cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The gut microbiota at the intersection of diet and human health

Diet affects multiple facets of human health and is inextricably linked to chronic metabolic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Dietary nutrients are essential not only for human health but also for the health and survival of the trillions of microbes that reside within the human intestines. Diet is a key component of the relationship between humans and their microbial residents; gut microbes use ingested nutrients for fundamental biological processes, and the metabolic outputs of those processes may have important impacts on human physiology. Studies in humans and animal models are beginning to unravel the underpinnings of this relationship, and increasing evidence suggests that it may underlie some of the broader effects of diet on human health and disease.
Faster Sickling Kinetics and Sickle Cell Shape Evolution during Repeated Deoxygenation and Oxygenation Cycles

Kinetics of cell sickling and morphological change have been recognized as important parameters that are correlated closely with altered blood rheology and vasoocclusion in microcirculation. A microfluidic transient hypoxia assay was developed to create repeated hypoxia-normoxia cycles for real time observation of repetitive sickling and unsickling of freely suspended red blood cells (RBCs) from sickle cell disease patients. Cell sickling behavior and kinetics were found to be influenced by its previous sickling-unsickling processes accumulatively, where those sickled RBCs that had a history of sickling in a previous hypoxia cycle would sickle again in subsequent hypoxia/sickling cycles and the collective sickling kinetics became progressively faster (with reduced delay time and higher sickled fraction versus deoxygenation time). Individual sickled RBCs would sickle into drastically different shapes randomly in subsequent hypoxia/sickling cycles, however, the collective shape distribution retained similar characteristics. These observations indicate a gradual worsening trend in sickling kinetics over repeated hypoxia cycles, as well as a relatively stable collective shape characteristics within a limited number of hypoxia-normoxia cycles.
T helper 17 (Th17) cells and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in cancer

Th17 cells are a specialized subset of CD4+ T cells that are essential in driving inflammation during autoimmune disease and infection through a signature cytokine IL-17. Th17 cells have been found in various human cancers. The function of these cells in cancers is highly context-dependent; both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing activity have been reported. IL-17 and IL-22, Th17-derived cytokines, influence the tumor microenvironment by directly promoting transformed cell properties and neighboring stromal cell activity. These cytokines are also involved in regulation of the immune system by modulating the activities of myeloid cells and T cells. These findings suggest that Th17 cells and their cytokines are a key mediator of cancer development, representing a potential target for cancer therapy. Herein, I review recent preclinical studies on the function of Th17 cells and IL-17 in cancer and discuss possible therapeutic approaches to harness Th17 cells for cancer immunotherapy.
Abstract 432: Rapamycin Can Ameliorate Antiretroviral Drug Mediated Cardiotoxicity

Introduction: In current therapy, due to application of combined antiretroviral drugs (cART), HIV related mortality significantly reduced, and AIDS became a chronic disease. Although, cART treatmen...
Suburban areas in flames: Dispersion of potentially toxic elements from burned vegetation and buildings. Estimation of the associated ecological and human health risk

The results of the assessment of burned residential and wildland areas associated with the July 2018 western Attica wildfire are summarised. The dispersion of major and trace elements in a fire impacted suburban landscape which is adjacent in the north with a Natura 2000 area is evaluated. The dataset includes 35 elements and 27 sampling sites spatially distributed in wildland and residential areas. Field observations and a macroscopic method were applied for investigating the wildfire severity. Statistical and spatial analysis tools were used for data treatment. Major and trace element contents were compared to levels and criteria provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment and Australian Department of Environment and Conservation. Aluminum, As, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb and Zn concentrations observed in wildfire ash pose potential risk to human health. Median ash concentrations for Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, S, Sb, and Zn exceeds the plant-avian-mammalian screening levels in wildland and residential areas. Geogenic or anthropogenic origin of the elements is discussed. The associated health risk on human health and terrestrial ecological receptors (plant, avian, mammalian) is assessed.
Mineralogy and density of Archean volcanic crust in the mantle transition zone

Abstract The composition of Archean volcanic crust can be characterized by a higher Mg/Si ratio than modern mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB), because of the higher degree melting from the warmer mantle in the Archean. Although modern MORB may become less dense than the surrounding mantle beneath the mantle transition zone (MTZ), the Mg-rich composition of Archean volcanic crust may result in the different density, and therefore different sinking behavior near the MTZ. In order to understand the compositional effect of Archean volcanic crust on the sinking behaviors and the scale of mantle mixing in the Archean, we investigated the mineralogy and density of Archean volcanic crust near the MTZ (470–910 km-depth). We conducted experiments at 19–34 GPa and 1400–2400 K using the laser-heated diamond anvil cell (LHDAC) combined with in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD). The in-situ XRD and the chemical analysis revealed that Archean volcanic crust forms garnet and ringwoodite (84 and 16 vol%, respectively), which gradually transforms to Brg and CaPv (82 and 18 vol%, respectively) at 23–25 GPa and 1800 K. Our in-situ XRD experiments allowed us to measure the volumes of stable phases and to estimate their densities at high pressure and temperature. The results suggest that Archean volcanic crust maintains greater density than the pyrolitic mantle in the Archean regardless of temperature at 20–34 GPa (570–850 km-depth), promoting further sinking into the deeper mantle in the Archean. We also considered the density of the subducting slab in the Archean. The density model showed that the subducting slab is still denser or at least equally dense as the surrounding pyrolitic mantle in the Archean.
Effect of Age of Exposure on Consumption of a Shrub by Sheep

