cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Papillary-Type Carcinoma of the Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: The Case for Conservative Management.

Objectives:Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is the most common congenital neck mass, presenting in up to 7% of the population. TGDC carcinoma is much less common, occurring in roughly 1% of patients d...
Glucocorticoid receptor expression and survival in ovarian cancer.

5545Background: Despite debulking surgery and platinum-based treatment, most ovarian cancers recur and develop chemotherapy resistance. In cell lines and xenografts, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) re...
White Rabbit-Based Time Distribution at NIST

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) produces a real-time realization of UTC(NIST) which is used to contribute to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and as a source for accurate time in the USA. The atomic clocks contributing to the time scale ensemble, the time transfer systems used to contribute to UTC and the distribution system used to disseminate UTC(NIST) to remote users are located in different parts of the NIST campus, far from each other and from the UTC(NIST) reference point. Since the physical inputs to these systems are not collocated within the campus, an accurate and stable infrastructure for time signal distribution is required. Currently, the local delays need to be known with an uncertainty of a few hundreds of picoseconds to avoid compromising the ultimate accuracy of the time transfer link's calibrations. Previously, coaxial cables or a commercial fiber-based frequency transfer system implemented by amplitude-modulation of a laser source were used to distribute signals between on-site locations, and clock trip calibrations were performed to measure the delays experienced by these signals [1]. The capability of WR-based time transfer systems to provide an on-time, accurate remote copy of its input pulse-per-second (PPS) signal made it a very appealing alternative to our previously implemented distribution system, which required time consuming re-calibration following instances of temporary signal interruptions. In this paper, we evaluate the use of WR-based time and frequency transfer within the NIST campus and verify its calibration procedure using a clock trip protocol [1].
Blinded Inference: an Opportunity for Mathematical Modelers to Lead the Way in Research Reform

In a blinded inference study, researchers are asked to analyze condition-blinded datasets and make inferences about various aspects of the data generation process, such as whether or not a variable that manipulates some target cognitive process varied across conditions. This procedure directly tests researchers’ ability to make valid conclusions about underlying processes based on data patterns and assesses the extent to which they accurately report the level of uncertainty associated with their research conclusions. As such, blinded inference studies are a valuable tool in the effort to improve research practices. In this comment, we review three recent studies in the cognitive modeling literature to highlight the benefits of blinded inference, and we make recommendations for future blinded inference studies. We conclude by encouraging modelers to champion the blinded inference method as a fundamental component of effective psychological research.
Quantitative Proteomics Reveals a Role for SERINE/ARGININE-Rich 45 in Regulating RNA Metabolism and Modulating Transcriptional Suppression via the ASAP Complex in Arabidopsis thaliana .

Pre-mRNA alternative splicing is a conserved mechanism for eukaryotic cells to leverage existing genetic resources to create a diverse pool of protein products. It is regulated in coordination with other events in RNA metabolism such as transcription, polyadenylation, RNA transport, and nonsense-mediated decay via protein networks. SERINE/ARGININE-RICH 45 (SR45) is thought to be a neutral splicing regulator. It is orthologous to a component of the apoptosis and splicing-associated protein (ASAP) complex functioning to regulate RNA metabolism at multiple levels. Within this context, we try to understand why the sr45-1 mutant Arabidopsis has malformed flowers, delayed flowering time, and increased disease resistance. Prior studies revealed increased expression for some disease resistance genes and the flowering suppressor Flowering Locus C (FLC) in sr45-1 mutants and a physical association between SR45 and reproductive process-related RNAs. Here, we used Tandem Mass Tag-based quantitative mass spectrometry to compare the protein abundance from inflorescence between Arabidopsis wild-type (Col-0) and sr45-1 mutant plants. A total of 7,206 proteins were quantified, of which 227 proteins exhibited significantly different accumulation. Only a small percentage of these proteins overlapped with the dataset of RNAs with altered expression. The proteomics results revealed that the sr45-1 mutant had increased amounts of enzymes for glucosinolate biosynthesis which are important for disease resistance. Furthermore, the mutant inflorescence had a drastically reduced amount of the Sin3-associated protein 18 (SAP18), a second ASAP complex component, despite no significant reduction in SAP18 RNA. The third ASAP component protein, ACINUS, also had lower abundance without significant RNA changes in the sr45-1 mutant. To test the effect of SR45 on SAP18, a SAP18-GFP fusion protein was overproduced in transgenic Arabidopsis Col-0 and sr45-1 plants. SAP18-GFP has less accumulation in the nucleus, the site of activity for the ASAP complex, without SR45. Furthermore, transgenic sr45-1 mutants overproducing SAP18-GFP expressed even more FLC and had a more severe flowering delay than non-transgenic sr45-1 mutants. These results suggest that SR45 is required to maintain the wild-type level of SAP18 protein accumulation in the nucleus and that FLC-regulated flowering time is regulated by the correct expression and localization of the ASAP complex.
“Strangers Within Our Gates”: Religious Women and the Struggle for Migrant Laborers' Rights, 1950–1959

Abstract This essay highlights how a women's grassroots political movement reframed migrant laborers in the minds of white Christians from outsiders to value producers. During the 1950s, Christian ...
Digital transformation of academic medicine: Breaking barriers, borders, and boredom.

