cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sublinear algorithms for (Δ + 1) vertex coloring

Any graph with maximum degree Δ admits a proper vertex coloring with Δ + 1 colors that can be found via a simple sequential greedy algorithm in linear time and space. But can one find such a coloring via a sublinear algorithm?We answer this fundamental question in the affirmative for several canonical classes of sublinear algorithms including graph streaming, sublinear time, and massively parallel computation (MPC) algorithms. In particular, we design:• A single-pass semi-streaming algorithm in dynamic streams using O(n) space. The only known semi-streaming algorithm prior to our work was a folklore O(log n)-pass algorithm obtained by simulating classical distributed algorithms in the streaming model.• A sublinear-time algorithm in the standard query model that allows neighbor queries and pair queries using [MATH HERE] time. We further show that any algorithm that outputs a valid coloring with sufficiently large constant probability requires [MATH HERE] time. No non-trivial sublinear time algorithms were known prior to our work.• A parallel algorithm in the massively parallel computation (MPC) model using O(n) memory per machine and O(1) MPC rounds. Our number of rounds significantly improves upon the recent O(log log Δ · log* (n))-round algorithm of Parter [ICALP 2018].At the core of our results is a remarkably simple meta-algorithm for the (Δ + 1) coloring problem: Sample O(log n) colors for each vertex independently and uniformly at random from the Δ + 1 colors; find a proper coloring of the graph using only the sampled colors of each vertex. As our main result, we prove that the sampled set of colors with high probability contains a proper coloring of the input graph. The sublinear algorithms are then obtained by designing efficient algorithms for finding a proper coloring of the graph from the sampled colors in each model.We note that all our upper bound results for (Δ + 1) coloring are either optimal or close to best possible in each model studied. We also establish new lower bounds that rule out the possibility of achieving similar results in these models for the closely related problems of maximal independent set and maximal matching. Collectively, our results highlight a sharp contrast between the complexity of (Δ+1) coloring vs maximal independent set and maximal matching in various models of sublinear computation even though all three problems are solvable by a simple greedy algorithm in the classical setting.
A Remote Sensing Undergraduate Research Internship in a Geoscience Workforce Program for Underrepresented Stem Students

For one year, underrepresented minority students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) were engaged in a rigorous geoscience program that trained and equipped them with basic geoscience knowledge and geoscience workforce skills that adequately prepared them for entry level geoscience career building positions. Preliminary results from this young program with its small sample size (with a sample size of 10, caution should be exercised in generalizing these results) are extremely encouraging; They show that the program's geoscience remote sensing research internship produced significant student gains in a variety of remote sensing skills that range from interpreting, manipulating, and analyzing remote sensing data to conducting and presenting remote sensing research. Some of these students have also now joined the geoscience workforce as interns.
Blue Endorsements Matter: How the Fraternal Order of Police Contributed to Donald Trump’s Victory

Conventional accounts of Donald Trump’s unexpected electoral victory stress idiosyncratic events and media celebrity because most observers assume this unusual candidate won without much organized support. However, considerable evidence suggests that the support of conservative organizational networks, including police unions such as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), propelled Trump to victory. The FOP is both a public-sector union and a conservative, mass-membership fraternal association that was courted by the Trump campaign at a time of politically charged debates about policing. Four years before, the FOP had refused to endorse Republican candidate Mitt Romney because he opposed public-sector unionism, which provided fruitful and rare variation in interest-group behavior across electoral cycles. Using a difference-in-differences approach, I find that FOP lodge density contributed to a significant swing in vote share from Romney to Trump. Moreover, survey evidence indicates that police officers reported increased political engagement in 2016 versus 2012. Belying the notion that Trump lacked a “ground game,” this research suggests that he tapped into existing organizational networks, showing their enduring importance in electoral politics.
Ultrasound guidance for sural nerve conduction studies

INTRODUCTION Ultrasound can potentially identify nerves and guide recording and stimulating electrode placement for nerve conduction studies (NCS). This prospective study was performed to determine whether ultrasound guidance of sural NCS results in higher action potential amplitude, fewer stimuli required, lower stimulus strength required, and less pain experienced. METHODS Fourteen healthy individuals underwent bilateral sural NCS, both with and without ultrasound guidance. Studies were separated by at least 48 h, and the order of testing was randomly assigned. RESULTS Ultrasound guidance resulted in significantly fewer stimuli and lower stimuli strength required to obtain supramaximal responses (P < 0.01-0.03). Ultrasound guidance required significantly more time to perform than standard sural NCS (P < 0.01). There was no difference in sural nerve amplitude or pain rating between the 2 groups. DISCUSSION Neuromuscular ultrasound can be used effectively to guide electrode placement during sural NCS. Muscle Nerve 59:705-707, 2019.
Associations of pretreatment parameters with changes during orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVES To examine whether pretreatment conditions of a patient can determine alveolar bone changes after orthodontic treatment. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained from 44 patients (17 male and 27 female, 14.02 ± 1.29 years). MATERIAL AND METHODS Buccal bone height (BBH), buccal bone thickness (BBT), and molar angulation (MA) of right and left maxillary molars and intermolar distance (ID) were measured using the CBCT images obtained before and after orthodontic treatment using conventional brackets and self-ligating conventional brackets. RESULTS There was a significant change only in BBH after treatment. All posttreatment parameters had significant positive correlations with the corresponding pretreatment parameters (r2 = 0.376-0.719, P < 0.001). Most of the changes had significant negative correlations with the corresponding pretreatment parameter (r2 = 0.054-0.249, P < 0.03). The results were not significantly influenced by the different bracket types. CONCLUSION The current findings suggest that the CBCT-based morphological information about dentition and oral bone conditions of patients can provide a better pretreatment plan to estimate the results of orthodontic treatment.
Gender Differences in the Victim–Offender Relationship for On- and Offline Youth Violence:

Youth violence affects millions of young people in the United States every day, and violent victimization has significant consequences for mental and physical health, academic performance, and long...
Higher Glucose Enhances Breast Cancer Cell Aggressiveness.

Cancer cells overexpress several transcription factors and motor proteins, such as NFkB and kinesin, to accommodate their high energy demand as well as migratory needs via enhanced glycolysis. We h...
Left ventricular hypertrophy in a contemporary cohort of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients.

Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) often develop hypertension in childhood or early adulthood. Although this could result in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, prior studies of LVH in ADPKD have yielded conflicting results. We estimated the prevalence of LVH using consensus echocardiography criteria and examined the independent association of ADPKD severity with LV mass in a contemporary cohort of ADPKD patients. Adults with ADPKD and eGFR> 15 ml/min/1.73m2 were enrolled in a single-center study. Left Ventricular Mass (LVM) was quantified using 2D echocardiography, and LVH was defined using gender-specific cut-points of LVM and LVM indexed to body surface area (LVMI) from consensus guidelines. Total Kidney Volume (TKV) was quantified using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and GFR was estimated from serum creatinine using the CKD-Epi equation. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate the association of TKV and eGFR with LVM and LVMI, adjusting for potential confounders. Among 126 participants (78% with hypertension), median age was 46 years, median eGFR 63 ml/min/1.73 m2, and median [IQR] systolic blood pressure was 125 [116–133] mmHg. Prevalence of LVH was 21.4% as defined by LVMI and was not significantly different (p = 0.8) between those with and without HTN, and was similar (21.4%) after excluding those (N = 21) with known cardiac disease. Greater TKV and lower eGFR were directly correlated with greater LVMI (p = .016 and p < .001, respectively). In multiple linear regression models accounting for potential confounders including blood pressure, greater TKV was positively associated with LVM ( $$ \hat{\beta} $$ =0.19, p = 0.04). In a contemporary cohort of ADPKD patients with well-controlled blood pressure, the prevalence of LVH is high, and ADPKD severity as reflected by TKV is independently associated with greater LV mass. These results may suggest a relationship between ADPKD pathophysiology and increased LV mass.
Novel rewards occlude the reward positivity, and what to do about it

Both the Reward Positivity (RewP) and the novelty N2 component appear within the same spatio-temporal window. This signal overlap impedes the assessment of the RewP evoked by complex novel rewards like affective or motivational imagery. Here we conducted a series of experiments which successfully isolated signals of reward and novelty through spectral decomposition as well as with experimental manipulations that systematically removed the influence of novelty on the reward-evoking image. Together, these findings help explain the nature of this component overlap and provide methodological and analytic techniques for isolating reward- and novelty-specific computations to complex stimuli.
Long term follow up after transorbital penetrating injury: A case report