We investigated the influence of age of exposure to a specific forage on its consumption by young sheep both during and after that exposure. Prior exposure to the shrub Cercocarpus montanus enhanced subsequent consumption (P less than or equal to .05) of that shrub by lambs and yearlings during two experiments in consecutive years. Effects of prior exposure persisted as long as 9 mo without intervening exposure. Age of exposure influenced consumption in lambs both during the period of exposure (P less than or equal to .0001) and during feeding trials following exposure (P less than or equal to .07) in Exp. 1. Lambs exposed at 1 to 5 wk of age, when they are nonruminant and normally are dependent on the dam, browsed less of the time while at the shrub (P less than or equal to .02) and consumed less of the shrub (P less than .02) at a slower rate (P less than or equal to .03) than did lambs exposed at older ages. Lambs exposed at 4 to 8 wk of age, a period corresponding to the transition from nonruminant to ruminant digestion, consumed more shrub following exposure than did lambs exposed at younger or older ages (P less than equal to .05, unprotected least significant differences test). In Exp. 2, which compared naive yearlings with the experienced yearlings exposed as lambs in Exp. 1 the previous year, age of exposure did not influence consumption by yearling sheep following exposure; however, the number of months that had elapsed from the period of exposure varied from 0 to 13 among experimental groups and may have confounded results. Learning of forages appeared poor among nonruminant lambs; data were inconclusive concerning the efficiency of learning of lambs in the transition to ruminant digestion.
Bayesian calibration of the DayCent ecosystem model to simulate soil organic carbon dynamics and reduce model uncertainty

Abstract Benefits of carbon sequestration in agricultural soils are well recognized, and process-based models have been developed to better understand sequestration potential. However, most studies ignore the uncertainty arising during model prediction—a critical requirement for scientific understanding, policy implementation and carbon emission trading. Furthermore, the dependencies created in process-based models due to many parameters and a relatively small set of empirical data hinder parameterization. We have implemented a Bayesian approach using the sampling importance resampling (SIR) method to calibrate the DayCent ecosystem model for estimating soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, and to quantify uncertainty in model predictions. A SOC dataset compiled from 19 long-term field experiments, representing 117 combinations of management treatments, with 491 measurements of SOC, was split into independent datasets for model calibration and evaluation. The most important DayCent model parameters were identified through a global sensitivity analysis (GSA) for parameterization and SIR was used to calibrate the model and produce posterior distributions for the most sensitive parameters. On average, the Bayesian calibration reduced the model uncertainty by a factor of 6.6 relative to the uncertainty associated with the prior. The Bayesian model analysis framework will allow for ongoing updates to the model as new datasets and model structural improvements are made in future research, and overall provide a stronger basis for models to support policy and management decisions associated with GHG mitigation through C sequestration in agricultural soils.
Expanding the link between circadian rhythms and redox metabolism of epigenetic control

Circadian rhythms play a central role in physiological and metabolic processes. This is mostly achieved through rhythmic regulation of myriad genes via dynamic epigenome changes. Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress and redox balance are under circadian control and feedback on the clock system. Circadian perturbations induce oxidative stress accumulation and disturb redox balance. Along with these changes, epigenomic landscape changes are a remarkable hallmark of clock disruption. This review aims to summarize evidence supporting the link between the circadian clock and redox metabolism, focusing on possible connections through epigenetic mechanisms.
Recurrent Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in an Adolescent Boy with End-Stage Renal Disease

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), also known as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, is a neurological entity characterized by acute change in consciousness, visual impairment, headache, and seizures. It is associated with autoimmune disease, immunosuppressive agents, organ transplantation, acute glomerulonephritis, and sepsis. Typically, vasogenic edema is seen in the white matter of parieto-occipital lobes but can also involve atypical locations such as frontal lobes, thalamus, basal ganglia, and gray matter. While occurring extensively in adults, few cases, especially recurrent episodes, have been described in children. We report a case of recurrent PRES in a 17-year-old boy with end-stage renal disease on a peritoneal dialysis program who initially presented with hypertension and seizures. He emergently received intravenous antihypertensive medication with immediate and sustained improvement in his mental status. Information about recurrent PRES in children is limited because it is not commonly seen. We examine the clinical features of PRES and highlight important points for the diagnosis and management of this rare syndrome. This report demonstrates the importance of pediatricians to consider PRES in the differential diagnosis in children presenting with acute altered mental status. Blood pressure measurements, which are often overlooked in pediatric care, may assist in correctly diagnosing patients.
Pharmacological Modulation of BET Family in Sepsis

