cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of organic matter amendment level on soil heating, organic acid accumulation, and development of bacterial communities in solarized soil

Abstract In light of the negative environmental impacts of soil fumigants such as methyl bromide, soil solarization, the treatment of soil using passive solar heating, has emerged as an environmentally friendly approach to soil pest suppression. Unfortunately, traditional solarization processes remove land from cultivation for 4–6 weeks during the peak of the growing season, limiting economic practicality. Biosolarization, where soil is amended with organic residues prior to solarization, can accelerate pest suppression, compress the solarization timetable, and facilitate effective treatment in shorter time periods. A combination of laboratory experiments and a field trial were employed in this study to examine the effects of organic matter amendment on soil heating, organic acid accumulation, and microbial community dynamics during biosolarization. Provision of organic matter resulted in robust metabolic activity, boosting peak soil temperatures by up to 2 °C beyond what could be achieved without an organic amendment. In the deep soil layers, organic matter amendment led to significant accumulation of acetic, iso -butyric, and butyric acids; increasing organic matter from 0% to 5% yielded 352–1271 fold increases in organic acid accumulation. The relative abundance of several organisms belonging to the phylum Firmicutes also increased with increasing organic matter amendment. The organic acid levels observed in this study (1–7 mg g −1 soil) would result in soil suppressive to a variety of fungal and nematode plant pathogens. Moreover, results suggest that suppression could be achieved within 2 weeks, potentially making biosolarization a more attractive alternative to chemical fumigation.
Calcite-amended horizontal roughing filtration for clay turbidity removal

Crushed basaltic river rock, calcite limestone, and calcite-amended basalt were three types of media tested in pilot-scale horizontal roughing filters pretreating slow sand filters fed from the Santiam River over 60-day periods. Montmorillonite and kaolinite clay challenge tests were conducted on ripened and unripened roughing filters to test performance at turbidities greater than 150 NTU, and clay removal trends were qualitatively examined using clay peak area ratios derived from X-ray diffraction. Enhanced montmorillonite removal was evident in the calcite roughing filter, but schmutzdecke growth was inhibited in the calcite-fed slow sand filter. The basalt, calcite and calcite-amended roughing filters in combination with slow sand filtration achieved 88.0, 95.3 and 99.6% clay turbidity removal, respectively, during the challenge tests. The slow sand filter pretreated with a calcite-amended roughing filter was the only configuration to produce effluent that complied with the 1 NTU regulatory requirement using influent of
More-than-Active Food Citizens: A Longitudinal and Comparative Study of Alternative and Conventional Eaters

This article has multiple aims: (1) to understand, with the help of descriptive statistics, how eaters engaged within various alternative foodscapes compare to more conventional eaters when asked questions about things like their interest in local politics, whether they volunteer, and their reasons for buying local foods; (2) to map, with the help of descriptive statistics, changes in how individuals respond to questions after being “exposed” to certain alternative foodscape experiences; (3) and to understand, with the help of practice theory and qualitative data, why individuals might think and behave differently after being exposed to these alternative doings and sayings, findings that lead to a discussion about how aspects of these alternative foodscapes engender the making of more-than-active citizens. A research team studied individuals in Colorado who had recently begun participating in one of the following practices: (1) drop-off community-supported agriculture (CSA), (2) CSA volunteer membership, (3) farmers’ market, and (4) member-owned food cooperative. Researchers surveyed participants and resurveyed them two years later, at which time sampled eaters were also engaged in an extensive qualitative interview, with a total of 119 personal interviews conducted. In addition, the team conducted a phone survey (n = 106) of randomly selected residents in Colorado to represent conventional eaters.
Bacterial persistence induced by salicylate via reactive oxygen species

Persisters are phenotypic variants of regular cells that exist in a dormant state with low metabolic activity, allowing them to exhibit high tolerance to antibiotics. Despite increasing recognition of their role in chronic and recalcitrant infections, the mechanisms that induce persister formation are not fully understood. In this study, we find that salicylate can induce persister formation in Escherichia coli via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Salicylate-induced ROS cause a decrease in the membrane potential, reduce metabolism and lead to an increase in persistence. These effects can be recovered by culturing cells in the presence of a ROS quencher or in an anaerobic environment. Our findings reveal that salicylate-induced oxidative stress can lead to persistence, suggesting that ROS, and their subsequent impact on membrane potential and metabolism, may play a broad role in persister formation.
Cross-Sectional Study of Risky Substance Use by Injured Emergency Department Patients.

