cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear elasticity and damping govern ultrafast dynamics in click beetles.

Many small animals use springs and latches to overcome the mechanical power output limitations of their muscles. Click beetles use springs and latches to bend their bodies at the thoracic hinge and then unbend extremely quickly, resulting in a clicking motion. When unconstrained, this quick clicking motion results in a jump. While the jumping motion has been studied in depth, the physical mechanisms enabling fast unbending have not. Here, we first identify and quantify the phases of the clicking motion: latching, loading, and energy release. We detail the motion kinematics and investigate the governing dynamics (forces) of the energy release. We use high-speed synchrotron X-ray imaging to observe and analyze the motion of the hinge’s internal structures of four Elater abruptus specimens. We show evidence that soft cuticle in the hinge contributes to the spring mechanism through rapid recoil. Using spectral analysis and nonlinear system identification, we determine the equation of motion and model the beetle as a nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom oscillator. Quadratic damping and snap-through buckling are identified to be the dominant damping and elastic forces, respectively, driving the angular position during the energy release phase. The methods used in this study provide experimental and analytical guidelines for the analysis of extreme motion, starting from motion observation to identifying the forces causing the movement. The tools demonstrated here can be applied to other organisms to enhance our understanding of the energy storage and release strategies small animals use to achieve extreme accelerations repeatedly.
A Privacy-Preserving and Overhead-Free Protocol for Direct Donations to People Impacted by COVID-19 Lockdowns

COVID-19 caused large-scale, long-lasting lockdowns in many parts of the world, which resulted in many people in need for financial or other aids. Governments, charities, and communities rushed to provide help. To complement these efforts and to provide direct assistance to individuals who may not get sufficient and/or timely assistance otherwise, we designed a privacy-preserving and overhead-free protocol named "Fireside Help" for matching donors and people-in-need. This protocol aims to provide maximum privacy protection. Only the assigned volunteer verifiers can know about details of the applications from people-in-need and the donations from the donors that they verified. No one else, including the Fireside Help system itself, can gain any knowledge beyond digital checksums and information intentionally made public. This protocol uses proven, free, and widely available hash functions such as SHA-256, SHA-1, or MD- 5 to ensure the integrity of the system without revealing private information. The protocol was designed initially to help students in Wuhan, China, the very first city to lock down. Later, it was revised to help anyone around the world who has been impacted by COVID-19. Several real-world transactions were completed in the system that demonstrated its utility and robustness.
Kirkendall pore evolution during interdiffusion and homogenization of titanium-coated nickel microwires

Abstract In-situ and ex-situ X-ray 3D-tomography is used to characterize the microstructure of Ni microwires, with wire diameters spanning 25–100 μm, (i) after vapor-phase deposition of Ti onto their surface and (ii) after subsequent homogenization to achieve the near-equiatomic NiTi composition desired for shape-memory or superelastic behavior. After Ti deposition at 925 °C, wires are partially homogenized, exhibiting a pure Ni core surrounded by concentric shells of Ni3Ti, NiTi and NiTi2 intermetallic phases. Because of the imbalanced Ni and Ti diffusive fluxes, Kirkendall porosity is formed near the center of the wire, which often merges into a single pore in cross-sections, due to spatial confinement of the wire geometry. During subsequent homogenization at 925 °C, these Kirkendall pores grow due to further Ni-Ti interdiffusion, and they coalesce into a single, hollow channel near the central axis of the wire, thus forming a NiTi microtube. In some cases, off-center pores form in addition to the central pore, but these off-center pores do not form continuous channels.
Do Connections Pay Off in the Bitcoin Market

This paper identifies the bitcoin investor network and studies the relationship between connections and returns. Using transaction data from the bitcoin blockchain, we reach three conclusions. First, on average, annualized returns of connected addresses in the network are 20.75% above those of their unconnected peers. Second, returns also differ among those connected addresses. By dividing the connected addresses into ten deciles based on their centrality, we find that addresses in the two most-connected deciles earn higher returns than the other connected addresses. Third, eigenvector centrality is more related than degree centrality to higher returns, implying that quality of connections matters.
Distinct forms of the actin cross-linking protein α-actinin support macropinosome internalization and trafficking.

