cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic on the U.S. Emergency Medical Services System: A Preliminary Report.

Background: Our objective was to quantify trends in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) incidents as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, and to determine if there was an increase in EMS attended deaths. Methods: We conducted a three-year comparative retrospective cohort analysis of data from the National EMS Information System. Data were included if care was provided between the 40th and 21st week of the next year and compared over three-years. We included incidents identified through 9-1-1 where patient contact was made. The total number of EMS incidents per week was used as the denominator to calculate the rate of patient deaths and possible injury. We assessed for temporal and seasonal trends. Results: Starting in the 10th week of 2020 there was a decrease in the number of EMS activations in the United States compared to the prior weeks and the same time period in previous years. The number of activations between week 10 and 16 decreased by 140,292 or 26.1%. The portion of EMS activations reporting a patient disposition of death nearly doubled between the 11th and 15th week of 2020 (1.49% to 2.77% of all activations). The number of EMS activations documenting a possible injury decreased from 18.43% to 15.27% between weeks 10 and 13. Conclusion: We found that early in the COVID-19 outbreak there was a significant decrease in the number of EMS responses across the United States. Simultaneously the rate of EMS attended death doubled, while the rate of injuries decreased.
Affective Disruption During Forced Ethanol Abstinence in C57BL/6J and C57BL/6NJ Mice

Background In alcohol-dependent individuals, acute alcohol withdrawal results in severe physiological disruption, including potentially lethal central nervous system hyperexcitability. Although benzodiazepines successfully mitigate such symptoms, this treatment does not significantly reduce recidivism rates in postdependent individuals. Instead, persistent affective disturbances that often emerge weeks to months after initial detoxification appear to play a significant role in relapse risk; however, it remains unclear whether genetic predispositions contribute to their emergence, severity, and/or duration. Interestingly, significant genotypic and phenotypic differences have been observed among distinct C57BL/6 (B6) substrains, and, in particular, C57BL/6J (B6J) mice have been found to reliably exhibit higher voluntary ethanol (EtOH) intake and EtOH preference compared to several C57BL/6N (B6N)-derived substrains. To date, however, B6 substrains have not been directly compared on measures of acute withdrawal severity or affective-behavioral disruption during extended abstinence. Methods Male and female B6J and B6NJ mice were exposed to either a 7-day chronic intermittent EtOH vapor (CIE) protocol or to ordinary room air in inhalation chambers. Subsequently, blood EtOH concentrations and handling-induced convulsions were evaluated during acute withdrawal, and mice were then tested weekly for affective behavior on the sucrose preference test, light-dark box test, and forced swim test throughout 4 weeks of (forced) abstinence. Results Despite documented differences in voluntary EtOH intake between these substrains, we found little evidence for substrain differences in either acute withdrawal or long-term abstinence between B6J and B6NJ mice. Conclusions In B6J and B6NJ mice, both the acute and long-term sequelae of EtOH withdrawal are dependent on largely nonoverlapping gene networks relative to those underlying voluntary EtOH drinking.
Emission in Fabry-Perot Cavities in Weak and Strong Coupling Regimes

We have studied spectra and angular distribution of emission of Rhodamine 6G dye in Fabry-Perot cavities in weak and strong coupling regimes and demonstrated control of the strong coupling with the pumping intensity.
A Systematic Review of Motivational Interviewing to Address Substance Use with Justice-Involved Adults.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is widely used in substance abuse treatment, possibly due to the short sessions and the treatment’s cost-effectiveness. Previous research has established the efficacy...
Patient Selection for Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: What the Surgeon Wants to Know.

ABSTRACT Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is an excellent treatment strategy for well-selected patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Potential benefits of TORS are greatest among patients for whom surgical resection will reduce or eliminate the need for adjuvant therapy. Proper patient selection largely depends on imaging, which is used to determine tumor resectability, to inform expected morbidity and functional outcome, to assess the potential need for adjuvant therapy, to evaluate for vascular or other anatomic contraindications, and to gauge adequacy of transoral access to the tumor. This article provides the radiologist with a practical and accessible approach to interpreting preoperative imaging among patients with oropharyngeal cancer, emphasizing what the surgeon wants to know to inform the determination of whether the patient is a TORS candidate and why this information is important. By accurately reporting this information, the radiologist facilitates the multidisciplinary care team's selection of a treatment regimen optimized for the circumstances of the individual patient.
Evaluating New York raw fiber-to-retail:

Inspired by the slow fashion movement, this is an exploratory case study focused on New York’s raw fiber-to-retail value chain for local clothing and textiles. New York has over 470 diverse sheep, ...
Systematics of Damselfishes

