cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantum-Key Distribution (QKD) Fundamentals

This chapter is devoted to QKD fundamentals. The chapter starts with description of key differences between conventional cryptography, classical physical-layer security (PLS), and QKD. In section on QKD basics, after historical overview, we review different QKD types and describe briefly common postprocessing steps, namely, information reconciliation and privacy amplification steps. In the same section, we provide two fundamental theorems on which QKD relies on, no-cloning theorem and the theorem of inability to unambiguously distinguish non-orthogonal quantum states. In section on discrete variable (DV)-QKD systems, we describe in detail BB84 and B92 protocols as well as Ekert (E91) and EPR protocols. In the same section, the time-phase encoding protocol is also described. Regarding the BB84 protocols, different versions, suitable for different technologies, are described. In section on QKD security, the secret-key rate (SKR) is represented as the product of raw key rate and fractional rate, followed by the description of different limitations to the raw key rate. After that, the generic expression for the fractional rate is provided, followed by description of different eavesdropping strategies including individual (independent or incoherent) attacks, collective attacks, coherent attacks, and the quantum hacking/side-channel attacks. For individual and coherent attacks, the corresponding secrete fraction expressions are described. The next section is devoted to various definitions of security, including the concept of e-security. After that, the generic expressions for 2-D DV-QKD schemes are derived for both prepare-and-measure and decoy-state-based protocols. To facilitate the description of continuous variable (CV)-QKD protocols, the fundamentals of quantum optics are introduced first. In section on CV-QKD protocols, both squeezed state-based and coherent state-based protocols are described. Given that the coherent states are much easier to generate and manipulate, the coherent state-based protocols with both homodyne and heterodyne detections are described in detail. The secret fraction is derived for both direct- and reverse-reconciliation-based CV-QKD protocols. Furthermore, the details on practical aspects of GG02 protocol are provided. In the same section, the secret fraction calculation for collective attacks is discussed. After that, the basic concepts for measurement-device-independent (MDI)-QKD protocols are introduced. Then final section in the chapter provides some relevant concluding remarks.
Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model Degenerative Retinal Diseases: The RPE Perspective

Pluripotent stem cell technology, including human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), has provided a suitable platform to investigate molecular and pathological alterations in an individual cell type using patient’s own cells. Importantly, hiPSCs/hESCs are amenable to genome editing providing unique access to isogenic controls. Specifically, the ability to introduce disease-causing mutations in control (unaffected) and conversely correct disease-causing mutations in patient-derived hiPSCs has provided a powerful approach to clearly link the disease phenotype with a specific gene mutation. In fact, utilizing hiPSC/hESC and CRISPR technology has provided significant insight into the pathomechanism of several diseases. With regard to the eye, the use of hiPSCs/hESCs to study human retinal diseases is especially relevant to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-based disorders. This is because several studies have now consistently shown that hiPSC-RPE in culture displays key physical, gene expression and functional attributes of human RPE in vivo. In this book chapter, we will discuss the current utility, limitations, and plausible future approaches of pluripotent stem cell technology for the study of retinal degenerative diseases. Of note, although we will broadly summarize the significant advances made in modeling and studying several retinal diseases utilizing hiPSCs/hESCs, our specific focus will be on the utility of patient-derived hiPSCs for (1) establishment of human cell models and (2) molecular and pharmacological studies on patient-derived cell models of retinal degenerative diseases where RPE cellular defects play a major pathogenic role in disease development and progression.
Playing Favorites: Integrin αvβ5 Mediates Preferential Zika Infection of Neural Stem Cells

The molecular basis dictating specificity of Zika virus infection in neural stem cells (NSCs) remains elusive. Two recent papers in Cell Stem Cell (Zhu et al., 2020) and Cell Reports (Wang et al., 2020) identify integrin αvβ5 as an internalization factor that increases susceptibility in NSCs and glioblastoma stem cells.
Outcomes of COVID-19 in a cohort of pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports of COVID-19 in pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases. This study describes the clinical presentation and outcomes of COVID-19 in this population. METHODS: We analyzed a single-center case series of pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Demographic, baseline and COVID-19 associated clinical features were compared between ambulatory and hospitalized patients using univariate analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-five cases were identified: 45 (81.8%) in the ambulatory group and 10 (18.2%) hospitalized. African American race (OR 7.78; 95% CI [1.46-55.38]; p = 0.006) and cardiovascular disease (OR 19.40; 95% CI 2.45-254.14; p = 0.001) predominated in hospitalized patients. Active rheumatic disease (OR 11.83; 95% CI 1.43-558.37; p = 0.01), medium/high-dose corticosteroid use (OR 14.12; 95% CI [2.31-106.04]; p = 0.001), mycophenolate use (OR 8.84; 95% CI [1.64-63.88]; p = 0.004), rituximab use (OR 19.40; 95% CI [2.45-254.14]; p = 0.001) and severe immunosuppression (OR 34.80; 95% CI [3.94-1704.26]; p = < 0.001) were associated with increased odds of hospitalization. Fever (OR 7.78; 95% CI [1.46-55.38]; p = 0.006), dyspnea (OR 26.28; 95% CI [2.17-1459.25]; p = 0.003), chest pain (OR 13.20; 95% CI [1.53-175.79]; p = 0.007), and rash (OR 26.28; 95% CI [2.17-1459.25]; p = 0.003) were more commonly observed in hospitalized patients. Rheumatic disease flares were almost exclusive to hospitalized patients (OR 55.95; 95% CI [5.16-3023.74]; p < 0.001).. One patient did not survive. CONCLUSIONS: Medium/high-dose corticosteroid, mycophenolate and rituximab use, and severe immunosuppression were risk factors for hospitalization. Fever, dyspnea, chest pain, and rash were high-risk symptoms for hospitalization. Rheumatic disease activity and flare could contribute to the need for hospitalization.
Medical marijuana utilization in gynecologic cancer patients.

