cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P3-07-11: BRCA mutations and association with discordance in a large oncotype database

BACKGROUND: BRCA mutated tumors have been shown to be associated with higher recurrence scores as compared to BRCA negative breast cancer patients. Prior studies have demonstrated 7-19% discordance between oncotype RS and tumor grade (TG) in breast cancer patients. We developed a large oncotype database to determine if BRCA mutation status is associated with discordance. METHODS: We identified 723 patients (32 (4%) BRCA positive patients and 691 (96%) BRCA negative patients) with early-stage, hormone positive BC treated between 2006-2018, with tumor characteristics available for analysis. Discordance was defined as one or two-step difference between RS (low, intermediate, high risk) and TG (well (WD), moderately (MD) and poorly (PD) differentiated). BRCA status was defined as BRCA 1 deleterious mutation, BRCA 2 deleterious mutation, BRCA mutation of unknown type, BRCA variant of undetermined significance (VUS) or other mutation. N(%) or median were used to describe patients’ characteristics between groups and compared by Mann-Whitney U test at the confidence level of 5%. RESULTS: Among these patients, there were 32 patients (4% of total) who had any documented mutation or VUS. 16% had documented deleterious mutation in BRCA 1, 22% BRCA 2, 6% BRCA unknown type, 25% BRCA VUS, and 31% other VUS (most commonly CHEK2 and ATM). Median RS was 23.5 in patients with deleterious BRCA mutations (1, 2 or unknown) vs. 16 in patients in the BRCA negative database which was statistically significant (p One step and two-step discordance was present in 46% and 8% respectively of patients with deleterious BRCA mutations vs. 53% and 11% respectively in the BRCA negative database. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with deleterious BRCA mutations demonstrated no difference in rates of discordance as compared to BRCA negative patients. We further demonstrated that patients with BRCA positive tumors display higher recurrence scores than patients with BRCA negative tumors. Citation Format: Julia Blanter, Brittney Zimmerman, Serena Tharakan, Krystal Cascetta, Meng Ru, Amy Tiersten. BRCA mutations and association with discordance in a large oncotype database [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-11.
Molecular imaging of Alzheimer’s disease–related gamma-secretase in mice and nonhuman primates

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is primarily driven by brain accumulation of the amyloid-β-42 (Aβ42) peptide generated from the amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) via cleavages by β- and γ-secretase. γ-Secretase is a prime drug target for AD; however, its brain regional expression and distribution remain largely unknown. Here, we are aimed at developing molecular imaging tools for visualizing γ-secretase. We used our recently developed γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) and synthesized our GSM-based imaging agent, [11C]SGSM-15606. We subsequently performed molecular imaging in rodents, including AD transgenic animals, and macaques, which revealed that our probe displayed good brain uptake and selectivity, stable metabolism, and appropriate kinetics and distribution for imaging γ-secretase in the brain. Interestingly, rodents and macaques shared certain brain areas with high γ-secretase expression, suggesting a functional conservation of γ-secretase. Collectively, we have provided the first molecular brain imaging of γ-secretase, which may not only accelerate our drug discovery for AD but also advance our understanding of AD.
Near-Millimeter Wave Emission Assignments for 1,1-Difluoroethylene

Refinements in the instrumentation of a diode laser heterodyne spectrometer permit the rapid and routine measurement of infrared absorptions lying within 6.5 GHz of a CO 2 laser emission to a precision and accuracy well within 10 MHz. Several hundred lines of the spectrum of 1,1-difluoroethylene (F 2 C=CH 2 ) have been measured and identified by fitting to an asymmetric-top Hamiltonian with standard deviations of 6 MHz. Near-millimeter wave assignments can be made from the improved molecular constants.
Trends in ambulance transports and costs among Medicare beneficiaries, 2007-2018.

Abstract Background The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in ambulance utilization and costs among Medicare beneficiaries from 2007 to 2018. Community characteristics associated with ambulance use and costs are also explored. Methods Aggregated county-level fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare beneficiary claims data from 2007 to 2018 were used to assess ambulance transports per 1000 FFS Medicare beneficiaries and standardized inflation-adjusted ambulance costs. Multivariable linear mixed models were used to quantify trends in ambulance utilization and costs and to control for confounders. Results A total of 37,675 county-years were included from 2007 to 2018. Ambulance transports per 1000 beneficiaries increased 15% from 299 (95% CI: 291.63, 307.30) to 345 (95% CI: 336.91, 353.10) from 2007 to 2018. Inflation-adjusted standardized per user costs exhibited an increasing (1.04, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.05), but non-linear relationship (0.996, 95% CI: 0.996, 0.996) over time with costs peaking in 2012. Indicators of lower socioeconomic status (SES) were associated with increases in both ambulance events and costs (p Conclusions Numerous policy solutions have been proposed to address growing ambulance costs in the Medicare program. While ambulance transports and costs continue to increase, a bend in the ambulance cost curve is detected suggesting that one or more policies altered Medicare ambulance costs, although utilization has continued to grow linearly. Ambulance use and costs vary significantly with community-level factors. As policy makers consider how to address growing ambulance use and costs, targeting identified community-level factors associated with greater costs and utilization, and their root causes, may offer a targeted approach to addressing current trends.
RNA reports breaking news from mitochondria

