cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Rippling and Subsequent Polymer Molding on Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (110) Surfaces.

Spontaneous nanoripple formation on (110) surfaces of yttria-stabilized zirconia, YSZ-(110), is achieved by diffusional surface doping with rare-earth oxides. Periodic arrays of parallel nanobars separated by channels (period ∼100 nm) grow out of the dopant sources, covering relatively wide areas of the surface (∼10 μm). The nanobars mound up on the surface by diffusion, exhibiting morphological uniformity and alignment, with their long axis lying parallel to the [110] direction in the YSZ-(110) surface. The process for forming these nanobar arrays can be as simple as sprinkling of rare-earth oxide powder (dopant source) on YSZ-(110) surface and annealing in a high temperature air furnace. However, higher control on dopant dispersion on the surface is demonstrated with other techniques, including photolithography and inkjet printing. The ripple arrays extend anisotropically on the (110) surface, obeying the parabolic growth law, and showing principal values of the rate constant along [110] (maximum) and...
Towards the development of cavitation technology for upgrading bitumen: Viscosity change and chemical cavitation yield measurements

Among the different methods used for reducing viscosity of bitumen, acoustic cavitation during sonication is well recognised. Several chemical methods were used to detect the production of reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide during acoustic cavitation processes. However, quantification of cavitation yield in sonochemical systems is generally limited to low frequencies and has not been applied to bitumen processing. An empirical determination of the cavitation yield in mid- to high-frequency range (378, 574, 850, 992, and 1173 kHz) was carried out by measuring the amount of iodine liberated from the oxidation of potassium iodide (KI). Further, cavitation yield and the effects of different sonic operating conditions such as power input (16.67%–83.33%) and solute concentration on cavitation yield were carried out in KI solution and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose–water mixture to obtain benchmark changes in rheology and chemistry using these two model fluids. The findings were then applied to bitumen upgrading through sonication. Through this study, it was found that the chemical cavitation yield peaked with a sonication frequency of 574 kHz. It was also found that cavitation yield and viscosity change were correlated directly in bitumen and a 38% lower bitumen viscosity could be obtained by acoustic cavitation.
A GIS approach to cultural and historical toponymic research in Nebraska

ABSTRACTHistorical geographic information systems (HGIS) offer a great deal methodologically to the cultural geographic study of place names. A growing body of research in the area of toponymy utilizes HGIS techniques that combine spatial statistics with qualitative historical analysis while remaining attentive to critical toponymic research. Such approaches allow the field of toponymy to address questions about the relationships between place names and the inscription of power onto the landscape at smaller geographic scales. This study illustrates an HGIS approach to the study of town toponyms in Nebraska that combines critical, qualitative cultural, and historical analysis with quantitative GIS methodologies like nearest neighbor analysis and kernel density estimation. It identifies and discusses a number of unique and discrete toponymic landscapes in their temporal, geographical, and political contexts during the most active era of place naming in Nebraska at the end of the nineteenth century.
Primes in Arithmetic Progressions

In Chapter 3 (see Theorem 3.9) we learned that there are infinitely many primes. Almost the same proof (which goes back at least to Euclid) will show that there are infinitely many primes p ≡ 3 (mod 4). Indeed suppose that there were only finitely many such primes and let 3,7,11,19,... ,p k be the complete list. Now consider the integer N = 4 × 3 × 7 × 11 ××× p k -1. Clearly N ≡ 3 (mod 4). It cannot be a prime because N < p k and p k is by assumption the largest prime p ≡ 3 (mod 4). Hence N is a product of odd primes. Among them there is at least one prime q ≡ 3 (mod 4), because the product of primes p ≡ 1 (mod4) is itself congruent to 1 (mod4). However q|N means that q + N + 1; hence q is a prime not on the list, although q ≡ 3 (mod 4). The list, however, was supposed to be complete, and so we have obtained a contradiction and our original assumption that the primes q ≡ 3 (mod 4) are finite in number is not tenable.
Rabies Viruses—Pathogenesis and Immunity

The outcome of rabies virus infection in all warm-blooded hosts, including humans, is generally fatal. For this reason, rabies virus is by far the most important rhabdovirus (member of the genus Lyssavirus) for study with regard to understanding its mode of pathogenesis and immunity. The long history of research in rabies pathogenesis beginning early in the 19th century is clear testimony of the importance continually placed on the need to better understand the nature of the disease caused by rabies virus, which in the recorded history of rabies was possibly recognized more than 4000 years ago (Steele, 1975; Miller and Nathanson, 1977), and to determine its course of development in hope of finding a means of prevention.
On the interactions of nitriles and fluoro-substituted pyridines with silicon tetrafluoride: Computations and thin film IR spectroscopy

