cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary Selenium and Arsenic Additions and Their Effects on Tissue and Egg Selenium

Abstract A study involving 0.2, 2 and 8 p.p.m. selenium and 8 or 15 p.p.m. arsenic additions to corn-soy, glucose-isolated soy and glucose-Torula yeast diets for laying type chickens was conducted to 62 weeks of age. Hens from the corn-soy diet were force molted and continued on treatment to 104 weeks of age. Addition of 2 p.p.m. selenium to the corn-soy diet significantly (P Egg size was decreased when 8 p.p.m. selenium were added to any of the three diet types and in some cases with 2 p.p.m. No significant effects due to selenium supplementation were noted on shell thickness, Haugh units or egg fertility. Percent hatch of fertile eggs was significantly (P Selenium supplements up to 2 p.p.m. to the purified-type diets containing 0.02 to 0.07 p.p.m. selenium resulted in tissue selenium contents of 0.5–0.9 p.p.m. These were comparable to those found in hens fed the unsupplemented corn-soy diet which contained 0.4 p.p.m. selenium. With the unsupplemented purified-type diets, tissue selenium levels were in the range of 0.06–0.4 p.p.m. Selenium deposition in eggs followed the same patterns as tissue selenium and did not increase with length of time the hens were fed the supplements. Within two weeks after supplementation was terminated, egg selenium levels were similar irrespective of previous dietary treatment.
Descriptions of First Instars in the Genera Quernaspis and Neoquernaspis

First instars of the genera Quernaspis and Neoquernaspis (Homoptera: Diaspididae) are described and illustrated. A key is provided to separate these genera in the 1st instar, and separate species keys are included for each genus.
A spectroscopic method for assessing confluence of epithelial cell cultures.

We describe a convenient nonelectrophysiological technique for assessing cell proliferation and subsequent tight junction formation for epithelial monolayers grown on permeable supports. The method...
Methods for Characterization of Alternative RNA Splicing

Quantification of alternative splicing to detect the abundance of differentially spliced isoforms of a gene in total RNA can be accomplished via RT-PCR using both quantitative real-time and semi-quantitative PCR methods. These methods require careful PCR primer design to ensure specific detection of particular splice isoforms. We also describe analysis of alternative splicing using a splicing "minigene" in mammalian cell tissue culture to facilitate investigation of the regulation of alternative splicing of a particular exon of interest.
Leg Ulcers in Dermatology

This review provides a thorough qualitative synthesis of the characteristic physical examination findings, expected diagnostic study findings, risk factors, etiology, systemic complications, and optimal therapeutic approach to leg ulcers in dermatology. Studies utilizing newer techniques to identify microbial organisms show a large previously understudied anaerobic burden that may be contributing to delayed wound healing. Recent findings suggest that additional research is needed in the fields of advanced wound dressings, venous surgery, and antibiotics. Most chronic ulcers occur in patients with underlying medical diseases, thus appropriately diagnosing and treating any underlying medical conditions are essential. Adjunct therapy to wound treatment includes moisture and occlusion, debridement, infection control, compression therapy, and pressure dispersion. The vast majority of leg ulcers are made up of venous leg ulcers, arterial ulcers, pressure ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers; however, less common conditions must importantly be considered in the differential diagnosis.
A systematic review of siblings and physical activity experiences

ABSTRACTSiblings are important developmental agents, yet understanding of their influence in physical activity settings is limited. Prior to developing sibling-focused research questions, a comprehensive summary of the diverse literature regarding siblings in the physical domain is needed. A systematic review of siblings in physical activity contexts was conducted to gauge current knowledge on this topic and provide a guide for future empirical endeavors. A comprehensive literature search of CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science yielded 68 studies spanning 46 years (1970–2016). The results showed siblings to be actively and passively associated with physical activity levels and to be sources of both positive and negative experiences in sport. The sex composition of sibling dyads appears to moderate outcomes. Overall, the findings provide an outline of sibling-based subject areas, identify topics needing further attention, and showcase methods with potential to ad...
Data Analytics in Systems Engineering for Intelligent Transportation Systems

This chapter introduces the concept of Systems Engineering and its role in designing systems for use in the Internet of Things (IoT), with particular emphasis on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Design is an essential step in the creation of a system as the design plots the course that later development steps will take. It involves the creation of an architecture that represents the system to be constructed, and this architecture is analyzed to ensure the system, as designed, is capable of successfully meeting requirements. Verification at this stage, as part of the architecture analysis, is important as it has been shown that the majority of errors (approximately 70%) are introduced in the design and are not caught until later development steps. In this chapter, we introduce an architecture description tool, the Architecture Analysis & Design Language (AADL), that facilitates the creation of architectures for embedded systems, like those found in the IoT and ITS. We provide an overview of the capabilities of the language and show how the architectures designed in AADL can be verified against the requirements.
Jet modifications in event-by-event hydrodynamically evolving media