Macropinocytosis is an essential mechanism by which pancreatic tumor cells internalize extracellular material to be used as an energy source to fuel proliferation. We describe the mechanism by whic...
Getting past Cassandra: 21 C Slaughter

Abstract This is a review of 10 articles of Richard Slaughter over a 25 year period that address themes related to overshoot and collapse futures. The articles are principally from the 21 st century and primarily deal with the responses, or the lack thereof, to the acceleration of global warming and the peak oil crisis. The articles reflect a growing despair that too little is being done too late to avoid catastrophe. Subthemes include the MIT Limits to Growth modeling, integral thinking and design, institutions of foresight, critical futures, complexity and uncertainty, and the importance of long-term thinking, alternatives to the growth economic paradigm, and foresight education are emphasized. Slaughter’s influences on the reviewer are also discussed.
Fully-Resonant Second Harmonic Generation in Periodically Poled Thin-Film Lithium Niobate

We demonstrate second harmonic generation in a periodically poled X-cut lithium niobate microresonator with total efficiency greater than 12% and output power greater than 1 mW.
Analysis of monotonic and cyclic crack tip plasticity for a stationary crack tip in a FCC crystal

Abstract The fields produced at the tip of a Mode I crack in a ductile single crystal have been previously investigated using theoretical, experimental, and numerical methods. Limitations in the material model complexity used in theoretical approaches and difficulties in experimentally measuring in situ crack tip fields invite consideration of numerical crystal plasticity. Prior crystal plasticity analyses of crack tip plasticity have leveraged simple phenomenological constitutive forms and investigated limited loading scenarios. The current work extends prior approaches by using a recently developed face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal plasticity model that considers dislocation substructures and complex back stress evolutions during cyclic loading in concert with a finite element model of a stationary crack tip. The model is used to i) more thoroughly understand the conditions where theoretical analyses remain valid in the context of dislocation interactions and substructure development and ii) explore potential fatigue crack growth driving forces for microstructurally small and physically small cracks. Specific observations are made regarding the observed formation of alternating bands of forward and reverse shear, unique to the present model with dislocation substructure, as well as the influence of ratcheting strain on the cyclic irreversibility of slip and associated correlative fatigue crack growth relations.
Changes in macronutrient, micronutrient, and food group intakes throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy, premenopausal women.

Purpose It is thought that total energy intake in women is increased during the luteal versus follicular phase of the menstrual cycle; however, less is understood regarding changes in diet composition (i.e., macro- and micronutrient intakes) across the cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in macronutrient, micronutrient, and food group intakes across phases of the menstrual cycle among healthy women, and to assess whether these patterns differ by ovulatory status.
Thrombin induces a calcium transient that mediates an activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger in human fibroblasts.

Abstract The calcium dependence of growth factor-induced cytoplasmic alkalinization was determined in serum-deprived human fibroblasts (WS-1 cells). Intracellular pH (pHi) and intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) were measured using the fluorescent dyes 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein and fura2, respectively. Thrombin (10 nM) induced an alkalinization (0.18 +/- 0.01 pH units, n = 23) that was Na+-dependent and amiloride-sensitive, suggesting that the alkalinization was mediated by the Na+/H+ exchanger. Thrombin treatment caused a transient increase in Ca2+i (325 +/- 39 nM, n = 12) that preceded the observed increase in pHi. The increases in Ca2+i and pHi were dependent on the concentration of thrombin. The thrombin-induced increase in Ca2+i occurred in the absence of external calcium indicating that thrombin released calcium from internal stores. Inhibition of the thrombin-induced increase in Ca2+i with 8-diethylaminooctyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride or bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'- tetraacetic acid also inhibited the thrombin-stimulated increase in pHi. The calcium ionophore ionomycin was used to increase Ca2+i independent of growth factor stimulation. When Ca2+i was elevated with ionomycin, a concomitant increase in pHi was observed. The increase in pHi due to ionomycin was dependent on Na+ and sensitive to amiloride. The removal of external Ca2+i inhibited the ionomycin-induced elevation of both Ca2+i and pHi. The ionomycin-induced increases in Ca2+i and pHi were not inhibited by 8-diethylaminooctyl 3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzoate hydrochloride. The results suggest that thrombin treatment can activate the Na+/H+ exchanger, and this activation is mediated by an increase in Ca2+i.
Interrelationships between parasites and their hosts: III. Effect of larval trematodes on the thermal metabolic response of their molluscan host

Abstract The metabolic response to temperature has been determined for parasitized and non-parasitized Nassarius obsoleta (Say) which had been either warm- or cold-acclimatized. Differences in absolute metabolic rates were observed only at the two temperature extremes, i.e., at 10 ° and 35 °C. At 10 °C, the metabolic rate of the warm-acclimated parasitized snails was significantly higher than that of the warm-acclimated nonparasitized snails. At 35 °C, the cold-acclimated parasitized snails had a higher Q O 2 than the cold-acclimated nonparasitized molluscs. By either Precht's (1958) or Prosser's (1958) scheme of classification, the thermal metabolic acclimation pattern of the parasitized snails is quite distinct from the pattern of the noninfected snails. It is suggested that the larval trematodes basically alter the metabolic temperature response of the snail host.
'Inflation Targeting Lite' in Small Open Economies: The Case of Mauritius

