cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Label-free quantification with FDR-controlled match-between-runs

Missing values weaken the power of label-free quantitative proteomic experiments to uncover true quantitative differences between biological samples or experimental conditions. Match-between-runs (MBR) has become a common approach to mitigate the missing value problem, where peptides identified by tandem mass spectra in one run are transferred to another by inference based on m/z, charge state, retention time, and ion mobility when applicable. Though tolerances are used to ensure such transferred identifications are reasonably located and meet certain quality thresholds, little work has been done to evaluate the statistical confidence of MBR. Here, we present a mixture model-based approach to estimate the false discovery rate (FDR) of peptide and protein identification transfer, which we implement in the label-free quantification tool IonQuant. Using several benchmarking datasets generated on both Orbitrap and timsTOF mass spectrometers, we demonstrate that IonQuant with FDR-controlled MBR results in superior performance compared to MaxQuant. We further illustrate the need for FDR-controlled MBR in sparse datasets such as those from single-cell proteomics experiments.
In Pursuit of Engaged Learning with Latinx Students: Expanding Learning beyond Classrooms through Performance-Based Engagements.

Background/ContextUrban public high schools serving low-SES communities historically have underserved nondominant culturally and linguistically diverse students by divesting them of social and cult...
Virus-Targeted Transcriptomic Analyses Implicate Ranaviral Interaction with Host Interferon Response in Frog Virus 3-infected Frog Tissues

Frog Virus 3 (FV3) is a large dsDNA virus that cause global infections in amphibians, fish and reptiles, and contribute to amphibian declines. FV3s genome contains near 100 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Previous studies have classified these coding genes into temporal classes as immediate early, delayed early and late viral transcripts based on their sequential expression during FV3 infection. To genome-wide characterize ranaviral gene expression, we performed a whole transcriptomic analysis (RNA-Seq) using total RNA samples containing both viral and cellular transcripts from FV3-infected Xenopus laevis adult tissues using two FV3 strains, a wild type (FV3-WT) and an ORF64R-deleted recombinant (FV3-{Delta}64R). In samples from the infected intestine, liver, spleen, lung and especially kidney, a FV3-targeted transcriptomic analysis mapped reads spanning the full-genome coverage at [~]10x depth on both positive and negative strands. By contrast, reads were only mapped to partial genomic regions in samples from the infected thymus, skin and muscle. Extensive analyses validated the expression of almost all annotated 98 ORFs and profiled their differential expression in a tissue-, virus-, and temporal class-dependent manners. Further studies identified several putative ORFs that encode hypothetical proteins containing viral mimicking conserved domains found in host interferon (IFN) regulatory factors (IRFs) and IFN receptors. This study provides the first comprehensive genome-wide viral transcriptome profiling during infection and across multiple amphibian host tissues that will serve as instrumental reference. It also presents evidence implying that ranaviruses like FV3 have acquired previously unknown molecular mimics interfering with host IFN signaling during evolution. ImportanceFrog Virus 3 (FV3), are large dsDNA viruses that cause devastating infections globally in amphibians, fish and reptiles, and contribute to catastrophic amphibian declines. FV3s large genome encodes near 100 coding genes, of which most have been functionally uncharacterized in the viral pathogenesis. Using a whole transcriptomic analysis (RNA-Seq) in FV3-infected amphibian samples, we determined a genome-wide virus transcriptome and profiled their differential expression in a tissue-, virus-, and temporal class-dependent manners. Further studies identified several putative ORFs that encode hypothetical proteins containing viral mimicking conserved domains found in host interferon (IFN) regulatory factors (IRFs) and IFN receptors. This study provides the first comprehensive genome-wide viral transcriptome profiling during infection and across multiple amphibian host tissues that will serve as instrumental reference. It also presents evidence implying that ranaviruses like FV3 have acquired previously unknown molecular mimics interfering with host IFN signaling during evolution.
The Online Platform Economy Through the Pandemic

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic contraction, the Online Platform Economy served as a crucial source of families’ income. The JPMorgan Chase Institute analyzes changes in supply-side participation in the Online Platform Economy during a period that includes the COVID-19 pandemic, record-level job loss, and expanded unemployment insurance benefits. This research leverages de-identified administrative data from a universe of 30 million Chase deposit account customers and tracks payments from 38 online platforms between April 2018 and June 2021. Dividing the Online Platform Economy into four sectors (transportation, non-transport work, selling, leasing) we find that transportation and leasing platforms experienced greater declines in supply-side participation relative to selling and leasing platforms. Platform workers appear to be particularly vulnerable to economic shocks, as they received unemployment insurance at extremely high rates during the pandemic compared to other groups, and should thus be a priority for policymakers amid the current economic recovery.
Analysis of services of the city transport enterprise Č. Budějovice, Stock Company

The article deals with analysis of services of the City transport enterprise which offers the same transport services to all citizens, but uses different price politics for five different categories of customers. If the customer buys some of offered time tickets instead of individual tickets, there is a saving of price till to 50% for all paying age categories. The level of services is appreciated both for the ticket prices and keeping the bus time table schedule. For evaluating the reality of time table schedule, the method of statistical quality control by means of 6σ was used.
Investigations into Visual Statistical Inference