Abstract Background Medical marijuana (MM) use is common among cancer patients, but relatively little is known about the usage patterns and efficacy of MM used by gynecologic cancer patients. Methods Demographic and clinical data were collected for gynecologic cancer patients prescribed MM between May 2016 and February 2019. The electronic medical record was used to query formulation prescribed, usage patterns, length of use, symptom relief, and side effect profile. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Results Of 45 gynecologic cancer patients prescribed MM, 89% were receiving chemotherapy; 56% were undergoing primary treatment. MM was used for a median of 5.2 months (range 0.6–25.4). Over 70% of patients reported improvement in nausea/vomiting, compared to 36% of patients using MM for pain relief (p = 0.02). Of 41 patients with follow-up information, 71% found MM improved at least one symptom. Conclusions Among a small sample of gynecologic cancer patients prescribed MM for symptom management, self-reported follow-up indicated symptom relief for the majority of patients and minimal therapy-related side effects. This data can prove useful for counseling gynecologic cancer patients on the efficacy and side effects of MM.
Conspiracy beliefs and the impact on health behaviors

Health-related conspiracy beliefs are widespread, cover a variety of health topics, and can impact behavior. As such, understanding exactly how these beliefs impact health behavior is an important step in developing interventions to increase preventative health behaviors and individuals' overall health and well-being. This review assesses two different widely endorsed health-related conspiracy beliefs using two key health models, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1985) and the Health Belief Model (HBM; Rosenstock et al., 1988, https://doi.org/10.1177/109019818801500203), in order to determine how these beliefs may impact health behavior and possible avenues for intervention. Attitudes and subjective norms from the TPB, along with perceived severity, barriers, and benefits from the HBM, were the most salient to conspiracy beliefs. Future research should consider a mixed model approach that utilizes components from both theories in intervention planning and assessment.
Covid-19, Pregnancy, and Vaccinations

Pregnancy in the presence of COVID-19 increases the risk for illness severity. Data suggest that pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to be hospitalized, to be admitted to the intensive care unit, and to require life support. Vaccination is currently considered the most effective preventive intervention against COVID-19 in the United States. However, the unsurprising exclusion of pregnant women as participants in initial COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials has led to a gap in the scientific data regarding the safety profile and subsequent use of COVID-19 vaccine for women who are pregnant. Experts believe current COVID-19 vaccines developed using either mRNA or viral vector vaccine technologies and authorized for emergency use by the United States Food and Drug Administration are unlikely to pose obstetrical or neonatal risks. Still, current vaccination recommendations for women who are pregnant have been both mixed and contradictory. The need to expeditiously identify, collate, and disseminate available vaccine-related safety data is critical to preventing severe illness while also advancing the health and wellness of an underserved high-risk population subgroup.
Phase II study of ipilimumab and nivolumab in leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is a common complication from solid tumor malignancies with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. We present a single arm Phase II study of 18 patients with LMD receiving combined ipilimumab and nivolumab until progression or unacceptable toxicity (NCT02939300). The primary end point is overall survival at 3 months (OS3). Secondary end points include toxicity, cumulative time-to-progression at 3 months, and progression-free survival. A Simon two-stage design is used to compare a null hypothesis OS3 of 18% against an alternative of 44%. Median follow up based on patients still alive is 8.0 months (range: 0.5 to 15.9 months). The study has met its primary endpoint as 8 of 18 (OS3 0.44; 90% CI: 0.24 to 0.66) patients are alive at three months. One third of patients have experienced one (or more) grade-3 or higher adverse events. Two patients have discontinued protocol treatment due to unacceptable toxicity (hepatitis and colitis, respectively). The most frequent adverse events include fatigue (N = 7), nausea (N = 6), fever (N = 6), anorexia (N = 6) and rash (N = 6). Combined ipilimumab and nivolumab has an acceptable safety profile and demonstrates promising activity in LMD patients. Larger, multicenter clinical trials are needed to validate these results. Leptomeningeal metastases from solid tumors are a rare complication with a very poor prognosis. Here the authors report the efficacy and safety of combined ipilimumab and nivolumab in patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.
Treatment Options for Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis, which occurs primarily in immunosuppressed patients and patients with diabetes mellitus, remains one of the most difficult fungal infections to treat. In part, this is due to the poor immune response of those patients who have hematological malignancies or have received a hematopoietic cell or solid organ transplant, but also very important is the paucity of available non-toxic effective antifungal agents. Correction of underlying risk factors is helpful, but this is possible mostly in those with diabetes. Surgical debridement of all necrotic tissue is crucially important in decreasing mortality. Lipid formulations of amphotericin B are the treatment of choice. Posaconazole oral suspension has been used successfully in salvage trials and allows long-term therapy that was not possible previously. The new delayed-release tablet achieves higher serum concentrations and should prove to be more efficacious than the suspension in step-down therapy after initial amphotericin B treatment. Isavuconazole is a newly approved azole that appears to be efficacious against mucormycosis in salvage studies. Similar to posaconazole, the oral capsule is available to use as step-down therapy after initial amphotericin B treatment. Both of these azoles are now available as intravenous formulations that perhaps may prove effective as primary therapy for mucormycosis, but until clinical trials have shown that indeed, they are efficacious, these agents should not be considered appropriate for primary therapy of mucormycosis.
Low-Temperature Cooling Histories of the Cheyenne Belt and Laramie Peak Shear Zone, Wyoming, and The Soda Creek-Fish Creek Shear Zone, Colorado

