cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reconciling Niches and Neutrality in a Subalpine Temperate Forest

The Unified Neutral Theory of Biodiversity has been put forth to explain species coexistence in forests worldwide, but its assumption of species equivalence has been met with much debate. Theoretical advancements have reconciled the opposing concepts of neutral and niche theories as two ends of a continuum, improving our understanding of global patterns in diversity and community assembly. However, the relative importance of niche and neutral processes remains understudied in temperate forests. To determine the balance of niche and neutral processes in climatically limited subalpine temperate forests, we established the Utah Forest Dynamics Plot, a 13.64-ha plot comprising 27,845 stems ≥1 cm diameter at breast height (1.37 m) representing 17 species at 3100 m elevation on the Colorado Plateau. We examined the fit of niche- and neutral-based models to the species abundance distribution (SAD), and tested three underlying assumptions of neutral theory. The neutral model was a poor fit to the SAD, but we did not find the alternative model to provide a better fit. Using spatial analyses, we tested the neutral assumptions of functional equivalence, ecological equivalence, and habitat generality. Half of species analyzed were characterized by non-neutral recruitment processes, and the two most abundant species exhibited asymmetric competitive and facilitative interactions with each other. The assumption of habitat generality was strongly contradicted, with all common species having habitat preferences. We conclude niche-based processes play the dominant role in structuring subalpine forest communities, and we suggest possible explanations for variation in the relative importance of niche vs. neutral processes along ecological gradients.
Treatment effectiveness for aging changes in the larynx

Objectives To compare the effectiveness of injection augmentation and bilateral thyroplasty surgery in managing age-related changes of the larynx. Study Design Retrospective chart review of patients treated with bilateral thyroplasty and/or injection augmentation. Methods We evaluated 22 patients before and after treatment using: 1) normalized glottal gap area and normalized true vocal fold width from endoscopic images; 2) patient self-rating questionnaires; and 3) acoustic and aerodynamic measures. Results Thyroplasty surgery resulted in 38% of patients demonstrating less bowing compared to 33% after injection, and 63% demonstrated less supraglottic activity compared to 43% after injection (P = 0.09). Change in mean Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) scores was 25.5 after thyroplasty compared to −16.4 after injection (P < 0.05). Those exhibiting a greater than 20 change in V-RQOL after treatment were significantly more likely to report swallowing symptoms pretreatment. Conclusion Patients postinjection did not rate themselves on any questionnaires as significantly better compared to pretreatment, whereas patients post-thyroplasty rated themselves as significantly improved on all questionnaires. Patients post-thyroplasty rated their voices as significantly closer to their best voice than patients postinjection. Likewise, 64% of patients who had thyroplasty surgery reported a significant treatment effect compared to 33% for injection augmentation. Level of Evidence IV. Laryngoscope, 2017
Kinematic Alignment and Bonding of Silicon Mirrors for High-Resolution Astronomical X-Ray Optics

Optics for the next generation's high-resolution, high throughput x-ray telescope requires fabrication of well-formed lightweight mirror segments and their integration at arc-second precision. Recent advances in the fabrication of silicon mirrors developed at NASA/Goddard prompted us to develop a new method of mirror alignment and integration. In this method, stiff silicon mirrors are aligned quasi-kinematically and are bonded in an interlocking fashion to produce a "meta-shell" with large collective area. We address issues of aligning and bonding mirrors with this method and show a recent result of 4 seconds-of-arc for a single pair of mirrors tested at soft x-rays.
Modeling Valued Organizational Communication Networks Using Exponential Random Graph Models

For years, organizational communication scholars have been interested in the mechanisms that influence the formation of communication networks. One way to gain a deeper insight into the factors tha...
Does Yoga Help College-Aged Women with Body-Image Dissatisfaction Feel Better About Their Bodies?

A majority of U.S. college-aged women experience body-image dissatisfaction, which puts them at heightened risk for the development of an eating disorder. However, evidence-based psychological interventions for body-image dissatisfaction in this population are not broadly available due to the limited number of trained counselors. We evaluated the efficacy of yoga as a novel treatment for body-image dissatisfaction in otherwise healthy U.S. college-aged women. Female participants between the ages of 18–30 were randomly assigned to twice weekly yoga classes for 12 weeks or to a wait-listed control condition. Compared to participants in the control condition, participants in the yoga condition reported significantly greater improvements in appearance evaluation and satisfaction with specific body areas at post-test. Participants in the yoga condition also reported larger reductions in the amount of time and energy spent preoccupied with their appearance. The results of the current study suggest that yoga, which is widely available across the country, could help college-aged women develop healthier relationships with their bodies. Health professionals and college administrators may want to encourage young women with body-image dissatisfaction to practice yoga in order to improve their self-image.
Trajectory estimation and impact point prediction of a ballistic object from a single fixed passive sensor