Using mitochondria-targeted TALENS and ionizing radiation, consequences of mtDNA double-strand (ds) breaks were investigated by Tigano et al. (2021) who uncovered mtRNA as a retrograde second messenger of this form of mtDNA stress that activates the RIG-I/MAVS innate immune signaling pathway.
Surgical Management Update in Metastatic Disease of the Spine

ABSTRACT Approximately 12-20% of patients with metastatic disease will initially present with symptomatic spinal metastasis. Treatment goals include pain control, spinal stability, recovery of neurologic function, local tumor control through debulking or tumor excision, and improved quality of life. Treatment options depend on several factors: spinal stability, patient health and comorbidities, clinical presentation, prognosis, life expectancy, and tumor histology. The following chapter reviews classification of metastatic spinal diseases and the various options, techniques, and reported outcomes for surgical management.
Forebrain mechanisms in the relief of fear: The role of the lateral septum

The septal region is a central link in a major forebrain inhibitory system. This paper presents evidence suggesting that an important function of septal inhibition is the suppression of aver-sive emotional states. Support for such a proposition is derived from a confluence of three kinds of evidence: (1) evidence that electrical stimulation of the septal region has the ability to inhibit aversive states; (2) evidence that lesions of the septal region reduce or abolish the ability of environmental stimuli to inhibit aversion; (3) and evidence that activity of cells in the lateral septum is increased in the presence of stimuli which inhibit aversion. It is concluded that the dynamic activity of the septal region and related areas is essential for the control and guidance of aversively motivated behavior.
Complex Litigation: Class Action Superiority

Commentary and analysis of the class action Rule 23(b)(3) requirement that the proponents seeking class certification of a damage class act establish that pursuing relief through a class action is the superior way of accomplishing relief. The superiority requirement is one of two additional requirements – the other is predominance of common questions – that plaintiffs must demonstrate for a court to certify a (b)(3) class. This article discusses the factors in Rule 23(b)(3) that a court may take into account in evaluating the superiority requirements. The article also discusses the varying approaches and tests that federal and state courts have applied in assessing the superiority requirement. In Texas, the Texas Supreme Court has suggested that in order to demonstrate superiority the class attorneys may need to furnish the court with a trial plan to evaluate whether a class action is the superior means to resolve class claims. Southwestern Refining Co. v. Bernal, 22 S.W.3d 425 (Texas 2000). Finally, the article discusses the novel approach to the superiority requirement articulated by Judge Easterbrook in the Seventh Circuit’s decision in In re Bridgestone/Firestone Prods. Liab. Litig., (7th Cir. 2002), viewing the superiority question in the context of marketplace efficiency and economy.
A Recipe for Success

Abstract The number of nonprofit organizations continues to increase and, like their for-profit counterparts, they face issues of strategy, governance and growth. Collaboration is increasingly becoming one way for the NPO to remain competitive and provide better client services in the face of competition from other agencies vying for dwindling government funds. Cultural clashes can often be the downfall of an alliance. However, because employees of nonprofits tend to be more dedicated to their mission, even disparate cultures can collaborate successfully through hard work, open communication, and focus on the ultimate goal. Using a case study involving two foodservice firms, this paper examines the role that culture can play in a nonprofit alliance and offers practical suggestions for administrators contemplating collaboration with another
Gonad Development in Triploid Ornamental Koi Carp and Results of Crossing Triploid Females with Diploid Males

AbstractGonad development in 4-year-old triploid and diploid ornamental koi, a variant of Common Carp Cyprinus carpio, from corresponding heat-shocked and control progenies was investigated. Diploid males were normally mature. Triploid males from heat-shocked progeny demonstrated development of testes typical for triploid fish; triploid males did not release sperm and their testes had a pinkish color and were significantly reduced in size. Diploid females were normally mature and their gonadosomatic indices (GSIs) varied from 7.5% to 30.7% and the mean value was 21.3%. Triploid females had unexpectedly well-developed ovaries, which were filled with fully grown oocytes; their GSIs varied from 4.2% to 30.1% and the the mean value was 17.0%. Four triploid koi females released large quantities (from 260,000 to 394,500 eggs per female) of ovulated eggs after hormonal injection. Eggs from triploid females were fertilized with sperm from normal diploid koi males. Mass mortality of hatched larvae occurred at the ...
Performance of a 10 Gb/s optical code division multiple access channel in the presence of an interferer

Bit error rate performance of a spectrally phase encoded optical code division multiple access system at 10 Gb/s that employs a nonlinear fiber threshold discriminator is measured in the presence of an interferer
Effects of hypoxia on sediment properties in the northern Gulf of Mexico

