cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrated diesel production from lignocellulosic sugars via oleaginous yeast

Oleaginous microbes are promising platform strains for the production of renewable diesel and fatty-acid derived chemicals given their innate capacity to produce high lipid yields from lignocellulose-derived sugars. Substantial efforts have been conducted to engineer model oleaginous yeasts primarily on model feedstocks, but to enable lipid production from biomass, judicious strain selection based on phenotypes beneficial for processing, performance on realistic feedstocks, and process integration aspects from sugars to fuels should be examined holistically. To that end, here we report the bench-scale production of diesel blendstock using a biological-catalytic hybrid process based on oleaginous yeast. This work includes flask screening of 31 oleaginous yeast strains, evaluated based on baseline lipid profiles and sugar consumption with corn stover hydrolysate. Three strains were down-selected for bioreactor performance evaluation. The cultivation results reveal that Cryptococcus curvatus ATCC 20509 and Rhodosporodium toruloides DSM-4444 exhibit equivalent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield (0.24 g g−1), whereas the highest overall FAME productivity (0.22 g L−1 h−1) was obtained with C. curvatus, and R. toruloides displayed the highest final FAME titer (23.3 g L−1). Time-resolved lipid profiling (including neutral and polar lipid classing) demonstrated triacylglycerol accumulation as the predominant lipid class in all strains. When evaluating tolerance mechanisms to inhibitory compounds, all strains could reduce and oxidize 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural, illustrating parallel detoxification mechanisms. The R. toruloides strain was also capable of growth on four aromatic compounds as a sole carbon source, suggesting its use as a strain for simultaneous sugar and lignin conversion. Lipids from R. toruloides were recovered using a mild acid treatment and extraction, hydrogenated, and isomerized to produce a renewable diesel blendstock. The blendstock exhibited a cloud point of −14.5 °C and simulated distillation showed that approximately 75% of the product was in the diesel range with a T90 consistent with no. 2 diesel fuel. Taken together, these results demonstrate an integrated process for renewable diesel production, identify oleaginous strains for further development, and highlight opportunities for improvements to an oleaginous microbial platform for the production of renewable diesel blendstock.
Topical Review: Dystrophinopathies: Clarification and Complication:

The purpose of this review is to analyze the clinical applications of a remarkable series of advances made in molecular genetics, primarily with regard to Becker muscular dystrophy. A new classification is required to clarify such syndromes as Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. Dystrophinopathies can be seen in patients with early onset and a severe course (Duchenne muscular dystrophy), patients with later onset and milder weakness (Becker muscular dystrophy), patients with myalgia and cramp syndrome, and patients with dilated cardiomyopathies. Dystrophin testing in muscle is the most sensitive test for identification of dystrophinopathy patients, although gene deletion studies can make the diagnosis in most cases. (J Child Neurol 1996;11:13-20).
A 1.51 V pH neutral redox flow battery towards scalable energy storage

Aqueous redox flow batteries using low-cost organic and inorganic active materials have received growing interest for sustainable energy storage. In this study, a low-cost, high redox potential (1.08 V vs. NHE) and high capacity ammonium bromide (NH4Br, 214.4 A h L−1) catholyte was coupled with an organic viologen anolyte to demonstrate 1.51 V high voltage (SPr)2V/Br− aqueous redox flow batteries under pH neutral conditions for the first time. Benefitting from the high water solubility of both the NH4Br catholyte and (SPr)2V anolyte, the newly designed (SPr)2V/Br− organic flow battery was operated at up to 1.5 M and an energy density of up to 30.4 W h L−1. Using multiwall carbon nanotubes as an electrochemical additive for the Br3−/Br− redox couple, the highly energy dense (SPr)2V/Br− flow battery manifested outstanding current performance, up to 78% energy efficiency at 40 mA cm−2 current density and 227 mW cm−2 power density, the highest power density known for pH neutral organic flow batteries.
Animal Models of Tauopathies

The discovery of mutations in the tau gene in frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) (1, 2, 3, 4) has demonstrated that tau dysfunction can result in neurodegeneration and has allowed researchers to generate transgenic models of the human tauopathies (5) (see Table 1 for summary). Transgenic models permit studies on the mechanisms of formation of filamentous tau lesions in neurons and glia as well as their role in neurodegeneration. They also serve as models to develop treatments for tauopathies.
Small system studies: A theory overview

