cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Search for Better Government Peformance: Understanding the impact of management quality and resources on transportation infrastructure outcomes in the American states

The relationship between management quality, resources and transportation infrastructure condition outcomes is explored in a comparative analysis of American states. The analysis indicates that good management and real resources have a positive impact on transportation infrastructure condition outcomes. The study illustrates the importance of using measures of real versus financial resources when modelling the impact of resources on government performance. The author also discusses the need to use concrete and general measures of management quality and mixed methods in research seeking to assess the relationship between management quality and government performance. The study should be of particular interest to practitioners, policymakers, and public administration scholars seeking practical insights on how to improve research and practice related to public management and government performance.
Genetic parameters of several measures of milk flow rate and milking time.

Abstract Heritabilities and genetic correlations of milking rate, time, and yield were estimated by intrasire regression of daughter on dam for 252 Holstein pairs. Heritabilities were: lactation yield, .51 ± .11; peak rate, .47 ± .11; bucket milk yield, .38 ± .10; average rate, .37 ± .12; milk yield to .45 kg/min, .19 ± .12; total time, .17 ± .12; duration of peak rate, .10 ± .10; strip time, .08 ± .15; yield during peak rate, .07 ± .11; and strip yield, .01 ± .17. The genetic correlation of peak rate with lactation milk yield was .69 ± .08, indicating substantial genetic improvement in milking rate by selecting for milk production. The genetic correlation between total milking time and lactation milk yield was .50 ± .20, indicating an increase in total milking time due to selection for milk. Direct selection for peak rate would provide an opportunity to reduce total milking time.
Primeval and rejuvenated galaxies. A new approach to the search for them

The observational strategy proposed by Ozernoy (1988) to search for primeval galaxies via their close interactions is discussed. The theoretical arguments in favor of early galactic interactions are reviewed; the observational signatures of gas and dust-grain heating by galaxy collisions (e.g., thermal continuum emission peaking in the FIR) are characterized; and a qualitative assessment is given of the prospects for detecting, determining the redshifts of, and imaging primeval or rejuvenated galaxies (older galaxies undergoing starburst activity) using telescope facilities now under development. Also considered are the potential implications of the search results for elliptical galaxies as mergers, gas left in galaxy systems, superwinds, cosmological megamasers, searches for quasars at z greater than 4, ultraluminous starburst galaxies, and peaks in the metallicity distribution function. 29 refs.
A phase I/II prospective, single arm trial of gefitinib, trastuzumab, and docetaxel in patients with stage IV HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer

Inhibition of the HER-2 pathway via the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab has had a major impact in treatment of HER-2 positive breast cancer, but de novo or acquired resistance may reduce its effectiveness. The known interplay between the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER-2 receptors and pathways creates a rationale for combined anti-EGFR and anti-HER-2 therapy in HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and toxicities associated with the use of multiple chemotherapeutic agents together with biological therapies may also be reduced. We conducted a prospective, single arm, phase I/II trial to determine the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of trastuzumab with the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib and docetaxel, in patients with HER-2 positive MBC. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined in the phase I portion. The primary end point of the phase II portion was progression-free survival (PFS). Immunohistochemical analysis of biomarker expression of the PKA-related proteins cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phospho-CREB and DARPP-32 (dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa) plus t-DARPP (the truncated isoform of DARPP-32); PTEN; p-p70 S6K; and EGFR was conducted on tissue from metastatic sites. Nine patients were treated in the phase I portion of the study and 22 in the phase II portion. The MTD was gefitinib 250 mg on days 2–14, trastuzumab 6 mg/kg, and docetaxel 60 mg/m2 every 21 days. For the 29 patients treated at the MTD, median PFS was 12.7 months, with complete and partial response rates of 18 and 46%, and a stable disease rate of 29%. No statistically significant correlation was found between response and expression of any biomarkers. We conclude that the combination of gefitinib, trastuzumab, and docetaxel is feasible and effective. Expression of the biomarkers examined did not predict outcome in this sample of HER-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.
Light and laser therapy for acne: sham or science? facts and controversies

It has long been known that light is helpful in acne. Teens recognize that summer sun diminishes pimples, and wise pharmaceutical companies (which is limiting) know that a drug trial ending in sunny months will have an elevated placebo response.
Ultraviolet Radiation-induced Suppression of Contact Hypersensitivity in Relation to Padimate O and Oxybenzone

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in mice can be induced by cutaneous sensitization followed by elicitation via ear-painting with trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB). This CHS reaction is systemic and can be suppressed by exposure of mice to suberythemogenic doses of 280-315 nm radiation. In this study, we investigated whether a commercially available water-resistant sunscreen, either SPF-6 or SPF-15, containing Padimate O (UVB absorber) and oxybenzone (UVA absorber), was effective in preventing systemic suppression of CHS induced by either FS36 sunlamp exposure or solar simulating radiation. We observed that these two sunscreen preparations were totally incapable of preventing the immunologic suppression of contact hypersensitivity by UV radiation. These results indicate that application of sunscreen does not retard the development of suppression of CHS following repeated UV exposure under conditions where erythema is not clinically observed. Thus, erythema may not be a good end point for assessing systemic immune suppression and its consequences.
Cancer and thrombosis is a sticky business

