cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effective platform for the production of recombinant outer membrane vesicles in gram-negative bacteria.

Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) typically contain multiple immunogenic molecules that include antigenic proteins; thus, OMVs are good candidates for vaccine development. In animal models, vaccination with OMVs has been shown to confer protective immune responses against many bacterial diseases. It is possible to genetically introduce heterologous protein antigens to the bacterial host that can then be produced and relocated to reside within the OMVs by means of the host secretion mechanisms. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop a novel platform for recombinant OMV (rOMV) production in the widely used bacterial expression host species, Escherichia coli. Three different lipoprotein signal peptides including their Lol signals and tether sequences-from Neisseria meningitidis fHbp, Leptospira interrogans LipL32, and Campylobactor jejuni JlpA-were combined upstream to the GFPmut2 model protein, resulting in three recombinant plasmids. Pilot expression studies showed that the fusion between fHbp and GFPmut2 was the only promising construct; therefore, this construct underwent large-scale expression. After inducing recombinant protein expression, the nanovesicles were harvested from cell-free culture media by ultrafiltration and ultracentrifugation. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that the obtained rOMVs were closed circular single-membrane particles, 20-200 nm in size. Western blotting confirmed the presence of GFPmut2 in the isolated vesicles. Collectively, although this is a non-optimized, proof-of-concept study, it demonstrates the feasibility of this platform in directing target proteins into the vesicles for OMV-based vaccine development.
Antifungal Therapy in Fungal Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections.

Abstract Background Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are life-threatening surgical emergencies associated with high morbidity and mortality. Fungal NSTIs are considered rare and have been largely understudied. The purpose of this study was to study the impact of fungal NSTIs and antifungal therapy on mortality after NSTIs. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with NSTIs from 2012 to 2018. Patient baseline characteristics, microbiologic data, antimicrobial therapy, and clinical outcomes were collected. Patients were excluded if they had comfort care before excision. The primary outcome measured was in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 215 patients met study criteria with a fungal species identified in 29 patients (13.5%). The most prevalent fungal organism was Candida tropicalis (n = 11). Fungal NSTIs were more prevalent in patients taking immunosuppressive medications (17.2% versus 3.2%, P = 0.01). A fungal NSTI was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 3.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-8.40; P = 0.02). Furthermore, fungal NSTI patients had longer lengths of stay (32 d [interquartile range, 16-53] versus 19 d [interquartile range, 11-31], P Conclusions Fungal NSTIs are more common in patients taking immunosuppressive medications and are significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. Antifungal therapy is associated with decreased in-hospital mortality in those with fungal NSTIs. Consideration should be given to adding antifungals in empiric treatment regimens, especially in those taking immunosuppressive medications.
Developing Lifelong Learning with Heutagogy: Contexts, Critiques, and Challenges.

This systematic review investigated the contexts, critiques, and challenges of using heutagogy (Hase & Kenyon, 2000), an emerging instructional approach that emphasizes the self-determination of le...
Voronovskaja-type theorem for modified Bernstein operators

Abstract In this article we study the Voronovskaja-type theorem for modified Bernstein operators which preserve polynomials. As an application we compare modified Bernstein operators in terms of the limit lim n → ∞ ⁡ B n , h 1 ( x ) ( f , x ) − f ( x ) B n , h 2 ( x ) ( f , x ) − f ( x ) where B n , h i ( x ) ( f , x ) , i=1,2, are modified Bernstein operators with B n , h i ( x ) ( 1 , x ) = 1 , and B n , h i ( x ) ( h i ( x ) , x ) = h i ( x ) for polynomials h i ( x ) . The derived limit theorem can be used for selecting polynomial h ( x ) to achieve a better approximation for f ( x ) .
Polynomial time algorithms for optimal length tree-like refutations of linear infeasibility in UTVPI constraints

Abstract In this paper, we propose several algorithms for determining an optimal length tree-like refutation of linear feasibility in systems of Unit Two Variable Per Inequality (UTVPI) constraints. Given an infeasible UTVPI constraint system (UCS), a refutation certifies its infeasibility. The problem of finding refutations in a UCS finds applications in domains such as program verification and operations research. In general, there exist several types of refutations of feasibility in constraint systems. In this paper, we focus on a specific type of refutation called a tree-like refutation. Tree-like refutations are complete, in the sense that if a system of linear constraints is infeasible, then it must have a tree-like refutation. Associated with a refutation is its length, which equals the total number of constraints (accounting for the reuse of constraints) that are used to establish the infeasibility of the corresponding linear constraint system. Our goal in this paper is to find an optimal length tree-like refutation (OTLR) of an infeasible UCS. We describe two deterministic algorithms that find an OTLR of a UCS. If m is the number of constraints, n is the number of variables in the system, and k is the length of an OTLR, then our two algorithms run in O ( n 3 ⋅ log k ) time and O ( m ⋅ n ⋅ k ) time respectively. We also propose a true-biased, randomized algorithm for this problem. This algorithm runs in O ( m ⋅ n ⋅ log n ) time, and returns the length of an OTLR with probability ( 1 − 1 e ) . We extend our work to weighted UTVPI constraint systems (WUCS), where a positive weight is associated with each UTVPI constraint. The weight of a tree-like refutation is defined as the sum of the weights of the constraints used by the refutation. The problem of finding a minimum weight refutation in a WUCS is called the weighted optimal length tree-like refutation (WOTLR) problem and is known to be NP-hard. We propose a pseudo-polynomial time algorithm for the WOTLR problem and convert it into a fully polynomial time approximation scheme (FPTAS).
Prelude: Relational Communication and the Link to Deception

