cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case Study: Misdiagnosis of Nonhemolytic Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Cases of Bovine Mastitis as Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most concerning mastitis-causing pathogens in dairy cattle. Using basic microbiological techniques, S. aureus is typically identified by colony characteristics and hemolysis on blood agar where isolates without hemolysis are typically considered to be coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolates. Herein, we present a decade-long case study where suspected S. aureus isolates from one Georgia dairy farm were further tested to confirm presumptive identification. Presumptive identification of bacterial growth from 222 mammary secretions from bred Holstein heifers and lactating cows was conducted at the time of collection. Presumptive identification of S. aureus on blood agar was based on observation of colony morphology, color, and presence or absence of a broad zone of incomplete hemolysis and a smaller zone of complete hemolysis at 48 h. Those without hemolysis were presumptively characterized as CNS. All isolates were further plated on mannitol salt agar and a coagulase test was performed. A positive for both of these tests together was deemed to be S. aureus. A selection of isolates was tested using API® Staph to biochemically confirm S. aureus identification. Data showed that 63.96% of isolates presumed to be CNS isolates were identified as S.aureus, 9.46% of isolates presumed to be CNS isolates were identified as coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) species (but not S. aureus), and 26.58% of samples that were presumed to be CNS isolates were identified correctly.
SU-E-J-27: Shifting Multiple EPID Imager Layers to Improve Image Quality and Resolution in MV CBCT

Purpose: Vertical stacking of four conventional EPID layers can improve DQE for MV-CBCT applications. We hypothesize that shifting each layer laterally by half a pixel relative to the layer above, will improve the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and image resolution. Methods: For CNR assessment, a 20 cm diameter digital phantom with 8 inserts is created. The attenuation coefficient of the phantom is similar to lung at the average energy of a 6 MV photon beam. The inserts have attenuations 1, 2…8 times of lung. One of the inserts is close to soft tissue, resembling the case of a tumor in lung. For resolution assessment, a digital phantom featuring a bar pattern is created. The phantom has an attenuation coefficient similar to soft tissue and the bars have an attenuation coefficient of calcium sulfate. A 2 MeV photon beam is attenuated through these phantoms and hits each of the four stacked detector layers. Each successive layer is shifted by half a pixel in the x only, y only, and x and y (combined) directions, respectively. Blurring and statistical noise are added to the projections. Projections from one, two, three and four layers are used for reconstruction. CNR and image resolution are evaluated and compared. Results: When projections from multiple layers are combined for reconstruction, CNR increases with the number of layers involved. CNR in reconstructions from two, three and four layers are 1.4, 1.7 and 1.99 times that from one layer. The resolution from the shifted four layer detector is also improved from a single layer. In a comparison between one layer versus four layers in this preliminary study, the resolution from four shifted layers is at least 20% better. Conclusion: Layer-shifting in a stacked EPID imager design enhances resolution as well as CNR for half scan MV-CBCT. The project described was supported, in part, by a grant from Varian Medical Systems, Inc., and Award No. R01CA188446-01 from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health
Chapter 16 Alterations in Cyclic Nucleotides and the Activation of Neutrophils

Publisher Summary The studies in this chapter suggest that there are multiple mechanisms for raising intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in neutrophils. While PGE1 and isoprotercnol act via a transmembrane guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, chemoattractants act via a calcium-dependent mechanism that may involve the inhibition of a native phosphodiestcrase. The ability of secretagogues, such as immune complexes and Ca2+ ionophores, to elicit an increase in cAMP raised the question of whether cAMP was an early intracellular messenger, activating neutrophils. The increase in cAMP elicited by secretagogues precedes cell activation, suggesting a role, at least temporally, for cAMP as an intracellular messenger. The cyclic nucleotides have been a source of investigation in neutrophils for over 20 years. A little progress from the initial studies proposed that cAMP was a negative effector and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) was a positive one.
Fermions in Randall-Sundrum Models with Two Additional Unwarped Extra Dimensions

Models with one warped and two unwarped extra dimensions allow for the solution of a number of open questions in particle physics. They can be used to solve the hierarchy problem in the same sense as Randall-Sundrum extra dimensions, they incorporate the Randall-Sundrum approach to flavor, and they generate a dark matter candidate via Kaluza-Klein parity in the flat extra dimensions. In this paper, we examine the models AdS_5 x T_2 and AdS_5 x S_2, deriving the Kaluza-Klein spectrum for fermions propagating in the bulk. While the toroidal model allows for a chiral zero mode, we find that the positive curvature of the spherical model disallows all zero modes without further modifications.
Overweight elementary school students are more physically active than normal weight students (808.1)

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and BMI and physical activity (PA) by race in three low-...
Characterization of the fracture toughness of TRIP 800 sheet steels using microstructure-based finite element analysis

