cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Multiple Features Target Cancellation (MFTC): an attentional visual conjunction search test. Normative values for the Italian population

Several studies, showing that attention disorders during encoding reduce later memory performance, have stressed the critical role of attention for the formation of durable memory traces. Accordingly, some studies suggest that attentive disturbances, together with declarative memory defects, can constitute the earliest cognitive disorders in Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the analysis of these disorders can contribute to identify different forms of dementia and to detect demented patients characterized by a faster cognitive decline. In this study, we report the normative data (gathered in a large Italian population) of a short test that assess the ability to detect stimuli characterized by a conjunction of features: the 'Multiple Features Targets Cancellation' task (MFTC). Our sample of 465 subjects was composed by urban and rural people. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed significant relation of false alarms with age and educational level, and of time of execution with age, educational level and gender. Regression analyses on accuracy scores did not show any significant correlation with demographics variables. Based on non-parametric techniques, cutoff scores were obtained on the corrected scores of the patients, and equivalent scores were derived for each measure. The MFTC task represents a useful tool that explores attentional disorders (and in particular conjunction search disturbances) and that could be helpful both in discriminating different forms of dementia and to detect mild cognitive impairment patients at risk of conversion to dementia.
Sudden solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements and dayside detached auroras: IMAGE and DMSP observations

[1] Dayside detached auroras (DDA) refer to auroras observed separate from the equatorward edge of the main oval on the dayside. They are studied here using IMAGE FUV and DMSP particle data. Occurrence of these DDA appears to be correlated with sudden solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements and northward interplanetary magnetic field, as monitored by the Wind satellite. They are usually very dynamic and short-lived with a lifetime of the order of 10 minutes. Out of the three FUV instrument channels on IMAGE, DDA are best detected by the IMAGE FUV SI-12 instrument, which measures intensities of the Doppler red-shifted Hydrogen Lyman Alpha line. This indicates that energetic proton precipitation is the major component. Simultaneous DMSP particle observations confirm that energetic protons (>10 keV) in the dayside inner magnetosphere are the primary source of those DDA detected by the SI-12 instrument. DMSP also detected significant electron fluxes associated with the DDA, but the electron precipitations have little or no contribution to the DDA intensities detected by the SI-12 instrument. Precipitations of energetic protons (electrons) which caused DDA could be explained by enhanced cyclotron instability which arose from adiabatic compression following sudden solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements.
Cytochrome b5 oxidoreductase: expression and characterization of the original familial ideopathic methemoglobinemia mutations E255- and G291D.

Abstract NADH:cytochrome b 5 oxidoreductase catalyzes the transfer of reducing equivalents from the physiological electron donor, NADH, to two molecules of cytochrome b 5 . Utilizing a heterologous expression system for the soluble, catalytic domain of the rat microsomal enzyme, we have produced two mutants, corresponding to E255- and G291D. These mutants correspond to the two specific mutations that were identified over a half century later following diagnosis of the original cases of type I recessive congenital methemoglobinemia (RCM). We have purified both the E255- and G291D variants to homogeneity to determine the molecular basis for type I RCM in these individuals. Both the E255- and G291D variants retained a full complement of FAD and exhibited absorption and CD spectroscopic properties comparable to those of the wild-type protein. Oxidation–reduction potentiometric titrations yielded standard midpoint potentials ( E 0′ ) for the FAD/FADH 2 couple of −271 and −273 mV for the E255- and G291D variants, respectively, which were comparable to the value of −268 mV obtained for the wild-type protein and confirmed that the redox potential of the flavin was unaffected by either mutation. Thermal and proteolytic stability studies revealed that while the G291D variant exhibited stability comparable to that of wild-type, the E255- variant was markedly less stable, indicative of an altered conformation. Initial-rate kinetic studies revealed that both mutants had decreased catalytic activity ( k cat ), with the E255- and G291D variants retaining approximately 38 and 58% of wild-type activity, respectively. However, the affinity for NADH ( K m NADH ) was decreased ∼100-fold for E255- compared to only ∼1.3-fold for G291D, results supported by the spectroscopic binding constant ( K s ) obtained for G291D. These results indicate that the properties of both the E255- and G291D cytochrome b 5 oxidoreductase mutants are similar to those of other variants that have been identified as resulting in the type I form of RCM.
The Concept of the Balance of Power in Soviet Policy-Making

The analysis of any human concept is infinitely and inevitably complicated by the mental processes of the original user and the investigator. Dedication to objectivity by the analyst can usually prevent only the more obvious, and not always the most important, psycho-cultural pressures which condition or determine both the content and the method of the analysis, to say nothing of its purpose and material. In turn, the concept under examination, even though it is necessarily rendered an object isolate for intensive review, remains and must be treated as essentially a living precipitate of the entire environment in which it was born and nourished.
tRNA specificity of a mischarging aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase: Glutamyl-tRNA synthetase from barley chloroplasts

Glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (GluRS) from barley chloroplasts is a naturally occurring mischarging enzyme: it efficiently aminoacylates both the homologous tRNAGlu as well as tRNAGln species. In order to shed light on the structural requirements of this enzyme for tRNA specificity heterologous charging experiments were performed. Sequence comparison of tRNAs recognized by barley chloroplast GluRS reveals that two base pairs, one in the acceptor stem and one in the anticodon stem, appear to be critical for substrate recognition.
Effect of Inheritance on the Foaming Ability of Albumen

Abstract The effect of strain of bird and age of egg on the foaming ability of albumen was studied. Five parameters were used to examine foaming ability: foam height, specific gravity, stability, pH, and surface tension. Both strain of bibrd and age of egg significantly affected all of the foaming parameters. Eggs stored longer reached their maximum foam height more rapidly. Foam height and specific gravity were found to be interdependent measurements. In general, older eggs or those with higher pH gave foams with greater height and less stability. Foam height was generally greater when surface tension was lower. A Principal Component Analysis using original observations gave the following linear equation as the best measurement of foaming ability for 1 day old eggs: 0.9991 (foam height) + 0.0346 (specific gravity) + 0.0132 (pH) + 0.0079 (stability) + 0.0196 (surface tension). For eggs stored 1 week: 0.966 (foam height) + 0.2310 (specific gravity) + 0.0149 (pH) + 0.1033 (stability) + 0.0507 (surface tension).
Abstract 3436: Suppression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by a wound-healing gene, Grainyhead-like-2

Grainyhead genes are involved in wound healing and developmental neural tube closure. In light of the high degree of similarity between the epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) occurring in wound healing processes and the cancer stem cell-like compartment of tumors, including TGF-β-dependence, we investigated the role of a Grainyhead gene (GRHL2) in oncogenic EMT. Grainyhead was specifically down-regulated in the claudin-low subclass of mammary tumors and in the basal-B subclass of breast cancer cell lines. Functionally, GRHL2 suppressed TGF-β-induced, Twist-induced or spontaneous EMT, enhanced anoikis-sensitivity, and suppressed mammosphere generation in mammary epithelial cells. These effects were mediated in part by its suppression of ZEB1 expression, by direct repression of the ZEB1 promoter. GRHL2 also inhibited Smad-mediated transcription, and up-regulated mir200b/c as well as the TGF-β receptor antagonist, BMP2. The expression of GRHL2 in the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 triggered a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and sensitized the cells to anoikis. These results indicate that GRHL2 is a suppressor of the oncogenic EMT, and provide a novel molecular focus for the wound-healing/oncogenic EMT relationship. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3436. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3436
Quetiapine for Sleep

Quetiapine with (Seroquel) is an atypical antipsychotic agent that is sometimes used to help chronic pain patients sleep. The rationale for this therapeutic choice is discussed.
The synthesis of some 1‐(β‐diethylaminoethyl)‐2‐(p‐ethoxybenzyl)‐5‐substituted benzimidazoles

The syntheses of several 5-substituted benzimidazoles structurally related to the highly active analgesic 1-(β-diethylaminoethyl)-2-(p-ethoxybenzyl)-5-nitrobenzimidazole are presented.
Employee rights and organizational forms: An integrative framework for research

The goal of this study is to stimulate thought and provide initial direction for theory development and empirical investigation in regard to proposed linkages between employee rights concerns in the work environment and organizational forms. A review of pertinent literature on the subjects of organizational forms and employee rights is presented, in which a summary and critique of the current state of theory and research is emphasized in relation to those components of the two subject areas that are most relevant to the aims of the study. Following this review, the article undertakes a synthesis and integration of existing work, bringing together two scholarly fields of inquiry that have not been incorporated previously, and providing suggestions to establish critical associations and fill conceptual gaps. In this respect, the study constitutes a “first step” in the development of an orientation that accentuates the complementarity of perspectives concerning employee rights and organizational forms.
First-Principles Investigation of Hydroxylated Monoclinic HfO2 Surfaces

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has recently gained interest because of its suitability for fabrication of conformal films with thicknesses in the nanometer range. A comparative investigation of surface hydroxylation states of different surfaces of m-HfO2 is central to a better understanding of how precursors react on these surfaces under ALD growth conditions. We used a combined approach of density functional theory (DFT) and thermodynamics to determine the types of acidic and basic groups on different surfaces of m-HfO2. We find that the water adsorption energy decreases with increasing surface coverage; however, the energetics of the hydration process can be significantly different on different surfaces. Our investigation showed that under ALD working conditions the (001) surface retains a higher concentration of Bronsted acid sites compared to the thermodynamically stable (111) surface because of the higher adsorption energy of water on the (001) surface. Analysis of surface species reveals that the (0...
Laser Spectroscopy of Gadolinium Monofluoride: Ligand Field Assignments of States in the 0–3 eV Range

