cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving fruit anthocyanins in 'Cabernet Sauvignon' by shifting fruit ripening and irrigation reduction post veraison in warmer region

In warmer regions, forcing vines to regrow and shifting fruit ripening to the cooler portion of the growing season can increase the concentration of total fruit anthocyanins (TFA) in red winegrapes, but the effect on anthocyanin composition remains unclear. Additionally, irrigation reduction post veraison was reported to improve fruit anthocyanins in cool and temperate regions with low precipitation, whereas this response has not been previously examined in forced vines grown in dry and warm regions. Experiments were conducted with 'Cabernet Sauvignon' (Vitis vinifera L.) over two consecutive years in Fresno, California, to investigate the effect of shifting fruit ripening on the concentration and composition of fruit anthocyanins as well as the influence of post-veraison irrigation reduction on fruit anthocyanins of forced vines. Vines under conventional practices (non-forced) were used as the control. Forcing treatment included removing primary leaves, clusters, and laterals, as well as hedging primary shoots, in mid-June. Control vines were irrigated at 80 % crop evapotranspiration (ETC) post veraison, whereas forced vines were irrigated at 40, 60, 80, or 100 % ETC post veraison. Results suggest that forcing vines to regrow and shifting fruit ripening led to a significant increase of TFA, primarily non-acylated anthocyanins, during fruit ripening and at harvest over two years. Forcing treatment also altered composition of fruit anthocyanins at harvest, with increased proportions of TFA comprised by the glucosides of delphinidin and petunidin but the decreased proportion of the glucosides of malvidin. This study demonstrates that forcing vines to regrow and shifting fruit ripening in the warmer region can lead to a more balanced profile of fruit anthocyanins, with improved non-acylated derivatives and altered relative abundance of the glucosides of five anthocyanidins. Reducing irrigation post veraison, however, had only a minor effect on fruit anthocyanins in forced vines.
Characterization of Histone Deacetylase Expression Within In Vitro and In Vivo Bladder Cancer Model Systems

Epigenetic aberrations are prominent in bladder cancer (BC) and contribute to disease pathogenesis. We characterized histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression, a family of deacetylation enzymes, in both in vitro and in vivo BC model systems and analyzed expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting analysis was used to determine the expression status of Class I and II HDACs in ten human BC cell lines, while qRT-PCR was used to determine HDAC expression in 24 human tumor specimens. The TCGA cohort consists of 408 muscle invasive BC (MIBC) clinical samples and analysis of this data set identified expression of HDAC4 and -9 as being associated with basal–squamous disease. These findings agree with qRT-PCR results identifying increased expression of HDAC4, -7, and -9 in basal BC cell lines (p < 0.05; Kruskal–Wallis test) and in clinical specimens with invasive bladder cancer (not statistically significant). We also observed increased expression in Hdac4, -7, and -9 in commonly used BC mouse models. Here, we identify suitable preclinical model systems for the study of HDACs, and show increased expression of Class IIa HDACs, specifically HDAC4 and HDAC9, in basal BC cell lines and in invasive clinical specimens. These results suggest this class of HDACs may be best suited for targeted inhibition in patients with basal BC.
Bidirectional Longitudinal Associations Between Cannabis Use and Body Mass Index Among Adolescents

Introduction: Literature on the association between cannabis use and body mass index (BMI) among adults suggests that greater cannabis use is associated with a lower BMI. However, results are mixed among adolescents, with both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies finding positive, negative, and nonsignificant associations between cannabis use and BMI. This longitudinal study aims to shed light on these associations by prospectively examining the associations between cannabis use and BMI across a 2-year window in a large sample of adolescent cannabis users. Methods: Participants were 401 adolescents ages 14-17 at baseline who were at risk for escalation in their use of cannabis. We conducted a parallel process latent growth curve model to examine associations between the cannabis use intercept, BMI intercept, cannabis use slope, and BMI slope. Results: Results showed that baseline BMI predicted a positive and significant association with cannabis use slope. In addition, there was a significant and negative correlation between the cannabis use slope and the BMI slope. These significant associations remained after controlling for relevant covariates. Conclusions: Results are consistent with the adult literature that reports a negative association between cannabis use and BMI. Future research should focus on uncovering the mechanisms that may drive the association between cannabis use and BMI.
Exploring correlation of nurse manager meaning and joy in work with employee engagement.