The effects of hypoxia on benthic community structure and processes are well documented but the direct and indirect effects of hypoxia on seafloor properties are unknown. Using bottom oxygen data compiled by Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, we chose four provinces with sea floors having different number of annual exposures to hypoxia from 1985 to 2006. The provinces were arrayed east to west along the 30-m depth contour from the Mississippi River bird's foot (FH), to south of Terrebonne Bay (BH), and to south of Atchafalaya Bay (HO and NO). Several sediment properties can be affected as a consequence of the vertical zonation and diversity differences between benthos living in hypoxic and normoxic areas. Sediment physical and acoustic properties were measured on cores collected from the March/April 2009 cruise to attain baseline values for comparison among provinces and between pre-hypoxic and persistently hypoxic provinces to be sampled in early September 2009, August 2010, and July 2011. Average values for sediment compressional wave velocity ratio were 1.063, 1.003, 0.979, and 0.995 for provinces NO, BH, FH, and HO, respectively. Average values for sediment compressional wave attenuation were 0.93, 0.30, 0.11, and 0.32 dB/m•kHz for provinces NO, BH, FH, and HO, respectively. Average values for sediment shear strength in the uppermost 5 cm of subcores were 1.3, 1.8, 0.6, and 0.8 kPa for provinces NO, BH, FH, and HO, respectively. The gradients of sediment shear strength in the top 5 cm of sediment were 0.40, 0.42, 0.17, and 0.28 kPa/cm for provinces NO, BH, FH, and HO, respectively. Sediment grain size distribution and bulk density were measured at 1-cm intervals in the top 2 cm of the core and at 2-cm intervals below those increments on 22 cores. The sediments at provinces NO, BH, and HO were very poorly sorted to extremely poorly sorted sand-silt-clays (mean: 4.9, 8.3, and 8.1 phi, respectively); the sediment at the FH province was a very poorly sorted silty clay (mean: 11.1). Average values for sediment density were 1.819, 1.597, 1.289, and 1.519 g/cm3 for provinces NO, BH, FH, and HO, respectively. Sediment permeability was measured from each of the 24 box cores on 13-cm-long cores with a falling head permeameter.
Infrarot-Thermografie in der Instandhaltung der chemischen Industrie

Als Folge der raschen technologischen Entwicklung preisgunstiger, leistungsfahiger Thermografiekameras ruckte diese fur viele Anwendungen nutzbringend einzusetzende Inspektionsmethode zunehmend ins Interesse der Instandhalter aller Branchen. Die Infrarot(IR)-Thermografie wird damit als Schadensfruherkennungsmethode integriert in das Repertoire bereits langjahrig angewendeter Methoden wie der Schwingungsmesstechnik, Schmierstoffanalyse, Fehlerdiagnose an elektrotechnischen Komponenten sowie die gesamte Fulle zerstorungsfreier Untersuchungen im Werkstoffbereich.
Women on the Move: Mobility and Migratory Flows in Ama Ata Aidoo's Anowa and Diplomatic Pound

Ama Ata Aidoos 2012 collection of short stories, Diplomatic Pound, raises crucial questions about mobility, migration and migratory flows in African womens lives. The central female characters in these short stories must often negotiate a simultaneous apotheosis and vilification resulting from their mobility. In this paper, I compare Aidoos female characters in Diplomatic Pound to her central female character in Anowa and examine the effects of these womens mobility on their identity, gender and sexuality. Separated by time, memory and experiences, the female characters in Diplomatic Pound and Anowa present an essential dialogue on the effects of intra/inter- national migratory flows on African womens perception of home, sexuality and identity. More specifically, I am interested in a nuanced understanding of the changing effects of migration and mobility on African womens bodies and selves. How have perceptions of mobility among African women changed from Anowa to Diplomatic Pound and how have these changes affected the identity of the wayfarer as seen in Anowa? What forms of mobility are constructed as desirable and which ones are undesirable? How do these narratives re-create their own form of dismembered memories and temporalities in African womens lives?
The cultural life of early domestic plant use

To what extent was gender an important factor in plant domestication? How much of the domestication process can be considered as cultural rather than biological? Christine Hastorf considers these and many associated questions in this topical essay about plants and people.
A transport model for heavy ion collisions at RHIC

To study heavy ion collisions at energies to be available from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), we have developed a transport model that includes both initial partonic and final hadronic interactions. Specifically, the parton cascade model ZPC, which uses as input the parton distribution from the HIJING model, is extended to include the quark-gluon to hadronic matter transition and also final-state hadronic interactions based on the ART model. Comparisons with SPS data and predictions for RHIC are reported.
Trends in students' knowledge, opinions, and experience regarding dental informatics and computer applications.