Abstract The techniques of selectively-detected fluorescence excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy have been used to characterize the (0,2) band of the [18.3] 8 Σ − –X 8 Σ − transition and the (1,0), (0,0), and (0,1) bands of the [15.8] 8 Σ − –X 8 Σ − transition of 156 GdF. The effective spin–spin and spin–rotation constants (in cm −1 ) for the ground X 8 Σ − state ( v ″ = 2) are λ″ = −0.181 38, γ″ = 9.79 × 10 −4 and for the [18.3] 8 Σ − state ( v ′ = 0) are λ′ = −3.279, γ′ = −9.47 × 10 −3 , which are consistent with 4 f 7 [ 8 S ]6 s 2 and 4 f 7 [ 8 S ]5 d 6 s configurational assignments, respectively. Five (0,0) bands of an extensive ΔΛ = +1 system in the near infrared region were analyzed and assigned as a 10 Φ(4 f 7 [ 8 S ]5 d 2 [ 3 F ])– a 10 Δ(4 f 7 [ 8 S ]5 d 6 s ) transition. Five (0,0) subbands of a ΔΛ = 0 transition in the visible region were analyzed and assigned as a 10 Δ(4 f 7 [ 8 S ]5 d 2 [ 3 F ])– a 10 Δ(4 f 7 [ 8 S ]5 d 6 s ) transition. Using a semiempirical ligand field model, all observed states were assigned to one of the three lowest energy superconfigurations of GdF: 4 f 7 6 s 2 , 4 f 7 5 d 6 s , and 4 f 7 5 d 2 .
The child's right to corporal integrity in the school setting: A right without a remedy under the constitution

Although the law recognizes the right of teachers to corporally punish their students, teachers must act within reasonable parameters. This paper, by examining the evolution of the standard of reasonableness from the common law to its current application in constitutional law, studies the extent of the teachers’ parameters. Historically, teachers derived their authority to corporally punish students through the doctrine of in loco parentis. With the institution of compulsory education laws, the source of the teachers’ authority shifted from the parent to the state itself Court cases demonstrate that concomitant with this shift, teachers are allowed far greater latitude than parents in what constitutes “reasonable”; corporal punishment. Constitutional challenges to corporal punishment based upon the Eighth Amendment's cruel and unusual punishment clause and Fourteenth Amendment procedural due process and substantive due process have not resulted in court decisions that satisfactorily safeguard the corporal...
Application of accelerated mass spectrometry (AMS) in DNA adduct quantification and identification.

Abstract DNA adducts are nucleotide bases that have been covalently modified by reactive electrophilic chemical intermediates, and have been extensively researched for their role in mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. However, many DNA adduct measurement techniques have difficulty in the quantification of adducts at realistic human exposure levels. We are using the extremely sensitive analytical technique of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to study adducts either at low dose or directly in humans. AMS is a technique for measuring isotope ratios with high selectivity, attomole sensitivity (10 −18 mol) and precision of 0.5–10%, depending on isotope level and preparation method. This sensitivity and precision is being used to study the dose–response, toxicokinetics, and toxicodynamics of DNA adduct formation and removal following administration of very low doses of chemicals.
PROMOTION OF GERMINATION OF STELLARIA MEDIA SEEDS BY LIGHT FROM A GREEN SAFE LAMP

Summary Seeds of Stellaria media (L.) Cyrill. given short exposures to light from a green safe lamp transmitting most of its energy in the 500 to 600 nm region of the spectrum germinated to a high percentage in darkness. The possibility is discussed that the small amount of blue light (400 to 500 nm) or the relatively large amount of yellow-orange light (550 to 600 nm) transmitted by the safe lamp, rather than green light (500 to 550 nm) per se, may have stimulated germination. However, green light previously has been shown to stimulate seeds to germinate, and great caution should be exercised in treating as dark controls, seeds that have been exposed to light from a green safe lamp.
Regulatory capacity of an androgen-specific enhancer of the mouse Slp gene in transgenic mice

Different steroid hormone receptors can activate transcription from the same hormone response element (HRE) in vitro, but in vivo the effects of each hormone on gene activity are distinct. To determine sequences mediating androgen-specific response in a physiological setting, we placed the androgen-responsive mouse sex-limited protein gene (Slp) enhancer before a tkCAT reporter in transgenic mice. The enhancer contains a consensus HRE plus accessory factor binding sites that act in concert to direct transcription in response to androgen. A 160 bp fragment, C'delta2, is responsive to several steroids in transfection; in transgenic mice, this enhancer was active in several tissues of male and female mice, in four of six transgenic lines. In striking contrast, C'delta9, a 120 bp sub-fragment of C'delta2 that responds only to androgen in transfection, showed activity in testes, prostate and kidney, where it was strongly androgen-inducible in females. However, expression was obtained in only one transgenic line. Multimerization of the C'delta9 enhancer conferred expression in prostate, but again in only one line. The greater penetrance of C'delta2 expression was not driven by glucocorticoids, as adrenalectomy had little effect, but may be dependent on the NF-kappaB-like element absent from the C'delta9 fragment. That two transgenic lines showed expression in androgen target sites driven by enhancers that are androgen-specific in vitro suggested that activation of this enhancer, when it could occur, was in response to androgen. The dramatically different behavior of the two related enhancer sequences underscores the importance of chromosomal context to the activity and specificity of regulatory elements.
Early Colonization Events in the Mutualistic Association between Steinernema carpocapsae Nematodes and Xenorhabdus nematophila Bacteria

The bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila is a mutualist of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. During its life cycle, the bacterium exists both separately from the nematode and as an intestinal resident of a nonfeeding nematode form, the infective juvenile (IJ). The progression of X. nematophila from an ex vivo existence to a specific and persistent colonization of IJs is a model to understand the mechanisms mediating the initiation and maintenance of benign host-microbe interactions. To help characterize this process, we constructed an X. nematophila strain that constitutively expresses green fluorescent protein, which allowed its presence to be monitored within IJs. Using this strain, we showed that few bacterial cells initiate colonization of an individual IJ and that these grow inside the lumen of the IJ intestine in a reproducible polyphasic pattern during colonization. In accordance with these two observations, we demonstrated that the final population of bacteria in a nematode is of predominantly monoclonal origin, suggesting that only one or two bacterial clones initiate or persist during colonization of an individual nematode. These data suggest that X. nematophila initiates IJ colonization by competing for limited colonization sites or resources within the nematode intestine. This report represents the first description of the biological interactions occurring between X. nematophila and S. carpocapsae during the early stages of the colonization process, provides insights into the physiology of X. nematophila in its host niche, and will facilitate interpretation of future data regarding the molecular events mediating this process.
Use of Galactomannan Enzyme Immunoassay for Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis in a Tertiary-Care Center over a 12-Month Period

Invasive pulmonary disease caused by Aspergillus species is an increasing concern for patients who are immunosuppressed, especially patients with neutropenia or hematologic malignancies ([6][1]). Since invasive aspergillosis can be difficult to diagnose, tests have been developed to combat this
Concept mapping: A useful tool for science education

This article describes the genesis and development of concept mapping as a useful tool for science education. It also offers an overview of the contents of this special issue and comments on the current state of knowledge representation. Suggestions for further research are made throughout the article.
High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b Significantly Prolongs Relapse-Free and Overall Survival Compared With the GM2-KLH/QS-21 Vaccine in Patients With Resected Stage IIB-III Melanoma: Results of Intergroup Trial E1694/S9512/C509801

PURPOSE: Vaccine alternatives to high-dose interferon alfa-2b therapy (HDI), the current standard adjuvant therapy for high-risk melanoma, are of interest because of toxicity associated with HDI. The GM2 ganglioside is a well-defined melanoma antigen, and anti-GM2 antibodies have been associated with improved prognosis. We conducted a prospective, randomized, intergroup trial to evaluate the efficacy of HDI for 1 year versus vaccination with GM2 conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and administered with QS-21 (GMK) for 96 weeks (weekly × 4 then every 12 weeks × 8). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had resected stage IIB/III melanoma. Patients were stratified by sex and number of positive nodes. Primary end points were relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Eight hundred eighty patients were randomized (440 per treatment group); 774 patients were eligible for efficacy analysis. The trial was closed after interim analysis indicated inferiority of GMK compared with HDI. For...
Raising the age and education requirements for police officers

Police departments are slowly but steadily moving to increase the educational requirements for sworn officers. Additionally, some departments are beginning to consider raising the age requirements. This study examines the impact which raising the age and/or educational requirements could have on the selection of women and minority officers through a case study of the Indianapolis Police Department (IPD). Findings from an analysis of hiring practices in the IPD over a five year period are discussed, and the effects that raising the age and/or educational requirements would have on the traditional pool of successful applicants are described, with particular attention to the possible exclusionary effect on women and minorities.
The utility of whole genome amplification for typing compromised forensic samples

Biological evidence has become invaluable in the crime laboratory; however, it may exist in limited quantity and/or quality. Given this, the ability to amplify total DNA obtained from evidence, in an unbiased manner, would be highly advantageous. Methods for whole genome amplification (WGA) have the potential to fulfill this role, resulting in a virtually unlimited supply of DNA. In the research presented, two WGA methods, improved primer extension preamplification and multiple displacement amplification (MDA), were tested using commercial kits. Control DNA, artificially degraded DNA, and DNA from fresh blood, aged blood, hair shafts, and aged bones underwent WGA, followed by short tandem repeat and mitochondrial DNA analysis. The methods did amplify DNA, but performed poorly on forensically relevant samples; the maximum amplicon size was reduced, and MDA often resulted in extraneous bands following polymerase chain reaction. Taken together, WGA appears to be of limited forensic utility unless the samples are of a very high quality.
Fast parametrized volumetric DTI tract parcellation

