cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Topic-aware social sensing with arbitrary source dependency graphs

This work is motivated by the emergence of social sensing as a new paradigm of collecting observations about the physical environment from humans or devices on their behalf. These observations may be true or false, and hence are viewed as binary claims. A fundamental problem in social sensing applications lies in ascertaining the correctness of claims and the reliability of data sources without knowing either of them a priori. We refer to this problem as truth discovery. Prior works have made significant progress to addressing the truth discovery problem, but two significant limitations exist: (i) they ignored the fact that claims reported in social sensing applications can be either relevant or irrelevant to the topic of interests. (ii) They either assumed the data sources to be independent or the source dependency graphs can be represented as a set of disjoint trees. These limitations led to suboptimal truth discovery results. In contrast, this paper presents the first social sensing framework that explicitly incorporates the topic relevance feature of claims and arbitrary source dependency graphs into the solutions of truth discovery problem. The new framework solves a multi-dimensional maximum likelihood estimation problem to jointly estimate the truthfulness and topic relevance of claims as well as the reliability and topic awareness of sources. We compared our new scheme with the state-of-the-art truth discovery solutions using three real world data traces collected from Twitter in the aftermath of Paris Shooting event (2015), Hurricane Arthur (2014) and Boston Bombing event (2013) respectively. The evaluation results showed that our schemes significantly outperform the compared baselines by identifying more relevant and truthful claims in the truth discovery results.
Specific inhibition of the enzymic decarboxylation of S-adenosylmethionine by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and related substances.

Methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) {1,1′-[(methylethanediylidene)-dinitrilo]diguanidine} is a very potent inhibitor of putrescine-activated S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylases from many different mammalian tissues, including sublines of mouse L1210 leukaemia that are resistant to the drug as well as sublines that are sensitive. The inhibition of purified rat ventral prostate S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase is competitive with respect to the S-adenosylmethionine substrate, and is much greater in the presence than in the absence of the activator putrescine. Inhibition by the drug depends, among other things, on the nature of the aliphatic amines that can serve as stimulators of rat prostate S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase. Effects of some congeners of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) on the enzyme are described.
Bone marrow transplantation in dogs after radio-ablation with a new Ho- 166 amino phosphonic acid bone-seeking agent (DOTMP)

beta-emitting 166Ho (t1/2 = 26.78 hours, E(beta)max = 1.8 MeV) complexed with the phosphonic acid chelator, 1,4,7,10 tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (DOTMP) at a ligand-to-metal ratio of 1.5:1 binds to bone. This radioactive complex is a marrow-ablating radiopharmaceutical that appears useful for preparation of bone marrow (BM) transplant recipients without the morbidity usually associated with total body irradiation preparatory regimens. We have found with seven splenectomized young adult beagle dogs that a 166Ho radiopharmaceutical dosage of 370 MBq/kg body weight provides an initial skeletal radioactivity burden of at least 1.5 GBq/kg skeleton and results in complete ablation of hematopoietic marrow cell populations within 7 days. The beta particle flux distribution in BM-forming skeletal tissue is not uniform. Red marrow radiation doses varied from 30 to 115 Gy as estimated by direct radioassay and autoradiographic analyses of both bone biopsies and postmortem samples; the median value of 61 Gy agreed with our theoretical expectations. In vivo radioactivity distribution was evaluated with nuclear imaging methods. Apparently, normal hematopoiesis was restored in three dogs with autologous BM transplants performed 5 to 6 days after administration of the marrow ablative radiopharmaceutical, 166Ho-DOTMP. BM biopsies at 7 to 10 months posttransplantation indicate continued normal hematopoietic activity.
Nonrespondent Subsample Multiple Imputation in Two-Phase Sampling for Nonresponse

Nonresponse is very common in epidemiologic surveys and clinical trials. Common methods for dealing with missing data (e.g., complete-case analysis, ignorable-likelihood methods, and nonignorable modeling methods) rely on untestable assumptions. Nonresponse two-phase sampling (NTS), which takes a random sample of initial nonrespondents for follow-up data collection, provides a means to reduce nonresponse bias. However, traditional weighting methods to analyze data from NTS do not make full use of auxiliary variables. This article proposes a method called nonrespondent subsample multiple imputation (NSMI), where multiple imputation (Rubin 1987) is performed within the subsample of nonrespondents in Phase I using additional data collected in Phase II. The properties of the proposed methods by simulation are illustrated and the methods applied to a quality of life study. The simulation study shows that the gains from using the NTS scheme can be substantial, even if NTS sampling only collects data from a small proportion of the initial nonrespondents.
Dominant Negative Form of PAX5 Is Generated by Multimerization of Its DNA Binding Domain

