cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Projection based SPECT uniformity correction

1763 Objectives: Uniformity artifacts may occur unexpected on clinical SPECT studies after it is too late for conventional correction. The objective of this investigation was to develop and evaluate a method for SPECT uniformity correction using only the acquired projection images. Methods: Because the uniformity pattern is superimposed on every projection, it gets positively reinforced when all the projections from a detector are summed, while the projection data itself is distributed across the summed frame. Typically the uniformity pattern has high spatial frequency components while the summed projection image is dominated by low frequencies. A 2 dimensional Butterworth filter with a cutoff of 0.1 Nyquist and an order of 4 is applied to the summed image to remove the uniformity pattern. When the summed image is divided by the filtered summed image, the uniformity correction image is obtained. The method was tested by simulating projections from a uniform cylinder of activity with a known, non-uniform pattern. Poisson noise was added to the projections scaled to a maximum of 25 and 100 counts in a single projection view. The projections were reconstructed with and without the projection-based uniformity correction. The method was also applied to clinical studies. Results: The uniformity artifacts were quantified over 124 axial slices by the mean counts in a region located at the center of the phantom. For the uncorrected SPECT images, the mean region counts varied with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 15% with a maximum difference of 50% from the mean. In the corrected study, the CV of the mean region counts was less than 4% and the maximum difference from the mean was 12%. Similar reduction in artifact was obtained in clinical studies. Conclusions: Post acquisition uniformity correction can significantly reduce SPECT artifacts. Although it is preferrable to use conventional flood correction methods, this approach may prove useful in cases where an accurate flood correction is not available and the study can not be repeated.
Abstract 2934: Cucurbitacin D enhances the therapeutic efficacy of docetaxel via targeting cancer stem cells and miR-145

Background: Docetaxel (DTX) is an FDA approved drug for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PrCa). However, chemo-resistance and toxicity limits its use in clinic. Accumulating evidence suggests that activation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is one of the mechanisms leading to developing chemo-resistance Therefore, identification of new pharmacophores that can target CSCs may improve the therapeutic efficacy of docetaxel for the treatment of advanced PrCa. Cucurbitacin D is one of the potent analogues of cucurbitacin and has shown several health benefits including anti-cancer activity. Herein, we report that Cucurbitacin D augments the therapeutic efficacy of DTX via modulating CSCs and miR-145. Methods: Prostate cancer stem cells (pCSCs) were used as a model system to investigate the effect of Cucurbitacin D alone or in combination with docetaxel. Effect of Cucurbitacin D was evaluated on cell growth by MTS and xCELLigence assays and apoptosis induction was evaluated by flow cytometry. Colony formation assay was performed to investigate the effect of Cucurbitacin D on clonogenic potential of pCSCs cells. Effect of Cucurbitacin D on key oncogenic molecules was analyzed by Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses. To investigate the therapeutic and chemo-sensitization effect of Cucurbitacin D, we performed xenograft study using pCSCs. Results: Our results demonstrated that Cucurbitacin D potentiates the therapeutic effect of docetaxel in pCSCs. Cucurbitacin D treatment significantly inhibited growth and clonogenic potential. Moreover, Cucurbitacin D effectively sensitized the effect of docetaxel as analyzed by significant (P Conclusion: Our findings suggest that cucurbitacin D is a novel agent and has great promise to improve the therapeutic efficacy of docetaxel. Thus, cucurbitacin could be a novel therapeutic modality for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Citation Format: Mohammed Sikander, Shabnam Malik, Bilal Bin Hafeez, Hassan Mandil, Fathi T. Halaweish, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chauhan. Cucurbitacin D enhances the therapeutic efficacy of docetaxel via targeting cancer stem cells and miR-145 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2934.
Benralizumab, an add-on treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma: Evaluation of exacerbations, emergency department visits, lung function, and oral corticosteroid use

There are now multiple monoclonal antibodies targeting different inflammatory pathways of severe asthma. Benralizumab is a recently approved monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma by targeting a subunit of the IL-5 receptor. Treatment with benralizumab results in significant reductions of blood and tissue eosinophils. Early studies report that this therapy has an adequate safety profile, and this was confirmed in later trials. Phase III studies have shown that benralizumab is effective in reducing the rate of exacerbations and improving asthma symptoms and quality of life in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Additionally, treatment with benralizumab has resulted in important reductions in the use of chronic oral corticosteroids. In this review, we evaluate the evidence up to date on the efficacy of benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma and explore the implications of this therapy in the ever-growing landscape of therapies for severe asthma.
53BP1 nuclear body-marked replication stress in a human mammary cell model of BRCA2 deficiency