A fast method is proposed for DTI neural tract extraction and visualization. Existing efficient tract extraction approaches are based on localizing fibers from a pre-computed whole brain tractography. However, the tracking parameters of precomputed fibers cannot be easily adjusted quickly. Moreover, high noise in the estimated orientation around crossing and neighboring tracts often diverts fibers away from desired pathways. Therefore, insufficient numbers of localized fibers decreases the quality of the tract visualization and also makes surface reconstruction difficult. Our method constructs a tract surface by considering tensor orientation along and around a single or double-seeded streamline and quickly expands it to a parametric surface. A noise reduction surface filter is applied to the parametric surface to provide a smooth surface rendering. Our method is particularly useful in areas of dense tracts such as the brainstem.
Failure Analysis at the Kennedy Space Center

History has shown that failures occur in every engineering endeavor, and what we learn from those failures contributes to the knowledge base to safely complete future missions. The necessity of failure analysis is at its apex at the end of one aged program (i.e. Shuttle) and at the beginning of a new and untested program (i.e. Constellation). The information that we gain through failure analysis corrects the deficiencies in the current vehicle to make the next generation of vehicles more efficient and safe. The Failure Analysis and Materials Evaluation section in the Materials Science Division at the Kennedy Space Center performs metallurgical, mechanical, electrical, and non-metallic failure analysis and accident investigations on both flight hardware and ground support equipment (GSE) for the Shuttle, International Space Station, Constellation, and Launch Services Programs. This presentation will explore a variety of failure case studies at KSC and the lessons learned that can be applied in future programs.
Complex spatiotemporal dynamics in Lotka-Volterra ring systems

Mathematical models in ecology often need to incorporate spatial dependence to accurately model real-world systems. We consider competitive Lotka-Volterra models modified to include this spatial dependence through organization of the competing species into a one- dimensional ring by an appropriate choice of the interaction matrix. We show that these systems can exhibit complex dynamics, spatiotemporal chaos, and spontaneous symmetry breaking. A high-dimensional, spatially homogeneous, nearest-neighbor example with interaction strengths decreasing with distance is characterized including an analysis of how the dynamics of the system vary with dimension. We also show the existence of Lyapunov functions that arise from this method of including spatial dependence and how they prohibit complex dynamics for certain regions of the parameter space. We utilize these Lyapunov functions to reduce the required calculation time in brute-force searches of parameter space. A short comparison is given to derived line systems including a contrast between the eigenvalues of the two systems.
Radionuclide Imaging Techniques in the Thrombolytic Era

Radionuclide imaging techniques have played an important role in the evaluation of left ventricular function, severity and extent of ischemia, viability and necrosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The information derived has formed a basis for risk stratification and selection of optimal treatment strategies for postinfarction patients in the prethrombolytic era. Reperfusion has altered the natural history of acute myocardial infarction. Effective early and sustained restoration of perfusion to acutely ischemic myocardium is the single most important factor in preserving myocardial function and reducing mortality and chronic disability. Current management strategies in acute myocardial infarction involve early diagnosis followed by prompt reperfusion, either pharmacologically or mechanically. Currently available thrombolytic agents achieve reperfusion in 75–80% of cases.1 When adequate reperfusion is not achieved with thrombolysis, immediate “salvage” angioplasty may be considered. Optimal utilization of reperfusion therapy would benefit from the availability of rapid non-invasive techniques for the early detection of reperfusion. Imaging may play a potential role in this as well as other areas in the diagnostic and therapeutic spectrum of reperfusion therapy in the modem era of coronary thrombolysis.
A Flow Quantification Method Using Fluid Dynamics Regularization and MR Tagging

This paper presents a new method for improved flow analysis and quantification using MRI. The method incorporates fluid dynamics to regularize the flow quantification from tagged MR images. Specifically, the flow quantification is formulated as a minimization problem based on the following: 1) the Navier-Stokes equation governing the fluid dynamics; 2) the flow continuity equation and boundary conditions; and 3) the data consistency constraint. The minimization is carried out using a genetic algorithm. This method is tested using both computer simulations and MR flow experiments. The results are evaluated using flow vector fields from the computational fluid dynamics software package as a reference, which show that the new method can achieve more realistic and accurate flow quantifications than the conventional method.
Immediate Changes in Tuning of Inferior Colliculus Neurons Following Acute Lesions of Cat Spiral Ganglion

In previous studies, we demonstrated that acute lesions the spiral ganglion (SG), the cells of origin of the auditory nerve (AN), change the frequency organization of the inferior colliculus centra...
Resection-induced colonic adaptation is augmented by IGF-I and associated with upregulation of colonic IGF-I mRNA.