Abstract 25 We have previously cloned a number of fusion genes involving PAX5 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (Kawamata N. et al. PNAS, 2008). All of these fusion products exerted a dominant negative effect over the wild-type PAX5. One of these fusion PAX5 proteins, PAX5-C20orf112, was generated by the fusion between the DNA binding domain of PAX5 (PAX5DB) and the C-terminal end of C20orf112. To find the mechanism of the dominant negative effect of the PAX5-C20 fusion, we performed Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) assay using PAX5-C20 and PAX5wt constructs connected with Yellow Fluorescence Proteins (YFP). Results showed extremely strong DNA binding affinity of PAX5-C20 compared to PAX5wt. FRAP experiments using deletion mutants of PAX5-C20 showed that both the DNA binding domain and C-terminal alpha-helix region of C20 were indispensable for this strong binding to DNA. Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay, Bi-molecule Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) assay, and co-immunoprecipitation assay showed that C-terminal end of C20 containing an alpha-helix region encodes a homo-multimerization domain. To confirm that homo-multimerization of PAX5DB increases DNA binding affinity, PAX5DB was fused to the inducible dimerization motif of FKBP (PAX5DB-FK). PAX5DB-FK increased its DNA binding affinity with addition of FKBP ligand inducing homo-dimerization. We also fused PAX5DB to homo-dimerization of MAX (bHLH domain), or tetramerization domain of TP53. FRAP assays showed that homo-dimerization increased its DNA binding activity, and homo-tetramerization further increased its DNA binding and its dominant negative effect over PAX5wt. PAX5-ETV6, also a common fusion protein in ALL, exerts a dominant negative effect over PAX5wt. The ETV6 region of this fusion protein has a multimerization (SAM) domain and the PAX5DB-ETV6SAM mutant protein also showed a dominant negative effect and strong binding to DNA. Importantly, in further studies, co-expression of PAX5-C20 and the YFP-C20-alpha-helix-region diminished the strong DNA binding and the dominant negative activity of the fusion protein. Our data show that multimerization of the DNA binding domain of PAX5 induces strong DNA binding activity, leading to its dominant negative effect over the wild type transcription factor. We believe this represents a new paradigm explaining how a number of fusion genes containing a DB motif from one protein and a multimerization motif from the other partner, can behave in a dominant negative fashion. These observations suggest that peptides/ small molecules inhibiting the multimerization of these oncogenic fusion transcription factors can be promising reagents for treating cancers. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Freshwater Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) Toxins — A Review

Exotoxins are known to be produced by strains of at least three species of freshwater Cyanobacteria. These are Anabaena flos-aquae, Microcystis aeruginosa and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. Of about 12 toxins produced by these species only one has been identified, synthesized and its toxinology determined. When water-blooms of these toxic species are present in a reservoir, lake, pond or slough, the cells and toxins can become concentrated enough to cause illness or death in almost any mammal, bird or fish which ingests enough of the toxic cells, or extracellular toxin. Major losses to animals include mainly cattle, sheep, hogs, birds (domestic and wild) and fishes while minor losses are reported for dogs, horses, small wild mammals, amphibians and invertebrates. Acute oral toxicity to humans has not been documented but there is increasing evidence that the toxins cause gastroenteritis and contact irritations in users of certain recreational and municipal water supplies. Lipopolysaccharide endotoxin is also produced by certain Cyanobacteria including Schizothrix calcicola and Anabaena flos-aquae and has been implicated in certain water-borne outbreaks of gastroenteritis among humans.
New and Noteworthy - When It’s Just You: The Challenges of Solo Librarianship

A review of three recent publications focused on the challenges and opportunities of being a solo, or one-person librarian (OPL).
A Team-Based Online Game Improves Blood Glucose Control in Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE Rigorous evidence is lacking whether online games can improve patients’ longer-term health outcomes. We investigated whether an online team-based game delivering diabetes self-management education (DSME) to patients via e-mail or mobile app can generate longer-term improvements in hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients ( n = 456) on oral diabetes medications with HbA 1c ≥58 mmol/mol were randomly assigned between a DSME game (with a civics booklet) and a civics game (with a DSME booklet). The 6-month games sent two questions twice weekly via e-mail or mobile app. Participants accrued points based on performance, with scores posted on leaderboards. Winning teams and individuals received modest financial rewards. Our primary outcome measure was HbA 1c change over 12 months. RESULTS DSME game patients had significantly greater HbA 1c reductions over 12 months than civics game patients (−8 mmol/mol [95% CI −10 to −7] and −5 mmol/mol [95% CI −7 to −3], respectively; P = 0.048). HbA 1c reductions were greater among patients with baseline HbA 1c >75 mmol/mol: −16 mmol/mol [95% CI −21 to −12] and −9 mmol/mol [95% CI −14 to −5] for DSME and civics game patients, respectively; P = 0.031. CONCLUSIONS Patients with diabetes who were randomized to an online game delivering DSME demonstrated sustained and meaningful HbA 1c improvements. Among patients with poorly controlled diabetes, the DSME game reduced HbA 1c by a magnitude comparable to starting a new diabetes medication. Online games may be a scalable approach to improve outcomes among geographically dispersed patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Management Strategies for Primary Dysmenorrhea

