cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of thermally actuated retro-diels-alder release groups for nanoparticle based nucleic acid delivery

Abstract The present study explores alternate pericyclic chemistries for tethering amine-terminal biomolecules onto silver nanoparticles. Employing the versatile tool of the retro-Diels-Alder (rDA) reaction, three thermally-labile cycloadducts are constructed that cleave at variable temperature ranges. While the reaction between furan and maleimide has widely been reported, the current study also evaluates the reverse reaction kinetics between thiophene-maleimide, and pyrrole-maleimide cycloadducts. Density Functional Theorem (DFT) calculations used to model and plan the experiments, predict energy barriers for the thiophene-maleimide reverse reaction to be greatest, and the pyrrole-maleimide barriers the lowest. Based on the computational analyses, it is projected that the cycloreversion rate would occur slowest with the thiophene, followed by furan, and finally pyrrole would yield the promptest release. These thermally-responsive linkers, characterized by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry, 1H and 13C NMR, are thiol-linked to silver nanoparticles and conjugate single stranded siRNA mimics with 5′ fluorescein tag. Second harmonic generation spectroscopy (SHG) and fluorescence spectroscopy are used to measure release and rate of release. The SHG decay constants and fluorescence release profiles obtained for the three rDA reactions confirm the trends obtained from the DFT computations.
Universities Behaving Badly: The Impact of Athletic Malfeasance on Student Quality and Enrollment:

National accolades and positive media attention are frequently lavished upon successful collegiate sports programs. Correspondingly, studies have demonstrated that universities often benefit from t...
Liquefaction Screening—Non-plastic Silty Sands and Sands

Liquefaction screening of sands and silty sands using cone penetration resistance is a difficult problem. The presence of silt particles among the sand grains in non-plastic silty soils alter the intergrain contact density and affect cyclic resistance, flow and consolidation characteristics, and cone resistance of the soil. Intergranular void ratio concept is briefly summarized. Based on this concept, the effects of silt content on intergrain contact density and the relationship between intergrain contact density and cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) is highlighted using experimental data. Effect of silt content on permeability k and coefficient of consolidation cv is also presented. Model cone tests are used to quantify and highlight the influence of intergrain contact density and coefficient of consolidation on normalized cone resistance qc1N. A possible rational interrelationship between qc1N, CRR, and T where T = vd/cv, v = cone penetration velocity, and d = cone diameter is presented and compared with current liquefaction screening charts based on CRR-qc1N-FC, where FC is the percent silt content. With further research, a rational CRR-qc1N-T based liquefaction screening method appears likely.
Observations on the Sub-Critical Growth and Healing of Micro-Cracks in Brittle Ceramics

Micro-cracking in brittle composites was monitored by measuring the temperature dependence of thermal diffusivity by the laser flash method. Depending upon the material system, micro-cracks can exhibit a time dependent growth or healing or a combination of both. A theoretical basis for these observations was established by analyzing the stability and nature of crack propagation of precursor micro-cracks in a spherical inclusion contained in an infinite matrix with different elastic properties.
The function of free sulfhydryl groups in the catalytic subunit of phosphorylase kinase

45 INTRODUCTION 47 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES 50 Materials 50 Oxidation of the truncated y subunit by copper ion 50 DTNB titration 51 Coupling of Cys-peptide to the truncated y subunit 52 Activity Assay 52 Labeling of sulfhydryl groups with DABIA 52 Proteolysis, HPLC purification, and sequence analysis 54 Data analysis 55 RESULTS 56 Reversible inactivation of truncated y with Cu2+ 55 Determination of free sulfhydryl groups 63 Characterization of semi-oxidized truncated y S5 Inactivation of truncated y with Cys-peptide dimer 69 Identification of -SH groups in truncated-y involved in oxidation and Cys-peptide coupling DISCUSSION 83 REFERENCES 87
Defining Neighborhood Boundaries for Urban Health Research: A Case Study of Accra, Ghana

The neighborhood has been used as the unit of analysis for a variety of studies including health, wealth, and ethnic diversity (Yen and Kaplan 1998; Diez Roux 2001; Morland et al. 2002; Weiss et al. 2007; Agyei-Mensah and Owusu 2009; Santos et al. 2010). While this unit of analysis is acceptable to many social science researchers, defining what a neighborhood is has been left up to the individual researcher. In many cases a proxy such as the census tract, ZIP Code or other pre-defined unit of analysis is used. Using a pre-defined unit of analysis reduces the amount of work involved and allows for comparisons to be made between the phenomenon under study (i.e., health, wealth, race) and the information for which the unit was created (i.e., census demographic variables). While allowing for a more straightforward, simpler study, predefined units do not always represent socially meaningful areas that are of symbolic significance to residents or the actual neighborhood boundaries that residents would use to describe their neighborhood. In addition, the choice of the neighborhood unit can affect the results of any study because of the modified areal unit problem (MAUP) (Openshaw and Taylor 1979). Therefore, choosing the appropriate neighborhood boundaries is an important part of any neighborhood study.
Gases and Collective Properties

