cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lumbar Epidural Contrast Spread Patterns for the Interlaminar Approach: Three-Dimensional Analysis Using Antero-Posterior, Lateral, and Contralateral Oblique Views.

Objective To describe and analyze lumbar epidural contrast spread patterns in antero-posterior (AP), lateral, and contralateral oblique (CLO) views. Methods Lumbar epidural contrast spread patterns after interlaminar injection were prospectively collected in AP, lateral, and several CLO views and analyzed for multiple variables; three-dimensional mapping was also performed. Results Epidural contrast patterns were prospectively analyzed in 28 subjects. The median volume of contrast injected was 2 mL; the AP view was more sensitive than the lateral view to detect foraminal uptake (13/28, 46%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 27-66%, vs 7/28, 25%, 95% CI = 11-45% subjects). CLO view demonstrated the most consistent location for epidural contrast spread, with contrast contacting the ventral laminar margin in 28/28 (100%, 95% CI = 87-100%) patients. The most common location of contrast spread in the lateral view was at the facet joint lucency, with only 8/28 (29%, 95% CI = 13%-49%) subjects showing contrast contacting the spinolaminar junction. Lateral view was more sensitive than the CLO view in ventral epidural contrast spread detection. The extent and distribution of the spread did not bear any relationship to the volume injected or to the needle location in AP view. Conclusions CLO view provides the most consistent landmark for lumbar epidural contrast spread, and lateral view is most suited to confirming ventral epidural spread. The AP view may be the most optimal for determining target access when considering access to the dorsal root ganglia; in an individual patient, the volume injected and needle location in AP view do not reliably predict target access. The volume to be injected and the need to re-access or obtain multisite access must be prospectively determined, based upon observation of the spread.
Hungry for inclusion: Exposure to peer victimization and heightened social monitoring in adolescent girls.

Belonging to a social group is one of the most important factors contributing to well-being. The Belonging Regulation model proposes that humans possess a social monitoring system (SMS) that evaluates social inclusion and monitors belonging needs. Here, we used a prospective longitudinal design to examine links between peer victimization experienced across 7 years and social monitoring at the behavioral and neural level in adolescent girls (n = 38, Mage = 15.43 years, SD = .33). Participants completed a social evaluation task during a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. More severe peer victimization was associated with increased activation to in-group versus out-group peers in the amygdala, ventral striatum, fusiform gyrus, and temporoparietal junction. Moreover, participants who displayed increased activation in these regions reported lower social self esteem and higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms. These results suggest that exposure to peer victimization across the school years is associated with heightened social monitoring at the neural level during adolescence, which has potential adverse implications for girls’ adjustment and well-being.
Developing a career in academic paediatrics

Abstract Many trainees think about research towards the end of clinical training, but at that stage, it may be too late to get the most from the limited opportunities that remain. Ideally, trainees should consider research early in their career. For some, a career in academic paediatrics may be attractive, in which case following the clinical academic pathway as outlined by the National Institutes of Health Research may be appropriate. For others, research may be part of a wider clinical training. This article discusses a variety of research opportunities available to trainees, and offers advice on a career in academic paediatrics.
Beware of Reversal of an Anticoagulated Patient with Factor IX in the Emergency Department: Case Report of a Medical-Legal Misadventure

In this article we present a case of a patient who received reversal of anticoagulation therapy with factor IX in violation of hospital guidelines. As a direct result, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke occurred, leaving the patient neurologically debilitated. Factor IX is indicated in the setting of warfarin-induced, life-threatening bleeding. The patient’s care was provided by an intern with attending physician supervision. Delayed charting and questionable shared decision-making were present in the care. We discuss usage of factor IX, liability for supervision of physicians in training, and factors that can lead to plaintiff awards.
Spatial dynamic models with intertemporal optimization: Specification and estimation

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a dynamic spatial interaction econometric model. There are n forward-looking agents of whom each has a parametric linear-quadratic payoff, and they interact with their neighbors through a spatial network. Considering a Markov perfect equilibrium (MPE), we derive a unique Nash equilibrium equation and construct a new spatial dynamic panel data (SDPD) model. For estimation, we suggest mainly the quasi-maximum likelihood (QML) method. Asymptotic properties of the QML estimator are investigated. In a Monte Carlo study, we estimate the model’s parameters and compare the results with those from traditional SDPD models. The model is applied to an empirical study on counties’ public safety spending in North Carolina.
4.11 – Smart Sensors

