cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PIK3CA in KrasG12D/Trp53R172H Tumor Cells Promotes Immune Evasion by Limiting Infiltration of T Cells in a Model of Pancreatic Cancer

ABSTRACT The presence of tumor-infiltrating T cells is associated with favorable patient outcomes, yet most pancreatic cancers are immunologically silent and resistant to currently available immunotherapies. Here we show using a syngeneic orthotopic implantation model of pancreatic cancer that Pik3ca regulates tumor immunogenicity. Genetic silencing of Pik3ca in KrasG12D/Trp53R172H-driven pancreatic tumors leads to infiltration of T cells, complete tumor regression, and 100% survival of immunocompetent host mice. By contrast, Pik3ca-null tumors implanted in T cell-deficient mice progress and kill all of the animals. Adoptive transfer of tumor antigen-experienced T cells eliminates Pik3ca-null tumors in immunodeficient mice. Loss of PIK3CA or inhibition of its effector, AKT, increases the expression of MHC Class I and CD80 on tumor cells. These changes contribute to the increased susceptibility of Pik3ca-null tumors to T cell surveillance. These results indicate that tumor cell PIK3CA-AKT signaling limits T cell recognition and clearance of pancreatic cancer cells. Strategies that target this pathway may yield an effective immunotherapy for this cancer. SIGNIFICANCE PIK3CA-AKT signaling in pancreatic cancer cells limits T cell infiltration and clearance of tumors by suppressing the surface expression of MHC Class I and CD80. Targeting the PIK3CA-AKT pathway in tumor cells provides a new avenue for discovery of novel pancreatic cancer immunotherapies.
Reduction of unnecessary repeat knee radiographs during osteoarthrosis follow-up visits in a large teaching medical center.

Professional organizations recommend against repeat radiographs for routine follow-up of osteoarthrosis. However, clinics frequently obtain radiographs during or before the clinical visit. The purpose of our project was to determine the baseline frequency of unnecessary knee radiographs and whether educational interventions can reduce this frequency. This QI project was exempt from IRB review. Radiology reports of knee radiographs were searched in our database filtered by presence of the words “severe”, “degenerative”, “osteoarthritis”, and similar variants. We reviewed 500 consecutive corresponding medical records to confirm the presence of severe osteoarthritis, and presence of a repeat radiograph within 6 months. Indications for repeat radiographs were determined. Repeat radiographs were counted as “non-indicated” when medical records revealed no new symptoms. A focused educational intervention was provided to the orthopedic and family practice departments. An additional 500 radiology reports were evaluated 9 months after intervention in the same manner and the rate of non-indicated radiographs was calculated. Follow-up review of additional 500 radiology reports at 1-year time point was performed. Our initial search returned 1517 reports. Upon evaluation of 500 studies, there were 112/500 repeat radiographs (22%); 77/500 (15%) of knee radiographs were not indicated. Upon initial follow-up evaluation of 500 studies, there were 52/500 repeat radiographs (10%) and 40/500 (8%) radiographs were not indicated. The reduction of unnecessary repeat knee radiographs rate was sustained at 1 year. Focused educational intervention results in a substantial (50%) reduction of the number of unnecessary repeat knee radiographs in patients with known severe OA.
Assessing Disparate Impacts of Personalized Interventions: Identifiability and Bounds

Personalized interventions in social services, education, and healthcare leverage individual-level causal effect predictions in order to give the best treatment to each individual or to prioritize program interventions for the individuals most likely to benefit. While the sensitivity of these domains compels us to evaluate the fairness of such policies, we show that actually auditing their disparate impacts per standard observational metrics, such as true positive rates, is impossible since ground truths are unknown. Whether our data is experimental or observational, an individual's actual outcome under an intervention different than that received can never be known, only predicted based on features. We prove how we can nonetheless point-identify these quantities under the additional assumption of monotone treatment response, which may be reasonable in many applications. We further provide a sensitivity analysis for this assumption by means of sharp partial-identification bounds under violations of monotonicity of varying strengths. We show how to use our results to audit personalized interventions using partially-identified ROC and xROC curves and demonstrate this in a case study of a French job training dataset.
Contrasting modes of regulation of PS II light utilization with changing irradiance in normal and psbS mutant leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Complementary techniques of chlorophyll a fluorescence, steady state CO2 exchange, and O2 release during a multiple turnover flash were applied to compare responses to irradiance for leaves of wild type and psbS mutants. The latter included variants in which the psbS gene was deleted (npq4-1) or possessed a single point mutation (npq4-9). Nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) was reduced by up to 80 and 50%, respectively, in these lines at high irradiance. Analysis of changes in steady-state fluorescence yields and quantum yield of linear electron transport in the context of the reversible radical pair model of Photosystem II (PS II) indicated that NPQ occurs by nonradiative deactivation of chlorophyll singlet states in normal leaves. In contrast, application of the same criteria together with the observed irreversibility of NPQ and decline in density of functional PS II reaction centers following excessive illumination indicated a change in reaction center properties for the psbS deletion phenotype (Npq4-1−). Specifically, PS II reaction centers in Npq4-1− convert to a photochemically inactive, yet strongly quenching, form in intense light. The possibility of formation of a carotenoid or chlorophyll cation quencher in the reaction center is discussed. Results for the point mutant phenotype (Npq4-9−) were intermediate to those of wild-type and Npq4-1−. Furthermore, wild-type leaves exhibited a significant reversible increase in the PS II in vivo rate constant for photochemistry (kP0) in saturating compared to limiting light. Changes in kP0 could not be accounted for in terms of a classic phosphorylation-dependent (state transition) mechanism. Changes in kP0 may arise from alternate pigment—protein conformations that alter the way excitons equilibrate among PS II chromophores. The lack of similar irradiance-dependent changes in kP0 for the psbS mutants suggests a role for the PS II-S protein in the regulation of exciton distribution.
Event Detection and Classification in Hungarian Natural Texts

