cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune encephalitis in children: A case series from a tertiary care center (P2.2-003)

Objective: To highlight the common presenting symptoms, diagnostic workup and effectiveness of treatments used in various types of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) in children. Background: AE is an increasingly recognized cause of encephalitis in which one’s own antibodies target neuronal antigens, leading to an inflammatory CNS disease that presents with a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms, seizures and/or abnormal movements. Despite the limited number of case reports and series of pediatric AE, it is the third most common cause of encephalitis in this population. Design/Methods: Pediatric patients evaluated at UCSF for AE between February 2015–July 2018 were identified from the clinic database. Data were collected from chart review. Results: Twelve patients were identified with AE [median age at presentation was 10 years (range 2–18), 77% females]. The most common type of encephalitis was steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with thyroiditis (SREAT) (n=5), followed by anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis (n=3) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-associated encephalitis (n=1). Three of the patients had antibody-negative AE. Only one of the patients with SREAT had a medical and family history of autoimmune disease. The most common presenting symptoms included changes in behavior (58%) and seizures (67%). Brain MRI abnormalities were only seen in 3 patients (NMDAR and GFAP). All patients were surveilled for malignancy, none was identified. Over 90% of patients showed improvement following initial immunotherapy, i.e. IVIG or pulse steroids. 68% of patients also received a 2nd line immunotherapy treatment (rituximab and/or cyclophosphamide). One patient with NMDAR encephalitis died within 65 days of initial presentation despite treatment with pulse steroids, IVIG, plasmapheresis, cyclophosphamide and rituximab. None of the other patients have shown complete recovery or return to baseline function after a median follow-up of 21 months. Conclusions: AE has a diverse presentation in children. Although there is generally good response to therapy, significant residual deficits may remain. Disclosure: Dr. Rutatangwa has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mittal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Francisco has nothing to disclose. Dr. Waubant has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with AAN for Frontiers in neurology talk, The Corpus for talks, compensation for editorial work for Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology and MS and Related Disorders. Site PI for clinical trials with Roche, Biogen Idec and Novartis
Distribution of Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on some greenhouse-grown ornamental plants

The within-plant and between-plant distributions of all stages of both greenhouse whitefly (GHWF), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) on poinsettia, chrysanthemum and gerbera daisy, and sweetpotato whitefly (SPWF), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on poinsettia, were examined using Taylor's power law (s2 = amb) and Iwao's patchiness () methods. We found that all developmental stages of the two whitefly species on all plants examined were aggregated within and between plants. The vertical distribution of whitefly stages is stratified among leaves within the plant with respect to leaf age rather than relative height of the leaves on the plants. Most of the adults, eggs and the first-instar nymphs occurred on young leaves. The second- and third-instar nymphs occurred on middle-aged leaves, and most of the pupae and empty pupal cases occurred on middle-aged and older leaves. Comparison of whitefly counts from the different combinations of top, middle, and bottom leaves with the whole-plant counts on poinsettia wa...
Developing an HTML5 Neuroanatomical Learning Tool for the Computer, Tablet and Smartphone

In order to meet the medical neuroscience laboratory educational needs in a revised and condensed curriculum, an HTML5 interactive neuroanatomical learning tool is being developed and tested for us...
Charge transfer X‐rays in solar and stellar flares

Most of the energy in a solar flare, and presumably a stellar flare as well, takes the form of a power law of energetic particles. The energetic electrons produce a bremsstrahlung continuum, while the most energetic nuclei produce gamma-rays. Nuclei around 1 MeV/AMU can produce X-rays during and after charge transfer with neutrals. This paper predicts the fluxes for some prominent X-ray lines and compares them to existing spectra (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Security enhancement of secure USB debugging in Android system

The security of Android Debug Bridge (ADB) has attracted much attention from researchers, because it has a high privilege level and a low level of protection. Many attacks on Android systems have taken advantage of the security holes of ADB. Thus, in the updating patch of Android 4.2.2, a security feature secure USB debugging was implemented so that only trusted hosts can use ADB. Our research analyzes its protection effects on ADB based attacks and found that the new feature cannot provide sufficient protection when the host used to connect with Android devices has been compromised. A demonstration attack following this method is given along with an improvement design of the security mechanism of USB Debugging Mode. An implementation of this design and its evaluation are also provided to demonstrate its effectiveness.
FcεRI- and Fcγ Receptor-Mediated Production of Reactive Oxygen Species by Mast Cells Is Lipoxygenase- and Cyclooxygenase-Dependent and NADPH Oxidase-Independent