In 1910, Dr. P. Brooke Bland wrote, “Dysmenorrhea should never be regarded as a morbid process, but should always be looked upon as a manifestation of some systemic or local pelvic condition. It is unfortunate that many women are operated upon for dysmenorrhea without the cause first being determined” [1]. In the past, therapies used to treat dysmenorrhea have ranged from the plausible and somewhat effective, to the outlandish and useless. Everything from cauterizing the middle turbinate of the nose [2], exercise programs [3], and presacral sympathectomy [4, 5] to uterine relaxing factor [6], vasodilators [7, 8], tranquilizers [9], and hormones [10, 11] have been recommended to relieve dysmenorrhea. The use of electric current has even been advocated [12], employing an insulated chair, an intravaginal electrode, and a spark gap high-voltage generator. This treatment was to be administered for 20 min daily over a 4-week period. The treatment was reported to have had good effects, possibly do to a low return rate of patients treated in this way.
Associations Between Shared Musical Engagement and Parent–Child Relational Quality: The Mediating Roles of Interpersonal Coordination and Empathy

ABSTRACTParent–child musical engagement in childhood and adolescence was assessed as a predictor of relational quality in emerging adulthood. From a perspective grounded in the communicative dynamics of musical engagement, this effect was hypothesized to be mediated by perceptions of interpersonal coordination and empathy between parent and child. Support was found for such mediated effects, particularly with coordination as a mediator. Results persisted when controlling for other forms of positive parent–child activity, thus illustrating the specific relational power of musical engagement, and more generally the importance of attending to what parents and children are doing when they interact.
A Method for Analyzing a Special Case of the Sheffer B-Type 1 Polynomial Sequences

In 1939, I.M. Sheffer proved that every polynomial sequence belongs to one and only one Type. He also extensively developed properties of the most basic Type set, entitled B-Type 0 or equivalently A-Type 0 (k = 0 below) $$\begin{array}{rcl} & A(t)\mathrm{exp}\left [x{H}_{1}(t) + \cdots + {x}^{k+1}{H}_{k+1}(t)\right ] = \sum\limits_{n=0}^{\infty }{P}_{n}(x){t}^{n},& \\ & \mathrm{with} {H}_{i}(t) = {h}_{i,i}{t}^{i} + {h}_{i,i+1}{t}^{i+1} + \cdots \,, {h}_{1,1}\neq 0, i = 1,2,\ldots,k + 1 & \\ \end{array}$$ and then determined which of these sets are also orthogonal. He subsequently generalized his classification by letting k be arbitrary in the relation above, i.e., he defined the B-Type k class.
The geology of repository sites

A recurrent theme in this discussion of HLW disposal has been the need for carefully chosen repository sites. How is such careful choosing to be accomplished? In broad areas where the underlying geology seems generally suitable, how does one pick particular sites for detailed study or for actually starting repository excavation? What information is needed, and how can it be obtained with a reasonable expenditure of time and money? These are basic questions that face a geologist when called on for advice about disposal of high-level nuclear waste.
A NEW NON-INVASIVE METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF CROSS-SECTION GEOMETRY OF LONG BONES

Since bone is piezoelectric in character, a propagating stress wave in bone also generates both electric and magnetic fields. A non-contacting electromagnetic device was developed which could detect the magnetic field. This device was used to detect stress wave at several cross-sections of an embalmed human femur. A close correspondence was found between the magnetic detector output and the cortical thickness at each cross-section. With further development, this device may be used to measure the cross-sectional geometry of long bones.
Implementation of Augmented Reality Throughout the Lifecycle of Construction Projects

Over the years, information and communication technologies (ICT) have advanced significantly to where their applications in the construction industry have improved the efficiency of projects to a large extent. To continuously thrive in the information and technology-driven industry, it is imperative for construction companies to modify their mode of operations to embrace new technology, methods, and processes to influence the performance and efficiency of construction projects positively. Augmented Reality (AR) as a new and emerging technology generates several opportunities for enhancing traditional methods through the integration of AR technologies in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) industry. However, AR technologies are yet to become prevalent in the AECO industry. While AR has a great potential of impacting the construction process, there has been insufficient research on the identification of specific areas for the integration of AR in all phases of construction projects. The purpose of this paper is to offer construction professionals and researchers an account of the possible implementation of AR technologies in each stage of construction projects. The study provides construction professionals the latest research trends and developments in the application of AR, thus helping in the advancement towards significant implementation in the industry for the improvement of construction processes. The paper describes work performed in different construction stages and presents the potential benefits of AR implementation. Finally, recommendations for future research are discussed.
Relationship between perceptions of treatment goals and psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer.

