cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chloropicrin: Reactions with Biological Thiols and Metabolism in Mice

Chloropicrin (CCl3NO2) is a preplant soil fumigant as a fungicide, warning agent for other fumigants, and former was gas. Its mode of action is unknown but presumably related to its facile metabolic dechlorination on reaction with biological thiols. These interactions were studied with 14CCl3NO2, 14CHCl2NO2, 14CH2ClNO2, and 14CH3NO2, synthesized for this purpose. Reaction of 14CCl3NO2 with GSH yields the di- and monochloro derivatives, GSSG, and a small amount of nitrite. The initial adduct with GSH is transient, but more stable derivatives are formed at longer times or on catalysis by GSH S-transferase. Human Hb, examined as a model thiol protein, reacts with 1.5 mol equiv of 14CCl3NO2 at pH 7.4 to produce 53-67% 14CHCl2NO2 and 10-11% Hb dducts (radiochemical yields) which, on longer incubation, release 14CHCl2NO2, CHCl2NO2 and CH2ClNO2 react with the same site(s) in Hb but more slowly. The dechlorination reactions are also catalyzed by liver cytosol and microsomes with NADPH. Dechlorination and adduct formation observed in vitro also occur in vivo in ip-treated mice. Thus, 14CCl3NO2 quickly gives 14CHCl2NO2, and some 14CO2 is formed, but the primary urinary metabolites are polar and nonvolatile. The major metabolite from 14CCl3NO2 in urine is less polar than those from 14CHCl2NO2, 14CH2ClNO2, and 14CH3NO2 which, in turn, are different from the 14CH2O and H14CO2Na metabolites. Liver tissue is adducted in vivo by 14CCl3NO2 (43% radiocarbon unextractable with methanol at 1 h), but the total radiocarbon content decreases 4-fold between 1 and 48 h after treatment. Liver effects from a high CCl3NO2 dose are associated with 19% less GSH and 50% more absorbance from soluble hemoproteins than controls. The toxicity of CCl3NO2 is probably due to disruption of multiple targets by its cascade of dechlorination products.
Assessing Glycemic Control With Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose and Hemoglobin A1c Measurements

Hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) is the gold standard for monitoring glycemic control and serves as a surrogate for diabetes-related complications. Although HbA 1c measures mean glycemic exposure during the preceding 2 to 3 months, it does not provide information about day-to-day changes in glucose levels. Self-monitoring of blood glucose represents an important adjunct to HbA 1c because it can distinguish among fasting, preprandial, and postprandial hyperglycemia; detect glycemic excursions; identify hypoglycemia; and provide immediate feedback to patients about the effect of food choices, activity, and medication on glycemic control.
Monotone Separation of Logarithmic Space from Logarithmic Depth

We show that the monotone analogue of logspace computation is more powerful than monotone log-depth circuits: monotone bounded fanin circuits for a certain function in monotone logspace require depth ?(lg2n).
Effects of Instructional Strategies on Children's Informational Writing.

AbstractThe purpose of this experiment was to test the effectiveness of four instructional strategies on students’ writing. Students were instructed in informational writing through one of the following: (a) presentation of model pieces of writing that focused on the product of good writing; (b) presentation of scales, questions, and criteria that focused on the process of writing by explicitly stating the criteria for good writing; (c) presentation of both model pieces of writing and scales, questions, and criteria-a combined approach involving both product and process strategies; and (d) free writing, a form of procedural facilitation (external supports) in which students were provided with pictures and asked to write about them. Informational writing was taught to 138 students in Grades 4, 6, and 8 in a school district in southern California. Writing samples were collected after treatment and again 2 weeks following the experiment. Results of nonorthogonal repeated measures analyses of variance indicat...
The Relationship between the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III in a Clinical Sample.

This study examined the relationship between the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-III) in a sample of 63 youth at a psychiatric hospital. The results indicated that a significant relationship between the measures exists. Consequently, a multiple regression equation, which used the composites of the K-BIT to provide an estimate of the WISC-III Full Scale Intelligence Quotient, was derived.
Record of Performance and Registration

Abstract One of the outstanding needs of the poultry industry of the United States is the adoption of a nation-wide plan providing for the official State recogntion of records of egg production made on the breeder’s own premises. Another need is the development of a practical plan for the registration of poultry. The dairy industry long since developed its record of performance work where records of milk production are approved officially. The sheep, and swine, and other live stock industries not only have their plans of registration based on pedigrees, but some have also taken steps to develop plans whereby the breeding worth of an animal is determined by the quality of the offspring produced. During the past few years several States have developed record of performance work for poultry with a view toward encouraging the breeding of poultry of superior quality. Much good has already been accomplished and several other . . .
Molecular genetics of familial renal cell carcinoma syndromes

