cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Community Structure of Skin Microbiome of Gulf Killifish, Fundulus grandis, Is Driven by Seasonality and Not Exposure to Oiled Sediments in a Louisiana Salt Marsh

Mucus of fish skin harbors complex bacterial com- munities that likely contribute to fish homeostasis. When the equilibrium between the host and its external bacterial symbi- onts is disrupted, bacterial diversity decreases while opportu- nistic pathogen prevalence increases, making the onset of path- ogenic bacterial infection more likely. Because of that relation- ship, documenting temporal and spatial microbial community changes may be predictive of fish health status. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill was a potential stressor to the Gulf of Mexico's coastal ecosystem. Ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA) and pyrosequencing were used to ana- lyze the bacterial communities (microbiome) associated with the skin and mucus of Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis )t hat were collected from oiled and non-oiled salt marsh sites in Barataria Bay, LA. Water samples and fin clips were collected to examine microbiome structure. The microbiome of Gulf killifish was significantly different from that of the surrounding water, mainly attributable to shifts in abundances of Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria. The Gulf killifish's microbiome was dominated by Gammaproteobacteria, specifi- cally members of Pseudomonas. No significant difference was found between microbiomes of fish collected from oiled and non-oiled sites suggesting little impact of oil contamination on fish bacterial assemblages. Conversely, seasonality significant- ly influenced microbiome structure. Overall, the high similarity observed between the microbiomes of individual fish observed during this study posits that skin and mucus of Gulf killifish have a resilient core microbiome.
Treatment of Childhood Syndrome X

Objective . Hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease comprise a quartet known as Syndrome X. This syndrome was first described in adults, but has recently been described in children and adolescents. The purpose of our study was to determine if diet or exercise is able to change the clinical profile of Syndrome X in children. Study Design . We recruited 36 obese (% ideal body weight = 170.3 ± 31.1), children (9 to 12 yrs old) known to have high fasting cholesterol levels (177.5 ± 33.5 mg/dL). Each participated in a 6-week protocol in one of three groups: control (C), diet (D), or exercise (E). Twenty-five of the patients completed the study with full compliance. At the beginning and end of the study, we measured weight, height, blood pressure, serum insulin, and a lipid profile including: cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, and apolipoprotein A (ApoA). All subject groups were similar before the study. The D group had the greatest attrition (40%) and all of the E group completed the study. Results . After the 6-week study period, there was no significant weight loss or change in body mass index for any group. There was no significant change in blood pressure and there was no significant decline of fasting cholesterol or low density lipoprotein levels in any of the groups. HDL levels were low in all groups and did not significantly change with treatment. There was a significant decline in the triglyceride levels in both the diet and exercise groups after the study (preD = 150 ± 60; postD = 122 ± 50; preE = 165 ± 50; postE = 116 ± 39). Both the D and E groups also demonstrated a significant decrease in ApoA levels (preD = 174 ± 33; postD = 142 ± 24; preE = 200 ± 50; postE = 161 ± 23). Most impressively, fasting insulin levels significantly decreased with both diet and exercise, but did not change in controls during the 6 weeks (preC = 52 ± 19; postC = 53 ± 21; preD = 54 ± 23; postD = 15 ± 8; preE = 48 ± 21; postE = 9). Conclusions . The findings of this study are consistent with previous studies describing the presence of Syndrome X in childhood. Both diet and exercise were effective in lowering triglyceride, ApoA levels, and insulin levels. However, due to the large rate of noncompliance in the diet group, exercise seems to be the best treatment for improvement in Syndrome X in children.
Improved high-performance liquid chromatography assay of doxorubicin: detection of circulating aglycones in human plasma and comparison with thin-layer chromatography.

We compared doxorubicin and metabolite pharmacokinetic data obtained from thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay of plasma samples from six patients who had been treated with doxorubicin. Duplicate 1-ml samples were extracted with chloroform: isopropanol (1:1) and assayed using a sensitive HPLC system incorporating a dual pump gradient with tetrahydrofuran as the mobile phase and fluorescence detection. Duplicate 1-ml samples from the same specimens were assayed using a modification of a previously described TLC assay. Areas under the curve for doxorubicin by HPLC (3.36±2.30 μM · h) and TLC (4.16±2.50 μM · h) were not significantly different (P=0.5). Terminal half-life of doxorubicin by HPLC (28.0±6.98 h) and TLC (23.2±7.8) (P=0.29) and the calculated total-body clearances by HPLC (0.55±0.29 l/min) and TLC (0.45±0.23) (P=0.55) were not significantly different. Areas under the curve for doxorubicinol by HPLC (2.75±1.4 μM · h) and TLC (2.53±7.1 μM · h) (P=0.73) showed no significant differences. HPLC detected a mixed 7-deoxydoxorubicinol aglycone-doxorubicin aglycone peak, 7-deoxydoxorubicin aglycone, and two nonpolar, unidentified metabolites. TLC detected the following aglycone metabolites: doxorubicin aglycone, doxorubicinol aglycone, 7-deoxydoxorubicinol aglycone, an unidentified polar metabolite, and several unidentified nonpolar metabolites. From these data we conclude that HPLC and TLC detect concentrations of doxorubicin and doxorubicinol from human plasma equally well to concentrations of 7.0 nM (4 pmol injected doxorubicin). Aglycones do circulate in human plasma at concentrations above the detection limits of both assays. Doxorubicinol aglycone, which is detected by TLC but not by HPLC, may be formed from artifactual breakdown of doxorubicinol during TLC development. Unidentified nonpolar compounds seen on HPLC and TLC may represent further doxorubicin metabolism than previously described.
The development of a brief version of the Nurse's Observation Scale for inpatient Evaluation (NOSiE-30)

