cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms Underlying Cooperativity in CaMKII Autophosphorylation and Substrate Phosphorylation

As a member of the calmodulin-activated kinases, Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a serine/threonine kinase coupled to calcium signaling. Unlike other multifunctional CaMK members, CaMKII has a unique dodecameric architecture potentially permitting cooperative forms of autoregulation and substrate phosphorylation. We observed that CaMKII phosphorylation of a peptide derived from the autoregulatory domain (AC-2) displays positive cooperativity (nH=1.8). Another T-site binding peptide substrate derived from S1303 phosphorylation site on NR2B also displayed positive cooperativity (nH=2.1). Surprisingly, a truncated form of CaMKII1-317 monomer also shows this cooperativity towards NR2B and AC-2 peptides (nH=1.6 vs 1.8, respectively). Syntide-2, a traditional substrate peptide lacking T-site interactions, does not exhibit cooperativity in substrate phosphorylation for either monomeric or multimeric CaMKII (nH=1.0; nH=1.1, respectively). These data suggest that the positive cooperativity seen with substrate phosphorylation is unique to T-site site binding substrates and may involve potential allosteric substrate interactions on the catalytic surface. Cooperativity within the holoenzyme occurring between subunits has been predicted based on the fact that Ca2+/CaM binding can induce Thr286 autophosphorylation, an intersubunit intraholenzyme reaction, whereby, neighboring subunits act as both kinase and substrate following coincident Ca2+CaM binding. Using Ca2+/CaM-independent activity (i.e. autonomous) as a measure of Thr286 autophosphorylation, CaM titration experiments revealed that both Ca2+/CaM-dependent and autonomous forms of CaMKII activity were cooperative (nH=2.1 for both) for Ca2+/CaM activation and autophosphorylation. Titrating CaM levels to ratios below 1 per holoenzyme (i.e. 12 CaMKII subunits per holoenzyme) generate submaximal autonomous activity, whereas, CaM levels at a ratio of ∼2 per CaMKII holoenzyme generate maximal autonomous activity. Thus, CaM activation of CaMKII appears to follow a cooperative model whereby neighboring subunits within the holoenzyme preferentially obtain the activator to promote autophosphorylation even in the face of limiting CaM.
Applications of AI in design research at Carnegie Mellon University's EDRC

In 1984 the National Research Council issued a report on industrial competition in the US, noting that the US was successful at new product innovation but was falling behind others notably Japan and Western Europe in bringing these products into the market place. Since 1985 the National Science Foundation has established 18 university based Engineering Research Centers as centers of excellence, each with a major goal to respond to this report. Our Engineering Design Research Center (EDRC) was started as a part of this program in May, 1986. The goal of the EDRC is to play a leadership role in developing and integrating concepts and methodologies that will allow US industry to design much better products much more quickly.
An approximation algorithm for state minimization in 2-MDFAs

In this paper, we analyze the problem of state minimization in a class of Finite State Automata called Two Start State Deterministic Finite State Automata (2-MDFAs). A 2-MDFA is similar to a deterministic finite state automaton (DFA), in that on a given input, each state has precisely one destination state; however, it differs from a DFA in that there are two start states. A string is accepted by a 2-MDFA if and only if there exists a transitional path from either start state to a finish state, on that string. Observe that 2-MDFAs provide a limited amount of non-determinism and hence investigating their properties from the perspective of state minimization is a worthwhile pursuit. In case of unbounded non-determinism, i.e., Non-deterministic finite state automata (NFAs), it is well-known that the state minimization problem is PSPACE-complete [Jiang and Ravikumar in Proceedings of the 18th International Colloquium on Automata, Languages and Programming, ICALP’91, Madrid, Spain, July 8–12, 1991] and further that such automata can be exponentially more succinct than DFAs [Meyer and Fischer in Proceedings of the 12th SWAT(Annual Symposium on switching and automata theory), pp 188-191, 1971]. Even in the case of 2-MDFAs, the minimization problem remains non-trivial; indeed, Malcher in Theor Comput Sci 327(3):375–390, 2004 shows that the corresponding decision problem is NP-complete. We focus on deriving approximability bounds for the state minimization problem in 2-MDFAs. Our main contribution in the current paper, is the design of an n-approximation algorithm for state minimization in 2-MDFAs, where n denotes the minimum number of states required to represent the input language as a 2-MDFA. We also present a proof that this bound is tight for our algorithm.
FORMULA GRANTS TO SCHOOLS OF PUBLIC HEALTH

The Editor is pleased to find a dean of a school of public health willing to present so forthrightly the problems now facing educators of public health personnel.
Childhood Adversity, Adult Homelessness and the Intergenerational Transmission of Risk: A Population-representative Study of Individuals in Households with Children