Abstract Academic medicine is experiencing an exponential increase in knowledge, evidenced by approximately 2.5 million new articles published each year. As a result, staying apprised of practice-changing findings as a busy clinician is nearly impossible. The traditional methods of staying up to date through reading textbooks and journal articles or attending an annual conference are no longer enough. These old approaches do not distribute knowledge equally around the world or inform practitioners adequately of what they need to provide the best patient care. Luckily, digital technology, which contributed to our ability to generate this explosion in research, also holds the solution. We believe the improved filtration and curation of new knowledge will come through the combination of three elements: machine learning, crowd-sourcing, and new digital platforms. Machine learning can be harnessed to identify high-quality research while avoiding unconscious bias towards authors, institutions, or positions, and to create personalized reading lists that encompass essential articles while also addressing personal knowledge gaps. The crowd can also serve to curate the best research through an open-source platform that exposes each step of the research process, from developing questions through discussion of findings, functionally replacing editorial boards with crowd peer-review. Finally, embracing new digital platforms and multimedia delivery formats will move academic medicine into the 21st century, broadening its reach to diverse, international, and multigenerational learners. The digital age will continue to change life as we know it, but we have the power – and the responsibility – to control how it transforms academic medicine. Level of evidence V (Expert).
Impact of photo manipulation and visual literacy on consumers’ responses to persuasive communication

As digital manipulation capabilities in image-based advertising become more ubiquitous, this project investigated whether knowledge of photo manipulation techniques might alter the way audiences pe...
Combinatorial Polyacrylamide Hydrogels for Preventing Biofouling on Implantable Biosensors

Biofouling on the surface of implanted medical devices severely hinders their functionality and drastically shortens their lifetime. Currently, poly(ethylene glycol) and zwitterionic polymers are considered gold standards for device coatings to reduce biofouling. To discover novel anti-biofouling materials, we created a combinatorial library of polyacrylamide-based copolymer hydrogels and screened their ability to prevent fouling from serum and platelet-rich plasma in high-throughput. We found certain non-intuitive copolymer compositions exhibit superior anti- biofouling properties than current gold-standard materials and employed machine learning to identify key molecular features underpinning their performance. For validation, we coated the surfaces of electrochemical biosensors with our hydrogels and evaluated their anti-biofouling performance in vitro and in rodent models. Our copolymer hydrogels preserved device function over multiple days and enabled continuous measurements of a small-molecule drug in vivo. The novel methodology we describe enables the discovery of anti-biofouling materials that can extend the lifetime of implanted devices.
Searching full-text periodicals: how full is full?

Les caracteristiques de la recherche en texte integral sont degagees a partir de l'examen des banques de donnees de textes integraux de periodiques des systemes BRS, DIALOG, Dow Jones et Mead Data Central (MDC)
Densifying Supervision for Fine-Grained Visual Comparisons

Detecting subtle differences in visual attributes requires inferring which of two images exhibits a property more, e.g., which face is smiling slightly more, or which shoe is slightly more sporty. While valuable for applications ranging from biometrics to online shopping, fine-grained attributes are challenging to learn. Unlike traditional recognition tasks, the supervision is inherently comparative. Thus, the space of all possible training comparisons is vast, and learning algorithms face a sparsity of supervision problem: it is difficult to curate adequate subtly different image pairs for each attribute of interest. We propose to overcome this problem by densifying the space of training images with attribute-conditioned image generation. The main idea is to create synthetic but realistic training images exhibiting slight modifications of attribute(s), obtain their comparative labels from human annotators, and use the labeled image pairs to augment real image pairs when training ranking functions for the attributes. We introduce two variants of our idea. The first passively synthesizes training images by “jittering” individual attributes in real training images. Building on this idea, our second model actively synthesizes training image pairs that would confuse the current attribute model, training both the attribute ranking functions and a generation controller simultaneously in an adversarial manner. For both models, we employ a conditional Variational Autoencoder (CVAE) to perform image synthesis. We demonstrate the effectiveness of bootstrapping imperfect image generators to counteract supervision sparsity in learning-to-rank models. Our approach yields state-of-the-art performance for challenging datasets from two distinct domains.
Structural Stabilization of P2-type Sodium Iron Manganese Oxides by Electrochemically Inactive Mg Substitution: Insights of Redox Behavior and Voltage Decay

Layered P2-type Na0.8 Mn0.5 Fe0.5 O2 cathode material is a promising candidate for next-generation sodium-ion batteries due to the economical and environmentally benign characteristics of Mn and Fe. The poor cycling stability of the material, however, is still a problem that must be solved. To address the problem, electrochemically inactive Mg2+ was introduced into the structure by substituting some of the Fe ions. It was shown that Mg substitution led to a smoother voltage profile with improved cycling performance and rate capability. These observations were attributed to the suppressed structural changes during electrochemical processes. Detailed redox mechanisms, associated local structural changes, and phase transitions were investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. From the detailed analysis of electrochemical behaviors, it was also identified how the redox reactions and structural disordering occurred in the high- and low-voltage regions and how Mg substitution stabilized the structure.
Associations between PM2.5 metal components and QT interval length