This prelude to the Socio-Cultural Attitudinal Networks project, funded by the U.S. Army Research Office Multi-University Research Initiative, introduces the concept of relational communication and its relationship to interpersonal deception. The research protocol is described wherein groups of interactants engaged in a multi-round game of Resistance during which truthful and deceptive group members (in the role of Villagers or Spies) tried to win or fail the missions. Presented are results of repeated measures regression analyses of group members’ perceptions of one another on relational dimensions of dominance, arousal, and trustworthiness, rated after every two rounds. Discriminant analyses identified final-round trust, baseline dominance, round four trust, and final round trust as the significant predictors of who were the deceivers (Spies) or truth tellers (Villagers). Cross-validated accuracy was 81% for Villagers and 65% for Spies.
Russia’s Economy in December 2013: Preliminary Data and Major Trends

A few words about the socio-political background that triggered some of the key economic events of December 2013. The most important political event of the month was the unexpected release from jail of former oil tycoon Michail Khodorkovsky who had spent 10 years and 2 months behind bars. As Khodorkovsky’s jail term had been expiring, Putin was facing a dilemma – either to give the go-ahead to the long-anticipated third Yukos case, or to let Khodorkovsky go free. With his decision to release Mikhail Khodorkovsky Putin intended to show that he was the boss of everything happening in Russia, to get political kudos (Khodorkovsky’s appeal for pardon) as well as Khodorkovsky’s promise not to engage in politics and not to try to regain Yukos assets.
Evaluation of neuraxial administration of bupivacaine in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).

Abstract Objective To assess the success rate, onset, duration and extent of motor/sensory block following neuraxial injection of two dosages of bupivacaine in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Study design Prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover experimental study. Animals A total of 10 adult bearded dragons (0.3 ± 0.1 kg). Methods After sedation with alfaxalone (15 mg kg–1 subcutaneously), neuraxial injections were performed with 1 or 2 mg kg–1 bupivacaine hydrochloride (0.5%, treatments BUP-1 and BUP-2, respectively) in a randomized treatment sequence with a 7 day washout period. If the initial bupivacaine injection was not successful within 10 minutes, a second injection was performed at the same dose. Mechanical stimulation of limbs, 25%, 50%, 75% of the trunk’s length and cloacal tone were assessed. Results Success rate following the first neuraxial injection was 95%, which increased to 100% after the second injection. Motor/sensory block were noted by 5 minutes after the injection of bupivacaine at either dose. BUP-2 was associated with more cranial spread. The median (range) duration of cloacal tone loss was longer following treatment BUP-2 [120 (75–225) minutes] than followed treatment BUP-1 [83 (25–135) minutes; p = 0.03]. Duration of pelvic limb motor block was comparable between both doses, lasting a median of 68 minutes in both treatments (p = 0.94). There was a transient, not clinically relevant increase from baseline in heart rate in treatment BUP-1 only. No significant difference from baseline in respiratory rate was noted in either treatment; however, two animals in treatment BUP-2 became apneic (10–20 minutes). Conclusions and clinical relevance Bupivacaine (1 mg kg–1) is recommended for neuraxial anesthesia in bearded dragons. In treatment BUP-2, extensive cranial spread resulted in apnea and motor block of the thoracic limb in several animals; therefore this dose is not recommended.
Challenging the Ordinality of Police Use-of-Force Policy:

Most use-of-force policies utilized by U.S. police agencies make fundamental ordinal assumptions about officers’ force responses to subject resistance. These policies consist of varying levels of f...
Searching for flavor-violating ALPs in Higgs boson decays

Pseudoscalar particles, often referred to as axionlike-particles (ALPs), arise in a variety of theoretical contexts. The phenomenology of such states is typically studied while assuming flavor-conserving interactions, yet they can in principle have flavor-violating (FV) couplings to fermions. We consider this general possibility while focusing on models where the ALP has non-negligible coupling to the Standard Model Higgs boson $h$. For a lepton FV ALP $a$ of mass ${m}_{a}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}2\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$, $a\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\ell}$, where $\ensuremath{\ell}\ensuremath{\ne}\ensuremath{\tau}$ is a charged lepton, could have an $\mathcal{O}(1)$ branching fraction, leading to a potentially detectable $h\ensuremath{\rightarrow}aa\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\ell}\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\ell}$ at the LHC and its future program. We examine this possibility, in light of existing bounds on FV processes, in a general effective theory. We obtain constraints on the effective couplings from both prompt and long-lifetime searches at the LHC; some projections for envisioned measurements are also provided. The implications of the recently announced first results of the muon $g\ensuremath{-}2$ measurement at Fermilab for the ALP interactions considered in our work are also briefly discussed.
Influence of High Magnetic Field on Intermediate Phase Growth in Mg-Al Diffusion Couple

