cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Listeria monocytogenes Internalizes in Romaine Lettuce Grown in Greenhouse Conditions.

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes has been implicated in a number of outbreaks involving fresh produce, including an outbreak in 2016 resulting from contaminated packaged salads. The persistence and internalization potential of L. monocytogenes in romaine lettuce was evaluated, and the persistence of two L. monocytogenes strains was assessed on three romaine lettuce cultivars. Seeds were germinated, and plants grown in three soil types (i.e., standard potting mix, autoclaved potting mix, and top soil) and sterile soft-top agar for up to 21 days. Average CFU per gram of L. monocytogenes on seeds and plants was calculated from five replicates per harvest day. Up to 8.2 log CFU/g L. monocytogenes persisted on romaine lettuce plants (Braveheart cultivar) grown in soft-top agar, while those grown in commercial potting mix (initial soil aerobic plate count of 4.0 × 104 CFU/g) had a final concentration of 5.4 log CFU/g, and autoclaved commercial potting mix had a final concentration of 3.8 ± 0.2 log CFU/g after a ...
Gyratory abrasion with 2D image analysis test method for evaluation of mechanical degradation and changes in morphology and shear strength of compacted granular materials

Abstract Mechanical degradation of granular materials can significantly influence the performance and durability of pavement systems. The commonly used Los Angeles (LA) abrasion test does not test the entire gradation of the material, nor simulate the compaction and field loading conditions. A new Gyratory Abrasion and Image Analysis (GAIA) test method was developed in this study and compared with the LA abrasion test for five granular material types. Results show that the GAIA test can address shortcomings of the conventional test, provide insight into mechanical behavior of granular materials during compaction, and enable performance-based specifications for field compaction of granular materials.
Abstract TP97: Experimental Stroke During Aging: Docosahexaenoic Acid Therapy Provides Robust Neuroprotection

Introduction: Recently we have shown that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is neuroprotective after experimental stroke in young rats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether treatment with DH...
Improving the hemocompatibility of biomedical composites

The challenge of every implantable device in contact with the circulating blood is managing the natural coagulation cascade response. Active debate continues on what constitutes adequate blood contacting performance and how this performance is assessed. While international standards of operation have been developed and are currently active, they constantly lag behind the speed of the technology development. A great deal of effort has been made for the development of hemocompatible devices. The majority of the current implantable solutions focus on sophisticated manufacturing methodologies that include more than one material and one phase (biomedical composite). They aim for a multidimensional function design striving to address the demands of the local and systemic environment, in addition to patient comfort and quality of life. These design advancements are expected to champion comprehensive solutions to the major cardiovascular applications domains: heart valves, vascular grafts, and stents.
Transcriptome responses of Streptococcus mutans to peroxide stress: identification of novel antioxidant pathways regulated by Spx

The oxidative stress regulator Spx is ubiquitously found among Gram-positive bacteria. Previously, we reported identification of two Spx proteins in Streptococcus mutans – SpxA1 was the primary activator of oxidative stress genes whereas SpxA2 served a backup role. Here, we used RNA sequencing to uncover the scope of the H2O2 (peroxide)-stress regulon and to further explore the significance of Spx regulation in S. mutans. The transcriptome data confirmed the relationship between Spx and genes typically associated with oxidative stress, but also identified novel genes and metabolic pathways controlled by Spx during peroxide stress. While individual inactivation of newly identified peroxide stress genes had modest or no obvious consequences to bacterial survival, a phenotype enhancement screen using the ∆spxA1 strain as background for creation of double mutants revealed that four of the five genes inactivated were required for stress survival. Physiological and biochemical assays validated, at least in part, the transcriptome data indicating that SpxA1 coordinates transcriptional changes during peroxide stress that modify global metabolism and facilitate production of antioxidants. Collectively, our findings unraveled the scope of the peroxide stress regulon and expand the repertoire of oxidative stress genes in S. mutans, shedding new light on the role of Spx regulation.
Redox-influenced trace element compositional differences among variably aqueously altered CM chondrites

Abstract It is generally agreed that the CM chondrites are remarkably compositionally uniform. To date, this observation has largely been based on major and selected trace element bulk elemental abundances. Here, we examine the trace element compositional uniformity of the CM chondrites in detail. We quantified the abundances of 43 trace elements in 21 CM chondrites displaying variable degrees of petrographically identified aqueous alteration. With these data, we used graphic and standard statistical methods for examining evidence for compositional differences with respect to degree of aqueous alteration. The results show that suites of variably aqueously altered CM chondrites have readily apparent and statistically significant trace element compositional differences. Higher degrees of aqueous alteration are associated with depleted bulk trace elemental abundances; however, when the variable mineralogy and hydration (H2O or OH) are taken into account, the compositional differences between variably aqueously altered suites of CM chondrites largely disappear. Nevertheless, some trace elements still show statistically significant differences between suites of CM chondrites that experienced extensive and milder degrees of aqueous alteration. These elements are observed to be redox sensitive species (e.g. Mn, Zn, Mo, Re, U), whose mobilities between aqueous solutions and solids are mediated by complex ions whose solubilities are sensitive to a complicated combination of either the presence of Mn or Fe (oxy)hydroxide surfaces, specific redox environments, solution pH, presence of organic matter, and phyllosilicate surface binding. The studies suggest that the apparent compositional differences of these elements reflect an evolving redox environment during the history of the CM chondrites. It is unclear if the compositional differences between variably aqueously altered CM chondrites are the result of anisochemical (open system) aqueous alteration for some redox condition sensitive trace elements on the CM parent body or bodies or if the differences are the result of the meteorites’ terrestrial residence.
Water-soluble dendritic unimolecular micelles: their potential as drug delivery agents.