Abstract The nearly perfect fluid-like nature of the Quark Gluon Plasma may be understood through two key experimental signatures: collective flow and jet suppression. Event-by-event relativistic viscous hydrodynamics (with an extremely small shear viscosity to entropy density ratio) has been very successful at describing collective flow observables for the last 7 years. More recently, the effects of event-by-event fluctuations have been studied in the context of high p T particles that lose energy as they pass through the dense Quark Gluon Plasma liquid. In this summary of the corresponding plenary talk at Quark Matter 2017, the recent developments on the effects of event-by-event fluctuations on jet suppression are summarized.
Toward a Topological Theory of Relational Reinforcement Learning for Navigation Tasks.

We examine application of relational learning methods to reinforcement learning in spatial navigation tasks. Specifically, we consider a goal-seeking agent with noisy control actions embedded in an environment with strong topological structure. While formally a Markov decision process (MDP), this task possesses special structure derived from the underlying topology that can be exploited to speed learning. We describe relational policies for such environments that are relocatable by virtue of being parameterized solely in terms of the relations (distance and direction) between the agent’s current state and the goal state. We demonstrate that this formulation yields significant learning improvements in completely homogeneous environments for which exact policy relocation is possible. We also examine the effects of non-homogeneities such as walls or obstacles and show that their effects can be neglected if they fall outside of a closed-form envelope surrounding the optimal path between the agent and the goal. To our knowledge, this is the first closed-form result for the structure of an envelope in an MDP. We demonstrate that relational reinforcement learning in an environment that obeys the envelope constraints also yields substantial learning performance improvements.
Digital Extensions, Experiential Extensions and Hair Extensions: RuPaul’s Drag Race and the New Media Environment

This chapter looks at how social media and other digital and experiential extensions of RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR) are used by audiences, contestants, and the production team behind the series. Included in this consideration is how drag culture is particularly well positioned to push the boundaries of the new media environment in order to create a successful television franchise. The success of RPDR also demonstrates how these elements from social media to offline viewing parties that exist beyond the hour-long television show engage fans in ways that challenge the boundaries of the program itself. Ultimately, this chapter argues that the ability of RPDR to engage audiences and advertisers in platforms beyond the traditional television medium helped ensure the program’s success and longevity despite modest traditional ratings numbers.
Phylogenomics: Constructing Species Phylogenies from Multi-Locus Data

Introduction One of the fascinating challenges in estimating the evolutionary history of a set of species is that different regions within the genomes can evolve differently due to various biological phenomena (Maddison, 1997; Mallo and Posada, 2016; Posada, 2016). One of the most obvious causes for this difference is horizontal gene transfer (Syvanen, 1985), whereby DNA is transferred from the genome of one species into that of another. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is especially frequent among prokaryotes (Gogarten et al., 2002), but occurs in other organisms as well. While it can be argued that a species tree is useful as a model (Mindell, 2013) and can make sense in the presence of HGT (even for prokaryotes) if it is based on genes that are resistant to HGT, a full depiction of evolutionary history when HGT has occurred requires a more general graphical model called a “phylogenetic network” (Morrison, 2014a). Hybrid speciation, where two different species have viable offspring, is another biological process that requires a phylogenetic network. Well-known examples of hybridization include mules and hinnies (which are hybrids of horses and donkeys) and ligers and tigons (which are the hybrid offspring of lions and tigers). Hybrid speciation has long been known to be common in plants (Rieseberg, 1997), and its extent in other organisms is increasingly apparent (Pennisi, 2016). Like HGT, a proper representation of the evolutionary history of a dataset in which hybridization appears requires a phylogenetic network, rather than a tree. There are also biological processes that cause different parts of the genomes to evolve differently, but where the species history is still correctly modeled as a tree. For example, under a gene duplication and loss model (Ohno, 1970), a gene evolves within the branches of a species tree with duplication events (that increase the number of copies of the gene within a lineage) and loss events (that reduce the number of copies of a gene), so that a given species can have multiple copies of the same gene within its genome. Another process that can create discordance with the species tree is the multi-species coalescent (MSC) model (Maddison, 1997; Pamilo and Nei, 1998) (i.e., the multi-species version of the coalescent process), which models how alleles segregate into populations, and so reflects population-level processes.
Darth Vader vs. Superman: Aggression and Intimacy in Two Preadolescent Boys' Groups

Group work reaches out to preadolescent boys with impulse and affect regulation problems by coinciding with their natural inclination toward peer relations and mastery. In group, boys recreate their peer culture and through the use of therapist interventions modify peer relationships into viable support networks. Collectively, they stimulate biological strivings for developmental maturity. The boys motivate each other to develop observing egos and alter problematic behavior. Boys growing up without fathers benefit from a safe environment where they can develop realistic masculine identities through their identification with group norms. Research shows that an identification with a benign masculine authority is the single most significant factor in a child developing affect regulation and socialization skills.
Localization of a PlA1 epitope to the amino terminal 66 residues of platelet glycoprotein IIIa.

A platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIIa epitope library was constructed by insertion of randomly cleaved GPIIIa cDNA fragments in the prokaryotic expression vector lambda gt22 and screened with purified anti-PlA1 antibodies for clones expressing a PlA1 epitope. Five independent clones were isolated and characterized by nucleotide sequencing. The smallest anti-PlA1 reactive clone obtained encoded the amino terminal 66 residues of mature GPIIIa. Substitution of leucine33 (PlA1) with a proline33 (PlA2) by in vitro mutagenesis resulted in the loss of anti- PlA1 reactivity; however, this clone still reacted with anti-GPIIIa polyclonal antibodies. These data indicate that a PlA1 alloantigenic epitope is located within a small, unglycosylated fragment of GPIIIa containing the polymorphism responsible for the PIA phenotype. Furthermore, these results prove that small recombinant mimics of a PlA1 epitope may be synthesized and used for detection of these alloantibodies.
Serum inhibin levels are lower in ectopic than intrauterine spontaneously conceived pregnancies.

Objective To determine if serum inhibin concentrations are lower in ectopic (EP) versus intrauterine pregnancies (IUPs) that are conceived spontaneously. Design Case-control study. Setting Academic clinical practice. Patients Serum samples were obtained from 19 women who had EP confirmed at surgery and by pathology. For comparison, serum samples were collected from 24 women of similar chronological and gestational age with sonographic evidence of an IUP. Main Outcome Measure Serum dimeric inhibin-A, total inhibin, P, and hCG. Results Serum total and dimeric inhibin concentrations in women with EP were Conclusions Serum inhibin concentrations are lower in EP as compared with IUPs that are spontaneously conceived and the relative amounts of dimeric inhibin-A, B, and α inhibin subunit in maternal serum may change throughout gestation.
Computational Methods for the Analysis of Footwear Impression Evidence

Impressions of footwear are commonly found in crime scenes. Yet they are not routinely used as evidence due to: (i) the wide variability and quality of impressions, and (ii) the large number of footwear outsole designs which makes their manual comparison time-consuming and difficult. Computational methods hold the promise of better use of footwear evidence in investigations and also in providing assistance for court testimony. This paper begins with a comprehensive survey of existing methods, followed by identifying several gaps in technology. They include methods to improve image quality, computing features for comparison, measuring the degree of similarity, retrieval of closest prints from a database and determining the degree of uncertainty in identification. New algorithms for each of these problems are proposed. An end-to-end system is proposed where : (i) the print is represented by an attribute relational graph of straight edges and ellipses, (ii) a distance measure based on the earth-mover distance, (iii) clustering to speed-up database retrieval, and (iv) uncertainty evaluation based on likelihoods. Retrieval performance of the proposed design with real crime scene images is evaluated and compared to that of previous methods. Suggestions for further work and implications to the justice system are given.
Larval pheromones act as colony-wide regulators of collective foraging behavior in honeybees

Chemical signals profoundly influence animal behavior, but how are they spread? Honeybees provide a unique opportunity to study chemical communication in large groups because their signals can regulate the behavior of thousands of individuals simultaneously. Here, we demonstrate that adult honeybees detect and respond over large distances to pheromones produced by larvae, suggesting that these chemical signals act globally across the colony.
Aperture Reconfiguration for Multiple Target Tracking

Active sensors, such as radars, are capable of inferring information regarding an object‘s state through illuminating the environment and estimating the desired values. Many scenes include multiple dynamic targets, requiring the sensors to intelligently allocate limited resources toward optimally estimating and tracking the changing surroundings. Radar systems, specifically, are limited to a number of antenna elements, each with a power and gain limit. Increasing a target‘s SNR prioritizes it by allocating more resources, e.g. antenna elements, to it. By estimating each target‘s SNR, this paper derives resource allocation approaches to both minimize overall uncertainty and reduce the number of targets that exceed an excessive amount of uncertainty under different conditions of range, radar cross section, and strength of the parameters‘ dynamics.
Incorporating habitual behavior into Mode choice Modeling in light of emerging mobility services

