cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary Product Distributions from the Reaction of OH with m-, p-Xylene, 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene

A study was conducted to examine the OH-initiated degradation products of the four title compounds in the presence of sub-part-per-million levels of NOx. The oxidation was conducted in a dynamic reactor to minimize the conversion of the aromatic compounds. The experiments were designed to represent reaction pathways that occur in the atmosphere at ambient NO2 concentrations. A wide range of ring-retaining and ring-cleavage products having widely varying yields were measured during the study. For m-xylene, the major primary products observed (with molar yields) were methyl glyoxal (0.40), 4-oxo-2-pentenal (0.12), glyoxal (0.079), and m-tolualdehyde (0.049). For p-xylene, the major primary products were p-tolualdehyde (0.103), 2,5-dimethylphenol (0.13), cis-3-hexene-2,5-dione (0.176), trans-3-hexene-2,5-dione (0.045), 2-methyl-butenedial (0.071), glyoxal (0.394), and methylglyoxal (0.217). Several other reaction products were measured at yields less than 3%. The primary products for OH + 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene were found as follows: methylglyoxal (0.44), glyoxal (0.066), cis-3-hexene-2,5-dione (0.13), trans-3-hexene-2,5-dione (0.031), biacetyl (0.114), 3-methyl-3-hexene-2,5-dione (0.079), and 2-methyl-butenedial (0.045). Six other (ring retaining) products were measured at yields less than 3%. The primary products for OH + 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene were methylglyoxal (0.90), 3-methyl-5-methylidene-5(2H)-furanone (0.1), 3,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-2-furanone (0.1), 3,5-dimethyl-5(2H)-2-furanone biacetyl (0.08), and 2-methyl-4-oxo-2- pentenal (0.05). Three other products were detected at molar yields less than 5%. In some cases, the yields for the ring fragmentation products could only be based on calibrations from surrogate compounds. Yields for several of the unsaturated dicarbonyl compounds have not been reported previously while yields for methylglyoxal, glyoxal, and biacetyl are largely consistent with previous reports. Some of the primary furanone products are the identical to those reported as secondary products in aromatic systems.
Yeasts and how they came to be

This month’s Genome Watch highlights a large-scale sequencing project that enriches our understanding of yeast evolution and diversity.
Metastable Phase Equilibria in Co-Deposited Ni1−xZrx Thin Films

We determine the glass forming range (GFR) of co-deposited Ni1−xZrx (0 < x < 1) thin films by measuring their electrical resistance during in situ constant-heating-rate anneals. The measured GFR is continuous for 0.10 < x < 0.87. We calculate the GFR of Ni-Zr melts as a function of composition and cooling rate using homogeneous nucleation theory and a published CALPHAD-type thermodynamic modeling of the equilibrium phase diagram. Assuming that the main competition to the retention of the amorphous structure during the cooling of the liquid comes from the partitionless crystallization of the terminal solid solutions, we calculate that for dT/dt = 1012 K s−1, the GFR extends to x = 0.05 and x = 0.96. Better agreement with the measured values is obtained assuming a lower ‘effective’ cooling rate during the condensation of the films.
Using Multi-media Modeling to Investigate Conditions Leading to Harmful Algal Blooms

We used linked and coupled physical models to identify relationships among environmental variables across multiple sources and pathways to examine the impact of nitrogen loadings on chlorophyll α concentrations.
Vertical position of the Sun with γ-rays

We illustrate a method for estimating the vertical position of the Sun above the Galactic plane by γ -ray observations. Photons of γ -ray wavelengths are particularly well suited for geometrical and kinematic studies of the Milky Way because they are not subject to extinction by interstellar gas or dust. Here, we use the radioactive decay line of 26 Al at 1.809 MeV to perform maximum likelihood fits to data from the spectrometer SPI on board the INTEGRAL satellite as a proof-of-concept study. Our simple analytic 3D emissivity models are line-of-sight integrated, and varied as a function of the Sun’s vertical position, given a known distance to the Galactic centre. We find a vertical position of the Sun of z 0 = 15 ± 17 pc above the Galactic plane, consistent with previous studies, finding z 0 in a range between 5 and 29 pc. Even though the sensitivity of current MeV instruments is several orders of magnitude below that of telescopes for other wavelengths, this result reveals once more the disregarded capability of soft γ -ray telescopes. We further investigate possible biases in estimating the vertical extent of γ -ray emission if the Sun’s position is set incorrectly, and find that the larger the true extent, the less is it affected by the observer position. In the case of 26 Al with an exponential scale height of 150 pc (700 pc) in the inner (full) Galaxy, this may lead to misestimates of up to 25%.
Role of High-Dose Exposure in Hot Zone Transmission as a Driver of SARS-CoV-2 Dynamics