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents approximately 85% of the neoplasms that arise in adult kidneys [1]. It is divided into several distinct histologic subtypes with characteristic genetic changes; the most common subtypes include clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe variants [2]. Of the 30,000 RCCs that arise every year in the United States, approximately 4% are associated with hereditary cancer syndromes [3]. Each of the inherited cancer syndromes predisposes patients to distinct subtypes of RCC. Renal involvement can range from solitary to bilateral and multifocal. Age of onset also is variable, although most seem to occur at an earlier age. Management of most, if not all, of these hereditary renal cancer syndromes involves early screening, minimization of surgical intervention, and surgical strategies that preserve residual functional renal parenchyma [4]. Analysis of the kindreds who have heritable predispositions to renal neoplasms identified many oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that are involved and made it possible to identify the affected individuals and carriers by genetic testing. These studies also have shed light on the molecular mechanisms of renal carcinogenesis and novel strategies for therapeutic interventions. This article reviews the clinical, pathologic, and genetic aspects of several familial RCC syndromes.
Solitary breast metastasis as first manifestation of ovarian carcinoid tumor

Carcinoid tumor metastatic to the breast is very uncommon. The rarity of this finding may be the reason for its common misinterpretation as primary breast carcinoma. A patient with primary ovarian carcinoid that presented initially with a solitary breast mass is reported. A review of the literature discloses only 12 reported cases of carcinoid tumor metastatic to the breast, with none of the primaries found to be the ovary.
Differential Response of Wheat Cultivars to Components of the Freezing Process in Saturated Soil

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.) is sown in the autumn and harvested the fol- lowing summer, and therefore must survive subfreezing temperatures for several months. Because of autumn rains and winter snows, the plants usually are subjected to these subfreez- ing temperatures while growing in saturated soil. As the plants freeze, they are subjected to freezing episodes that may vary in the cooling rate, the minimum temperature, the time at the minimum temperature, and the warming rate as the freezing episode ends. We investigated the impact of each of these freezing process com- ponents on the ability of 22 winter wheat culti- vars to survive freezing in saturated soil using logistic regression and cluster analyses. The 22 cultivars formed three distinct groups when clustered on the odds ratios associated with the freezing process components. The distinctive- ness of the three clusters indicated the cultivars within each cluster responded differently to the freezing process than cultivars in the other clus- ters. Some cultivars occurred in different clus- ters but had equal levels of freezing tolerance. We conclude the logistic regression/clustering analysis identifi ed cultivars that differed in the mechanisms used to respond to freezing stress, and that equal levels of freezing tolerance can be attained through these different mecha- nisms. It may be possible to improve winterhar- diness by genetically combining these disparate responses to the freezing process components.
Performance of a meteor-burst communication system using packet messages with variable data rates

The transmitted data rate is a function of the channel state and is varied in such a way as to keep the probability of bit error approximately constant. The performance measure of the system is the probability of successful message completion in a given time span T/sub D/. Optimum operational signal-to-noise ratios are found as well as practical limits on the maximum and minimum transmission data rates. It is shown that the adaptive data rate feature provides a significant improvement in system performance as compared to a system transmitting at a fixed data rate. The performance improvement which can be obtained by the use of forward error correction coding is also analyzed. The codes considered are Reed-Solomon codes with rates of 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3. A much simpler expression for the probability of successful completion of a message is derived and used in the optimization search. >
Effect of sevoflurane on P50 and on measurement of oxygen tension.

Fresh samples of heparinized human blood from 10 healthy nonsmoking volunteers were used to study the effect of the inhaled anesthetic sevoflurane on the oxygen half-saturation pressure of hemoglobin (P50) and on polarographic measurements of oxygen tension at low values. Control samples had a baseline P50 of 26.9±0.2 mm Hg. When the blood samples were exposed to 1.75% (1 minimum alveolar concentration, MAC), 2.75%, and 3.5% (2 MAC) of sevoflurane, the P50 values were 27.0±0.5 mm Hg, 27.1±0.4 mm Hg, and 26.9±0.5 mm Hg, respectively. Our present data show that 1 to 2 MAC sevoflurane has no significant effect on P50 (P>0.05). Our data also show that sevoflurane did not interfere with polarographic measurements of oxygen tension (P>0.05). Other inhaled agents—halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane—do interfere with these measurements, and we cannot explain the difference.
Activation-Induced Deaminase, AID, is catalytically active as a monomer on single-stranded DNA

Hypermutation and class switch recombination of immunoglobulin genes are antigen-activated mechanisms triggered by AID, a cytidine deaminase. AID deaminates cytidine residues in the DNA of the variable and the switch regions of the immunoglobulin locus. The resulting uracil induces error-prone DNA synthesis in the case of hypermutation or DNA breaks that activate non-homologous recombination in the case of class switch recombination. In vitro studies have demonstrated that AID deaminates single-stranded but not double-stranded substrates unless AID is in a complex with RPA and the substrate is actively undergoing transcription. However, it is not clear whether AID deaminates its substrates primarily as a monomer or as a higher order oligomer. To examine the oligomerization state of AID alone and in the presence of single-stranded DNA substrates of various structures, including loops embedded in double-stranded DNA, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize AID protein alone or in complex with DNA. Surprisingly, AFM results indicate that most AID molecules exist as a monomer and that it binds single-stranded DNA substrates as a monomer at concentrations where efficient deamination of single-stranded DNA substrates occur. The rate of deamination, under conditions of excess and limiting protein, also imply that AID can deaminate single-stranded substrates as a monomer. These results imply that non-phosphorylated AID is catalytically active as a monomer on single-stranded DNA in vitro, including single-stranded DNA found in loops similar to those transiently formed in the immunoglobulin switch regions during transcription.
Specialized Insectivory: Beetle-Eating and Moth-Eating Molossid Bats