The detection and analysis of events in natural language texts plays an important role in several NLP applications such as summarization and question answering. This paper focuses on introducing a machine learningbased approach that can detect and classify verbal and infinitival events in Hungarian texts. First, the multiword noun + verb and noun + infinitive expressions were identified. Then the events are detected and the identified events are classified. For each problem, binary classifiers were applied based on rich feature sets. The models were expanded with rule-based methods.
Comparison of productivity and economic analysis of microalgae cultivation in open raceways and flat panel photobioreactor

Abstract Microalgae is a promising biomass feedstock for the production of valuable bioenergy and bioproducts. Here the comparative differences of microalgae productivity potential in open raceway ponds and flat panel photobioreactors for different geographical locations in the United States are presented. Microalgae productivity potential was determined using a first-principles based model incorporating geographical variabilities and climate factors, including solar irradiance, air temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity. Microalgae productivity varied from 2000 to 13,000 t km−2 year−1 for the different locations and reactor systems. Based on detailed economic analysis, microalgae costs were shown to vary between 500 and 9560 $ t−1. The costs variation can be mainly attributed to the differences in productivity potential for a geographic location and reactor system as well as to the different process engineering design parameters. The results from this work on provide important information on commercial feasibility of implementing algal biorefineries.
The New Reality of Reproducibility: The Role of Data Work in Scientific Research

Although reproducibility--the idea that a valid scientific experiment can be repeated with similar results--is integral to our understanding of good scientific practice, it has remained a difficult concept to define precisely. Across scientific disciplines, the increasing prevalence of large datasets, and the computational techniques necessary to manage and analyze those datasets, has prompted new ways of thinking about reproducibility. We present findings from a qualitative study of a NSF--funded two-week workshop developed to introduce an interdisciplinary group of domain scientists to data-management techniques for data-intensive computing, with a focus on reproducible science. Our findings suggest that the introduction of data-related activities promotes a new understanding of reproducibility as a mechanism for local knowledge transfer and collaboration, particularly as regards efficient software reuse.
Single-atom switching as a general approach to designing colorimetric and fluorogenic probes for mercury ions

Abstract By performing a single-atom replacement within common fluorophores, we have developed a facile and general strategy to prepare a broad-spectrum class of colorimetric and fluorogenic probes for the selective detection of mercury ions in aqueous environments. Thionation of carbonyl groups from existing fluorophore cores results in a great reduction of fluorescence. In the presence of mercury ions, the resulting thiocaged probes are efficiently desulfurized to their oxo derivatives, leading to pronounced changes in chromogenic and fluorogenic signals. Because these probes exhibit high selectivity, excellent sensitivity, good membrane-permeability, and rapid responses towards mercury ions, they are suitable for visualization of mercury in both aqueous and intracellular environments.
Pop-up Makerspace Module in Undergraduate Studies Inculcating Entrepreneurial Mindset

This innovative practice work-in-progress study focuses on creating low-cost makerspace module for an undergraduate engineering course. Makerspace aims at creating a cohesive environment where participants learn while being creative. Additionally, it accomplishes twentyfirst century and entrepreneurial mindset learning objectives such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, curiosity and creating value. Undergraduate STEM education is the most relevant field where makerspace can enhance learning process. However, makerspace is considered as a high investment project which can limit its implementation to a very small population of undergraduate students. With proper planning and creativity, educators can expose their students to makerspace without inflating the budget. In this study, a pop-up makerspace module was created for an undergraduate engineering course with a limited budget of $100. The students worked in groups to design, fabricate and verify the product functionality for a tissue engineering application. The module consisted of multiple stages which included brainstorming session, searching the market, design under constraints, select a design using a selection matrix, 3D print and verify the functionality of the product. The results obtained from student survey showed statistically significant improvement in technical, entrepreneurial mindset and 21st century skills. The open responses indicated students were engaged throughout the module and worked as a group to create a successful product. The first iteration of this module was successfully implemented and it is expected to extend such pop-up makerspace modules in other engineering courses as well.
Adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in obesity