FROM THE SIZE OF AVOGADRO’S NUMBER, we know that even small amounts of material contain an enormous number of formula units. As a consequence, a person cannot follow the detailed motions of the molecules, radicals, ions, or electrons therein. Nevertheless, one can get at the collective behavior of these.
Renormalization of the Chapman-Enskog Expansion: Isothermal Fluid Flow and Rosenau Saturation

This paper continues the author's study of procedures for rewriting the well-known Chapman–Enskog expansion used in the kinetic theory of gases. The usual Chapman–Enskog expansion, when used in isothermal fluid motion, will introduce nonlinear instability at super-Burnett order O(e3) truncation. The procedure given here eliminates the truncation instability and produces the desired dissipation inequality.
Salience Dynamics and Unnaturalness in Sentence Production

In Lecture IV we took up Naturalness as it relates to the functional notions of this APG governing the lexicon (F I – F III) and in Lecture V as it applies to the functional notions relating to the OPERATOR in the processing of simplexes and complexes via interactions with the lexicon (F IV – F VI). In the next two lectures we will review these notions and add notions F VII and F VIII, under two major topics: in this lecture, we take up Salience Dynamics in Cognizing (where a brief review of F IV – VI is most relevant) and how such dynamics produce Unnaturalness in Sentence Production by speakers; here, in a detailed review of F VII and F VIII, we finally come to interactions between OPERATOR and buffer—and come to grips with (probably) the most complicated aspects of language, Man’s most complex cognitive achievement. In my last lecture, we will see how (in this APG) Unnaturalness in Sentencing is Processed in Comprehending by listeners; and we will come finally to detailed APG predictions of processing difficulty and a proposal for systematic research on sentence comprehending.
Screening tests for improved methane cracking materials

Bench scale (1 to 6 gram) methane cracking tests have been performed on a variety of pure elements, some alloys, and SAES{reg_sign} commercial getters St 101, St 198, St 707, St 737, and St 909 to determine methane cracking performance (MCP) of 5% methane in a helium carrier at 700 C, 101.3 kPa (760 torr) with a 10 sccm feed. The MCP was almost absent from some materials tested while others showed varying degrees of MCP. Re, Cr, V, Gd, and Mo powders had good MCP, but limited capacities. Nickel supported on kieselguhr (Ni/k), a Zr-Ni alloy, and the SAES{reg_sign} getters had good MCP in a helium carrier. The MCP of these same materials was suppressed in a hydrogen carrier stream and the MCP of the Zr-based materials was reduced by nitride formation when tested with a nitrogen carrier gas.
Update on Therapeutic Options in Lipodystrophy

The purpose of this review is to summarize the therapeutic approach for lipodystrophy syndromes with conventional treatment options and metreleptin therapy in detail and to point out the current investigational treatments in development. The observation of leptin deficiency in patients with lipodystrophy and the potential of leptin replacement to rescue metabolic abnormalities in animal models of lipodystrophy were followed by the first clinical study of leptin therapy in patients with severe lipodystrophy. This and several other long-term studies demonstrated important benefits of recombinant human leptin (metreleptin) to treat metabolic abnormalities of lipodystrophy. These studies ultimately led to the recent FDA approval of metreleptin for the treatment of generalized lipodystrophy and EMA approval for both generalized and partial lipodystrophy. Additional research efforts in progress focus on novel treatment options, predominantly for patients with partial lipodystrophy. Current treatment of generalized lipodystrophy includes metreleptin replacement as an adjunct to diet and standard treatment approach for metabolic consequences of lipodystrophy. Beyond metreleptin, a number of different compounds and treatment modalities are being studied for the treatment of partial lipodystrophy.
Development of a Commercial Process To Prepare AMG 232 Using a Green Ozonolysis-Pinnick Tandem Transformation.

A robust process to manufacture AMG 232 was developed to deliver drug substance of high purity. Highlights of the commercial process development efforts include the following: (i) use of a novel bench-stable Vilsmeier reagent, methoxymethylene-N,N-dimethyliminium methyl sulfate, for selective in situ activation of a primary alcohol intermediate; (ii) use of a new crystalline and stable isopropyl calcium sulfinate reagent ensuring robust preparation of a sulfone intermediate; (iii) development of a safe ozonolysis process conducted in an aqueous solvent mixture in either batch or continuous manufacturing mode; and (iv) control of the drug substance purity by crystallization of a salt rejecting impurities effectively. The new process was demonstrated to afford the drug substance (99.9 LC area %) in 49.8% overall yield from starting material DLAC (1).
P407 Conversion disorder: don’t be mistaken, don’t be misled

