cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal Regulation of Synaptic Vesicle Fusion Sites in Central Synapses.

The number and availability of vesicle release sites at the synaptic active zone (AZ) are critical factors governing neurotransmitter release; yet, these fundamental synaptic parameters have remained undetermined. Moreover, how neural activity regulates the spatiotemporal properties of the release sites within individual central synapses is unknown. Here, we combined a nanoscale imaging approach with advanced image analysis to detect individual vesicle fusion events with ∼27 nm localization precision at single hippocampal synapses under physiological conditions. Our results revealed the presence of multiple distinct release sites within individual hippocampal synapses. Release sites were distributed throughout the AZ and underwent repeated reuse. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal properties of the release sites were activity dependent with a reduction in reuse frequency and a shift in location toward the AZ periphery during high-frequency stimulation. These findings have revealed fundamental spatiotemporal properties of individual release sites in small central synapses and their activity-dependent modulation.
Stabilizing the Wettability of Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposited (iCVD) Polydivinylbenzene Thin Films by Thermal Annealing

Maintaining stable surface properties, such as wetting, remains a challenge for many applications of functional coatings. Here, this paper reports a study on the stability of the surface properties of polydivinylbenzene (PDVB). The PDVB thin films are synthesized via initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). The decrease of receding water contact angles and increase of contact angle hysteresis of iCVD PDVB over time are found to be related with surface oxidation during air exposure. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal the generation carbonyl and epoxy groups and the consumption of pendant vinyl groups in the oxidation process. A modified first-order kinetic model describes the dynamic process, and the apparent reaction rate constant for the oxidation of iCVD PDVB is 0.0238–0.0294 h−1. In order to inhibit the oxidation and stabilize the wettability of iCVD PDVB, an in situ thermal annealing process is developed. This thermal treatment is effective in improving the cross-linking degree of iCVD PDVB, slowing down the rate of oxidation, and therefore significantly enhancing the long-term wettability. The advancing and receding contact angles of annealed iCVD PDVB are stable even after exposure to air for two months. The reported thermal annealing approach also improves the mechanical properties of iCVD PDVB.
A centennial gift from Einstein

Deflection of a distant star’s light provides a solution to the puzzling mass of a nearby white dwarf star.
Equity, Equality, and Standardization: Expanding the Conversations:

In the more than 60 years since the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the United States has been struggling to assure educational equality for all learners. This article will review how attempts ...
Then press enter: digital payment technology and the history of telephone interface

The internet and other digital networks in the U.S. (and beyond) remain essentially an upgrade of the national telephone network built by AT&T over the first half of the twentieth century, and digi...
Outcomes of previously untreated elderly patients with AML: a propensity score-matched comparison of clofarabine vs. FLAG

The 5-year overall survival (OS) in patients ≥ 60 years old with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains < 10%. Clofarabine-based induction (CLO) provides an alternative to low-intensity therapy (LIT) and palliative care for this population, but supporting data are conflicted. Recently, our institution adopted the FLAG regimen (fludarabine, cytarabine, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) based on data reporting similar outcomes to CLO in elderly patients with AML unable to tolerate anthracycline-based induction. We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of patients ≥ 60 years old with AML treated with FLAG or CLO over the past 10 years. We performed a propensity score match that provided 32 patients in each group. Patients treated with FLAG had a higher CR/CRi rate (65.6 vs. 37.5%, P = 0.045) and OS (7.9 vs. 2.8 months, P = 0.085) compared to CLO. Furthermore, FLAG was better tolerated with significantly less grade 3/4 toxicities and a shorter duration of neutropenia (18.5 vs. 30 days, P = 0.002). Finally, we performed a cost analysis that estimated savings to be $30,000–45,000 per induction with FLAG. Our study supports the use of FLAG both financially and as an effective, well-tolerated high-dose treatment regimen for elderly patients with AML. No cases of cerebellar neurotoxicity occurred.
The Tensile Response and Fracture Behavior of a Copper-Niobium Microcomposite: Role of Surface Modification

In this research study, the influence of nanocrystalline surface modification on microhardness, tensile response and fracture behaviour of an oxide dispersion strengthened copper-niobium (Cu-Nb) micro-composite was investigated. The presence of a hardened surface layer and associated compressive residual stress lead to a noticeable increase in micro-hardness and a marginal improvement in both stiffness and strength. The increase in work hardening is quantified by the monotonic stress versus strain curve. For both the as-provided and surface treated composites tensile fracture was macroscopically ductile and microscopically revealed features reminiscent of locally brittle and ductile failure mechanisms. The mechanical properties and fracture behaviour is discussed considering nature of loading and intrinsic microstructural effects.
The Sixteenth and Early Seventeenth Centuries

One of the great discoveries of the sixteenth century was that of logarithms made independently by Burgi and Napier. This marked a state in the development of mathematics where sufficiently sophisticated methods were finally made available for the understanding of exponentials and their inverses.
A Revision of the Mexican Species of Lithospermum (Boraginaceae)1