For a thrusting/ballistic target, works have shown that a single fixed sensor with 2-D angle-only measurements (azimuth and elevation angles) is able to estimate the target’s 3-D trajectory. In previous works, the measure- ments have been considered as starting either from the launch point or with a delayed acquisition. In the latter case, the target is in flight and thrusting. The present work solves the estimation problem of a target with delayed acquisition after burn-out time (BoT), i.e. in the ballistic stage. This is done with a 7-D parameter vector (velocity vector azimuth angle and elevation angle, drag coefficient, 3-D acquisition position and target speed at the acquisition time) assuming noiseless motion. The Fisher Information Matrix (FIM) is evaluated to prove the observability numerically. The Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimator is used for the motion parameter estimation at acquisition time. The impact point prediction (IPP) is then carried out with the ML estimate. Simulation results from the scenarios considered illustrate that the MLE is efficient.
Nanostructured V2O5/Nitrogen-doped Graphene Hybrids for High Rate Lithium Storage

Vanadium Pentoxide (V2O5) has been identified as a potential cathode material owning to its high specific capacity, theoretically, 441 mAh g-1 for 3Li+ ions insertion/extraction. However, the intrinsic drawbacks of V2O5, i.e. structural instability and poor electronic and ionic conductivity, greatly inhibit its application as a cathode. Here, we report a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted hydrothermal reaction to synthesize V2O5 nanoclusters. Unique aggregated fiber structure was obtained after annealing. To achieve a porous structure and increase the conductivity, nitrogen-doped Graphene (NG) suspended in ethylene glycol was added to the reaction mixture. The obtained spherical V2O5 nanoparticles and NG sheets were randomly dispersed in the matrix of the V2O5 spheres. As a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, the V2O5/NG hybrids demonstrate better rate performance compared to the bundle-like V2O5 fibers, delivering higher specific capacity of ~ 300 and 150 mAh g-1 at a rate of C/10 and 5C, respectively. The enhanced performance in lithium storage are attributed to the synergistic effect of the nanostructured V2O5/NG composites.
Summary of Potential Natural Hazards

The South Caspian Basin is, without doubt, one of the most hazardous regions of the planet for hydrocarbon exploration. Almost all kinds of geological hazards are present in this small area, which can cause significant problems for operators involved in exploration and development of oil and gas fields.
Introduction to electron beam pasteurization in food processing

The world is changing. Climate change, burgeoning populations, infectious diseases, globalization, and food security threats can strain food supplies and result in global unrest and strife. Electron beam (eBeam) technology is a food irradiation technology with unique features. It is currently used for a myriad of applications including food processing. However, there is a need for the creative combination of eBeam technology with other complementary food processing technologies to further its applications and change current food processing paradigms. This introductory chapter focuses on eBeam pasteurization and complementary food processing technologies.
Shotgun eye injuries. Ocular risk and eye protection efficacy.

Background: Little is known about the efficacy of shotgun eye protection. Shotguns can easily propel pellets with enough energy to penetrate the human eye, and a large percentage of shotgun eye injuries occur during shotgun sports such as hunting, trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Many of these injuries are preventable with proper eye protection. Although it is known that polycarbonate is the best lens material for shotgun eye protection, there has been no research that addresses the vision protective system design and its influence on eye protection. Methods: A field study was performed during which shotshells were fired at 1:1 scale photographs of human faces to determine the risk of ocular trauma. The protective efficacy of three types of polycarbonate protective eye wear (standard industrial safety glasses with snap-on side shields, wrap-around racket sport glasses, and three-piece glasses with integral side shields) was tested by firing shotshells at them at various distances. Both frontal and side protection was evaluated. Results: Results showed that the eye is at a high risk (55% to 100%) of being hit with shot pellets at ranges of 15 to 40 yards. It also was determined that the protective eye wear will give good frontal eye protection from shotgun pellets but integral side shields and a headband are necessary to obtain adequate side, protection. Conclusion: These findings, coupled with the poor visual prognosis of ocular shotgun injuries, indicate that polycarbonate protective eye wear with integral side shields and headbands should be worn by all involved with shotgun sports.
Are We There Yet? Identification of Reward-Selective Cells in the Hippocampus.

Navigation to a previously visited reward site requires a reliable and accurate spatial memory. In this issue of Neuron, Gauthier and Tank (2018) use two-photon calcium imaging to uncover a discrete hippocampal subpopulation specialized for encoding reward location.
From Earthquake Source Parameters to Ground‐Motion Warnings near You: The ShakeAlert Earthquake Information to Ground‐Motion (eqInfo2GM) Method