Abstract BRCA2 deficiency causes genome instability and breast and ovarian cancer predisposition, but also paradoxically promotes cell lethality. The nature of the acute, detrimental consequences of BRCA2 loss is not fully understood. We recently generated BRCA2 conditional models from a non-transformed human mammary cell line, through allele-specific gene targeting using CRISPR-Cas9, which we now describe. With these models, we discovered that BRCA2 deficiency triggers a DNA under replication-53BP1 nuclear body formation-G1 arrest axis due to homologous recombination defects. In this Extra-view, we extend these findings to show that 53BP1 nuclear bodies are spatially linked with downstream p53 activation. Replication stress that leads to common fragile site expression to induce 53BP1 nuclear body formation is aggravated by the loss of BRCA2. Additionally, replication stress that does not selectively lead to common fragile site expression is also able to induce 53BP1 nuclear body formation in BRCA2-deficient cells, indicating lesions form more globally throughout the genome. Furthermore, compromising replication fork reversal by SMARCAL1 depletion restores replication fork protection but does not diminish the high replication stress in the BRCA2-deficient cells, further emphasizing that fork protection plays a minor role in these cells. These results further elucidate the causes and consequences of replication stresses in the face of BRCA2 inactivation, providing insight into the barriers that need to be overcome for cells to become tumorigenic.
Variations in Insurance Policies Regarding Adherence to the AGA Guideline for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in IBD

Background:The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) published guidelines on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in August 2017 recommending use of reactive TDM to guide treatment changes in patients with active IBD who are being treated with anti-tumor nec
Intervene: Modeling Pro-Social Bystander Behavior in College Students through Online Video.

This study evaluates the impact of a theory- and empirical evidence- based 20-minute video, Intervene, on college students’ intentions to intervene on behalf of others in multiple problematic situa...
Multi-item Measures of Tobacco Health Perceptions: A Review

Objective: In this paper, we review multi-item measures of tobacco risk perceptions and health beliefs, describe the measures' content and quality, and identify measure development opportunities. Methods: We identified 110 articles that included measures assessing perceptions of tobacco's health effects by combining multiple items into a score. We coded measures' provenance (newly developed vs built on prior measures), content, consistency with risk-perception researcher recommendations (eg, specifying use conditions), samples used, and reliability and validity. Results: Most measures were newly developed or built on the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire. Few measures assessed perceptions of non-cigarette products, and some health harms rarely were assessed. Few measures specified product use conditions. Over half of studies assessed reliability, which was typically high. Most assessed validity by comparing scores by use status, finding mixed results. Conclusions: Several measures of cigarette risk perceptions included a range of health effects and demonstrated reliability and validity, though they had other shortcomings (eg, they did not specify conditions of use). Researchers could help address gaps in measuring tobacco health perceptions by developing quality consensus measures for non-cigarette products, assessing a range of perceived health effects, assessing perceptions relative to other products, specifying use conditions, and showing multiple types of validity in diverse subpopulations.
Perianal abscesses and fistulas. A study of 1023 patients.

In a five and one-half year period, 1023 patients with anorectal abscesses and fistulas were treated. Under regional anesthesia the abscesses were unroofed and debrided and a primary fistulotomy was performed whenever a low fistula was identified. In 355 (34.7 per cent) an internal fistulous opening was demonstrated at the time of abscess drainage. Thirty-two patients had suprashincteric fistulas and underwent two-stage fistulotomy using a seton. Perianal abscesses were encountered in 42.7 per cent of the patients, followed by ischiorectal (22.7 per cent), intersphincteric (21.4 per cent), and supralevator (7.33 per cent). The patients with supralevator and intersphincteric abscesses had a high incidence of fistula identified during abscess drainage. The recurrence rates were 3.7 per cent in the group with abscess drainage only and 1.8 per cent in the group that had primary fistulotomy along with abscess drainage. The follow-up period averaged 36 months. To accomplish adequate drainage and identify the deeper components and associated fistulous opening (34.7 per cent of the entire group), careful examination under regional anesthesia is recommended. Early aggressive treatment of an anorectal abscess and fistula significantly reduces the possibility of recurrent abscesses and/or the need for further surgery.
Harmony in Wood: Furniture of the Harmony Society by Philip D. Zimmerman (review)

In this beautifully illustrated and impeccably researched study, Philip Zimmerman breaks exciting new ground in his exploration of Harmonist furniture. Followers of nineteenth-century German mystic and visionary George Rapp, Harmonists have not received the same scholarly attention for their furniture as their utopian contemporaries the Shakers and Zoarites. Like those communities, the Harmonists developed a distinctive style over the first half of the nineteenth century that blended locally available resources, communal needs, and traditional ethnic forms and construction practices. The result is a body of work that is stylistically innovative, fundamentally functional, and often aesthetically pleasing.
Biopsy Marker Standardization: What's in a Name?

