cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection and visualization of complex structural variants from long reads

With applications in cancer, drug metabolism, and disease etiology, understanding structural variation in the human genome is critical in advancing the thrusts of individualized medicine. However, structural variants (SVs) remain challenging to detect with high sensitivity using short read sequencing technologies. This problem is exacerbated when considering complex SVs comprised of multiple overlapping or nested rearrangements. Longer reads, such as those from Pacific Biosciences platforms, often span multiple breakpoints of such events, and thus provide a way to unravel small-scale complexities in SVs with higher confidence. We present CORGi (COmplex Rearrangement detection with Graph-search), a method for the detection and visualization of complex local genomic rearrangements. This method leverages the ability of long reads to span multiple breakpoints to untangle SVs that appear very complicated with respect to a reference genome. We validated our approach against both simulated long reads, and real data from two long read sequencing technologies. We demonstrate the ability of our method to identify breakpoints inserted in synthetic data with high accuracy, and the ability to detect and plot SVs from NA12878 germline, achieving 88.4% concordance between the two sets of sequence data. The patterns of complexity we find in many NA12878 SVs match known mechanisms associated with DNA replication and structural variant formation, and highlight the ability of our method to automatically label complex SVs with an intuitive combination of adjacent or overlapping reference transformations. CORGi is a method for interrogating genomic regions suspected to contain local rearrangements using long reads. Using pairwise alignments and graph search CORGi produces labels and visualizations for local SVs of arbitrary complexity.
Multidimensional Modelling of Organic Solar Cell

Modelling and analysis of multidimensional organic solar cell (OSC) with different geometry design can give the researchers an opportunity to explore the electrical and optical properties of the OSCs, enhance the cell efficiency, and then take it to the implementation of the new design. In this paper, we first model and analyse a one dimensional solar cell with the P3HT (poly (3-hexylthiophene)): PCBM (phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) material to illustrate how the material's characteristics link to the electrical properties based on the Shockley-Read-Hall recombination and carrier generation model. Then, we extend the design to a three dimensional model with a new inverted design of an organic solar cell using P3HT: PCBM and silver grids, for light trapping.
Infants' advances in speech perception shape their earliest links between language and cognition

The power of human language derives not only from the precision of its signal or the complexity of its grammar, but also from its links to cognition. Infants as young as 3 months have begun to link language and core cognitive capacities. At 3 and 4 months, this link is not exclusive to human language: listening to vocalizations of nonhuman primates also supports infant cognition. By 6 months, infants have tuned this link to human speech alone. Here we provide evidence that infants’ increasing precision in speech perception shapes which signals they will link to cognition. Infants listening to German, a nonnative language that shares key rhythmic and prosodic properties with their own native language (English), successfully formed object categories. In contrast, those listening to Cantonese, a language that differs considerably in these suprasegmental properties, failed. This provides the first evidence that infants’ increasingly precise perceptual tuning to the sounds of their native language sets constraints on the range of human languages they will link to cognition: infants begin to specify which human languages they will link to core cognitive capacities even before they sever the link between nonhuman primate vocalizations and cognition.
Effects of Verbal Cueing on Respiratory-Swallow Patterning, Lung Volume Initiation, and Swallow Apnea Duration in Parkinson's Disease.

Respiratory-swallow coordination (RSC) is important for swallowing safety. Atypical RSC is common in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is associated with the presence of dysphagia and aspiration. Verbal cueing is known to affect RSC in healthy adults, yet an understanding of its effect on RSC in PD is unknown. Therefore, the aims of this study were to: (1) assess the effects of verbal cueing on respiratory-swallow patterning, lung volume initiation, and swallow apnea duration in PD; and (2) determine when during tidal breathing verbal cues should be given in order to increase the likelihood of eliciting optimal RSC. People with PD were prospectively recruited for respiratory-swallowing assessments during cued and non-cued swallowing conditions. Non-cued trials consisted of swallowing in an unprompted fashion, while cued trials consisted of swallowing only once participants were verbally instructed. Verbal cues were given at four specific points during tidal breathing. Nonparametric tests were used to compare differences in patterning, lung volume, and swallow apnea duration between the cued and non-cued swallows. Twenty-five people with PD were enrolled, yielding an analysis of 375 swallows. Verbal cueing significantly affected respiratory-swallow patterning (p < 0.0005), lung volume initiation (p < 0.0005), and swallow apnea duration (p < 0.0005). The effects of verbal cueing on RSC differed significantly depending on when during tidal breathing verbal cues were given. Cues given at high tidal inhalation were most likely to elicit optimal RSC, while cues given at low tidal exhalation were the least likely to elicit optimal RSC. The results of this study demonstrate that verbal cueing significantly affects RSC in PD. Depending on when verbal cues are given during tidal breathing, RSC can become more safe and coordinated or more atypical and risky. Clinicians should be cognizant of these effects by avoiding verbal cues if attempting to evaluate normal RSC during swallowing evaluations and cueing for swallows at the time of high tidal inhalation when targeting more optimal RSC in PD.
Reproducibility, Replication, and Generalization in Research about Teaching Innovation