Epidemiological data on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the absence and presence of various non-pharmaceutical interventions indicate that the virus is not transmitted uniformly in the population. Transmission tends to be more effective in select settings that involve exposure to relatively high viral dose, such as in crowded indoor settings, assisted living facilities, prisons, or food processing plants. To explore the effect on infection dynamics, we describe a new mathematical model where transmission can occur (i) in the community at large, characterized by low dose exposure and mostly mild disease, and (ii) in so called transmission hot zones, characterized by high dose exposure that can be associated with more severe disease. Interestingly, we find that successful infection spread can hinge upon high-dose hot zone transmission, while the majority of infections still occur in the community at large with mild disease. This gives rise to the prediction that targeted interventions that effectively reduce virus transmission in the hot zones have the potential to suppress overall infection spread, including in the community at large. The model can further reconcile seemingly contradicting epidemiological observations. While in some locations like California, strict stay-home orders failed to significantly reduce infection prevalence, in other locations, such as New York and several European countries, stay-home orders lead to a pronounced fall in infection levels, which remained suppressed for some months after re-opening of society. Differences in hot zone transmission levels during and after social distancing interventions can account for these diverging infection patterns. These modeling results warrant further epidemiological investigations into the role of high dose hot zone transmission for the maintenance of SARS-CoV-2 spread. Funding Statement: This work was funded in part by NSF DMS 1662146/1662096 (NK & DW). LMS is funded by NIH AI153396 and NS111416, and by start-up funds from Cornell University Declaration of Interests: None to declare.
Auricular Vagus Neuromodulation – A Systematic Review on Quality of Evidence and Clinical Effects

ABSTRACT Background The auricular branch of the vagus runs superficial to the surface of the skin, making it a favorable target for non-invasive techniques to modulate vagal activity. For this reason, there have been many early-stage clinical trials on a diverse range of conditions. Unfortunately, often with conflicting results. Methods To investigate the conflicting results, we conducted a systematic review of auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the established Cochrane Risk of Bias tool as a framework. The Risk of Bias tool is intended to identify deviations from an ideal RCT that may cause the effect of an intervention to be overestimated or underestimated. As is common for early-stage studies, the majority of aVNS studies were assessed as having ‘some’ or ‘high’ risk of bias, which makes interpreting their results in a broader context problematic. Results The reported trial outcomes were qualitatively synthesized across studies. There is evidence of a modest decrease in HR during higher stimulation current amplitudes. Findings on heart rate variability (HRV) conflicted between studies and were hindered by trial design including inappropriate washout periods and multiple methods used to quantify HRV. There is early-stage evidence to suggest aVNS may reduce circulating levels or endotoxin induced levels of inflammatory markers. Studies on epilepsy reached primary endpoints similar to previous RCTs on implantable VNS, albeit with concerns over quality of blinding. aVNS showed preliminary evidence of ameliorating pathological pain but not induced pain. Discussion Drawing on the fundamentals of neuromodulation, we establish the need for direct measures of neural target engagement in aVNS. Firstly, for the optimization of electrode design, placement, and stimulation waveform parameters to improve on-target engagement and minimize off-target engagement. Secondly, direct measures of target engagement, along with consistent evaluation of the double blind, must be used to improve the design of controls in the long term - a major source of concern identified in the Cochrane analysis. Lastly, we list common improvements for the reporting of results that can be addressed in the short term. Conclusion The need for direct measures of neural target engagement and consistent evaluation of the double blind is applicable to other paresthesia-inducing neuromodulation therapies and their control designs. We intend for this review to contribute to the successful translation of neuromodulation therapies such as aVNS.
Gambling vs. Gaming: A Commentary on the Role of Regulatory, Industry, and Community Stakeholders in the Loot Box Debate

The discussion on loot boxes has tempered somewhat from the height of the fever pitch that followed the release of Electronic Arts’ (EA) Star Wars Battlefront 2, but the fallout is far from over. The fervor erupted over the use of loot boxes – an in-game “box” that contains an unknown selection of virtual items – in video games. A fundamental question rising from the debate asks: are loot boxes gambling? Many stakeholders have voiced their opinion on the issue, and legislators, gambling regulators, and their governments are weighing in with assessments and formal decisions. Chiefly among these calls have been demands to legally classify loot boxes as gambling and regulate them as such. The world of gambling, particularly gambling regulation, has found itself in the gaming spotlight. The convergence of gambling and gaming has been a topic of discussion for several years now, as video games have included gambling mechanics in game and gambling games have incorporated more gaming mechanics. This paper discusses the definition of gambling in different settings and the role of gambling regulation as it may apply to loot boxes.
4D cone-beam CT deformable registration using unsupervised spatial transformation network