Abstract The nature of the interactions between silicon tetrafluoride and series of nitrogen bases, including nitriles (RCN, with R > CH3), pyridine, and various fluoro-substituted pyridines, has been investigated via quantum-chemical computations, low-temperature IR spectroscopy, and bulk reactivity experiments. Using (primarily) M06 with the 6-311+G(2df,2pd) basis set, we obtained equilibrium structures, binding energies, harmonic frequencies, and N–Si potentials in the gas-phase and in bulk dielectric media for an extensive series of 1:1 molecular complexes, including: C6H5CH2CN–SiF4, CH3CH2CN–SiF4, (CH3)3CCN–SiF4, C5H5N–SiF4, 4-FC5H4N–SiF4, 3,5-C5F2H3N–SiF4, 2,6-C5F2H3N–SiF4 and 3,4,5-C5F3H2N–SiF4. In addition, for the analogous 2:1 complexes of pyridine and 3,5-difluororpyridine, we obtained equilibrium structures, binding energies, and harmonic frequencies. The N–Si distances in the 1:1 nitrile complexes are fairly long, ranging from 2.84 A to 2.88 A, and the binding energies range from 4.0 to 4.2 kcal/mol (16.7–17.6 kJ/mol). Also, computations predict extremely anharmonic N–Si potentials, for which the inner portions of the curve are preferentially stabilized in dielectric media, which predict an enhancement of these interactions in condensed-phases. However, we see no evidence of bulk reactivity between C6H5CH2CN, CH3CH2CN, or (CH3)3CCN and SiF4, nor any significant interaction between (CH3)3CCN and SiF4 in low temperature IR spectra of solid, (CH3)3CCN/SiF4 thin films. Conversely, the interactions in four of the five 1:1, pyridine-SiF4 complexes are generally stronger; binding energies range from 5.7 to 9.6 kcal/mol (23.8–40.2 kJ/mol), and correspondingly the N–Si distances are relatively short (2.12–2.25 A). The exception is 2,6-C5F2H3N–SiF4, for which the binding energy is only 3.6 kcal/mol (15.1 kJ/mol), and the N–Si distance is quite long (3.12 A). In addition, both pyridine and 3,5-difluororpyridine were found to form stable reaction products with SiF4; but no analogous product was obtained with 2,6-difluororpyridine and SiF4, nor was any significant interaction indicated in low-temperature IR spectra of 2,6-difluororpyridine/SiF4 films. By contrast, low temperature spectra of pyridine/SiF4 and 3,5-difluororpyridine/SiF4 thin films are consistent with the presence of a distinct 2:1 reaction product. Moreover, the observed frequencies agree reasonably well with those predicted for the cis, octahedral coordination isomers of the 2:1 molecular complexes, in which the N–Si bonds are compressed slightly relative to those in the predicted gas-phase structures.
Development and psychometric properties of the Healthy Aging Activity Engagement Scale (HAAE).

Objectives Accumulating research indicates that engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors (e.g. exercise, cognitive and social engagement, stress reduction) can prevent illness and disability as people age and improve mental health. The Healthy Aging Activity Engagement (HAAE) scale was developed to holistically assess an individual's level of engagement in healthy aging behaviors across multiple health domains. Methods Participants were 275 healthy younger, midlife and older adults. Participants rated engagement in 38 healthy aging lifestyle behaviors over the past 7 days on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Results Traditional measurement analysis and Rasch modelling techniques resulted in a 32-item scale with three subscales representing biologic health, social and cognitive strategies, and health safeguard behaviors. With the exception of the health safeguard subscale, the HAAE total score and subscales demonstrated good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and responsiveness to a program designed to promote engagement in healthy brain aging behaviors. Discussion With further validation, the HAAE may be useful for holistic clinical assessment of behaviors that promote healthy aging, support brain and mental health, and for treatment planning. Furthermore, the HAAE can be used to measure the outcome of multi-domain lifestyle interventions.
Bipolar Plasma Kinetic Vaporization

Abstract Bipolar plasma kinetic vaporization of the prostate (BPKVP) is an endoscopic transurethral ablation technique used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Also known as the “button” procedure, BPKVP utilizes an axipolar electrode, shaped as a mushroom or “button” to apply radiofrequency plasma energy to prostatic tissue. Studies comparing BPKVP to monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (mTURP) have found decreased operative, catheterization, and hospitalization times using the BPKVP approach, along with equivalent or better efficacy in short- to medium-term follow-up periods. In addition, BPKVP is associated with fewer perioperative and postoperative complications compared with mTURP. BPKVP is an effective and safe treatment option for BPH and provides an alternative to the traditional mTURP approach.
Transcription and translation of the sigG gene is tuned for proper execution of the switch from early to late gene expression in the developing Bacillus subtilis spore