Several lines of preclinical and clinical research have confirmed that chronic low-grade inflammation of adipose tissue is mechanistically linked to metabolic disease and organ tissue complications in the overweight and obese organism. Despite this widely confirmed paradigm, numerous open questions and knowledge gaps remain to be investigated. This is mainly due to the intricately intertwined cross-talk of various pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling cascades involved in the immune response of expanding adipose depots, particularly the visceral adipose tissue. Adipose tissue inflammation is initiated and sustained over time by dysfunctional adipocytes that secrete inflammatory adipokines and by infiltration of bone marrow-derived immune cells that signal via production of cytokines and chemokines. Despite its low-grade nature, adipose tissue inflammation negatively impacts remote organ function, a phenomenon that is considered causative of the complications of obesity. The aim of this review is to broadly present an overview of adipose tissue inflammation by highlighting the most recent reports in the scientific literature and summarizing our overall understanding of the field. We also discuss key endogenous anti-inflammatory mediators and analyze their mechanistic role(s) in the pathogenesis and treatment of adipose tissue inflammation. In doing so, we hope to stimulate studies to uncover novel physiological, cellular, and molecular targets for the treatment of obesity.
HybriDG: Hybrid Dynamic Time Warping and Gaussian Distribution Model for Detecting Emerging Zero-Day Microarchitectural Side-Channel Attacks

Microarchitectural Side-channel Attacks (SCAs) benefit from emerging hardware vulnerabilities in modern microprocessors to steal critical information from users, posing great security threats to computer systems. Several recent studies have focused on using low-level features captured from built-in Hardware Performance Counter (HPC) registers to implement accurate Machine Learning (ML)-based SCAs detectors. Nonetheless, existing ML-based SCAs detectors required prior knowledge of attacks applications to detect the pattern of side-channel attacks using a variety of microarchitectural features. In particular, the existing solutions have ignored to address the challenge of detecting sophisticated unknown (zero-day) SCAs at run-time which is a more challenging issue in today’s computer systems. In addition, prior works analyzed a limited number of ML classifiers without thoroughly evaluating the detection effectiveness and computational complexity of the detectors. In response, we propose HybriDG, a hybrid lightweight model consisting of Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) followed by a Gaussian distribution model to accurately detect both known and unknown emerging SCAs at run-time. Our experimental results demonstrate that HybriDG achieves 100% detection accuracy for known attacks and 99.5% detection accuracy for unknown attacks which is significantly outperforming traditional ML algorithms, deep learning, and time series classification models by up to 80% for unknown and 8% known attack detection.
Order-of-magnitude laser imprint reduction using pre-expanded high-Z coatings on targets driven by a third harmonic Nd:glass laser

A hybrid early time x-ray drive followed by conventional laser direct drive obtained by utilizing a thin high-Z overcoat on plastic ablator targets has proven to be very effective at reducing laser imprint in experiments driven by the Nike krypton-fluoride laser. An inherent low level laser prepulse from that laser system heated and expanded the coating prior to the main pulse. Here, we report on results using a frequency tripled Nd:glass laser system (Omega EP) where the inherent prepulse was several orders of magnitude smaller. By applying a separate prepulse, these experiments allowed us to test if the prepulse is important for mitigating imprint with the high-Z layer. The results show that the high-Z coating is much more effective at reducing laser imprint when it is pre-expanded, in this case, by an externally generated low level soft x-ray prepulse of ∼ 10 J/cm2. With the x-ray prepulse, laser imprint at spatial wavelengths below 100 μm was reduced by an order of magnitude, similar to that observed with the laser prepulse on Nike. Furthermore, the experiments here establish that high-Z coating is effective in reducing imprint even in the case of a fixed speckle pattern. Rayleigh–Taylor-amplified laser imprint and high-Z layer dynamics were measured using through-foil and side-on x-ray radiography. Pre-expansion times from 30 down to 6 ns were effective, potentially compatible with laser prepulse generation using existing NIF and OMEGA front ends; however, temporal beam smoothing appears to be necessary for the laser prepulse that directly illuminates the high-Z coating. The highest imprint reduction is observed for Pd and Au coatings of at least 400 A thickness; thicknesses down to 200 A show a reduction in imprint with an adjusted prepulse.
Nanocomposite cation-exchange membranes for wastewater electrodialysis: organic fouling, desalination performance, and toxicity testing