There is a trend toward developing complete sensor systems combining novel chemometric advances with instrumental design and specific applications in mind. New strategies in chemometrics establish enough robustness to account for the many sources of either controlled or unaccounted variation of measurement data. In environmental analyses or online monitoring of complex processes new concepts for calibration and data evaluation are essential, which elicit correct analysis results from systematically disturbed measurement spectra. Therefore, calibration optimization and correction methods for wavelength and baseline shifts, outliers, and uncalibrated spectral features are discussed for employment in field-portable sensor systems.
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Calvarial and Long-Bone Endocortical Cells.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) is emerging as a powerful technology to examine transcriptomes of individual cells. We determined whether scRNA-Seq could be used to detect the effect of environmental and pharmacologic perturbations on osteoblasts. We began with a commonly used in vitro system in which freshly isolated neonatal mouse calvarial cells are expanded and induced to produce a mineralized matrix. We used scRNA-Seq to compare the relative cell type abundances and the transcriptomes of freshly isolated cells to those that had been cultured for 12 days in vitro. We observed that the percentage of macrophage-like cells increased from 6% in freshly isolated calvarial cells to 34% in cultured cells. We also found that Bglap transcripts were abundant in freshly isolated osteoblasts but nearly undetectable in the cultured calvarial cells. Thus, scRNA-Seq revealed significant differences between heterogeneity of cells in vivo and in vitro. We next performed scRNA-Seq on freshly recovered long bone endocortical cells from mice that received either vehicle or sclerostin-neutralizing antibody for 1 week. We were unable to detect significant changes in bone anabolism-associated transcripts in immature and mature osteoblasts recovered from mice treated with sclerostin-neutralizing antibody; this might be a consequence of being underpowered to detect modest changes in gene expression, because only 7% of the sequenced endocortical cells were osteoblasts and a limited portion of their transcriptomes were sampled. We conclude that scRNA-Seq can detect changes in cell abundance, identity, and gene expression in skeletally derived cells. In order to detect modest changes in osteoblast gene expression at the single-cell level in the appendicular skeleton, larger numbers of osteoblasts from endocortical bone are required. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Big behavior in the era of the brain

A smart box learns to distinguish the behavioral profiles of stressed and nonstressed mice.
How Do We Incorporate Polygenic Risk Scores in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment and Management

The potential of polygenic risk scores (PRS) to improve atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk assessment and management has stoked significant interest in their incorporation into clinical management. The goal of this review is to apprise the readers of the latest developments and evidence of PRS readiness for clinical integration. We also discuss current limitations that must be addressed before PRS can be implemented into routine clinical practice. PRS have been shown to improve risk stratification for ASCVD and to identify patients who may derive increased benefit from primary and secondary prevention. Risk captured by PRS appears largely independent of traditional risk factors and can be ascertained at birth, prior to the development of traditional clinical risk factors. Genetic risk is modifiable through lifestyle modifications and medications. PRS offers a valuable way to improve early identification of actionable CVD risk. However, further work is needed before PRS can be implemented clinically.
Development of the NuScale Power Module in the INL Modelica Ecosystem

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the development of a NuScale power module in the Modelica process model ecosystem at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as part of the U.S. Department o...
Sedation for Radiological Procedures

Pediatric radiological procedures are heterogeneous, varying in duration, level of immobility required for quality imaging results, discomfort involved, and potential patient distress. As such, in addition to the individual patient characteristics to weigh with any sedation, there are distinct sedation considerations for every modality. To help guide sedation providers through this diverse landscape, this chapter will review the relevant literature evaluating different sedation options as well as the unique sedation requirements related to common pediatric radiological procedures—magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine procedures (MIBG, bone scans, etc.), magnetoencephalography (MEG), computed tomography (CT), voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)/cystogram, and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE).
Analysis of Gender Diversity Within Hand Surgery Fellowship Programs.

Purpose To define and compare gender diversity among faculty and trainees within hand surgery fellowship programs. Methods We determined the gender of each program director for all orthopedic residency and fellowship programs. Specific to hand fellowship programs, we determined the gender of the fellowship director and all faculty members for all plastic surgery and orthopedic hand fellowship programs. Lists of prior hand surgery fellows from 2014 to 2019 were obtained from official program websites or program coordinators. The gender distribution of the hand fellowship program directors and faculty was compared to the prior fellows. Results Hand surgery fellowship programs had the second highest percentage of female fellowship directors (13%) behind orthopedic oncology (27%). Within hand surgery, 614 total faculty positions were identified, and 15% were female. Of the 89 hand surgery programs evaluated, 36 (60%) had at least 1 female faculty member. For the 849 prior fellows identified, 213 (25%) were female, and 79% of programs had at least 1 female fellow. Hand programs led by a female director did not have a higher percentage of prior female fellows compared to programs led by a male director (26% vs 25%). Programs with a female fellowship director were as likely to have had at least 1 prior female fellow compared to programs with a male fellowship director. Conclusions For orthopedic subspecialties, hand surgery fellowship programs had the second highest percentage of female fellowship directors (13%). While mentorship plays an important role in surgical education, hand fellowship programs with female faculty did not appear to attract more female fellows or faculty. Clinical relevance Hand fellowship programs should recognize that the presence of female faculty may not be a primary factor in fellowship selection for female applicants, and further study into recruiting qualified female candidates should be encouraged.
Gender, citizenship, and identity in the Indian blogosphere: writing the everyday: by Sumana Kasturi, New Delhi, Routledge, 2019, 208 pp., Rs.995.00 (hardback), ISBN: 9780367898281