The family Pomacentridae is a species-rich group of primarily marine fishes. The phylogenetic relationships of the damselfishes are examined herein using sequence data from five mitochondrial (12S, 16S, ATP synthase subunits 8/6, cytochrome b, and cytochrome c oxidase I) and three nuclear (histone H3, recombination activating gene 1 exon 3, and Tmo-4C4) loci. A combined data matrix of 6,865 base pairs was compiled for 462 taxa, representing 322 damselfish species, and used to reconstruct the phylogeny of pomacentrids via maximum likelihood. The resulting topology supports the monophyly of the family and some groups within it, corroborating some conclusions drawn by recent studies but contradicting others. We find that the family is composed of four major lineages, recognized herein as the subfamilies Chrominae, Glyphisodontinae, Microspathodontinae, and Pomacentrinae. The subfamily Microspathodontinae is sister to a clade of the other three subfamilies, and the subfamily Glyphisodontinae is sister to a clade of Chrominae and Pomacentrinae. The monotypic subfamily Lepidozyginae is recovered within Microspathodontinae and placed in the synonymy of Microspathodontinae. Species of Plectroglyphidodon and Stegastes are reassigned to maintain the monophyly of both genera. In Chrominae, the generic limits of Azurina and Chromis are revised to reflect monophyletic groups. The genus-group name Pycnochromis is resurrected to accommodate a group of former Chromis sister to Dascyllus. In Pomacentrinae, the genus Premnas is recovered within Amphiprion and placed in the synonymy of Amphiprion. The genus Chrysiptera is broadly polyphyletic within Pomacentrinae. The genus Amblypomacentrus is revised to accommodate some species formerly classified as Chrysiptera.
Fusing to the Sacrum/Pelvis: Does the Risk of Reoperation in Thoracolumbar Fusions Depend on Upper Instrumented Vertebrae (UIV) Selection?

ABSTRACT Background There is controversy as to whether fusions should have the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) end in the upper lumbar spine or cross the thoracolumbar junction. This study compares outcomes and reoperation rates for thoracolumbar fusions to the sacrum or pelvis with UIV in the lower thoracic versus lumbar spine to determine if there is an increased reoperation rate depending on UIV selection. Methods A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted from a single-center database on adult patients with degeneration and deformity who underwent primary and revision fusions with a caudal level of S1 or ilium between 2012 and 2018. Fusions were classified as anterior, posterior, or combination approach. Revision fusions included patients who had spinal surgery at another institution prior to their revision surgery at the center. Patients were categorized into 1 of 3 groups based on UIV: T9–T11, upper lumbar region (L1–L2), and lower lumbar region (L3–L5). Inclusion criteria was age 18 years or older and at least 1 year of clinical follow-up. Patients were excluded from analysis if they had tumors, infections, or less than 1 year of follow-up after the index procedure. Results The reoperation rates for the UIV groups in the thoracic (28%) and upper lumbar (27%) spine were nearly equal in magnitude and were both significantly higher than the reoperation rate in the lower lumbar group (18%, P = .046). Reoperation for the diagnosis of adjacent segment disease was 8.3% in the upper lumbar spine and statistically significantly higher than the reoperation rates for adjacent segment disease in the thoracic (1%) or lower lumbar (4.5%, P = .042) spine. Reoperations for pseudoarthrosis and proximal junctional kyphosis were 13% and 4%, respectively, in the thoracic spine, both of which were statistically significantly different (pseudoarthrosis, P = .035; proximal junctional kyphosis, P = .002) from the reoperation rates for the same diagnoses in the upper lumbar spine (4.6% and 1%) or lower lumbar spine (6.2% and 0%). A multivariate logistical regression model at 2-year follow up did not show a statistically significant difference between reoperation rates between the thoracic and upper lumbar spine UIV groups. Conclusion Constructs with UIV in the thoracic spine suffer from higher rates of proximal junctional kyphosis and pseudoarthrosis, whereas those with UIV in the upper lumbar spine have higher rates of adjacent segment disease. Given this tradeoff, there is no certain recommendation on what UIV will result in a lower reoperation rate in thoracolumbar fusion constructs to the sacrum or pelvis. Surgeons must evaluate patient characteristics and risks to make the optimal decision.
Transmitting Success: Comprehensive Peer Mentoring for At-Risk Students in Developmental Math.

This study presents and assesses a developmental math focused peer mentoring program at a public urban university. Over three semesters 45 mentees participated in the program. Results include substantive increases in developmental pass rates as well as increases in self-efficacy and social integration. Other noteworthy findings include the significance of the peer mentors’ ability to translate and transmit academically effective behaviors to the mentees as well as ongoing program assessment and modification on the part of the program coordinators. The article provides a detailed description of the program and possible implications.
Mobile Home Park Lot “Rent Control”

Abstract Successful legislative campaigns, especially those in rural areas, are not often reported in the literature. There are many lessons to be learned from these campaigns. This case example explores a significant legislative victory by an organization called Tenants United for Fairness-Vermont (TUFF-VT), and applies several different community organizing models in the analysis of the campaign.
Recombination lifetime measurements in SOI materials using a depletion-mode MOSFET