We present a new near‐real‐time method for converting earthquake source parameters into ground motion (GM) at locations across the west coast of the United States. This method, called earthquake information to ground motion (eqInfo2GM), has been implemented as part of the ShakeAlert earthquake early warning (EEW) system and makes estimated GM accessible to users on the EEW timeframe of seconds, as the U.S. Geological Survey ShakeMap does at higher resolution and accuracy in the minutes following a seismic event. Whereas the higher fidelity ShakeMap comes at the cost of longer processing times, eqInfo2GM effectively provides a predicted ShakeMap before shaking arrives at many locations. We describe key design details, including ground‐motion prediction equations (GMPEs) implemented, modifications made to optimize for speed, and formats created for conveying GM severity. The GM output format determines added latency and reflects a trade‐off between speed and accuracy; for our test earthquake data set, added latency is in the 0.01–1.5 s range after earthquake source parameters have been generated. GMPE implementations are validated against predicted ShakeMaps (without observations), with almost all events showing minimal mean shaking intensity level differences, reflecting variations only in treatment of source distances and VS30 data. Comparison against ShakeMaps computed with observations (a proxy for true GM) show larger differences, demonstrating the challenges of working in the EEW timeframe, when full source characterization and peak ground motion observations are both unavailable. Although specific configurations and features of the method will evolve as the needs of the EEW user community become evident, eqInfo2GM is expected to improve the overall utility of EEW alerts by providing end users with estimates of predicted local GM hazard. Such near‐real‐time estimates will enable users to decide more accurately what action to take to reduce the impact of imminent, potentially damaging shaking.
Spousal influence: A study of women with eating and body image concerns:

Eating disorder literature often overlooks those exhibiting eating and body image concerns without an eating disorder diagnosis. Supportive spouses may ameliorate negative body image and eating beh...
Fungal Enzymes for Bioremediation of Xenobiotic Compounds

In response to increased global industrialization and environmental pollution by toxic xenobiotics, foreign substances transgressing an ecosystem or a living organism, the need for new cost-effective decontamination and remediation methods is greater than ever. This chapter focuses on the role and potential application of fungal enzymes and their respective mechanisms in the bioremediation of various xenobiotics. Fungal bioremediatory enzymes exhibit uniquely broad substrate ranges. Among the enzymes examined herein are laccases (LAC), lignin peroxidases (LiP), manganese peroxidases (MnP), versatile peroxidases (VP), cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450), and unspecific peroxygenases (UPO). Each of these enzymes has been demonstrated to transform and remediate toxic xenobiotics to less hazardous or bioactive forms. However, there are nuanced considerations for each class of enzyme. Laccases and peroxidases each have their advantages and limitations; laccases can use molecular oxygen, while peroxidases require a supply of H2O2. On the other hand, peroxidases can function in a wider pH range and carry a high redox potential. P450s represent an incredibly promising and diverse superfamily of enzymes which remain to fully understood as is the case with UPOs. By isolating these enzymes and immobilizing them, the potential adverse effects of introducing a novel species into an already polluted and stressed environment are mitigated. Furthermore, while fungi are quite robust they are limited by environmental toxicity – a limitation that is overcome by employing isolated fungal enzymes. Enzymatic efficiency and longevity are, however, dependent on many variables such as pH, temperature, and environmental availability of various minerals and co-substrates. As a result, further investigation into fungal enzyme bioremediation and enzyme optimization is warranted to realize the tremendous biotechnical potential of these enzymes in the field of xenobiotic bioremediation. Genetic engineering for enzyme optimization and new enzyme immobilization approaches to generate stable and efficient enzyme-based detoxification systems are exciting prospects in development.
Femtosecond anti-Stokes conical emission in BK-7 glass and O and E-wave calcite.

The angle of anti-Stokes conical emission (CE) is experimentally measured in the frequency shift span of 2000cm−1 to 9000cm−1. The experiment was performed using a 800 nm 50 fs laser pump in samples of BK-7 glass and calcite in both the O and E-wave configurations. The experimental results of angular emission are then compared to three competing models: the Alfano–Shapiro four wave mixing (FWM) model from 1970, the Luther FWM model from 1994, and the Faccio X-wave model from 2004. Results indicate that in all samples and configurations tested, the original FWM has the best agreement with experimental results in the anti-Stokes span.
Transition to invasive breast cancer is associated with progressive changes in the structure and composition of tumor stroma

Abstract Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a pre-invasive lesion that is thought to be a precursor to invasive breast cancer (IBC). To understand how the tumor microenvironment (TME) changes with transition to IBC, we used Multiplexed Ion Beam Imaging by time of flight (MIBI-TOF) and a 37-plex antibody staining panel to analyze 140 clinically annotated surgical resections covering the full spectrum of breast cancer progression. We compared normal, DCIS, and IBC tissues using machine learning tools for multiplexed cell segmentation, pixel-based clustering, and object morphometrics. Transition from DCIS to IBC was found to occur along a trajectory marked by coordinated shifts in location and function of myoepithelium, fibroblasts, and infiltrating immune cells in the surrounding stroma. Taken together, this comprehensive study within the HTAN Breast PreCancer Atlas offers insight into the etiologies of DCIS, its transition to IBC, and emphasizes the importance of the TME stroma in promoting these processes.
Foveal Development in Retinopathy of Prematurity

Human foveal development is a complex process that can be altered by retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Establishing a baseline of normal foveal development is paramount before understanding the impact caused by prematurity and ROP. It is important to recognize ROP as a neurovascular disease that impacts vascular development, neuronal development, and the complex interplay between them.
Fear of Stigma Mediates the Relationship between Internalized Stigma and Treatment-Seeking among Individuals with Substance Use Problems.