Abstract To explore the potential of dendritic unimolecular micelles in drug delivery systems, dendritic unimolecular micelles with a hydrophobic core surrounded by a hydrophilic shell were prepared by coupling dendritic hypercores with poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG] mesylate. The monomer selected to build the dendritic cores was 4,4-bis(4′-hydroxyphenyl) pentanol as this large monomer unit provides flexibility to the dendritic structure while contributing to the “container” capacity of the overall structure. Four generations of dendritic hypercores with six, 12, 24, and 48 phenolic end groups were prepared. Subsequent coupling reactions with PEG mesylate afforded four generations of dendritic unimolecular micelles. The micelles were characterized by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), 1H-NMR and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). The “container” property of micelles was demonstrated by solubilizing pyrene in aqueous solution. Entrapment of the model drug indomethacin in the dendritic micelles was achieved at 11 wt.% loading level, and preliminary in vitro release tests showed that sustained release characteristics were achieved.
Unions of oriented matroids

Union (or sum) is an operation on (ordinary) matroids that yields great insight into matroid structure. It has a wealth of applications and, as pointed out by Mirsky and others, allows the treatment without difficulty of problems whose solution has previously required extremely complex arguments. For all its power the operation is expressed simply in terms of independent sets. In this paper the corresponding operation for oriented matroids is formulated in a constructive way by making use of the multiply ordered sets introduced by Gutierrez Novoa, and algorithms are given for generating the union matroid. For simple oriented matroids, that is, oriented matroids whose underlying matroids are uniform, it is also shown that union yields another simple matroid, and that the union operation may be carried out by “concatenation” of two set systems. This construction is also useful in obtaining combinatorial types of some polytopes and convex polyhedral sets. In particular, concatenation is used to determine the polyhedral set found by Klee and Walkup as a counterexample to the (polyhedral) Hirsch and d-step conjectures.
Demographismus: Demographie als Ideologie?

In diesem Kapitel steht die Frage: „Was sollen wir tun?“ (Kant 2009: 288) im Vordergrund, insbesondere in ihrer ethisch-moralischen Wendung: Was ist gut und richtig? Diese Frage ist auch bezuglich lokaler Bevolkerungsentwicklungen nicht leicht zu beantworten. Es gab zwar schon Ende der 1970er Jahre Studien zu Chancen und Risiken demographischer Entwicklungen in deutschen Kommunen (vgl. Gob 1977, 1978 Bosch 1978 und Silkenbeumer 1979), trotzdem ist der Zusammenhang zwischen Bevolkerungsentwicklung und ihren sozialen Folgen in sozialwissenschaftlichen Theorien eher unterbelichtet (Bartl 2011: 25, 45 f., Siedhoff 2008, Barlosius 2007, Birg 2005: 200 und Kaufmann 2005: 22).
The Genitourinary System

The normal renal parenchyma is composed of tightly packed tubules and glomeruli which are delimited by a capsule. The tubules are situated on a thin basement membrane which is supported by a complex network of specialized interstitial fibroblasts [1, 2]. The interstitial cells also play important roles in the modulation of hemodynamic tubular reabsorption and erythropoietin production. There are at least two types of cortical interstitial cells and three types of medullary interstitial cells to accommodate the normal function of the organ. Importantly, the type 1 medullary interstitial cells are characterized by their prominent lipid storage capabilities and peroxidase activity.
In situ tensile study of PM-HIP and wrought 316 L stainless steel and Inconel 625 alloys with high energy diffraction microscopy

