cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of nuclear testing from surface concentration measurements: Analysis of radioxenon from the February 2013 underground test in North Korea

Abstract A method is outlined and tested to detect low level nuclear or chemical sources from time series of concentration measurements. The method uses a mesoscale atmospheric model to simulate the concentration signature from a known or suspected source at a receptor which is then regressed successively against segments of the measurement series to create time series of metrics that measure the goodness of fit between the signatures and the measurement segments. The method was applied to radioxenon data from the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) collection site in Ussuriysk, Russia (RN58) after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) underground nuclear test on February 12, 2013 near Punggye. The metrics were found to be a good screening tool to locate data segments with a strong likelihood of origin from Punggye, especially when multiplied together to a determine the joint probability. Metrics from RN58 were also used to find the probability that activity measured in February and April of 2013 originated from the Feb 12 test. A detailed analysis of an RN58 data segment from April 3/4, 2013 was also carried out for a grid of source locations around Punggye and identified Punggye as the most likely point of origin. Thus, the results support the strong possibility that radioxenon was emitted from the test site at various times in April and was detected intermittently at RN58, depending on the wind direction. The method does not locate unsuspected sources, but instead, evaluates the probability of a source at a specified location. However, it can be extended to include a set of suspected sources. Extension of the method to higher resolution data sets, arbitrary sampling, and time-varying sources is discussed along with a path to evaluate uncertainty in the calculated probabilities.
Quantum interference and complex photon statistics in waveguide QED

We obtain photon statistics by using a quantum jump approach tailored to a system in which one or two qubits are coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide. Photons confined in the waveguide have strong interference effects, which are shown to play a vital role in quantum jumps and photon statistics. For a single qubit, for instance, the bunching of transmitted photons is heralded by a jump that increases the qubit population. We show that the distribution and correlations of waiting times offer a clearer and more precise characterization of photon bunching and antibunching. Further, the waiting times can be used to characterize complex correlations of photons which are hidden in ${g}^{(2)}(\ensuremath{\tau})$, such as a mixture of bunching and antibunching.
Nonlinear multiphysics and multiscale modeling of dynamic ferromagnetic-thermal problems

A coupled ferromagnetic–thermal solver is developed for the multiphysics and multiscale modeling and simulation of nonlinear magnetic materials in the time domain. By adopting a temperature-dependent dynamic hysteresis model, the power loss is characterized and calculated from the solution of Maxwell's equations, which serves as the heat source for the thermal problem. By solving the thermal problem, the temperature change is obtained, and its effect on the magnetic material property can be quantified, which is then coupled back to Maxwell's equations. Due to different temporal characteristics of the electromagnetic fields and the thermal response, the resulting coupled ferromagnetic–thermal system has two significantly different time scales. Such a temporal multiscale issue is addressed with a proposed multiscale time integration method to account for the multiscale coupling between the two physics. With the proposed multiphysics and multiscale modeling method, both the electromagnetic fields and the the...
The forgotten cause of hypertension: A case report and literature review of the prevalence, diagnosis and management of primary aldosteronism

In recent years, primary aldosteronism (PA) has been found to have a much higher prevalence than previously thought, especially among those with resistant hypertension. As hypertension has become a prominent public health issue affecting billions of people, the number of patients potentially affected by PA is a significant. Current medical and surgical therapies for PA are highly effective, and as untreated PA can lead to significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality this stresses the importance of astute diagnosis and management on part of physicians. We present a case of a patient presenting with cardiovascular complications of untreated primary aldosteronism and review recent guidelines regarding screening, diagnosis, and management.
Human N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II substrate recognition uses a modular architecture that includes a convergent exosite

Asn-linked oligosaccharides are extensively modified during transit through the secretory pathway, first by trimming of the nascent glycan chains and subsequently by initiating and extending multiple oligosaccharide branches from the trimannosyl glycan core. Trimming and branching pathway steps are highly ordered and hierarchal based on the precise substrate specificities of the individual biosynthetic enzymes. A key committed step in the synthesis of complex-type glycans is catalyzed by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (MGAT2), an enzyme that generates the second GlcNAcβ1,2- branch from the trimannosyl glycan core using UDP-GlcNAc as the sugar donor. We determined the structure of human MGAT2 as a Mn2+-UDP donor analog complex and as a GlcNAcMan3GlcNAc2-Asn acceptor complex to reveal the structural basis for substrate recognition and catalysis. The enzyme exhibits a GT-A Rossmann-like fold that employs conserved divalent cation-dependent substrate interactions with the UDP-GlcNAc donor. MGAT2 interactions with the extended glycan acceptor are distinct from other related glycosyltransferases. These interactions are composed of a catalytic subsite that binds the Man-α1,6- monosaccharide acceptor and a distal exosite pocket that binds the GlcNAc-β1,2Man-α1,3Manβ- substrate “recognition arm.” Recognition arm interactions are similar to the enzyme–substrate interactions for Golgi α-mannosidase II, a glycoside hydrolase that acts just before MGAT2 in the Asn-linked glycan biosynthetic pathway. These data suggest that substrate binding by MGAT2 employs both conserved and convergent catalytic subsite modules to provide substrate selectivity and catalysis. More broadly, the MGAT2 active-site architecture demonstrates how glycosyltransferases create complementary modular templates for regiospecific extension of glycan structures in mammalian cells.
Interpartner Fit and Its Performance Implications: A Four-Case Study of U.S.-China Joint Ventures