Innovation in the teaching and learning of chemistry is generally advanced by the creative efforts of many educators and education researchers. Many such efforts are reported, for example, in every...
A retrospective analysis of the aspiration of fracture blisters

Abstract Introduction Fracture blisters are frequently encountered in orthopaedic trauma. Fracture blisters are associated with increased infection rates and wound breakdown. This study was performed to determine whether fluid aspirate from blisters is sterile or colonized. Materials and methods This is a retrospective review of a prospectively gathered cohort of patients. Patients with fracture blisters were recruited from a U.S. level I trauma center between 2011 and 2017. The blisters were aspirated under sterile conditions. Fluid was analyzed for gram stain and quantitative culture. Medical history obtained included blister location, presence of blood in blister, injury mechanism, gender, diabetes status and tobacco use. The demographic and behavioral descriptors were compared across positive aspirate or infection status using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results We enrolled 64 patients in the study, seven of which had colonized aspirates (10.9%). None of the potential risk factors were significantly associated. Tobacco use trended towards significance for a positive aspirate (p = 0.09), but not for infection (p = 0.61). We followed patients for an average of 4.6 months. Four patients went on to have surgical site infections and none of them had positive aspirates. Conclusion Fracture blisters cannot be assumed to be sterile with more than 10% of our sample being colonized. Blister rupture during surgery or prepping for surgery could represent a contamination of the sterile field. No risk factors were significantly associated with colonization in our sample. However, colonized aspirates may not predispose patients to increased infection rates.
Permeability and elastic properties assessment of alumina nanofiber (ANF) cementitious composites under simulated wellbore cyclic pressure

Abstract Highly dispersed Alumina Nanofibers (ANF’s) were utilized in oil well cement class “H” to investigate effects of ANF’s on the cement’s mechanical and microstructural properties under simulated wellbore conditions. Cement composites consisted of a reference (Ref) sample containing no ANF’s and three additional formulations with 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% ANF’s by weight of cement (BWOC) incorporated in cement formulations with various common additives. The provided producing liquid dispersion methodology was assessed using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) with each composite formulation undergoing permeability and elastic property testing under simulated cyclic confining wellbore pressures. The compressive strength was also measured along with a microstructural assessment. The microstructural assessment consisted of measuring the formation of hydration products using an X-ray diffractogram (XRD) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The results indicate that 0.1% of ANF provides the greatest increase in mechanical properties and possesses the lowest permeability through all pressure cycles. Additionally, the amount of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) and Degree of Hydration (DOH) was maximized for 0.1% ANF compared to other composite formulations.
Marine worm bioluminescence is slowly revealing its secrets

The natural phenomenon of bioluminescence is light production fueled by biochemical processes. In general, bioluminescence is observed as very short (millisecond) flashes, or a lasting glow in bact...
Results of caring and reaching for health (CARE): a cluster-randomized controlled trial assessing a worksite wellness intervention for child care staff

Child care workers are among the lowest paid US workers and experience a wide array of health concerns. The physical and mental demands of their job and the lack of employer-provided health-insurance increase health risks. The Caring and Reaching for Health (CARE) study evaluated a 6-month Healthy Lifestyles intervention targeting child care workers’ physical activity (primary outcome), other health behaviors, and their workplace health environment. Eligible child care centers, defined as being in operation for at least 2 years and employing at least four staff, were enrolled into CARE’s cluster-randomized trial. Centers and their child care staff were randomly assigned to either the Healthy Lifestyles (HL) intervention arm or the Healthy Finances (HF) attention control arm using a block randomization approach. Intervention components were delivered through in-person workshops, center-level displays, informational magazines, director coaching, electronic messaging, and an interactive website. Outcome measures were collected during center visits at baseline and immediately post-intervention by trained data collectors blinded to center arm assignment. Workers’ physical activity was assessed with accelerometers, worn for 7 days. Secondary outcome measures included biometric assessments of health and fitness, web-based surveys about health behaviors, and an environmental audit of workplace supports for health. Multi-level linear mixed models assessed worker- and center-level changes in these outcomes. Participants included 553 child care workers representing 56 centers (HL = 250 staff/28 centers, HF = 303 staff/28 centers). At 6 months, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity declined slightly in both arms (− 1.3 min/day, 95% CI: − 3.0, 0.3 in HL; − 1.9 min/day, 95% CI: − 3.3, − 0.5 in HF), but there was no significant group by time interaction. Several secondary outcomes for other health behaviors and workplace health environment showed improvements in favor of the intervention arm, yet differences did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. While the Healthy Lifestyles intervention did not improve health behaviors or the workplace health environment, results confirmed the pressing need to focus on the health of child care workers. Future interventions should focus on prevalent health issues (e.g., weight, stress), include both high-tech and high-touch intervention strategies, and address work conditions or other social determinants of health (e.g. wages) as a means of improving the health of these essential workers. Care2BWell: Worksite Wellness for Child Care (NCT02381938).
Nuisance bleeding complications in patients with cerebral aneurysm treated with Pipeline embolization device.