Abstract This paper presents a study in examining potential behavioral changes in light of emerging mobility options through a stated preference (SP) choice experiment. Particular focus was placed on incorporating habitual behavior into the modeling framework. Two parameters were constructed and explored in this study: habits associated with existing modes, and private mobility auxiliary expenses. A heuristic combined index was developed to quantify habitual strength of each mode based on their past behavior frequency and response frequency measures. Private mobility add-on expenses, i.e., parking cost and the time spent to find parking, were also analyzed. An error component model was developed to assess the impacts of habitual behavior and private mobility expenses on the propensity to shift from conventional modes (Auto driver, auto passenger, or public transit) to emerging modes (exclusive and shared on-demand services). The model was specifically designed to incorporate both random parameters and nested structure. Results showed that both parameters played significant roles in mobility choice decisions, and that their effects can compete with most of the traditional factors such as personal or trip attributes. Specifically, habits acted as a barrier toward behavioral changes, while the disutility factors associated with private mobility expenses could help break such habits. Market analysis based on habitual pattern and private mobility expense profiles can provide a foundation for better assessment of future travel behavior trends. This also paves the path towards the development of effective strategies in promoting alternative mobility options.
Renewed Commitments to Key Partners.

This Editorial highlights the updates to the publication frequency, member benefits, and societal oversight of The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics beginning in January 2020.
Relationship of Intracranial Pressure Changes to CT Changes in Children

Several studies have been published that attempted to determine if any correlations exist between elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) (Lobato et al. 1979; Narayan et al. 1982), as occurs in acute head trauma, and morphological changes in the brain, as determined by examining computed tomography scans (CTs) (Sadhu et al. 1979; Fasol et al. 1980; Haar et al. 1980; Papo et al. 1980). These studies, however, examined primarily adult head trauma. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if such correlations exist between ICP and CT in pediatric head trauma. We sought to correlate changes on the initial CTs of children that could serve as reliable predictors of raised intracranial pressure.
Banks beyond borders: internationalization, financialization, and the behavior of foreign-owned banks during the Global Financial Crisis

An internationalizing wave swept through many developing and emerging countries’ banking systems in the years before the onset of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008. Early critics of the influx of foreign banks worried that local affiliates of international behemoths could serve key nodes for transmitting turbulent conditions in the global financial hubs to the peripheries of the world economy. The eruption of the GFC and its aftermath, it would appear, decisively settled the dispute over the merits of foreign control of national banking systems in the critics’ favor. Yet the simple foreign/domestic ownership distinction cannot answer the questions that animate this article: why did foreign-owned banks play an amplifying role during the crisis in one region (post-communist Central and Eastern Europe) but not in another (Central and South America)? What accounts for the difference in how foreign-owned banks responded to a common financial shock across the two regions? I argue that financialization of banking systems in the post-communist European group of countries is a key mediating factor that explains why the heavy foreign bank presence in the region amplified the regional effects of the global credit crunch in 2008 and the years that followed.
Surgical Technique for Anterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty After Bilateral Below-Knee Amputation: A Case Report.

Case We report a case of a 77-year-old man, with bilateral below-knee amputee, in whom the anterior approach (AA) for a left total hip arthroplasty was used successfully, with 3-year follow-up. This report also summarizes the key studies in the literature on this subject. Conclusions The utility of AA surgery performed in the setting of bilateral below-knee amputation has not been previously described. We describe the surgical technique, including considerations and pearls in the amputee population, and particular technical tips related to the use of a fracture table and thin-wire femoral traction for optimum control of the residual limb.
Constructing feed-forward artificial neural networks to fit potential energy surfaces for molecular simulation of high-temperature gas flows

Kinetic rates for thermochemical nonequilibrium models are generally computed from quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) calculations on accurate ab initio potential energy surfaces (PES). In this article, we use a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) to fit existing single-point energies for ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}+{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ interactions [Bender et al., J. Chem. Phys. 143, 054304 (2015)] to construct a PES suitable for molecular simulation of high-temperature gas flows. We then perform detailed comparisons with a widely used ${\mathrm{N}}_{4}$ PES that was built using the permutation invariant polynomials (PIP) method. Specific physical considerations in the construction of the ANN for this application are detailed. Translation, rotation, and permutation invariance are precisely satisfied by mapping the interatomic distances onto a set of permutation invariant inputs, known as fundamental invariants (FI) that generate the permutation invariant polynomial ring. The diatomic energy is imposed by decomposing the total potential energy into a sum of a two-body and a many-body energy contribution. To obtain the correct dynamical behavior with the most basic, yet computationally efficient ANN, spurious long-distance interactions must be removed to avoid incorrect physical behavior at the dissociation threshold. We use a simple apodization function to smoothly taper off to zero any residual many-body interaction at large separations. Both accuracy and performance of the FI-ANN PES are assessed. QCT calculations are used to compute dissociation probabilities and vibrational energy distributions at various equilibrium temperatures. Excellent agreement with the results obtained from the PIP PES is found. For our test case, the ANN PES is also significantly more computationally efficient than the PIP PES at comparable root-mean-square error levels.
Soft optoelectronic systems as neural interfaces