This study tested for associations between childhood adversity, adult homelessness and contexts of developmental risk in households with children. Data were drawn from the 2010 Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, representative of the population of Washington State residents. Considering adults in households with children, those who experienced higher levels of childhood adversity were more likely to have experienced homelessness in adulthood. Meanwhile, a 10-factor index of cumulative developmental risk was independently associated with childhood adversity and with adult homelessness. Adult homelessness appears to represent a circumstance through which past childhood adversities are brought forward and associated with contexts of developmental risk for subsequent generations of children.
Major solar flares without coronal mass ejections

We examine the source properties of X-class soft X-ray flares that were not associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). All the flares were associated with intense microwave bursts implying the production of high energy electrons. However, most (85%) of the flares were not associated with metric type III bursts, even though open field lines existed in all but two of the active regions. The X-class flares seem to be truly confined because there was no material ejection (thermal or nonthermal) away from the flaring region.
Gifted Ninth Graders' Notions of Proof: Investigating Parallels in Approaches of Mathematically Gifted Students and Professional Mathematicians.

High school students normally encounter the study and use of formal proof in the context of Euclidean geometry. Professional mathematicians typically use an informal trial-and-error approach to a p...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Implantable Devices

Magnetic resonance imaging uses high-strength magnetic and electric fields to obtain multiplanar images with unrivaled soft tissue resolution.1,2 The image resolution and availability of various pulse sequences, each optimized for the evaluation of particular tissue attributes, make MRI the imaging modality of choice for numerous neurological, musculoskeletal, thoracic, and abdominal conditions. In addition, because of the absence of x-ray radiation, MRI is optimal for follow-up of chronic diseases that require repeat imaging and for diagnostic imaging in young patients and women of childbearing age. Because of the advancing severity of disease and age of the population, and advances in device technology, the number of patients with permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) continues to increase. It has been estimated that patients with a pacemaker or ICD have up to 75% likelihood of having a clinical indication for MRI over the lifetime of their device. When performed with appropriate supervision and following a protocol for safety, many studies over the past 10 years have reported the safety of MRI with selected devices. However, in older devices, catastrophic complications have also been reported. Familiarity with each device class and its potential for electromagnetic interaction is essential for cardiologists and electrophysiologists whose patients may require MRI. MRI uses high-strength magnetic and electric fields to evaluate tissue structure, heterogeneity, and motion. Within the MRI scanner, hydrogen nuclei (predominantly in water and fat) become aligned with or against the axis of the static magnetic field. A net magnetization vector is created because more protons are aligned with the static magnetic field than against it. The protons also rotate around their own axis and precess around the magnetic field lines at a rate dependent on the local magnetic field strength. Weaker gradient magnetic fields are then applied to introduce regional variability in …
Local performance analysis of uncertain polynomial systems with applications to actuator saturation

This paper considers the local performance analysis of uncertain polynomial systems. A method for estimating an upper bound of the local L 2 → L 2 gain is presented. The gain upper bound condition is formulated in terms of a dissipation inequality that incorporates an integral quadratic constraint to model the uncertainty. For polynomial systems, the dissipation inequality can be verified using sum-of-squares optimizations. This approach is applied to systems with actuator position and rate limits. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated on two numerical examples.
Selectively Doped High-Power AlGaN/InGaN/GaN MOS-DHFET

We describe a novel AlGaN/InGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor double heterostructure field-effect transistor with peak drain current of 1.67 A/mm and 2-GHz RF power of 15 W/mm at a drain bias as low as 35 V. These high values of peak currents and high RF powers at relatively low drain bias resulted from an additional selective area doping of the access regions during the device fabrication. The RF-output power of 12.5 W/mm (at a drain bias of VD=30 V) was stable within a 0.5-dB variations during a 100-h continuous-wave stress test
Vaccination of mice with replication-defective human immunodeficiency virus induces cellular and humoral immunity and protects against vaccinia virus-gag challenge.

Abstract Here we describe as a potential vaccine candidate a replication-defective HIV that encodes multiple viral genes in addition to a cassette that includes both truncated cyclin T1 and an autofluorescent protein. After confirming functionality of the cyclin T1, we immunized mice intramuscularly once or twice with the replication-defective HIV vector pseudotyped with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G protein (RD HIV), a plasmid encoding CMV-driven gag (gag DNA), or adenovirus gag (Ad5-gag). Capsid-specific antibody titers following RD HIV immunization were >106/ml and approximately equivalent to those induced by gag DNA and Ad5-gag. Antibodies against the autofluorescent protein and VSV G were also detected. After RD HIV immunization ELISpot assays demonstrated Gag-specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ) SFU equivalent to that of Ad5-gag and fourfold greater than that of gag DNA. HIV polymerase-specific IFN-γ SFU values were similar, and boosting increased both antibody titers and the IFN-γ response. Challenge using vaccinia virus (VV)-gag demonstrated significantly lower recoverable VV for RD HIV-immunized mice compared to controls. No significant differences were observed in vaccinated mice challenged with wild-type VV. This study demonstrates the efficacy of RD HIV in conferring HIV-specific immunity and protection in mice and suggests its potential use in humans as either a prophylactic or a therapeutic vaccine.
Mayfield Pool, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