Abstract There is now a substantial body of evidence that a deconfined quark-gluon plasma is created in ultrarelativistic collisions of heavy nuclei. Some key observables which are used to gauge the production of the quark-gluon plasma are the hadronic spectra and multiplicities across many species, azimuthal anisotropies in the production of various hadrons, jet quenching, photon/dilepton production, and heavy quarkonium suppression. A key question in the study of the quark-gluon plasma is what happens to these observables as one changes the system size. In particular, it is very interesting to study collisions of “small systems” such as pp, dA, pA, and e+e− since naively one does not expect to produce a QGP in these cases. One of the surprises from such studies was the existence of sizable azimuthal anisotropies in the hadron spectra in the highest multiplicity classes, which led to speculations that one can generate a QGP in such relatively rare events. This interpretation, however, is complicated by the fact that there can be multiple sources of azimuthal anisotropy. I will discuss our current understanding of the different sources of azimuthal anisotropies and the multiplicity windows in which each mechanism is expected to dominate. I will also provide a critical discussion of the reliability of hydrodynamic models applied to small systems. Finally, I will briefly discuss jet quenching and heavy quarkonium suppression in small systems and discuss whether or not these observables show any indication of the production of a small QGP droplet.
ZIF derived PtNiCo/NC cathode catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract High performance cathode catalysts with minimum platinum amount for the electrocatalyzed oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in PEMFCs remain as a significant challenge for commercial application. Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF) based catalyst can provide void 3D framework of N-doped nano-porous carbon for promising ORR activity. Here we report a bimetallic pyrolyzed NiCo-ZIF supported fine Pt/Pt alloy electrocatalyst for ORR. After pyrolysis, nano-porous carbon is obtained with well dispersed Pt/Pt alloy nanoparticles (˜ 3 nm). This catalyst shows superior performance and stability in acidic medium against the commercial catalyst comprising of Pt/C. In a single cell PEMFC, high peak power density value of 1067 mW. cm−2 is attained at 70 °C by using low platinum amount of 0.12 mg cm-2 on cathode. The enhanced activity and durability is credited to the synergistic impact of N-doped nano-porous carbon originated from NiCo-ZIF and the defect rich carbon support to anchor Pt/Pt alloy nanoparticles.
Female Genital and Vaginal Plastic Surgery: An Overview.

Learning Objectives:After studying this article and viewing the video, the participant should be able to: 1. Accurately describe the relevant aesthetic anatomy and terminology for common female genital plastic surgery procedures. 2. Have knowledge of the different surgical options to address common
Modeling cell signaling in heterogeneous cancer environments

Abstract Computational modeling of signaling pathways involved in physiological and pathological conditions has greatly improved our understanding of complex biological systems. Such modeling has also inspired design and optimization of therapeutic strategies for diseases. In this review, we highlight mechanistic models of cancer-associated cell signaling, with an emphasis on capturing aspects of tumor heterogeneity. Specifically, we review examples of models that describe signaling pathways involved in the following processes that mediate tumor progression: (1) proliferation and antiapoptosis; (2) angiogenesis; (3) epithelial–mesenchymal transition, migration, and metastasis; and (4) cancer–immune dynamics. We present the importance of and insights gained from modeling approaches that bridge mechanistic detail of molecular interactions that mediate these signaling processes with aspects of heterogeneity in the tumor environment.
Identification of a PAI-1-binding site within an intrinsically disordered region of vitronectin.

The serine protease inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor Type-1 (PAI-1) is a metastable protein that undergoes an unusual transition to an inactive conformation with a short half-life of only 1-2 hr. Circulating PAI-1 is bound to a cofactor vitronectin, which stabilizes PAI-1 by slowing this latency conversion. A well-characterized PAI-1-binding site on vitronectin is located within the somatomedin B (SMB) domain, corresponding to the first 44 residues of the protein. Another PAI-1 recognition site has been identified with an engineered form of vitronectin lacking the SMB domain, yet retaining PAI-1 binding capacity (Schar, Blouse, Minor, Peterson. J Biol Chem. 2008;283:28487-28496). This additional binding site is hypothesized to lie within an intrinsically disordered domain (IDD) of vitronectin. To localize the putative binding site, we constructed a truncated form of vitronectin containing 71 amino acids from the N-terminus, including the SMB domain and an additional 24 amino acids from the IDD region. This portion of the IDD is rich in acidic amino acids, which are hypothesized to be complementary to several basic residues identified within an extensive vitronectin-binding site mapped on PAI-1 (Schar, Jensen, Christensen, Blouse, Andreasen, Peterson. J Biol Chem. 2008;283:10297-10309). Steady-state and stopped-flow fluorescence measurements demonstrate that the truncated form of vitronectin exhibits the same rapid biphasic association as full-length vitronectin and that the IDD hosts the elusive second PAI-1 binding site that lies external to the SMB domain of vitronectin.
Parent Perspectives on Family-Based Psychosocial Interventions for Congenital Heart Disease.

