cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association study and genomic selection for tolerance of soybean biomass to soybean cyst nematode infestation

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, is one of the most devastating pathogens affecting soybean production in the U.S. and worldwide. The use of SCN-resistant soybean cultivars is one of the most affordable strategies to cope with SCN infestation. Because of the limited sources of SCN resistance and changes in SCN virulence phenotypes, host resistance in current cultivars has increasingly been overcome by the pathogen. Host tolerance has been recognized as an additional tool to manage the SCN. The objectives of this study were to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS), to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, and to perform a genomic selection (GS) study for SCN tolerance in soybean based on reduction in biomass. A total of 234 soybean genotypes (lines) were evaluated for their tolerance to SCN in greenhouse using four replicates. The tolerance index (TI = 100 × Biomass of a line in SCN infested / Biomass of the line without SCN) was used as phenotypic data of SCN tolerance. GWAS was conducted using a total of 3,782 high quality SNPs. GS was performed based upon the whole set of SNPs and the GWAS-derived SNPs, respectively. Results showed that (1) a large variation in soybean TI to SCN infection among the soybean genotypes was identified; (2) a total of 35, 21, and 6 SNPs were found to be associated with SCN tolerance using the models SMR, GLM (PCA), and MLM (PCA+K) with 6 SNPs overlapping between models; (3) GS accuracy was SNP set-, model-, and training population size-dependent; and (4) genes around Glyma.06G134900, Glyma.15G097500.1, Glyma.15G100900.3, Glyma.15G105400, Glyma.15G107200, and Glyma.19G121200.1 (Table 4). Glyma.06G134900, Glyma.15G097500.1, Glyma.15G100900.3, Glyma.15G105400, and Glyma.19G121200.1 are best candidates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report highlighting SNP markers associated with tolerance index based on biomass reduction under SCN infestation in soybean. This research opens a new approach to use SCN tolerance in soybean breeding and the SNP markers will provide a tool for breeders to select for SCN tolerance.
G protein coupled receptor kinases modulate Caenorhabditis elegans reactions to heat stresses.

Abstract In this report, we explored if G protein coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) can help modulate the heat stress responses of Caenorhabditis (C.) elegans. Loss of function grk-2 C. elegans mutants were more tolerant to increases in heat and display an ability for heat stress-associated hormesis at a longer exposure time unlike the wild type N2 animals and the loss of function grk-1 C. elegans mutants. The loss of function grk-1 mutants recovered more from acute heat stress compared to the wild type N2 animals. Animals with low Ce-GRK2 protein expression showed increased DAF-16 nuclear localization during the early stages of heat stress exposure compared to the other RNAi-treated animals, demonstrating altered insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) pathway activity in response to the stress. pdk-1 and akt-1 may play key roles in conjunction with Ce-GRK2 in the heat stress response. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that GRKs influence C. elegans heat stress behaviors.
Activation of ATM kinase by ROS generated during ionophore-induced mitophagy in human T and B cell malignancies

Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a critical DNA damage sensor, also possesses non-nuclear functions owing to its presence in extra-nuclear compartments, including peroxisomes, lysosomes, and mitochondria. ATM is frequently altered in several human cancers. Recently, we and others have shown that loss of ATM is associated with defective mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) fibroblasts and B-cell lymphomas. Further, we reported that ATM protein but not ATM kinase activity is required for mitophagy. However, the mechanism of ATM kinase activation during ionophore-induced mitophagy is unknown. In the work reported here, using several ionophores in A-T and multiple T-cell and B-cell lymphoma cell lines, we show that ionophore-induced mitophagy triggers oxidative stress-induced ATMSer1981 phosphorylation through ROS activation, which is different from neocarzinostatin-induced activation of ATMSer1981, Smc1Ser966, and Kap1Ser824. We used A-T cells overexpressed with WT or S1981A (auto-phosphorylation dead) ATM plasmids and show that ATM is activated by ROS-induced oxidative stress emanating from ionophore-induced mitochondrial damage and mitophagy. The antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and glutathione significantly inhibited ROS production and ATMSer1981 phosphorylation but failed to inhibit mitophagy as determined by retroviral infection with mt-mKeima construct followed by lysosomal dual-excitation ratiometric pH measurements. Our data suggest that while ATM kinase does not participate in mitophagy, it is activated via elevated ROS.
A Short Chronological Review on the Syntheses of Amine-Boranes

Since their discovery by Burg and Schlesinger in 1937, amine-boranes have enjoyed a rich preparative history and have experienced reinvigorated interest as valuable compounds. These borane complexes have been implemented in a variety of applications, spanning from reagents in organic syntheses to hydrogen storage materials. The importance of amine-boranes derives especially from their reductive abilities. Given the utility of amine-boranes and their current resurgence, a mini review on their general properties and notable preparations is both timely and potentially of interest to organic and materials chemists alike.
Optogenetic activation of Gq signaling in astrocytes yields stimulation-specific effects on basal hippocampal synaptic excitation and inhibition