The base of a fossil apatite fission-track (AFT) partial annealing zone (PAZ), which formed when the area now occupied by the central and southern Rocky Mountains was at sea level in Late Cretaceous time, has since been disrupted by Laramide and post-Laramide tectonism and denudation. New AFT data are used to identify this marker and to examine its disruption across Proterozoic boundaries in north-central Colorado and south-central Wyoming. The cooling history recorded by the AFT data in the Laramie Range is not strongly controlled by basement structures, but instead reflects either long-wavelength warping of the base of the PAZ during Laramide deformation or N-S variations in Paleozoic to Mesozoic sediment thickness across this range. In contrast, at least one structure associated with the Cheyenne belt in the Medicine Bow Mountains, the Rambler shear zone, influenced the Laramide cooling history of this range. The Rambler shear zone separates Laramide AFT cooling ages (60 to 79 Ma) to the northwest from >100 Ma AFT ages to the southeast. In the Sierra Madre, Wyoming, AFT ages from Archean rocks north of the Cheyenne belt and from Proterozoic rocks to the south are nearly equivalent (49-79 Ma); the Late Cretaceous PAZ is not preserved in this mountain range. Similarly, AFT ages north and south of the Proterozoic Soda Creek-Fish Creek shear zone the Park Range, Colorado are about the same (45-75 Ma). Thus, these shear zones apparently were not strongly reactivated during Laramide deformation.
Application of combined genetic algorithms with cascade correlation to diagnosis of delayed gastric emptying from electrogastrograms

The currently established method for the diagnosis of delayed gastric emptying (GE) of a solid meal involves radiation exposure and considerable expense. Based on combining genetic algorithms with the cascade correlation learning architecture, a neural network approach is proposed for the diagnosis of delayed GE from electrogastrograms (EGGs). EGGs were measured by placing surface electrodes on the abdominal skin over the stomach in 152 patients with suspected gastric motility disorders for 30 minutes in the fasting state and for 2 hours after a standard test meal. The GE rate of the stomach was simultaneously monitored after the meal using the established method. Five spectral parameters of EGG data in each patient were used as the inputs to a classifier. The classifier was designed by using genetic algorithms in conjunction with the cascade correlation learning architecture. The main advantage of this technique over back-propagation (BP) for supervised learning is that it can automatically grow the architecture of neural networks to give a suitable network size for a specific problem and significantly reduce the training time. The resulted neural network with three hidden units exhibits 83% correct classification for the EGG data, and has comparable performance with the BP network. This preliminary study demonstrates that the potential of the neural network approach based on combining genetic algorithms with cascade correlation for diagnosis of gastric emptying from the EGG.
Abstract P453: Keep Your Heart Healthy: Engaging Medical Students to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Low Income Communities

