cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction webs in agroecosystems: beyond who eats whom

Studies of insect communities in agroecosystems have historically focused on a food web approach: who eats whom. Recent research has highlighted the importance of indirect effects in determining the abundance and distribution of insects and their effects on other insects and plants. These indirect interactions include apparent competition where an herbivore indirectly suppresses another herbivore by attracting shared predators, cases where predators or even other herbivores alter the behavior and/or physiology of herbivores in ways that result in decreased plant consumption, and mutualisms that can generate a network of indirect effects that alter the abundance of many species within a community. The consequences of these indirect interactions have been modeled and proof-of-concept studies have demonstrated their potential importance, but studies of the consequences of these interactions on crop yield are sorely needed. Documenting the prevalence and consequences of these indirect effects in multiple crops will allow researchers to compare and contrast responses across systems and identify key species or characteristics of agroecosystems that dictate when and where these effects are important. This research will ultimately allow growers to manipulate these interactions to increase ecosystem services provided by insects and increase crop yield.
Telomerase is activated in the prostate and seminal vesicles of the castrated rat

Telomeres, the repetitive non-coding DNA sequences found at the ends of all eukaryotic chromosomes, shorten with each cell division. It has been proposed that telomere shortening may be the counting element of a mitotic clock that keeps track of cell divisions; with shortening to a critical length acting as a senescence signal underlying cellular aging. The enzyme telomerase functions to maintain telomere length, thus allowing unlimited cell division, and has been associated with cellular immortalization and cancer. Stem cells have large, perhaps unlimited, replicative capacities. Since these cells are potentially immortal, we reasoned that they might posses active telomerase. We therefore assayed for telomerase activity in the stem cell enriched pools of the androgen-depleted sex accessory tissues in the castrated male rat. Following castration, the ventral prostate and seminal vesicles of the rat involute, losing approximately 90% of their cells by 21 days. These residual glands persist, and are enriched for stem cells, being capable of fully regenerating these glands if testosterone is re-introduced into the animal. We assayed telomerase activity in extracts from normal, involuted, and regenerating ventral prostate and seminal vesicles. Normal glands were found to be telomerase negative, whereas telomerase activity appeared as these glands involuted following castration. Conversely, telomerase activity disappeared during testosterone-induced regeneration of these residual glands. These results provide strong evidence for the ability of androgen to negatively-regulate telomerase activity in stem cell populations of the rat ventral prostate and seminal vesicles. and represent the first in vivo model system for the modulation of telomerase activity.
Electron spin resonance of iron-nitric oxide complexes with amino acids, peptides and proteins

Abstract Electron spin resonance is used to study the complexes formed in the reaction of ferrous ions and nitric oxide with amino acids, peptides and a variety of proteins. Hyperfine structure is used to determine the structure of the complexes made with amino acids and short peptides. Comparison of the signals of the protein complexes with those produced by protein constituents in the frozen state help to elucidate the structure of the protein complexes.
Dynamic bandwidth adaptation using recognition accuracy prediction through pre-classification for embedded vision systems

Empowered by the massive growth of camera enabled mobile devices; mobile applications that allow users to perceive and experience the world in richer and more engaging ways have emerged at tremendous pace. As more complex perception algorithms are developed to take advantage of higher resolution imagery, future mobile applications will require application specific accelerators to maintain performance required for interactive user experiences. A key challenge in these accelerator-rich mobile platforms will be guaranteeing the off-chip memory bandwidth required by each accelerator. Device integration techniques such as Package on Package and Wide-IO seek to tackle the memory wall problem by reducing bottlenecks at the I/O interfaces. However, less effort has been focused on solving the bandwidth problem by dynamically leveraging the individual and collective bandwidth characteristics of accelerators operating concurrently. This work investigates the off-chip bandwidth characteristics of accelerators in the context of embedded perceptual computing applications. A bandwidth aware feedback system is proposed that dynamically partitions available bandwidth among a set of accelerators at the expense of application accuracy. As a case study, the proposed adaption policy is applied to a biologically-inspired scene understanding application. Results indicate that the system maintains good accuracy while requiring only 25% of the original bandwidth.
Influences on variation in territorial tenures of male white-faced dragonflies (Leucorrhinia intacta) (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Some individuals in species with extended periods of territorial occupancy may change territory locations within a single bout of territorial activity. Length of occupancy of mating territories among males in a local population of white-faced dragonflies (Leucorrhinia intacta) varied from more than 6 h to 15 min or less. Males with short tenures often established territories in several locations on the pond during a day. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain shifting territorial sites rather than remaining in a single site during one bout of territoriality. We attempted to test the hypothesis that males shift to leave low-quality sites. Site quality may be affected by costs of defense in relation to intruder rate and the mating benefits of holding the territory. To test whether variation in these possible effects of benefits and costs of territoriality influenced tenure, we manipulated local quality of oviposition substrate and perch density. The quality of oviposition substrate, but not perch density, influenced both potential benefits and costs of territoriality. Female density was higher in areas with good substrate, but so were rates of males intruding into the territories, rates of chasing by territorial males, and local density of territorial males. More matings occurred in areas with good substrate, but among males with tenures of 15 min or more, mating success per male and tenure lengths did not differ statistically among treatments. Defense costs were low for all treatments and perhaps were not an important influence on tenure duration. Territorial males in this population probably adjusted local density to expected mating success by initial choice of site rather than by varying tenure length. Variation in tenure length at a site resulted, in part, from stochastic external factors, such as predation attempts.
Raising Grandchildren: The Experiences of Black and White Grandmothers