AIM To determine the correlation between meaning and joy in work among managers with employee engagement. BACKGROUND The Institute of Healthcare Improvement and the National Patient Safety Foundation both recognize the link between joy and meaning in work and an optimally performing healthcare system. The relationship between manager joy and employee engagement is unknown. Furthermore, the Meaning and Joy in Work Questionnaire (MJWQ) has not been previously used with nurse managers. METHOD A descriptive correlational design was used with results from a prospective survey of nurse managers correlated with pre-existing employee engagement quality data. Chronbach's alpha was used to measure internal consistency of the tool in this population. RESULTS No significant correlation was found between nurse manager meaning and joy in work and employee engagement (r = 0.216; NS (n = 28)) or employee perception of their manager (s = 0.227, NS (n = 28)). A significant strong correlation between employee engagement scores and employee perception of their managers (r = 0.774. p < .001 (n = 28)) was identified. Internal consistency was moderately high: value/connections (alpha = 0.736), meaningful work (alpha = 0.933), caring (alpha = 0.817) and total instrument score (alpha = 0.923). Effect size = 0.28. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT While we did not find significant correlation between manager meaning and joy in work with employee engagement, the MJWQ may be a valuable tool to explore nurse manager's meaning and joy in work and the potential relationship of this construct to employee engagement and associated outcomes. The expansion of the sample size across multiple healthcare systems may lead to different results.
ASYMBIOTIC SEED GERMINATION AND PLANTLET DEVELOPMENT OF Dendrobium spectabile (Blume) Miq.

Dendrobium spectabile (Blume) Miq. is one of Papuan orchids that is of economic value and threatened. At present, the optimal protocol for asymbiotic seed germination and planlet development of D. spectabile is not yet available. This research aimed to develop an optimal and comprehensive protocol for in vitro culture of D. spectabile to support the conservation and reintroduction of this species. The experiment was conducted using a completely random design, including seed sowing, protocorm subculture (subculture 1), plantlet subculture (subculture 2), and plantlet acclimatization. The highest germination rate at 3 MAS (months after sowing) was found in modified Knudson's C (92.59%). The first subculture at 4 MAP (months after planting) showed that the highest leaf and root growths were found in modified Vacin and Went (4.12 and 2.13, respectively). The second subculture at 6 MAP showed that the highest leaf growth was found in full strength of Murashige and Skoog supplemented with 100 g/l banana homogenate (5.49), while the highest number of roots and average root extension were found in half strength of Vacin and Went supplemented with 100 g/l banana homogenate (7.05 and 0.47 cm, respectively). The plantlets were best acclimatized in media consisting of tree fern fibre and sphagnum moss (2:1).
Mechanism of Benzene Tribopolymerization on the RuO 2 (110) Surface

Nano- and microelectromechanical systems (NEMS and MEMS) are interesting as switches for next-generation computing electronics. Unfortunately, repeated switching causes the formation of gunk known as $t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}b\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}p\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}y\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}m\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r$ in the junction, which spoils device performance. To understand the mechanism behind this phenomenon at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and electronics, the authors use density functional theory to study the switching of a RuO${}_{2}$ NEMS in the presence of benzene. Tribopolymer formation involves a chain reaction of an oxidized biphenyl-like structure, with abstraction of surface oxygen, leading to strongly chemisorbed species that continue to polymerize.
Long-term viability of allogenic donor stroma

We report the clinical history and histopathology of the longest known postoperative course of a myopic cornea lenticule implanted via epikeratoplasty that also had been subjected to excimer laser and mitomycin. Despite the mechanical and photochemical processes the allogenic cornea stroma had sustained, it is notable that it retained structural integrity and clarity. This report affirms the potential long-term clarity and resilience of allogenic stromal cornea and supports its use as a potential stabilizing option in cornea allogenic intrastromal ring segments for keratoconus and variations thereof for other cornea disorders.
Vanishing Adrenal Mass in Pregnancy.

Abstract Objectives The evaluation of an adrenal mass is challenging. We present the case of a 33-year-old pregnant woman who was found to have an adrenal incidentaloma. Four months after the initial imaging, the mass vanished. Methods We described the case of a pregnant woman with hypertension and an incidentally found right adrenal mass. Results A magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a right adrenal mass measuring 7.9 × 3.9 × 3.0 cm with a multilobulated appearance. Initial biochemical testing was concerning for a pheochromocytoma with positive metanephrines during hospitalization while being treated for an infection. Repeat outpatient adrenal hormone results, including metanephrines, were negative. Four months after her initial magnetic resonance imaging scan, the right adrenal mass was no longer present. Conclusion A 33-year-old pregnant woman was found to have a right adrenal mass that later vanished as a result of the resolution of a unilateral adrenal hemorrhage. Predisposing factors to adrenal hemorrhage in the presented case include pregnancy, infection, and hypertension.
Haploid induction by a maize cenh3 null mutant

The production of haploids is an important first step in creating many new plant varieties. One approach used in Arabidopsis involves crossing plants expressing different forms of centromeric histone H3 (CENP-A/CENH3) and subsequent loss of genome with weaker centromeres. However, the method has been ineffective in crop plants. Here, we describe a greatly simplified method based on crossing maize lines that are heterozygous for a cenh3 null mutation. Crossing +/cenh3 to wild-type plants in both directions yielded haploid progeny. Genome elimination was determined by the cenh3 genotype of the gametophyte, suggesting that centromere failure is caused by CENH3 dilution during the postmeiotic cell divisions that precede gamete formation. The cenh3 haploid inducer works as a vigorous hybrid and can be transferred to other lines in a single cross, making it versatile for a variety of applications.
Mobile Health: making the leap to research and clinics.