In previous research on international joint ventures, a commonly accepted conceptualization and operationalization of interpartner fit is lacking. As a result, empirical studies have either failed to confirm theoretical predictions or produced inconsistent findings that are difficult to reconcile. Using a multiple-case method, this study developed a model in which interpartner fit is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct consisting of the compatibility between the partners strategic objectives, contribution and joint management of critical resources, consensus on the venture's operating culture and strategy, and structure of relative bargaining power and control over the venture's operation. The longitudinal case studies demonstrated the relationship between interpartner fit and joint venture performance and also revealed the rich dynamics and changes in interpartner fit'misfit over time.
The potentiometric titration of surfactants and soaps using ion-selective electrodes

Several quaternary ammonium halides have been evaluated for the precipitation titration of anionic surfactants and soaps. The titrants were hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride and bromide, hexadecylpyridinium chloride, and diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyl(dimethyl)benzylammonium chloride. Hexadecylpyridinium chloride yielded the highest precision and largest potentiometric break. Titrations were monitored with a commercically available fluoroborate ion-selective indicator electrode and a double-junction reference electrode. Commercially available perchlorate, nitrate, and calcium electrodes may also be used for emf monitoring. This obviates the need of preparing special liquid membrane or other electrodes mostly used heretofore in the potentiometric titration of surfactants and soaps. Electrophoresis purity reagent sodium dodecylsulfate is recommended for the standardization of the quaternary ammonium halides. The reverse titration, of cationic surfactants vs. standard sodium dodecylsulfate, is similarly feasible.
Limitations of Managerial Communication Research: No Significantly Different Methods Explore Status and Sex of Managers

This is an abbreviated report of a two phase research project. The goal of the first phase of this research was to describe and analyze relationships among status, sex, and use of communication control behaviors of corporate middle managers. The second phase explored the relationship of the findings to communication accuracy measures. The manager is the linchpin of the organization and as such his/her job is to communicate. Because of the centrality of the manager in communication networks, much can be learned from researching effective and efficient managerial communication action.
Self-Study Research in the Context of Teacher Education Programs

This chapter summarizes selected peer-reviewed studies as a backdrop from which to examine issues surrounding research conducted within one’s own teacher education classroom or program. Although the field of self-study research has developed an international cadre of proponents who are engaged in serious and important investigations of teacher education, researchers have not yet begun to address their connectedness to the county, the state, the nation, or the world. The values and practices held by self-study researchers, who have long championed the concept of data-based reflections on practice and who argue that qualitative investigations by “insider” practitioners give us access to knowledge that no other paradigm can or does, are clearly influenced by the larger social context, but it is entirely possible that the influence is not multi-directional. The chapter offers an argument that although programs, courses, and participants are embedded within political, social, and historical contexts, current self-study researchers most often focus only on the individual and her/his students, thus diminishing the potential for wider relevance of the research.
Direct toxicity of insulin on the human placenta and protection by metformin

Objective To study the effects of insulin and metformin on primary trophoblasts from early pregnancies. Design Experimental in vitro study. Setting Academic research institute. Patient(s) Trophoblasts from healthy patients undergoing first trimester elective termination of pregnancy and primary lung fibroblasts (IMR-90). Intervention(s) Culture and treatment with insulin and metformin of primary trophoblasts and primary lung fibroblasts (IMR-90). Main Outcome Measure(s) DNA damage measured by expression of γ-H2AX with immunofluorescence and Western blot. Apoptosis measured by expression of cleaved caspase-3 by Western blot. Cell survival measured by cell proliferation assay. Result(s) Culture of purified primary trophoblast cells in the presence of insulin at levels as low as 1 nM resulted in a 386% increase in the number of cell with elevated γ-H2AX expression, a 66% reduction in cell survival and a marked increase of cleaved caspase-3 expression. Pretreatment of trophoblasts with therapeutic doses of metformin prevented the detrimental effects of insulin. Treatment with insulin and/or metformin had no effects on primary fibroblasts. Conclusion(s) Elevated insulin levels are directly toxic to first trimester trophoblasts and result in increased DNA damage, apoptosis, and decreased cell survival. These effects are prevented by metformin. Trophoblast cells from early pregnancy are uniquely vulnerable to elevated levels of insulin. These findings, if confirmed in vivo, suggest that there may be a role for insulin resistance screening before attempting pregnancy and for focusing on prevention of hyperinsulinemia during early pregnancy.
Higher quality quit-date goal setting enhances quit attempts among quitline callers.