Objective : This study investigated knowledge, opinions, and experience regarding dental informatics and computers among first-year dental students (D1s) and fourth-year dental students (D4s). Design : First-year ( N = 95) and fourth-year ( N = 91) students in 1990 and first-year ( N = 97) and fourth-year ( N = 91) students in 1993 at a school of dentistry were surveyed. Measurements : Demographic characteristics and computer ownership were assessed. Knowledge was measured using an 18-item scale (range 0–18). Opinions were measured using a 13-item scale (range 13–65; alpha = 0.81). Experience was measured using a 28-item scale (range 28–140). Results : Response rates were all nearly 100%. Computer ownership by the D1s increased from 17.9% to 43.8% in the three years between surveys. Knowledge and opinions of the 1990 and 1993 D1s were similar, although the latter reported more experience with hardware and software. Experience with dental informatics applications was lacking in both groups. The 1993 D4s had completed more computer courses than had the 1990 D4s (2.3 vs 0.9), and demonstrated significantly more knowledge and experience. Opinion scores were nearly identical for these groups. The D4s in 1993 who had been D1s in 1990 had increased their knowledge of and experience with informatics applications during dental school. A difference in computer knowledge between the entering D1 males and females was observed in 1990, but was essentially gone by 1993 for the same individuals. Conclusions : Entering students had more computing knowledge and skill than their predecessors. Informatics knowledge and experience increased during dental school, and knowledge disparities between genders disappeared.
Natural and ion-exchanged illite clays reduce bacterial burden and inflammation in cutaneous meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in mice

Discoveries associated with antibacterial activity of hydrated clays necessitate assessments of in vivo efficacy, practical use and safety. Surface properties of clays can lead to variations in the composition and abundance of bound compounds or ions, thus affecting antibacterial activity. Since exchangeable metal ions released from the clay surface are responsible for in vitro antibacterial activity, we evaluated the in vivo antibacterial efficacy of four natural clays (one illite clay, two montmorillonite clays and one kaolinite clay) and three ion-exchanged, antibacterial clays against superficial, cutaneous meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in mice. Superficial, cutaneous wounds on the back of SKH1-Elite mice were generated and subsequently infected with MRSA. Following twice daily applications of a hydrated clay poultice to infected wounds for 7 days, we observed significant differences in the in vivo antibacterial efficacy between different types of clays. The natural and ion-exchanged illite clays performed best, as measured by bacterial load, inflammatory response and gross wound morphology with significant decreases in bacterial viability and dermatitis. Topical application of kaolinite clay was the least effective, resulting in the lowest decrease in bacterial load and exhibiting severe dermatitis. These data suggest that specific types of clays may offer a complementary and integrative strategy for topically treating MRSA and other cutaneous infections. However, since natural clays exhibit in vitro antibacterial variability and vary vastly in surface chemistries, adsorptive/absorptive characteristics and structural composition, the properties and characteristics of illite clays could aid in the development of standardized and customized aluminosilicates for topical infections.
EFFECT OF TETRACYCLINES ON THE INTRACELLULAR AMINO ACIDS OF MOLDS

Freeman, Bob A. (University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.) and Richard Circo. Effect of tetracyclines on the intracellular amino acids of molds. J. Bacteriol. 86:38-44. 1963.-The tetracycline antibiotics were shown to alter the amino acid metabolism of molds whose growth is not markedly affected. Eight molds were grown in the presence of these antiobiotics; four exhibited a general reduction in the concentration of the intracellular amino acids, except for glutamic acid and alanine. In most of these four cultures, the tetracyclines also caused the complete disappearance of arginine, lysine, proline, phenylalanine, and tyrosine from the intracellular amino acid pool. The significance of these observations and the usefulness of the method in the study of the mechanisms of antibiotic action are discussed.
Continuing controversy over KE007

Black Box: KAL 007 and the Superpowers. By Alexander Dallin. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1985. 130 pp. £14.95 (£7.95 pbk).
Theoretical studies of π-loading and structural diversity in Cp3MX (M = Zr, Hf; X = H, CH3, OR, NR2) compounds

Abstract Density functional theory has been used to explore the bonding and geometric preferences of tris-Cp zirconium and hafnium compounds of the type Cp 3 MX. In most cases, two primary isomers were found: a “ 3-5 ” isomer, which contains three η 5 -Cp ligands, and a “ 2-5,1-1 ” isomer, which contains two η 5 -Cp and one η 1 -Cp ligands. The relative energies of these isomers are dependent upon the π-donor ability of the X ligand. For the tris-Cp methyl compounds, the “ 3-5 ” isomers are more stable by 1–4 kcal/mol. The “ 2-5,1-1 ” isomers of the tris-Cp alkoxide and amido compounds are more stable by 3–6 and 6–11 kcal/mol, respectively. Bonding analyses show these binding preferences can be understood in terms of π-competition between the tris-Cp ligand set and the lone pair of the X ligand. π-loading on the X ligand decreases the π-donor ability of the “ 3-5 ” tris-Cp ligand set, which increases the preference for the “ 2-5,1-1 ” ground state geometry in the complexes with strong π-donors. In addition, molecular orbital theory provides evidence for destabilization effects arising from filled–filled interactions between the “ 3-5 ” Cp 3 M fragment and the X lone pair.
Notes and Communications ON SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS IN DECISION THEORY

This note points out a crucial flaw in Evans's recent article [1] on decision sensitivity analysis which was published in this journal. This flaw leads to errors in the majority of his formulae and examples. Correct distance formulae in “probability space,” easily computed from the problem data, are provided. After a critical discussion of some of the concepts Evans employed, we bring to the reader's attention a body of prior work in this area that apparently was overlooked.
Salvage of failed total elbow arthroplasty