In this issue of Blood , Ay and colleagues demonstrate that elevated levels of soluble P-selectin are a risk factor for a first episode of venous thromboembolism in patients with all types of cancer.
On predicting exponents for cross-modality matches

Mashhour and Hosman used magnitude estimations to scale seven continua: line length, time duration, finger span, loudness of noise, weight, gray reflectance, and surface area. The first four continua also served as the adjusted stimuli in 17 cross-modality matches among the various continua. Contrary to the view expressed by Mashhour and Hosman, the results appear to support the psychophysical power law. A reanalysis of the data shows that the exponents of the power functions obtained in cross-modality matches agree with the exponents of the power functions produced by magnitude estimations, provided correction is made for the regression effect. The measured discrepancies between the exponents predicted and those actually obtained show scatter that is consistent with that of other experiments. In particular, the scatter accords well with the distribution of 68 exponents predicted by Moskowitz from experiments in which Os matched both number and loudness to various taste concentrations.
Impact of Extraction Method on Yield of Lipid Oxidation Products from Oxidized and Unoxidized Walnuts

The objective of this study was to measure and compare differences in oxidized products of oil extracted from unoxidized and oxidized walnuts using five different extraction methods: (i) mechanical pressing, or solvent extraction with (ii) hexane, (iii) methylene chloride, (iv) chloroform/methanol, or (v) supercritical carbon dioxide (SC−CO2). Of the extraction methods evaluated, only chloroform/methanol and methylene chloride provided reasonable results for all parameters measured (total lipid yield, FA profile, PV, conjugated dienes, FFA content, and volatile content); however, chloroform/methanol extracted significantly greater levels of volatile compounds. The SC−CO2 extraction with purified gas was simple and accurate for all data except collection of volatile compounds, as these materials are lost during the lipid extraction. Pressing was neither quantitative nor qualitative, and hexane extraction retrieved significantly lower levels of volatiles than the other methods, except for SC−CO2.
Supplemental Colorado River water for a developed groundwater agriculture: A problem of quantities, qualities and conjunctive use

Abstract Upon completion of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), Colorado River water will be delivered some 200 miles inland for agricultural, domestic, and industrial use. Any new importation of water to an area implies adjustments in the organization of the economy of the area. For irrigated agriculture, adjustments will occur in input mix, output mix, acreage farmed, and in gross and net incomes. A complicating factor associated with importation of Colorado River water is that the imported water will contain different dissolved salt concentrations than the groundwater and surface water currently being used. Mathematical programming models of representative irrigated farms in Pinal County, Arizona, are used to project adjustments implied under several assumptions as to the availability, cost and salinity of the various sources of irrigation water. Conclusions are drawn as to the potential winners and losers from project development. Conclusions include the following: Increased salinity should not be of concern to the farmers in the county and Indian farms will reap the greatest share of benefits from the Project.
Piecewise Regression Using Cubic Splines

Abstract Spline theory and piecewise regression theory are integrated to provide a framework in which structural change is viewed as occurring in a smooth fashion. Specifically, structural change occurs at given points through jump discontinuities in the third derivative of a continuous piecewise cubic estimating function. Testing procedures are developed for detecting structural change as well as linear or quadratic segments. Finally, the techniques developed are illustrated empirically in a learning-by-doing model.
The carboxyl terminus of Pneumocystis carinii glycoprotein A encodes a functional glycosylphosphatidylinositol signal sequence.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is a hallmark disease associated with AIDS. An abundant glycoprotein, termed gpA, on the surface of P. carinii is considered an important factor in host-parasite interactions. The primary structure of ferret P. carinii gpA contains a carboxyl-terminal sequence characteristic of a signal for glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. Here we report the capacity for this gpA carboxyl sequence to direct attachment of a secreted protein, human growth hormone (hGH), to the membranes of COS cells. A control fusion protein (hGHDAF37) was obtained which, under the direction of the GPI signal from decay accelerating factor, directs hGH cell surface expression. A construct (phGH2-1A30) was created similar to hGHDAF37 by fusing hGH to the putative GPI signal sequence encoded in the terminal 30 residues from a ferret P. carinii gpA cDNA clone. By indirect immunofluorescent staining, hGH was detected on the surface of COS cells transfected with phGH2-1A30; this surface location was confirmed by confocal laser cytometry. Metabolic labeling with [3H]ethanolamine and subsequent immunopurification of hGH from cells transfected with phGH2-1A30 confirmed that a lipid moiety characteristic of a conventional GPI anchor was linked covalently to hGH, and cell surface hGH2-1A30 fusion protein was sensitive to enzymatic cleavage by phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C. Furthermore, hGH2-1A30 recombinant protein cofractionated with 5′-nucleotidase, a classical GPI-anchored membrane marker. Together, these results indicate that the carboxyl-terminal residues of ferretP. carinii gpA constitute a biologically functional GPI consensus domain, thus providing a potential mechanism for antigenic variation of P. carinii gpA during P. cariniipneumonia.
Giant-cell reparative granuloma and related conditions affecting the jawbones.