44Background: Several studies have demonstrated discordance between how patients perceive their goal of treatment versus how they perceive their oncologist’s goal. Studies evaluating the extent and risk factors of this discordance are lacking. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 559 patients with incurable lung, gastrointestinal, breast, and brain cancers. We used the Perception of Treatment and Prognosis Questionnaire to assess patients’ perceptions of both their treatment goal and their oncologist’s goal and categorized responses: 1) patients who reported that both their goal and their oncologist’s goal was concordant (either to cure or not to cure); and 2) patients who reported discordant perceptions of their goal versus their oncologist’s goal. We assessed patients’ psychological distress using the Hospital-Anxiety-and-Depression-Scale and used linear regression to assess the relationship between patients’ perceptions of their treatment goal and psychological outcomes. Results: 61.7% of p...
Targeting Elastase with Alpha1 Anti-Trypsin Reduces Hyperalgesia in Mice with Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with increased activity of proteases including tryptase and elastase, which can contribute to a wide variety of pathologies including endothelial activation and injury to the neural system. In turn, these effects of proteases contribute to pain, a major comorbidity of SCD (Vincent et al., Blood 2013; Vicuna et al., Nature Med 2015). The enzyme activity of proteases released from granulocytes including neutrophils is regulated by serine protease inhibitors (Serpins). Transcriptomic analysis revealed downregulation of Serpins in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of sickle mice (Paul et al., Sci Data 2017). Increased neutrophil activation has been observed in patients with SCD and in mouse models of SCD (Zhang et al., Blood. 2016). Therefore, we hypothesized that increased neutrophil elastase activity contributes to pain in SCD and that a Serpin, a1 anti-trypsin (A1AT) would inhibit elastase activity and reduce pain in SCD. We used transgenic homozygous HbSS-BERK (sickle) and HbAA-BERK (control) mice expressing human sickle hemoglobin and normal human hemoglobin A, respectively, and Prolastin C (Grifols) an A1AT, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug, to examine our hypothesis. We observed a significant increase in elastase activity in the plasma, lungs and DRG of sickle mice compared to control mice (p Disclosures Gupta: Novartis: Honoraria; Tau tona: Consultancy.
Induction of acute graft vs. host disease in lymphopenic mice.

Abstract Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially life-saving treatment for refractory/relapsing hematological malignancies, blood disorders or autoimmune diseases. However, approximately 40–50% of patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT will develop a multi-organ, inflammatory disorder called acute graft vs. host disease (aGVHD). Experimental and clinical studies suggest that intestinal injury due to toxic, pre-transplant conditioning protocols (e.g. lethal irradiation and/or chemotherapy) may play a major role in the development of aGVHD. However, recent studies from our laboratory suggest that this may not be the case. The objective of this study was to quantify and compare the onset and severity of aGVHD induced by the adoptive transfer of allogeneic T cells into untreated lymphopenic mice. Four million allogeneic or syngeneic CD4 + CD62L + CD25 − T cells were transferred (i.p.) into NK cell-depleted RAG1 -/- mice or RAG2 -/- IL2rγ -/- double knock-out (DKO) mice and assessed daily for signs of aGVHD. We found that adoptive transfer of allogeneic but not syngeneic T cells into NK cell-depleted RAG1 -/- or DKO mice induced many of the clinical and histological features of aGVHD including weight loss, inflammatory cytokine production and tissue inflammation. In addition, adoptive transfer of allogeneic T cells into each recipient induced severe anemia as well as dramatic reductions in bone marrow and spleen cellularity. Taken together, we conclude that allogeneic CD4 + T cells are both necessary and sufficient to induce aGVHD in lymphopenic recipients in the absence of toxic, pre-transplant conditioning.
Reviewing the Past and Projecting the Future of Cross-Cultural Love Research

This chapter is the final one and, along with Introduction, intended to wrap the book up. Practically, it summarizes and reviews methodological issues, problems, and attempts to propose possible solutions for methodological challenges of cross-cultural research of love. The chapter discusses the conceptual and operational definitions, which are typically used in cross-cultural love studies. Among other issues, which this chapter discusses, are the problems with equivalency of scale construction and ratings, equivalency of scale translation from one language to other, the suitability of language that is used in a study, the challenges of studies among multicultural participants, the response biases of self-report surveys, and the sample size and representativeness. The chapter also discusses methodology of data analysis, such as comparison of means, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. Variety of these statistical methods can help obtain more reliable and valid results in cross-cultural studies of love. The review of the studies presented in this chapter should help project the future directions of love research.
Identifying socially vulnerable regions with persistent low accessibility to emergency care through a spatial decision framework

During an emergency, areas with high social vulnerability suffer the most. Identifying vulnerable areas with low access to emergency services will aid in prevention and response efforts when hazard...
A National Analysis of Treatment Patterns and Outcomes for Patients 80 Years or Older with Esophageal Cancer

