide a generalization of the techniques of analysis of variance and covariance. A key feature of our approach is the quantification of inferences to resolve ‘multiple inheritance’ conflicts between models applicable to a new situation.
Evaluation of the effects of inhibition of monoamine oxidase and senescence on methamphetamine-induced neuronal damage.

Abstract The administration of high doses of methamphetamine causes long lasting damage to central dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons through a mechanism known to involve presynaptic, cytoplasmic stores of those transmitters and thought to be dependent upon a free radical reaction. The following studies were designed to determine if differential inhibition of the subtypes of monoamine oxidase would alter the magnitude of the methamphetamine induced neuronal damage. In addition, since monoamine oxidase type B increases with age, the effects of high dose administration of methamphetamine were evaluated in sensescent mice. It was observed that inhibition of monoamine oxidase type A, and to a lesser degree, type B, increased the magnitude of methamphetamine-induced neuronal damage and that aged mice were more sensitive to the toxic action of methamphetamine. These results are interpreted with respect to the use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Evidence-based or ‘traditional’ endocrinology practice?

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values [1]. Endocrinologists and others who must digest an ever-growing scientific literature and then make reasonable clinical decisions should welcome the timely arrival of Evidence–Based Endocrinology. According to the physician who coined the phrase evidence-based medicine, it is about solving clinical problems with a systematic review of the evidence from clinical research that uses decision rules based on the strength and quality of the evidence.
Circular dichroism study of the conformation of ultraviolet-irradiated ribonuclease A.

Abstract RNAase A irradiated by ultraviolet light at 254 nm shows a linear dependence between loss of activity and destruction of cystine. At least one of the cystine modified forms in irradiated RNAase is catalytically active. Circular dichroism spectra of irradiated RNAase show a marked decrease in ellipticity between 210 nm and 230 nm, an increased ellipticity between 230 nm and 240 nm, and a blue shift of the 210-nm minimum toward 205 nm. These circular dichroism changes indicate a partial disorganization of the native secondary and tertiary changes with irradiation. The temperature dependency of the circular dichroism shows the irradiated enzyme to be conformationally less stable to thermal perturbation than native RNAase. Differences in the polypeptide conformations of unirradiated RNAase denatured by heat and sodium dodecylsulfate, and irradiated RNAase treated with heat and sodium dodecylsulfate are discussed.