We had to revise 14 total elbow arthroplasties, three for infection, six for aseptic loosening, four for instability, and one for a failed bearing mechanism. All of the infected elbows were converted to resection arthroplasty with elimination of infection but with poor function; in one acceptable motion was achieved after a fascial arthroplasty. Those that failed aseptically were salvaged with reimplantation of other devices, either a custom implant or a semiconstrained device, which was also used in those nonconstrained elbows that failed because of dislocation. All of the noninfected elbows were successfully revised with relief of pain and motion comparable to or better than that present before revision.
Phosphodiester Amidates of Unsaturated Nucleoside Analogues as Anti-HIV Agents

Abstract Lipophilic phosphodiester L-alaninates of acyclic unsaturated nucleoside analogues 1d, 1e, 2d, 2e, 3d, 3e, 4d and 5d were prepared and their antiretroviral activity was examined in ATH8 cell culture infected with HIV-1. A possible mechanism of action of these analogues is discussed.
Selenium: Relation to Decreased Toxicity of Methylmercury Added to Diets Containing Tuna

Japanese quail given 20 parts per million of mercury as methylmercury in diets containing 17 percent (by weight) tuna survived longer than quail given this concentration of methylmercury in a corn-soya diet. Tuna has a relatively high content of selenium and tends to accumulate additional selenium when mercury is present. A content of selenium in the diet comparable to that supplied by tuna decreased methylmercury toxicity in rats. Selenium in tuna, far from being a hazard in itself, may lessen the danger to man of mercury in tuna.
Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, culture, and immigration: Examining the potential mechanisms underlying Mexican-origin adolescents' organized activity participation.

The integrative model for child development and ecodevelopmental theory suggest that macro factors, such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, culture, and immigration influence the settings in which adolescents engage. The goal of this investigation was to use a combination of deductive and inductive qualitative analysis to describe the mechanisms by which these macro factors might be related to Mexican-origin adolescents’ participation in organized after-school activities. Qualitative data were collected through focus group interviews with 44 adolescents, 50 parents, and 18 activity leaders from 2 neighborhoods that varied in ethnic composition and average family income. Results indicated that family socioeconomic status might be related to adolescents’ participation through financial resources and parents’ work. Ethnicity was identified as a predictor of participation via experiences with ethnic discrimination, particularly in the neighborhood with a low percentage of Hispanic families. Cultural values and practices were related to participants’ preferences for particular activities (e.g., bilingual, church-sponsored) and adolescents’ participation in activities. Immigration seemed to be a factor in parents’ familiarity with and beliefs about organized activities.
Analysis of aircraft lateral path tracking accuracy and its implications for separation standards

Application of Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) to aircraft separation continues to be a point of difficulty which frequently centers on defining statistical models for Performance-Based Navigation (PBN). Given that questions of the statistics associated with position estimation error are fairly well known, and that path definition error is near zero in modern RNP avionics, this paper will focus on path steering error, which has not been studied using operational data. We propose analysis methods that can be applied to analyzing large volumes of recorded, in-service data to answer the questions of statistical modeling for the path following behavior of these systems. Preliminary analysis results derived from partner airlines' RNAV and RNP equipped aircraft flying in revenue service are presented. Answers to key questions related to the Flight Management System's (FMS) Path Steering Error (PSE, also known as Flight Technical Error, or FTE) will be presented. This paper will characterize any variations that might exist in the distributions due to flight phase (climb, level or descent), flight path characteristics (turning or straight) and piloting mode, e.g., flight director or autopilot coupled with Lateral Navigation (LNAV). Results are presented as sample statistics, cumulative distributions, and Q-Q plots.
The effect of a delayed weekend sleep pattern on sleep and morning functioning

Abstract It is a common practice for young adults to delay their weekend sleep schedule. The present study was designed to assess the effect of this sleep pattern on the sleep of Sunday night and the functioning of Monday morning. The sleep schedules of 30 young adults were manipulated for 2 consecutive weeks. In the Habitual-Sleep (HS) week, subjects followed their habitual sleep schedule throughout the week; in the Delayed-Sleep (DS) week, subjects' sleep schedule on Friday and Saturday nights were delayed by two hours. Compared to the HS week, subjects showed significantly lower subjective sleepiness near bedtime and trends of longer sleep onset latency on Sunday night in the DS week. In addition, there was both lowered cognitive performance and overall mood rating on Monday morning in the DS week. The delayed weekend sleep pattern contributes to Sunday night insomnia and the Monday morning “blues”.
Bacterial Quorum Sensing and Metabolic Incentives to Cooperate

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses a cell-cell communication system termed “quorum sensing” to control production of public goods, extracellular products that can be used by any community member. Not all individuals respond to quorum-sensing signals and synthesize public goods. Such social cheaters enjoy the benefits of the products secreted by cooperators. There are some P. aeruginosa cellular enzymes controlled by quorum sensing, and we show that quorum sensing–controlled expression of such private goods can put a metabolic constraint on social cheating and prevent a tragedy of the commons. Metabolic constraint of social cheating provides an explanation for private-goods regulation by a cooperative system and has general implications for population biology, infection control, and stabilization of quorum-sensing circuits in synthetic biology.
Mortality of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) exposed to high temperature and diatomaceous earth combinations