Abstract Organic fouling hinders the application of membrane treatment of alternative water. In this study, polyethyleneimine (PEI), titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, and graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were used for modifying cation-exchange membranes to enhance anti-organic fouling and desalination performance during electrodialysis of synthetical water and municipal wastewater. Fouling propensity of the unmodified and modified membranes was quantitatively evaluated by measuring organic accumulation on membrane surface using humic acid (HA, simulating natural organic matter) and bovine serum albumin (BSA, simulating organic matter in municipal wastewater effluent) as model foulants. Significant surface deposition of HA was observed on the unmodified, PEI-TiO2, and PEI-modified membrane surfaces while trivial HA fouling was detected on the PEI-GO membrane. BSA fouling was minor for all the modified membranes compared to the unmodified membrane. Desalination efficiency of electrodialysis with the modified membranes, except the PEI-modified membrane, was significantly improved in treating synthetical water with HA foulant compared to the electrodialysis with the unmodified membrane (20%~40% reduction of normalized salt removal). Relatively stable desalination behaviors were observed for each membrane system in treating BSA-containing synthetical water, and enhanced desalination was demonstrated with the modified membranes. Subsequent long-term fouling experiments with wastewater effluent revealed the superior antifouling capacity of the nanocomposite membranes (especially for the PEI-GO membrane) over 100-hour operation, while the unmodified membranes exhibited severe fouling (with total more than 60% decline of normalized salt removal) after approximately 50-hour treating wastewater. In a standard Microtox® acute toxicity assay, the nanocomposite membranes did not show any acute toxicity towards Vibrio fischeri due to potential leaching of PEI and nanomaterials, indicating safe utilization of the modified membranes for water treatment.
Chromosome breaks in breast cancers occur near herpes tumor virus sequences

This work finds viral DNA associates with most chromosome breaks in breast cancer and provides a mechanism for why this is so. Nearly 2000 breast cancers were compared to known Epstein Barr virus (EBV) variant cancers using publicly available data. Breast cancer breakpoints on all chromosomes cluster around the same positions as in nasopharyngeal cancers (NPCs), cancers 100 per cent associated with EBV variants. Breakpoints also gather at the same differentially methylated regions. Breast cancer further has an EBV methylation signature shared with other cancers that inactivates complement. Another known EBV cancer (Burkitt lymphoma) has distinctive MYC gene breakpoints surrounded by EBV like DNA. EBV like DNA consistently surrounds breast cancer breakpoints, which are often near known EBV binding sites. EBV explains why a break in a chromosome does not simply reconnect in breakage fusion bridge models, but instead destabilizes the entire genome. This work does not prove EBV variants cause breast cancer, but establishes links to high risk chromosome breaks and other changes.
G protein Pathways and Regulation of Neoplastic Transformation

The processes that underlie the conversion of a normal cell to a transformed phenotype are complex. Signal transduction pathways are thought to play important roles in regulating events that eventually result in the transformed phenotype. It is now well established that many oncogenes code for mutated proteins whose normal counterparts are components of cellular signaling systems (1). Cooperation between such oncogenes in regulating transformation is a well-established phenomenon (2). In normal physiological state signal transduction pathways are important for regulating cellular functions so that they are responsive to current environmental conditions. All cells possess several signaling pathways that are used to convey a variety of signals. Pathways that involve tyrosine kinases are used to produce long term responses such as regulation of proliferation. Many of the best known oncogenes such as v-erb-B, v-src, v-ras and v-raf are components of the tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. Other pathways, such as those that utilize heterotrimeric G protein as signal transducers, are largely used to evoke acute responses such as the activities of metabolic enzymes. Often cells receive multiple signals that simultaneously activate different signaling pathways.
The effect of ecdysterone on 14C-N-acetylglucosamine incorporation into chitin in the crayfish orconectes obscurus during the molt cycle

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of ecdysterone on N- acetyl-1- 14 C-glucosamine incorporation into O. obscurus chitin in vivo was studied at various stages of the molt cycle. 2. 2. One hour after and 24 hr after injecting ecdysterone, 14 C -N- acetylglucosamine was injected and allowed to be incorporated for one hour. 3. 3. A significant increase in incorporation of acetylglucosamine during intermolt and early premolt was observed after the 24 hr ecdysterone treatment. 4. 4. The one hour ecdysterone treatment had no effect.
Admission–Discharge Criteria

The advanced life support technology which can be provided in the ICU is intended to provide temporary physiologic support for patients with potentially reversible organ failure or dysfunction. In general, only patients who have a reasonable prospect of recovery should be treated in the ICU. The current guidelines of the Society of Critical Care Medicine state that “in general ICU’s should be reserved for those patients with reversible medical conditions who have a reasonable prospect of substantial recovery.” [1] The merits of each potential ICU admission should be assessed on an individual basis, and taking the following factors into account:
The Psychosocial Dimensions of Hysterectomy: Private Places and the Inner Spaces of Women at Midlife

Although the literature on hysterectomy is well represented by the medical and nursing professions, there is a paucity of social work research on the psychosocial dimensions of hysterectomy and surgical menopause. With over one-half million women undergoing the surgical removal of their reproductive organs each year, clinical social workers need to be aware of the potential effects of hysterectomy on the physical, affective, social, spiritual, and sexual domains of women's lives. The sequelae of a hysterectomy portend consequences for the quality of a woman's life. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, a Web-based questionnaire was used to examine women's lived experiences of hysterectomy in each of these domains. The findings of this exploratory study (n = 74) suggest that younger women may be at greater risk for depression than older women following hysterectomy and that physician gender may influence pre-surgery decision making.
On the Impact of Variable Selection in Fitting Regression Equations