Health applications for mobile and wearable devices continue to experience tremendous growth both in the commercial and research sectors, but their impact on healthcare has yet to be fully realized. This commentary introduces three articles in a special issue that provides guidance on how to successfully address translational barriers to bringing mobile health technologies into clinical research and care. We also discuss how the cross-organizational sharing of data, software, and other digital resources can lower such barriers and accelerate progress across mobile health.
Providing Aphasia Therapy Across Health Care Settings: Clinical Simulation in the Academic Classroom

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine whether a free, video-based simulation activity implemented in a first-year graduate speech-language pathology class would improve students' confide...
Enhancing Long-term Forecasting: Learning from COVID-19 Models

Long-term forecasts are hard, but also indispensable in personal and policy planning. How could long-term predictions of complex phenomena, such as COVID-19 contagion, be enhanced? While much effort has gone into building predictive models of the pandemic, some have argued that early exponential growth combined with the stochastic nature of epidemics make the long-term prediction of contagion trajectories impossible. We leverage the diverse models contributing to CDC repository of COVID-19 death projections to identify factors associated with prediction accuracy across different projection horizons. We find that better long-term predictions correlate with (1) capturing the physics of transmission (instead of using black-box models); (2) projecting human behavioral reactions to an evolving pandemic; and (3) resetting state variables to account for randomness not captured in the model before starting projection. A very simple model, SEIRb, that incorporates these features and includes few other nuances offers predictions comparable with the most accurate models in the CDC set. Key to the long-term predictive power of multi-wave COVID-19 trajectories is endogenously capturing behavioral responses: balancing feedbacks where the perceived risk of death continuously changes transmission rate through the adoption, and relaxation, of various Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs).
Evolutionary and plastic variation in larval growth and digestion reveal the complex underpinnings of size and age at maturation in dung beetles

Age and size at maturity are key life-history components, yet the proximate underpinnings that mediate intra- and interspecific variation in life history remain poorly understood. We studied the proximate underpinnings of species differences and nutritionally plastic variation in adult size and development time in four species of dung beetles. Specifically, we investigated how variation in insect growth mediates adult size variation, tested whether fast juvenile growth trades-off with developmental stability in adult morphology and quantified plastic responses of digestive systems to variation in food quality. Contrary to the common size-development time trade-off, the largest species exhibited by far the shortest development time. Correspondingly, species diverged strongly in the shape of growth trajectories. Nutritionally plastic adjustments to growth were qualitatively similar between species but differed in magnitude. Although we expected rapid growth to induce developmental costs, neither instantaneous growth rates nor the duration of larval growth were related to developmental stability in the adult. This renders the putative costs of rapid growth enigmatic. We further found that larvae that encounter a challenging diet develop a larger midgut and digest more slowly than animals reared on a more nutritious diet. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that larvae invest into a more effective digestive system when exposed to low-quality nutrition, but suggest that species may diverge readily in their reliance on these mechanisms. More generally, our data highlight the complex, and often hidden, relationships between immature growth and age and size at maturation even in ecologically similar species.
Evaluations of Computer Charging Policies

Engineering organizations have become increasingly concerned with the relationship of computer costs to the organization’s overall pricing policies. A survey of 300 engineering organizations was undertaken to determine what computer pricing policies are currently used by the profession. The survey indicated that there is a wide variation in existing computer pricing policies. While some firms are receiving no reimbursement, other firms are charging clients for direct costs, overhead, and profit. Many intermediate situations exist between these two extremes. Over 90% of all organizations have based their computer charges on the amount of machine time used for a particular project. This approach appears questionable, since the cost of machine time is often a poor indicator of the actual costs. Mechanisms for dealing with software development costs differ significantly between firms, and firms with identical computer equipment charge very different rates for machine time. The ASCE guidelines on computer pricing contain contradictory statements and raise many unanswered questions.
Expression and Purification ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeHyaluronate Lyase fromEscherichia coli

Abstract Pneumococcal hyaluronate lyase enzyme breaks down hyaluronan of the extracellular matrix of tissues and possibly contributes to the invasion of host tissue and to the penetration of host defenses by this bacterial pathogen. In light of the emergence of increasing numbers of antibiotic-resistant strains, the understanding of the mechanism of action of hyaluronate lyase enzyme may lead to a better understanding of interactions between a host and bacterial pathogens and may contribute to more efficient treatment of bacterial infections. The nativeStreptococcus pneumoniaehyaluronate lyase enzyme has a molecular mass of 107 kDa but undergoes conversion to smaller enzymatically active forms. The truncated 83-kDa functional form of the enzyme has been cloned into the pET-21d vector, expressed inEscherichia coli,and purified to homogeneity using a nickel affinity column with chelating Sepharose fast flow media. The recombinant enzyme is active and stable and the availability of large quantities of the enzyme will help in its biochemical and biophysical characterization. As a number of other Gram-positive surface proteins, it appears that the enzyme is anchored via its carboxy-terminal part to the pneumococcal cell wall by a covalent linkage with peptidoglycan structures.
Good pain, bad pain.