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this study were to compile mammographic images in various projections showing commercially available breast biopsy site markers and to provide a standardized nomenclature...
Dose-dependent effects of lifestyle interventions on blood lipid levels: Results from the PREMIER trial

Abstract Objective To assess the effects of comprehensive lifestyle modification on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and whether greater participation in counseling sessions was associated with greater LDL-C reductions. Methods Multicenter trial of Pre- or Stage 1 hypertensive adults randomized to: (1)Advice alone, (2)‘Established’ lifestyle intervention implementing physical activity, sodium reduction, and weight loss, if overweight, or (3)‘Established + DASH’ lifestyle intervention with DASH diet counseling. Both intervention groups received behavioral counseling. We used generalized estimating equations to model the intervention’s effects on lipid outcomes. Analyses of number of sessions and lipids were adjusted for demographics and medical history. Results Among 756 participants (mean age 49.7, 63.2% women, 34.7% black), both lifestyle interventions reduced LDL-C, triglycerides, and total cholesterol (TC) at six months. Compared to the ‘Advice’ arm, net mean lipid changes in the Established group were: LDL-C of -5.6 mg/dL (p=0.001) and TC of -7.3 mg/dL (p Conclusions Comprehensive lifestyle modification lowers LDL-C with greater benefit among persons who attend more counseling sessions. Practice Implications Patient engagement is a critical aspect of effective lifestyle interventions.
Inhibition of Aflatoxin Formation in Aspergillus Species by Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Seed Stilbenoids in the Course of Peanut–Fungus Interaction

Common soil fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, are opportunistic pathogens that invade preharvest peanut seeds. These fungi often produce carcinogenic aflatoxins that pose a threat to human and animal health through food chains and cause significant economic losses worldwide. Detection of aflatoxins and further processing of crops are mandated to ensure that contaminated agricultural products do not enter food channels. Under favorable conditions, the fungus-challenged peanut seeds produce phytoalexins, structurally related stilbenoids, capable of retarding fungal development. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential influence of peanut phytoalexins on fungal development and aflatoxin formation in the course of peanut-fungus interaction. The present research revealed that during such interaction, aflatoxin formation was completely suppressed in A. flavus and A. parasiticus strains tested, when low concentrations of spores were introduced to wounded preincubated peanuts. In most of the experiments, when fungal spore concentrations were 2 orders of magnitude higher, the spores germinated and produced aflatoxins. Of all experimental seeds that showed fungal growth, 57.7% were aflatoxin-free after 72 h of incubation. The research provided new knowledge on the aflatoxin/phytoalexin formation in the course of peanut-fungus interaction.
Inter Partes Review Estoppel: The Patent Law Tug-of-War

Inter partes review estoppel has violated the principles of traditional res judicata since its inception. For the first several years of its life, IPR estoppel served to preserve a petitioner’s ability to harass patent owners and repetitively attempt to invalidate patents. Following SAS in 2018, IPR estoppel began to reverse course. The courts that once were allowing patent owner abuse are now limiting it with a broad application of IPR estoppel. However, this broad application of IPR estoppel is a soft claim preclusion that allows many exceptions behind the principles of res judicata. Furthermore, the PTAB allows petitioners to file numerous IPR petitions and does not enforce estoppel until a final written decision is issued to which the petitioner is a real party in interest. This practice likewise allows the harassment of patent owners and violates the principles of res judicata. To resolve the inter partes review estoppel problems, Congress must reintroduce the principles of res judicata with exceptions only where patent litigation absolutely requires it. Such an analysis leads to the conclusion that by enacting only the petitioner standing requirement and the estoppel provisions of the STRONGER Patents Act of 2019, IPR estoppel would achieve a balance equitable to patent owners and petitioners alike. These two provisions do well to support the principles of res judicata, grant adequate leeway where patent litigation requires it, yet still provide claim preclusion strong enough to avoid abuse. The doctrine of res judicata does not need reinventing for 21st century patent litigation—it merely needs reintegration.
Effects of response cost magnitude on resurgence of human operant behavior.

Abstract Extensive research has been dedicated to the study of resurgence following extinction and differential reinforcement of alternative behavior. Less is known about the effects of punishment on resurgence. This study extended previous research by examining whether the magnitude of response cost punishment affects resurgence of human operant behavior. College students engaged in a computer task using the three-phase resurgence procedure where points were used to reinforce target (Phase 1) or alternative (Phase 2) behavior. Across three groups, Phase 2 contingencies for the target response were manipulated. In one group, only extinction was implemented. In the other two groups, response cost was also implemented. Response cost was equal to or double the number of points that could be gained for alternative responding. Resurgence was similar in Phase 3 across the three groups, demonstrating that neither the addition nor the magnitude of punishment differentially affected response recovery under these conditions. Future research should examine other parameters of punishment (e.g., delay, schedule) and how these variables interact with different parameters of alternative reinforcement to increase our understanding of the conditions under which resurgence may be exacerbated or minimized.
COVID 19: A Stressor for Both the Patient and the Anesthesiologist.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has created not only widespread morbidity and mortality, but a myriad of social, financial, and psychological stressors. In this setting, the medical community has seen a substantial increase in the incidences of cardiac morbidity and mortality, and, therefore, anesthesiologists should expect a higher incidence in the perioperative period. In this E-Challenge, the authors present a patient in whom an acute cardiac decompensation occurred secondary to an unanticipated difficult intubation, with an unexpected echocardiographic finding.
Reliability Enhancement of High Voltage Power Transformer Using Online Oil Dehydration