Abstract Purpose Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of mortality and disability among young individuals. Unfortunately, there are few publications concerning long term follow up of patients with these types of injuries. We present a case of trans-orbital penetrating brain injury with an 18 year follow up. Observations A 43-year-old, previously healthy, male was accidently impaled on a fencing foil resulting in a penetrating brain injury. Initial symptoms included diplopia, ophthalmoparesis, a non-reactive pupil, decreased visual acuity, decreased sensation across the cheek, dysphagia and dysarthria. CT scan taken on presentation showed a clear tract of the foil traversing the various structures of the brain. One week after the trauma, the patient developed a unique constellation of paroxysmal attacks of autonomic dysfunction consisting of profuse diaphoresis and decreased skin temperature on the left side of the body, as well as dilation of the left pupil. Three months after the accident, the patient suddenly experienced severe constant pain affecting the left side of his body associated with thermal and tactile allodynia. On latest follow up, 18 years after the accident, the patient continues to have chronic pain, allodynia, and lack of temperature sensation throughout the left face, arm, and leg. He has a wide based, hemi-ataxic gait, with the left leg swinging out and around. EMG and nerve conduction studies have found no voluntary activity in the temporalis and masseter muscles resulting in atrophy and fibrosis. An MRI shows linear encephalomalacia along the path of the foil extending to the pons, involving the right spinothalamic tract, and cerebellum. Conclusions and Importance: Our case illustrates the importance of such a longitudinal follow up. It demonstrates the possible severity of the sequelae from these types of injuries including chronic pain and gait ataxia, as well as EOM and autonomic dysfunction. Due to the potential ongoing needs of such patients, it is important to plan a long-term, team-based approach that centers around physical therapy and improving long term quality of life.
Overfeeding and obesity in young children with positive pressure ventilation via tracheostomy following cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Infants with CHD requiring positive pressure ventilation via tracheostomy are especially vulnerable to malnutrition following cardiac surgery. Current post-operative feeding recommendations may overestimate the caloric needs. Design: We retrospectively studied infants requiring tracheostomy after cardiac surgery. Anthropometric and nutritional data were collected, including caloric goals, weight-for-age z score, length-for-age z score, and weight-for-length z score. Changes in anthropometrics over time were compared to ascertain the impact of nutritional interventions. Data were shown as mean ± standard deviation. Results: Nineteen infants with CHD required tracheostomy at 160 ± 109 days (7–364 days), 13 had reparative surgery, and 6 had palliative surgery for single ventricle. The indications for tracheostomy consisted of airway abnormality/obstruction (n = 13), chronic respiratory failure (n = 7), and/or vocal cord paresis (n = 2). Initial maintenance nutritional target was set at 100–130 cal/kg per day. Fourteen patients (73.7%) became obese (maximum weight-for-length z score: 2.59 ± 0.47) under tracheostomy and gastrostomy feeding, whereas five patients did not (weight-for-length z score: 0.2 ± 0.83). Eight obese patients (weight-for-length z score: 2.44 ± 0.85) showed effective reduction of obesity within 6 months (weight-for-length z score: 0.10 ± 0.20; p < 0.05 compared with pre-adjustment) after appropriate feeding adjustment (40–90 cal/kg per day). Overall mortality was high (31.6%) in this population. Conclusion: Standard nutritional management resulted in overfeeding and obesity in young children with CHD requiring positive pressure ventilation via tracheostomy. Optimal nutritional management in this high-risk population requires close individualised management by multidisciplinary teams.
Microbubble-Assisted Preconcentration and Ultrasensitive Detection of Biomolecules using Plasmonic Chiral Metamaterials

We demonstrate microbubble-assisted preconcentration of biomolecules on plasmonic moire chiral metamaterials, enabling enantiodiscrimination of L-glucose and D-glucose at picomolar level, which is 107 times improvement in sensitivity.
E-Cigarette Use and Perceptions Among Veterans Receiving Outpatient Treatment in Veterans Affairs Substance Use and Mental Health Clinics

Introduction Individuals with substance use disorders and/or mental health (MH) conditions have higher rates of cigarette smoking than the general population. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) while gaining popularity pose health risks. Herein we investigate risk perceptions and attitudes toward e-cigarettes in military Veterans with MH conditions. Materials and methods Participants included U.S. Veterans receiving services from Veterans Administration MH/substance use disorder clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area (N = 98; 95% male, 44% White, 34% Black/African American), who completed a survey on smoking and health. Results compare attitudes and perceptions regarding e-cigarette use between ever and never e-cigarette users. The study was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board at both the Veterans Administration and University. Results Most respondents reported being current/past cigarette smokers (91%) and over a third reported having ever used an e-cigarette (38%). Most believed that e-cigarettes are not safe, are potentially dangerous, are potentially addictive if they use every day and are tempting and appealing to youth. Fifty-one percent of ever-users agreed with a statement that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking regular cigarettes completely, and there was a significant difference in this belief when comparing them with never-users (23% agreed); χ2 = 9.259, P = 0.010. Conclusions Proportion of e-cigarette use in this Veteran sample is greater than the general population. We observed high risk perception about e-cigarettes among all respondents and differences in perceived helpfulness of e-cigarettes for quitting in ever-users versus never-users in this sample. More consistent assessment of tobacco use among Veterans, with inclusion of ENDS use, would help inform prevention and treatment priorities, especially as information on health impacts of ENDS surfaces.
Escalation and reinstatement of fentanyl self-administration in male and female rats

Escalation of drug intake and craving are two DSM-5 hallmark symptoms of opioid use disorder (OUD). This study determined if escalation of intake as modeled by long access (LgA) self-administration (SA) and craving measured by reinstatement are related. Adult male and female Sprague–Dawley rats were trained to self-administer fentanyl across 7 daily 1-h short access (ShA) sessions, followed by 21 SA sessions of either 1- or 6-h duration (ShA or LgA). Following 14 1-h extinction sessions, Experiment 1 assessed reinstatement induced by either fentanyl (10 or 30 µg/kg) or yohimbine (1 or 2 mg/kg), and Experiment 2 assessed reinstatement induced by a drug-associated cue light. Females acquired fentanyl SA faster than males. When shifted to LgA sessions, LgA rats escalated fentanyl intake, but ShA rats did not; no reliable sex difference in the rate of escalation was observed. In extinction, compared to ShA rats, LgA rats initially responded less and showed less decay of responding across sessions. A priming injection of fentanyl induced reinstatement, with LgA rats reinstating more than ShA rats at the 30 µg/kg dose. Yohimbine (1 mg/kg) also induced reinstatement, but there was no effect of access group or sex. With cue-induced reinstatement, LgA females reinstated less than LgA males and ShA females. Among the different reinstatement tests assessed, escalation of fentanyl SA increased only drug-primed reinstatement, suggesting a limited relationship between escalation of drug intake and craving (reinstatement) for OUD.
Abstract PS5-31: Molecular markers of response to s-equol, a novel oral estrogen receptor (ER) beta agonist for triple negative breast cancer

