cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biventricular Repair in Interrupted Aortic Arch Type C With Aortic Atresia

We report a case of interrupted aortic arch type C with aortic atresia and a ventricular septal defect with two well-developed ventricles, who underwent a successful single-stage biventricular repair with the modified Yasui procedure and arch reconstruction. Angiography done during conduit revision showed bilateral brachiocephalic trunks with high branching. The child is doing well six years after the initial operation.
Homoeologous pairing and recombination in Solanum lycopersicoides monosomic addition and substitution lines of tomato.

We compared meiotic pairing and recombination between tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and homoeologous Solanum lycopersicoides chromosomes in monosomic additions (MAs) and substitution lines (SLs), each representing a single chromosome of the nightshade in a tomato background. Three configurations of each alien chromosome and its two tomato homoeologues were detected by genomic in situ hybridization in MA-7, -8, and -10 at diakinesis/metaphase-I: 1 trivalent (III), 1 bivalent + 1 univalent (II+I), and 3 univalents (3I). The II+I category was by far the most common, and the univalent was from S. lycopersicoides 91–99.5% of the time, indicating a high degree of preferential (homologous) pairing. In the corresponding substitution lines, association of homoeologous chromosomes was much higher (up to 90% of the cells), presumably due to the absence of homologous partners. However, SL-10 showed a surprisingly high frequency of univalents (about 73%). Genome-wide analysis of chromosome pairing revealed a decrease in the average chiasma frequency for both monosomic additions and substitution lines. Recombination between tomato and the nightshade was restricted in all cases, the reduction being more severe in each monosomic addition than in the corresponding substitution line. Recombination rates in the substitutions were less than those observed for the same chromosomes in the first backcross generation. Chromosomes 8 and 10 showed the highest and the lowest rates of homoeologous recombination, respectively. No recombination was detected between markers on the long arm of chromosome 10, presumably due to the presence of a paracentric inversion differentiating the two genomes in this region. The frequency of homoeologous pairing at diakinesis/metaphase-I was significantly higher than the rate of homoeologous recombination detected in the progeny, suggesting a strong selection against recombinant products in meiotic or post-meiotic stages.
Promoting professional identity, motivation, and persistence: Benefits of an informal mentoring program for female undergraduate students

Women are underrepresented in a number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Limited diversity in the development of the STEM workforce has negative implications for scientific innovation, creativity, and social relevance. The current study reports the first-year results of the PROmoting Geoscience Research, Education, and SuccesS (PROGRESS) program, a novel theory-driven informal mentoring program aimed at supporting first- and second-year female STEM majors. Using a prospective, longitudinal, multi-site (i.e., 7 universities in Colorado/Wyoming Front Range & Carolinas), propensity score matched design, we compare mentoring and persistence outcomes for women in and out of PROGRESS (N = 116). Women in PROGRESS attended an off-site weekend workshop and gained access to a network of volunteer female scientific mentors from on- and off-campus (i.e., university faculty, graduate students, and outside scientific professionals). The results indicate that women in PROGRESS had larger networks of developmental mentoring relationships and were more likely to be mentored by faculty members and peers than matched controls. Mentoring support from a faculty member benefited early-undergraduate women by strengthening their scientific identity and their interest in earth and environmental science career pathways. Further, support from a faculty mentor had a positive indirect impact on women's scientific persistence intentions, through strengthened scientific identity development. These results imply that first- and second- year undergraduate women's mentoring support networks can be enhanced through provision of protege training and access to more senior women in the sciences willing to provide mentoring support.
Association of Time between Surgery and Adjuvant Therapy with Survival in Oral Cavity Cancer

Objective The National Cancer Center Network recommends starting radiation therapy within 6 weeks after surgery for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC), but there is limited evidence of the importance of the total time from surgery to completion of radiation therapy (package time). We set out to determine if there was an association between package time and survival in OCSCC and to evaluate the impact of treatment location on outcomes. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Subjects and Methods We reviewed the records of patients with OCSCC who completed postoperative radiation therapy at an academic medical center from 2008 to 2016. The primary endpoints were overall survival and recurrence-free survival. Statistical analysis included χ2 tests and Cox proportional hazards regressions. Results We identified 132 patients with an average package time of 12.6 weeks. On multivariate analysis, package time >11 weeks was independently associated with decreased overall survival (hazard ratio, 6.68; 95% CI, 1.42-31.44) and recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.20-7.18). Patients who received radiation therapy at outside facilities were more likely to have treatment delays (90.2% vs 62.9%, P = .001). Conclusions Prolonged package times are associated with decreased overall and recurrence-free survival among patients with OCSCC. Patients who received radiation therapy at outside facilities are more likely to have prolonged package times.
Cell-Lineage Tracing in Zebrafish Embryos with an Expanded Genetic Code.