Lithospermum L. (Boraginaceae) includes approximately 60 species of which 43 occur in Mexico, with 32 endemic to the country. Through morphological and molecular investigations, the species of the genus are taxonomically revised. A broad generic circumscription is recognized and includes species traditionally recognized as members of Lithospermum as well as other New World Lithospermeae. Three new species are described from northern Mexico—Lithospermum chihuahuanum J. I. Cohen, Lithospermum kelloggianum J. I. Cohen, and Lithospermum tenerum J. I. Cohen—and each is known from only its type specimen. Lasiarrhenum confundum B. L. Turner is transferred to Lithospermum confundum (B. L. Turner) J. I. Cohen on the basis of flowers similar to those of Lithospermum trinervium (Lehm.) J. I. Cohen. The type for Pentalophus A. DC. is designated. Lectotypes are designated for Lithospermum albicans Greene [= Lithospermum incisum Lehm.], Lithospermum approximatum Brand [= Lithospermum distichum Ortega], Lithospermum breviflorum Engelm. & A. Gray [= Lithospermum incisum Lehm.], Lithospermum cobrense Greene, Lithospermum cognatum Greene ex Spengle [= Lithospermum multiflorum Torr. ex A. Gray], Lithospermum euryphyllum Brand [= Lithospermum oblongifolium Greenm.], Lithospermum galeottii Brand [= Lithospermum calycosum (J. F. Macbr.) I. M. Johnst.], Lithospermum gentianoides Brand [= Lithospermum obovatum J. F. Macbr.], Lithospermum hoyasense Brand [= Lithospermum calcicola B. L. Rob.], Lithospermum laevigatum Sesse & Moc. [= Lithospermum distichum Ortega], Lithospermum madrense Brand [= Lithospermum calcicola B. L. Rob.], Lithospermum matamorense DC., Lithospermum nelsonii Greenm., Lithospermum obtusiflorum Sesse & Moc. [= Lithospermum discolor M. Martens & Galeotti], Lithospermum sordidum Brand [= Lithospermum distichum Ortega], and Lithospermum spathulatum M. Martens & Galeotti [= Lithospermum distichum Ortega]. Lithospermum viride Greene is neotypified.
Implementing enhanced education to improve the UCLA Preschool Vision Program.

Purpose To examine whether educational pamphlets and videos for adults can increase follow-up rates for eye examinations among preschool children. Methods The target population was 3- to 5-year-olds attending preschools within Los Angeles County and receiving services from the UCLA Preschool Vision Program (UPVP). Preschools were randomly assigned to standard and enhanced-education groups. The same procedures were followed in each group, except that preschool personnel and parents of children referred for eye examinations in the enhanced-education group received education materials and watched a 3-minute informational video on the screening day. The outcome measure was the follow-up rate for comprehensive examinations performed by the UPVP on a second date. Results The follow-up rate for receiving a complete eye examination was 75.3% (438/582) in the enhanced-education group and 65.1% (430/661) in the standard group (P Conclusions Educating adults during the screening session can increase follow-up rates. Further studies are recommended to understand barriers to seeking eye care for children and to devise initiatives to help increase targeted awareness.
Tag retention and survival of juvenile bighead carp implanted with a dummy acoustic tag at three temperatures.

Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (together, the bigheaded carps) are invasive fishes in North America that have resulted in substantial negative effects on native fish communities and aquatic ecosystems. Movement and behavior of adult bigheaded carps has been studied previously using telemetry, while similar studies with juvenile bigheaded carps have yet to be attempted. Recent technological advances in telemetry transmitters has increased the availability of tags sufficiently small enough to implant in juvenile carps. However, the effects of surgical implantation of telemetry tags on juvenile bigheaded carps have not been evaluated. We determined tag retention and survival associated with surgical implantation of acoustic telemetry tags into juvenile bighead carp (range 128–152 mm total length) at three temperatures (13, 18, and 23°C). In addition, we assessed the effect of surgically implanted transmitters on the fitness, defined as changes in weight or critical swimming speed, of carp implanted with transmitters. Survival was high among tagged fish (85%) with 47% of tags retained at the conclusion of the 45‐day study. No substantial decline in fitness of the fish was observed in tagged fish compared to untagged fish.
Solving Elliptic PDE’s on Domains with Curved Boundaries with an Immersed Penalized Boundary Method

The purpose of this paper is to describe a method (which we call IPBM) for solving boundary value problems on domains with curved boundaries. The method combines two ideas from the PDE literature: (a) the idea of immersing the problem in a larger and simpler domain, and (b) the idea of enforcing boundary conditions by using a penalty term. The method has a number of advantages as compared to existing methods in the literature and can be considered as a viable alternative to the very popular isogeometric analysis methods. It can be used with a wide variety of spline spaces including tensor-product splines and splines on triangulations. It also works with splines on H-triangulations and splines on T-meshes, which opens the door to adaptive methods. The paper contains a series of examples both in 2D and 3D to illustrate the capability of the method to produce high order approximations.
Field-evolved resistance by western corn rootworm to Cry34/35Ab1 and other Bacillus thuringiensis traits in transgenic maize.