A cascade of alternative sigma factors directs developmental gene expression during spore formation by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. As the spore develops, a tightly regulated switch occurs in which the early-acting sigma factor σF is replaced by the late-acting sigma factor σG. The gene encoding σG (sigG) is transcribed by σF and by σG itself in an autoregulatory loop; yet σG activity is not detected until σF-dependent gene expression is complete. This separation in σF and σG activities has been suggested to be due at least in part to a poorly understood intercellular checkpoint pathway that delays sigG expression by σF. Here we report the results of a careful examination of sigG expression during sporulation. Unexpectedly, our findings argue against the existence of a regulatory mechanism to delay sigG transcription by σF and instead support a model in which sigG is transcribed by σF with normal timing, but at levels that are very low. This low-level expression of sigG is the consequence of several intrinsic features of the sigG regulatory and coding sequence—promoter spacing, secondary structure potential of the mRNA, and start codon identity—that dampen its transcription and translation. Especially notable is the presence of a conserved hairpin in the 5’ leader sequence of the sigG mRNA that occludes the ribosome-binding site, reducing translation by up to 4-fold. Finally, we demonstrate that misexpression of sigG from regulatory and coding sequences lacking these features triggers premature σG activity in the forespore during sporulation, as well as inappropriate σG activity during vegetative growth. Altogether, these data indicate that transcription and translation of the sigG gene is tuned to prevent vegetative expression of σG and to ensure the precise timing of the switch from σF to σG in the developing spore.
Visual Pathway Measures are Associated with Neuropsychological Function in Multiple Sclerosis.

Purpose: To determine the relationships between visual function and ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer thickness and neuropsychological measures in multiple sclerosis (MS).Methods: Ninety-five...
Co-occurrence of in-stream nitrogen fixation and denitrification across a nitrogen gradient in a western U.S. watershed

It is frequently assumed that nitrogen (N2) fixation and denitrification do not co-occur in streams because each process should be favored under different concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), and therefore these processes are rarely quantified together. We asked if these processes could co-exist by conducting a spatial survey of N2 fixation using acetylene reduction and denitrification using acetylene block [with and without amendments of carbon (C) as glucose and nitrogen (N) as nitrate]. Rates were measured on rocks and sediment in 8 southeastern Idaho streams encompassing a DIN gradient of 26–615 µg L−1. Sampling at each site was repeated in summer 2015 and 2016. We found that both denitrification and N2 fixation occurred across the gradient of DIN concentrations, with N2 fixation occurring primarily on rocks and denitrification occurring in sediment. N2 fixation rates on rocks significantly decreased 100× across the DIN gradient in 1 year of the study, and amended (with N and C) denitrification rates increased 10× across the DIN gradient in both years. Multiple linear regression and partial least squares models with environmental characteristics measured at the scale of entire stream reaches showed that C and phosphorus were positive predictors of amended and unamended denitrification rates, but no significant model could explain N2 fixation rates across all streams and years. This, coupled with the observation that detectable rates of N2 fixation occurred primarily on rocks and denitrification occurred primarily on sediment, suggests that microhabitat scale factors may better predict the co-occurrence of these processes within stream reaches. Overlooking the potential co-occurrence of N2 fixation and denitrification in stream ecosystems will impede understanding by oversimplifying the contribution of each process to the N cycle.
Storytelling in Crisis Communication

Stories are effective communcation tools because there are no one who doesn’t like them. When a story is heard or listened, it can be a powerful communication tool to awake people’s emotions. Therefore organizations should use storytelling as an effective communication tool. Stories and storytelling are central parts of organizational life, shaping corporate culture and influencing corporate behavior. They help facilitate knowledge sharing, and solve problems and make decisions. They can have an effect on public’s opinion about the organizations. Stories have so many functions in organizations as a communication mechanism and one of them is to deal with crises. There are seven types of storytelling which are used in organizations. This study considers the one which is about how organizations deal with obstacles and aims to prove that storytelling can be used as a communication tool during a crisis. For this, examples are given to understand the current usage of storytelling in crisis communications.
Direct Numerical Simulation of the Micro-Fluid Dynamics of Acoustic Liners

Nowadays, acoustic liners are essential for jet engine noise suppression. In the case of resonant liners, the openings of the resonators are usually very small. Because of the small dimensions, the flow field around the mouth of the resonators has not been directly observed or measured experimentally. This is so in spite of the fact that most acoustic energy dissipation takes place in this region. Present day understanding of the flow field and dissipation mechanisms of resonant liners are largely theoretical or is based on experiments using much larger scale models. The Reynolds number of these large models are, however, not the same as those of the actual resonators of the liner.
Amphotericin B: Polyene Resistance Mechanisms

Amphotericin B is a polyene antimicrobial agent that is used to treat invasive fungal infections. It is active against most pathogenic yeasts and molds found in humans and is the only effective treatment for some mycoses. Although uncommon, resistance to amphotericin B is increasing and can be categorized into three main categories: primary or intrinsic, acquired, and clinical resistance. Herein, we provide an overview of polyene resistance mechanisms as well as strategies to overcome resistance.
An Integrative Complexity Analysis of Religious and Irreligious Thinking

Stereotypical views cast religious believers as closed-minded, unthinking individuals, and irreligious persons as comparatively more intellectual and complex. But are these perceptions accurate? To...
A Rose by Any Other Name: Classified Accelerated Erosive Osteoarthritis or Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease, a Clarion for Aggressive Intervention.