The effects of exogenous insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on colonic adaptation were examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 60, 225-275 mg) after either a 60% small bowel and cecal resection (RX) or mid-small bowel transection with reanastomosis (TX). Animals received a 7-day treatment with either IGF-I (2.4 mg.kg-1.day-1) or vehicle (V; 0.1 mol/l acetic acid). Body weight decreased significantly after resection (-25.6 +/- 4.0 g; P < 0.05 vs. TX/V). IGF-I treatment significantly reduced weight loss after resection (-12.4 +/- 3.8 g; P < 0.01 vs. RX/V) and induced significant weight gain after transection (15.6 +/- 4.0 g; P < 0.05 vs. TX/V). Plasma IGF-I decreased with resection (526 +/- 41 TX/V vs. 344 +/- 17 ng/ml RX/V; P < 0.01). IGF-I treatment significantly increased plasma IGF-I levels (805 +/- 100 ng/ml TX/IGF, 677 +/- 56 ng/ml RX/IGF). After resection, IGF-I treatment significantly increased colonic mucosal weight, DNA, protein content, and crypt depth when compared with resection alone (P < 0.05). Colonic water absorption, measured by an in vivo [3H]polyethylene glycol assay, was significantly increased by IGF-I treatment in resected animals (399 +/- 23 RX/IGF vs. 306 +/- 32 microliter.cm-1.h-1 RX/V; P < 0.05). Resection resulted in increased steady-state colonic IGF-I mRNA (182% of TX/V; P < 0.01) without significantly affecting IGF-I receptor mRNA expression. Regulation of IGF binding protein (BP)-3 and -4 was discoordinate, with IGFBP-3 mRNA tending to decrease with resection (67% of TX/V; P is not significant) and IGFBP-4 increasing significantly (191% of TX/V; P < 0.05). An important role for IGF-I in colonic adaptation after massive intestinal resection is indicated by 1) significantly enhanced colonic mucosal growth and water absorption with IGF-I treatment and 2) postresection upregulation of colonic IGF-I mRNA and alteration of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 mRNA expression.
RESTING SPORES IN PHLYCTOCHYTRIUM PLANICORNE

In February, 1960, a soil and water sample taken from an area in Chapel Hill, N. C., known locally as Meeting of the Waters, was baited for chytrids with the pollen of Pinus taeda L. and Liquidambar styraciflua L. After a week zoosporangia of the dentigerate chytrid, Phlyctochytrium planicorne Atkinson, were growing on the floating pollen grains of Pinus and Liquidambar. Examination revealed abundant young resting spores. This paper is the first report of resting spores in this species.
Reduction of hydroxylated fullerene (fullerol) in water by zinc: reaction and hemiketal product characterization.

Water-soluble, hydroxylated fullerene (fullerol) materials have recently gained increasing attention as they have been identified as the primary product(s) during the exposure of fullerenes (as water stable, nanoscale aggregated C60) to UV light in water. The physical properties and chemical reactivity of resulting fullerols, however, have not been thoroughly studied. In this paper, we identified and characterized the reductive transformation of fullerol (C60(OH)x(ONa)y) by solid zinc metal (Zn(0)) through a series of batch reaction experiments and product characterization, including 13C NMR, FTIR, XPS, UV-vis, DLS, and TEM. Results indicated the facile formation of water stable, pH sensitive hemiketal functionality as part of a relatively reduced fullerol product. Further, aqueous physical behavior of the product fullerol, as measured by octanol partitioning and surface deposition rates, was observed to significantly differ from the parent material and is consistent with a relative increase in molecular ...
Synergetic chemical coupling controls the uniformity of carbon nanotube microstructure growth.

Control of the uniformity of vertically aligned carbon nanotube structures (CNT “forests”), in terms of both geometry and nanoscale morphology (density, diameter, and alignment), is crucial for applications. Many studies report complex and sometimes unexplained spatial variations of the height of macroscopic CNT forests, as well as variations among micropillars grown from lithographically patterned catalyst arrays. We present a model for chemically coupled CNT growth, which describes the origins of synergetic growth effects among CNT micropillars in proximity. Via this model, we propose that growth of CNTs is locally enhanced by active species that are catalytically produced at the substrate-bound nanoparticles. The local concentration of these active species modulates the growth rate of CNTs, in a spatially dependent manner driven by diffusion and local generation/consumption at the catalyst sites. Through experiments and numerical simulations, we study how the uniformity of CNT micropillars can be influ...
An Exploration of the Associations Among Multiple Aspects of Religiousness, Body Image, Eating Pathology, and Appearance Investment

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of positive and negative aspects of religiousness on eating pathology, body satisfaction, and appearance investment beyond previously established variables (age, BMI, exercise frequency, weight stability, and self-esteem). Data collected from 168 adult females at a Catholic-affiliated university were analyzed using hierarchical linear regressions. As expected, some religiousness variables (spirituality and seeing one's body as having sacred qualities) were associated with eating pathology, body satisfaction, and appearance investment in potentially beneficial ways, and others (negative interaction with one's religious community) were associated in potentially harmful ways. Interestingly, greater religious meaning, or the importance of religion in one's life, was associated with greater eating pathology, and some variables (religious coping, participation in and support from one's religious community) expected to be associated with greater body satisfaction were unrelated. Results are discussed in terms of mechanisms through which the aspects of religiousness may influence body satisfaction, appearance investment, and eating pathology.
Factors associated with treatment continuation: implications for the treatment of drug dependence.