Introduction. Survey data regarding the prevalence of risky substance use in the emergency department (ED) is not consistent. The objective of this study is to identify the prevalence of risky substance use among injured ED patients based on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST v3.0). A secondary objective was to report on the feasibility of administering the ASSIST to this population, based on the time to conduct screening. Methods. This cross-sectional study used screening data from a randomized controlled trial. Injured ED patients completed the ASSIST on a tablet computer, and an ASSIST score was computed that indicated the need for a brief or intensive treatment intervention (risky use) for alcohol and other substances. For a subsample, data to complete each step of screening was recorded. Results. Between July 2010 and March 2013, 5,695 patients completed the ASSIST. Most (92%) reported lifetime use of at least one substance and 51% reported current risky use of at least one substance. Mean time to complete the ASSIST was 5.4 minutes and screening was feasible even when paused for clinical care to proceed. Conclusion. Estimates of risky substance use based on the ASSIST in our large sample of injured ED patients are higher than previously reported in other studies of ED patients, possibly due to the current focus on an injured population. In addition, it was feasible to administer the ASSIST to patients in the course of their clinical care.
Engineering Small Molecule Responsive Split Protein Kinases

The over 500 human protein kinases are estimated to phosphorylate at least one-third of the proteome. This posttranslational modification is of paramount importance to intracellular signaling and its deregulation is linked to numerous diseases. Deciphering the specific cellular role of a protein kinase of interest remains challenging given their structural similarity and potentially overlapping activity. In order to exert control over the activity of user-defined kinases and allow for understanding and engineering of complex signal transduction pathways, we have designed ligand inducible split protein kinases. In this approach, protein kinases are dissected into two fragments that cannot spontaneously assemble and are thus inactive. The two kinase fragments are attached to chemical inducers of dimerization (CIDs) that allow for ligand induced heterodimerization and concomitant activation of kinase activity.
Lazarus ecology: Recovering the distribution and migratory patterns of the extinct Carolina parakeet

The study of the ecology and natural history of species has traditionally ceased when a species goes extinct, despite the benefit to current and future generations of potential findings. We used the extinct Carolina parakeet as a case study to develop a framework investigating the distributional limits, subspecific variation, and migratory habits of this species as a means to recover important information about recently extinct species. We united historical accounts with museum collections to develop an exhaustive, comprehensive database of every known occurrence of this once iconic species. With these data, we combined species distribution models and ordinal niche comparisons to confront multiple conjectured hypotheses about the parakeet's ecology with empirical data on where and when this species occurred. Our results demonstrate that the Carolina parakeet's range was likely much smaller than previously believed, that the eastern and western subspecies occupied different climatic niches with broad geographical separation, and that the western subspecies was likely a seasonal migrant while the eastern subspecies was not. This study highlights the novelty and importance of collecting occurrence data from published observations on extinct species, providing a starting point for future investigations of the factors that drove the Carolina parakeet to extinction. Moreover, the recovery of lost autecological knowledge could benefit the conservation of other parrot species currently in decline and would be crucial to the success of potential de-extinction efforts for the Carolina parakeet.
The Malaria Parasite Cyclin H Homolog PfCyc1 Is Required for Efficient Cytokinesis in Blood-Stage Plasmodium falciparum.

ABSTRACT All well-studied eukaryotic cell cycles are driven by cyclins, which activate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and these protein kinase complexes are viable drug targets. The regulatory control of the Plasmodium falciparum cell division cycle remains poorly understood, and the roles of the various CDKs and cyclins remain unclear. The P. falciparum genome contains multiple CDKs, but surprisingly, it does not contain any sequence-identifiable G1-, S-, or M-phase cyclins. We demonstrate that P. falciparum Cyc1 (PfCyc1) complements a G1 cyclin-depleted Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain and confirm that other identified malaria parasite cyclins do not complement this strain. PfCyc1, which has the highest sequence similarity to the conserved cyclin H, cannot complement a temperature-sensitive yeast cyclin H mutant. Coimmunoprecipitation of PfCyc1 from P. falciparum parasites identifies PfMAT1 and PfMRK as specific interaction partners and does not identify PfPK5 or other CDKs. We then generate an endogenous conditional allele of PfCyc1 in blood-stage P. falciparum using a destabilization domain (DD) approach and find that PfCyc1 is essential for blood-stage proliferation. PfCyc1 knockdown does not impede nuclear division, but it prevents proper cytokinesis. Thus, we demonstrate that PfCyc1 has a functional divergence from bioinformatic predictions, suggesting that the malaria parasite cell division cycle has evolved to use evolutionarily conserved proteins in functionally novel ways. IMPORTANCE Human infection by the eukaryotic parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes malaria. Most well-studied eukaryotic cell cycles are driven by cyclins, which activate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) to promote essential cell division processes. Remarkably, there are no identifiable cyclins that are predicted to control the cell cycle in the malaria parasite genome. Thus, our knowledge regarding the basic mechanisms of the malaria parasite cell cycle remains unsatisfactory. We demonstrate that P. falciparum Cyc1 (PfCyc1), a transcriptional cyclin homolog, complements a cell cycle cyclin-deficient yeast strain but not a transcriptional cyclin-deficient strain. We show that PfCyc1 forms a complex in the parasite with PfMRK and the P. falciparum MAT1 homolog. PfCyc1 is essential and nonredundant in blood-stage P. falciparum. PfCyc1 knockdown causes a stage-specific arrest after nuclear division, demonstrating morphologically aberrant cytokinesis. This work demonstrates a conserved PfCyc1/PfMAT1/PfMRK complex in malaria and suggests that it functions as a schizont stage-specific regulator of the P. falciparum life cycle.
Evaluating Sustainability Through an Historical Lens: Clothing Conservation Efforts during WWII