Abstract Astrocytes play active roles at synapses and can monitor, respond, and adapt to local synaptic activity. Although there is growing evidence that astrocytes modulate synaptic excitation, the extent to which astrocytes modulate inhibition remains unknown. Additionally, tools that can selectively activate native G protein signaling pathways in astrocytes with both spatial and temporal precision are needed. Here, we present AAV8-GFAP-Optoα1AR-eYFP (Optoα1AR), an astrocyte-specific viral vector that activates the Gq-mediated intracellular cascade via light-sensitive α1-adrenergic receptors. To determine if stimulation of Optoα1AR in astrocytes modulates hippocampal synaptic transmission, whole-cell recordings were made in CA1 pyramidal cells in slices with surrounding astrocytes expressing either Optoα1AR, channelrhodopsin (ChR2), or control green fluorescent protein (GFP). CA1 astrocytes were exposed to either low-frequency (0.5 Hz, 1-s pulses at increasing 1, 5, and 10 mW intensities, 90 s/intensity) or high-frequency (20 Hz, 45-ms light pulses, 5 mW, 5 min) blue light stimulation. Low-frequency stimulation of astrocytic Optoα1AR was insufficient to modulate the frequency or strength of either inhibitory or excitatory spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs/sEPSCs), whereas the same stimulation of astrocytic ChR2 produced increases in sIPSC frequency and sEPSC frequency and amplitude. By contrast, 20 Hz stimulation of astrocytic Optoα1AR increased frequency of both miniature IPSCs and EPSCs, and the miniature IPSC frequency effect was largely reversible within 20 min after light stimulation. These data demonstrate that Optoα1AR activation in astrocytes changes basal GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission but only following high-frequency stimulation, highlighting the importance of temporal dynamics when using optical tools to manipulate astrocyte function. Significance statement Astrocytes are critical components of synapses and are known to modulate glutamatergic synaptic transmission. However, the extent to which astrocytes modulate basal GABAergic transmission is less clear. Additionally, there is demand for tools that can activate physiologically-relevant signaling pathways in astrocytes with improved temporal precision. Here, we present a novel optogenetic viral vector, AAV8-GFAP-Optoα1AR-eYFP, to stimulate astrocytes with improved temporal control. We report that high-frequency (20 Hz) stimulation of astrocytic Optoα1AR produces changes in inhibitory and excitatory transmission in hippocampal CA1, but low-frequency stimulation (0.5 Hz) is insufficient. These findings suggest that astrocytes are sensitive to the temporal dynamics of optical stimulation, and reinforce the importance of careful consideration of stimulation paradigm when using optogenetic tools to manipulate astrocytic function.
Abstract P296: Utility of Routine Transfer for Patients Administered Intravenous Alteplase for Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Intravenous Alteplase is currently the only approved medical therapy for treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although complications are uncommon, AIS patients receiving IV Altep...
Reconstituted HDL as a therapeutic delivery device.

Abstract Studies of “pre β” high density lipoprotein (HDL) and reconstituted HDL (rHDL) have contributed to our understanding of the Reverse Cholesterol Transport pathway. The relative ease with which discoidal rHDL can be generated in vitro has led to novel applications including a) infusion of rHDL into patients to promote regression of atherosclerosis; b) use of rHDL as a miniature membrane for integration of transmembrane proteins in a native-like conformation and c) incorporation of hydrophobic bioactive molecules into rHDL, creating a delivery device. The present review is focused on bioactive agent containing rHDL. The broad array of hydrophobic bioactive molecules successfully incorporated into these particles is discussed, as well as the use of natural lipids and synthetic lipid analogs to confer distinctive binding activity. This technology remains in its infancy with the full potential of these simple, yet elegant, nanoparticles still to be discovered.
Survival after primary surgery compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage ovarian cancer

Objectives: Our study evaluates survival of women with early-stage ovarian cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) vs primary debulking surgery (PDS). Methods: We used the 2004-2015 NCDB to identify women with early ovarian cancer treated with multiagent chemotherapy and appropriate surgery. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of NAC. Overall survival estimates were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine variables. Results: In total, 14,627 women were included. The majority (96%) underwent PDS while (4%) underwent NAC. Median survival times were 40 months (95% CI [37.190-47.280], P Download : Download high-res image (124KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Women treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) had worse overall and 5-year survival. This finding agrees with the accepted convention of reserving NAC for women with advanced, unresectable disease.
Treatment of Contamination Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Contamination obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts of germs, dirt, or illness that elicit feelings of fear, anxiety, disgust, or discomfort and are associated with washing and/or cleaning compulsions. Contamination fears are present in roughly half of patients with OCD and are among the most disabling of OCD symptoms. The evidence-based treatments for contamination OCD include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) medication and cognitive behavior therapy, specifically exposure and response prevention. This chapter describes the case of a 24-year-old male with contamination OCD. The nature of his symptoms and functional impairment is described, and the treatment course is outlined in detail. The assessment approach is provided as well. Strategies for implementing psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and exposure and response prevention are explained, and several illustrative examples from this treatment are provided in this chapter. Key practice points include starting exposure practices early, providing psychoeducation, and theoretical explanation for exposure, and thinking creatively with the patient to titrate the level of difficulty of each exposure practice as appropriate throughout treatment.
Lectures on Nonstandard Models of Arithmetic: Commemorating Guiseppe Peano