Background Patients with cerebral aneurysms treated with the Pipeline embolization device (PED) are maintained on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to prevent thromboembolic complications. Rates of minor, “nuisance” bleeding in these patients remain unknown. We sought to evaluate the frequency and factors associated with this bleeding and its effect on DAPT compliance. Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study on consecutive cases of intracranial aneurysms treated with PED. Patient characteristics, aneurysm characteristics, and bleeding complications were analyzed. Severity of bleeding was defined according to a previously published classification defining nuisance bleeding as easy bruising, bleeding from small cuts, petechia, and ecchymosis. Results 245 PED aneurysm procedures on 243 patients were retrospectively collected from three academic centers over a 4.25-year period. Sixty-seven patients (27%) had nuisance bleeds. Patients with a higher risk of nuisance bleeding were older (59.1±3.4 vs . 54.7±2.2, P=0.032). Patients with nuisance bleeds were more likely to have their DAPT regimen changed or dose lowered (29% vs 8.3%, P Conclusions Nuisance bleeding was a common complaint of PED-treated aneurysm patients maintained on DAPT. Increasing age and aneurysmal occlusion at 6 months were the only factors predictive of nuisance bleeds. Clinicians were more likely to adjust antiplatelet regimens or stop DAPT early given a nuisance bleed.
The rhythm of attention: Perceptual modulation via rhythmic entrainment is lowpass and attention mediated

Modulation patterns are known to carry critical predictive cues to signal detection in complex acoustic environments. The current study investigated the persistence of masker modulation effects on postmodulation detection of probe signals. Hickok, Farahbod, and Saberi (Psychological Science, 26, 1006-1013, 2015) demonstrated that thresholds for a tone pulse in stationary noise follow a predictable periodic pattern when preceded by a 3-Hz amplitude modulated masker. They found entrainment of detection patterns to the modulation envelope lasting for approximately two cycles after termination of modulation. The current study extends these results to a wide range of modulation rates by mapping the temporal modulation transfer function for persistent modulatory effects. We found significant entrainment to modulation rates of 2 and 3 Hz, a weaker effect at 5 Hz, and no entrainment at higher rates (8 to 32 Hz). The effect seems critically dependent on attentional mechanisms, requiring temporal and level uncertainty of the probe signal. Our findings suggest that the persistence of modulatory effects on signal detection is lowpass in nature and attention based.
Client-side Active Measurements Without Application Control.

Monitoring performance and availability are critical to operating successful content provider networks. Internet measurements provide data needed for traffic engineering, alerting, and network diagnostics. While there are significant benefits to combining server-side passive measurements with end-user active measurements, these capabilities are limited to a small number of content providers with both network and application control. In this work, we present a solution to a long-standing problem for a method to issue active measurements from clients without application control. Our approach uses features of the W3C Network Error Logging specification that allow a CDN to induce a browser connection to an HTTPS server of the CDN's choosing.
Mutations of the ras protooncogenes in chronic myelogenous leukemia: a high frequency of ras mutations in bcr/abl rearrangement-negative chronic myelogenous leukemia

Seventy cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) were analyzed for the presence of ras mutations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), oligonucleotide hybridization, and direct PCR sequencing. All cases had preceding cytogenetic and bcr rearrangement studies. Aberrant ras genes were detected in none of 39 patients with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome or bcr/abl rearrangement positive chronic-phase CML and in only 1 of 18 patients in blast crisis, suggesting that ras mutations have little or no role in initiation or progression of common CML. Seven of 13, or 54% of patients with bcr/abl rearrangement negative chronic phase CML (atypical CML) harbored mutations in ras, however. This high incidence of ras mutations, together with the absence of bcr/abl rearrangement, provides evidence that atypical CML is an entity that is molecularly distinct from common CML. Moreover, the clinical characteristics and the high frequency of ras mutations suggest that atypical CML may constitute a subset of the myelodysplastic syndrome and may be best classified as a variant of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML).
Synthesis and material properties of polymer-derived niobium carbide and niobium nitride nanocrystalline ceramics

Abstract Nanocrystalline niobium carbide (NbC) ceramics and niobium carbide-niobium nitride (NbC/NbN) composites were synthesized at low temperatures without high-pressure sintering using a single-step polymer-derived approach from a meltable pre-ceramic blend. Niobium hydride (NbH5) and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(phenylethynyl)benzene (TPEB) reacted at 1500 °C under argon or nitrogen in a tube furnace to form NbC or NbC/NbN with high purities and nanosized grains. Superconductivity measurements indicated that NbC/NbN ceramics exhibited a mixed phase system with two distinct Tc values, and higher elemental niobium content within solids yielded lower Tc. The resulting ceramic monoliths exhibited homogeneous morphologies and controllable amounts of free carbon in the composite matrix. Niobium carbide and nitride composites demonstrated good air oxidation stability up to 450 °C.
Modeling meso- and microstructure in materials patterned with acoustic focusing