We investigated the enzymes responsible for FceRI-dependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the influence of ROS on mast cell secretory responses. 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) was the primary enzyme involved in ROS production by human mast cells (huMC) and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (mBMMC) following FceRI aggregation because incubation with 5-LO inhibitors (AA861, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, zileuton) but not a flavoenzyme inhibitor (diphenyleneiodonium) completely abrogated Ag-induced dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence. Furthermore, 5-LO-deficient mBMMC had greatly reduced FceRI-dependent DCF fluorescence compared with wild type mBMMC or those lacking a functional NADPH oxidase (i.e., gp91 phox - or p47 phox -deficient cells). A minor role for cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 in FceRI-dependent ROS production was demonstrated by inhibition of Ag-mediated DCF fluorescence by a COX-1 inhibitor (FR122047) and reduced DCF fluorescence in COX-1-deficient mBMMC. Complete abrogation of FceRI-dependent ROS production in mast cells had no effect on degranulation or cytokine secretion. In response to the NADPH oxidase-stimulating agents including PMA, mBMMC and huMC produced negligible ROS. IgG-coated latex beads did stimulate ROS production in huMC, and in this experiment 5-LO and COX again appeared to be the enzymatic sources of ROS. In contrast, IgG-coated latex bead-induced ROS production in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes occurred by the NADPH oxidase pathway. Thus mBMMC and huMC generate ROS by 5-LO and COX-1 in response to FceRI aggregation; huMC generate ROS upon exposure to IgG-coated latex beads by 5-LO and COX; and ROS appear to have no significant role in FceRI-dependent degranulation and cytokine production.
Asymptotic MSE law of nth-order /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulators

The mean squared error (MSE) of an nth-order /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator is classically understood to decay with the oversampling ratio M at the rate /spl alpha//M/sup 2n+1/. In this paper, we demonstrate by experimental evidence and basic analytical explanations that the accurate general MSE law is in fact in (/spl beta//M/sup 2n/)+(/spl gamma//M/sup 2n+1/) instead. The coefficient /spl beta/ is in general not zero, except when the input is rigorously constant, or when using the ideal standard nonoverloaded n-bit n-loop modulator. The term /spl beta//M/sup 2n/ is dominant starting from low values of M when using a one-bit quantizer.
Hysterectomy for benign pelvic conditions.

Abstract Surgical extirpation of the nonmalignant uterus has been the subject of voluminous study in recent years. Contentions have been advanced as to the advantages of one type of procedure over another on the basis of lessened morbidity, mortality, fewer hospital days, patient comfort, etc. In many instances these differences seem academic, and it may well be that a definite hazard exists in attempting to stereotype the manner of treatment in any given case. The patient who suffers morbidity after vaginal hysterectomy might well have escaped the complication by abdominal surgery, but the vaginal procedure was best suited to her needs and physical status. Again, the persistence in removing the cervix in all cases of abdominal operation, in the face of extensive residues of infection or induration, not only accomplishes little but suggests a lack of judgment in the operator. The present survey was undertaken to evaluate a group of similar cases from a single service, with the view of demonstrating any marked disparity in results.
Government as Liberty's Servant: The 'Reasonable Time, Place & Manner' Standard of Review for All Government Restrictions on Liberty Interests

This essay suggests that the American legal system fails to do proper justice to the robust conception of Liberty under which the nation was founded, and locates a major source of the problem in the Supreme Court's current presumption-of-constitutionality approach to judicial review, prompted by post-New Deal backlash to Lochner v. New York. This essay offers a new due process clause-based presumption-of-liberty standard of judicial review, modeled on the Court's existing First Amendment "reasonable time, place and manner" doctrine. This approach, already utilized narrowly by the Third Circuit Federal Court of Appeals in Lutz v. York in 1990, more accurately reflects the Constitution's core Liberty-First ideals, while also recognizing the proper police-power role of government.
Radiographic anatomy of soft tissue attachments in the equine metacarpophalangeal and proximal phalangeal region

The sites of bony attachment of the tendons, ligaments, and fibrous portion of the joint capsules of the equine metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) joint region were determined by gross dissection. These sites were transposed to standard radiographic views of the fetlock joint to yield illustrations that can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of soft tissue pathology from radiographs. Evidence of direct attachment of the common digital extensor tendon to the proximal phalanx was not found. Branches of the superficial digital flexor tendon were found to insert only on the middle phalanx. The recently described sites of insertion of the branches of the superficial digital flexor tendon to the proximal phalanx were found to be sites for attachment of the deep axial palmar ligaments of the proximal interphalangeal joint.
Empathy: An Integral Model in the Counseling Process.