Despite the high prevalence and significant health consequences of substance use disorders, rates of treatment seeking are low. Identifying as an “addict” caries a mainstream connotation that the i...
The developing murine lung is susceptible to acetaminophen toxicity.

Acetaminophen (n-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) use in the neonatal intensive care unit is rapidly increasing. Although APAP-related hepatotoxicity is rarely reported in the neonatal literature, other...
Multi-omics analysis provides insights into genetic architecture of flavonoid metabolites in Populus

Abstract Flavonoids are widely distributed secondary metabolites as well as a major class of chemical defenses in response to light intensity, temperature, and other external factors. However, systematic investigation on the genetic basis of flavonoids in perennial trees is poorly documented. In this study, we married metabolite-based genome wide association analysis (mGWAS), expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping and weighted co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) analysis to systematically construct the regulatory network underlying flavonoids decoration in Populus. We firstly characterized 172 flavonoids features in 300 natural accessions of Populus tomentosa collected in three widespread geographical regions. Then, we conducted systematical genetic strategy to identify casual candidate genes, and constructed the regulatory network of flavonoids biosynthesis of Populus. Selection signature revealed 83 metabolites exhibited significant divergence among three geographical regions of Populus, we thus determined candidate genes contributing to flavonoids divergence based on the selection sweep analysis. Furthermore, we focused on PtoLDOX, a key gene responsible for the levels of anthocyanin and dihydrokaempferol, and dissected it through allelic frequency and haplotype analysis. Collectively, our study provides new insights into the genetic basis of flavonoids biosynthesis, and sheds light on the adaptive selection to different geographical regions that potentially dominated by the flavonoids of Populus, facilitating marker-based breeding in poplar varieties.
Practice Patterns and Predictors of Stopping Colonoscopy in Older Adults With Colorectal Polyps

Background & Aims Older adults with colorectal polyps undergo frequent surveillance colonoscopy. There is no specific guidance regarding when to stop surveillance. We aimed to characterize endoscopist recommendations regarding surveillance colonoscopy in older adults and identify patient, procedure, and endoscopist characteristics associated with recommendations to stop. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study at a single academic medical center of adults aged ≥75 years who underwent colonoscopy for polyp surveillance or screening during which polyps were found. The primary outcome was a recommendation to stop surveillance. Predictors examined included patient age, sex, family history of colorectal cancer, polyp findings, and endoscopist sex and years in practice. Associations were evaluated using multilevel logistic regression. Results Among 1426 colonoscopies performed by 17 endoscopists, 34.6% contained a recommendation to stop and 52.3% to continue. Older patients were more likely to receive a recommendation to stop, including those 80–84 years (odds ratio [OR], 7.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8–12.3) and ≥85 years (OR, 9.0; 95% CI, 3.3–24.6), compared with those 75–79 years. Family history of colorectal cancer (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.24–0.74) and a history of low-risk (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.11–0.24) or high-risk (OR, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01–0.04) polyps were inversely associated with recommendations to stop. The likelihood of a recommendation to stop varied significantly across endoscopists. Conclusions Only 35% of adults ≥75 years of age are recommended to stop surveillance colonoscopy. The presence of polyps was strongly associated with fewer recommendations to stop. The variation in endoscopist recommendations highlights an opportunity to better standardize recommendations following colonoscopy in older adults.
Herpes simplex and herpes zoster viruses in COVID-19 patients.

Reactivation of herpes family viruses in immunocompromised patients may result in detrimental outcomes for the hosts; therefore, herpes simplex virus-1 and varicella zoster virus infections in the context of COVID-19 may have clinical and prognostic implications. Several reports associated this human herpes virus with COVID-19 infection and have claimed that it can be an indicator for latent COVID-19 infection. However, since most of these were case reports, it is impossible to assess the prevalence of these associations. The University of Florida patient registry i2b2 with ICD-10 diagnosis codes was used for retrieval of patients with diagnosis of COVID-19 and each of the other viruses over the period of October 2015–June 2020. The prevalence of the herpes simplex-1 occurrence in the COVID-19 group was 2.81% compared to 0.77% in the hospital population odds ratio of 5.27. When adjusted for gender, race, and age, the odds were 5.18, 4.48, and 4.61, respectively. After adjustment for respiratory disease, endocrine disease, obesity, diabetes, circulatory disease, and smoking, the odds were 1.94, 3.18, 1.37, 3.54, 3.7, and 5.1, respectively. The prevalence of the varicella zoster virus in COVID-19 patients was 1.8% compared to 0.43% in the hospital population, odds ratio of 5.26 before adjustment, and 5.2, 5.47, and 4.76 after adjusting for gender, age, and race, respectively. When adjusted for respiratory disease, endocrine disease, obesity, diabetes, and circulatory and neurological diseases, the odds were 1.3, 2.2, 1.48, 2.33, 2.85, and 2.6, respectively. Herpes simplex-1 and varicella zoster viruses are strongly associated with COVID-19 infection.
HLA B53 is associated with a poor outcome in black COVID-19 patients.