We propose a learning-based method to register 4D CBCT images from different respiratory phases. An unsupervised spatial transformation network (STN)-based deformable registration method is introduced for registering phases of 4D CBCT. Namely, no ground truth deformation vector filed (DVF) is needed during training. To avoid the scatter artifact effect while learning the trainable parameters, a structural similarity-based loss is used for supervision. To evaluate the proposed method, we retrospectively investigate 20 lung 4D CBCT datasets. Five-fold cross-validation was used to evaluate the proposed method. During each experiment, 16 4D CBCT datasets were used for training and the rest 4 4D CBCTs were used as testing. During training, each two phases from one patient were used as moving and fixed images. The average TRE is 1.67 ±3.30 mm. The proposed method has great potential in quantifying tumor trajectory for making clinical decision during radiation therapy.
FDA as Food System Steward

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is one of the primary regulators of the U.S. food system, but it essentially ignores the food system’s vast environmental footprint. Although the agency is not technically an environmental agency, it has the discretion to view redressing the food system's significant environmental footprint as part of its health and safety mission, and it should do so. In this Article, we argue that the FDA’s failure to act as an environmental agency follows from three conceptual mistakes. First, it focuses its safety mission around product safety, discounting safety related to production and disposal. Second, it approaches risk assessment on a product-by-product basis, missing the cumulative and synergistic effects of production, consumption, and disposal. Finally, it orients its work solely toward promoting individual health, disregarding population-level health. To demonstrate these mistakes, we review FDA’s history of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. This history affirms our hypothesis that FDA does not view its own work as environmental. We argue that FDA should be a proactive environmental steward of the food system. We describe how it might use NEPA to begin such a transformation, and we identify a variety of areas where its existing substantive authority leaves room for incorporation of environmental goals. Throughout the Article we return frequently to plastic packaging. The environmental threats of plastic packaging have become increasingly clear over the last several years, and FDA’s power to regulate plastics as “food contact substances” provides an important opportunity to mitigate those harms. We also assess opportunities for change in its authority over food additives, animal drugs, and food labeling. We conclude by observing that many environmental problems require widespread collaboration to solve. Given the well-recognized pressing need for action on a variety of environmental fronts, every federal agency has a role to play. This analysis of how FDA might embrace a role as a robust steward of the food system offers a roadmap for other non-environmental agencies to participate meaningfully in these endeavors.
Clinical Problem-Solving: Lower Extremity Weakness & Paresthesia in an Immunocompromised Patient With a Complex Cancer History

We present a case of new onset bilateral lower extremity weakness, paresthesia, urinary retention and bowel incontinence in a 51-year-old man. He had a complicated history of acute myelogenous leuk...
Solvent Effect to the Uniformity of Surfactant-Free Salmon-DNA Thin Films

Fabrication of surfactant-modified DNA thin films with high uniformity, specifically DNA–CTMA, has been well considered via drop-casting and spin-coating techniques. However, the fabrication of thin films with pure DNA has not been sufficiently studied. We characterize the uniformity of thin films from aqueous salmon DNA solutions mixed with ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and acetone. Measurements of thickness and macroscopic uniformity are made via a focused-beam ellipsometer. We discuss important parameters for optimum uniformity and note what the effects of solvent modifications are. We find that methanol- and ethanol-added solutions provide optimal fabrication methods, which more consistently produce high degrees of uniformity with film thickness ranging from 20 to 200 nm adjusted by DNA concentration and the physical parameters of spin-coating methods.
Queue Here for Corruption: Measuring Irregularities in South Africa's Asylum System

South Africa’s refugee reception offices (RROs) are the gateway through which would-be asylum seekers and refugees access legal protection. Following years of anecdotal evidence regarding corruption at the RROs, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS) conducted a quantitative assessment of the scope of corruption at these offices. The assessment revealed significant levels of corruption involving multiple actors, occurring at all stages of the asylum process, and continuing even after an individual had obtained refugee status. Results varied by office, but overall almost one-third of respondents experienced corruption at an RRO. The Marabastad RRO in Pretoria showed the highest levels of corruption.
Strategies for Administering Rewards and Sanctions

In the social and psychological sciences, few findings have been so reliably demonstrated that they may qualify as laws of human behavior. The principles of operant conditioning or contingency management are one such set of laws. These principles have been proven time and again in a multitude of diverse settings to the point that they are no longer the subject of scientific dispute. The techniques for effective implementation of operant conditioning are reviewed in this chapter. If one’s goal is to improve adaptive functioning and reduce antisocial behavior on the part of offenders, then it is essential to closely monitor their behavior and impose certain and immediate sanctions for infractions and rewards for achievements (1). Failing to punish misconduct inevitably makes behavior worse, and failing to reward accomplishments makes those accomplishments less likely to recur.
Organisationsstrukturen von Tiergesellschaften