Conversion disorder is the loss or alteration of voluntary motor, or sensory function in the absence of identifiable pathology. 1 It is most prevalent in the 10–15 year old age group, female: male ratio, 2:1. We present 5 cases: all female, 11–14 years, presenting with vague symptomatology and normal investigations. 3/5 had identifiable psychological stressors. They had a combined total of 15 presentations, 9 admission episodes, 40 in-patient bed days and 20 radiological investigations. 1/5 was diagnosed with a treatable neurological condition. Case 1: EO, 11 years old, repeated presentations with generalised weakness, dizziness, headache and arthralgia. Patient’s father had died tragically one year prior. Mother has fibromyalgia and functional neurological disorder. Case 2: RM, 14 years old, multiple episodes of collapse, with apparent unconsciousness (up to 40 minutes) with repeated presentations to hospital. Postulated aetiologies included neurocardiac syncope and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. There followed exclusion from school and multiple medical opinions. Case 3: KO, 14 years old, presented following recurrent pre-syncope, collapse, and shaking episodes. Previously investigated for recurrent vomiting, with no aetiology found. Psychological stressors included disabled sibling, significant mental health disorders, both parents. Case 4: AO, 14 years old, recurring presentations to the emergency department with stuporous state, collapse, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea. Perceived pressure to achieve academic excellence seems the psychological stressor. There followed exclusion from school for some months, on health and safety grounds. Case 5: CM, 13 years old, presented with general malaise, arthralgia, headache and dizziness, with ataxic gait. Difficult transition to secondary school, and involvement in road collision 6 months previous noted. Repeated presentations with worsening symptoms. Objective difficulty eliciting lower limb deep tendon reflexes. Diagnostic lumbar puncture, 3rd admission, demonstrated elevated CSF protein. Subsequent development of symmetrical lower limb paraesthesia. Confirmed diagnosis, Guillain Barre syndrome, responsive to immunoglobulin therapy. Conversion disorder is a diagnosis of exclusion and careful systematic approach should be applied, ensuring all organic causes of symptoms have being explored, before attributing symptoms to a psychogenic disorder. 2,3 References WHO. The ICD-10 classification of mental behaviour disorders 1992. Geneva: World Health Organisation. Evans JR. Pediatric Pain Letter June 2015;17:2. Stone J. The bare essentials: Functional symptoms in neurology. Pract Neurology 2009;9:179–89.
A Two-Dimensional LC-Network Metamaterial on an Irregular Grid

A planar network of reactive elements on an irregular grid for realizing an effective two-dimensional medium is presented. In an elemental cell that occupies a cylindrical volume having an irregular polygonal cross section, one shunt element and multiple series elements are connected at a node. The effective medium parameters are found in terms of the shunt and series element values. A numerical example of a 2-D Luneburg lens design in TE polarization is presented for validation.
AzTEC survey of the central molecular zone: increasing spectral index of dust with density

The Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of our Galaxy hosts an extreme environment analogous to that found in typical starburst galaxies in the distant universe. In order to understand dust properties in environments like our CMZ, we present results from a joint SED analysis of our AzTEC/Large Millimeter Telescope survey, together with existing \textit{Herschel} far-IR data on the CMZ, from a wavelength range of $160$ $\mu m$ to $1.1$ $mm$. We include global foreground and background contributions in a novel Bayesian modeling that incorporates the Point Spread Functions (PSFs) of the different maps, which enables the full utilization of our high resolution ($10.5''$) map at 1.1 $mm$ and reveals unprecedentedly detailed information on the spatial distribution of dusty gas across the CMZ. There is a remarkable trend of increasing dust spectral index $\beta$, from $2.0-2.4$, toward dense peaks in the CMZ, indicating a deficiency of large grains or a fundamental change in dust optical properties. This environmental dependence of $\beta$ could have a significant impact on the determination of dust temperature in other studies. Depending on how the optical properties of dust deviate from the conventional model, dust temperatures could be underestimated by $10-50\%$ in particularly dense regions.
Multivessel Traumatic Coronary Artery Dissection After a Motor Vehicle Accident With Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Abstract Coronary artery dissection is a rare complication of blunt chest wall trauma. We report a case of acute left anterior descending and right coronary artery dissections after a motor vehicle...
Reset of hippocampal–prefrontal circuitry facilitates learning

The ability to rapidly adapt to novel situations is essential for survival, and this flexibility is impaired in many neuropsychiatric disorders1. Thus, understanding whether and how novelty prepares, or primes, brain circuitry to facilitate cognitive flexibility has important translational relevance. Exposure to novelty recruits the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)2 and may prime hippocampal–prefrontal circuitry for subsequent learning-associated plasticity. Here we show that novelty resets the neural circuits that link the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and the mPFC, facilitating the ability to overcome an established strategy. Exposing mice to novelty disrupted a previously encoded strategy by reorganizing vHPC activity to local theta (4–12 Hz) oscillations and weakening existing vHPC–mPFC connectivity. As mice subsequently adapted to a new task, vHPC neurons developed new task-associated activity, vHPC–mPFC connectivity was strengthened, and mPFC neurons updated to encode the new rules. Without novelty, however, mice adhered to their established strategy. Blocking dopamine D1 receptors (D1Rs) or inhibiting novelty-tagged cells that express D1Rs in the vHPC prevented these behavioural and physiological effects of novelty. Furthermore, activation of D1Rs mimicked the effects of novelty. These results suggest that novelty promotes adaptive learning by D1R-mediated resetting of vHPC–mPFC circuitry, thereby enabling subsequent learning-associated circuit plasticity. Exposure to a novel experience can ‘reset’ connections between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in mice, allowing them to overcome an existing learned behaviour and to replace it with a new one.
The association between state-level abortion restrictions and maternal mortality in the United States, 1995-2017.