Psychiatric hospitals typically do not use reliable and valid clinical instruments when recording behavioral observations. This could be attributable to these instruments being perceived as too complicated and time consuming to routinely administer. The goal of the present study was to examine if a briefer version of the 30 item Nurses' Observation for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE); could be developed without compromising the reliability and the factorial validity of the scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed with a combined sample of 67 persons (with 4,973 total numbers of observations) from two settings, by randomly assigning participant observations to either phase one (full-scale model, 30-item NOSIE) or to phase two (reduced-scale model, 12-item NOSIE). The results indicated that the reduced 12-item model with the correlated latent structures appears to be the best representation of the observed data. The potential clinical usefulness of a reduced item model of the NOSIE is discussed in light of these results.
Return of Fire as a Restoration Tool: Long-Term Effects of Burn Severity on Habitat Use by Mexican Fox Squirrels

After decades of suppression, fire is returning to forests of the western United States through wildfires and prescribed burns. These fires may aid restoration of vegetation structure and processes, which could improve conditions for wildlife species and reduce severe wildfire risk. Understanding response of wildlife species to fires is essential to forest restoration because contemporary fires may not have the same effects as historical fires. Recent fires in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona provided opportunity to investigate long-term effects of burn severity on habitat selection of a native wildlife species. We surveyed burned forest for squirrel feeding sign and related vegetation characteristics to frequency of feeding sign occurrence. We used radio-telemetry within fire-influenced forest to determine home ranges of Mexican fox squirrels, Sciurus nayaritensis chiricahuae, and compared vegetation characteristics within home ranges to random areas available to squirrels throughout burned conifer forest. Squirrels fed in forest with open understory and closed canopy cover. Vegetation within home ranges was characterized by lower understory density, consistent with the effects of low-severity fire, and larger trees than random locations. Our results suggest that return of low-severity fire can help restore habitat for Mexican fox squirrels and other native wildlife species with similar habitat affiliations in forests with a historical regime of frequent, low-severity fire. Our study contributes to an understanding of the role and impact of fire in forest ecosystems and the implications for forest restoration as fire returns to the region.
Elastic properties of human cortical and trabecular lamellar bone measured by nanoindentation

An experimental investigation was undertaken to measure the intrinsic elastic properties of several of the microstructural components of human vertebral trabecular bone and tibial cortical bone by the nanoindentation method. Specimens from two thoracic vertebrae (T-12) and two tibiae were obtained from frozen, unembalmed human male cadavers aged 57 and 61 years. After drying and mounting in epoxy resin, nanoindentation tests were conducted to measure Young's modulus and the hardness of individual trabeculae in the vertebrae and single osteons, and interstitial lamellae in the tibiae. Measurements on the vertebral trabeculae were made in the transverse direction, and the average Young's modulus was found to be 13.5 ± 2.0 GPa. The tibial specimens were tested in the longitudinal direction, yielding moduli of 22.5 ± 1.3 GPa for the osteons and 25.8 ± 0.7 GPa for the interstitial lamellae. Analysis of variance showed that the differences in the measured moduli are statistically significant. Hardness differences among the various microstructural components were also observed.
A Fail-Safe Mechanism in the Septal Ring Assembly Pathway Generated by the Sequential Recruitment of Cell Separation Amidases and Their Activators

During cytokinesis in Escherichia coli, the peptidoglycan (PG) layer produced by the divisome must be split to promote cell separation. Septal PG splitting is mediated by the amidases: AmiA, AmiB, and AmiC. To efficiently hydrolyze PG, the amidases must be activated by LytM domain factors. EnvC specifically activates AmiA and AmiB, while NlpD specifically activates AmiC. Here, we used an exportable, superfolding variant of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to demonstrate that AmiB, like its paralog AmiC, is recruited to the division site by an N-terminal targeting domain. The results of colocalization experiments indicate that EnvC is recruited to the division site well before its cognate amidase AmiB. Moreover, we show that EnvC and AmiB have differential FtsN requirements for their localization. EnvC accumulates at division sites independently of this essential division protein, whereas AmiB localization is FtsN dependent. Interestingly, we also report that AmiB and EnvC are recruited to division sites independently of one another. The same is also true for AmiC and NlpD. However, unlike EnvC, we find that NlpD shares an FtsN-dependent localization with its cognate amidase. Importantly, when septal PG synthesis is blocked by cephalexin, both EnvC and NlpD are recruited to septal rings, whereas the amidases fail to localize. Our results thus suggest that the order in which cell separation amidases and their activators localize to the septal ring relative to other components serves as a fail-safe mechanism to ensure that septal PG synthesis precedes the expected burst of PG hydrolysis at the division site, accompanied by amidase recruitment.
ALTERING AROUSAL IN HUMANS BY VARYING AMBIENT SENSORY CONDITIONS