Advanced electronic/optoelectronic systems that enable intimate integration with soft tissues of the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves will accelerate progress in neuroscience research; they will also serve as the foundations for new approaches in regenerative medicine and in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Specifically, capabilities for injecting miniaturized electronic elements, light sources, photodetectors, multiplexed sensors, programmable microfluidic networks and other components into precise locations of the deep brain or for softly laminating them onto the surfaces of peripheral nerves will open up unique and important opportunities in stimulating, inhibiting and monitoring neural circuit behaviors. This presentation describes concepts in materials science and assembly processes that underpin these types of technologies.
Association between Hippocampal Volume and Working Memory in 10,000+ 9-10-Year-Old Children: Sex Differences.

Aim: This study tested sex differences in the association between hippocampal volume and working memory of a national sample of 9–10-year-old children in the US. As the hippocampus is functionally lateralized (especially in task-related activities), we explored the results for the right and the left hippocampus. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study data. This analysis included baseline ABCD data (n = 10,093) of children between ages 9 and 10 years. The predictor variable was right and left hippocampal volume measured by structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). The primary outcome, list sorting working memory, was measured using the NIH toolbox measure. Sex was the moderator. Age, race, ethnicity, household income, parental education, and family structure were the covariates. Results: In the overall sample, larger right (b = 0.0013; p < 0.001) and left (b = 0.0013; p < 0.001) hippocampal volumes were associated with higher children’s working memory. Sex had statistically significant interactions with the right (b = −0.0018; p = 0.001) and left (b = −0.0012; p = 0.022) hippocampal volumes on children’s working memory. These interactions indicated stronger positive associations between right and left hippocampal volume and working memory for females compared to males. Conclusion: While right and left hippocampal volumes are determinants of children’s list sorting working memory, these effects seem to be more salient for female than male children. Research is needed on the role of socialization, sex hormones, and brain functional connectivity as potential mechanisms that may explain the observed sex differences in the role of hippocampal volume as a correlate of working memory.
SHE'-E-OS: GENDER EFFECTS AND STOCK PRICE REACTIONS TO THE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF TOP EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS.

We use the market signaling and gender literatures to assess investors' perceptions of female leadership. Results show that shareholder reactions to the announcements of female CEOs are more negati...
Pediatric escape room: An innovative teaching-learning strategy

Abstract Educational escape room activities provide an opportunity for nursing students to learn in a fun, creative, and safe learning environment. Participants problem-solve through a series of cues in hopes of exiting a locked room within a predetermined timeframe. A pediatric “escape room” was created to focus on the topic of dehydration for junior-level nursing students. This teaching-learning activity requires careful planning and implementation to successfully enhance teamwork collaboration and high-level thinking amongst the students.
Role of complement receptors CD21/CD35 in B lymphocyte activation and survival.

Over the past two decades, evidence has accumulated that strongly supports a role for the serum complement system in enhancement of the humoral response to thymus-dependent antigens (Pepys 1972; Humphrey et al. 1984; Bottger et al. 1986; Bitter-Suermann et al. 1989). More recent biochemical (Fearon et al. 1995) and in vivo studies in knock out mice have revealed that the complement effect is mediated via complement receptors CD21/CD35 (Carroll 1998). The classical pathway of complement is activated by recognition proteins such as mannan binding protein (Epstein et al. 1996), C-reactive protein (Szalai et al. 1997) or complement (Ebenbichler et al. 1991) of innate immunity which bear carbohydrate recognition domains encoded in the germline (Fearon et al. 1996). Natural IgM (encoded in the germline) although a component of adaptive immunity is also an important activator of classical pathway complement and is particularly important in recognition of protein antigens in addition to carbohydrate. For the purposes of this review, the enhancing effect of complement is most probably mediated by natural IgM, as deficiency in secretory IgM results in an impaired B cell response to suboptimal doses of T-dependent antigens (Boes et al. 1998). Recognition of foreign antigens by natural antibody results in activation of classical pathway complement leading to covalent attachment of the third component, C3b, via a transacylation reaction to the antigen (Law et al. 1980).
U.S. Income Tax Accounting for Inventories

This paper is a chapter from a forthcoming third edition of volume 5 of Boris I. Bittker & Lawrence Lokken, Federal Taxation of Income, Estates and Gifts. It is a general description and analysis of U.S. income tax rules on inventory accounting. It covers general topics, such as the role of inventories in income computations and the requirement that some businesses use inventories in computing taxable income. It also discusses more specialized topics, including several variations of the last-in-first-out (LIFO) method and the requirement that securities dealers use a mark-to-market system for their inventories.
Modeling Tumors as Complex Biosystems: An Agent-Based Approach