Objectives To identify parents' preferences for goals and structure of intervention programs to support the psychosocial needs of families impacted by congenital heart disease (CHD). Study design Information about parent priorities for psychosocial programs was obtained in this mixed-methods study conducted at a pediatric hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. Participants were parents (N = 34; 20 mothers, 14 fathers) of children with CHD between the ages of 1 and 3 years who had cardiac surgery at less than 6 months of age. Qualitative data were excerpts from semistructured interviews. Quantitative data were participant choices regarding their ideal psychosocial program resulting from a card sort. Results Parents reported that psychosocial interventions should support partnership in their child's care, promote self-care, facilitate communication with providers, prepare parents for challenges after hospitalization, provide education about child neurodevelopment, and help parents engage social support. Parents reported needing formalized support across care, brief intervention models, in-person individualized or small group support, and involvement of multidisciplinary providers and peer mentors in the delivery of interventions. Conclusions Parents of children with CHD need psychosocial interventions that empower them to act as primary caregivers and effective advocates for their child. Individualized, formalized, and multidisciplinary approaches to psychosocial care are necessary to best accommodate the dynamic stressors related to parenting a child with CHD and may mitigate the impact of parent mental health problems on child outcomes.
'You have 25 kids playing around!': learning to implement inquiry-based science learning in an urban second-grade classroom

This qualitative case study documents pedagogical changes from a traditional teacher-centred instruction to an inquiry-based integrated literacy/science instruction in an urban second grade classro...
Testing the Role of Emotion Dysregulation as a Predictor of Juvenile Recidivism.

The current study proposed to determine whether adolescent emotion regulation is predictive of the amount and type of crime committed by adolescent juvenile offenders. Despite evidence in the literature linking emotion regulation to behaviour problems and aggression across the lifespan, there is no prior longitudinal research examining the predictive role of emotion regulation on adolescent recidivism, nor data regarding how emotion regulation relates to the occurrence of specific types of crimes. Our primary hypothesis was that poor emotion regulation would positively and significantly predict re-offending among adolescents. We tested our hypothesis within a binary logistic framework utilizing the Pathways to Desistance longitudinal data. Exploratory bivariate analyses were conducted regarding emotion regulation and type of crime in the service of future hypothesis generation. Though the findings did not indicate a statistically significant relation between emotion regulation and reoffending, exploratory findings suggest that some types of crime may be more linked to emotion regulation than others. In sum, the present study aimed to examine a hypothesized relation between emotion regulation and juvenile delinquency by identifying how the individual factor of dysregulated emotion regulation may have played a role. This study’s findings did not provide evidence that emotion regulation was a significant predictor of recidivism over time but did suggest that emotion regulation is related to participation in certain types of crime one year later. Directions for future research that build upon the current study were described. Indeed, identifying emotion regulation as a predictor of adolescent crime has the potential to enhance current crime prevention efforts and clinical treatments for juvenile offenders; this is based on the large amount of treatment literature, which documents that emotion regulation is malleable through treatment and prevention programming.
New Developments for Conjunctive Management in Idaho: Why Our Expanding Understanding of Science Should Expand How We Address the Doctrine Against Waste in Idaho Water Right Transfers

Idaho’s Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer ("ESPA"), like many places throughout the West, is facing an impending crisis caused by overuse of existing water supplies. This paper describes the severity of the water issues in southern Idaho. It explains how the ESPA is a uniquely complex place, which hinders attempts to solve its hydro-logical issues. As a result, our current definition of waste should be expanded to fit our growing understanding of hydrology and conjunctive management, which would consequently alter the relationship between injury and waste in water transfers. This paper discusses the best manner for determining injury in an area as complex as southern Idaho and describes some hydro-logically sound incentives for water conservation in Idaho.
Mental health first aid USA implementation: Trainee reported quality and impact of training.

This study investigated the association of training implementation factors (Quality, Impact, Usefulness) with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)-targeted outcomes (e.g., increased knowledge, confidence helping someone). Trainees who completed MHFA USA training in 2016 (N = 1003) were surveyed post training about its influence on their thoughts and behaviors, and about implementation factors. Some trainees completed 3- and 6-month follow-ups (N = 430, N = 276, respectively). Training Quality, Impact and Usefulness were rated highly. Differences in Quality and Impact across demographic groups were found; trainees from racially and ethnically marginalized backgrounds, and trainees with lower education levels, reported greater effect. Quality and Impact predicted positive changes in MHFA-targeted constructs such as self-efficacy, stigma and trainee perceived positive effect of MHFA strategies for those in crisis. Impact predicted positive change in mental health knowledge; this association strengthened over time. Results provide information about acceptability and perceived Impact of MHFA USA training and lead to recommendations for future evaluation and implementation.
The Worst of Both: The Rise of High-Cost, Low-Capacity Rail Transit

Most new rail transit lines in the United States and around the world are either light rail, including lines that sometimes run in or cross city streets, or heavy rail, which are built in exclusive rights of way, usually elevated or in subways. Heavy rail costs far more to build than light rail, but the capacity of light rail to move people is far lower than heavy rail. In fact, the terms light and heavy refer to people-moving capacities, not the actual weight of the equipment.Recently, a number of cities in the United States and elsewhere have built or are building a hybrid form of rail transit that can best be described as the worst of both, combining the cost-disadvantages of heavy rail with the capacity limits of light rail. Seattle is building a three-mile subway that costs nearly six times as much per mile as the average light-rail line. Honolulu is building a 20-mile elevated rail line that costs well over twice as much as the average light rail. Yet those lines will be limited to little (or no) more than light-rail capacities.The willingness of many rail advocates to support highcost, low-capacity rail lines calls into question the entire rail agenda. Supporters of low-capacity lines are not truly interested in transportation; supporters of high-cost lines are not truly interested in urban efficiencies. If they are not willing to draw the line against such projects, then there is little reason to believe their claims about the benefits of other rail projects.
An in-situ end-point detector for parylene CVD deposition