Reaction times of 6 male and 6 female college students were used as a measure of arousal under different levels of ambient sensory stimulation. Subjects were tested under conditions of light-quiet, light-noise, dark-quiet and dark-noise with a non-signalled reaction-time task using a tactile stimulus. All sensory conditions were presented to each subject in a counterbalanced order and replicated in a second session 3 to 8 wk. later. Significant main effects were noise and replication. Improvement in performance across replication was related to the sex of the subject. White noise and level of illumination interacted to produce the typical U-shaped function. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance for research using behavioral and physiological measures of arousal.
Effects of dobutamine on hemodynamics and left ventricular performance after cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgical patients.

BackgroundDobutamine is commonly used to improve ventricular performance after cardiopulmonary bypass. The authors determined the effect of dobutamine on hemodynamics and left ventricular performance immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Lanthanide Metallocene Reactivity with Dialkyl Aluminum Chlorides: Modeling Reactions Used to Generate Isoprene Polymerization Catalysts

The well-defined coordination environment of trivalent [(C5Me5)2Ln]+ complexes has been used to examine the reaction chemistry of the lanthanide carboxylate and R2AlCl (R = Me, Et, iBu) components used in the preparation of lanthanide-based diene polymerization catalysts. Each of the R2AlCl reagents can replace a carboxylate ligand with chloride in reactions with [(C5Me5)2Sm(O2CC6H5)]2, but instead of forming a simple chloride complex like [(C5Me5)2SmCl]3, bimetallic lanthanide aluminum dichloro complexes (C5Me5)2Sm(μ-Cl)2AlR2 are generated by ligand redistribution. These bis(chloride)-bridged complexes are also readily formed from the divalent precursor (C5Me5)2Sm(THF)2 and R2AlCl. However, the analogous reaction between (C5Me5)2Sm(THF)2 and Et3Al gives (C5Me5)2Sm(THF)(μ-η2-Et)AlEt3, which contains the first Ln(III)−(η2-Et) linkage, a coordination mode that differentiates Et from Me. To determine if mixed mono-chloride/alkyl-bridged (C5Me5)2Ln(μ-Cl)(μ-R)AlR2 complexes can be isolated, (C5Me5)2Y(μ-Cl)YCl(...
A comparative study of honeycombing on high resolution computed tomography with histologic lung remodeling in explants with usual interstitial pneumonia

Abstract Background There is little information comparing high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in UIP with different components that make up remodeling histologically. Design We compared histologic features with HRCT scans from 69 explants with UIP. The extent of 7 histologic features were semi-quantitated: respiratory-lined cysts, bronchiolectasis, pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE), lobular remodeling, areas resembling non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)-like pattern, and mucus pooling within cysts extending into surrounding parenchyma. Subpleural cystic spaces and areas of lobular remodeling were measured morphometrically. Histologic features were compared to three findings on HRCT: diagnostic pattern (UIP, probable UIP, or inconsistent with UIP pattern), degree of honeycombing, and degree of ground-glass opacities. Results Histologically, respiratory-lined cysts were observed in 78%, bronchiolectasis in 83%, interstitial emphysema in 22%, lobular remodeling in 96%, NSIP-like areas in 87%, DIP-like reaction in 10%, and mucin extravasation in 78%. Morphometrically, cysts of PIE measured 6.2 ± 2.9 mm, respiratory-lined cysts 3.5 ± 2.4 mm, and bronchiolectatic cysts 3.3 ± 1.5 mm. Remodeled lobules measured 3.6 ± 1.1 mm. UIP pattern on CT correlated strongly with histologic extent of bronchiolectasis (p = 0.001). HRCT honeycombing showed a positive correlation with histologic bronchiolectasis (p = 0.001) and respiratory-lined cysts (p = 0.001). GGO was positively associated with NSIP-like areas (p = 0.02) and extravasated mucus (p = 0.05). Conclusions HRCT findings typical of UIP and HRCT honeycombing correlate best with bronchiolectasis histologically. NSIP pattern is common, and is associated with CT finding of GGO.
ROESY spectra of paramagnetic model heme complexes: unambiguous differentiation of cross-peaks due to chemical exchange and the nuclear overhauser effect in the same molecule

Abstract We have investigated the ROESY spectrum of [TMPFe(2-MelmH) 2 ] ClO 4 over the temperature range from −55 tc −75°C using spinlock fields of 4.1 and 10.3 kHz. The latter B 1 field is more typical of those used to observe TOCSY spectra, but is more closely in line with the spectral bandwidth required for this paramagnetic complex (12 kHz at 300 MHz). Chemical exchange cross-peaks were easily observed at both spin-lock fields, but ROE cross-peaks were significantly more intense with the larger B 1 field. At −75°C, all but one of the expected ROEs were observed; the absent ROE is that between the 2-CH 3 of the axial ligands and either the ortho -CH 3 (2) or −(3) resonance. The absence of this ROE is probably due to the short T 1 of the ligand 2-CH 1 protons ( T 1 between it and the ortho -CH 1 protons (25–35 ms at −75°C). In spite of the absence of this ROE a nearly complete assignment of the ROESY spectrum in terms of the structure of the complex has been made. Minor interference from TOCSY effects, observed as a decrease in the expected intensity of the ROE cross-peaks between pyrrole-H resonances (2) and (4), was noted, but did not prevent observation of this ROE. For the diamagnetic Co(III) analog, both this ROE (to ortho -CH 1 (3) in this case) and the ROE between the ligand 4-H and ortho -CH 3 (4) resonances were observed, but the small separation between pyrrole-H signals precludes a complete assignment of the ROESY spectrum of this complex.
Pegaspargase: a review of clinical studies