Publisher Summary The chapter presents the active areas in the study of “Peano arithmetic,” or PA, which is the study of nonstandard models of arithmetic. Much early work concerned only “strong” nonstandard models of arithmetic rather than arbitrary models of PA. A nonstandard model was called “strong” if it elementarily extended the standard model N 0 = (ω;+,·,',O) and was of particular interest because of a lack of familiarity with the strength of PA The important fact about the order type of a model M = (M;+,·,' ,O) of PA is that M begins with ω and then follows this with the nonstandard or infinite integers. The significance of the infinite size of the nonstandard integers is manifold: code various paths to infinity and particularly in nonstandard analysis—such as simulate limit processes, code infinite sets, and code nonprincipal ultrafilters in the algebra of definable sets of natural numbers.
The Eleventh Circuit Creates Uncertainty by Applying the Rule of Lenity in United States v. Izurieta

On February 22, 2013, in United States v. Izurieta, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit found 18 U.S.C. § 545—a federal statute criminalizing the importation of goods “contrary to law”—ambiguous as to whether it criminalizes violations of a regulation and, as a result, applied the rule of lenity. In reaching this conclusion, the court rejected approaches espoused by two split circuits, instead examining whether the regulation appears civil or criminal in nature. To avoid this type of uncertainty, this Comment argues that courts should instead apply the rule of lenity consistently based on § 545’s ambiguous text and history, rather than examine the nature of each regulation.
A comparative study of LOCOS-type isolations for 256 Mbit DRAM

Three LOCOS-type isolations, viz. modified Scaled LOCOS (MSL), Sidewall Sealed MSL (SSMSL), and Recessed SSMSL (RSSMSL) are evaluated for the 0.6 /spl mu/m-pitch isolation of 256 Mbit DRAM. About 4000 /spl Aring/ field oxide grown in a 1100/spl deg/C wet ambient is found to be optimal for field oxide thinning and bird's beak "punch-through" effects. At a given pad oxide thickness of 100 /spl Aring/ the end-of-line encroachment is the largest for MSL isolation, which essentially rules out MSL as a possible candidate. Although both SSMSL and RSSMSL have similarly good isolation characteristics and diode leakages, only RSSMSL has the undesirable subthreshold double-hump effect and reduced gate oxide integrity, both of which are due to the sharp corners associated with the silicon recess etch of the RSSMSL structure. Therefore, for the three structure studied, only SSMSL is a viable candidate for the 0.6 /spl mu/m-pitch isolation of 256 Mbit DRAM.
mechanics of abdominal aortic aneurysm

In this paper we present a strongly-coupled, dynamic, fluid structure interaction analysis of the abdominal aorta in the presence of aneurysm, using an explicit finite element method. All dominating features of the biological system under study were taken into account, including blood dynamics and wall mechanics and the interaction between the two. The inclusion of the surrounding organs and structures that are in contact with the infra renal aortic segment added physiological realism to the simulation and proved to be a good approach to integrate the interaction of the aorta with its environment. A similar solution strategy could be advantageous to the study of other cardiovascular structures that require a strong coupling among fluid, solid and surrounding entity behaviors.
The long-term impact of intrauterine growth restriction in a diverse U.S. cohort of children: the EPOCH study.

Objective To explore the long-term impact of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) among a diverse, contemporary cohort of US children. Design and Methods A retrospective cohort of 42 children exposed to IUGR and 464 unexposed who were members of Kaiser Permanente of Colorado. Height and weight measurements since birth and measures of abdominal adiposity and insulin-resistance were measured at an average age of 10.6 (±1.3) years. Results Infants born IUGR experienced “catch-up growth” in the first 12 months of life at a rate of 3.58 kg/m2 compared to 2.36 kg/m2 in unexposed infants (P = 0.01). However, after 1 year of age, no differences in BMI growth velocity were observed. Nevertheless children exposed to IUGR had higher waist circumference (67.0 vs. 65.3 cm, P = 0.03), higher insulin (15.2 vs. 11.0 μU/ml, P = 0.0002), higher HOMA-IR (2.8 vs. 2.3, P = 0.03), and lower adiponectin levels (9.0 vs. 12.0 μg/ml, P = 0.003) in adolescence, independent of other childhood and maternal factors. Conclusions Our data from a contemporary US cohort suggests that children exposed to IUGR have increased abdominal fat and increased insulin resistance biomarkers despite no differences in BMI growth patterns beyond 12 months of age. These data provide further support for the fetal programming hypothesis.
Lincoln at Pace Law School

An article discussing Pace Law School Library's hosting of the traveling exhibit Lincoln and the Constitution.
A Preliminary Implementation for Vehicle Platoon Control System

This paper presents an implementation of automatic longitudinal control system for a platoon of vehicles. The goal of the control is to maintain vehicle spacings to within several feet, resulting in a substantial increase in a highway capacity. The objective of the paper is to demonstrate the feasibility of this idea by field tests with two vehicles. The authors have integrated all elements of the control system using readily available equipment. The importance of the platoon communication scheme is explained, and experimental results are used to illustrate how the system works.
Randomized phase III trial of treatment with high-dose interleukin-2 either alone or in combination with interferon alfa-2a in patients with advanced melanoma.