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are largely preventable yet remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Chicago, especially in minority neighborhoods. Hypothesis: Medical schools can engage students to conduct community CVD screening and consultation to reduce risks in low income Chicago communities with high CVD mortality rates. Objectives: Keep Your Heart Healthy (KYHH) initiative is a collaboration of the Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago Department of Public Health, and community partners. The KYHH pilot aims to engage medical students to determine current CVD risks through screening and consultation in primarily Hispanic (Humboldt Park) and African American (North Lawndale) Chicago communities. We report on the pilot: August 1, 2013 to date. Methods: A total of 54 medical students volunteered, including 26% of the first-year class. A convenience sample of adults was recruited by community health workers. Medical student volunteers, trained by Feinberg faculty, conducted interviews to assess CVD risk by participant self report, measured body weight and blood pressure, and provided brief, personalized counseling based on the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Simple 7.” Participants with blood pressure ≥ 140/90 were referred to their primary care providers or a Federally Qualified Health Center. Randomly selected participants provided post-event survey feedback. Results: At 17 events, students (mean = 8) screened 650 participants in Humboldt Park (further data n=329 at time of submission) and 119 participants in North Lawndale. Demographics (Humboldt Park vs North Lawndale) were as follows: race/ethnicity (82% Latino vs 94% African American); age (63% vs 54% 40-65 years old); gender (62% vs 75% women). Self-reported CVD risk factors included cigarette smoking (31% vs 21%), diabetes (33% vs 17%), hypertension (47% vs 34%), and prior heart attack (8% vs 7%) or stroke (5% vs 1%). Obesity (42% vs 57%) and uncontrolled hypertension (20% vs 23%) rates were high. Humboldt Park and North Lawndale participants rarely (19% vs 15%) or sometimes (41% vs 43%) ate fruit/vegetables, and sometimes (42% vs 50%) or often (20% vs 22%) ate high-salt foods. Participants often lacked insurance or a usual source of care (32% vs 34%). The most common participant-identified goals were achieving a healthier body weight (51% vs 42%) or diet (41% vs 34%). Of 131 participants who provided post-event feedback, 95% indicated they learned something new about their heart health, 92% made goals to improve it, 99% indicated they understood their own personal risks, and 99% indicated they would recommend the screening to others. Conclusion: CVD risk factor burden is high in low income Chicago communities. KYHH is a model for engaging medical students to advance community health by conducting personalized screening and consultation. Early efforts have been well received by community residents.
Nutritional features of the intestinal anaerobe Ruminococcus bromii.

Of six strains of Ruminococcus bromii studied, five grew in a minimal chemically defined medium containing minerals, NH4+ as nitrogen source, sulfide or sulfate as sulfur source, fructose as energy and carbon source, isobutyrate or 2-methylbutyrate and carbonic acid-bicarbonate as additional carbon sources, and the vitamins biotin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, vitamin B12 (replaced by L-methionine), pantethine, and tetrahydrofolate. The strains also could utilize cysteine or thiosulfate but not methionine; and strain Z3 failed to use dithiothreitol, thioglycolate, sulfite, or β-mercaptoethanol as sole sources of sulfur. Mixtures of amino acids, peptides (Casitone), urea, nitrate, asparagine, or glutamine failed to replace NH4+ as N source. Three strains isolated from Americans were identical in nutritional features, whereas one from a Japanese and one from a South African native differed slightly in having requirements for fewer vitamins. One strain from the cecum of a sow grew well in a rumen fluid-supplemented medium but not in the various chemically defined media plus Casitone. The nutritional features suggest that the environment which selects R. bromii contains relatively little amino acid nitrogen and a relatively large amount of NH4+-N and indicate that these bacteria must depend upon other bacteria such as those that produce NH4+ from urea or protein and those that produce branched-chain volatile acids to grow.
Chelating Agent Shock of Bacteriophage T5

When two strains of phage T5 (heat-susceptible form T5 st + and its heat-resistant mutant T5 st ) were placed in solutions containing various high concentrations of chelating agents (sodium citrate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) at room temperature, they could be effectively inactivated by rapid dilution in distilled water of relatively low temperatures (2 to 37 C). This phenomenon has been termed “chelating agent shock” (CAS). The susceptibility of phage T5 to CAS increased with an increase in the concentration of chelating agents and with an increase in temperature of the water used for rapid dilution. Under any given condition, T5 st + was much more sensitive to CAS than was T5 st . Phage T5 was protected against inactivation by the addition of monovalent or divalent metal salts, but not by the addition of nonionic solutes, to the shocking water prior to CAS treatment. This finding is compatible with the view that cations combined with the phage protein are removed by the chelating agent, although no metal ion has been identified in the phage protein. Alternatively, since the chelating agents used are polyanions, they may bind relatively tightly to the protein subunits in the head of T5, thereby distorting the structure of the phage head. Rapid dilution of these distorted particles could lead to loss of phage DNA. No evidence for recovery of phage activity could be obtained by the addition of metal salts to the inactivated phage after CAS. The morphological properties of phage inactivated by CAS are similar to those of heat-inactivated T5 phage. Electron micrographs showed that most of the phage particles consisted of empty head membranes; some of the particles had lost their tails. Both heritable and nonheritable resistance to heat was accompanied by resistance to CAS in phage T5. The sensitive element detected by each test seemed to be the same. Images
Do micro-level tutorial decisions matter: applying reinforcement learning to induce pedagogical tutorial tactics