Background/Aim: Several studies have found associations between increases in QT interval length, a marker of cardiac electrical instability, and short-term fine particulate matter (PM2.5). To our k...
HelpViz: Automatic Generation of Contextual Visual MobileTutorials from Text-Based Instructions

We present HelpViz, a tool for generating contextual visual mobile tutorials from text-based instructions that are abundant on the web. HelpViz transforms text instructions to graphical tutorials in batch, by extracting a sequence of actions from each text instruction through an instruction parsing model, and executing the extracted actions on a simulation infrastructure that manages an array of Android emulators. The automatic execution of each instruction produces a set of graphical and structural assets, including images, videos, and metadata such as clicked elements for each step. HelpViz then synthesizes a tutorial by combining parsed text instructions with the generated assets, and contextualizes the tutorial to user interaction by tracking the user's progress and highlighting the next step. Our experiments with HelpViz indicate that our pipeline improved tutorial execution robustness and that participants preferred tutorials generated by HelpViz over text-based instructions. HelpViz promises a cost-effective approach for generating contextual visual tutorials for mobile interaction at scale.
Adolescent Energy Drink Consumption and Academic Risk: Results From the Monitoring the Future Study, 2010-2016.

Aims The current study aims to examine the role of energy drink and energy shot consumption in school disengagement, low academic performance, and academic expectations, and investigates the robustness of these associations across sex, grade, race, and substance use history. Method This study employs a pooled cross-sectional design and uses a nationally representative sample of 8th (ages 13-14 years) and 10th (ages 15-16 years) grade adolescents from seven recent cohorts (2010-2016) of the Monitoring the Future study. Logistic regression and negative binomial regression were employed to examine the association between energy drink and energy shot consumption and academic risk factors, controlling for sociodemographic factors and other health and social behaviors. Ancillary robustness checks across key subgroups in the data were also performed. Results The results indicate that energy drink and energy shot consumers are significantly more likely to report all academic risk outcomes. Specifically, youth who heavily use energy drinks and shots have significantly higher odds of each of the academic risk outcomes relative to both less habitual users and nonusers. These patterns hold across subgroups, despite associations being somewhat stronger among females, younger participants, Whites, and youth with no substance use history. Conclusions The current study suggests that energy drink consumption (particularly heavy consumption) may be an early warning sign of academic risk. It may be beneficial to limit adolescent energy drink consumption, provide early intervention for heavy adolescent consumers, and raise awareness of the dangers associated with their use.
Conciliation, Gould's Last Discourse

The Hedgehog, the Fox, and the Magister's Pox Mending the Gap Between Science and the Humanities. by Stephen Jay Gould. Harmony Books, New York, 2003. 288 pp. $25.95, C$38.95. ISBN 0-609-60140-7. Jonathan Cape, London. £17.99. ISBN 0-224-06309-X In what has become his final book, Gould argues for a conciliation between science and the humanities that recognizes the importance of both.
VarI-SIG 2014 - From SNPs to variants: interpreting different types of genetic variants

The decreasing cost of high-throughput sequencing is still rapidly increasing the number of known genetic variants [1,2]. For example, the size of the dbSNP database [3] has nearly doubled over the past years to 110 million human single nucleotide polymorphisms and short genomic variants. Unfortunately the characterization, annotation, and interpretation of these variants are still lagging. In particular, the interpretation of genetic variants and their implication in disease is one of the major challenges in personalized medicine [4-6]. The 4th edition of the Variant Interpretation Special Interest Group (VarI-SIG, formerly SNP-SIG) meeting [7-9] was held on July 12 at the ISMB 2014 in Boston (MA). The central meeting themes were "Annotation and prediction of structural/functional impacts of coding variants" and "Genetic variants as effectors of change: disease and evolution". The VarI-SIG is organized as a venue for the development of a research network of scientists, necessary for facilitating the exchange of ideas and establishing new collaborations. This year's meeting attracted over 100 participants, with seven research talks and five presentations from the leading scientists of the field.
Within the Wiki: Best Practices for Educators.