Background Transgenic crops producing insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely planted to manage agricultural insect pests. However, widespread adoption of Bt crops has led to the evolution of Bt resistance. The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is among the most serious pests of maize in the midwestern United States and is currently managed with Bt maize. To date, there is evidence of field-evolved resistance to all Bt toxins used to manage this pest. While western corn rootworm resistance to Cry3Bb1, and the closely related mCry3A and eCry3.1Ab traits, is widely distributed within the Midwest, fewer cases of Cry34/35Ab1 resistance have been observed, and planting of Cry34/35Ab1 maize is one of the methods used to manage Cry3-resistant rootworm. Results We found that fields with high levels of root injury to Cry34/35Ab1 maize by western corn rootworm were associated with Cry34/35Ab1-resistant western corn rootworm. Additionally, a population not associated with high levels of root injury was found to be resistant to Cry34/35Ab1. In all cases, populations that were resistant to Cry34/35Ab1 also were resistant to Cry3 traits. Conclusions Western corn rootworm resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 has continued to persist in the agricultural landscape and has likely increased. The presence of rootworm populations with resistance to all available Bt traits threatens the utility of current and future transgenic technologies to manage this pest. Decreased reliance on Cry34/35Ab1 and better use of integrated pest management will be essential to preserve Bt susceptibility in western corn rootworm. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
Esophageal foreign bodies.

SUMMARY Over 80 per cent of ingested foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract without incident. Sharp (bones, pins, needles, wire) or long (>6.5 cm) foreign bodies are most commonly implicated in perforation. Food boluses are most common in obstruction seen in adult patients and associated esophageal pathology is common in patients aged 60 years and older. Adults with nonfood foreign bodies have a high incidence of psychiatric, social, or chemical derangements. Pediatric patients most commonly ingest coins. Ingestions tend to occur during nonschool months or in highrisk situations, and repeat ingestions are not uncommon. Fatalities and other major complications are linked to type of foreign body, location, and duration of the impaction. Deaths have also occurred with endoscopic and enzymatic modalities of treatment. Glucagon and Foley catheter removal are safe techniques in selected patients, provided resuscitative skill and equipment are available. Based on these data, an algorithmic approach to the management of esophageal foreign bodies by the emergency physician is recommended (Table 5).
Air in the Spleen.

Air in the Spleen A 56-year-old woman presented with epigastric and left-upper-quadrant abdominal pain. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed extensive air in the spleen.
Type IV Failure in Weldment of Creep Resistant Ferritic Alloys: II. Creep Fracture and Lifetime Prediction

Abstract The creep rupture behavior (Type IV failure) for weldments of creep strength enhanced ferritic steel is numerically analyzed, using an integrated microstructure- and micromechanics-based finite element model. To account for the large microstructure gradients across weldments, a two-dimensional digital microstructure is constructed based on the actual observed microstructure of ferritic steel weldment by using the Voronoi-tessellation method. According to the fracture mechanism studies and literature experimental observations, the Type IV failure is identified as an intergranular creep fracture in the fine-grained or intercritical heated affected zone (FGHAZ or ICHAZ). In the present study, the following micromechanics model is employed to determine the micromechanical and microstructural origins for the failure process above, accounting for the underlying physical fracture mechanisms at different length scales, including nucleation of grain boundary cavities, their growth by competition of grain boundary diffusion and grain interior creep, viscous grain boundary sliding, and the emergence of microcracks by coalescence and their evolution to the ultimate failure. The methodology demonstrates the capabilities in modeling the Type IV failure and providing quantitative creep rupture lifetime prediction which shows an excellent agreement with long-term creep experimental data for creep strength enhanced ferritic steels and their weldments. In particular, the drop-off in time to rupture at high temperatures and low stress levels in the creep rupture curves is quantitatively predicted, and the transition of failure mechanisms from creep-controlled to diffusion-controlled creep fracture mechanism is illustrated.
Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbiota Following Changes in Training Volume Among Swimmers

Exercise can influence gut microbial community structure and diversity; however, the temporal dynamics of this association have rarely been explored. Here we characterized fecal microbiota in response to short term changes in training volume. Fecal samples, body composition, and training logs were collected from Division I NCAA collegiate swimmers during peak training through their in-season taper in 2016 (n=9) and 2017 (n=7), capturing a systematic reduction in training volume near the conclusion of their athletic season. Fecal microbiota were characterized using 16S rRNA V4 amplicon sequencing and multivariate statistical analysis, Spearman rank correlations, and random forest models. Peak training volume, measured as swimming distance, decreased significantly during the study period from 32.6±4.8 km/wk to 11.3±8.1 km/wk (ANOVA, p<0.05); however, body composition showed no significant changes. Coinciding with the decrease in training volume, the microbial community structure showed a significant decrease in overall microbial diversity, a decrease in microbial community structural similarity, and a decrease in the proportion of the bacterial genera Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus. Together these data demonstrate a significant association between short-term changes in training volume and microbial composition and structure in the gut; future research will establish whether these changes are associated with energy balance or nutrient intake.
Complete Genome Sequence and Annotation of Campylobacter jejuni YH003, Isolated from Retail Chicken.