Abstract Four diatomaceous earth formulations and one calcium carbonate formulation were evaluated in combination with high temperature as a control method for the adult stage of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). At 34°C, exposure to the insecticidal dusts for 15 or 30 min did not increase mortality relative to beetles not exposed to the dusts. However, at 50°C, exposure increased mortality by 8–100%. Exposure to the Protect-It® formulation caused greater beetle mortality than exposure to any of the other materials. The calcium carbonate formulation exhibited no insecticidal activity. Withholding food from the beetles after exposure to heat plus diatomaceous earth increased mortality 2–4 times beyond the level for beetles that were not denied food. A combination treatment of heat with an effective diatomaceous earth formulation may be useful for managing this pest in cereal-grain processing facilities.
On the local and global behavior of acceleration waves

where t denotes the time. Formula (1.1) is the well-known Bernoulli equation. In general, the coefficients/~ and fl are functions of t. A careful examination of these coefficients reveals that there are two common features. Briefly, (1) the coefficient # depends on the material under consideration and the consequences of the physical assumptions introduced regarding the conditions of the material ahead of the waves, (2) the coefficient fl depends on the elastic response of the material alone. In other words, the coefficient # depends on whether we are considering acceleration waves propagating in, e.g., materials with memory, elastic nonconductors of heat, or inhomogeneous elastic materials, and whether we assume that the material regions ahead of the waves are at rest in homogeneous configurations, in mechanical equilibrium, or in dynamic equilibrium. On the other hand, the coefficient fl depends on the instantaneous elastic response of materials with memory, the isentropic elastic response of elastic non-conductors of heat, or the local elastic response of inhomogeneous elastic materials. In this paper, we shall show that knowing the sign of fl(t) not only allows us to determine the local behavior of amplitudes f rom (1.1) but it also tells us a great deal about their global behavior. Some of our conclusions on the global behavior would not be expected f rom the local behavior alone.
Multiphoton Excited Conductance Spectroscopy. 1. Application of the Born Model to Femtosecond Laser Excited Multiphoton Ionization of Nonpolar Liquids

A technique for determining the ionization potentials of pure liquid samples using visible wavelength femtosecond pulses is described. Exploiting a multiphoton ionization mechanism, we present valu...
Direct coupling of capillary supercritical fluid chromatography to high resolution mass spectrometry with minimum modification

The coupling of a capillary supercritical fluid chromatograph with a high resolution double focusing mass spectrometer has been accomplished without any modifications to the pumping or ion source systems. The interface utilizes a direct insertion probe (DIP), which was originally designed for the direct analysis of solid samples, together with a trit restrictor as a decompression device. The DIP is placed opposite to the SFC restrictor, and it provides sufficient heat to prevent cluster formation and cooling resulting from the expansion of the supercritical fluid into the vacuum environment. Excellent mass spectra of standard polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons under chemical-ionization (CI) conditions using methane as the reagent gas, and under charge-exchange (CE) conditions using CO2 as the charge exchange medium were obtained.
Pattern Recognition of Proteins Based on an Array of Functionalized Porphyrins

A practical protein-detecting array is desirable for its potential application in proteomics, medical diagnostics, and pathogen detection. Here, we report a novel protein-detecting array based on porphyrins containing peripheral amino acids as protein surface receptors. The array of porphyrin receptors showed a unique pattern of fluorescence change upon interaction with certain protein samples. Both metal and nonmetal-containing proteins and mixtures of proteins gave distinct patterns, allowing their unambiguous identification. The composite pattern for each sample was subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to generate a clustering map for more practical visualization. Increasing the number of porphyrin receptors from eight to sixteen gave improved resolution, suggesting that this array is expandable to give satisfactory resolution for any given sample system by carefully maximizing the chemical diversity of the receptors.
Sexting and Sexual Behavior in At-Risk Adolescents

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of sexting behaviors (sexually explicit messages and/or pictures) among an at-risk sample of early adolescents as well as the associations between sexting behaviors and sexual behaviors, risk-related cognitions, and emotional regulation skills. It also aimed to determine whether differences in risk were associated with text-based versus photo-based sexts. METHODS: Seventh-grade adolescents participating in a sexual risk prevention trial for at-risk early adolescents completed a computer-based survey at baseline regarding sexting behavior (having sent sexually explicit messages and/or pictures), sexual activities, intentions to have sex, perceived approval of sexual activity, and emotional regulation skills. RESULTS: Twenty-two percent of the sample reported having sexted in the past 6 months; sexual messages were endorsed by 17% ( n = 71), sexual messages and photos by 5% ( n = 21). Pictures were endorsed significantly more often by females (χ 2 [2] = 7.33, P = .03) and Latinos (χ 2 [2] = 7.27, P = .03). Sexting of any kind was associated with higher rates of engaging in a variety of sexual behaviors, and sending photos was associated with higher rates of sexual activity than sending text messages only. This was true for a range of behaviors from touching genitals over clothes (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98, P = .03) to oral sex (OR = 2.66, P P CONCLUSIONS: Sexting behavior (both photo and text messages) was not uncommon among middle school youth and co-occurred with sexual behavior. These data suggest that phone behaviors, even flirtatious messages, may be an indicator of risk. Clinicians, parents, and health programs should discuss sexting with early adolescents.
On a biologically inspired topology optimization method

