cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Adenovirus Gene Expression

The phenotype of a cell or organism is determined by the expression of particular genes at specific times and in specific places. Thus, the mechanisms that regulate the expression of protein coding genes are central to our understanding of many diverse aspects of biology. A useful tool to probe these mechanisms has been offered by the viruses that infect animal cells. In the case of the DNA viruses that replicate in the nucleus of infected cells, transcription of the genome and subsequent processing of the viral RNA is usually carried out by host enzymes. Therefore, the study of these “simple systems” allows insight into the more general case of mammalian cell gene control.
A Silicon Microchip for Infrared Transmission Kinetics Studies of Rapid Homogeneous Liquid Reactions

A silicon microchip for infrared transmission kinetics studies of rapid liquid reactions is demonstrated. The chip consists of a laminar flow mixer, a parallel plate heat exchanger and a probing region for on chip detection. The use of the integrated system is demonstrated with a model reaction, the hydrolysis of methyl formate. The resulting rate constant agrees with the literature value. Moreover, no sample post-processing is required as compared to conventional systems.
Differential susceptibility of immature rat testes to doxorubicin at critical stages of maturation. Biochemical and functional assessment.

The toxic effects of doxorubicin on the reproductive system of the male rat were studied at different susceptible stages of postnatal development. A multidisciplinary approach including the assessment of histopathological, functional and biochemical parameters was chosen. Groups of male rats were treated once with the compound (3 mg/kg) on postnatal day 6, 16, 24 or 45. Both the onset of reproductive capacity and fertility were determined by serially mating ten animals per group for 12 weeks beginning at the age of 45 days. Reproductive organ weights, sperm counts and epididymal androgen binding protein (ABP) were measured at intermediate (80-day-old rats) or terminal sacrifice (129-day-old rats). Age dependent differential doxorubicin toxicity was evident. Treatment of 6-day-old animals with doxorubicin severely impaired development of reproductive functions. Treatment of 16-dayold animals reduced fertility throughout the mating study, as well as body and reproductive organ weights and sperm counts. Initial toxicity was observed in the group treated at 24 days of age; particularly, low reproductive organ weights and low sperm counts were found. These findings proved reversible towards the end of the study. Neither biochemical nor functional impairment of the reproductive system could be observed in the group treated at 45 days of age.
The ZZ domain of p300 mediates specificity of the adjacent HAT domain for histone H3

Human p300 is a transcriptional co-activator and a major acetyltransferase that acetylates histones and other proteins facilitating gene transcription. The activity of p300 relies on the fine-tuned interactome that involves a dozen p300 domains and hundreds of binding partners and links p300 to a wide range of vital signaling events. Here, we report a novel function of the ZZ-type zinc finger (ZZ) of p300 as a reader of histone H3. We show that the ZZ domain and acetyllysine-recognizing bromodomain of p300 play critical roles in modulating p300 enzymatic activity and its association with chromatin. The acetyllysine binding function of bromodomain is essential for acetylation of histones H3 and H4, whereas interaction of the ZZ domain with H3 promotes selective acetylation of the histone H3K27 and H3K18 sites.
AlloX: Allocation across Computing Resources for Hybrid CPU/GPU clusters

GPUs are considered as the accelerators for CPUs. We call these applications GPU applications. Some machine learning frameworks like Tensorflow support their machine learning (ML) jobs running either on CPUs or GPUs. Nvidia claims that Titan GPU K80 12GB can speed up 5-10x on average. Although GPUs offer the advantages on performance, they are very expensive. For example, a GPU K80 roughly costs $4000 while an Intel Xeon E5 Quad cores costs $350.The coexist of traditional CPU and GPU applications urges cloud computing operators to build hybrid CPU/GPU clusters. While the traditional applications are executed on CPUs, the GPU applications can run on either CPUs or GPUs. In the CPU/GPU clusters, how to provision the hybrid CPU/GPU clusters for CPU and GPU applications and how to allocate the resources across CPUs and GPUs?Interchangeable resources like CPUs and GPUs are not rare in large clusters. Some network I/O cards like wireless, ethernet, infinityband with different bandwidths can also be interchangeable.In this paper, we focus on CPU/GPU systems. We develop a tool that estimates the performance and resource for an ML job in an online manner (§2). We implement AlloX system that supports resource allocation and places applications on right resources (CPU or GPU) to maximize the use of computational resource (§3). The proposed AlloX policy achieves up to 35% progress improvement compared to default DRF [2]. We build a model that minimizes the total cost of ownership for CPU/GPU data centers (§4).
Indian Children and the Fifth Amendment