Electrical system reliability is highly dependent on power transformers performance. Yet the transformer reliability is highly impacted by its cooling medium and the contaminants within the cooling medium. These contaminants account for roughly 15% of transformer failures. Contaminants such as water can be harmful to the transformer, will reduce its reliability, and, consequently, the electrical system reliability. Therefore, moisture must be eliminated from the cooling medium as well as the insulation paper of the transformer. In this paper, an online oil drying system technology is implemented on a 69/13.8 kV transformer with more than 35 years in service. The technology removes moistures from transformer’s oil and the winding insulation paper. This paper also illustrate the working principle of this technology. The importance of this technology comes from the fact that the drying process is conducted while the power transformer is in service. Hence, no outage is required. The ultimate purpose of transformer dehydration is to increase the transformer reliability and extend its service life. This paper analyzes the performance of the online dehydration technology and compares it to offline methods. Actual oil analysis results show that this dehydration system reduced the water content in the insulation medium by 29%.
Argus: Debugging Performance Issues in Modern Desktop Applications with Annotated Causal Tracing.

Modern desktop applications involve many asynchronous, concurrent interactions that make performance issues difficult to diagnose. Although prior work has used causal tracing for debugging performance issues in distributed systems, we find that these techniques suffer from high inaccuracies for desktop applications. We present Argus, a fast, effective causal tracing tool for debugging performance anomalies in desktop applications. Argus introduces a novel notion of strong and weak edges to explicitly model and annotate trace graph ambiguities, a new beam-search-based diagnosis algorithm to select the most likely causal paths in the presence of ambiguities, and a new way to compare causal paths across normal and abnormal executions. We have implemented Argus across multiple versions of macOS and evaluated it on 12 infamous spinning pinwheel issues in popular macOS applications. Argus diagnosed the root causes for all issues, 10 of which were previously unknown, some of which have been open for several years. Argus incurs less than 5% CPU overhead when its system-wide tracing is enabled, making always-on tracing feasible.
Clothing Selection and the Visually Impaired Consumer

A study to gain an understanding of the decision-making process employed by blind and visually impaired consumers in clothing selection and of the problems these consumers face in the retail market...
Focal Cryoablation of Image-Localized Prostate Cancer

Focal cryoablation of localized prostate cancer can offer patients superior genitourinary functional outcomes in terms of preservation of urinary continence and potency compared with radical whole-...
Van der Waals density functional study of hydrocarbon adsorption and separation in metal–organic frameworks without open metal sites

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have received significant attention thanks to their promising features in the storage and separation of guest molecules. MOFs without open metal sites are emerging as they are often less susceptible to poisoning compared to those with open metal sites. However, a complete understanding of the binding and gas separation mechanisms in such materials is still missing. In this work, we perform a comparative study of two classes of vanadium-based MOFs without open metal sites: MFM-300-V $$^\text{(III)}$$ and MFM-300-V $$^\text{(IV)}$$ , as well as MIL-47-V $$^\text{(III)}$$ and MIL-47-V $$^\text{(IV)}$$ . We employ first-principles van der Waals density functional theory to find the optimal binding conformations and binding energies of a series of small hydrocarbons within the pores of the aforementioned MOFs. Our study provides insight into the host–guest interactions in such MOFs without open metal sites, especially the role played by the bridging hydroxyl group ( $$\mu _2$$ –OH). We conclude that the bridging –OH group acts as a pseudo open metal site in these MOFs.
SU‐E‐P‐15: Technique Factor Modulation and Reference Plane Air Kerma Rates in Response to Simulated Patient Thickness Variations for a Sample of Current Generation Fluoroscopes

Purpose: To evaluate and compare approaches to technique factor modulation and air kerma rates in response to simulated patient thickness variations for four state-of-the-art and one previous-generation interventional fluoroscopes. Methods: A polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom was used as a tissue surrogate for the purposes of determining fluoroscopic reference plane air kerma rates, kVp, mA, and spectral filtration over a wide range of simulated tissue thicknesses. Data were acquired for each fluoroscopic and acquisition dose curve within a default abdomen or body imaging protocol. Results: The data obtained indicated vendor- and model-specific variations in the approach to technique factor modulation and reference plane air kerma rates across a range of tissue thicknesses. Some vendors have made hardware advances increasing the radiation output capabilities of their fluoroscopes; this was evident in the acquisition air kerma rates. However, in the imaging protocol evaluated, all of the state-of-the-art systems had relatively low air kerma rates in the fluoroscopic low-dose imaging mode as compared to the previous-generation unit. Each of the newest-generation systems also employ copper filtration in the selected protocol in the acquisition mode of imaging; this is a substantial benefit, reducing the skin entrance dose to the patient in the highest dose-rate modemore » of fluoroscope operation. Conclusion: Understanding how fluoroscopic technique factors are modulated provides insight into the vendor-specific image acquisition approach and provides opportunities to optimize the imaging protocols for clinical practice. The enhanced radiation output capabilities of some of the fluoroscopes may, under specific conditions, may be beneficial; however, these higher output capabilities also have the potential to lead to unnecessarily high dose rates. Therefore, all parties involved in imaging, including the clinical team, medical physicists, and imaging vendors, must work together to ensure that adequate but not excessive radiation doses are used.« less
tRNA synthetase: tRNA Aminoacylation and beyond