The authors measured recombination lifetime in SOI by using a depletion-mode MOSFET. The drain-source current transient of depletion-mode MOSFETs when a reversed step bias is applied to the gate is studied at elevated temperatures. A theoretical analysis is performed by considering the different generation processes as functions of temperature. At high temperature, the minority carriers required for the inversion charge come mainly from the quasi-neutral region beneath the depletion region and from the nearby Si film-buried oxide interface through a generation-diffusion process; generation from the depletion region is neglected as well as the generation from the front gate interface. This analysis leads to a determination of a function containing the drain-source current varying linearly with time. >
Supersymmetry and F-theory realization of the deformed conifold with three-form flux

It is shown that the deformed conifold solution with three-form flux, found by Klebanov and Strassler, is supersymmetric, and that it admits a simple F-theory description in terms of a direct product of the deformed conifold and a torus. Some general remarks on Ramond-Ramond backgrounds and warped compactifications are included.
Evolutionary Alternatives to Equilibrium Economics: Some Suggested Applications

Built on the fictional concept of equilibrium, mainstream economics provides a method of analysis that, when paired with the calculus, enables relatively easy identification of maximum and minimum values. Lacking empirical evidence of its behavioral assumptions, the profession accepts such familiar claims as consumer maximization of utility and business firm maximization of profit or revenue. In place of the relatively static concept of equilibrium, the Veblen-Myrdal notion of circular and cumulative causation (CCC) arguably has greater descriptive capability and more penetrating insight for policy recommendations. This article traces the historical origins of both concepts and argues that CCC offers considerable potential for a broad, dynamic, interdisciplinary, more thorough, and more accurate analytical framework. Specific examples of work that has been done along with suggestions for future applications of this concept are given.
Cutting Edge: Differential Signaling Requirements for Activation of Assembled Cyclin D3-cdk4 Complexes in B-1 and B-2 Lymphocyte Subsets

B-1 lymphocytes represent a distinct B cell subset with unusual mitogenic responses. PMA alone promotes proliferation in B-1 cells, but not in splenic B-2 cells. Although cyclin D2-cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (cdk4) complexes mediate early retinoblastoma gene product (pRb) phosphorylation in B-1 cells, the transient nature of their accumulation cannot account for the continued increase in pRb phosphorylation, which is maximal at 24 h. We show herein that PMA promotes the accumulation of functional cyclin D3-cdk4 complexes in B-1 cells following loss of cyclin D2. PMA also induces accumulation of cyclin D3-cdk4 complexes in B-2 cells; however, these complexes do not phosphorylate pRb. Thus, PMA is sufficient to induce synthesis and assembly of cyclin D3-cdk4 complexes in B-1 and B-2 cells; however, PMA triggers cyclin D3-cdk4 activation only in B-1 cells. These results reveal a novel regulatory step that controls activation of cyclin D3-cdk4 complexes whose function segregates differentially in B cell subsets.
Comparison of laser-produced plasma target materials for pumping the 109 nm Xe/sup 2+/ Auger laser

We compared cadmium, copper, gold, and zinc targets to stainless steel for laser-produced plasma pumping the Xe/sup 2+/ 109 nm laser. Maximum output energies are presented for each material relative to stainless steel. Relative increases probably result from an improved overlap of the laser-produced plasma emission spectrum with the Xe inner shell 4d photoionization cross section.
Anthropogenic contributions to the carbonaceous content of aerosols over the Pacific Ocean

During a joint U.S./U.S.S.R. research cruise from 3 May to 27 July 1987 both total and fine (< 2 μm) particulate material was sampled. This cruise started in the Hawaiian Islands and then proceeded to the Kamchatka peninsula, south to Wellington, New Zealand, south of Australia into the Indian Ocean, to Singapore and then returned to the Hawaiian Islands by sailing just north of the Equator. Particulate samples, collected on quartz fiber and Teflon filters, were analysed for organic and elemental carbon by transmission thermo-optical carbon analysis and for trace elements by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. In the Northern Hemisphere the total particulate, organic carbon and elemental carbon concentration ranges were, respectively, 10–25, 0.5–2.5 and 0–0.3 μg m−3. In the Southern Hemisphere they were, respectively, 5–10, <0.6 and <0.02 μg m−3. In the Northern Hemisphere the fine particulate concentration range was 2–15 μg m−3 and the fine fraction varied from 20 to 80% of total aerosol loading. In the Southern Hemisphere the fine particulate loading was 1.2–1.7 μg m−3 and was usually less than 20% of the total particulate mass. Chemical mass balance (CMB) modeling was used to determine possible anthropogenic particulate contributions to the ocean aerosol. Readily available source profiles were used for CMB modeling. Sea-salt aerosol was represented by either the conventional EPA marine source profile or by the average of ambient ocean aerosols sampled in very clean mid-ocean regions. Usually 60–90% of ambient particulate mass was “explained” by the CMB model. Sources such as soil, catalytic auto emissions and wood-burning emissions were found to be possible contributors to the ocean aerosol, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Anthropogenic contributions were estimated to contribute from 10 to 30% of oceanic aerosol mass. Emissions from a hugh forest fire that burned in northern China during the spring of 1987 were possibly detected, but the CMB model cannot distinguish this source from emissions from heating and cooking with wood. Since anthropogenic emissions are mainly combustion emissions which usually contain a large carbon component, carbon data is essential to CMB modeling. The relatively good CMB results obtained in this study suggest that it might be useful to develop source profiles for major emission sources in those countries which contribute most directly to oceanic aerosols. Perhaps characteristic national or regional source profiles could be developed.
Evaluating and improving the photostability of fluorescent proteins