Abstract In a study of benign multinucleated-cell-containing lesions of the jaws, sixty-four examples of giant-cell reparative granuloma and only two of genuine giant-cell tumor of bone were encountered at the Mayo Clinic in a fifty-two-year period. Other benign giant-cell-containing lesions, such as aneurysmal bone cysts, cherubism, fibrous dysplasia, and malignant tumors, must be distinguished from giant-cell reparative granuloma. The central and peripheral tumors of this giant-cell reparative process are so similar histopathologically that differentiation must be made on roentgenographic or surgical findings, and an arbitrary designation is sometimes necessary. Giant-cell reparative granulomas respond favorably to conservative surgical removal, which is the treatment of choice.
Pursuing Upward Mobility: African American Professional Women Reflect on Their Journey

A study was conducted to investigate how the interaction of race, gender, and class impacted lives of African American women and strategies they used to overcome these three barriers. Six African A...
Forecasts of tropical Pacific SST and sea level using a Markov model

A seasonally varying Markov model is constructed in a multivariate EOF space of observed SST and sea level analysis for 1981–98. The hindcast skill of SST and sea level is estimated with a cross-validation scheme. For SST, the correlation skill is highest in the central-eastern equatorial Pacific at about 0.5 at 9 month lead. The Markov model has a marginal SST forecast skill at 3 month lead (>0.4) in the north-western Pacific (NWP) around 10°N. For sea level, the correlation skill is highest in the central equatorial Pacific and the NWP around 10°N at above 0.5 at 9 month lead. In the western Pacific, sea level anomalies are generally more predictable than SST anomalies. The real time forecast of sea level by the Markov model is available at the official web site of the Climate Prediction Center, NOAA (http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/pacdir).
Contracting in Agriculture: A Primer for Farm Leaders

Contracting in agriculture has increased over the past several decades. This activity has heightened concerns about concentration, market power, and farmer welfare. The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the underlying motivations for contracting and to highlight some of the trade-offs made when making contracting decisions. These illustrations are intended to inform readers of the economic conditions for contracting, not provide empirical evidence of their implications, costs, or benefits.
Effective teaching practices: Preliminary analysis of engineering educators

Attendees at "frontiers in education" (FIE) conferences include a unique population of engineering educators who have a demonstrated interest in pedagogy, probably beyond that of the typical engineering faculty member who is focused on technical research. Thus this population affords a rich source of data to begin to answer the research questions of what engineering educators believe are effective teaching practices and what they actually do in the classroom. Since poor teaching has been shown to contribute to student attrition from engineering, studying the beliefs and practices of faculty who are committed to teaching may provide ideas of how to improve engineering education in general. For this study, interviews were conducted with twenty-six engineering educators at FIE06. Participants were asked to describe what they believed were effective teaching practices. Next, participants were asked to consider a list of teaching practices and rank these according to what they believed were most effective and which they actually utilized. In this work, we provide the initial results of this study thereby offering insights into the variation and degree of consensus on effective teaching among this self-selected population of engineering educators.
Lead and lag compensators with complex poles and zeros design formulas for modeling and loop shaping

Complex lead and lag compensators are new additions to the repertoire of compensator structures for loop shaping. This article facilitates the use of these compensators by providing explicit formulas that relate the parameters of the compensators to features of their frequency responses. Two examples illustrate the utility of these compensators for system modeling and controller design. While the examples involve low-order plants, the principles of employing the complex lead and lag compensators remain the same for higher-order systems. We plan to use these compensators as weighting functions with automated robust design tools. A weighting function is a transfer function whose frequency response magnitude is used to bound closed-loop response or modeling uncertainty. The complex lead and lag compensators provide new degree of freedom for selecting weighting functions. In particular, the steep magnitude slope in the transition region of these compensators more closely approximates an ideal step function than weighting functions appearing in the literature (Packard et al.)
Exposure‐related patterns of biochemical indicators in rainbow trout exposed to no. 2 fuel oil