Abstract High-Energy Diffraction Microscopy (HEDM) was employed to measure and compare the evolving micromechanical state of two alloys, an austenitic stainless steel (316 L) and nickel-based alloy (Inconel 625) fabricated by both conventional methods and powder metallurgy with hot isostatic pressing (PM-HIP) during in situ uniaxial tensile testing. Each of the four materials was tested through the elastic regime to just beyond yield. HEDM was performed at room temperature in the far-field (ff) configuration at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source to measure grain-average elastic strains and subsequently derive stress tensors. The evolution of the normal stress component along the loading direction in individual grains as a function of macroscopic deformation is presented. Initially, grain-scale stresses in the loading direction are more heterogeneous in the wrought alloys than in the PM-HIP alloys. Notably, many peripheral grains in the wrought specimens are near yield even before load is applied. With increased loading, grain-scale stresses tend to homogenize in all specimens. Orientation fields measured using electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD) are used to determine grain morphologies and interpret the ff-HEDM data. The PM-HIP grains tend to be finer and rounder in shape than the wrought grains, potentially explaining the grain-scale stress distributions. Finally, yield strength and modulus of elasticity are measured for the four alloys and correlated to the resultant grain size and morphology from the fabrication processes.
Genetic transmission of vasculopathy in KK mice.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the genetic transmission of vasculopathy in KK mice. The existence of diabetic like glomerular lesions and genetically impaired tolerance to glucose makes the KK mouse a suitable animal for studies of diabetic genetic mechanisms. The nonoccurrence of significant glomerulopathy in various strains of mice with advanced metabolic disorders including intolerance to glucose allows the conclusion that a specific genetic component is necessary for the development of diabetic-like vasculopathy. Genetic influence is definitely necessary, in addition to various environmental factors, to produce advanced diabetic-like glomerulopathy in these mice. Certain environmental factors such as age, duration of the disease, and hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinism enhance the development and increase the severity of vasculopathy. The chapter presents a study in which transmission of significant glomerulosclerosis from the KK mice to healthy recipients was demonstrated by special mating procedures.
(Re)Defining American: Intersectionality and Coalition Building in the Rhetoric of Jose Antonio Vargas

This essay examines how Jose Antonio Vargas challenges the logics of citizenship during a time of rising old-fashioned nationalism and xenophobia, seeking to redefine “American” by calling his list...
Gene Expression Profiles Distinguish Children Who Develop Therapy-Related Myeloid Leukemia.

In children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), failure due to therapy-related myeloid leukemia (t-ML) is a devastating complication. Using a target gene approach, only a few host genetic risk factors for t-ML have been defined. Microarray analysis of gene expression allows for a more genome-wide approach to identify possible genetic risk factors for t-ML. We assessed gene expression profiles (12625 gene probe sets) using oligonucleotide-based arrays in diagnostic ALL blasts from 228 children treated on St. Jude ALL protocols (Total XIII) that included etoposide; 13 of these children developed t-ML. A group of 83 probe sets were significantly related to the time-dependent risk of t-ML, with principal component analysis plot (right panel) separating patients who developed t-ML from the others. Hierarchical clustering of the 83 probe sets grouped patients into 3 clusters (n=163, n=52, n=13), with the cumulative incidence of t-ML being significantly higher in the last cluster (p < 0.0001, left panel) compared to those of the other gene-expression-defined clusters. ![Figure][1] Figure A permutation test indicated that probe sets selected by chance are unlikely to obtain the observed distinct clusters (p=0.045). Distinguishing genes included transcription-related oncogenes ( v-Myb , Pax-5 ), cyclins ( CCNG1 , CCNG2 and CCND1 ) and Histone H4 . Common transcription factor recognition elements among similarly up- or down-regulated genes included several involved in hematopoietic differentiation or leukemogenesis (Maz, PU.1, FOXO4). This approach has identified several genes whose expression differentiates patients at risk of t-ML, and provides targets for assessing the germline predisposition to leukemogenesis. [1]: pending:yes
Good gone bad: One toxin away from disease for Bacteroides fragilis

The human gut is colonized by hundreds of trillions of microorganisms whose acquisition begins during early infancy. Species from the Bacteroides genus are ubiquitous commensals, comprising about thirty percent of the human gut microbiota. Bacteroides fragilis is one of the least abundant Bacteroides species, yet is the most common anaerobe isolated from extraintestinal infections in humans. A subset of B. fragilis strains carry a genetic element that encodes a metalloprotease enterotoxin named Bacteroides fragilis toxin, or BFT. Toxin-bearing strains, or Enterotoxigenic B. fragilis (ETBF) cause acute and chronic intestinal disease in children and adults. Despite this association with disease, around twenty percent of the human population appear to be asymptomatic carriers of ETBF. BFT damages the colonic epithelial barrier by inducing cleavage of the zonula adherens protein E-cadherin and initiating a cell signaling response characterized by inflammation and c-Myc-dependent pro-oncogenic hyperproliferation. As a consequence, mice harboring genetic mutations that predispose to colonic inflammation or tumor formation are uniquely susceptible to toxin-mediated injury. The recent observation of ETBF-bearing biofilms in colon biopsies from humans with colon cancer susceptibility loci strongly suggests that ETBF is a driver of colorectal cancer. This article will address ETBF biology from a host-pathobiont perspective, including clinical data, analysis of molecular mechanisms of disease, and the complex ecological context of the human gut.
Gender differences in diversion among non-medical users of prescription opioids and sedatives.