A disproportionate incidence of death has occurred in African Americans (Blacks) in the United States due to COVID-19. The reason for this disparity is likely to be multi-factorial and may involve genetic predisposition. The association of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) with severe COVID-19 was examined in a hospitalized population (89% Black, n = 36) and compared to HLA typed non-hospitalized individuals (20% Black, n = 40) who had recovered from mild disease. For additional comparison, HLA typing data was available from kidney transplant recipients and deceased donors. Hospitalized patients were followed for 45 days after admission to our medical center with death as the primary end-point. One HLA allele, B53, appeared to be more prevalent in the hospitalized COVID-19 patients (percent of positive subjects, 30.5) compared to national data in US Black populations (percent of positive subjects, 24.5). The percent B53 positive in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 2.6, significantly less than the percent positive in the hospitalized COVID-19 patients (p = 0.001, Fisher's exact test) and less than the 8 percent positive listed in national data bases for US Caucasian populations. Significantly greater deaths (73 percent) were observed in HLA B53 positive hospitalized COVID-19 patients compared to hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were B53 negative (40 percent). Multi-variate analysis indicated that HLA B53 positive Black hospitalized COVID-19 patients were at a 7.4 fold greater risk of death than Black COVID-19 patients who were B53 negative. Consideration for accelerated vaccination and treatment should be given to HLA B53 positive Black COVID19 patients.
Internal Mammary Vessels: Rib-Sparing Approach

The internal mammary vascular system has become the de facto preference for recipient vessels in microsurgical breast reconstruction. Harvest of the internal mammary vessels has historically required resection of a segment of the costal cartilage to facilitate exposure for the performance of microsurgical anastomosis. The “rib-sparing” approach to vessel harvest has evolved over the last two decades as a safe and reproducible model of vessel harvest, resulting in reduced patient morbidity and aesthetic chest wall deformity. This chapter will characterize the preoperative assessment, relevant anatomy, and surgical approach of the “rib-sparing” technique in the harvest of the internal mammary vessels.
Through a Glass Darkly: Measuring Loss Under Oregon's Measure 37

In 2004, the voters of Oregon passed Measure 37 which required payment of "just compensation" for alleged loss in value following the adoption or amendment of land use regulations. A claim need not be supported by any evidence under the measure and there were robust timelines for the affected public agency to respond to the claim, with the alternative being a lawsuit with attorney fees and costs being awarded the plaintiff property owner (and only the property owner) if she prevailed. That compensation was due from the state or local government that passed the regulation and the principal method of avoiding liability was to drop those regulations that were enacted subsequent to the acquisition of the property by the present owner. Measure 37 was subsequently revised substantially; however, this paper deals with the state of affairs before that revision and focuses upon the practical and legal difficulties faced by property owners, public agencies and adjacent and nearby property owners and renters as a result of the Measure. In particular, the article attempts to deal with the concept of "just compensation" under the peculiar standards established by this initiative.
Seismic fragility of threaded Tee-joint connections in piping systems

Abstract This paper proposes a methodology to evaluate seismic fragility of threaded Tee-joint connections found in typical hospital piping systems. Existing experimental data on threaded Tee-joints of various sizes subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading indicates that the “First Leak” damage state is observed predominantly due to excessive flexural deformations at the Tee-joint section. The results of the monotonic and cyclic loading tests help us evaluate the characteristics for a given pipe size and material. A non-linear finite element model for the Tee-joint system is formulated and validated with the experimental results. It is shown that the Tee-joint section can be satisfactorily modeled using non-linear rotational springs. The system-level fragility of the complete piping system corresponding to the “First Leak” damage state is determined from multiple time-history analyses using a Monte-Carlo simulation accounting for uncertainties in demand.
Purification, properties, and kinetics of enzymatic acylation with beta-lactams of soluble penicillin-binding protein 2a. A major factor in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract Intrinsic resistance toward beta-lactams in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, a major source of nosocomial infections, is believed to be caused mainly by penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a). This protein resembles other penicillin-binding proteins that are involved in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis and are the targets of active site acylation by beta-lactam antibiotics. PBP2a, however, presumably remains active at therapeutic concentrations of beta-lactams. In this paper, we describe a three-step purification of a soluble form of PBP2a (PBP2a') to apparent homogeneity using anion-and cation-exchange, and dye-ligand affinity chromatographies. Purified PBP2a' was a 74-kDa monomeric protein that appeared to be folded. The protein was evaluated for its enzymatic acylation with beta-lactams initially by fluorescence quenching and then kinetically by radioactive labeling. Using a modified 125I-labeled penicillin V-acylation assay, the apparent Km of PBP2a' for penicillin V was 1.2 mM. Three other beta-lactams, each of which exhibited significant fluorescence quenching, acted as strong competitive inhibitors of penicillin V with apparent Ki values of 123.4, 36.1, and 12.4 microM, respectively. By a new beta-lactam preincubation analysis, these compounds could function as substrates with similar Km values. Also, the acylation rates of different beta-lactams could be readily ascertained. The enzymatic acylation data substantiate the major causative role of PBP2a in the bacterial resistance. The quantitative radioactive acylation assays are potentially useful in screening for a potent inhibitor of the enzyme.
Intestinal calcium transport: comparison of duodenum and ileum in vivo in the rat.