We present the results of the development of an in situ end-point detector for a parylene chemical vapor deposition process. The detector is based on the thermal transfer principle and can be implemented on commercial parylene deposition systems with minimal system modification. Such a sensor enables a user to stop the deposition when a targeted thickness is reached. The end point detector is very simple to implement on existing parylene deposition systems. A series of such sensors with different target deposition thickness would allow extraction of the actual deposition rate within a deposition run.
Polarization of Λ ' s and Λ ¯ ' s Produced by 400-GeV Protons

We have measured the polarization of 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10;}^{6}$ ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$ and 2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ ${\overline{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{0}$ hyperons produced by 400-GeV protons on a beryllium target. The hyperons were detected at a fixed angle of 7.2 mrad and in the momentum range from 50 to 300 GeV/c for ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$ and 50 to 200 GeV/c for ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$. The ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$ polarization agrees with that measured at 24 and 300 GeV and is - 0.24 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.04 at ${p}_{T}=2.1$ GeV/c. The ${\overline{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{0}$ polarization is zero up to ${p}_{T}=1.2$ GeV/c.
WILL GENE PATENTS DERAIL THE NEXT GENERATION OF GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES?: A REASSESSMENT OF THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS NOT

Judge Bryson recently asserted in Association for Molecular Pathology v. US Patent and Trademark Office (dissenting-in-part) that human gene patents "present a significant obstacle to the next generation of innovation in genetic medicine — multiplex tests and whole-genome sequencing." His concern over the impact of gene patents on genetic testing, which coincides with his position that certain gene patents should be declared patent ineligible, reflects a widely held misperception that 20% of human genes are patented in a manner that would necessarily result in infringement by whole genome sequencing and other forms of genetic testing. In fact, the myth that 20% of human genes are patented is based on a gross misreading of a single "Policy Perspective" article published in Science in 2005, and an unfortunate tendency among many commentators to consider gene patents in abstract terms that disregard the critical role of patent claims in limiting the scope of a patent owner's right to exclude. Analysis of the claims of 533 of the of the patents identified in the Science article as "covering" human genes reveals that most do not include a single claim that would be infringed by whole genome sequencing and other forms of genetic testing. In fact, it seems quite likely that, were they to be litigated, few if any of these gene patents would be found to cover genetic testing or whole genome sequencing. Furthermore, a variety of practical limitations on enforcement and remedies appear to render it unlikely that the owners of these patents would be motivated to assert them against providers of whole genome sequencing and other next-generation diagnostic technologies in a manner that would impede progress in this area. There have been numerous instances in which fears that patents would harm biomedical research and medicine have proven in retrospect to have been greatly exaggerated, and history counsels against overreacting to the current controversy over gene patents. Ironically, it might be the case that the next generation of genetic diagnostic testing innovation will be adversely impacted not by too many patents, but by a lack of adequate patent protection.
Gastric Perforation in a Patient Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

Perioperative chemoradiotherapy is considered to be one of the standards of care for early-stage gastric cancer, especially when it involves the esophagogastric junction or greater curvature. To date, there are no reported cases of gastrointestinal perforation in the literature, including many major clinical trials of adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for gastric cancer. It is important to recognize and manage this rare, but fatal complication in a timely manner. We report one case of gastrointestinal perforation in a gastric cancer patient undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. A 75-year-old man was diagnosed with stage IV gastric cancer (T4N1M0). We started neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. After he finished the first cycle, the patient presented to emergency room with severe abdominal pain of sudden onset. Computed tomography showed moderate pneumoperitoneum and perihepatic fluid. The patient expired 6 hours after he presented to emergency room. World J Oncol. 2015;6(3):383-386 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/wjon924w
Investigation of the influences of puberty, genetics, and environment on the composition of subgingival periodontal floras.