Recently, several studies conducted by automotive industry revealed the tremendous advantages of Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS). TRansformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steel is one of the typical representative of AHSS. This kind of materials exhibits high strength as well as high formability. Analyzing the crack behaviour in TRIP steels is a challenging task due to the microstructure level inhomogeneities between the different phases (Ferrite, Bainite, Austenite, Martensite) that constitute these materials. This paper aims at investigating the fracture resistance of TRIP steels. For this purpose, a micromechanical finite element model is developed based on the actual microstructure of a TRIP 800 steel. Uniaxial tensile tests on TRIP 800 sheet notched specimens were also conducted and tensile properties and R-curves (Resistance curves) were determined. The comparison between simulation and experimental results leads us to the conclusion that the method using microstructure-based representative volume element (RVE) captures well enough the complex behavior of TRIP steels. The effect of phase transformation, which occurs during the deformation process, on the toughness is observed and discussed.
Imidazole as a catalyst in acyl transfer : A model enzyme system for physiological transacetylation

Abstract The transfer of an acyl group from glucose penta-acetate to methanol, n-amylamine, and n-amyl mercaptan with imidazole catalysis has been observed and studied with the aid of PMR spectroscopy. Through rate studies of the reaction between glucose penta-acetate and methanol in the presence of imidazole, and as a result of the observation of imidazole-catalyzed epimerization of β- to α-glucose penta-acetate, a mechanism for the transacetylation reaction has been proposed. The possibility that this mechanism can be applied to enzyme catalyzed physiological transacetylations is discussed.
Mapping the Nation: History and Cartography in Nineteenth-Century America. By Susan Schulten

Susan Schulten’s book, Mapping the Nation: History and Cartography in Nineteenth-Century America, engagingly blends the history of thematic cartography with the political and cultural history of ni...
Distinct negative regulatory mechanisms involved in the repression of human embryonic epsilon- and fetal G gamma-globin genes in transgenic mice.

Abstract A current model for human beta-globin gene switching proposes that the stage-specific activation of embryonic and fetal globin genes requires the interaction of the beta-globin locus control region with proximal promoter elements. Subsequent repression in fetal and adult stages likely involves negative regulatory promoter elements and factors. To begin addressing these negative regulatory mechanisms, the regulation of human fetal G gamma-globin promoter fused to the SV40 T antigen gene was analyzed in transgenic mice. The results showed correct developmental expression in erythroid tissue, but lower levels of expression were also detected in non-erythroid tissue. Thus, the 5'-flanking G gamma-globin promoter sequence contains stage-specific erythroid elements but is lacking nonerythroid-specific negative elements. In contrast, the human embryonic epsilon-globin gene was only expressed in nonerythroid tissue of transgenic embryos, suggesting the presence of an erythroid-specific negative element(s). With the locus control region, complete repression of epsilon-globin RNA in fetal liver was observed in epsilon-globin genes without the previously characterized silencer, suggesting the presence of additional negative elements. Overall, this transgenic study suggests that distinct negative regulatory mechanisms function in the repression of embryonic and fetal globin genes.
Multiple target track-before-detect in compound Gaussian clutter

In this paper, we extend the multiple transition mode track- before-detect (TBD) algorithm to track multiple low observable targets in compound Gaussian sea clutter. The proposed TBD framework uses the un-thresholded fast time radar measurements to track multiple targets in low signal-to-clutter ratios (SCRs). The TBD is implemented using particle filtering (PF), and we derive the generalized likelihood ratio needed to update the particle weights. The maximum likelihood estimate of the texture and the covariance matrix of the speckle are also derived and implemented using a fixed point algorithm. The tracking performance of the proposed algorithm is investigated using three low observable targets that enter and leave the field of view (FOV) at different time steps and under varying environmental conditions.
Modeling sulfate reduction in methane hydrate‐bearing continental margin sediments: Does a sulfate‐methane transition require anaerobic oxidation of methane?

The sulfate-methane transition (SMT), a biogeochemical zone where sulfate and methane are metabolized, is commonly observed at shallow depths (1–30 mbsf) in methane-bearing marine sediments. Two processes consume sulfate at and above the SMT, anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and organoclastic sulfate reduction (OSR). Differentiating the relative contribution of each process is critical to estimate methane flux into the SMT, which, in turn, is necessary to predict deeper occurrences of gas hydrates in continental margin sediments. To evaluate the relative importance of these two sulfate reduction pathways, we developed a diagenetic model to compute the pore water concentrations of sulfate, methane, and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). By separately tracking DIC containing 12C and 13C, the model also computes δ13C-DIC values. The model reproduces common observations from methane-rich sediments: a well-defined SMT with no methane above and no sulfate below and a δ13C-DIC minimum at the SMT. The model also highlights the role of upward diffusing 13C-enriched DIC in contributing to the carbon isotope mass balance of DIC. A combination of OSR and AOM, each consuming similar amounts of sulfate, matches observations from Site U1325 (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 311, northern Cascadia margin). Without AOM, methane diffuses above the SMT, which contradicts existing field data. The modeling results are generalized with a dimensional analysis to the range of SMT depths and sedimentation rates typical of continental margins. The modeling shows that AOM must be active to establish an SMT wherein methane is quantitatively consumed and the δ13C-DIC minimum occurs. The presence of an SMT generally requires active AOM.
The Thermodynamics of Molecular Recognition