The chemotherapy agent L-asparaginase has been an important part of acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy for over 30 years. Two of the main disadvantages of the drug are (1) the need for frequent intramuscular injection and (2) a very high rate of allergic reactions. Because of this, L-asparaginase seemed like an ideal target for pegylation and PEG-L-asparaginase was developed in the 1970s and 1980s. The drug has undergone extensive testing and appears to retain its antileukemic effectiveness while allowing less frequent administration than the native compound. While the actual cost to patients for PEG-L-asparaginase is greater than that of multiple injections of other L-asparaginases, the reduced need for physician visits and treatment of complications of therapy may make overall treatment costs considerably less than that of the conventional L-asparaginases. In the review below, we outline the history of therapy with L-asparaginase, the development of PEG-L-asparaginase, and clinical trials in which it has been administered.
Baryon-number violation with improved instantons.

We consider the question of possible baryon-number violation at TeV energies in electroweak theory. We prove that already at much lower energies, the usual O(4)-symmetric instantons are the wrong ones to use. The true instantons, which we exhibit, are only O(3) symmetric, and in the example we work out reduce the initial rise in the baryon-number-violating cross section by a factor of 4 in the exponent, in accord with a diagrammatic analysis. Our approach appears extendable to energies of the order of the sphaleron mass.
Vasogenic edema in the injured spinal cord: a method of evaluating the extent of blood-brain barrier alteration to horseradish peroxidase.

Abstract A quantitatable exogenous enzyme, horseradish peroxidase, was used as an intravascular marker to determine the extent of blood-brain barrier alteration subsequent to spinal cord compression injury in cats. Blood-brain barrier alterations to horseradish peroxidase were evaluated in the compressed region of the cord and in adjacent segments up to 9 cm at the following time intervals: during the first 6 hr, 3 days and 14 days after injury. The degree of blood-brain barrier dysfunction correlated with the severity of injury. Depending on the time interval following injury and the location of the spinal cord segment, vascular extravasation and/or abnormal endothelial uptake of horseradish peroxidase was two to six times greater in an injury sufficient to cause irreversible paraplegia, as compared to an injury resulting in a transitory paraplegia. In both types of injuries, vascular extravasation and/or abnormal endothelial uptake was significantly greater in the injured region as compared to distal segments of cord. In both injuries and at all time intervals evaluated, the degree of vascular extravasation and/or abnormal endothelial uptake exhibited and inverse relationship to the distance from the injured site. This method appears to be suitable for measuring degrees of blood-brain barrier dysfunction to horseradish peroxidase and offers a means of evaluating therapy designed to reduce vasogenic edema.
Effect of Fluid Rotational Degrees of Freedom on Brownian Motion: Estimates for Water

Expressions are given for the friction force and velocity autocorrelation function of a hard-spherical Brownian particle with "stick" boundary conditions in a fluid with internal rotational degrees of freedom. The velocity autocorrelation function is found to have a ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{3}{2}}$ tail. Comparison with recent experiments indicates that rotational transport coefficients may be measurable by means of light-scattering experiments on Brownian particles. Preliminary estimates are given for rotational transport coefficients of water.
LASL High-Current Proton Storage Ring

The Proton Storage Ring at LAMPF is a high-current accumulator designed to convert long 800-MeV linac pulses into very short high-intensity proton bunches ideally suited to driving a pulsed polyenergetic neutron source. The Ring, authorized for construction at $19 million, will operate in a short-bunch high-frequency mode for fast neutron physics and a long-bunch low-frequency mode for thermal neutron-scattering programs. Unique features of the project include charge-changing injection with initial conversion from H− to H0, a high repetition rate fast-risetime extraction kicker, and high-frequency and first-harmonic bunching systems.
Issues in Simulating the Annual Precipitation of a Semiarid Region in Central Spain

Abstract Running regional climate models at a high resolution may improve their ability to simulate regional precipitation patterns, making them suitable for studying the impact of human-induced land-cover changes on hydrometeorology. The performance of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) run in the high-resolution climate mode (4-km grid mesh) has been tested over a small domain in a semiarid region in central Spain. Three 1-yr simulations representing dry, intermediate, and wet conditions were compared to observations collected in 35 rain gauges. The model captured general spatiotemporal features of precipitation, such as the timing of precipitation events and approximate location of storms. A high correlation (0.82) between monthly domain-averaged observed and modeled precipitation was obtained. However, the model had a systematic dry bias, averaging −0.29 mm day−1, equivalent to 26% of annual rainfall. The small domain size, chosen because of computational limits, induced strong lateral bo...
Growth of carbon nanotubes by sublimation of silicon carbide substrates

Aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) have been found to form on both the Si and C faces of silicon carbide (SiC) wafers at high temperature. The CNT’s form when the SiC wafer is exposed to temperatures in the range 1400-1700°C under moderate vacuum. The CNT’s are aligned roughly parallel to the surface. After a half hour at 1700°C under vacuum of 10 -4 torr, a near continuous CNT layer about 250nm thick is formed. The entire surface of the SiC is covered with CNT’s including both single and multiwalled tubes, and some graphitic carbon. SEM, TEM, AFM, XPS and Raman scattering measurements have been used to analyse the CNT/SiC structures. The metal catalyst free CNT’s on SiC exhibit low density of structural defects and are very straight. The carbon source is believed to be residual carbon from the SiC left on the surface after preferential evaporation of Si. It is speculated that CNT's growth is catalysed by low concentrations of residual oxygen in the chamber during growth. The vacuum conditions can significantly affect CNT's growth. Single wall carbon nanotubes are evident in Raman spectra on the samples grown at 10 -3 Torr, not on these grown at 10 -5 Torr.
The Degradation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The penetration of new markets by polyester fibers has emphasized the need for increased stability of the polyester toward a variety of degradative reactions. Extensive studies of the nature of the thermal, hydrolytic, oxidative, and radiation-induced degradation reactions have been reported. The interpretation of kinetic investigations and the identification of the reaction products have been facilitated by using suitable esters as model compounds in place of the polymeric species.
Long run price inflexibility and efficiency loss for municipal water supply

Abstract A marginal cost pricing (MCP) policy for a publicly produced good leads to politically unacceptable price fluctuations when economies of scale exist in plant construction. A partial equilibrium analysis of water supply defines a general, optimal, constant price for water which is a weighted average of the annual marginal short run and capacity expansion costs. For special cases of arithmetic or geometric growth in demand, the demand growth rate and the discount rate determine the fraction of capital costs which a constant price will recover. Under conditions which favor the MCP policy, the constant pricing policy produces ⩾ 98.5% of the net benefits produced by the MCP policy.
Effect of Micellar Solubilization on Cocrystal Solubility and Stability

Micellar solubilization of cocrystals is explained by the distribution of cocrystal components in micellar and aqueous pseudophases. The dependence of cocrystal solubilization on surfactant concentration is characterized by nonlinear behavior and an intersection of the solubility curves of cocrystal (RHA) and constituent (R) solid phases at the CSC, critical stabilization concentration. The effectiveness of a surfactant to stabilize cocrystals is related to the differential solubilization of cocrystal components (Ks).
A Systemic Approach to the Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder

Although dissociative identity disorder (DID) continues to be questioned by some clinicians, those who work with this population understand the complexity of this disorder. Most often DID clients undergo predominantly individual psychotherapy to help them integrate their fragmented parts or personalities usually taking an average of 5 to 7 years. Although there is limited literature on the use of systemic therapy with DID clients, family therapy approaches can be used to conceptualize the treatment of the DID client and their family members. This article discusses how individual psychotherapy from a systemic perspective can be applied to treat DID while family systems therapy can be used to help educate the client's family about DID, the process of treatment, as well as how to recognize and become prepared for any symptoms of recurrence. The internal family systems model of therapy with a DID client is discussed through a case example.
Age, geochemical composition, and distribution of Oligocene ignimbrites in the northern Sierra Nevada, California: implications for landscape morphology, elevation, and drainage divide geography of the Nevadaplano

To gain a better understanding of the topographic and landscape evolution of the Cenozoic Sierra Nevada and Basin and Range, we combine geochemical and isotopic age correlations with palaeoaltimetry data from widely distributed ignimbrites in the northern Sierra Nevada, California. A sequence of Oligocene rhyolitic ignimbrites is preserved across the modern crest of the range and into the western foothills. Using trace and rare earth element geochemical analyses of volcanic glass, these deposits have been correlated to ignimbrites described and isotopically dated in the Walker Lane fault zone and in central Nevada (Henry et al., 2004, Geologic map of the Dogskin mountain quadrangle; Washoe County, Nevada; Faulds et al., 2005, Geology, v. 33, p. 505–508). Ignimbrite deposits were sampled within the northern Sierra Nevada and western Nevada, and four distinct geochemical compositions were identified. The majority of samples from within the northern Sierra Nevada have compositions similar to the tuffs of Axe...
Morphological and ecological characteristics of Chrysosphaerella longispina and C. brevispina (Chrysophyceae)

Although Chrysosphaerella longispina and C. brevispina are common species reported from freshwater localities, only scattered ecological records exist. In addition. most identifications and descriptions are based on features of their siliceous components as viewed with transmission electron microscopy. In this study details of scales and spines are made with scanning electron microscopy. Ecological data for both taxa along seasonal, temperature, pH, specific conductance and total phosphorus gradients are discussed for Connecticut lakes and compared to records compiled from the literature. C. brevispina and C. longispina were found to be distributed primarily in winter and summer/autumn months, respectively. As a result, C. brevispina had a much lower weighted mean temperature of 6°C. Both taxa were found to have maximal distribution between pH 5 and 7, and to be more common in waters low in specific conductance; however, C. brevispina was also observed in localities with higher specific conductance. The distribution of both taxa along trophic gradients is also discussed.
Statistical mechanics of RNA folding: importance of alphabet size.