ABSTRACT The complete genome sequence of Campylobacter jejuni YH003, isolated from retail chicken, was determined using PacBio and Illumina technologies. The assembled genome is 1,743,985 bp (G+C content of 30.3%). Genome annotation revealed several genes encoding virulence and antibiotic resistance factors, including a type VI secretion system, cytolethal distending toxins, and a multidrug efflux system.
A brief review of the Late Cretaceous “Oceanic Red Beds” of the North Sea offshore region

Abstract Late Cretaceous red chalk units of “deep” marine origin were recognised and published from the North Sea Basin almost thirty years ago ( King et al., 1989 ), however it is only now that we are beginning to recognise their oceanographic, depositional and climatic significance. Their stratigraphic occurrence is redefined and an additional red unit is proposed. The palaeoceanographic implications of these red units are considered in the light of recent studies on the origins and occurrences of Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds (CORB’s) and of the red horizons in the onshore Cretaceous Chalk of North West Europe.
Development of the teaching competencies scale

Teaching is one of the primary roles of counselor educators; and, therefore, it is crucial to have psychometrically sound assessments to evaluate teaching competencies. This study focused on the de...
A compact Cascade–Cas3 system for targeted genome engineering

CRISPR–Cas technologies have enabled programmable gene editing in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. However, the leading Cas9 and Cas12a enzymes are limited in their ability to make large deletions. Here, we used the processive nuclease Cas3, together with a minimal Type I-C Cascade-based system for targeted genome engineering in bacteria. DNA cleavage guided by a single CRISPR RNA generated large deletions (7–424 kilobases) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa with near-100% efficiency, while Cas9 yielded small deletions and point mutations. Cas3 generated bidirectional deletions originating from the programmed site, which was exploited to reduce the P. aeruginosa genome by 837 kb (13.5%). Large deletion boundaries were efficiently specified by a homology-directed repair template during editing with Cascade–Cas3, but not Cas9. A transferable ‘all-in-one’ vector was functional in Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas syringae and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and endogenous CRISPR–Cas use was enhanced with an ‘anti-anti-CRISPR’ strategy. P. aeruginosa Type I-C Cascade–Cas3 (PaeCas3c) facilitates rapid strain manipulation with applications in synthetic biology, genome minimization and the removal of large genomic regions. This work repurposes the Type I-C Cascade–Cas3 system from Pseudomonas aeruginosa to achieve large deletions in bacterial genomes.
The Missing Chapter: The Education of Surgery and Anesthesiology Trainees as Civic Advocates.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted existing systemic inequities that adversely affect a variety of communities in the United States. These inequities have a direct and adverse impact on the healthcare of our patient population. While civic engagement has not been cultivated in surgical and anesthesia training, we maintain that it is inherent to the core role of the role of a physician. This is supported by moral imperative, professional responsibility, and a legal obligation. We propose that such civic engagement and social justice activism is a neglected, but necessary aspect of physician training. We propose the implementation of a civic advocacy education agenda across department, community and national platforms. Surgical and anesthesiology residency training needs to evolve to the meet these increasing demands.
Peierls transition, ferroelectricity, and spin-singlet formation in monolayer VOI 2

Using ab initio density functional theory and single-orbital Hubbard model calculations via the density matrix renormalization group method, we systematically studied the monolayer ${\mathrm{VOI}}_{2}$ with a $3{d}^{1}$ electronic configuration. Our phonon calculations indicate that the orthorhombic $Pmm2$ FE-II phase is the most likely ground state, involving a ferroelectric (FE) distortion along the $a$ axis and V-V dimerization along the $b$ axis. Specifically, the ``pseudo Jahn-Teller'' effect caused by the coupling between empty V (${d}_{xz/yz}$ and ${d}_{3{z}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{r}^{2}}$) and O $2p$ states is proposed as the mechanism that stabilizes the FE distortion from the paraelectric phase. Moreover, the half-filled metallic ${d}_{xy}$ band displays a Peierls instability along the $b$ axis, inducing a V-V dimerization. We also found very short-range antiferromagnetic coupling along the V-V chain due to the formation of nearly decoupled spin singlets in the ground state.
Treatment Concepts and Challenges in Nonrhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

Pediatric nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTSs) encompass a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumors with more than 50 histologic variants. The incidence of NRSTS is greater than rhabdomyosarcoma; however, each histologic type is rare. The treatment schema for all NRSTSs is largely surgical. The treatment is a risk-adapted approach based on tumor size, localization, tumor grade, and presence of metastases. Low-grade tumors are mainly managed by surgery alone, whereas for high-grade tumors a multimodal treatment concept is necessary. The multimodal treatment consists of tumor biopsy, chemotherapy, local treatment (surgery ± radiotherapy), and immunotherapy in selected conditions.
Hereditary Cancer Syndromes and Inherited Cancer Risks

Genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes and acquired malignancies is a routine part of personalized cancer treatment. Identifying germline variants for hereditary cancer syndromes and predisposition risks of non-hematologic and hematologic malignancies provide invaluable information for future screening for both patients and family members. Although different methodologies have been utilized, the application of next-generation sequencing technology, either using gene panels, exome sequencing, or whole-genome sequencing, has primarily replaced sequential single gene testing. Massively parallel sequencing has permitted the analysis of multiple genes at the same time and became an affordable mean in clinical practice to increase the possibility of finding the causal mutation while reducing the amount and ultimately cost of diagnostic testing. Differentiating between germline variants and tumor-associated somatic mutations is important in the clinical interpretation of molecular sequencing results, guiding confirmatory germline testing, and expediting appropriate genetic counseling. These concepts, highlighted by several cases are included in the second part of the chapter. Seven presented cases illustrate the process of assessing genetic variants of hereditary cancer syndromes with respect to family history and tumor-associated somatic testing. Identifying cancer-predisposing pathogenic variants benefit patients by personalizing their medical management, including surveillance, early preventive interventions, and modification of treatment strategies, and it also facilitates identification of at risk family members.
Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery: When Fixing Broken Hearts, Is Breaking Kidneys Avoidable?

Every year, one in 100 infants is born with congenital heart defects in the United States ([1][1]). Of these children, 25% are considered critical and require palliation or correction during the first year of life. Even with advancements and several generations of experience in pediatric cardiac
Indochina: An Ambiguous Colonization, 1858–1954 – By Pierre Brocheux and Daniel Hémery

Pierre Brocheux and Daniel Hemery, Vietnam specialists at the University of Paris, embarked on this study of the French Empire in Southeast Asia as a corrective to works by Western and Vietnamese h...
Work In Progress: Just Be An Interactive Experience for K-12 Students

This work in progress describes Just Be, an outreach presentation created by the Women in Computing group at Indiana University - Bloomington. The aim of Just Be is to expose students to interesting fields in computing and challenge their stereotypes about people in computing
Faultlines, faults, and feelings: the effects of subgroup formation and appraisals on emotions in groups

This study examines the relationships between group faultlines, appraisals (evaluations) of group members, emotional responses, and performance in groups. The study uses a 2 by 2 experimental design, crossing demographic alignment (alignment vs. no alignment) and appraisals (instrumental vs. intrinsic) as between-subjects variables. Data from 5 types of measurement were used to analyze the effects of member alignment and appraisals.
Flare star observations with a single-photon counting imaging detector

At Los Alamos National Laboratory we are developing a new imaging sensor which combines high spatial and high temporal resolution over a large area format, while maintaining single-photon counting sensitivity and sustaining a high count rate. The detector is called a microchannel plate with crossed delay line readout, or MCP/CDL. This detector is ideally suited to the observation of weak transient events, such as stellar flares from red dwarf flare stars in our Galaxy. At present we are initiating an experiment with the MCP/CDL detector which will utilize a 30-cm aperture f/7 telescope to characterize U-band, B-band, and V-band emission from such low-luminosity flare stars, and to search for weak optical transients associated with other astrophysical sources.
Levels of Empathy in Undergraduate Health-Care-Professions Students

Abstract Researchers sought to identify whether a relationship exists between empathy levels in baccalaureate health-care-professions students who have and have not identified a projected professional specialty upon entry into practice. A convenience sample of students with declared majors in health-care professions (N = 202) completed a 28-item questionnaire. Empathy in nursing students with a projected specialty was significantly higher than in students in other health-care majors with projected specialties. Gender and age significantly influenced empathy in all students who had a projected specialty. The findings expand our current understanding of empathy and what may influence empathy levels in students planning to enter health care.
Optimal excess-of-loss reinsurance under borrowing constraints

In this paper, we study an optimal dynamic control problem of an insurance company with excess-of-loss reinsurance and investment. Three practical borrowing constraints are studied individually: (B1) borrowed dollar amount is no more than a borrowing limit K; (B2) borrowed proportion to surplus level is no more than k; and (B3) borrowing rate is higher than risk free rate of return (saving rate). The optimal criterion is to minimize probability of ruin. Classical stochastic control theory is applied to solve the problem. Under each of the constraints, minimal ruin probability functions are obtained in closed form by solving Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equations. Their associated optimal reinsurance–investment control policies are found as well.
The Photosensitized Dimerization of Molecules Containing Conjugated Double and Triple Bonds

Both thermal and photosensitized dimerization of methacrylonitrile in solution lead to a mixture of three dimers, the ratio of which merely depends on the reaction conditions. A common 1,4-biradical intermediate is assumed to be the precursor of all three dimers. The mechanism of the photosensitized dimerization of methacrylonitrile was studied by measuring quantum yields and by using sensitizers of different triplet energies. On the other hand, in the thermal and photosensitized dimerization of isopropenylacetylene at least two different biradical intermediates have to be postulated in order to explain the formation of the observed products.
Examination of the microbial ecology of the avian intestine in vivo using bromodeoxyuridine.