Abstract This work concerns the development of a biologically inspired methodology for the study of topology optimization in engineering and natural systems. The methodology is based on L systems and its turtle interpretation for the genotype–phenotype modeling of the topology development. The topology is analyzed using the finite element method, and optimized using an evolutionary algorithm with the genetic encoding of the L system and its turtle interpretation, as well as, body shape and physical characteristics. The test cases considered in this work clearly show the suitability of the proposed method for the study of engineering and natural complex systems.
Book reivew: Consciousness Reconsidered by Owen Flanagan (The MIT Press. 1992)

Design and manufacturing play a crucial role in the wealth creation of nations and their use of computer technology forms an important element in the process. Much has been written on the application of AI to design and manufacturing [1,2,3,5,7] in which AI has been touted to be able to increase the effectiveness and sophistication of computer applications in these areas.
Molecular interactions in aqueous solutions: The role of random fluctuations of external parameters and of thermodynamic instabilities

A biological system usually operates under nonstable values of relevant parameters, such as pH, temperature, and ionic strength. The question therefore poses whether such fluctations do affect its relevant processes. Experimental studies on the role of random temperature fluctuations on functional encounters of biostructural polymer molecules, and consequent self-assembly of supramolecular structures, have evidenced an additional, noise-induced order of these structures. This type of effect is the result of nonlinearity in physical systems, and the case of a biosystem is especially interesting. As recent experiments have shown, spinodal decomposition resulting from thermodynamic instability may favor the onset of the supramolecular ordering process. If the random fluctuations of temperature are imposed in such conditions of thermodynamic instability, their ordering effect is further enhanced.
Einstein metrics on five-dimensional Seifert bundles

The aim of this article is to study Seifert bundle structures on simply connected 5-manifolds. We classify all such 5-manifolds which admit a positive Seifert bundle structure, and in a few cases all Seifert bundle structures are also classified. These results are then used to construct positive Ricci curvature Einstein metrics on these manifolds. The proof has 4 main steps. First, the study of the Leray spectral sequence of the Seifert bundle, based on work of Orlik-Wagreich. Second, the study of log Del Pezzo surfaces. Third, the construction of Kahler-Einstein metrics on Del Pezzo orbifolds using the algebraic existence criterion of Demailly-Kollar. Fourth, the lifting of the Kahler-Einstein metric on the base of a Seifert bundle to an Einstein metric on the total space using the Kobayashi-Boyer-Galicki method.
Momentum-Impulse Balance and Parachute Inflation: Clusters

I N a previous publication [1] the momentum-impulse theorem (or MI theorem) was used for estimating the maximum parachute drag forceFmax generated during inflation. This paper showed how to calculate Fmax for any type of parachute, reefing, and drop conditions. The author [2] continued the discussion, this time by applying the theorem to amore specific application, namely to that of hemispherical parachutes dropped from fixed points such as cranes, buildings, or from very slow-moving aircraft. This engineering note continues using the impulse and momentum concepts, this time for the analysis of clusters of hemispherical parachutes dropped from slowor fast aircraft (parachute clusters are built by connecting at least two parachutes side-by-side [3]). As with [1,2], the goal here is to sharpen our understanding of the inflation process in general and of cluster inflation in particular, using new analytical approximations derived from the MI theorem. In some cases, these approximations confirm key knowledge that so far has been acquired only empirically. In other cases, the results suggest altogether new or extended conclusions. The estimator used herein is based on the following formula, which expresses the maximum drag Fmax in terms of the a priori knowledge of the opening-shock factor Ck [1,3–5]:
Rabbit blood coagulation factor XI. Purification and properties

Abstract Rabbit blood coagulation Factor XI was purified in 30% yield from plasma by ion exchange chromatography. The purified Factor XI zymogen gave a single protein band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of β-mercaptoethanol with an apparent molecular weight of 83,000. On alkaline disc gel electrophoresis Factor XI appeared either as a monomer or a dimer depending upon the conditions prior to electrophoresis. After dialysis against buffer at physiological pH and ionic strength Factor XI appeared as a monomer only. The apparent molecular weight of rabbit Factor XI in rabbit plasma on Sephadex G-200 chromatography was 200,000, probably reflecting a complex formed between high MW kininogen and Factor XI. The concentration of Factor XI in citrated normal rabbit plasma was 3.3 μg/ml.
Practical positron catching in a Penning trap