Abstract Objective To explore the relationship between abortion restrictions and maternal mortality in the United States. Study design This was a retrospective study examining maternal mortality in the United States from 1995 to 2017. We used the Global Health Data Exchange and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER databases to extract maternal mortality data for all 50 states for each year from 1995 to 2017. We categorized states as restrictive, neutral, or protective of abortion access according to policy information published by the Guttmacher Institute. We assessed associations between abortion restrictions and maternal mortality ratios (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births). Results In 1995, the mean maternal mortality ratios were similar across all groups of states (Restrictive 12.6, 95% CI 11.4-13.6; Neutral 12.2, 95% CI 10.9-13.4; Protective 10.9, 95% CI 9.6-11.9). Maternal mortality ratios increased for each group of states over time and in 2017, the mean maternal mortality ratio was higher in restrictive states than in protective states (Restrictive 28.5, 95% CI 20.7-35.1; Neutral 22.9, 95% CI 16.1-28.6; Protective 15.7, 95% CI 10.7-19.9). Regressions accounting for policy, state and year showed a statistically significant increase in maternal mortality ratios in restrictive states relative to neutral states (1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11) and a non-significant decrease associated with protective states (0.89, 95% CI 0.78-1.01). Conclusions States that restrict abortion have higher maternal mortality than states that either protect or are neutral towards abortion. Further investigation is needed to determine how abortion restrictions are associated with increased maternal mortality. Implications The association between abortion restrictions and maternal mortality may reflect the overall legislative priorities of individual states as restrictive states are less likely to pass proactive legislation demonstrated to improve maternal outcomes.
Recommendations for supportive care and best supportive care in NCCN clinical practice guidelines for treatment of cancer: Differences between solid tumor and hematologic malignancy guidelines.

It is unclear how NCCN guidelines recommend “supportive care” and “best supportive care” in oncology practice. We examined the usage of “supportive care” and “best supportive care” in NCCN guidelines and compared between solid tumor and hematologic malignancy guidelines. We reviewed all updated NCCN Guidelines for Treatment of Cancer in October 2019. We documented the frequency of occurrence, definition, and timing of introduction of each term. We compared between solid tumor and hematologic malignancy guidelines. We identified a total of 37 solid tumor and 16 hematologic guidelines. Thirty-seven (70%) guidelines mentioned “supportive care” and 36 (68%) mentioned “best supportive care.” Hematologic guidelines were significantly more likely than solid tumor guidelines to use the term “supportive care” (median occurrence 19 vs. 2; P = 0.001) and to describe “supportive care” as management of cancer-related complications (N = 11/15, 73% vs. N = 2/22, 9%; P < 0.001). Domains of specialist palliative care were infrequently mentioned (N = 10/37, 27%). In contrast, solid tumor guidelines were significantly more likely than hematologic guidelines to mention “best supportive care” (median occurrence 6 vs. 0; P = 0.016). This term was rarely defined and mostly used in the advanced disease setting. “Supportive care” and “best supportive care” were frequently used in NCCN guidelines, with significant variations in usage between solid tumor and hematologic oncologists. “Supportive care” was mostly limited to management of cancer-related complications and treatment adverse effects in NCCN guidelines, highlighting the need to go beyond the traditional biomedical model to more a patient-centered care model with greater integration of palliative care.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Residents in Nursing Homes: The Nurses' Perspective

Background: Examining registered nurses' perceptions of sexually transmitted disease (STD) education among residents in nursing homes allows for broader insight into why STDs continue to increase among older adults. Methods: A 4-page pilot survey was mailed to nursing home directors of nursing in Northwest Ohio (n=99) with a response rate of 32%. Directors of nursing were the target population as they are the most likely employee to hold registered nurse licensure. The health belief model formed the basis for the survey. Results: Most nurses did not see STDs or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as problems among their residents (100% and 96%, respectively) yet support for sex among residents was high. All (100%) agreed sex among married residents should be supported, while 77% agreed sex among nonmarried residents should be supported. Most nurses stated they were comfortable discussing HIV risk (84%), STD risk (84%), erectile dysfunction (75%), sexual desire and intimacy (72%), and correct condom use (66%). The most commonly reported perceived barriers to STD education were family opposition (63%), resident embarrassment (56%), and lack of education regarding the prevalence of STDs in older adults (53%). The most commonly reported perceived benefits to STD education were being seen as a leading facility for healthy initiatives (66%) and promotion of healthy sexual relationships among residents (56%). Conclusion: There was strong support for STD education among nurses though implementation remains rare. Addressing the most commonly perceived barriers and benefits may prove beneficial in increasing the number of LTCFs that provide STD education to residents.
Students’ perception of 3D video microscope use in preclinical fixed prosthodontics: A comparative study