To the Editor: The analysis of accelerated osteoarthritis (OA) by Davis, et al 1 noted the predominantly interphalangeal joint distribution of associated erosions and suggested a likely inflammatory derivation of the process. That description, however, is also applicable to a disorder long recognized as inflammatory in character: calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease … Address correspondence to Dr. B.M. Rothschild, 2401 W. University Ave., Muncie, Indiana 47303, USA. E-mail: spondylair{at}gmail.com
The Philosophy of Paradigm Change in the History of Social Evolution

A technological paradigm identifies the coherent features consistently present in the evolution of an innovation system over time. These shared characteristics refer to a widespread cluster of innovations during a given era that rely on a common set of scientific principles and on similar organizational methods. The idea of an overarching paradigm that depicts commonalities in innovation efforts may be applied at the level of an industry, a technical field, or in society as a whole, as in the case of a techno-socio-economic paradigm. Occasional paradigm shifts entail some change in the framework for innovation, while preserving certain features of the old ways in a new synthesis. Thus, paradigm shift takes the form of an Hegelian evolutionary or dialectical process. The evolution of an innovation system as a whole derives from the interaction or co-evolution of its central elements: knowledge, institutions, and technology in production. While conventional science isolates causal associations between specific parts of a system, Hegelian conceptual reasoning addresses the combined and interconnected movement of a complex relational system with multiple interdependencies. In the light of this contention, I argue that we should move away from age-old debates over whether social evolution or development is driven primarily by knowledge, by institutions or by the forces of production. Our attention should now turn instead to how these parts move together in an evolving system, and how their mutual goodness of fit adjusts during phases of paradigm shift and realignment.
Endonasal instrumentation and aerosolization risk in the era of COVID-19: simulation, literature review, and proposed mitigation strategies.

Background International experience with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) suggests it poses a significant risk of infectious transmission to skull base surgeons, due to high nasal viral titers and the unknown potential for aerosol generation during endonasal instrumentation. The purpose of this study was to simulate aerosolization events over a range of endoscopic procedures to obtain an evidence-based aerosol risk assessment. Methods Aerosolization was simulated in a cadaver using fluorescein solution (0.2 mg per 10 mL) and quantified using a blue-light filter and digital image processing. Outpatient sneezing during endoscopy was simulated using an intranasal atomizer in the presence or absence of intact and modified surgical mask barriers. Surgical aerosolization was simulated during nonpowered instrumentation, suction microdebrider, and high-speed drilling after nasal fluorescein application. Results Among the outpatient conditions, a simulated sneeze event generated maximal aerosol distribution at 30 cm, extending to 66 cm. Both an intact surgical mask and a modified VENT mask (which enables endoscopy) eliminated all detectable aerosol spread. Among the surgical conditions, cold instrumentation and microdebrider use did not generate detectable aerosols. Conversely, use of a high-speed drill produced significant aerosol contamination in all conditions tested. Conclusion We confirm that aerosolization presents a risk to the endonasal skull base surgeon. In the outpatient setting, use of a barrier significantly reduces aerosol spread. Cold surgical instrumentation and microdebrider use pose significantly less aerosolization risk than a high-speed drill. Procedures requiring drill use should carry a special designation as an "aerosol-generating surgery" to convey this unique risk, and this supports the need for protective personal protective equipment.
Climate in Physics Departments

A recent TPT call for papers asks for “more research … about how to tear down and/or overcome the barriers to success that the world, and science, and academia, and the culture of physics put in the way of those who are not white and male.” Women make up only 20% of bachelor’s degree recipients in physics. Hispanic people comprise less than 8%, with Black people accounting for less than half that number. While the representation of Hispanic people appears to be increasing over the last 10 years, the same is not true for Black people, nor is it true for women.
Sensitivity of wild-type and rifampicin-resistant O157 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli to elevated hydrostatic pressure and lactic acid in ground meat and meat homogenate

Various serogroups of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli have been epidemiologically associated with foodborne disease episodes in the United States and around the globe, with E. coli O157: H7 as the dominant serogroup of public health concern. Serogroups other than O157 are currently associated with about 60% of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli related foodborne illness episodes. Current study evaluated sensitivity of the O157 and epidemiologically important non-O157 serogroups of the pathogen to elevated hydrostatic pressure and 1% lactic acid. Pressure intensity of 250 to 650 MPa were applied for 0 to 7 min for inactivation of strain mixtures of wild-type and rifampicin-resistant E. coli O157, as well as O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 serogroups and ATCC® 43895™ strain in ground meat and 10% meat homogenate. E. coli O157 were reduced (p < 0.05) from 6.86 ± 0.2 to 4.56 ± 0.1 log CFU/g when exposed to pressure of 650 MPa for 7 min. Corresponding reductions (p < 0.05) for non-O157 E. coli were from 6.98 ± 0.3 to 4.72 ± 0.1. The D-values at 650 MPa were 3.71 and 3.47 min for O157 and non-O157 serogroups, respectively. Presence of 1% lactic acid to a great extent augmented (p < 0.05) decontamination efficacy of the treatment in meat homogenate resulting in up to 5.6 and 6.0 log CFU/mL reductions for O157 and non-O157 serogroups, respectively. Among the tested serogroups, the wild-type and rifampicin-resistant phenotypes exhibited (p ≥ 0.05) comparable pressure sensitivity. Thus, these two phenotypes could be used interchangeably in validation studies. Our results also illustrate that, application of elevated hydrostatic pressure could be utilized for assuring safety of ground and non-intact meat products against various serogroups of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Addition of 1% lactic acid additionally provided industrially appreciable augmentation in efficacy of the pressure-based treatments.
Notable Partnership Tax Articles of 2012