PURPOSETo compare the response rate, survival, and toxicity of treatment with high-dose intravenous (IV) bolus interleukin-2 (IL-2) plus interferon alfa-2a (IFN-alpha) with high-dose IL-2 alone in patients with advanced melanoma in a randomized phase III trial design.PATIENTS AND METHODSEighty-five patients with advanced melanoma were randomly assigned to receive IL-2 6 X 10(6) U/m2 per dose every 8 hours as tolerated for a maximum of 14 doses on days 1 through 5 and 15 through 19, or IL-2 4.5 X 10(6) U/m2 per dose, plus IFN-alpha 3 X 10(6) U/m2 using an identical schedule. A planned interim analysis was performed after 85 patients were entered, which forms the basis for this report.RESULTSPartial response (PR) occurred in two of 44 patients (5%; 95% confidence interval, 1% to 15%) receiving IL-2 alone, compared with four of 41 patients (10%; 95% confidence interval, 3% to 23%) receiving IL-2/IFN-alpha (P = .30). There were no complete responses (CRs). The median duration of response was 11.5 months (rang...
The conformal group and causality

Abstract Space-time transformations in Minkowski space are interpreted as neither “active” nor “passive” but as transformations of events and trajectories of processes with respect to the same observer and in the same flat space-time. The distinction is significant for the nonlinear special conformal transformations, which violate causality in the sense that the causal relations among events of a process are not always the same as among corresponding events of a transformed process. A special conformal transformation can always be found to transform the separation of any pair of events of nonlightlike separation from timelike to spacelike and vice versa. The transformation of trajectories under special conformal transformations is studied. Examples of reversal of temporal ordering by special conformal transformations are presented. Finally it is argued that none of this should prevent the conformal group from being physically useful.
Nutrient status of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) following whole-tree harvesting in Upper Michigan

Abstract Mineral nutrient status and biomass production of bracken, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, fronds and rhizomes were quantified immediately following a whole-tree harvest in Upper Michigan. Multiple sampling occurred between full leaf expansion and senescence to monitor mineral translocation from the fronds to the rhizomes, as well as differences in bracken mineral content between harvested and unharvested control sites. Bracken rhizomes on the harvested site had significantly higher concentrations of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium than the control site. Frond biomass production was lower on the harvested site, while rhizome biomass production showed no differences between sites. Rhizome P contents were significantly higher on the harvested site. Translocation of mineral elements from the fronds to the rhizomes during senescence was monitored. Nitrogen, P, and K were readily translocated, while Mg and calcium were not. The larger amounts of nutrients present in the rhizomes on the harvested site suggest increased nutrient uptake and, therefore, nutrient conservation by bracken may occur on a harvested site.
Power-scalable phase-compensating fiber-array transceiver for laser communications through the atmosphere

We report laboratory experiments demonstrating a phase-compensating 70-mm-diameter aperture transceiver that comprises a hexagonally close-packed array of seven 23-mm-diameter fiber collimator subapertures. Other than the collimators, the transceiver uses only fiber optics, connected as a master oscillator-multiple amplifier. The master oscillator is a fiber-coupled 1.5-µm diode laser, which is split and fed to 1-W fiber amplifiers before it exits the collimators. To obtain a phase-coherent far field we control each subaperture's phase by adjusting the current to its amplifier's pump diodes in a multidither arrangement, maximizing the signal at the receiver. We achieve a diffraction-limited coherent beam combination in the far field that produces 1.4 W of power in the main lobe, in agreement with theory.
Parallel and flexible imaging using two-photon RESOLFT microscopy with spatial light modulator control

High resolution imaging in three dimension is important for biological research. RESOLFT (Reversible Saturable Optical Fluorescence Transitions) microscopy is one technique can achieve lateral super-resolution imaging. Twophoton microscopy naturally generate high resolution in the longitudinal direction with less background compared to single photon excitation. In this paper, we combine these two methods to realize three-dimensional high-resolution imaging. Spatial light modulator (SLM) is used as a flexible phase mask of the microscopy. Multiple super-resolution focuses as an array or in arbitrary positions could be generated by phase retrieval. This microscopy by SLM control could applied to parallel two-photon RESOLFT imaging or multiple spots tracking in high-resolution.
Comments on the residual bilinearization method

Through theoretical analysis and computer simulation, this short communication comments on the residual bilinearization (RBL) method and compares it with non-bilinear rank annihilation (NBRA) for the treatment of second-order calibration with non-bilinear data. It is found that these two methods are mathematically equivalent but have different noise propagation properties. The second-order advantage, namely quantitation in the presence of unknown interferences, can be carried over to non-bilinear data only if there exists a net analyte rank (NAR) for the analyte of interest.
Herbivory potential of postlarval brown shrimp associated with salt marshes.