The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are prominently known for their classic function in the first step of protein synthesis, where they bear the responsibility of setting the genetic code. Each enzyme is exquisitely adapted to covalently link a single standard amino acid to its cognate set of tRNA isoacceptors. These ancient enzymes have evolved idiosyncratically to host alternate activities that go far beyond their aminoacylation role and impact a wide range of other metabolic pathways and cell signaling processes. The family of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases has also been suggested as a remarkable scaffold to incorporate new domains that would drive evolution and the emergence of new organisms with more complex function. Because they are essential, the tRNA synthetases have served as pharmaceutical targets for drug and antibiotic development. The recent unfolding of novel important functions for this family of proteins offers new and promising pathways for therapeutic development to treat diverse human diseases.
In the Station House After Dickerson

Author(s): Weisselberg, Charles D. | Abstract: The article explores law enforcement compliance with Miranda in the wake of Dickerson and other recent cases. During the past decade, police officers in California have been taught that Miranda establishes a non-constitutional rule of evidence that police are free to disregard to obtain impeachment statements or other evidence. The practice has become so well established in California that it has acquired its own moniker, questioning "outside Miranda." By placing Miranda on a secure constitutional footing, Dickerson seems to undercut the theory that supports this practice. This article collects training materials used by police departments to explain the holding in Dickerson and recent decisions from the California Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals. The article concludes that the prospect of civil rights liability may, more than Dickerson, lead officers to comply with Miranda, though the practice of violating Miranda will only end if supervisors in the different police departments inculcate a culture of respect for Miranda.
Purification and properties of deacetoxycephalosporin C synthase from recombinant Escherichia coli and its comparison with the native enzyme purified from Streptomyces clavuligerus.

Abstract A putatively rate-limiting synthase (expandase) of Streptomyces clavuligerus was stabilized in vitro and purified 46-fold from cell-free extracts; a major enriched protein with a Mr of 35,000 was further purified by electrophoretic elution. Based on a 22-residue amino-terminal sequence of the protein, the synthase gene of S. clavuligerus was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli (Kovacevic, S., Weigel, B.J., Tobin, M.B., Ingolia, T.D., and Miller, J. R. (1989) J. Bacteriol. 171, 754-760). The synthase protein was detected mainly from granules of recombinant E. coli. The recombinant synthase was solubilized from the granules by urea, and for the first time a highly active synthase was purified to near homogeneity. The synthase was a monomer with a Mr of 34,600 and exhibited two isoelectric points of 6.1 and 5.3. Its catalytic activity required alpha-ketoglutarate, Fe2+, and O2, was stimulated by dithiothreitol or ascorbate but not by ATP, and was optimal at pH 7.0 in 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid buffer and at 36 degrees C. The Fe2+ requirement was specific, and at least one sulfhydryl group in the purified enzyme was apparently essential for the ring expansion. The Km values of the enzyme for penicillin N and alpha-ketoglutarate were 29 and 18 microM, respectively, and the Ka for Fe2+ was 8 microM. The recombinant synthase was indistinguishable from the native synthase of S. clavuligerus by those biochemical properties. In addition to the enzymic ring expansion of penicillin N to deacetoxycephalosporin C, the recombinant synthase catalyzed a novel hydroxylation of 3-exomethylenecephalosporin C to deacetylcephalosporin C.
PUM I Revisited: Tradeoffs in Preservation and Discovery

An Egyptian mummy designated PUM I (Pennsylvania University Museum) was subjected to a complete autopsy in 1972. Forty-one years later, the senior author (MZ) was invited back to the Penn Museum to identify several packages of material that had been preserved with the mummy joining the project conservator (MG) in the evaluation of these remains. A summary of the 1972 examination reviews the dating of the mummy, about 3,000 years ago. The mummy was poorly preserved and the only significant pathology was a rare skin disease, subcorneal pustular dermatosis, which was not identified by modern medicine until 1956. The review of PUM 1, as the mummy is stabilized during conservation at the Penn Museum (previously called the Pennsylvania University Museum), generates a discussion for researchers who embark on the study of mummified remains. There have been major advances in the study of mummies since 1972, including computed tomography (CT) scanning, with much less invasive endoscopically guided biopsies, analysis for ancient DNA (aDNA), nuclear magnetic resonance technology, chemical analysis, and paleoserology. The value of complete autopsy must now be balanced against preservation of a complete mummy by less invasive techniques that are tissue sampled through guided technology. Indeed it is unlikely that these regions of the skin of PUM 1 would have been sampled and studied if these new tools of analysis had been available and applied. Anat Rec, 298:949–953, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic conflicts and the private life of Peromyscus polionotus.

