Freeze response indicators in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids).

A recent series of extreme weather events in Southern U.S. (2022 winter freeze followed by 2023 summer drought) calls for quantitative markers to expedite the release of climate resilient sugarcane varieties.

Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans biofilms with bacterial-derived outer membrane vesicles.

Background: Biofilms are microbial communities surrounded by a self-produced extracellular matrix which protects them from environmental stress. Bacteria within biofilms are 10- to 1000-fold more resistant to antibiotics, making it challenging but imperative to develop new therapeutics that can disperse biofilms and eradicate infection. Gram-negative bacteria produce outer membrane vesicles (OMV) that play critical roles in communication, genetic exchange, cargo delivery, and pathogenesis.

Are the enolates of amides and esters stabilized by electrostatics?

The fact that amides and esters form less stable enolates than ketones might be seen as evidence that electrostatic stabilization is unimportant in these anions. However, ab initio molecular orbital calculations show that electrostatic stabilization does in fact lie beneath the competing resonance effect that causes the decrease in acidity. The electrostatic contribution is revealed by examining torsionally twisted amide and ester structures in which the pi resonance interactions are largely inhibited.

Women and HIV infection.

The pattern of the AIDS epidemic has recently changed with proportionately more women and children affected. Cases are becoming more widespread and heterosexual encounters are becoming an important means of spread of disease (presently 43% of all cases in the United States). Risks of contracting the virus depend upon sexual behaviors and the status of HIV disease in her partner.