Background: Non-medical use of prescription drugs is a major public health concern in the United States. Prescription opioids and sedatives are among the most widely abused drugs and their combined...
Ultrathin Metasurface Wavelength-Selective Mirror for Millimeter/Terahertz Wave Fabry-Perot Cavities

We present an ultrathin metasurface working as both a highly reflective wavelength-selective mirror and a high transmittance output coupler for a semiconfocal Fabry-Perot cavity. The numerically optimized 2-μ m-thick metasurface achieves a peak reflectivity of R = 99.35% at ω0 = 94 GHz and peak transmittance of T ≈ 90% at the fourth harmonic (4ω0). Experimental results show that the metasurface FP cavity exhibits comparable quality factors to cavities enclosed by either a copper mirror or Bragg grating mirror. Our work highlights the potential for ultrathin metasurfaces to function as frequency selective mirrors in millimeter or terahertz wave cavities for various applications, such as nonlinear terahertz wave generation, material characterization, and imaging.
Local Labor Market Shocks and Earnings Differentials: Evidence From Shale Oil and Gas Booms

We show that a labor demand shock to specific workers (male workers with high school education) in a specific industry (oil and gas sector) can significantly impact earnings differentials within sectors not directly impacted by the productivity shock. Specifically, we estimate that areas impacted by the shale boom experienced a 3% decrease (2.7% increase) in the high-/low-skilled (male/female) earnings differential relative to unaffected areas. The corresponding effects on employment differentials are -4.4% and 3.7%, respectively. These effects are also observed within sectors not directly impacted by the boom. Results highlight the importance of considering the differential effects of technology shocks by education and gender in studying earnings inequality.
Trends in clinical trials performed in Chile.

BACKGROUND An increasingly large proportion of clinical trials is being conducted at non-traditional geographic regions such as Latin America. However, concerns have been raised that hosting countries may lack adequate research regulations and that clinical trials may not address local health needs. In this context, Chile has been hosting a relatively large proportion of clinical trials and has introduced new regulatory protections. AIM To study trends and characteristics of clinical trials in Chile, including the effects of regulatory protections and whether clinical trials are aligned with the local burden of diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data from clinical trials on pharmaceutical products registered over the last decade in Chile's Institute of Public Health was reviewed. Clinical trials were analyzed according to sponsorship, phase, disease studied, and whether distribution of trials according to diseases was aligned with the local burden of diseases measured in disability-adjusted life years. RESULTS Most of the 876 clinical trials analyzed were funded by external pharmaceutical companies and corresponded to late-phase trials. The most commonly studied disease groups were neoplasms, musculoskeletal disorders, other noncommunicable diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and kidney diseases, neurological disorders, and circulatory diseases. The distribution of clinical trials was partially aligned with the distribution of major causes of disease burden. The introduction of new regulatory protections was followed by changes in the number of trials studying certain disease groups associated with a high burden. CONCLUSIONS Clinical trials conducted in Chile over the last decade are largely funded by external pharmaceutical companies. Their distribution is partially aligned with local disease burden. The introduction of regulatory protections was followed by changes in the distribution of diseases studied.
The Convergence Rate of SGD's Final Iterate: Analysis on Dimension Dependence.

Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) is among the simplest and most popular methods in optimization. The convergence rate for SGD has been extensively studied and tight analyses have been established for the running average scheme, but the sub-optimality of the final iterate is still not well-understood. shamir2013stochastic gave the best known upper bound for the final iterate of SGD minimizing non-smooth convex functions, which is $O(\log T/\sqrt{T})$ for Lipschitz convex functions and $O(\log T/ T)$ with additional assumption on strongly convexity. The best known lower bounds, however, are worse than the upper bounds by a factor of $\log T$. harvey2019tight gave matching lower bounds but their construction requires dimension $d= T$. It was then asked by koren2020open how to characterize the final-iterate convergence of SGD in the constant dimension setting. In this paper, we answer this question in the more general setting for any $d\leq T$, proving $\Omega(\log d/\sqrt{T})$ and $\Omega(\log d/T)$ lower bounds for the sub-optimality of the final iterate of SGD in minimizing non-smooth Lipschitz convex and strongly convex functions respectively with standard step size schedules. Our results provide the first general dimension dependent lower bound on the convergence of SGD's final iterate, partially resolving a COLT open question raised by koren2020open. We also present further evidence to show the correct rate in one dimension should be $\Theta(1/\sqrt{T})$, such as a proof of a tight $O(1/\sqrt{T})$ upper bound for one-dimensional special cases in settings more general than koren2020open.
Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Concussion in the Acute Setting.

ABSTRACT Concussion, a type of mild traumatic brain injury, is a common injury encountered by providers caring for pediatric patients in the emergency department (ED) setting. Our understanding of the pathophysiologic basis for symptom and recovery trajectories for pediatric concussion continues to rapidly evolve. As this understanding changes, so do recommendations for optimal management of concussed youth. As more and more children present to EDs across the country for concussion, it is imperative that providers caring for children in these settings remain up-to-date with diagnostic recommendations and management techniques. This article will review the definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of pediatric concussion in the ED setting.
The Body and Desire: Gregory of Nyssa’s Ascetical Theology By R. A. Cadenhead (2018)

The Body and Desire: Gregory of Nyssa’s Ascetical Theology By R. A. Cadenhead (2018) Oakland: University of California Press, xii + 267pp.
COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Among Long-Term Care Facility Residents and Staff in South Carolina.