Ganz am Anfang dieses Buches habe ich eine grundlegende Frage zur Evolution der biologischen Organisationsstufe gestellt: Welche durch naturliche Selektion entstandenen Mechanismen der sozialen Koordination haben bestimmte Tierarten befahigt, den Ubergang von unabhangigen Individuen zu einer integrierten Gemeinschaft zu vollziehen? In den vorangegangenen Kapiteln habe ich einen Uberblick uber die Mechanismen der sozialen Physiologie gegeben, die dem Prozes der gemeinschaftlichen Nahrungsbeschaffung im Honigbienenvolk zugrunde liegen. Dieser Vorgang stellt moglicherweise das am besten verstandene Beispiel vom kooperativen Funktionieren einer Gruppe auserhalb des Bereiches der menschlichen Gesellschaft dar. In diesem Kapitel mochte ich nun die Ergebnisse zusammenfassen, indem ich die Grundzuge der Organisation eines Honigbienenstaats herausstelle. Auserdem werde ich versuchen, diese Organisationsmerkmale in einen groseren Zusammenhang zu stellen, indem ich Vergleiche zwischen der inneren Arbeitsweise eines Bienenvolkes und derjenigen anderer funktionell organisierter Gruppen anstelle. Diese anderen Gruppen sind vielzellige Organismen („Gruppen“ von Zellen), Kolonien mariner Wirbelloser (Gruppen von Zooiden), bestimmte menschliche Organisationen (Gruppen von Menschen) und Multiprozessor-Computersysteme (Gruppen von elektronischen Prozessoren).
Comparing DCE and CORBA

Abstract : Many people perceive DCE and CORBA as competing technologies. Indeed, both support the construction and integration of client-server applications in heterogeneous distributed environments. Comparisons typically focus on differences between individual capabilities or on differences between the maturity of specifications and products that conform to them. There is a fundamental difference between DCE and CORBA, however, that we feel far overshadows either of these criteria as a basis for selecting a distributed computing platform. This document summarizes the main features of DCE and CORBA, presents what we feel is the most important difference between them, discusses differences between individual capabilities and the maturity of both specifications and products, and concludes with our view of how an organization should select the technology most appropriate to its distributed computing goals.
Sexual risk behavior of incarcerated, drug-using women, 1992

In this study, sexual risk behavior of 104 incarcerated female drug users is examined. Findings demonstrate that incarcerated women who use drugs are at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection because of their behavior prior to arrest. During the month prior to arrest, the majority of respondents were sexually active. Half reported past sexual contacts with injecting drug users, and more than one-third had traded sex for money or drugs. Consistent with other studies, condom use was more frequent with casual or commercial partners. Those who traded sex for money were less likely to be white Anglo or regular heroin users, and more likely to be regular crack users and alcoholic, have fathers who were drug or alcohol users, and perceive themselves as at-risk for contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Language: en
The Flight to New York: An Empirical Study of Choice of Law and Choice of Forum Clauses in Publicly-Held Companies’ Contracts

We study choice of law and choice of forum in a data set of 2,882 contracts contained as exhibits in Form 8-K filings by reporting corporations over a six month period in 2002 for twelve types of contracts and a seven month period in 2002 for merger contracts. These material contracts likely are carefully negotiated by sophisticated parties who are well-informed about the contract terms. They therefore provide evidence of efficient ex ante solutions to contracting problems. In prior work examining merger contracts, acquiring firms incorporated in Delaware tended to select Delaware law or a Delaware forum to govern disputes under the merger agreements less frequently than firms in other states (New York in particular) specified the law or forum of those states. For the broader variety of contracts analyzed here, the contracting parties rarely opt for Delaware law other than for merger contracts and contracts establishing Delaware business trusts. New York law is the favored choice, with New York law chosen in 46 percent of the contracts and Delaware law, the second most frequent selection, chosen in 15 percent of the contracts. New York law was overwhelmingly favored for financing contracts, but was also preferred for most other types of contracts. With respect to choice of forum, the major finding is that a litigation forum was specified only for 39 percent of the contracts. Among those 39 percent of contracts, New York is the favored forum, accounting for 41 percent of the choices, with Delaware a distant second and accounting for 11 percent of the forum choices. When a forum is specified it usually matches the contract's choice of law. We also explore the decision to designate a forum, mismatches between choice of law and choice of forum, and whether parties designate an exclusive litigation forum. Overall, New York law plays a role for major corporate contracts similar to the role Delaware law plays in the limited setting of corporate governance disputes.
Trends of U.S. Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds

Time-series analysis of how government regulation has affected the U.S. air pollution trends since 1970 has generated considerable interest in the area of environmental economics . Using recently developed structural break tests that are valid for difference-stationary (DS) and trendstationary (TS) data and efficient unit root tests that allow for breaks we examine the trend behavior of two air pollutants, Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). We concentrate on answering two questions. First, was there a break in the trends of NOX and VOCs emissions around the time the CAAA of 1970 were passed? And second, are the U.S. emissions of NOX and VOC trend-stationary or difference-stationary. Existence of a reduction in the slope of the trend in pollution emissions around the timing of the CAAA of 1970 provides strong evidence of the effectiveness of the policy, and the distinction between DS and TS processes is important for assessing the potential long-term impact of environmental policy which relies on forecasting future emissions and evaluating the accuracy of these forecasts. We find that there was a break in the trend of both air pollutants at the time the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 were passed. The unit root tests show that NOX are difference-stationary
Estimation of Plasma Histidine Flux in Cows

A tracer method is described for estimating the plasma amino acid flux in animals during steady state, and its application is illustrated using lactating cows that were injected intravenously with 14C- or 3H-labeled histidine. The method involves an extension of the occupancy principle in which the fraction of tracer recovered in a metabolic sink, casein or hemoglobin, provides the basis for calculating the amino acid flux. The plasma histidine flux was 25 g/day based on recovery of isotope in hemoglobin.
Effect of Essential and Nonessential Fatty Acids in Complex Mixture on Fatty Acid Composition of Liver Lipids

Linoleate, linolenate, arachidonate, docosahexenoate and six other fatty acids were major components of 24 ester preparations fed as 5% of the diet for 60 days to groups of male white rats. The experiment was designed so as to provide that all major fatty acid components were independent of each other in the sense that the intake of each was poorly correlated with the intake of any of the others. Fatty acid compositions of liver lipids were determined and were related to the composition of the diet lipids. Linolenate and docosahexaenoate contents of diet and tissue revealed the same relationships reported previously from experiments in which individual pure acid esters were added to a fat-free diet. Linoleate, when fed in lipid mixtures, was more effective in raising the linoleate concentration in liver lipids than when fed alone, but this increase did not change the shape of the dose-response curve or the estimated nutritional requirement. Large amounts of fish oil in the diet tended to depress the arachidonate concentration in tissue lipids.
A novel microwave beacon for coastal navigation

[1] The remarkable properties of a unique resonant circular array are applied to provide a microwave beacon to supplement warning flashing lights, lighthouses, and bells in coastal shipping. Following a description of the structure and properties of the array of antennas, the design of a special form of the array is explained, and its radiation field is described. This consists of 90 very sharp spikes between 90 equally sharp nulls. In the suggested array, the single driven element is excited at a microwave frequency. By rotating the array a sequence of microwave pulses is radiated that can be made equal to the frequency of flashes from any flashing light.
The Perfect Online Course: Best Practices for Designing and Teaching Anymir Orellana, Terry L. Hudgins, and Michael Simonson, Eds.

The title of the book, The Perfect Online Course, alone grabs the attention of a broad audience. In addition, most of its 558 pages and thirty chapters are sure to keep readers interested because o...
Insights into Chronic Wasting Disease and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Species Barriers by Use of Real-Time Conversion

ABSTRACT The propensity for transspecies prion transmission is related to the structural characteristics of the enciphering and new host PrP, although the exact mechanism remains incompletely understood. The effects of variability in prion protein on cross-species prion transmission have been studied with animal bioassays, but the influence of prion protein structure versus that of host cofactors (e.g., cellular constituents, trafficking, and innate immune interactions) remains difficult to dissect. To isolate the effects of protein-protein interactions on transspecies conversion, we used recombinant PrP C and real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) and compared chronic wasting disease (CWD) and classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (cBSE) prions. To assess the impact of transmission to a new species, we studied feline CWD (fCWD) and feline BSE (i.e., feline spongiform encephalopathy [FSE]). We cross-seeded fCWD and FSE into each species9 full-length, recombinant PrP C and measured the time required for conversion to the amyloid (PrP Res ) form, which we describe here as the rate of amyloid conversion. These studies revealed the following: (i) CWD and BSE seeded their homologous species9 PrP best; (ii) fCWD was a more efficient seed for feline rPrP than for white-tailed deer rPrP; (iii) conversely, FSE more efficiently converted bovine than feline rPrP; (iv) and CWD, fCWD, BSE, and FSE all converted human rPrP, although not as efficiently as homologous sCJD prions. These results suggest that (i) at the level of protein-protein interactions, CWD adapts to a new species more readily than does BSE and (ii) the barrier preventing transmission of CWD to humans may be less robust than estimated. IMPORTANCE We demonstrate that bovine spongiform encephalopathy prions maintain their transspecies conversion characteristics upon passage to cats but that chronic wasting disease prions adapt to the cat and are distinguishable from the original prion. Additionally, we showed that chronic wasting disease prions are effective at seeding the conversion of normal human prion protein to an amyloid conformation, perhaps the first step in crossing the species barrier.
Interaction of an electromagnetic wave with transmission lines, including reradiation