With the increasing emphasis in higher education to provide opportunities for students to work and collaborate in groups, enhancing problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, instructors are looking beyond traditional course management tools to emerging technologies. one technology that supports group collaboration is a wiki. however, many instructors either don’t know about wikis or how to apply best practices to increase their potential for learning. Therefore, in this paper the author discusses how three faculty members at Boise State University used wikis, the challenges and opportunities they experienced, and specific best practices they developed to enhance learning with wikis.
The Effect of a Noise Reducing Test Accommodation on Elementary Students with Learning Disabilities

Researchers in the fields of cognitive psychology and education have been studying the negative effects of noise on human performance for almost a century. A new empirical study that builds upon past relevant research on (1) test accommodations and (2) auditory distraction and academic performance was conducted with elementary age students. Reading comprehension tasks were completed by students with and without learning disabilities while wearing and not wearing noise-reducing headphones. Results of three independent statistical analyses are presented. Implications, limitations, and the need for future research are also discussed.
Minimum reflection channel in amplifying random media

Enhancing light transmission through scattering media is of much interest in many fields. Here, numerical simulations are performed to study the impact of gain on the value of reflection of the minimum reflection channel in a random medium. Surprisingly, in some random configurations, the reflection falls when gain is added even through the intensity inside the medium presumably increases once gain is introduced. This unexpected behavior is explained based on a decomposition of quasinormal modes.
Algebraic Multigrid Methods for Direct Frequency Response Analyses in Solid Mechanics

Algebraic multigrid (AMG) methods have proven to be effective for solving the linear algebraic system of equations that arise from many classes of unstructured discretized elliptic PDEs. Standard AMG methods, however, are not suitable for shifted linear systems from elliptic PDEs, such as discretized Helmholtz operators, due to the indefiniteness of the system and the presence of low energy modes which are difficult for multigrid methods to resolve effectively. This paper investigates simple methods to adapt existing standard AMG methods to these shifted systems from direct frequency response analyses in solid mechanics.
Structures and reactions of C3H6+ ions generated in cyclopropane

Abstract Ions of the formula C 3 H 6 + have been generated by charge transfer to cyclopropane from C 6 F 6 + (recombination energy, 9.91 eV), CS 2 + (recombination energy, 10.08 eV), COS + (recombination energy, 11.18 eV), and Xe + (recombination energy, 12.127 eV). From a determination of the charge transfer equilibrium constant in the c-C 3 H 6 : C 6 F 6 mixture, a value for the 300 K ionization energy of cyclopropane of 9.86 eV is obtained. In addition to the characteristic CH 2 NH 2 + and CH 2 NH 3 + products formed in reactions of c-C 3 H 6 + with ammonia, ions formed with no excess energy transfer a proton to ammonia. The probability of the occurrence of the proton transfer channel is about 30% for ions formed by charge transfer from C 6 F 6 + , CS 2 + , or COS + , but increases to 50% for ions formed by charge transfer from Xe + , which indicates that about 30% of the C 3 H 6 + ions formed by charge transfer from Xe + have undergone the isomerization process c-C 3 H 6 + → CH 3 CHCH 2 + . Thus the barrier associated with the rearrangement is >1.3 eV. The c-C 3 H 6 + ion reacts with PH 3 to give CH 2 PH 3 + and PH 4 + as products. Proton transfer reactions of the C 3 H 6 + ion generated by charge transfer from COS + with a series of bases of known proton affinity leads to a value for the apparent proton affinity of the C 3 H 5 conjugate base of ∼ 179 kcal mol −1 , which is lower than that which would be predicted for the cyclopropyl radical (187–192 kcal mol −1 ). It is suggested that the anomalously low value observed for the proton affinity indicates the occurrence of the process c-C 3 H 6 + + B→ BH + + CH 2 CHCH 2 .
Import pricing and the trade balance in a popular model of exchange rate determination

Abstract This paper extends a popular model of exchange rate determination to include an import-pricing relationship that is consistenc with imperfect competition in the importable sector. The analysis highlights how import-pricing behavior and aggregate macroeconomic relationships interact in determining the dynamics of the exchange rate, the price of imports, and the trade balance. A basic prediction of the analysis is that an increase in the substitutability of imported product varieties in the domestic market will raise the responsiveness of the exchange rate and dampen the responsiveness of the trade account to monetary shocks.
Tandem DctD‐binding sites of the Rhizobium meliloti dctA upstream activating sequence are essential for optimal function despite a 50‐ to 100‐fold difference in affinity for DctD

The Rhizobium meliloti genes dctB and dctD positively regulate the expression of dctA, which encodes a C4-dicarboxylate transport protein. Here we characterize an element (UAS) located upstream of dctA that has tandem binding sites for the dctD gene product (DctD). At relatively low concentrations of active DctD, the element activated dctA transcription, but at relatively high concentrations of DctD it was inhibitory. The UAS failed to function when placed further upstream of dctA. Both DctD-binding sites were required for optimal UAS function, despite a 50- to 100-fold difference in binding affinities. Moving the promoter distal binding site 5 bp further upstream was functionally equivalent to its deletion. Based on these data, we hypothesize that the sigma 54-dependent activator DctD binds co-operatively to the R. meliloti dctA UAS, and that occupancy of both sites is required for maximal activation of dctA.
Some Consequences of a Piecewise-Analytic Scattering Amplitude