A study of conservation efforts in the United States during World War II (1942-45) can provide useful insights into how consumers strived to conserve and prolong limited resources. This paper seeks to provide a historical perspective on sustainable fashion by inspecting the approach to waste management during World War II. To explore this topic, we will look into advice literature and educational materials aimed at consumers to adapt to style and textile restrictions. The results of this study will provide proscriptive advice and insights gained from this historical perspective.
Impact of Process Variation on Self-Reference Sensing Scheme and Adaptive Current Modulation for Robust STTRAM Sensing

Spin-Transfer-Torque RAM (STTRAM) is a promising technology for high-density on-chip cache due to low standby power and high speed. However, the process variation of the Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) and access transistor poses a serious challenge to sensing. Nondestructive sensing suffers from reference resistance variation, whereas destructive sensing suffers from failures due to unoptimized selection of data and reference currents. Furthermore, the sense speed is tightly coupled with the reference/data current requirement. In this work, we study the process variation effect on a self-reference sensing scheme to eliminate bit-to-bit process variation in MTJ resistance. Read current modulation is proposed to overcome the failures due to process variation. Simulation results reveal
What is a clean bus? Object conflicts in the greening of urban transit

Object conflicts—struggles over the design, definition, and diffusion of technologies—are analyzed to understand the changing history of the greening of bus technologies in the United States from t...
Secondary Repair of the Zygoma.

Secondary deformities of the zygoma are a rare entity, thanks to the adoption and refinement of open reduction and internal fixation techniques. These injuries are often difficult to treat due to the unique structural, functional, and aesthetic properties of the zygoma. Purely cosmetic defects can often be managed with implants; however, functional deficits generally require mobilization, correction, and subsequent fixation of the defect(s). Performing the necessary osteotomies to mobilize the zygoma is the most crucial part of the procedure, and had traditionally been executed without the use of computer aids. Planning for and performing this step was very difficult and frequently resulted in unsatisfactory outcomes. Recent advancements in virtual mapping and planning have obviated the need for guesswork and have resulted in improved functional and aesthetic outcomes following repositioning. This article will discuss the use of implants, osteotomies, and computer-assisted design/modeling (CAD/CAM) in addressing secondary deformities of the zygoma.
A Perspective on the Potential Associations among Impulsivity, Palatable Food Intake, and Weight Gain in Pregnancy: Arguing a Need for Future Research

This article aims to provide an initiative for future research to explore the relationships among impulsivity, palatable food intake, and gestational weight gain in pregnancy. Drawing from the extensive evidence linking impulsivity to a tendency towards palatable food intake and subsequent risk for weight gain and obesity in non-pregnant populations, it is argued that impulsivity may serve as an important maternal characteristic that augments risk for excessive gestational weight gain by promoting increased palatable food intake in and difficulty adhering to dietary guidelines for pregnancy. Given the maternal and fetal health risks associated with excessive gestational weight gain, there is a need to better understand whether and how impulsivity, palatable food intake, and gestational weight gain interrelate in pregnancy to determine their potential clinical relevance.
A hybrid paradigm for adaptive parallel search

Parallelization offers the opportunity to accelerate search on constraint satisfaction problems. To parallelize a sequential solver under a popular message passing protocol, the new paradigm described here combines portfolio-based methods and search space splitting. To split effectively and to balance processor workload, this paradigm adaptively exploits knowledge acquired during search and allocates additional resources to the most difficult parts of a problem. Extensive experiments in a parallel environment show that this paradigm significantly improves the performance of an underlying sequential solver, outperforms more naive approaches to parallelization, and solves many difficult problems left open after recent solver competitions.
Pearls & Oy-sters: Pembrolizumab-induced myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an uncommon autoimmune, postsynaptic neuromuscular disorder, characterized clinically by variable and fluctuating weakness of ocular, bulbar, respiratory, and limb muscles.
From Frobenius character formula to vertex operators

In this paper, simplified derivation of Frobenius character formula for thesymmetric group and Spechts character formula for the wreath products is given. It is shown that vertex operatorshad their presence in Frobenius formula via the multiplication of the Grothendieck ring. The same method is applied tothe Grothendieck ring of the wreath products of symmetric groups and any finite group to givea simplified proof of the Specht formula.
Voting Context and Vote Choice: The Impact of Voting Precinct Location on Voting for California Proposition 8