Cell-lineage tracing is used to study embryo development and stem-cell differentiation as well as to document tumor cell heterogeneity. Cre recombinase-mediated cell labeling is the preferred approach; however, its utility is restricted by when and where DNA recombination takes place. We generated a photoactivatable Cre recombinase by replacing a critical residue in its active site with a photocaged lysine derivative through genetic code expansion in zebrafish embryos. This allows high spatiotemporal control of DNA recombination by using 405 nm irradiation. Importantly, no background activity is seen before irradiation, and, after light-triggered removal of the caging group, Cre recombinase activity is restored. We demonstrate the utility of this tool as a cell-lineage tracer through its activation in different regions and at different time points in the early embryo. Direct control of Cre recombinase by light will allow more precise DNA recombination, thereby enabling more nuanced studies of metazoan development and disease.
Projected benefits and risks from mammographic screening.

Results from recent studies can be used to compare the benefits and risks of mammographie screening with more accuracy than previously possible. Estimates for the theoretical risk from current low-dose mammography can be derived from populations exposed to high doses of radiation. A reasonable range of values for the benefit from mammographie screening can be obtained from combined analysis of recent screening projects.
γ-Functions of Representations and Lifting

Let F be a local non-Archimedean field and let ψ: F → ℂ× be a non-trivial additive character of F. To this data one associates a meromorphic function γψ: π → γψ(π) on the set of irreducible representations of the group GL(n, F) in the following way. Consider the invariant distribution Φψ:= ψ(tr(g))|det(g)|n|dg| on GL(n,F), where |dg| denotes a Haar distribution on GL(n,F). Although the support of Φψ is not compact, it is well known that for a generic irreducible representation π of GL(n,F) the action of Φψ in π is well defined and thus it defines a number γψ(π). These gamma-functions and the associated L-functions were studied by J. Tate for n = 1 and by R. Go dement and H. Jacquet for arbitrary n.
Slow Crack Growth in Sintered Silicon Nitride

The strength and crack growth characteristics of a sintered silicon nitride were studied at 1000°C. Fractographic analysis of material failing in dynamic fatigue revealed the presence of slow crack growth (SCG) at stressing rates below 6 ksi/min. This material can sustain a 40 ksi flexural stress at 1000°C for 400 hr or more but is susceptible to both slow crack growth and creep deformation at higher stress levels. The crack velocity exponent (N) determined both from dynamic and static fatigue experiments lies in a range from 13 to 22. The subcritical crack growth and creep behavior at 1000°C is primarily controlled by the deformation of an intergranular glassy phase.
Water as destiny – The long-term impacts of drought in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract We examine the long-term impacts of drought exposure on women born in 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, across four decades. We find that women who were exposed to drought conditions during their early childhood are significantly less wealthy as adults. These effects are confined to women born and raised in rural households, indicating that the impacts of rainfall are felt via changes in agricultural output. In addition to lower levels of wealth, women who experience droughts in infancy also receive fewer years of formal education and, in the case of extreme drought conditions, have reduced adult heights. Our results also suggest that drought exposure in infancy can have long-term, negative impacts on women’s empowerment. Finally, we also show that these impacts may be transmitted to the women’s offspring, with children of affected women more likely to be born at a low birth weight (weighing
An open-label, add-on trial of cetirizine for neuromyelitis optica (P2.334)

Objective: To preliminarily study the efficacy and safety of cetirizine for NMO Background: NMO is a severe inflammatory disease affecting the CNS with the potential to cause serious neurological disability. Granulocyte infiltration with subsequent neutrophil and eosinophil degranulation are critical to the ultimate destruction of astrocytes, demyelination, and neuronal/axonal loss. This trial was conducted to examine the efficacy and tolerability of cetirizine, an eosinophil-stabilizer, as an add-on to currently-available therapies for NMO. Design/Methods: Eligible patients met Wingerchuk 2006 criteria or had a single episode with positive NMO IgG, and were stable on DMT for 3 months. Subjects were followed clinically and with serum/CSF analysis for cytokines/chemokines associated with eosinophil activity for 1 year. Planned endpoints included relapse rates, tolerability with particular attention to drowsiness, and changes in immunological parameters. Results: 16 subjects were enrolled between April 2014 and February 2015. 15 were female, 7 were black, with median age 36.5. 13 were NMO IgG positive. 8 were on rituximab, 7 on mycophenolate, and 1 on azathioprine. 7 had previously experienced a total of 9 relapses while on the current treatment. There was 1 mild confirmed relapse during the study. The pre- and post-study ARR differences were statistically significantly different from zero (p=0.047). Median EDSS was 3.0 at baseline and at study end. Mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 6.5 ± 5.33 at baseline and 6.9 ± 4.50 at conclusion (p=0.74). There were no significant drug-related adverse events. Analysis of immunological profiling is in process. Conclusions: Eosinophil-stabilizing properties and favorable safety profile make cetirizine an attractive add-on therapy for NMO. In our pilot study the drug was very well-tolerated with no significant increase in sleepiness. The very low pre-study relapse rates in our patient population preclude definitive conclusions related to cetirizine’s effect on relapse rates and severity, though results are interesting and warrant further study. Study Supported by: The Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Katz Sand has nothing to disclose. Dr. Telford has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fabian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kraus has nothing to disclose. Dr. Farrell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Phelps has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chehade has nothing to disclose. Dr. Masilamani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Riffle has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moran has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cook has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lubin has received personal compensation for activities with Abbott, Acorda, Actelion, Allozyne, Avanir, Bayer HealthCare, Biogen Idec, Celgene, EMD Serono, Genmab, Johnson & Johnson, Medicinova, MorphoSys, Novartis, Pfizer, Questcor, Roche, Sanofi and Teva Neuros for consulting or serving on an advisory board.
The Perceptions of Physical Activity in the Somali Community of the Twin Cities of Minnesota [University of Minnesota, Twin Cities]