The jaw structure and mechanics of insectivores have been little studied. An effort is made here to compare and contrast jaw characteristics of insectivorous bats with those of herbivores and carnivores. Further, in one particular family of bats (Molossidae) jaw modifications are such that animals that take hard-shelled insect prey can be distinguished from those that take soft-shelled insect prey. Beetle-eaters generally have thick jaws, well-developed cranial crests, and fewer but bigger teeth, whereas moth-eaters have thin jaws, little crest build-up, and more but smaller teeth.
Synthesis of 2R, 4′R, 8′R‐α‐tocopherols selectively labelled with deuterium

Nine deuterium-labelled α-tocopherols having the natural, 2R,4′R,8′R, stereochemistry have been synthesized for study by 2H NMR of the orientation and dynamics of natural α-tocopherol in a phospholipid bilayer.
Plant respiration and photosynthesis in global‐scale models: incorporating acclimation to temperature and CO2

To realistically simulate climate feedbacks from the land surface to the atmosphere, models must replicate the responses of plants to environmental changes. Several processes, operating at various scales, cause the responses of photosynthesis and plant respiration to temperature and CO2 to change over time of exposure to new or changing environmental conditions. Here, we review the latest empirical evidence that short-term responses of plant carbon exchange rates to temperature and CO2 are modified by plant photosynthetic and respiratory acclimation as well as biogeochemical feedbacks. We assess the frequency with which these responses have been incorporated into vegetation models, and highlight recently designed algorithms that can facilitate their incorporation. Few models currently include representations of the long-term plant responses that have been recorded by empirical studies, likely because these responses are still poorly understood at scales relevant for models. Studies show that, at a regional scale, simulated carbon flux between the atmosphere and vegetation can dramatically differ between versions of models that do and do not include acclimation. However, the realism of these results is difficult to evaluate, as algorithm development is still in an early stage, and a limited number of data are available. We provide a series of recommendations that suggest how a combination of empirical and modeling studies can produce mechanistic algorithms that will realistically simulate longer term responses within global-scale models.
Comparing google's readability of search results to the flesch readability formulae: a preliminary analysis on children's search queries

Results retrieved by Google on fifteen search queries formulated by middle school children were examined for readability based on Google Reading Level filter (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced). Three hundred retrieved results (links, snippets, and corresponding Web page texts) were analyzed for readability. Google's assigned reading levels were aggregated at the query level and across the queries and averaged using percentages. The readability scores and grade levels calculated for these results using the Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level were averaged at the query level and across the queries and compared to Google's reading levels. On most queries, a mismatch between Google's assigned reading levels and the Flesch scores/grade levels was found. The Flesch formulae predicted that a high number of results Google retrieved on the queries were Fairly Difficult, Difficult, or Very Confusing to children in middle grades. A fair number of results Google retrieved did not have assigned reading levels. Implications are made for Google's reading algorithm, as well as for teachers, parents, and school librarians in guiding children's use of Google.
Advanced techniques in cervical spine surgery.

Disorders of the cervical spine can lead to compression of neural elements and cause myelopathy, radiculopathy, or a combination of these conditions. Spinal cord or nerve root compression can be caused by a soft herniated nucleus pulposus, osteophyte formation, facet joint hypertrophy, and/or congenital abnormalities of the cervical spine. If nonoperative treatment fails, surgical treatment can often lead to excellent long-term clinical outcomes. The surgical treatment of these disorders depends on patient preference, clinical findings, and the evidence-based literature. In the properly selected patient, posterior cervical decompression for the treatment of radiculopathy provides potential advantages, including preservation of neck motion, avoidance of complications from anterior surgery, and fewer postoperative restrictions. A posterior fusion is indicated for conditions involving an unstable, kyphotic, or severely spondylotic cervical spine. Advances in the understanding of cervical spine anatomy have greatly enhanced the surgeon's options for osseous fixation to achieve fusion. Cadaveric and imaging studies have demonstrated a high rate of anatomic variability and the importance of preoperative imaging and planning before surgery1-3. These studies have also established reliable guidelines for screw placement to avoid critical vascular, neurologic, and visceral structures during cervical spine instrumentation. Awareness of these principles is essential to avoid complications and provide excellent outcomes. ### Foraminotomy The foramina are bordered superiorly and inferiorly by the respective pedicles, anteriorly by the disc and uncovertebral joint, and posteriorly by the superior articular facet. The average dimensions of a cervical foramen are 9 to 12 mm in height and 4 to 6 mm in width4. These foramina are oriented at an angle of 45° from the midsagittal plane. Consequently, patients are more susceptible to foraminal narrowing in the anterior-posterior plane. Patients with radiculopathy from nerve root compression in the foramina (Fig. 1) can benefit from a foraminotomy, which decompresses the …
Collaboration, Leadership, Control, and Conflict Negotiation and the Netbeans.org Open Source Software Development Community