Statistical graphics play an important role in exploratory data analysis, model checking and diagnostics, but they are not usually associated with statistical inference. Recent developments allows inference to be applied to statistical graphics. A new method, called the lineup protocol, enables the data plot to be compared with null plots, in order to obtain estimates of statistical significance of structure. With the lineup protocol observed patterns visible in the data can be formally tested. The research conducted and described in this thesis validates the lineup protocol, examines the effects of human factors in the application of the protocol, and explains how to implement the protocol. It bridges the long existing gulf between exploratory and inferential statistics. In the validation work, additional refinement of the lineup protocol was made: methods for obtaining the power of visual tests, and p-values for particular tests are provided. A head-to-head comparison of visual inference against the best available conventional test is run for regression slope inference, using simulation experiments with human subjects. Results indicate that the visual test power is higher than the conventional test when the effect size is large, and even for smaller effect sizes, there may be some super-visual individuals who yield better performance than a conventional test. The factors that may influence the individual abilities are examined, and results suggest that demographic and geographic factors have statistically significant but practically insignificant impact. This work provides instructions on how to design human subject experiments to use Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to implement the lineup protocol.
On Category O over triangular generalized Weyl algebras

Abstract We analyze the BGG Category O over a large class of generalized Weyl algebras (henceforth termed GWAs). Given such a “triangular” GWA for which Category O decomposes into a direct sum of subcategories, we study in detail the homological properties of blocks with finitely many simples. As consequences, we show that the endomorphism algebra of a projective generator of such a block is quasi-hereditary, finite-dimensional, and graded Koszul. We also classify all tilting modules in the block, as well as all submodules of all projective and tilting modules. Finally, we present a novel connection between blocks of triangular GWAs and Young tableaux, which provides a combinatorial interpretation of morphisms and extensions between objects of the block.
IL-6 deletion attenuates psoriasis-like skin inflammation in K5-IL-17C mice. (CCR6P.270)

IL-17C is the most abundant IL-17 family member found in lesional psoriasis skin. IL-17C elicits a 4-fold increase in TNFα (P<0.05) from primary human endothelial cells (ECs) and primary human keratinocytes (KCs) stimulated with IL-17C/TNFα produce synergistic increases in psoriasis signature genes. Mice engineered to overexpress IL-17C in KCs (K5-IL-17C) develop a psoriasiform skin phenotype that improves upon TNFα inhibition. IL-17C also elicits a 3-fold increase in IL-6 from ECs (P<0.05), and IL-6 protein levels significantly increase in uninvolved and involved skin of K5-IL-17C mice (42% and 480%; P<0.05). We hypothesized that IL-6 synergizes with IL-17C to elicit chronic skin inflammation, akin to IL-17C/TNFα. To test this, we mated K5-IL-17C mice with IL-6 KO mice. K5-IL-17C-IL-6 KO mice develop less severe skin disease at 8-10 weeks of age vs K5-IL-17C mice (40% decrease in mouse PASI; n=15, P<0.05) and have significant decreases in serum TNFα (64%; n=4; P<0.035). Histological analyses of involved skin show no differences between K5-IL-17C vs K5-IL-17C-IL-6 KO mice, however analyses of uninvolved skin reveal a significantly thinner epidermis (2-fold decrease; P<0.001), decrease in dermal angiogenesis (27%; P<0.04), and decreases in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and F4/80+ macrophages (30-51%; P<0.05) in K5-IL-17C-IL-6 KO vs K5-IL-17C mice (n=8/group). These data suggest that IL-6 may contribute to proinflammatory IL-17C signaling critical for sustained psoriasis pathogenesis.
Model Checking and Abstraction

How can a computer program developer ensure that a program actually implements its intended purpose? This article describes a method for checking the correctness of certain types of computer programs. The method is used commercially in the development of programs implemented as integrated circuits, and is applicable to the development of “control-intensive” software programs as well. “Divide-and-conquer” techniques central to this method apply to a broad range of program verification methodologies.
Modal dispersion phase-matching in polymer waveguides with inverted poling structure

Efficient second-harmonie generation (SHG), widely used for the fabrication of compact blue light sources, can also be employed for the demonstration of all-optical switching, spatial solitary waves, etc, through cascading of second-order nonlinear effects1
Optical interconnections and their impact on computing

Summary form only given, as follows. A computing system can be regarded as a collection on nonlinear gates, within which signals must interact, and interconnections between those gates and between groups of gates for communications. The use of optics at an interconnect technology is addressed. The appropriateness of optics as an interconnect solution varies through the hierarchy of levels of interconnect present in computing. At the machine-to-machine level there is no argument about the success of optics as an interconnect medium. At the lowest level, gate-to-gate, it can be shown that optics will probably not be competitive with electronic solutions. Somewhere between the highest level and the lowest level there is a level where optics becomes noncompetitive. Just where this level may be is a subject of much interest and research. From the knowledge now in hand, it appears likely that optics will provide a competitive advantage at those levels where terminated transmission lines would otherwise be required. However, the relatively short lifetimes (less than 100 h) of laser diodes will limit the number of such devices that can be used within a single machine and therefore will influence how low in the interconnect hierarchy optics can penetrate. >
Lineament and polygon patterns on Europa