Abstract Objectives This study explored differences in COVID-19 incidence, mortality, and timing among long-term care facility (LTCF) residents and staff with those living in the community in South Carolina (SC). Design Longitudinal secondary data analysis. Setting and Participants Adults age ≥18 in SC with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis from 3/15/2020 and 1/2/2021 (n = 307,891). Methods COVID-19 data came from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). We included all COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths among adult residents. Residence and employment in LTCF were confirmed by SCDHEC. Descriptive statistics and trends for cases, hospitalizations, and deaths were calculated. We used Cox proportional hazards to compare COVID-19 mortality in LTCF residents and staff to community dwelling older adults and adults not employed in LTCF, respectively, controlling for age, gender, race, and pre-existing chronic health conditions. Results LTC residents experienced greater incidence of cases throughout the study period until the week ending on 1/2/21. LTCF residents with COVID-19 were more likely to be hospitalized compared to older adults in the community and 74% more likely to die (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.59-1.90), after adjusting. LTC staff experienced greater incidence of cases compared to adults not employed in LTCF until the week ending on 12/26/2020, while experiencing similar incidence of death compared to the similar community members. After adjusting, LTC staff had 0.58 (HR = 0.58; CI: 0.39-0.88) times lower hazard of death compared to community members that did not work in a LTCF. Conclusions and Implications Narrowing of the gap between LTCF and community-wide infection and mortality rates over the study period suggests that early detection of COVID-19 in LTCFs could serve as a first indicator of disease spread in the greater community. Results also indicate that policies and regulations addressing staff testing and protection may help to slow or prevent spread within facilities.
U.S. Households’ Children's Drink Purchases: 2006–2017 Trends and Associations With Marketing

Introduction Sugar-sweetened beverages contribute a large proportion of added sugar in young children's diets; yet, companies market sugar-sweetened children's drinks extensively to children and parents. This study examines the changes in children's drink purchases by U.S. households with young children and the associations with marketing practices. Methods Longitudinal Nielsen U.S. household panel data provided monthly volume purchases by children's drink category (sugar-sweetened fruit drinks and flavored water and unsweetened juices) among households with young children (aged 1–5 years) from 2006 to 2017. Differences by household race/ethnicity and income were assessed. The 2-part models examined the associations between household purchases and marketing (including price and brand TV advertising) for each category, controlling for sociodemographics. Data were collected and analyzed in 2019–2020. Results Households’ volume purchases of children's fruit drinks and unsweetened juices declined from 2006 to 2017, whereas flavored water purchases increased. Non-Hispanic Black households purchased significantly more fruit drinks (351.23 fluid ounces/month, 95% CI=342.63, 359.82) than non-Hispanic White (204.43 fluid ounces/month, 95% CI=201.81, 207.05) and Hispanic (222.63 fluid ounces/month, 95% CI=217.11, 228.15) households. Low-income households purchased more fruit drinks and fewer unsweetened juices than higher-income households (p Conclusions Despite expert recommendations that young children do not consume Sugar-sweetened beverages, households with young children purchase more sweetened fruit drinks than unsweetened juices. Extensive TV advertising for children's drink brands may exacerbate the racial and income disparities in sugar-sweetened beverage purchases. Public health initiatives to address sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by young children and restrictions on marketing sugar-sweetened beverages to children are necessary.
Social Isolation and Seating Patterns in an Experimental Hospital Dayroom

The design of psychiatric hospitals has been subject to particular criticism for its failure to perform adequately as a social setting. A number of authors (Bailey, 1966; Griffin, Mauritzen, & Kasmar, 1969; Osmond, 1957) have underscored the need for environmental research to investigate psychiatric hospital settings in the light of psychological and social needs. Spivack (1967) has testified to the auditory and visual perceptual distortions caused by the elongated tunnels and corridors prevalent in many psychiatric facilities. Esser, Chamberlain, Chappie, and Kline (1965) have studied the relationship between territorial behavior on a psychiatric ward and position in a dominance hierarchy. Sivadon (1970) has reported favorable therapeutic results at the Marcel Riviere Institute in France where the architecture, size, and spatial relationship of buildings were designed to meet specific therapeutic objectives.
Qualifications Desired by Employers for Entry-Level Archivists in the United States

Archivists occupy positions in a wide variety of agencies and institutions, presenting a broad diversity of professional responsibilities. It is important for employers to be able to identify individuals who possess the appropriate combination of educational preparation and practical training suitable to match the needs of their institutions. The author presents the results of a study designed to identify the qualifications desired by employers for entry-level archivists in the United States.
Climate Change and Temporal and Spatial Mismatches in Insect Communities