INTRODUCTION At tobacco quitlines, coaching and cessation medications are commonly structured around setting a date for making a quit attempt. However, limited literature evaluating this practice suggests that callers do not routinely set quit-date goals. High quality goal setting may increase the frequency of caller quit attempts. In this study, we examine the quality of quit-date goal setting and its association with in-program quit attempts and the timing of callers' first quit attempt. METHODS Using call recordings, we scored the quality of quit-date goal setting among 90 callers enrolled at Arizona Smokers' Helpline between August and December 2017. The primary exposure was quality of quit-date goal setting assessed using the Lorencatto et al. rating scale. Coding reliability was assessed using Cohen's kappa. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between quality of goal setting and in-program quit attempts (>24 h tobacco free). RESULTS The mean quality goal setting score was 3.1 (range: -3 to 7). Sixty-nine callers (77%) set a quit date and 39 (43%) made a quit attempt. Compared to callers who experienced low-quality goal setting, the adjusted odds of in-program quitting for high quality goal setting was AOR=3.98 (95% CI: 1.55-10.20) and for making a quit attempt within two weeks OR=6.23 (95% CI: 1.52-25.49). CONCLUSIONS Quit-date goal setting is an important element of quitline services and callers benefit from high quality quit-date goal setting. Quitlines should establish quality improvement measures to ensure that coaches are trained to provide high quality quit-date goal setting opportunities to all callers.
Nasal Reconstruction Using the Integra Dermal Regeneration Template

The reconstruction of nasal defects following oncologic resection has traditionally involved the use of locoregional flaps or full-thickness skin grafts. However, these options are not always feasible because of limitations in donor tissues, defect size or shape, oncologic issues, or patient preference. Reconstruction in this setting has been limited and unsatisfactory. In this report, the authors present their experience in reconstruction of nasal defects using the dermal regeneration template Integra. In most cases, reconstruction with Integra enabled a single-stage, satisfactory reconstruction. The authors present a simple, standardized technique for application and postoperative care, which has resulted in good aesthetic outcomes. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Therapeutic, IV.
Value of β2-Level and Plasma Cell Labeling Indices as Prognostic Factors in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Myeloma

Beta2-microglobulin (β2M) has been proposed as a prognostic factor in multiple myeloma (MM), but β2M levels are reported to correlate with other prognostic indicators such as stage and creatinine level. This study addressed the independent prognostic values of these and other variables, including plasma cell labeling indices (LI), in patients with newly diagnosed MM. β2M levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. LI were determined with a [3H]thymidine autoradiography method. By multivariate analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the uncorrected β2M level remained the most significant prognostic factor after adjustment for age. Stage and creatinine level were closely related to β2M level and were no longer predictive of outcome after adjustment for age and β2M. Plasma cell LI varied independently of β2M level and remained predictive. A subset of patients with plasmablastic myeloma had poor survival since β2M level and plasma cell LI were high. By using β2M level and LI, three risk groups were defined: low (β2M 0.4%, median survival 29 months); and high (β2M > 4 μg/mL. median survival 12 months). Such grouping may better identify MM patients who might benefit from new treatment regimens.
New Market Entrants and Uncertain Drug Policy in the United States

This article covers two substances that are becoming particularly prevalent in consumer markets across the country, Delta-8 THC and kratom. It introduces each substance and provides an analysis of the legal landscape that each substance currently faces in the United States, including an overview of relevant statutory law and regulatory efforts at both the federal and state level. Finally, the article provides policy concerns that legislatures and regulatory agencies should take into consideration when approaching the regulation of these substances, as well as, other novel substances that share similar qualities.
Calibrating Low-Cost Sensors for Ambient Air Monitoring: Techniques, Trends, and Challenges.

Low-cost sensors (LCSs) are widely acknowledged for bringing a paradigm shift in supplemental traditional air monitoring by air regulatory agencies. However, there is concern regarding its data quality and performance stability, which has greatly restricted its large-scale applications. Knowing the recent techniques, progress, and challenges of LCS calibration is of immense significance to promote the field of environmental monitoring. By summarizing the published evidence, this review shows that the global sensor market is rapidly expanding due to the surging needs, but the calibration efforts have been focused on a limited selection of sensors. Relative humidity correction, regression, and machine learning are the three mainstream calibration techniques. Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution, a feature of the latest research tendency is machine learning. The duration of calibration is largely neglected in the experiment design, but it is found to affect the performance of different calibration methods, especially those that are data-driven. Geographically, China and the United States gained the most research attention in the sensor calibration field, but the spatial mismatch between particulate matter hotspots and calibration sites is quite evident for the rest of the world. Incomplete and unevenly distributed research footprints could limit the large-scale test of method generalizability, as well as diminish the monitoring capacity in underserved areas that suffer greater environmental justice crises. In general, model performance is enhanced by including the key influencing factors, but the degree of improvement is not evidently related to the number of explanatory variables. Overall, studies prove the critical importance of field calibration before sensor deployment, but more studies are needed to establish experiment protocols that can be customized to specific needs.
A three-step enantioselective synthesis of (+)- and (−)-α-thujone