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine how students perceived the use of a 3D video microscope (3D VM), in comparison to conventional methods, for providing instruction on fixed prosthodontics procedures and issuing feedback on student performance. METHODS From May until December of 2020, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine's second-year students were introduced to fixed prosthodontics. During May and June, a 3D VM was used to live-stream psychomotor skill demonstrations via a web-based software. After each procedure, students were asked to complete a short survey regarding their experience with the training. From August until December 2020, students received feedback via: 1. The conventional method, in which faculty use magnification loupes to assess student's perfromance. 2. A 3D VM. Irrespective of the method used, feedback was given following the same defined rubrics. At the conclusion of the semester, students completed a survey comparing their experiences in receiving instruction and feedback. The data were gathered and analyzed descriptively. The chi-square test (α = .05) was used to gauge if students' gender had an impact on their perception of feedback methods. RESULTS More than 94% of students participated in the surveys. The majority of students had a positive reaction toward the use of the 3D VM for live web-based training. In regard to receiving feedback, 63% opined that the 3D VM was more effective than the conventional method. Additionally, 80% of students felt that the 3D VM was effective in maintaining physical distance during skill evaluations. CONCLUSION This study examined the use of a 3D VM for teaching psychomotor skills and providing student feedback and compared it to the conventional method. It was found that the use of the 3D VM was perceived positively by students. Gender had no significant impact on students' attitudes toward the teaching and feedback methods.
Haemophilus Parainfluenzae mural endocarditis with large atrial septal defect and peripheral embolization

Abstract Mural endocarditis is a rare subclass of infective endocarditis (IE) associated with intra-cardiac tumors, prosthesis, valvular vegetation's, or structural abnormalities such as ventricular septal defects. Bacteria classified as HACEK (Haemophilus species, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella kingae) are rare causes of IE found in only 1.3% to 10% of cases. We describe the second reported case of mural endocarditis involving the left ventricle (LV) caused by a Haemophilus species. A young male with no prior intravenous drug use, valvular heart disease, or recent dental work presented with splenic infarcts. H. para-influenza was identified on blood cultures. Cardiac imaging revealed a 1.5 cm LV mass underneath the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve and a large Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). Awaiting surgery, the patient sustained embolic and hemorrhagic cerebral events. The patient underwent debulking of LV mass, ASD closure, and mitral valve repair complicated by post-pericardiotomy syndrome, and he completed six weeks of ceftriaxone therapy. The patient met modified Duke Criteria, but the diagnosis was challenging due to absence of risk factors, sub-acute symptom onset, delayed blood culture growth, and ambiguous characterization of the mass on imaging.
Ideal Third-Party Mediation

Resolving international water rights conflicts is and will always be one of the most complex and daunting challenges facing humanity in this century. There are a number of reasons for this. First is the issue about deciding who has the right of control to a river, or its tributary, that flows through two or more politically independent nation-states. Presently, and based on international laws, such watercourses are jointly owned.
What Does Frieda Yoder Believe

In his dissent in Wisconsin v. Yoder, the case upholding Amish parents' right to withdraw their children from high school for religious reasons, Justice Douglas challenged the Court's focus on the rights of parents.' In his view, "if an Amish child desires to attend high school, and is mature enough to have that desire respected, the State may well be able to override the parents' religiously motivated objections."2 To ascertain the child's desires, Douglas suggested that the State should simply ask her what she thinks.' While I share Douglas's view that the Yoder decision is deficient in its account of children's rights, I think Douglas's cure is worse than the disease. We should have no confidence that the State, in interjecting itself into a child's development of a religious identity with its clumsy, uninvited questions, will further the rights of children, let alone improve their lives. In the three decades since its publication, Douglas's dissent has served as a beacon for those calling for the recognition of children's rights independent of the rights of their parents.' While the implications of his argument extend to any
Isolation and Characterization of a Regulatory Mutant of an Aminoacyl-Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Synthetase in Escherichia coli K-12

From Escherichia coli strain K28, which is temperature sensitive for growth because of a mutation in its seryl-transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) synthetase gene (serS), temperature-resistant mutants were selected which were found to have a fivefold higher level of seryl-tRNA synthetase than the parent strain. The "high-level" character was found to be genetically stable and is due to a mutation in a locus denoted serO. This locus was found to be very closely linked to serS on the genetic map, and the relative gene order was concluded to be serS-serO-serC. In a serO(-) strain, the normal dependence of seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS) activity on changes of exogenous serine concentration was not observed. In a stable heterozygous merodiploid, the serO(-) mutation is still expressed, i.e., it is cis dominant. These results strongly suggest that serO is an operator site involved in the control of the serS gene.
Cybernetics for a Cyberworld: Standing on the Shoulders of Norbert Wiener