It is well known and problematic that a significant number of people who suffer from a diagnosable disorder do not seek out and receive the mental health services they need (e.g., Vessey and Howard 1993). Even among those who do seek treatment, many do not accept the recommended regimen. For example, the majority of people who initiate psychotherapy terminate relatively early in the process (Craig and Huffine 1976; Garfield 1994; Sue et al. 1976). In Garfield’s (1994) review, the median duration of treatment was between five and eight sessions in studies where patients had received at least one session of psychotherapy.
A Rapid Microbiological Method for Enumerating Escherichia colifrom Broiler Chicken Carcasses

Experiments were conducted to evaluate a rapid method for enumerating Escherichia coli from broiler chicken carcasses. In three separate trials, carcasses were obtained from a commercial processing plant, temperature abused at 37 degrees C for 0, 3, 6, 9, or 12 h, and then rinsed. E. coli were enumerated from carcass rinses using Petrifilm E. coli count plates (PC) and by placing the rinse into double-strength colifiform medium supplemented with 2% dextrose (CMD). The CMD mixture was placed into a Bactometer module and conductance was measured at 44 degrees C. Once a detection time (DT) was recorded, the sample was immediately recovered from the module well, diluted, and spread onto plate count agar. Colonies on plates at the highest dilution from each module well were randomly selected and identified. After 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h of temperature abuse, E. coli was the bacterial species identified 97, 92, 88, 87, and 61% of the time, respectively. These results indicate that the medium/temperature combination was excellent for enumerating E. coli from samples that contain mixed microflora using conductance. Significant linear correlations were observed between time of abuse (TA) and log10 PC (LPC) or DT (R2 = 0.86 and R2 = -0.90, respectively). A significant linear correlation was observed between LPC and DT (R2 = -0.92). This rapid method (1 to 7.6 h) for enumeration of E. coli on chicken should provide a way to determine E. coli levels before a product is shipped, and it should aid the poultry industry in meeting the E. coli testing requirement of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service pathogen reduction regulation.
Ylidenemalononitrile enamine-coated media as fluorescent “turn-on” probes for volatile primary amines

Two ylidenemalononitrile enamines, adsorbed to various media, undergo a cyclization reaction with primary amine vapors resulting in a fluorometric and colorimetric response. After determining the media with the fastest response rate for emission “turn-on” to be aluminum oxide activated neutral (AON), we further demonstrate the sensitivity (propylamine concentrations as low as 200 ppm are detected) and selectivity to various analytes including amines, methanol, and ethanethiol. Lastly, as an alternative means of detection, the colorimetric response dye on glass filter paper was shown to detect propylamine concentrations as low as 29 ppm.
Manufacturing optimization for Silicon Trench rectifiers using NiPt salicide

The purpose of this study was to provide a low cost manufacturing solution for Silicon Trench based Schottky rectifiers utilizing NiPt alloy composition that produces multiple barrier heights and provide designers the option to easily adjust the barrier height (BH) for rectifier designs. Higher temperatures needed to obtain larger barrier heights are generally unfavorable for trench-based Schottky rectifiers. The silicides in trench rectifiers are separated by relativity small distances with nonreactive material (such as silicon oxide) and with high energy anneals and the silicon from the substrate will migrate creating a Ni(Pt)Si bridge between adjacent silicides. Additional issues arise from thicker Ni(Pt)Si growth near the gate oxide interface causing localized high silicon stress. Both these issues cause device performance issues such as increased diode leakage. Most common industry solution is to change the %Pt in the Ni alloy thus modulating the BH. A low cost solution is to use one NiPt alloy to meet multiple BH needs by changing the anneal conditions and adding a Ti “Cap” to the NiPt film.
Abstract 2584: The UCSC Xena system for cancer genomics data visualization and interpretation

The UCSC Xena platform (http://xena.ucsc.edu/) allows biologists and bioinformaticians to securely analyze and visualize their private functional genomics data in the context of public genomic and clinical data sets. The Xena platform consists of a set of federated data hubs and the Xena browser, which integrates across hubs, providing one location to analyze and visualize all data. Our expanding public Xena Data Hubs currently hosts 1400+ data sets from more than 35 cancer types, as well as Pan-Cancer data sets. Our public data hubs serve seminal cancer genomics and functional genomics data set to the scientific community, including the latest TCGA, TARGET, ICGC, and GTEx data sets. We support most data types including somatic and germline SNPs, INDELs, large structural variants, CNV, gene-, transcript-, exon- protein-, miRNA-expression, DNA methylation, phenotypes, clinical data, subtype classifications and genomic biomarkers. Additionally, investigators’ own functional genomics data can be hosted on private hubs running on their laptop or behind the firewall. Data is integrated on the UCSC Xena Browser, allowing biologists to view and interpretation of their genomic data in the context of a large collection of cancer genomics data sets such as TCGA. The lightweight Xena data hubs are straightforward to install on Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems and loading data is easy using either our application or command line interface. This system of the browser and hubs helps researchers combine new or preliminary results from their laptops or internal servers, or even data from a new paper, securely with vetted data from the public sphere. Visualizations and analyses include dynamic Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess survival stratification by any information in addition to our visual spreadsheet, scatter plots and bar graphs. We seek feedback at our poster on new visualizations and functionalities. Citation Format: Mary Goldman, Brian Craft, Jingchun Zhu, David Haussler. The UCSC Xena system for cancer genomics data visualization and interpretation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2584. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2584
Early determination of molecular alterations in breast cancer-colonized bone with Raman spectroscopy (Conference Presentation)