In the indefinite-metric quantum field theory formulated by one of the authors and in related work the scattering amplitude does not satisfy the usual Mandelstam analyticity. It becomes piecewise analytic at the threshold for the production of at least one of the negative-metric particles of the theory, i.e., the amplitude above the threshold is not the analytic continuation of the amplitude. Some consequences of such a piecewise-analytic scattering amplitude are investigated. The physical two-body scattering amplitude $G(s, t)$ is taken to be of the form $G(s, t)=F(s, t)+{h}_{1}(s, t)\ensuremath{\theta}(s\ensuremath{-}{s}_{0})+{h}_{2}(s, t)\ensuremath{\theta}(t\ensuremath{-}{t}_{0})+{h}_{3}(s, t)\ensuremath{\theta}(u\ensuremath{-}{u}_{0})$, where $F(s, t)$ and the ${h}_{i}(s, t)$ are analytic functions of $s$ and $t$ with the negative-metric thresholds occurring at $s={s}_{0}$, $t={t}_{0}$, and $u={u}_{0}$ in the $s$, $t$, and $u$ channels, respectively. The modified forms of the Pomeranchuk theorem, dispersion relations, and finite-energy sum rules due to this general form of piecewise analyticity are derived and the interpretation of experimental results in terms of them are discussed. In particular, the modified forward dispersion relations for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}p$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ scattering differ from the normal forms by a function $\ensuremath{\xi}(\ensuremath{\nu})$ which depends on the piecewise-analytic contributions ${h}_{i}(s, t)$ above, where $\ensuremath{\nu}$ is the laboratory momentum of the pion. The forward dispersion relations for the symmetric and antisymmetric combinations of the real part of the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}p$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ scattering amplitudes ${D}^{+}(\ensuremath{\nu})$ and ${D}^{\ensuremath{-}}(\ensuremath{\nu})$, respectively, are tested. The best fits to the latest total cross-section data for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}p$ scattering from 8 to 65 GeV/c which do not satisfy the Pomeranchuk theorem are used. No test for ${D}^{\ensuremath{-}}(\ensuremath{\nu})$ which must be twice subtracted is possible since it depends strongly on the $\ensuremath{\pi}N$ coupling constant ${f}^{2}$ which is itself determined by dispersion relations. The result for ${D}^{+}(\ensuremath{\nu})$ allows for a violation, but the evidence is not compelling.
Abrupt Shift in Subsurface Temperatures in the Tropical Pacific Associated with Changes in El Niño

Radiocarbon (14C) content of surface waters inferred from a coral record from the Galapagos Islands increased abruptly during the upwelling season (July through September) after the El Nino event of 1976. Sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) associated with the upwelling season also shifted after 1976. The synchroneity of the shift in both 14C and SST implies that the vertical thermal structure of the eastern tropical Pacific changed in 1976. This change may be responsible for the increase in frequency and intensity of El Nino events since 1976.
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in T-cell receptor alpha-deficient mice with chronic colitis

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) have been detected in approximately 60% of sera from patients with ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of ANCAs and distribution of ANCA-producing B cells in the lymphoid tissue of T-cell receptor alpha-deficient (TCR-alpha-/-) mice that develop chronic colitis resembling human ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Sera from 87 TCR-alpha-/- mice were tested for the presence of ANCAs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against a human neutrophil extract and selected antigens and by immunofluorescence study using human neutrophils. Enzyme-linked immunospot assay was used for detecting ANCA-producing cells from spleen, mesenteric lymph node (MLN), or colon. RESULTS: Approximately 70% of sera from TCR-alpha-/- mice showed reactivity against human neutrophil extracts by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty percent of ANCA-positive sera showed a perinuclear reaction pattern. By enzyme-linked immunospot, ANCA-producing cells were detected in MLN and colon and less often in the spleen of TCR-alpha-/- mice with chronic colitis. The predominant immunoglobulin isotype of these autoantibodies was immunoglobulin A in the colon but not in the MLN and spleen. CONCLUSIONS: TCR-alpha-/- mice produce ANCAs. The ANCA (immunoglobulin A isotype)-producing B cells exist primarily in the diseased colonic mucosa of TCR-alpha-/- mice. (Gastroenterology 1997 Dec;113(6):1828-35)
The structure of a biosynthetic intermediate of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and elucidation of the final step of PQQ biosynthesis

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a tricyclic o-quinone, which serves as a cofactor in several enzyme-catalyzed redox reactions in certain bacteria. PQQ is also important for human health, and its role as a vitamin in mammals has recently been suggested. Although much is known about the function of enzymes that use PQQ as cofactor, relatively little is known about the biosynthesis of this coenzyme. Six gene products in Klebsiella pneumoniae (PqqA-F) are involved in PQQ biosynthesis, and PqqC has been shown to catalyze the last step in the pathway. The chemical structure of the substrate for PqqC has remained elusive and has hampered our understanding of the nature of this reaction. In this report we describe the purification and structure of the substrate as deduced by a number of spectroscopic and chemical methods. The substrate is 3a-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-4,5-dioxo-4,5,6,7,8,9-hexahydroquinoline-7,9-dicarboxylic acida fully reduced derivative of PQQ, which has not undergone ring cyclization. These re...
dHvA effect observations of conduction electron interactions with magnetic pairs of Co impurities in Au