The purpose of this study was to evaluate practice patterns and outcomes for patients 80 years or older with esophageal cancer using a nationwide cancer data base. Practice patterns for patients 80 years or older with stage I-IV esophageal cancer in the National Cancer Data Base from 2004 to 2014 were analyzed. Overall survival associated with different treatment strategies were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. In the study period, 40.5% and 46.2% of patients with stage I adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively, did not receive any treatment at all. Less than 11% (196/1,865) of patients with stage I-II disease underwent esophagectomy, even though surgery was associated with a better 5-year survival compared to no treatment (stage I: 47.3% [95% confidence interval [CI] 36.2–57.6%] vs 14.9% [95% CI: 11.2–19.1%]; stage II: 29.3% [95% CI 20.1–39.1%] vs 1.2% [95% CI: 0.1–5.5%]). Of the 1,596 (37.7%) patients with stage III disease who received curative-intent treatment (surgery or chemoradiation), the 5-year survival was significantly better than that of patients who received no treatment (11.9% [95% CI: 9.7–14.4% vs 4.3% [95% CI: 1.9–8.3%]). In this national analysis of patients 80 years and older with esophageal cancer, over 40% of patients with stage I disease did not receive treatment. Patients with stage I-III disease had better survival and risks and benefits of treatment for elderly patients should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting.
Unraveling neuroHIV in the Presence of Substance Use Disorders

This special issue contains 10 invited review papers that highlighted and extended the presentations at the NIDA-sponsored workshop "Unraveling NeuroAIDS in the Presence of Substance Use Disorders" at the 25th Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology conference in 2019. The topics covered by these papers focused on the interactive, additive or synergistic effects of substance use disorders (SUD) with HIV infection on the immune system and on neuropathogenesis. These papers reviewed four categories of substances of abuse (opioids, tobacco, stimulants, and cannabis) and how comorbid HIV infection (including models with HIV proteins, HIV transgenic rodent models and SIV) might further impact the dysregulated dopaminergic and immune systems, and the subsequent neuropathogenesis and behavioral disorders known as HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND). These reviews provided detailed background knowledge regarding how each of these addictive substances and HIV individually or collectively affected the immune system at the cellular, molecular and system levels, and the subsequent clinical and behavioral outcomes. The authors also identified gaps, confounds or constraints in the current disease models and approaches, and proposed future research directions.
Pele in a Spot to One-Up Jordan — This Time in Court

Brazilian soccer legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, filed a lawsuit related to use of his “image” in an advertisement. The dispute stems from a full-page advertisement that Samsung placed in an October 2015 edition of the New York Times.
Examination of the M20D Auxin Conjugate Peptidase Family from Hornwort and Implications on the Evolution of the Tracheophytes

We have identified and cloned five auxin conjugate amidohydrolases (M20D peptidases) in four different hornwort species (Phaeoceros carolinianus, Megaceros tosanus, Megaceros vincentianus, and Paraphymatoceros hallii). Sequence analysis suggests that all five enzymes have greater than 60% overall similarity to tracheophyte amidohydrolases. Phylogenetic analysis supports the hypothesis that the bryophyte and tracheophyte hydrolases are derived from a common ancestor. Enzyme studies of hornwort auxin amidohydrolases all demonstrate greater activity and substrate recognition than the more ancient liverwort hydrolase (MpILR1). The mean wild-type hornwort hydrolytic activity (23.2 ± 6.8 pmol auxin released/min/ml), although higher than the liverwort activity (1.3 ± 1.1 pmol auxin released/min/ml), was almost a magnitude lower than the average activity in tracheophyte hydrolases (186.2 ± 52.1 pmol auxin released/min/ml). Two hornwort orthologues from M. vincentianus and M. tosanus possess a Glycine238/240 replacing the tracheophytically conserved Serine209, while two from P. hallii and P. carolinianus have an Alanine238 at that homologous residue location. Further enzymatic studies and three-dimensional structural analyses of the hornwort enzymes present supporting evidence that the Ala238-line of hornworts is the likely clade from which tracheophytes arose.
Detection and analysis of electric-current perturbation caused by defects

The electric-current perturbation technique consists of establishing an electric-current flow in the material to be examined and then detecting localized perturbations of this current flow at inhomogeneities such as inclusions or cracks. The current perturbation is sensed by using a small noncontacting probe to detect the associated magnetic-flux perturbation at the surface of the specimen. In the work reported here, analysis of the electric-current perturbation signals was based on an analytic solution for the change in current density caused by a slot of infinite length and finite depth. Comparisons were made with experimental data for electric-discharge machining (EDM) slots of various depths in Incoloy 901 where the electric current was introduced by ohmic contact. Excellent agreement between theory and experiment was obtained for deep slots, although the model predicts a more rapid decrease in signal amplitude with decreasing slot depth than is experimentally observed. Additional measurements made with fatigue cracks show that cracks as small as 0.45 mm in length are easily detected. It was concluded that the technique is not only a sensitive method for flaw detection, but also offers the possibility of determining flaw characteristics through analysis of signal shapes and amplitudes.
Chemically Defined Minimal Medium for Growth of the Anaerobic Cellulolytic Thermophile Clostridium thermocellum

A minimal chemically defined medium has been developed for Clostridium thermocellum. The growth factors required are biotin, pyridoxamine, vitamin B(12), and p-aminobenzoic acid.
Chapter 4 Field quantization in optics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some of the most basic features of the quantum theory of radiation in the context of quantum optics and reviews the development of the quantum theory of optical coherence based on field correlation functions that have a strong formal resemblance to those introduced in classical coherence theory. The range of validity of semiclassical radiation theory is emphasized. In semiclassical radiation theory, light is treated classically and matter quantum mechanically. Many predicted nonclassical features of light have been demonstrated in experiments, and these experiments have played a central role in the fundamental tests of quantum theory and local hidden-variable theories. Quantum optics has become increasingly important in communication, especially in the analysis of quantum noise. Some developments in this area related to the quantum noise properties of lasers are discussed. Finally, the chapter offers a brief overview of the present status of field quantization in optics.
The Infrared Spectra of C96H24, C96H24+, and C96H25+