Rats were loaded parenterally with 45 Ca and the lumen of the duodenum and ileum were perfused with either a calcium-free solution (NaCl) or a solution containing 3.4 mm calcium (NaCl + Ca). Net movements of 45 Ca and 40 Ca and their intestinal tissue and plasma concentrations were measured. In the NaCl study the net ileal calcium secretion was 2 to 3 times that in the duodenum. In the NaCl + Ca studies 40 Ca was absorbed, 45 Ca was secreted, and the four fluxes across the mucosa could be calculated. The ileal mucosa to lumen flux was 1.5 times that in the duodenum. Lumen to mucosa fluxes were several times greater than mucosa to lumen fluxes. The duodenal lumen to mucosa flux was 1.7 times that in the ileum. Fluxes at the base of the cell were much greater than those at the brush border in both intestinal segments.
State Psychological Reactance to Depression Public Service Announcements Among People With Varying Levels of Depressive Symptomatology

Campaigns seeking to help people with depression can be effective, but they can also backfire. Psychological reactance is proposed as a partial explanation. Two experimental studies examined the effect of two depression messages (i.e., autonomy-supportive language, controlling language) for participants (n = 2027, n = 777) with varying levels of depressive symptomatology. For Study 1, two versions of a print public service announcement about seeking help for depression served as the experimental stimulus. Study 2 used an existing video public service announcement about seeking help for depression, but the text was altered to create the two conditions. In both studies, increased depressive symptomatology was associated with reduced help-seeking attitudes and intentions, as well as greater state reactance to a public service announcement about depression. Increased state reactance mediated the relationship between increased depressive symptomology and unfavorable help-seeking outcomes. Further, across the t...
A Neutronic Analysis of Boiling Water Reactor In-Core Detector Noise

The response of boiling water reactor in-core detectors undergoing vibration has been calculated. A neutronic model based on calculating the fission activity at a detector position in a planar multibundle environment was employed. The model used eight energy groups and two-dimensional Cartesian geometry in a discrete-ordinates transport approximation. The in-core detector responses due to various detector displacements were calculated as a function of channel box corner wear with different effective in-channel voids, bypass voids, and instrument tube voids. The calculated noise was found to have a linear dependence on channel box wear. This was corroborated by measurements. An increase in in-channel voids was found to increase the noise, while an increase in bypass and instrument tube voids decreased the noise. The presence of a nearby control blade increased the noise.
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS IN PHENYLKETONURIA.

Clinical observations over a 36-month period on a group of patients with phenylketonuria are summarized. Preliminary comparison of 9 phenylketonuric patients started on dietary treatment at a mean age of 3.6 weeks and treated for a mean duration of 13.5 months revealed significantly lower developmental achievement than in their 34 unaffected siblings. Attempts should be made to shorten the period between birth and exact diagnosis as much as possible in order to determine whether that will further increase the benefits of dietary therapy. Maternal obstetrical histories were found to be significantly abnormal in approximately 46% of net pregnancies in heterozygotes. Consequently, careful evaluation of the role of perinatal factors is advised in the assessment of the results of dietary therapy in each patient. Fasting serum phenylalanine levels of 16 untreated infants under a month of age were not significantly different from those in 20 older patients with PKU. Individual variations in the vulnerability of the nervous system to elevation of the blood phenylalanine level may be another important factor in the variability in intellectual defect. One atypical patient is discussed. Measurements of phenylalanine levels in blood and close observation of the clinical course of the patient, particularly his weight gain, rather than the presence or absence of abnormal metabolites of phenylalanine in the urine, should be used as guides to early diagnosis and to the dietary management of patients with phenylketonuria.
Biochemical Differentiation of the Enterobacteriaceae with the Aid of Lysine-Iron-Agar

A procedure is described for identifying members of the family Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical specimens. The methods are based on primary differentiation of the various groups of bacteria by the use of Kligler Iron Agar and lysine-iron-agar. For identification of Salmonella, Shigella, and Arizona group organisms from stools, Triple Sugar Iron Agar and lysine-iron-agar are employed. The usefulness of this schema for diagnostic bacteriology laboratories is discussed. It is not intended to replace methods used in reference or research laboratories.
Design of a 1-GHz self-resonance integrated GaAs gyrator-C inductor