The Fifth Amendment’s political origins remain incredibly meaningful in Indian affairs. The Fifth Amendment, like much of the Constitution, shifted in character away from its political origins initially following the Reconstruction Amendments, and then again after the mid-twentieth century civil rights era. But in the text of the amended Constitution, Indians and Indian tribes were not immediately and automatically included in that shift. In particular, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment remains primarily a political protection provision, rather than an equal protection or an individual protection provision. For Indians and Indian tribes, the Fifth Amendment remains political.
Capability-driven Formulation of System of Systems Core Competencies

Our work is concerned with the formulation of sound and reusable metrics for effective characterization and analysis of System of Systems (SoS). This has been an impediment to the ability for SoS designers and analysts to gain effective understanding of SoS attributes, especially the core competencies i.e., autonomy, connectivity and belonging as per the Boardman-Sauser theory of SoS. Consequently, there is a strong need for mechanisms and approaches to leverage SoS theoretical results and formalisms for effective and rigorous characterization of SoS as well as engineering modeling and analysis across a wide range of application domains. Accordingly, this paper introduces a novel capability-driven formulation of SoS core competencies. Boardman-Sauser based theoretical foundations are refined and extended to account for the central role capabilities of component systems play in, (1) enabling the realization of needed SoS capabilities for given missions and, (2) driving the formulation and evaluation of SoS core competencies. Detailed process, functions and metrics are described for characterizing autonomy. A system dynamic prototype implementation is created to illustrate the approach in a simplified case study involving unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) configured as a Directed SoS for a wildfire fighting mission.
Maximum Vasoactive Inotropic Score in the 48 Hours Post-LVAD Implantation Predicts 90 Day Mortality

Introduction The vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) is an emerging method to estimate total inotropic and vasopressor support after cardiothoracic surgery. Whether the post-operative VIS score can predict mortality in patients following LVAD implantation is unknown. Methods We performed a single-center retrospective study of 268 patients who received a continuous-flow durable LVAD between Jan 1, 2006 and Dec 31, 2017. The VIS score was calculated as: dobutamine (mcg/kg/min) + 10 x milrinone (mcg/kg/min) + dopamine (mcg/kg/min) + 100 x epinephrine (mcg/kg/min) + 100 x norepinephrine (mcg/kg/min) + 10,000 x vasopressin (units/kg/min). The VIS score at 6, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively were abstracted and then the maximum VIS score within 48 hours after implantation for each patient was used to stratify the cohort into quartiles. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate 90-day survival and Cox Hazard model was performed to evaluate for predictors of 90-day mortality. Results The VIS quartiles groups were 0-9, 10-16, 17-23, and 24-87. Patients in quartile 4 were older and had a higher preoperative right atrial pressure (Table 1). VIS quartiles demonstrate a stepwise increase in adjusted hazard ratio compared to the 1st quartile in our multivariable model (which included age, total bilirubin over 2.5, gender, and VIS) with VIS quartile 2 HR 2.45 (95% CI 0.65 - 9.24, p = 0.18), VIS quartile 3 HR 3.39 (95% CI 0.90 - 12.79, p = 0.07), VIS quartile 4 HR 4.53 (95% CI 1.28 - 16.05, p = 0.02). Figure 1 demonstrates worsened survival by VIS quartiles up to 90-days post LVAD implantation (logrank test p=0.048). Conclusion Elevated VIS score within the first 48 hours after LVAD implantation correlates with an increased risk of mortality at 90 days. Further work is needed to confirm this relationship.
The Murine Genome Contains Two Functional Kininogen Genes Leading to Tissue Specific Expression of High Molecular Weight Kininogen (HK) and Expression of a Novel HK Splice Variant.

Abstract High molecular weight kininogen (HK) plays an important role in the assembly and activation of the kallikrein/kinin system. While the human genome contains only a single copy of the kininogen gene, three copies are present in the rat (one K-kininogen and two T-kininogen). Here, we report that the mouse genome contains two homologous kininogen genes (overall homology 91%), denoted mHK1 and mHK2. Both genes are located on chromosome 16 in a head-to-head orientation, and contain open reading frames. The size of intronic sequences between the 11 kininogen gene exons is similar (Figure). HK mRNA transcripts derived from the mHK1 and mHK2 genes differ slightly in size due to gaps of 33 and 18 nucleotides in exon 10 of mHK2. RT-PCR analysis of HK gene expression in adult and embryonic murine tissues revealed that HK mRNA was derived from mHK1 in liver, adrenal and embryo, but from mHK2 in kidney and lung. HK mRNA derived from both genes was present in testis, brain and muscle, though expression levels were low relative to those in other tissues. HK mRNA was not detected in ovary, bone marrow, heart or bladder. mHK1-derived HK mRNA was alternatively spliced, as demonstrated by the presence of an HK mRNA transcript encoding a novel HK1 isoform, ΔmD5, that lacked the portion of exon 10 encoding Thr400 - Asp582 of HK domains 5 and 6. Examination of the putative promoter regions of the two genes using the MatInspector Professional program (Genomatix) demonstrated distinct differences, perhaps explaining in part their tissue-specific expression patterns. Like domain 5 of human HK (hD5), domain 5 of murine HK (mD5), in which the histidine and lysine-rich C-terminal region of this domain previously shown to mediate the antiangiogenic activity of domain 5 is highly conserved, inhibited endothelial cell proliferation. While the function of each of the kininogen genes in the intact animal has yet to be defined, characterization of the two genes may provide new information concerning the role of high molecular weight kininogen in development, normal physiology, and pathological processes. Download : Download high-res image (135KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
The 'Desert' Society in Languedoc (1686-1704) as Popular Culture and the Roots of French Quakerism