The Mayfield pool, the most productive of the Newburg-sand gas pools in Ohio, is in northeastern Cuyahoga County. The rocks that have been tested by drilling range in age from Upper Ordovician to Upper Devonian. Rocks that crop out in the area are Upper Devonian and Mississippian in age. They are extensively covered by Pleistocene and Recent deposits. Gas and a small amount of oil are produced from the Newburg sand (Middle Silurian) at an average depth of 2,875 feet, and from the so-called Oriskany sand (Lower Devonian) at a depth of 1,800 feet. The reservoir is of the structural type in the Oriskany sand and is of a combined structural and porosity type in the Newburg sand. The structure has not been completely outlined because of the cover of Pleistocene deposits at the surface and restrictions on drilling south and southwest of the pool. However, at the surface the structure appears to resemble a dome with limbs dipping about 0°18^prime. In the subsurface the structure appears to be a broad anticline trending northeast with a known closure of approximately 100 feet and with its southeast limb dipping 0°38^prime. Fifty-two tests, eleven of which were dry holes, have been drilled on the anticline. The total yield of gas, on January 1, 1949, has been nearly 14½ billion cubic feet from wells having a distribution ratio of 30 acres per well. The chances of obtaining oil or gas from deeper Ordovician and older strata are considered to be chief y dependent on the amount of closure in the structure in these deeper strata, and on the porosity of the rocks.
Projecting the Effect of Nesiritide on Dialysis and Hospital Mortality in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Objective: To predict the effect of nesiritide on clinical outcomes based on the renal function change demonstrated in the Nesiritide Administered Peri-Anesthesia (NAPA) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery trial. Methods: We built a decision analytical model to replicate the NAPA trial with 1000 hypothetical patients in both nesiritide and placebo arms. The incident rates of dialysis, hospital death, and their composite were predicted based on the renal function data obtained from the NAPA trial. All analyses were further repeated for two subgroups stratified by the presence of preoperative renal dysfunction (RD). Results: The base-case analyses significantly favored nesiritide for the three clinical end points. In the total NAPA sample, the absolute risk reductions (ARRs) for dialysis, hospital death, and their composite across 100 simulated trials were 1.3%, 3.3%, and 4.1%, respectively. The improvement was more pronounced in the preoperative RD subgroup with the three ARRs of 4.1%, 7.1%, and 9.4%, respectively. The beneficial effect diminished in the normal preoperative renal function (NRF) subgroup with the three ARRs of 0.6%, 3.0%, and 3.4%, respectively. The best case analyses confirmed the robustness of the base-case results in the total NAPA sample and RD subgroup, but not in the NRF subgroup. Conclusion: If the demonstrated renal preservation can be extrapolated, nesiritide may reduce dialysis and hospital death in cardiac surgery patient with preoperative RD, but to a much lesser extent or not in patients with normal preoperative renal function.
Prolactin Receptor Heterogeneity in Bovine Fetal and Maternal Tissues

Study of diverse PRL actions at a variety of fetal and maternal targets during pregnancy is complicated by receptor heterogeneity and multiple ligands circulating at this time. In the present studies, we have examined PRL receptors at a variety of potential targets by reverse transcription-PCR and Western analysis. Bovine tissues contain two different transcripts for the PRL receptor; the one that encodes a short form includes an additional 39 bases at a position identical to the deviation from the long form found in rodents and sheep. Western analyses of PRL receptors in microsomal fractions from various maternal and fetal tissues revealed considerable size heterogeneity. Collectively, the larger immunoreactive moieties (apparent Mr 100 kDa or greater) and the smaller species (47–55 kDa) correlated well with the relative abundance of the transcripts for the different forms of the receptor and varied considerably among tissues. N-Glycosylation was shown to be the major, but not the only, modification of b...
Retrospective registration-based MRI motion correction with interleaved radial trajectories