Being able to feel pain can help avoid dangerous situations and accelerate the healing process. But sometimes prolonged pain can turn into a chronic and debilitating disease. Two reports on pages [275][1] and [279][2] of this issue suggest approaches for counteracting this "bad" pain. In their Perspective, Iadarola and Caudle discuss the work of Mantyh et al ., who use a toxin to target key neurons that mediate this type of pain in the spinal cord, and Malmberg et al ., who examine nociceptive processes in mice lacking a neuronal form of the signal transduction enzyme PKC that do not feel this sort of pain. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/278/5336/275 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/278/5336/279
Fetal growth retardation: femurs, fontanels, and follow-up.

Sixty-three term newborn infants with fetal growth retardation were evaluated within three days of birth. They were classified by length and head circumference. In group 1, both length and head circumference were less than the tenth percentile; in group 2, either length or head circumference was less than the tenth percentile; and in group 3, both length and head circumference were greater than the tenth percentile. Ponderal index (weight/length ratio), anterior fontanel size, and amount of epiphyseal ossification were also determined. Significantly lower birth weights and decreased ossification were found when groups 1 or 2 were compared separately with group 3. These differences were most marked when the weight/length ratio was less than 2.25. When the ponderal index was less than 2.0, epiphyseal ossification was usually absent (suggesting a chronic process). Epiphyseal ossification was positively correlated with birth weight and length but was unrelated to anterior fontanel size. Ossification was more often absent in males than in females. There was a negative (inverse) correlation between birth weight and anterior fontanel size. Follow-up of 32 of these infants at age 1 year showed marked individual variations, but there were significant differences in incremental linear growth between groups 1 and 3, a finding which supports results of animal studies showing that catch-up growth may be related to skeletal immaturity. Physical measurements at birth in the individual baby with fetal growth retardation do not reliably predict subsequent growth.
Theories Reflecting My Personal Experience and Life Development

Social science theories are expressive acts by their authors, and thus reflect their authors' life experiences and developmental tasks. Maslow's theory of human motivation and Alderfer's conception...
Interaction of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase with glutathione involves specific arginine and lysine residues of the heavy subunit.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, an enzyme of importance in glutathione metabolism, consists of two subunits, one of which (the light subunit, Mr 22,000; residues 380-568; rat kidney) contains residue Thr-523, which selectively interacts with the substrate analog acivicin to form an adduct that is apparently analogous to the gamma-glutamyl enzyme intermediate formed in the normal reaction (Stole, E., Seddon, A. P., Wellner, D., and Meister, A. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 1706-1709). The present studies indicate that specific arginine and lysine residues of the heavy subunit (Mr 51,000; residues 31-379) participate in catalysis by binding the substrates. Selective labeling studies of the enzyme with [14C]phenylglyoxal showed that Lys-99 and Arg-111 were modified. This appears to be the first instance in which phenylglyoxal was found to react with an enzyme lysine residue. Incorporation of [14C]phenylglyoxal into Lys-99 was decreased in the presence of acceptor site selective compounds. Incorporation into both Lys-99 and Arg-111 was decreased in the presence of glutathione. The findings suggest that Lys-99 and Arg-111 interact, respectively, with the omega- and alpha-carboxyl groups of glutathione. That these putative electrostatic binding sites are on the heavy subunit indicates that both subunits contribute to the active center. Two additional heavy subunit arginine residues become accessible to modification by phenylglyoxal when acivicin is bound, suggesting that interaction with acivicin is associated with a conformational change.
Hyponatremia after initiation and rechallenge with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in an older adult.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to describe a case report of a patient experiencing hyponatremia from trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) upon initial use and subsequent rechallenge. Summary An 82-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with altered mental status thought to be due to complicated cystitis and was treated with TMP-SMX 160 mg/800 mg orally twice daily for 7 days. Her basic metabolic panel prior to initiation of TMP-SMX was within normal limits, with the exception of her serum sodium of 132 mmol/L (range 133-145 mmol/L). The day after completing her 7-day course of TMP-SMX therapy the patient was evaluated by her primary care provider and another basic metabolic panel revealed a reduction in the serum sodium to 121 mmol/L. The patient's serum sodium concentrations increased to baseline 7 days after completion of the TMP-SMX therapy, and remained normal until she was treated in the emergency department several months later for another presumed urinary tract infection. She was again started on TMP-SMX therapy empirically, and within several days her serum sodium concentrations decreased from 138 mmol/L to a low of 129 mmol/L. The TMP-SMX therapy was discontinued upon negative urine culture results and her serum sodium increased to 134 mmol/L upon discharge. Based upon the Naranjo probability scale score of 9, TMP-SMX was the probable cause of the patient's hyponatremia. Conclusion Our patient developed hyponatremia from TMP-SMX therapy upon initial use and rechallenge. Although hyponatremia appears to be rare with TMP-SMX therapy, providers should be aware of this potentially life-threatening adverse event.
A Naturally Occurring Repeat Protein with High Internal Sequence Identity Defines a New Class of TPR-like Proteins.