The classical twin model was utilized in this study in an attempt to determine the importance of host genetics to the composition of the subgingival flora. Simultaneously, the effect of puberty on the flora composition was assessed. The compositions of the floras were significantly different at ages 11 and 14 in the same people, indicating that transition to an adult flora composition may be initiated during puberty. However, the numbers of subjects who had prepubertal and postpubertal testosterone levels in this study were too small to demonstrate significant differences based solely on testosterone level (P = 0.053 and 0.11 for tests of unrelated members, i.e., all twins "a," the first twin of each pair, and all twins "b," the second twin of each pair). Sixteen unrelated 11-year-old subjects had prepubertal levels of less than 30 ng of testosterone per dl of serum, and only six of these unrelated subjects had levels above 300 ng/dl by age 14. Of their twin siblings, who formed the second group of unrelated individuals, 15 had prepubertal levels and only 5 reached postpubertal levels. Unpaired t tests indicated that Veillonella atypica, Prevotella denticola, and Prevotella melaninogenica were among the species that contributed most to changes in flora composition during puberty. The compositions of subgingival floras of 11-year-old monozygous and dizygous male twins were significantly more similar than those of unrelated subjects in the study (P = 0.004 and 0.009, respectively). At 12.5 years of age, the floras of monozygous twins remained more similar than those of unrelated subjects (P = 0.001), but the dizygous-twin floras were not significantly more similar than those of unrelated people. This difference corresponded with moderate and varied testosterone levels within dizygous-twin pairs at age 12.5. By age 14 both monozygous and dizygous twins again had floras with compositions more similar than those of unrelated people (P = 0.008 and 0.002, respectively). Estimates of the genetic contributions to the increased similarity of the floras of twins as compared with floras of unrelated people indicated that the concentrations of several species in the flora may be influenced by host genetic factors. The prevalence of certain other species appeared to be controlled primarily by environment.
Climate Change, Carbon Sequestration, and Property Rights

This Article considers the role of property rights in efforts to sequester underground hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year from power plants and other industrial facilities in order to mitigate climate change. This technology, known as carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), could provide deep emission cuts, particularly from coal power generation, on a worldwide basis. In order to implement this technology, future CCS operators must be able to access hundreds of millions of acres of "pore space" roughly a kilometer below the earth's surface in which to store CO2 for hundreds to thousands of years. Here, we explore questions relating to ownership of subsurface pore space, physical takings, regulatory takings, and just compensation that will necessarily accompany the implementation of CCS in the United States. In order to accommodate the full range of property rights and takings issues that will arise with CCS, we propose a regulatory framework based in part on the Natural Gas Act to address these issues in connection with subsurface CO2 storage.
WOLF SPIDER (ARANEAE, LYCOSIDAE) MOVEMENT ALONG A POND EDGE

Abstract Wolf spiders (Araneae, Lycosidae) are important predators at freshwater-forest ecotones where their distribution may be determined by their ability to respond to, amongst other factors, moisture and prey levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the movement of wolf spiders along a pond-forest boundary at Mountain Lake Biological Station, Virginia. We performed two mark-recapture studies at two temporal and spatial scales (4 h–20 d and 1 m–∼20 m, respectively) to determine the probability of movement by the spiders. Mark-recapture studies are useful for measuring individual movement, but, because of the difficulty of marking small arthropods, are not often used for spiders. This mark-recapture study showed the spiders moved very little over the temporal and spatial scale used: 0–54% per day chance of moving to the adjacent 1-m2 plot around the pond and 0–2% per day chance of moving to the adjacent 1-m2 plot to and from the pond. This finding is in contrast to other studies that have shown ...
The primary structure of red clover mottle virus middle component RNA.

Abstract The primary structure of middle component RNA of red clover mottle virus (RCMV) has been determined. The RNA is polyadenylated, has a small protein (VPg) covalently linked to its 5' terminus and consists of 3543 nucleotides. The RNA possesses a single long open reading frame which can code for a polypeptide of molecular weight 109,452. Comparison of the 3′ terminal sequence of the M RNA with that of the homologous B RNA reveals a high degree of sequence conservation in this area. Computer-assisted comparisons show that the polypeptides encoded by the M RNAs of RCMV and CPMV (cowpea mosaic virus) are highly homologous implying that the two viruses have a common genetic structure.
A Meta-Analysis of the Validity of Wechsler Scale Profiles and Recategorizations: Patterns Or Parodies?:

The techniques of meta-analysis were used to arrive at a quantitative synthesis of the results of 94 studies of the validity of Wechsler regroupings for differential diagnosis of learning disabilit...
Abscission-promoting activities of abscisic acid and five abscisic acid analogs in cotton seedlings and explants

The abscission-promoting activities of abscisic acid (ABA) and 5 ABA analogs were examined in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv LG102) seedlings and cotyledonary node explants. The analogs tested included a series of acetylenic derivatives that differ in the oxidation state of the C-1 atom, a 2′,3′ dihydro-derivative of ABA and a 2′,3′ dihydro-derivative of an acetylenic analog with a C-1 carboxyl moiety. ABA and all five analogs were active in stimulating petiole abscission in explants. Following treatment with 100,µM ABA or analog, 50% abscission of explants was observed after 29 h and complete abscission occurred within 40 h. With one exception, none of the treatments resulted in an increase in explant ethylene production. Pretreatment of the explants with the ethylene antagonist silver thiosulfate completely abolished the abscission-promoting activities of ABA and all of the analogs. Daily application of ABA or any of the analogs had no effect on cotyledon abscission in intact seedlings. The implications of the results with respect to the development of a commercial ABA-like regulator as well as to ABA structure-activity studies are discussed.
Limits on New Physics from Black Holes