A classification scheme is presented for the lineaments and associated polygonal patterns observed on the surface of Europa, and the frequency distribution of the polygons is discussed in terms of the stress-relief fracturing of the surface. The lineaments are divided on the basis of albedo, morphology, orientation and characteristic geometry into eight groups based on Voyager 2 images taken at a best resolution of 4 km. The lineaments in turn define a system of polygons varying in size from small reticulate patterns the limit of resolution to 1,000,000 sq km individuals. Preliminary analysis of polygon side frequency distributions reveals a class of polygons with statistics similar to those found in complex terrestrial terrains, particularly in areas of well-oriented stresses, a class with similar statistics around the antijovian point, and a class with a distribution similar to those seen in terrestrial tensional fracture patterns. Speculations concerning the processes giving rise to the lineament patterns are presented.
Asymptomatic lower extremity acrocyanosis: report of two cases and review of the literature

Vasospastic disorders affecting the lower extremities are unusual entities. Two cases of asymptomatic foot discoloration with lower extremity dependency are presented. In the first case, an elderly gentleman was admitted to the hospital with a contralateral foot infection. His physical exam revealed pulse examination within normal limits and his blood work failed to identify any known causes for vasospasm. His foot infection was successfully treated with sensitivity-directed antibiotics. The second case is that of a young man with a history of quadriplegia secondary to a remote diving accident, who presented with a three-month history of foot discoloration while sitting up in his wheelchair, which resolved with recumbent leg positioning. A review of the possible diagnoses for these patients' presentation is presented herein.
Hormonal regulation of nuclear type II estrogen binding sites in the dorsolateral prostate of noble rats

We previously demonstrated that simultaneous treatment of Noble (NBL) rats with estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) for 16 weeks induces a proliferative response selectively in the dorsolateral prostates (DLP) of all treated animals [1, 2]. The unique sensitivity of rat DLP to the conjoint androgen-estrogen-induced mitogenic action may be attributable to the presence of a moderate affinity, high capacity, nuclear estrogen binder (type II sites) found exclusively in this prostatic lobe [2, 3]. Little is known about whether prostatic type II site levels are under hormonal regulation. The aim of this study is to determine whether testicular steroids play a role in regulating the basal and/or induced levels of type II site expression in rat DLP. In the first experiment, rats were castrated and immediately treated with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and/or E2 for 6 weeks to determine whether these steroids, separately or jointly, could sustain DLP type II site levels in castrates. Treatments of castrated rats with DHT and DHT+E2 were found to be effective in maintaining DLP type II site levels and gland wet weights at values close to those found in intact untreated controls, while treatments with E2 failed to maintain these parameters at levels observed in intact animals. In the second experiment, intact rats were treated with an androgen (T or DHT) or E2, alone or in combination, for 16 weeks to ascertain which hormonal regimen could induce a higher level of type II site expression in the DLP. Treatments of rats with an androgen (T or DHT) or E2 alone did not change DLP type II site levels even though T treatment caused a slight increase in gland weight, while E2 treatment induced prostatic atrophy. Contrary to single hormone treatments, combined T + E2 and DHT+E2 treatments were effective in inducing a doubling of type II sites and increases in wet weight of the DLPs. These data indicate that testicular androgen is the primary factor responsible for maintaining a basal level of type II site expression in rat DLP, while conjoint androgenic-estrogenic action is needed for the induction of a higher level of type II site expression in the tissue.
Reaction mechanism simplification using mixed-integer nonlinear programming ☆

Abstract For large, complex reacting systems, computational efficiency becomes a critical issue in process simulation, optimization, and model-based control. Mechanism simplification is often a necessity to improve computational speed. We present a novel approach to reaction mechanism simplification that formulates the model reduction problem as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem and solves it using DICOPT++ (discrete and continuous optimizer). Two formulations of the mechanism simplification problem are considered, one involving the elimination of reactions and the other the elimination of species. Both steady-state and dynamic problem formulations are developed. Solutions for example problems having six reactions and six species are presented.
Adaptive Bayes estimators for parameters of the Gompertz survival model

The two-parameter Gompertz model is a commonly used survival time distribution in actuarial science and reliability and life testing. The estimation of the parameters of this model is numerically involved. We consider the estimation problem in a Bayesian framework and give the Bayesian estimators of parameters in terms of single numerical integrations. We propose an adaptive Bayesian estimation procedure by putting a prior only on one parameter and finding the other parameter by minimizing the distance between empirical and parametric cumulative distribution functions. This easily computable (even for large samples) adaptive Bayesian procedure is compatible with the exact Bayesian procedure. In particular, numerical integration for computing the exact Bayesian procedure is difficult for large samples. Furthermore, for the no prior information situation, a noninformative adaptive Bayes procedure is given. Some examples of the proposed adaptive method along with a comparison with other existing methods are given. Monte Carlo simulation has been used to compare the existing procedures with the proposed procedures.
Synthesis of unsaturated polyester‐clay nanocomposites using reactive organoclays