The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis 3.0) recommended defining sepsis as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the host's uncontrolled response to infection. The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein family (such as BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4), an epigenetic regulator of gene transcription, has recently been recognized as a significant septic regulator of inflammation and immune response, including cytokine and chemokine production. Mechanistically, the two N-terminal conserved tandem bromodomains (namely the first bromodomain [BD1] and the second bromodomain [BD2]) favor the binding of BETs to acetylated histones or transcription factors, thereby initiating gene transcription machinery after CycT1 and CDK9 (also known as P-TEFb) are recruited to gene promoters to phosphorylate RNA pol II. Notably, BD1 and BD2 are not functionally redundant because they have different target genes in innate immune cells. Small-molecule BET inhibitors (BETis) for different BDs, such as I-BET, JQ1, I-BET151, apabetalone, RVX-297, and dBET1 have shown promising therapeutic effects in experimental sepsis models. This mini-review summarizes the emerging roles of BETs and the applications of BETis in sepsis, discusses the existing shortcomings of BETis, and introduces possible future research directions in this area.
Yet Another Predictive Model? Fair Predictions of Students’ Learning Outcomes in an Online Math Learning Platform

To support online learners at a large scale, extensive studies have adopted machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze students’ artifacts and predict their learning outcomes automatically. However, limited attention has been paid to the fairness of prediction with ML in educational settings. This study intends to fill the gap by introducing a generic algorithm that can orchestrate with existing ML algorithms while yielding fairer results. Specifically, we have implemented logistic regression with the Seldonian algorithm and compared the fairness-aware model with fairness-unaware ML models. The results show that the Seldonian algorithm can achieve comparable predictive performance while producing notably higher fairness.
The independent and combined influences of small for gestational age and socioeconomic status on newborn metabolite levels

To determine whether socioeconomic status (SES) and small birthweight for gestational age (SGA) exhibit independent or joint effects on infant levels of 42 metabolites.Population-based retrospectiv...
Application of machine learning in predicting hospital readmissions: a scoping review of the literature.

Advances in machine learning (ML) provide great opportunities in the prediction of hospital readmission. This review synthesizes the literature on ML methods and their performance for predicting hospital readmission in the US. This review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Statement. The extraction of items was also guided by the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS). Electronic databases PUBMED, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were systematically searched from January 1, 2015, through December 10, 2019. The articles were imported into COVIDENCE online software for title/abstract screening and full-text eligibility. Observational studies using ML techniques for hospital readmissions among US patients were eligible for inclusion. Articles without a full text available in the English language were excluded. A qualitative synthesis included study characteristics, ML algorithms utilized, and model validation, and quantitative analysis assessed model performance. Model performances in terms of Area Under the Curve (AUC) were analyzed using R software. Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool was used to assess the quality of the reviewed studies. Of 522 citations reviewed, 43 studies met the inclusion criteria. A majority of the studies used electronic health records (24, 56%), followed by population-based data sources (15, 35%) and administrative claims data (4, 9%). The most common algorithms were tree-based methods (23, 53%), neural network (NN) (14, 33%), regularized logistic regression (12, 28%), and support vector machine (SVM) (10, 23%). Most of these studies (37, 85%) were of high quality. A majority of these studies (28, 65%) reported ML algorithms with an AUC above 0.70. There was a range of variability within AUC reported by these studies with a median of 0.68 (IQR: 0.64–0.76; range: 0.50–0.90). The ML algorithms involving tree-based methods, NN, regularized logistic regression, and SVM are commonly used to predict hospital readmission in the US. Further research is needed to compare the performance of ML algorithms for hospital readmission prediction.
Epidemiology of community-acquired and recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection

Clostridioides difficile infection is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections with significant morbidity and mortality. For the past decade, the bulk of infection prevention and epidemiologic surveillance efforts have been directed toward mitigating hospital-acquired C. difficile. However, the incidence of community-associated infection is on the rise. Patients with community-associated C. difficile tend to be younger and have lower mortality rate. Rates of recurrent C. difficile infection overall have decreased in the United States, but future research and public health endeavors are needed to standardize and improve disease detection, stratify risk factors in large-scale population studies, and to identify regional and local variations in strain types, reservoirs and transmission routes to help characterize and combat the changing epidemiology of C. difficile.
Exploration of the influence of body mass index on intra-network resting-state connectivity in chronic cigarette smokers.