Despite reduction in imaging times through improved hardware and rapid acquisition schemes, motion artifacts can compromise image quality in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is especially true for 3D imaging, where scan durations are prolonged and the assumptions of most state-of-the-art 2D rigid body motion compensation techniques break down. This paper introduces a novel motion correction technique that is capable of restoring image quality in motion corrupted 2D/3D radial acquisitions. First, the available set of projections is subdivided into motion-free subsets of data using a novel center of mass based motion detection approach. For acquisitions with multiple receiver coils, both rotational and translational motion are detected. Next, the motion parameters are estimated on a sub-pixel level by co-registration of the data subsets. This approach does not require any additional navigators or external motion estimation schemes. The capabilities and limitations of the method are described and demonstrated on an application in cranial imaging.
A new simplified immediate prognostic risk score for patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Immediate risk stratification of patients with myocardial infarction in the emergency department (ED) at the time of initial presentation is important for their optimal emergency treatment. Current risk scores for predicting mortality following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are potentially flawed, having been derived from clinical trials with highly selective patient enrolment and requiring data not readily available in the ED. These scores may not accurately represent the spectrum of patients in clinical practice and may lead to inappropriate decision making. Methods: This study cohort included 1212 consecutive patients with AMI who were admitted to the Mayo Clinic coronary care unit between 1988 and 2000. A risk score model was developed for predicting 30 day mortality using parameters available at initial hospital presentation in the ED. The model was developed on patients from the first era (training set—before 1997) and validated on patients in the second era (validation set—during or after 1997). Results: The risk score included age, sex, systolic blood pressure, admission serum creatinine, extent of ST segment depression, QRS duration, Killip class, and infarct location. The predictive ability of the model in the validation set was strong (c = 0.78). Conclusion: The Mayo risk score for 30 day mortality showed excellent predictive capacity in a population based cohort of patients with a wide range of risk profiles. The present results suggest that even amidst changing patient profiles, treatment, and disease definitions, the Mayo model is useful for 30 day risk assessment following AMI.
Variable effects of climate and density on the juvenile ecology of two salmonids in an Alaskan lake

Despite concerns over rapidly warming temperatures, an empirical understanding of climatic impacts on wild salmonid populations is limited. We tested how temperature and density affected juvenile coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) using a 31 year census from an Alaskan lake. There were positive effects of temperature on overall salmon biomass, sockeye biomass, and the length of age 2 sockeye smolts. There was, however, little evidence for relationships between temperature or length of growing season and coho biomass, coho length, smolts per spawner (both species), and age structure (both species). In some cases there were temporal changes contrary to what is generally expected in a warming Alaskan lake with longer growing seasons (e.g., increasing proportions of age 2 smolts). Intraspecific density was negatively related to sockeye length at out-migration, but there was no evidence for relationships between density and other response variables. Overall, patterns observed h...
Nonlinear Characteristics of Ensemble Perturbation Evolution and Their Application to Forecasting High-Impact Events

AbstractEnsemble forecasting is becoming an increasingly important aspect of numerical weather prediction. As ensemble perturbation evolution becomes more nonlinear as a forecast evolves, the ensemble mean can diverge from the model attractor on which ensemble members are constrained. In turn, the ensemble mean can become increasingly unrealistic, and although statistically best on average, it can provide poor forecast guidance for specific high-impact events. This study uses an ensemble Kalman filter to investigate this behavior at the synoptic scale for landfalling midlatitude cyclones. This work also aims to understand the best way to select “best members” closest to the mean that both behave realistically and possess the statistically beneficial qualities of the mean. It is found that substantial nonlinearity emerges within forecast times of a day, which roughly agrees with previous research addressing synoptic-scale nonlinearity more generally. The evolving nonlinearity results in unrealistic behavio...
Certification of null correctors for primary mirrors

for measuring null correctors has been developed that uses a rotationallysymmetric computergenerated hologram (CGH) to synthesize the wavefront that would bereflected by a perfect primaiy mirror. The test of a null lens is perfonned by measuring theCGH through the null corrector. Agreement between the null lens and the CGH indicates a
The Girl Hunt: Urban Nightlife and the Performance of Masculinity as Collective Activity

The purpose of this article is to document the collective nature of gender performance and sexual pursuit, activities typically associated with individual rather than group behavior. Drawing on narrative accounts, I analyze how young heterosexual male students employ the power of collective rituals of homosociality to perform sexual competence and masculine identity by “girl hunting” in the context of urban nightlife. These rituals are designed to reinforce dominant sexual myths and expectations of masculine behavior, boost confidence in one’s performance of masculinity and heterosexual power, and assist in the performance of masculinity in the presence of women. This analysis illustrates how contemporary courtship rituals operate as collective strategies of impression management that men perform not only for women but for other men. In doing so, interaction rituals associated with the girl hunt reproduce structures of inequality within as well as across the socially constructed gender divide between women and men. From Chicago’s jazz cabarets to New York’s gay discos to Las Vegas’s strip clubs, sexualized environments have historically defined downtown zones of urban nightlife (Bernstein 2001; Chatterton and Hollands 2003; Chauncey 1994; Kenney 1993; Owen 2003). Hot nightclubs and cool lounges enforce sexualized norms of dress and body adornment and invite flirtation, innuendo, and physical contact among patrons engaged in rituals of courtship. Nightspots also rely on the attractiveness of service staff and the promise of eroticized interaction to recruit customers (Allison 1994; Lloyd 2005; Spradley and Mann 1975), while sexual relations among staff are frequently the norm (Giuffre and Williams 1994). Moreover, young urbanites identify downtown clusters of nightclubs as direct sexual marketplaces , or markets for singles seeking casual encounters with potential sex partners (Laumann et al. 2004). For these reasons, scenes of urban nightlife serve as particularly fitting sites for observing how men and women enact gender as a routine accomplishment in everyday
On Line Disaster Response Community: People as Sensors of High Magnitude Disasters Using Internet GIS