Expanding on a framework introduced by Carl Rogers, an integral model of empathy in counseling uses empathic understanding through 3 ways of knowing: Subjective empathy enables a counselor to momentarily experience what it is like to be a client, interpersonal empathy relates to understanding a client's phenomenological experiencing, and objective empathy uses reputable knowledge sources outside of a client's frame of reference. Across the counseling process, empathy is integral to treatment strategies and interventions.
Blender as an educational tool

With the ubiquity of technology increasing, teaching artists has become more multifaceted. Art students are typically taught to think very openly and conceptually. While extremely beneficial, a problem arises when graduating artists have no developed means of analytical problem solving, putting them at a disadvantage when dealing with the technology they use to create their art. It is critical that computing courses that include programming be introduced early in an art student's career, exposing them to the knowledge of how their tools work. A solution to this is to use the open source 3D modeling and animation suite, Blender, and its integration with the Python scripting language as a means of teaching this valueable way of thinking to artists.
Fabrication of large-area, high-density Ni nanopillar arrays on GaAs substrates using diblock copolymer lithography and electrodeposition

Large-area, ultradense Ni nanopillar arrays were fabricated directly on bare n-GaAs substrates using diblock copolymer lithography and electrodeposition. The Ni nanopillar arrays are hexagonally arranged, exhibiting an average pillar diameter of ∼24 nm, and an areal density of ∼1011/cm2 over an entire surface area of 1 cm × 1 cm. These arrays represent large-scale, highly dense, sub-30 nm metal-nanopillar arrays made on III-V semiconductor substrates suitable as pattern masks. The fabrication method offers a simple and effective route to manufacturing large-area, highly dense, sub-30 nm metal nanostructures for III-V optoelectronic devices, in order to enhance their performance and functionalities.
The Toxoplasma Proteins MIC2 and M2AP Form a Hexameric Complex Necessary for Intracellular Survival

Toxoplasma gondii parasites gain entry into host cells through a process that depends on apically stored adhesins that are strategically released during invasion. One of these adhesins, microneme protein 2 (MIC2), is a type one transmembrane protein that binds to an accessory protein known as MIC2-associated protein (M2AP). Together the MIC2 x M2AP complex participates in host cell attachment and invasion. The short cytoplasmic C-domain of MIC2 is implicated in protein trafficking and mediating an association with the parasite cytoskeleton. To define the role of the cytoplasmic domain of MIC2, proteins lacking the C-domain were expressed in transgenic T. gondii. Surprisingly, protein trafficking and secretion were not affected. We hypothesized that mutant mic2 lacking the C-domain might be escorted to the micronemes by association with endogenous wild-type MIC2 possessing functional transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. To investigate this interaction, native blue gels and gel filtration were employed to identify a stable macromolecular MIC2 x M2AP complex of approximately 450 kDa. Our findings reveal that MIC2 and M2AP proteins form stable hexamers consisting of three alphabeta dimers. Resolution of this complex has implications for how MIC2 x M2AP associates with host cell receptors and the cytoskeleton to facilitate parasite motility and invasion.
Universal Aspects of Brittle Fracture, Adhesion, and Atomic Force Microscopy

The universal relation between binding energy and interatomic separation was originally discovered for adhesion at bimetallic interfaces involving the simple metals Al, Zn, Mg, and Na. We show here that the same universal relation extends to adhesion at transition metal interfaces. Adhesive energies have been computed for the low index interfaces of Al, Ni, Cu, Ag, Fe, and W using the Equivalent Crystal Theory (ECT) and keeping the atoms in each semi-infinite slab fixed rigidly in their equilibrium positions. These adhesive energy curves can be scaled onto each other and onto the universal adhesion curve. We have also investigated the effect of tip shape on the adhesive forces in the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) by computing energies and forces using the ECT. While the details of the energy-distance and force-distance curves are sensitive to tip shape, all of these curves can be scaled onto the universal adhesion curve. This means that although absolute magnitudes of adhesive forces in the AFM cannot be determined without knowing the geometry of the tip, the shape of the force-distance curve is universal, at least for distances changing normal to the substrate.
Long-lifetime and long-wavelength osmium (II) metal complexes containing polypyridine ligands. Excellent red fluorescent dyes for biophysics and for sensors

Several luminescent complexes of osmium (II) containing polypyridine ligands have been prepared. The syntheses, photophysical and fluorescence polarization properties of [Os(phen)2(aphen)]2+, [Os(tpy)(mcbpy)(py)]2+, [Os(ttpy)2]2+, [Os(tpy)(triphos)]2+ and [Os(tppz)2]2+ are reported. Where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, aphen is 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline, tpy is 2,2':6,2'-terpyridine, mcbpy is 4-methyl-2,2'- bipyridine-4'-carboxylic, py is pyridine, triphos is bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)-phenyl phosphine, ttpy is 4- tolyl,2,2':6,2'-terpyridine, and tppz is 2,3,5,6- tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine. The complexes absorb light at above 550 nm, emit above 700 nm, and have emission lifetimes longer than 50 ns in water. The emission of all the complexes is polarized, so they can have applications as red light excitable dyes for biophysical studies of macromolecules and for polarization immunoassays. The complexes can also be used for lifetime-based oxygen sensing using low-cost phase fluorometry and a LED light source.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Controllability of system dynamics on networks.quantum walks and random walks

Abstract We consider a model of system dynamics on networks consisting of a certain number of stations (nodes) connected by edges. At every time step, a certain quantity leaves the stations and gets re-distributed among the neighboring stations (preserving an appropriate norm). One has the control, at every station, on the relative quantity which is sent to the various neighbors. Controllability is achieved when every possible distribution of the given quantity in a natural set can be obtained. This general model includes, in particular, classical and quantum walks on graphs. The case of quantum walks is treated in detail and it is proved that controllability is achieved if and only if the underlying graph is not bipartite. This extends to general graphs a result previously proved in the literature for the case where the underlying graph is regular. Then extensions are presented to general systems modeling system dynamics on networks.
Standardization of diagnostic immunohistochemistry: literature review and geisinger experience.