The vote on Proposition 8 has been characterized as a largely ideological vote among California voters. Certainly, research suggests that at the individual level, conservatism, Republicanism, religiosity, African-American and Hispanic ethnicity, lower education, and male gender all greatly increased the probability of voting “yes” on the Proposition. Recent research has concluded that the physical location of a voting precinct can also influence voting on an issue by providing environmental cues that activate societal norms that can affect the a citizen’s vote on particular issues. At least one author (Rutchick) has concluded that voting in a church can trigger votes in a conservative direction. This research examines the hypothesis that voting at a church (as opposed to a school or other facility) would increase support for the Act over and above other factors affecting the vote. The research concludes that Rutchick’s conclusions may have been affected by the absence of controls for race, religious affiliation, and population density. Nevertheless, the choice of polling location is not neutral and should be studied in future elections. Other analyses of the vote also underestimate the indirect effects of education and ethnicity.
Effect of Local Smoke-Free Ordinances on Smoking Prevalence in Kentucky, 2002-2009.

Objectives Many local communities in Kentucky, a state with one of the highest smoking prevalence rates in the United States, have enacted smoke-free ordinances that prohibit smoking in workplaces and enclosed buildings open to the public. Research has shown that such ordinances are clearly beneficial for public health, but their influence on smoking prevalence in the populations they cover remains unclear. This study explores the effect of local smoke-free ordinances on smoking prevalence in Kentucky. Methods We used a database of smoke-free ordinances maintained by the Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy, Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data, and US Census data. We estimated the proportion of Kentucky adults living in counties with smoke-free ordinances of varying strength; examined bivariate associations between smoke-free ordinances and smoking prevalence; and fit regression models that adjusted for various county-level demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors. Results Smoking prevalence was approximately 5% lower in counties with smoke-free ordinances, even after adjusting for other relevant factors, including a trend in decreasing prevalence throughout the study region. There was a slight dose-response effect related to the strength of smoke-free ordinances after adjustment for these covariates. Smoke-free ordinances appear to have a modest effect on smoking prevalence across the span of several years. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that although smoking prevalence fell throughout the state during the study period, counties with smoke-free ordinances experienced a greater decline. Future research should examine the strength of smoke-free ordinances in greater detail to better understand their influence on smoking prevalence.
Analysis of Acoustic Signals

In the following, we will give a very brief introduction to methods used to analyze acoustical signals. This topic on its own constitutes a huge field and one can devote a lifetime to mastering it. Much current research in acoustics involves the creation of algorithms for compressing digitized acoustical signals to facilitate their transmission and storage. A large community of researchers devote their efforts to the analysis of speech signals to enable more efficient and effective means of human–machine and human–human communication.
Vector-borne parasite invasion in communities across space and time.

While vector-borne parasite transmission often operates via generalist-feeding vectors facilitating cross-species transmission in host communities, theory describing the relationship between host s...
Placentas From Women of Advanced Maternal Age: An Independent Indication for Pathologic Examination?

Context.— The percentage of pregnant women with advanced maternal age (AMA) has increased during the past several decades due to various socioeconomic factors and advances in assisted reproduction....
Multi-Drug-Resistant Organisms in Burn Infections.

Background: Infection is the most frequent complication after severe burns and remains the predominant cause of death. Burn patients may require multiple courses of antibiotics, lengthy hospitalizations, and invasive procedures that place burn patients at especially high risk for infections with multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Methods: The published literature on MDROs in burn patients was reviewed to develop a strategy for managing these infections. Results: Within a burn unit meticulous infection prevention and control measures and effective antimicrobial stewardship can limit MDRO propagation and decrease the antibiotic pressure driving the selection of MDROs from less resistant strains. Several new antimicrobial agents have been developed offering potential therapeutic options, but familiarity with their benefits and limitations is required for safe utilization. Successful management of MDRO burn infections is supported by a multifactorial approach. Novel non-antibiotic therapeutics may help combat MDRO infections and outbreaks. Conclusions: Multi-drug-resistant organisms are being identified with increasing frequency in burn patients. Effective sensitivity testing is essential to identify MDROs and to direct appropriate antibiotic choices for patient treatment.
Reapportionment and Redistricting in the West, F. Moncrief Gary (Ed.). Lexington Books, Lanham, MD (2011), 281 pages

Reapportionment and Redistricting in the West is a collection of chapters focused on reapportionment and redistricting in the western US states. The chapters were initially presented at a conferenc...
Aggressive Marketing Strategy Following Equity Offerings and Value: The Role of Relative Strategic Flexibility

Firms raise significant amount of funds and gain competitive advantage over their rivals through equity financing, namely initial public offerings (IPOs) and seasoned equity offering (SEOs). The authors find that both IPO and SEO firms adopt a more aggressive marketing strategy during the two years following their offering. However, not all equity issuers benefit equally from increased marketing spending, which can help signal companies’ growth prospects to investors. A key moderator of the link between marketing investment and firm value is strategic flexibility of rivals with respect to issuers. In particular, the stock market reacts favorably to an aggressive marketing strategy initiated by issuers competing against rivals with relatively less flexibility, whereas increased marketing expenditures do not translate into higher firm value when rivals have higher flexibility. Furthermore, the authors show that marketing expenditures create value within context: the role of marketing in enhancing shareholder value and the moderating effect of rivals’ strategic flexibility are more pronounced in the two-year window immediately following an equity offering than at any other time. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
6-Shogaol improves behavior and memory in Wistar rats prenatally exposed to lipopolysaccharide