The 'Desert' society in Cevennes, Languedoc, was an offshoot of the persecution of French Protestants by Louis XIV. The clandestine assemblies that met in the ravines gave rise to lay ministry, as the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) had forced profes­ sional ministers to flee abroad. At first, Predicants replaced ministers, then Prophets and Prophetesses in turn replaced the killed Predicants. The 'Desert' society gave birth to a popular culture. At the end of the seventeenth century, the Protestants' resistance was peaceful, but as persecutions grew, the Camisard war broke out in 1702. But a minority of Prophets refused violence, even in self-defence, as a solution to the Protestants' problems. They gathered in the Vaunage valley, around Congenies, near Nimes. Their spiritual descendants met British Friends in 1785, and joined the Religious Society of Friends in 1788. They also belonged to the popular culture of the 'Desert' society.
Ablative Techniques for CRLM: Alone or in Association

Despite improved systemic therapies, surgical techniques, and perioperative care in the management of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), most patients still remain ineligible for surgical resection, which is the standard of care, and require alternative techniques for local control of the disease. Ablative techniques for the treatment of CRLM offer a less invasive treatment route and can be used alone or in association with resection and/or chemotherapy. In general, they can be divided into thermal and nonthermal techniques. Thermal techniques deliver energy to the tumor site in order to increase or decrease local temperatures to cytotoxic levels. The most widely used ablative techniques include radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA). MWA has increased utilization due to less heat-sink, potential to address larger lesions, and less time required. Combining surgical resection and ablation simultaneously is safe and could allow more patients to undergo potentially curative therapy.
Experiencia Compartida: The effect of discrimination on Latino attitudes toward illegal immigration

Increasingly, research is being done on American attitudes toward immigration, particularly illegal immigration. Such research has focused on overall U.S. attitudes, predominantly the positions of ...
DynamicEmbedding: Extending TensorFlow for Colossal-Scale Applications

One of the limitations of deep learning models with sparse features today stems from the predefined nature of their input, which requires a dictionary be defined prior to the training. With this paper we propose both a theory and a working system design which remove this limitation, and show that the resulting models are able to perform better and efficiently run at a much larger scale. Specifically, we achieve this by decoupling a model's content from its form to tackle architecture evolution and memory growth separately. To efficiently handle model growth, we propose a new neuron model, called DynamicCell, drawing inspiration from from the free energy principle [15] to introduce the concept of reaction to discharge non-digestive energy, which also subsumes gradient descent based approaches as its special cases. We implement DynamicCell by introducing a new server into TensorFlow to take over most of the work involving model growth. Consequently, it enables any existing deep learning models to efficiently handle arbitrary number of distinct sparse features (e.g., search queries), and grow incessantly without redefining the model. Most notably, one of our models, which has been reliably running in production for over a year, is capable of suggesting high quality keywords for advertisers of Google Smart Campaigns and achieved significant accuracy gains based on a challenging metric -- evidence that data-driven, self-evolving systems can potentially exceed the performance of traditional rule-based approaches.
2083-P: Dynamics of D-Amino Acids in Mammalian Pancreatic Islets

Evidence has shown the presence of D-amino acids (D-AAs), unusual cell-to-cell signaling molecules, in the pancreatic islets of rodents and humans. In particular, D-alanine (D-Ala) and serine racemase, the enzyme that converts L- to D-serine (D-Ser), colocalize within insulin-producing beta cells. Both D-Ala and D-Ser function as co-agonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which is also present in islets and modulates insulin release, suggesting potential autocrine or paracrine signaling role of these compounds. Here, we investigated the relationship between the endogenous levels of D-AAs and islet regulation of glucose homeostasis. The glucose-stimulated D-AA profiles in the rat islets revealed that the L-AA forms were released from the pancreatic islets in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, we observed between a 20% and 45% reduction of D-Ala and D-Ser levels, respectively, in islets after the stimulation which appears to be independent of the extracellular glucose levels. In addition to islets, significant D-AAs were detected in the surrounding acinar tissue; only D-Ala was abundant at high percentage of 11.6 ± 1.5% to total Ala in the tissue, while other D-AAs were not measured at high levels. As beta cells appear not to be able to synthesize their own D-Ala, this suggests that the D-Ala detected in these cells can be supplied by nearby acinar tissue. We also have measured the D-Ser percentages in healthy and type 2 diabetes (T2D)-affected islets received from the Human Pancreas Analysis Program (UPenn). Preliminary results revealed the lower D-Ser level in the T2D-affected islets compared to healthy islets. We are continuing to accumulate more data to determine the potential correlation of D-AAs, including D-Ala and D-Ser, to diabetes progression. The continued characterization of endogenous D-AAs levels will shed light on their roles in islet normal and pathological functions. Disclosure C.J. Lee: None. A. Patel: None. D. Lee: None. S. Rubakhin: None. J.V. Sweedler: None. Funding American Diabetes Association/Pathway to Stop Diabetes (1-18-VSN-19 to J.V.S.)
Using Youth Participatory Action Research to Promote Self-Efficacy in Math and Science:

Youth participatory action research is a pedagogy in which students work together to explore an issue that affects them. The school counselor measured the impact on Latina students who participated...
Folding and misfolding of potassium channel monomers during assembly and tetramerization

The dynamics and folding of potassium channel pore domain monomers are connected to the kinetics of tetramer assembly. In all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of Kv1.2 and KcsA channels, monomers adopt multiple nonnative conformations while the three helices remain folded. Consistent with this picture, NMR studies also find the monomers to be dynamic and structurally heterogeneous. However, a KcsA construct with a disulfide bridge engineered between the two transmembrane helices has an NMR spectrum with well-dispersed peaks, suggesting that the monomer can be locked into a native-like conformation that is similar to that observed in the folded tetramer. During tetramerization, fluoresence resonance energy transfer (FRET) data indicate that monomers rapidly oligomerize upon insertion into liposomes, likely forming a protein-dense region. Folding within this region occurs along separate fast and slow routes, with τfold ∼40 and 1,500 s, respectively. In contrast, constructs bearing the disulfide bond mainly fold via the faster pathway, suggesting that maintaining the transmembrane helices in their native orientation reduces misfolding. Interestingly, folding is concentration independent despite the tetrameric nature of the channel, indicating that the rate-limiting step is unimolecular and occurs after monomer association in the protein-dense region. We propose that the rapid formation of protein-dense regions may help with the assembly of multimeric membrane proteins by bringing together the nascent components prior to assembly. Finally, despite its name, the addition of KcsA's C-terminal "tetramerization" domain does not hasten the kinetics of tetramerization.
Reflexiones sobre el poder legislativo: un ensayo fundacional de Andrés Bello

This note traces the origins of Andres Bello's influential essay on the importance of publication of judicial decisions, which appeared in the Chilean periodical El Araucano in 1830. The current research note demonstrates that the essay was originally published in the London periodical El Censor Americano in 1820, although without identifying Bello as the author. Despite the differences between the two versions, due to the different historical moments (the restoration of the Constitution of 1812 after the revolution of 1820 in Spain, and the republican organization of Chile in 1830), this note argues that there is a fundamental thread uniting the two essays, namely, the central im- portance of publishing judicial decisions in any political system, be it a constitutional monarchy, or a republic.
Sitagliptin Results in a Decrease of Truncated Apolipoprotein C1.

Apolipoprotein C1 (ApoC1) is a component of multiple lipoproteins where it performs a variety of roles in lipid metabolism and transport. ApoC1 exists as both full-length and truncated isoforms. Truncation of ApoC1 has been postulated to result from the action of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), the target of a new class of diabetes drugs that includes sitagliptin phosphate. In this study, we sought to determine if oral administration of sitagliptin altered the proportion of ApoC1 isoforms circulating in humans. Results indicated a dramatic change in ApoC1 truncation, consistent with a high level of DPP-4 inhibition by sitagliptin. Funding: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13300-015-0123-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Simple multivariable adaptive control with application to flexible structures