Context.— Immunohistochemistry has become an indispensable ancillary technique in anatomic pathology laboratories. Standardization of every step in preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases is...
On the substance of Rivlin's remarks on the endochronic theory

In a recent manuscript, appearing in the present issue of this joumal[l], Rivlin engaged in a lengthy commentary on the endochronic theory. The reader who is familiar with the theory knows that the latter owes its inception to a sequence of two papers by Valanis, published in the Archives of Mechanics in 1971[2,3]. The physical basis of the endochronic theory lay in the theory of irreversible thermodynamics of internal variables and its purpose was the development of explicit constitutive equations for modeiling plastic or viscoplastic behavior of materials subjected to small or large deformation. The motivation for developing such a theory was two-fold and consisted first of a desire on my part to develop an alternative theory of plasticity which did not require the assumption of yield for its development, and second of an undertaking to bring the constitutive theory of plastic behavior under the aegis of irreversible thermodynamics of internal variables, a task which theretofore had not yet been accomplished. Since its inception, the theory has undergone sign&ant evolution, the driving force always being the desire to describe as many aspects of material behavior as possible with the simplest possible and most elegant form of a constitutive equation. It is therefore quite odd, to say the least, that Rivlin’s remarks are, in the main, addressed to the earliest versions of theory. His comments on the later developments are scant, inaccurate and amount to no less than a total misrepresentation of the work. Let it be said, however, that his comments on the earlier work are hardly better. Rivlin’s barrage of criticism can be divided, for the purposes of rebuttal, into fiw categories. (i) Errors of fact. (ii) Contentions and unsubstantiated criticisms and general charges without foundation. (iii) Presumed shortcomings of the theory vis-a-vis criteria which are either generally invalid or unsubstantiated. (iv) Perceived peculiarities of the theory in terms of mathematical constraints which have no physical foundation. (v) Differences in style and general philosophy, regarding the purposes and scope of the field of constitutive equations. For the purposes of enlightenment of the reader and to set the grounds for the subsequent discussion I would like to point out at the outset that there is no such thing as a unique endochronic theory of constitutive behavior. The term “endochronic theory” encompasses all those theories in which “fhe state of stress at the present time is a function of the history of strain with respect to a lime scale, which is not the absolute time scale measured by Q clock, but a time scale which in itself is a ptvpetty of the material at hand” [2]. For instance the classical linear theory of viscoelastic materials is not an endochronic theory because the “material memory” therein is defined with respect to the absolute time scale measured by a common clock. The “arc length” theory originally proposed by Ilyushin[4] and elaborated upon by Rivlin[5] and Pipkin[S, 131 is not an endochronic theory since the material memory scale “s” introduced
Application of a non-convex smooth hard threshold regularizer to sparse-view CT image reconstruction

In this work, we apply non-convex, sparsity exploiting regularization techniques to image reconstruction in computed tomography (CT).We modify the well-known total variation (TV) penalty to use a non-convex smooth hard threshold (SHT) penalty as opposed to the typical e1 norm. The SHT penalty is different from the p <1 norms in that it is bounded above and has bounded gradient as its argument approaches the zero vector. We propose a re-weighting scheme utilizing the Chambolle-Pock (CP) algorithm in an attempt to solve a data-error constrained optimization problem utilizing the SHT penalty and call the resulting algorithm SHTCP. We then demonstrate the algorithm on sparse-view reconstruction of a simulated breast phantom with noiseless and noisy data and compare the converged images to those generated by a CP algorithm solving the analogous data-error constrained problem utilizing the TV. We demonstrate that SHTCP allows for more accurate reconstruction in the case of sparse-view noisy data and, in the case of noiseless data, allows for accurate reconstruction from fewer views than its TV counterpart.
Cyclic imino ethers in step-growth polymerizations

The synthesis of oxazoline and oxazine type monomers is explored, with focus mainly on those methods of most commercial significance. The many varied reactions of cyclic imino ethers with various other functionalities are also discussed, with the main focus being on those reactions most useful to form polymers. The step-growth or polycondensation reaction of cyclic imino ether monomers, oxazoline and oxazine molecules, receives significant attention. For step-growth polymerizations, extensive attention is given to the preparation and reaction of monomers or polymers having ≥2 oxazoline or oxazine residues. Those reactions most useful to prepare thermoplastics or thermosets, which resides in the polycondensation of dicarboxylic acids, dithiols, phenolics, epoxides, etc. with bisoxazolines or bisoxazines receive significant focus. The simultaneous copolymerization of benzoxazines and bisoxazolines with phenolics is also described. Lastly, a variety of oxazoline or oxazine monomers, having acetylacetonate, acetylacetanilide, thiopene, etc. type residues are also described. Clearly, it is shown that there are significant opportunities to use oxazoline or oxazine functionalized monomers, oligomers and polymers to produce new materials for a variety of applications.
Constraint by example