This paper develops a new macrofinance model for small open economies, allowing the investigation of Mauritius`s experience with 'inflation targeting lite' as described in Stone (2003). It finds that this monetary policy regime has been associated with a general reduction in inflation, principally through a reduction in inflation expectations. The credibility the Bank of Mauritius has established with its 'inflation targeting lite' regime has allowed it to shift from an emphasis on exchange rate targeting towards inflation targeting. By estimating a model in which the yield curve is modeled explicitly we are able to obtain estimates of inflation expectations.
Incomplete Information In a Long Run Risks Model of Asset Pricing

We study the effects of incorporating incomplete information in the recently developed long run risks model of asset pricing. Studying the effects of incomplete information in such a setting is tractable, especially in the homoskedastic case with no fluctuating economic uncertainty. The incomplete information model is solved using approximate analytical methods as in the complete information framework analyzed in the literature. Model implications on moments of endogenous variables of interest including rates of return are compared in the long run risks model with and without incomplete information.
Total body calcium by neutron activation analysis: Reference data for children

There is a paucity of data on the chemical composition of the humanbody during growth. Total body calcium (TBCa) has been reported for only onemale child, aged 41/2 yr. We have obtained TBCa values for 25 children and27 young women using in vivo neutron activation analysis. Our TBCa resultswere lower than those reported for the one male cadaver, as well as the estimatesderived for the “Reference Man” model. We conclude that the referencevalues for TBCa may need to be adjusted to appropriately describe skeletalmineralization of contemporary children.
The biological roots of heat-of-passion crimes and honor killings.

"Heat-of-passion crimes" are committed by jealous men against supposedly unfaithful mates, "honor killings" by vengeful relatives against female family members who have disgraced them. These terms are imprecise, and they overlap greatly in usage, but they are similarly, and troublingly, guilt-mitigating. Heat-of-passion crimes and honor killings are universally reported yet vary in incidence culture-to-culture. While typically among the most violent of domestic attacks, they are to different degrees protected in law. Nearly every culture has, or until recently has had, defenses to male culpability based on the supposed effects of provocation. The invention and persistence of these defenses needs explanation. This paper considers a biological perspective, in which heat-of-passion crimes and honor killings are understood as maladaptive byproducts of an evolved male sexual aggression subject to intensification by external threats to paternal certainty. Moral and procedural implications of this perspective, as well as its limitations, are discussed.
New Evidence on Whether Gold Mining Stocks Are More Like Gold or Like Stocks

We examine the returns of gold mining stocks, gold, and a diversified portfolio of U.S. stocks over a period from 2006 to 2015. We find that the return on gold mining stocks is explained more by the return on gold than by the return on stocks. Because gold mining stocks are more like gold than like stocks, this suggests that gold mining stocks may be viewed as a substitute for gold in a diversified portfolio. The return on gold, however, is far less correlated with the stock market return than is the return on gold mining stocks. This implies that for risk reduction purposes, gold is preferred to gold mining stocks.
A Critical Test of Temporal and Spatial Accuracy of the Tobii T60XL Eye Tracker

Infant eye tracking is becoming increasingly popular for its presumed precision relative to traditional looking time paradigms and potential to yield new insights into developmental processes. However, there is strong reason to suspect that the temporal and spatial resolution of popular eye tracking systems is not entirely accurate, potentially compromising any data from an infant eye tracking experiment. Moreover, "best practices" for infant eye tracking, such as knowing which software tool enhances experimental flexibility, remain to be determined. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the temporal and spatial accuracy of data from the Tobii T60XL eye tracker through the use of visual latency and spatial accuracy tasks involving adults and infants. Systematic delays and drifts were revealed in oculomotor response times, and the system's spatial accuracy was observed to deviate somewhat in excess of the manufacturer's estimates; the experimental flexibility of the system appears dependent on the chosen software.
The ensemble nature of allostery

Allostery is the process by which biological macromolecules (mostly proteins) transmit the effect of binding at one site to another, often distal, functional site, allowing for regulation of activity. Recent experimental observations demonstrating that allostery can be facilitated by dynamic and intrinsically disordered proteins have resulted in a new paradigm for understanding allosteric mechanisms, which focuses on the conformational ensemble and the statistical nature of the interactions responsible for the transmission of information. Analysis of allosteric ensembles reveals a rich spectrum of regulatory strategies, as well as a framework to unify the description of allosteric mechanisms from different systems.
A Cohort Mortality Study of Workers in a Second Soup Manufacturing Plant.

The authors previously reported on mortality among workers in a Baltimore soup plant. Increased mortality was observed for cancers of the floor of the mouth, rectosigmoid colon/rectum/anus, epilepsy, and chronic nephritis. Here, the authors report on mortality on a second soup plant in the same locality. Excess mortality was similarly recorded for cancers of the tonsils/oropharynx, rectosigmoid colon/rectum/anus, and lung and myelofibrosis. Excess risk from cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, kidney, and infectious diseases was also observed. These 2 studies are important because firstly, to the authors’ knowledge, they are the only reports of mortality in this occupational group in spite of their having a potential for exposure to hazardous carcinogenic agents. Secondly, there is no information on any exposure assessment in this industry. These 2 reports will draw attention to the need to conduct more detailed exposure and mortality investigations in this little-studied group.
Kinetic studies of a fast, reversible alkene radical cation cyclization reaction.