Several biochemical indicators were evaluated as monitoring techniques in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to No. 2 fuel oil (2FO) for their ability to predict the exposure concentration. The principal factor affecting the response of the ratio of liver weight to body weight, microsomal and cytosolic protein, reduced glutathione (GSH), 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD) and metallothionein (MTN) was the length of exposure, not the exposure concentration. Two patterns of response were observed, depending on the length of exposure. In rainbow trout exposed for 3 d to 12 to 100 mg/L 2FO, cytoplasmic protein and EROD activity were elevated and GSH was depleted; in fish exposed for 21 d, liver size, microsomal and cytoplasmic protein, EROD activity, GSH and MTN were all increased. The appearance of an MTN response due to 2FO exposure causes us to question the use of this protein as a metal bioindicator. Furthermore, we did not observe a dose-dependent response in any of the biochemical responses and suggest that toxicity was responsible for the lack of concentration dependence. This lack of a concentration-dependent response will complicate the use of these biochemical indicators in a biomonitoring program.
Timing driven force directed placement with physical net constraints

This paper presents a new timing driven force directed placement algorithm that meets physical net length constraints as well as constraints on specific pin sets. It is the first force directed placement algorithm that meets precise half perimeter bounding box constraints on critical nets. It builds on the work of Eisenmann et al. [12], adding a new net model that changes the contribution of constrained nets in the quadratic programming problem, during solving for each force generation step. We propose several methods for selecting and constraining critical nets to achieve improved timing. Our work suggests that the force directed method with net constraints is a powerful tool for placement and timing convergence, achieving an average worst negative slack optimization exploitation of 64% and average total negative slack optimization exploitation of 48% results on 16 industry circuits from a 1.5GHz microprocessor.
Reconstruction of a strong fiber Bragg grating's complex coupling coefficient in erbium doped fiber with optical space domain reflectometry

An improved implementation of optical space domain reflectometry is presented using an interferometric characterization method and deconvolution technique. Reconstruction of a strong Bragg grating written in erbium fiber, with a qL ∼ 8:6 is demonstrated.
Shooter localization using soldier-worn gunfire detection systems

This paper considers the problem of shooter localization using a network of soldier-worn gunfire detection systems. Proposed scheme utilizes the benefits of sensor network layout of all the sensors within a small combat unit to help refine localization accuracy. If the soldier is within the field of view of the shockwave, then using the acoustic phenomena analysis of small-arms fire, the gunfire detection system can localize the source of the incoming fire and the bullet's trajectory with respect to the sensor location. These individual solutions, usually in the form of a bearing and range relative to the soldier, are then relayed to the central node. At the central node level, the individual solutions are fused along with the GPS locations on the soldiers to yield a highly accurate geo-rectified solution.
P4p: provider portal for applications

As peer-to-peer (P2P) emerges as a major paradigm for scalable network application design, it also exposes significant new challenges in achieving efficient and fair utilization of Internet network resources. Being largely network-oblivious, many P2P applications may lead to inefficient network resource usage and/or low application performance. In this paper, we propose a simple architecture called P4P to allow for more effective cooperative traffic control between applications and network providers. We conducted extensive simulations and real-life experiments on the Internet to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of P4P. Our experiments demonstrated that P4P either improves or maintains the same level of application performance of native P2P applications, while, at the same time, it substantially reduces network provider cost compared with either native or latency-based localized P2P applications.
Electrocortical and behavioral measures of response monitoring in young children during a Go/No-Go task

The current study examined behavioral measures and response-locked event-related brain potentials (ERPs) derived from a Go/No-Go task in a large (N = 328) sample of 5- to 7-year-olds in order to better understand the early development of response monitoring and the impact of child age and sex. In particular, the error-related negativity (ERN, defined on both error trials alone and the difference between error and correct trials, or ΔERN), correct response negativity (CRN), and error positivity (Pe) were examined. Overall, the ERN, CRN, and the Pe were spatially and temporally similar to those measured in adults and older children. Even within our narrow age range, older children were faster and more accurate; a more negative ΔERN and a more positive Pe were associated with: increasing age, increased accuracy, and faster reaction times on errors, suggesting these enhanced components reflected more efficient response monitoring of errors over development. Girls were slower and more accurate than boys, although both genders exhibited comparable ERPs. Younger children and girls were characterized by increased posterror slowing, although they did not demonstrate improved posterror accuracy. Posterror slowing was also related to a larger Pe and reduced posterror accuracy. Collectively, these data suggest that posterror slowing may be unrelated to cognitive control and may, like the Pe, reflect an orienting response to errors.
Epstein-Barr virus SM protein utilizes cellular splicing factor SRp20 to mediate alternative splicing