Consider developing a regression model in a context where substantive theory is weak. Search procedures are often used to develop the equation: eg, fitting the equation, dropping insignificant variables, and refitting. As is well known, this can seriously distort the conventional goodness-of-fit statistics. Furthermore, the bootstrap and jackknife may not help in high-dimensional cases.
A Problem-Based Learning Exercise for Environmental Geology

A site investigation in which students act as remedial project managers for the state, the polluter and the local community has been designed as a problem-based learning exercise in an upper-level environmental geology course. The 3 week long (6 class meetings) exercise serves as a capstone experience for the class and capitalizes on a series of lectures and laboratories that introduce students to environmental regulations, aspects of site investigation and contaminant remediation, the physical and chemical properties of inorganic and organic contaminants, well log interpretation, plume delineation, and risk assessment. The design of the exercise requires students to develop a functional collaboration in order to meet assignment deadlines and complete the investigation. While each group develops a different dynamic, the introduction of problem-based learning into the environmental geology curriculum has given students the opportunity to develop the problem solving skills necessary to manage a complex envi...
Small Fatigue Crack Growth Observations in an Extruded Magnesium Alloy

The purpose of this paper is to quantify the microstructurally small/physically small crack growth behavior in an extruded AZ61 magnesium alloy, Fully-reversed, interrupted load control tests were conducted on notched specimens that were taken from a magnesium alloy extrusion, In order to measure crack growth, replicas of the notch surface were made using a two-part siliconrubber compound at periodic cyclic intervals, Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the replica surfaces revealed multi site crack initiation and subsequent crack coalescence, The crack growth behavior of the small fatigue cracks was shown to have a strong dependence on the material microstructure as the crack was submitted to a tortuous growth path along grain boundaries and crystallographic slip planes, A microstructurally dependent crack growth model that was previously developed for FCC metals was further extended here to HCP metals.
Prose-relevant pictures and older learners’ recall of written prose

Research examining the contribution of pictures to young children’s recall of prose materials suggests that pictures can be used to facilitate the recall of information presented in prose passages. Can the positive effects found with young children be extended to older learners? If picture effects are present, are they durable over time? Data collected from two experiments conducted with college students provide evidence for an affirmative answer to both questions.
Clinical and analytical review of ischemia-modified albumin measured by the albumin cobalt binding test.

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a general overview of the clinical and analytical issues pertaining to the albumin–cobalt binding (ACB) test that measures ischemia-modified albumin (IMA)—the first Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared assay to rule out myocardial ischemia. IMA measured by the ACB test is proposed as a novel marker that appears sensitive to cardiac ischemia. This chapter includes several clinical studies that have evaluated the performance of the ACB test for monitoring IMA in various ischemic populations. Studies were typically performed in small numbers of patients with various study designs. It has the potential to become a triage tool in suspected chest (ACS) patients, especially to rule out ACS, and might also find utility in stroke, stress testing, nuclear imaging, and states of noncardiac ischemia and oxidative stress. Rapid-testing platforms will be necessary to achieve the optimal goal of assisting in the triage of ACS patients that present to EDs. However, it does not appear to be highly tissue or clinically specific. There is a continued need to improve the clinical and analytical evidence base of IMA to substantiate its clinical use in diagnostics and outcomes assessment. The search for a marker, whether IMA or another marker that establishes an evidence base, that would effectively rule in as well as rule out early cardiac ischemia continues. The ACB test has barely begun the exploration of the exciting challenges and discoveries that lie ahead in assisting clinicians in the early detection of myocardial ischemia to assist and improve patient triage, therapy, and management.
Unisex Names for Babies Born in Pennsylvania 1990-2010

AbstractMost first names are exclusively popular for females or males. A minority of first names are unisex, defined as being given with substantial frequency to both genders in the same population in the same year. First-name frequencies for births in Pennsylvania in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 provided information on babies given unisex names. Children of a White mother were compared with children of a Black mother. The unisex names were divided into two types of gender preference or consistency, from 1990 to 2010. Change usually was from a small majority of males to a large majority of females. Consistency generally was a preference for males. Females more often than males therefore were given a name that was consistently more popular for the opposite gender. Great diversity of names given in Pennsylvania contributed to the occurrence of unisex names.
Structural transformations in nonstoichiometric YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6 + δ