Abstract We report the first dHvA observations of interaction effects between impurities, via measurements of the spin-dependent scattering of conduction electrons by magnetic pairs of Co impurities in Au. The results are used to estimate the concentration (or average separation) of magnetic Co pairs.
Blending the Trends: A Holistic Approach to Reference Services

The growing trends of tiered reference, roving librarians, and virtual reference offer academic libraries several options for providing the most effective reference service. Increased enrollment at community colleges has prompted a reconsideration of how librarians can balance reference, teaching, and faculty responsibilities. This article presents a case study of the Evelyn S. Field Library's implementation of a holistic reference format, blending the referral system of tiered reference with the roving librarian concept to remove full-time faculty librarians from the traditional reference desk, increase the amount of time chat reference can be offered, and create a more effective environment for in-depth reference and research assistance.
An Outcome Evaluation of a Treatment Readiness Group Program for Probationers with Substance Use Problems

From 2003 to 2008, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities of Illinois (TASC) implemented the Reducing Risk: Outreach and Pretreatment for Probationers program (RROPP) in Cook County (Chicago), Illinois. The goal of RROPP was to reduce probationers' further penetration into the criminal justice system by increasing participation in substance abuse treatment. To achieve this goal, TASC incorporated evidence-based practices for enhancing the effectiveness of pretreatment services. An outcome evaluation assessed the extent to which RROPP's proposed goals were achieved. The evaluation also obtained useful information regarding lessons learned in the implementation of pretreatment services for probationers. Participation in TRGs was related positively to treatment entry, length of stay in first treatment episode, and completion of first treatment episode.
A Bayesian population PK-PD model of ispinesib-induced myelosuppression.

The goal of the present analysis is to fit a Bayesian population pharmacokinetic pharmacodynomic (PK–PD) model to characterize the relationship between the concentration of ispinesib and changes in absolute neutrophil counts (ANC). Ispinesib, a kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor, blocks assembly of a functional mitotic spindle, leading to G2/M arrest. A first time in human, phase I open-label, non-randomized, dose-escalating study evaluated ispinesib at doses ranging from 1 to 21 mg/m2. PK–PD data were collected from 45 patients with solid tumors. The pharmacokinetics of ispinesib were well characterized by a two-compartment model. A semimechanistic model was fit to the ANC. The PK and PD data were successfully modelled simultaneously. This is the first presentation of simultaneously fitting a PK–PD model to ANC using Bayesian methods. Bayesian methods allow for the use of prior information for some system-related parameters. The model may be used to examine different schedules, doses, and infusion times. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2007) 81, 88–94. doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100021
Numerical solution of time-delayed functional differential equation control systems

We develop a pseudospectral approximation scheme for solving the class of time-delayed functional differential equation control systems. The problem is first formulated as a delay free optimal control problem governed by a system of partial differential equations with nonlocal boundary conditions. Next, a Chebyshev spectral method together with the cell-averaging Chebyshev integration technique are used to discretize the delay free optimal control problem. The optimal control problem is thereby transformed into a nonlinear programming problem which can be solved by well-developed nonlinear programming algorithms. Due to its dynamic nature, the proposed method avoids many of the numerical difficulties typically encountered in solving standard time-delayed optimal control problems. Moreover, a comparison is made with optimal solutions obtained by closed-form analysis and/or other numerical methods in the literature.
Equine stocking density effect on soil chemical properties, botanical composition, and species density

Equine stocking densities in New Jersey generally exceed the current regional recommendation of 0.6 to 0.8 hectares per animal for mature animals. Our hypotheses that high stocking densities under continuous grazing systems affect the composition of pastures and increase soil phosphorus concentrations were tested in a field study of 40 horse pastures. Stocking densities were grouped into four treatments. Plant data were collected in the spring and summer to determine botanical composition and plant density. Soil samples were collected in the spring to measure soil chemical properties. Averaged across stocking density in the spring, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) represented 76% of the total grass density (392 and 297 tillers m−2, respectively). Common white clover (Trifolium repens L.) was the most dominant legume with a density of 289 stems m−2. In the summer, total grass density was greatest (P< 0.02) in the highest stocking density. Densities of all species de...
Epidermal Smad4 deletion results in aberrant wound healing