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) SM protein is an essential nuclear protein produced during the lytic cycle of EBV replication. SM is an RNA-binding protein with multiple mechanisms of action. SM enhances the expression of EBV genes by stabilizing mRNA and facilitating nuclear export. SM also influences splicing of both EBV and cellular pre-mRNAs. SM modulates splice site selection of the host cell STAT1 pre-mRNA, directing utilization of a novel 5' splice site that is used only in the presence of SM. SM activates splicing in the manner of SR proteins but does not contain the canonical RS domains typical of cellular splicing factors. Affinity purification and mass spectrometry of SM complexes from SM-transfected cells led to the identification of the cellular SR splicing factor SRp20 as an SM-interacting protein. The regions of SM and SRp20 required for interaction were mapped by in vitro and in vivo assays. The SRp20 interaction was shown to be important for the effects of SM on alternative splicing by the use of STAT1 splicing assays. Overexpression of SRp20 enhanced SM-mediated alternative splicing and knockdown of SRp20 inhibited the SM effect on splicing. These data suggest a model whereby SM, a viral protein, recruits and co-opts the function of cellular SRp20 in alternative splicing.
A machine-independent debugger

The present invention teaches a source-level debugger that defines symbol tables with a grammar. A grammar interface component is used by the compiler to automate portions of the debugger to construct and write the symbol table in a grammar thus simplifying the compiler. The grammar interface component is used by the debugger during execution of the target to read and decode the symbol table, thus simplifying the debugger. Using a grammar to specify the symbol table also documents the symbol table concisely and emphasizes that symbol tables are data structures, not file formats. Many of the pitfalls of working with low-level file formats can be avoided by focusing instead on grammar-based high-level data structures and automating the implementation details. Management of breakpoints is divided by splitting the nub into a client nub that is local to the target, a server nub that is local to the debugger. The management of breakpoints is localized to the client nub, thus saving communication time between the client nub and the server nub in support of breakpoint processing.
Effect of DMDBS (3 : 2, 4‐bis(3,4‐dimethyldibenzylidene) sorbitol) and NA11 (sodium 2,2′‐methylene‐bis(4,6‐di‐tertbutylphenyl)‐phosphate) on electret properties of polypropylene filaments

Polypropylene (PP) composite filaments containing two different nucleating agents—DMDBS (3 : 2, 4-bis(3,4-dimethyldibenzylidene) sorbitol) and NA11 (sodium 2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tertbutylphenyl)-phosphate) were melt spun to modify polymer electrostatic charging characteristics. Sample filaments were charged with a corona instrument and their surface potentials were measured. Initial surface potential as well as potential stability was monitored through an accelerated decay procedure. NA11 was found to be more efficient as an electret additive leading to a 50% increase in charge stability. Filaments with DMDBS exhibited a faster decay. Charging at elevated temperatures resulted in enhanced charge density and stability for both additives. The fiber microstructure was examined by Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Rather than reducing the crystal sizes, X-Ray diffractograms suggest that the crystal size increases with the addition of nucleating agents, while the degree of crystallinity appears to remain unaltered. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2068–2075, 2013
CURVES: A Mnemonic for Determining Medical Decision-Making Capacity and Providing Emergency Treatment in the Acute Setting

The evaluation of medical decision-making capacity and provision of emergency treatment in the acute care setting may present a significant challenge for both physicians-in-training and attending physicians. Although absolutely essential to the proper care of patients, recalling criteria for decision-making capacity may prove cumbersome during a medical emergency. Likewise, the requirements for providing emergency treatment must be fulfilled. This article presents a mnemonic (CURVES: Choose and Communicate, Understand, Reason, Value, Emergency, Surrogate) that addresses the abilities a patient must possess in order to have decision-making capacity, as well as the essentials of emergency treatment. It may be used in conjunction with, or in place of, lengthier capacity-assessment tools, particularly when time is of the essence. In addition, the proposed tool assists the practitioner in deciding whether emergency treatment may be administered, and in documenting medical decisions made during an acute event.
Carrier Suppression in Angle Modulated Telemetry

In this correspondence a general expression for carrier power suppression caused by angle modulation by a stationary stochastic process is examined. The result lends insight to the carrier suppression problem, and indicates procedures for determining suppression due to somewhat complicated modulation waveforms. Some extensions of previously known results concerning carrier suppression associated with transponding telemetry systems are presented.
Proteasome Inhibition as a Novel Strategy for Cancer Treatment

The proteasome is a multi-subunit protease complex, responsible for the degradation of misfolded, damaged, or short-lived proteins. Indeed, more than 90 % of intracellular proteins are degraded through the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). The UPS is extensively involved in various cellular events, including cell cycle, cell signaling, stress response, and apoptosis. Inhibition of proteasome function could result in growth arrest and/or cell death. The involved molecular mechanisms include dysregulation of the cell cycle, inactivation of NF-κB pathway, disturbance of the pro- and anti-apoptotic balance, induction of unfolded protein response, and induction of oxidative stress. The observation that suppression of proteasome function by small chemical inhibitors was able to induce apoptosis in cancer cells but not in normal cells supports the hypothesis that the proteasome could be a valuable target for cancer treatment. This idea has been validated from benchtop to bedside. In 2003, the first proteasome inhibitor anticancer drug, bortezomib, was approved in the United States for the treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. While bortezomib achieved great success in clinical applications, problems such as resistance, dose-limiting toxicities, unsatisfied efficacy in solid tumors, and interaction with some natural compounds have been observed. Therefore, it is necessary to further investigate the proteasome inhibition-mediated mechanism of cell death as well as the development of novel, new-generation proteasome inhibitors with lower toxicity and wider applications.
Spatial Clustering for Identification of ChIP-Enriched Regions (SICER) to Map Regions of Histone Methylation Patterns in Embryonic Stem Cells