Effect of a 12T high magnetic field on the intermediate phase growth in Mg-Al diffusion couple under different annealing time at 400°C was studied. It is found that, after annealing with or without the high magnetic field, the thickness of the diffusion layer phase is increased with the increase of the annealing time. The thickness of the diffusion layer is increased with the application of high magnetic field of positive gradient, and it is bigger than that in a weaker positive gradient magnetic field. However the thickness of diffusion layer is decreased with application of high magnetic field of negative gradient. It indicates that high magnetic field of positive gradient promote the growth rate of the intermediate phase growth in Mg-Al diffusion couple while high magnetic field of negative gradient can restrain the growth rate.
Molecular mimicry in multiple sclerosis.

One of the most common demyelinating central nervous system (CNS) diseases in humans is multiple sclerosis (MS). The disease can be very debilitating with vision loss, motor and sensory disturbances, and cognitive impairment. The clinical course may present as a relapsing‐remitting disease course, a progressive disease course, or a combination thereof. The etiology of MS is unknown. Though many viruses have been shown to be associated with MS, no one virus has ever been demonstrated to be the cause of MS. In addition, MS is thought to have an autoimmune component. Molecular mimicry is one hypothesis put forth which could reconcile the diverse pathology and etiology of MS. Molecular mimicry occurs when peptides from pathogens share sequence or structural similarities with self‐antigens. Infection with various pathogens, each with its individual molecular mimic to a CNS antigen, may explain the inability of investigators to link one specific virus to MS. Molecular mimicry may be mediated through human leukocyte antigen class I‐ and class II‐restricted T cells and antibodies, which may explain the diversity in phenotype. Aspects of molecular mimicry will be discussed in relation to each of these immune system components. Examples of various molecular mimics will be discussed with a particular focus on the CNS and MS. Molecular mimicry alone may not be able to induce disease; priming of the immune system by infection with a pathogen that carries a molecular mimic to self may have to be followed by a later nonspecific immunologic challenge in order for disease to be initiated. Recent research into this priming and triggering of disease will be discussed in relation to an animal model for MS.
Web services plug-in to implement Dispositives on Web 2.0 applications

This paper presents an engineering process in order to build pedagogical "dispositives" on Web 2.0 applications. This engineering process relies on three tasks: modeling the "dispositive", defining its context and building it. The main feature of our process is to wrap the building functionalities of a Web Application by Web Services. To consume these services, we use the Model Driven Engineering approach. This approach guarantees the easy implementation of every specific Web application modeler and constructor considered. Experimental results have already been obtained on the WikiniMST platform.
Large Amplitude Whistler Waves and Electron Acceleration in the Earth's Radiation Belts: A Review of STEREO and Wind Observations

One of the critical problems for understanding the dynamics of Earth's radiation belts is determining the physical processes that energize and scatter relativistic electrons. We review measurements from the Wind/Waves and STEREO S/Waves waveform capture instruments of large amplitude whistler-mode waves. These observations have provided strong evidence that large amplitude (100s mV/m) whistler-mode waves are common during magnetically active periods. The large amplitude whistlers have characteristics that are different from typical chorus. They are usually nondispersive and obliquely propagating, with a large longitudinal electric field and significant parallel electric field. We will also review comparisons of STEREO and Wind wave observations with SAMPEX observations of electron microbursts. Simulations show that the waves can result in energization by many MeV and/or scattering by large angles during a single wave packet encounter due to coherent, nonlinear processes including trapping. The experimental observations combined with simulations suggest that quasilinear theoretical models of electron energization and scattering via small-amplitude waves, with timescales of hours to days, may be inadequate for understanding radiation belt dynamics.
Ideological Flip-Flop: American Liberals Are Now the Primary Supporters of Tort Law

This essay explores in ideological terms the transformation in who supports American tort law. Traditionally structured to function to favor defendants, tort law around 1960 was a regime that conservatives defended and liberals sought to replace or reform. Today, many on the left embrace tort law, and it is the right that is pushing for "tort reform." Along with this ideological somersault, American tort law has become much more politically prominent.
Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Susceptibility of Conjugated Liquid-Crystal Polymers