Two polymerizable cationic surfactants, vinylbenzyl n-alkyldimethyl (n = 12 or 18) ammonium chlorides, were used for functionalization of montmorillonite (MMT) and preparation of unsaturated polyester (UP)-clay nanocomposites. Polymerizable organophilic clays were prepared by exchanging the sodium ions of MMT with vinylbenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (VDAC) or vinylbenzyloctadecyl-dimethyl ammonium chloride (VOAC) in an aqueous medium. The dispersion of organoclays in UP led to gel formation. UP/VDAC-MMT resulted in intercalated nanocomposites while UP/VOAC-MMT formed partially exfoliated nanocomposites. The nanocomposites exhibited higher dynamic modulus than pristine UP.
Synthesis and characterization of a polyvanadate polyester involving a monodentate alcohol, [(n-C4H9)4N][V6O12(OCH3)7]

Abstract Polyvanadates are of interest in conjunction with new materials and catalysis, sensor technology, and enzymology. We report here the preparation, X-ray structure and other properties of the new compound, heptamethoxyhexavanadate, [V6O12(OCH3)7]− (1). Crystalline (n-Bu4N)[V6O12(OCH3)7] (a=10.184(4), b=12.742(4), c=17.148(5) A, α=72.62(3), β=73.42(3), γ=70.92(3)°, Z=2, space group=P 1 ) contains a total of seven μ2-(OCH3) groups with one of the OCH3 groups having two-fold disorder in the solid state. NMR on three nuclei (1H, 13C and 51V) confirm that 1 retains the solid state structure in anhydrous acetonitrile solution at 25 °C. 1 has a quite positive potential: Ef=Epc+Epa/2=−0.344 V versus Fc+/Fc (Epc−Epa=78 mV; n=1 electron).
Homosexuality, gender nonconformity, and the neoliberal state.

In principle, the neoliberal state is a less regulatory state with regards to private life: neoliberalism lets the market decide what sorts of arrangements are best for the rational individuals who...
Uncertainty, policy ineffectiveness and long stagnation of the macroeconomy

Abstract When reform has no direct aggregate effects, but only changes agents’ incentives to act, uncertainty can weaken its effect. Because agents learn about policy change by observing their signals, increasing signal noise makes it harder for agents to know that reform has occurred. When policy changes are difficult to observe, they change agents’ actions less and have less aggregate effect. This is the main point illustrated in the model by Aoki and Yoshikawa.
Grafting of nanospherical PMMA brushes on cross-linked PMMA nanospheres for addition in two-solution bone cements

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) brushes were grafted to the surface of cross-linked PMMA nanospheres for use as the polymer phase in the preparation of the two-solution bone cement. PMMA chains grafted on the core of the cross-linked PMMA nanostructures were hypothesized to impart viscosity to the cement mixture, while providing entanglements with the matrix chains formed during cement cure. The first goal of this study was to develop a novel synthetic strategy to decorate the surface of nanoparticles with functional groups that allowed for grafting of PMMA brushes via radical polymerization. The grafting reactions were performed at specific combinations of monomer and initiator to produce a range of molecular weights adequate for the preparation of bone cements. The second goal was to investigate the ability of this novel methodology to produce high graft densities on the core surface from the analysis of the hydrodynamic properties of brushes. The synthetic pathway discussed enabled the synthesis of brushes with high graft densities and molecular weights tuned to provide optimal viscosities for preparation of brush-containing two-solution bone cements.
The Effect of Input Mode on Vocabulary Identification Performance at Low Intensity

The effect of input device (touchscreen vs. number keyboard) on preschoolers' vocabulary identification performance at low intensity was examined. Both methods of input were easily learned by preschool children as young as three and one-half years of age. Vocabulary identification performance at a comfortable listening level was equivalent for both groups [keyboard (95%); touchscreen (97%)]. However, as signal intensity increased, the touchscreen group identified the target words at a lower intensity level than the keyboard group. The results indicate that operating a number keyboard can interfere with a preschooler's ability to perform at his/her highest level on computer software, especially when the attention/cognitive demands of the software are high. Thus, when using the computer as a teaching or assessment tool for preschool children or children with cognitive handicaps, a touchscreen or similar direct selection device should be the input mode of choice.
Synthetic High-Field, High-Current Superconductor

The preparation and superconducting properties of Vycor glass cylinders containing filaments of superconducting Hg are described. The Hg, in the normal state, is forced at 3300 atm into the glass, which has a porosity of 35%. The magnetizations and critical current densities of several samples are measured as functions of magnetic fields and preparation parameters. These synthetic systems are found to have superconducting properties similar to those of hard superconductors. (T.F.H.)
Expanding Uses of the Telephone in Family Therapy