Introduction: Patients with TNBC breast cancer have inferior treatment outcomes compared to other breast cancer subtypes and targeted therapies are lacking. S-equol is a novel oral Estrogen Receptor (ER) Beta agonist with preclinical data showing suppression of TNBC cellular proliferation, and recently presented data showed a decrease in Ki-67 in patients treated with S-equol. This abstract will present the molecular markers that correlate with Ki-67 change in patients with TNBC treated with neoadjuvant S-equol. Methods: We conducted a neoadjuvant window trial that enrolled 39 patients with confirmed TNBC on diagnostic core needle biopsy. Cohort A (20 patients) received a daily dose of 50 mg PO twice daily and Cohort B (19 patients) received a higher dose of 150 mg twice daily. Paired biopsies were evaluable for 36 patients. Both cohorts were treated for a duration of 10-21 days. Primary outcome was change from pre- to post-treatment Ki-67 evaluated by paired t-test and that data was previously published. Secondary endpoints include: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in intratumoral and peritumoral (stromal) locations using CD3 (pan T cell) and CD8 (cytotoxic T cell) immunohistochemistry, density of lymphocytes per high power field (40x) for both locations in pre-treatment and post-treatment specimens, Cyclin-D1 protein expression in pre-treatment and post-treatment biopsies as percentage of total tumor cells in pre-treatment and post-treatment specimens, and total estrogen receptor-beta protein expression using immunohistochemistry qualitatively and quantitatively using All-red score in pre-treatment and post-treatment specimens.Results: The primary outcome of Ki-67 decrease of at least 20% from baseline was observed in 28% of the patients. This is a placeholder abstract and an updated abstract with the correlative molecular markers as outlined above will be provided. Conclusion: S-equol is a novel well tolerated oral ER-Beta agonist with inhibition of proliferation in patients with TNBC as measured by a decrease in Ki-67. RNA-seq data, also previously presented, supports potential immune activation during this short period of drug exposure. Future studies aim to evaluate S-equol as an immune activating agent for combination with immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors in TNBC. The pending molecular predictors of response will inform future therapeutic clinical trials for this novel therapy. Citation Format: Kate Lathrop, Virginia Kaklamani, Andrew Brenner, Rong Li, Alia Nazarullah, Sarah Hackman, Courtney Thomas, Jonathan Gelfond, Marisa Rodriguez, Richard Elledge. Molecular markers of response to s-equol, a novel oral estrogen receptor (ER) beta agonist for triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-31.
Nasolabial Pinch Airway Seal to Enable Positive-Pressure Ventilation: 40 Years of Expanding Use.

For more than 40 years, our department's anesthesia instructors have employed nasolabial pinch airway seal (NLPAWS) to give trainees additional time to perform nasotracheal intubation. When a trainee is unable to advance the tip of the tracheal tube through the vocal cords and the patient's pulse
Inelastic Neutron Spectra of Uranium Tetrafluoride Hydrate, UF4(H2O)2.5

Uranium tetrafluoride hydrate (UFH) is formed by immersing anhydrous UF4 under water for 12 h. UFH is therefore clearly a chemical species of environmental concern, as anhydrous UF4 is an intermedi...
An Intelligent Energy-Saving Information Interface Agent with Web Service Techniques

This paper focuses on developing an intelligent energy-saving information interface agent system with Web service techniques in cloud environments. This system contains two main portions: an information processing and decision-making platform, and a cloud information interface. The proposed system architecture not only satisfies a lot of interface system designs, but also presents unique functions of interface agents, and then shows that the decision-making precision, system reliability and system validity yield excellent system qualities. In terms of user satisfaction according to Quesenbery and Nielsen, the proposed system can score as high as 73 %.
Analysis of the Regulation of the Transferrin Iron Acquisition System in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

ANALYSIS OF THE REGULATION OF THE TRANSFERRIN IRON ACQUISITION SYSTEM IN NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE By Rosuany N. Velez Acevedo A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009 Major Director: Cynthia Nau Cornelissen, Ph.D. Professor of Microbiology and Immunology The neisserial transferrin binding proteins (Tbps) comprise a bipartite system for iron acquisition from human transferrin. TbpA is a TonB-dependent outer membrane protein that forms the pore for iron internalization. TbpB is a surface-exposed lipoprotein that makes the iron-uptake process more efficient. Previous studies have shown that the genes encoding these proteins are arranged in a bicistronic operon, with the tbpB gene located upstream of tbpA. The operon is under the control of the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) protein. However, promoter elements necessary for the regulation of the operon have not been experimentally defined. In this study, putative regulatory motifs were confirmed
The Impact of the Teachers' Unions on Educational Policy and Outcomes