The authors have derived a new approximation for the case of an electromagnetic wave interacting with a long (compared to a wavelength) transmission line. This treatment does not make additional assumptions made by previous authors, allowing for reradiation of electromagnetic radiation. They show that this approximation reduces to previous results in the appropriate limiting cases. They also introduce a new approximation that removes some of the previous assumptions.
Self-compassion as a predictor of interleukin-6 response to acute psychosocial stress

We examined the hypothesis that self-compassion is associated with lower levels of stress-induced inflammation. On two consecutive days, plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed at baseline and at 30 and 120 min following exposure to a standardized laboratory stressor in a sample of 41 healthy young adults. Participants who were higher in self-compassion exhibited significantly lower day 1 IL-6 responses, even when controlling for self-esteem, depressive symptoms, demographic factors, and distress. Self-compassion was not related to day 2 IL-6 response but was inversely related to day 2 baseline IL-6 levels, and to increase in baseline IL-6 from day 1 to day 2. These findings suggest that self-compassion may serve as a protective factor against stress-induced inflammation and inflammation-related disease.
The Relationship Between Dysphonia and Sinusitis

Abstract Though some clinicians believe chronic sinusitis is associated with dysphonia, studies confirming such a relationship are not available. This pilot study investigated vocal characteristics of chronic sinusitis patients compared to those of nonsinusitis patients. Nineteen male patients were evaluated in a single-blind, nonrandomized, prospective study at a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. After candidates for the experimental and control groups were thoroughly screened [nasal and laryngology examinations, sinus computed tomography (CT) scan, history], 10 chronic sinusitis patients were assigned to the experimental group, nine patients without chronic sinusitis were assigned to the control group. Visi-Pitch analysis of their speech evaluated fundamental frequency, intensity, and perturbation. The evaluator described voice quality and vowel prolongation. Videostroboscopic examination evaluated glottic closure, supraglottic activity, vocal fold edge, amplitude, mucosal wave, and nonvibrating portion. Visi-Pitch analysis and vowel prolongation for each group was compared using an independent t -test. The average fundamental frequency mean was 113.43 ± 32.75 Hz for the control group and 112.29 ± 19.71 for the experimental group. This study established methods and parameters to determine if a relationship between chronic sinusitis and dysphonia actually exists. It did not establish a relationship between these entities, possibly due to the small sample size enrolled in the study, but determined that 126 subjects would be necessary to achieve significant results.
A psychobiological theoretical characterization of interpersonal violence offenders

The current literature suggests that anger and violent behavior have multiple psychobiological and sociocultural determinants. However, due to methodological or ethical constraints, our ability to accurately predict or influence the manifestations of interpersonal violence is very limited. Recent reports in the domestic violence literature suggest that there may be specific subtypes of offenders, and the clarification of these subtypes may improve our ability to predict and intervene. Following a brief review of the major psychobiological theories of violence, four putative psychopathological types of offenders are described, and hypotheses are generated as to the relative contributions of underlying determinants. These speculative characterizations may provide a clearer heuristic for further investigations.
Deconvolution of mixture spectra from ion-trap data-independent-acquisition tandem mass spectrometry.

Data-independent tandem mass spectrometry isolates and fragments all of the molecular species within a given mass-to-charge window, regardless of whether a precursor ion was detected within the window. For shotgun proteomics on complex protein mixtures, data-independent MS/MS offers certain advantages over the traditional data-dependent MS/MS: identification of low-abundance peptides with insignificant precursor peaks, more direct relative quantification, free of biases caused by competing precursors and dynamic exclusion, and faster throughput due to simultaneous fragmentation of multiple peptides. However, data-independent MS/MS, especially on low-resolution ion-trap instruments, strains standard peptide identification programs, because of less precise knowledge of the peptide precursor mass and large numbers of spectra composed of two or more peptides. Here we describe a computer program called DeMux that deconvolves mixture spectra and improves the peptide identification rate by ∼25%. We compare the n...
Enteric neuron imbalance and proximal dysmotility in ganglionated intestine of the Sox10Dom/+ Hirschsprung mouse model.