Publisher Summary This chapter demonstrates that the direction and magnitude of the effects of climate change on insect species are multifaceted. Warming from climate change will alter insect development time, voltinism, foraging behavior, emergence time, and survivorship. These changes, which alter population size and distribution, will affect the temporal and spatial dynamics of insect communities. Many insects provide important ecosystem services or affect human activities and the effects of climate change could alter these services or exacerbate these effects. Changes are occurring both spatially and temporally, and these changes result directly from changing climate and indirectly through interactions with species in lower (i.e. plants) and upper (i.e. predators) trophic levels. In addition, trophic cascades can occur such that changes in interactions between herbivores and their host plants affect higher trophic levels, and changes between predators and herbivorous prey can affect primary producers. Further, species traits such as dispersal ability, trophic level and degree of specialization are potentially good predictors of the effects of climate change. The prediction is that future communities will be dominated by mobile generalists, species with fast generation times, those that have high dispersal capabilities or those that have been dispersed around the globe by humans. Many of these species are already pests, and new species could become pests on new host plants or in new locations under climate change. These opportunists may affect important human activities, such as forestry and agriculture, with extensions into the role of forests as carbon sinks. Insects that provide important ecosystems services such as pollination or biological control could not fare as well.
LYMPHOEPITHELIAL LESIONS OF THE ORAL CAVITY. REPORT OF FOUR CASES.

Abstract Lymphoepithelial lesions constitute a group of conditions almost exclusively discussed in connection with tumors and tumorous diseases of the parotid salivary gland and swellings of the lateral neck. The present report has dealt with the clinical, microscopic, and etiological features of four similar examples originating in oral mucosa. A review of the literature has revealed seven similar conditions in this apparently unusual location, including three uncommonly described cases of papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum (“adenolymphoma”). Anatomic evaluation of oral lymphatic tissue, together with publication of similar lymphoepithelial lesions would, we believe, reveal a more common entity. In addition, such studies would aid in our understanding, classification, and treatment of such processes. Microscopic differentiation of such lesions from oral manifestations of lymphatic neoplasia remains of practical importance.
Phytoplankton-Bacteria Interactions: Ectohydrolytic Enzymes and Their Influence on Biogeochemical Cycling

Summary This lecture is designed to acquaint the viewer with the importance of small-scale phytoplankton-bacteria interactions to upper ocean biogeochemistry. Specific attention is placed on the role of the microbial loop as a major carbon flux pathway. The primary focus is on the role of membrane-bound ectohydrolytic enzymes, particularly ectoproteases, as a fundamental biochemical strategy employed by marine bacteria to degrade or ‘process’ phytoplankton organic matter. In doing so, these small-scale biochemical processes exert a profound influence on the biogeochemical cycling of a variety of elements in the upper ocean.
Müller cell protection of rat retinal ganglion cells from glutamate and nitric oxide neurotoxicity.

PURPOSE. Low concentrations of excitotoxic agents such as glutamate and nitric oxide decrease survival rates of purified retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In the retina, RGCs are ensheathed by retinal Muller glial (RMG) cell processes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether RMG cells could protect RGCs from these excitotoxic injuries. METHODS. RGCs were purified from 7- or 8-day-old Long Evans rats and cultured on polylysine/ laminin-coated coverslips in serum-free medium for 2 days. The coverslips were then moved to dishes containing either confluent RMG monolayers or no glial cells in glutamate-free medium. Some dishes with confluent RMG cells were exposed to D,L-threo-b-hydroxyaspartate (THA), a blocker of glutamate uptake. Three days after exposure to various concentrations of glutamate or the NO donor, 2,29-(hydroxynitroso-hydrazino)bisethanamine, survival rates of RGCs were mea- sured by calcein-acetoxymethyl ester staining. Glutamate concentrations in the medium were measured using amino acid analysis. RESULTS. Without RMG cells, the application of increasing concentrations (5-500 mM) of glutamate caused a dose-dependent increase in RGC death after 3 days. The neurotoxic effects of glutamate were blocked in the RMG cell cocultures, even when there was no direct contact between the cell types. The protective effect of RMG cells was weakened by THA treatment. NO also had toxic effects on RGC. RMG cells prevented this toxicity but only when in direct contact with the RGCs. CONCLUSIONS. RMG cells can protect RGCs from glutamate and NO neurotoxicity. We suggest that functional disorders of glutamate uptake in RMGs might be one of the etiologies of glaucoma. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000;41:3444 -3450)
Identification and mapping of the gene encoding the glycoprotein complex gp82-gp105 of human herpesvirus 6 and mapping of the neutralizing epitope recognized by monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 2D4, 2D6, and 13D6 against human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) variant A strain GS recognized virion envelope glycoprotein complex gp82-gp105 and neutralized the infectivity of HHV-6 variant A group isolates. A 624-bp genomic fragment (82G) was identified from an HHV-6 strain GS genomic library constructed in the lambda gt11 expression system by immunoscreening with MAb 2D6. Rabbit antibodies against the fusion protein expressed from the genomic insert recognized glycoprotein complex gp82-gp105 from HHV-6-infected cells, thus confirming that the genomic fragment is a portion of the gene(s) that encodes gp82-gp105. This genomic insert hybridized specifically with viral DNAs from HHV-6 variant A strains GS and U1101 under high-stringency conditions but hybridized with HHV-6 variant B strain Z-29 DNA only under low-stringency conditions. DNA sequence analysis of the insert revealed a 167-amino-acid single open reading frame with an open 5' end and a stop codon at the 3' end. Hybridization studies with HHV-6A strain U1102 DNA localized the gp82-gp105-encoding gene to the unique long region near the direct repeat at the right end of the genome. To locate the neutralizing epitope(s) recognized by the MAbs, a series of deletions from the 3' end of the gene were constructed with exonuclease III, and fusion proteins from deletion constructs were tested for reactivity with MAbs in a Western immunoblot assay. Sequencing of deletion constructs at the reactive-nonreactive transition point localized the epitope recognized by the three neutralizing MAbs within or near a repeat amino acid sequence (NIYFNIY) of the putative protein. This repeat sequence region is surrounded on either side by two potential N-glycosylation sites and three cysteine residues.
Subdivision and developmental fate of the head mesoderm in Drosophila melanogaster.