The radical cation formed by mesylate heterolysis from the 1,1-dimethyl-7,7-diphenyl-2-mesyloxy-6-heptenyl radical was studied in several solvents. Computational results suggest that the initially formed acyclic radical cation is a resonance hybrid with partial positive charge in both double bonds of 1,1-diphenyl-7-methyl-1,6-octadiene (10). Thiophenol trapping was used as the competing reaction for kinetic determinations. The acyclic radical cation rapidly equilibrates with a cyclic distonic radical cation, and thiophenol trapping gives acyclic product 10 and cyclic products, mainly trans-1-(diphenylmethyl)-2-(1-methylethenyl)cyclopentane (11). The rate constants for cyclization at ambient temperature were k = (0.5−2) × 1010 s-1, and those for ring opening were k = (1.5−9) × 1010 s-1. Laser flash photolysis studies in several solvents show relatively slow processes (k = (2.5−260) × 105 s-1) that involve rate-limiting trapping reactions for the equilibrating radical cations. In mixtures of fluoroalcohols ...
Microbial transformation of xanthohumol

Microbial transformation of xanthohumol using the culture broth of Pichia membranifaciens afforded three metabolites, (E)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":4',3']-2', 4-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone, (2S)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":7,8]-4'-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone and (E)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":2',3']-4'-hydroxy-5-methoxychalcone.
Soil microbial population and nitrogen-transforming bacteria from 11-year sorghum tillage plots

Abstract Soil tillage alters crop residue placement, soil moisture and soil physical properties, which in turn may affect soil chemical and microbial properties. The impact of tillage on microbial populations was investigated by studying soil microbiological, physical and chemical properties after 11 years of a tillage management experiment with continuous sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) on an Orelia sandy clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ochraqualf). Soil from 0–7.5 and 7.5–15 cm depths was sampled from four replications of moldboard plow (MB), conventional till (CT), minimum till (MT) and no-till (NT) treatments in March (before planting) and May (during the growing season), 1989. Heterotrophic bacteria (HB) and actinomycete populations differed among tillage treatments before planting. Soil microbial populations differed with soil depth among all tillage treatments before the growing season (when no plants were present), but were similar among tillage treatments when counts by soil depth were composited, indicating that, although microbial distribution differed, total populations were similar. During the growing season, actinomycetes were lower in NT treatments, while HB counts were not significantly different between treatments. The similarity between treatments was attributed to drier soil conditions and the effect of plant roots in all treatments, which may have stimulated microbes similarly in all treatments. Ammonium oxidizers were lowest and dentrifiers highest in the NT soil a the 0–7.5 cm depth before planting. The sample obtained during the growing season indicated that soil nitrifier populations were usually greater in MT and NT treatments. The MB and CT treatments had significantly larger amounts of soil moisture, clay and nitrate than the NT and MT treatments, indicating that soil physical properties and nitrate levels were altered by tillage treatment. Soil nitrate was significantly correlated with nitrogen-transforming bacteria in several instances, although there was no predictable effect from soil depth or sampling date. In some instances, nitrifier counts fell and denitrifier counts increased as soil nitrate increased. HB and actinomycete population levels were not significantly correlated with the soil physical or chemical properties measured in this study. Although there were tillage treatment differences in soil physical (moisture, bulk density and clay content), chemical (nitrate-nitrogen, NO 3 N) and microbiological properties (HB, actinomycetes, and denitrifier, nitrifier and ammonium oxidizer activity), generalizations about tillage system effects on soil microbiological properties were difficult to confirm because of the temporal nature of these differences.
Vascular endothelial growth factors and progression of periodontal diseases.

Background: Tissues become hemorrhagic and edematous coincident to periodontal diseases; however, there is little information concerning the biologic mechanisms which may produce these changes. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a macromolecule which enhances blood vessel growth and permeability. However, there is no information concerning gingival VEGF concentrations within normal or diseased gingiva. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in gingival concentrations of VEGF during initiation and progression of periodontal diseases and compare them to changes in the number of blood vessel profiles and concentration of recognized markers of periodontal disease severity (interleukin- 6[IL-6]). Methods: Normal (non-hemorrhagic gingiva adjacent to a ≤3 mm gingival sulcus) and inflamed gingiva (hemorrhagic gingiva adjacent to a ≤3 mm, 4 to 6 mm, or >6 mm periodontal pocket) were studied. VEGF and IL-6 concentrations were assessed by ELlSA and the number of blood vessels determined by histomo...
Adaptive optical coherence-domain reflectometry using photorefractive quantum wells