The telephone has been used as an instrument for live supervision. This article describes innovative uses of the telephone by a family therapy training team, including (a) strategic calls to the therapist; (b) calls from the team to family members; and (c) calls between family members. Case examples describing the interventions and their impact are given. Both training and therapeutic benefits are discussed.
Laboratory-based smart power system, Part II: Control, monitoring, and protection

Wide area monitoring (WAM), wide area protection (WAP), and wide area control (WAC) systems will enhance the future of smart grid operation in terms of reliability and security. In part I of this paper, a proposed architecture for a hybrid ac/dc smart grid hardware test-bed system was presented. In part II of the paper, the focus is on the design of monitoring, control, and protection systems and their integrated real-time operation. Various control scenarios for system startup and continuous operation are examined. We have developed a control system based on wide area measurements. The advanced measurement system based on synchrophasors was also implemented using DAQs real-time synchronous data. The developed system features a wide variety of capabilities such as online system parameters calculation and online voltage stability monitoring. These are implemented as an experimental case to enhance wide area monitoring systems. Moreover, the protection system was designed inside of the real-time software environment to monitor the real-time wide area data, and make a comprehensive and reliable coordination for the whole system. Ideas related to the interaction of a dc microgrid involving sustainable energy sources with the main ac grid have been also implemented and presented. The implemented system is explicit and achievable in any research laboratory and for real-time real-world smart grid applications.
Privacy and procedural justice in organizations

This paper advances the argument that individual privacy is a procedural justice issue in organizations. A review of the organizational privacy literature supports this argument, and new directions for procedural justice research are suggested. In addition, it is argued that a focus on individual privacy highlights the political and paradoxical implications of procedural justice issues in organizations.
Prospects for gene therapy of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The application of gene therapy to Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus awaits improvements in gene transfer technologies and the development of better tools for accurate diagnosis of pre-diabetic people. Identification of the most promising candidate genes for gene transfer requires further elucidation of the molecular events involved in beta-cell autoimmune destruction, islet ontogeny and differentiation, and beta-cell function. This review outlines a number of possible targets for gene therapy in Type I diabetes, which could help prevent the autoimmune damage to islets, induce islet regeneration, and restore insulin production through engineering of self non-beta cells or beta-cell transplantation. It also evaluates their potential merits and drawbacks.
A hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin formulation for non-linear elasticity

Abstract We revisit the hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for non-linear elasticity introduced by S.-C. Soon (2008). We show that it can be recast as a minimization problem of a non-linear functional over a space of discontinuous approximations to the displacement. The functional can be written as the sum over the elements of the classic potential energy plus a new energy associated to the inter-element jumps of the displacement. We then show that if this new energy is not properly weighted, the minimizers might not converge to the exact solution. We construct an example illustrating this phenomenon and show how to overcome it by suitably increasing the weight of the energy of the inter-element jumps. Finally, we explore the performance of the method for the case of piecewise-linear approximations in rather demanding situations in both two-dimensional and, for the first time, three-dimensional situations. They include almost incompressible materials, large deformations with large-shear layers, and cavitation. We also compare the method with the continuous Galerkin method and a previously explored discontinuous Galerkin method, and show that, when using piecewise-linear approximations and a moderate number of degrees of freedom, the current method turns out to be more efficient for the computation of the gradient.
The Influence of Illness Factors on Physicians' Likelihood of Disclosing Confidential Health Information to Relatives of Patients

Confidentiality maintenance is an ethical principle essential to patient care. Because of the importance of confidentiality, the purpose of the present study was to investigate physician disclosures of confidential health information to relatives of patients and how illness factors may influence these disclosures. Based on the content-analyzed transcripts of 22 internists, factors related to an illness (e.g., impairments, severity of diagnosis or prognosis) were shown to affect physicians' disclosures to relatives of patients primarily because the physicians tend to assess the patient within the context of their family. The physicians raised important new aspects of the confidentiality issue that need to be more fully explored.
A system of Markov processes with random lifetimes

Let E be a locally compact Hausdorff space with a countable base, and suppose {xn} is a countable collection of points in E. Particles enter E at the site xn according to a Poisson process Nn(t). Upon entrance to E, a typical particle moves through the space, independently of all other particles, according to the transition law of a Markov process, until its death, which occurs at some random time D. We prove several limit theorems for various functional of this infinite particle system. In particular, laws of large numbers, and central limit theorems are proved for occupation times of relatively compact Borel sets.
Prolonged survival in untreated breast cancer

Summary The natural history of untreated breast cancer is usually, but not invariably, one of local extension, distant metastasis, and death. We have followed up a patient with a histologic diagnosis of breast cancer who refused treatment for twenty years. The tumor showed absolutely no progression during this time, and the diagnosis was again verified when she recently consented to excision. The literature was reviewed and several similar cases found.
Studies on the Secretion of Maize Root Cap Slime V. The Cell Wall as a Barrier to Secretion