This qualitative research investigates the perceptions of physical activity held by Muslim Somali men and women in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Following the civil war in Somalia in the early 90s, Minnesota received a large influx of Somali-identified people who eventually formed the largest Somali community in the country. As members of this community, we have observed the wide array of beliefs in how Somali people view physical activity and its importance. Little information exists in the literature about the physical activity levels of Somali-identified people since most of this health information is categorized by race. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Spring 2018 with participants recruited from local college campus’, mosques, and community centers. Questions probed at how factors such as age, gender, and immigration status impact physical activity. A total of eighteen adult participants were interviewed, eight males and ten females. Data analysis of transcripts included data reduction, conclusion drawing, and verification, using at least two independent reviewers at each stage to protect against bias. Preliminary results demonstrate that most participants conveyed that their religion and culture promote health, but may hinder rates of physical activity. Results also show that changes in lifestyle between Somalia and the US have a direct effect on the decreased rates of physical activity. Immigrant participants listed a different set of needs upon coming to the United States, and physical activity did not rank highly on that list for most. Implications for practice will be discussed, including the need for culturally relevant health promotion as a means of adaptation into the westernized culture and the need for interventions that allow students to incorporate physical well-being with their studies.
Mitochondrial autoimmunity and MNRR1 in breast carcinogenesis

Autoantibodies function as markers of tumorigenesis and have been proposed to enhance early detection of malignancies. We recently reported, using immunoscreening of a T7 complementary DNA (cDNA) library of breast cancer (BC) proteins with sera from patients with BC, the presence of autoantibodies targeting several mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded subunits of the electron transport chain (ETC) in complexes I, IV, and V. In this study, we have characterized the role of Mitochondrial-Nuclear Retrograde Regulator 1 (MNRR1, also known as CHCHD2), identified on immunoscreening, in breast carcinogenesis. We assessed the protein as well as transcript levels of MNRR1 in BC tissues and in derived cell lines representing tumors of graded aggressiveness. Mitochondrial function was also assayed and correlated with the levels of MNRR1. We studied the invasiveness of BC derived cells and the effect of MNRR1 levels on expression of genes associated with cell proliferation and migration such as Rictor and PGC-1α. Finally, we manipulated levels of MNRR1 to assess its effect on mitochondria and on some properties linked to a metastatic phenotype. We identified a nuclear DNA (nDNA)-encoded mitochondrial protein, MNRR1, that was significantly associated with the diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast by autoantigen microarray analysis. In focusing on the mechanism of action of MNRR1 we found that its level was nearly twice as high in malignant versus benign breast tissue and up to 18 times as high in BC cell lines compared to MCF10A control cells, suggesting a relationship to aggressive potential. Furthermore, MNRR1 affected levels of multiple genes previously associated with cancer metastasis. MNRR1 regulates multiple genes that function in cell migration and cancer metastasis and is higher in cell lines derived from aggressive tumors. Since MNRR1 was identified as an autoantigen in breast carcinogenesis, the present data support our proposal that both mitochondrial autoimmunity and MNRR1 activity in particular are involved in breast carcinogenesis. Virtually all other nuclear encoded genes identified on immunoscreening of invasive BC harbor an MNRR1 binding site in their promoters, thereby placing MNRR1 upstream and potentially making it a novel marker for BC metastasis.
Toileting Behaviors and Bladder Symptoms in Women Who Limit Restroom Use at Work: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose:While lower urinary tract symptoms and bladder behaviors are known to be associated with certain occupations, little is known about restroom access or environmental factors which may contri...
(2,2-Bi­pyridine-κ2N,N′)chlorido­[η6-1-methyl-4-(propan-2-yl)benzene]­ruthenium(II) tetra­phenyl­borate