The design considerations for achieving optimal results in gyrator-C inductor performance are discussed. According to the roles the operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) play in a gyrator-C inductor, general rules are set for an appropriate choice of the different parameters in the OTAs used. By applying these rules, the OTA circuitry is simplified and a gyrator-C inductor with 1 GHz self-resonance frequency, high self-resonance quality factor, higher inductor-Q, and very low parasitic parameters is designed by using 1 mu m GaAs depletion-mode MESFETs. As an application of this inductor, a simulated RLC bandpass filter is realized for obtaining 930 MHz center frequency with a tuning range of 20%. >
Integral homology of PGL_2 over elliptic curves

Let E be an elliptic curve defined via a Weierstrass equation F(x,y)=0 over an infinite field k. Denote by A the coordinate ring of E. In this note we compute the integral homology of PGL_2(A). We obtain a rigidity result as a corollary.
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy 2.0: a.k.a. the Remix

In this article, Ladson-Billings reflects on the history of her theory of culturally relevant pedagogy and the ways it has been used and misused since its inception. She argues for the importance o...
Optical polarization bistability using the Faraday effect

La bistabilite optique en polarisations d'entree et de sortie est possible et peut etre mise en application en utilisant l'effet Faraday et la reaction optoelectronique externe
Protonation of o-terphenyl by decay and radiolysis techniques

Abstract He 3 H + ions generated by spontaneous β-decay of molecular tritium and H 3 + ions formed by radiolysis of H 2 have been allowed to react with gaseous o -terphenyl. In both cases protonated o -terphenylium ions with an excess of vibrational energy are formed. The fate of these ions is dependent on their stability, which is strictly correlated to their internal energy and, thus, to the exothermicity of the protonation. Condensation, isomerization, and fragmentation processes have been observed. The results show that the condensation reaction is favoured with respect to the isomerization process by increasing the protonation energy.
Voting as Empowerment Practice

This article seeks to explore the appropriate use of empowerment-based social work practice to increase the voter participation of those with psychiatric disabilities. Empowerment-based practice has become standard in community mental health care but has not included voting as an area of focus. The Civic Volunteerism Model is utilized to provide a theoretical framework for the natural integration of voter participation into empowerment-based practice. Barriers and their remedies to voter participation as a component of empowerment-based practice are discussed.
ENERGY FLUX INTO THE TIP OF AN EXTENDING CRACK IN AN ELASTIC SOLID.

An expression for the energy flux into the tip of an extending crack in terms of the dynamic elastic field of the crack is derived on the basis of an overall energy rate balance. It is shown that the energy flux depends only on the near-tip elastic field. The expression is compared to other expressions for this dependence which have been proposed by Atkinson and Eshelby, by Achenbach and by Erdogan. The energy flux is calculated in terms of the stress intensity factor for a particular plane strain problem and an antiplane strain problem.
Cross-sectional associations of urogenital pain and sexual function in a community based cohort of older men: olmsted county, Minnesota.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Increasing age has been associated with decreasing male sexual function. We evaluated the association of urogenital pain with sexual function in a community based cohort of older men.Materials and Methods: In 2000, 1,764 white men with a median age of 60 years residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota completed a questionnaire that included questions from the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index to evaluate urogenital pain that is ejaculatory, penile, perineal, suprapubic and testicular pain, and pain on urination. Questions from the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory were used to evaluate 5 domains of sexual function, including sexual drive, erectile function, ejaculatory function, assessment of sexual problems and overall sexual satisfaction.Results: Of 1,248 men who reported a regular sexual partner there were significant associations of testicular pain with impaired sexual drive (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.4) and sexual satisfaction (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.2) af...
Therapy of core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia: incremental improvements toward better long-term results.

Abstract Background Despite being considered as good prognostic acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), the long-term survival rate in core binding factor (CBF) AML leaves room for substantial improvement. Materials and Methods We reviewed relevant English language literature related to treatment of CBF AML available in PubMed. Review also included meeting abstracts. Results Multicycle high dose cytarabine in consolidation improves remission duration but larger groups report overall survival in the range of 40% to 50% at 5 years or longer. Conclusions Concerted effort is needed toward improving outcomes in CBF AML through clinical trials and risk-adapted approach.
Coinsurance effects on dental prices

For many Americans the cost of dental services represents a barrier to receiving regular dental care and maintaining proper oral health. The recent growth of the dental insurance industry, however, may partly offset this price barrier among insureds. Our purpose is to examine the relationship between coinsurance and dental prices for 16 dental services among a sample of Pennsylvania Blue Shield (PBS) adult insureds. The dependent price measure is the annual average gross price paid for 16 specific preventive, restorative, periodontic, endodontic, prosthodontic, and surgical dental services. Independent variables in the price model include the insured's age, education, coinsurance rates, time costs, market area, non-wage income, oral health status, area dentist-population ratio and usual source of care. Data sources are 1980 PBS claims and coinsurance rate data and a mail survey of sampled insureds. OLS regression analysis reveals that the model's independent variables explain little dental price variation. No variable is consistently significant across services, but market area, coinsurance rates, and time costs alternately dominate across equations. These results suggest that, among adult insureds, coinsurance and time costs influence dental fees in a minority of dental services. Insurance reduces the patient's sensitivity to money price, and non-price factors correspondingly seem to become more important in patient search.
Political and Economic Results of March 2014