In the present study, we assessed the role of Smad4, a component of the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway, in cutaneous wound repair. Interestingly, when Smad4 was deleted in the epidermis, several defects in wound healing were observed in non-keratinocyte compartments. In comparison with wounded wild-type mouse skin, Smad4-deficient wounds had delayed wound closure and remodeling. Increased angiogenesis and inflammation were found in Smad4-deficient skin; these effects were exacerbated throughout the entire wound healing process. In addition, increased numbers of myofibroblasts but reduced collagen levels were found in Smad4-deficient wounds in comparison with wild-type wounds. Since Smad4 is not a secreted protein, we assessed if the above non-cell autonomous alterations were the result of molecular alterations in Smad4-deficient keratinocytes, which exert paracrine effects on wound stroma. Smad4-deficient skin and wounds had elevated levels of transforming growth factor-β1, which have been shown to induce similar phenotypes, as well as of several transforming growth factor-β1 target genes, such as matrix metalloproteinases, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5. Furthermore, the above pathological and molecular alterations were exacerbated in skin cancer lesions that spontaneously developed from Smad4-deficient skin. Therefore, loss of Smad4 in the epidermis appears to significantly affect the microenvironment during wound healing and carcinogenesis.
Imaging of myocardial infarction using carbon nanotube micro-computed tomography and delayed contrast enhancement

We demonstrate the application of our cardiac- and respiratory-gated carbon nanotube (CNT) micro-CT system by evaluating murine myocardial infarction models with a delayed contrast enhancement technique. Myocardial infarction was induced in 8 wild-type male mice. The ischemia reperfusion model was achieved by surgical occlusion of the LAD artery for 30 minutes followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Free-breathing subjects were anesthetized with isoflurane during imaging. Respiratory and cardiac signals were monitored externally to gate the scan. Micro-CT data was obtained at 50kV, 3mA cathode current for 15ms per projection. All images were acquired during end exhalation at either 0msec or 55msec after the R-wave (diastole or systole, respectively). Following administration of Omnipaque 300mgI/mL at 0.1ml/5g, images were obtained at 0msec after the R-wave. Fenestra VC was then administered at a 0.1ml/5g dose, followed by images 0 and 55msec after the R-wave. Hearts were then harvested, sliced 1mm thick and stained with TTC. All animals survived surgery and imaging; all demonstrated obvious delayed contrast enhancement in the left ventricular wall in Omnipaque images. Fenestra VC revealed cardiac functional changes quantified by low ejection fractions. All subjects demonstrated areas of myocardial infarct in the LAD distribution on both TTC staining and micro-CT imaging. CNT enabled gated cardiac micro-CT imaging demonstrates the ability to consistently identify areas of myocardial infarct in mice, providing a powerful tool for the study of cardiovascular biology. Further work is ongoing to streamline the imaging protocol and perform more quantitative analysis of the images.
Laparoscopic Descending Colostomy in Three Patients with Cervical Carcinoma

Three patients with cervical carcinoma underwent laparoscopic descending colostomy. The indications for colostomy included severe radiation proctitis, enterovaginal fistula secondary to progressive pelvic tumor, and large bowel obstruction from progressive pelvic tumor. Two patients were treated with laparoscopic descending end colostomy with creation of a Hartman's pouch, and the third patient underwent laparoscopic descending loop colostomy. The techniques utilized are discussed.
The effect of freezing on the viability of rat heart muscle as measured by cytochrome oxidase activity.

Abstract Rat heart muscle was studied for cytochrome oxidase activity after freezing, according to the method of Cooperstein and Lazzara. Two methods of freezing were used: the muscle was homogenized and then frozen for 30 min in one set of experiments; in the other set the muscle was frozen in cubic centimeter pieces and homogenized after thawing. Both were thawed in a 37 °C water bath until the buffer suspension became liquid. The former set of experiments showed cytochrome oxidase activity to be 48.52% of the control. The latter set showed activity of 79.35% of the control. These results are probably best explained on a basis of protection from ice crystal damage and resulting necrosis.
Use of rare earth metal salt solutions for corrosion protection of aluminum alloys and mild steel

The rare earth metal salt (REMS) compounds which are non-toxic and inexpensive have been used successfully for the corrosion protection of commercial aluminum alloys as well as of mild steel. The resistance to localized corrosion of aluminum alloys such as Al 2024, Al 6061 and Al 7075 has been greatly improved by immersion in hot cerium salt solutions. Cerium oxides/hydroxides were formed at sites where intermetallic compounds containing copper were located and eliminated the formation of local cathodes. REMS solutions were also used for sealing of anodized layer on Al alloys replacing toxic chromates. In addition to increased corrosion resistance excellent paint adhesion was observed. Cerium nitrate and yttrium sulfate solutions produced the most satisfactory results. Cerium salts were also applied successfully as inhibitors and as pretreatment for the corrosion protection of carbon steel in hot NH3/water solutions used in absorption heat pumps. Factorial design experiments have been used to determine the optimum concentrations of CeCl3 and H2O2 as well as the treatment time used in the cerating process for mild steel. The corrosion protection provided by the cerated layer was further improved by cathodic polarization in cerium chloride. A dual corrosion protection strategy employing cerating and addition of a REMS to the working solution is expected to provide long-lasting corrosion protection of mild steel.
Approaches to meta-analysis : A guide for LIS researchers