The Indian Ocean tsunami (2004) and Hurricane Katrina (2005) reveal the coming of age of the on-line disaster response community. Due to the integration of key geospatial technologies (remote sensing - RS, geographic information systems - GIS, global positioning systems – GPS) and the Internet, on-line disaster response communities have grown. They include the traditional aspects of disaster preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and policy as facilitated by governmental agencies and relief response organizations. However, the contribution from the public via the Internet has changed significantly. The on-line disaster response community includes several key characteristics: the ability to donate money quickly and efficiently due to improved Internet security and reliable donation sites; a computer-savvy segment of the public that creates blogs, uploads pictures, and disseminates information – oftentimes faster than government agencies, and message boards to create interactive information exchange in seeking family members and identifying shelters. A critical and novel occurrence is the development of “people as sensors” - networks of government, NGOs, private companies, and the public - to build rapid response databases of the disaster area for various aspects of disaster relief and response using geospatial technologies. This paper examines these networks, their products, and their future potential.
A note on statistical analysis of shape through triangulation of landmarks

In an earlier paper, the author jointly with S. Suryawanshi proposed statistical analysis of shape through triangulation of landmarks on objects. It was observed that the angles of the triangles are invariant to scaling, location, and rotation of objects. No distinction was made between an object and its reflection. The present paper provides the methodology of shape discrimination when reflection is also taken into account and makes suggestions for modifications to be made when some of the landmarks are collinear.
A reconfigurable baseband chain for 3G wireless receivers

The need for multimode operation makes it necessary to develop a programmable analogue baseband chain that can serve the stringent and often widely varying performance requirements of 2G and 3G wireless communication standards. To reduce the design cycle time, it would be helpful to have a single active block, which can be repeatedly used in realising required filters and variable gain amplifiers. This chapter introduces a third-order Sallen-Key filter section based on a single high-performance fully balanced differential difference amplifier based buffer. A sixth-order filter is implemented by cascading two third-order blocks. Triode region transistors in parallel with polysilicion resistors are used for tuning the filter characteristics. The same structure is modified by adding current sensing at the output of the buffer to realise a variable gain amplifier with offset control. The gain is set by the ratio of resistors and is independent of the bandwidth. Techniques to reconfigure the baseband chain for satisfying different system-level specifications constructed out of these elements are discussed. Measured results indicate that the proposed chain meets the performance specifications of GSM, IS-95 and WCDMA wireless standards.
ESA 2010 Chapter Regional Accounts

This chapter of the new European guidelines on national accounting (ESA 2010) describes the regional accounts and its major uses.
Fletcher on Subjective Justification

George Fletcher has transformed Anglo-American criminal-law theory by introducing continental distinctions between justification and excuse. Fletcher himself takes the two-part position that (1) in order to be justified, an actor not only must act under circumstances that negate the harms and evils the statute at hand seeks to prevent, all things considered, he must act for those very reasons, and (2) in order to be excused, an actor who commits a crime of intent in the mistaken belief that his conduct is necessary to prevent such a harm or evil must possess a mistaken belief that "reasonable." Fletcher admits that his two-part position is contrary to what he calls the "unity" view, viz., that defenses of justification are the mere converse or negation of prima facie harms that statutes seeks to prevent. In order to rebut the unity view, Fletcher argues that there are "fundamental" normative differences between elements of offenses and defenses of justification, including differences regarding legality, vagueness, and notice. In this essay, I question these supposed differences and, hence, question Fletcher's defense of his two-part position.
Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of African diploid barbs, ‘Barbus’, and allies in Africa and Asia (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)