The stereocontrolled three-step synthesis of either enantiomer of α-thujone from commercially available 3-methyl-1-butyne is described. The enantioselectivity originates from a Brown crotylation which is then conferred to the all-carbon quaternary center via chirality transfer in a gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization. The route is highly atom economical and requires no protecting groups or redox manipulations.
Increased biologically effective dose (BED) to the primary tumor is associated with improved survival in patients with oligometastatic NSCLC

Abstract Purpose Local consolidative therapy (LCT) for oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an evolving treatment paradigm. We investigated whether the biologically effective dose (BED) of consolidative radiation therapy (RT) to the primary tumor predicted for improved local control, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) among NSCLC patients presenting with oligometastatic disease. Materials and methods Patients presenting to a single institution (2000–2017) with stage IV NSCLC, ≤3 synchronous metastatic lesions at diagnosis, and treated with RT to the primary tumor were identified. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression modeling were performed to identify factors associated with local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), PFS, and OS. Results One hundred twenty-four patients were identified meeting our inclusion criteria. With a median follow-up of 55.1 months, median PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 11.0 months and 25.3 months, respectively. The median BED (α/β = 10) of RT to the primary tumor was 74.3 Gy. On univariate analysis, increased BED to the primary tumor predicted for improved PFS (p Conclusions We found that delivery of >75 Gy BED RT regimens to the primary lesion in patients with synchronous oligometastatic NSCLC is associated with improved local control, PFS, and OS. These data support results of recent prospective trials and other ongoing prospective efforts to characterize therapeutic benefits associated with this management strategy.
Soil Erosion and Sediment Transport from Gullies

Field observations of four gullied watersheds, 74 acres to 150 acres (30 ha-61 ha) in size, showed that gully erosion was one-fifth of the total sediment yield during a 9-yr period. Erosion rates were dependent upon mass wasting of loessial gully banks and headcuts. For the nonconservation watersheds, tractive forces exerted by runoff on the channel boundary did not detach appreciable amounts of undisturbed soil but were more than adequate to entrain the soil debris yielded by mass-wasting processes. Gully erosion was minimal on conservation watersheds; the runoff was generally below the levels required for gully debris removal, and the degree of slope was reduced to a stable value. Soil mechanics principles, applied to strength/stability aspects of gully banks in western Iowa, indicate that the height of the water table, soil cohesive strength, and rate of water infiltration are controlling factors. Initial field and laboratory model experiments have provided insight into variables that affect the mass-wasting process.
Types of costing

This chapter discusses the types of costing. The cost of any product, good, or service is defined as the cost of a finished product, good, or service built up from its cost elements. Job costing is a form of specific order costing that applies where work is undertaken to customers' special requirements and each order is of comparatively short duration. Batch costing is a form of specific order costing that applies where similar articles are manufactured in batches either for sale or for use within the undertaking. Job costing can be characterized by a single product or service. Continuous operation/process costing is defined as the basic costing method applicable where goods or services result from a sequence of continuous or repetitive operations or processes to which costs are charged before being averaged over the units produced during the period. Service industries per se , such as automobile maintenance, hotel and catering, transport, computer systems, and operation tend to operate systems very similar to those of manufacturing.
Rotorcraft Researchers and Operators-Is There a Common Ground?

An investigation is conducted concerning the extent to which a program for rotorcraft research presented by NASA meets the user needs. Problems of civil operators are examined, taking into account powerplants, reliability and maintainability, environment, noise and vibration, and lack of space for passengers' baggage. A description of applicable technology is provided, giving attention to aerodynamics and structures, propulsion, power transfer methodology, flight control, avionic systems, human factors, and vehicle configurations. One of the most difficult challenges in trying to bring research to bear on operator problems is that in general researchers are working on long-term solutions while operators are seeking short-term answers. Attention is also given to potential technological bright spots, higher risk technologies, highest technological risks, and advanced vehicle configurations.
Multiple representations of biological processes

This paper describes representations of biological processes based on Rewriting Logic and Petri net formalisms and mappings between these representations used in the Pathway Logic Assistant. The mappings are shown to preserve properties of interest. In addition a relevant subnet transformation is defined, that specializes a Petri net model to a specific query to reduce the number of transitions that must be considered when answering the query. The transformation is shown to preserve the query in the sense that no answers are lost.
Evolutionary biology. Cooperation can be dangerous.