This article contrasts the experiences of 398 White and 319 Black grandmothers raising their grandchildren in the absence of the middle generation. Similarities include age, education, familial relationship to the grandchild, age of the grandchild being raised, reasons that grandmothers are raising their grandchildren, behaviors characteristic of the grandchildren, and impacts on the grandmother's work life. Differences include marital status, work status, and income. Black grandmothers are more likely than White grandmothers to have peers who also live with their grandchildren. Black grandmothers are also more likely to come from families in which multiple generations lived together and to be receiving support from formal sources. White grandmothers experienced more burden from their caregiving role than did Black grandmothers.
Abstract #LB-253: The role of Desmoglein-3 in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO Background: Several microarray based studies have identified up-regulated expression of DSG3 in pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of DSG3 expression in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and to compare DSG3 with p63 , CK5 and CK6 as markers of squamous differentiation. Design: Expression of DSG3 mRNA was evaluated in bulk and laser capture microdissection derived microarray data and by quantitative RT-PCR on a total of 50 squamous cell carcinomas and 57 adenocarcinomas. Expression of p63 , CK5 , and CK6 was evaluated in the microarray data from the same set. Immunohistochemical study using antibodies directed against DSG3, p63, and CK5/6 was performed. Results: DSG3 was overexpressed in squamous cell carcinoma but had very limited expression in adenocarcinoma and in non-neoplastic lung. In our microarray data, DSG3 had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 98%, respectively in detecting SQCC vs. AD. In comparison, sensitivity and specificity was 92% and 82% for p63 , and 85% and 96% for CK5 , respectively. The correlation coefficient between the microarray data and immunohistochemistry for these genes was 0.9 and greater. By immunohistochemistry, sensitivity and specificity of DSG3 for lung cancers were 98% and 99%, respectively. Conclusion: DSG3 can be a useful ancillary tool to separate squamous cell carcinoma from other subtypes of the lung cancer. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr LB-253.
Structure and Evolution of Gulf Stream Warm-Core Rings: A Physical Characterization

A major field study was undertaken in 1981 and 1982 to examine the structure of Gulf Stream warm-core rings, the changes in structure with time, and the processes responsible for the observed changes. The research program was multi-disciplinary and included components from physical, biological and chemical oceanography, remote sensing, and mathematical modeling. This report focuses on the physical structure of warm-core rings and its change with time. Some ramifications of physical processes upon biology and chemistry are briefly discussed.
Maintaining Undesired Relationships

The widely documented tensions in Ireland, the Middle East, and the former Yugoslavia may illustrate some problems that result from social groups being unwillingly forced to coexist. A diverse set of constructs and theories are pulled together to help illuminate the characteristics that differentiate undesired relationships from their more desirable counterparts. The study of undesired relationships is founded on a set of assumptions that may differ from ones scholars often make when studying maintenance of more traditional relationships. Relationships can be unwanted for rational and/or emotional reasons. The rational reasons can be described as interference with personal goals, and the emotional reasons share the common factor of negative effect. For goal interference to make a relationship unwanted, the interference must have a lasting effect over time. External barriers are forces that originate outside the individual and make the person feel constrained to that relationship.
Genotyping has a minor role in selecting therapy for congenital long-QT syndromes at present.

Genotyping has led to enormous advances in understanding the phenotype and clinical course of the congenital long-QT syndromes (LQTS). In the most common LQTS forms, LQT1, LQT2, and LQT3, genotyping a clearly affected person in each family provides the ability to easily identify family members with reduced penetrance of the QTc and symptoms phenotypes, thus, providing also the opportunity to prevent sudden death and cardiac arrest by administering presymptomatic therapy. Response by Moss and Goldberg see p 227 The role of genotyping in selecting the therapy for LQTS is, on the other hand, unclear. Data from the literature and from the Salt Lake City LQTS database will be presented to show that genotyping has only a minor role in selecting therapy for LQTS. The discussion will primarily address the LQT1, LQT2, and LQT3 forms (caused by mutations of the LQT1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 genes)1 and the rare LQT4, LQT7, and LQT8 forms will be discussed briefly, and because so little is known about the new LQT9-11 forms they are not ready for a discussion of genotyping for therapy decisions. The pleural term “Long-QT syndromes” is indeed now very appropriate because of the diversity (both molecular and phenotype) of the conditions caused by the 11 accepted or proposed LQTS genes. The idea of genotype-based therapy has been discussed for some time, being encouraged by the experimental findings with mexiletine and flecainide in LQT3 and potassium supplementation in LQT2, plus other laboratory findings.2–8 The concept has received additional attention recently as some details outlining the complexity of the molecular substrate of LQTS are being reported.9–18 There are several concepts that are important for the discussion of this controversy. First, what we really want to accomplish by treatment is to prevent sudden death and aborted cardiac arrest. Most …
Viscoelastic functionally graded finite element method with recursive time integration and applications to flexible pavements