We construct a base-stacking model of RNA secondary-structure formation and use it to study the mapping from sequence to structure. There are strong, qualitative differences between two-letter and four- or six-letter alphabets. With only two kinds of bases, most sequences have many alternative folding configurations and are consequently thermally unstable. Stable ground states are found only for a small set of structures of high designability, i.e., total number of associated sequences. In contrast, sequences made from four bases, as found in nature, or six bases have far fewer competing folding configurations, resulting in a much greater average stability of the ground state.
Macrozoobenthos of three Pennsylvania lakes: responses to acidification

The littoral macrozoobenthos (MZB) of three northeastern Pennsylvania lakes was sampled seasonally from summer 1981 until summer 1983, to determine if any changes were occurring in response to acid deposition. In the acidified lake (total alkalinity ≤ 0.0 μeq L−1) the mean pH decreased from 5.5 in 1981 to 4.2 in 1983. Chironomidae comprised 71.30% of the MZB numbers and 19.6% of the wet weight. Over the study period the wet weight of Chironomidae increased (p < 0.04) as did the total numbers of Chironomidae in general (p < 0.01) and Tanytarsini (p < 0.01) in particular. Total numbers of MZB also increased (p < 0.02) in the acidified lake, but there was no significant change in the number of taxa, diversity or total wet weight. In the moderately sensitive lake (total alkalinity 47.4 μeq L−1, mean pH 6.1) Chironomidae were numerically (43%) dominant but Odonata (18.6%) and Mollusca (12.7%) dominated wet weight. There were no significant changes in the MZB of the moderately sensitive lake over the study period. In the least sensitive lake (total alkalinity 190 μeq L−1, mean pH 6.6) the Amphipoda (31.3%) and Chironomidae (27.3%) together provided 58.6% of the MZB numbers, and the Mollusca formed 55.1% of wet weight. Wet weight at the least sensitive lake was higher (p < 0.01) and there were more Ephemeroptera, Pelecypoda and Gastropoda than at the other two lakes. There were no differences in total numbers, diversity or number of taxa among the three lakes.
Temperature dependence of the benzophenone anion solvation in 1-propanol

Abstract The solvation of the benzophenone anion in n -propanol over the temperature range −20 to −50°C was determined from the shift of the benzophenone anion absorption spectrum as a function of time. The anion spectra were the same as those determined at room temperature. The form of the kinetics is the same; the results at the different wavelengths are uniformly slower at lower temperatures. The activation energy for the anion solvation is approximately 22 kJ/mol. This value is greater than the value determined for dipole solvation so that, while benzophenone anion solvation is faster than excited state solvation at room temperatures, it is slower at lower temperatures.
Glutathione S-Transferase Catalyzes the Isomerization of (R)-2-Hydroxymenthofuran to Mintlactones

(R)-(+)-Menthofuran is the proximate toxic metabolite of pulegone, the major constituent of the pennyroyal oil, that contributes significantly to the hepatotoxicity resulting from ingestion of this folklore abortifacient pennyroyal oil. Recently, menthofuran was shown to be metabolized by cytochrome P450 to form (R)-2-hydroxymenthofuran. In this paper it is demonstrated that glutathione S-transferase (GST) catalyzes the tautomerization of 2-hydroxymenthofuran to mintlactone and isomintlactone, apparently without the formation of stable glutathione (GSH) conjugates. The reaction strictly required GSH; S-methyl GSH, which binds to the active site and leaves the active site Tyr-9 partly ionized, did not support GST-catalyzed isomerization. It was also determined that the tautomerization reaction requires the active site tyrosine, Tyr-9. The rat GSTA1-1 mutant (Y9F), with the active site tyrosine replaced with phenylalanine, demonstrated no catalytic activity. Rat cytosolic GST A1-1, in the presence of GSH, tautomerized 2-hydroxymenthofuran with apparent K(M) and V(max) values of 110 microM and 190 nmol/min/nmol GST, respectively. However, the site-directed mutant (F220Y), in which Tyr-9 and GSH in the binary complex [GST. GSH] have lower pK(a)s, exhibited K(M) and V(max) values of 97 microM and 280 nmol/min/nmol GST, respectively. Similarly, human liver cytosol catalyzed the tautomerization of 2-hydroxymenthofuran in a GST-dependent reaction. The mechanism most consistent with the data is a general-base catalyzed isomerization with GS(-) serving to deprotonate the substrate to initiate the reaction.
Adolescent and Young Adult Crash Risk: Sensation Seeking, Substance Use Propensity and Substance Use Behaviors

In a national youth sample, the propensity to use substances was more strongly related to motor vehicle crashes than use of any specific substance studied (cigarette, alcohol, marijuana). Substance use propensity was associated with sensation seeking, suggesting that increased crash risk for these youth is likely a result of general risk-taking tendencies.
Search for τ−→4π−3π+(π0)ντ Decays