Fluorescent proteins are the most common and versatile class of genetically encoded optical probes. While structure-guided rational design and directed evolution approaches have largely overcome early problems such as oligomerization, poor folding at physiological temperatures, and availability of wavelengths suitable for multi-color imaging, nearly all fluorescent proteins have yet to be fully optimized. We have developed novel methods for evaluating the current generation of fluorescent proteins and improving their remaining suboptimal properties. Little is yet known about the mechanisms responsible for photobleaching of fluorescent proteins, and inadequate photostability is a chief complaint among end users. In order to compare the performance of fluorescent proteins across the visual spectrum, we have standardized a method used to measure photostability in live cells under both widefield and confocal laser illumination. This method has allowed us to evaluate a large number of commonly used fluorescent proteins, and has uncovered surprisingly complex and unpredictable behaviors in many of these proteins. We have also developed novel methods for selecting explicitly for high photostability during the directed evolution process, leading to the development of highly improved monomeric orange and red fluorescent proteins. These proteins, most notably our photostable derivative of TagRFP, have remarkably high photostability and have proven useful as fusion tags for long-term imaging. Our methods should be applicable to any of the large number of fluorescent proteins still in need of improved photostability.
Aging, Immune Function, and Exercise: Hormonal Regulation

There is a known decline in immune function associated with aging which increases the risk for infectious diseases, tumorigenesis, and autoimmune disorders. As a result, older individuals demonstrating age-related immune dysfunction have significantly higher mortality rates. Alterations in neuroendocrine function play an important role in this immunosenescence as reductions in the ability to synthesize and release hormones and neurotransmitters, alterations in receptor number, density and affinity, diminished receptor responsiveness, and alterations in biochemical events distal to the hormone/receptor site are known to occur. It is becoming increasingly apparent that these age-associated neuroendocrine changes have a significant regulatory role in modulating immune function both at rest and in response to the stress of a single bout of exercise. In particular, this review will focus on age-related changes that are documented to occur in growth hormone, IGF-I, sympathetic nerve activity, catecholamine metabolism and responsiveness, and gonadal steroids. As a result of these neuroendocrine changes, older individuals are likely to respond differently to both acute and chronic exercise stimulation.
Parameterized variational inequalities

We prove that under suitable conditions, the solution set of a variational inequality, governed by perturbed monotone operators depending on a parameter, has a continuous selection. In the nonparametric case this can be considered as a variational principle for variational inequalities, an analogue of the Borwein---Preiss variational principle. An applications of this result is given.
On phenomenological rheo-optic constitutive relations

The birefringence exhibited by high polymers can be explained by considering light as an electromagnetic wave propagating through an anisotropic dielectric. The observed dependence of the birefringence on the deformation stale is described by expressing the dielectric tensor as a functional of the strain history. For small strains, the functional can be approximated by an integral so that the birefringence and strain are related by a law of the Boltzmann superposition integral form.
Major and minor stratospheric warmings and their interactions on the troposphere

Analyses of evolutions of the kinetic and thermal energy associated with the major and minor stratospheric warmings in the winters of 1976–77 and 1975–76 respectively indicate that the predominant ultra-long waves in the stratosphere oscillated at periods of 10–20 days, whereas in the troposphere the predominant long waves oscillated at periods of 8 to 12 days. These tropospheric long waves are almost out-of-phase with the stratospheric ultra-long waves for the minor warming, but in-phase for the major warming. The kinetic energy of the zonal mean flow in the stratosphere for the minor warming is much greater than that for the major warming, indicating that the occurrence of a major warming depends on the magnitude of the kinetic energy of the zonal mean flow relative to that of the meridional convergence of the poleward flux of sensible heat. In both the major and minor warmings, most of the stratospheric eddy kinetic energy is contained in waves of wavenumbers 1 and 2, whereas the stratospheric available potential energy is primarily contained in waves of wavenumber 1. The kinetic energy associated with waves of wavenumber 1 appeared to be 180° out-of-phase with those of wavenumber 2, indicating that nonlinear transfer of kinetic energy occurred between waves of wavenumbers 1 and 2. The occurrences of wind reversals were accompanied by decouplings of the stratospheric and tropospheric motions, and blockings in the troposphere.
Inhibition and reactivation of chicken kynurenine formamidase: In vitro studies with organophosphates, N-alkylcarbamates, and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride

Abstract In studies on the mechanism of avian teratogenesis induced by organophosphorus and methylcarbamate insecticides, chicken liver kynurenine formamidase (KFase) was used as a convenient model for the more difficultly accessible but teratogenically relevant KFase of the yolk sac membrane. The parameters of in vitro KFase inhibition kinetics do not correlate with the teratogenic potency of various organophosphates and N-alkylcarbamates. The phosphorylated, carbamoylated, and sulfonylated enzymes are relatively resistant to reactivation of enzyme activity either spontaneously or by aldoximes or hydroxylamine. This refractory property may contribute to the prolonged in ovo KFase inhibition necessary for the NAD-deficiency type of teratogenesis.
Host/guest conformations of biological systems: valinomycin/alkali ions

Abstract Collision cross sections of gas phase valinomycin–alkali ion complexes were measured in helium using the ion mobility based ion chromatography technique. For the lithiated and sodiated species a value of 267 A 2 was measured whereas the cross sections for the potassiated, rubidiated, and cesiated complexes were larger 272, 277, and 279 A 2 , respectively. The systematic increase with ion size indicates that the backbone folding of the cyclic valinomycin molecule is dependent on the choice of alkali ion. This result is in good agreement with theoretical cross sections of model structures obtained by molecular mechanics simulations. The model structures demonstrate that the valinomycin host completely encapsulates the alkali ion with five or six of the polar carbonyl groups in the first solvation sphere of the alkali ion. The polar core of the complex is shielded by the aliphatic valinomycin side chains, which were found to be predominant on the complex surface. The lithium ion is solvated by a fivefold carbonyl coordination sphere with at least four of the five carbonyls belonging to valine units. The sodiated species exhibits a five- to sixfold carbonyl coordination with highly excited O…Na + vibrations at 300 K. In the potassiated and cesiated complexes the alkali ion is coordinated by six valine carbonyl groups in a near octahedral arrangement causing the valinomycin backbone to fold in a quasi- S 6 symmetric fashion. These results demonstrate that the overall size and shape of the complex is not quite the same for different alkali ions, in contrast to conclusions made from solution salt extraction experiments and assumptions made in previous molecular mechanics calculations. However, our results were found to be in good agreement with earlier spectroscopic studies carried out on alkali salt valinomycin crystals and solutions thereof in organic solvents. Relative alkali ion–valinomycin binding energies extracted from the molecular mechanics data were able to qualitatively explain the experimentally observed preference of valinomycin for hosting potassium over lithium and sodium.
Spectroscopic applications and frequency locking of THz photomixing with distributed-Bragg-reflector diode lasers in low-temperature-grown GaAs

A compact, narrow-linewidth, tunable source of THz radiation has been developed for spectroscopy and other high-resolution applications. Distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) diode lasers at 850 nm are used to pump a low-temperature-grown GaAs photomixer. Resonant optical feedback is employed to stabilize the center frequencies and narrow the linewidths of the DBR lasers. The heterodyne linewidth full-width at half-maximum of two optically locked DBR lasers is 50 kHz on the 20 ms time scale and 2 MHz over 10 s; free-running DBR lasers have linewidths of 40 and 90 MHz on such time scales. This instrument has been used to obtain rotational spectra of acetonitrile (CH3CN) at 313 GHz. Detection limits of 1 × 10^–4 Hz^1/2 (noise/total power) have been achieved, with the noise floor dominated by the detector's noise equivalent power.
Localization of interleukin‐1 in human squamous carcinomas of the head and neck

Recent investigations revealed that interleukin-1 can promote bone resorption by activating osteoclasts. The authors immunocytochemical studies with monoclonal antibody against human interleukin-1 localized interleukin-1 at the bone resorp tion site of the squamous carcinomas as well as within the squamous carcinomas. In addition, Weatern blotting and dot blotting methods were used to isolate interleukin-1 from the extracts of the squamous carcinomaa in the head and neck. Finding interleukin-1, a potent bone resorption-stimulating factor, in squamous carcinomas suggests that interleukin-1 might play an important role in the extensive local bone destruction seen in the head and neck patients with squamous carcinomas
Analysis and Design of Voltage Regulator with Adaptive FET Modulation To Improve Efficiency

This paper presents a load adaptive voltage regulator that achieves high efficiency extended to light and heavy load regions. The presented method is named as "Adaptive FET Modulation" (AFM) since multiple FETs with different specifications are paralleled such that the number of driven FETs and their respective gate driving voltage are adaptive to load current. The capability of adaptive modulation of FETs' parasitic charges and resistances along with adaptive gate driving voltage allows achieving the best FET optimization over a wide load range. AFM operates at a fixed switching frequency for almost the whole load range, therefore it has no effect on the conventional buck operation and its dynamic performance, and is simple to implement. In this paper, the concept, design, analysis and experimental results of the proposed AFM are presented.
Potential Use Of Mitochondria As A Reservoir For Photosensitive Lipophilic Cations