While people are generally aware of many of the nominal personalities of their day, they are, for the most part, unaware of the scientists who have moved their world. One such scientist was Norbert Wiener. His enlightening insights into the nature of feedback, i.e., cybernetic systems, had a profound impact upon our world. I experienced his influence, which permeated my own earliest scientific endeavors, as I looked to model and understand the regulatory functions of such feedforward and feedback capacities as they applied to physiological (i.e., homeostatic) forms of bodily functional stability [2], [3].
Franchise Bidding Without Holdups: Utility Regulation with Efficient Pricing and Choice of Provider

The idea of franchise bidding, as a governance structure for regulating natural monopoly, has remained dormant for the last twenty years, during which the technology and regulation of natural monopoly has changed considerably, both in theory and in practice. Meanwhile, auction theory has advanced significantly, independently of regulatory economics, which has moved in a different direction, namely price-cap regulation. We seek to combine the effects of the changes in the technology of network industries and the advances in bidding theory and in regulatory economics toward the development of a rigorous model of franchise bidding. The model presented in this paper, which develops conditions for efficient outcomes, provides a benchmark to begin a reconsideration of the potential of franchise bidding. In particular, for the first time, we complete Demsetz' (1968) proposal by specifying (second-price) rules for bidding and for transfer of assets when the incumbent loses the bid at re-auction. The scheme features one bid determining simultaneously output pricing and asset transfer pricing, to address concerns of hold-up and opportunistic behavior in the event of a change in franchisee.
Head over heels: Wives who stay with cross-dressers and transsexuals

Since meeting with her first transgender client and beginning her research on gender variances, clinical psychologist Virginia Erhardt has worked with many natal men who identify as cross-dressers,...
Erratum to Notes on the topological Tverberg theorem [Discrete Math. 241(2001)207-233]

Following a manuscript of K.S. Sarkaria we give an extensive account of the topological Tverberg Theorem in the case where the number of desired disjoint faces is a prime power. Since all known proofs of the theorem utilize methods from algebraic topology, the objective of this article is to explain the proof to a wider mathematical audience.
Chemokine receptor CX3CR1 mediates skin wound healing by promoting macrophage and fibroblast accumulation and function.

Wounds heal through a highly regulated, self-limited inflammatory response, however, precise inflammatory mediators have not been fully delineated. In this study, we report that in a mouse model of excisional skin wound healing the chemokine CX3CL1 and its receptor CX3CR1 were both highly induced at wound sites; CX3CL1 colocalized with macrophages and endothelial cells, whereas CX3CR1 colocalized mainly with macrophages and fibroblasts. Loss of CX3CR1 function delayed wound closure in both CX3CR1 knockout (KO) mice and in wild-type mice infused with anti-CX3CR1-neutralizing Ab. Conversely, transfer of bone marrow from donor wild-type mice, but not from donor CX3CR1 KO mice, restored wound healing to normal in CX3CR1 KO-recipient mice. Direct effects of CX3CR1 disruption at the wound site included marked reduction of macrophages and macrophage products, such as TGF-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Consistent with this, we observed reduced α-smooth muscle actin (a marker for myofibroblasts) and collagen deposition in skin from wounded CX3CR1 KO mice, as well as reduced neovascularization. Together, the data support a molecular model of skin wound repair in which CX3CR1 mediates direct recruitment of bone marrow-derived monocytes/macrophages which release profibrotic and angiogenic mediators.
The 6-O-Methylglucose-containing Lipopolysaccharide of Mycobacterium phlei COMPLETE STRUCTURE OF THE POLYSACCHARIDE

Abstract The methylglucose polysaccharide (MGP) from mycobacterial species was digested with α-amylase and glucoamylase and then partially hydrolyzed with acid, and the resulting oligosaccharides were reduced with sodium borotritide. By means of gel filtration and paper chromatography, an homologous series of α-(1 → 4)-linked oligosaccharides containing only 6-O-methylglucose were isolated, the largest of which was a decasaccharide. Exhaustive digestion of MGP by α-amylase and glucoamylase released 4 sugar residues per molecule of polysaccharide, 3 glucose units, and 1 of 3-O-methylglucose. Since these four sugars were released, in part, as a tetrasaccharide by α-amylase, and since the newly exposed nonreducing terminus was 6-O-methylglucose, it follows that the tetrasaccharide was attached as a unit to the 6-O-methylglucose-containing section of the main chain of the polysaccharide. From the total glucose content of the polysaccharide (7 moles) and the fact that 6 moles were assigned to the main chain, it is concluded that the glucose-containing side chain is a single glucose unit attached to position 3 of the first 6-O-methylglucose unit in the main chain. Confirmation of the above conclusions was obtained in other experiments. MGP was oxidized by sodium periodate, the polyaldehyde was reduced with sodium borotritide, and the products obtained by acid hydrolysis were determined. These were erythritol (4 moles), glycerol (2.6 moles), 1-O-methylerythritol (8.9 moles), glucose (1 mole), 6-O-methylglucose (1 mole), and 3-O-methylglucose (1 mole). Mild acid hydrolysis of the periodate-oxidized and borohydride-reduced MGP yielded 6-O-methylglucosyl-(1 → 2) erythritol and α-glucosyl-(1 → 1)-glycerol. The data presented here and in the preceding publications allow us to propose the complete structure for the polysaccharide. A search for 6-O-methylglucose-containing lipopolysaccharides in species of Propionibacterium, Corynebacterium, and Nocardia gave negative results. Because these bacteria are thought to be among the closest phylogenetic relatives of the mycobacteria, the methylglucose lipopolysaccharide may be unique to this genus. The intact lipopolysaccharide had no effect on the growth of selected gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.
Handling Uncertainty in Transit Project Evaluation and Rating Process: Comparison Between the Existing FTA Approach and a Fuzzy Inference Approach