Abstract Laboratory feeding experiments were used to study the herbivory potential of postlarval brown shrimp ( Penaeus aztecus Ives). Plant materials fed to shrimp included Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve, Isochrysis sp., Spartina detritus, and Spartina epiphytes. A total of 16 treatments were derived from all possible combinations of the four materials. After 16 days the greatest increases in length and weight occurred in those treatments containing Skeletonema costatum ( Skeletonema group) followed by Spartina epiphytes exclusive of the presence of Skeletonema (epiphyte group). Shrimp growth did not occur in beakers with (1) no food, (2) Isochrysis sp. or Spartina detritus alone or (3) Isochrysis and detritus in combination ( Isochrysis -detritus-no food group). Ecdysis occurred in all treatments, except where no food was present, including those in which there was no measurable growth. Survival and growth were significantly higher in the Skeletonema and epiphyte groups compared to the Isochrysis -detritus-no food group. These results indicate that planktonic diatoms, such as Skeletonema , and epiphytes of Spartina are potential sources of nutrition for postlarval Penaeus aztecus in Spartina marshes.
Modified contemporary comparison sire evaluations from first, all, and later lactations.

Modified Contemporary Comparisons are calculated by the United States Department of Agriculture from first and later lactations, results of which form the published progeny evaluations for all lactations. Characteristics of such evaluations on 200 Holstein sires, each with more than 500 daughters in each data set in the Summer 1981 run, were studied. Predicted Differences for milk averaged 245, 286, and 292 kg for first, all, and later lactation evaluations, with standard deviations of 271, 253, and 254 kg. The average difference (later minus first) was 47 kg (standard deviation, 149 kg). Average absolute difference was 123 kg (standard deviation, 97 kg). Correlations were .95 between first and all, .84 between first and later, and .97 between all and later. The correlation between progeny test for first lactation and difference was -.38 (-.28 for absolute difference). Percent of first lactations culled was correlated -.49, -.47, and -.37 for first, all, and later evaluations. Important variables in prediction of later lactations were first, percent of firsts culled, and sire's age, with first alone producing a coefficient of determination of .71. Sire's age was correlated -.11, -.19, and -.23 with first, all, and later evaluations indicating possible differences in genetic trend for first and later progeny tests for these sires. Fat yield behaved similarly to milk except that correlations between progeny tests and sire's age or culling were less than for milk. Ranking of bulls for daughter milk yield in later lactation changed from first lactation.
Pharmacology of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Effect of acute and chronic nicotine

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mediate nicotine's diverse effects on the brain, spinal cord and autonomic nervous system. These receptors are composed of alpha and beta subunits. Eight different alpha and three different beta subunits have been identified in vertebrate nervous systems, giving rise to the possibility of multiple subtypes of nicotinic receptors, defined by their constituent subunits. The pharmacological and channel conductance properties of the recombinant receptor subtypes studied in cellular expression systems differ from one another. In addition, the regulation of the receptor density and function during and after acute and chronic exposure to nicotine appears to differ among the subtypes. The predominant receptor subtypes in specific brain regions and peripheral neurons are beginning to be identified and their characteristics studied using new ligands and methods. As more is learned of the differences among the receptor subtypes, it should be possible to identify which specific subtype mediates a specific function within the nervous system and which subtypes are associated with the reinforcing and addictive actions of nicotine.
A New End Game for Aphidicolin

Abstract A highly efficient, stereocontrolled synthesis of aphidicolin from its degradation product, 3α,18-isopropylidenedioxy-17-noraphidicolan-16-one, has been achieved.
Simulation of Procedure Variables Using Ada Tasks

We give a technique for partially simulating procedure variables using Ada tasks. The simulation involves using interface tasks, a technique which may be useful for other problems.
The reversible synthesis of bis(quinuclidine) alane

Abstract Aluminum hydride is a material that is well known for its high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen densities and thus is an attractive hydrogen storage compound; however, it is thermodynamically unstable at room temperature requiring 7 × 103 bar pressure to reform the hydride from Al and H2. An alternate method of AlH3 formation is possible using a reversible organometallic synthesis employing catalyzed Al powder, H2, and quinuclidine, or another tertiary amine, as an intermediate step. Additionally, many tertiary amines are known to react directly with AlH3 to form adducts. Previous work indicates that two polymorphs of quinuclidine alane exist, formed using an irreversible process that requires expensive starting materials (e.g. LiAlH4). The conditions of reversible adduct formation are detailed herein, as well as an analysis of quinuclidine alane by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.
Buddhist Idealism, Epistemic and Otherwise: Thoughts on the Alternating Perspectives of Dharmakīrti