SUMMARY The finite-element (FE) method is used for modeling geotechnical and pavement structures exhibiting significant non-homogeneity. Property gradients generated due to non-homogeneous distributions of moisture is one such example for geotechnical materials. Aging and temperature-induced property gradients are common sources of non-homogeneity for asphalt pavements. Investigation of time-dependent behavior combined with functionally graded property gradation can be accomplished by means of the non-homogeneous viscoelastic analysis procedure. This paper describes the development of a generalized isoparametric FE formulation to capture property gradients within elements, and a recursive formulation for solution of hereditary integral equations. The formulation is verified by comparison with analytical and numerical solutions. Two application examples are presented: the first describes stationary crack-tip fields for viscoelastic functionally graded materials, and the second example demonstrates the application of the proposed procedures for efficient and accurate simulations of interfaces between layers of flexible pavement. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bifunctional Organometallic Catalysts Involving Proton Transfer or Hydrogen Bonding

Inspired by the cooperativity displayed by metalloenzymes, bifunctional organometallic complexes featuring pendant basic functional groups are designed and evaluated as catalysts in reactions for which enzymes are not suited. Anti-Markovnikov hydration of terminal alkynes is the focus, as are hydrogen bonding and proton transfer facilitated by the pendant groups.
Insights into the relationship of fatty streaks to raised atherosclerotic lesions provided by the hemorheologic-hemodynamic theory of atherogenesis

The hemorheologic-hemodynamic theory of atherogenesis suggests that atherosclerosis is a disease of low shear, which prolongs the residence time of atherogenic particles on the endothelium. Prolonged residence of lipid-rich particles results in a fatty streak. Prolonged residence of platelet microthrombi results in a raised lesion (atherosclerotic plaque). Thus, fatty streak and raised lesion development are independent processes. In contrast, received wisdom holds that fatty streaks are the precursors to raised lesions. The author examines anatomic and risk factor data for fatty streaks and raised lesions, including the results of the recent multicenter Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth study, in light of these two theories.
Cluster number density normalization from the observed mass–temperature relation

The number density of rich clusters in the local Universe is currently believed to provide the most robust normalization of power spectrum at a scale of 10 Mpc. This normalization depends very sensitively on the calibration between virial mass M and temperature T, which is usually taken from simulations. Uncertainties in the modelling, such as gas cooling and heating, can lead to a factor of 2 variations in the normalization and are thus not very reliable. Here we use instead an empirical M 5 0 0 -T relation derived from X-ray mass determinations to calibrate the method. We use results from dark matter simulations to relate the virial mass function to the mass function at observed M 5 0 0 . Using the relation of Finoguenov et al. we find that the best-fitting value in flat models is σ 8 = (0.77 ′ 0.07) (Ω m /0.3) - 0 . 4 4 Γ/0.2) 0 . 0 8 , where only the statistical error is quoted. This is significantly lower than previously obtained values from the local cluster abundance. A lower value for σ 8 is in a better agreement with cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure constraints and helps alleviate small-scale problems of cold dark matter models. Presently the systematic uncertainties in the mass determination are still large, but ultimately this method should provide a more reliable way to normalize the M-T relation. This can be achieved by obtaining a larger sample of well-measured cluster masses out to a significant fraction of the virial radius with BeppoSAX, Chandra and XMM-Newton.
Effective Pairwise Potentials in Copper-Gold Alloys