Fluorescent lipophilic cations such as rhodamine 123 have been used to localize mitochondria in living cells. The specific uptake is resulted from the uniquely high membrane potential across mitochondria. Although mitochondria in all cells take up rhodamine 123, the degrees of uptake and retention vary from one cell type to the other. Many carcinoma cell types/lines have a higher uptake and longer retention of rhodamine 123 than that of normal epithelial cells, probably resulted from higher mitochondrial and plasma membrane potentials. This phenotype has been exploited for selective killing of carcinoma cells in vitro as well as in vivo. Mitochondria may be used as a reservoir and a slow-releasing device for photosensitive, lipophilic, cationic drugs.
Sequentially contingent fires, droughts and pluvials structured a historical dry forest landscape and suggest future contingencies

Questions Dry forests throughout the world were historically influenced by fires and climatic events, evidenced by tree recruitment pulses in forest age structures, but did these influences act randomly or were recruitment pulses contingent on the type, magnitude, order and timing of events? If recruitment was random or contingent, what are the implications for future forests? Location Unlogged, old-growth ponderosa pine landscape in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, US. Methods We spatially reconstructed and compared tree recruitment pulses evident in forest age structures within plots with tree ring reconstructions of pluvials, droughts, fires and fire quiescence (longer fire-free periods). We used chi-square analysis to test for sequential contingency of combinations and permutations of pulse influences. Results Of 20 recruitment pulses, 17 were influenced to some extent by fire quiescence, 13 by fires and droughts each, and 11 by pluvials. Prevalence of pulses across the landscape did not correspond to the pronounced spatial variability in fire rotation. Analysis of combinations and permutations of these influences showed that potentially mortality-inducing influences of fire and drought likely initiated pulses, whereas pluvials and quiescence, which enhance recruitment conditions, sustained 75% of pulses. Conclusions Successful tree recruitment pulses in dry forests historically were sequentially contingent on mortality-inducing influences, followed by recruitment-enhancing conditions. The impacts of climate change projections, including prolonged droughts and intense fires, on dry forests may depend on the order, timing and magnitude of influences.
The effect of temperature on ventilation in the turtle, Pseudemys scripta elegans

Abstract Respiratory minute volume ( ( e ) and oxygen consumption (Vo2) were measured simultaneously on freshwater turtles, Pseudemys scripta elegans, at 10, 20, 30 and 35 °C following at least 3 days of continuous exposure to the test temperature. In general, Vo2 increased with temperature as expected but ( ( e ) was relatively independent of temperature. Consequently, the ratio, ( ( e )( btps )V o 2 (STPD), varied inversely with temperature (Q10 = 0.46). Mean values for ( ( e ) /Vo, were: 10°C-76.2; 20 °C-38.1; 30 °C-16.3; 35 °C-10.8. No consistent variation with temperature was observed with either rate or tidal volume. At each temperature ( ( e ) increased in direct proportion to o2 indicating that accurate respiratory control existed but that the control level shifted with temperature. The pattern of breathing observed in the turtles is consistent with the previous report ( Howell, Baumgardner, Bondi and Rahn , 1970) on the relationship between blood pH and body temperature in various poikilothermic vertebrates, including turtles, and the results indicate that in the turtle, Pseudemys, at least, the pH-temperature regulation is achieved by respiratory adjustment of Paco2.
Yersinia enterocolitica and Y-enterocolitica-like species in clinical stool specimens of humans: identification and prevalence of bio/serotypes in Finland

This study investigated the prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica (YE) bio/serotypes and YE-like species in clinical stool specimens. The special aim was to find the best methods for accurate identification of YE species and, further, pathogenic strains among YE isolates. Of the 41,848 specimens cultured in ten laboratories during a 12-month period, 473 Yersinia strains were isolated from 462 patients. The strains were identified by 21 biochemical tests, serotyping, colony morphology, as well as by 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequencing. The most prevalent Yersinia findings were YE biotype 1A (64% of the strains) and pathogenic bio/serotype 4/O:3 (16%). The cold-enrichment increased the number of all isolates, and 25% of the bio/serotype 4/O:3 and 2/O:9 strains were only found by cold-enrichment. In routine diagnostic laboratories, 50% of the YE-like species were identified as YE and in 26% the identification differed from that of the reference laboratory. The microscopic colony identification on CIN agar with positive CR-MOX test, combined with several biochemical tests, identified reliably the pathogenic YE bioserotypes and most YE BT 1A strains, but some strains of the YE-like species were so heterogenic that gene sequencing was the only way to identify them.
Plated Teeth of Sheep

TWICE in recent years I have had brought to me by different people, as great curiosities, teeth of sheep or lambs, some of which were partly covered with a bright yellow metallic-looking film, which was thought to be gold. One of the persons referred to, as a foreign meat purveyor, had had a large experience with car-cases of sheep, but had not observed the peculiarity before; and none of the farmers whom I questioned about the matter had ever seen or heard of it. But whether it is actually so rare a phenomenon as the above remarks suggest is doubtful, for the Rev. John Morton, in “The Natural History of Northamptonshire”, published in 1712, p. 50, says:—
Localization of the protein kinase C phosphorylation/calmodulin-binding substrate RC3 in dendritic spines of neostriatal neurons.