Linear repeat proteins often have high structural similarity and low (∼25%) pairwise sequence identities (PSI) among modules. We identified a unique P. anserina (Pa) sequence with tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) homology, which contains longer (42 residue) repeats (42PRs) with an average PSI >91%. We determined the crystal structure of five tandem Pa 42PRs to 1.6 A, and examined the stability and solution properties of constructs containing three to six Pa 42PRs. Compared with 34-residue TPRs (34PRs), Pa 42PRs have a one-turn extension of each helix, and bury more surface area. Unfolding transitions shift to higher denaturant concentration and become sharper as repeats are added. Fitted Ising models show Pa 42PRs to be more cooperative than consensus 34PRs, with increased magnitudes of intrinsic and interfacial free energies. These results demonstrate the tolerance of the TPR motif to length variation, and provide a basis to understand the effects of helix length on intrinsic/interfacial stability.
Is the Jet in M87 Magnetically Confined

Calculations of the minimum pressure in the M87 jet show that the jet pressure is an order of magnitude in excess of the thermal pressure in the interstellar medium calculated from the X-ray emission. The continuous energy input required to produce the jet emission is incompatible with a freely expanding jet. On the other hand, the uniform jet expansion, the jet emission and the jet polarization can be explained if the jet is self-confined by j x B forces.
Minority Influence and Political Interest Groups

In November 1999, nine-year old Elian Gonzalez arrived illegally in the United States from Cuba. The efforts of the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) to prevent Elian Gonzalez from being deported are a testament to the potential impact of a vocal minority upon government decision making. CANF aids emigrees from Cuba, oversees U.S. government-funded radio and TV broadcasts in Cuba, and lobbies the U.S. government with the objective of promoting democracy and ending the Castro regime in Cuba. The CANF has approximately 50,000 members, and its political action committee, Free Cuba PAC, donates $100,000 to $200,000 to congressional candidates in each election cycle. The activities of the CANF have contributed to the United States’ unwillingness to consider a policy of engagement and negotiation with Cuba. Speaking in Argentina in October of 1997, President Clinton noted that if Cuba wants to “open up and change direction, then I think even the hardest-line people in Miami—who are basically responsible for the [present] policy—would be open to a different approach” ([Robinson, 1998, p. 50).
8‐Hydroxy‐1,3,5,7‐tetramethyl‐2,4,6‐trioxa‐8‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.]decane 8‐oxide

(8-Hydroxy-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,6-trioxa-8-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.13, 7]decane 8-oxide) [94281-50-2] [1207513-54-9] [1207513-52-7] C10H17O5P (MW 248.2) InChI = 1S/C10H17O5P/c1-7-5-9(3)15-8(2,13-7)6-10(4,14-7)16(9,11)12/h5-6H2,1-4H3,(H,11,12) InChIKey = RAKWBUGQJQIRGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N (used as an intermediate for the resolution of the parent compound 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,6-trioxa-8-phosphaadamantane [CgPH], which has been used catalytically as a phosphine ligand or as a ligand precursor in a number of important organic reactions such as Suzuki cross-coupling, Heck coupling, hydroformylation, hydrocyanation, catalytic hydrogenation etc.) Alternate Names: CgPOOH; CgP(O)OH. Physical Data: mp 220–222 °C, ebullioscopic in ethanol. Solubility: soluble in H2O, alcohol, and hot toluene. Form Supplied in: white crystalline solid; not commercially available. Preparative Method: CgPOOH was prepared by a two step reaction sequence, which began with treatment of a solution of 2,4-pentanedione in 5N hydrochloric acid with a positive pressure (2–3 atm) of phosphine in a standard Parr apparatus at room temperature providing the racemic phopha adamantane [CgPH] cage as a white crystalline solid (eq 1) in 81% yield.1 Alternatively, this step may be conducted at atmospheric pressure by bubbling of PH3 gas into a cold (0 °C) solution of acetylacetone in HCl but in a moderate isolated yield of 50%.2 The second step is the oxidation of the secondary phosphine with hydrogen peroxide in refluxing methanol (eq 2) leading to the phosphinic acid in 97% yield.1, 3 (1) (2) Purification: recrystallization from isopropyl alcohol provides analytically pure compound. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: special care is required in the second step of the preparation; the excess hydrogen peroxide should be removed by passing nitrogen gas before concentrating the reaction mixture. Once crystallized, the compound can be stored in a bottle at room temperature for years without any special care.
A continuous empirical Bayes smoothing technique