Pedagogical tutorial tactics are policies for a tutor to decide the next action when there are multiple actions available. When the contents were controlled so as to be the same, little evidence has shown that tutorial decisions would impact students' learning. In this paper, we applied Reinforcement Learning (RL) to induce two sets of tutorial tactics from pre-existing human interaction data. The NormGain set was derived with the goal of enhancing tutorial decisions that contribute to learning while the InvNormGain set was derived with the goal of enhancing those decisions that contribute less or even nothing to learning. The two sets were then compared with human students. Our results showed that when the contents were controlled so as to be the same, different pedagogical tutorial tactics would make a difference in learning and more specifically, the NormGain students outperformed their peers.
Comparison of sub-pixel classification approaches for crop-specific mapping

This paper examined two non-linear models, Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) regression and Regression Tree (RT), for estimating sub-pixel crop proportions using time-series MODIS-NDVI data. The sub-pixel proportions were estimated for three major crop types including corn, soybean, and wheat; throughout the entire 480,000 km2 Laurentian Great Lakes Basin. Accuracy assessments were conducted using the cropland data layer (CDL) developed by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The performances of the sub-pixel classifications were compared based on root-mean-square error (RMSE) and scatter plots. For MLP regression, the RMSE values at 500 m spatial resolution were 0.16, 0.14, and 0.07 for corn, soybean and wheat, respectively. The RT approach achieved slightly higher RMSE values of 0.18, 0.15, and 0.07 for corn, soybean, and wheat. The latter approach did not provide greater interpretability, because tree sizes were rather large for MODIS-NDVI sub-pixel crop estimation problems.
Uncertainty in thermal process calculations due to variability in first-order and Weibull kinetic parameters.

: Alternatives to first-order model of death kinetics of microorganisms have been proposed as improvements in the calculation of lethality for a thermal process. Although such models can potentially improve predictions for many situations, this article tries to answer the question of whether the added complexities of these models are a worthwhile investment once we include the effect of uncertainties in various microbiological and process parameters. Monte Carlo technique is used to include variability in kinetic parameters in lethality calculation for a number of heating processes, for both first-order and Weibull kinetics models. It is shown that uncertainties represented by coefficient of variation in kinetic parameters lead to a wide range of final log-reduction prediction. With the same percent variability in kinetic parameters, uncertainty in the final log reduction for Weibull kinetics was smaller or equal to that for first-order kinetics. Due to the large effect of variability in the input parameters on the final log reduction, the effort to move toward more accurate kinetic models needs to be weighed against inclusion of variability.
The Florida State Libraries Resource Sharing Initiative: Unity Among a Disparate Group

This article discusses the development of a new resource sharing program within the Florida State University Libraries called UBorrow. Background includes information on similar programs and the use of Integrated Library Systems in this type of program. There is discussion of the pilot project which reviewed and selected the delivery system for this new program. Discussion also includes lessons learned concerning UBorrow's preliminary implementation and how unity in this service was created among a disparate group.
Near-threshold proton-induced neutral pion production from 12C.

The total cross section and angular distributions for the differential cross section and the analyzing power of the exclusive two-body pion production reaction $^{12}\mathrm{C}$(p\ensuremath{\rightarrow},${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$) $^{13}\mathrm{N}_{\mathrm{g}.\mathrm{s}.}$ have been measured at 147 MeV, very near the threshold energy of 145 MeV. Both the large forward-backward asymmetry in the angular distribution of the differential cross section and the large values observed for the analyzing powers indicate strong interference between the amplitude for s-wave pion emission and the amplitudes for p-wave pion emission. A phase-shift analysis performed on these new data yields significant p-wave strength at this low energy. The measurements for ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$ production from carbon are in agreement with results extracted from existing data for ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{+}$ production from carbon, after corrections for isospin invariance and Coulomb effects. The reduced s-wave strength is found to have a simple power law dependence on the total number of nucleons in the final bound state.
Water and substrate control of cliff communities: patterns among species and phyla

Aims Cliff communities tend to be compositionally simple but taxonomically diverse at the phylum/division level. As a result, they provide a setting for examining the responses of distinct phyla (e.g. Anthophyta, Bryophyta and lichens), species within these phyla and communities comprised of these phyla, to the same environmental gradients. Our aims were both descriptive and hypothesis-driven. We sought to identify major community shifts across water–substrate gradients in a poorly studied system (inland North American cliffs), while considering extant hypotheses concerning the relationships of organisms to environments at different taxonomic scales. Location Sub-alpine cliffs in northeastern Yellowstone National Park. Methods Cliff faces on two mountains were blocked at nine waterfalls. At each block, community composition was recorded from random samples obtained for three levels of water availability (xeric, mesic and hygric) on two substrates (limestone and andesite). Patterns of cover and richness were compared using Friedman's Rank F-tests. Community patterns were discerned using permutation MANOVAs, ordinations, and cluster analyses. Results Phyletic composition varied in response to water availability. In general, lichens dominated dry sites, while vascular plants dominated wet sites. Anthophyta was the most narrowly specialized phylum, and Bryophyta was the most generalized. Beta diversity was higher at drier sites, due to the dominance of the diverse lichen group. As a result, communities on lime and andesitic substrates were indistinguishable in hygric environments, but significantly different at drier sites. This may have occurred because, while water is limiting for neither substrate in hygric environments, andesites are more likely to absorb and store atmospheric water in drier environments. Indicator species analyses identified 27 distinct species distinguishing water and substrate conditions, or their interactions. Conclusions Our experimental design uniquely accounted for extraneous variables in its examination of water and substrate effects on cliff communities. Water strongly controlled community composition both among and within phyla through both direct effects and interactions with substrate.
Criminality and Psychiatric Disorders