Abstract We conduct numerical simulations of acoustic focusing in dense suspensions to map the design space of acoustically patterned materials and understand the relationships between input parameters, structural features, and functional properties. We develop closed-form expressions for acoustic forces on particles, enabling rapid simulation of thousands of particles, and find excellent agreement with experimentally focused patterns over a range of conditions. We map the geometrical and microstructural features of focused particle patterns and their dependence on processing parameters. We find that mesostructural geometrical features (focused line height, width, and profile shape) can be controlled reliably over a broad range by modulating input parameters, and that while microstructural features are less readily modulated via input parameters, they are well-suited for various transport properties in functional materials. Notably, packing density nears the random close packing limit at 0.64, and particle contact density shows anisotropy favoring particle contacts along the focused lines. These results guide process design for controlling the properties of patterned materials, and outline the property ranges accessible via acoustic focusing. Additionally, we discuss the dependence of material functionalities, particularly electrical, thermal, and ionic transport properties, on the meso- and micro-structural features of patterned composite materials in the context of acoustic focusing.
Response to Whole-Lung Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LD-RT) Predicts Freedom from Intubation in Patients Receiving Dexamethasone and/or Remdesevir for COVID-19-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Abstract Background Phase I/II clinical trials have explored whole-lung low-dose radiotherapy (LD-RT) as a potential treatment for patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Initial findings require reproduction. Concomitant LD-RT administration with existing therapies requires safety evaluation. Methods Patients with COVID-19-related pneumonia receiving dexamethasone and/or remdesevir were treated with 1.5 Gy whole-lung LD-RT, followed for 28 days or until hospital discharge, and compared to controls blindly matched by age, comorbidity, and disease severity. Eligible patients were hospitalized, SARS-CoV-2 positive, had radiographic consolidations, and required supplemental oxygen. Endpoints included safety, clinical recovery, intubation, radiographic changes, and biomarker response. Findings 20 patients received whole-lung LD-RT between Jun 11 and Dec 7, 2020 and were compared to controls. Freedom from intubation improved from 68% in controls to 86% following LD-RT (p=0.09) as did C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.02) and creatine kinase (CK) (p Interpretation A cohort of patients with COVID-19-related ARDS treated with LD-RT demonstrated superior freedom from intubation compared to matched controls, especially LD-RT responders (p=0.01). LD-RT appears safe to deliver with concurrent drugs. LD-RT lowered CRP and CK biomarkers. CRP response predicted favorable outcome. Optimal timing for LD-RT after oxygen dependence but before intubation may extinguish immunopathology prior to systemic spread. Confirmatory clinical trials are warranted. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04366791. Funding None
Invitation to Discipleship: Educating for Virtue in Catholic Classrooms

Focus on the virtues has enjoyed a recent resurgence in the field of ethics and has even influenced scholars in religious education. This influence carries positive implications for Catholic education that merit further development. In this paper, the author gleans insights from studies in virtue ethics that may be beneficially applied to Christian formation in the classroom context. The paper begins with a discussion of the relevance of the virtues to the aims of Catholic education before going on to explain how virtues are developed generally and, more specifically, how they can be developed in Catholic classrooms.
P342 The impact of COVID-19 on the sexual health of youth in the Netherlands

Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) changed people’s life drastically, due to restrictions to reduce transmission such as social distancing and the limited number of social contacts. The objective is to gain insight in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sexual health of youth in the Netherlands. Methods We conducted two cross sectional surveys targeting Dutch youth aged 16–20 year old during the pandemic. Recruitment occurred via social media and a youth sexual health website (sense.info). Both studies included a questionnaire about dating, relationships, sexual- and help seeking behavior and mental health. We identified 4 different time periods: (i) 6 months before the pandemic (pre pandemic), (ii) first lockdown, (iii) between lockdowns, and (iv) second lockdown. Results The samples consisted of 5218 and 4091 participants. The study showed that less singles had sex during the first (40%) and second (52%) lockdown period compared to pre lockdown (67%). Singles who continued to have sex more often reported casual regular partner during the first (58%) and second lockdown (60%), than pre lockdown (28%) and between lockdowns (33%). STI testing uptake decreased from 9% pre-lockdown to 1% during the first and 3% during the second lockdown. Self-tests were used almost twice as often during the pandemic (13%) as before (7%). Among the reasons for not testing, corona-related reasons (e.g., STI clinics are closed, or health care providers are too busy) decreased between the first (47%) and second lockdown (27%). Furthermore, youths mental health has weakened since the first lockdown up until the end of 2020. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts the sexual health of Dutch youth, especially during lockdown periods, but also in periods of relaxation of pandemic control measures. Therefore, it is extremely important for healthcare providers to make their facilities accessible and find for alternatives for face-to-face testing.
Glutamic acid and cerebral function.