This Article reviews several partnership tax articles published by academic journals in 2012. The subjects of the articles range from broad reform proposals to taxation of reorganizations to taxation of carried interest to issues affecting partnership liabilities.
Modules over Endomorphism Rings

This is an extensive synthesis of recent work in the study of endomorphism rings and their modules, bringing together direct sum decompositions of modules, the class number of an algebraic number field, point set topological spaces, and classical noncommutative localization. The main idea behind the book is to study modules G over a ring R via their endomorphism ring EndR(G). The author discusses a wealth of results that classify G and EndR(G) via numerous properties, and in particular results from point set topology are used to provide a complete characterization of the direct sum decomposition properties of G. For graduate students this is a useful introduction, while the more experienced mathematician will discover that the book contains results that are not otherwise available. Each chapter contains a list of exercises and problems for future research, which provide a springboard for students entering modern professional mathematics.
Intensification of Medication Therapy for Cardiorenal Syndrome in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Abstract Background Worsening renal function in heart failure may be related to increased venous congestion, decreased cardiac output, or both. Diuretics are universally used in acute decompensated heart failure, but they may be ineffective and may lead to azotemia. We aimed to compare the decongestive properties of a urine output–guided diuretic adjustment and standard therapy for the management of cardiorenal syndrome in acute decompensated heart failure. Methods and Results Data were pooled from subjects randomized to the stepwise pharmacologic care algorithm (SPCA) in the CARRESS-HF trial and those who developed cardiorenal syndrome (rise in creatinine >0.3 mg/dL) in the DOSE-AHF and ROSE-AHF trials. Patients treated with SPCA (n = 94) were compared with patients treated with standard decongestive therapy (SDT) that included intravenous loop diuretic use (DOSE-AHF and ROSE-AHF; n = 107) at the time of cardiorenal syndrome and followed for net fluid balance, weight loss, and changing renal function. The SPCA group had higher degrees of jugular venous pressure ( P P P = .03). Conclusions Compared with SDT, patients who received an intensification of medication therapy for treating persisting congestion had greater net fluid and weight loss without being associated with renal compromise.
Radicalism's Legacy: American Legal History Since 1998

This short essay, commissioned by the German legal history journal Zeitschrift fur Neuere Rechtsgeschichte, examines developments in American legal history since 1998. Framed around the legacy of Robert Gordon's "Critical Legal Histories," it argues that developments in the field have primarily clustered around five types of inquiry -- legal pluralism, rights consciousness, racial identity, citizenship, and the state -- and that theoretical ideas developed by Gordon and his generation have continued to shape the field. It then examines the unintended pitfalls of the critical agenda, and speculates about new possibilities for the discipline -- and what its relevance might be to the next generation of American law students and law schools.
An analysis of parallel mixing with attacker-controlled inputs

Parallel mixing [7] is a technique for optimizing the latency of a synchronous re-encryption mix network. We analyze the anonymity of this technique when an adversary can learn the output positions of some of the inputs to the mix network. Using probabilistic modeling, we show that parallel mixing falls short of achieving optimal anonymity in this case. In particular, when the number of unknown inputs is small, there are significant anonymity losses in the expected case. This remains true even if all the mixes in the network are honest, and becomes worse as the number of mixes increases. We also consider repeatedly applying parallel mixing to the same set of inputs. We show that an attacker who knows some input–output relationships will learn new information with each mixing and can eventually link previously unknown inputs and outputs.
Regulation of glutamine synthetase. V. Partial purification and properties of glutamine synthetase from Bacillus licheniformis.