Abstract Background Obesity and cigarette smoking are two leading preventable causes of death. Previous research suggests that comorbid smoking and obesity likely share neurobehavioral underpinnings; however, the influence of body mass index (BMI) on resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in smokers remains unknown. In this study, we explore how BMI affects rsFC and associations between rsFC and smoking-related behavior. Methods Treatment-seeking cigarette smokers (N = 87; 54 % men) completed a BOLD resting-state fMRI scan session. We grouped smokers into BMI groups (N = 23 with obesity, N = 33 with overweight, N = 31 lean) and used independent components analysis (ICA) to identify the resting state networks commonly associated with cigarette smoking: salience network (SN), right and left executive control networks (ECN) and default mode network (DMN). Average rsFC values were extracted (p Results Analyses revealed a significant relationship between BMI and connectivity in the SN and a significant quadratic effect of BMI on DMN connectivity. Heavier smoking was related to greater rsFC in the SN among lean and obese groups but reduced rsFC in the overweight group. Conclusions Findings build on research suggesting an influence of BMI on the neurobiology of smokers. In particular, dysfunction of SN-DMN-ECN circuitry in smokers with overweight may lead to a failure to modulate attention and behavior and subsequent difficulty quitting smoking. Future research is needed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the interaction of BMI and smoking and its impact on treatment.
A student's perspective of a capstone course

The portrait of team dynamics in a capstone course is an intriguing saga rarely witnessed in full by the course's instructor. This student's perspective into one such course attempts to provide insights into the composition of the group and its effects on the course's outcome.
TGF-β signaling regulates fibrotic expression and activity in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Fibrosis of the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) is a predominant feature of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). While the nature of CTS has been extensively studied, little is known about the etiology of this disease. We investigated SSCT tissue from patients with CTS and control subjects using fibrosis arrays and cell culture analysis. Twofold changes in fibrotic gene expression were found in multiple genes from patient SSCT using fibrosis arrays. This data was confirmed via qRT-PCR on a subset of genes; collagen I (Col1), collagen III (Col3), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and SMAD3 (P < 0.05) which significantly corroborate the fold changes found in the fibrosis arrays. To further explore the nature of SSCT fibrosis, cells were isolated from patient and control tissue. Col1, Col3, TGF-β, and SMAD3 were highly expressed in patient SSCT fibroblasts as compared to control (P < 0.05). Further, fibrotic genes expression was decreased by inhibiting TGF-β receptor I (TβRI) activity (P < 0.05). TGF-β second messenger SMAD activity was significantly activated in SSCT fibroblasts from patients and this activation was abrogated by inhibiting TβRI signaling (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that blocking TGF-β signaling may be an important therapeutic approach to treating the underlying fibrosis of SSCT in CTS patients. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1444–1450, 2014.
Julius Drachsler's Intermarriage in New York City

AbstractJulius Drachsler's 1921 book, Intermarriage in New York City, examined 171,356 individual marriage license applications from New York City in the years 1908–12. The author found little intermarriage across social lines among immigrants but a considerable amount among their U.S.-born children. This study replicates Drachsler's by taking a 1% sample (N = 1,714 cases) of the same set of marriage license applications for the same years. The replication results show that Drachsler correctly found an increasing trend to intermarriage between the first and second generations, and with close to the same proportions as Drachsler's work. The replication study of New York City marriage licenses is also consistent with the results from a 1910 sample of married couples living in New York City, taken from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Sample. The replication study differs from Drachsler's reported findings on the extent of intermarriages across social lines of nationality and race, mainly due to the idios...
Tendon needling for treatment of tendinopathy: A systematic review

AbstractObjective. To summarize the best available evidence to determine if tendon needling is an effective treatment for tendinopathy. Data source. Medline and Cochrane Databases through November 2013. Review methods. Utilizing the search terms tendinopathy, needle, needling, tenotomy, dry needling, needling tendon, needle fenestration, and tendon fenestration, 17 articles were identified through our systematic literature search. Of these, 4 studies met the inclusion criteria. Four independent reviewers reviewed the articles. The study results and generated conclusions were agreed upon. Results. The studies that were included in this review suggest that tendon needling improves patient reported outcomes in patients with tendinopathy. In 2 studies evaluating tendon needling in lateral epicondylosis, one showed an improvement in a subjective visual analogue scale score of 34% (significant change > 25%) from baseline at 6 months. The other showed an improvement of 56.1% in a visual analogue scale score from...
On Avoiding the Influence of Implicit Leadership Theories in Leader Behavior Descriptions

Previous research has shown that questionnaire measures of leader behavior can be susceptible to response bias stemming from individual “implicit leadership theories.” The research reported here extended this work by exploring the impact of implicit theories in a managerial context, using both an objective leader behavior manipulation and a leader performance cue manipulation. The findings confirmed that the popular measure initiating structure as measured by the LBDQ, was indeed responsive to the performance cue manipulation in a manner consistent with previous implicit leadership theory research. However, results from more “behaviorally oriented” measures were not significantly responsive to the performance cue manipulation, but were shown to be very good representations of actual leader behaviors. The discussion focused on how researchers might reduce the bias stemming from implicit leadership theories.
Nitric oxide synthase in Muller cells and neurons of salamander and fish retina