THE WIDESPREAD concern over the apparently increasing crime rate needs no documentation. The extent of criminal behavior may be suggested by the following quotation from the 1967 report entitled The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society of the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice. "In the United States today, one boy in six is referred to the juvenile court. A Commission survey shows that in 1965 more than two million Americans were received in prisons or juvenile training schools, or placed on probation." The report estimates that the annual cost of crime in the United States is about 21 billion dollars, of which about 4.2 billion dollars are for public expenditures such as police, courts, and prisons. The role of psychiatry in understanding and modifying this extensive and costly criminal behavior is not clear and is a subject of controversy. Since 1959, the senior author,
Ghost-free spectrum of a quantum string in SL(2,R) curved spacetime.

The unitarity problem in curved spacetime is solved for the string described by the SL(2,{ital R}) Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) model. The spectrum is computed exactly and demonstrated to be ghost-free. The new features include (i) SL(2,{ital R}) left-right symmetry currents that have logarithmic cuts on the world sheet but that satisfy the usual local operator products or commutation rules, (ii) physical states consistent with the monodromy condition of closed strings despite the logarithmic singularity in the currents, and (iii) a new free boson realization for these currents which render the SL(2,{ital R}) WZW model completely solvable. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Heat, Sound, and Engine Exhaust as “Lovebug” Attractants (Diptera: Bibionidae: Plecia neartica)

For the past 9 years, populations of the “lovebug”, Plecia neartica Hardy, have increased in peninsular Florida (Hetrick 1970). Motorists are annoyed by flying adults that smear windshields, clog radiators, and even mar car paint. There has been much speculation about the reasons for their apparent aggregation along highways. Callahan and Denmark (1973) showed in laboratory experiments that automobile exhaust, when irradiated by 3600A UV light, attracts adult lovebugs. Bledsoe correlated density of adults with temperature and found the greatest concentration of adults near highways where the temperature is warmer than the surrounding areas. I have observed adults congregating near recently parked, warm cars rather than cool cars and found adults flying to warm cooling fins of motorcycle and lawn mower engines. Others have casually speculated that sounds made by reciprocating automobile engines account for lovebug attraction to the highway. I tested in the field the relative significance of heat, engine sounds, and exhaust.
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and multiple cycles of strongly myelosuppressive alkylator-based combination chemotherapy in children with neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND The authors assessed key effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) used prophylactically with multiple cycles of strongly myelosuppressive alkylator-based combination chemotherapy. To the authors' knowledge, no large study has focused on G-CSF in this setting, yet this kind of treatment has recently become standard for poor risk pediatric solid tumors such as neuroblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Children with neuroblastoma received cyclophosphamide 140 mg/kg (i.e., 4200 mg/m2), doxorubicin 75 mg/m2, and vincristine (CAV) in cycles 1, 2, 4, and 6 and cisplatin 200 mg/m2 and etoposide 600 mg/m2 (P/VP) in cycles 3, 5, and 7. To maximize dose intensity, chemotherapy was begun as soon as the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was ≥ 500/μL and platelet count was ≥ 100,000/μL. No cytokines were used during 1990–1994 (control group; n = 28), but G-CSF was used from 1995 to 1998 (G-CSF group; n = 30) at 5 μg/kg/day subcutaneously from 1 day after chemotherapy until the ANC was ≥ 500/μL on 2 successive days or was ≥ 1000/μL. RESULTS Each cycle of CAV decreased ANCs to < 200/μL in all 58 patients; recovery to 200/μL and to 500/μL was significantly sooner with G-CSF. In contrast, P/VP did not invariably cause severe neutropenia: similar numbers of patients in each group maintained ANCs ≥ 200/μL and ≥ 500/μL; recovery to 500/μL (but not to 200/μL) was significantly faster in the G-CSF group. G-CSF had no impact on rates of febrile episodes. Bacterial/fungal infections were slightly less frequent in the G-CSF group with CAV (P = 0.11) but not with P/VP. Dose intensity through cycle 4 was the same in both groups. Beginning with cycle 3, G-CSF patients had slower recovery to platelet counts ≥ 100,000/μL. Response rates were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS With multiple cycles of strongly myelosuppressive alkylator-based combination chemotherapy, prophylactic use of G-CSF hastened ANC recovery but did not reduce the incidence of febrile episodes, had little impact on infection rates, did not yield augmented dose intensity, was associated with prolonged thrombocytopenia, and had no effect on response rates of neuroblastoma. The data support more limited use of G-CSF. Cancer 2000;89:2122–30. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Replay compilation: improving debuggability of a just-in-time compiler