In social situations, opportunities arise for some individuals to take advantage of others. This happens in wild populations of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum.
Trauma radiology: Part V. Imaging of acute cervical spine trauma.

Cervical spine injury constitutes a major cause of morbidity resulting from trauma. The consequences of a missed “significant” injury can be devastating for the patient and can create potential med...
Chemotaxis kinase CheA is activated by three neighbouring chemoreceptor dimers as effectively as by receptor clusters.

Chemoreceptors are central to bacterial chemotaxis. These transmembrane homodimers form trimers of dimers. Trimers form clusters of a few to thousands of receptors. A crucial receptor function is 100-fold activation, in signaling complexes, of sensory histidine kinase CheA. Significant activation has been shown to require more than one receptor dimer but the number required for full activation was unknown. We investigated this issue using Nanodiscs, soluble, nanoscale (~10 nm diameter) plugs of lipid bilayer, to limit the number of neighboring receptors contributing to activation. Utilizing size-exclusion chromatography, we separated primary preparations of receptor-containing Nanodiscs, otherwise heterogeneous for number and orientation of inserted receptors, into fractions enriched for specific numbers of dimers per disc. Fractionated, clarified Nanodiscs carrying ~5 dimers per disc were as effective in activating kinase as native membrane vesicles containing many neighboring dimers. At five independently inserted dimers per disc, every disc would have at least three dimers oriented in parallel and thus able act together as they would in native membrane. We conclude full kinase activation involves interaction of CheA with groups of three receptor dimers, presumably as a trimer of dimers, and that more extensive interactions among receptors are not necessary for full kinase activation.
Social Capital, Religion, Wal-Mart, and Hate Groups in America*

Objective The recent surge in hate group activity is a concern to many citizens and policymakers. We examine the roles of socioeconomic factors measured at the county level that are hypothesized to account for the presence of such groups, including social capital and religious affiliations. Methods We estimate a Poisson regression model using counts of hate groups provided by the Southern Poverty Law Center for each of the over 3,000 U.S. counties. Our regressors include a wider set of variables than has been considered in previous studies, such as Jefferson and Pryor (1999). Results Our approach produces a better statistical fit than that in Jefferson and Pryor's paper, and the additional regressors contribute significantly to our understanding of hate groups. Conclusion Both social capital stocks and religious affiliation exert an independent and statistically significant influence on the number of hate groups, as does the presence of Wal-Mart stores, holding other factors constant.
Leucine-rich repeat-mediated intramolecular interactions in nematode recognition and cell death signaling by the tomato resistance protein Mi

The root-knot nematode resistance gene Mi from tomato encodes a nucleotide-binding/leucine-rich repeat (NB/LRR) protein with a novel amino-terminal domain compared to related disease-resistance genes. The closely linked paralog Mi-1.1, which does not confer nematode resistance, encodes a protein 91% identical to the functional copy, Mi-1.2. The chimeric construct Mi-DS3, which encodes the 161 amino-terminal residues from Mi-1.1 fused to the remainder of Mi-1.2, induces localized necrosis when transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. We produced mutant constructs that exchanged sequences encoding each of the 40 amino acid differences from the Mi-1.1 LRR region into Mi-DS3 and into Mi-1.2. For 23 of the substitutions, necrosis was lost upon transient expression of the mutated Mi-DS3 in N. benthamiana, and nematode resistance was lost when the altered Mi-1.2 was expressed in the tomato roots. One substitution, R961D, failed to give Mi-DS3-induced necrosis, but produced a dominant lethal phenotype when introduced into Mi-1.2. This gain-of-function phenotype was suppressed by co-expression with the amino-terminal region of Mi-1.1, suggesting that residue 961 is critical for negative regulation by the corresponding N-terminal region. Substitutions of Mi-1.1 residues 984-986 retained the ability to cause necrosis in Mi-DS3, but resulted in loss-of-nematode resistance in Mi-1.2, suggesting that these residues are essential for nematode recognition. None of the loss-of-function mutations in Mi-1.2 had a dominant negative phenotype. These results indicate that the Mi-1.2 LRR is involved in regulation of the transmission of the resistance response as well as in recognition of the nematode.
Large band-gap bowing inCu1−xAgxGaS2chalcopyrite semiconductors and its effect on optical parameters

The band-gap bowing in the ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ag}}_{x}\mathrm{Ga}{\mathrm{S}}_{2}$ chalcopyrite alloy is studied using the full-potential linearized muffin-tin orbital method combined with various structural models, including so-called special quasirandom structures. The calculations confirm a large band-gap bowing $(\ensuremath{\sim}0.7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV})$ in agreement with recent experimental results. It is found that the large bowing in part arises from a nonlinear behavior of the $c∕a$ ratio with concentration. Layered structures are found to have similar bowing to special quasirandom structures. The nonlinear band-gap behavior also leads to a nonlinear behavior of the index of refraction and the second-order nonlinear optical susceptibility with concentration. The maximum ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(2)}$ is found for a 50% alloy and is calculated to be about $27\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{pm}∕\mathrm{V}$.
THE JUVENILE HORMONE -- IV. ITS EXTRACTION, ASSAY, AND PURIFICATION.