Abstract First order static database constraints are expressed as counterexamples, i.e., examples that violate the integrity of the database. Examples are data and as such they can be specified and stored as data, structured into database files for efficient search and retrieval, and enforced efficiently since enforcement reduces to data comparison between the constraints as example data and the database. To express all first order constraints as counterexamples, a new normal form for first order logic is created which, after some syntactic transformation, is amenable to storage in flat files, efficient search and retrieval, and efficient testing of models for validity. Such efficient management of constraints is likely to lead to the development of large constraint bases since constraints are useful in a variety of contexts such as: 1. 1. Maintaining data quality by catching in real time and eliminating a wide variety of errors ranging from typing mistakes to complex semantic violations, 2. 2. Enforcing data security by monitoring and authorizing access and modification to protected data, 3. 3. Implementing semantic data models within the simpler and better understood environment of relational model, 4. 4. Building model libraries where complex decision models can be described, stored, retrieved, and manipulated by using constraints that establish the logical relationships between their inputs and outputs.
Assessment of regional myocardial perfusion by contrast echocardiography. II. Detection of changes in transmural and subendocardial perfusion during dipyridamole-induced hyperemia in a model of critical coronary stenosis

Measurements of myocardial contrast (sonicated meglumine diatrizoate) intensity were compared with myocardial flow by radioactive microspheres before and after administration of dipyridamole (0.5 mg/kg body weight intravenously) in 10 open chest dogs with a critical stenosis in the left circumflex coronary artery. Computer measurements of contrast time-intensity curves corrected for background myocardial intensity were made along 12 transmural segments of the left ventricle at mid-papillary level and for the subendocardial and subepicardial half of each segment. After administration of dipyridamole, transmural flow in the control region increased significantly (p < 0.001), resulting in a dipyridamole/baseline flow ratio (i.e., coronary reserve ratio) of 2.54 ± 0.95. Similar changes (p < 0.001) were seen by contrast echocardiography; the coronary reserve ratio was 2.10 ± 0.60 with use of peak intensity and 3.48 ± 1.58 with use of area under the time-intensity curve. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in myocardial flow, peak contrast intensity or area under the curve in the ischemic region after dipyridamole. In the control region the ratio of subendocardial to subepicardial flow was similar at baseline and after dipyridamole administration as assessed by microspheres (1.08 ± 0.24 versus 1.17 ± 0.25) or by area under the time-intensity curve (1.11 ± 0.45 versus 1.11 ± 0.56). In the ischemic region, the subendocardial/subepicardial flow ratio decreased significantly after dipyridamole administration as measured by microspheres (1.15 ± 0.19 to 0.82 ± 0.25; p < 0.001) or by area under the curve (1.10 ± 0.28 to 0.70 ± 0.47;p < 0.01). Thus, myocardial contrast echocardiography appears to be a sensitive technique with which to detect changes in myocardial flow induced by dipyridamole in the various myocardial layers of normal segments as well as of segments supplied by a critically stenotic coronary artery.
Abstract 3626: Targeting of essential gene products in breast cancer with cell penetrating neutralizing antibodies

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL We present a novel nuclear, targeted therapeutic strategy that disrupts intracellular essential gene products selectively in tumors. Therapeutic antibodies against external cell surface receptors are effective. However, the limited permeability of antibodies through cellular and nuclear membranes restricts their use as therapeutics for targeting intracellular gene products of cancer cells. Many of the oldest and most efficacious cancer chemotherapeutic agents target cellular elements essential to the growth and proliferation of all cells (e.g. DNA with alkylating agents or dihydrofolate reductase with methotrexate) accentuating the utility of targeting essential gene products. However, the toxicity of traditional broad-based drugs to normal cells is high, limiting its utility. Thus, we seek to inactivate essential gene products by selectively delivering targeted biologic therapeutics, i.e. neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, against specific intracellular essential gene products thereby killing cancer cells. To selectively target tumors, we are employing tumor-associated protease “activatable” cell penetrating peptide (CPP) motif described by Tsein and co-workers. To demonstrate our novel approach, we are initially focusing on the intracellular delivery of RPA70 which is an essential gene product that functions in DNA replication and is found to be an attractive therapeutic target in breast and prostate cancers. Thus far, we synthesized a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) and a tumor-associated “activatable” CPP that can be conjugated to IgGs. We screened various bioconjugation techniques and found that thiolation of IgG with thiolane followed by incubation with CPP-maleimide was the most efficient with good CPP-to-antibody ratio. With these antibody bioconjugates, we are able to show that anti-RPA70 and control antibodies were taken up to the cytoplasm as well as into the nucleus of cells. Monitoring of cell growth and proliferation of cancer cell lines in the presence of CPP-anti-RPA70 are underway. Progress in these studies will also be presented. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3626. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3626
A nearly planar arrangement of ions in 4,4′-bipiperidinium tetra­cyanido­platinate(II) monohydrate