The infrared spectra of C96H24, C96H24+, and C96H25+ have been computed using the B3LYP/4-31G approach. The computed spectra show that the 3.3 μm band is sizable for the cations, being about half that of the neutral. Thus, the observation of a 3.3 μm band does not guarantee the presence of neutral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These calculations give some insight into the interstellar 6.2 μm band.
Disease Transmission Models for Public Health Decision-Making: Designing Intervention Strategies for Schistosoma japonicum

The purpose of infectious disease transmission modelling is often to understand the factors that are responsible for the persistence of transmission, the dynamics of the infection process and how best to control transmission. As such, there should be great potential to use mathematical models to routinely plan and evaluate disease control programs. In reality, there are many challenges that have precluded the practical use of disease models in this regard. One challenge relates to the mathematical complexity of the models, which has made it difficult for field workers and health officials to understand and use them. Another challenge is that, despite their mathematical complexity, models typically do not have sufficient structural complexity to consider many of the site-specific epidemiologic and disease control details that the practicing health official routinely considers. Moreover, most modelling studies have not been sufficiently explicit or exemplary in explaining how field data may be incorporated into the models to impact public health decision-making. In this chapter, we start with a classic model of schistosomiasis transmission and relate its key properties to the more detailed model of Schistosoma japonicum model presented in chapter by Remais and chapter by Spear and Hubbard. We then discuss how various controls (e.g., chemotherapy, snail control and sanitation) may be evaluated via the detailed model. We then demonstrate in a practical manner, using S. japonicum data from China, how field data may be incorporated to inform the practice of disease control. Finally, we present a new model structure that considers how heterogeneous populations are interconnected, which has particular relevance to understanding disease control and emergence in today's highly mobile world.
Suppression of Murine Retrovirus Polypeptide Termination: Effect of Amber Suppressor tRNA on the Cell-Free Translation of Rauscher Murine Leukemia Virus, Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus, and Moloney Murine Sarcoma Virus 124 RNA

Abstract The effect of suppressor tRNA's on the cell-free translation of several leukemia and sarcoma virus RNAs was examined. Yeast amber suppressor tRNA (amber tRNA) enhanced the synthesis of the Rauscher murine leukemia virus and clone 1 Moloney murine leukemia virus Pr200gag-pol polypeptides by 10- to 45-fold, but at the same time depressed the synthesis of Rauscher murine leukemia virus Pr65gag and Moloney murine leukemia virus Pr63gag. Under suppressor-minus conditions, Moloney murine leukemia virus Pr70gag was present as a closely spaced doublet. Amber tRNA stimulated the synthesis of the “upper” Moloney murine leukemia virus Pr70gag polypeptide. Yeast ochre suppressor tRNA appeared to be ineffective. Quantitative analyses of the kinetics of viral precursor polypeptide accumulation in the presence of amber tRNA showed that during linear protein synthesis, the increase in accumulated Moloney murine leukemia virus Pr200gag-pol coincided closely with the molar loss of Pr63gag. Enhancement of Pr200gag-pol and Pr70gag by amber tRNA persisted in the presence of pactamycin, a drug which blocks the initiation of protein synthesis, thus arguing for the addition of amino acids to the C terminus of Pr63gag as the mechanism behind the amber tRNA effect. Moloney murine sarcoma virus 124 30S RNA was translated into four major polypeptides, Pr63gag, P42, P38, and P23. In the presence of amber tRNA, a new polypeptide, Pr67gag, appeared, whereas Pr63gag synthesis was decreased. Quantitative estimates indicated that for every 1 mol of Pr67gag which appeared, 1 mol of Pr63gag was lost.
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-stimulated transport of amino acids in kidney cortex.

Abstract 1. Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and N6-2'-O-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate stimulate the active cellular entry and cumulative uptake of several amino acids in rat kidney cortex slices. 2. Parathyroid hormone, known to augment cellular production of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate by stimulating renal cortical adenyl cyclase, increases the renal cortical uptake of amino acids. Antidiuretic hormone and insulin, hormones which do not stimulate renal cortical adenyl cyclase, have no effect on the renal cortical uptake of amino acids. 3. Characteristics of the N6-2'-O-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate stimulation of amino acid transport include a delay in stimulation of transport, blockade of stimulation by inhibitors of protein synthesis, and inhibition of the expression of the effect by either sodium-free incubation or ouabain exposure.
Conserving the Antarctic terrestrial ecosystem