Publisher Summary The role of glutamic acid in cerebral metabolism is traced to the study of the effects of the administration of the amino acid to patients suffering from petit ma1 epilepsy and to mentally defective subjects. This chapter exclusively deals with the data on humans as they bear on the biochemistry of glutamic acid. Glucose is the main respiratory substrate of the brain under normal conditions. Glutamic acid can serve as respiratory substrate in lieu of or in addition to glucose under emergency conditions of insufficient glucose supply. The role of glutamic acid in metabolism is closely related to that of its amide, glutamine, to which a function in the transport and detoxication of ammonia is described. The direct action of administered glutamic acid in the central nervous system cannot be excluded, therefore, it must be considered likely that the effect is mediated through other organs or through the autonomic nervous system. The system glutamic acid-glutamine can maintain and regulate the rate of the energy-providing metabolic cycles and thus act as a metabolic buffer.
Studies on the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune renal tubulointerstitial disease in guinea pigs. 5. Deposition of C3PA on the tubular basement membranes.

Abstract Studies on the nature of the mononuclear cell infiltrate and the humoral mediators of inflammation in experimental autoimmune renal tubulointerstitial disease (RTD) in guinea pigs have shown that: (i) Disease is induced by autoantibodies to tubular basement membrane (TBM); (ii) IgG and C3 are present along the TBM of diseased kidneys; (iii) RTD can be induced in guinea pigs with a total genetic C4 deficiency, but not in passive transfer recipients treated with cobra venom factor; and (iv) the initial accumulation of mononuclear cells can be inhibited by total-body irradiation. The present immunofluorescence studies indicate that the alternate (properdin) pathway of complement activation is involved, as was previously suggested by experiments in C4-deficient guinea pigs. We have identified C3PA (factor B) along the TBM of kidneys with RTD. In contrast, C4, an early component of the classic (hemolytic) complement sequence, was not seen.
Glycosaminoglycan Structural Characterization

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are involved in a myriad of biological processes and have the capacity to be implemented as therapeutic agents. These are linear nitrogen-containing glycan polymers that are highly anionic and polydisperse. GAG biological activity is associated with the structure or sequence of regions within the biopolymer, as exemplified by the well-characterized heparin pentasaccharide sequence responsible for its antithrombotic activity. NMR is often the method of choice for the determination of the primary structure of GAG-derived oligosaccharides as well as in the monosaccharide analysis of GAGs such as low-molecular weight heparin drugs. This work describes the methods for determining the structure of intact GAGs and GAG-derived oligosaccharides through chemical shift analysis by one- and two- dimensional, homo- and heteronuclear NMR. Keywords: glycobiology; carbohydrate; biopolymer; NMR spectroscopy; heteronuclear
Marine Mammal Acoustic Tracking from Adapting HARP Technologies

Abstract : The long-term goal of this project is to track swimming and diving marine mammals using their sounds recorded by fixed autonomous acoustic recorders. These localizations will provide estimated acoustic detection ranges which are needed for population abundance estimations using distance sampling techniques (e.g. Buckland et al., 2001).
Skin Tissue Engineering for Regeneration

Skin wounds, particularly burns, affect a large population each year. The injury response to skin wounds depends both of the severity of the wound and the animal affected. The typical organismic response to an injury at the organ-scale is cell-mediated wound contraction and synthesis of nonphysiologic tissue (scar); this process is termed repair. Regeneration of lost or damaged tissue describes a process marked by synthesis of physiologic (normal, functional) tissue in the wound site. With increasing organism development, wound closure depends increasingly less on regeneration and correspondingly more on contraction and scar formation. A variety of tissue engineering constructs have been utilized to prevent contraction and scar formation and induce regeneration following skin wounds. Experimental experience has identified a number of specific criteria to maximize the bioactivity of such a graft, leading to maximal regeneration. These criteria as well as the morphology, functionality, and regenerative capacity of the three tissues that comprise skin will be detailed. In addition to the description of the organismic response to skin injuries and the current and historical clinical treatments for such injuries, five specific devices developed to treat severe skin injuries, including the design and manufacture of each device as well as the attendant experimental and clinical successes, will be detailed. Keywords: skin; wound healing; regeneration; scaffold; tissue engineering
Comparison of serological, frog, and hormone withdrawal bleeding tests for early pregnancy

Abstract A comparative study of certain tests for pregnancy, namely: the male frog test, the precipitin test with the use of antihuman chorionic gonadotropin in agar gel and the agglutination of latex balls that were coated with human chorionic gonadotropin, and the oral hormone withdrawal test in the same 63 patients was done. Prior to 40 days of pregnancy (54 days after the last menses), the serological tests showed false-negative results. These false-negative tests were related to the time of gestation with the greatest inaccuracies occurring in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. The inaccuracies of the male frog test were also related to the time of pregnancy, but false reactions were found throughout the series. The oral hormone withdrawal test was reasonably accurate for pregnancy at all stages of early gestation, but 2 cases of possible false-positive results occurred.
Near- and Mid-IR Imaging of the Nuclear Starburst in NGC 3079