A search for the decay of the τ lepton to seven charged pions and at most one π 0 was performed using the BABAR detector at the PEP-II e + e − collider. The analysis uses data recorded on and near the ϒ ( 4S ) resonance between 1999 and 2003, a total of 124.3 fb−1. We observe 7 events with an expected background of 11.9 ± 2.2 events and calculate a preliminary upper limit of BR ( τ − → 4 π − 3 π + ( π 0 ) ν τ 2.7 × 10 −7 at 90 % CL. This is a significant improvement over the previous limit established by the CLEO Collaboration.
The foraging gene, behavioral plasticity, and honeybee division of labor

In recent years, the honeybee has emerged as an excellent model for molecular and genetic studies of complex social behaviors. By using the global gene expression methods as well as the candidate gene approach, it is now possible to link the function of genes to social behaviors. In this paper, I discuss the findings about one such gene, foraging, a cGMP-dependent protein kinase. The involvement of this gene in regulating division of labor is discussed on two independent, but not mutually exclusive levels; the possible mechanisms for PKG action in regulating behavioral transitions associated with honeybee division of labor, and its possible involvement in the evolution of division of labor in bees.
A Review of Statistical Design

Judging from the literature, analysis of designed experiments is not a hot research topic these days. However, experimental design and analysis is still extremely important, and a substantial part of many statisticians' consulting activities often involves analysis of experimental data as well as consultation on experimental design (at least in an ideal world). George Casella has written a very clear and readable text on the topic. Unlike some other texts in this area, Casella focuses on the design and implications of it, in particular "What goes in the denominator of the F test?" and "What is the relevant N needed for the comparisons to have adequate power?" Thus, there is essentially no attention paid to topics such as outlier detection, generalized linear models, and so forth. This keeps the book lean and focused but, of course, limits its utility to readers who already know how to deal with important analysis questions. The main flow of the text is quite readable. Casella is careful to motivate each design in a way that gives the reader a clear idea of its strengths and weaknesses and he always connects back to the simplest case of each design, namely the t test from which it is a generalization. Crucial mathematical details are present but kept in technical notes in chapters that are set aside by use of a different font from the main text. He also sets aside the main point of a section in highlighted text. There are numerous exercises, with data, mostly from the biosciences and many from Casella's own consulting activity, R code, and a short course available on his Web page. This book would be very useful for advanced students who are in a statistics or experimentally oriented behavioral science program and who are already proficient with regression. The one downside is that the treatment of repeated measures designs is thin, but most of those are handled using mixed models now. It would also be a very useful reference work for anyone likely to consult with experimentalists.
Spallation Reactions: Calculations

Current methods for calculating spallation reactions over various energy ranges are described and evaluated. Recent semiempirical fits to existing data will probably yield the most accurate predictions for these reactions in general. However, if the products in question have binding energies appreciably different from their isotopic neighbors and if the cross section is ∼ 30 mb or larger, then the intranuclear-cascade-evaporation approach is probably better suited.
Role of Catalysts in the Transformation of Germanium Dioxide

The role of some alkali compounds as catalysts in the polymorphic transformation of germanium dioxide was investigated by DTA and high-temperature X-ray diffraction. When a lithium or potassium salt is used, a solid state reaction first occurs between, the salt and germanium dioxide to form alkali germanate compounds which, in a crystalline or glassy state, catalyze the transformation. The effects of various catalysts on the transformation are discussed by comparing the activation energies.
Evaluation of televised anticipatory guidance to primiparae.

In a controlled study, programs offering televised anticipatory guidance to primiparae during the immediate postpartum period were shown to have a beneficial effect on a mother's perceptions of her infant as measured by the Neonatal Perception Inventory (NPI). Among mothers viewing the programs, a significant increase occurred (P<.01) in the number having a positive perception of their infants at age 1 month. Since the Neonatal Perception Inventory has proved a reliable indicator of a child's emotional wellbeing at age 4 1/2, televised guidance is recommended as an effective, economical measure with a potential for reducing the incidence of emotional disorder in children.
Beta brass bicrystal and tricrystal stress strain behavior

Beta brass single crystal, bicrystal and tricrystal stress strain behavior were determined for a series of isoaxial specimens in which the bicrystals and tricrystals were incompatible in shear along the grain boundary. Volume fractions of grain boundary deformation were also determined to ascertain the effect of increased constraint on grain boundary strengthening. It was found that bicrystal flow stress was considerably higher than single crystal flow stress and that tricrystal strain hardening was only slightly larger than that of the bicrystal. For the tricrystals the grain boundary deformation zone is larger than that of corresponding bicrystals because of both configurational and constraint effects. This larger zone indicates that secondary stresses extend further from the boundary in tricrystals than in bicrystals. It was concluded that despite increased constraint, $$\bar \sigma _g b$$ , the average grain boundary stress for the tricrystals, is smaller than that for corresponding bicrystals and that because of the increased extent of the secondary stress,σ b i, the stress in the center component away from the grain boundary, is higher than that of the single crystal at corresponding strains. The relationship of these observations to corresponding stresses in polycrystalline material is examined.
Folk uses and commercial exploitation of Aloe leaf pulp