Some influential interpreters of Dharmakīrti have suggested understanding his thought in terms of a ‘sliding scale of analysis.’ Here it is argued that this emphasis on Dharmakīrti's alternating philosophical perspectives, though helpful in important respects, obscures the close connection between the two views in play (identified by later commentators as ‘Sautrāntika’ and ‘Yogācāra’). Indeed, with respect to these perspectives as Dharmakīrti develops them, the epistemology is the same either way. Insofar as that is right, John Dunne's characterization of Dharmakīrti's Yogācāra as ‘epistemic idealism’ may not, after all, distinguish this perspective from Sautrāntika; indeed, epistemic idealism can be understood as just the view these positions share. Thus, what distinguishes the ‘Yogācāra’ section of Dharmakīrti's texts is simply his making explicit that epistemological commitments the Sautrāntika does (or at least can coherently) hold are already compatible with idealism. Sautrāntika and Yogācāra thus differ only when one turns to the metaphysical arguments that (on the idealist's view) additionally show that only such mental things as sense data could be real.
Ethnobotany in the Puuc, Yucatan

Ethnobotanical observations made in 4 weeks during the summer of 1970 are reported. Cooperation of a number of students participating in a University of Alabama summer class made the collection of information more complete, because the students lived in Ticul where many of the observations were made.
Applications of exercise radionuclide ventriculography in the clinical management of patients with coronary artery disease

Exercise radionuclide ventriculography is commonly used in patients with coronary artery disease, for both diagnostic purposes and patient management decisions. Both applications are reviewed in this article. There has been much debate as to the diagnostic efficacy of this test. Four factors influence this determination: (1) patient referral biases, (2) the optimal criteria for test interpretation, (3) the technique for performing radionuclide ventriculography, and (4) technical factors. The role of each factor is discussed. After consideration of these factors, it is concluded that the diagnostic efficacy of exercise radionuclide ventriculography is high. This test is used as a criterion for many patient management decisions, such as the need for coronary artery bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty. This test is well suited for such purposes because of its ability to quantitate the magnitude of ischemia. In addition to left ventricular ejection fraction, the importance of the following five wall motion variables are reviewed relative to the information they provide regarding ischemic magnitude: (1) extent, (2) magnitude, (3) time to onset and (4) duration of exercise-induced wall motion abnormalities, and (5) the paradoxical reversal of rest abnormalities following exercise. It is shown how consideration of all potential variables enhances the clinical utility of this test.
Position specificity of 13C31P coupling constants for methyl substituents in phospholes and 2—Phospholenes†

The 13C—31P coupling constant is much larger for a 2-methyl substituent (about 20 Hz) than for a 3-methyl substituent (about 5 Hz) in phospholes and 2-phospholenes, and appears useful for assigning structures in these compounds.
A randomized design for repeated binary outcomes used to evaluate continued effectiveness of a breast cancer control intervention strategy.

Abstract The literature has not discussed in detail design and evaluation strategies for the assessment of continued effectiveness of intervention strategies. In this article we present an approach to evaluating continued effectiveness with two repeated binary outcomes that are related to the use of preventive services. We present a two-stage design with independent randomization procedures for each of two successive controlled trials and discuss the implications of the randomization plan for the statistical evaluation. Intervention effectiveness for each year is determined by an adjusted odds ratio that compares the odds of procedure use for those who received the intervention to those who did not. Changes in the two adjusted odds ratios between successive years are assessed within the context of a regressive logistic model. We demonstrate these methods by applying them to the Metropolitan Detroit Project to Reduce Avoidable Mortality from Breast Cancer. In this project, computer-generated physician mammography reminders placed prominently in medical records were used to promote mammography referrals among women visiting primary care clinics during a 2-year intervention period. An assessment of the change in intervention effectiveness as well as an adjusted estimate of the overall intervention effectiveness for the 2 years were obtained from a multivariate regressive logistic model. The advantage of this approach was its potential for reducing bias and producing a balanced comparison between intervention groups during the second year of intervention. This issue was important because previous work indicated that having had a mammogram had a significant impact on subsequent mammography use. An important component in the implementation of this design was an information management system that facilitated doing two randomization procedures efficiently. As information and computer technology advance, and as more sophisticated information systems are used for data management, designs such as these become reasonable alternatives to consider. Control Clin Trials 1999;20:280–293
Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate by Using Serum Cystatin C and Serum Creatinine Concentrations in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Study Objective. To compare the predictive performance of four equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) relative to the gold standard measurement, iothalamate clearance, in patients with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) who have various degrees of kidney function. Design. Prospective, cross-sectional analysis. Setting. General clinical research center. Patients. Twenty-two adult (mean age 51 yrs) HIV-positive patients with various degrees of stable kidney function and with lean body mass considered normal for a well-nourished person. Intervention. Patients were administered a single dose of intravenous iothalamate 456 mg as a rapid infusion over 3 minutes, 1 hour after an oral fluid load of 600 ml of caffeine-free, sugar-free liquids. Measurements and Main Results. Serial blood and urine samples were obtained for determination of measured GFR. Estimated GFR values were calculated by using four equations: the Cockcroft-Gault equation, the simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study (MDRD) equation, an equation that incorporates serum creatinine and cystatin C concentrations, and an equation incorporating only serum cystatin C concentration. The predictive performance of the equations was determined by comparing the bias, accuracy, and precision of the estimates with the measured values. Body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The four predictive equations underestimated the measured GFR obtained by the iothalamate method, but the differences were not statistically significant. The MDRD equation and the equation that included both serum cystatin C and creatinine concentrations, as well as age, sex, and race, provided the least bias, most precision, and best accuracy in estimating the measured GFR. Conclusion. The MDRD equation and the equation that included both serum cystatin C and creatinine concentrations appear to provide accurate, precise, and relatively unbiased estimates of GFR in patients with HIV Larger studies are needed that include patients with muscle wasting and lipodystrophy in order to validate these preliminary observations and the effects of body composition on the predictability of GFR with use of these equations.
Isolation and characterization of Escherichia coli birA intragenic suppressors.