We argue that tumors behave as complex dynamic self-organizing and adaptive biosystems. In this chapter, we present a numerical agent-based model of malignant brain tumor cells in which both time and space are discrete yet environmental variables are treated as a continuum. Simulations of this multiscale algorithm allow us to investigate the molecular, microscopic, and multicellular patterns that emerge from various interactions among cells and between the cells and their environments.
The interaction of Bex and OMP reveals a dimer of OMP with a short half-life

Olfactory marker protein (OMP) participates in the olfactory signal transduction pathway. This is evident from the behavioral and electrophysiological deficits of OMP-null mice, which can be reversed by intranasal infection of olfactory sensory neurons with an OMP-expressing adenovirus. Bex, brain expressed X-linked protein, has been identified as a protein that interacts with OMP. We have now further characterized the interaction of OMP and Bex1/2 by in vitro binding assays and by immuno-coprecipitation experiments. OMP is a 19 kDa protein but these immunoprecipitation studies have revealed the unexpected presence of a 38 kDa band in addition to the expected 19 kDa band. Furthermore, the 38 kDa form was preferentially co-immunoprecipitated with Bex from cell extracts. In-gel tryptic digestion, mass spectrometry, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicate that the 38 kDa protein behaves as a covalently cross-linked OMP-homodimer. The 38 kDa band was also identified in western blots of olfactory epithelium demonstrating its presence in vivo. The stabilities and subcellular localizations of the OMP-monomer and -dimer were studied in transfected cells. These results demonstrated that the OMP-dimer is much less stable than the monomer, and that while the monomer is present both in the nuclear and cytosolic compartments, the dimer is preferentially located in a Triton X-100 insoluble cytoskeletal fraction. These novel observations led us to hypothesize that regulation of the level of the rapidly turning-over OMP-dimer and its interaction with Bex1/2 is critical for OMP function in sensory transduction.
Microelectromechanical systems in 3D SOI-CMOS: sensing electronics embedded in mechanical structures

We discuss the design of CMOS MEMS in a 3D SOI-CMOS technology. We present layout architectures, preliminary mechanics modeling using finite element analysis and release process flows. An accelerometer structure is used as the model system with electronics embedded into a suspended proof mass. A prototype chip is fabricated in the MIT Lincoln Laboratories that includes test structures and systems for both a capacitive sensed and interferometric sensed accelerometers.
Delayed sequelae after acute overdoses or poisonings: Cranial neuropathy related to ethylene glycol ingestion

A 31-year-old woman came to the hospital with breathlessness, confusion, and a refractory anion gap metabolic acidosis; acute renal failure subsequently developed. Her blood ethylene glycol concentration was 390 mg/L, and she was treated with an intravenous ethanol infusion and hemodialysis. During the tenth and eleventh day after admission bilateral seventh cranial nerve paralysis developed, as well as bilateral dysfunction of cranial nerves II, V, VIII, IX, X, and XII. Magnetic resonance imaging of her head showed gadolinium enhancement of the fifth cranial nerve bilaterally and a communicating hydrocephalus. Over the subsequent 11 months she recovered full function of her cranial nerves V, VII, IX, X, and XII, and she had subjective clinical improvement to baseline function in cranial nerves II and VIII. This case serves to introduce a discussion of agents that cause delayed complications after their acute toxic ingestion. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1997) 61, 692–699; doi:
Predictors of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Left Bundle Branch Block Undergoing Coronary Angiography

Patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) have a worse prognosis than those with LBBB without CAD. In addition, subjects with CAD and concomitant LBBB have a higher cardiovascular mortality than those with a similar extent of CAD but without LBBB. Because the presence of LBBB makes the noninvasive identification of CAD problematic, patients with LBBB often are referred for coronary angiography to assess the presence and severity of CAD. To determine the clinical and demographic variables that might help identify those with CAD, we analyzed data from 336 consecutive patients with LBBB referred for coronary angiography. Of the 336, 54% had CAD. In conclusion, those with CAD were likely to be older, Caucasian, and men; they were more likely to have angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and diabetes mellitus; and they were more likely to have a left ventricular ejection fraction <0.50. In contrast, patients with heart failure were less likely to have CAD.
Facilitating Programming Success in Data Science Courses through Gamified Scaffolding and Learn2Mine

This paper discusses the learning strategies adopted in a publically available, cloud-based learning environment, Learn2Mine, which facilitates student-progress as they solve data science programming problems. The learning system has been evaluated over three consecutive terms. Learn2Mine was initially introduced in an introductory course and pilot-tested for usability and effectiveness in Fall 2013. Students reported positive opinions on usability and effectiveness of the system in their completion of programming assignments. In Spring 2014, Learn2Mine was evaluated in an upper-level data mining course by comparing student submission rates and amount of programming accomplished for a group with access to the tool versus one without access. The group with access to Learn2Mine had an average assignment submission rate of 84%, while the group without had an average submission rate of only 48% (difference significant at p
The surface characteristics of organoclays and their effect on the properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) nanocomposites