The title compound, (C10H22N2)[Pt(CN)4]·H2O, was isolated from solution as a mol­ecular salt. The compound contains discrete 4,4′-bipiperidinium cations and tetra­cyano­platinate(II) anions that are involved in a hydrogen-bonding network with one water mol­ecule of hydration. The structure differs from that of the similar acetonitrile solvate, (C10H22N2)[Pt(CN)4]·2CH3CN, in the orientation of the ions relative to one another. The hydrate reported here contains layers of nearly parallel cations and anions with an angle between their mean planes of only 4.35 (11)°, while in the acetonitrile solvate the cations and anions are nearly perpendicular to one another (86.1° between mean planes). The crystal showed partial inversion twinning.
Nanoscale patterning of ionic self-assembled multilayers.

Films that are nanostructured in all three dimensions can be fabricated by the templated growth of ionic self-assembled multilayers (ISAMs) on solids that have been patterned by nanografting. Nanografting was used to controllably pattern –COOH surface groups on a background of –OH groups. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirms that ISAM bilayers grow selectively on the –COOH groups and not on the surrounding –OH groups. The patterned area clearly shows an increase in height with an increase in the number of bilayers. As compared with other methods of nanofabrication, nanografting with ISAM deposition provides fast and precise control over the size of the pattern region, which remains stable even after repeated washing. This combination allows the fabricated template to be altered in situ without the need of any kind of mask, expensive probe, or post-lithography processing/cleaning methods. We have demonstrated line widths of 75 nm. Ultimately the line width is limited by the width of the AFM tip that causes desorption of the thiol, which is typically about 25 nm. Smaller line widths should be possible with the use of sharper AFM tips.
Sequence-dependent photophysical properties of Cy3-labeled DNA

We have investigated the photophysical properties of Cy3-labeled DNA. Results show that the fluorescence efficiency of the dye changes dramatically upon covalent attachment, and that factors such as DNA sequence, or whether the dye is next to a single- or double-stranded region, also play a crucial role. Such dramatic dependence on the microscopic environment of the probe is due to the existence of an activated photoisomerization process that competes with fluorescence emission to deactivate the excited state. Cy3-DNA interactions, which depend on DNA sequence and the flexibility of the biopolymer, restrict the ability of the dye to photoisomerize and therefore increase the lifetime of the excited state. In this manuscript, we review the results of our most recent studies, and discuss the consequences of the photophysical behavior of Cy3 in biophysical research.
Chinese hamster cell mutant with defective mitochondrial protein synthesis.

STABLE mutations affecting mitochondrial functions have been reported in lower eukaryotes1–7 and higher organisms8–11. We have described a procedure to select mutants with defective patterns of oxidative energy metabolism from established Chinese hamster fibroblasts8, which seem to satisfy most of their energy needs from glycolysis6. We describe here a mutant which has properties reminiscent of the petite phenotype of yeast ρ− mutants5,13,14: a defect in mitochondrial protein synthesis leads to multiple enzymatic deficiencies.
Scattering length instability in dipolar bose-einstein condensates

We predict a new kind of instability in a Bose-Einstein condensate composed of dipolar particles. Namely, a comparatively weak dipole moment can produce a large, negative two-body scattering length that can collapse the Bose-Einstein condensate. To verify this effect, we validate mean-field solutions to this problem using exact, diffusion Monte Carlo methods. We show that the diffusion Monte Carlo energies are reproduced accurately within a mean-field framework if the variation of the s-wave scattering length with the dipole strength is accounted for properly.
The J-Curve Effect and the U.S. Agricultural Trade Balance

According to the J-curve theory, following a currency depreciation, there will be an initial deterioration of the trade balance before an improvement is realized. This paper finds empirical evidence indicating the first segment of the J-curve does exist for the U.S. agricultural trade balance. A 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar is estimated to lead a deterioration of the agricultural trade balance that will last for about nine months.
The Political Economy of Nontariff Trade Barriers in Emerging Economies

This article examines the counterpoint to recent economic reform programs: policies that potentially defy the reform process. Policy “reversal” is particularly evident in the area of trade liberalization where nations reduced tariffs while simultaneously introducing nontariff barriers (NTB), particularly the widespread antidumping (AD) measure. This research seeks to identify the determinants of these new “postliberalization” trade policies by combining dominant interest group approaches with more state-centered explanations in an examination of two vigorous NTB users, South Africa and Mexico. The results of nested probit analyses suggest that private interests dominate the process in Mexico, while both interests and the state's overall strategic development objectives shape trade policy outcomes in South Africa.
Polymer science. A material fix.