Structural-transformation kinetics in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6+{delta}} caused by oxygen ordering is considered. The effect of long-range interaction between oxygen atoms, Coulomb repulsion, and strain-induced interaction on oxygen ordering is investigated in terms of crystal-lattice-site diffusion theory. Computer simulations of the diffusion of interacting O atoms give a complicated sequence of atomic-scale and mesoscale structural transformations. It is shown that the transformation path strongly influences the crystallographic structure of the ordered phases. An interrelation between the mesoscale and the atomic structures, which proves to be coupled by the long-range interaction, is found. The following structures are obtained: the primary tweed which transforms into a (110) polytwin structure, the secondary tweed, and the glassy'' state, as well as 2{ital a}{sub 0}{times}2{ital a}{sub 0} and 2 {radical}2 {ital a}{sub 0}{times}2 {radical}2 {ital a}{sub 0} superstructures. Two structural states, the secondary tweed and the glassy'' state, are shown to be mesoscopic phases---metastable (or stable) phases whose phase identity is mostly determined by their mesoscale rather than atomic-scale structure. The structures and morphologies generated in this computer simulation were reported in many experimental studies.
The Betrayal of the Child

The significance placed on the role of early childhood experience on later development and on the etiology of psychopathology is generally accepted. The trusting relationship of the dependent child to caregivers is frequently violated in many ways and may be viewed as constituting a betrayal of the child. This article presents the contributions of Alice Miller, a psychoanalyst by training, who has, through her published work, brought international attention to the abuse of children.
TERMITES AS MEDIATORS OF THE WATER ECONOMY OF ARID SAVANNA ECOSYSTEMS

Large termite mounds, constructed by colonies of various species of macrotermitine termites (Isoptera, Termitidae, Macrotermitinae), are dominant features of the arid and semiarid savannas of southern Africa. These mounds can populate a savanna in very high densities, generally one to four colonies per hectare, containing biomass of termites and symbiotic fungi that exceeds the typical biomass of vertebrate and non-termite arthropod herbivores in these systems. Termites’ construction of nest and mound turns over savanna soils at substantial rates, and, like other central-place foragers, they convey significant quantities of inorganic and organic matter into their nests, concentrating it there. In short, macrotermitine termites are “ecosystem engineers,” structuring and controlling to a large extent the flows of energy and matter through tropical savannas (Dangerfield et al. 1998).
Actinides in Solution: Complexation and Kinetics

The solution chemistry of the actinide elements has been explored in aqueous and organic solutions. While the relative stabilities of the actinide oxidation states and the types of complexes formed with the actinide cations in these states vary between solvents, the fundamental principles governing their redox reactions and their complexation strengths are the same regardless of the solvent. This chapter focuses on aqueous actinide chemistry, reflecting the wide variety of studies on actinide reactions in aqueous solutions. However, three factors that are important for actinides in non–aqueous solvents should be noted. First, in non–aqueous solvents, the formation of neutral cation–anion ion pairs is often dominant due to the lower (as compared to water) dielectric constants of the solvents. Second, non–aqueous conditions also allow the formation of complexes between actinide cations and ligands containing soft Lewis base groups, such as sulfur. Third, non–aqueous solvents are often useful for stabilizing redox–sensitive actinide complexes, as oxidation states that are unstable in aqueous solution may be stable in non–aqueous solutions (Mikheev et al., 1977; Hulet et al., 1979).
Improving mining quality by exploiting data dependency

The usefulness of the results produced by data mining methods can be critically impaired by several factors such as (1) low quality of data, including errors due to contamination, or incompleteness due to limited bandwidth for data acquisition, and (2) inadequacy of the data model for capturing complex probabilistic relationships in data. Fortunately, a wide spectrum of applications exhibit strong dependencies between data samples. For example, the readings of nearby sensors are generally correlated, and proteins interact with each other when performing crucial functions. Therefore, dependencies among data can be successfully exploited to remedy the problems mentioned above. In this paper, we propose a unified approach to improving mining quality using Markov networks as the data model to exploit local dependencies. Belief propagation is used to efficiently compute the marginal or maximum posterior probabilities, so as to clean the data, to infer missing values, or to improve the mining results from a model that ignores these dependencies. To illustrate the benefits and great generality of the technique, we present its application to three challenging problems: (i) cost-efficient sensor probing, (ii) enhancing protein function predictions, and (iii) sequence data denoising.
Vulnerabilities of underwater acoustic networks to denial-of-service jamming attacks

Recent surges in the development of underwater acoustic networks UANs have lead to a rapid acceptance of this technology in scientific, commercial, and military applications. However, limited work has been performed on developing secure communication mechanisms and techniques to protect these networks. Security mechanisms are wildly studied in terrestrial networks, and various defense mechanisms have been developed as safeguards. Because of the difference in communication mediums and physical environments, the existing solutions for terrestrial networks cannot be directly applied for UANs. In this paper, we study the effects of denial-of-service jamming attacks on UANs using real-world field tests. We develop our own jammer hardware and signals in order to analyze the characteristics of different jamming attack models on a network. Our tests are performed on multiple commercial brand acoustic modems and an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing modem prototype. We show that UANs can be easily jammed using carefully timed attacks, which are energy efficient. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES DURING GROWTH AND ENCYSTMENT OF THE CELLULAR SLIME MOLD POLYSPHONDYLIUM PALLIDUM