Summary The periodicity of polysaccharide slime secretion by root cap cells of corn ( Zea mays L. cv. SX 17) was studied. The release of carbohydrate material containing hexose and methyl hexose residues from the root of single seedlings has a period of 2–3 hr. Similarly, the release of alcohol insoluble material containing radioactivity from fucose [ 3 H] is cyclic with a period of 2–3 hr. The appearance of label in the incubation medium is preceded by the accumulation of radioactivity in an alcohol insoluble fraction of the tissue homogenate of roots labelled with fucose [ 3 H]. Radioactivity from thymidine [ 3 H] in trichloroacetic acid-insoluble cell debris released from the root cap surface indicates that cell sloughing is also cyclic having a 2–3 hr periodicity. Localization of label by autoradiography in root tips incubated with fucose [ 3 H] for 2 hr showed asymmetric accumulation of radioactivity on the outer tangential surface of cells lying 2–3 cells from the root cap surface. Cytochemical staining of sections of aldehyde-fixed tissue with periodic acid-silver proteinate showed an accumulation of polysaccharide material between the cell wall and plasma membrane of cells lying 2–3 cells from the cap surface. The accumulation of radioactivity and polysaccharide between the cell wall and plasma membrane of these cells is correlated with changes in the structure of the walls. The cell walls of central root cap cells are 0.16–0.20 μm in thickness and possess different silver proteinate staining properties from those of the walls of the peripheral cells which are 0.8–0.9 μm thick. The preferential distribution of several polysaccharide hydrolases in the root cap indicates that they may be involved in alteration of the cell wall. It is proposed that sequential modification of the cell wall by enzymatic hydrolysis results in the periodicity of polysaccharide slime release.
Absorbable Mesh Reinforcement of a Stapled Pancreatic Transection Line Reduces the Leak Rate with Distal Pancreatectomy

Pancreatic leak remains a significant cause of morbidity after distal pancreatectomy. We report the use of an absorbable mesh to reinforce a stapled pancreatic transection line for distal pancreatectomy. Forty consecutive distal pancreatectomies (33 open and 7 laparoscopic) were performed since the introduction of mesh reinforcement. We utilized an inclusive definition of pancreatic leak to critically evaluate the staple line reinforcement material. In addition, we compared the pancreatic leak rate for this case series with the antecedent 40 cases where mesh reinforcement was not available. In the prospective series there was 1 leak in 29 cases (3.5%) in which mesh reinforcement was utilized, and 4 leaks in 11 cases (36%) when mesh was not utilized (p < 0.005). The 12.5% leak rate for the 40 cases during the prospective period, compared favorably to the 27.5% leak rate for the 40 cases preceding the study period (p = 0.09). Twenty-nine cases receiving mesh compared favorably to the 23 stapled cases in the control series, reducing leak rate from 22 to 3.5% (p = 0.04). Mesh reinforcement of the stapled pancreatic transection line reduced the pancreatic leak rate after distal pancreatectomy. Mesh reinforcement was possible with open or laparoscopic resections. No complications were attributable to the use of absorbable mesh.
Fine-needle aspiration of intra-abdominal desmoplastic small cell tumor

The cytologic features of four cases of histologically confirmed intra-abdominal desmoplastic small cell tumor (DSCT) that occurred in males between 18-27 yr of age are presented. Smears showed small cells with scant cytoplasm which were primarily arranged in loosely cohesive clusters. Nuclei were oval to round with evenly distributed, finely granular chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. As is typical of DSCT, the cells strongly expressed keratin and desmin in all cases. In the one case studied by electron microscopy, it was demonstrated that the cells were joined by small junctions and contained paranuclear aggregates of intermediate filaments. The absence of the characteristic desmoplastic stroma in DSCT aspirates and the nonspecific cytologic features of this small round-cell tumor (SRCT) made cytologic interpretation difficult. Cytopathologists should be aware of this entity so that DSCT is included in the differential diagnosis of SRCTs that occur in intra-abdominal sites. A panel of markers that includes keratin and desmin should be used to assist in the identification of DSCT.
A 0.4 GHz – 4 GHz direct RF-to-digital ΣΔ multi-mode receiver

A wide-tuning-range low-power sigma-delta-based direct-RF-to-digital receiver architecture is implemented in 65 nm CMOS. A multi-level (two-bit) non-return-to-zero DAC improves jitter immunity to enable a high dynamic range, and, with a class-AB low-noise transconductance amplifier guarantees a highly linear front end. The peak SNDR of the receiver exceeds 68 dB for a 4 MHz signal, and is better than 60 dB across the 400 MHz to 4 GHz carrier frequency range. By virtue of utilizing a negative feedback digitizer close to the antenna, an IIP3 of +10 dBm and an IIP2 of +50 dBm is achieved while dissipating only 40 mW from 1.1 V / 1.5 V supply voltages.
Optimal Utilization of Registered Nurses Through All Phases of Care in the Cardiac Cath Lab

The highly specialized skills of registered nurses (RNs) in the cardiac catheterization laboratory pose unique problems for administrators when dealing with staffing shortages. Faced with a temporary reduction of 25% of the total RN labor and 50% of the procedural RN labor, a cardiac catheterization laboratory in north central Illinois resorted to cross-training RNs through all the phases of care, including preadmission, preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural care. This creative staffing solution solved the short-term staffing issue and had the added benefit of improving interpositional team knowledge and morale.
Backscattered supercontinuum emission from high-intensity laser-plasma interactions.