Considerable theoretical and experimental interest has centered on the origin of exceptional second- [χ(2)] and third- [χ(3)] order nonlinear optical responses of π-electron excitations in organic and polymeric structures and the potential applications of these responses in nonlinear optical devices,1 We report initial χ(3) measurements by third-harmonic generation (THG) for the new class of divinyldiacetylene (DVDA) conjugated polymers that form by novel liquid crystal (LC) polymerization. X-ray structure studies showed that DVDA monomers crystallize in mesogenic structures with their long molecular axes aligned parallel in chains and sheets characteristic of precursor nematic and smectic LC phases (Fig. MCC4-1). With increased temperature, DVDA monomer crystals undergo a reversible LC phase transition and then polymerize irreversibly in the LC phase to form high-optical-quality polymer films exhibiting transparency from the near-IR region at 3 μm to the visible red region at 0.6 μm, where there is a large, sharp onset of π-electron excitations of the conjugated polymers. The THG measurements were performed using wedge Maker fringe techniques in air and vacuum. The lowest χ(3) value observed for these new LC polymer films is 2 orders of magnitude larger than the reference values for quartz and glass.
Integrated Information Systems for Social Work Practice

are undergoing a dramatic organi zational change by increasingly adopting computer technology for information proc essing.1 There are two major reasons for this: First, in a milieu of scarcity and re trenchment, there are greater demands on social service agencies for accountability and demonstrated efficiency. These de mands require that agencies generate a great deal of information about their op erations and that they document the quantity and quality of the services they provide as well as how accessible their resources are. Second, the rapid develop ment of low-cost computer-based manage ment information systems presents an opportunity to agency administrators to use such a technology to cope with the increasing informational demands faced by the agency.
Photoelectric Properties of Undoped and Fe-Doped LiNbO3 Films Made by Sol-Gel Method

Transparent lithium niobate (LiNbO3) with thickness from 0.1–1.2 μm were made on silicon, fused silica, and sapphire substrates by the sol-gel processing. Alkoxide solutions were used as starting materials. X-ray diffraction has been used to confirm the crystallization of the films. Refractive index, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of LiNbO3 films were studied. Absorption spectra of films of LiNbO3 and LiNbO3 with doping of different amount of Fe (0.1–2.5mol%) were measured. Short-circuit photocurrent measurements revealed both transient and steady state components attributed to a pyroelectric effect and a bulk photovoltaic effect respectively. Epitaxial growth of LiNbO3 thin film on sapphire(012) substrate by sol-gel method was also obtained.
An Empirical Test of the Structure, Process, and Outcome Quality Paradigm Using Resident-Based, Nursing Facility Assessment Data

This study distinguishes between organizational char acteristics, regarded as exogenous structural indicators of quality, and those identified as endogenous indica tors of structural care (SC), and investigates the degree to which measures of SC vary by ownership mode (defined by four combinations of chain affiliation and profit status) for 142 certified and licensed nursing facilities (NFs) in a southern state. Structural care mea sures include: licensed and unlicensed staffing, licensed therapists, and case mix-adjusted direct care expendi tures. In addition, seven (four process and three out come) facility-level, risk-adjusted process, and outcome quality scales are developed from 39 resident-level qual ity indicators. A causal model of NF quality arranged according to the structure, process and outcome para digm is specified and estimated using path analysis. Or ganizational data derive from the 1991 Medicaid Cost Report; process and outcome quality measures were de veloped from the Minimum Data Set P...
Information technology's strategic impact on the American Air travel industry

Abstract The air travel service industry is in a period of rapid change. Within the last year, several new information technology (IT) applications have been introduced that may affect traditional relationships between airlines, travel agencies, and the corporate entities who purchase travel service. Information technology promises to have a strategic impact on the structure of the industry and the ways in which travel agencies compete. This paper describes such emerging IT applications and discusses their strategic implications.
Energetics of a discrete interface

Abstract The Feynman relativistic chessboard model is modified to describe a discrete interfacial system. The two-phase interface profile equation, the direct correlation function and the full free-energy density functional are solved exactly in the presence of an arbitrary field; this is the first discrete interface model for which one has the complete solution in a closed form. The continuum limit and the scaling behavior are also discussed.
Follow-up of the family with congenital absence of sinus rhythm☆