Large open source software development communities are quickly learning that, to be successful, they must integrate efforts not only among the organizations investing developers within the community and unaffiliated volunteer contributors, but also negotiate relationships with external groups hoping to sway the social and technical direction of the community and its products. Leadership and control sharing across organizations and individuals in and between communities are common sources of conflict. Such conflict often leads to breakdowns in collaboration. This paper seeks to explore the negotiation of these conflicts, collaborative efforts, and leadership and control structures in the Netbeans.org community.
Causative role of gut microbiota in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide (Milic and Stimac, 2012). NAFLD affects prevalently children and adults with particular risk factors including genetic susceptibility and inappropriate lifestyle (i.e., over-/mal-nutrition and physical inactivity). In fact, obesity, as well as some traits of metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, are co-morbidities often associated to the presence of NAFLD (Vanni et al., 2010). In line with the increased obesity epidemics, epidemiological studies indicate that the estimated global prevalence of NAFLD ranges from 3–10% depending on age, sex, ethnicity, and risk factors. Interestingly, in obese children and adults this prevalence may raise up to 20–80% (Alisi et al., 2009; Vernon et al., 2011).
Dynamic Adaptation of Parallelism Level in Data Transfer Scheduling

We discuss dynamic parameter tuning in wide-area data transfers for efficient utilization of available network capacity and optimized end-to-end application performance.Impacts of parallel TCP streams as well as concurrent data transfer jobs running simultaneously have been studied.We present an adaptive approach for tuning parallelism level of data placement jobs in distributed environments.The adaptive data scheduling includes dynamically setting parameters of data placement jobs.The proposed methodology operates without depending on any external profiles to adapt to changing network conditions.
The Role of the Private Sector in Providing Water in Developing Countries

The purpose of this article is to describe the role of the private sector in the supply of water in developing countries. In addition to citing some of the advantages to private supply, the paper discusses some of the objections to private provision, namely ‘Natural Monopoly’, ‘Externalities’, and the alleged inability to charge for water. It is concluded that the main obstacles to the private supply of water services are political rather than technical or financial, and that the French Affermage system (or variations thereon) seems to be suitable for many developing countries. There also appears to be considerable scope, in both towns and villages, for consumer co-operatives, and for the enhancement of water vending.
Effectiveness of training supervisors to improve reproductive health quality of care: a cluster-randomized trial in Kenya.

Health facility supervisors are in a position to increase motivation, manage resources, facilitate communication, increase accountability and conduct outreach. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a training intervention for on-site, in-charge reproductive health supervisors in Kenya using an experimental design with pre- and post-test measures in 60 health facilities. Cost information and data from supervisors, providers, clients and facilities were collected. Regression models with the generalized estimating equation approach were used to test differences between study groups and over time, accounting for clustering and matching. Total accounting costs per person trained were calculated. The intervention resulted in significant improvements in quality of care at the supervisor, provider and client–provider interaction levels. Indicators of improvements in the facility environment and client satisfaction were not apparent. The costs of delivering the supervision training intervention totalled US$2113 per supervisor trained. In making decisions about whether to expand the intervention, the costs of this intervention should be compared with other interventions designed to improve quality.
Aluminum toxicity and behavior in the weanling Long-Evans rat

Muricidal behavior, weight, open-field activity, passive-avoidance learning, and learning of an eight-arm radial maze were assessed in Long-Evans hooded rats subjected as weanlings to 60 days of oral administration of aluminum hydroxide gel (Group AA) or tap water (Group NA). Measurement of brain aluminum content indicated that the groups did not differ significantly in neural incorporation of aluminum, although the median amount of aluminum in each brain area examined was higher for Group AA than for Group NA. Although the highest brain concentrations of aluminum were found in the hippocampus, there was no evidence for cognitive impairment in the present study. Aluminum-exposed rats weighed less than nonexposed animals at all weight periods, probably reflecting their initially decreased fluid intake. There was slight evidence for activity changes as a function of brain aluminum content. Age of the animals appears to be an important consideration in the study of aluminum toxicity in rats, with young animals less affected than older animals.
Simultaneous Confidence Intervals and Sample Size Determination for Multinomial Proportions