The glutamine synthetase of Bacillus licheniformis has been obtained at about 15% purity. Sucrose gradient centrifugation gave a molecular weight value of approximately 612,000. Both l- and d-glutamate can be utilized as substrates in the biosynthetic reaction, although the l isomer was five times more active. The requirement for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) can be partially replaced by guanosine or inosine triphosphates, but not by cytidine or uridine triphosphates. The Mn++ was required for activity, and the requirement cannot be satisfied with Mg++. Maximal activity of the biosynthetic reaction was observed when ATP and Mn++ were present in equimolar amounts. An excess of either reactant gave less activity. However, other purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, when added in combination with ATP, can partially substitute for ATP in attaining the equimolar ratio of nucleotide to Mn++. A complex of ATP and Mn++ is the preferred form of substrate. The B. licheniformis enzyme catalyzes the glutamyl transfer reaction but at a much slower rate than the Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase. Either adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or ATP can activate the glutamotransferase, although ADP is more active.
Susceptibility of Children to Environmental Xenobiotics

The growth of interest in paediatric environmental health reflects a widespread recognition that the impact of the environment on children's health is of major importance for this and succeeding generations. Children have a greater vulnerability to the adverse health effects of many environmental toxicants and xenobiotics than do adults, by virtue of their smaller size, increased weight-adjusted intake of toxicants, developmental differences in body systems and functions, overall physiological and toxicodynamic differences, and differences in the environments they inhabit, the air they breathe, the foods they eat and the behaviours they display every day. The overall impact of such adverse effects of the environment, manifested by subsequent poorer health and the need for costly healthcare services, is amplified by the longer lifespans of children and is associated with intergenerational transmission of harmful effects, to the detriment of mankind. Conversely there is also great potential for averting such harmful effects by improving the quality of the environment and sparing children the consequences of such exposures. Keywords: children; children's environmental health; teratology; paediatrics; paediatric environmental health; infant; foetus; pregnancy; breast-feeding; lactation; genetics; genomics; child; adolescent; children's hazards
Streptokinase intracoronary thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction

I he emphasis in the treatment of a patient with acute myocardial infarction (MI) is beginning to shift from the prevention and treatment of associated electrical and mechanical complications toward the salvage of :myocardium with limitation of muscle death. This approach represents an attempt to interrupt the natural evolution of myocardial necrosis during the reversible phase, thereby reducing the ultimate size of the infarct. For salvage of myocardiurn, blood j?ow must be restored through the occluded artery before the stage of irreversibility is reached. Currently, promising thrombolytic agents are being studie:d to determine whether their effect on the thrombus will, in fact, alter infarct size.
Karyotype Analysis Activity: A Constructivist Learning Design.

This classroom activity is based on a constructivist learning design and engages students in physically constructing a karyotype of three mock patients. Students then diagnose the chromosomal aneuploidy based on the karyotype, list the symptoms associated with the disorder, and discuss the implications of the diagnosis. This activity is targeted at undergraduates in a nonmajors genetics course, but the goals align with AP Biology Big Idea 3 and Next Generation Science Standards HS-LS3. The activity illustrates the relationship between genotype and phenotype, reinforces the chromosome theory of inheritance, and includes mapping of meiotic nondisjunction events.
Positive Effects of Language Treatment for the Logopenic Variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia

Despite considerable recent progress in understanding the underlying neurobiology of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) syndromes, relatively little attention has been directed toward the examination of behavioral interventions that may lessen the pervasive communication problems associated with PPA. In this study, we report on an individual with a behavioral profile and cortical atrophy pattern consistent with the logopenic variant of PPA. At roughly two-and-a-half years post onset, his marked lexical retrieval impairment prompted administration of a semantically based intervention to improve word retrieval. The treatment was designed to improve self-directed efforts to engage the participant’s relatively preserved semantic system in order to facilitate word retrieval. His positive response to an intensive (2-week) dose of behavioral treatment was associated with improved lexical retrieval of items within trained categories, and generalized improvement for naming of untrained items that lasted over a 6-month follow-up interval. These findings support the potential value of intensive training to achieve self-directed strategic compensation for lexical retrieval difficulties in logopenic PPA. Additional insight was gained regarding the neural regions that supported improved performance by the administration of a functional magnetic resonance imaging protocol before and after treatment. In the context of a picture-naming task, post-treatment fMRI showed increased activation of left dorsolateral prefrontal regions that have been implicated in functional imaging studies of generative naming in healthy individuals. The increased activation in these frontal regions that were not significantly atrophic in our patient (as determined by voxel-based morphometry) is consistent with the notion that neural plasticity can support compensation for specific language loss, even in the context of progressive neuronal degeneration.
Icacina oliviformis (icacinaceae): A close look at an underexploited food plant. II. Analyses of food products

Data are presented on proximate analyses of the seeds and tuberous roots of Icacina oliviformis(Icacinaceae) from the Central African Republic. The seeds contain 80.7% nitrogen-free extract (NFE), 14.0% crude protein, and 0.5% crude fat (dry weight). The average moisture content of live seeds is 18.3%. The roots contain 84.5% NFE, 4.4% crude protein, and 1.6% crude fat (dry weight). The moisture content of the fresh root is ca. 59%. These results are comparable to those reported for commonly cultivated crops in the study area. The amino acid profile of the seed protein is comparable to that of a protein of moderately high quality, although digestibility was not tested. From a nutritional point of view, this species warrants consideration for integration into agroforestry schemes undertaken in areas where it is currently exploited.
Molecular phylogeny of short-tailed opossums (Didelphidae: Monodelphis): taxonomic implications and tests of evolutionary hypotheses.