Publisher Summary This chapter examines how the teacher unions evolved from the organizations on the periphery of the American labor movement and labor markets to their present and future status of dominance. It also analyzes their anticipated leadership in the American labor movement. These developments have major consequences for the contemporary and future quality of public education in this country. The most important outcomes of teacher unionization and collective bargaining on education are their effects on public policy, especially on public spending. Through its unique combination of political power and influence, teacher unionism has shaped and often controlled public policies on education, policies that have perpetuated the poor performance of American public education and pushed costs higher. In fact, the unions' power to raise the cost of education has contributed to municipal bankruptcy, de facto and de jure , as exemplified in the city of New York and the school district of San Jose, California. Both bankruptcies occurred more than two decades ago, but are reminders of what can happen.
Bench Test for Scuff Evaluation of Surface Modified Piston and Bore Materials

This paper describes a bench method to evaluate the frictional behavior, under scuffing conditions, of some test coupons of standard materials currently used in making cylinder bores and pistons. The usefulness of this method is in evaluating new materials and coatings that may enable the elimination of iron liners from engine blocks. While investigating the potential application of Plasma Source Ion Implantation (PSII) on engine piston/bore materials, the authors have systematically studied the scuffing related friction behavior of aluminum 390 alloy and cast iron. A pin-on-disk tribometer is used under dry sliding conditions. Testing parameters for simulating cold scuff in bench tests have been specified. This proposed test method offers a screening tool desirable for the development of PSII technology and may also be useful for the design of other new surface modification techniques.
Linear-No-Threshold Default Assumptions for Noncancer and Nongenotoxic Cancer Risks: A Mathematical and Biological Critique

To improve U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dose-response (DR) assessments for noncarcinogens and for nonlinear mode of action (MOA) carcinogens, the 2009 NRC Science and Decisions Panel recommended that the adjustment-factor approach traditionally applied to these endpoints should be replaced by a new default assumption that both endpoints have linear-no-threshold (LNT) population-wide DR relationships. The panel claimed this new approach is warranted because population DR is LNT when any new dose adds to a background dose that explains background levels of risk, and/or when there is substantial interindividual heterogeneity in susceptibility in the exposed human population. Mathematically, however, the first claim is either false or effectively meaningless and the second claim is false. Any dose-and population-response relationship that is statistically consistent with an LNT relationship may instead be an additive mixture of just two quasi-threshold DR relationships, which jointly exhibit low-dose S-shaped, quasi-threshold nonlinearity just below the lower end of the observed "linear" dose range. In this case, LNT extrapolation would necessarily overestimate increased risk by increasingly large relative magnitudes at diminishing values of above-background dose. The fact that chemically-induced apoptotic cell death occurs by unambiguously nonlinear, quasi-threshold DR mechanisms is apparent from recent data concerning this quintessential toxicity endpoint. The 2009 NRC Science and Decisions Panel claims and recommendations that default LNT assumptions be applied to DR assessment for noncarcinogens and nonlinear MOA carcinogens are therefore not justified either mathematically or biologically.
The synthesis of o-aminophenyl sulfate metabolites of the oncolytic sulfonylureas

Abstract Application of the Boyland-Sims oxidation to 4-chloro- and 3,4-dichloroaniline is reported.
A semiautomated procedure for determination of adenosine triphosphate.

Abstract We have presented a rapid, accurate, and convenient semiautomated procedure to measure ATP in erythrocytes. The technique employs conventional autoanalyzer equipment in conjunction with a liquid scintillation spectrometer to detect ATP by firefly luminescence. The sensitivity of the detecting system has permitted potential interferences from inorganic ions to be eliminated by dilution. Additionally, a simplified manual technique for the preparation of erythrocyte samples for ATP assay has been devised.
Accurate single-day titration of adenovirus vectors based on equivalence of protein VII nuclear dots and infectious particles.

Protein VII is an abundant component of adenovirus particles and is tightly associated with the viral DNA. It enters the nucleus along with the infecting viral genome and remains bound throughout early phase. Protein VII can be visualized by immunofluorescent staining as discrete dots in the infected cell nucleus. Comparison between protein VII staining and expression of the 72 kDa DNA-binding protein revealed a one-to-one correspondence between protein VII dots and infectious viral genomes. A similar relationship was observed for a helper-dependent adenovirus vector expressing green fluorescent protein. This relationship allowed accurate titration of adenovirus preparations, including wild-type and helper-dependent vectors, using a 1-day immunofluorescence method. The method can be applied to any adenovirus vector and gives results equivalent to the standard plaque assay.
Particle Arrangements and Differential Imbibitional Swelling in Deformed or Deposited Kaolinite-Illite Clay*

A fine-grained kaolinite-illite clay, in which planar particle orientation resulted from filtration or plastic deformation, swelled differentially when liquid water was imbibed by test pieces already in the plastic state. Swelling was greater perpendicular than parallel to the plane in which the clay platelets tended to be arranged. Filtration, in contrast to deformation, gave test pieces that swelled more rapidly and extensively. The slipbands, present only in plastically deformed test pieces, restricted the swelling. They were arranged diagonally to the plane in which the clay platelets tended to lie. The plastically deformed test pieces showed enhanced expansion perpendicular to this plane when they were made successively thinner by compression under a cylindrical roller. This was attributed to improved planar orientation of the clay platelets.
The effects of axial ligands on electron distribution and spin states in iron complexes of octaethyloxophlorin, intermediates in heme degradation.