Chromatin states are the key to embryonic stem cell pluripotency and differentiation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq) is increasingly used to map chromatin states and to functionally annotate the genome. Many ChIP-Seq profiles, especially those of histone methylations, are noisy and diffuse. Here we describe SICER (Zang et al., Bioinformatics 25(15):1952-1958, 2009), an algorithm specifically designed to identify disperse ChIP-enriched regions with high sensitivity and specificity. This algorithm has found a lot of applications in epigenomic studies. In this Chapter, we will demonstrate in detail how to run SICER to delineate ChIP-enriched regions and assess their statistical significance, and to identify regions of differential enrichment when two chromatin states are compared.
Family Support and Mental Health Service Use Among Suicidal Adolescents

Despite the fact that multiple evidence-based treatments exist for suicidal adolescents, these youth are unlikely to engage in mental health treatment. While family members can be influential in connecting adolescents to mental health care, suicidal youth are more likely to be exposed to family environments characterized by abuse, neglect, and to have poorer parent–child attachment quality than non-suicidal youth. This study analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to examine the relationships between perceived levels of parental support, symptom severity, and mental health service use in a nationally representative sample of suicidal adolescents in the U.S. (n = 1804). Higher levels of parental support were associated with a lower likelihood of mental health service use, lower levels of depression, and lower likelihood of an actual suicide attempt. Additionally, the presence of a suicide attempt and higher levels of depression were associated with a higher likelihood of mental health service use. When mediation effects were tested, the presence of a suicide attempt partially mediated the relationship between parental support and mental health service use. Implications discussed include the protective nature of parental support the need for more family-based interventions for this population.
Observation of superconductivity in PrBa2Cu3O7.

Inhomogeneous superconductivity in Pr${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ at \ensuremath{\approx}92 K is observed in surface resistance measurements (at microwave frequencies) and in diamagnetism (Meissner effect) detected by ESR of trace amounts of Cu impurity spins. These observations are interpreted in terms of the oxygen model.
Analysis on molecular typing for clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica in Hangzhou from 2011 to 2012

Objective To determine the molecular type of clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica in Hangzhou from 2011 to 2012,and to understand the molecular epidemiological characteristics of local Salmonella enterica strains.Methods 66 clinical isolates were collected for serotyping and multi-locus sequence typing(MLST).Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE)were applied to those isolates with serotype of Typhimurium,Paratyphi,Sarajane and Enteritidis.Results 66 clinical isolates belonging to 21 serotypes were divided into 26 MLST types.A new MLST type,ST1690,was identified from a S.enterica serotype Newport strain.The PFGE patterns of 9 isolates with serotype Paratyphi named after P7 were identical but different from those previous endemic strains(P1-P6)in 2002-2010.4,11 and 4 PFGE patterns were identified among 6,13 and 7 strains of serotype Sarajane,Enteritidis and Typhimurium with the minimum similarity of 92.7%,71.7% and 91.0%,respectively.Conclusions The major serotypes of Salmonella enterica strains isolated recently from patients with diarrhea in Hangzhou are found to be Typhimurium,Paratyphi,Sarajane and Enteritidis.New PFGE pattern is identified among isolates of serotype Paratyphi.MLST results can provide help for serological identification of Salmonella enterica.
An Invisible Immigrant Made Visible

Liminal spaces, hyphenated spaces, intercultural, (in)between-ness, transnational, global, multi-ethnic, multiracial, multicultural, third culture, Cross Cultural Kids. These are some terms that describe those of us who are not easily categorized culturally, showing the complexity of the situation for children who grow up (in) between and outside of just one culture. In this autoethnographic poem, the author explores these cultural interstitial spaces that mirror the physical and philosophical border crossings these children experience. She tries to make sense of growing up as a military child within the confines of the social, political, and cultural influences of the Cold War.
A Prussian blue route to nitrogen-doped graphene aerogels as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction with enhanced active site accessibility

Developing high-performance nonprecious-metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for a variety of renewable energy conversion and storage systems. Toward that end, rational catalyst design principles that lead to highly active catalytic centers and enhanced active site accessibility are undoubtedly of paramount importance. Here, we used Prussian blue nanoparticles to anchor Fe/Fe3C species to nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide aerogels as ORR catalysts. The strong interaction between nanosized Fe3C and the graphitic carbon shell led to synergistic effects in the ORR, and the protection of the carbon shell guaranteed stability of the catalyst. As a result, the aerogel electrocatalyst displayed outstanding activity in the ORR on par with the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst at the same mass loading in alkaline media, good performance in acidic media, and excellent stability and crossover tolerance that rivaled that of the best nonprecious-metal ORR electrocatalysts reported to date.
Genotyping detection: A convenient and rapid technique for mutation detection in genetic disease using the handy bio-strand technique