The performance of Java has been tremendously improved by the advance of Just-in-Time (JIT) compilation technologies. However, debugging such a dynamic compiler is much harder than a static compiler. Recompiling the problematic method to produce a diagnostic output does not necessarily work as expected, because the compilation of a method depends on runtime information at the time of compilation.In this paper, we propose a new approach, called replay JIT compilation, which can reproduce the same compilation remotely by using two compilers, the state-saving compiler and the replaying compiler. The state-saving compiler is used in a normal run, and, while compiling a method, records into a log all of the input for the compiler. The replaying compiler is then used in a debugging run with the system dump, to recompile a method with the options for diagnostic output. We reduced the overhead to save the input by using the system dump and by categorizing the input based on how its value changes. In our experiment, the increase of the compilation time for saving the input was only 1%, and the size of the additional memory needed for saving the input was only 10% of the compiler-generated code.
A comparison of control techniques in a semi-automated air traffic control system

The process of bringing in and landing aircraft at the nation's larger airports is under great pressure to be improved. The capacity of a runway, measured in operations per hour, is a parameter of special interest, particularly when the demand exceeds that figure. The paper discusses an investigation of the performance of two alternative methods of controlling the flow of aircraft in a terminal approach area. The basis for the development of the control strategies and a discussion of their inherent characteristics are presented, and runway capacity and other important measures of performance are investigated.
Acute coronary syndromes, response to clopidogrel, and worsened cardiovascular outcomes: the hen and the egg dilemma.

We thank Dr Serebruany for his interest and careful reading of our article entitled “Low response to clopidogrel is associated with cardiovascular outcome after coronary stent implantation”. He critically remarked the influence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) on response to clopidogrel in our patient cohort. We agree with Dr Serebruany that acute coronary events may have substantial influence on measured platelet activity and, of course, also influence cardiovascular outcome. The very justified comment is supported by previous clinical studies.1,2 Our aim of the present manuscript was to provide data on platelet response after administration of 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel in an unselected consecutive patient cohort undergoing coronary stenting and to investigate its association on cardiovascular outcome. The measurement was done in a clinically practical way …
Oxygen Binding, Activation, and Reduction to Water by Copper Proteins

Copper active sites play a major role in biological and abiological dioxygen activation. Oxygen intermediates have been studied in detail for the proteins and enzymes involved in reversible O(2) binding (hemocyanin), activation (tyrosinase), and four-electron reduction to water (multicopper oxidases). These oxygen intermediates exhibit unique spectroscopic features indicative of new geometric and electronic structures involved in oxygen activation. The spectroscopic and quantum-mechanical study of these intermediates has defined geometric- and electronic-structure/function correlations, and developed detailed reaction coordinates for the reversible binding of O(2), hydroxylation, and H-atom abstraction from different substrates, and the reductive cleavage of the O-O bond in the formation water.
Abstract 2493: Enhanced activity of fenretinide/-LYM-X-SORBTM (4-HPR/LXS) oral powder in combination with ketoconazole and vincristine against recurrent neuroblastoma xenografts

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Survival from relapsed NB is low and novel therapies are needed against recurrent NB, which often manifest loss of p53 function and multidrug resistance. Fenretinide (4-HPR) is a synthetic retinoid that achieved multiple complete responses in minimal disease in a phase I clinical trial in recurrent neuroblastoma when formulated as an oral powder using the LYM-X-SORBTM (LXS) organized lipid matrix (4-HPR/LXS). We recently showed that ketoconazole (keto) increased 4-HPR plasma concentrations in mice by > 2-fold over 4-HPR alone (P 350 days with 4-HPR/LXS alone was 10% compared to 50% of mice treated with 4-HPR/LXS+keto (P 2-fold over 4-HPR alone (P 300 days with 4-HPR/LXS+keto+VCR was 50% vs 38% with 4-HPR/LXS+keto (P 90 days with 4-HPR+keto+VCR for 2/9 mice (22%) vs 0% for the other treatments (P 60 days with 4-HPR/LXS+keto+VCR was 2/5 (40%) vs 0% for VCR or 4-HPR/LXS+keto alone. Toxicity of the combination regimens in mice (assessed by body weight) was negligible. These data suggest that if an ongoing phase I study of 4-HPR/LXS+keto is well-tolerated that a subsequent clinical trial exploring that combination+VCR should be undertaken in patients with recurrent NB. Supported by CPRIT RP10072. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2493. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2493
Generation of Interface States by Ionizing Radiation at 80K Measured by Charge Pumping and Subthreshold Slope Techniques