Abstract In 1960, Bacos et al 1 reported their investigation of a family with a “congenital familial nodal rhythm.” They examined 2 brothers, 1 age 50 (IV-10, Figure 1), and the other age 42 (IV-14, Figure 1), with atrioventricular (AV) junctional bradycardia and intermittent atrial fibrillation (AF). Except for an enlarged pulmonary artery, the cardiovascular examination (including cardiac catheterization) disclosed no abnormal findings. The family history suggested that the condition was inherited from their mother (III-9, Figure 1), who lived to age 71 but was known to have slow heart rate and AF during the last 20 years of her life. The survey of the remaining family performed by the investigators 1 suggested that this was a dominant autosomal trait with an extremely high degree of penetrance. The investigators suspected a congenital absence of the sinus node but recorded occasional bradycardia with P waves believed to be of sinus origin. The 2 aforementioned brothers had 2 sisters (IV-12 and IV-15, Figure 1), who also had “nodal bradycardia” in childhood and documented paroxysms of AF, with an onset late in the third decade in 1, and in the fourth decade in the other. One of the 4 siblings (IV-14, Figure 1), was not married and had no offspring, but the remaining 3 had a total of 4 daughters (V-3, 5, 6, 7, Figure 1), all of whom had slow “nodal rhythm.” One of these daughters had a son (VI-3, Figure 1), born in 1958, in whom “nodal rhythm” was suspected at birth. As a result of their family survey, Bacos et al 1 made a number of predictions regarding the expected natural course of the existing and the subsequently born members of this family. They were expected to manifest slow heart rate and regular rhythm since birth but the childhood and development were to be normal. Subsequently, they were to experience transient palpitations beginning in their late 20s or early to mid-30s, and finally to develop an established AF requiring chronic treatment. Furthermore, the prophecy offered an excellent prognosis for longevity. The present communication updates the condition of the family with this unusual disorder after 27 years and compares the actual course of events with that predicted by Bacos et al. 1
Turbulence Modeling for Sharpfin-Induced Shock Wave/Turbulent Boundary-Layer Interactions

Solutions of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are presented and compared with a family of experimental results for the three-dimensional interaction of a sharp-fin-induced shock wave with a turbulent boundary layer. Several algebraic and two- equation eddy-viscosity turbulence models are employed. The computed results are compared with experimental surface pressure, skin-friction, and yaw angle data as well as the overall size of the interaction. Although the major features of the flow fields are correctly predicted, several discrepancies are noted. Namely, the maximum skin-friction values are significantly under- predicted for the strongest interaction cases. These and other deficiencies are discussed.
The metaphoric nature of coding: toward a theory of utterance

Abstract This paper offers a theoretical framework which treats in a systematic fashion properties of the code related to iconicity, metaphorization and the speaker's view of the discourse situation. The framework elaborates on Fillmore's (1977) prototypical scenes (taking into consideration other works within the cognitive approach employing Rosch's (1977) Prototype theory) and Yokoyama's (1986) Transactional Discourse Model (TDM) (which encompasses all the important aspects of Speech Act Theory and introduces rigor and predictability into an area hitherto thought of as vague). Viewing metaphorization as mapping components from one PS onto another (in accord with Lakoff and Johnson, 1980), the present research provides evidence that the process of coding itself has a metaphoric nature. The claim that at the prelinguistic stage of conceptualization the speaker operates with a minimum of two Prototypical Situations (PSs), one of which is the PS of discourse (as described in TDM), is supported by extensive analysis of some structures of Russian. The study demonstrates that the selectional properties of these structures are related to a PS of distance/motion on the one hand, and to a PS of discourse on the other. The same principles are established for some military discourse regulations.
Hydrogen-terminated silicon substrates for low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy

The preparation of hydrogen-terminated silicon surfaces for use as starting substrates for low-temperature MBE growth is examined in detail. The procedure involves the ex situ removal under nitrogen of residual oxide from a silicon substrate using a spin-clean with HF in ethanol, followed by the in situ low-temperature desorption (150 C) of physisorbed etch residues. The critical steps and the chemical basis for these steps are examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Impurity residues at the epilayer-substrate interface following subsequent homoepitaxial growth are studied using AES, SIMS and TEM. Finally, scanning tunneling microscopy is used to examine the effect of cleaning methods on substrate morphology.
Blends of amphiphilic trisilanolisobutyl-POSS and phosphine oxide substituted poly(dimethylsiloxane) at the air/water interface.

Mixtures of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, trisilanolisobutyl-POSS, and a polar silicone, poly(dimethyl-co-methylvinyl-co-methyl, 2-diphenyl phosphine oxide ethyl) siloxane (PDMS-PO), spread as Langmuir monolayers at the air/water interface are used to examine the surface phase behavior and aggregation of trisilanolisobutyl-POSS as a function of silicone composition. Analyses of the surface pressure−area per monomer (Π−A) isotherms in terms of the collapse pressures and excess Gibbs free energies of mixing indicate the monolayers form slightly negative deviation mixtures. Direct observations of surface morphology with Brewster angle microscopy in the collapsed regime reveal that the governing factor for aggregation is the collapse Π of the component with a stronger affinity for water. In trisilanolisobutyl-POSS/PDMS-PO blends, POSS aggregates as discrete domains and does not coalesce into larger aggregates or networklike structures for <80 wt % POSS, a feature that is vastly different from a prev...
Language and reading skills in school-aged children and adolescents born preterm are associated with white matter properties on diffusion tensor imaging