Juvenile hormone was extracted with ether from homogenized abdomens of male Cecropia and Cynthia moths. The ether extract was washed with water and evaporated to dryness to yield a golden, non-toxic oil which was highly active when tested for juvenile hormone. The hormone was assayed by injection into previously chilled pupae of the Polyphemus silkworm or by topical application to the tips of the abdomens of previously chilled Cynthia pupae. After 2–3 weeks at 25°C, the activity was scored in terms of the degree to which pupal characters were preserved during adult development. The hormone was concentrated by repeated extraction into methanol, gentle alkaline saponification, silicic acid chromatography, and crystallization of impurities. A combination of these procedures gave approximately 4000-fold purification. Gas-liquid chromatography of the purified oil provided an active fraction which appeared to be nearly homogeneous by analytical gas-liquid chromatography. This fraction was active at the level of less than 0·3–0·4 μg per 5 g test animal, corresponding to a purification of the original extract by at least 50,000-fold. The major component of this fraction was examined by mass spectrometry and shown to be an epoxide of methyl hexadecanoate. Methyl dl 9,10-cis and methyl dl 9,10-trans epoxyhexadecanoate were synthesized and shown to be completely inactive. The mass spectra of the synthetic compounds could not be distinguished from that of the most active hormone fraction obtained by gas-liquid chromatography. Evidently, the hormonally active substance constitutes only a small part of the most active fraction, the rest being the above-mentioned inactive epoxy ester which accompanies the hormone throughout the purification procedure. The chemical nature of juvenile hormone is unknown. We estimate that the purified Cecropia extract is at least 1000 times more active than any of the isoprenoid derivatives which have previously been reported.
Spatial Competition Amongst Hierarchically Organized Corporations: Prices, Profits, and Shipment Patterns

In recent years, there have been computational and theoretical advances in the analysis both of the equilibrium and of the disequilibrium properties of pricing models in which spatial markets are dominated by autonomous firms engaged in oligopolistic competition. In this paper I develop an approach to the modeling of spatial pricing that transcends the unrealistic institutional simplification that firms are autonomous and independent of corporate organizational structures. Specifically, I hypothesize that competition between corporations takes place at two spatial scales. At the intraurban scale, corporations compete for market share through their franchise sites, where market share is contingent upon the nature and degree of competition between franchises, the spatial structure of the urban market, and the costs of production to the franchise. At the intraurban scale, competition is defined in terms of the strategies of the individual corporations as they adjust their delivered prices to urban markets in...
The immunosuppressive agent mizoribine monophosphate forms a transition state analogue complex with inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase.

Mizoribine monophosphate (MZP) is the active metabolite of the immunosuppressive agent mizoribine and a potent inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH). This enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of IMP to XMP with the concomitant reduction of NAD via a covalent intermediate at Cys319 (E-XMP*). Surprisingly, mutational analysis indicates that MZP is a transition state analogue although its structure does not resemble that of the expected transition state. Here we report the X-ray crystal structure of the E·MZP complex at 2.0 A resolution that reveals a transition state-like structure and solves the mechanistic puzzle of the IMPDH reaction. The protein assumes a new conformation where a flap folds into the NAD site and MZP, Cys319, and a water molecule are arranged in a geometry resembling the transition state. The water appears to be activated by interactions with a conserved Arg418−Tyr419 dyad. Mutagenesis experiments confirm that this new closed conformation is required for the hydrolysis of E-XMP*, but not for ...
3-Hydroxy-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-5-azabenzo-1,2,3-triazene†

The known but long-neglected compound HODhat was shown to be in certain situations a useful peptide coupling additive. Uronium and phosphonium salts with HODhat built into the system were also useful stand-alone coupling reagents. Comparisons with related additives and coupling reagents showed that the new systems were sometimes more and sometimes less effective than previously described systems in the case of stepwise and segment couplings. Applications to assembly of the model decapeptide ACP showed that HDATU was far more effective than HDTU and more effective than HATU under some conditions.
Reflections on 30+ years of smoking cessation research: from the individual to the world