All adaptive controllers require a certain amount of prior information regarding the plant to be controlled to achieve the desired control objectives. In the context of multivariable adaptive control, not only is the prior information quite significant, but also the complexity of the adaptive controller is too high. In this paper, the authors introduce low order multivariable adaptive controllers which are easy to implement, and require less prior information than most other adaptive controllers. The performance of the resulting adaptive system is evaluated in the context of vibration suppression in large flexible structures.
Rapid-onset hypogonadism secondary to crizotinib use in men with metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to document the differences in testosterone (T) levels between crizotinib-treated and noncrizotinib-treated patients with metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Testosterone levels were measured in 19 men with metastatic NSCLC who received crizotinib and in 19 men with metastatic NSCLC who did not receive crizotinib. Clinical characteristics of the patients were compared, and additional hormone assays were performed as appropriate. Two patients who began crizotinib and 4 patients who had dose interruptions or who stopped crizotinib therapy had serial hormone measurements, permitting the documentation of dynamic hormone changes on and off crizotinib treatment. RESULTS: Total T levels were low (<241 ng/dL) in 19 of 19 (100%) crizotinib-treated men and in 6 of 19 men (32%) with metastatic NSCLC who did not receive crizotinib (mean T levels, 131 ng/dL and 311 ng/dL, respectively; P = .0002). Only 1 in 5 patients who had anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements and had not yet received crizotinib had low T. The initiation of crizotinib in 2 patients who had previously normal T levels was associated with a rapid decreases in T and in luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels within 14 to 21 days. Discontinuation of crizotinib led to increases back to normal T levels. CONCLUSIONS: Crizotinib therapy caused rapid suppression of T levels in men. The current results indicated that the site of action must include a central (hypothalamic or pituitary) effect, but additional direct testicular effects could not be excluded. Further work is required to assess the correlation between low T levels and crizotinib side effects as well as the exact molecular mechanism and site of drug toxicity. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Concordance among sperm deoxyribonucleic acid integrity assays and semen parameters.

Objective To assess the concordance of sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) results, epifluorescence TUNEL assay results, and standard semen parameters. Design Prospective, observational study. Setting Tertiary referral andrology clinic. Patient(s) A total of 212 men evaluated for subfertility by a single physician. Intervention(s) Clinical history, physical examination, semen analysis, SCSA, and TUNEL assay. Main Outcome Measure(s) Spearman's rank correlation coefficients ( r ) between SCSA DNA fragmentation index (DFI), percentage TUNEL-positive sperm, and semen analysis parameters. Result(s) There was a positive correlation between SCSA DFI and TUNEL ( r = 0.31), but the strength of this correlation was weaker than has previously been reported. The discordance rate between SCSA and TUNEL in classifying patients as normal or abnormal was 86 of 212 (40.6%). The SCSA DFI was moderately negatively correlated with sperm concentration and motility. The TUNEL results were unrelated to standard semen parameters. Conclusion(s) The SCSA DFI and percentage TUNEL-positive sperm are moderately correlated measures of sperm DNA integrity but yield different results in a large percentage of patients. The DFI is well-correlated with semen analysis parameters, whereas TUNEL is not. These data indicate that the SCSA and TUNEL assay measure different aspects of sperm DNA integrity and should not be used interchangeably.
A Selective Approach to Conformal Refinement of Unstructured Hexahedral Finite Element Meshes

Hexahedral refinement increases the density of an all-hexahedral mesh in a specified region, improving numerical accuracy. Previous research using solely sheet refinement theory made the implementation computationally expensive and unable to effectively handle concave refinement regions and self-intersecting hex sheets. The Selective Approach method is a new procedure that combines two diverse methodologies to create an efficient and robust algorithm able to handle the above stated problems. These two refinement methods are: 1) element by element refinement and 2) directional refinement. In element by element refinement, the three inherent directions of a Hex are refined in one step using one of seven templates. Because of its computational superiority over directional refinement, but its inability to handle concavities, element by element refinement is used in all areas of the specified region except regions local to concavities. The directional refinement scheme refines the three inherent directions of a hexahedron separately on a hex by hex basis. This differs from sheet refinement which refines hexahedra using hex sheets. Directional refinement is able to correctly handle concave refinement regions. A ranking system and propagation scheme allow directional refinement to work within the confines of the Selective Approach Algorithm.
Chapter 1 The Padé Approximant Method and Some Related Generalizations

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the Pade approximant method. This method has proved very useful in the provision of quantitative information about the solution of many interesting problems of physics and chemistry. It extracts this information from the perturbation expansion. The Pade approximant is of the form of one polynomial divided by another polynomial. The principle applications of the Pade approximants fall into two classes: (a) the provision of efficient rational approximations to special mathematical functions, and (b) the acquisition of quantitative information about a function for which one has only qualitative information and power-series coefficients. There are two types of sequences of Pade approximants. In the first type the degree of the numerator or that of the denominator remains finite while the degree of the other goes to infinity. In the second type, both the degree of the numerator and that of the denominator tend to infinity. The Pade approximant method finds its application in the field of cooperative phenomena and critical points.
Polyarticular Severe Tophaceous Gout Secondary to Limited Medication Access.

Patients in the United States without private medical insurance and who do not qualify for patient assistance programs sometimes have no access to needed medications. The most effective drugs for severe tophaceous gout may be beyond the reach of these patients. A 49-year-old undocumented male Mexican immigrant presented to the emergency room with foot pain, left greater than right. He had a history of chronic diffuse tophaceous gout (Figure …
Chromosome Conformation Capture Carbon Copy (5C) in Budding Yeast

Chromosome conformation capture carbon copy (5C) is a high-throughput method for detecting ligation products of interest in a chromosome conformation capture (3C) library. 5C uses ligation-mediated amplification (LMA) to generate carbon copies of 3C ligation product junctions using single-stranded oligonucleotide probes. This procedure produces a 5C library of short DNA molecules which represent the interactions between the corresponding restriction fragments. The 5C library can be amplified using universal primers containing the Illumina paired-end adaptor sequences for subsequent high-throughput sequencing.
Abnormal truncal muscle tone as a useful early marker for developmental delay in low birth weight infants.