Background & Aims In Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), neural crest-derived progenitors (NCPs) fail to completely colonize the intestine so that the enteric nervous system is absent from distal bowel. Despite removal of the aganglionic region, many HSCR patients suffer from residual intestinal dysmotility. To test the hypothesis that inappropriate lineage segregation of NCPs in proximal ganglionated regions of the bowel could contribute to such postoperative disease, we investigated neural crest (NC)-derived lineages and motility in ganglionated, postnatal intestine of the Sox10Dom/+ HSCR mouse model. Methods Cre-mediated fate-mapping was applied to evaluate relative proportions of NC-derived cell types. Motility assays were performed to assess gastric emptying and small intestine motility while colonic inflammation was assessed by histopathology for Sox10Dom/+ mutants relative to wild-type controls. Results Sox10Dom/+ mice showed regional alterations in neuron and glia proportions as well as calretinin+ and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)+ neuronal subtypes. In the colon, imbalance of enteric NC derivatives correlated with the extent of aganglionosis. All Sox10Dom/+ mice exhibited reduced small intestinal transit at 4 weeks of age; at 6 weeks of age, Sox10Dom/+ males had increased gastric emptying rates. Sox10Dom/+ mice surviving to 6 weeks of age had little or no colonic inflammation when compared with wild-type littermates, suggesting that these changes in gastrointestinal motility are neurally mediated. Conclusions The Sox10Dom mutation disrupts the balance of NC-derived lineages and affects gastrointestinal motility in the proximal, ganglionated intestine of adult animals. This is the first report identifying alterations in enteric neuronal classes in Sox10Dom/+ mutants, which suggests a previously unrecognized role for Sox10 in neuronal subtype specification.
Specific absorption rates in simulated tissue media for a 10×10 cm 915-MHz waveguide applicator

The use of hyperthermia in combination with radiotherapy is currently being investigated at many cancer treatment facilities. Several different types of heating modalities are presently being used and for each of these systems it is important to determine the power distributions of their hyperthermia applicators in tissue-equivalent phantoms. This information will be used for treatment planning, routine quality assurance, and acceptance testing as well as for comparison between these various modalities and systems. This report describes the power distribution characteristics of the Clini-Therm 10 x 10 cm 915-MHz waveguide applicator measured within muscle tissue phantom materials arranged in several clinically relevant treatment configurations. The net increase in temperature that resulted from 20-s pulses of microwave power was measured at various points within each phantom by the system's implantable fiberoptic temperature sensors. From these temperature measurements the distribution of power was calculated as specific absorption rates (SAR). The results are displayed as two-dimensional ISO-SAR maps which relate power levels throughout the irradiated volume to those obtained on the central axis of the applicator. When the applicator was in direct contact with the muscle phantom the highest SAR measured was 2 cm lateral to its central axis along the muscle surface. On the central axis approximately 50% of the power was attenuated by each centimeter of muscle material. The introduction of either fat, bone, or a water-filled pad between the applicator and the muscle altered the pattern of power distribution within the irradiated volume without substantially altering the relative distribution of power along the central axis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Resolution of molecular dynamics by time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy: Verification of two kinetic models

Two of nine possible kinetic models have been experimentally validated for the general scheme that describes a system with two fluorescent species and two depolarizing processes. These kinetic models define different associations between the emitting species and the possible depolarizing processes. Association model 1 is defined as one species exhibiting the shorter fluorescence lifetime and experiencing only the fastest depolarizing rotation, and the longer-lifetime second species undergoing only the slower rotation. For model 2, one species exhibits the shorter fluorescence lifetime and experiences only the slower rotation and the longer-lifetime second species undergoes only the faster rotation. To confirm model 1, we studied a binary solution of indole and β-cyclodextrin. Model 2 was verified using a binary solution of melatonin and rat F102W parvalbumin. In each case, determination of the correct association model and recovery of appropriate intensity and anisotropy decay parameters required global a...
Using Desirable System States to Design for a Hypothetical Subway Arson Incident

A subway emergency is a complex event that requires a coordinated adaptive response from physical systems and people. A performance-based approach to subway fire emergencies need to be (1) goal-based, (2) integrate human and physical systems responses, (3) represent the temporal dimension of the emergency, and (4) represent the way in which people and active systems can be expected to respond to uncertainties. The article suggests the use of Desirable System States as a means to find and evaluate design solutions to a subway fire scenario. An example is provided, and the results compared with actual subway arson events.
Application of melt ejection criterion in simulation of micromachining with laser

The theoretical criterion defining the threshold pulse energy and beam intensity required for melt ejection is proposed. The results of numerical simulation present dependencies of the threshold pulse energy and beam intensity as functions of laser pulse duration and beam radius. The experimental verification of proposed criterion is described and the comparison of theoretical predictions and measurements is presented. The criterion is applied for simulation of laser drilling metal foil with thickness in the range 25 μm - 125 μm using laser beam with 12 μm beam radius and pulse durations 10 ns and 100 ns. The computational results are used to interpret the results of experimental study of laser drilling of 125 μm aluminum foil using a single mode beam of a XeCl laser performed at the Nederlands Centrum voor Laser Research (NCLR) and the University of Twente. Additional results on Nd:YAG spot welds in pure Ni are also presented.
Matrin 3 is a Ca2+/calmodulin-binding protein cleaved by caspases