Adaptive optical-coherence-domain reflectometry (OCDR) is performed by use of an adaptive interferometer and homodyne detection. The adaptive element of the interferometer is a photorefractive quantum-well device in a two-wave mixing geometry. The mixing self-adaptively maintains constant relative phase between the signal and reference waves and dynamically compensates gross movements of the sample or optical components as well as image speckle. The application described here is used for laser ranging into and through turbid media. Adaptive OCDR is a bridge between conventional optical coherence tomography and adaptive holographic optical coherence imaging. The insertion loss for the adaptive performance is −15 dB, but adaptive OCDR has potential applications for coherence tomography under conditions of large target motion and low background. We also demonstrate its potential application for optoacoustics and laser-based ultrasound detection.
Connected messages: a maker approach to interactive community murals with youth

Connected Messages brings together traditions of engaging youth in designing interactive murals with themes relevant to their lives and new lowcost networking technologies of connecting local groups with global audiences. We describe the design of a community mural that functions like a public display, which can be remotely programmed through an online interface. The implementation with Maker Mentors in five Free Library branches with over 1,000 youth focused on different aspects of youth maker agency in accessing, participating, and expressing their ideas. In the discussion, we review key dimensions expanding youth and Maker Mentor participation in communityrelevant designs.
The Role of Colloquial French in Communication and Implications for Language Instruction.

Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Contractors undertaking such projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their judgment in professional and technical matters. Prior to publication, the manuscript was submitted to the Center for Applied Linguistics, and to the National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations for critical review and determination of professional competence. This publication has met such standards. Points of view or opinions, however, do not necessarily represent the official view or opinions of the Center for Applied Linguistics, the National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations, or the National Institute of Education.
Embedding sparse matrix operations in SNOBOL4

We shall discuss in this paper how sparse matrix operations might be embedded in SNOBOL4, using the programmer-defined function capability, the TABLE datatype, and the APPLY built-in function which allows function names to be treated as variables.
Immunopathologic significance of cartilage antigenic components in rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been studied in an attempt to detect immune responses to cartilage antigens that might function in the causation and/or perpetuation of joint inflammation. Cartilagenous antigenic determinants could be consistently demonstrated in synovial fluid and its phagocytic cellular components. Antibody to such constituents could not be detected in serum, synovial fluid or immunoglobulin eluted from or synthesized de novo by rheumatoid synovium. However, delayed hypersensitivity to cartilage antigens correlating with clinical evidence of inflammatory cartilagenous degradation could be identified.
Expression of mRNAs for the alpha 1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in human osteoblast-like cell lines and in normal human osteoblasts.

The activation of osteoblast calcium channels by many bone regulatory factors suggests an important role for intracellular calcium signaling in the control of bone remodeling. At least six different genes for the α1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels have been cloned including L-type (α1S, α1C, and α1D) and non-L-type (α1A, α1B, and α1E) isoforms. The goal of the present study was to identify which of these calcium channel isoforms are transcribed in human osteoblast-like cell lines (hFOB, MG-63, SAOS-2, TE-85, G-292) and in cultures of normal human osteoblasts. Reverse transcriptase-PCR was used to amplify sequences corresponding to each of the α1 subunits using isoform specific primers. The products of the PCR reaction were cloned and sequenced to verify their identity and used to probe southern blots of the PCR reactions. The results indicate that among the different types of osteoblast-like cells examined, two calcium channel isoforms were always expressed (α1C and α1A), three isoforms were variably expressed (α1S, α1D and α1B), and one isoform was not expressed in any of the osteoblast-like cells (α1E) but was easily detected in human brain controls. Our results indicate that mRNAs for multiple calcium channel α1 subunits are expressed in human osteoblasts, including both L-type and non-L-type isoforms. In addition, significant heterogeneity exists between the different osteoblast cell models examined in the type and mRNA abundance of the different calcium channel isoforms.
Abstract P3-04-04: Amplification and overexpression of TLK2 promote genomic instability in invasive breast cancer