The title complex, [RuCl(C10H14)(C10H8N2)](C24H20B), has monoclinic (P21) symmetry at 100 K. It was prepared by the reaction of the di­chlor­ido[1-methyl-4-(propan-2-yl)benzene]­ruthenium(II) dimer with 2,2′-bi­pyridine, followed by the addition of ammonium tetra­phenyl­borate. The 1-methyl-4-(propan-2-yl)benzene group, the 2,2′-bi­pyridine unit and a chloride ion coordinate the ruthenium(II) atom, with the 1-methyl-4-(propan-2-yl)benzene ring and bi­pyridine moieties trans to each other. In the crystal, the complex cations are linked by C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming chains parallel to [010]. These chains are linked by a number of C—H⋯π inter­actions, involving the phenyl rings of the tetra­phenyl­borate anion and a pyridine ring of the bpy ligand, resulting in the formation of layers parallel to (10\overline{1}).
Real-Time Tracking of a 3D-Printed Smart Capsule Using on-Board Near-Infrared Led Array

Accurate sensing and drug delivery at designated locations within the GI-tract is needed to increase the performance and efficacy of smart capsules. In this work, we utilize the near infrared (NIR) penetration of light within the tissue for real-time tracking of a 3D-printed capsule. The capsule incorporates an array of three 875 nm NIR-LEDs powered by an on-board battery. Ex vivo experiments using porcine tissue and a paired photodiode receiver showed a light penetration depth of 6.2 cm. Three on-board batteries (1.5 V, 10 mAh) can provide enough power to continuously track the capsule in the small intestine for 2 hours, thus providing a good coverage of capsule positioning in the jejunum.
Thunderstorm Excitation of the Earth–Ionosphere Cavity

Early results of a programme to study the spectrum of e.l.f. radio noise in the band 5–30 c/s were obtained by simulated filtering on a digital computer. This processing clearly revealed the peaks in the spectrum resulting from the responses of the first five resonant modes (Schumann modes) of the earth–ionosphere cavity. The measured diurnal power variations were found to correspond closely with mean worldwide thunderstorm activity, differences among the modes reflecting the characteristic geometrical configuration of each mode. More recently, this information has been used to build analogue equipment to examine selected portions of the spectrum at greater length. Power variations of individual modes can now be displayed continuously. A systematic study is now under way of diurnal variations throughout the year as related to changing locations and intensity of thunderstorm activity.
“I Guess They’re All Real Moms Then”: Constructing Motherhood Through Language in the Adoption Community

AbstractLanguage used to construct motherhood varies, not only among groups inside and outside the adoption community, but among members of each group, as well. Some language is used to clarify rel...
Synthetic MRI-aided multi-organ segmentation on male pelvic CT using cycle consistent deep attention network.

Abstract Background and purpose Manual contouring is labor intensive, and subject to variations in operator knowledge, experience and technique. This work aims to develop an automated computed tomography (CT) multi-organ segmentation method for prostate cancer treatment planning. Methods and materials The proposed method exploits the superior soft-tissue information provided by synthetic MRI (sMRI) to aid the multi-organ segmentation on pelvic CT images. A cycle generative adversarial network (CycleGAN) was used to estimate sMRIs from CT images. A deep attention U-Net (DAUnet) was trained on sMRI and corresponding multi-organ contours for auto-segmentation. The deep attention strategy was introduced to identify the most relevant features to differentiate different organs. Deep supervision was incorporated into the DAUnet to enhance the features’ discriminative ability. Segmented contours of a patient were obtained by feeding CT image into the trained CycleGAN to generate sMRI, which was then fed to the trained DAUnet to generate organ contours. We trained and evaluated our model with 140 datasets from prostate patients. Results The Dice similarity coefficient and mean surface distance between our segmented and bladder, prostate, and rectum manual contours were 0.95 ± 0.03, 0.52 ± 0.22 mm; 0.87 ± 0.04, 0.93 ± 0.51 mm; and 0.89 ± 0.04, 0.92 ± 1.03 mm, respectively. Conclusion We proposed a sMRI-aided multi-organ automatic segmentation method on pelvic CT images. By integrating deep attention and deep supervision strategy, the proposed network provides accurate and consistent prostate, bladder and rectum segmentation, and has the potential to facilitate routine prostate-cancer radiotherapy treatment planning.
Human-Machine Information Extraction Simulator for Biological Collections