Objective 6-shogaol, bioactive compound of Zingiber Officinale Roscoe, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. The objective of the present study was to verify the effect of 6-shogaol on behavioral parameters in a preclinical model based on a maternal immune activation (MIA) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methodology Twelve pregnant Wistar rats received 100 μg/kg LPS or saline solution on gestational day (GD) 9.5. Male offspring participated in the study and in the postnatal day (PND) 30 and 55 were supplemented with 6-shogaol or saline solution, by gavage at a dose of 10mg/kg/day, orally for 5 days. In the PND 35 and 60 was performed the behavioral tests: grooming, crossing and rearing that evaluated repetitive movements, anxiety, interest in the new, respectively and the inhibitory avoidance test that evaluated short-term (STM) and long-term memory (LTM). Result Prenatal exposure to LPS increased the grooming and crossing episodes at different ages and reduced rearing episodes in PND 37. Treatment with 6-shogaol reversed these parameters. In the inhibitory avoidance test, an improvement of memory was identified with 6-shogaol in the STM and LTM at both ages comparing training and test session of treated groups and between groups. Conclusion Administration of 6-shogaol reverse the stereotypy, exploratory behavior and memory impairment in prenatal LPS-exposed offspring, acting as a promising therapeutic component against brain disorders associated with the process of MIA.
Megakaryocyte Size in Thrombocytopenic and Normal Rats

Thrombocytopenia was produced in rats by exchange transfusion with platelet-poor homologous blood or heterologous antiserum. The subsequent rapid rise in platelet counts to thrombocytotic levels suggested accelerated platelet production. During this recovery period macromegakaryocytes were present in the bone marrow. The findings suggested that thrombocytopenia affected megakaryocytopoiesis at the precursor cell level with resultant macrocytosis.
Cutwidth approximation in linear time

Graph width metrics have been widely studied for their relevance to VLSI design. Examples include cutwidth, pathwidth, bandwidth and several others that arise in circuit layout. When the width is bounded, graphs that satisfy these metrics can often be recognized by finite lists of obstruction tests. One of the most foundational tests is to determine whether K/sub 4/ is immersed in a graph. The authors present for the first time a fast, practical algorithm to perform this test, and discuss its relevance to cutwidth and other metrics. >
An Analysis of Heart Rateesponse to Exercise

Abstract Heart rate response to exercise and recovery after exercise were studied analytically on the basis that any energy extracted from a muscle must ultimately be supplied by oxidation. Any discrepancy between oxygen supply rate and equivalent oxygen consumption rate was assumed to be made up by utilizing a finite reserve; thus allowing supply to lag consumption at the onset of exercise. Heart rate was assumed and experimentally demonstrated to be linearly related to oxygen supply rate during both steady-state and the transition period after exercise starts or stops. During recovery the withdrawals from reserves are repaid as heart rate returns to normal. Consideration of these factors resulted in an exponential heart rate response equation which closely agreed with observations. Coefficients, evaluated from experimental data, gave average time constants of 1.2 to 1.7 sec. with recovery being slower than response to exercise. Integration of this equation over the exercise range gave an estimate of the...
An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Funerary Treatment and Bacterial Bioerosion in European Archaeological Human Bone

A central problem in funerary archaeology is interpreting how the corpse was manipulated in the immediate post mortem period. The extent of bacterial bioerosion to the internal bone microstructure has been proposed as a means to infer the early post mortem history of a corpse, as it has been suggested that this form of bone diagenesis is produced by an organism's putrefactive gut bacteria. Under this model, different forms of funerary treatment would be expected to leave characteristic signatures of bioerosion in archaeological bone. Here, we tested the extent to which bacterial bioerosion of ancient human bones reflected funerary treatment, through histological analysis of 301 archaeological human bone thin sections from 25 European archaeological sites. We found that bioerosion was significantly influenced by whether a bone originated from a neonatal individual or an anoxic context. When these remains were excluded, bioerosion was controlled by archaeological phase in a manner consistent with known early post mortem treatment and forensic models of bodily decomposition. These findings suggest that microscopic analyses of bone have useful applications in reconstructions of funerary processes and provide some insight into factors that may control the persistence of organic biomolecules and fossilization.
Microbial Ecology of Human Skin and Wounds