The results presented here show that the nature of the axial ligand can alter the distribution of electrons between the metal and the porphyrin in complexes where there is an oxygen atom replacing one of the meso protons. The complexes (1-MeIm)2FeIII(OEPO) and (2,6-xylylNC)2FeII(OEPO•) (where OEPO is the trianionic octaethyloxophlorin ligand and OEPO• is the dianionic octaethyloxophlorin radical) were prepared by addition of an excess of the appropriate axial ligand to a slurry of {FeIII(OEPO)}2 in chloroform under anaerobic conditions. The magnetic moment of (2,6-xylylNC)2FeII(OEPO•) is temperature invariant and consistent with a simple S = 1/2 ground state. This complex with an EPR resonance at g = 2.004 may be considered as a model for the free-radical like EPR signal seen when the meso-hydroxylated heme/heme oxygenase complex is treated with carbon monoxide. In contrast, the magnetic moment of (1-MeIm)2FeIII(OEPO) drops with temperature and indicates a spin-state change from an S = 5/2 or an admixed S...
Perigestational dietary folic acid deficiency protects against medulloblastoma formation in a mouse model of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.

Hereditary nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is caused by PTCH1 gene mutations that result in diverse neoplasms including medulloblastoma (MB). Epidemiological studies report reduced pediatric brain tumor risks associated with maternal intake of prenatal vitamins containing folic acid (FA) and FA supplements specifically. We hypothesized that low maternal FA intake during the perigestational period would increase MB incidence in a transgenic NBCCS mouse model, which carries an autosomal dominant mutation in the Ptch1 gene. Female wild-type C57BL/6 mice (n = 126) were randomized to 1 of 3 diets with differing FA amounts: 0.3 mg/kg (low), 2.0 mg/kg (control), and 8.0 mg/kg (high) 1 mo prior to mating with Ptch1 +/− C57BL/6 males. Females were maintained on the diet until pup weaning; the pups were then aged for tumor development. Compared to the control group, offspring MB incidence was significantly lower in the low FA group (Hazard Ratio = 0.47; 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.80) at 1 yr. No si...
Light affects the structure of Chlamydomonar Chloroplast chromosomes

We have analyzed changes in the structure of chloroplast chromosomes in response to light in growing Chlamydomonas cells using a crosslinking assay based on the intercalation of HMT (4'-hydroxymethyl-4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen) into DNA. Our results show that the structure of chloroplast chromosomes in at least three widely separated regions is different in light-grown vs. dark-grown cells. Structural changes in chloroplast chromosomes occur within 3 hrs after exposure to light or darkness, respectively. The response to light is not inhibited by atrazine and can be elicited by dim blue light incapable of evolving O2, indicating that it does not require photosynthesis. Inhibition of cytoplasmic protein synthesis with cycloheximide prevents this response to light, indicating that it depends, at least in part, on proteins imported from the cytoplasm.
The NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 reduces Fos-like immunoreactivity in central trigeminal neurons and blocks select endocrine and autonomic responses to corneal stimulation in the rat

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is implicated in multiple aspects of pain processing by the central nervous system. However, the role of NMDA receptors in the endocrine and autonomic aspects of nociception remains uncertain. The present study examined the influence of the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801 (0.02-2.0 mg/kg, intracarotid), on the adrenal and autonomic responses to corneal stimulation (mustard oil, 20% sol.) in barbiturate-anesthetized rats. Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) evoked by corneal stimulation was quantified within the spinal trigeminal nucleus (Vsp) of MK-801 pretreated animals to assess activation of central trigeminal neurons. Corneal stimulation-evoked increases in the plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), epinephrine and norepinephrine were reduced dose-dependently by MK-801. Plasma ACTH also increased after moderate hemorrhage, a response that was not affected by MK-801. MK-801 did not reduce the magnitude of corneal stimulation-evoked increases in arterial pressure and heart rate; however, prestimulus arterial pressure was reduced by drug treatment. Fos-LI was distributed bimodally within the ipsilateral caudal Vsp: one peak of Fos-LI in the subnucleus interpolaris/caudalis transition region and a second peak within the superficial laminae of the subnucleus caudalis/upper cervical cord transition region. The magnitude of both peaks of Fos-LI was reduced dose-dependently by MK-801. These results indicate a significant contribution from NMDA receptors in control of select endocrine and autonomic responses that accompany trigeminal nociception and in activation of central trigeminal neurons that process corneal nociceptive input.
Implicit Algorithm for Modeling Unsaturated Soil Response in Three-Invariant Stress Space