Abstract Simultaneous confidence interval procedures for multinomial proportions are used in many areas of science. In this article two new simultaneous confidence interval procedures are introduced. Numerical results are presented to evaluate these procedures and compare their performance with established methods that have been used in statistical literature. From the results presented in this article, it is evident that the new procedures are more accurate than the established ones, where the accuracy of the procedure is measured by the volume of the confidence region corresponding to the nominal coverage probability and the probability of coverage it achieves. In the sample size determination problem, the new procedures provide a sizable amount of savings as compared to the procedures that have been used in many applications. Because both procedures performed equally well, the procedure that requires the least amount of computing time is recommended.
Thermal stability of strained Si on relaxed Si1-xGex buffer layers

The thermal stability of strained Si on relaxed Si1−xGex structures annealed at 1000 °C was investigated using high-resolution x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Interdiffusion at the Si/Si1−xGex interface is negligible for annealing times <30 sec and is independent of the initial Si layer thickness and the composition of the Si1−xGex layer. In all cases the Si layers remained nearly fully strained, but a significant density of misfit dislocations was seen in layers that exceeded the critical thickness for dislocation glide. The Si layer thickness could be measured for layers as thin as 7 nm.
Subcellular Localization of Fucose Incorporation into Mouse Thyrotropin and Free α-Subunits: Studies Employing Subcellular Fractionation and Inhibitors of the Intracellular Translocation of Proteins

To determine the subcellular sites of fucose incorporation into TSH subunits, pituitaries from hypothyroid mice were incubated with [3H]fucose and fractionated by sucrose gradient centrifugation. To assess potential molecular cross-contamination between subcellular fractions enriched in rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) or Golgi elements, trace amounts of exogenous [35S]methionine-labeled proteins or [125I]rat TSH were added before tissue homogenization. Particulate contamination of fractions was monitored by electron microscopy. TSH subunits were immunoprecipitated from fractions and analyzed by gel electrophoresis. After both a 2-h pulse incubation and a 2-h pulse, 3-h chase incubation, about half (range, 44-71%) of the [3H]fucose-labeled TSH subunit precursors present in microsomes were in the RER (amounts in excess of estimated contamination by nonspecific readsorption of molecules to vesicles or the presence of Golgi vesicles in the RER fractions); [3H]fucose-labeled free alpha-subunits were also detected in RER as well as in Golgi fractions. During chase incubations, both monensin and carboxyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone inhibited the appearance of [35S]methionine- or [3H]fucose-labeled TSH subunits in medium in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that [3H] fucose was added to subunits, in part, early in the secretory pathway. Free alpha-subunits were more fucosylated than was TSH; in TSH heterodimers, beta-subunits were richer in fucose than were alpha-subunits. Thus, the fucosylation of TSH and free alpha-subunits in pituitaries of hypothyroid mice appears to begin at an unusually early stage of intracellular transport and may represent an adaptation to special posttranslational processing requirements.
Comment on "Effects of focused ion beam milling on the nanomechanical behavior of a molybdenum-alloy single crystal" Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 111915 "2007…

While this article provides insight into differences in mechanics between Ga+-irradiated and “pure” surfaces of molybdenum, there are several statements that are either inaccurate or poorly stated. It is clear that when a surface is directly irradiated by orthogonal ion beam (0.07–0.21 mW), a focused ion beam (FIB) damage layer will likely form and affect the strength. However, this finding does not provide adequate foundation for raising the question of FIB-induced hardening in nanopillars, given the vast differences between these experiments and procedure used in pillar fabrication. These issues would cause considerable confusion and result in disservice to mechanical testing community if not clarified.
Novel 2,4-Disubstituted Pyrimidines as Potent, Selective, and Cell-Permeable Inhibitors of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase.

Selective inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is an important therapeutic approach to target neurodegenerative disorders. However, the majority of the nNOS inhibitors developed are arginine mimetics and, therefore, suffer from poor bioavailability. We designed a novel strategy to combine a more pharmacokinetically favorable 2-imidazolylpyrimidine head with promising structural components from previous inhibitors. In conjunction with extensive structure–activity studies, several highly potent and selective inhibitors of nNOS were discovered. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that these type II inhibitors utilize the same hydrophobic pocket to gain strong inhibitory potency (13), as well as high isoform selectivity. Interestingly, select compounds from this series (9) showed good permeability and low efflux in a Caco-2 assay, suggesting potential oral bioavailability, and exhibited minimal off-target binding to 50 central nervous system receptors. Furthermore, even with heme-coordinati...
TRAVELTIME COMPUTATION IN TRANSVERSELY ISOTROPIC MEDIA

An approach for calculating first‐arrival traveltimes in a transversely isotropic medium is developed and has the advantage of avoiding shadow zones while still being computationally fast. Also, it works with an arbitrary velocity grid that may have discontinuities. The method is based on Fermat’s principle. The traveltime for each point in the grid is calculated several times using previously calculated traveltimes at surrounding grid points until the minimum time is found. Different ranges of propagation angle are covered in each traveltime calculation such that at the end of the process all propagation angles are covered. This guarantees that the first‐arrival traveltime for a specific grid point is correctly calculated. The resulting algorithm is fully vectorizable. The method is robust and can accurately determine first‐arrival traveltimes in heterogeneous media. Traveltimes are compared to finite‐difference modeling of transversely isotropic media and are found to be in excellent agreement. An appli...
Cyclopropanation Using an Iron‐Containing Methylene Transfer Reagent: 1,1‐Diphenylcyclopropane