Human skin is a complex organ that provides protection and regulates our interaction with the outside environment. The skin is composed of three layers, which include the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Skin appendages include hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. These appendages are unevenly distributed on the skin. The stratum corneum is the outer protective layer of the epidermis and is composed of dead cells that are regularly shed from the surface. The outer layers of the epidermis are inhabited by microorganisms considered permanent skin residents as well as transient microorganisms that do not normally grow and multiply on the skin. The number and types of microorganisms inhabiting the skin are influenced by skin conditions, including the density and activity of sebaceous and sweat glands. The secretions of these glands provide nutrients and selective conditions that influence the composition of the resident microflora. This community is composed primarily of Gram-positive bacteria, including staphylococci, micrococci, and corynebacteria as well as lipophilic yeasts (Malassezia). This resident microflora is believed to help prevent skin colonization by pathogenic microorganisms. However, under certain conditions, skin disease can be caused by members of the resident flora. Skin infections are most often the result of injury to the skin. Cutaneous wounds enable access of microorganisms to normally sterile tissue and provide a much different niche for microbial growth than does intact skin. In the case of acute wounds, the healing process, including the immune response, is capable of stemming invasion by microbes and repairing the wound. However, in some cases wounds become chronic and fail to heal within a reasonable time frame. Most often chronic wounds afflict the ill and elderly with underlying disorders (e.g., diabetes) or weakened immune systems. Large bacterial populations in wounds have been correlated with delayed healing, and control of microbial infection is recognized as an important aspect of wound care. However, the role of specific microorganisms in preventing wound healing remains unclear. Similar types of microorganisms have been isolated from both acute and chronic wounds, although the latter tend to harbor more anaerobic bacteria. Growth of microorganisms as biofilms in wounds may also contribute to the delayed healing and poor response to treatment of chronic wounds. Overall, human skin and cutaneous wounds are complex ecosystems harboring diverse communities of microorganisms. A better understanding of these ecosystems may lead to improvements in human health.
Annealing of intimate Ag, Al, and Au–GaAs Schottky barriers

Using valence‐band and core‐level photoemission spectroscopy (PES) and electrical device measurements, the effects of annealing Ag, Al, and Au on n‐type (110)GaAs Schottky diodes fabricated in ultrahigh vacuum have been studied. PES was used to monitor the annealing‐induced changes in the interface Fermi level position and the chemical nature of the metal–semiconductor interface for submonolayer and several monolayer coverages. Barrier height determinations were also performed using current–voltage (I–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) device measurements on annealed thick metal film metal–semiconductor junctions. The results of this study show that the annealing‐induced microscopic changes in the electronic and chemical structure of the metal–semiconductor interface can be strongly correlated with the macroscopic changes in the electrical properties of thick film metal–semiconductor Schottky diodes.
Effect of Mineral Oil and a Systemic Insecticide on Field Spread of Aphid-Borne Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus in Sweet Corn

The percentage of field grown sweet corn plants infected by maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) was significantly less for plants receiving applications of mineral oil (mineral oil = 15.4% and mineral oil and aphicide = 16.7%) than plants untreated (23.2%) and plants having only an aphicide treatment (27.7%). The mineral oil had no adverse affect on aphid population growth. The mineral oil caused no phytoxicity. Alates of the following species of aphids, known to transmit MDMV, were trapped: corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch); English grain aphid, Macrosiphum avenae (F.); green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer); and potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas).
Functional analysis of Chinese hamster phosphatidylserine synthase 1 through systematic alanine mutagenesis

PtdSer (phosphatidylserine) synthesis in mammalian cells occurs through the exchange of L-serine with the base moieties of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which is catalysed by PSS (PtdSer synthase) 1 and 2 respectively. PtdSer synthesis in intact cells and an isolated membrane fraction was inhibited by exogenous PtdSer, indicating that feedback control is involved in the regulation of PtdSer biosynthesis. PSS 1 and 2 are similar in amino acid sequence, with an identity of 32%; however, due to a lack of homology with other known enzymes, their amino acid sequences do not provide information on their catalytic and regulatory mechanisms. In the present study, to identify amino acid residues crucial for the activity and/or regulation of PSS 1, we systematically introduced mutations into a Chinese hamster PSS 1 cDNA clone; namely, each of the 66 polar amino acid residues common to PSS 2 was replaced with an alanine residue. On analysis of Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with each of the alanine mutant clones, we identified eight amino acid residues (His-172, Glu-197, Glu-200, Asn-209, Glu-212, Asp-216, Asp-221 and Asn-226) as those crucial for the enzyme reaction or the maintenance of the correct structure required for serine base-exchange activity. Among these residues, Asn-209 was suggested to be involved in the recognition and/or binding of free L-serine. We also identified six amino acid residues (Arg-95, His-97, Cys-189, Arg-262, Gln-266 and Arg-336) as those important for regulation of PSS 1. In addition, we found that the alanine mutations at Tyr-111, Asp-166, Arg-184, Arg-323, and Glu-364 affected the production and/or stability of PSS 1 in Chinese hamster ovary cells.
When facts go down the rabbit hole: Contrasting features and objecthood as indexes to memory