Summary Bromodeoxyuridine, a thymidine analogue that can be incorporated into the DNA of actively dividing cells, has been used in vivo to identify intestinal bacteria that are metabolically active in 3-week-old turkey poults during an acute period of feed withdrawal. Automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis was used to identify amplicons unique to animals subjected to feed withdrawal. One amplicon was unique to fasted birds while two amplicons were present in 60% of fasted birds and absent in all fed birds. Sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal genes indicated the caecal communities of all birds were dominated by Clostridiaceae while also harbouring low levels of metabolically active γ-proteobacteria and Bacteroides. Twenty per cent of clones from the fasted animals were identified as belonging to the genus Papillibacter, suggesting these microbes may be specifically dividing in response to environmental conditions present in the caeca of fasted birds.
Reply by the authors to the discussion by A. E. Barnes

Barnes’s discussion is an excellent summary of the story that we wanted to convey to the seismic interpretation community. His description of additional seismic attributes that react to distortions in seismic reflection waveshape should be a valuable reference for seismic stratigraphers and may indeed have greater impact on the seismic interpretation profession than will our longer paper that focused on only one of the attributes “instantaneous frequency” that can be used to detect stratigraphic and structural discontinuities.
Location of deuterium in α-yttrium

Neutron-diffraction techniques have been used to assess the deuterium location in a single crystal of ..cap alpha..-yttrium. We find that in the ..cap alpha.. phase of YD/sub x/ (x=0.176) the deuterium atoms occupy predominantly the tetrahedral sites of the hcp lattice. The isotropic temperature factor of yttrium, obtained in the present experiment, is found to be smaller than that of pure yttrium. This result indicates that the addition of deuterium hardens the phonon frequency spectrum of the host metal.
Ultraviolet light-induced recombination.

Abstract Stimulation of transduction in Escherichia coli by ultraviolet irradiation of the transducing phage P1 requires the uvrA-uvrB nuclease but not the uvrC product or DNA polymerase I. It is hypothesized that the first step in “normal” recombination can be bypassed by any procedure generating single-stranded ends of DNA (as, for example, by uvra-uvrB nuclease activity).
Feasible Graphs and Colorings

The problem of when a recursive graph has a recursive k-coloring has been extensively studied by Bean, Schmerl, Kierstead, Remmel, and others. In this paper, we study the polynomial time analogue of that problem. We develop a number of negative and positive results about colorings of polynomial time graphs. For example, we show that for any recursive graph G and for any k, there is a polynomial time graph G′ whose vertex set is {0,1}* such that there is an effective degree preserving correspondence between the set of k-colorings of G and the set of k-colorings of G′ and hence there are many examples of k-colorable polynomial time graphs with no recursive k-colorings. Moreover, even though every connected 2-colorable recursive graph is recursively 2-colorable, there are connected 2-colorable polynomial time graphs which have no primitive recursive 2-coloring. We also give some sufficient conditions which will guarantee that a polynomial time graph has a polynomial time or exponential time coloring.
Emotional correlates of fluency test and Maze performance

This study tested the hypothesis that depression, anxiety, and bizarre thought content, as measured by MMPI-2 scales, would show a negative relationship with performance on widely used measures of executive functioning. Subjects were 70 male psychiatric patients who were ostensibly free of any neurologic disease or history of substance abuse. Correlational analyses were performed between age and education-corrected scores on the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (FAS), Design Fluency, and WISC-R Mazes, and scores on MMPI-2 scales D, PT, Anxiety, Fears, Obsessional Thinking, Depression, and Bizarre Mentation. The findings suggest that fluency and maze performance is (1) largely independent of measures of depression (D, DEP) and bizarre mentation (BIZ); (2) mildly associated with a measure of generalized anxiety (ANX); and (3) strongly related to an MMPI-2 measure of fearfulness (FRS).
DDT Volatization from desert and cultivated soils

In a previous report (Ware et al. 1975) of simulated field studies we explained the need for information relative to DDT movement from soil in the vapor phase and referenced a rather complete set of studies relating to its volatility as well as that of DDE. This report expands that study to real field conditions of an uncultivated desert plot and an irrigated cotton field, for 52and ll-week degradation studies, respectively.
2-deoxy-D-glucose inhibits the antitumor effects of α-difluoromethylornithine on the growth of colon cancer in vivo