In this review, we discuss the theoretical and practical aspects of determining the thermodynamic data for the formation of host–guests complexes. More specifically, we discuss the theory behind the free energy, enthalpy, entropy, and heat capacity changes in the formation of 1:1 complexes. We also discuss the mathematical modeling behind these determinations, and how this is tailored for the commonly utilized analytical techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry, UV–vis spectroscopy, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Finally, we highlight many of the important practical aspects of thermodynamic determinations using these techniques, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations. Although the focus is on 1:1 host–guest complex formation, higher order binding events are also briefly discussed. Keywords: thermodynamics; molecular recognition; NMR; ITC; UV–visible spectroscopy
Changing Business Process Management in Project Development

The construction sector is in transition. All related manufacturing industries face the challenge to improve the processes within the whole sector. Building Information Modelling (BIM) could be a tool to make production and control chains more efficient (Verbaan, 2013). The question that is being answered her is: What are the business enabling capabilities regarding efficiency and effectivity of BIM in the domain of project development in the built environment for architects and project developers in the context of the current reality of the Dutch built environment? The answer to this question is found through literature research. These findings were validated through five interviews with BIM experts. The business enabling capabilities regarding efficiency and effectivity of BIM are: (1) planning / delivering on time and within budget, (2) communication, (3) coordination, (4) integrating sustainability, (5) decrease failure cost. However, the introduction of BIM requires a change in mind-set amongst all companies within the whole built environment, but also in understanding the processes of other construction related companies. It requires collaborating with other companies and altering the project exceeding chain of processes, making these processes Lean, and sharing knowledge for mutual gains. However, this is still in the future, the construction industry needs to undergo radical change. This research was conducted within a limited amount of time, therefore a limited amount of interviews have been taken. In order to give a proper answer to the research question, more interviews need to be done and more information has to be gathered on the current and future business processes within the built environment.
Pilgrim Trust Lecture: The Gene

The gene has sometimes been described as a purely idealistic concept, divorced from real things, and again it has been denounced as wishful thinking on the part of those too mechanically minded. And some critics go so far as to assert that there is not even such a thing as genetic material at all, as distinct from other constituents of living matter.
Effects of extraction and fractionation pressures on supercritical extraction of cholesterol from beef tallow

Edible beef tallow was extracted by supercritical CO2 in a dynamic mode at pressures from 138 to 345 bars and temperatures of 40 and 50°C. The lipid fractions were collected at 34.5 bar/40°C. A retrograde behavior of lipid solubility was observed around 170–175 bar. The ranges of the cholesterol concentration [chol.], were 300–450 mg/100 g and 50–200 mg/100 g lipid for the fractions extracted at 138 bar and 345 bar, respectively. Beef tallow was also extracted with sequentially varied pressures of 138, 345 and 138 bars at 40°C and collected at 34.5 bar/40°C. The results showed that after 20 kg CO2 was used for extracting 100 g of loaded beef tallow the weight of the residual beef tallow remaining in the extractor was 23 g with [chol.] of 49 mg/100 g lipid. The lower [chol.] of the residual beef tallow represents a 60–70% reduction in cholesterol content, when compared with untreated beef tallow where [chol.] ranges from 130 to 160 mg/100 g lipid. To isolate lipid fractions containing higher [chol.], beef tallow was extracted at 345 bar/40°C and then fractionated into three separators connected in series with decreasing pressures of 173 bar, 117 bar, and 34.5 bar at 40°C, respectively. The results showed that the fractions collected from the third separator (34.5 bar) contained concentrated [chol.] ranging from 272 to 433 mg/100 g lipid. The fatty acid analysis revealed that the fractions containing high [chol.] generally consisted of high concentrations of myristic and palmitoleic acids but low concentrations of stearic and oleic acids.
Analysis of Oxygen Inhibition in Photopolymerizations of Hydrogel Micropatterns Using FTIR Imaging

UV photopolymerizations are a versatile polymerization technique and are thus utilized in a variety of applications. Photopolymerizations are often free-radical polymerizations, and these reactions (e.g., final conversion and reaction rates) can be inhibited by the presence of oxygen. In particular, oxygen inhibition can play a critical role in polymerization process occurring in thin films and micro/nanoscale structures where oxygen is able to rapidly transport through the short diffusion paths. Since patterned polymer micro- and nanostructures are of high interest in a variety of applications (e.g., biomedical microdevices), there is a need for methods to characterize polymerization processes at the small scale. Here, a novel method was applied to fabricate thin film of hydrogel microstructure on gold surface by using microcontact printing. The photopolymerization reaction of the patterned hydrogel was studied in situ and spatially resolved in real time with FTIR imaging techniques. The effect of oxygen...
A web-based flexible communication system in radiology.