African diploid barbs (‘Barbus’, Clypeobarbus, Barboides, etc.) are a group of small cyprinids with a body size less than 20 cm and widely distributed in drainages across Africa. These species constitute a significant component of African freshwater fish fauna. This study is the first to focus on the molecular systematics and biogeography of African diploid barbs ‘Barbus’ and its African and Asian allies using both mitochondrial and nuclear genes. We test for monophyly of groups, determine interspecific relationships and estimate the time of divergence of 52 species of ‘Barbus’ and allies using two mitochondrial and four nuclear genes. Resulting trees demonstrate that ‘Barbus’ and allies (Systomus, Barboides, Clypeobarbus and African tetraploid barbs) form a strongly supported clade; however, ‘Barbus’ is not resolved as monophyletic. Divergence time analyses identify the separation between Systomus and ‘Barbus’ plus African allies may have occurred around 26 MYA. In addition to the phylogenetic results, these findings highlight the need for more thorough taxonomic and systematic studies on ‘Barbus’ and allies using morphological and additional molecular data and greater taxon sampling, including the type species of the genus Enteromius, ‘Barbus’ potamogalis.
The “Hot Mess” of Situational Judgment Test Construct Validity and Other Issues

The construct validity of situational judgment tests (SJTs) is a “hot mess.” The suggestions of Lievens and Motowidlo ( 2016 ) concerning a strategy to make the constructs assessed by an SJT more “clear and explicit” (p. 5) are worthy of serious consideration. In this commentary, we highlight two challenges that will likely need to be addressed before one can develop SJTs with clear and explicit constructs. We also offer critiques of four positions presented by Lievens and Motowidlo that are not well supported by evidence.
Recent advances in InP planar waveguide DWDM technology

This paper reviews recent advances in planar waveguide based DWDM devices. The prospect of etched diffraction gratings as a practical alternative to arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) is discussed.
Nanoparticles and DNA – a powerful and growing functional combination in bionanotechnology

Functionally integrating DNA and other nucleic acids with nanoparticles in all their different physicochemical forms has produced a rich variety of composite nanomaterials which, in many cases, display unique or augmented properties due to the synergistic activity of both components. These capabilities, in turn, are attracting greater attention from various research communities in search of new nanoscale tools for diverse applications that include (bio)sensing, labeling, targeted imaging, cellular delivery, diagnostics, therapeutics, theranostics, bioelectronics, and biocomputing to name just a few amongst many others. Here, we review this vibrant and growing research area from the perspective of the materials themselves and their unique capabilities. Inorganic nanocrystals such as quantum dots or those made from gold or other (noble) metals along with metal oxides and carbon allotropes are desired as participants in these hybrid materials since they can provide distinctive optical, physical, magnetic, and electrochemical properties. Beyond this, synthetic polymer-based and proteinaceous or viral nanoparticulate materials are also useful in the same role since they can provide a predefined and biocompatible cargo-carrying and targeting capability. The DNA component typically provides sequence-based addressability for probes along with, more recently, unique architectural properties that directly originate from the burgeoning structural DNA field. Additionally, DNA aptamers can also provide specific recognition capabilities against many diverse non-nucleic acid targets across a range of size scales from ions to full protein and cells. In addition to appending DNA to inorganic or polymeric nanoparticles, purely DNA-based nanoparticles have recently surfaced as an excellent assembly platform and have started finding application in areas like sensing, imaging and immunotherapy. We focus on selected and representative nanoparticle–DNA materials and highlight their myriad applications using examples from the literature. Overall, it is clear that this unique functional combination of nanomaterials has far more to offer than what we have seen to date and as new capabilities for each of these materials are developed, so, too, will new applications emerge.
Rogue Access Point Detection: Taxonomy, Challenges, and Future Directions

Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) are increasingly integrated into our daily lives. Access Points (APs) are an integral part of the WLAN infrastructure, as they are responsible for coordinating wireless users and connecting them to the wired side of the network and, eventually, to the Internet. APs are deployed everywhere, from airports and shopping malls to coffee shops and hospitals, to provide Internet connectivity. One of the most serious security problems encountered by WLAN users is the existence of Rogue Access Points (RAPs). This article classifies existing solutions, identifies vulnerabilities, and suggests future directions for research into these RAPs. The ultimate objective is to classify existing detection techniques and find new RAP types that have not been classified by the research community. The literature typically categorizes Evil-twin, Unauthorized, Compromised, and Improperly Configured RAPs. Two other types have largely been abandoned by researchers, but can be classified as Denial of Service RAP attacks. These are deauthentication/disassociation attacks targeting wireless users, and the forging of the first message in a four-way handshake.
Renal Function 27 Years after Unilateral Nephrectomy for Related Donor Kidney Transplantation

Abstract Renal function in a living related kidney donor was evaluated 27 years after unilateral nephrectomy. The patient was normotensive and had no significant proteinuria. Creatinine was 0.8mg. per dl. and creatinine clearance was 88ml. per minute per 1.73 m. 2 or 152 per cent of the single kidney pre-nephrectomy value. Tubular function assessed by the ability to lower urinary pH in response to an acid load was normal. Biopsy of the transplanted kidney 18 years after donation was histologically normal. This case represents one of the longest followup evaluations of a living related donor reported to date and it argues against any adverse effects of organ donation on the function of the remaining kidney.
Combined effects of WC and SiC on densification and thermo-mechanical stability of ZrB2 ceramics