This is a personal retrospective in which I describe my career as a smoking cessation researcher and place cessation into an overall perspective of tobacco reduction. I spent approximately the first 15 years focusing primarily upon small group approaches to cessation emphasising relatively intensive behavioural interventions. It became apparent, however, that these types of approaches in isolation, even if broadly disseminated, would have relatively minimal impact on overall tobacco use. In part because I became discouraged with the potential of group programmes to reduce overall smoking prevalence, I began to focus more on population-based studies, especially in the context of ‘teachable moments’ including pregnancy, hospitalisation, forced abstinence in the military and existing smoking-related disease. I became concerned especially with the fact that there has been relatively little work with hard-core medically compromised smokers. It also became apparent that promoting cessation would be most likely ...
The Early Evolution of the Genetic Code

Together, research into different components of the translation apparatus is beginning to paint a consistent picture of how the genetic code might have evolved. The primordial code, influenced by direct interactions between bases and amino acids probably dates back to the RNA world or earlier. The invention of tRNAs and ribozyme-based aaRSs made this mapping indirect, allowing swapping of amino acids between codons and hence a level of optimization. Additionally, the code probably underwent a process of expansion from relatively few amino acids to the modern complement of 20. By the time protein aaRSs took over, translation was probably well developed; however, some amino acids, such as Gln, Asn, and Trp, may postdate the first protein aaRSs. Today, laboratory experiments that alter the specificity of aaRSs for amino acids and/or tRNA isoacceptors recapitulate some of these processes. Finally, changes to both tRNAs and release factors produced the range of modern codes, particularly through posttranscriptional base modification and changes in release factors. This diversity of events suggests that an explanation for the fixation of the canonical code in the LUCA will require more historical reconstruction than reasoning from chemical principles.*E-mail: rdknight@princeton.edu (R. D. K.), lfl@princeton.edu (L. F. L.)
Idiopathic infantile cardiomyopathy with involvement of the conduction system.

Abstract A 2 year old girl died of heart failure after recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia. At autopsy, portions of the subendocardium of the left ventricular septum, bundle of His, left bundle branch and trabecular muscles were replaced or compressed by masses of lipid-filled cells. Five additional reported cases, all with similar clinical and pathologic features, are reviewed.
Clothing as a thermal comfort moderator and the effect on energy consumption

Abstract An algorithm describing occupant clothing changes in response to thermal comfort was incorporated into a computer model for predicting the thermal conditions and resulting energy consumption of an office space. This model was used to investigate the effect of different levels of clothing flexibility on thermal comfort and energy consumption. Clothing flexibility was a very effective way of maintaining thermal comfort, and more effective than any fixed clothing ensemble. As clothing flexibility increased, a higher cooling set point and a lower heating set point could be adopted without affecting thermal comfort, but realising significant energy savings. The results illustrate the effect that consideration of occupant behaviour can have on simulation output, suggesting that recommendations for building operation based on the assumption of passive occupants may be sub-optimal.
Comparative pathogenicity of vesicular stomatitis virus and its plaque type mutants

Mutants obtained after exposure of VSV to ultraviolet light can be grouped by plaque size on primary chick fibroblast monolayers. W+ forms a large plaque on CEF and also plaques with similar eop on HeLa, L and PK cells. The eop on HeLa cells for the small plaque type mutants varied from 0.01 to 0.10. The intermediate plaque size mutants showed a similar eop on HeLa monolayers as did the wild-type virus. Intracerebral infection of 4.4 to 7.4 PPU of W+ or the intermediate plaque size mutants killed mice, however, mice did not succumb to infection of about 1 × 106 PPU of the small plaque type mutants. Growth curves of W+ and the small plaque type mutant in vivo are described.
3-Deoxyclocinnamox: the first high-affinity, nonpeptide mu-opioid antagonist lacking a phenolic hydroxyl group.

The C3-substituent in morphinan opioids is of critical importance; the 3-OH group is usually associated with very much higher affinity for μ-receptors than H or −OMe. However in this series of 14β-cinnamoylamino derivatives the codeinones (e.g. methoclocinnamox, MC-CAM) had unexpectedly high μ-opioid receptor affinity, similar to that of the morphinone (clocinnamox, C-CAM). The current report relates to the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of deoxyclocinnamox (DOC-CAM) which acted as a high-affinity opioid antagonist similar to C-CAM but with greater μ selectivity. Thus it appears that the C3-substituent does not play a major role in the binding of the 14β-cinnamoyl series and that the cinnamoyl group itself may in fact be the dominant binding feature.
Arterial underfilling does not cause sodium retention in cirrhosis