A web-based system for rapid multidirectional communication has been created in the Radiology department at San Francisco General Hospital. The system allows messaging among radiology attendings, residents, and technologists, as well as other members of the hospital community, such as Emergency Department physicians and nurses. Instead of being tied to a particular workflow, this system provides a flexible communication infrastructure which can be easily adapted for different functions and user roles. The system has so far been configured to successfully support the standard “wet reading” workflow, to support marking and tracking of critical results, as well as multiple educational and quality improvement workflows. In the 19 months of operation, the system has gained over 1,800 users (virtually all providers at our institution), it has been accessed by radiologists over 39,000 times and by non-radiologists over 34,000 times. It has become an integral part of the radiology department operations and non-radiology clinical workflows. Unlike most existing softwares, our system is not a task-specific application, but a multipurpose communication system. It is able to effectively accommodate multiple workflows and user roles through configuration (without additional programming). This flexibility has helped this system to be rapidly and widely adopted within our enterprise. The extended reach of the system enables improved monitoring and documentation of workflows, helping with management decision making, and quality assurance. We report a successful radiology communication system based on the principles of flexibility and inclusiveness of users inside and outside the radiology department.
Brain Glucose Levels in Portacaval-Shunted Rats with Chronic, Moderate Hyperammonemia: Implications for Determination of Local Cerebral Glucose Utilization:

Rates of glucose utilization (lCMRglc) in many structures of the brain of fed, portacaval-shunted rats, when assayed with the [14C]deoxyglucose (DG) method in our laboratory, were previously found to be unchanged (30 of 36 structures) or depressed (6 structures) during the first 4 weeks after shunting, but to rise progressively to higher than normal values in 25 of 36 structures from 4–12 weeks. In contrast, lCMRglc, when assayed with the [14C]glucose method in another laboratory, was depressed in most structures of brains of 4–8-week shunted rats that had relatively high brain ammonia levels. There was a possibility that the increases in lCMRglc obtained with the [14C]DG method may have been artifactual, due, in part, to a change in brain glucose content which could alter the value of the lumped constant of the DG method. Brain glucose levels of shunted rats were, therefore, assayed by both direct chemical measurement in freeze-blown samples and by determination of steady-state brain:plasma distribution ...
Early stall of West Antarctic Ice Sheet advance on the eastern Ross Sea middle shelf followed by retreat at 27,500 14C yr BP

Abstract Marine geological and geophysical data suggest that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) deposited three thick seismically-resolvable units in the eastern Ross Sea since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) but the chronology of these grounding events is debated. Existing ice-retreat chronologies for the eastern Ross Sea are considered suspect because nearly all have been developed using radiocarbon dating of acid-insoluble organics (AIO) from bulk sediment. We used a new strategy to isolate in situ forams from diamict sediment deposited at the middle-shelf grounding-zone wedge (GZW) — a subaqueous ice-marginal landform previously interpreted to represent deposition during the third grounding event since the LGM advance to the shelf edge. Here we present a synthesis of our new radiocarbon dates of foram tests and AIO with previously published radiocarbon dates. We propose that the WAIS's LGM advance in the eastern-Ross Sea sector reached the middle shelf circa 27,500 14C yr BP and that open-marine sedimentation began shortly thereafter. There is as of yet no clear explanation for why WAIS retreat in this sector of Antarctica apparently began prior to the peak of the last glacial cold period. A precipitation deficit, localized warm water intrusion, an ice dynamic response in the absence of climate forcing or another as of yet unknown forcing mechanism could be responsible.
Inner shell vacancies in sputtered atoms

Abstract Impact of heavy ions (Ne+, Ar+) on surfaces of Mg, Al and Si are known to produce Auger spectra characteristic of 2p vacancies in the target species. Excitation is largely by recoil collisons in the target matrix leading to curve crossing events. A detailed modelling of the observed spectrum is performed which accounts for all significant features. An underlying continuum is shown to be due to secondary electrons and to decay of atoms in the matrix. An apparent discrepancy between the high energy edge of electron and ion induced spectra is due to a hitherto unidentified line in the ion induced spectrum. Dominant line features of the ion-induced spectra are due to sputtered neutral atoms with a single L-shell vacancy. Electron configurations and measured excitation energies are for Mg (2p53s23p) 50.6 eV, for Al (2p53s23p2) 73.8 eV and for Si (2p53s23p3) 101.1 eV.
Metrology source for high-resolution heterodyne interferometer laser gauges

We describe the development, functional performance, and space-qualification status of a Metrology Source suitable for implementation of space-based metrology systems with picometer-level relative displacement measurement and micron-level absolute displacement measurement resolution. The Metrology Source consists of the following components: lasers, frequency stabilization system, frequency shifters, and frequency modulators. All components are interconnected by polarization maintaining fibers to facilitate integration into a lightweight space-qualifiable module.
Epimerase-catalyzed glucose-galactose interconversion in the developing mouse brain.