The growth of the cellular slime mold, Polysphondylium pallidum , was studied on a semidefined medium in shaken suspension. When the medium contained large quantities of particulate material, growth was more rapid and the cellular size and protein content were smaller than when growth occurred on a medium containing less particulate material. The cellular levels of DNA, RNA, and protein; of lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase, acid proteinase); and of peroxisomal enzymes (catalase) were assayed during growth and the subsequent stationary phase that led eventually to encystment. Only DNA remained at a constant cellular level. Encystment of exponentially growing cells could also be initiated by washing them and introducing them into a soluble peptone medium. The rate of encystment was proportional to the osmolarity of this medium. The encystment process was followed with respect to the cellular levels of DNA, RNA, protein, carbohydrates, acid phosphatase, acid s- N -Ac-glucosaminidase, and catalase. The most dramatic change occurred in the cellular cellulose content, which increased by at least an order of magnitude by the time encystment was morphologically complete. It was concluded that the encystment of this slime mold in suspension exhibits a number of biochemical similarities to the development of this and other cellular slime molds on a surface.
GENETIC STUDY OF RDS

Blood specimens are needed for genetic studies of the surfactant protein genes. We would like to receive specimens from prematurely born infants with and without RDS. We are particularly interested in specimens from families that exhibit familial tendency for RDS and specimens from twin or multiple births with and without RDS.
Investigation of throat film coolant for advanced LOX/RP-1 thrust chambers

The use of throat film coolant as a method to reduce peak combustion heat flux was investigated. Hot-fire tests were performed using a subscale LOX/RP-1 combustor at a nominal chamber pressure of 2000 psia. A special injection manifold was fabricated to introduce the film coolant into the chamber. Four tests were conducted with RP-1 film coolant injected 4.4 inches upstream of the throat. In order to determine the effect of chamber length on the film coolant, four additional tests were performed with the injection point moved 16.4 inches upstream of the throat. Results from the test program are discussed. Methods for incorporating throat film cooling into a flightweight combustion chamber are also discussed.
Trends and concentrations of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in general US population: Data from NHANES 2003–2008

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic, and as such their exposure is of serious concern. I aimed to study the trends in the levels of selected PAHs in US for the period 2003–2008 and their distribution by gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic and smoking status, and by exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) at home and work. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, regression models were fitted for 10 individual urinary PAH metabolites. Smoking was statistically significantly associated with higher levels of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene metabolites when compared to non-smokers. SHS exposure at home was also statistically significantly associated with higher concentrations of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene metabolites. There was a statistically significant increase in the concentrations of total naphthalene and fluorene, 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 2- and 9-hydroxyfluorene, 2- and 4-hydroxyphenanthre...
Differential Methylation of Genes Associated with Cell Adhesion in Preeclamptic Placentas

Preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is hypothesized to be associated with, if not mechanistically related to abnormal placental function. However, the exact mechanisms regulating the pathogenesis of PE remain unclear. While many studies have investigated changes in gene expression in the PE placenta, the role of epigenetics in PE associated placental dysfunction remains unclear. Using the genome-wide Illumina Infinium Methylation 450 BeadChip array, we analyzed gene-specific alterations in DNA methylation in placental biopsies collected from normal pregnant women delivering at term (n = 14), with term PE (≥37 weeks; n = 19) or with preterm PE ( 5% methylation difference). Functional annotation of the differentially methylated genes in preterm PE placentas revealed a 32 gene cluster in the cadherin and cell adhesion functional groups (Benjamini p<0.00001). Hypermethylation of CDH11 (p = 0.0143), COL5A1 (p = 0.0127) and TNF (p = 0.0098) and hypomethylation of NCAM1 (p = 0.0158) was associated with altered mRNA expression in preterm PE placentas. Demethylation of first trimester extravillous trophoblast cells resulted in altered CDH11 (p = 0.0087), COL5A1 (p = 0.0043), NCAM1 (p = 0.0260) and TNF (p = 0.0022) mRNA expression. These studies demonstrate aberrant methylation, correlating with disease severity, in PE placentas. Furthermore, we provide evidence that disruption of gene-specific methylation in preterm PE placentas and first trimester trophoblasts is significantly associated with altered gene expression demonstrating that epigenetic modifications early in pregnancy can have effects on trophoblast function contributing to PE.
Transcriptional Specificity of Drosophila Dysfusion and the Control of Tracheal Fusion Cell Gene Expression