Abstract Short-tailed opossums (genus Monodelphis ) represent one of the most speciose clades of New World marsupials, with 26 currently recognized species that collectively range from eastern Panama to northern Argentina. Here we present the first phylogenetic analyses of the genus based on dense taxonomic sampling and multiple genes. From most sampled species we obtained >4800 bp of DNA sequence from one mitochondrial gene (CYTB), two autosomal exons (IRBP exon 1, BRCA1 exon 11), one autosomal intron (SLC38 intron 7), and one X-linked intron (OGT intron 14). Maximum-parsimony, maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses of these data strongly support the monophyly of Monodelphis and recover six major clades within the genus. Additionally, our analyses support previous suggestions that several nominal taxa are synonyms of other species ( M. “ sorex ” of M. dimidiata , M. “ theresa ” of M. scalops , M. “ rubida ” and M. “ umbristriata ” of M. americana , and M. “ maraxina ” of M. glirina ). By contrast, four unnamed lineages recovered by our analyses may represent new species. Reconstructions of ancestral states of two discrete characters—dorsal pelage color pattern and habitat—suggest that the most recent common ancestor of Monodelphis was uniformly colored (with unpatterned dorsal pelage) and inhabited moist forest. Whereas some dorsal pelage patterns appear to have evolved homoplastically in Monodelphis , dorsal stripes may have had a unique historical origin in this genus.
Expression of either Lethal Toxin or Edema Toxin by Bacillus anthracis Is Sufficient for Virulence in a Rabbit Model of Inhalational Anthrax

The development of therapeutics against biothreats requires that we understand the pathogenesis of the disease in relevant animal models. The rabbit model of inhalational anthrax is an important tool in the assessment of potential therapeutics against Bacillus anthracis. We investigated the roles of B. anthracis capsule and toxins in the pathogenesis of inhalational anthrax in rabbits by comparing infection with the Ames strain versus isogenic mutants with deletions of the genes for the capsule operon (capBCADE), lethal factor (lef), edema factor (cya), or protective antigen (pagA). The absence of capsule or protective antigen (PA) resulted in complete avirulence, while the presence of either edema toxin or lethal toxin plus capsule resulted in lethality. The absence of toxin did not influence the ability of B. anthracis to traffic to draining lymph nodes, but systemic dissemination required the presence of at least one of the toxins. Histopathology studies demonstrated minimal differences among lethal wild-type and single toxin mutant strains. When rabbits were coinfected with the Ames strain and the PA− mutant strain, the toxin produced by the Ames strain was not able to promote dissemination of the PA− mutant, suggesting that toxigenic action occurs in close proximity to secreting bacteria. Taken together, these findings suggest that a major role for toxins in the pathogenesis of anthrax is to enable the organism to overcome innate host effector mechanisms locally and that much of the damage during the later stages of infection is due to the interactions of the host with the massive bacterial burden.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy with Rituximab for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Significant advances have been achieved in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with the incorporation of targeted therapy agents. Targeting leukemia surface antigens with monoclonal antibodies is another promising strategy. This article comprehensively reviews available data regarding the use of rituximab for the treatment of Burkitt-type leukemia/lymphoma and CD20-positive precursor B-cell ALL. The incorporation of rituximab into frontline chemotherapy regimens for Burkitt-type leukemia/lymphoma appears to improve outcome. Preliminary data regarding the use of rituximab in frontline therapy for CD20- positive precursor B-cell ALL suggest its use may also be beneficial, particularly for the younger subsets.
The effect of pre-emptive right amendments on shareholder wealth

Abstract Pre-emptive rights allow existing shareholders to purchase a new offering of shares before the general public. This paper investigates the effect on shareholder wealth of removing pre-emptive rights from corporate charters. Two hypotheses are constrasted: (1) Shareholder wealth maximization suggests that management uses this extra degree of freedom to pick the least cost method for raising new equity; hence, the amendment increases shareholder wealth. (2) Management welfare maximization holds that management will use the passage of the amendment to maximize their own welfare, sometimes to the detriment of shareholders; hence, the amendment decreases shareholder wealth. The evidence indicates that the amendment decreases shareholder wealth.
A plasticity model for pressure-dependent anisotropic cellular solids

Abstract The initial and subsequent yield surfaces for an anisotropic and pressure-dependent 2D stochastic cellular material, which represents solid foams, are investigated under biaxial loading using finite element analysis. Scalar measures of stress and strain, namely characteristic stress and characteristic strain, are used to describe the constitutive response of cellular material along various stress paths. The coupling between loading path and strain hardening is then investigated in characteristic stress–strain domain. The nature of the flow rule that best describes the plastic flow of cellular solid is also investigated. An incremental plasticity framework is proposed to describe the pressure-dependent plastic flow of 2D stochastic cellular solids. The proposed plasticity framework adopts the anisotropic and pressure-dependent yield function recently introduced by Alkhader and Vural [Alkhader M., Vural M., 2009a. An energy-based anisotropic yield criterion for cellular solids and validation by biaxial FE simulations. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 57(5), 871–890]. It has been shown that the proposed yield function can be simply calibrated using elastic constants and flow stresses under uniaixal loading. Comparison of stress fields predicted by continuum plasticity model to the ones obtained from FE analysis shows good agreement for the range of loading paths and strains investigated.
Clinical Applications of Femoral Vein-to-Artery Cannulation for Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Support and Bypass