Generation of fast interface states D11 by ionizing radiation has been measured in MOS transistors at 80K and 295K using charge pumping and subthreshold slope techniques. Using charge pumping, the more sensitive and reliable technique, we find that D11 are not formed by radiation at 80K. In contrast, subthreshold slope measurements appear to show an increase in D11 in MOSFETs irradiated at 80K. This is shown to be an artifact caused by lateral non-uniformities (LNU) in the radiation-induced fixed charge.
Ising Model with Second-Neighbor Interaction. I. Some Exact Results and an Approximate Solution

The square Ising lattice with unequal first- and second-neighbor interactions has been considered. Among the exact results discussed, we show that the lowest energy state can be ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, or superantiferromagnetic, and the transition temperature should vanish in some cases. It is also shown that this problem is a special case of a more general problem arising in the statistical consideration of the hydrogen-bonded crystals. A well-defined approximation procedure is then introduced to solve the latter problem and to derive the (approximate) critical condition and expressions for the thermodynamic functions. The critical temperature thus determined is exact for the regular Ising lattice and for the lattices with ${T}_{c}=0$ while for the equivalent neighbor model the error is less than 2%. The specific heat possesses the usual logarithmic singularity in all cases.
Tumor DNA content as a prognostic feature in advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Abstract Tumor DNA content (ploidy) was determined in 84 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, Stage II–IV. A total of 251 DNA histograms generated by flow cytometry on cells derived from paraffin-embedded specimens were analyzed retrospectively. Of the 84 patients, 44 had tumors which were aneuploid, whereas 33 had diploid, and 7 had tetraploid tumors. Cox regression analysis revealed that age ( P P P P P P
Acyl peptidic siderophores: structures, biosyntheses and post-assembly modifications

Acyl peptidic siderophores are produced by a variety of bacteria and possess unique amphiphilic properties. Amphiphilic siderophores are generally produced in a suite where the iron(III)-binding headgroup remains constant while the fatty acid appendage varies by length and functionality. Acyl peptidic siderophores are commonly synthesized by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases; however, the method of peptide acylation during biosynthesis can vary between siderophores. Following biosynthesis, acyl siderophores can be further modified enzymatically to produce a more hydrophilic compound, which retains its ferric chelating abilities as demonstrated by pyoverdine from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the marinobactins from certain Marinobacter species. Siderophore hydrophobicity can also be altered through photolysis of the ferric complex of certain β-hydroxyaspartic acid-containing acyl peptidic siderophores.
Correlates of female crime

This article discusses the complexity of developing correlates of female crime in the comparative context of Western and Indian literature. It selectively reviews the findings of American and Indian studies of female crime and concludes with the author’s own findings from a study of 120 women prisoners conducted in a federal women’s prison in India. The author’s main contention is that whereas broad contours of offender profiles can be drawn, it is difficult to draw statistically significant relationships and infer from them predictable variables of criminality.
Instructive selection and immunological theory.

The turning point of modern immunological theory was the advent of the clonal selection theory (Burnet, Talmage - 1957). A useful heuristic in the classification of theoretical models was the contrast of 'instructive' with 'selective' models of the acquisition of information by biological systems. The neo-Darwinian synthesis of the 1940s had consolidated biologists' model of evolution based on prior random variation and natural selection, viz. differential fecundity. While evolution in the large was by then pretty well settled, controversy remained about examples of cellular adaptation to chemical challenges, like induced drug-resistance, enzyme formation and the antibody response. While instructive theories have been on the decline, some clear cut examples can be found of molecular imprinting in the abiotic world, leading, e.g. to the production of specific sorbents. Template-driven assembly, as in DNA synthesis, has remained a paradigm of instructive specification. Nevertheless, the classification may break down with more microscopic scrutiny of the processes of molecular fit of substrates with enzymes, of monomers to an elongating polymer chain, as the reactants often traverse a state space from with activated components are appropriately selected. The same process may be 'instructive' from a holistic, 'selective' from an atomic perspective.
Absorption Corrections for a Four-Quadrant SuperX EDS Detector

Consider a four-quadrant detector consisting of four circular active regions of area Aq each, placed symmetrically around the sample, as shown schematically in Fig. 1(a). The sample holder is inserted from the right, and the quadrants are 90° apart, oriented symmetrically at ±45° with respect to the primary tilt axis. The specimen tilt angles are labeled  and β, with positive angles corresponding to counterclockwise rotations. Each detector quadrant is located above the plane of the specimen and is tilted from the vertical plane by an angle d; the angle between the line connecting the center of a quadrant D with the eucentric point S and the horizontal plane is labeled d (Fig. 1(b)). The active circular regions have a radius of Rd, and a distance to the eucentric point of rd; the detector opening angle is R = Rd/rd. When R is not negligible, as is the case for a SuperX detector, then the x-ray photon path length inside the sample becomes a function of the position on the detector where the pho-ton hits; the absorption correction factor must thus involve an integration over the detector surface area.