The Drosophila Dysfusion basic-helix-loop-helix-PAS (bHLH-PAS) protein controls the transcription of genes that mediate tracheal fusion. Dysfusion is highly related to the mammalian Nxf protein that has been implicated in nervous system gene regulation. Toward the goal of understanding how Dysfusion controls fusion cell gene expression, the biochemical properties of Dysfusion were investigated using protein interaction experiments, cell culture-based transcription assays, and in vivo transgenic analyses. Dysfusion dimerizes with the Tango bHLH-PAS protein, and together they act as a DNA binding transcriptional activator. Dysfusion/Tango binds multiple NCGTG binding sites, with the following preference: TCGTG > GCGTG > ACGTG > CCGTG. This binding site promiscuity differs from the restricted binding site preferences of other bHLH-PAS/Tango heterodimers. However, it is identical to the binding site preferences of mammalian Nxf/Arnt, indicating that the specificity is evolutionarily conserved. Germ line transformation experiments using a fragment of the CG13196 Dysfusion target gene allowed identification of a fusion cell enhancer. Experiments in which NCGTG sites were mutated individually and in combination revealed that TCGTG sites were required for fusion cell expression but that the single ACGTG and GCGTG sites present were not. Finally, a reporter transgene containing four tandemly arranged TCGTG elements has strong expression in tracheal fusion cells. Transgenic misexpression of dysfusion further revealed that Dysfusion has the ability to activate transcription in multiple cell types, although it does this most effectively in tracheal cells and can only function at mid-embryogenesis and later.
Asynchronous design/evaluation methods for hypertext technology development

A process model used in the design and evaluation of hypertext systems is discussed. The model includes asynchronous processes of task analysis, document analysis, literature survey and systems evaluation, interpretation of data, designing and building systems, and collecting data. For each process, experiences with NaviText™ SAM, a hypertext interface to a reference source, are discussed. A variety of new methods for evaluation of experimental systems are presented along with several empirical results.
NMR and X-RAY structures of human E2-like ubiquitin-fold modifier conjugating enzyme 1 (UFC1) reveal structural and functional conservation in the metazoan UFM1-UBA5-UFC1 ubiquination pathway.

For cell regulation, E2-like ubiquitin-fold modifier conjugating enzyme 1 (Ufc1) is involved in the transfer of ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (Ufm1), a ubiquitin like protein which is activated by E1-like enzyme Uba5, to various target proteins. Thereby, Ufc1 participates in the very recently discovered Ufm1-Uba5-Ufc1 ubiquination pathway which is found in metazoan organisms. The structure of human Ufc1 was solved by using both NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The complementary insights obtained with the two techniques provided a unique basis for understanding the function of Ufc1 at atomic resolution. The Ufc1 structure consists of the catalytic core domain conserved in all E2-like enzymes and an additional N-terminal helix. The active site Cys116, which forms a thio-ester bond with Ufm1, is located in a flexible loop that is highly solvent accessible. Based on the Ufc1 and Ufm1 NMR structures, a model could be derived for the Ufc1-Ufm1 complex in which the C-terminal Gly83 of Ufm1 may well form the expected thio-ester with Cys116, suggesting that Ufm1-Ufc1 functions as described for other E1–E2–E3 machineries. α-helix 1 of Ufc1 adopts different conformations in the crystal and in solution, suggesting that this helix plays a key role to mediate specificity.
Poly(enaminonitriles) containing biphenyl and terphenyl units in the main chain

Two new monomers, 4,4′-bis(1-chloro-2,2-dicyanovinyl)biphenyl and 4,4″-bis(1-chloro-2,2-dicyanovinyl)-p-terphenyl, have been synthesized and polymerized with several diamines by vinylic nucleophilic substitution producing poly(enaminonitriles) with molecular weight varying from low to moderately high, depending on the diamines used. The polymers were soluble in polar, aprotic solvents before thermal curing, but became insoluble at high temperatures without the evolution of volatile byproducts. These new polymers exhibit excellent thermal stability, particularly when they contain para-linked aromatic rings. Dielectric measurements of some of the polymers revealed dielectric constants of at least 4.
Auto-oscillation thresholds at the main resonance in ferrimagnetic films

The propagation of large-amplitude forward-volume magnetostatic waves (MSW's) is studied in ${\mathrm{Y}}_{3}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ and $[\mathrm{BiLu}{]}_{3}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ thin films. The onset of auto-oscillations beyond the second Suhl instability influences the transmission characteristics of a MSW delay line. Global variations in transmitted power over a frequency-power input parameter space are monitored using density plots. There is a shift in the MSW passband with increasing input power that is explained by a decrease in demagnetizing field with an increase in dynamic magnetization. As the input power increases beyond a threshold value, we observe an increase in signal amplitude, heralding the onset of auto-oscillations. Fingers of auto-oscillation spanning an input range of 200 MHz and 10 dB are formed. The locations of these fingers are correlated with the locations of spin-wave resonance notches in the MSW passband. The auto-oscillation thresholds in the vicinity of a spin-wave resonance notch are 4\char21{}8 dB lower than elsewhere in the passband. A heuristic model based on a reduced group velocity near a notch can explain the lower threshold values.