Maritz (1966) and Lemon & Krutchkoff (1969) each describe discrete empirical Bayes smoothing techniques. These techniques essentially attempt to approximate the prior distribution function. Here a continuous smoothing technique which is based on a smooth and continuous approximation to the prior density function is presented. Results from a Monte Carlo study of the Poisson distribution are reported which show that the continuous smoothing technique has desirable small-sample properties. Some comparisons with discrete smoothing techniques are also made.
A political caring index

In this article, we present a metric to measure the level of 'care' provided by state policies. We have created an index, using state-level data from the USA, which operationalizes an institutional political theory of care. Using this political caring index, we provide data analysis of the impact of levels of care on such societal issues as suicide rates, high school dropout rates and violent crime. In doing so, we explore the relationship between 'caring' state policies and the prevention of social harms, assess the success of existing state policies and provide a new tool for evaluating public policy. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Intentionally Building Rapport With Students

After changing careers (from corporate executive to teacher), I spent my first five years in the academy reading about and trying out various teaching methods and techniques. Surely there was a “ma...
The precise handling of qualitative relationships

The Transtaxor is a computer program which correlates a given problem definition or overall strategy, expressed as a general input syntax, with a given set of circumstances, expressed as a specific input ''situation string'' to produce an output formula or course of action. The transtaxor is written once for a given computer and thereafter becomes applicable to any problem which can be expressed in terms of a syntax. In order to extend the methodology to a wide variety of problems which can be expressed qualitatively, the usual syntax definitions have been extended to provide for the inclusion of relations, the division of the syntax into levels, and the paralleling of these levels through ''developable agendums''. A simple but powerful ''transcribing language'' incorporates the ''action-directing language'' into the processing. The concept of ''delineation'' facilitates the generation of the basic parts, which are developed by the transtaxor, with the aid of a list-processing language, into progressively higher levels of the syntax until the final goal is produced. Examples are given of the application of the methodology to automatic-programming-language translation and information retrieval.
Constructing the face of AIDS: Debby Feyerick and the Wayne Fischer story

This paper examines Wayne Fischer's Journal of Hope, a series of stories which was aired on New York One News. Journal of Hope puts a human face on the issue of AIDS in the context of a news program. Unlike many contemporary sanitized and formulaic news formats, the journalist producing Journal of Hope, Debby Feyerick, took a personal look at one man's existence and his ultimate end. The series is an example of an approach to accountable television news coverage that constructs meaning as it is created. It is an illuminating account of life and death in the media, and demonstrates that constitutive communication can be utilized within news media to facilitate greater cultural and social understanding.
FEASIBILITY OF USING BORON-LOADED PLASTIC FIBERS FOR NEUTRON DETECTION

Abstract The results from simulations and laboratory experiments with boron-loaded plastic scintillating fibers as a nondestructive assay (NDA) tool are presented. Single and multi-clad fibers in three diameters of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mm were examined for their application in neutron coincidence counting. For this application, the simulation results show that various configurations of boron-loaded plastic scintillating fibers have a die-away time (τ) of 12 μs with an efficiency (e) of 50%. For a comparable efficiency, 3He proportional tubes have a typical die-away time of 50 μs. The shortened die-away time can reduce the relative error for measurement of similar samples by up to 50%. Plastic scintillating fibers (PSF) also offer flexible configurations with the potential to discriminate between signals from gamma-ray and neutron events. Quantitative calculations and experiments have been conducted to determine the light output, evaluate the noise, quantify light attenuation, and determine neutron detection efficiency. Current experimental data support the analytical results that boron-loaded plastic fibers can detect thermal neutrons.
PHOSPHOROTHIOATE OLIGONUCLEOTIDE METABOLISM: CHARACTERIZATION OF THE “N+”-MER BY CE AND HPLC-ES/MS

Abstract Unique phosphorothioate oligonucleotide metabolites of ISIS 2302 were isolated from pig kidney and characterized by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC-ES/MS) analysis. Fractionation by anion exchange HPLC followed by CE and HPLC-ES/MS analysis enabled facile identification of many metabolites, including a unique metabolite that has a slower migration time than intact ISIS 2302. The appearance of this slower migrating “N+” metabolite in CE analysis was correlated to three masses observed during HPLC-ES/MS analysis. These masses are consistent with the addition of a ribonucleotide or a phosphorothioate deoxyribonucleotide to intact ISIS 2302. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Enrichment of 3He and Heavy Ions in Impulsive Solar Flares