Black holes emit high energy particles which induce a finite density potential for any scalar field ϕ coupling to the emitted quanta. Due to energetic considerations, ϕ evolves locally to minimize the effective masses of the outgoing states. In theories where ϕ resides at a metastable minimum, this effect can drive ϕ over its potential barrier and classically catalyze the decay of the vacuum. Because this is not a tunneling process, the decay rate is not exponentially suppressed and a single black hole in our past light cone may be sufficient to activate the decay. Moreover, decaying black holes radiate at ever higher temperatures, so they eventually probe the full spectrum of particles coupling to ϕ. We present a detailed analysis of vacuum decay catalyzed by a single particle, as well as by a black hole. The former is possible provided large couplings or a weak potential barrier. In contrast, the latter occurs much more easily and places new stringent limits on theories with hierarchical spectra. Finally, we comment on how these constraints apply to the standard model and its extensions, e.g. metastable supersymmetry breaking.
Effects of diltiazem versus digoxin on dysrhythmias and cardiac function after pneumonectomy

Background. This prospective study was designed to determine whether diltiazem is superior to digoxin for the prophylaxis of supraventricular dysrhythmias (SVD) after pneumonectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and to assess the influence of these drugs on perioperative cardiac function. Methods. Seventy consecutive patients without previous SVD were randomly allocated immediately after pneumonectomy or EPP to receive diltiazem (n = 35) or digoxin (n = 35). Diltiazem-treated patients received a slow intravenous loading dose of 20 mg, followed by 10 mg intravenously every 4 hours for 24 to 36 hours, then 180 to 240 mg orally daily for 1 month. Digoxin-treated patients received a 1-mg intravenous loading in the first 24 to 36 hours, then 0.125 to 0.25 mg orally daily for 1 month. A concurrent prospective cohort of 40 patients without previous SVD, who did not participate in the study and underwent pneumonectomy or EPP without prophylaxis, served as a comparison group for SVD occurrence. Serial Doppler echocardiograms were performed to assess cardiac function and all patients were continuously monitored with Holter recorders for 3 days. Data were analyzed by intent-to-treat. Results. In patients undergoing standard or intrapericardial pneumonectomy, diltiazem prevented the overall incidence of postoperative SVD when compared with digoxin, 0 of 21 patients versus 8 of 25 patients respectively, p p = 0.09. Digoxin-treated patients had a similar incidence of all SVD (31%) as concurrent controls (11 of 40 patients [28%]). The two treated groups did not differ in right or left atrial size, left ventricular ejection fraction, or right heart pressure. When all patients were combined, those in whom SVD developed were significantly older (65 ± 12 years versus 55 ± 11 years, p = 0.004) and had a longer median hospital stay (9 versus 6 days, p = 0.03), when compared with those in whom SVD did not develop, respectively. The subset of patients undergoing EPP had a greater incidence of atrial fibrillation and electrocardiographic changes suggestive of postoperative pericarditis than all other pneumonectomy patients. Conclusions. Diltiazem was both safe and more effective than digoxin in reducing the overall incidence of SVD after standard or intrapericardial pneumonectomy. Digoxin therapy had no effect on the incidence of postoperative SVD and is not recommended for prophylaxis of SVD. Dysrhythmias after pneumonectomy or EPP occur in older patients and are associated with a greater length of hospital stay.
Some approximation methods for estimation and control of large scale systems

The paper presents several methods for approximate estimation and control of large scale systems, mostly based on the notions of aggregation and disaggregation. After introducing the notions for static systems in Section II, aggregation and disaggregation in dynamic systems are discussed in Section III. The condition for perfect aggregation is relaxed in two ways. One is to restrict the class of dynamic systems and the other is to restrict the state space. These two approaches are shown to provide useful approximation to the more restrictive notions of perfect aggregation and disaggregation. Section IV is devoted to improving performance measures for large scale systems.
Controlled evaluation of lithium and chlorpromazine in the treatment of manic states: An interim report *

Summary An interim report of a double blind study of the action of lithium and chlorpromazine in manic states is presented. A control group of schizo-affective patients has been included. To date 48 trials of treatment have been undertaken in 42 patients. There were 27 manic depressives, manic phase, one chronic mania and 14 schizoaffective patients. The absence of negro manic depressives is discussed. Total remission in manic patients occurred in 78 per cent with lithium and 36 per cent with chlorpromazine. Significant differences were noted between the two drugs in quality of action. Both agents produced a reduction in overactivity but in optimum doses chlorpromazine tended to produce sluggishness and drowsiness. Lithium produced normalization of affect and ideation; the action of chlorpromazine on affect and ideation was less consistent, less clear and slower in onset. Toxic effects occurred with lithium during periods of stabilization but at optimum doses no significant side effects appeared. The occurrence of late toxic effects in two patients was noted. In the control group of schizo-affectives, 85 per cent of patients on lithium showed deterioration of their clinical condition. Probable reasons for this are discussed. The specific psychopharmacological action of lithium is discussed.
On the 17.5K transition in URu2Si2: thermopower and elasticity