The nearly edge-on Sc galaxy NGC 3079 displays strong nuclear optical emission lines of Ha, Hβ, [NII], [SII], [OI] and [OIII], and has been classified as a LINER based on the widths and relative fluxes of these lines. Observations at a variety of wavelengths have provided evidence for both a weak AGN and a starburst in and around the nucleus. Strong far-infrared emission (Soifer et al. 1987), extended mid-infrared emission (Lawrence et al. 1985), and the presence of a very large mass of molecular gas, nearly 1010 M⊙ (Irwin and Sofue 1992), lying within the central kpc, all argue for a central starburst. The high luminosity and small physical size of the nuclear H2O megamaser (Henkel et al. 1984, Haschick et al. 1990), together with the multi-component 6 cm source within the central 1 pc (Irwin and Seaquist 1988) may imply the presence of an active nucleus.
Cell-Cycle Dependent Appearance of Murine Leukemia-Sarcoma Virus Antigens

Normal rat kidney (NRK) cells, NRK cells infected with Rauscher murine leukemia virus, and NRK cells infected with Kirsten murine sarcoma-leukemia virus (NRK-K) were synchronized by a double thymidine block. At intervals after release from thymidine blockage, the cells were examined for the presence of viral antigens in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface by immunofluorescent microscopy by using goat anti-Rauscher murine leukemia virus and goat anti-Moloney leukemia virus (Tween-ether disrupted) sera. Detection of viral antigens in the cytoplasm was periodic during the cell cycle. Antigens were detected first during the S phase, increased during the G2 phase, and disappeared during the M and G1 phases. A similar pattern of surface immunofluorescence was observed. Infectious virus was detected in culture fluids from synchronized cells during the M phase. Surface immunofluorescence was detected in NRK-K cells with anti-Rauscher murine leukemia virus and may represent the presence of group-specific antigens on the cell surface. Control, uninfected NRK cells, which did not normally fluoresce, showed weak immunofluorescence during the S and G2 phases after synchronization. Synchronization can be used to amplify latent oncornavirus expression.
Carboxylic Acids, Survey

Carboxylic acids from formic (C-1) to the 22-carbon fatty acids and selected examples of higher carbon number (C-30) are reviewed. Available physical properties are tabulated for normal saturated and selected unsaturated and substituted aliphatic acids. The physical properties as well as chemical properties are discussed briefly.
A novel arrangement of the 18S and 28S sequences in a repeating unit of drosophila melanogaster rDNA

The sequences corresponding to the 18S and 28S rRNAs have been mapped within a cloned 17 kilobase (kb) fragment formed by Eco R1 cleavage of Drosophila melanogaster rDNA. This fragment, Dm103, represents the longer of two major types of repeating units that are present in the rDNA of this fly, and was cloned as a hybrid plasmid, pDm103, consisting of Dm103 inserted at the Eco R1 site of the pSC101 vector (Glover et al., 1975). Mapping of the 18S and 28S rDNA in Dm103 was accomplished by quantitative determination of the amount of these rDNAs in each member of an ordered set of restriction fragments obtained by Hind III and Eco R1 cleavage of pDm103. The amounts of 18S and 28S rDNAs were determined by hybridization of the rRNAs to fragments that were purified by cloning, and an unambiguous order of the fragments within pDm103 was established by heteroduplex mapping and from the stoichiometry of the fragment lengths. The resulting map revealed that the 4 kb of 28S rDNA within the long repeating unit represented by Dm103 is divided into two blocks that are separated by 5.4 kb of DNA of unknown function. It is this unusual arrangement of the 28S rDNA that distinguishes the long repeating units (17 kb) from the short units (11.5 kb), whose 4 kb of 28S rDNA is confined to a single block, as is shown in the accompanying paper ((White and Hogness, 1977)). The remainder of the DNA in this long unit appears to be typically arranged, with the 2 kb of 18S rDNA confined to a single block that is separated by about 1 kb from the closest block of 28S rDNA.
A study of the nucleus 107Ag in the core-excitation model with the (p, t) and (τ, d) reactions

Abstract The 107 Ag residual nucleus was studied in the core-excitation model using the (p, t) and (τ, d) reactions. The L , J , π of levels between 0.0 and 2.25 MeV was deduced from the combined reactions. The octupole state observed at 2.19 MeV in other experiments was resolved in (p, t) into a triplet of states at 2.182, 2.203 and 2.229 MeV; octupole strength was observed in (p, t) over a range from 1.144 to 2.229 MeV. Core-excitation wave functions for the quadrupole 2 + and 2' + vibration doublets of 107 Ag were constructed using electromagnetic data. These wave functions, combined with data from the 108 Pd(p, t) core reaction, effectively reproduced the 109 Ag(p, t) differential cross sections to these states. The ground-state L = 0 transfer in (p, t) to 107 Ag was only 0.752±0.113 as strong as the corresponding transfer to 106 pd. this is an unexpectedly large blocking effect for an unpaired proton to exert upon a neutron-transfer reaction. An apparent dependence of the (p, t) angular distributions to states of 107 Ag built upon the same core excitation was observed, depending upon the J of the final state.
Alternative approach to percolation in microemulsions