Summary Mice aged from 2 to 32 days were injected i.p. with [14C6]glucose and sacrificed at 1, 2 and 4 h post-injection. Free and bound glucose and galactose were reisolated from brain, and their radioactivity was determined, as well as the integrity of the hexose carbon chain. A 10–15-fold increase in the free galactose to free glucose ratio was observed between 16 and 22 days post-partum. Lower values were observed for bound sugar ratios. These changes coincide with increased brain UDP-galactose-4-epimerase activity and with active myelination. The incorporation of radiocarbon in myelin was determined by subcellular fractionation of brain 24 h after i.p. injection of [14C6]glucose. Optimal incorporation of radiocarbon was observed at 16 days post-partum and is consistent with a primary role for UDP-galactose-4-epimerase in myelin biosynthesis. These results also support the hypothesis that the sharply increased brain requirements for galactose during myelination are met by in situ conversion of dietary milk glucose to galactose through the UDP-galactose-4-epimerase pathway.
Polymer-on-Polymer Stamping on Micro- and Nano-Scales

The goal of the project was to determine whether PDAC (poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride), also abbreviated PDADMAC) could be printed reproducibly to create patterns with a sub-micron resolution. PDAC was stamped onto bare silicon using PDMS stamps having features only about 150 nm wide. A variety of aqueous PDAC inks were tried, to study the effect of concentration and ionic strength on the pattern produced. In order to get good prints, new stamping techniques were also required. A rigid stamping apparatus was built to ensure steady placement, and the stamps were spin coated with a different ink solution to produce thin, even coats of ink. [1] Using these methods, the pattern transferred.
Studies in Configural Conditioning: I. Historical and Preliminary Experimentation

(1939). Studies in Configural Conditioning: I. Historical and Preliminary Experimentation. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 307-330.
Climate Change Report Focuses on Economics

A report quantifying the costs of climate change to the United States was released shortly after the AGU Science Policy Conference (see Eos, 95(27), 246–247, doi:10.1002.2014EO270002).
Global symmetries in four and higher dimensions

Knowing that a four-dimensional theory with gauge group G 0 is unified in a theory with gauge group G puts restrictions on what global symmetries are possible in the low-energy world. Here we analyze those restrictions assuming that unification in G occurs in four dimensions and assuming that unification occurs only in a higher-dimensional theory. There are possibilities for global symmetries which are not possible in the former case, so in principle indirect evidence for higher dimensions might be found by finding peculiar global symmetries in the low-energy world.
Excited-State Structure and Delocalization in Ruthenium(II)−Bipyridine Complexes That Contain Phenyleneethynylene Substituents

A comprehensive photophysical study has been carried out on the two complexes [(bpy)2Ru(4,4‘-PE-bpy)]2+ and [(bpy)2Ru(5,5‘-PE-bpy)]2+ (44Ru and 55Ru, respectively, where bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine and PE = phenyleneethynylene). The objective of this work is to determine the effect of the phenyleneethynylene substituents on the properties of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited state. The complexes have been characterized by using UV−visible absorption, photoluminescence, and UV−visible and infrared transient absorption spectroscopy. The results indicate that the MLCT excited state is localized on the PE-substituted bpy ligands. Moreover, the photophysical data indicate that in the MLCT excited state the excited electron is delocalized into the PE substituents and the manifestations of the electronic delocalization are larger when the substituents are in the 4,4‘-positions.
Quinolinic acid immunoreactive cells in the choroid plexus, leptomeninges and brain vasculature of the immune-stimulated gerbil

Antibodies to quinolinic acid were utilized to study the cellular localization of this endogenous neurotoxin in the gerbil brain subsequent to systemic immune stimulation with pokeweed mitogen. Immunohistochemistry of carbodiimide fixed spleen revealed a dramatic increase in the number of quinolinic acid-positive cells in the red pulp in the immune-stimulated animals. Quinolinic acid immunoreactivity in the brain was observed in cells within the choroid plexus, vasculature and leptomeninges of the stimulated group only. No immunoreactivity was observed in brain parenchyma. These results are supportive of an immune system origin for the increases in quinolinic acid in CSF and brain during immune stimulation in a rodent model system.
Influence of Certain Postemergence Broadleaf Herbicides on Soybean Stressed from Iron Deficiency Chlorosis