In her book, Gender, Citizenship and Identity in the Indian Blogosphere, author Sumana Kasturi provides an engaging analysis of the personal blogs of Indian women by examining the narratives of the...
Pavement Burns in New Mexico: Our Experiences, Treatments, and Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION This study focused on patients treated at the University of New Mexico Burn Center who sustained burn injuries from contact with environmentally heated pavement. We report on our patient demographics and outcomes as well as describe our institutional staged surgical approach to treatment. We provide a comparison of our results with other case reports as well as other findings. METHODS A retrospective review of patients admitted to the University of New Mexico Burn Center with injuries suffered from contact with hot pavement was performed. Patients were stratified on the presence or absence of altered mental status (AMS) and additional inciting factors. A total of 6 patients were reviewed from 2018 to 2019. We looked at patient demographics and comorbidities, time of contact with hot pavement, inciting factors, total body surface area (TBSA) burned, location of areas burned, depth of burn injury at the time of presentation and at the time of initial operative debridement, percentage of autograft take, complications, length of stay (LOS), and final disposition. RESULTS The patients in our study had a mean TBSA of 9.82% corresponding to pressure points of the body. All patients had nearly 100% conversion to full-thickness burns at the time of initial operative debridement. With staged excision and split-thickness autografting, our patients had nearly 100% take of their skin grafts with minimal graft loss or related complications. At the time of presentation, 100% of patients had AMS and 66% (4/6) had a drug or alcohol related inciting event. Finally, the average LOS was 19.5 days in comparison to 7-9-days for uncomplicated burns of equivalent size at our burn centre. CONCLUSION Despite an initial appearance of a partial-thickness burn, pavement burns had a high propensity to convert to full-thickness burns. Patients with AMS contributed to our patient population being found with pavement burns. Patients with pavement burns had a distinct anatomic pattern corresponding to pressure points of the body which were often areas at high risk for skin and wound breakdown and complications. Staged excision and split-thickness autografting in the treatment of pavement burns yielded excellent results. Finally, our data showed that providers must be prepared for an extended LOS for patients with pavement burns.
Glutathione Sensitive Vesicles prepared from Supramolecular Amphiphiles.

Glutathione (GSH) sensitive vesicles were prepared by the self-assembly of amphiphilic inclusion complexes. These novel chemically sensitive supramolecular amphiphiles are anticipated to have applications in drug delivery; the nanocarriers can protect the encapsulated cargo and release it via triggered degradation in high concentrations of GSH. Additionally, the sensitivity of the vesicles to GSH indicates that the dynamic covalent disulfide bond at the vesicle surface can be used for post-modification of the nanocarrier via a thiol–disulfide exchange, a strategy that can be exploited to introduce targeting moieties to increase treatment specificity. Supramolecular amphiphiles containing a dynamic covalent disulfide bond were prepared via the host–guest inclusion complexes between alkylated β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) hosts and adamantane terminated polyethylene glycol derivatives. The significant difference between the critical micelle concentrations of the supramolecular amphiphiles and the individual host and guest components confirmed that a unique supramolecular amphiphile was formed. Fluorescence experiments and dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed that the supramolecular amphiphiles self-assembled into vesicles of 130 nm diameter which were stable for 8 months. Degradation of the vesicles after incubation with GSH was monitored using DLS and by the release of encapsulated 5,6-carboxyfluorescein (CF), observed by an increase in fluorescence intensity. Degradation of the nanocarrier was faster at intracellular GSH concentrations than at extracellular GSH concentrations.
Erratum to: Bright and Nearby Stars

Data for named stars have been extracted from Hoffleit’s (1982) catalogue of bright stars, (BS), including the right ascension, R.A., and declination, Dec, for epoch 2000.0, the BS number, the apparent visual magnitude, V, and spectral class, Sp.
Dynamic biaxial tissue properties of the human cadaver aorta.

The authors examine planar aorta tissue biaxial mechanical properties at strain rates likely to be experienced during automotive crashes. The authors also examine whole aorta structural response to longitudinal tension. Twelve thoracic aortas were harvested from human cadavers to conduct 26 tissue-level tests. Descending, peri-isthmic, and ascending region cruciate samples were excised and a new biaxial tissue-testing device tested equibiaxial stretch at two nominal speed levels. True stress calculation was facilitated through inertia-compensated load measurement. Ink dots marked on each sample's center to obtain strain were tracked through regional correlation analysis and high-speed videography. Seven aorta specimens were used to obtain intact thoracic aorta response to longitudinal stretch in a component-level test series. Aortic failure was shown in the transverse direction within the peri-isthmic region. Intima failure occurs prior to adventitia or media failure. Nonlinear behavior is exhibited by aortic tissue. As a complete structure, the aorta can completely transect from 0.221 axial strain and 92 N axial load. Intimal tears can accompany complete transection. Aortic traumatic rupture can be better understood and finite element modeling applications made through study results.
Kidney microvasculature in health and disease.