Several species ofAloe are cultivated in the tropics for their subepidermal yellow latex which, on evaporation, becomes the well known cathartic, “bitter aloes.” Little has been written of the folk uses of the translucent parenchyma of the succulent leaves as a soothing, astringent, and healing poultice for skin diseases, wounds, burns and eye afflictions, and as a potion for various internal ailments. There is a small industry in Florida, based originally on the marketing of the fresh leaves and, subsequently, on the utilization of the pulp in ointments, cosmetic creams, lotions, shampoos and sundry other products.
Excessive functions of continuous time Markov chains

We consider transient continuous time Markov chains P(t) with P′ij(0)=qiΠij for i≠j and −qi for i=j. We assume 0<qi<∞ for all i. Then 1/qi is the mean time the process remains in state i, and Π is the transition matrix of the imbedded jump process. We let q be a diagonal matrix with diagonal entries qi. A non-negative function h is P(t)-excessive (invariant) if h≥P(t)h, (h=P(t) h) for all t. It is Π-superregular (regular) if h≥Πh (h=Πh). Our main results characterize the excessive functions of the minimal process in terms of q and Π. These results can also be used to characterize excessive functions of certain non-minimal processes.
Ascription, Choice, and the Construction of Religious Identities in the Contemporary United States

Within the past 15 years, sociological studies of religion have emphasized the chosen, achieved nature of religious identities and have deemphasized ascription or tribalism as the basis of Americans' construction of religious selves. The accounts many people develop in narrating their religious life experiences, however, often combine notions of ascription and achievement in ways scholars have not clearly conceptualized. This article develops an approach to religious identity that shows how, rather than being treated as a dichotomy, the concepts of ascription and achievement are integrated in nuanced ways in the narratives of religious identity told by first-generation immigrant Thai Buddhists and third-generation Jews, two groups with strong inherited religious identities. The comparison between Jews and Buddhists shows how members of both groups blend the concepts of ascription and achievement in similar and different ways, particularly around practice, regardless of their participation in religious organizations.
The production of dissolved organic matter by phytoplankton and its importance to bacteria : patterns across marine and freshwater systems

We analyzed published rates of extracellular release (ER) of organic carbon to determine the primary constraints on this process and its importance to bacteria. From 16 studies we extracted observations of ER, particulate primary production (PP), and phytoplankton biomass. In a regression model based on 225 observations, PP explained 69% of the variance in ER. From this model we estimate the average percent extracellular release (PER) to be 13% of total fixation. The slope of this relationship does not support the hypothesis that the PER declines with increasing productivity. Differences exist between marine and freshwater systems. In lakes, ER increases nonlinearly with productivity, resulting in very low PER in very eutrophic systems. In coastal marine and estuarine systems, ER increases linearly with productivity and the PER does not vary systematically. ER is not primarily related to phytoplankton biomass as predicted by passive diffusion models. Instead, ER appears to be constrained by the total availability of photosynthates. By comparing our model to an existing model of bacterial production and assuming a 50% growth efficiency, we estimate that ER amounts to less than half the C required for bacterial growth in most pelagic systems.
Recurrent melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy.

(Editorial Comment: I view that adjuvant therapy may be necessary to control residual or recurrent disease in this unusual tumor.) Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is an uncommon neoplasm found primarily in children less than one year of age. First described in the early 1900s by Krompecher as a congenital melanocarcinoma, 1 the nomenclature of this neoplasm has undergone multiple changes that have been based on histologic and biochemical studies. Since Borello and Gorlin’s discovery of the associated high urinary excretion of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) in the late 1960s, 2 MNTI has been thought to be a derivative of neural crest cells. More recently, Hoshino et al have demonstrated high levels of urine catecholamines in a case of MNTI, 3 which further supports the neural origin of this rare neoplasm. In a review of the world literature, approximately 227 cases of MNTI have been reported, most of which (93%) involve the head and neck region. The maxilla (69%) is the most commonly affected site, followed by the skull (11%), the mandible (6%), and less commonly, brain, mediastinum, thigh, epididymis, foot, and shoulder. 4 This tumor is reported to be malignant in only 4% of the cases 5 but is considered to be locally aggressive.
Phase I trial of recombinant immunotoxin anti-Tac(Fv)-PE38 (LMB-2) in patients with hematologic malignancies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the toxicity, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and antitumor activity of anti-Tac(Fv)-PE38 (LMB-2), an anti-CD25 recombinant immunotoxin that contains an antibody Fv fragment fused to truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with CD25+ hematologic malignancies for whom standard and salvage therapies failed were treated with LMB-2 at dose levels that ranged from 2 to 63 μg/kg administered intravenously over 30 minutes on alternate days for three doses (QOD × 3). RESULTS: LMB-2 was administered to 35 patients for a total of 59 cycles. Dose-limiting toxicity at the 63 μg/kg level was reversible and included transaminase elevations in one patient and diarrhea and cardiomyopathy in another. LMB-2 was well tolerated in nine patients at the maximum-tolerated dose (40 μg/kg QOD × 3); toxicity was transient and most commonly included transaminase elevations (eight patients) and fever (seven patients). Only six of 35 patients developed significant neutralizing antibodies ...