The biotin (bio) operon in Escherichia coli is negatively regulated by BirA, a bifunctional protein with both repressor and biotin-activating functions. Twenty-five heatresistant revertants of three temperature-sensitive birA alleles (birA 85, bir A 104 and bir A 879) were isolated and categorized into five growth and six repression classes. The revertants appear to increase biotin activation by raising the specific activity of BirA and/or, increasing the number of enzyme molecules. The 19 bir A 85 revertants displayed a broad range of activity for both enzyme and repressor functions, and may represent intragenic second-site suppressor mutations. The bir A 85 revertants included a novel class of bio superrepressor mutations. Repressor titration experiments suggested that many of the bir A 85 revertants increase BirA concentrations above wild-type levels because the repressors were not competed from the chromosomal bio operator by multicopy bio operator plasmids. The majority of the bir A 104 revertants resulted in both wild-type repressor and enzyme activity; they are possibly true revertants in which the amino acid residue altered by the bir A 104 mutation has been substituted by the wild-type or a chemically similar amino acid.
THE TYPICALITY OF PHASE TRANSITIONS IN SEARCH

Search is fundamental to artificial intelligence (AI) and numerous sophisticated search methods have been developed. We present a general, simple model of search processes and use it to analytically determine some typical behavior when applied to large problems. In particular, this identifies abrupt changes in overall search cost as small improvements are made in the underlying method. We also examine the robustness of this model's predictions in a range of more realistic cases. More generally, we introduce a criterion for determining when average case results reflect typical behavior which allows the method developed here to be used for investigating other large-scale behaviors of complex AI systems.
Photolability of NO in designed metal nitrosyls with carboxamido-N donors: a theoretical attempt to unravel the mechanism.

During the past few years, photoactive metal nitrosyls (NO complexes of metals) have drawn attention as potential drugs for delivery of nitric oxide (NO) to biological targets under the control of light. Major success in this area has been achieved with designed metal nitrosyls derived from ligands that contain carboxamide group(s). A number of iron, manganese and ruthenium {MNO}6 nitrosyls of such kind exhibit excellent NO photolability under low-power visible and near-IR light. The results of theoretical studies on these NO-donors have provided insight into (a) the electronic transitions that lead to photorelease of NO and (b) the structural features of the ligands that dictate the sensitivity of the nitrosyls to light of specific wavelengths. In addition, the results have afforded clear understanding of the electronic configurations of the various nitrosyls. This article highlights these results in a coherent manner. Good matches between the predicted and observed spectral features and NO photolability strongly suggest that theoretical studies should be an integral part of the smart design of such NO-donors in the future research.
Demystifying APA style

Many nursing schools and health care journals have adopted the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA stylebook) as their guide to achieve uniformity and consistency in manuscript preparation as well as in usage and writing style. Published in 2001, the fifth edition of the APA stylebook contains 440 pages and can overwhelm someone who tries to use it for the first time. This article delineates main points in the areas of manuscript preparation, reference lists, in-text citations, and style choices.
Acute Toxicity to Daphnia Pulex of Six Classes of Chemical Compounds Potentially Hazardous to Great Lakes Aquatic Biota

Of the six classes of chemicals potentially hazardous to Great Lakes aquatic biota, derivatives of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were the most acutely toxic (48-h EC 50) to Daphnia pulex. The other classes, listed in order of decreasing toxicity, were alky I halides, nitrogen-containing compounds, cyclic alkanes, heterocyclic nitrogen compounds, silicon-containing compounds. Of the 41 compounds representing the six chemical classes, 6 were extremely toxic (> 0.01 – 0.1 mg/L), 11 highly toxic (> 0.1 – 1.0 mg/L), 20 moderately toxic (> 1.0 – 10.0 mg/L), and 4 slightly toxic (>10 – 100 mg/L). The reference compound, p, p′DDT, was super toxic (< 0.01 mg/L). Based on toxicity and relative abundance (hazard ranking) of the 21 compounds that were detected in tissue of Great Lakes fishes, the classes of compounds that present the greatest threat to Great Lakes aquatic biota are PAH derivatives, alkyl halides, and cyclic aklanes.
Synthetic cell elements from block copolymers - Hydrodynamic aspects