Abstract ZrB 2 -based mixtures containing WC and SiC in various amounts were hot-pressed at 1930 °C, achieving final relative densities above 94%. The diboride matrix of the sintered ceramics was constituted by (Zr,W)B 2 solid solution shells grown onto original ZrB 2 grains. WC phase reacted during sintering leaving W-monoboride and mixed Zr,W-carbide as secondary phases. Room temperature flexure strength ranged from 540 to 630 MPa, but performances of major significance were determined at 1500 °C in air, with values exceeding 700 MPa. SiC was vital to improve the oxidation resistance at 1500 °C compared to SiC-free ZrB 2 -based ceramic. W, encased in the shell, retarded the inward diffusion of oxygen compared to the pure ZrB 2 .
CD30 Immunohistochemical Expression In Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Is Associated With Decreased Overall Survival and The Non-Germinal Center Molecular Subtype

Background Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease entity with multiple potential prognostic biomarkers. Cell of origin (COO) molecular subtype classification using gene expression profiling with microarrays and immunohistochemical expression of CD30 have been examined as potential prognostic markers, often with conflicting results. A recent study demonstrated that patients with CD30-positive DLBCL had better prognosis compared to patients with CD30-negative DLBCL and had a distinct gene expression profile (Hu S et al. Blood. 121(14): 2715-24, 2013). In addition, due to the development of targeted therapies such as an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody drug conjugate, the identification and prognostic relevance of this biomarker has potential therapeutic impact. We evaluated CD30 expression, determined by immunohistochemistry, in a cohort of de novo DLBCL cases at our institution and examined cell of origin molecular subtype in the CD30-positive and CD30-negative groups. Design 94 adult patients with de novo DLBCL uniformly treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) as first line therapy were identified at The Cleveland Clinic. Clinical data was collected for these patients. A tissue microarray was created and stained with antibodies to CD10, CD20, CD30, BCL-6, and MUM-1. COO subtype was determined for the Hans algorithm in all cases. CD30 was considered positive when expression was seen in ≥ 20% of tumor cells. Results There were no significant differences in sex, age, IPI score, or stage between patients in the CD30-positive and CD30-negative groups. The median age of the DLBCL cohort was 63 years (range 17-91 years) with a male : female ratio of 1:1.1. 54% of patients had stage III or IV disease. Median follow-up was 58 months. 9 of 94 DLBCL samples (9.6%) were positive for CD30 by immunohistochemistry. By Kaplan-Meier analysis, the CD30-positive cases showed a decreased overall survival compared to the CD30-negative cases ([Figure 1][1], p=0.044). Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model confirmed that CD30 expression was independent of IPI and a significant factor for overall survival (hazard ratio = 3.05; 95% confidence interval = 1.12-8.30; p = 0.0291). All 9 of the CD30-positive DLBCL samples were of the non-germinal center B-cell-like (NGC) subtype using the Hans immunohistochemical algorithm, which was significantly more than the CD30-negative samples (42/85) (p = 0.003). ![Figure][2] Conclusion CD30 expression was associated with poor prognosis in our cohort, in contrast to recent studies. However, CD30 expression was highly associated with the NGC subtype of DLBCL and might contribute to the pathogenesis of these lymphomas through NF-κB activation. Given the poor prognosis of NGC DLBCLs, targeting CD30 in DLBCL should be explored. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. [1]: #F1 [2]: pending:yes
Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiotoxic Effects of Cancer Therapy

Patients with cancer can present with difficult management issues, as the medicine can sometimes cause sequelae destructive to healthy tissue. As this population lives longer, cardiotoxic effects are beginning to emerge, but the early recognition of this signal can prove difficult, with too late a recognition leading to lifelong cardiac impairment and dysfunction. Cardio-oncology can bridge this difficulty, and echocardiography and its newer imaging abilities are proving efficacious in this population. This article will address common sequelae of cardiotoxic treatment regimens and offer recommendations for echocardiographic surveillance. We recommend echocardiography, preferably three-dimensional and strain imaging, to monitor for cardiotoxic myocardial effects before, during, and after chemotherapy with cardiotoxic drug regimens, particularly anthracycline derivatives. A reduction in left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain in all patients, or reduction in LV global circumferential strain or global radial strain in patients at intermediate to high risk for cardiotoxicity, despite normal LV ejection fraction warrants a clinical assessment on the benefits of continuing cardiotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. Lifelong surveillance using echocardiography for cardiotoxicity and radiation-related valvular, pericardial, and coronary artery disease is prudent.
An integrated device to convert carbon dioxide to energy