In March 2014 Russia announced the accession of Crimea based on the results of the referendum held on 16 March 2014. In response the U.S. and EU introduced visa sanctions and a ban on the possession of assets in their jurisdictions for Russian officials (and in the U.S. this also extended to certain businessmen close to Vladimir Putin). The G8 forum ceased to exist and, effectively, Russia, on the one hand, and the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia, on the other, returned to the situation before 1991 when they considered each other as major opponents. For Russia this may result in a considerable decrease in investment, the withdrawal of capital and an economic decline, even despite the fact that, in the short term, these countries will be unable to replace the Russian hydrocarbon exports and this will cause substantial economic damage. The Russian Parliament introduced a bill to confer citizenship on all descendants of residents of the Russian Empire who are “native speakers of the Russian language” and to cancel mayoral elections in the largest cities, however, consideration of these laws has not been accelerated and they will most probably be amended.
Oxygen inhibition of crystalline glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase and disappearance of enzyme sulfhydryl groups

Abstract Activity of crystalline glyceraldehyde-phosphate-dehydrogenase was inhibited by incubation of the enzyme in the presence of 1 or 5 atmospheres of oxygen and catalytic amounts of copper or ferrous ions. Decrease in enzyme activity was associated with a disappearance of protein sulfhydryl groups. The experiments provide support for the hypothesis that oxidation of enzyme sulfhydryl groups is one possible mechanism of oxygen toxicity.
Regulation of Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase Activity in Endothelial Cells by Phosphorylation

Endothelial cells contain leukotriene (LT) A4 hydrolase (LTA-H) as detected by Northern and Western blotting, but several studies have been unable to detect the activity of this enzyme. Since LTA-H could play a key role in determining what biologically active lipids are generated by activated endothelium during the inflammatory process, we studied possible mechanisms by which this enzyme may be regulated. We find that LTA-H is phosphorylated under basal conditions in human endothelial cells and in this state does not exhibit epoxide hydrolase activity (i.e. conversion of LTA4 to LTB4). LTA-H purified from endothelial cells is efficiently dephosphorylated by incubation with protein phosphatase-1 in the presence of an LTA-H peptide substrate and not at all in the absence of substrate. Under conditions that lead to dephosphorylation, protein phosphatase-1 activates the epoxide hydrolase activity of LTA-H. Using peptide mapping and site-directed mutagenesis, we have identified serine 415 as the site of phosphorylation of LTA-H by a kinase found in endothelial cell cytosol. In parallel, we have studied a human lung carcinoma cell line that expresses active LTA-H. Although these cells have cytosolic kinases that phosphorylate recombinant LTA-H, they do not target serine 415 and thus do not inhibit LTA-H activity. We believe that LTA-H is regulated in intact cells by a kinase/phosphatase cycle and further that the kinase in endothelial cells specifically recognizes and phosphorylates a regulatory site in the LTA-H.
Relaxation of nuclear and electronic magnetic moments in heavy-electron compounds

Estimates are presented of nuclear-spin-lattice relaxation rates in the normal state of heavy-electron metals due to dipolar coupling of nuclear moments and 4f or 5f spin fluctuations. The 4f or 5f sites are modeled as point ions in the LS limit with dynamics of the ${N}_{\mathrm{grd}}$-fold degenerate Anderson model. Dipolar coupling alone is sufficiently large to account for the relaxation of $^{9}\mathrm{Be}$ in ${\mathrm{CeBe}}_{13}$ and ${\mathrm{UBe}}_{13}$, as has been found for other light nuclei in heavy-electron and local moment systems. However, for heavy nuclei with large intrinsic relaxation rates due to stronger on-site coupling to conduction electrons, the dipolar contribution underestimates the observed relaxation by orders of magnitude. I suggest that nuclear resonance is a more effective probe than electron-spin resonance of the heavy-fermion state primarily because the probe nuclei sit closer to the heavy-electron sites so that the strong range dependence of both dipolar and transferred exchange (Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida) interactions favors nuclear relaxation. I show for the Anderson lattice, using both mean field formalism and Green's function formalism (the latter explicitly including dynamic many-body effects and assuming a dispersionless interaction contribution to the f-electron self-energy) that many-body cancellation effects are relevant in magnetic relaxation in heavy-electron compounds only when coupling of probe moments to distant heavy-electron sites is vanishingly small. I show that since the maximal f-electron enhancement of impurity electronic moment relaxation follows the square of the ratio of the paramagnetic transition temperature (${T}_{P}$) to the effective degeneracy temperature or ``Kondo'' energy scale (${T}_{0}$) that those heavy-fermion systems close to magnetic instabilities are more suitable for study with electron spin resonance. Detailed studies of the relaxation in that instance are beyond the scope of this paper.