Abstract The rodent protein RC3 is expressed mainly by forebrain neurons during postnatal development and maturity. RC3 and its bovine homolog neurogranin/B-50 immunoreactive C-kinase substrate (BICKS) contain overlapping sites for protein kinase C phosphorylation and calmodulin binding that resemble those of the presynaptic 43-kDa growth-associated protein (GAP-43). However, morphological evidence suggests that RC3 has a postsynaptic localization. To test this hypothesis, we used two polyclonal antisera against synthetic peptides corresponding to nonoverlapping sequences within RC3 and compared cellular distributions of their binding in neostriatum of adult rats by immunohistochemistry, Golgi impregnation/gold toning, and correlative light/electron microscopy. Somatic and punctate patterns of RC3 immunoreactivity were observed. Somatic RC3 was found in cyto- and nucleoplasmic compartments of all neuronal phenotypes (medium spiny, medium aspiny, and large aspiny cells). Punctate RC3 was found mostly in dendritic spines. In contrast to the 43-kDa growth-associated protein, RC3 was seen infrequently in axons. We conclude that RC3 accumulates postsynaptically in dendritic spines of neostriatal neurons. We propose that RC3 acts as a "third messenger" substrate of protein kinase C-mediated molecular cascades during synaptic development and remodeling.
Explaining quantitative systems to uninitiated users

Abstract The importance of explanation in expert systems has been documented from the early days of their development; there is an equally pressing need for explanation in systems that employ a decision-making process based on quantitative reasoning. This is particularly necessary for users who do not have a sophisticated understanding of the formal apparatus that the system employs to reach its decisions. In order to generate meaningful answers to questions asked by such unsophisticated users, an explanation facility must translate the formal structures of the problem solving system into the concepts with which the user understands the problem domain. Previous work on the explanation of quantitative systems is based on the assumption that the user has at least a basic grasp of the formal approach of the problem solving system. However, in realistic application situations, it is more likely the case that in order for the human user to understand why a mathematically-based advice-giving system makes the suggestions that it does, the problem solving rationale of the system must be explained in the user's own terms, which are typically different from those of the mathematical system. To develop an explanation methodology that is capable of justifying the results of a system based on quantitative reasoning to an uninitiated user, we employ a representation that enables our explanation facility to translate the abstract mathematical relationships that make up a quantitative system into the domain-specific concepts with which a typical user approaches the problem solving task. In our system, the process of generating explanations, therefore, involves translating one set of concepts into another. An added feature of this system is that it is capable of providing explanations from two perspectives: that of the quantitative problem solving system, and that of the human user who is familiar with the domain problem but not with the mathematical approach. We have implemented this approach to explaining quantitative systems by creating an explanation facility for a problem in the manufacturing domain. This facility responds to user queries about a scheduling system that uses a mathematically-based heuristic to choose jobs for an annealing furnace.
Squamous-cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum.

Six cases of squamous-cell carcinoma of the colon or rectum (one of the colon and five of the rectum) treated at Roswell Park Memorial Institute during the last 20 years are reported in this paper, and the literature on the subject is reviewed. The pathogenetic theories proposed for explanation of the origin of this rare malignancy are discussed. The clinical features of the disease are presented and the role of endoscopy in diagnosis is stressed. The importance of surgery as the primary treatment modality is emphasized. The role of other modalities in the treatment of this disease is discussed.
Efficacy and gastrointestinal risk of aspirin used for the treatment of pain and cold

Aims To analyse major sources of evidence-based information on the efficacy and gastrointestinal tolerability of aspirin, used short-term, in over-the-counter (OTC) doses, to relieve acute pain and cold symptoms, including associated feverishness. Methods Evidence was largely collected from published meta-analyses and systematic reviews that focused on randomised, controlled, double-blind clinical trials, in which aspirin was compared to placebo and, in some cases also, to active comparators such as OTC doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen. Results Across a large number of comparisons, aspirin was superior to placebo in treating pain, cold or fever. Efficacy was essentially similar to that of comparators used in equivalent doses. There was no serious GI adverse event attributed to ASA in any study, but mild-to-moderate dyspepsia in small percentages of cases was commonly reported. Conclusion OTC aspirin is safe and effective. Safety concerns should not limit brief use to relieve acute pain, cold or fever.
Single-molecule resolution of protein structure and interfacial dynamics on biomaterial surfaces

A method was developed to monitor dynamic changes in protein structure and interfacial behavior on surfaces by single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer. This method entails the incorporation of unnatural amino acids to site-specifically label proteins with single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer probes for high-throughput dynamic fluorescence tracking microscopy on surfaces. Structural changes in the enzyme organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) were monitored upon adsorption to fused silica (FS) surfaces in the presence of BSA on a molecule-by-molecule basis. Analysis of >30,000 individual trajectories enabled the observation of heterogeneities in the kinetics of surface-induced OPH unfolding with unprecedented resolution. In particular, two distinct pathways were observed: a majority population (∼ 85%) unfolded with a characteristic time scale of 0.10 s, and the remainder unfolded more slowly with a time scale of 0.7 s. Importantly, even after unfolding, OPH readily desorbed from FS surfaces, challenging the common notion that surface-induced unfolding leads to irreversible protein binding. This suggests that protein fouling of surfaces is a highly dynamic process because of subtle differences in the adsorption/desorption rates of folded and unfolded species. Moreover, such observations imply that surfaces may act as a source of unfolded (i.e., aggregation-prone) protein back into solution. Continuing study of other proteins and surfaces will examine whether these conclusions are general or specific to OPH in contact with FS. Ultimately, this method, which is widely applicable to virtually any protein, provides the framework to develop surfaces and surface modifications with improved biocompatibility.
Changing Minds: Computers, Learning, and Literacy