We performed high-intensity subpicosecond laser–plasma interaction experiments to examine nonlinear scattering mechanisms in underdense plasmas. At incident laser intensities of 2 × 1018 W/cm2 the stimulated-Raman-backscattered spectrum exhibited an extremely broad, supercontinuumlike structure (Δω/ω0 > 1) extending from ~500 to >1200 nm (limited only by detector sensitivity). Large-amplitude modulations in the spectrum of the backscattered light were measured and are attributed to an interaction of the stimulated-Raman-scattered radiation with ion plasma waves.
Factors affecting tissue culture initiation from maize tassels

Abstract Totipotent tissue cultures of maize (Zea mays L.) previously have been initiated from various explant tissues, including immature tassels. To obtain high frequencies of culture initiation from immature tassels, we recommend the use of tassels between 1 and 3 cm long, cut into 1-mm sections, and incubation under low light on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1.0 mg/1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Callus with opaque white structures resembling embryonic scutella was classified as totipotent (capable of plant regeneration). Frequencies of tassels which produced one or more of these totipotent cultures ranged from 0 to 100% among 13 genotypes. Ten of these 13 genotypes produced cultures from at least 20% of their explanted tassels. Not all cultures classified as totipotent were capable of producing plants which would grow to maturity. The responses of reciprocal F1 genotypes and their parental lines suggested that partially dominant nuclear genes control culture initiation. No evidence of cytoplasmic or maternal effects was found. Within genotypes, responses of immature embryos and tassels in vitro were similar qualitatively and quantitatively, and thus appeared to be under similar genetic control. The use of immature tassels as explants permits selection of specific genotypes via genetic markers or particular plant phenotypes prior to culture initiation.
Omental immune aggregates and tumor metastasis within the peritoneal cavity

The omentum, an important peritoneal tissue, is studded with a high number of immune aggregates, or “milky spots,” the number, function, and phenotype of which is largely unknown. We have analyzed the immune composition on the normal omentum and also have shown that both free immune cells and tumor cells in the peritoneal fluid bind preferentially to these immune aggregates. This binding may be mediated by the network of collagen I fibers, which overlay these areas. In addition, we have shown that not only do omental vessels express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3), a receptor that is only found on angiogenic blood vessels, but that tumor cells co-localize with these vessels, possibly increasing the ability of tumor to induce neovascularization and therefore thrive.
Antigenic activity of prostaglandins.

Abstract Prostaglandins E1 and F2α were coupled to polylysine using carbodiimide. The conjugates, complexed to succinylated hemocyanin, were used to immunize rabbits. The antibodies elicited with polylysine-prostaglandin F2α showed specificity for F2α but reacted, although less effectively, with heterologous prostaglandins. Antibodies elicited with polylysine-prostaglandin E1 were most effective serologically with prostaglandin A1. They cross reacted with prostaglandin E1 and F2α but less effectively. A radioimmunoassay for measurement of prostaglandins in nanogram amounts has been developed.
Trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in older Mexican Americans, 1993-2005.

Purpose To describe trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among older Mexican Americans living in the Southwestern United States from 1993–1994 to 2004–2005. Methods This study is a comparison between two separate cross-sectional cohorts of non-institutionalized Mexican Americans 75 years of age or older from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly (919 subjects from the 1993–1994 cohort and 738 from the 2004–2005 cohort). Data were collected on self-reported hypertension, measured blood pressure, medications, as well as sociodemographic and other health-related factors. Results Hypertension prevalence increased from 73.0% in the period 1993–1994 to 78.4% in 2004–2005. Cross-cohort multivariate analyses showed that the higher odds of hypertension in the 2004–2005 cohort was attenuated by adding diabetes and obesity to the model. There was a significant increase in hypertension awareness among hypertensives (63.0% to 82.6%) and in control among treated hypertensives (42.5% to 55.4%). Cross-cohort multivariate analyses showed that the higher odds of control in 2004–2005 cohorts were accentuated by adding diabetes to the model. There were no significant changes in treatment rates (62.2% to 65.6%) Conclusion Hypertension prevalence in very old Mexican Americans residing in the Southwestern United States was higher in 2004–2005 than in 1993–1994 and was accompanied by a significant increase in awareness and control rates.
EXOTIC NEGATIVE CARRIERS IN LIQUID HELIUM.

We have confirmed the existence of a new negative carrier of high mobility in superfluid helium, reported by Doake and Gribbon, and determined its zero-field mobility. We suggest that it may be the negative helium ion in a small cavity in the liquid. A series of carriers with mobilities between that of the "fast" and the "normal" (electron bubble) carrier is also shown to exist.
Global-local processing in schizophrenia: hemispheric asymmetry and symptom-specific interference.