People will often look to empty, uninformative locations in the world when trying to recall spoken information. This spatial indexing behaviour occurs when the information had previously been associated with those locations. It remains unclear, however, whether this behaviour is an example of a simple association across perceptual and cognitive systems, or whether location information plays a role in memory retrieval. In the current study, we investigate whether higher-level cognitive processes, such as object-based attention, are involved in spatial indexing. Participants saw creatures burrowing around the screen, appearing from underground to tell them facts. They saw the same creature in two locations, or two identical creatures in two locations, depending on spatiotemporal cues conveyed by a burrowing animation. While answering questions, we found that participants relied on these spatiotemporal cues, fixating the previous locations of the creature associated with the relevant fact, rather than the location of an identical creature. We interpret these findings in terms of an object-based attentional mechanism that is common to semantic memory and scene perception, and allows 'external memory' to be exploited in a dynamic environment.
Gyres Driven by Combined Wind and Buoyancy Flux

Abstract The combined effects of buoyancy forcing and wind in a gyre-scale steady ocean circulation are modeled using discrete layers with an interfacial flux, not necessarily vertical. The equations for vorticity conservation of the geostrophic flow in this system are fully nonlinear, involving a Jacobian for the layer thicknesses. These equations are written in a form which can be solved by the method of characteristics. The form of these equations invites the interpretation that the geostrophic baroclinic flow is driven by buoyancy and steered by the wind. Two examples are solved and discussed, a subtropical gyre with heating, and a subpolar gyre with cooling. In each case, there are distinct regimes of flow, depending upon whether the characteristics originate at the eastern or western boundaries of the model. A simple geometrical argument illustrates that the difference between these two regimes, the direct and indirect cells, depends upon the sign of the true vertical velocity relative to the interf...
Chemosensitization of the nitrosoureas by 2-nitroimidazoles in the subcutaneous 9L tumor model: pharmacokinetic and structure-activity considerations.

Abstract Alterations of the pharmacokinetics and cytotoxic effects of the nitrosoureas, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(cyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) by the 2-nitroimidazoles, misonidazole (MISO) and SR-2508 were investigated using the subcutaneous (sc) 9L tumor model in male Fisher 344 rats. When 50 mg/kg of CCNU was given i.p., the peak plasma concentration of CCNU was about 3 μ/ml. CCNU was eliminated with biphasic kinetics that had a terminal half-time ( T 1 2 ) of ≈47 min. When 2.5 mmole/kg of MISO was given i.p. 150 min before CCNU, the peak plasma concentration of CCNU was increased by ≈63% 63% with no change in the elimination kinetics. Clamping did not change the pharmacokinetics of CCNU in either plasma or tumors. MISO pretreatment increased the peak CCNU concentration in unclamped tumors by 3-fold, but had no effect on the CCNU pharmacokinetics in clamped tumors. With the exception of a decrease in the peak BCNU concentration in tumors similar to that observed with MISO, SR-2508 (3.75 mmole/kg, i.p.) did not change the pharmacokinetics of BCNU or CCNU in plasma and tumors. CCNU had no effect on the MISO concentration in plasma and unclamped tumors. However, in the clamped tumors, CCNU delayed the return of the MISO concentration to the unclamped tumor level by about an additional 60 min after the clamp was released. SR-2508 was eliminated from the plasma with biphasic kinetics having an initial and terminal T 1 2 ) of ≈11 and ≈76 min, respectively. SR-2508 reached a peak tumor concentration of about 500 μ/ml in 30 min. The elimination T,/2 for SR-2508 in unclamped and clamped tumors was ≈81 and ≈42 min, respectively. When the clamp was released, the SR-2508 concentration returned to the level found in the unclamped tumors ≈90 min after it reached its nadir, BCNU and CCNU had no effect on the kinetics of this process. MISO significantly potentiated the cytotoxicity of BCNU in clamped tumors at surviving fractions s 0.5. MISO did not potentiate the cytotoxicity of CCNU until the surviving fraction reached 0.05. SR-2508 did not potentiate the cytotoxicity of either BCNU or CCNU. The data suggest that: a) hypoxic metabolism of a 2-nitroimidazole is not always sufficient to obtain chemosensitization, b) alterations in pharmacokinetics are not the major mechanism for chemosensitization, c) MISO is a more effective chemosensitizer than SR-2508, and d) the most effective, potentiatable chemotherapeutic agent against a particular tumor type should be selected for clinical chemosensitization trials.
Material Defects and Rugged Electrical Power Switching in Semiconductors