A69 Using genetic Gaucher disease (GD) as a model of single gene disorder, we were able to detect a point mutation (or SNP) in DNA samples extracted from patients, using a convenient and rapid detection method: Handy Bio-Strand (microarray). GD is the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorders of humans. The disorder is caused by deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase, leading to pathological accumulation of glucosylceramide in the cells of spleen, liver, lungs, bone marrow and also, in certain patients, in the brain. There are, at least, three phenotypes of the diseases, type-I (non-neuronopathic form), type-II (acute-neuronopathic form), and type-III (chronic-neuronopathic form). In the type-I GD, one of the most frequent mutations is N370S (1226A>G). Based on previous three-dimensional Handy Bio-Strand platform developed by PSS, the samples were spotted on one strand with capacity of holding 384 samples in one microarray tip, in which the hybridization and detection are carried out at about 20 min at room temperature. Thus, we report here a rapid and convenient procedure for the detection of this genotype using the novel Handy Bio-Strand® Technique, this technique should be also useful for application in the field for genotyping, detection research and biomarker validation.
Identity, context collapse, and Facebook use in higher education: putting presence and privacy at odds

AbstractThis study examines university student’s attitudes toward Facebook use, focusing specifically on how they feel about using a social network that encourages the performance of personal and social identity to support learning and interaction among classmates and instructors. Two surveys elicited student habits, preferences, and beliefs related to identity, privacy, and context collapse. Findings show mixed feelings about Facebook use in a formal school context. Although some students were amenable to it, other students were not. They also expressed concern about requiring non-users, who had clear reasons for avoiding Facebook, to obtain accounts. Students preferred to think about Facebook as a primarily social space for interacting with friends and family, and many expressed reluctance about being Facebook friends with their instructors. Students engaged in practices such as adjusting privacy settings and self censoring in order to avoid context collapse between their social identities and their cla...
A 1.17 GHz wideband MEMS filter using higher order SH0 lithium niobate resonators

This paper reports on the design, analysis, and demonstration of a lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ) wideband radio frequency (RF) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) filter with a low insertion loss of 2.1 dB, a wide bandwidth of 4.9 %, and a spurious-free passband response at 1.17 GHz. Such high performance is achieved by arraying resonators designed with pronounced 3rd order shear horizontal (SH0) mode resonances. The 3rd order SH0 mode was selected to attain a 3× higher resonant frequency, and subsequently enable a filter center frequency beyond 1 GHz without resorting to costly fine-resolution lithography. To suppress the unwanted modes while maintaining a large electromechanical coupling (k t 2), and a large fractional bandwidth, the ratio of the electrode pitch (W p ) to the total width of the resonator (W) has been optimized using finite element analyses.
Biogeographic differences between native and non-native populations of crayfish alter species coexistence and trophic interactions in mesocosms

Biogeographical comparisons of native and non-native populations allow researchers to understand the degree to which traits contributing to invasion success are intrinsic or change during the invasion process. Here, we investigate whether traits underlying interspecific competition change following invasion and whether these alter the impacts of two crayfish congeners that have invaded into each other’s native ranges. Specifically, we compared native and non-native populations of rusty (Faxonius rusticus) and virile crayfish (F. virilis). We compared native and non-native populations of each species using laboratory assays to examine aggression and large mesocosms with the congeners in sympatry to examine growth and survival as well as impacts on lower trophic levels. We found that non-native virile crayfish were more aggressive in response to a threat than native virile crayfish and exhibited greater growth and survival in sympatry with rusty crayfish. These intraspecific differences were large enough to alter coexistence between species in the mesocosm experiment, which is consistent with patterns of coexistence between these species in the field. We did not observe differences in traits between native and non-native rusty crayfish, but rusty crayfish were consistently competitively dominant over virile crayfish in paired laboratory assays. Non-native populations of both species had greater impacts on lower trophic levels than native populations. Taken together, these findings provide new evidence that trait changes during invasions may enhance ecological impacts of invasive animals and their ability to compete with closely related native species.
Fortis and Lenis Obstruents in English

The primary contrast between obstruents in English has been described in alternative ways: either /p, t, t∫, k, f, θ, s, ∫/ are voiceless and /b, d, d3, g, v, ð, z, 3/ voiced, or the former set is ...
Child Neurology: Siblings with infantile epilepsy and developmental delay: A circuitous path to genomic diagnosis