The renal microvasculature is composed of the glomerular and peritubular capillary beds which supply the cellular constituents of the kidney with oxygen and nutrients as well as maintain renal function by providing an adequate glomerular filtration rate. As a result, endothelial dysfunction within the kidney can lead to devastating consequences. Recently, a plethora of information regarding the molecular players involved in kidney microvasculature development and disease has emerged. Many of these studies focus on intricate signaling pathways within the local microenvironment of endothelial cells. Here, we highlight some of these studies and relate them to the molecular pathogenesis of glomerular and peritubular endothelialcells in both native and transplant renal diseases.
Laboratory Detection of the Linear Cyanopolyyne HC11N

The cyanopolyyne HC11N, the largest claimed interstellar molecule, has been detected in the laboratory. Its nearest microwave rotational transitions lie 0.13% lower in frequency than the lines identified in IRC +10216 and TMC-1, so it is concluded that the astronomical lines are something else entirely. The 20 laboratory lines measured with our Fourier transform molecular-beam spectrometer allow the entire microwave spectrum of HC11N to be determined to much better than 1 km s-1 in equivalent radial velocity. A search for HC11N at the correct frequencies in published and unpublished spectra of these sources has turned up no convincing candidate lines, but detection is probably possible with one of the existing large radio telescopes.
Cyclohexanol and Cyclohexanone

The article contains sections titled: 1. Introduction 2. Physical and Chemical Properties 3. Production 3.1. Hydrogenation of Phenol 3.2. Liquid-Phase Oxidation of Cyclohexane 3.3. Boric Acid Modified Oxidation of Cyclohexane 3.4. Production and Hydration of Cyclohexene 3.5. Dehydrogenation of Cyclohexanol 4. Plant Safety 5. Quality Specifications and Chemical Analysis 6. Storage and Transportation 7. Uses and Trade Names 8. Derivatives 8.1. Esters of Cyclohexanol 8.2. Cyclohexanone Oxime 8.3. Methylcyclohexanols and Methylcyclohexanones 8.4. Trimethylcyclohexanols and Trimethylcyclohexanones 9. Economic Aspects 10. Toxicology and Occupational Health
Ethnic differences in types of social support from multiple sources after breast cancer surgery.

ABSTRACTObjectives. Diagnosis of and treatment for breast cancer (BCa) may require psychological adaptation and often involve heightened distress. Several types of social support positively relate to psychological adaptation to BCa, and negative support is associated with poorer adaptation. Although Hispanic women report greater distress than non-Hispanic White (NHW) women after diagnosis of BCa, no studies have examined ethnic differences in types of social support received from varying sources after surgery for BCa.Design. Hispanic (N = 61) and NHW (N = 150) women diagnosed with early-stage BCa self-reported emotional, informational, instrumental, and negative support from five sources. Ethnic differences in levels of social support were compared using multiple regression analysis.Results. When controlling for age, income, days since surgery, and stage of disease in multivariable models there were no ethnic differences in levels of emotional support from any source. Hispanic women reported greater infor...
Measuring the Unthinkable

Whole World on Fire Organizations, Knowledge, and Nuclear Weapons Devastation. Lynn Eden. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 2004. 381 pp. $32.50, £19.50. ISBN 0-8014-3578-1. In a study that highlights constraints on institutional behavior, Eden considers the questions of how and why the United States left the potential damage from nuclear fires out of its plans for fighting strategic nuclear war.
Complications of Severe Mental Illness Related to Alcohol and Drug Use Disorders

In this chapter we review research on the relationships between substance use disorder and 11 domains of adjustment for people with severe mental illness. Studies are divided into correlational research and prospective, longitudinal research, with greater weight given to those in the latter category. The weight of the evidence indicates that substance abuse severely complicates severe mental illness in the following domains: relapse of psychiatric illness, hospitalization, disruptive behavior, familial problems, residential instability, decreased functional status, HIV infection, and medication noncompliance. We discuss the limits of causal inference in these studies and the possible mechanisms that relate substance abuse to various complications.
Middle- and far-ultraviolet observations of hot white dwarfs

Observations of HD 149499 B, the previously unrecognized white dwarf star found by the Skylab ultraviolet objective-prism survey, are discussed. Spectra of the binary HD 149499 AB were obtained by the short wavelength and long wavelength cameras of the IUE, and converted into fluxes. The absorption line strengths of the white dwarf secondary indicate a He/H composition ratio greater than or equal to 1. Comparison with model atmospheres of the IUE data suggests a temperature of around 93,000 K for HD 149499 B, while comparison with visual magnitude data indicates a temperature of 82,000 K. Either temperature value would make the star the hottest white dwarf for which reasonably reliable temperature estimates are available. Future work intended includes the repetition of the Skylab ultraviolet experiment on Spacelab for the detection of a complete sample of hot white dwarfs and subdwarfs.
Scanning Electron Microscopy of Bacterial Colonies

A technique is described for observing bacterial colony growth. Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, and B. cereus var. mycoides were grown on strips of dialysis membrane layered on nutrient agar. Microcolonies of the organisms on strips were fixed in Formalin vapor in situ; the strips then were removed from the agar and secured to scanning microscope specimen stubs without markedly disturbing the cellular arrangement. Scanning electron micrographs clearly depict morphology of individual cells, as well as the spatial orientation of cells within the colony. This technique is reproducible, adaptable, and simple.
A simple testable model of double auction markets