Abstract purpose: To test the peripheral arterial vasodilation hypothesis of sodium retention in cirrhosis. This states that sodium retention is triggered by arterial underfilling and predicts that development of sodium retention will be associated with significant and related declines in indices of arterial filling that reverse when sodium retention resolves. design: Longitudinal evaluation of a cohort of patients with alcoholic liver disease. patients and methods: Eighteen men, 8 of whom were studied twice, 3 three times, 2 four times, and 5 five times (40 between-study comparisons). Between 23 studies, the patients were ascites-free (Group NN). Ascites spontaneously disappeared between seven studies (Group YN), appeared between six studies (Group NY), and remained present between four studies (Group YY). Between-study changes in blood volume, arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, left atrial volume, left ventricular diastolic diameter, aortic root diameter, aortic blood velocity, plasma norepinephrine and atrial natriuretic factor concentrations, plasma renin activity, and urinary sodium excretion were evaluated by paired t-tests. These changes were also compared among groups by analysis of variance. In addition, correlations among the changes were sought. results: Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures, left ventricular diastolic diameter, aortic root diameter, stroke volume, cardiac output, plasma norepinephrine concentration, and systemic vascular resistance were unchanged between studies. Left atrial volume increased between studies in Group NY. Pulse pressure fell more in Group NY than in Groups NN and YN, principally as a result of a decline in systol ic blood pressure. Plasma norepinephrine concentration, plasma renin activity, and blood volume rose more in Group NY than in Groups NN, YN, and YY. Changes in both systolic and pulse pressures were directly correlated with the change in sodium excretion but unrelated to the change in plasma norepinephrine concentration. Changes in plasma norepinephrine concentration and plasma renin activity were unrelated to changes in blood pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and urinary sodium excretion. conclusions: None of the indices of arterial filling tested except pulse pressure were related to sodium retention. Reduced pulse pressure is inconsistent with arterial underfilling, as peripheral vasodilation instead increases pulse pressure by increasing diastolic run-off. These data do not support the hypothesis that arterial underfilling is the stimulus for sodium retention in alcoholic cirrhosis.
Room-temperature ferromagnetism in Cu-doped ZnO thin films

A series of copper-doped zinc oxide films were grown by pulsed-laser ablation. Films grown under conditions that produced n-type ZnO were nonmagnetic while those grown under conditions that produced p-type were ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature above 350 K. The magnetic moment per copper atom decreased as the copper concentration increased. An explanation for this result is proposed based on the distance between nearest-neighbor copper atoms.
A Testing Effect with Multimedia Learning

A testing effect occurs when a learner performs better on a retention test after studying the material and taking a practice-retention test than after studying the material twice. In the present study, 282 participants watched a narrated animation about lightning formation and then watched the presentation again (restudy), took a practice-retention test (practice-retention), or took a practice-transfer test (practice-transfer). First, the testing effect was replicated with multimedia material, such that the practice-retention group outperformed the restudy group on a delayed retention test. Second, a testing effect was found for taking a practice-transfer test, such that the practice-transfer group outperformed the restudy group on a delayed transfer test. Third, the results supported a transfer-appropriate processing explanation of the testing effect, in which the practice-retention group outperformed the practice-transfer group on delayed retention but the opposite pattern was obtained on delayed transfer.
Vesicoureteral reflux: surgical approaches

The treatment of vesicoureteral reflux has evolved over the past half-century from primarily surgical to nonoperative treatments. Although the benefits of surgical correction versus medical management are debated, the surgical techniques that have evolved are highly effective in correcting vesicoureteral reflux. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved an injectable implant of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer for use in children, making the endoscopic treatment of reflux a potential alternative to open surgical correction. This article reviews the different surgical techniques,postoperative management, and complications, as well as the various implants used in the endoscopic correction of vesicoureteral reflux and their outcomes.
Seeking the Ideal Form: Product Design and Consumer Response:

The physical form or design of a product is an unquestioned determinant of its marketplace success. A good design attracts consumers to a product, communicates to them, and adds value to the produc...
HyMR: a hybrid MapReduce workflow system

Many distributed computing models have been developed for high performance processing of large scale scientific data. Among them, MapReduce is a popular and widely used fine grain parallel runtime. Workflows integrate and coordinate distributed and heterogeneous components to solve the computation problem which may contain several MapReduce jobs. However, existing workflow solutions have limited supports for important features such as fault tolerance and efficient execution for iterative applications. In this paper, we propose HyMR: a hybrid MapReduce workflow system based on two different MapReduce frameworks. HyMR optimizes scheduling for individual jobs and supports fault tolerance for the entire workflow pipeline. A distributed file system is used for fast data sharing between jobs. We compare a pipeline using HyMR with the workflow model based on a single MapReduce framework. Our results show that the hybrid model achieves a higher efficiency.
Polymer chain entanglements and brittle fracture: 2. Autohesion of linear polymers

Abstract The influence of chain entanglements on the autohesion of linear polymers was investigated using a stochastic model. The fracture energy of a polymer interface was expressed in terms of the total number of effective crossings, which was in turn related to the molecular-weight distribution and the contact time. Experimental studies of autohesion of dried and polished poly(methyl methacrylate) surfaces at 117°C validated the theoretical predictions.