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the biosynthetic enzyme of the signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO). NO donors have been reported to modulate conductances in cell types throughout the retina, from photoreceptors to ganglion cells. Previously, NOS immunoreactivity has been reported in amacrine cells and cells within the ganglion cell layer. Here, we have examined the cellular localization of NOS in the retinas of salamander, goldfish, and catfish using both an affinity-purified antiserum to brain NOS and NADPH diaphorase (NADPHd) histochemistry. These markers indicate that an NOS-like enzyme is localized not only to presumptive amacrine cells but also, depending on the species, to photoreceptor ellipsoids, to somata within the ganglion cell layer, and to horizontal cells. In addition to these neurons, our results indicate that Muller cells, the radial glia of the retina, also contain an NOS-like enzyme. In support of this latter conclusion, cells morphologically similar to Muller cells were positive for NADPHd staining in all three species. In salamander, NOS-like immunoreactivity, NADPHd staining, and binding of anti-GFAP (a marker for glia) were localized to cells that were morphologically indistinguishable from Muller cells. In goldfish, reactivity to both anti-NOS and anti-vimentin (a marker for glia) colocalized to radial processes extending through the inner retina to the inner limiting membrane. These observations are the first to indicate the presence of an NOS-like enzyme in Muller cells and suggest that these glia could be a ready source of NO for target neurons throughout the retina.
A Microprocedure for the Determination of 4-Pyridoxic Acid in Urine

A microprocedure for the estimation of urinary 4-pyridoxic acid which is apparently specific, yet simple enough for routine clinical use, has been adapted from the Fujita et al. (16-17) and Reddy et al. (22) procedures. Average values for urinary 4-pyridoxic acid for 7 women ranged from 3.8 to 6.9 µM/24 hr. by this method. These values are compatible with average daily intakes of vitamin B6 and indicate that by this method interfering fluorescent substances have been removed by chromatography. Good agreement was obtained with replicate analyses.
Discrepancies between direct catheter and echocardiography-based values in aortic stenosis

Objectives The goal of this article is to examine the correlation of catheter (cath) based and echocardiographic assessment of aortic stenosis (AS) in a community-based academic hospital setting, particularly in the degree that decision to refer for surgery is altered. Background Current guidelines discourage AS evaluation by invasive pressure measurement if echocardiography (echo) is adequate, but several studies show sizable differences between echo and cardiac catheterization lab (CCL) measurements. We examine this correlation using high quality CCL techniques. Methods Sequential patients with suspected AS by echo (n = 40) aged 61–94 underwent catheterization with pressure gradients via left ventricular pressure wire and ascending aorta catheter. The echos leading to the catheterization were independently reviewed by an expert panel to assess the quality of community-based readings. Results CCL changed assessment of severity of aortic valve area (AVA) by more than 0.3 cm2 in 25% and 0.5 cm2 in 8%. Values changed to over or under the surgical threshold of AVA < 1 cm2 in 30% of the patients. Pearson correlation of 0.35 between measurements of AVA by echo and CCL is lower than earlier studies, which often reported correlation values of 0.90 or greater. Echo expert reviews provided minimal improvement in discrepancies (Pearson correlation of 0.46), suggesting quality of initial interpretation was not the issue. Conclusions Cath–echo correlation of AS severity is lower in contemporaneous practice than previously assumed. This can alter the decision for aortic valve replacement. Sole reliance on echo-derived assessment of AS may at times be problematic. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
AGU Publications: Improvements for Authors and Readers

AGU has introduced several new features aimed at simplifying and improving the submission of papers to AGU journals. Enhanced PDF and HTML formats and new journal home pages developed with our publishing partner, Wiley, will also provide improvements for readers. In previous issues of Eos, we provided broader overviews of AGU publications, including the transition to Wiley and open access (Eos, 94(30), 264–266, doi:10.1002/2013EO300009; Eos, 94(39), 345, doi:10.1002/2013EO390006).
The Intersectional Potential of Queer Theory: An Example from a General Education Course in English.