Thirty-four outborn premature infants of appropriate gestational ages with birth weights less than 1,750 g were seen in follow-up at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, corrected age to assess the incidence of abnormalities of muscle tone and the relationship of the site of early abnormalities to 18-month developmental status. The incidence of abnormal tone was most common at 3 months and declined with increasing age. The percentages of infants with abnormal tone at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively, were: increased lower extremity tone--62%, 71%, 38%, 9%; decreased lower extremity tone--3%, 3%, 6%, 9%; increased truncal tone--41%, 15%, 6%, 0%; decreased truncal tone--21%, 18%, 15%, 6%. Infants with truncal hypertonicity at 3 months had significantly lower Bayley motor and mental scores at 18 months when compared with infants with normal truncal tone (P less than .05). However, infants with lower extremity hypertonicity at 3 months were no different developmentally at 18 months from infants with normal tone. Infants with truncal or lower extremity hypotonicity fared the worst developmentally (P less than .05). We conclude that there is a high incidence of abnormal muscle tone in premature infants up to 18 months of age and that early truncal tone abnormalities are associated with a worse developmental outcome.
Giving Voice to Youths in Out-of-Home Placements

This article describes the impact of participating in a unique approach to positive youth development on a group of youths in out-of-home placements. The program provided young people with the opportunity to inform service providers and other adults about their experiences within the youth services system. Analyses of qualitative data identified seven arenas in which participating youths appeared to be influenced—initiation and growth, safety, connection, expression, personal impact, conflict and misbehavior, and opportunity to make a difference. Findings indicate that participants gained resiliency in the face of the adversities they had and continue to experience. Their life skills and competencies were enhanced. They developed a more positive outlook on life and a greater sense of self-efficacy and self-determination. Participation lessened their feelings of isolation, powerlessness, and apathy.
Statistical methods for short-term projections of AIDS incidence.

Short-term projections of AIDS incidence are critical for assessing future health care needs. This paper focuses on the method of back-calculation for obtaining short-term projections. The approach consists of back-calculating from AIDS incidence data through use of the incubation period distribution to obtain estimates of the numbers previously infected. The numbers previously infected are then projected forward to obtain short-term projections. An approach is suggested for accounting for new infections in short-term projections of AIDS incidence. Back-calculation requires accurate AIDS incidence data. A method which is computationally easy to implement is proposed for estimating the distribution of the delays in reporting AIDS cases. It was found that the reporting delay distribution in the United States varies by geographic region of diagnosis. Back-calculation also requires a reliable estimate of the incubation period distribution. Statistical issues associated with estimating the incubation period distribution are considered. The methods are applied to obtain short-term projections of AIDS incidence in the United States. The projected cumulative AIDS incidence in the U.S. by the end of 1992 was 287,100 under the assumption that there are no new infections after 1 July 1987, and 330,600 under the assumption that the infection rate remains constant. These projections do not account for the new broadened AIDS surveillance definitions or the underreporting of AIDS cases to the Centers for Disease Control.
Rotating disk potentiometry for inner solution optimization of low-detection-limit ion-selective electrodes.

The extent of optimization of the lower detection limit of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) can be assessed with an elegant new method. At the detection limit (i.e., in the absence of primary ions in the sample), one can observe a reproducible change in the membrane potential upon alteration of the aqueous diffusion layer thickness. This stir effect is predicted to depend on the composition of the inner solution, which is known to influence the lower detection limit of the potentiometric sensor dramatically. For an optimized electrode, the stir effect is calculated to be exactly one-half the value of the case when substantial coextraction occurs at the inner membrane side. In contrast, there is no stir effect when substantial ion exchange occurs at the inner membrane side. Consequently, this experimental method can be used to determine how well the inner filling solution has been optimized. A rotating disk electrode was used in this study because it provides adequate control of the aqueous diffusion layer ...
Back-Angle Elastic Scattering of 14.6-Mev Neutrons

Differential elastic scattering cross sections have been obtained for 14.6-Mev neutrons on Fe, Ag, Cd, Sn, and Pb in 5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} steps from 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 167\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Time-of-flight techniques and one-meter radius rings were used to reduce background, obtain reasonable counting rates, and preserve angular resolution. Optical model calculations by Bjorklund and Fernbach indicate that a spin-orbit coupling term is needed to fit the data.
Identifying slow slip events with satellites

Slow slip events (SSEs), in which tectonic plate interfaces slip slowly and generate seismic rumbling, have been observed in many subduction zones around the world. These events can provide insight into the accumulation and release of seismic stress, potentially giving scientists information on the processes generating megathrust quakes.
Three Nations' Curricula: What Can We Learn from Them?.