A paradigm shift in the development and utilization of power semiconductor switch technology is proposed. This new "top down" approach begins with the field-reliability of a power semiconductor switch in a power converter circuit is subjected to long-term repetitive-switching under stressful field-operating conditions. This approach is derived from extensive field-reliability data collected on state-of-the-art silicon power MOSFETs in compact computer/telecom power supplies that clearly suggests that power MOSFET field-failures were primarily caused by bulk material defects. A careful survey of power switch technologies reported to-date in Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) further suggests that excessive bulk material defects have predominantly hindered the development and commercialization of cost-effective, high-performance, and reliable high-power devices. A reliability-driven approach is likely to "unlock" the vast potential of SiC (and GaN for moderate power levels) power device technology for high-voltage and high-power switching electronics in order to impact transformative changes.
UV-enhanced replication of herpes simplex virus in DNA-repair competent and deficient fibroblasts☆

Replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 was enhanced in fibroblast cultures when cells were ultraviolet irradiated 12 to 48 hours before infection. Maximum enhancement (340% increase) occurred at exposures of 9.6 J/m2 in DNA-repair competent fibroblasts. Repair deficient xeroderma pigmentosum cells responded to lower ultraviolet exposures (1.6 to 5.6 J/m2) with lower levels of enhancement (37% to 140%). Ultraviolet irradiation of host cells before infection increased viral DNA synthesis, but did not alter the ability of the cell to adsorb virus. Prostaglandins were not shown to contribute to the process. These results suggest that ultraviolet-enhanced replication of herpes simplex virus may be associated with DNA-repair activities, and that ultraviolet-enhanced herpes simplex virus replication should be further examined for its contribution to herpes simplex virus recurrence in vivo.
A combined photothermal and molecular dynamics method for determining molecular volume changes

Abstract Here, we present synergistically combined experimental and theoretical approaches to describe the molecular volume change associated with the photoisomerization of aqueous trans -azobenzene to cis -azobenzene. Although the cis isomer is sterically larger a volume contraction ( trans – cis ) of 4 mL/mol is observed by photoacoustic calorimetry in aqueous solution. Theoretical methods predict the same volume contraction and have determined the origin to be due to electrostriction arising from the newly formed dipolar species.
Quantitative analysis of the ovarian cycle of the lizard Lepidodactylus lugubris

Abstract Patterns of ovarian follicular growth and atresia, as well as changes in number of oogonia, primary oocytes, and primordial follicles, were studied in the gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris . Sizes of larger, growing follicles increased at the stage in the ovarian cycle when yolking of the largest follicle occurred. Atretic follicles were replaced by new growing follicles recruited into the follicular size hierarchy. The single germinal bed in each ovary, containing oogonia, oocytes, and primordial follicles, was most active during the vitellogenic period. The two ovaries of this species each ovulate one egg simultaneously, and each contains only five growing follicles, about 17% of which are atretic. In contrast, each ovary of other lizard species that ovulate two eggs simultaneously contains two germinal beds and a relatively high number of growing follicles. Extensive follicular atresia (>50%) reduces the number of ovulations to one in these species.
Racial group differences in help-seeking behaviors

The authors evaluated variations in help-seeking behaviors among Blacks and Whites and the role of cognitive-affective variables as mediators of these variations. Participants were 70 Black and 66 White community college students who completed the SCL-90-R (L. R. Derogatis, 1977, 1994), the Revised Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (T. Bekhuis et al., 1995), the Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire (J. M. Robbins & L. J. Kirmayer, 1991), and a measure of help-seeking behaviors and demographic information. Relative to White college students, Black college students significantly less frequently used psychological or social services and significantly more frequently used religious services. The authors accounted for group differences in religious help-seeking behaviors by beliefs in the power of God and by normalizing symptom attributions. The cognitive-affective variables that were studied did not account for differences in psychological help-seeking behaviors. The authors inferred that to better meet the needs of Black college students, collaboration between mental health services and religious services would likely be beneficial.
FRACTURES OF THE TALUS AND CALCANEUS: EVALUATION BY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Abstract Fractures of the talus and calcaneus may be difficult to evaluate using conventional imaging modalities. Failure to recognize these fractures or to appreciate their extent may result in severe deformity or disability. Patients with talar and calcaneul fractures had computed tomography to assess its role in the management of these fractures. Computed tomography is superior to other imaging modalities in showing the position of the fracture fragments, the number of fragments, the relation of the fracture to the articular surfaces, residual articular changes, and evidence of healing.
Plasma uric acid levels in ethanol-fed turkey poults treated with allopurinol.

Abstract 1. Plasma uric acid levels were determined in ethanol-fed poults following administration of allopurinol. 2. In young poults, allopurinol at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly depressed plasma uric acid levels 6 hr post-dosing. At 11 hr post-dosing, plasma uric acid levels were significantly elevated in the allopurinol-treated poults when compared with control poults. 3. During a period of ethanol abstinence, allopurinol at a dose of 40 mg/kg significantly depressed plasma uric acid levels up to 8 hr post-dosing. At a dose of 30 mg/kg, plasma uric acid levels were similar to control values at 4 and 6 hr post-dosing. 4. Data suggest that plasma uric acid levels can be depressed in ethanol poults when allopurinol is administered every 8 hr at a dose of 40–50 mg/kg of body weight.