The author describes how a pedagogical approach utilizing insights and principles from queer theory facilitated an intersectional analysis in a large lecture, general education course on “Gender, Sexuality, Literature and Culture” at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Higher excited states of benzene: Symmetry assignments of six gerade Rydberg series by four‐photon absorption spectroscopy

We report the observation of six gerade Rydberg series in benzene converging to the first ionization potential, seen in the region from 14 500–18 500 cm−1 as four‐photon resonances in the five‐photon ionization spectrum of the jet‐cooled molecule. Polarization ratios measured for each transition in two‐ as well as four‐photon resonance aid in determining excited state symmetries. We assign a Rydberg series with a quantum defect of 0.76 to higher members of the 3s Rydberg state first seen by Johnson in the near UV two‐photon resonant three‐photon ionization spectrum of benzene. The observed quantum defect, polarization ratios, and correlation with synchrotron absorption data all strongly support this assignment. Another series, with a quantum defect of 0.24, exhibits a polarization ratio of 4.5±0.5 signifying pure rank four activity. This is the first report of a purely rank four transition in a molecule. We assign this as an excitation to a d2 orbital which when converging to the first ionization potential (the 2E1g cation) gives rise to B1g and B2g Rydberg transitions. Within the D6h point group, these symmetries are allowed only in a four‐photon transition. The number of gerade Rydberg series observed as four‐photon resonances exceeds those available from the s‐(1) and d‐(3) bound members of a hydrogenic basis set. The participation of g(l=4) orbitals is indicated as the lowest members of two of the Rydberg series are at the n=5 level.
The Eocene Juncitarsus – its phylogenetic position and significance for the evolution and higher-level affinities of flamingos and grebes

Abstract The Early Eocene Juncitarsus was described as one of the earliest fossil flamingos, and played a critical role in the hypothesis of a charadriiform origin of Phoenicopteriformes. It has been noted that phoenicopteriform affinities of Juncitarsus conflict with the recently proposed sister group relationship between flamingos and the morphologically very divergent grebes (Podicipediformes), but a detailed assessment of the evolutionary significance of Juncitarsus in light of this new hypothesis has not yet been performed. Here, the affinities of Juncitarsus are reviewed, and its position as sister group of the clade (Phoenicopteriformes + Podicipediformes) is affirmed. The osteology of Juncitarsus suggests that swimming adaptations evolved in the stem lineage of this latter clade after the divergence of Juncitarsus. Charadriiformes remain among the candidate taxa for the closest extant relatives of flamingos and grebes, but more data are needed for well-supported phylogenetic hypotheses.
Efficient many-party controlled teleportation of multiqubit quantum information via entanglement

We present a way to teleport multiqubit quantum information from a sender to a distant receiver via the control of many agents in a network. We show that the original state of each qubit can be restored by the receiver as long as all the agents collaborate. However, even if one agent does not cooperate, the receiver cannot fully recover the original state of each qubit. The method operates essentially through entangling quantum information during teleportation, in such a way that the required auxiliary qubit resources, local operation, and classical communication are considerably reduced for the present purpose.
Linguistic focus affects eye movements during reading

In two experiments, we explored how readers encode information that is linguistically focused. Subjects read sentences in which a word or phrase was focused by a syntactic manipulation (Experiment 1) or by a preceding context (Experiment 2) while their eye movements were monitored. Readers had longer reading times while reading a region of the sentence that was focused than when the same region was not focused. The results suggest that readers encode focused information more carefully, either upon first encountering it or during a second-pass reading of it. We conclude that the enhanced memory representations for focused information found in previous studies may be due in part to differences in reading patterns for focused information.
Short Communication: Influence of Staphylococcus aureus Intramammary Infection on Serum Copper, Zinc, and Iron Concentrations

The goal of the present study was to characterize changes in serum trace mineral concentrations in cattle with experimentally induced Staphylococcus aureus mastitis. Nine primiparous Holstein-Friesian cattle were challenged with approximately 150 cfu of Staph. aureus ATCC29740 by intramammary infusion on d 6, 7, and 8 of lactation. Serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations were determined immediately before and at 24, 48, and 72 h after the final intramammary infusion of Staph. aureus. Infection status (cfu/mL of Staph. aureus), milk somatic cell count, and mastitis score were also determined at these times. Infection resulted in a decrease in mean serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations to 89, 83, and 81% of preinfection concentrations at 24 h postchallenge. One-way analysis of variance for repeated measures demonstrated a significant change in serum zinc concentration. The reductions in trace mineral concentrations were of less magnitude than observed following experimental E. coli mastitis.
The VCL hypothesis revisited: Patterns of femoral morphology among quadrupedal and saltatorial prosimian primates

The descriptive and functional morphology of the postcra- nium of the vertical clinging and leaping prosimians is of great interest in both adaptational and phylogenetic studies of extant and extinct primates. An analysis of patterns of femoral morphology among quadrupedal and saltatory living prosimians indicates the presence of at least two, and possibly three, distinct femoral adaptations to the demands of an arboreal, saltatory exis- tence. Osteological measurements were taken on 277 postcranial skeletons representing eight prosimian families, with skeletal trunk length (Biegert and Maurer, Folia Primatol. 17:142-156,1972) used as an estimator ofbody size in both bivariate and multivariate (discriminant function) statistical analyses. Whereas all extant vertical clingers and leapers share certain femoral traits (i.e., long femur, proximally restricted trochanters, ventrally raised patellar articular surface), Galagidae and Tarsiidae share features of the proximal femur (i.e., cylindrical head, large posterior expansion of articular surface onto the neck) that clearly distinguish them from the specialized leapers of the Malagasy Republic (Indriidae and Lepilemur). These latter animals closely resemble active quadrupedal Lemuriformes in possessing spherical femoral heads, with little posterior expansion of articular surface and a distinctive greater trochanter shape. Some traits suggested as being characteristic of vertical clingers and leapers (i.e., deep femoral condyles facing posteriorly, narrow patellar groove with prominent lateral margin, greater trochanter overhanging anterior aspect of shaft) are shown to be common to all prosrmi- ans except the slow-climbing iorisids. The functional significance of aspects of femoral morphology among saltators is discussed, along with the relevance of these results to an assessment of vertical clinging and leaping among extant and extinct primates.
Comparing electronic health record portals to obtain patient-entered family health history in primary care.