In this paper, we define temporal and spatial subdivisions of the embryonic head mesoderm and describe the fate of the main lineages derived from this tissue. During gastrulation, only a fraction of the head mesoderm (primary head mesoderm; PHM) invaginates as the anterior part of the ventral furrow. The PHM can be subdivided into four linearly arranged domains, based on the expression of different combinations of genetic markers (tinman, heartless, snail, serpent, mef-2, zfh-1). The anterior domain (PHMA) produces a variety of cell types, among them the neuroendocrine gland (corpus cardiacum). PHMB, forming much of the “T-bar” of the ventral furrow, migrates anteriorly and dorsally and gives rise to the dorsal pharyngeal musculature. PHMC is located behind the T-bar and forms part of the anterior endoderm, besides contributing to hemocytes. The most posterior domain, PHMD, belongs to the anterior gnathal segments and gives rise to a few somatic muscles, but also to hemocytes. The procephalic region flanking the ventral furrow also contributes to head mesoderm (secondary head mesoderm, SHM) that segregates from the surface after the ventral furrow has invaginated, indicating that gastrulation in the procephalon is much more protracted than in the trunk. We distinguish between an early SHM (eSHM) that is located on either side of the anterior endoderm and is the major source of hemocytes, including crystal cells. The eSHM is followed by the late SHM (lSHM), which consists of an anterior and posterior component (lSHMa, lSHMp). The lSHMa, flanking the stomodeum anteriorly and laterally, produces the visceral musculature of the esophagus, as well as a population of tinman-positive cells that we interpret as a rudimentary cephalic aorta (“cephalic vascular rudiment”). The lSHM contributes hemocytes, as well as the nephrocytes forming the subesophageal body, also called garland cells.
A domain decomposition preconditioner with reduced rank interdomain coupling

Abstract A preconditioner for the conjugate gradient solution of the linear system arising from a standard finite element discretization of a self-adjoint, second-order elliptic problem is proposed. To achieve an efficient implementation on multiprocessors, the preconditioner employs a domain decomposition strategy designed to substantially reduce the amount of interdomain (and therefore interprocessor) communication required to invert the preconditioner against the residual vector in each conjugate gradient iteration. A spectral equivalence result and some numerical experiments are presented.
Nasal epidermoid cyst with sinus tract

A 2-year-old girl underwent MRI evaluation of a prominent nasal bridge. A 1.0×0.6-cm midline nonenhancing lesion was seen embedded in the nasal bone that was isointense to gray matter on T2-W (Fig. 1, large arrow) images and demonstrated restricted diffusion (Fig. 2, arrow). There was a linear sinus tract extending from the lesion to the floor of the anterior cranial fossa (Fig. 1, small arrow). These findings are suggestive of a nasal epidermoid cyst. Differentials include nasal dermal sinus, anterior cephalocele, and nasal glioma [1]. Nasal dermoid and epidermoid cysts result from congenital failure of involution of the anterior neuropore and are best evaluated with MRI. Epidermoid cysts have less T1 shortening than dermoid cysts, which contain fat in addition to desquamated epithe-
Socialist Market Inequality