A fuzzy inference approach that ranks proposals for major transit projects is proposed, and its performance is compared with the existing approach used by the FTA New Starts Program. The FTA approach uses a rigid mathematical process in which 24 attributes of a proposal are scored initially and then aggregated multiple times to obtain a single overall rating for the proposal. The proposal's funding recommendation is based on this rating. In this approach, a small difference in the initial score can make a significant difference in the final score; that is, the final score is not stable with respect to small perturbations in the initial scores of the attributes. In any evaluation, there is always room for subjective judgment and associated uncertainty to enter when the score of an attribute, the break points on the scoring scale, and the value of the weights of the attributes are determined. The proposed fuzzy inference approach incorporates the fuzziness and approximation associated with the evaluation pr...
Focal seizure propagation illustrated by fMRI

We report the pattern of seizure propagation as detected by functional MRI (fMRI) in a 24-year-old man with frequent recurrent electrographic seizures. The EEG seizure onset was left occipital with later spread to the left hemisphere and, to a lesser extent, the right hemisphere. The fMRI showed initial increase in blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal in the left occipital pole. The increased signal then propagated to the right occipital-posterotemporal region, and subsequently, the right and left mesial temporal regions. fMRI can be an effective tool to study seizure onset localization and seizure propagation in patients with frequent recurrent seizures.
Martius Fat Pad Construction

The Martius labial fat pad is a pedicle graft of fatty tissue from the labia majora which can be used as an interposition layer during a variety of vaginal procedures. First described by Martius [1], the procedure is fairly simple and quick, allowing the surgeon to harvest a well-vascularized fat pad of variable length (typically 8–12 cm) and transfer it where needed to enhance the repair of complex or recurrent urethral or vesical pathology. However, as with any surgical technique, complications can occur including hematoma, infection, pain or numbness, sexual dysfunction, and labial distortion. We aim to describe these complications as well as provide what information is available from the literature and our own experience on how to avoid them and manage them when necessary. To this end, we will also briefly cover the indications and technique for this versatile procedure.
Effect of pH and ammonium ions on mutagenic activity in cooked beef.

Abstract Controversy surrounding the extraction procedure commonly used for isolating and concentrating mutagens from foods has resulted in a need for the re-examination of the reported mutagenicity in fried hamburgers. Using a procedure in which Na 2 SO 4 and NaOH are substituted for (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 and NH 4 OH respectively, mutagenic activity in extracts of hamburgers fried for 5 min appeared to be unchanged. However, when organic extractions are performed at pH conditions more moderated than those generally employed to isolated mutagens from foods, a 30–50% decrease in mutagenicity is observed.
An impurity monitor for liquid ionization chamber media

Abstract Impurities dissolved in liquid ionization chamber media are monitored by infrared absorption spectroscopy. Detection of low levels (ppm-ppb) of impurities is demonstrated.
Magnetic energy release in interacting loops observed in a solar flare from Sylab

Abstract We studied the energy release morphology in the 21 January 1974 flare observed in the XUV wavelength from Skylab . The XUV images of the flare show that the magnetic configuration consisted of a large cool loop (104 – 105 K) and a small low-lying high temperature (> 107 K) loop. The interaction between the loops, indicated by a hard X-ray burst, triggered the release of stored energy in the two loops. In the large cooler loop, the energy release was manifested in a possible kink instability, which released the stored energy as kinetic energy of motion. In the low lying loop, the energy release was manifested in the heating of the plasma, thus producing the high temperature emissions as observed in Fe XXIV. The observation illustrates clearly the involvement of a multiloop system in the flare energy release and shows that individual loops may undergo different evolutions due to the different conditions in them. This picture is consistent with the flare energy release scenario deduced from the most recent SMM observations /1/.
Stretching the In-between: Embodiment and Beyond

Today’s scientific imaging technologies are able to detect and image emissions and radiations from a much wider range of the electromagnetic spectrum than ever before. Such phenomena lie beyond the horizons of ordinary human perceptibility. I examine here the implications of such “translation mediations” for the production of scientific knowledge and show how human embodiment is implicit for all perceptual observational possibilities. The framework is that of a postphenomenology which is able to relate these new phenomena to human embodiment.
α1-Adrenoceptor subtypes