Abstract Biobased materials developed in conjunction with nanotechnology are poised to achieve a significant presence in the world market for polymeric materials. An example of an engineering polymer that can be partially derived from biomass is poly(trimethylene terephthalate). One of its raw materials, 1,3-propanediol, can be derived from corn sugar. In the present study we used a fully petroleum-based resin as an analog to the biobased material. Five organically modified montmorillonite clays were characterized via moisture uptake studies to determine the hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of their surfaces. Nanocomposites were produced via melt compounding followed by injection molding with 5 wt.% organoclay loading to determine which modification gave the best balance of mechanical and thermal properties. It was found that the tensile modulus increased by up to 35% and the tensile stress at break by up to 50%. The heat deflection temperature of the nanocomposites versus the neat polymer increased by up to 33 °C. From these results, one organoclay was selected for detailed study over a loading range of 0–5 wt.%. The testing revealed that over this range, changes in the mechanical properties may go through a maximum (e.g. strength) or increase/decrease to a plateau (e.g. modulus, elongation at break). X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were also used to characterize the nature of the organoclay/polymer interaction. Biobased poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/organoclay nanocomposites are expected to exhibit properties similar to the petroleum-based resin.
Investigating behavioural impacts of poor neighbourhoods: Towards new data and analytic strategies

Three challenges confront statistical researchers of neighbourhood impacts on individual behaviours: (1) operationalising ‘neighbourhood processes’; (2) potentially non-linear relationships between neighbourhood characteristics and outcomes; and (3) the selection bias problem. To better comprehend these challenges and overcome them, the paper proposes an overarching conceptual framework wherein outcomes of interest are affected by neighbourhood interacting in a mutually causal fashion with housing tenure, housing wealth, household socio-economic status, and mobility behaviour. It advances a five-equation, simultaneous system for home ownership, mobility expectations, housing wealth, household socio-economic status and neighbourhood character. Although current US census data do not provide perfect proxies for neighbourhood processes, there is evidence that a battery of them could represent reasonable operationalisations. Tests for non-linearity could be conducted in this framework. This model could use a s...
Liquid state thermochemical decomposition of neat 1,3,5,5-tetranitrohexahydropyrimidine (DNNC) and its DNNC-d2, DNNC-d4, DNNC-d6 structural isotopomers: Mechanistic entrance into the DNNC molecule ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Global kinetics for the liquid state thermochemical decomposition of neat 1,3,5,5-tetranitrohexahydropyrimidine (DNNC), perdeuterio-labeled DNNC- d 6 , and partially deuterium-labeled DNNC- d 2 and DNNC- d 4 isotopomers were obtained by isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (IDSC). Molecular kinetic deuterium isotope effect (KDIE) values obtained with DNNC and DNNC- d 6 from 174 to 194 °C revealed that C H bond rupture regulates both an endothermic catalytic initiation and the exothermic propagation of the liquid thermochemical decomposition process. Using IDSC-based KDIE comparisons with the DNNC- d 2 , DNNC- d 4 , and DNNC- d 6 isotopomers, a more detailed chemical structure/mechanistic relationship emerged by entering the interior of the DNNC molecule. Here structural kinetic KDIE results showed the rate-controlling C H bond rupture has its origin at the non-equivalent C-2 methylene group sandwiched between the two nitrated DNNC nitrogen ring atoms, versus at the chemically equivalent C-4 and C-6 methylene ring positions located elsewhere in the DNNC molecule. Elucidation of such mechanistic features should aid in the structural design of new high-energy compounds with improved thermochemical properties. A 170.0 kJ/mol activation energy appeared for the endothermic induction period, and a lower 104.2 kJ/mol activation energy was determined for the exothermic acceleratory portion of the DNNC decomposition process. The global liquid and solid state thermochemical decomposition processes for DNNC are compared.
Clinical characteristics of lamellar channel deposits after implantation of intacs.