BACKGROUND There is growing interest in developing systems to overcome barriers for acquiring and interpreting family health histories in primary care.
Outcast Cape Town

Social geographer John Western analyzes the urban spatial planning of the 1950 Group Areas Act that achieved, in the built environment of Cape Town, the racial separatism of apartheid. His new prologue for the paperback edition assesses the changes to be expected from the new government and the obstacles to significant change.
Monte Carlo Simulations of End-Adsorption of Head-to-Tail Reversibly Associated Polymers

Using Monte Carlo simulations we study reversible end-adsorption of head-to-tail associating polymers on a surface containing adsorption sites. The adsorption energy was considered to be similar to the association energy (10kT) leading to the competition between association in the bulk and adsorption. We found that for all considered volume fractions of polymer in the bulk Φ and all densities of adsorption sites σ the density profile of adsorbed polymer layer follows an exponential dependence (∼exp(−r/ξ), with the decay length ξ being a function of the average chain length in the bulk and independent of σ). The chain length distribution for adsorbed polymer follows a similar exponential dependence as in the bulk, except for an enhancement of short chains in the distribution, especially for large σ. With an increase in σ adsorbed polymers start to overlap leading to a decrease in the chain length to avoid stretching. Up to a certain concentration σcr the fraction of occupied sites on the surface remain nea...
A backpropagation network for classifying auditory brainstem evoked potentials: input level biasing, temporal and spectral inputs and learning patterns

Summary form only given, as follows. The results of an investigation conducted to examine the effects of various input data forms on learning of a neural network for classifying auditory evoked potentials are presented. The long-term objective is to use the classification in an automated device for hearing threshold testing. Feedforward multilayered neural networks trained with the backpropagation method are used. The effects of presenting the data to the neural network in various temporal and spectral modes are explored. Results indicate that temporal and spectral information complement one another and increase performance when used together. Learning curves and dot graphs as they are used in this study may reveal network learning strategies. The nature of such learning patterns found in this study is discussed. >
STEADY-STATE TEMPERATURE SOLUTION FOR A HEAT-GENERATING CIRCULAR CYLINDER COOLED BY A RING OF HOLES

An analytical solution is presented to the steady-state heat-conduction equation for a heat-generating circular region which is cooled by a ring of equal holes spaced uniformly on a circle concentric with the boundary of the cylinder. The solution is based upon a class of harmonic functions previously defined by Howland. Numerical results are presented in the form of dimensionless curves for the particular examples of (a) uniform heat generation within the region with cooling at the holes and insulated outer boundary, and (b) the shape factor or conductance for this geometry. (auth)
Scattering of a Rayleigh Wave by an Elastic Quarter Space

We study the two-dimensional, steady-state problem of the scattering of waves in a homogeneous, isotropic, linear-elastic quarter space. We derive decoupled equations for the Fourier transforms of the normal and tangential displacements on the free surfaces. For incidence of a Rayleigh surface wave, we plot the amplitudes and phases of the surface waves reflected and transmitted by the corner. These curves were obtained numerically.
Shear Strength and Stability of Highway Embankment Slopes in Ohio

Highway embankment is one of the most commonly constructed geotechnical facilities. In Ohio, the design of these embankments has been based largely on previously published empirical correlations and/or crude soil testing results. Because of this practice, there have been some cases in Ohio where embankment slopes developed instability problems. Structural stability of these embankments is vital to the state economy and public safety. A need existed in Ohio to conduct a comprehensive study to measure shear strength properties of actual embankment fill materials and develop reliable tools for designing highway embankments. This paper describes a three-year project completed recently in Ohio. In the first stage of the project, soil samples from nine embankment sites were tested extensively both in the field and laboratory. The sites were placed strategically across Ohio to cover a wide range of geological and geographical features existing in the state. In the second stage of the project, the large volume of the data produced in the first stage was subjected to further examinations to evaluate the empirical correlations and develop statistically reliable alternative approaches for estimating soil shear strength properties from basic data. In the third stage of the project, the average properties of each major soil type were incorporated into a series of highway embankment slope stability analyses to gain additional insights into the topic and formulate general geotechnical guidelines for constructing/designing highway embankments.
Technology-based competitive strategy: An empirical test of an integrative model

Abstract At their core, firms competing through international technology-based strategies rely on an organization system that uses a strong culture to bond human assets, senior leadership, and resources together in ways that cultivate and promote core competencies and capabilities. This paper presents empirical tests of the relationship between these factors and organization success. The study is based on the analysis of fifty-six case studies.
Insulin management of diabetic patients on general medical and surgical floors.