The accumulation of numerous chromosomal aberrations is a hallmark characteristic of invasive breast cancer (IBC). It is thus critical to find specific chromosomal aberrations that may drive breast cancer initiation and progression, particularly those that are drivers of the genomic instability. By integrative analysis of genomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we have nominated Tousled-Like Kinase 2 (TLK2) as a candidate oncogene target for IBC. Ultra-high resolution copy-number data from TCGA suggest that TLK2 was amplified in approximately 10% of IBC, which are more frequent in luminal B than luminal A tumors. These data also revealed that TLK2-high breast tumors harbor significantly more global copy-number aberrations than the TLK2 low-tumors. TLK2 is a nuclear serine/threonine kinase that serves as a cell cycle checkpoint regulating chromatin assembly, and in response to DNA damage, TLK2 can be inactivated by phosphorylation through the ATM-dependent pathway. We thus postulated that up-regulation of TLK2 may help cancer cells to surpass the cell cycle checkpoint upon DNA damage, which may promote genomic instability in breast cancer cells. To analyze the effect of TLK2 overexpression, we introduced an inducible expression vector containing the TLK2 open-reading frame into the MCF10A benign epithelial cells and the T47D breast cancer cells. As shown by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), ectopic expression of TLK2 in these cells overcame the cell cycle checkpoint in response to the DNA damage induced by gamma irradiation. gamma-H2AX foci formation revealed increased DNA double strand breaks and prolonged DNA repair window after irradiation in the TLK2 overexpressing cells. Interestingly, immunofluorescence localized TLK2 to the nucleus of breast cancer cells, which was markedly enriched in DNA double-strand break foci (or gamma-H2AX foci). To examine the effect of TLK2 knockdown, the MCF7 and MDAMB361 breast cancer cells overexpressing TLK2 were transfected with different TLK2 siRNAs. TLK2 inhibition led to G1/S cell cycle arrest (FACS analysis), profound decrease in cell growth (MTT assay), and enhanced apoptosis (Annexin V assay) in the MCF7 and MDAMB361 breast cancer cells over-expressing TLK2. Together, this study supports the role of TLK2 deregulation in the increased genomic instability of TLK2-high breast cancers, and suggests its potential as an attractive therapeutic target. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-04-04.
Evaluation of stem injection for managing giant reed (Arundo donax).

Giant reed is an emergent aquatic plant that may be weedy in riparian habitats. Two herbicides approved for controlling giant reed in the US are glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) and imazapyr (2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid). Foliar applications of these herbicides may be restricted in some areas, such as those, which are within the range of threatened or endangered species. We conducted two field experiments at sites in northern and central California. The first experiment evaluated the effects of three aquatic herbicides (glyphosate, imazapyr, and triclopyr [(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid) injected into all of the stems within a giant reed (5 mL stem−1). In this experiment, leaf chlorophyll content, the proportion of living stems, and the number of new stems produced during the year after treatment declined (>80%) following injection of either full strength glyphosate or imazapyr. The effects of injecting full strength tri...
Validating the End-User Computing Satisfaction Survey Instrument in Mexico

This study assesses the psychometric properties of a Spanish translation of Doll and Torkzadehâ€™s End-User Computing Satisfaction (EUCS) survey instrument. The study provides evidence that the EUCS Spanish version can be used as a valid and reliable measure of computing satisfaction among computer users in Mexico. The study also adds support to the use of the EUCS instrument in the investigation of the perceptions of computer users in countries other than the United States (U.S.) and in languages other than English.
Alloy scattering in ternary III-V compounds

The mean time between scattering due to a random alloy potential is considered. The development makes use of the Warren-Cowley order parameters and uses a pseudobinary alloy model for describing the arrangement of alloy concentrations on the allowed lattice sites. The resulting mean time between scattering is found to depend inversely on the square root of temperature and energy.
Hybrid repair of Kommerell diverticulum.

Objective Kommerell diverticulum carries the risk of rupture or dissection if left untreated. Various methods of repair have been described, and options have recently expanded to include the hybrid approach. This study describes hybrid repair techniques for Kommerell diverticulum and assesses outcomes. Methods Between 2005 and 2010, a total of 10 patients underwent hybrid repair of Kommerell diverticulum (3 right-sided arches) by elephant trunk with endovascular completion (n = 4), frozen elephant trunk (n = 3), or stent grafting with cervical debranching (n = 3). Mean age at procedure was 57 ± 25.5 years. Subclavian artery revascularization was performed preoperatively (n = 4), intraoperatively (n = 3), or postoperatively (n = 3), either as carotid-to-subclavian bypass (n = 7; n = 3 bilateral) or originating from the ascending aorta (n = 3). Data were obtained from the prospectively collected database and chart review. Results There was no in-hospital mortality, nor were there any cases of respiratory or renal failure. There were no cases of paraplegia, but there was 1 stroke. Two patients had type 2 endoleaks develop; 1 required subclavian coil embolization. Mean hospital stay was 8.73 ± 4 days. After repair, there were no ruptures, no significant growth, and all patients remain free of symptoms. Conclusions Hybrid repair is a safe and effective surgical treatment option for Kommerell diverticulum. Selection of the specific type of intervention is based on patient anatomy and comorbid conditions.
Theorizing the institution: foundations, duality, and data

Although a central construct for sociologists, the concept of institution continues to elude clear and full specification. One reason for this lack of clarity is that about 50 years ago empirical researchers in the field of sociology turned their gaze downward, away from macro-sociological constructs in order to focus their attention on middle-range empirical projects. It took almost 20 years for the concept of the institution to work its back onto the empirical research agenda of mainstream sociologists. The new institutional project in organizational sociology led the way. Since then, scholars in this tradition have achieved a great deal but there is still much more to accomplish. Here, future directions for research are considered by reviewing how the concept of the institution has come to be treated by mainstream philosophers, sociologists of science and technology studies, and social network theorists.
Response to Drs. Mishkin