The acceleration of 3He and heavy ions by electromagnetic hydrogen cyclotron waves in a direct single-stage process in impulsive solar flares is investigated analytically and with the help of test particle simulations. We illustrate in detail the mechanism by which a single monochromatic wave can accelerate such ions to MeV and even GeV energies. While somewhat idealized, a monochromatic wave well illustrates the importance of the background magnetic field gradient in the acceleration process. An interesting result of our analysis shows that the acceleration rate is proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field gradient and is independent of the wave amplitude, while the maximum energy gained increases with decreasing magnetic field gradient and increasing wave amplitude. Heavy ions can also be accelerated by these electromagnetic hydrogen cyclotron waves in a single-stage process by the second or higher harmonic resonance. The acceleration of heavier ions by the same mechanism raises the question of their low enrichment in comparison to much higher enrichment of 3He. The solution is related to the initial small acceleration of the thermal heavy ions at the higher harmonic resonances. The enrichment of the heavy ions increases with the amplitude of the electromagnetic waves and decreases with the plasma density due to Coulomb collisions and absorption of wave energy. Comparison between the rate of cooling of thermal heavy ions due to collisions and heating by waves gives wave intensity and heavy ion ratios which are consistent with observations. The relation between the accelerated heavy ion abundances and their gyrofrequencies in the corona is used to estimate the temperature in the acceleration region. The existence of electromagnetic hydrogen cyclotron waves in flare plasmas is supported by observations in auroral plasmas and by solution of the dispersion relation, which shows that such waves can propagate over long distances along coronal magnetic fields.
NT-26PATHOLOGY OF CASES OF IMAGING PROGRESSION IN PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH GLIOBLASTOMA WHO HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH THE NOVOCURE - TTF DEVICE IN THE EF-14 TRIAL

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of glioblastoma carries a dismal prognosis with an average of 14 months survival with standard medical care, consisting of temozolomide during radiotherapy and adjuvant temozlomide. There is a need to explore other treatment modalities. Novocure Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) is an antimitotic treatment that delivers low intensity, intermediate frequency (200 kHz), alternating electric fields to a tumor. This results in an anti-microtubule effect, with inadequate mitotic spindle formation, mitotic arrest and apoptosis. Three cases are presented, all of whom had radiographic progression, with no neurological decline. METHODS: Three patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were enrolled in the trial, "A Prospective, Multi-CenterTrial of NovoTTF-100A Together with Temozolomide Compared to Temozolomide Alone in Patients with Newly Diagnosed GBM." (EF-14). All three patients underwent surgical resection when disease progression was suspected on follow-up MRI. They had been receiving treatment for 6 months or longer. RESULTS: Pathology from Case #1 revealed no viable tumor cells, treatment effect only. Case #2 revealed large pleomorphic cells with rare mitoses. Pathology review of Case #3 revealed reactive white matter, scattered atypical cells, rare mitoses. CONCLUSIONS: The pathology of these patients following treatment with Novocure-TTF is consistent with changes noted in vitro and in vivo, with cellular changes including increase in size of glioblastoma cells, and few mitoses. Adjustment of the treatment field may be necessary to effect cells on the periphery of the lesion, in a better effort to prevent progression. The addition of a chemotherapeutic agent with microtubule inhibition will also be of interest as there may be potential synergistic effect.
Reduction of left ventricular spontaneous echo contrast in cardiomyopathy by acute inotropic intervention or aggressive therapy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether improvement of left ventricular (LV) systolic function could reduce the severity or eliminate LV spontaneous echo contrast found with transthoracic echocardiography in a group of patients with advanced cardiomyopathy. A successful reduction of this by hemodynamic means might indicate an additional beneficial method of helping prevent thromboembolism in advanced cardiomyopathy. Six patients with advanced cardiomyopathy and demonstrating spontaneous echo contrast on transthoracic echocardiography were treated with acute inotropic drug infusions or aggressive medical therapy to improve LV systolic function to determine whether reduction in spontaneous contrast could be achieved by such means. A spontaneous echo contrast scoring system was devised : 0 to 4, indicating absent to severe. Six observers, unacquainted with the study plan, were blinded as to the source of the 12 pre-and post- therapy two-dimensional echocardiograms obtained and re-recorded in a random sequence, and were asked to grade the degree of spontaneous echo contrast. In all six patients, LV spontaneous echo contrast was reduced by improvement in LV systolic function (average score lowered from 2.94 to 1.25, p < 0.005). Among patients with cardiomyopathy at high risk for LV thromboembolism, as indicated by the presence of LV spontaneous echo contrast, improvement in LV systolic function may serve as an adjunct to anticoagulation or, in some cases, as a substitute when the latter is contraindicated in the prevention of thromboembolism. The results obtained suggest merit in prospective, long-term studies of a larger group of such patients.
Effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor on the survival and response to nerve growth factor of cultured rat sympathetic neurons.