Abstract With increased world interest in conservation and environmental protection, it is especially proper that the only continent set aside for international scientific investigation, Antarctica, should be a model for conservation practices. The Antarctic ecosystems, because they mostly survive under extreme environmental conditions, are very fragile, being easily disturbed without our knowing how long regeneration may take. Fortunately there are good conservation regulations in the Antarctic Treaty, and these are being strengthened by periodic recommendations of the Working Group on Biology of SCAR. Scientists and others who visit Antarctica must take responsibility for implementing these recommendations.
FLUORIDE: GEOCHEMICAL AND ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN EAST AFRICAN WATERS AND SEDIMENTS1

The geochemistry of fluoride in East African lakes and rivers was examined to elucidate processes of fluoride acquisition, concentration, removal, and diagenesis in inland waters in a region relatively little influenced by man. The range of fluoride concentrations (0.021,627 mg liter-l) is the greatest found anywhere. A strong correlation was found between the concentration of fluoride in the predominant crystalline rocks of each particular drainage basin and the F:CI ratio in surface waters. Because fluoride-rich volcanic rocks are common in East Africa very high fluoride concentrations, the products of chemical weathering, are often observed. Fluoride removal from surface waters is not significant; concentration by evaporation proceeds until saturation with respect to villiaumite is reached. Fluoride : chloride ratios for the interstitial waters of a 7-m core from Small Momela Lake, Tanzania, indicate that in sedimentary environments fluoride may be removed from pore waters as fluorite and possibly fluorapatite. Geographical evidence suggests that the high fluoride concentrations may influence the distribution of man, livestock, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and higher aquatic plants.
Summer water relations of the desert phreatophyte Prosopis glandulosa in the Sonoran Desert of southern California

Prosopis is a genus of phreatophytic trees inhabiting hot deserts and semiarid grasslands of the world. Although desert trees are exposed to unusual environmental temperature and water stress, few investigations have evaluated their water relations. This is particularly true for Prosopis species growing in areas where a large portion of their water use comes from ground water.
Contemporary ethnopolitical identity and the future of the Belgian state

The forces behind the ongoing mobilization of ethnicity in Belgium are complex, resulting from interacting historical trends that continue to shape Belgian politics. This article focuses on five dynamics that shape the current and immediate future of the Belgian state and ethnopolitical mobilization: (1) the gap between a radicalized elite and a moderate electorate; (2) the historical pattern of unmet Flemish demands; (3) the reliance on constitutional amendments for conflict resolution; (4) the lack of Belgian (as opposed to Flemish and Francophone) representation at the negotiating table; and (5) the success of regionalization. Despite possible counter‐pressures, the combined impact of these separate forces indicates that the prospects for overcoming the weaknesses of both the Belgian state and contemporary Belgian identity appear bleak.
Amputation with median nerve redirection (Targeted Reinnervation) reactivates forepaw barrel subfield in rats

Prosthetic limbs are difficult to control and do not provide sensory feedback. Targeted reinnervation was developed as a neural-machine interface for amputees to address these issues. In targeted reinnervation, amputated nerves are redirected to proximal muscles and skin, creating nerve interfaces for prosthesis control and sensory feedback. Touching the reinnervated skin causes sensation to be projected to the missing limb. Here we use electrophysiological brain recording in the Sprague Dawley rat to investigate the changes to somatosensory cortex (S1) following amputation and nerve redirection with the intent to provide insight into the sensory phenomena observed in human targeted reinnervation amputees. Recordings revealed that redirected nerves established an expanded representation in S1, which may help to explain the projected sensations that encompass large areas of the hand in targeted reinnervation amputees. These results also provide evidence that the reinnervated target skin could serve as a line of communication from a prosthesis to cortical hand processing regions. S1 border regions were simultaneously responsive to reinnervated input and also vibrissae, lower lip, and hindfoot, suggesting competition for deactivated cortical territory. Electrically evoked potential latencies from reinnervated skin to cortex suggest direct connection of the redirected afferents to the forepaw processing region of S1. Latencies also provide evidence that the widespread reactivation of S1 cortex may arise from central anatomical interconnectivity. Targeted reinnervation offers the opportunity to examine the cortical plasticity effects when behaviorally important sensory afferents are redirected from their original location to a new skin surface on a different part of the body.
High-performance liquid chromatographic resolution of enantiomers of 1-phenyl-2-aminopropanes (amphetamines) with four chiral reagents

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed for resolution of enantiomers of chiral ring-substituted 1-phenyl-2-aminopropanes (amphetamines) and 1-phenylethylamine following derivatization with four chiral reagents: (R)-(+)-1-phenylethyl isocyanate (PEIC), (−)-α-methoxy-α-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetyl chloride (MTPA · Cl), 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate (GITC), and 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-arabinopyranosyl isothiocyanate (AITC). Reactions were accomplished under mild conditions (25–70°C) and were complete for all substrates within 60 min. Derivatization with the sugar isothiocyanates (GITC and AITC) and the acyl chloride (MTPA · Cl) was carried out in methylene chloride or acetonitrile in the presence of a base catalyst while derivatization with the isocyanate (PEIC) was performed in methylene chloride. The diastereomeric derivatives were separated by reversed-phase HPLC (C18) with a methanol—water mobile phase. In general, HPLC resolution of the diastereomeric reaction products of GITC or AITC, and MTPA · Cl with the amine substrates was more complete (usually greater than 98% baseline separation) than HPLC resolution of the diastereomeric reaction products of PEIC.
Methylene produced by vacuum ultraviolet photolysis. Energy of the methylene