Children born preterm are at risk for deficits in language and reading. They are also at risk for injury to the white matter of the brain. The goal of this study was to determine whether performance in language and reading skills would be associated with white matter properties in children born preterm and full-term. Children born before 36 weeks gestation (n=23, mean±SD age 12.5±2.0 years, gestational age 28.7±2.5 weeks, birth weight 1184±431 g) and controls born after 37 weeks gestation (n=19, 13.1±2.1 years, 39.3±1.0 weeks, 3178±413 g) underwent a battery of language and reading tests. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans were processed using tract-based spatial statistics to generate a core white matter skeleton that was anatomically comparable across participants. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was the diffusion property used in analyses. In the full-term group, no regions of the whole FA-skeleton were associated with language and reading. In the preterm group, regions of the FA-skeleton were significantly associated with verbal IQ, linguistic processing speed, syntactic comprehension, and decoding. Combined, the regions formed a composite map of 22 clusters on 15 tracts in both hemispheres and in the ventral and dorsal streams. ROI analyses in the preterm group found that several of these regions also showed positive associations with receptive vocabulary, verbal memory, and reading comprehension. Some of the same regions showed weak negative correlations within the full-term group. Exploratory multiple regression in the preterm group found that specific white matter pathways were related to different aspects of language processing and reading, accounting for 27-44% of the variance. The findings suggest that higher performance in language and reading in a group of preterm but not full-term children is associated with higher fractional anisotropy of a bilateral and distributed white matter network.
Clinical observations on serum globulin thyroxine-binding capacity, using a simplified technique.

ABSTRACT Using a relative simplified and reproducible technique, the thyroxine-binding capacity of the serum was measured in normal subjects, in pregnant women, in cases of hepatic cirrhosis, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and in euthyroid subjects with subnormal and elevated levels of serum protein-bound iodine (PBI). In 103 normal subjects having serum PBI levels between 5 and 7 μg. per 100 ml., the mean value of the thyroxine-binding capacity was 19.1 μg. per 100 ml.; female subjects were not significantly different from male subjects in this respect. In 34 men with low PBI values (between 2 and 4 μg per 100 ml.), the mean was 13.9 μg- per 100 ml. In 33 pregnant women, both the thyroxine binding capacity and the PBI concentration were increased. They returned to normal or lower levels by the end of the fifth week post partum. Although the thyroxine-binding capacity was often slightly higher than normal in 20 patients with hepatic cirrhosis, no definite correlation was found between the thyroxine-b...
Specifying dysfunctional mismatches between different control dimensions

Although the dominant paradigm in psychology currently suggests that having control is positive, there is a small literature suggesting that having or seeking control can be negative. In this article we develop a framework for specifying why and when control results in dysfunction. These conditions involve a mismatch between control dimensions of environmental affordances and personal variables of behavioural competencies, control cognitions, and control motivation. We apply this framework to two general sets of mismatches: high environmental affordances/low person control variables; low environmental affordances/high personal control variables. The first set of mismatches directly counters the dominant psychological paradigm because the mismatches specify when greater opportunities for environmental control are dysfunctional. The second set of conditions moves prior research on control to a new level of specificity by precisely demonstrating when low environmental affordances are problematic.
Stability of streaming layer in an unbounded self-gravitational fluid

The stability of a streaming layer of incompressible, inviscid, self-gravitational fluid bounded in an infinite similar medium is investigated. The critical wave numbers are found when the layer has a linear streaming velocity profile.
In Defense of a Heuristic Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

Although the presentation of quantum mechanics found in traditional textbooks is intellectually well founded, it suffers from a number of deficiencies. Specifically introducing quantum mechanics as a solution to the arcane dilemma, the ultraviolet catastrophe, does little to impress a nonscientific audience of the tremendous paradigmatic shift that quantum mechanics represented. Mathematical descriptions of the wave function can also fail to impart to the audience the true nature of the quantum measurement problem and its implications for our concept of reality. Presenting both Bell’s theorem and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle in a heuristic framework allows for a conceptual-based discussion of quantum phenomena suitable for a mathematically naive undergraduate or an interested nonscientist.
p-Hydroxyphenyl, Guaiacyl, and Syringyl Lignins Have Similar Inhibitory Effects on Wall Degradability

Studies with normal, mutant, and transgenic plants have not clearly established whether the proportion of p-hydroxyphenyl (H), guaiacyl (G), and syringyl (S) units in lignin directly affects the degradability of cell walls by hydrolytic enzymes. Dehydrogenation polymer−cell wall complexes containing varying ratios of H, G, and S lignins were formed by peroxidase/H2O2-mediated polymerization of p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohols into nonlignified walls isolated from cell suspensions of maize (Zea mays L). Lignification substantially reduced the degradability of cell walls by fungal hydrolases, but degradability was not affected by lignin composition. On the basis of these results, we propose that improvements in wall degradability, previously attributed to changes in lignin composition, were in fact due to other associated changes in wall chemistry or ultrastructure. Keywords: Gramineae; Zea mays; cell wall; brown midrib; transgenic; O-methyltransferase; hydroxycinnamyl alcohols; lignin; cellulase...
Stimulation of GLUT1 glucose transporter expression in response to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation: role of reduced sulfhydryl groups.