The idea of materials that can mend themselves seems far-fetched. But a system that allows composite materials to 'self-heal' has been devised and has passed some early tests.
Characterization of the vanadium–nitrogen system with nitrogen pressure isobars

Abstract The partial thermodynamic functions of the V–N system from V to VN over the temperature range 1000 to 2100 K have been investigated. The discrepancies among the pressure–composition–temperature (p–C–T) relationships in the δ-VN single-phase region have been resolved. The p–C–T relationships for other phases, where no data were available from the literature, have been established by applying the appropriate thermodynamic constraints and a modified form of Sieverts law. The results are presented as the nitrogen isobars superimposed on the phase diagram.
Interaction of electric field and electro-osmotic effects in determining iontophoretic enhancement of anions and cations

Abstract The enhanced transport of cations and anions across porous membranes under an applied electric field is found to be asymmetric. This asymmetry may be due to the interaction between the direct effect of the field and convective solvent flow, which has been shown to be directional. The modified Nernst-Planck equations are used to model cation, anion, and neutral solute transport enhancement under an applied electric field. The mechanism of solvent flow is examined via electro-osmotic velocity equations. Uncharged solutes have been used to determine the solvent velocity during iontophoresis. The direct electric field effects on ion transport enhancement were then separated from the convective solvent flow contribution and the asymmetry in cation/anion flux enhancement was assessed. Results of experiments using model charged and uncharged solutes demonstrate the utility of the model and electro-osmosis may he used to explain the cation/anion asymmetry.
Interictal infraslow activity in patients with epilepsy.

Abstract Objective To evaluate if interictal infraslow activity (ISA), as obtained from a conventional EEG system, can contribute information about the epileptogenic process. Methods The entire long-term intracranial monitoring sessions of 12 consecutive patients were evaluated on an XLTEK system for ISA. Three additional patients had long-term scalp recordings. Results In intracranial as well as scalp recordings, the ISA background was consistently higher in the waking state than during sleep. From this background emerged intermittently focal changes, which could achieve in intracranial recordings millivolt amplitudes, while they remained in the microvolt range in scalp recordings. Although they were mainly contiguous between adjacent channels, this was not necessarily the case and intermittent build-up could be seen distant from the epileptogenic zone or radiographic lesion. Conclusions Interictal ISA can be detected in routine intracranial and scalp recordings, without the need for DC amplifiers, and can provide additional information. Significance Since ISA is a separate element of the electromagnetic spectrum, apparently non-neuronal in origin, its assessment should be included not only in the pre-surgical evaluation of epilepsy patients but also in patients with other neurologic disorders and normal volunteers.
Propagation of the optical Wigner function in random multiple-scattering media

The transverse spatial coherence of light evolves as the light traverses a random, multiple-scattering medium. For near- forward scattering, the wave-transport process can be described by a wave-transport equation for the spatial-angular Wigner function of the light, which is related to the spatial coherence function. Using a novel variable-shear Sagnac interferometer, we measured the Wigner function of initially coherent light after propagation through a multiple-scattering medium. We find good agreement between the wave-transport theory and the experimental results.
Negative magnetoresistance observed in c-axis conduction in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ

Abstract The magnetoresistance for charge transport along the c -axis is negative in Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+ δ , unlike the in-plane transport. We show that Δϱ c 0 / ϱ c is thermally activated with a gap Δ that varies from 520 K to 997 K as the doping proceeds from under-to over-doped. We suggest that the applied field lowers the barrier impeding c -axis charge transport, by coupling to the Zeeman energy.
Large-area Ag nanoparticle arrays for plasmonically enhanced Raman scattering

Conducting nanoparticles with plasmon resonances create local, nanoscopic field enhancements that boost an analyte molecule’s surface-averaged Raman scattering cross-section orders of magnitude above the bulk Raman cross-section by an amount known as the enhancement factor (EF). Demonstrations of single-molecule sensitivity with EF ~ 10 13 have been reported from small “hot spots” (e.g., regions of enhanced electromagnetic near fields) on specialized substrates, but realistic chemical sensing requires high average EF over large substrates for practical sampling. 1 By using simple wet chemical methods, NSRDEC scientists have fabricated large-area arrays of novel, highly conducting, anisotropic Ag and Al nanoparticles. The nanoparticles adhere to an ultrathin layer of poly-4(vinyl pyridine), and are anchored by submicron coating of poly-methyl methacrylate on glass and SiO 2 -coated Si substrates. The average interparticle spacing is determined by the dilution of the nanoparticle-water suspension. We present surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), spectrophotometry, and microscopy data from these nanoparticle arrays, model this data and the nanoscopic field enhancement, and determine the SERS EF. We compare the observed absorption resonances and SERS EF with those predicted by finite difference time domain modeling of the nanoscale fields and optical properties, and find good agreement between measured and calculated reflectivity, achieving EF ~ 10 6 for benzenethiol adsorbed onto a monolayer array of 120 nm Ag nanoparticles over an area of ~ 0.5 cm 2 . We discuss a way forward to increase SERS EF to 10 7 with large-area samples assembled using chemical methods, by using spiky Ag “nano-urchins” with very large predicted field enhancements.
Avian Nest Box Selection and Nest Success in Burned and Unburned Southwestern Riparian Forest