Abstract We propose a model of price formation in Double Auction markets which employs the strong simplifying assumption that agents neglect strategic feedback effects and regard themselves as playing a Game against Nature. Agents otherwise are strict expected utility maximizers employing Bayesian updating procedures. We prove the optimality of simple (‘aggressive reservation price’) strategies in our general model and propose a parametric form that yields very detailed and computable predictions of market behavior.
Factors influencing the frequency of mitomycin C-induced sister-chromatid exchanges in 5-bromodeoxyuridine-substituted human lymphocytes in culture

Abstract Newly developed techniques for the detection of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) require the substitution of 5-bromodeoxyuridene (BrdU) for thymidine in DNA. We investigated the possibility of interactions between BrdU and one mutagen—carcinogen, mitomycin C (MMC) for the induction of both chromosomal aberrations and SCE in human peripheral lymphocytes in culture. No effect on aberration yield was found. Neither comparisons between the yields of SCE by BrdU substitution and differential staining and those detected by tritiated thymidine incorporation and autoradiography nor between the yields of SCE for different levels of BrdU incorporation provided any evidence of synergism. It was found, however, that MMC persists in cultures and continues to increase SCE frequencies for about 30 h. It was also observed that some MMC-induced DNA lesions persist long enough so that some of those present prior to S phase of the first cell cycle cause additional SCE in the third cycle.
Effect of pH, competitive anions and NOM on the leaching of arsenic from solid residuals

Implementation of the new arsenic MCL in 2006 will lead to the generation of an estimated 6 million pounds of arsenic-bearing solid residuals (ABSRs) every year, which will be disposed predominantly in non-hazardous landfills. The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) is typically used to assess whether a waste is hazardous and most solid residuals pass the TCLP. However, recent research shows the TCLP significantly underestimates arsenic mobilization in landfills. A variety of compositional dissimilarities between landfill leachates and the TCLP extractant solution likely play a role. Among the abiotic factors likely to play a key role in arsenic remobilization/leaching from solid sorbents are pH, and the concentrations of natural organic matter (NOM) and anions like phosphate, bicarbonate, sulfate and silicate. This study evaluates the desorption of arsenic from actual treatment sorbents, activated alumina (AA) and granular ferric hydroxide (GFH), which are representative of those predicted for use in arsenic removal processes, and as a function of the specific range of pH and concentrations of the competitive anions and NOM found in landfills. The influence of pH is much more significant than that of competing anions or NOM. An increase in one unit of pH may increase the fraction of arsenic leached by 3-4 times. NOM and phosphate replace arsenic from sorbent surface sites up to three orders of magnitude more than bicarbonate, sulfate and silicate, on a per mole basis. Effects of anions are neither additive nor purely competitive. Leaching tests, which compare the fraction of arsenic mobilized by the TCLP vis-a-vis an actual or more realistic synthetic landfill leachate, indicate that higher pH, and greater concentrations of anions and NOM are all factors, but of varying significance, in causing higher extraction in landfill and synthetic leachates than the TCLP.
Inter-symbol Interference in High Data Rate Transmit Reference UWB Transceivers

Ultra Wideband (UWB) Systems take advantage of collecting energy from a large number of multipaths. In high data rate systems, the leakage of these paths among symbols may cause severe inter-symbol interference (ISI) and degrade performance. A few techniques were presented in the past to improve non-coherent receiver performance in the presence of ISI. In this paper, a new and simple transmit reference (TR) signaling scheme is proposed for high data rate systems. It is shown with analysis and simulation that the proposed TR scheme produces negligible ISI effect on the TR receiver performance.
Molecular Modeling of the Axial and Circumferential Elastic Moduli of Tubulin

Abstract Microtubules play a number of important mechanical roles in almost all cell types in nearly all major phylogenetic trees. We have used a molecular mechanics approach to perform tensile tests on individual tubulin monomers and determined values for the axial and circumferential moduli for all currently known complete sequences. The axial elastic moduli, in vacuo, were found to be 1.25 GPa and 1.34 GPa for α - and β -bovine tubulin monomers. In the circumferential direction, these moduli were 378MPa for α - and 460MPa for β -structures. Using bovine tubulin as a template, 269 homologous tubulin structures were also subjected to simulated tensile loads yielding an average axial elastic modulus of 1.10±0.14 GPa for α -tubulin structures and 1.39±0.68 GPa for β -tubulin. Circumferentially the α - and β -moduli were 936±216MPa and 658±134MPa, respectively. Our primary finding is that that the axial elastic modulus of tubulin diminishes as the length of the monomer increases. However, in the circumferential direction, no correlation exists. These predicted anisotropies and scale dependencies may assist in interpreting the macroscale behavior of microtubules during mitosis or cell growth. Additionally, an intergenomic approach to investigating the mechanical properties of proteins may provide a way to elucidate the evolutionary mechanical constraints imposed by nature upon individual subcellular components.
Measurement of beam phase of the Berkeley 88-inch cyclotron