Abstract A device was constructed that converts dissolved carbon dioxide to power. In a central reservoir this device wholly contains the electrochemical conversion cycle of carbonate to formate and formate to carbonate. At one end of the reservoir is a cation exchange membrane containing Sn and Pt catalysts to reduce carbonate and oxidize water, respectively. At the other end is an anion exchange membrane containing Pd and Pt catalysts to oxidize formate and reduce oxygen, respectively (the direct formate fuel cell). The electrochemical reduction of carbonate produced 54 mM formate after 15 min. The formate produced within this device produced a power density of 2 mW cm−2. The overall efficiency of a 15 min run of this device was 40%. This device represents a two order of magnitude increase in the time efficiency with which carbonate is reduced to formate compared with the first reported device that converts carbon dioxide to power.
Glucose challenge test screening for prediabetes and early diabetes

Aims To test the hypothesis that a 50-g oral glucose challenge test with 1-h glucose measurement would have superior performance compared with other opportunistic screening methods. Methods In this prospective study in a Veterans Health Administration primary care clinic, the following test performances, measured by area under receiver-operating characteristic curves, were compared: 50-g oral glucose challenge test; random glucose; and HbA1c level, using a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test as the ‘gold standard’. Results The study population was comprised of 1535 people (mean age 56 years, BMI 30.3 kg/m2, 94% men, 74% black). By oral glucose tolerance test criteria, diabetes was present in 10% and high-risk prediabetes was present in 22% of participants. The plasma glucose challenge test provided area under receiver-operating characteristic curves of 0.85 (95% CI 0.78–0.91) to detect diabetes and 0.76 (95% CI 0.72–0.80) to detect high-risk dysglycaemia (diabetes or high-risk prediabetes), while area under receiver-operating characteristic curves for the capillary glucose challenge test were 0.82 (95% CI 0.75–0.89) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.69–0.77) for diabetes and high-risk dysglycaemia, respectively. Random glucose performed less well [plasma: 0.76 (95% CI 0.69–0.82) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.62–0.71), respectively; capillary: 0.72 (95% CI 0.65–0.80) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.59–0.68), respectively], and HbA1c performed even less well [0.67 (95% CI 0.57–0.76) and 0.63 (95% CI 0.58–0.68), respectively]. The cost of identifying one case of high-risk dysglycaemia with a plasma glucose challenge test would be $42 from a Veterans Health Administration perspective, and $55 from a US Medicare perspective. Conclusions Glucose challenge test screening, followed, if abnormal, by an oral glucose tolerance test, would be convenient and more accurate than other opportunistic tests. Use of glucose challenge test screening could improve management by permitting earlier therapy.
The product release interface: environment and concerns

The IBM early manufacturing involvement (EMI) strategy, which was introduced in response to increasing pressure for the faster development and release to manufacturing of more complex products, which has altered the way the different members of the product-release community interact. Discussed in this work, from the viewpoint of the IBM East Fishkill product-release organization, is the impact that the EMI strategy has had on: (1) the interface between product release and the external organizations which use the product release system; (2) the systems and activities within product release; and (3) the interaction between humans and systems in a product-release environment. Additionally, the product-release issues raised by EMI and the emphasis on more quickly releasing products into manufacturing are discussed. >
Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy of Two-Dimensional Materials Beyond Graphene

Starting with the discovery of graphene in 2004, the interest in two-dimensional materials since then has been exponentially growing. Across many disciplines, their exceptional electrical, chemical, thermal, and optical properties have drawn considerable attention that has created an entire field within a decade of their discovery. Driven by the mechanical exfoliation technique that allows for the quick exploration of these two-dimensional materials and their novel devices, joint efforts have been made in order to understand and exploit their potential, consequently leading to the development of their large-scale growth. This review focuses on recent studies using ultrafast laser spectroscopy that have revealed the photocarrier dynamics in two-dimensional materials and laid the foundation of their behavior. We provide a brief introduction on ultrafast laser spectroscopy, discuss several aspects of the photocarrier dynamics, and conclude with our perspective on future developments.
Observations on Nesting and Clutch Size in Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet's Chameleon) in South Florida

Abstract We studied an established population of Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet's Chameleon) in southeastern Florida to understand aspects of reproductive biology in this nonnative species. Reproduction of Oustalet's Chameleon had not been documented in the field in Florida, and limited information is available about its reproduction in its native range. We conducted surveys from July 2011 to October 2012 in the Persea americana (Avocado) grove where this species was introduced in Miami-Dade County, FL. During these surveys, we removed more than 430 chameleons. We encountered 23 gravid females from June to October. Mean clutch size was 42.3 eggs, and we recorded a new maximum clutch size of 72 eggs. Utilizing radio-telemetry, we were able to track a gravid female to a nest cavity, and herein describe the first Oustalet's Chameleon nest in Florida. Our findings suggest that management for eradication of the species should include ongoing surveys, with removal efforts intensified from June to October, when fe...