Cyclopropanation using an iron-containing methylene transfer reagent: 1,1-diphenylcyclopropane reactant: cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer [C5H5(CO)2Fe]2, (0.50 mol equiv, 0.21 mol, 74.4 g; and ) intermediate: (η5-C5H5)(CO)2FeCH2S+(CH3)2 BF4− product: 1,1-diphenylcyclopropane solvent: nitromethane Keywords: alkylation, miscellaneous; cyclization, free radical-carbenoid/nitrenoid; cyclopropanation; metalation reactions, iron; metal-catalyzed reactions, iron; dioxane; nitromethane; tetrahydrofuran; chloromethyl methyl sulfide, stench, potential poison; dioxane, cancer suspect agent; methyl iodide; nitromethane, potential explosive; sodium, dispersion in mineral oil, fire hazard; stopcock to allow simultaneous addition of liquid reagents and inert gases
Brood odor discrimination abilities in hygienic honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) using proboscis extension reflex conditioning

To understand the effect of abnormal brood odors on the initiation or control of hygienic behavior in honey bees, we employed the associative learning paradigm, proboscis extension reflex conditioning. Bees from two genetic lines(hygienic and non-hygienic) were able to discriminate between high concentrations of two floral odors equally well. Differential discrimination abilities were observed between the two lines when healthy and diseased brood odors were used, with the bees from the hygienic line discriminating between the pair of brood odors better than the non-hygienic bees. These results suggest that hygienic behavior in individual bees is associated with the bees' responses to olfactory stimuli emanating from diseased brood.
The sedimentation of polydisperse suspensions in vessels having inclined walls

Abstract A theory is presented for describing the sedimentation of polydisperse suspensions in two-dimensional channels having walls that are inclined to the vertical. The theory assumes that the flow is laminar and that the suspension consists of spherical beads having small particle Reynolds numbers. The suspension may consist of either N distinct species of particles or of a continuum of particle sizes and densities. For the sake of simplicity, the analysis is mostly confined to the case in which the hindered settling velocity of each particle is given by its Stokes settling velocity multiplied by a function of the total local solids concentration. Under these conditions, results are developed that are useful for the design of either batch or continuous settling devices. Experimental observations were found to be in good agreement with the predictions of the present theory.
Factors Influencing the Basal and Recombinant Human Thyrotropin-Stimulated Serum Thyroglobulin in Patients with Metastatic Thyroid Carcinoma

The serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level is the most sensitive marker for detecting residual thyroid carcinoma. We hypothesized that the basal and TSH-stimulated Tg levels in patients with metastatic thyroid carcinoma would reflect tumor volume, histological subtype, and location of metastatic lesions. A retrospective review of 417 thyroid cancer survivors undergoing evaluation for residual disease with the assistance of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) was performed. In 169 patients with metastatic disease, we found that the basal Tg level directly correlated with the number of lesions, and that it was highest in patients with follicular and lowest in those with papillary thyroid carcinoma. The basal Tg level was highest in patients with bone metastases and lowest in those with cervical metastases. The fold increase in the serum Tg after rhTSH treatment was highest in papillary thyroid carcinoma and lowest in Hurthle cell carcinoma. The fold increase in Tg was not influenced by tumor volume or by the site of metastatic lesions. Multivariate analysis showed multiple interactions between factors, but did not identify one factor that significantly influenced basal Tg or fold increase. We conclude that the location and volume of metastases influence basal Tg, but not its responsiveness to rhTSH, whereas the histological type of carcinoma influences both basal Tg and responsiveness to rhTSH.
Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Intraspinal Transplants Fail to Improve Motor Outcomes in a Severe Model of Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) have been reported to exert potential neuroprotective properties in models of neurotrauma, although precise mechanisms underlying their benefits are poorly understood. Despite this lack of knowledge, several clinical trials have been initiated using these cells. To determine whether local mechanisms mediate BMSC neuroprotective actions, we grafted allogeneic BMSCs to sites of severe, compressive spinal cord injury (SCI) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Cells were administered 48 h after the original injury. Additional animals received allogeneic MSCs that were genetically modified to secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to further determine whether a locally administered neurotrophic factor provides or extends neuroprotection. When assessed 2 months post-injury in a clinically relevant model of severe SCI, BMSC grafts with or without BDNF secretion failed to improve motor outcomes. Thus, allogeneic grafts of BMSCs do not appear to act through local mechanisms,...
The First Stars: formation under X-ray feedback