In the last decade, institutions from around the world have implemented initiatives for digitizing biological collections (biocollections) and sharing their information online. The transcription of the metadata from photographs of specimens’ labels is performed through human-centered approaches (e.g., crowdsourcing) because fully automated Information Extraction (IE) methods still generate a significant number of errors. The integration of human and machine tasks has been proposed to accelerate the IE from the billions of specimens waiting to be digitized. Nevertheless, in order to conduct research and trying new techniques, IE practitioners need to prepare sets of images, crowdsourcing experiments, recruit volunteers, process the transcriptions, generate ground truth values, program automated methods, etc. These research resources and processes require time and effort to be developed and architected into a functional system. In this paper, we present a simulator intended to accelerate the ability to experiment with workflows for extracting Darwin Core (DC) terms from images of specimens. The so-called HuMaIN Simulator includes the engine, the human-machine IE workflows for three DC terms, the code of the automated IE methods, crowdsourced and ground truth transcriptions of the DC terms of three biocollections, and several experiments that exemplify its potential use. The simulator adds Human-in-the-loop capabilities, for iterative IE and research on optimal methods. Its practical design permits the quick definition, customization, and implementation of experimental IE scenarios.
Quantification of CTEPH Disease Burden on CT Angiogram Correlates with Patient Presurgical Hemodynamic Severity and Hemodynamic Improvement after PTE Surgery

Author(s): Bird, E; Hsiao, A; Kerr, K; Kim, N; Madani, M; Kligerman, S; Contijoch, F | Abstract: PURPOSE:To evaluate the relationship between the burden of chronic thromboembolic disease quantified via CT pulmonary angiography and pre-operative hemodynamics and post-operative hemodynamic improvement in CTEPH patients undergoing PTE. METHODS:CTEPH patients who underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery (PTE) between December 2017 and August 2019 were retrospectively screened for having 1) preoperative CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPAs) with corresponding preoperative vascular annotations, 2) preoperative right heart catheterization, 3) bilateral level 2 surgical disease (defined from surgically resected thromboembolic specimen) and 4) recorded postoperative hemodynamics. Clot burden was quantified in preoperative CTPAs using the Qanadli score, which weights the location and severity of thromboembolic lesions into a per-patient score. Mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and total pulmonary resistance were obtained from right heart catheterization preoperatively and then on the day of Swan-Ganz removal in the ICU postoperatively. Linear regression was performed between measured clot burden and hemodynamic variables. Continuous variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS:15 patients (7 females, age: 36 ± 13 years, BMI: 35.0 ± 6.7, preoperative mPAP: 40 ± 13 mmHg) met all inclusion criteria. Clot burden score ranged from 11 to 30, with a mean of 19 ± 6. Level of surgical disease seen on imaging matched surgical findings in 87% and 67% of cases (right and left lungs, respectively). Figure 1 illustrates the significant linear correlations between clot burden and preoperative mPAP (R2= 0.59), PVR (R2 = 0.69) and TPR (R2= 0.58), as well as post PTE improvement in PVR (R2 = 0.48) and TPR (R2 = 0.35). CONCLUSION:Pre-operative CT-based quantitative assessment of the pulmonary vasculature is associated with the hemodynamic severity of CTEPH and surgical improvement in PVR after PTE.
Transition Waves and Formation of Domain Walls in Multistable Mechanical Metamaterials

We experimentally, numerically, and analytically investigate transition waves in a mechanical metamaterial comprising a chain of tristable elements. Transition waves can be initiated from different stable phases within the highly tunable tristable energy landscape. These waves propagate via coupled translational and rotational motion that leads to formation of stationary domain walls if transition waves of incompatible type collide. Since domain formation and propagation is fully reversible, the unique nonlinear behavior could be exploited in new classes of reconfigurable metamaterials.
Regional and basin scale applications of ensemble adjustment Kalman filter and 4D-Var ocean data assimilation systems

Abstract The performance of two common approaches to data assimilation, an Ensemble Adjustment Kalman Filter (EAKF) and a 4-dimensional variational (4D-Var) method, is quantified in a popular community ocean model, the Regional Ocean Modeling Systems (ROMS). Two distinct circulation environments are considered: the California Current System (CCS), which is an eastern boundary upwelling regime, and the Indian Ocean (IO) characterized by an equatorial waveguide subject to the energetic seasonal reversals of the Indian and Asian Monsoons. In the case of the CCS, experiments were performed using synthetic observations, so-called Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs). An extensive suite of CCS OSSEs were conducted to explore the performance of both data assimilation approaches to system configuration. For the EAKF, this includes the method for generating the seed ensemble, ensemble size, localization scales, and the length of the assimilation window. In the case of 4D-Var, the influence of assimilation window length, and the formulation of the background error covariance were explored. The performance of the EAKF was found to be influenced most by the size of the ensemble and by the method used to generate the initial seed ensemble where centering of the ensemble was found to yield improvement. For 4D-Var, the assimilation window length is by far the most critical factor, with an increase in system performance as the window length is extended. In general, the EAKF and 4D-Var systems converge to similar solutions over time, which are independent of the starting point. The EAKF employs a First-Guess at Appropriate Time (FGAT) strategy, and some experiments indicate that short FGAT windows can be problematic due to the introduction of frequent initialization shocks. While the EAKF generally out-performs 4D-Var in the OSSEs, analysis of the innovations from the two systems through time indicates that they track each other closely. Additional Observing System Experiments (OSEs) were performed in the CCS and IO configurations of ROMS using real ocean observations. In this case, the comparison of the EAKF and 4D-Var state estimates with independent observations indicates that the EAKF and 4D-Var state estimates diverge over time, although the 4D-Var estimates are somewhat better by some measures. The relative performance of the EAKF and 4D-Var systems is similar across the wide-range of circulation regimes that characterize the CCS and IO, suggesting that the results presented here are a robust indicator of expected performance in other regions of the world ocean.
Monetary Non-Neutrality in a Multi-Sector Menu Cost Model