A sampling oscilloscope has been used to display beam pulses of the Berkeley 88-inch cyclotron. The beam impinges on a water-cooled copper target that is partially enclosed in a water-cooled r.f. shield. An hydraulic cylinder drives the probe radially. Satisfactory signals relative to the noise were achieved with an average beam current of 1 μA. The phase of the beam with respect to the dee r.f. can be resolved to better than 5 deg. Plans for further development of the probe are discussed.
Discussion of “Effect of a partial cutoff on seepage rates”

The tables used by the authors for computing the curves in their Figure 3 were those published by Legendre in 1826 (re-issued in 1934 by the Biometrika Office, University College, London, through the Cambridge University Press). This is to point out that recently, after nearly a century and a quarter, auxiliary tables to the Legendre Tables have appeared which enable the accurate computation, without undue effort, of the dashed, trend-line portions of the McNown-Hsu curves. The tables in question are “Auxiliary Table of Complete Elliptic Integrals” and “Auxiliary Table for the Incomplete Elliptic Integral,” both by E. L . Kaplan and appearing in the Journal of Mathematics and Physics, fee first table, in the February 1946 issue (v. 25, pp. 26–36); and the second, in the April 1948 issue (v. 27, pp. 11–36). The second table includes listings of errata in the Legendre tables. With the aid of Kaplan's tables, one finds, taking n = 1.01 and m = 1,000 00075 in Eq. (5), (6), and (7) of McNown and Hsu, that L/h = 0.512, d/h = 0.977, and q/q0 = 0.120. If the point corresponding to these values, with a slight correction, to L/h = 0.500, is spotted on their Figure 3, it is seen that the trend line for L/h = 0.5, as given by the authors, can be extended with very little error, from their value d/h = 0.73 to at least d/h = 0.977.
Instrumental neutron activation analysis of air filter samples

La mesure de traces d'elements dans l'air ambiant a fait l'objet d'une attention accrue ces derniers mois, en raison d'un interet grandissant pour les dangers en puissance pour la sante, qui resultent de l'exposition prolongee a certaines substances toxiques. L'analyse par activation neutronique a ete employee avec succes dans la recherche de traces d'elements, et ce, pour un grand nombre d'etudes de l'environnement; elle semble convenir de facon ideale pour la determination non-destructive multi-elementaire de la composition de milieux de particules portees par l'air. Dans cet article, on rend compte des performances de l'analyse instrumentale par activation neutronique comme on le montre dans le cas de 40 echantillons d'air filtrees provenant d'une zone metropolitaine.
ORB : An airborne microsensor observing platform

ENSCO, Inc has identified a need for airborne in-situ measurements of meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, pressure, wind velocity, as well as biological and chemical agents. In this paper, we describe one approach for the development of such a probe using advances in materials, microelectromechanical systems, and nanotechnology. We present the technology roadmap for creating an Observational Roving Body (ORB) and discuss power generation / storage, communications, networking, sensing, and aerodynamic design associated with development of airborne probes for in-situ measurements.
Enhancement through Mutagenesis of the Binding of the Isolated Kringle 2 Domain of Human Plasminogen to ω-Amino Acid Ligands and to an Internal Sequence of a Streptococcal Surface Protein

Abstract In the background of the recombinant K2 module of human plasminogen (K2Pg), a triple mutant, K2Pg[C4G/E56D/L72Y], was generated and expressed inPichia pastoris cells in yields exceeding 100 mg/liter. The binding affinities of a series of lysine analogs, viz.4-aminobutyric acid, 5-aminopentanoic acid, e-aminocaproic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, andt-4-aminomethylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, to this mutant were measured and showed up to a 15-fold tighter interaction, as compared with wild-type K2Pg (K2Pg[C4G]). The variant, K2Pg[C4G/E56D], afforded up to a 4-fold increase in the binding affinity to these same ligands, whereas the K2Pg[C4G/L72Y] mutant decreased the same affinities up to 5-fold, as compared with K2Pg[C4G]. The thermal stability of K2Pg[C4G/E56D/L72Y] was increased by approximately 13 °C, as compared with K2Pg[C4G]. The functional consequence of up-regulating the lysine binding property of K2Pg was explored, as reflected by its ability to interact with an internal sequence of a plasminogen-binding protein (PAM) on the surface of group A streptococci. A 30-mer peptide of PAM, containing its K2Pg-specific binding region, was synthesized, and its binding to each mutant of K2Pg was assessed. Only a slight enhancement in peptide binding was observed for K2Pg[C4G/E56D], compared with K2Pg[C4G] (K d = 460 nm). A 5-fold decrease in binding affinity was observed for K2Pg[C4G/L72Y] (K d = 2200 nm). However, a 12-fold enhancement in binding to this peptide was observed for K2Pg[C4G/E56D/L72Y] (K d = 37 nm). Results of these PAM peptide binding studies parallel results of ω-amino acid binding to these K2Pg mutants, indicating that the high affinity PAM binding by plasminogen, mediated exclusively through K2Pg, occurs through its lysine-binding site. This conclusion is supported by the 100-fold decrease in PAM peptide binding to K2Pg[C4G/E56D/L72Y] in the presence of 50 mm 6-aminohexanoic acid. Finally, a thermodynamic analysis of PAM peptide binding to each of these mutants reveals that the positions Asp56 and Tyr72 in the K2Pg[C4G/E56D/L72Y] mutant are synergistically coupled in terms of their contribution to the enhancement of PAM peptide binding.
Contribution of the symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium microadriaticum to the nutrition, growth and survival of larval and juvenile tridacnid clams