One might think that the question whether a female Peromyscus polionotus has sexual relations with more than one partner is nobody's affair but her own. Hurst1, however, argues that the coexistence of partner fidelity with genomic imprinting in P. polionotus2 adds to evidence contradicting the 'conflict hypothesis', which states genomic imprinting has evolved because of the conflicting interests of maternal and paternal genomes3, 4.
An SMC Perspective on Big Data: A Disruptive Innovation to Embrace

In 2015, it is projected that about 7.5 zettabytes (ZB, or 1021 B) of digital data are being generated worldwide by everything from underground physics experiments to retail transactions to security cameras to global positioning systems. In the United States, major research programs are being funded to deal with Big Data in all five sectors (i.e., services, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and mining) of the economy. Big Data is a term applied to data sets whose size is beyond the ability of available tools to undertake their acquisition, access, analytics, and/or application in a reasonable amount of time.
The Separable Approximation in Multichannel Electron-Molecule Collisions

In this talk we will formulate the separable approximation for calculating electron-molecule scattering completely generally.
Metal-Metal Superlattices

An introduction to metal-metal superlattices is presented, along with a brief review of some of the materials which have been made, and phenomena which have been observed so far. We describe in detail the results of a number of structural characterization techniques applied to these materials, including Bragg θ-2θ x-ray diffraction, transmission and reflection Laue diffraction, wide film Debye-Scherrer diffraction, Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). Particular emphasis is placed on recent results obtained with Ta/Mo superlattices produced by sputtering techniques.
Improved Ability to Characterize Recruitment of Gray Snapper in Three Florida Estuaries along the Gulf of Mexico through Targeted Sampling of Polyhaline Seagrass Beds

AbstractEstuarine-dependent Gray Snapper Lutjanus griseus support extensive recreational fisheries in estuarine and coastal waters throughout the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Multiyear fisheries-independent monitoring data collected in three Florida estuaries can be used to estimate the strength of juvenile Gray Snapper recruitment, which has been critical to assessments of other fish populations. Earlier evaluation of these data indicated that Gray Snapper inhabit polyhaline seagrass beds, which are underrepresented in ongoing monitoring efforts. During this study, in addition to the routine monitoring of shorelines and channel habitats, sampling of shoal and deepwater polyhaline seagrass habitats was implemented using 183-m haul seines and 6.1-m otter trawls. The incorporation of polyhaline seagrass surveys from 2008 through 2011 allowed a more thorough sampling of the Gray Snapper population, resulting in improved catch rates, increased frequency of occurrence, and a substantial reduction of the coefficient...
The effect of chloramphenicol on the production of cyanophycin granule polypeptide in the blue green alga Anabaena cylindrica.

The cyanophycin or structured granule of the blue-green algae is composed of polypeptides which are copolymers of aspartic acid and arginine. The addition of chloramphenicol to an exponentially growing culture of the blue-green alga Anabaena cylindrica at concentrations which completely inhibit protein synthesis results both in the inhibition of growth and in the accumulation of the cyanophycin granule polypeptide (CGP). The chloramphenicol induced increase in CGP content is energy dependent. Removal of the chloramphenicol results in resumption of growth and the hydrolysis of the stored CGP. The data presented indicate that CGP is synthesized via a non-ribosomal system and are consistent with the idea that CGP serves as a cellular nitrogen reserve.
Fluorescence properties of the Ca2+,Mg2(+)-ATPase protein of sarcoplasmic reticulum labeled with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole.

The fluorescence intensity of the Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase protein of rabbit skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum that incorporated about 2 mol of 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1, 3-diazole (NBD-Cl) was enhanced at high MgATP concentrations with or without 50 μM calcium. The observed enhancement indicates that the fluorophore, NBD-Cl, can detect conformational changes in the ATPase protein.
Wind measurement accuracy of the NOAA pulsed infrared Doppler lidar.