Abstract Treatment of Clone 9 cells incubated in the absence of serum with 5 mM azide for 24 h results in an 8- and 3-fold induction in GLUT1 mRNA and GLUT1 protein, respectively. To explore the pathways mediating the induction of GLUT1 mRNA, we first examined whether inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation by other agents results to a similar response. Exposure of cells to 5 μM carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), 0.15 μM oligomycin B, or 5 mM azide resulted in near-equivalent increases in GLUT1 mRNA content. The inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation is associated with increased cell lactate content and in extracellular lactate to pyruvate ratio, reflecting a rise in cytosolic NADH NAD + ratio. We next tested the possibility that an increase in cell SH SS ratio mediates the enhancement of GLUT1 mRNA in response to azide. We show that treatment of cells with 10 mM mercaptoethanol, an agent that increases cell SH SS ratio, results in a ≈ 6-fold increase in GLUT1 mRNA content. Moreover, incubation of cells in the presence of 0.3 mM diamide, a known intracellular sulfhydryl oxidizing agent, completely abolishes the induction of GLUT1 mRNA by azide. The results suggest that an increase in cell SH SS ratio plays a critical role in the induction of GLUT1 mRNA in response to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation.
Discussion: Reverse caricatures effects on three-dimensional facial reconstructions

Previous research has shown that familiarization with three-dimensional (3D) caricatures can help improve recognition of same-race and other-race faces, a result that may lead to new training tools in security applications. Since 3D facial scans are not generally available, here we sought to determine whether 3D reconstructions from 2D frontal images could be used for the same purpose. Our results suggest that, despite the high level of photographic realism achieved by current 3D facial reconstruction methods, additional research is needed in order to reduce reconstruction errors and capture the distinctive facial traits of an individual.
NovJ/NovK Catalyze Benzylic Oxidation of a β-Hydroxyl Tyrosyl-S-pantetheinyl Enzyme during Aminocoumarin Ring Formation in Novobiocin Biosynthesis†

The bicyclic coumarin ring in the aminocoumarin natural product antibiotics that target bacterial DNA gyrase is assembled from tyrosine by nonribosomal peptide synthetase logic. Tyrosine has previously been shown to be activated and installed as a phosphopantetheinyl thioester on the thiolation domain of NovH and then hydroxylated on the benzylic carbon by the heme protein NovI, generating β-OH-Tyr-S-NovH. This aminoacyl-S-protein is the substrate for the next two orfs, Streptomyces sphaeroides NovJ and NovK, that have now been expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli as a J2K2 heterotetramer. NovJ/NovK use NADP as an electron acceptor to oxidize the β-OH of the tyrosyl moiety to yield the tethered β-ketotyrosyl-S-NovH. The enol tautomer is the form that predominates in the subsequently cyclized aminocoumarin scaffold. The labile β-ketotyrosyl thioester moiety was identified by hydrolytic release from NovH, analysis by mass spectroscopy, and comparison with a synthetic sample. We also have identifi...
Seasonal decline in intracolony genetic relatedness in eastern tent caterpillars: implications for social evolution

Genetic relatedness in social insect colonies may vary spatially or temporally as a result of changes in colony membership due to immigration or to variation in patterns of maternity and paternity. We estimated relatedness for eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum) in laboratory colonies derived from egg masses using multilocus genotypic data derived from electrophoresis. This estimate is compared with estimates obtained from colony samples taken in the field at four intervals spanning the larval developmental season. We found that average intracolony relatedness is close to 0.5 initially but declines through the developmental season due to colony merging, showing that caterpillars do not discriminate between siblings and nonsiblings in order to preserve colony family structure. Using the intracolony values together with relatedness values for higher levels of population structure, we estimated the effective mean number of simple families represented in single colonies through the season. The overall effective number of families per tent increased from one at the time of eclosion to 1.3 by the end of the season. Average intracolony relatedness remained relatively high despite the occurrence of colony merging, apparently as a result of the low density of tents on most trees, combined with high relatedness within the original colonies. Thus, high intracolony relatedness is maintained in M. americanum populations through the effects of adult dispersal, mating, and oviposition patterns, rather than through behavioral discrimination mechanisms of the larvae. These findings underscore the importance of considering the causes of temporal variation in genetic relatedness as well as the consequences for the indirect component of inclusive fitness.
Microtia and significant auricular malformation. Ninety-two pediatric patients

Objective: To study congenital auricular malformation, an uncommon but serious condition. The literature about auricular malformation separates the medical, otologic, and auricular reconstructive elements; this study addresses all elements in a single report. Design: A retrospective chart analysis of patients with microtia and severe auricular malformation from initial presentation through surgical reconstruction for those of appropriate age. Setting: A single author's experience in a practice at a referral institution. Patients: Ninety-two patients (108 ears). Results: Early presentation at less than 1 year of age was noted for 40 patients. Coexisting medical conditions were noted in 16 patients. Seven patients demonstrated facial paralysis. Unexpected sensorineural hearing loss was discovered in six patients. Twenty-four patients had undergone auricular reconstruction at the time of this report. Additional patients had undergone skin tag removal, ventilation tube placement, and atresia repair. Conclusions: Children with microtia and significant auricular malformation require global attention to early family guidance, to expected and unexpected hearing loss, to language development, to associated medical conditions, and to both auricular and otologic reconstruction issues. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;121:57-62)
Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