Abstract Matrin 3 is a nuclear matrix protein that has been implicated in interacting with other nuclear proteins to anchor hyperedited RNAs to the nuclear matrix, in modulating the activity of proximal promoters, and as the main PKA substrate following NMDA receptor activation. In our proteome-wide selections for calmodulin (CaM) binding proteins and for caspase substrates using mRNA-displayed human proteome libraries, matrin 3 was identified as both a Ca 2+ -dependent CaM-binding protein and a downstream substrate of caspases. We report here, the in vitro characterization of the CaM-binding motif and the caspase cleavage site on matrin 3. Significantly, the Ca 2+ /CaM-binding motif is partially overlapped by the RRM of matrin 3 and is also very close to the bipartite NLS that is essential for its nuclear localization. The caspase cleavage site is downstream of the NLS but upstream of the second U1-like zinc finger. Our results suggest that the functions of matrin 3 could be regulated by both Ca 2+ -dependent interaction with CaM and caspase-mediated cleavage.
Rapid Identification and Quantitation of Diphenylamine, o-Phenylphenol, and Propargite Pesticide Residues on Apples by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

A method has been developed to detect diphenylamine, o-phenylphenol, and propargite on apples. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify three compounds in the selectiv...
Effect of necrosin on spontaneous tumours in Swiss mice.

I HAVE demonstrated within the last decade the presence, in inflammatory exudates, of various substances with definite biochemical properties. These substances are at present relatively crude, and it is hoped they will be purified further. Analysis of the exudate reveals some substances, which appear to be polypeptide in some cases and proteins in others, capable of reproducing the same effect as the whole exudate. Blood serum fails to show the presence of these substances unless there is a concomitant inflammation. This would indicate that presumably these substances penetrate from the site of injury into the circulation, for in the early stage of an inflammation they are absent from the blood, whereas they can already be detected at the site of an acute inflammation1.
The grid and future visualization system architectures

The promise of grid computing, particularly grid-enabled visualization, is a transparent, interconnected fabric to link data sources, computing (visualization) resources, and users into widely distributed virtual organizations. The grid's purpose is to tackle increasingly complex problems. However, a wide gulf exists between current visualization technologies and the vision of global, grid-enabled visualization capabilities. Here, we discuss our views of how visualization technology must evolve to offer true effectiveness in a grid environment.
Uniformity of the temperature gradient in the turbulent counterflow of He II

A specially fabricated tube was used to study the uniformity of the temperature gradient in the turbulent counterflow of He II. The tube has a high-aspect-ratio rectangular cross section and has six thermometers embedded in one wall and evenly spaced along the length. The temperature gradient in one section of the tube was anomalously small and this effect was traced to an imperfection in the tube. Over most of the flow tube the gradient was found to be consistently uniform under a wide variety of conditions. These results are in accord with a superfluid turbulent state that is axially homogeneous. The complexity of the data in the vicinity of the imperfection suggests that such boundary effects contribute to the results of earlier experimental studies of uniformity. The major cause of discrepancy, however, can probably be traced to entrance length effects.
A highly conserved epitope on the spike protein of infectious bronchitis virus

The predicted amino acid sequence and secondary structures of S1 of the spike protein (S) of infectious bronchitis viral (IBV) strains from Europe, the U.S.A., and Japan were compared. An antigenic determinant that was highly conserved in both the primary amino acid sequence and secondary structure of all strains was identified between amino acid positions 240 to 255. A synthesized peptide corresponding to this region was found to react with all polyclonal antisera examined from various IBV strains and with one monoclonal antibody (MAb), 9B1B6, out of nine known to react with the S of Gray. The specificity of the interaction with MAb 9B1B6 was confirmed by competitive ELISA using bound and unbound peptide. Interestingly, the previously described epitope for 9B1B6 had been characterized as cross-reactive with several strains of IBV, as conformation-independent but reacting only with intact whole S, and as associated with the functional integrity of other epitopes, including neutralizing epitopes on the S protein. The apparent critical functional and structural nature of this highly immunogenic determinant suggests a potential contribution in developing protective, cross-reactive subunit vaccines to IBV.
Effects of N-methylacetamide and splenectomy on RF murine myeloid leukemia☆

Abstract The administration of N-methylacetamide to mice with myeloid leukemia results in significant prolongation of the survival. This therapeutic effect is independent of the presence of the spleen indicating that NMA affects leukemic cells proliferating in other organs. Additionally, splenectomy before or after passage of the leukemia did not alter the course of the disease.