Wind fields measured with a pulsed infrared (CO2) Doppler lidar are compared with measurements by in situ anemometers, balloons, and radar. Radial winds were measured at slant ranges between 1.5 and 12 km during the various comparisons. The standard deviation of the differences between the lidar and the other measurement methods varied from 0.34 m sec−1 for sonic anemometer comparisons to 2.5 m sec−1 for balloon methods. Differences may be due to an inherent difficulty in comparing spatial and temporal averages of winds.
Design of Robust Stochastic Controller for Stabilizing Queues of TCP/AQM System

In this article, a robust stochastic controller is designed analytically using the linearized fluid flow model of TCP/AQM behavior. The stability criteria found is delay dependent. The control law is obtained as a solution of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and not only asymptotically stabilizes the queue size to the desired operating point, but also guarantees the robust stability of network against the linearization error in estimating round-trip time delay. The performance of the proposed controller is verified and compared with the PI and ARED AQM schemes using the NS-2 simulator. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme has better performance and robustness than PI and ARED controllers with faster response, smaller overshoot and less bias.
Crystal Structure Refinements of Zircon-Type MVO4 (M = Sc, Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)

Abstract Improved structural parameters for the lanthanide orthovanadates (including also YVO 4 and ScVO 4 and new results for PrVO 4 , TmVO 4 , and the LuVO 4 end members) have been determined by employing a full-profile Rietveld structure analysis of neutron powder-diffraction data. High-quality powders of the zircon-type MV O 4 vanadates were prepared by a homogeneous coprecipitation in molten urea. The zircon structure has space group symmetry I 4 1 / amd , Z = 4, with 3 atoms occupying the asymmetric unit. In all, 22 parameters were refined with final agreement values of R p = 0.0313-0.0421, R wp = 0.0361-0.0511, and G-of-F = 1.210-1.962. The average V-O bond length for all of the MVO 4 samples is 1.709(2) A, and the V-O distance exhibits a small systematic shortening with decreasing M atom size. The oxygen positional parameters, the cell dimensions, and the M -O distances vary systematically with the metal-ion atomic number. The anisotropic thermal motion of the oxygen atom has the largest amplitude normal to the shared polyhedral edge between the VO 4 tetrahedron and M O 8 bisdisphenoid. Empirical relations are given for the cell dimensions and oxygen atom position as a function of the size of the lanthanide ion which can be used to estimate structural parameters for other zircon-type lanthanide vanadate end-members and vanadate solid solutions.
Recognition criterion for two-dimensional minimum resolvable temperature difference

Performance models based on two-dimensional MRTD have been used in the industry for several years. The new C2NVEO thermal imaging model, FLIR90, has been available for almost a year now, and also uses a 2-D MRTD to predict range performance. A two- dimensional MRTD, if used with the same cycle count criteria as the older static performance model, will predict different detection and recognition ranges for any given target. Based on their psychophysical studies, C2NVEO recommends that recognition criteria for the new model be 3/4 of that used with the old model. A brief derivation of the two-dimensional MRT as a measure of resolution capability is presented. The modified criteria is then justified using the rationale of the derivation. A generic common module FLIR is analyzed using both the old and new models, showing how different ranges will be predicted if the same cycle criteria for recognition and detection is used. It is then demonstrated that similar ranges are predicted if the cycle criteria for the two models are set at the ratio of 4:3. A comparison of criteria for several sensors for which actual field measurements exist is also presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The ethics of the rhetoric of teacher professionalization

Abstract The question of rhetorical grounding is ethical and ecological: rhetoric involves choice, affirmation or denial of relationships, and a re-realization of central community values. If you define yourself (or let others define you) in ways that are limiting, your actions will become limited. You will see yourself, you will ask others to see you, and you will encourage others to see you, as you speak. By ignoring the moral dimensions of teaching in favor of subject matter knowledge and pedagogical technique as rhetorical grounding for claims to be “profession,” teachers in effect choose to present themselves as lackeys.
Detection of C1 inhibitor mutations in patients with hereditary angioedema

Abstract Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) results from a deficiency in the functional level of C1 inhibitor caused by mutations in the C1 inhibitor gene. The mutations responsible for HAE have been shown to be heterogeneous. Objective: Because the identification of C1 inhibitor mutations may depend, in part, on the technique used to screen for mutations, we screened the entire C1 inhibitor coding region to identify mutations in a cohort of patients with HAE. Methods: By using single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis, 24 subjects with HAE from 16 different kindreds were screened for C1 inhibitor polymorphisms. C1 inhibitor mutations were identified by sequencing the exons containing identified polymorphisms. Results: All 24 subjects with HAE had identifiable polymorphisms, involving exons 2, 3, 4, 5, or 8. Fourteen different C1 inhibitor mutations were identified: 8 missense, 1 nonsense, 4 frameshift, and 1 small deletion mutations. No large deletions or duplications were found. Nine of the 14 mutations represent newly recognized C1 inhibitor mutations, 6 of which involve exon 4. Conclusions: Single-stranded conformational polymorphism is an effective approach for identifying new mutations in HAE. Elucidation of the range of C1 inhibitor mutations causing HAE is important for both defining which residues are required for C1 inhibitor secretion or function and providing the basis for future studies to define the relationship between the C1 inhibitor genotype and disease severity. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;105:541-6.)
The conduct and reporting of intervention studies