China's gradualist transition to markets, in which the Communist Party maintained pre eminent authority, spawned an economic ex pansion that has been anything but gradual. Thanks to the spectacular economic growth, the total number of people dwelling in poverty plummeted from 250 to 32 million in just over 20 years (Davis and Wang forth coming). But, soaring growth has also creat ed vast disparities in living standards. How do China's socialist-era institutions shape cur rent modes of stratification? Where are the major, new fault lines of inequality? Three new books put China's economic transforma tion into perspective, as they assess central dimensions of inequality. Together they pro vide a detailed picture of the new mecha nisms producing gaping social and econom ic disparities. In The State and Life Chances in Urban China, Xueguang Zhou examines macro historical trends in stratification covering the Mao era and the initial 14 years of the mar ket reform period (1949-1994). Building up on research on socialist stratification mecha nisms by Yanjie Bian and Andrew Walder, Zhou carefully constructs a portrait of social ist and reform-era social inequalities. Based on life-history surveys of over 5,500 respon dents in 22 variably sized cities and munici palities selected from six provinces, the find ings are especially useful for placing China's socialist and reform eras in comparative per spective. For example, Zhou finds that unlike the USSR and Eastern European socialist so cieties, which formed an ossified nomen klatura elite that consolidated its hold on power and privilege (Djilas 1961; Konrad and Szelenyi 1979), China did not develop an en during bureaucratic class with pronounced material advantages. Even though party cadres enjoyed minor privileges over rank and-file workers, political campaigns and mass mobilizations (such as the anti-rightist movement that purged over 530,000 intellec tuals from the party, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution) prevented the bureaucratic class from securing an enduring Thbe State and Life Chances in Urban China: Redistribution and Stratification, 1949-1994, by Xueguang Zhou. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2004. 400pp. $75.00 cloth. ISBN: 0521835070.
Zero-temperature properties of the two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet: A numerical study.

Using a modified Lanczos method we have studied the two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnetic model (at zero temperature) with lattices up to 24 sites. The ground-state and first-excited-state energies are evaluated. We show that the model is gapless in the thermodynamic limit in agreement with recent Monte Carlo simulations. Accurate results for the ``square ladder'' are also presented showing that this model is massive. The finite-size dependence of the results is discussed. In addition, we calculate the energy of a resonating-valence-bond state on finite lattices and its overlap with the exact ground state.
Confirmation of a 152 day periodicity in the occurrence of solar flares inferred from microwave data

Evidence for a periodicity of about 155 + or - 5 days in the production of energetic solar flares was reported in 1984 by Rieger et al. and Kiplinger et al. To see whether this periodicity is a persistent phenomenon, the occurrences of flares inferred from microwave data, which are available for most of the present and previous solar cycles, were examined. Strong confirmation of a 152 day periodicity in the time interval previously studied is found, demonstrating that these flares are a useful indicator for the observed periodicity. Evidence is found for persistence of the periodicity in the previous cycle (cycle 20). In cycle 20 the periodic modulation of the flare occurrence rate was weaker than in cycle 21, but the phase has apparently remained coherent through both cycles.
Anti-idiotypic antibody probes of neuronal nicotinic receptors.

Abstract Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies specific for the combining site on a monoclonal anti-nicotine were used in immunocytochemistry to localize nicotine binding sites on rat brain cortical sections and in immunoaffinity chromatography to isolate receptor from solubilized brain tissue. The receptor, which consists of two subunits with M r values of 43 and 50 kDa, was eluted from the anti-idiotype column with either pH 3 citrate buffer or 25 mM (−)-nicotine, but was not present in eluates from immobilized anti- Electrophorus acetylcholine receptor or anti-methotrexate. The anti-idiotypes specifically inhibited [ 3 H]nicotine binding to rat brain homogenate and (−)-nicotine inhibited anti-idiotype binding to brain sections based on abrogation of immunofluorescence staining. These results are consistent with the operational definition of the anti-idiotypes as the internal image of nicotine, and demonstrate their value as immunochemical probes of nicotinic receptors.
Elevation of the renal enzyme N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase in affectively disordered patients

A minority of patients with affective disorders experience mild elevations of the renal enzyme N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG). Some affectively disordered patients also have reduced concentrating ability and reduced creatinine clearance. Thirty-one affectively disordered patients were compared to 17 healthy controls, to evaluate whether these various renal abnormalities are associated with one another and to further examine the proportion of affectively disordered patients experiencing NAG elevations. Twenty-nine percent of patients had an elevated NAG, whereas none of the controls did (P less than .005). There was a trend for an association between elevated NAGs and reduced creatinine clearance (P less than .08), but no association was found between concentrating ability and either elevated NAG or reduced creatinine clearance.
On the Quantum Theory of the Third Virial Coefficient

The quantum theory of the third virial coefficient $C$ is discussed. Three types of intermolecular pair forces must be distinguished. (1) No bound or low-lying two- and/or three-body states exist. The first four terms of the low-temperature expansion of ${C}_{\mathrm{BE}}$ are obtained. They depend on the scattering length, the effective range, and a third length which cannot be inferred from scattering data. The limitations of the applicability of such expansions are discussed, both for ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ and ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$, by means of a comparison of the corresponding expansion for the second virial coefficient $B$ with detailed numerical results known for specific potentials. (2) Existence of a near zero energy level both for the two- and the three-body system. It is shown how in this case the actual potentials may be replaced by suitably matched boundary conditions on the two- and the three-body wave functions near the respective coordinate origins. It is first explained how the method applies to $B$. Then the leading term of $C$ is explicitly determined. (3) Existence of strongly bound two- and three-body states. An approximate expression for $C$ is given by treating the single atoms and the binary and ternary compounds as a system of three ideal gases in chemical equilibrium.