The hypothesis of atypical functional hemispheric asymmetry in schizophrenia is tested using the directed global–local paradigm, a lateralizing measure of visual perception. Results indicate low error rates (< 2%) for schizophrenia and normal control groups, but longer response times for the schizophrenia group. In the normal group, detection speed of global and local forms did not differ. In contrast, the schizophrenia group responded significantly faster to local relative to global forms, which supports the asymmetry hypotheses of left hemisphere overactivity–right hemisphere underactivity in schizophrenia. The normal group exhibited a global interference effect (slowed response latency to the local target in the presence of a dissimilar global distractor). When the schizophrenia group was examined according to symptom type and severity, high positive symptom severity was associated with local interference (slowed response latency to the global target in the presence of dissimilar local distractors). Negative symptoms were not associated with interference from the competing local or global forms. Patients with a combination of high positive and low negative symptoms showed significantly greater local interference than patients with high negative and low positive symptoms. Interconnected temporal and frontal systems are postulated to contribute to this pattern of perceptual processing efficiency and distractibility in schizophrenia. (JINS, 1999, 5, 442–451.)
Synthesis and Surface Composition Study of CdSe Nanoclusters Prepared Using Solvent Systems Containing Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Amines

A series of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines have been examined as cosolvents with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) for the synthesis of CdSe nanoclusters. Syntheses were conducted in 66 mol % hexadecylamine (HDA), dodecylamine (DDA), dioctylamine (DOA), or trioctylamine (TOA) in TOPO and the growth rates and size distributions of the resulting products compared with those obtained from the same reaction conducted in pure TOPO. DOA was found to advantageously slow the growth rate of the nanoclusters and produce material with a narrow size distribution and moderate fluorescence quantum yield. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the products has been used to quantify the ratio of TOPO to amine on the nanocluster surface and shows that the primary amines attain the highest packing densities. STM imaging of materials synthesized in the presence of HDA or DOA and then self-assembled on nonanedithiol SAMs shows improved surface stability for the DOA synthesized products.
A colorimetric assay for measuring phospholipase A2 degradation of phosphatidylcholine at physiological pH.

Phospholipase A2 is an important enzyme in various pathologies. Although fluorescent substrate assays for it have been recently developed, there is a need for an assay with inexpensive commercially available substrates, useful when samples interfered with fluorescent assays, that is nonisotopic, continuous, conducted at physiological pH, and in a 96 well format. A reaction using bromothymol blue was developed that meets all these requirements.
Shc Interaction with Src Homology 2 Domain Containing Inositol Phosphatase (SHIP) in Vivo Requires the Shc-Phosphotyrosine Binding Domain and Two Specific Phosphotyrosines on SHIP

Abstract The adapter protein Shc has been implicated in mitogenic signaling via growth factor receptors, cytokine receptors, and antigen receptors on lymphocytes. Besides the well characterized interaction of Shc with molecules involved in Ras activation, Shc also associates with a 145-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein upon triggering via antigen receptors and many cytokine receptors. This 145-kDa protein has been recently identified as an SH2 domain containing 5′-inositol phosphatase (SHIP) and has been implicated in the regulation of growth and differentiation in hematopoietic cells. In this report, we have addressed the molecular details of the interaction between Shc and SHIPin vivo. During T cell receptor signaling, tyrosine phosphorylation of SHIP and its association with Shc occurred only upon activation. We demonstrate that the phosphotyrosine binding domain of Shc is necessary and sufficient for its association with tyrosine-phosphorylated SHIP. Through site-directed mutagenesis, we have identified two tyrosines on SHIP, Tyr-917, and Tyr-1020, as the principal contact sites for the Shc-phosphotyrosine binding domain. Our data also suggest a role for the tyrosine kinase Lck in phosphorylation of SHIP. We also show that the SH2 domain of SHIP is dispensable for the Shc-SHIP interaction in vivo. These data have implications for the localization of the Shc·SHIP complex and regulation of SHIP function during T cell receptor signaling.
Coded tumor size may be unreliable for small metastatic renal cancers in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results dataset.

Objectives To report a weakness in the April 2006 release of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) dataset, in which the primary tumor size of small ( Methods In the SEER dataset, 167 patients with tumor size ≤2.5 cm had metastatic disease at presentation in 1998-2003. Each patient's chart was individually re-examined by SEER registries to determine the correct primary tumor size. This confirmed data were compared with the coded tumor size in the SEER dataset. Results Of the 167 re-examined cases, 2 had incorrect histology and 6 could not be verified. Of the remaining 159 cases, 87 (55%) were correctly coded for primary tumor size while 72 (45%) were incorrect. The error rate decreased with increasing size; for tumors ≤1 cm, >1-2 cm, and >2-2.5 cm, error rates were 88%, 53%, and 6.8%, respectively ( P P Conclusions Coded primary tumor sizes in the April 2006 release SEER dataset for metastatic renal tumors