The improved statistical mechanical approximation developed by one of us is applied to the analysis of published experimental data on the short range order parameters in, and the diffuse X-ray scattering intensities from, the three stoichiometric copper gold binary alloys Cu 3 Au, CuAu and CuAu 3 . From this analysis, the corresponding effective pair-wise interparticle potentials extending upto the third nearest neighbor separation are determined. Using a plausible interpolation procedure, from these results for the three stoichiometric compositions, effective pair-wise interparticle potentials are estimated for all compositions in the range Cu 3 Au to CuAu 3 . Finally, using these estimates, the variation of the magnitude of the order-disorder transition temperature, T c , as a function of the system concentration is predicted. These predictions are then compared with the experimental data of Rhines, Bond and Rummel. The agreement of the theoretical predictions with the experimental data T c is found to ...
PsrA, the Pseudomonas sigma regulator, controls regulators of epiphytic fitness, quorum-sensing signals, and plant interactions in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000, a pathogen of tomato and Arabidopsis, occurs as an epiphyte. It produces N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) which apparently function as quorum-sensing signals. A Tn5 insertion mutant of DC3000, designated PsrA− (Psr is for Pseudomonas sigma regulator), overexpresses psyR (a LuxR-type regulator of psyI) and psyI (the gene for AHL synthase), and it produces a ca. 8-fold-higher level of AHL than does DC3000. The mutant is impaired in its ability to elicit the hypersensitive reaction and is attenuated in its virulence in tomato. These phenotypes correlate with reduced expression of hrpL, the gene for an alternate sigma factor, as well as several hrp and hop genes during early stages of incubation in a Hrp-inducing medium. PsrA also positively controls rpoS, the gene for an alternate sigma factor known to control various stress responses. By contrast, PsrA negatively regulates rsmA1, an RNA-binding protein gene known to function as negative regulator, and aefR, a tetR-like gene known to control AHL production and epiphytic fitness in P. syringae pv. syringae. Gel mobility shift assays and other lines of evidence demonstrate a direct interaction of PsrA protein with rpoS promoter DNA and aefR operator DNA. In addition, PsrA negatively autoregulates and binds the psrA operator. In an AefR− mutant, the expression of psyR and psyI and AHL production are lower than those in DC3000, the AefR+ parent. In an RpoS− mutant, on the other hand, the levels of AHL and transcripts of psyR and psyI are much higher than those in the RpoS+ parent, DC3000. We present evidence, albeit indirect, that the RpoS effect occurs via psyR. Thus, AefR positively regulates AHL production, whereas RpoS has a strong negative effect. We show that AefR and RpoS do not regulate PsrA and that the PsrA effect on AHL production is exerted via its cumulative, but independent, effects on both AefR and RpoS.
Insulin and neurodegenerative disease: shared and specific mechanisms

Insulin has functions in the brain and dysregulation of these functions may contribute to the expression of late-life neurodegenerative disease. We provide a brief summary of research on the influence of insulin on normal brain function. We then review evidence that perturbation of this role may contribute to the symptoms and pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. We conclude by considering whether insulin dysregulation contributes to neurodegenerative disorders through disease-specific or general mechanisms.
Generating De Bruijn sequences: an efficient implementation

This paper presents a concise and efficient implementation of a method of producing De Bruijn sequences. The implementation is based on a recursive method due to A. Lempel (1970). We provide code for a function that for each pair of integers n/spl ges/2 and 0/spl les/x<2/sup n-2/ returns a unique De Bruijn sequence of order-n. The implementation requires only O(2/sup n/) bit operations.
Alpha-COPI Coatomer Protein Is Required for Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Whorl Formation in Mosquito Midgut Epithelial Cells

Background One of the early events in midgut epithelial cells of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is the dynamic reorganization of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) whorl structures coincident with the onset of blood meal digestion. Based on our previous studies showing that feeding on an amino acid meal induces TOR signaling in Ae. aegypti, we used proteomics and RNAi to functionally identify midgut epithelial cell proteins that contribute to RER whorl formation. Methodology/principal findings Adult female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were maintained on sugar alone (unfed), or fed an amino acid meal, and then midgut epithelial cells were analyzed by electron microscopy and protein biochemistry. The size and number of RER whorls in midgut epithelial cells were found to decrease significantly after feeding, and several KDEL-containing proteins were shown to have altered expression levels. LC-MS/MS mass spectrometry was used to analyze midgut microsomal proteins isolated from unfed and amino acid fed mosquitoes, and of the 127 proteins identified, 8 were chosen as candidate whorl forming proteins. Three candidate proteins were COPI coatomer subunits (alpha, beta, beta'), all of which appeared to be present at higher levels in microsomal fractions from unfed mosquitoes. Using RNAi to knockdown alpha-COPI expression, electron microscopy revealed that both the size and number of RER whorls were dramatically reduced in unfed mosquitoes, and moreover, that extended regions of swollen RER were prevalent in fed mosquitoes. Lastly, while a deficiency in alpha-COPI had no effect on early trypsin protein synthesis or secretion 3 hr post blood meal (PBM), expression of late phase proteases at 24 hr PBM was completely blocked. Conclusions alpha-COPI was found to be required for the formation of RER whorls in midgut epithelial cells of unfed Aa. aegypti mosquitoes, as well as for the expression of late phase midgut proteases.
Air travel and seizure frequency for individuals with epilepsy