We investigate the impact of an ionising X-ray background on metal-free Population III stars within a minihalo at z’ 25 starting from cosmological initial conditions. Using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics code gadget-2, we attain sucient numerical resolution to follow the gas collapsing into the centre of the minihalo up to densities of 10 12 cm 3 , at which point we form sink particles. This allows us to study how the presence of a cosmic X-ray background (CXB) aects the formation of H 2 and HD in the gas before it becomes fully molecular. These molecules play a major role in the cooling and fragmentation of the collapsing gas, which governs the nal mass of the stars formed. The primordial initial mass function, in turn, determines the impact the rst stars have on subsequent cosmic evolution. Using a suite of simulations for a range of possible CXB models, we follow each simulation for 5000 yr after the formation of the rst sink particle. The CXB provides two competing eects, with X-rays both heating the gas and enhancing its ability to cool by increasing the free electron fraction, allowing more H2 to form. We nd that X-ray heating dominates
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement

Owing to the fact that it is easy and safe to perform the placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes has become common in the ICU. It is used for patients who are unable to meet their nutritional requirements with oral intake and where passing a nasogastric tube is contra-indicated or where long-term enteral nutrition is anticipated. Neurological deficit with difficulties protecting the airway after stroke is the most common indication for placing a PEG.
Distributed Graphplan

Significant advances in plan synthesis under classical assumptions have occurred in the last seven years. Such efficient planners are all centralized planners. One very major development among these is the Graphplan planner. Its popularity is clear from its several efficient adaptations/extensions. Since several practical planning problems are solved in a distributed manner it is important to adapt Graphplan to distributed planning. This involves dealing with significant challenges like decomposing the goal and set of actions without losing completeness. We report two sound two-agent planners DGP (distributed Graphplan) and IG-DGP (interaction graph-based DGP). Decomposition of goal and action set in DGP is carried out manually and in IG-DGP it is carried out automatically based on a new representation called interaction graphs. Our empirical evaluation shows that both these distributed planners are faster than Graphplan. IG-DGP is orders of magnitude faster than Graphplan. IG-DGP benefits significantly from interaction graphs which allow decomposition of a problem into fully independent subproblems under certain conditions. IG-DGP is a hybrid planner in which a centralized planner processes a problem until it becomes separable into two independent subproblems that are passed to a distributed planner This paper also shows that advances in centralized planning can significantly benefit distributed planners.
Mineral changes in cement-sandstone matrices induced by biocementation

Abstract Prevention of wellbore CO 2 leakage is a critical component of any successful carbon capture, utilization, and storage program. Sporosarcina pasteurii is a bacterium that has demonstrated the potential ability to seal a compromised wellbore through the enzymatic precipitation of CaCO 3 . Here we investigate the growth of S. pasteurii in a synthetic brine that mimics the Illinois Basin and on Mt. Simon sandstone encased in Class H Portland cement under high pressure and supercritical CO 2 (P CO2 ) conditions. The bacterium grew optimum at 30 °C compared to 40 °C under ambient and high pressure (10 MPa) conditions; and growth was comparable in experiments at high P CO2 . Sporosarcina pasteurii actively induced the biomineralization of CaCO 3 polymorphs and MgCa(CO 3 ) 2 in both ambient and high pressure conditions as observed in electron microscopy. In contrast, abiotic (non-biological) samples exposed to CO 2 resulted in the formation of surficial vaterite and calcite. The ability of S. pasteurii to grow under subsurface conditions may be a promising mechanism to enhance wellbore integrity.
Oxygen-Trapping and Oxidation Induced by Laser Irradiation in Silicon

Rapid oxidation in silicon induced by nanosecond UV laser pulses has been recently reported [1]. A significant amount of oxygen was observed to be incorporated in the regrown silicon layer when irradiation took place in air or in oxygen ambient. The fundamental interaction and transport kinetics involved include: incorporation of impurity during surface melting, trapping of solute during resolidification, and rapid reaction to form chemical bonds. The present study has investigated the mechanism of oxygen incorporation and trapping under various regrowth conditions. Oxygen depth-concentration distributions were analyzed using secondary-ion-mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The oxide formed was studied using differential Fourier-Transformed IR (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
DETECTION OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED COMPONENTS IN PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM SOYBEAN AND MAIZE

The purpose of this study was to establish detection method on genetically modified components in products derived from soybean and maize using PCR technology.The presence of processed products were investigated by PCR detection of CaMV 35S promoter,and the presence of Round up Ready Soybean(RRS),Bt176 Maximaizer in products derived from soybean and maize were further determined to detect their specific DNA fragments respectively by PCR.One bean cake sample and one bean curd sample were verified a 498bp RRS specific DNA fragment by PCR detection,Bt176 Maximaizer specific PCR products were obtained with the corn grain DNA samples used as PCR templates.The research also succeeded in settling 0.1% precision degree of genetically modified organisms which ensured its stable property.The results showed that PCR analysis for the transgene was feasible and reliable.The PCR analysis of transgenic components could be widely used in various transgenic plants and their products.
Small Barite Nodules from Ovid, Colorado

(1960). Small Barite Nodules from Ovid, Colorado. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 35, No. 1-2, pp. 9-11.
Comparison of Postoperative Complications Associated With Anesthetic Choice for Surgery of the Hand.