Abstract Meta-analysis, a statistical operation used to combine results from independent studies, has been applied widely in medicine, psychology, and business among other disciplines, but has had limited application in LIS research. To introduce it in LIS research, this article offers examples from a meta-analytic study on factors affecting information needs among cancer patients to explain the literature search, criteria for inclusion of studies, data gathering, and statistics related to effect sizes in meta-analysis. Three popular approaches to meta-analysis, the details of the approach used by the author, and the interpretation of results in terms of mean effect sizes that represent strength of the observed effect of variables are also explained.
Effect of strontium modification on near- threshold fatigue crack growth in an Al-Si-Cu die cast alloy

The effects of strontium modification on microstructure and fatigue properties in a die cast com-mercial aluminum-silicon alloy are demonstrated. Strontium additions of 0.010 and 0.018 wt pct drastically change the morphology of the eutectic silicon. The influence of these microstructural changes on fatigue properties is evaluated through fatigue crack growth testing. Examination of the fracture surfaces and the crack path establish distinct fatigue fracture modes for the modified and unmodified eutectic structures. Changes in fracture mode and crack path are correlated to the mi-crostructure changes. A higher energy fracture mode and increased crack path tortuosity explain the observed improvement in fatigue properties for the modified alloys. Strontium modified alloys exhibit a 10 to 20 pct higher fatigue crack growth threshold compared to an unmodified alloy for testing at a load ratio of 0.5. No difference was observed for testing at a load ratio of 0.1.
Structural-acoustic optimization of sandwich structures with cellular cores for minimum sound radiation

An optimization study of sandwich structures with cellular cores for minimum noise radiation in a wide frequency band, subject to the constraints on the fundamental frequency and weight is presented. Sensitivity functions of the radiated acoustic power are used to improve the computational time and accuracy in near optimization. Numerical examples indicate that significant reduction of narrowband and broadband sound radiation can be achieved.
Potential Future Weather Patterns over the Great Lakes Region

Abstract Evaluating changes in synoptic patterns is tantamount to understanding regional climate change. To date, the synoptic evaluations that have been done regarding climate change output from General Circulation Models have been restricted mainly to examining changes in storm tracks across large areas (the Atlantic Ocean). In this study, output from the Canadian Coupled Climate Model (CGCM1) and the Hadley Coupled Climate Model (HadCM2) are examined relative to present conditions to evaluate potential changes in synoptic patterns over the Great Lakes region towards the end of this century. These models were used as part of the U.S. National Assessment of Climate Change. Both models show a decrease in the number of extremely cold days, an increase in the number of extremely hot days, and an increase in precipitation for the future—particularly for heavy precipitation (> 12.5 mm) events. The Canadian Model shows more of a precipitation increase from December to July. The Hadley Model shows more of a precipitation increase from July to December. Both models show a decrease in surface windspeed and an increase in the number of days with an easterly wind component. Both models exhibit decreases in cyclone numbers for the future. The Canadian Model shows a general decrease in the number of moderately strong cyclones and decreases in each month. The Hadley Model shows a slight increase in the number of strong cyclones but a greater decrease in the number of weak cyclones—especially during the spring. The Canadian Model exhibits significant decreases in the number of anticyclones in summer and significant increases occur in fall but does not exhibit any systematic changes in terms of intensity. The Hadley Model shows a slight increase in the number of weak anticyclones but a greater decrease in the number of strong anticyclones. Most of the decreases occur during the summer—so that the seasonal distribution is more uniform. All of the changes are consistent with changes in the general large scale flow patterns. An understanding of all these synoptic changes provides richness and a more conceptual understanding of how climate change may affect the Great Lakes region.
Role of intensive radiotherapy in the management of Hodgkin's disease

Arguments supporting the view that Hodgkin's disease is always incurable are examined critically and rejected in the light of modern advances in diagnostic methodology and the development of techniques for intensive wide-field mega-voltage radiotherapy. Previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease deserve an aggressive hopeful approach; a meticulous clinical evaluation, including routine lymphangiography, permits accurate staging, on the basis of which informed decisions regarding treatment may be made. Wide-field mega-voltage radiotherapy to doses of 3,500 to 4,000 rads in 4 weeks is the treatment of choice for regionally localized disease and offers a substantial chance of permanent cure. Intensive radiotherapy also has been tolerated impressively well by patients with generalized (stage III) disease in a clinical investigation currently in progress.
Gabaergic nerve terminals decrease in the substantia nigra following hemitransections of the striatonigral and pallidonigral pathways

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme that synthesizes the neurotransmitter, GABA, was immunocytochemically localized in axon terminals as well as in small and medium-sized neurons of the rat substantia nigra. The pattern formed by GAD-containing axon terminals with the dendrites and somata of neurons in the substantia nigra was altered following ipsilateral hemitransections of the striatonigral and pallidonigral pathways. A marked reduction of GAD-positive terminals occurred throughout this brain region, but the ventral fifth of the pars reticulata showed a nearly normal pattern of GAD-positive axon terminals. The results of this investigation are consistent with results from biochemical studies which have indicated that the striatonigral and/or pallidonigral pathways are GABAergic. In addition, these results suggest that the residual GABAergic terminals remaining after hemitransection are derived from intrinsic neurons of the substantia nigra.