An approach to study correlated percolation in lattice models of microemulsions is presented. Mean-field-like equations for the percolation locus for each of the molecular species are obtained, whose only input are the structure functions of the microemulsion model. Using a spin-1 Hamiltonian considered by Gompper and Schick (Phys. Rev. B 41, 9148 (1990)) as a model for microemulsions, we find that the water-percolation threshold increases as the surfactant becomes more lipophilic. This is in qualitative agreement with the behavior found in real microemulsions as salt is added to the system.
Comparison of constitutive models for plastic-bonded explosives

A constitutive model for an explosive consists of three parts: equation of state of reactants, equation of state of products, and reaction rate. In the absence of a good physical theory, models are empirical and based on heuristics. For the HMX based plastic-bonded explosive PBX 9501, three models have previously been calibrated and used in numerical simulations. Here, these three models are compared. They illustrate several generic difficulties with developing and validating models. The available data is insufficient to determine a constitutive model uniquely. Different models can be calibrated to fit the available data yet differ significantly in regions of phase space of importance to applications. Comparing models gives an indication of the uncertainty in model predictions outside the domain of the fitting data.
Relational Messages Associated with Nonverbal Behaviors.

Based on the assumptions that relational messages are multidimensional and that they are frequently communicated by nonverbal cues, this experiment manipulated five nonverbal cues -eye contact, proximity, body lean, smiling, and touch - to determine what meanings they convey along four relational message dimensions. Subjects (N= 150) observed 2 out of 40 videotaped conversational segments in which a male-female dyad presented various combinations of the nonverbal cues. High eye contact, close proximity, forward body lean, and smiling all conveyed greater intimacy, attraction, and trust. Low eye contact, a distal position, backward body lean, and the absence of smiling and touch communicated greater detachment. High eye contact, close proximity, and smiling also communicated less emotional arousal and greater composure, while high eye contact and close proximity alone conveyed greater dominance and control. Effects of combinations of cues and sex-differences are also reported.
Evaluation of penicillin-based inhibitors of the class A and B β-lactamases from Bacillus anthracis

Bacillus anthracis contains a class A (Bla1) and class B (Bla2) beta-lactamase, which confer resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics when expressed in Escherichia coli. In an effort to find new beta-lactamase inhibitors, several penicillin derivatives have been evaluated including experimental compounds incorporating a 6-mercaptomethyl group or a 6-pyridylmethylidene group, along with clavulanate and tazobactam, as inhibitors against Bla1 and Bla2. The 6-mercaptomethyl-substituted penicillins showed much greater activity against the zinc-containing Bla2 than Bla1. The compound that incorporated a 6-pyridylmethylidene substituent and a catecholic substituent at the 2' position was the most effective inhibitor of Bla1 with Ki=0.057 microM. Inhibitors containing iron-chelating functional groups have previously been shown to work in combination with antibiotics to inhibit growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria expressing beta-lactamase. The development of similar compounds, incorporating these types of substituents, may help overcome resistance to currently used antibiotics.
Interpreting the factor risk premia in the arbitrage pricing theory

Abstract In the arbitrage pricing theory of Ross, assets' expected returns are shown to be approximately linear in the factor loadings of the process generating returns. This note provides a very simple and direct proof of the proposition that the coefficients in this approximate pricing relation can be interpreted as the excess returns on portfolios perfectly correlated with the factors whenever a riskless asset and such “mimicking” portfolios exist.
The synthesis of pyridoxal phosphate in rat brain regions.

Abstract 1. 1. The concentration of pyridoxal phosphate in various areas of brain was non-uniform, ranging from 0.86–1.97 μg/g tissues. 2. 2. Similarly, the activity of pyridoxal kinase showed an uneven distribution, ranging from 94–248 mμ moles pyridoxal phosphate formed/g tissue per hr.
Networking of secure systems

The design and implementation aspects of network security facilities for interconnecting Unix-based secure systems such as Secure Xenix, and CMW, using the TCP/IP protocols for communication, are described. Session-based and non-session-based security facilities are proposed for achieving secure connectivity between secure systems. A description of network security requirements and the arts is included. >
Addendum to the MyPyramid Equivalents Database 2.0