Postemergence herbicides are widely used in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Although yield is seldom reduced following herbicide applications to soybean under normal growing conditions, little is known regarding their application when the crop is under stress. Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is a common problem in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. Postemergence herbicide applications are usually made early in the season when IDC is most expressed. The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of selected postemergence soybean herbicides applied to soybean under stress from IDC. Treatments were applied at 12 locations during a 3-yr study. Stunting and necrosis were evaluated at 14 and 28 d after treatment (DAT), and plots were harvested to determine grain yield. There were treatment differences in stunting at 11 locations 14 DAT and at nine locations 28 DAT. Differences in leaf necrosis were found among treatments at 11 locations 14 DAT and at four locations 28 DAT. Lactofen significantly lowered yield at six locations, and imazamox and imazethapyr lowered yield at three locations. These results suggest that herbicides with harsh contact activity (lactofen) and some acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors (e.g., imazamox, thifensulfuron, and imazethapyr) may have potential for greater injury under these soil and environmental conditions. It may be important to consider herbicide injury effects, in addition to weed spectrum, when selecting herbicides for use on IDC-stressed soybean.
Special issue on mechanics of development

Developmental biologists have studied morphogenesis and the physical forces that shape embryos for well over a century. At the dawn of the modern era of molecular biology, however, most interest turned toward mapping the signaling pathways that regulate development. This work has provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms of morphogenesis, as well as the causes of human disease and birth defects. In the meantime, however, physical aspects of development received relatively little attention, leading to a fundamental lack of understanding of the connection between molecular mechanisms and the physical processes that actually construct the embryo. During the 1980s and 1990s, a small group of biophysicists and engineers quietly began to revive interest in the physical mechanisms of development, although much of this work remained relatively obscure to most biologists. During the last decade, however, this situation has evolved as some developmental biologists have begun to recognize the need to relate molecular and physical mechanisms. At the same time, an expanding number of engineers and biophysicists, many of them with training in molecular and developmental biology, have taken up the cause. Nevertheless, the ranks have remained rather thin, especially compared to the number of researchers involved in tissue engineering. The primary objective of this special issue of Mechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology is to raise awareness of problems in development among researchers in the mechanics community.Many investigators now recognize that regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, synthetic biology, and related fields could benefit enormously by a better understanding of how nature creates tissues and organs. Many of
Measurement of doubly excited levels in lithiumlike and berylliumlike cobalt.

We have measured the dielectronic satellite spectrum for heliumlike Co xxvi trapped and excited in an electron-beam ion trap using a high-resolution x-ray spectrometer in the von H\'amos geometry. By sweeping the electron-beam energy across the individual dielectronic recombination resonances, we have determined the relative resonance strengths of the strongest resonances populating doubly excited levels in lithiumlike and berylliumlike cobalt. Most measured dielectronic satellite strengths compare well with theory. A discrepancy with theoretical values is noted for the resonance strength associated with levels (1${\mathit{s}}_{1/2}$2${\mathit{p}}_{3/2}^{2}$${)}_{3/2}$ and (1${\mathit{s}}_{1/2}$2${\mathit{s}}_{1/2}$2${\mathit{p}}_{1/2}$${)}_{1/2}$. Their values of 49.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ eV and 22.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ eV, respectively, are almost twice the size predicted by theory.
Objective measurement of dominance control in binocular rivalry

Six male as attempted to identify stimuli superimposed on either of two dichoptically viewed rivalry patterns. Ability to influence dominance switches was confirmed with this objective procedure, by reason of a decreased error rate (1) with 3-sec advance knowledge as to which pattern would receive a test stimulus, and (2) with knowledge that an 83% majority of all stimuli would be presented in a given field. However, even when test stimuli were self-initiated, dominant-field and suppressed-field scores were not close to the error rates predicted on the basis of monocular levels and of random guessing, respectively, indicating either misjudgments of pattern dominance or, more likely, a failure of the dominant field to totally suppress its opponent.
Synthesis and in vitro antiprotozoal activity of bisbenzofuran cations.

Forty three cationic bisbenzofurans were synthesized either by interaction of o-hydroxyaldehydes with α-halogenated ketones followed by intramolecular ring closure or by a copper- or palladium-mediated heteroannulation of substituted o-iodophenols with terminal acetylenes. In vitro antiprotozoal activities of compounds 1−43 against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Plasmodium falciparum, and Leishmania donovani and cytotoxicity against mammalian cells were influenced by the position and the type of cationic substituents as well as the length of the carbon linker between aromatic moieties. One bisamidine displayed an antitrypanosomal efficacy comparable to that of pentamidine and melarsoprol. Twenty two compounds were more potent than pentamidine and seven dications were more effective than artemisinin against P. falciparum. Eight bisbenzofurans displayed activity against L. donovani superior to that of pentamidine. Overall, bisamidines connected by two-carbon linkers exhibited the highest efficacies against...
Emission bands from discharge-excited alkali-noble-gas systems

The discharge emission spectrum in the visible and near IR from Cs or Rb vapor mixed with Xe, Kr, or Ar (of density \ensuremath{\gtrsim} 1 amagat) is studied. For a heavy noble gas at high density, the discharge spectrum features strong emission bands from alkali-noble-gas excited molecules correlated with the lowest $S$ or $D$ excited states, or with $P$ excited states, of the alkali atom. The emission bands are remarkably similar to the laser-excited emission bands reported previously.
Demographic, Residential, and Socioeconomic Effects on the Distribution of Nineteenth-Century White Body Mass Index Values