Abstract We report thermoelectric power (TEP) and elasticity measurements on the heavy Fermion compound URu2Si2. The TEP is positive and roughly independent of temperature between 300K and 120K, becomes increasingly negative below 70K, and displays a sharp change in slope at Tp=17.5K. At 15K there is a dramatic reversal in the TEP. The Young's modulus shows a strong dip near 18K, accompanied by an increase in the internal friction. The TEP and elastic anomalies are consistent with a Fermi surface instability at Tp, and we interpret our results in terms of charge or spin density wave formation.
Trust in the Public Sector: Individual and Organizational Determinants

Trust is of major theoretical and instrumental significance for the study of public organizations. Despite an extensive literature detailing the implications of trust in organizational life, there has been little systematic research on its individual or organizational determinants. This article develops and tests a model of trust formation in public organizations. Results of this research show that organizational trust is a distinct work-related attitude. Trust is based on individual demographics, psychological and individual predispositions, attitudes and beliefs, and affective responses to organizational factors. The most important determinants of trust, however, are found in the organizational climate established by supervisory relations.
3D Reconstruction Based on a Hybrid Disparity Estimation Algorithm

This paper presents a hybrid disparity estimation algorithm which combines the pixel-based and region-based approaches. In the pixel-based approach, we use the Gabor transform and variational refinement, and the resulting disparities are combined with region information obtained from image segmentation so that a region matching scheme can be further applied. It will be shown with 3D reconstruction that our hybrid algorithm can give disparities with very high quality, in which some standard problems in disparity estimation can be solved.
A path model of whitewater boating satisfaction on the cheat river of West Virginia.

/ Recreation satisfaction is a complex psychological construct that is difficult to define and measure. Recent approaches suggest that overall satisfaction may be a function of multiple satisfactions derived from specific elements of a recreation experience such as the situational characteristics of a recreation setting or activity and the recreationist's subjective evaluations of the experience. In this paper, a path model of whitewater boating satisfaction was tested using data from a survey of 1210 commercial and 111 private boaters on the Cheat River of West Virginia. The pathmodel included the direct and mediating effects of situational variables and the subjective evaluations of boaters and explained 52% and 54% of the variation in satisfaction of commercial and private boaters, respectively. Factors related to the satisfaction of both groups included a composite variable representing opportunities for challenge, excitement, and skill testing on the river trip; water flow levels; and crowding perceptions. In combination, water flow level and boater's perceptions of opportunities to experience challenge, excitement, and test boating skills were the most important variables for explaining satisfaction of both groups. Additional factors affecting commercial, but not private, boater satisfaction included the motive of escaping the usual demands of life and a social interaction variable. Among private boaters, perceptions of the environmental conditions also contributed to overall satisfaction. The results support the multiple satisfaction approach of previous research. River management implications are discussed.KEY WORDS: Whitewater; River recreation; Satisfaction
Gauge-model constraints of recent elastic and deep-inelastic neutral-current data

Recent neutrino-induced elastic and deep-inelastic neutral-current data are shown to impose stringent constraints on gauge models of weak interactions. For SU/sub 2/ x U/sub 1/ models, assuming left-handed u and d quarks in a doublet, only the Weinberg-Salam model is in agreement with the data. SU/sub 2/ x SU/sub 2/ x U/sub 1/ and SU/sub 3/ x U/sub 1/ models are also analyzed.
BEAM STIFFNESS MATRIX BASED ON THE ELASTICITY EQUATIONS

A new general beam stiffness matrix which accounts for bending, torsion and shear deformation is derived from an elasticity solution of the beam. The influence of shear and torsion is considered using a 3×3 matrix of deformation coefficients. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the behaviour of the deformation coefficients and of the beam stiffness matrix. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transposable element‐induced mutations of the viviparous‐1 gene in maize

The viviparous-1 (vp1) locus in maize is a developmental gene that controls diverse aspects of the maturation phase of seed development. Mutations of vp1 alter embryo sensitivity to the hormone abscisic acid and block formation of anthocyanin pigment. Molecular cloning of a Robertson Mutator-induced mutant allele, vp1-mum-1, by transposable element tagging has allowed analysis of several transposon-induced vp1 mutants. In the vp1-Mc mutation, the gene is disrupted by 4.0 kbp insertion, which results in expression of a 3′ truncated mRNA. Phenotypically, this allele is at least partially functional in causing embryo dormancy, but is ineffective in controlling anthocyanin expression. This result suggests that disruption of the C-terminal domain of the Vp1 protein specifically affects regulation of the anthocyanin pathway. A second Mutator- derived allele, vp1-mum2, exhibits an unusual form of somatic mutability in which endosperm cells revert from wild-type vp1 expression to a mutant condition. The vp1-mum2 allele contains a 1.5 kbp Insertion that has no detectable homology to known Mu elements. This element is retained In wild-type germinal revertants derived from vp1-mum2 An apparent DNA modification affecting cleavage at an internal Sstl restriction site in the element correlates with vp1-mum2 states that exhibit wild-type Vp1 expression. A model involving mitotic assortment of modified and unmodified DNA strands during development is proposed for vp1-mum2 somatic mutation.
The effects of visitation on women in prison