Abstract The role of the symbiotic alga Symbiodinium microadriaticum (= zooxanthellae) in growth, development, and survival of larval and juvenile tridacnid clams was investigated. The zooxanthellae were not present in eggs released from adult Tridacna gigas and Hippopus hippopus , but were ingested by veliger larvae after development from the trochophore stage. Growth of veligers of the clam H. hippopus fed freshly-isolated S. microadriaticum was significantly higher than the growth of starved veligers. In contrast, veligers fed cultured strains of S. microadriaticum and 1–5-day-old isolates of S. microadriaticum from H. hippopus had growth and survival rates not significantly different from starved veligers. These results suggest that translocated photosynthetically-fixed carbon from the ingested freshly-isolated algae was responsible for increased veliger growth and survival. The presence of zooxanthellae in the stomachs of veligers before metamorphosis facilitated establishment of a symbiosis with S. microadriaticum and a concurrent increase in growth after metamorphosis. The establishment of the symbiosis with S. microadriaticum entailed passage of the algae from the stomach, through the digestive gland, and into the developing haemal sinuses. The contribution of photosynthetically-fixed carbon from the symbiotic zooxanthellae could theoretically account for the respiratory demand of 6-week-old juveniles of H. hippopus , corroborating positive growth of unfed symbiotic juvenile clams maintained in filtered seawater. When offered a variety of free-living and symbiotic species of algae, juvenile H. hippopus established a symbiosis only with strains of S. microadriaticum . Other species of algae were apparently digested if small enough to be ingested. Less than 7% of the free-living phytoplankton species Isochrysis galbana and Platymonas subcordiformis that were ingested by symbiotic juvenile Tridacna gigas (3–12 months old) were passed intact through the digestive system after 3 days. In contrast, when freshly-isolated zooxanthellae from T. gigas were offered to symbiotic juvenile T. gigas , up to 76% of the zooxanthellae ingested passed through the clam's digestive system and were released in faecal pellets intact. The symbiotic dinoflagellate Amphidinium klebsii and the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum were not ingested by veliger or juvenile clams.
Failure after 1441: Bush and Chirac in the UN Security Council

The unanimous passage of Security Council Resolution 1441 marked the onset of the most severe crisis of legitimacy that the United Nations has faced in the post-Cold War period. While some have asserted that the diplomatic clashes between erstwhile allies France and the United States were inevitable given the rise of American unipolarity, an analysis of events leading to the failed US attempt to gain a second resolution reveals that the outcome was among the least preferred for both participants. Using the Verbs In Context system, we conduct a computer-based content analysis of the public statements of the United States and French leaders. Our findings suggest that the diplomatic breakdown was exacerbated by each leaders' elevated sense of control over the situation and their inaccurate perception of their opponent's preferences.
Design, Analysis, And Experimental Results For The Wobble Motor: An Eccentric-Motion Electrostatic Microactuator

A description is given of the design, fabrication and analysis of an electrostatically-driven microactuator in which a planetary-motion rotor rolls inside a cylindrically shaped stator cavity. The design has four primary advantages: (1) the motor geometry and the rolling motion enable very small gaps which are accurate and stable, and across which electrostatic forces act, leading to high forces on the rotor, (2) relative motion is achieved by rolling rather than sliding, thus obviating the concern over internal friction, (3) higher output torques can be traded for lower rotor speeds, due to immediate planetary reduction, and (4) the power output should be higher than for systems constructed using two-dimensional silicon fabrication approaches, since wobble motor lengths are not limited by such fabrication methods. The stator segment recruitment logic can range from simple, open-loop stepping to full servo-controlled commutation using rotor position sensors. Two-dimensional analytical and finite-element simulations which estimate motor torque generated by electrostatic fields have been used to determine the influence of: (1) rotor and stator radii, (2) stator segment angular width and position with respect to the contact point, (3) stator segment voltage(s), and (4) dielectric properties and dimensions (e.g., insulator thickness on rotor) of motor materials. Dynamic models of motor behavior are also under development. A number of eccentric-motion micro motors, constructed via different fabrication techniques, have been operated. Electro-discharge machining (EDM) is the fabrication method of choice for the prototypes presently used for experimental studies. Typical rotor diameters for the EDM motor are about 500 microns, with lengths of 5,000 microns. Motor operation has been achieved with commutation rates in excess of 120,000 RPM.
Combination of ATP-competitive mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors with standard chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