This study investigated whether air travel is associated with an increase in seizures for individuals with epilepsy. Thirty-seven participants monitored their seizure frequency for one week prior to flying and for one week after flying. For the sample as a whole, seizures were significantly more common after flying (p=.02). No seizures were reported as occurring during flight. Participants who experienced an increase in seizures after flying compared to those who did not (a) had a higher baseline of seizure frequency (p=.004), (b) were more likely to have previously experienced an increase in seizures after flying (p=.001), (c) were more worried about having a seizure while flying (p=.001) and (d) were more likely to avoid air travel (p=.02). Participants with complete seizure control prior to flying did not experience seizures after flying. Distance traveled, time zones crossed, duration of flight and direction of flight were not significantly different for those with seizure increase than for those without such an increase. This study suggests that air travel promotes an increase in seizures for those with a prior history of flight related seizures and a relatively high baseline seizure frequency.
Impact of Previous Local Treatment for Prostate Cancer on Subsequent Metastatic Disease

ABSTRACTPurpose: Metastatic prostate cancer, which is the precursor of most deaths from the disease, is treated most commonly with hormonal therapy. Generally the primary tumor is never treated. Due to evidence that controlling other primary neoplasms affects patient survival we examined the impact of radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy on the outcome in patients with metastatic prostate cancer in the context of a randomized clinical trial.Materials and Methods: Southwest Oncology Group Study 8894 randomized 1,286 men with metastatic prostate cancer to orchiectomy and placebo or orchiectomy and flutamide. We performed proportional hazards analysis of variables previously identified to have a significant impact on survival. In this analysis we determined the impact of previous radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy on survival.Results: Previous radical prostatectomy in patients with metastatic prostate cancer was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the risk of death (hazard ratio 0.77...
S100β induces apoptotic cell death in cultured astrocytes via a nitric oxide-dependent pathway

S100 beta is a calcium binding protein expressed primarily by astrocytes in the brain. In initiating studies of the toxic signalling pathways activated by high concentrations of S100 beta, we previously demonstrated that treatment of astrocytes with microM S100 beta results in a potent stimulation of the mRNA level and enzyme activity of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase, an enzyme previously implicated in glial pathology. We provide evidence here that NO formation stimulated by S100 beta can lead to cell death in astrocytes, with characteristics defined for apoptosis. Incubation of astrocytes with S100 beta for 48 h results in an increased percentage of astrocytes undergoing apoptotic cell death, as determined with the TUNEL technique, assays of DNA fragmentation and lactate dehydrogenase release. The cell death induced in responses to S100 beta addition correlates with the levels of NO formation, and an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase attenuates the NO formation elicited by S100 beta, as well as the cell death. Therefore, we propose that S100 beta has the potential to be trophic or toxic. Although S100 beta may be involved in development, homeostasis and repair, chronic overexpression of the protein may mediate toxic responses or even cell death.
Heterolayer mobility in the Bloch-Grüneisen range

Abstract It is shown that, for two-dimensional heterolayer conduction at low temperatures, the phonon-scattering contribution to the reciprocal of the ohmic mobility has a Bloch-Gruneisen regime, for low enough temperatures T , in which the deformation coupling gives a term proportional to T 7 and (for polar semiconductors) piezoelectric coupling gives a term proportional to T 5 . It is pointed out that there could be an intermediate temperature range with a slower T dependence.
Pelvic angioembolization in trauma – Indications and outcomes

Abstract Introduction Pelvic stabilization with angioembolization (AE) is steadily supplanting operative management for the treatment of pelvic hemorrhage in trauma. We aimed to provide a brief review of the indications, effectiveness and complications associated with AE for pelvic injuries. Methods We conducted a literature search using the terms "trauma," "angioembolization," and "pelvis" limited to studies published in the English language. Abstracts and full text were manually reviewed to identify suitable articles. Results The current brief review is based on content from articles published in the last 10 years related to pelvic AE for retroperitoneal hemorrhage after trauma. Discussion Pelvic injuries often require complex management because the high energy transfer causes concomitant injuries. Outcomes for hemodynamically unstable patients may be better with AE than with operative management. Conclusion Pelvic AE is the most effective intervention for management of hemorrhage associated with pelvic fracture in both hemodynamically stable and unstable patients. It can be used as the primary definitive intervention or in conjunction with operative management in the setting of concomitant intra-abdominal injury.
DISCONTINUITIES IN PRECIPITATION SERIES IN THE WEST AFRICAN SAHEL