Abstract Background The MyPyramid Equivalents Database (MPED) provides amounts of food groups and subgroups in foods consumed in nationwide food consumption surveys. The most recent MPED issued by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) was Version 2.0, created for use with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-04. Several of the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion's (CNPP) projects require food group equivalents data for foods from more recent NHANES. Objective To provide a supplementary database of food group equivalents for more recent NHANES foods, for use in CNPP projects. Description Additional foods (n=820) reported in NHANES 2005-06 and 2007-08 were identified for inclusion in several CNPP projects, including the new online diet assessment tool, the SuperTracker. Cup and ounce equivalents were calculated for 750 foods by using the approach described in the documentation for the MPED 2.0. The USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23 (2010) was used for calculations. ARS provided equivalents data for 70 formulated foods. The Addendum to the MPED includes cup or ounce equivalents per 100 grams of food for each USDA food group and subgroup, grams of discretionary solid fats and oils, teaspoons of added sugars, alcoholic beverages, as well as whole fruit and fruit juice equivalents. The Addendum database and documentation are available on the CNPP web site at: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/OtherProjects.htm. Conclusion The Addendum provides useful data for foods from more recent NHANES that are not in MPED 2.0. It will be available until the next equivalents database is released by ARS.
Pancreatic polypeptides affect luteinizing and growth hormone secretion in rats

Abstract We have examined the effects of third cerebroventricular (3V) injections of avian and bovine pancreatic polypeptide (APP and BPP) and the C-terminal hexapeptide amide of human PP (CHPP) on the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones in conscious ovariectomized rats. Injection of APP (2.0 μg; 472 pmoles) or BPP (5.0 μg; 1191 pmoles) decreased plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) when compared to pre-injection levels in these animals or to saline-injected controls. The lower dose of BPP (0.5 μg; 119 pmoles) decreased plasma LH versus pre-injection levels and control animals, however, these effects diminshed at later times. Plasma growth hormone (GH) also decreased following 3V injections of APP (2.0 μg) or BPP (5.0 μg). The lower dose of BPP (0.5 μg) initially inhibited GH release, however, this effect was rapidly reversed and GH levels were significantly greater than those in controls at 60 and 120 min. Injections of BPP or APP did not alter prolactin (PRL) or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion. Administration of 2.0 μg and 0.2 μg of CHPP (2488 and 249 pmoles) produced no significant effects on plasma LH, GH, PRL or TSH. APP and BPP had no consistent effects on hormone secretion from dispersed anterior pituitary cells. The results indicate that APP and BPP exert potent central effects which inhibit LH and GH release from the pituitary gland.
Utilizing a Quantile Function Approach to Obtain Exact Bootstrap Solutions

The popularity of the bootstrap is due in part to its wide applicability and the ease of implementing resampling procedures on modern computers. But careful reading of Efron (1979) will show that at its heart, the bootstrap is a "plug-in'' procedure that involves calculating a functional $\theta(\hat{F})$ from an estimate of the c.d.f. F. Resampling becomes invaluable when, as is often the case, $\theta(\hat{F})$ cannot be calculated explicitly. We discuss some situations where working with the sample quantile function, $\hat{Q}$, rather than $\hat{F}$, can lead to explicit (exact) solutions to $\theta(\hat{F})$.
The pragmatics of inter generational friendships

Little research has focused on the communicative functions of intergenerational friendship. This exploratory study was guided by one major research question: Is there a difference between friendships within the same generation and friendships between individuals in different generations? Twenty elderly individuals and twenty undergraduate students were surveyed about their intergenerational friendships. The data were analyzed to determine similarities and differences between the two types of friendships. Implications and suggestions for future research are offered.
Lung carcinogenesis with 1-acetyl-2-isonicotinoylhydrazine, the major metabolite of isoniazid.

Abstract The continuous administration of 0·4%1-acetyl-2-isonicotinoylhydrazine in the drinking water to 4-week-old randomly bred Swiss mice for the remainder of their lifetime gave rise to an increased incidence of lung tumors. It rose from 12 to 77% in females and from 10 to 58% in males as compared with the untreated controls. The treatment had no apparent effect on the development of other types of tumors. The present study thus proves for the first time the carcinogenicity of 1-acetyl-2-isonicotinoylhydrazine, which in man is the major metabolite of the tuberculostatic drug isoniazid.
ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase from maize endosperm.

Abstract ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase was isolated from maturing seeds of starchy maize. Several glycolytic intermediates activated the enzyme. 3-Phosphoglycerate and fructose 6-phosphate were the best activators. 3-Phosphoglycerate increased the maximal velocity of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction and increased the affinity of the enzyme toward the substrates ATP, α-glucose 1-phosphate, and ADP-glucose. The hyperbolic 3-phosphoglycerate saturation curve became sigmoid in the presence of inorganic phosphate, an inhibitor. The results suggest that regulation of starch biosynthesis in nonphotosynthetic tissue occurs at the level of ADP-glucose formation.
Nonlinear optics in high-Q SOI optical microcavities

High-quality-factor (Q>106) silicon optical microdisks are fabricated out of silicon-on-insulator wafers. Optical loss mechanisms are characterized through fiber-taper-probe measurements. Nonlinear effects including Raman and Brillouin scattering, and thermal and free-carrier driven optical bistability are presented.