Riparian forest communities in the southwestern United States were historically structured by a disturbance regime of annual flooding. In recent decades, however, frequency of flooding has decreased and frequency of wildfires has increased. Riparian forests provide important breeding habitat for a large variety of bird species, and the effects of this altered disturbance regime on birds and their breeding habitat is largely unknown. To evaluate effects of high-intensity spring and summer wildfire on the quality of breeding bird habitat in the Middle Rio Grande valley, we measured vegetation structure and composition, avian nest use, and nest success at 4 unburned plots and 4 wildfire plots over a 3-year period. We measured avian nest use and success at nest boxes located in unburned riparian forest plots and plots recently burned by wildfire. Recent wildfire plots ( 7 yr after fire) wildfire plot more closely resembled its paired unburned plot than did recently burned plots. Ash-throated flycatchers (Myiarchus cinerascens) and Bewick's wrens (Thryomanes bewickii; hereafter, flycatchers and wrens, respectively) used nest boxes in most of the plots. A model selection procedure applied to logistic regressions showed that frequency of nest box use by flycatchers was positively associated with wildfire, although flycatchers used boxes in unburned plots as well. Wrens showed a preferential use of nest boxes that were in unburned sites and in close proximity to vegetative cover. Growth rates, feeding rates, and fledging mass of flycatchers were similar in wildfire and unburned plots. Growth rates for wrens were slower in wildfire plots, while feeding rates and fledging mass were similar. Nest predation varied between years, was higher for flycatchers than for wrens, and was not directly influenced by wildfire. Model selection showed that predation increased with grass cover, an indicator of forest openness, and decreased with distance to habitat edge. Recovery of dense vegetation appears important in maintaining populations of Bewick's wrens, whereas ash-throated flycatchers were less sensitive to vegetative structure and composition of postfire succession. Postfire management that maintains nest sites in large forest strips would enhance nesting density and success of these cavity-nesting birds in riparian zones.
Safe Space: Student Perspectives on Classroom Environment

Based on data from a survey of 121 baccalaureate and master of social work students at a western university, this study explores students' perspectives of "safe" and "unsafe" classroom environments. The majority reported that being in a safe classroom changed both what and how much they learned. Students offered a wide range of instructor, fellow student, personal, and classroom characteristics that contribute to the creation of safe and unsafe spaces. Responses about such characteristics were relatively consistent across genders, race (measured as being White or of color), and program level. Implications for social work education and research are offered.
The N-terminal arms of λ repressor wrap around the operator DNA

From differences in the ability of fragments of the λ repressor to protect operator bases from chemical modification we suggest that the first few N-terminal residues of the λ repressor form an extended arm that reaches around the back of the DNA helix when repressor binds to the operator.
Compensation of BRG-1 function by Brm: insight into the role of the core SWI-SNF subunits in retinoblastoma tumor suppressor signaling.

The BRG-1 subunit of the SWI·SNF complex is involved in chromatin remodeling and has been implicated in the action of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (RB). Given the importance of BRG-1 in RB function, germ line BRG-1 mutations in tumorigenesis may be tantamount to RB inactivation. Therefore, in this study we assessed the behavior of cells harboring discrete BRG-1 alleles for the RB-signaling pathway. Using p16ink4a, an upstream activator of endogenous RB, or a constitutively active RB construct (PSM-RB), we determined that the majority of tumor lines with germ line defects in BRG-1 were sensitive to RB-mediated cell cycle arrest. By contrast, A427 (lung carcinoma) cells were resistant to expression of p16ink4a and PSM-RB. Analysis of the SWI·SNF subunits in the different tumor lines revealed that A427 are deficient for BRG-1 and its homologue, Brm, whereas RB-sensitive cell lines retained Brm expression. Similarly, the RB-resistant SW13 and C33A cell lines were also deficient for both BRG-1/Brm. Reintroduction of either BRG-1 or Brm into A427 or C33A cells restored RB-mediated signaling to cyclin A to cause cell cycle arrest. Consistent with this compensatory role, we observed that Brm could also drive expression of CD44. We also determined that loss of these core SWI·SNF subunits renders SW13 cells resistant to activation of the RB pathway by the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin, since reintroduction of either BRG-1 or Brm into SW13 cells restored the cisplatin DNA-damage checkpoint. Together, these data demonstrate that Brm can compensate for BRG-1 loss as pertains to RB sensitivity.