Sequential application of the single shift Normal Homogeneity Test (NHT) to the time series of Sahel rainfall revealed three clusters of discontinuities or breakpoints separating climatically stationary periods: 1933–1944, 1955–1974, and 1980–1989. At least one breakpoint was detected in 33 of the 55 series analyzed, while two breakpoints occurred in 12. The breakpoints of 1933–1944 marked the termination of spatially localized droughts in western Burkina Faso and southern Mali. Generally speaking, the Sahel drought that began in the late 1960s, persisted into 1998. However, abrupt positive shifts that occurred during the late 1980s restored mean annual rainfall to pre-drought levels at isolated locations. The stationarity of the periods between breakpoints suggests that the abrupt shifts are the dominant source of inhomogeneity in Sahel rainfall. Unlike the widely used climatic normal periods (CNPs), stationary periods are suitable for calculating various empirical indices for application in agriculture ...
Navigating the Challenges of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Older Patients with Early-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a disease of older adults. In the US and worldwide, more than 60% of patients being diagnosed are over the age of 65 years. The preferred treatment of stage I-II non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is surgical resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy with a platinum-based combination is the standard of care for patients with early-stage NSCLC after surgery. However, there have been no large prospective studies to test the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in the elderly, the population most affected by lung cancer. The available evidence is limited to retrospective reviews of large population databases or post hoc analyses of prospective studies in age-unselected populations. This review aims to address the knowledge gap pertaining to the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in older patients with resected NSCLC. There are many barriers to use of adjuvant chemotherapy in older adults with NSCLC. The utilization of adjuvant chemotherapy amongst older adults has been slow but is improving. While the elderly may tolerate a lower dose intensity of chemotherapy compared with younger patients, they do garner benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. There is a lack of a standardized tool to risk-stratify older patients for adjuvant chemotherapy after resection. Geriatric assessment may help guide decision making in the clinical practice setting. The principles of geriatric assessment and commonly employed tools for such assessment will be reviewed. Further, the emerging therapies in adjuvant treatment of lung cancer based on genetic mutations will be discussed.
Perceptions of Future Career Family Flexibility as a Deterrent from Majoring in STEM

Research on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) “pipeline” has charted the loss of potential STEM talent throughout students’ secondary and postsecondary trajectories. One ...
Electrocardiogram of the Month: Telemetric Monitoring of the Electrocardiogram in Acute Myocardial Infarction

1. A relay telemetric system has been developed for constant monitornig of the electrocardiogram of patients with acute myocardial infarction. 2. Forty-four patients have been monitored for the first 72 hours in the hospital. Arrhythmias occurred in 96 per cent including a particularly high incidence of ventricular tachycardia. 3. Constant monitoring has altered our concept regarding the incidence and management of arrhythmias in infarction. Future paths of investigation are discussed.
A noble scientist

Everett reviews Noble Savages: My life among two dangerous tribes--the Yanomamo and the anthropologists by Napoleon A. Chagnon.
Site Balance Models in Plasma Processing: A Comparison to Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted of Cl+ impact (at 10, 25 and 50 eV) of an initially bare silicon surface, leading to steady state coverage of Cl in a mixed chlorosilyl layer. Our main goal in this study was to compare the MD predictions to models of ion-assisted etching involving the concept of a site balance. For the case of 50 eV Cl+ etching silicon, the coverage vs. exposure results in the simulation could be reasonably well reproduced in a site balance model, but only if the correct parameters in the model were taken from the simulation. The results of the comparison suggest that MD simulations can be helpful in the development of physically sound phenomenological models of ion-assisted etching.
Evaluation of feeding various sources of distillers dried grains with solubles in non-feed-withdrawal molt programs for laying hens

An experiment was conducted using 588 Hy-Line W-36 hens (68 wk of age) to evaluate if laying hens can be successfully molted by ad libitum feeding various levels of 3 sources of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Treatment 1 consisted of a 47% corn (C):47% soy hulls (SH) molt diet (C:SH) fed for 28 d (positive control). Treatments 2, 3, and 4 were molt diets containing 94% DDGS from the 3 sources fed for 28 d. Treatments 5, 6, and 7 were 32% C: 42% SH: 20% DDGS, from each of the 3 DDGS sources, also fed for 28 d. At the end of the 28-d molt period, all hens were fed a 16% CP corn-soybean meal layer diet. Body weight loss during the molt period was significantly greater (P < 0.05) for hens fed the C:SH diet (26%) than hens fed the diets containing DDGS, and the reduction in BW loss varied among DDGS sources. Feed intake was lower (P < 0.05) for the C:SH control treatment compared with most DDGS treatments. Hens fed the C:SH diet had egg production near 0% during the last 3 wk of the molt period. Hens on the other treatments did not have mean egg production below 17% during the molt period (wk 1 to 4), and the reduction in egg production varied among DDGS sources. Postmolt hen-day egg production (5-41 wk) did not significantly differ among treatments; however, egg mass and egg specific gravity were generally reduced (P < 0.05) for hens fed the 94% DDGS molt diets compared with hens fed the C:SH diet. This study showed that molt and postmolt performance responses varied among DDGS sources; however, none of the molt diets containing 20 to 94% DDGS yielded molt period reductions in BW or egg production similar to a 47% C: 47% SH diet.
Faith and Facebook in a Pluralistic Age: The Effects of Social Networking Sites on the Religious Beliefs of Emerging Adults