TO THE EDITOR: We appreciate Drs. Daniel and Seymour Mishkin's interest in our study (1) and their comments corroborating that a subgroup of subjects with functional bowel complaints may have SIBO as defined by breath test.
The influence of foliar and substrate application of manganese on cotton

In sand culture the optimum nutrient solution manganese concentration for cotton is on the order of 3 ppm. Good growth and fruiting were obtained at 27 ppm while 81 ppm proved to be highly toxic. Cotton plants containing 3000 ppm leaf manganese appeared normal and exhibited only a small reduction in growth. Leaf tissue levels in excess of 4000 ppm were highly toxic. In relation to tissue manganese, cotton is classified as a highly tolerant species.
Expression of the β-Subunit Gene of Murine Thyrotropin Results in Multiple Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Species which are Generated by Alternative Exon Splicing

The current studies reveal that expression of the mouse TSH beta-subunit gene in the pituitary gland and TtT97 murine thyrotropic tumor results in multiple mRNAs which arise by alternative splicing. This was deduced by 1) sequencing the extended products of TSH beta mRNA primed with an oligonucleotide complementary to the protein coding region and 2) demonstrating primer extension of oligonucleotides complementary to the optional exon junctions. These results, when correlated with the sequence of the TSH beta gene, revealed a structure comprising five exons and four introns. Exon 1, which is common to all of the mRNAs, and optional exons 2 and 3 code only for 5'-untranslated (UT) sequences, whereas exons 4 (includes one nucleotide of 5'-UT) and 5 encode the protein coding and 3'-UT regions. Multiple splicing events generate mRNAs with 5'-UT regions of 28, 69, 75, and 116 nucleotides which include exon 1, exons 1 and 3, exons 1 and 2, and exons 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In contrast, in the hypothyroid rat pituitary messages possessing optional exons were not detected, and thus the TSH beta mRNA with a 5'-UT region of 28 nucleotides predominated. We identified an additional transcriptional start site located 40 nucleotides upstream in both the mouse and rat TSH beta gene. Optional exon splicing was not detectable in transcripts initiated from the upstream start site of the murine gene. In the hypothyroid state, transcripts initiated at the upstream site were considerably less abundant than those initiated at the downstream site. Transcription from both start sites was inhibited by thyroid hormone in both mice and rats.
Dislocation–interface interaction in nanoscale fcc metallic bilayers

Abstract Dislocation–interface interactions are investigated in a Ni–Cu bilayer using molecular mechanics simulations. Nanoindentation model is used to generate dislocations in the top Ni layer and study their propagation through coherent (1 1 1) fcc interface into Cu. Although dislocations do propagate through, the interface acts as a strong barrier to gliding dislocations and contributes considerably to the overall strain hardening of the nanolayered material. Mechanisms of dislocation–interface interactions are analyzed. In particular, spreading of a dissociated dislocation core at the interface and interfacial stacking fault formation are investigated along with their effect on the material strengthening.
Effect of some environmental factors on the milk fat and solids-not-fat content of cow's milk.

Summary Two-day composite samples of milk were collected monthly from 243 Holstein and 276 Jersey cows for the first 305 days of lactation. The milk samples were analyzed for percentage of milk fat and SNF. The effects of lactation number, calendar year, stage of lactation, and month of year were determined. Age, stage of lactation, and month of year appeared to be major sources of variation in milk fat and SNF percentage. The percentage of milk fat and SNF tended to decrease as lactation number increased. Both breeds reached a low in percentage of milk fat and SNF 60–90 days after parturition, and both increased thereafter until the end of lactation. The two breeds also decreased in percentage of these two milk constituents with age.
Loss of basal forebrain P75NTR immunoreactivity in subjects with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

The long-held belief that degeneration of the cholinergic basal forebrain was central to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and occurred early in the disease process has been questioned recently. In this regard, changes in some cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) markers (e.g. the high affinity trkA receptor) but not others (e.g., cortical choline acetyltransferase [ChAT] activity, the number of ChAT and vesicular acetylcholine transporter-immunoreactive neurons) suggest specific phenotypic changes, but not frank neuronal degeneration, early in the disease process. The present study examined the expression of the low affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)), an excellent marker of CBF neurons, in postmortem tissue derived from clinically well-characterized individuals who have been classified as having no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mild AD. Relative to NCI individuals, a significant and similar reduction in the number of nucleus basalis p75(NTR)-immunoreactive neurons was seen in individuals with MCI (38%) and mild AD (43%). The number of p75(NTR)-immunoreactive nucleus basalis neurons was significantly correlated with performance on the Mini-Mental State Exam, a Global Cognitive Test score, as well as some individual tests of working memory and attention. These data, together with previous reports, support the concept that phenotypic changes, but not frank neuronal degeneration, occur early in cognitive decline. Although there was no difference in p75(NTR) CBF cell reduction between MCI and AD, it remains to be determined whether these findings lend support to the hypothesis that MCI is a prodromal stage of AD.
A new model of congestive heart failure in rats