This commentary begins with a description of the various types of comparison or control groups that have been used in intervention studies and notes the need for researchers to meet and make recommendations about which types of comparison groups are most appropriate. I then discuss the importance of instruction and (a) present a list of instructional procedures that might be considered when evaluating or planning instruction during an intervention, (b) describe the need for researchers to provide implementation checklists for others to use, and (c) discuss the need for journals to provide fuller descriptions of the instruction in an intervention. There is also a discussion of two general problems that have emerged from reviewing this research: (a) the results obtained when standardized tests have been used in these studies are different from the results obtained when experimenter-developed comprehension tests have been used, and (b) there are no accepted procedures for deciding how many effect sizes to compute when conducting a meta-analysis when there are multiple treatment groups, multiple control groups, and multiple outcome measures.
Production of tetraploid and homozygous diploid amphibians by suppression of first cleavage

Tetraploid and genetically homozygous diploid Xenopus can be produced conveniently, in large numbers, by suppressing the first cleavage division of eggs through the application of hydrostatic pressure. The pressure-induced disruption of the mitotic spindle during the first division of a diploid zygote of the African clawed toad results in a tetraploid embryo. A homozygous diploid embryo can be derived by inhibiting the first cleavage of a parthenogenetically activated haploid egg. Both tetraploid and homozygous diploid larvae are viable and successfully undergo metamorphosis.
Enzymatic Fractionation of Carbon Isotopes by Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase from C4 Plants

The carbon atoms of glucose and malate in C4 plants are 2 to 3‰ enriched in 12C with respect to atmospheric CO2; whereas these intermediates in C3 plants are 15 to 18‰ enriched with 12C with respect to atmospheric CO2. The enzymatic synthesis of malate from phosphoenolpyruvate and bicarbonate in preparations of leaves of Sorghum bicolor, Haygrazer result in a carbon isotope fractionation of about 3‰. The enzymatic synthesis of phosphoglyceric acid from ribulose 1,5-diP and CO2 in these preparations (contaminated with carbonic anhydrase) at 24 C and 37 C result in a carbon isotope fractionation of 33.7‰ and 18.3‰, respectively. These data are consistent with the conclusion that the small enrichment of 12C in the carbon atoms of malate and glucose (with respect to atmospheric CO2) in leaves of Sorghum bicolor, Haygrazer occurs at the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase step.
Leaf Dark-Adapter for Measuring Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Situ during Daytime

Chlorophyll a fluorescence is used as an indicator of stress damage to growing plants. Plants or plant samples first must be transported to a laboratory and dark adapted. If stress (e.g., drought) has not been severe enough to permanently damage the photosynthetic apparatus, plants may recover during dark adaption and stress may not be detectable. In situ readings are more reliable. Dark adaptation takes place after the onset of total darkness. The objective of this work was to develop a device that would enable the dark adaptation of plant leaves in situ during hours when stress could occur (...)
An object-oriented approach to wind-related structural safety analysis

Abstract A structural safety assessment program has been developed using an object-oriented programming approach. Its emphasis is on structural safety for extreme wind events. The program is described in detail, along with the advantages of the object-oriented approach. Work-in-progress based upon this assessment program is outlined.
Evaluating the effect of rain on SeaWinds scatterometer measurements

[1] A simple wind/rain backscatter model is used with co-located precipitation radar (PR) data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite to evaluate the effect of rain on SeaWinds on QuikSCAT σ° observations. The model incorporates wind-induced surface scattering, the surface rain perturbation, and atmospheric rain attenuation and scattering. The co-located PR measurements afford direct computation of SeaWinds-scale averaged rain rate and atmospheric rain attenuation and scattering. An estimate of the wind-induced surface backscatter is computed via numerical weather prediction (NWP) winds. By synergistically combining the SeaWinds, NWP, and PR data, estimates of surface rain perturbation and combined surface/atmospheric scattering are made as a function of PR-derived rain rate. The scattering from rain is dominated mainly by the surface perturbation low rain rates, and by atmospheric scattering at high rain rates. The backscatter model estimates 94% of the observed rain-contaminated SeaWinds on QuikSCAT σ° values to within 3 dB. Using the model, the conditions are determined for which it is possible to estimate rain from scatterometer measurements and where wind retrieval is not possible.
Expansion of rural health care and the use of maternal services in Nepal

In order to improve living standards among the rural poor, the government of Nepal has invested heavily in improving the provision of health care services in rural areas. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of this investment on the use of maternal health care services. A bivariate probit model is used to estimate the effect of physical access to government health care services, along with individual-, household-, and other location-specific characteristics, on the use of prenatal care and birth delivery care. The results of the estimation are used to carry out policy simulations that assess the magnitude of the impact of improvements in health care availability on service utilization. The results indicate that physical access to a health care facility, as it is currently structured in rural areas, has a statistically significant but modest impact on the use of maternal services.