Andrea diSessa's career as a scholar, technologist, and teacher has been driven by one important question: can educationin particular, science educationbe transformed by the computer so that children can learn more, learn more easily at an earlier age, and learn with pleasure and commitment? This book is diSessa's informed and passionate affirmative answer to that question. While written at a level that anyone with a good acquaintance with high school science can understand, the book reflects the depth and breadth of the issues surrounding technology in education. Rejecting the simplistic notion that the computer is merely a tool for more efficient instruction, diSessa shows how computers can be the basis for a new literacy that will change how people think and learn. He discusses the learning theory that explains why computers can be such powerful catalysts for change in education, in particular, how intuitive knowledge is the platform on which students build scientific understanding. He also discusses the material and social reasons for the computer's potential and argues for "two-way literacies," where everyone is a creator as well as consumer of dynamic and interactive expressive forms. DiSessa gives many examples from his work using the Boxer computer environment, an integrated software system designed to investigate computational literacies. (http://www.soe.berkeley.edu/boxer/Chapter1.pdf)
Role of reduction in the photocatalytic degradation of TNT

The reduction of TNT by electrochemical and photoelectrochemical techniques has been investigated to obtain insight into the role of reductive transformations in a photocatalytic degradation process. TNT was observed to be labile to reductive transformation by a platinum electrode at electrochemical potentials commensurate with the flat band potential of TiO2, and aminodinitrotoluene species were detected as early reduction products. Oxygen did not influence the rate of reductive TNT transformation, but byproducts were more stable in aerated than deaerated conditions. Photocatalytic reduction of TNT was analyzed using CdS as a chromophore coupled to TiO2 and visible light excitation so that direct photolysis of TNT was precluded. Under deaerated conditions, reduction of TNT occurred through both direct and sensitized mechanisms, predominantly forming aminodinitrotoluene compounds as relatively stable byproducts. Photocatalytic transformation and mineralization of TNT was also examined with particulate fil...
Effect of wood ash application on soil pH and soil test nutrient levels

Abstract The use of wood residue as a fuel source for pulp and paper industries has led to the production of wood ash as by-product. Land spreading is a potentially sound method for the disposal of wood ash, which is an alternative soil liming agent. This study was conducted to determine the effect of wood ash amendment on soil pH and soil test nutrient levels as measured by a pH 3, 1 M NH4OAc extractant. Wood ash and soil mixtures were incubated in the laboratory and then tested to determine soil pH and plant-available nutrient levels. The calcium carbonate equivalence of the ashes used ranged from 26 to 59%, indicating that the acid-neutralizing power of wood ash varies from source to source. The percentage of plant nutrients released from wood ash to soil varied with the particular nutrient. The average nutrient release percentages were: phosphorus (P), 5.7%; potassium (K), 40%; magnesium (Mg), 48%; calcium (Ca), 74%; sodium (Na), 16%. Wood ash application altered the equivalent fraction of K, Mg and Ca in soils. In general, the equivalent fraction of K and Mg decreased, while the equivalent fraction of Ca increased. The soils which had the least initial extractable Ca had the greatest percentage change in K, Mg and Ca equivalent fraction. Wood ash is an acceptable alternative liming agent which also provides modest amounts of P and K to soils.
A-twisted Landau–Ginzburg models

Abstract In this paper we discuss correlation functions in certain A-twisted Landau–Ginzburg models. Although B-twisted Landau–Ginzburg models have been discussed extensively in the literature, virtually no work has been done on A-twisted theories. In particular, we study examples of Landau–Ginzburg models over topologically nontrivial spaces–not just vector spaces–away from large-radius limits, so that one expects nontrivial curve corrections. By studying examples of Landau–Ginzburg models in the same universality class as nonlinear sigma models on nontrivial Calabi–Yaus, we obtain nontrivial tests of our methods as well as a physical realization of some simple examples of virtual fundamental class computations.
A Cyanobacterium Capable of Swimming Motility

A novel cyanobacterium capable of swimming motility was isolated in pure culture from several locations in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a small unicellular form, assignable to the genus Synechococcus, that is capable of swimming through liquids at speeds of 25 micrometers per second. Light microscopy revealed that the motile cells display many features characteristic of bacterial flagellar motility. However, electron microscopy failed to reveal flagella and shearing did not arrest motility, indicating that the cyanobacterium may be propelled by a novel mechanism.