Empirical evidence suggests that as much as 1/3 of the U.S. business cycle is due to nominal shocks. We calibrate a multi-sector menu cost model using new evidence on the cross-sectional distribution of the frequency and size of price changes in the U.S. economy. We augment the model to incorporate intermediate inputs. We show that the introduction of heterogeneity in the frequency of price change triples the degree of monetary non-neutrality generated by the model. We furthermore show that the introduction of intermediate inputs raises the degree of monetary non-neutrality by another factor of three, without adversely affecting the model's ability to match the large average size of price changes. A single-sector model with a frequency of price change equal to the median, rather than the mean, generates similar monetary non-neutrality to our multi-sector model. Our multi-sector model with intermediate inputs generates variation in real output in response to calibrated aggregate nominal shocks that can account for roughly 23% of the U.S. business cycle.
Swimming kinematics and performance of spinal transected lampreys with different levels of axon regeneration.

Axon regeneration is critical for restoring neural function after spinal cord injury. This has prompted a series of studies on the neural and functional recovery of lampreys after spinal cord transection. Despite this, there are still many basic questions remaining about how much functional recovery depends on axon regeneration. Our goal was to examine how swimming performance is related to degree of axon regeneration in lampreys recovering from spinal cord transection by quantifying the relationship between swimming performance and percent axon regeneration of transected lampreys after 11 weeks of recovery. We found that while swimming speeds varied, they did not relate to percent axon regeneration. In fact, swimming speeds were highly variable within individuals, meaning that most individuals could swim at both moderate and slow speeds, regardless of percent axon regeneration. However, none of the transected individuals were able to swim as fast as the control lampreys. To swim fast, control lampreys generated high amplitude body waves with long wavelengths. Transected lampreys generated body waves with lower amplitude and shorter wavelengths than controls, and to compensate, transected lampreys increased their wave frequencies to swim faster. As a result, transected lampreys had significantly higher frequencies than control lampreys at comparable swimming velocities. These data suggest that the control lampreys swam more efficiently than transected lampreys. In conclusion, there appears to be a minimal recovery threshold in terms of percent axon regeneration required for lampreys to be capable of swimming; however, there also seems to be a limit to how much they can behaviorally recover.
Selective Effect of Rous Sarcoma Virus src Gene Expression on Contractile Protein Synthesis in Chick Embryo Myotubes

Abstract Myogenic precursor cells were infected with a temperature-sensitive mutant of Rous sarcoma virus and maintained at the permissive temperature for transformation. Following subculture, a population of cells was produced which failed to differentiate at the permissive temperature but produced a high proportion of myotubes in sister cultures shifted to the nonpermissive temperature. The myotube-containing cultures were further enriched for this cell type by the addition of 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine to kill replicating mononucleated cells. This myotube population was suitable for testing the effect of viral-transforming gene expression in a postmitotic, terminally differentiated cell which expresses relatively low levels of the cellular homologue of the viral-transforming gene and is resistant to infection by the virus. The consequence of shifting these Rous sarcoma virus-infected myotube cultures to the permissive temperature was assessed in terms of protein synthesis. The total rate of incorporation of exogenous radioactive leucine, supplied at a concentration which saturated the intracellular pool, was similar between cultures held at the two temperatures, suggesting that the absolute rate of total protein synthesis was not affected by expression of viral-transforming gene. In contrast, the rate of synthesis of eight proteins the expression of which is specific for myotubes was suppressed reversibly. The rate of synthesis of five other proteins which are not selectively concentrated in myotubes was either unaffected or stimulated. Thus, the expression of viral-transforming gene in myotubes leads to differential effects on developmentally regulated proteins without inducing several properties of the transformed state classically observed for fibroblastic cells.
Statistical methods in metabolomics

Abstract: This chapter examines the need to apply appropriate statistical methods to large metabolomic data sets in order to avoid losing important information or falsely identifying trends. As it is not possible to catalog every statistical method due to the wide range of potential metabolomics applications, two data sets are taken as case studies. In analyzing these data sets, the chapter demonstrates reasonable statistical approaches and identifies statistical issues common in metabolomic data.
Emerging standards for interoperable biological systems