This study examined the issues surrounding visitation for a sample of 222 women inmates at a maximum‐security prison. The findings indicated that the majority of inmates receive visitors, but that there is a significant percentage (21%) of inmates who do not receive any visitors. Also, the majority of inmates who are mothers (61%) do not receive visits from their minor children. This finding illustrates that perhaps the most significant determinant of whether an inmate receives visits is the distance between her home county and the prison to which she is committed. Visitation probably has a positive societal effect because it is related to improved inmate behavior, reduced rates of recidivism, or better functioning for the families, friends, and children of inmates.
Cryopreservation of cotyledons of nongerminated white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] embryos and subsequent plant regeneration

Summary Various explants of white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] seedlings and mature embryos were evaluated for survival following freezing to liquid nitrogen temperature ( −196 °C). Cotyledons from nongerminated embryos which had been cryoprotected using a combination of 0.4 M sorbitol, 5% DMSO, and 2% sucrose were frozen, employing a droplet-freezing technique, at an optimal cooling rate of 0.5 °C·min-1 to −40 °C prior to immersion in liquid nitrogen. Under these conditions, up to 35% of the cryopreserved cotyledons regenerated shoots upon return to in vitro culture. Some of the regenerated shoots were successfully rooted.
Outcomes in Pediatric Lung Transplant Recipients Receiving Adult Allografts

Background Clinical practice in the United States has no restrictions in allocating lungs from adult donors to pediatric recipients. Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried from 1987 to 2013 for pediatric lung transplant recipients (aged less than 18 years) to assess survival using continuous donor age in years and two donor age groups, ≥ 18 years and > 30 years, for analysis. Results Of 930 pediatric lung transplants, basic survival analysis identified a mortality hazard when adult lung allografts were transplanted into pediatric recipients; however, multivariate Cox models demonstrated that continuous donor age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.004, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.992–1.015, p = 0.524) as well as both categoric age groups, donor 18 years or older (HR 0.967, 95% CI: 0.714–1.309, p = 0.827) and donor older than 30 years (HR 1.168, 95% CI: 0.815–1.673, p = 0.398), did not significantly influence the risk for death. Moreover, propensity score matching analysis confirmed a lack of association of mortality risk with donor age ≥ 18 years (HR 1.129, 95% CI: 0.696–1.831, p = 0.623) and donor age > 30 years (HR 1.050, 95% CI: 0.569–1.937, p = 0.876). Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) was found to be a significant predictor of mortality in univariate analysis (HR 2.033, 95% CI: 1.639–2.521, p Conclusions Adult donor lung allografts appear not to negatively affect survival in pediatric lung transplant recipients when considering confounders, and do not influence survival through an increased hazard for the development of BOS.
Recreational use of psychoactive drugs by patients with cystic fibrosis

We assessed unprescribed psychoactive drug use in 173 adults with cystic fibrosis. Twenty (11%) regularly smoked tobacco. Cigarette smoking ranged from 1 to 30 years (2 to 60 pack-year). Alcohol was used by 60%, and marijuana by 20% of the patients. Pulmonary symptoms were often increased the day after alcohol ingestion. Alcohol occasionally caused nausea, vomiting, and headache if the patient was taking some cephalosporin derivatives (such as cefsulodine) or chloramphenicol. Marijuana often aggravated chroniic pulmonary symptoms, although some patients reported transient relief during use. Comparison with a retrospectively selected control group did not show faster short-term pulmonary deterioration in the tobacco smokers. Physiclans who deal with cystic fibrosis and other chronic illnesses should be cognizant of interactions of unprescribed and prescribed drugs. Recreational use of unprescribed psychoactive drugs should be considered if unexpected symptoms occur in older patients.
VELA UNIFORM, THE NATION’S QUEST FOR BETTER DETECTION OF UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS

Negotiations between the United States, the United Kingdom, and the USSR have been underway since October 31, 1958, a period of over two years, in an effort to reach agreement on a treaty for cessation of nuclear weapons’ testing. It is United States policy to enter into such a treaty only if there is an effective control system policing such a ban. This paper provides a resume of key technical events that have occurred with reference to the creation of such a control system, capable of detecting and identifying underground nuclear explosions. The paper also describes the VELA UNIFORM program, a widespread research and development effort under the over‐all management of the Advanced Research Projects Agency, that is designed to improve markedly the state of the art in this particular technical field over the next two to three years.
Two New Features for AGU's Thriving Earth Exchange

We are pleased to announce two new features to AGU's Thriving Earth Exchange (TEX): crowd funding and structured discussion.