The glycolytic inhibitor, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain cancers. α-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the ratelimiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. DFMO has been shown to inhibit cancer growth in a number of models. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of 2-DG alone and combined with DFMO on MC-26 mouse colon adenocarcinoma tumors growing in vivo. Twenty-eight male Balb/c mice were inoculated with 250,000 MC-26 cells, and then randomized into four groups of 7 each: group I served as control; group II received DFMO (3% in drinking water); group III received 2-DG (500 mg/kg/d IP); group IV received a combination of 2-DG and DFMO. Treatment began 5 days after tumor cell inoculation. MC-26 tumor area was reduced 73% by DFMO compared to a 24% reduction caused by 2-DG. The tumor weight was reduced 80% by DFMO and 52% by 2-DG. The tumor contents of DNA, RNA, and protein were significantly reduced by DFMO but not 2-DG. The tumor concentration of the polyamines putrescine and spermidine were reduced by DFMO alone or combined with 2-DG while spermine levels remained unchanged. 2-DG alone did not alter polyamine levels. These results indicate that both 2-DG and DFMO, when added as single agents, inhibit tumor growth. However, the addition of 2-DG to the DFMO regimen inhibited the antitumor effects of DFMO. Survival studies performed on MC-26 cells in vitro corroborated the antagonisms between DFMO and 2-DG that were shown in vivo.
Effects of phosphatidylserine and cholesterol liposomes on the viability, motility, and acrosomal integrity of stallion spermatozoa prior to and after cryopreservation

Computer-assisted motion analyses (CASA) and flow cytometry were used to evaluate stallion spermatozoa prior to and after cryopreservation. Spermatozoa were pretreated with: (1) Hepes-buffered medium (SHB); (2) phosphatidylserine (PS) liposomes; or (3) liposomes composed of both PS and cholesterol (PSCH) prior to dilution in either SHB or skim milk-egg yolk extender (SMEY). After cooling to 5 degrees C in SHB, PS and PSCH pretreatment (23%). Spermatozoal motion parameters were higher for spermatozoa diluted in SMEY than dilution in SHB. In Experiment 2, motion parameters were compared for spermatozoa pretreated with PSCH liposomes and cryopreserved in either SMEY or a high salt-skim milk-egg yolk extender (CO). Spermatozoal motion characteristics were similar for all spermatozoal treatments after cooling at 5 degrees C. After cryopreservation, PSCH liposome-treated samples had higher percentages of motile spermatozoa than untreated samples regardless of freezing extender. Samples frozen in CO medium had higher percentages of motile spermatozoa than samples frozen in SMEY (P 0.05). Addition of PSCH liposomes improved recovery of motile spermatozoa after cryopreservation but did not affect the ability of spermatozoa to undergo a PC12-induced acrosome reaction.
A new generation of open source data collection tools

Organizations in low income regions need tools for collecting and reporting on data. Existing paper-based approaches are often slow and incomplete when compared to data collection tools on mobile devices. In this demonstration, we present the authors' Android-based system in addition to broader work by the OpenRosa Consortium - a community dedicated to building open source, standards-based tools for mobile data collection, aggregation, analysis, and reporting.
Distorted self-perceptions: divergent self-reports as statistical outliers in the multimethod assessment of children's social-emotional adjustment

The influence of statistical outliers among older children's self-reports was investigated in the context of a multitrait-multimethod validation of the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory (Weinberger, 1991). Self, teacher, and peer ratings in 6th-grade classrooms (N = 155) provided evidence of the convergent and discriminant validity of distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and low well-being) and self-restraint (i.e., impulse control, suppression of aggression, consideration of others, and responsibility) as superordinate dimensions of adjustment. However, a few children were statistical outliers whose self-reports starkly contradicted others' perceptions. These nonrepresentative cases notably affected the validity coefficients for the entire sample and seemed to identify children with potentially clinically significant distortions in their self-perceptions.
The catalyzed hydrosilation reaction

Ab initio electronic structure calculations with RHF, MP2, and CCSD(T) wave functions have been used to investigate a reaction path for the hydrosilation reaction catalyzed by divalent titanium (modeled by TiH2). Optimized structures and energies are presented. All levels of theory predict a barrierless reaction path compared to a barrier of 78 kcal/mol for the uncatalyzed reaction. The use of correlated wave functions (MP2 or CCSD(T)) is required to obtain accurate structures and energies.
Electro-Optic Charge Injection and Tramsport Measurements in Highly Purified Water and Water/Ethylene Glycol Mixtures

Extensive Kerr electro-optic field mapping and voltage/ current measurements have been taken with highly purified water over the temperature range of T= 0 to 30°C using parallel plane electrodes with average field strengths up to 160 kV/cm. The Kerr constant of water B was measured to be B ?, 3.4 to 3.6x1O-14 M/V2 for free-space light wavelength 590 nm and varies only slightly with temperature over the measurement range. Photomultiplier tube measurements at 633 nm at ?10°C found water to have a Kerr constant B ? 2.7 to 2.9x10-14 m/V2 while ethylene glycol had a negative Kerr constant B ? -(.8 to .9)x1O-14 m/V2. Water/ethylene glycol mixtures had an essentially linear variation of Kerr constant between these limits as a function of weight fractions, having a zero Kerr constant at about 79% glycol/21% water by weight . With pure water, a HV step has no volume charge at t=0. For times greater than 500 ?s, stainless steel and copper electrodes generally inject positive charge although under some conditions with mixed electrodes they injected negative charge, aluminum electrodes only inject negative charge, while brass electrodes can inject either positive or negative charge. Thus, by appropriate choice of electrode material combinations and voltage polarity, it is possible to have uncharged water, unipolar charged negative or positive, or bipolar charged water. Generally, the bipolar case allows a higher applied voltage without breakdown, presumably due to the lower electric field strengths at the electrodes due to the space charge shielding.
Solvent Effects on Electronic Spectra at Liquid Interfaces. A Continuum Electrostatic Model

The electronic absorption line shape of a model chromophore at liquid interfaces is numerically evaluated using electrostatic continuum theory. The interface is described as a sharp boundary separa...
Effect of experimental parameters on the ESI FT-ICR mass spectrum of fulvic acid.