Purpose There is a recent trend toward performing most hand surgery procedures under local and/or regional anesthesia without sedation. However, little evidence exists regarding the postoperative complications associated with local/regional anesthesia without sedation, especially compared with local/regional anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. Methods Patients who underwent hand procedures as part of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program were identified. Thirty-day postoperative complications were compared among patients who received local/regional anesthesia without sedation, local/regional anesthesia with sedation, and general anesthesia with adjustment for patient and procedural factors. Results We identified 27,041 patients as having undergone hand surgery from 2005 to 2013. A total of 4,614 underwent local/regional anesthesia without sedation (17.1%), 3,527 underwent local/regional anesthesia with sedation (13.0%), and 18,900 underwent general anesthesia (69.9%). Overall, both local/regional anesthesia with and without sedation were associated with fewer postoperative complications compared with general anesthesia. In patients aged over 65 years, there was an additional benefit of avoiding all forms of sedation; these data showed that treatment with local/regional anesthesia without sedation decreased the odds of sustaining a postoperative complication compared with sedation and general anesthesia. Conclusions Although the overall risk of postoperative complications remains small in hand surgery, these data suggest that avoiding general anesthesia may decrease the overall risk of sustaining postoperative complications. In addition, for patients aged over 65 years, avoiding any form of sedation may decrease the risk of postoperative complications. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic II.
Genotyping-by-Sequencing Uncovers the Introgression Alien Segments Associated with Sclerotinia Basal Stalk Rot Resistance from Wild Species-I. Helianthus argophyllus and H. petiolaris .

Basal stalk rot (BSR), caused by Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum, is a devastating disease in sunflower worldwide. The progress of breeding for Sclerotinia BSR resistance has been hampered due to the lack of effective sources of resistance for cultivated sunflower. Our objective was to transfer BSR resistance from wild annual Helianthus species into cultivated sunflower and identify the introgressed alien segments associated with BSR resistance using a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach. The initial crosses were made between the nuclear male sterile HA 89 with the BSR resistant plants selected from wild Helianthus argophyllus and H. petiolaris populations in 2009. The selected resistant F1 plants were backcrossed to HA 458 and HA 89, respectively. Early generation evaluations of BSR resistance were conducted in the greenhouse, while the BC2F3 and subsequent generations were evaluated in the inoculated field nurseries. Eight introgression lines; six from H. argophyllus (H.arg 1 to H.arg 6), and two from H. petiolaris (H.pet 1 and H.pet 2), were selected. These lines consistently showed high levels of BSR resistance across seven environments from 2012 to 2015 in North Dakota and Minnesota, USA. The mean BSR disease incidence (DI) for H.arg 1 to H.arg 6, H.pet 1, and H.pet 2 was 3.0, 3.2, 0.8, 7.2, 7.7, 1.9, 2.5, and 4.4%, compared to a mean DI of 36.1% for Cargill 270 (susceptible hybrid), 31.0% for HA 89 (recurrent parent), 19.5% for HA 441 (resistant inbred), and 11.6% for Croplan 305 (resistant hybrid). Genotyping of the highly BSR resistant introgression lines using genotyping-by-sequencing revealed the presence of the H. argophyllus segments in linkage groups (LGs) 3, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the sunflower genome, and the H. petiolaris segments only in LG8. The shared polymorphic SNP loci in the introgression lines were detected in LGs 8, 9, 10, and 11, indicating the common introgression regions potentially associated with BSR resistance. Additionally, a downy mildew resistance gene, Pl17, derived from one of the parents, HA 458, was integrated into five introgression lines. Germplasms combining resistance to Sclerotinia BSR and downy mildew represent a valuable genetic source for sunflower breeding to combat these two destructive diseases.
Vinobot and Vinoculer: Two Robotic Platforms for High-Throughput Field Phenotyping

In this paper, a new robotic architecture for plant phenotyping is being introduced. The architecture consists of two robotic platforms: an autonomous ground vehicle (Vinobot) and a mobile observation tower (Vinoculer). The ground vehicle collects data from individual plants, while the observation tower oversees an entire field, identifying specific plants for further inspection by the Vinobot. The advantage of this architecture is threefold: first, it allows the system to inspect large areas of a field at any time, during the day and night, while identifying specific regions affected by biotic and/or abiotic stresses; second, it provides high-throughput plant phenotyping in the field by either comprehensive or selective acquisition of accurate and detailed data from groups or individual plants; and third, it eliminates the need for expensive and cumbersome aerial vehicles or similarly expensive and confined field platforms. As the preliminary results from our algorithms for data collection and 3D image processing, as well as the data analysis and comparison with phenotype data collected by hand demonstrate, the proposed architecture is cost effective, reliable, versatile, and extendable.