The rapid adoption of social networking sites (SNS) has prompted educators, parents, and researchers to consider the role SNS play in social life. Few scholars, however, have examined the effects of SNS on the religious beliefs of emerging adults. Drawing from Peter Berger’s concept of “plausibility structures” and his theory of pluralism, I explore whether young adults who use SNS are more likely to condone religious pluralism and syncretism. Using panel data from the National Study of Youth and Religion, I find that emerging adults who use SNS are more likely to think it is acceptable to pick and choose their religious beliefs, and practice multiple religions independent of what their religious tradition teaches, but they are not more likely to believe all religions are true. These findings suggest that exposure to broader networks through social media leads to increased acceptance of syncretistic beliefs and practices.
The Construction of the New Type Salary System

The salary system currently used in universities badly needs reform because of its many flaws. The main flaw is that it has prevented the reform of the internal management system as a bottle neck. Furthermore, it has prevented the implementation of the new "talents arms universities" strategy. That new reformed salary system will be fairer and easy to use. It will also improve the many salary functions and strengthen the bonds of the talented teamwork. That new reformed salary system will consist of four parts: Basic salary, Salary based on position, Salary based on performance Salary for special worker. It incarnates the function of making full use of existing capital to show the external competitive and internal fair of salary system, which is the requirement of the reform and innovation.
Hematologic consequences of Borna disease virus infection of rat bone marrow and thymus stromal cells

Borna disease virus (BDV) was previously believed to have a strict tropism for the nervous system. BDV has recently been identified by a reverse transcription-polymerization chain reaction-enzyme immunosorbent assay (RT-PCR-EIA) in bone marrow cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in BDV-infected Lewis rats. We now report the identification of BDV RNA and infectious virus in thymus cells from rats infected either as neonates (PTI-NB) or as adults (4 weeks of age). Based on in vitro studies, we determined that the BDV-infected cells in bone marrow and thymus tissue are fibroblastic stromal cells. Bone marrow stromal cells are nonhematopoietic, fixed-tissue elements that support hematopoiesis, and, thus, it was not surprising that BDV infection altered the recovery from granulocytopenia and leukocytopenia after myelosuppressive treatment. Notably, unlike other immunotropic and neurotropic viruses, BDV does not appear to infect cells of myeloid or lymphoid lineages. We also report the association between BDV in the thymus with the lack, or loss, of encephalitis in neonatally inoculated rats or adult-inoculated rats during the chronic stage of disease.
TH‐EF‐BRB‐06: Implementation of a Modulated‐Arc Total Body Irradiation (TBI) Technique Using the RayStation Treatment Planning System

Purpose: To develop a clinical workflow for delivering a modulated-arc total body irradiation (TBI) with RayStation scripting. This technique uses arc fields with the patient lying at floor level on a padded table and is validated through measurements taken on a custom-made TBI phantom. Methods: Treatment planning was performed for a retrospective cohort of eight patients with a diverse range of heights and body types. Each was replanned using an open-field dual arc method, with the patient in supine and prone positions on the floor of the vault. All plans were optimized using Raystation Planning 4.7.2.5 (RaySearch Laboratories, Stockholm, Sweden), with 200 cGy prescribed to the 95% of the body contour − 5mm. This results in an open-field beam that sweeps craniocaudally across the length of the patient. The technique is validated with measurements at 10 cm intervals in a custom-milled, 5 cm thick acrylic phantom. A centrally located CC13 ion chamber and a Mobile MOSFET (Best Medical Canada, Ottawa, ON) detector array were used to measure dose. Supine and prone arcs for each patient were consecutively delivered, and the aggregate dose at each point was compared to the planned dose calculated in the phantom. Results: The ion chamber measurements differed from the planned dose by an average of .5%, with a standard deviation of 2.1%. All measured data for the MOSFETS were within 10% of the corresponding planned dose except for two outlying points. The standard deviation of dose differences across the entire cohort was 4.0%. Most significant discrepancies occurred either in inhomogeneous regions with large gradients, or at inferior points where beam angle was steepest. Conclusion: We have confirmed that the planned dose is well matched to our measurements within 10% for this method of planning and delivery. We are currently incorporating this technique into our clinical workflow. This work is supported by RaySearch.
Dix-Hallpike Maneuver

The Dix-Hallpike maneuver, also termed the “head-hanging positioning maneuver,” is helpful in confirming the clinical suspicion of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This maneuver provokes abnormal nystagmus, which is a characteristic feature of BPPV.
Analysis of quinolinequinone reactivity, cytotoxicity, and anti-HIV-1 properties