Breast tumors frequently metastasize to bone and disrupt local homeostasis to induce osteolytic bone lesions. Causing severe bone pain and even fracture, this degeneration process greatly reduces the quality of life of patients with bone metastasis. However, our inability to monitor early metastatic disease in bone and assess fracture risk hinders therapeutic decision-making and exacerbate patients’ suffering. In this work, we report a longitudinal study to evaluate cancer-colonized bone alterations in a mouse model system with the goal of early detection of minimal disease. Inspired by its label-free and real-time nature as well as its molecular specificity, we employed spontaneous Raman spectroscopy to quantitatively assess early metastasis-induced biochemical alterations in bone composition. Barely two weeks after intracardiac inoculation of MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells in NOD-SCID mice, Raman spectroscopic measurement in tumor-bearing bones revealed the presence of statistically significant changes in carbonation, mineralization and crystallinity, when compared to their normal counterparts. Our observations underscore the feasibility of diagnosis of compositional changes in tumor-bearing femur and spine, markedly before morphological manifestations are noted via radiographic diagnosis. Our findings offer a fresh molecular understanding of metastasis-induced alternations in bone with previously inaccessible spatiotemporal granularity, and paves the way for development of a fully non-invasive spectroscopic tool for prediction of pathological fracture risk in breast cancer patients.
Symptoms of anhedonia, not depression, predict the outcome of treatment of cocaine dependence

The purpose of this paper is to reanalyze data from two studies to determine if anhedonia specifically, rather than depression overall, predicts treatment outcome for patients with cocaine use disorders. Measures of baseline anhedonia symptoms were created using anhedonia items from the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to re-examine National Institute on Drug Abuse Cocaine Collaborative Treatment study data (Crits-Christoph et al., 1999) and the contingency management group from the McKay et al. (2010) trial. Baseline anhedonia was used to predict cocaine abstinence rates across the treatment period in both studies. Anhedonia was a significant predictor of cocaine abstinence, even when overall depression scores excluding anhedonia were included in the models. The development of treatments to target individuals with cocaine use disorder who have symptoms of anhedonia has the potential to improve overall outcomes for those with this disorder.
A generic neutral model for measuring excess evolutionary activity of genotypes

We introduce and study a simple generic model of neutral evolution of genotypes, designed to provide a feasible and general method for quantifying excess evolutionary activity—the extent to which evolutionary activity is the product of adaptive evolution. We compare the behavior of the generic neutral model against two other models: Packard's agent-based model of the evolution of sensory-motor functionality and a neutral "shadow" of Packard's model. Diversity and evolutionary activity of these three models across the mutation rate spectrum illustrate the feasibility and general applicability of the generic neutral model, confirm the appropriateness of using neutral models to quantify the extent of the continual adaptive success of genotypes, and reveal power-law dependences of evolutionary activity on mutation rate.
Intraoperative Evaluation for Extracolonic Disease in Colon Cancer Patients

Although radiographic studies usually provide accurate preoperative staging information in colorectal cancer patients, intraoperative frozen section evaluation of extracolonic tissues may be requested in order to confirm the diagnosis of a metastasis or ensure its complete resection. The liver represents the most common site of distant organ metastases from colorectal cancer. Several benign lesions may simulate liver metastases, most notably von Meyenberg complexes and bile duct hamartomas. Peritoneal carcinomatosis is also an important intraoperative finding that may alter the surgical management of colon cancer patients. A number of mimics of peritoneal carcinomatosis are encountered in the frozen section laboratory.
Particle Simulations of the Flow of Smooth Spheres Between Bumpy Boundaries

Abstract In this paper we present discrete element calculations of gravity-free Couette flow of smooth, inelastic spheres between parallel, bumpy walls. Calculations of the wall shear and normal stresses and slip velocities over a range of solids fractions indicate that the results are highly sensitive to the arrangement and relative size of the boundary particles as well as the wall gap spacing and restitution coefficient.
Creative Collaborations: Emergent Play in the Preschool Art Studio.

During the early summer of 2015, I began my first internship at a museum-based learning preschool in Washington, D.C. Having completed my first year of graduate school in art education, a time in w...
A transparent display with per-pixel color and opacity control

We propose a new display system that composites matted foreground animated graphics and video, with per-pixel controllable emitted color and transparency, over real-world dynamic objects seen through a transparent display. Multiple users can participate simultaneously without any glasses, trackers, or additional devices. The current prototype is deployed as a desktop-monitor-sized transparent display box assembled from commodity hardware components with the addition of a high-frame-rate controllable diffuser.