Abstract Purpose To report the frequency, location, and severity of biomicroscopically evident intrastromal deposits that may accumulate in the lamellar channel after implantation of Intacs corneal ring segments. Setting United States Food and Drug Administration multicenter clinical trial conducted at 10 sites. Methods Two-year follow-up data from a phase III clinical trial (N = 359) were reviewed. Examiners at 10 study sites described the location and severity (density) of deposits, grading severity on a standardized scale from absent (0) to severe (4). Results At 24 months, the incidence of deposits was 74% overall and 61%, 73%, and 89% with the 0.25, 0.30, and 0.35 mm Intacs, respectively ( P P Conclusions Lamellar channel deposits occurred frequently after Intacs implantation. The incidence and density of deposits increased with segment thickness and duration of implantation. The presence of this material did not result in alteration of the optical performance of Intacs or anatomical or physiological corneal deterioration.
Earlier Spring Warming of Coastal Streams and Implications for Alewife Migration Timing

Abstract Seasonal temperature increases have been shown to correlate with changes in the migration timing of fish. We looked at existing temperature and fish count data for anadromous alewives Alosa pseudoharengus in several southern New England streams. Run initiation, defined as occurring when the first 5% of the total annual run migrated, was associated with 9°C. A weighted-mean migration temperature, considered an overall indicator of total run timing, revealed that 13°C was a consistent predictor of run timing for one historic and three recent alewife streams over several years. Because historical and recent daily water temperatures with concurrent fish counts were unavailable for any one site, we used the occurrence of 9°C and 13°C stream temperatures to determine the magnitude of any detectable shift in the migration timing of alewives between the 1970s and recent years. Stream temperatures in the spring warmed to 13°C about 12 d earlier in recent years than they did in the 1970s. This implied that...
The formation of 1-phosphoerythrulose-4-C14 by homogenates of Swiss chard leaves

Abstract 1. 1. Blendorates of Swiss chard leaves which are fortified with fructose 1,6-diphosphate and Mg ++ incorporate radioactive formaldehyde into the 4-carbon sugar, 1-phosphoerythrulose-4-C 14 . 2. 2. The chromatographic isolation and the characterization of this sugar by periodate oxidation are described. 3. 3. The implication of this pathway in pentose and photosynthesis is discussed.
Time-like compton scattering and the Bethe-Heitler process

Arguments are presented for p(γ, e + e −)p measurements to obtain new information about the off-shell time-like nucleon form factors, especially in the o meson region governing the oN couplings g oNN V,T . Theoretical predictions based upon a Quantum Hadrodynamic model and vector meson dominance are highlighted for both the proton form factor and the time-like Compton scattering cross section. The Bethe-Heitler process is also calculated but is only important at low momentum transfer ¦t¦ permitting a novel high |t| φ enhancement in the Compton cross section related to nucleon strangeness to emerge.
Progression and treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer

Approximately 20–30% of breast cancer tumors overexpress or amplify human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The role of this receptor in the progression of HER2+ breast cancer and resistance to certain anticancer monotherapies was investigated. The results of several pre-clinical and clinical trials, with the aim of determining the most safe and effective course of treatment for HER2+ breast cancer, were also thoroughly examined. A thorough search of databases including Pubmed, Springer, and The American Society of Clinical Oncology was performed, and pertinent studies were identified. The most relevant studies were preclinical, phase II, and III clinical trials identifying the function of the HER2 receptor in HER2+ breast cancer progression, as well as studies assessing the efficacy of monotherapy and combination therapy in the treatment of this aggressive form of cancer. The HER2 receptor belongs to a family of receptors that consists of four cell-surface receptors (HER1-4) that share strong homology with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). All HER receptors interact with specific types of ligands to induce receptor activation, except for HER2, for which no known ligand has yet been identified. HER2 is activated by forming dimers with other HER receptors, and this results in a stronger and more prolonged signal transduction event. When expressed at normal levels, HER2 regulates cell growth, differentiation, and survival. However, under pathological conditions of HER2 overexpression, numerous HER2 heterodimers are formed resulting in aggressive tumor growth. Therefore, the prognosis associated with HER2-positive breast cancer is usually poor. A specific cohort of patients with breast cancer whose tumors test both hormone receptor (estrogen receptor [ER] and progesterone receptor [PR]) and HER2 positive have been found to be resistant to targeted hormone therapy. Studies investigating the etiology of this resistance have found that the cell membrane estrogen receptor communicates with HER2 in promoting the release of ER coactivators that cause the endocrine drug and selective estrogen receptor modulator, tamoxifen, to act as an agonist rather than an antagonist of the hormone estrogen. Thus, research has directed its inquiry toward the development of therapies specifically targeting HER2. The development of trastuzumab, a recombinant monoclonal antibody against HER2, initially proved to be a well-tolerated first line of treatment. However, in the long-term patients, trastuzumab was shown to develop resistance to this monotherapy. Therefore, research on HER2 positive breast cancer has focused on the study of different anti-HER2 combination therapies over the past decade. While the development and approval of the HER2-targeted recombinant monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) has been efficacious in slowing HER2 cancer progression, combining this and other anti-HER2 therapy with either chemotherapy or endocrine therapy has proven more effective in improving overall and progression free survival.