Abstract The development and maturation of cells depends not only on their genetic history, but also on sequences and combinations of environmental signals appropriate to their developmental age. Early postnatal rat sympathetic neurons are dependent on nerve growth factor (NGF) for survival in vivo and in vitro , but earlier sympathetic neuroblasts may not require NGF. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) provides short-term in vitro trophic support to embryonic and neonatal sympathetic neurons, but its role in vivo is not understood. In this study we examined further the capability of CNTF to support neonatal rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) sympathetic neurons in vitro and the effect of CNTF on the trophic activities of NGF. SCG neurons cultured with either CNTF or NGF survived for 24 hr in low-density cultures depleted of nonneuronal cells, in contrast to neurons with neither factor. However, with CNTF only a fraction of the NGF-maintained number of neurons survived for 6 days. CNTF given in combination with NGF in these nonneuron-depleted cultures produced a significant decrease in the number of neurons surviving for 6 days, compared to the number supported by NGF alone. If such cultures were supplemented with Schwann cells, very different results were obtained: CNTF alone supported the 6-day survival of 80% as many neurons as did NGF, and the combination of CNTF with NGF produced no decrease in neuronal survival. Antibody to NGF did not block the support provided by CNTF and Schwann cells. Immunostaining for the low-affinity NGF receptor (LNGFR), intense in the NGF-supported neurons, was absent in the CNTF-supported neurons and reduced in the neurons exposed to the combination of NGF and CNTF. These results show that CNTF can act synergistically with a Schwann cell-derived agent to provide trophic support to neonatal sympathetic neurons, and that it can down-regulate the responsiveness of those neurons to NGF.
A Direct and Stereocontrolled Route to Conjugated Enediynes

A unified synthetic route to 3-hex-en-1,5-diynes, a key building block found in many of the enediyne antitumor agents and designed materials, was developed. The method, which relies on a carbenoid coupling-elimination strategy is tolerant of a wide range of functionalities, and was applied to the synthesis of a variety of linear and cyclic enediynes. Reaction parameters can be adjusted to control stereoselectivity of the process, producing linear enediynes from 1:12 to >100:1 E:Z ratio, and in the case of cyclic enediynes, giving the exclusively Z C-9, C-10, or C-11 products. Key features of the process are the ready availability of precursors and the mildness and efficiency of the reaction. Application of the process in the design of materials precursors and preparation of enediyne antitumor agents are presented.
A new approach for the production of cellulose acetate: Acetylation of mechanical pulp with subsequent isolation of cellulose acetate by differential solubility

A heretofore uninvestigated approach to the production of cellulose acetate, the acetylation of whole wood pulp with subsequent isolation of the cellulose derivative by differential solubility, is described. The mechanical pulp used was produced by refining aspen wood chips with a disc refiner. Two conventional acetylation techniques, the fibrous and solution process, were employed to acetylato all components of the pulp. The cellulose acetate was isolated from the acetylated lignin and hemicellulose by dissolving in dichloromethane/methanol (9:1, v/v). The advantage of this new approach is that the high cost involved in using an extensively purified dissolving pulp are avoided. Both acetylation techniques yielded a product that was about 84% cellulose acetate. The remaining acetylated components were lignin and hemicellulose. The yield of cellulose acetate, based on the cellulose content of the original pulp and the product, was 75–80%.
OPTOELECTRONIC NEURON ARRAYS

The optical implementation of a neural network consists of two basic components: a 2-D array of neurons and interconnections. Each neuron is a nonlinear processing element that, in its simplest form, produces an output which is the thresholded version of the input. Liquid crystal spatial light modulators, optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEIC's), either hybrid, such as liquid crystal on silicon, Si-PLZT, and flip-chip devices, or monolithic integration in 111-V compounds, are examples of such a solution. In order for these devices to be used as neurons in a practical experiment, they must contain a large number of neurons (104/cm2 - 106/cm2) and exhibit high gain. This puts a stringent requirement on the electrical power dissipation. Thus, these devices have to be operated at low enough current levels so that the power dissipation on the chip does not exceed the heat-sinking capability, and yet the current levels need to be large enough to be able to produce high gain. This means sensitive input devices are a must. To achieve these goals, the speed requirement of the devices must be relaxed as the operation of neural network does not have to be too fast.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Abscisic Acid Levels and Seed Dormancy

Dormant seeds from Fraxinus species require cold-temperature after-ripening prior to germination. Earlier, we found that abscisic acid (ABA) will inhibit germination of excised nondormant embryos and that this can be reversed with a combination of gibberellic acid and kinetin. Using Milborrow's quantitative "racemate dilution" method the ABA concentration in 3 types of Fraxinus seed and pericarp were determined. While ABA was present in all tissues, the highest concentration was found in the seed and pericarp of dormant F. americana. During the chilling treatment of F. americana the ABA levels decreased 37% in the pericarp and 68% in the seed. The ABA concentration of the seed of the nondormant species, F. ornus, is as low as that found in F. americana seeds after cold treatment. Experiments with exogenously added ABA solutions indicate that it is unlikely that the ABA in the pericarp functions in the regulation of seed dormancy. However, the ABA in the seed does seem to have a regulatory role in germination.
Keeping Up with Intelligent Technology

This column explores a challenge to human-centered computing: namely, that the time frame for both proving the usefulness of a new technology and publishing reports on research and development activities are outstripped by the pace of change in the technology.
Peak-by-peak correction of Ge(Li) gamma-ray spectra for photopeaks from background

Abstract Background photopeaks can interfere with accurate measurement of low levels of radionuclides by gamma-ray spectrometry. A flowchart for peak-by-peak correction of sample spectra to produce accurate results is presented.