Current rodent models of ischemia/infarct or pressure-volume overload are not fully representative of human heart failure. We developed a new model of congestive heart failure (CHF) with both ischemic and stress injuries combined with fibrosis in the remote myocardium. Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. Ascending aortic banding (Ab) was performed to induce hypertrophy. Two months post-Ab, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury was induced by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) artery for 30 min. Permanent LAD ligation served as positive controls. A debanding (DeAb) procedure was performed after Ab or Ab + I/R to restore left ventricular (LV) loading properties. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and in vivo hemodynamic analysis. Myocardial infarction (MI) size and myocardial fibrosis were assessed. LV hypertrophy was observed 4 mo post-Ab; however, systolic function was preserved. LV hypertrophy regressed within 1 mo after DeAb. I/R for 2 mo induced a small to moderate MI with mild impairment of LV function. Permanent LAD ligation for 2 mo induced large MI and significant cardiac dysfunction. Ab for 2 mo followed by I/R for 2 mo (Ab + I/R) resulted in moderate MI with significantly reduced ejection fraction (EF). DeAb post Ab + I/R to reduce afterload could not restore cardiac function. Perivascular fibrosis in remote myocardium after Ab + I/R + DeAb was associated with decreased cardiac function. We conclude that Ab plus I/R injury with aortic DeAb represents a novel model of CHF with increased fibrosis in remote myocardium. This model will allow the investigation of vascular and fibrotic mechanisms in CHF characterized by low EF, dilated LV, moderate infarction, near-normal aortic diameter, and reperfused coronary arteries.
Intra-abdominal aortic graft infection: complete or partial graft preservation in patients at very high risk☆

Abstract Background Total graft excision with in situ or extra-anatomic revascularization is considered mandatory to treat infection involving the body of aortic grafts. We present a series of nine patients with this complication and such severe comorbid medical illnesses or markedly hostile abdomens that traditional treatments were precluded. In these patients selective complete or partial graft preservation was used. Methods Over the past 20 years we have treated nine infected infrarenal aortic prosthetic grafts with complete or partial graft preservation, because excision of the graft body was not feasible. In all nine patients infection of the main body of the aortic graft was documented at computed tomography or surgery. Essential adjuncts included percutaneous or operative drain placement into retroperitoneal abscess cavities and along the graft, with instillation of antibiotics three times daily, repeated debridement of infected groin wounds, and intravenous antibiotic therapy for at least 6 weeks. Results One patient with purulent groin drainage treated with complete graft preservation died of sepsis. One patient with groin infection treated with complete graft preservation initially did well, but ultimately required total graft excision 5 months later, after clinical improvement. In four patients complete graft preservation was successful; two patients required excision of an occluded infected limb of the graft; and one patient underwent subtotal graft excision, leaving a graft remnant on the aorta, and axillopopliteal bypass. In summary, seven of nine patients survived hospitalization after complete or partial graft preservation; amputation was avoided in all but one patient; and no recurrent infection developed over mean follow-up of 7.6 years (range, 2-15 years). Conclusions Although contrary to conventional concepts, partial or complete graft preservation combined with aggressive drainage and groin wound debridement is an acceptable option for treatment of infection involving an entire aortic graft in selected patients with prohibitive risks for total graft excision. This treatment may be compatible with long-term survival and protracted absence of signs or symptoms of infection.
Celestial reference frames at multiple radio wavelengths

In 1997 the IAU adopted the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF) built from S/X VLBI data. In response to IAU resolutions encouraging the extension of the ICRF to additional frequency bands, VLBI frames have been made at 24, 32, and 43 gigahertz. Meanwhile, the 8.4 gigahertz work has been greatly improved with the 2009 release of the ICRF-2. This paper discusses the motivations for extending the ICRF to these higher radio bands. Results to date will be summarized including evidence that the high frequency frames are rapidly approaching the accuracy of the 8.4 gigahertz ICRF-2. We discuss current limiting errors and prospects for the future accuracy of radio reference frames. We note that comparison of multiple radio frames is characterizing the frequency dependent systematic noise floor from extended source morphology and core shift. Finally, given Gaia's potential for high accuracy optical astrometry, we have simulated the precision of a radio-optical frame tie to be approximately10-15 microarcseconds ((1-sigma) (1-standard deviation), per component).
A gold(I) mononuclear complex and its association into binuclear and cluster compounds by hydrogen bonding or metal ion coordination.

The mononuclear Au(I) complex, Au(Spy)(PPh2py) (1), has been synthesized and characterized structurally. The complex possesses the expected linear coordination geometry with a S−Au−P bond angle of ...