This paper informs the reader on standards emerging for systems in biology to aid in the development and use of software and technologies in biology research to automate scientific workflows, integrate disparate systems, utilize grid computing to speed analysis, and facilitate code reuse. Two major technology changes have swept the computing landscape and offer opportunity to leverage access to databases. One change is the ubiquitous Web. The other major change is the establishment of open source software and specifically the development of open standards for exchanging data such as XML (extensible markup language). Bioinformatics has embraced open source and the sharing of data and tools for data managements as vehicles for improving the human condition. Community adoption of open source solutions become part of defining standards. Community processes to develop standards for data management and integration are developing along several fronts in biology. These categories include: tools/middleware, grid computing, ontologies, analysis and models. When building systems for use by biologists, we must be informed about standards for interoperability in order to leverage existing systems and code reuse instead of recreating the wheel.
Comments on the gamma-ray burst log N /greater than S/ log S point of Beurle et al

Statistical improbability is demonstrated for the Beurle et al (1981) determination of an isotropic cumulative burst rate of 7030 + 10,000 or - 6000/year, at a fluence of 8.47 x to the -9th/erg per sq cm, from their observation of two gamma-ray bursts. The difficulty identified is Beurle's assumption that the power law cumulative distribution function index equals one. Reconsideration of the Beurle observations is undertaken, and an alternative upper limit of the annual number of bursts at the fluence cited of less than 5400/year is proposed.
Preliminary study of As-for-Sb exchange for device applications

The role of the growth conditions in the As-for-Sb exchange reaction is discussed in this paper. Superlattices formed by As exposure of Sb-stabilized GaSb surfaces were grown to compare the resulting anion exchange under different conditions. Statistical experimental design was used to systematically evaluate the effect of different growth conditions. The experiments were performed on GaSb [001] epi-ready substrates in a Varian Gen-II solid source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system equipped with both As and Sb crackers. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) was used to monitor the surface reconstruction and to determine the growth rate. High resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) was used to characterize the structures.
Vertical and meridional equatorial ion flows observed by CINDI during the 26 September 2011 storm

[1] The equatorial ionosphere is generally shielded from outside electrical fields except during large geomagnetic storms. During these storms, the polar region electric fields can temporarily extend to the equatorial regions in what is called a penetration field. During the subsequent recovery period, a disturbance dynamo is produced with an enhanced electric field with the opposite orientation relative to the penetration field. The penetration electric field would be oriented toward the east on the dayside causing an excess upward E × B motion of the equatorial ionospheric ions. The disturbance dynamo electric field would have the opposite orientation, westward on the dayside, producing an excess downward E × B motion of the equatorial ionospheric ions. The moderate storm (minimum Dst = −103 nT) on 26 September 2011 is examined using ion flow data from the Coupled Ion-Neutral Dynamics Investigation (CINDI) thermal plasma instrument package on the Communication/Navigation Outage Forecast System (C/NOFS) spacecraft on the dayside and early evening local times to look for examples of these flows. Despite what should have been a large enough storm to produce penetration fields and upward flows, a detailed examination of the observed flows from this storm shows only enhanced downward flows before the storm, during the main phase, and through the recovery.
The Frontier of Affirmative Action: Employment Preferences and Diversity in the Private Workplace

The Supreme Court has decided only a dozen prominent cases on the topic of affirmative action. The impact of each decision, however, has profoundly shaped public policy and societal expectations. Few topics generate such passion and controversy within academia, business, government, the legal profession and the social sciences – not to mention among the citizenry and the press. The paper demonstrates that the affirmative action of our parents will not be the affirmative action of our children. What is significantly different today is that the justification for preference plans has changed drastically from backward-looking to forward-looking. The Remedial Rationale – justifying preferences based on past wrongs – is fading into history and the Diversity Spotlight Rationale – justifying preferences to attain diversity solely for the sake of diversity – is emerging as the new frontier.In the private workplace arena, prominent businesses now claim an interest in fostering diversity within their ranks to better compete, market and think in an ever-globalizing economy. Diversity Spotlight Rationale-based arguments such as these butt heads with the express language and anti-discriminatory thrust of Title VII but might be in line with decades-old Supreme Court opinions. This article analyzes the history and precedent surrounding race-based preferences in the public sector, public employment and private employment arenas. It then delves into the foundation of the Diversity Spotlight Rationale and proposes three key components that any preference plan promulgated under the DSR must contain to have a chance before the current Supreme Court. Finally, this paper predicts that the Roberts Court – even with the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayer – will side with a strict statutory interpretation of Title VII and strike down a voluntary, forward-looking, diversity-based workplace affirmative action plan. This prediction is based on Justice Kennedy’s general anti-affirmative action stance, a conservative-learning Court and the written positions staked out by Justices Thomas, Scalia, Alito, Roberts and Kennedy.
Mutants of Escherichia coli Defective in Membrane Phospholipid Synthesis: Macromolecular Synthesis in an sn-Glycerol 3-Phosphate Acyltransferase Km Mutant