Fulvic acid (FA) is a heterogeneous mixture of organic macromolecules found in the waters, soils, and sediments of the earth's surface. The ability of electrospray ionization (ESI) to effectively transfer large ions from the solution phase to the gas phase and the coupling of ESI to the high-mass-resolution capabilities of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) provide a potential method for the mass spectrometric analysis of FA. Positive- and negative-ion ESI FT-ICR MS analyses of four reference International Humic Substances Society FAs were performed. The spray solution composition was found to have a dramatic effect on the ion distributions, with high-mass aggregates (m/z ∼2000−4000) being formed in less polar spray solutions. Positive-ion spectra for each FA obtained under optimum conditions resulted in number-average molecular weights ranging from 1700 to 1900. The mass spectra were extremely complex, with ion distributions on the order of m/z ∼500−3000. The presence...
Polymeric implants for cancer chemotherapy

Cancer chemotherapy is not always effective. Difficulties in drug delivery to the tumor, drug toxicity to normal tissues, and drug stability in the body contribute to this problem. Polymeric materials provide an alternate means for delivering chemotherapeutic agents. When anticancer drugs are encapsulated in polymers, they can be protected from degradation. Implanted polymeric pellets or injected microspheres localize therapy to specific anatomic sites, providing a continuous sustained release of anticancer drugs while minimizing systemic exposure. In certain cases, polymeric microspheres delivered intravascularly can be targeted to specific organs or tumors. This article reviews the principles of chemotherapy using polymer implants and injectable microspheres, and summarizes recent preclinical and clinical studies of this new technology for treating cancer.
Cross-linking of maize walls by ferulate dimerization and incorporation into lignin.

Cross-linking of xylans and lignin by ferulates was investigated with primary maize walls acylated with 2% ferulate and with ferulate ethyl esters. Peroxidase-mediated coupling of wall ferulate and ethyl ferulate yielded mostly 8-coupled products, including three new dehydrodimers. Significant quantities of 5−5-coupled diferulate formed only within walls, suggesting that matrix effects influence dimer formation. Over 60% of wall ferulate dimerized upon H2O2 addition, suggesting that xylan feruloylation is highly regulated during wall biosynthesis to permit extensive dimer formation at the onset of lignification. During lignification, ferulate and 5−5-coupled diferulate copolymerized more rapidly and formed fewer ether-linked structures with coniferyl alcohol than 8−5-, 8−O-4-, and 8−8-coupled diferulates. The potential incorporation of most ferulates and diferulates into lignin exceeded 90%. As a result, xylans become extensively cross-linked by ferulate dimerization and incorporation to lignin, but only ...
Nutritional issues in cancer management

The objective of this article was to investigate the relationship between nutrition and cancer, as it relates to the initiation, promotion, and treatment of tumor growth. English-language studies published in the last 25 years were retrieved using MEDLINE, bibliographies, and consultation with experts. MEDLINE search terms included "cancer", "malnutrition," and "nutritional support." In vitro and in vivo controlled studies addressing the impact of nutritional factors on cancer prevention and treatment were selected. Approximately 30% of cancers in the Western countries are diet-related. The presence of malignancy affects patients' nutritional status negatively, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Standard nutritional support (both enteral and parenteral) is not always effective in significantly improving outcome in malnourished cancer patients, due to characteristic changes in host metabolism. Preliminary studies suggest that newer nutritional-pharmacologic agents may be beneficial in counteracting the derangement of host metabolism, and consequently in ameliorating cancer patients' nutritional status and outcome of malnourishment. This review suggests that dietary manipulations and nutritional-pharmacologic therapy might be highly effective adjuncts in controlling the symptoms of patients with neoplastic disease.
Role of obesity and adipose tissue-derived cytokine leptin during Clostridium difficile infection.

Obesity is among the most pressing health concerns in the world since it is increasingly common even in the developing world, and is clearly associated with increased risk for chronic debilitating diseases and death. Furthermore, obesity can influence the pathogenesis of infectious diseases by affecting the balance of pathogen clearance and pathological inflammation. The mechanisms that result in enhanced inflammation in obese individuals are poorly understood. Clostridium difficile is a major cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. Recent studies have shown that obesity is associated with increased risk of C. difficile infections. In this review, we will discuss our current knowledge of the role of obesity in determining risk of C. difficile infections, and focus on the role of the adipose tissue-derived cytokine leptin in C. difficile infections.