Objective: To review the standardized subcutaneous insulin protocols for diabetic patients on general medical and surgical fl oors at the University of Vermont. Method: Insulin protocols were devel...
DOUBLE HETEROGENOTES FORMED BY P1-MEDIATED TRANSDUCTION OF LAC GENES IN ESCHERICHIA COLI.

Abstract A strain of Escherichia coli deleted for the genes that determine lactose utilization ( lac del ) can be transduced to lac + by phage P1 if both z + (for β- d -galactosidase) and y + (for galactosidase permease) genes are provided. This is accomplished by means of a lysate from a strain of E. coli z − y + which carries a defective prophage, P1 dl60 of genotype z + 60 y del . This lysate transduces z + at high frequency, y + at low frequency. Simultaneous infection of the lac del recipient strain with z + 60 y del and z − y + phage particles is detected by the appearance of lac + colonies. In these lac + transductants P1 dl60 remains as an exogenote, while the y + genome may either become integrated into the bacterial chromosome or persist as an unstable y + element. Among the transductants that contain the two exogenotes. P1 dl60 and an unstable y + , differences are observed which are attributable to the y + exogenote. In one transductant the y + gene is part of an exogenote which contains a complete lac operon from the donor chromosome. In several other transductants the y + exogenote may be part of a recombinant lac operon, or of an incomplete lac operon, which nevertheless can function and is subject to regulation. Recombinants can be selected between the complete y + exogenote and P1 dl60 , generating prophages with various recombinant lac genes. Individual clones carrying P1 dl60 with particular recombinant lac regions give lysates which transduce those lac regions at high frequency.
Salmonella invasion and delivery of protein effectors to mammalian cell cytoplasm

I nvasion of epithelial cells by Salmonella and Shigella spp. occurs by macropinocytosis, a process whereby fluid and particles are internalized by membrane ruffles, probably induced through a pathway that includes CDC42 (Ref. 1). This is in contrast to bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes that invade cells by stimulating receptormediated endocytosis through a pathway involving phosphoinositide 3-kinase 2. Analogous to several other Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, Salmonella spp. invasion is dependent upon proteins secreted by highly conserved type lII secretion systems (TTSS), termed Ssp(or Sip)B, C and D (reviewed in Ref. 3). The best-studied TFSS is the Yop secretion system of Yersinia. Using both morphological and biochemical techniques, it has been demonstrated that several Yops are translocated from bacteria into the cytosol of mammalian host cells 4,5. Yop translocation requires an intact secretion apparatus and Yops B, D and N. Rosqvist et al. demonstrated that Salmonella typhimurium translocates YopE into HeLa cells, indicating that the translocation machinery is conserved 6. Thus, it seems likely that translocated proteins play a role in Salmonella pathogenesis. Recently, Wood et al. presented data that a Salmonella dublinsecreted protein (SopE) promotes invasion and is translocated into HeLa cell cytoplasm by a mechanism that requires the Salmonella TTSS-secreted proteins (Ssp) essential to invasion, SspB-D (Ref. 7). This work raises interesting questions concerning the role of secreted and translocated proteins in the process of Salmonella spp. invasion. In the context of this paper, we will discuss two hypotheses for the mechanism of induction of macropinocytosis by Salmonella, as well as the mechanisms by which bacteria respond to host cell signals to initiate synthesis of TTSS. The data presented by Wood et al. suggest a model in which SspB and SspC, and perhaps other Ssps, are part of a translocation apparatus that delivers effectors of bacterial invasion, including SopE, to the mammalian cell cytosol (Fig. 1 a). These authors detected SopE within the cytoplasm of HeLa cells 4-6 h after infection with wild-type but not sspBCDA mutant bacteria, suggesting a role for Ssps in translocation. These data, although intriguing, are limited in that the multiplicity of infection was very high. In addition, bacterial overexpression of sopE was required to detect SopE within the mammalian cell cytoplasm. Although cytosolic SopE was not detected in sspBCDA mutants, suggesting an association with TTSS, it is possible that soluble extracellular SopE became internalized as a result of the induction of macropinocytosis. Wood et al. also showed that a sopE mutant is twofold less invasive, which the authors argue is consistent with multiple translocated proteins inducing macropinocytosis. An alternative hypothesis, based on data obtained with the SspB and SspC homologues from Shigella flexneri (IpaB and IpaC), is that SspB and SspC are the effectors of inva-