Alpha1-adrenoceptors are one of three subfamilies of receptors (alpha1, alpha2, beta) mediating responses to adrenaline and noradrenaline. Three alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes are known (alpha1A, alpha1B, alpha1D) which are all members of the G protein coupled receptor family, and splice variants have been reported in the C-terminus of the alpha1A. They are expressed in many tissues, particularly smooth muscle where they mediate contraction. Certain subtype-selective agonists and antagonists are now available, and alpha1A-adrenoceptor selective antagonists are used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy. All subtypes activate phospholipase C through the G(q/11) family of G proteins, release stored Ca2+, and activate protein kinase C, although with significant differences in coupling efficiency (alpha1A > alpha1B > alpha1D). Other second messenger pathways are also activated by these receptors, including Ca2+ influx, arachidonic acid release, and phospholipase D. Alpha1-adrenoceptors also activate mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in many cells, and some of these responses are independent of Ca2+ and protein kinase C but involve small G proteins and tyrosine kinases. Direct interactions of alpha1-adrenoceptors with proteins other than G proteins have not yet been reported, however there is a consensus binding motif for the immediate early gene Homer in the C-terminal tail of the alpha1D subtype. Current research is focused on discovering new subtype-selective drugs, identifying non-traditional signaling pathways activated by these receptors, clarifying how multiple signals are integrated, and identifying proteins interacting directly with the receptors to influence their functions.
Simulations of the structure and dynamics of nanoparticle-based ionic liquids

We use molecular dynamics simulations over microsecond time scales to study the structure and dynamics of coarse-grained models for nanoparticle-based ionic liquids. The systems of interest consist of particles with charged surface groups and linear or three-arm counterions, which also act as the solvent. A comparable uncharged model of nanoparticles with tethered chains is also studied. The pair correlation functions display a rich structure resulting from the packing of cores and chains, as well as electrostatic effects. Even though electrostatic interactions between oppositely charged ions at contact are much greater than the thermal energy, we find that chain dynamics at intermediate time scales are dominated by chain hopping between core particles. The uncharged core particles with tethered chains diffuse faster than the ionic core particles.
Molecular dynamics simulation of orientation and crystallization of polyethylene during uniaxial extension

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations of realistic, united atom models of polyethylene undergoing uniaxial extension are described. Systems composed of chains ranging from 25 to 400 carbons have been studied, under a variety of processing histories, including isothermal deformation at constant applied stress below the melt temperature Tm, isothermal deformation below Tm followed by annealing, isothermal deformation above Tm followed by crystallization at a quench temperature below Tm, and non-isothermal crystallization during simultaneous deformation and cooling through Tm. Extension and orientation of large segments of flexible chains by uniaxial deformation accelerates the primary nucleation rate to a time scale accessible by molecular dynamics simulation. Entanglements operative during active deformation promote extension and orientation without nucleation of a crystal phase, while relaxation of stress at constant strain is sufficient to allow slippage of chains past pinning points and rapid nucleation and growth of crystallites as neighboring oriented chains come into registry. Isothermal crystallization of pre-oriented systems shows an apparent increase in nucleation density at lower temperatures; the resulting ordered regions are smaller and more closely aligned in the direction of orientation. During non-isothermal deformation, where stretching and cooling occur simultaneously, a first order transition is observed, with discontinuities in the volume and global order parameter, when the system crystallizes.
Melodic algorithms for pulse oximetry to allow audible discrimination of abnormal systolic blood pressures

An anesthesiologist must remain vigilant of the patient’s clinical status, incorporating many independent physiological measurements. Oxygen saturation and heart rate are represented by continuous audible tones generated by the pulse oximeter, a mandated monitoring device. Other important clinical parameters—notably blood pressure—lack any audible representation beyond arbitrarily-configured threshold alarms. Attempts to introduce further continuous audible tones have apparently foundered; the complexity and interaction of these tones have exceeded the ability of clinicians to interpret them. Instead, we manipulate the tonal and rhythmic structure of the accepted pulse oximeter tone pattern melodically. Three melodic algorithms were developed to apply tonal and rhythmic variations to the continuous pulse oximeter tone, dependent on the systolic blood pressure. The algorithms distort the original audible pattern minimally, to facilitate comprehension of both the underlying pattern and the applied variations. A panel of anesthesia practitioners (attending anesthesiologists, residents and nurse anesthetists) assessed these algorithms in characterizing perturbations in cardiopulmonary status. Twelve scenarios, incorporating combinations of oxygen desaturation, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypotension and hypertension, were tested. A rhythmic variation in which additional auditory information was conveyed only at halftime intervals, with every other “beat” of the pulse oximeter, was strongly favored. The respondents also strongly favored the use of musical chords over single tones. Given three algorithms of tones embedded in the pulse oximeter signal, anesthesiologists preferred a melodic tone to signal a significant change in blood pressure.