Little research exists on the body mass index (BMI) values of nineteenth-century Americans of European descent. Examination of a new body mass index data set and robust statistical analysis yields the following conclusion: between 1860 and 1880, BMIs decreased across the distribution; however, after 1880, BMIs in the highest quantiles increased, while those in lower BMI quantiles continued to decrease. Late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century white BMIs increased at older ages in higher quantiles and decreased in lower quantiles, indicating significant net biological disparity by age. During industrialization, white BMIs were lower in Kentucky, Missouri, and urban Philadelphia.
Photoperiodic and thermoperiodic interactions in the regulation of the larval diapause of Diatraea grandiosella

Abstract The effect of various combinations of photoperiod and temperature on the induction and termination of the mature larval diapause of a Missouri strain of the southwestern corn borer. Diatraea grandiosella, was examined. Larval exposure to regimes in which the low phase of a 30°:23°C thermoperiod coincided with a scotophase of 10 to 14 hr duration led to high incidence of diapause. Larval exposure to 30°:24°C, 33°:21°C, and 36°:18°C thermoperiods with half cycles of 12 hr in continuous darkness yielded a diapause incidence of 16%, 22%, and 59%, respectively, whereas exposure to a 30°:24°C thermoperiod in continuous illumination yielded a completely nondiapause generation. Larval exposure to one of a series of 36°:18°C thermoperiods in which the duration of the high phase was increased in 2 hr increments from 0 to 24 hr in continuous darkness showed that “short-day” thermoperiods yielded a high incidence of diapause. However, no clearly defined critical thermoperiod was observed. An examination of photoperiodic and thermoperiodic effects on diapause development showed that, in general, those combinations of temperature and light cycles which were diapause inductive also retarded diapause development. The relationship between seasonal photoperiods and thermoperiods in southeastern Missouri was examined.
Surgical management of late sequelae in survivors of an episode of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Background After surviving an episode of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), a variety of late sequelae develop and require nonoperative or operative interventions. Persistent pancreatic fistula, fluid collections, recurrent pancreatitis, sepsis, pain, and intolerance of po intake are seen. Study Design We have maintained records for all patients hospitalized from 1993 through 2010 with a diagnosis of ANP. Once discharged from hospital, patients were managed with routine clinic follow-up at close intervals and later at 6-month intervals. Using ERCP or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, all patients' pancreatic ducts were classified as type I (normal), type II (stricture), or type III (disconnected). Patients were monitored for the complications mentioned. Operations performed >8 weeks after the initial episode of ANP were defined as late and evaluated for operative mortality, morbidity, success in resolving symptoms/collections, and length of stay. Results One hundred and ninety-seven patients with ANP were included. Seventy-one late operations were performed (59 drainage procedures/12 resections). Operative mortality was 1%, morbidity was 19%, and mean length of stay was 6.3 ± 5.6 days. Poor po intake was seen in 80% of operated patients and total parenteral nutrition dependence in 42%. Duct type correlated with pancreatic debridement, persistent fluid collection/fistula, pain, po intake intolerance, and late operation. Late operation successfully resolved symptoms and/or fluid collections in 96%. Recurrent pancreatitis was improved in 87% and eliminated in 78%. Conclusions Patients who require late operation after surviving an episode of ANP are more likely to have sustained ductal injuries and are likely to require operation for either pain or for inability to tolerate po intake. Operation can be performed safely with a low mortality.
Glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST), taurine transporter and metallothionein mRNA levels are differentially altered in astrocytes exposed to manganese chloride, manganese phosphate or manganese sulfate

Manganese (Mn)-induced neurotoxicity can occur due to environmental exposure (air pollution, soil, water) and/or metabolic aberrations (decreased biliary excretion). High brain manganese levels lead to oxidative stress, as well as alterations in neurotransmitter metabolism with concurrent neurobehavioral deficits. Based on the few existing studies that have examined brain regional Mn concentration, it is likely that in pathological conditions, Mn concentration can reach between 100 and 500 microM. Environmental Mn exposure as a result of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) combustion is in the form of phosphate or sulfate (MnPO4, MnSO4, respectively). Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that the Mn salt will determine the rate of transport into the brain: MnCl2 > MnSO4 > MnPO4. The salt-specific neurotoxicity of these species is unknown. The primary goal of this study was to examine gene expression of glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST), taurine transporter (tau-T), and metallothionein-I (MT-I) in astrocytes exposed to manganese chloride (MnCl2), manganese sulfate (MnSO4), and manganese phosphate (MnPO4). We hypothesized that the effects of MnPO4 and MnSO4 exposure on GLASTexpression in astrocytes would be similar to those induced by MnCl2, since irrespective of salt species exposure, once internalized by astrocytes, the Mn ion would be identically complexed. At the same time, we hypothesized that the magnitude of the effect would be salt-dependent, since the chemical speciation would determine the rate of intracellular uptake of Mn. MnCl2 caused a significant overall decrease (P < 0.0001) in astrocytic GLAST mRNA levels with MnSO4 causing a moderate decrease. MnPO4 exposure did not alter GLAST mRNA in astrocytes. We also sought to examine astrocytic metallothionein and taurine transporter gene expression as markers of manganese exposure. Our findings suggest that manganese chloride significantly decreased (P < 0.0001) astrocytic metallothionein mRNA compared to both the sulfate and phosphate species. However, astrocytic taurine transporter mRNA was not affected by Mn exposure, irrespective of the salt species. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that astrocytic neurotoxicity due to Mn exposure is dependent upon its species, with solubility, and by inference, intracellular concentration, representing a major determinant of its neurotoxicity.
Abstract 5480: Consumption of Lake Ontario sport fish and the incidence of melanoma in the New York State Angler Cohort Study (NYSACS)