ATP-competitive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are in early phase clinical trials. These novel targeted agents, including PP242, are mechanistically distinct from the allosteric, partial mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin. The goal of this study was to evaluate how PP242 best combines with standard chemotherapies for colorectal cancer (CRC), and which subsets of patients are most likely to benefit. The combination index for PP242 plus 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, or irinotecan was determined in CRC cell lines with different mutational backgrounds. In KRAS mutant CRC cell lines, sensitivity to PP242 increases with co-mutation of PIK3CA. Mutation of p53 predicts resistance to chemotherapy, but not PP242. Efficacy of PP242 was comparable to that of standard chemotherapies over the dose range tested. Sensitivity or resistance to PP242 dictates relative synergy or antagonism, respectively, when PP242 is combined with 5-fluorouracil. The same trend exists for PP242 + oxaliplatin, but with a narrower dynamic range. Conversely potency of PP242 and the combination index for PP242 + irinotecan were unrelated, but synergy exists across all dose levels in PP242 and irinotecan sensitive, p53 wild-type cell lines. Overall, our in vitro analysis predicts that mutational status can be used to rank sensitivity to PP242 and standard chemotherapies. Single agent potency can in turn be used to predict the combination index in a drug-specific manner. Our data suggest a clinical trial to determine whether ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitors provide benefit in combination with standard chemotherapies for patients with PIK3CA mutant metastatic CRC, stratified by the presence or absence of KRAS co-mutation.
The role of amylomaltase in maltose metabolism in the cytosol of photosynthetic cells

Transitory starch is stored during the day inside chloroplasts and then broken down at night for export. Recent data indicate that maltose is the major form of carbon exported from the chloroplast at night but its fate in the cytosol is unknown. An amylomaltase gene (malQ) cloned from Escherichia coli is necessary for maltose metabolism in E. coli. We investigated whether there is an amylomaltase in the cytosol of plant leaves and the role of this enzyme in plants. Two mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana (L) Heynh. were identified in which the gene encoding a putative amylomaltase enzyme [disproportionating enzyme 2, DPE2 (DPE1 refers to the plastid version of this enzyme)] was disrupted by a T-DNA insertion. Both dpe2-1 and dpe2-2 plants exhibited a dwarf phenotype and accumulated a large amount of maltose. In addition, dpe2 mutants accumulated starch and a water-soluble, ethanol/KCl-insoluble maltodextrin in their chloroplasts. At night, the amount of sucrose in dpe2 plants was lower than that in wild-type plants. These results show that Arabidopsis has an amylomaltase that is involved in the conversion of maltose to sucrose in the cytosol. We hypothesize that knocking out amylomaltase blocks the conversion from maltose to sucrose, and that the higher amount of maltose feeds back to limit starch degradation reactions in chloroplasts. As a result, dpe2 plants have higher maltose, higher starch, and higher maltodextrin but lower nighttime sucrose than wild-type plants. Finally, we propose that maltose metabolism in the cytosol of Arabidopsis leaves is similar to that in the cytoplasm of E. coli.
Nurturing and Validating Indigenous Epistemologies in Higher Education: Comment on “Domestication of the Ivory Tower”

Ray Barnhardt addresses a long-overdue search for a balance between indigenous cultures of America and mainstream academics that enhances students' connections to their communities, cultural traditions, and the larger society. Since its official conception in 19th-century federal Indian policy, the goal of Native American education has been to assimilate Native American children into the mainstream culture and to
Mutation in evolutionary games can increase average fitness at equilibrium

Abstract We study game dynamical interactions between two strategies, A and B, and analyse whether the average fitness of the population at equilibrium can be increased by adding mutation from A to B. Classifying all two by two games with payoff matrix [ ( a , b ) , ( c , d ) ] , we show that mutation from A to B enhances the average fitness of the whole population (i) if both a and d are less than ( b + c ) / 2 and (ii) if c is less than b . Furthermore, we study conditions for maximizing the productivity of strategy A, and we analyse the effect of mutations in both directions. Depending on the biological system, a mutation in an evolutionary game can be interpreted as a genetic alteration, a cellular differentiation, a change in gene expression, an accidental or deliberate modification in cultural transmission, or a learning error. In a cultural context, our results indicate that the equilibrium payoff of the population can be increased if players sometimes choose the strategy with lower payoff. In a genetic context, we have shown that for frequency-dependent selection mutation can enhance the average fitness of the population at equilibrium.
‘What part of illegal don't you understand?’: bureaucracy and civil society in the shaping of illegality

AbstractWhile unauthorized immigration has existed in the USA since the inception of immigration laws in the early twentieth century, ‘illegality’ did not become a central concern in mainstream debate until the late 1970s. Existing scholarship has developed two lines of argument to explain the salience of illegality: a state-centred approach that sees bureaucrats pushing forth the category, and a ‘bottom-up’ approach that emphasizes the grass-roots activism of restrictionist organizations effectively disguising their nativism by appealing to law and order. The data collected here builds on but complicates the state-centred explanation, and points away from the ‘bottom-up’ approach. I locate a critical juncture in the immigration debate during the early 1970s and argue that the shift towards the focus on illegality as a point of concern was due to an alignment of interests that brought an array of civil society organizations commonly understood as progressive to coincide with sectors of the bureaucracy.