By examining the curricula of other countries, we may discover that which we value in our own system. Here's a look at the structure of education in Germany, Japan, and Great Britain.
Acceleration of Electrons by the Wake Field of Proton Bunches

In this paper we re-present and discuss more details of a novel idea to accelerate low-intensity bunches of electrons (or positrons) by the wake field of intense proton bunches travelling along the axis of a cylindrical rf structure. Accelerating gradients in excess of 100 MeV/m and large “transformer ratios”, which allow for acceleration of electrons to energies in the TeV range, are calculated. A possible application of the method is an electron-positron linear collider with luminosity of 10 cm-2 s-1. The relatively low cost and power consumption of the method is emphasized.
Efferent connections of the orbitofrontal cortex in the marmoset (Saguinus oedipus).

Abstract Unilateral partial ablations were made in the orbitofrontal cortex of 4 adult marmosets(Saguinus oedipus) and fiber degeneration was traced using the Nauta-Gygax and Fink-Heimer selective silver impregnation techniques. Corticocortical projections were found to the ipsilateral convexity and medial aspect of the frontal lobe and to the homologous orbitofrontal areas of the contralateral hemisphere. Fiber degeneration was followed through the uncinate fascicle to the temporal and insular cortices, and caudally into the rostrolateral entorhinal cortex. Other fibers joined the cingulum bundle and terminated throughout the cingulate cortex. Subcortical projections were observed to the lateral and basal amygdaloid nuclei, caudate head, ventrolateral putamen and ventral claustrum. The lateral preoptic and hypothalamic areas received a small number of fibers, as did the intralaminar and reticular thalamic nuclei. The dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus was recipient of a large group of fibers which followed the ventral internal capsule and joined the inferior thalamic peduncle to terminate there. Preterminal debris appeared heaviest in the dorsomedial thalamic nucleus, pars magnocellularis (MDmc) in more caudal orbital lesions. A subthalamic projection to field H of Forel was observed. A small number of fibers terminated in the lateral midbrain tegmentum, but no appreciable fiber degeneration was observed more caudally than the midbrain. These results are compared in some areas to findings in the rhesus monkey. The possibility of a topical organization in the orbital cortical and thalamic projections is discussed.
Malrotation simulating intussusception on barium enema

Two cases of midgut malrotation are presented. Each had a clinical picture suggesting a possible intussusception. The radiographs also demonstrated findings suggestive of intussusception though these were subtle findings which could have suggested the correct diagnosis of malrotation.
Al on GaAs(110) interface: Possibility of adatom cluster formation

A reexamination of the experimental data and previous electronic-structure calculations on the prototype Schottky system Al/GaAs(110), together with new calculations, indicates that at low coverages and temperatures neither a covalent bond nor a metallic bond is likely to be formed between Al and the substrate. Instead, the predominant species is likely to be Al clusters which interact only weakly and largely nondirectionally with the substrate. In contrast with all previous theoretical models which assume an epitaxially ordered array of chemisorption bonds even at submonolayer coverage, it then appears that the formation of a Schottky barrier as well as other physical and chemical characteristics of the interface (e.g., core level and exciton shifts, valence-band photoemission spectra, gap states, surface atomic relaxation) are not explainable in terms of strong and ordered chemisorption bonds. This weakly interacting cluster model leads to several interesting predictions regarding the atomic structure and spectroscopy of this metal-semiconductor interface at the initial stages of its formation. The properties of the interface at higher temperatures (i.e., after annealing) are discussed in terms of an Al-Ga exchange reaction.
Abstract 5601: Efficient tumor therapy by anthrax toxin fusion proteins that contain cytolethal distending toxin B.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) is produced by several Gram-negative bacterial species. It is composed of three subunits, CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC, with CdtB being the catalytic subunit. We fused CdtB from Haemophilus ducreyi with the N-terminal 254 amino acids of Bacillus anthracis toxin lethal factor (LFn) to produce a novel, potent anti-tumor drug. CdtB is transported into the cytosol of targeted cells via the efficient delivery mechanism of anthrax toxin. The fusion protein efficiently killed various human tumor cell lines by inducing a complete cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and subsequently inducing apoptosis. Despite the described role of CdtB as a DNase, we detected a prominent phosphatase activity of CdtB, similar to phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) activity. Animal studies showed very low toxicity of a systemically-applied tumor-specific treatment and impressive anti-tumor effects, resulting in a 90% cure rate. This study demonstrates the great potential of a combination of efficient drug delivery by a modified anthrax toxin system and the enzymatic activity of CdtB, and argues for the continued development of this novel anti-cancer drug. Citation Format: Christopher Bachran, Suzanne Abdelazim, Radka Hasikova, Shihui Liu, Stephen H. Leppla. Efficient tumor therapy by anthrax toxin fusion proteins that contain cytolethal distending toxin B. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5601. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5601
Concentration of microalgae for the production of Nori and related food products Concentración de microalgas para la producción de Nori y productos derivados