sn-Glycerol 3-phosphate (G3P) auxotrophs of Escherichia coli have been selected from a strain which cannot aerobically catabolize G3P. The auxotrophy resulted from loss of the biosynthetic G3P dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.8) or from a defective membranous G3P acyltransferase. The apparent K(m) of the acyltransferase for G3P was 11- to 14-fold higher (from about 90 mum to 1,000 to 1,250 mum) in membrane preparations from the mutants than those of the parent. All extracts prepared from revertants of the G3P dehydrogenase mutants showed G3P dehydrogenase activity, but most contained less than 10% of the wild-type level. Membrane preparations from revertants of the acyltransferase mutants had apparent K(m)'s for G3P similar to that of the parent. Strains have been derived in which the G3P requirement can be satisfied with glycerol in the presence of glucose, presumably because the glycerol kinase was desensitized to inhibition by fructose 1,6-diphosphate. Investigations on the growth and macromolecular synthesis in a G3P acyltransferase K(m) mutant revealed that upon glycerol deprivation, net phospholipid synthesis stopped immediately; growth continued for about one doubling; net ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and protein nearly doubled paralleling the growth curve; the rate of phospholipid synthesis assessed by labeling cells with (32)P-phosphate, (14)C-acetate, or (3)H-serine was reduced greater than 90%; the rates of RNA and DNA synthesis increased as the cells grew and then decreased as the cells stopped growing; the rate of protein synthesis showed no increase and declined more slowly than the rates of RNA and DNA synthesis when the cells stopped growing. The cells retained and gained in the capacity to synthesize phospholipids upon glycerol deprivation. These data indicate that net phospholipid synthesis is not required for continued macromolecular synthesis for about one doubling, and that the rates of these processes are not coupled during this time period.
Abundance of Green Tree Frogs and Insects in Artificial Canopy Gaps in a Bottomland Hardwood Forest

Horn, Scott, James L. Hanula, Michael D. Ulyshen, and John C. Kilgo. 2005. Abundance of green tree frogs and insects in artificial canopy gaps in a bottomland hardwood forest. Am. Midl. Nat. 153:321-326. Abstract: We found more green tree frogs (Hyla cinerea) in canopy gaps than in closed canopy forest. Of the 331 green tree frogs observed, 88% were in canopy gaps. Likewise, higher numbers and biomasses of insects were captured in the open gap habitat. Flies were the most commonly collected insect group accounting for 54% of the total capture. These data suggest that one reason green tree frogs were more abundant in canopy gaps was the increased availability of prey and that small canopy gaps provide early successional habitats that are beneficial to green tree frog populations.
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide for the Evaluation of Volume Status in Elderly Postoperative Patients

A 92-year-old man presented with iron-deficiency anemia. Upon evaluation, guaiacpositive stools were found and follow-up colonoscopy revealed an invasive adenocarcinoma of the cecum. He was scheduled for a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Preoperative stress echocardiogram revealed no significant cardiac dysfunction. Immediately before surgery, sequential compression devices were placed on his legs to reduce the risk for venous thromboembolic disease. Following his uncomplicated operation, pulse oximetry showed oxygen desaturation requiring supplemental oxygen. The patient developed paroxysmal tachycardia on the third postoperative day. He had no chest pain or mental status alteration. On physical examination, his pulse was 130/min and irregularly irregular, blood pressure was 126/59 mm Hg, and breath sounds were diminished in bibasilar lung fields. The abdomen was soft and laparoscopy port sites were clean and free of erythema, blood, or exudate. A bedside 12-lead electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and no ST-segment elevation. Portable chest x-ray showed pulmonary edema. Laboratory values are shown in the Table.
Congenital alkalosis with diarrhea

Summary Results of study of an infant exhibiting recession of plasma chloride, alkalosis, and a large excess of chloride over sodium in the stools are reported. There was voluminous watery diarrhea which began at birth. The findings indicate, but do not identify, an intrinsic defect in the control of electrolyte distribution in the body fluids.
A risc approach to sensing and manipulation

This article describes sensing and manipulation strategies that use simple, modular robot hardware. To bridge the gap between automation and robotic technologies, we suggest that traditional automation hardware, such as parallel-jaw grippers and optical beam sensors, can be combined with geometric planning and sensing algorithms. The resulting systems should be cost-effective, reliable, and easy to set up and reconfigure. They should also be flexible enough to support small batch sizes and rapid changes in part design needed in forthcoming flexible/agile manufacturing systems. The RISC acronym, borrowed from computer architecture, suggests the parallels between the two technologies. RISC robots perform complex operations by composing simple elements. The elements may be individual light beam sensors, grouped together to form an array for recognition. Or a complex manipulation task may be performed via a sequence of grasp steps by different grippers specialized for acquisition and placement. This article emphasizes three areas: (i) RISC sensing, primarily optical beam sensing, (ii) RISC manipulation using simple parallel-jaw grippers or minimal configurations of fingers, and (iii) Computer-aided design of RISC workcells. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.