Abstract Femoral vein-to-artery partial and total cardiopulmonary bypass was employed in 117 patients. The technique was utilized for (1) preoperative circulatory support in the presence of florid heart failure or shock; (2) circulatory support, cooling, and reinfusion of excessive blood losses from inadvertent but anticipated injury of a cardiac chamber or of great vessels during exposure of the heart; (3) elective intracardiac procedures through a left thoracotomy; and (4) partial cardiopulmonary bypass for operations on the descending thoracic aorta. The femoral vein-to-artery peripheral cannulation provided satisfactory flows in most of these patients. Details of technique and indications in a wide variety of clinical situations are presented.
Understanding Hedge Fund Performance: Research Issues Revisited—Part II

This article is the first of a two-part review of various micro (fund) and macro (strategy) factors that impact fund performance. In this part, the authors concentrate on reviewing some of the micro (e.g., fund level) elements driving fund performance. Specifically, they analyze the impact of fund characteristics such as survivor bias, age, and size on the fund9s performance. In some cases, the results presented in this article seem to question previous results such as the impact of stale prices on return relationships, survivor bias, the use of historical hedge fund index data, and incentive fees. In other cases, the results support previous research on issues such as performance persistence, lock-ups, and a number of other micro/fund effects.
Thymosin beta-10 is aberrantly expressed in pancreatic cancer and induces JNK activation.

Thymosin beta-10 (Tβ10) has been shown to be associated with several cancers; however, its role in pancreatic cancer is not understood. The expression of Tβ10 was determined by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The phosphorylation of JNK and the cytokine secretion was determined by using the Bio-Plex phosphoprotein and cytokines assays. Pancreatic cancer tissues and cells expressed higher amounts of Tβ10 than normal surrounding tissues and human pancreatic duct epithelial cells. Exogenous Tβ10 caused the phosphorylation of JNK and increased the secretion of cytokines interleukin (IL)-7 and IL-8 in BxPC-3 cells. Tβ10 might be a promising marker and a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
Microwave-Frequency InAlP-oxide/GaAs MOSFETs

GaAs-channel MOSFETs employing InAlP native oxide gate dielectrics and achieving record microwave performance are reported. Devices with 1 mum gate length demonstrate measured ft's of 17.0 GHz with fmax's of 74.8 GHz. Improved RF performance is obtained by vertical scaling of the device heterostructure to incorporate a 7.5 nm thick gate oxide layer. Despite the thin InAlP native oxide gate dielectric layer, a low gate leakage current density of 1.58 times 10 -4 A/cm2 is obtained at 1 V bias
Magnetic properties of c-axis textured Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B thin films

Thin films of Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B (/spl sim/30-60 nm) were grown with c-axis texture by means of molecular beam epitaxy. A two-phase structure is observed in both the X-ray diffraction and the hysteresis loops, due to an interfacial reaction during the initial growth. Coercivities are 1-2 T at 20 K, and the anisotropy fields are bulk-like. Microstructural analysis by atomic and magnetic force microscopies reveal lateral grain sizes of /spl sim/200 nm, which could explain the hard magnetic properties.
Pharmacological and physiological characterization of the tremulous jaw movement model of parkinsonian tremor: potential insights into the pathophysiology of tremor.

Tremor is a cardinal symptom of parkinsonism, occurring early on in the disease course and affecting more than 70% of patients. Parkinsonian resting tremor occurs in a frequency range of 3-7Hz and can be resistant to available pharmacotherapy. Despite its prevalence, and the significant decrease in quality of life associated with it, the pathophysiology of parkinsonian tremor is poorly understood. The tremulous jaw movement (TJM) model is an extensively validated rodent model of tremor. TJMs are induced by conditions that also lead to parkinsonism in humans (i.e. striatal DA depletion, DA antagonism and cholinomimetic activity) and reversed by several antiparkinsonian drugs (i.e. DA precursors, DA agonists, anticholinergics and adenosine A2A antagonists). TJMs occur in the same 3-7 Hz frequency range seen in parkinsonian resting tremor, a range distinct from that of dyskinesia (1-2 Hz) and postural tremor (8-14 Hz). Overall, these drug-induced TJMs share many characteristics with human parkinsonian tremor, but do not closely resemble tardive dyskinesia. The current review discusses recent advances in the validation of the tremulous jaw movement model, and illustrates how this model is being used to develop novel therapeutic strategies, both surgical and pharmacological, for the treatment of parkinsonian resting tremor.