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other persistent organic pollutants (e.g., toxaphene) has been linked to an increased risk for melanoma in occupational settings. Great Lakes fish bioaccumulate PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, thus consumption is thought to be an important non-occupational exposure route. We investigated the consumption of sport-caught fish from Lake Ontario and the incidence of melanoma in the New York State Angler Cohort Study (NYSACS), a prospective cohort of 17,097 anglers and their spouses aged 18 to 40 years old at enrollment. Participants completed a mailed self-administered questionnaire upon enrollment in 1991. The questionnaire queried for the number of years that fish from L. Ontario were consumed, frequency of species specific fish consumption as well as demographic factors, smoking history and other selected potential confounders. As of December 31, 2008, fifty-one histologically confirmed, first primary, incident melanoma cases were identified via the New York State Cancer Registry. Vital status was determined by linkage with the Social Security Administration Death file. Prevalent cancer cases (n = 196) were excluded. Of the remaining 16,901cohort members, 10% (n=1,672) were lost to follow-up and censored in the year they left New York State. Analyses were restricted to Caucasians (n= 16,326). Fish consumption was dichotomized into never vs. ever. Duration of consumption was categorized into tertiles based on the distribution among the cases reporting eating Lake Ontario sport-caught fish. Poisson regression was used to calculate rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals, adjusting for age, income, years of education and number of years fishing in New York State. Lake Ontario sport-caught fish consumption was weakly associated with melanoma risk RR=1.33(0.6-2.99) as compared with non-consumers. Duration of Lake Ontario fish consumption was not convincingly associated with melanoma incidence (non-eaters RR = 1.0 (ref); 1st tertile RR = 1.07 (95% CI = 0.38-3.06); 2nd tertile RR = 1.41 (95% CI = 0.49-4.03); 3rd tertile RR = 2.16 (95% CI = 0.79-5.89); p-for trend =0.10. Although interpretation of our preliminary results is complicated by a small number of cases (n=52) and inability to control for potential confounding from sun exposure, they suggest that consumption of Great Lakes fish contaminated with PCBs and other organochlorine compounds was not associated with incidence of melanoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5480. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5480
Model simulations of the competing climatic effects of SO2 and CO2

Sulfur dioxide-derived cloud condensation nuclei are expected to enhance the planetary albedo, thereby cooling the planet. This effect might counteract the global warming expected from enhanced greenhouse gases. A detailed treatment of the relationship between fossil fuel burning and the SO2 effect on cloud albedo is implemented in a two-dimensional model for assessing the climate impact. Using a conservative approach, results show that the cooling induced by the SO2 emission can presently counteract 50 percent of the CO2 greenhouse warming. Since 1980, a strong warming trend has been predicted by the model: 0.15 C during the 1980-1990 period alone. The model predicts that by the year 2060 the SO2 cooling reduces climate warming by 0.5 C or 25 percent for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) business as usual (BAU) scenario and 0.2 C or 20 percent for scenario D (for a slow pace of fossil fuel burning). The hypothesis is examined that the different responses between the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere can be used to validate the presence of the SO2-induced cooling.
Drug dosing in chronic kidney disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk for adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions. Drug dosing in these patients often proves to be a difficult task. Renal dysfunction-induced changes in human pathophysiology regularly results may alter medication pharmacodynamics and handling. Several pharmacokinetic parameters are adversely affected by CKD, secondary to a reduced oral absorption and glomerular filtration; altered tubular secretion; and reabsorption and changes in intestinal, hepatic, and renal metabolism. In general, drug dosing can be accomplished by multiple methods; however, the most common recommendations are often to reduce the dose or expand the dosing interval, or use both methods simultaneously. Some medications need to be avoided all together in CKD either because of lack of efficacy or increased risk of toxicity. Nevertheless, specific recommendations are available for dosing of certain medications and are an important resource, because most are based on clinical or pharmacokinetic trials.