Abstract Unimolecular rate constants have been determined for the decomposition of n - and iso -butane produced by the insertion of methylene into propane. Methylene was produced by the photolysis of propane at 123.6 nm and cyclopropane at 165 nm. From these rate constants estimates have been made of the energy carried to the insertion reaction by the respective methylenes. These estimates provide the first indication of how energy is partitioned in the photolysis of small hydrocarbon molecules.
A Gene Regulatory Network Model for Floral Transition of the Shoot Apex in Maize and Its Dynamic Modeling

The transition from the vegetative to reproductive development is a critical event in the plant life cycle. The accurate prediction of flowering time in elite germplasm is important for decisions in maize breeding programs and best agronomic practices. The understanding of the genetic control of flowering time in maize has significantly advanced in the past decade. Through comparative genomics, mutant analysis, genetic analysis and QTL cloning, and transgenic approaches, more than 30 flowering time candidate genes in maize have been revealed and the relationships among these genes have been partially uncovered. Based on the knowledge of the flowering time candidate genes, a conceptual gene regulatory network model for the genetic control of flowering time in maize is proposed. To demonstrate the potential of the proposed gene regulatory network model, a first attempt was made to develop a dynamic gene network model to predict flowering time of maize genotypes varying for specific genes. The dynamic gene network model is composed of four genes and was built on the basis of gene expression dynamics of the two late flowering id1 and dlf1 mutants, the early flowering landrace Gaspe Flint and the temperate inbred B73. The model was evaluated against the phenotypic data of the id1 dlf1 double mutant and the ZMM4 overexpressed transgenic lines. The model provides a working example that leverages knowledge from model organisms for the utilization of maize genomic information to predict a whole plant trait phenotype, flowering time, of maize genotypes.
Prenatal ACTH and corticosterone: Effects on reproduction in male mice

Injections of ACTH or corticosterone into late pregnant mice from Days 14 to 21 did not alter testes weights or feminine copulatory behavior of male offspring in adulthood. However masculine copulatory behavior was significantly reduced. Because ACTH does not cross the placenta, alterations in sexual behavior of male offspring were probably mediated by maternal corticosteroid secretion.
Ecological Determinants of Species Loss in Remnant Prairies

Recensuses of 54 Wisconsin prairie remnants showed that 8 to 60 percent of the original plant species were lost from individual remnants over a 32- to 52-year period. The pattern of species loss was consistent with the proposed effects of fire suppression caused by landscape fragmentation. Short, small-seeded, or nitrogen-fixing plants showed the heaviest losses, as did species growing in the wettest, most productive environments. The interruption of landscape-scale processes (such as wildfire) by fragmentation is an often overlooked mechanism that may be eroding biodiversity in many habitats around the world.
Race, ethnicity, gender, and generational factors associated with the coming‐out process among gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals

Age at coming out among gay/lesbian/bisexual (GLB) persons and sexual debut with same‐gendered partners has typically been investigated in samples that do not reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of these communities. Addressing this limitation, data were collected from a diverse sample of men and women attending large‐scale GLB community events in New York and Los Angeles in 2003 (N = 2,733). Compared to older cohorts, younger cohorts (18–24 year olds) of both men and women reported significantly earlier ages for sexual debut with same‐gendered partners, and earlier ages for coming out to themselves and to others. Also, women began the process at later ages than men, as they reported coming out to themselves and sexual debut with a same‐gender partner approximately two years later than men. There were no racial or ethnic differences in age out to self or others; however, people of color were less likely to be out to their parents. Service providers, sexuality educators, and researchers should attend t...
A Monte Carlo model of photon beams used in radiation therapy.

A generic Monte Carlo model of a photon therapy machine is described. The model, known as McRad, is based on EGS4 and has been in use since 1991. Its primary function has been the characterization of the incident photon fluence for use by dose calculation algorithms. The accuracy of McRad is examined by comparing the dose distributions in a water phantom generated using only the Monte Carlo data with measured dose distributions for two machines in our clinic; a 6 MV Varian Clinac 600C and the 15 MV beam from a Clinac 2100C. The Monte Carlo generated dose distributions are computed using a dose calculation algorithm based on the use of differential pencil beam kernels. It was found that the match to measured data could be improved if the model is tuned by adjusting the energy of the electron beam incident on the target. The beam profiles were found to be more sensitive indicators of the electron beam energy than the depth dose curves. Beyond the depths reached by contaminant electrons, the computed and measured depth dose curves agree to better than 1%. The comparison of beam profiles indicate that in regions up to within 1 cm of the field edge, the measured and computed doses generally agree to within 2%–3%.