An implicit integration algorithm has been refined to predict the stress–strain–strength response of unsaturated soil under suction-controlled, multiaxial stress paths that are not achievable in a conventional cylindrical cell. The algorithm supports numerical analyses in a deviatoric plane by using a mixed control constitutive driver, in conjunction with a generalized Cam-Clay model that also incorporates the influence of a third stress invariant, or Lode-angle θ , within a constant-suction scheme. True triaxial data from a previously accomplished series of suction-controlled triaxial compression, triaxial extension, and simple shear tests on 10-cm cubical specimens of silty sand, were used for the tuning and validation of the refined algorithm. The elliptical Willam–Warnke surface was adopted for simulation of unsaturated soil response in three-invariant stress space. Reasonably satisfactory agreement was observed between experimental and predicted deviatoric stress versus principal strain response for ...
Inhibition of root extension in tobacco by the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus macrocarpum and its prevention by benomyl

Abstract Root weight and length were extremely reduced in tobacco seedlings inoculated with disinfested spores of Glomus macrocarpum or soil naturally infested with the tobacco stunt pathogen. Shoot weights were not consistently reduced, and when reduced, were not reduced to the same extent as root weights. The degree of inhibition of roots appeared to be related to the degree of colonization by G. macrocarpum or endogonaceous fungi present in naturally-infested soil. The effects of G. macrocarpum and natural inoculum on root development were prevented or reduced by a benomyl drench, and the effect of benomyl was accompanied or preceded by reductions in colonization of roots. These experiments support the evidence that G. macrocarpum causes tobacco stunt disease and suggest that the mechanism for the pathogenicity of G. macrocarpum to tobacco is inhibition of root development.
O papel das vítimas nos procedimentos perante o Tribunal Penal Internacional: seus direitos e as primeiras decisões do tribunal

O Tribunal Penal Internacional (TPI) oferece um inovador e complexo sistema de justica que contempla os direitos das vitimas. Ainda que esses direitos nao sejam absolutos, por estarem sujeitos as garantias de um julgamento justo e imparcial, o Tribunal reconhece as vitimas como partes legitimas em seus procedimentos. No entanto, esse sistema representa um grande desafio, ja enfrentado por esse Tribunal nas primeiras investigacoes e no inicio de seu primeiro caso. Ao longo deste trabalho, serao explicados o papel das vitimas no sistema de justica do TPI, os direitos estabelecidos no Estatuto e demais normas aplicaveis aos procedimentos do Tribunal, assim como a sua interpretacao realizada pelo Tribunal em suas primeiras decisoes. Ainda, sera esclarecida a organizacao estabelecida pelo Tribunal para dar conta dessa importante incumbencia.
Unexpected products resulting from reactions of Cp (Me2T = 2,5-dimethylthiophene) with (μ-S) 2Fe2(Co)62− and (μ-CO)(α-RS)Fe2(CO)6−

The reactions of Cp ∗Ir(η5-2,5-Me2T)2+ (1) with (μ-S)2Fe2(CO)62− and (μ-CO)(μ-n-BuS)Fe2(CO)6−, which are expected to result in either reduction of 1 or nucleophilic attack on the η2-2,5-dimethylthiophene ring, yield products that contain the reduced Cp ∗Ir(η4-2,5-Me2T) (2) ligand. X-ray diffraction studies of the producs Cp ∗Ir(η4-2,5-Me2T · Fe2(CO)5(μ-S2)) (6 and Cp ∗Ir(α4-2,5-Me2T · Fe2(CO)5(μ-SnBu)2)) (9) show that the Cp ∗Ir(α4-2,5-Me2T) is coordinated through its sulfur atom to an Fe two bridging sulfur atoms of the Fe2(μ-S)2(CO)4 core are bonded at two carbons of a rearrangement 2,5-Me2T ligand. Characterization and mechanisms of formation of the new compounds are discussed.
The Tokamak Physics Experiment

The mission of the Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX) [Nevins et al., Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion, Wurzburg (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1992), Vol. 3, p. 279] is to develop the scientific basis for an economically competitive and continuously operating tokamak fusion power source. This complements the primary mission of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) [ITER Document Ser. No. 18 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1991)], the demonstration of ignition and long‐pulse burn, and the integration of nuclear technologies. The TPX program is focused on making the demonstration power plant that follows ITER as compact and attractive as possible, and on permitting ITER to achieve its ultimate goal of steady‐state operation. This mission of TPX requires the development of steady‐state regimes with high beta, good confinement, and a high fraction of a self‐driven bootstrap current. These regimes must be compatible with plasma stability, strong heat‐...
Continuum Elastic Model of Epithelial Sheet Migration