Objective Chromosome 14q11-q22 deletion syndrome (OMIM 613457) is a rare genomic disorder with a variable phenotype. Methods We report 2 full siblings, a brother and sister, with a unique familial 2.4 Mb microdeletion at 14q13.1–14q13.3 by microarray (first identified in the brother, Mayo Clinical Laboratories, 2010). Results Both children presented with infantile spasms that evolved to intractable epilepsy and profound developmental delay. They share distinctive dysmorphic features: long expressionless facies, full cheeks, flattened midface, full lips, and generalized hypotonia. Only the sister has hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Testing in the brother revealed 3 variants of unknown significance (VUS) (Greenwood Genetics, epilepsy/seizure panel, 145 genes, 2015). The sister had normal results with a different gene panel (GeneDx, infantile epilepsy panel, 75 genes, 2016) but it did not include the 3 genes in which VUS were identified in her brother. Whole exome sequencing in the mother, father, and both siblings was negative without VUS (GeneDx, XomeDx, 2016). There were no variants within the deleted interval in the intact allele for both children. Parental fluorescent in situ hybridization studies for 14q13.1–14q13.3, done in 2017, were normal. Haplotype analysis of the intact chromosome 14 in the sister supported paternal origin for the deletion and likely germline mosaicism in the father. Haploinsufficiency of genes in the deleted region has not been associated with an abnormal phenotype. Conclusions These children have a specific, recognizable neurodevelopmental phenotype and 14q13 microdeletion. This report highlights the challenges of coordinating and interpreting genetic testing in syndromic epilepsy.
A randomized phase II trial of pazopanib (PAZ) vs. temsirolimus (TEM) in patients (pts) with advanced clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (accRCC) with intermediate or poor-risk disease (the TemPa trial).

4563Background: TEM has level 1 evidence in aRCC with poor-risk disease. No previous trial compared a VEGFR-TKI with TEM as first-line (1L) therapy. Methods: We randomly assigned (1:1) treatment-na...
Artesunate decreases invasion of non-small cell lung cancer

1172 Background: Artesunate (ART) is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, the active principle of a plant Artemisia annua L used in traditional Chinese medicine. ART shows profound cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines of different tumor types through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our interest is to study the effect of artesunate on the invasion of Non-small cell lung cancer. Materials and methods: MTT assay was performed to determine the IC50 of ART. In-vitro matrigel assays were performed to study the invasion. uPA activity was measured using Assaypro’s uPA activity kit. Real-time PCR based pathway-focused gene expression profiling was performed using RT2 Profiler PCR Array system. Real time PCR was done using Taqman gene expression Assays kit. Results: The MTT assay was used to determine the IC50 of six different NSCLC cell lines. We defined the lung cancer cell line NCI-H460 to be one of the most sensitive to ART with an IC50 of 7.5µM. In vitro matrigel invasion assays showed that the sub lethal quantities (2.5µM) of ART inhibited the invasion of the NCI-H460 in comparison to the DMSO-treated cells in a time dependent manner. Consistent with the invasion assays, an uPA activity assay showed that the uPA activity is inhibited with the increasing time points after sub lethal ART treatment. A Real-time PCR based pathway-focused gene expression profile for human tumor metastasis genes showed that, out of 84 genes in the array, 32 genes had more than two-fold difference against the untreated cells. Three genes, Integrin β3, MYC and SYK were selected for further validation based on their importance in the process of invasion and metastasis. Two of the three genes, which act as tumor promoters are significantly inhibited with the increasing time points of ART treatment, and SYK, which acts as an inhibitor of metastasis, is upregulated. By Western blotting we showed that, ART also decreased protein levels of mesenchymal markers Fibronectin and Vimentin. Conclusions: Apart from its anti-proliferative properties against the tumor cells, ART has effects on the invasion of NCI-H460 cell line. Mechanistic studies show that several genes are affected with ART treatment that is consistent with reduced invasion. Epethelial Mesenchymal transition is a process that is important in tumor progression and metastasis, and ART treatment showed reduced levels of mesenchymal markers which might be stabilizing the epithelial phenotype. Most likely, ART elicit a multifactorial response rather than being directed against a single target. As many chemo-preventive drugs exert anti-invasive features, ART might also be chemo-preventive in addition to it’s cytotoxic effects.
How are postural responses to external perturbations affected by PD

Abstract People with Parkinson disease (PD) have particular difficulty recovering equilibrium in response to backward perturbations compared to other directions. The postural responses to external perturbations are weak and slow in PD (bradykinetic) compared to healthy older subjects but have normal onset latency. Muscle cocontraction and stiff joints impair postural responses to perturbations in people with PD. The inability to quickly change the pattern of postural response to changes in environmental context is unique to PD. Levodopa does not improve the strength or adaptation of postural responses. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in subthalamic nucleus (STN) further impairs postural responses while DBS in internal Globus Pallidus (GPi) does not improve postural responses. Rehabilitation that includes responding to postural perturbations can improve postural responses in people with PD.