Abstract Amphiphilic block copolymers can self-assemble in water into various stable morphologies which resemble key cell structures, notably filaments and membranes. Filamentous ‘worms’ of copolymer, microns-long, are briefly introduced, and related dynamics of copolymer vesicle ‘polymersomes’ are reviewed. Fluorescence visualization of single worms stretched under flow demonstrates their stability as well as a means to control conformation. Polymersome membranes have been more thoroughly studied, especially copolymer molecular weight effects. We summarize results suggestive of a transition from Rouse-like behavior to entangled chains. Viewed together, the results ask the question: what physics are needed next to mimic cell activities such as crawling? To cite this article: P. Dalhaimer et al., C. R. Physique 4 (2003).
Deletion of DnaK's Lid Strengthens Binding to the Nucleotide Exchange Factor, GrpE: A Kinetic and Thermodynamic Analysis†

In this study, we have used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal microtitration calorimetry (ITC) to study the mechanism of complex formation between the Hsp70 molecular chaperone, DnaK, and its cochaperone, GrpE, which is a nucleotide exchange factor. Experiments were geared toward understanding the influence of DnaK's three domains, the ATPase (residues 1-388), substrate-binding (residues 393-507), and lid (residues 508-638) domains, on complex formation with GrpE. We show that the equilibrium dissociation constants for the interaction of GrpE with wtDnaK, lidless DnaK(2-517), the ATPase domain (2-388), and the substrate-binding fragment (393-507) are 64 (+/-16) nM, 4.0 (+/-1.5) nM, 35 (+/-10) nM, and 67 (+/-11) microM, respectively, and that the on-rate constant for the different reactions varies by over 4 orders of magnitude. SPR experiments revealed that GrpE-DnaK(393-507) complex formation is inhibited by added peptide and abolished when the 33-residue flexible "tail" of GrpE is deleted. Such results strongly suggest that the 33-residue flexible N-terminal tail of GrpE binds in the substrate-binding pocket of DnaK. This unique mode of binding between GrpE's tail and DnaK contributes to, but does not fully explain, the decrease in K(d) from 64 to 4 nM upon deletion of DnaK's lid. The possibility that deletion of DnaK's lid creates a more symmetrically shaped molecule, with enhanced affinity to GrpE, is also discussed. Our results reveal a complex set of molecular interactions between DnaK and its cochaperone GrpE. We discuss the impact of each domain on complex formation and dissociation.
Emerging technological and cultural shifts advancing drylands research and management

Sustainable management of arid landscapes is complicated by extreme conditions that constrain biological responses to perturbation, great spatial complexity, and uncertain degrees of ecosystem resilience to climate change. Traditional approaches to the collection, management, and analysis of data from dryland monitoring efforts should consider these complications. Over the past century, research on drylands has gradually transitioned from short-term, plot-scale studies to long-term, regional- and biome-scale efforts. Two thresholds are imminent: a technological tipping point that will facilitate performing novel science using new techniques to collect, manage, and analyze data, and a cultural tipping point, where various research products are shared more freely and through different communication pathways. A new framework could be developed by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and implementing standardized practices regarding data collection, curation, and sharing.
Metal-Catalyzed 1,2-Shift of Diverse Migrating Groups in Allenyl Systems as a New Paradigm toward Densely Functionalized Heterocycles

A general, mild, and efficient 1,2-migration/cycloisomerization methodology toward multisubstituted 3-thio-, seleno-, halo-, aryl-, and alkyl-furans and pyrroles, as well as fused heterocycles, valuable building blocks for synthetic chemistry, has been developed. Moreover, regiodivergent conditions have been identified for C-4 bromo- and thio-substituted allenones and alkynones for the assembly of regioisomeric 2-hetero substituted furans selectively. It was demonstrated that, depending on reaction conditions, ambident substrates can be selectively transformed into furan products, as well as undergo selective 6-exo-dig or Nazarov cyclizations. Our mechanistic investigations have revealed that the transformation proceeds via allenylcarbonyl or allenylimine intermediates followed by 1,2-group migration to the allenyl sp carbon during cycloisomerization. It was found that 1,2-migration of chalcogens and halogens predominantly proceeds via formation of irenium intermediates. Analogous intermediate can also be...
Cluster-Expanded Prussian Blue Analogues

A method for expanding the pores in crystalline frameworks is demonstrated with the substitution of face-capped octahedral [Re6Q8(CN)6]4- (Q = Se, Te) clusters into the Prussian blue structure. The clusters react in aqueous solution with Ga3+ and Fe3+, respectively, to precipitate Ga4[Re6Se8(CN)6]3·xH2O and Fe4[Re6Te8(CN)6]3·xH2O. Rietveld analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data for the former compound confirms the expanded crystal structure, which features large water-filled cavities more than twice the volume of those in Prussian blue. The new materials can be dehydrated without loss of integrity, and maintain crystallinity at temperatures up to 250 or 300 °C. Further, the increase in void volume is shown to significantly enhance their capacities as molecular sieves and enable absorption of larger alcohol molecules such as ethanol and n-propanol. A soluble form of the black iron-containing phase exhibits a cluster-to-metal charge-transfer band at 736 nm, slightly lower energy than the metal-to-metal c...