A key component of a wound healing process is rapid migration of epithelial cells that covers the wound area and helps to protect the underlying tissue. In our recent paper∗ we have developed a one-dimensional continuum mechanical model of intestinal epithelial cell layer, that incorporates lamellipod forces at both the wound edge and in the interior of the layer, adhesion forces between the cell layer and the substrate, and elastic stress within the cell layer. Here, the model is extended to two-dimensions and solved numerically using a level set method, which tracks the moving wound edge on a fixed grid. The model is calibrated by comparing the position of wound edge with experimentally observed positions in scratch-wound assay experiments. These comparisons show good qualitative agreement between model results and experimental observations. The models supports experimental observations that the time to wound closure varies with initial wound shape and area, and that the closure is possible, albeit slower, if boundary lamellipod formation is inhibited.∗ Qi. et al., One-dimensional elastic continuum model of enterocyte layer migration, Biohys. J., 93, 3745-3752 (2007).
Viscera and muscle protein synthesis in neonatal pigs is increased more by intermittent bolus than by continuous feeding

Viscera and muscle protein synthesis in neonatal pigs is increased more by intermittent bolus than by continuous feeding
Adaptive optics imaging for studying retinal vasculature in health and disease

We will discuss the optical techniques used in our adaptive optics vascular imaging measurements and present examples of measurements of blood flow velocity, vascular wall thickness in systemic hypertension, and vascular remodeling in diabetes.
The relationship between yield point and modulus for glassy polymers

Abstract It is pointed out that, for a wide variety of glassy polymers, the yield point increases with the modulus. Also, when a given polymer is tested under a variety of conditions a variable which increases the modulus also increases the yield point. From a compilation of existing data it is shown that the ratio of yield point to Young's modulus is between about 1 30 and 1 60 for nearly all glassy polymers.
Magnetic resonance signals in healing menisci: An experimental study in dogs

Summary This study examined the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal from healing menisci in adult dogs. Complete, full-thickness radial tears were created in the medial menisci of adult dogs and allowed to heal spontaneously. Menisci were harvested and examined at 8, 12, and 26 weeks after injury using a spin-echo imaging sequence. After imaging, the menisci were processed for routine histologic examination. The results of the study demonstrated that the repair tissue consistently yielded an increased MRI signal as compared with the normal meniscal tissue. This increased signal persisted at 26 weeks even though the repair tissue had modulated from fibrovascular scar tissue into fibrocartilage. The results of this study confirm the clinical impression that normal fibrovascular repair tissue in the healing meniscus can emit persistently increased signals on MRI examination. However, the long-term history of these signals remains unknown.
Spatial Distribution and Abundance of House Dust Mites, Dermatophagoides Spp., in Homes in Southern California

The spatial distribution and abundance of house dust mites, Dermatophagoides spp., in human dwellings was investigated in southern Calif. Significantly higher levels of mites occurred on the depressed area near the welt cording of mattresses as compared to remaining surface of mattresses. Higher mite levels occurred on mattress pads than other bedding items, while the next highest levels occurred on most bedspreads as compared to other bedding items. Head portion of mattresses and floors at sides of mattresses bore higher or significantly higher infestations than foot portions of these areas. The floor area from periphery of beds up to 61 cm around them yielded 89% of mites collected from floor areas. The majority of unencased mattresses yielded higher or significantly higher infestations than other habitats sampled in houses. Curtains, window ledges, and filters of forced-air furnaces also yielded mites, verifying that these mites can become airborne.
The genecology of salt marsh plants

1. Salt marshes lie on the interface zone between totally marine and totally terrestrial environments and are characterised by both linear variation patterns (gradients) and point-to-point variation patterns (mosaics). The variability in some examples of flowering plant species commonly found on salt marshes suggests that disruptive selective in this heterogeneous environment has led to wide adaptive divergence. 2. In particular populations of those species with high ecological amplitudes are likely to exhibit wide variability. 3. Studies on such a species,Aster tripolium L., using mainly collateral cultivation techniques, have revealed habitat-correlated variation in life cycle, fruit size and number, and germination requirements —all characters of fundamental biological significance. 4. The response to salt marsh environments included both genetic change and phenotypic plasticity. The importance in future work of identifying to which selective aspects of the environments particular characters are responding is emphasized, together with the need to evaluate, especially in perennial species, the respective roles of genetic and plastic responses.
Differential regulation of calcium-dependent and calcium-independent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases from heart by palmitoylcarnitine and palmitoyl coenzyme A

Abstract Regulation of Ca 2+ -dependent (peak I) and Ca 2+ -independent (peak II) phosphodiesterases from the heart by various fatty acyl esters and phospholipids were studied. DL -Palmitoylcaritine stimulated the basal activity (in the absence of Ca 2+ ) of peak I enzyme, while non-competitively inhibiting peak II enzyme with respect to cyclic AMP. It had no effect on other species of Ca 2+ -independent phosphodiesterases, including cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-specific enzymes from the lung, and cyclic CMP enzyme from the liver. Palmitoyl-CoA and phosphatidyl-serine also stimulated the basal activity of peak I enzyme, but they were without effect on peak II enzyme. In comparison, DL -palmitoylcarnitine inhibited Ca 2+ -dependent activity of cardiac myosin light chain kinase, whereas phosphatidylserine was without effect. It is conceivable that differential regulation of phosphodiesterases by these lipids could profoundly alter the levels or effects, or both, of cyclic nucleotides and Ca 2+ in the myocardium.