A foodstuff has been developed which can be used as an alternative to the traditional macroalgal food products known as Nori, Wakame and Yokan, in Japan. The incorporation of Spirulina microalgae in the Yokan substitution distinguishes it from the traditional Japanese product. Spirulina in the Nori -like form offers advantages over the traditional products that include purity control (the traditional product is harvested from the sea and subject to the vagaries of environmental pollution), flexibility, and cost for comparable nutritional content. In addition, the Spirulina has a distinctive, appealing colour which sets it apart from traditional Nori. Most Spirulina production facilities consist of large outdoor reactors that are faced with the removal of large quantities of water to recover cell mass because of the very dilute concentrations present. A concentration method involving the radial migration of Spirulina across the streamlines of laminar flow fits nicely into the niche between the reactor concentration and the concentration required for the aforementioned products. This report presents recent developments for the improvement of the concentration technology which include a theoretical driven design of branched fluid particle separators.
Environmental scanning electron microscopy studies of diffusion mechanism of boron particle combustion

This investigation was performed to resolve long-term contradicting theories regarding the mechanisms which govern the species diffusion across the liquid B2O3 layer covering a single boron particle during the combustion of boron. An environmental scanning electron microscope (ElectroScan E-3) was used to observe the liquefaction characteristics of the boron oxide layer and to examine boron dissolution and species diffusion processes in real time. Using a hot stage, crystalline boron particles were heated from 25 to 950°C in O2, H2O, or Ar environments. Pure B2O3 particles were also heated in an O2 environment and examined. In situ observations showed that the diffusion of dissolved boron into molten B2O3(1) is much more dominant at elevated temperatures than the diffusion of gaseous O2 through the B2O3(1) layer. Dissolution of solid boron into the boron oxide layer caused the liquefaction of boron particles at relatively low temperatures (940°C). The chemical composition of liquid boron oxide, coated on the surface of boron particles, was identified as a polymeric vitreous (BO)n complex through the reaction between dissolved boron and molten B2O3(1).
Evidence for hemi-gap junctional channels in isolated horizontal cells of the skate retina

Prolonged depolarization of isolated, voltage-clamped skate retinal horizontal cells produces an outward current that exhibit a late onset and develops slowly with time. This current, which we refer to as the Q-current, is associated with an increase in membrane conductance, and is present when other voltage-gated conductances have been pharmacologically blocked. The reversal potential for the Q-current, obtained using tail current analysis, was close to 0 mV. The magnitude of the current was greatly reduced by superfusion with 25 mM acetate, and by 4 mM cobalt chloride, 2 mM 1-octanol, and a saturated solution of the general anesthetic halothane. In addition, the low-molecular weight fluorescent dye Lucifer yellow, applied extracellularly, entered the cells during activation of the Q-current, whereas a 3 kD dextran-fluorescein complex did not cross the cell membrane. The effects of divalent cations, the non-specific nature of the ionic current suggested by its reversal potential, the entry of Lucifer yellow, and the ability of acetate, halothane, cobalt, and octanol to block the current lead us to hypothesize that the Q-current results from the opening of hemi-gap junctional channels that mediate electrical coupling between skate horizontal cells.
Industrial Conflict in Advanced Industrial Societies.

This study focuses on strike activity during the 1950–1969 period in ten industrial societies, The first section of the paper deals with issues of strike measurement and introduces a three-dimensional characterization of strike activity which forms the basis of the subsequent statistical analyses. The next section examines postwar trends in industrial conflict in order to evaluate the argument that strike activity is “withering away” in advanced industrial societies. Time plots of the aggregate volume of industrial conflict show that there has been no general downward movement in strike activity during the postwar period.The third part of the paper develops a number of theoretically plausible statistical models to explain year-to-year fluctuations in the volume of strikes. The empirical results of this section indicate that (1) there is a pronounced inverse relationship between strike activity and the level of unemployment, which suggests that on the whole strikes are timed to capitalize on the strategic advantages of a tight labor market; (2) industrial conflict responds to movements in real wages rather than money wages, which indicates that labor is not misled by a “money illusion”; (3) Labor and Socialist parties are not able to deter strike activity in the short-run despite their strong electoral incentive to do so; and (4) the volume of strikes does seem to be influenced by the relative size of Communist parties, which suggests that such parties remain important agencies for the mobilization of discontent and the crystallization of labor-capital cleavages.