We have analyzed a set of quinolinequinones with respect to their reactivities, cytotoxicities, and anti-HIV-1 properties. Most of the quinolinequinones were reactive with glutathione, and several acted as sulfhydryl crosslinking agents. Quinolinequinones inhibited binding of the HIV-1 matrix protein to RNA to varying degrees, and several quinolinequinones showed the capacity to crosslink HIV-1 matrix proteins in vitro, and HIV-1 structural proteins in virus particles. Cytotoxicity assays yielded quinolinequinone CC50 values in the low micromolar range, reducing the potential therapeutic value of these compounds. However, one compound, 6,7-dichloro-5,8-quinolinequinone potently inactivated HIV-1, suggesting that quinolinequinones may prove useful in the preparation of inactivated virus vaccines or for other virucidal purposes.
A new genus and species of maimetshid wasps in Lebanese Early Cretaceous amber (Hymenoptera: Maimetshidae)

An interesting new maimetshid wasp is described and figured from the Early Cretaceous of Lebanon. Zorophratra corynetes Engel, new genus and species, differs in several important features from all other Maimetshidae and is classified within its own subfamily, Zorophratrinae Engel, new subfamily. A revised key to the genera of the family is provided, and attempts to incorporate all of those taxa known only as compression fossils. The genera of the family are organized into a revised classification, with the tribe Ahiromaimetshini Engel, new tribe, newly recognized within Maimetshinae, and the genus Turgonaliscus Engel, new genus, described for Turgonalus cooperi Rasnitsyn & Jarzembowski (resulting in Turgonaliscus cooperi , new combination ).
RNA force field with accuracy comparable to state-of-the-art protein force fields

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has become a powerful tool for characterizing at an atomic level of detail the conformational changes undergone by proteins. The application of such simulations to RNA structures, however, has proven more challenging, due in large part to the fact that the physical models ("force fields") available for MD simulations of RNA molecules are substantially less accurate in many respects than those currently available for proteins. Here, we introduce an extensive revision of a widely used RNA force field in which the parameters have been modified, based on quantum mechanical calculations and existing experimental information, to more accurately reflect the fundamental forces that stabilize RNA structures. We evaluate these revised parameters through long-timescale MD simulations of a set of RNA molecules that covers a wide range of structural complexity, including single-stranded RNAs, RNA duplexes, RNA hairpins, and riboswitches. The structural and thermodynamic properties measured in these simulations exhibited dramatically improved agreement with experimentally determined values. Based on the comparisons we performed, this RNA force field appears to achieve a level of accuracy comparable to that of state-of-the-art protein force fields, thus significantly advancing the utility of MD simulation as a tool for elucidating the structural dynamics and function of RNA molecules and RNA-containing biological assemblies.
A critical analysis of the development of the US research university and emergence of the neoliberal entrepreneurial model

This article examines the present-day US research university by exploring what is described as “neoliberal entrepreneurialism,” a phrase meant to capture the shift to a model of university innovation heavily tied to marketization and commercialization. The article also examines key historical periods that helped give rise to the contemporary neoliberal form. A particular focus is the commodification of research and research-related outcomes. Although the article highlights some of the benefits of the neoliberal model, the primary intent is critical in nature and thus focuses on negative aspects of the model. Related to the article’s argument is an important reality worth consideration: In addition to neoliberalism other competing influences (discussed in terms of “regimes of power”) continue to shape the contemporary US research university. In concluding, the article points to the need for other sources of influence, beyond neoliberalism, to shape emerging forms of entrepreneurial education.
Function of iron in plants with special emphasis on chloroplasts and photosynthetic activity

Iron was resupplied to tobacco that was severely iron-deficient and the chloroplasts investigated for chlorophyll, iron content, photochemical, and development aberrations and photosystem components. Ferredoxin was purified from normal and iron deficient tobacco leaves. Lower ferredoxin and chlorophyll content in iron-deficient leaves were found compared to normal leaves. The ferredoxin from normal and iron-deficient leaves had the same molecular weight as spinach ferredoxin (Sigma Chemical Co.) and shared a similar antigenic property.
PROPAGATION ALONG A SPHERICAL SURFACE

The basic theory of wave propagation around a sphere is given in outline. By utilizing the concept of surface impedance, the derivations are greatly simplified. The formal solution in the form of a slowly convergent series is transformed to a more useful form by following the method of G. N. Watson. A further transformation is made in order to obtain a formula which is suitable for very small curvature of the surface.
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Method for Co-Localization of mRNA and GFP

Co-localization studies using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and fluorescence immunohistochemistry have become commonplace. However, co-localization studies using GFP and mRNA in situ hybridization are rare, in large part because typical in situ hybridization reaction conditions often lead to the loss of GFP fluorescence. Here, we describe a new fluorescence mRNA in situ hybridization protocol using cRNA riboprobes that leaves GFP fluorescence intact. This protocol is based on a urea-based hybridization buffer and the Tyramide Signal Amplification system. This protocol should provide researchers engaged in the use of GFP with a solid starting point for adapting their own in situ hybridization protocols.