Abstract An improved simple and robust scheme for efficiently catching and thermalizing at 4 K in a Penning trap positrons in vacuum is proposed. Positrons from a small-diameter commercial 22 Na source are utilized that incorporates a 14 mg cm −2 transmission moderator window of monocrystalline Ni or W. Catching efficiency may be optimized even in the presence of surface contamination by picking positrons with moderated energies from anywhere in a 0–5 keV range for catching.
Action of rennin and pepsin on α-casein: Paracasein and soluble products

Abstract α-Paracasein, resulting from the action of rennin and pepsin on α-casein, and separated by precipitation at pH 4.7, is a heterogeneous substance. Fractionation and paper electrophoresis show it to contain a major component and several minor components, and Tiselius electrophoresis shows that even the major component is complex when the enzymes have acted for 3 hours. The soluble peptide fraction is very heterogeneous and contains 10–12 or more components. Extraction of both paracasein and peptide fractions with the 4:1:1 solvent mixture ( n -butanol-acetic acid-water 4:1:1) is a useful procedure for separating fractions (soluble and insoluble) differing in composition. The glucopeptide described by Nitschmann et al . (8) was separated from other components by this means. The enzymes rennin and pepsin release the same major products, but there are differences in the minor products formed. The latter suggests that pepsin has the broader specificity.
OVERWINTERING OF WHITE SHRIMP IN ESTUARINE IMPOUNDMENTS IN LOUISIANA3

White shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) stocked into a 7.7 ha, closedoff, oil pipeline canal survived winter water temperatures as low as 9 C. Shrimp averaged 4 g in October, 1972, and 26 8 by May, 1973. Salinity averaged 23.0 ppt.
Urban forestry and cool roofs: Assessment of heat mitigation strategies in Phoenix residential neighborhoods

Abstract The City of Phoenix (Arizona, USA) developed a Tree and Shade Master Plan and a Cool Roofs initiative to ameliorate extreme heat during the summer months in their arid city. This study investigates the impact of the City's heat mitigation strategies on daytime microclimate for a pre-monsoon summer day under current climate conditions and two climate change scenarios. We assessed the cooling effect of trees and cool roofs in a Phoenix residential neighborhood using the microclimate model ENVI-met. First, using xeric landscaping as a base, we created eight tree planting scenarios (from 0% canopy cover to 30% canopy cover) for the neighborhood to characterize the relationship between canopy cover and daytime cooling benefit of trees. In a second set of simulations, we ran ENVI-met for nine combined tree planting and landscaping scenarios (mesic, oasis, and xeric) with regular roofs and cool roofs under current climate conditions and two climate change projections. For each of the 54 scenarios, we compared average neighborhood mid-afternoon air temperatures and assessed the benefits of each heat mitigation measure under current and projected climate conditions. Findings suggest that the relationship between percent canopy cover and air temperature reduction is linear, with 0.14 °C cooling per percent increase in tree cover for the neighborhood under investigation. An increase in tree canopy cover from the current 10% to a targeted 25% resulted in an average daytime cooling benefit of up to 2.0 °C in residential neighborhoods at the local scale. Cool roofs reduced neighborhood air temperatures by 0.3 °C when implemented on residential homes. The results from this city-specific mitigation project will inform messaging campaigns aimed at engaging the city decision makers, industry, and the public in the green building and urban forestry initiatives.
Artificial Neural Network–Based Method of Screening Heart Murmurs in Children

Background—Early recognition of heart disease is an important goal in pediatrics. Efforts in developing an inexpensive screening device that can assist in the differentiation between innocent and pathological heart murmurs have met with limited success. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are valuable tools used in complex pattern recognition and classification tasks. The aim of the present study was to train an ANN to distinguish between innocent and pathological murmurs effectively. Methods and Results—Using an electronic stethoscope, heart sounds were recorded from 69 patients (37 pathological and 32 innocent murmurs). Sound samples were processed using digital signal analysis and fed into a custom ANN. With optimal settings, sensitivities and specificities of 100% were obtained on the data collected with the ANN classification system developed. For future unknowns, our results suggest the generalization would improve with better representation of all classes in the training data. Conclusion—We demonstra...
Gas Atomization of Amorphous Aluminum: Part I. Thermal Behavior Calculations

In this article, the thermal history and cooling rate experienced by gas-atomized Al-based amorphous powders were studied via numerical simulations. Modeling simulations were based on the assumption of Newtonian cooling with forced convection, as well as an energy balance, which involves gas dynamics, droplet dynamics, and heat transfer between gas and droplet. To render the problem tractable, phase transformations, crystal nucleation, and growth were not taken into account in the analysis of the solidification of Al droplets; instead, an energy balance approach was formulated and used. The numerical results and associated analysis were used to optimize processing parameters during gas atomization of Al-based amorphous powder. The results showed that the cooling rate of droplets increases with decreasing powder size and can reach in excess of 105 K/s for powder <20 μm in diameter. Gas composition has a more significant influence on cooling rate than gas pressure, and 100 pct He has the highest cooling effect. The results also showed that the cooling rate increases with increasing melt superheat temperature.