Abstract Objectives. To establish the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted nephroureterectomy. Methods. Since 1993, 25 patients with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up underwent nephroureterectomy using a total laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted technique. Four patients had specimen morcellation for tissue removal. All patients had regular follow-up with physical examinations, interval cystoscopy, and radiographs, depending on the metastatic potential of the tumor. Retrospective chart review was performed and assessed for operative time, blood loss, tumor pathologic stage, complications, and outcome. One patient was excluded because of an open conversion due to multiple previous abdominal surgeries and failure to progress. Results. The mean operating time was 329 minutes but decreased with experience. The median hospital stay was 4 days. Tumor stage was directly related to tumor grade. Associated bladder tumors (prior history or recurrent tumors) occurred in 50% of the patients. Ipsilateral ureteral stump site recurrence occurred in 1 patient. Although no port site seeding occurred, 1 patient, whose tumor was discovered histologically after laparoscopic pyeloplasty for presumed benign disease, developed recurrence in the renal fossa and metastatic disease. Two patients developed liver metastasis. Conclusions. Total laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted nephroureterectomy are acceptable alternatives to open surgery in the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Tumor morcellation did not appear to adversely affect patient outcome. As with open nephroureterectomy, tumor grade is the most important prognostic indicator of local, bladder, and metastatic recurrence. No port site seeding was observed in either the total laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted groups.
The identification of μ3-η2-coordinated CN from the dehydrogenation of methylamine on the Ru(001) surface

Abstract Results of thermal desorption mass spectrometry and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) indicate that the dehydrogenation of monomethylamine (CH 3 NH 2 ) on the clean Ru(001) surface produces side-on bonded cyanide (CN) that engages in μ 3 -η 2 coordination with the threefold site of the hexagonally closed packed surface, resulting in a bond order of two for the CN adsorbate.
DISTANCE DATA REVISITED

— Objections to my earlier demonstration, that the branch lengths of trees fitted to distance matrices have no physical interpretation, are shown to be ill-founded. In particular the contention of Felsenstein, that fitted lengths estimate expectations of amounts of change, is shown to lead to a paradox. A method is introduced for constructing multiple trees of optimal or near-optimal fit to distance data, and this is found to give better performance than previous methods. Most published trees based on distances have been poorly chosen. Consensus trees of several trees with near-optimal fit are found to be quite poorly resolved, and it appears that molecular distances seldom provide much useful information on phylogenetic relationships.
Analysis of a Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Fragment from the Open Reading Frame of the Large Subunit of Ribonucleotide Reductase with Transcriptional Regulatory Activity

ABSTRACT Expression of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)-encoded ribonucleotide reductase (RR) is required for growth in nondividing cells. The functional enzyme is composed of a large and a small sub...
Tissue-specific transcription preference as a determinant of cell tropism and leukaemogenic potential of murine retroviruses.

Inoculation of susceptible strains of mice with the SL3-3 strain of murine leukaemia viruses induces T-cell lymphomas, whereas injection of the Akv strain does not1–3. Recombinant viruses that contain the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the SL3-3 virus and the gag, pol and env genes of the Akv virus are also leukaemogenic4. The cell-type specificity of leukaemias induced by viruses containing different LTR sequences is due in part to the ability of the virus to replicate in the appropriate cellular environment5–7. One explanation of the role of the LTR in determination of both cell tropism and leukaemogenic potential is that the LTR encodes tissue-permissive transcriptional elements. We report here that there are differences in the transcriptional activity of the SL3-3 and Akv LTR sequences in different murine cell types, and that the sequences present in the LTR of SL3-3 exhibit significantly enhanced transcriptional activity in T cells compared with the corresponding region of the Akv LTR. The results suggest that transcriptional elements are primary determinants of cell tropism and of leukaemogenicity of these viruses.
Analysis of normal and neoplastic lymphocyte surface-labeled proteins by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Abstract Normal and neoplastic murine and human lymphocytes were surface-labeled by lacto-peroxidase-catalyzed radioiodination, and the cell lysates were subjected to two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) analyses, combining isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE (SDS-PAGE) in the second dimension. 2D-PAGE autoradiogram patterns were reproducible and reflected differences in cell types. A string of spots with a Mr of 100K was tentatively identified as a new T-cell marker (Tp100) which was present in all murine and human T cells examined including human T lymphomas. Murine and human B cells displayed markers characteristic to B cells of each species with some similarities between them. Human lymphomas and murine cell lines showed markers which were absent or only weakly visible in normal cells. Thus, 2D-PAGE analysis of lymphocyte surface proteins proved to be a method useful for searching for various markers.