cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The ins and outs of presenilin 1 membrane topology

Mutations of presenilin 1 (PS1) account for up to 60% of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) (1). Because PS1 is a polytopic membrane protein, deciphering its topology is crucial to understanding its important functions. Hydropathy analysis of the PS1 primary amino acid sequence identified 10 hydrophobic regions (HR) [see figure 1A of Dewji et al. (2) in this issue of PNAS]. An eight transmembrane domain (TM) topology, where only 8 of 10 HRs traverse membranes with amino (N) and carboxy (C) tails facing the cytoplasm, has been proposed and is generally accepted by most investigators in this field (Fig. 1 A ) (3, 4). In contrast, Dewji and Singer (5) have suggested an alternative in which PS1 has seven TMs with the N tail facing the extracellular space and the C tail facing the cytoplasm (Fig. 1 B ). This view is now confirmed in studies employing immunofluorescence microscopy with monoclonal antibodies specific either to the N tail or the loop, and polyclonal antipeptide antibodies to the C tail of PS1. The authors offer a provocative suggestion that PS1 may be a member of the superfamily of seven-TM heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors (2). Fig. 1. Suggested topologies of PS1. The conserved active site aspartate residues D257 and D385 on HR6 and HR8, respectively, are marked with asterisks. The endoproteolytic sites of PS1 are located in HR7, resulting in N- and C-terminal fragments. According to an eight-TM topology ( A ), the loop consists of residues between HR6 and HR8. PS1 is believed to be a catalytic subunit of γ-secretase (see ref. 6 for review). A slightly altered proteolytic activity of this enzyme, in concert with β-secretase, increases production of a more aggregation-prone peptide, Aβ42, rather than Aβ40 from a type I membrane protein, amyloid precursor protein (APP) (6). This increased level …
Selection Criteria for Servo Motor Drives

The power density and acceleration characteristics of the ac servo drive are being recognized as being superior to those of the dc counterpart. The ac servo family consists of permanent-magnet synchronous, dc brushless, induction, and switched reluctance motor drives. This ac servo family is comprised of radial (also known as the sausage type) and axial (also known as the pancake type) field motors, thus enlarging the spectrum of ac servo motors to the users. Realizing that the ac servos are of recent development, it is obvious that their potentials and pitfalls have not been published, thus making it difficult for the user and application engineer to choose one servo from the family of ac servos for a particular application. In this regard, an attempt is made here to develop a set of selection criteria to differentiate the various servo drives of the ac family. The factors proposed to do that are cost, power density, acceleration rates, peak torque capability, speed range, torque per unit ampere, thermal capability, parameter sensitivity, cogging torque, ripple torque, braking, rotor position feedback device, etc. Application of these criteria would promote appreciation for the various facets of ac servos through their comparison with other drive types.
FoxOs are lineage-restricted redundant tumor suppressors and regulate endothelial cell homeostasis

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling appears to be an obligate event in the development of cancer. The highly related members of the mammalian FoxO transcription factor family, FoxO1, FoxO3, and FoxO4, represent one of several effector arms of PI3K-AKT signaling, prompting genetic analysis of the role of FoxOs in the neoplastic phenotypes linked to PI3K-AKT activation. While germline or somatic deletion of up to five FoxO alleles produced remarkably modest neoplastic phenotypes, broad somatic deletion of all FoxOs engendered a progressive cancer-prone condition characterized by thymic lymphomas and hemangiomas, demonstrating that the mammalian FoxOs are indeed bona fide tumor suppressors. Transcriptome and promoter analyses of differentially affected endothelium identified direct FoxO targets and revealed that FoxO regulation of these targets in vivo is highly context-specific, even in the same cell type. Functional studies validated Sprouty2 and PBX1, among others, as FoxO-regulated mediators of endothelial cell morphogenesis and vascular homeostasis.
Dye-sensitized photovoltaic properties of hydrothermally prepared TiO2 nanotubes

Hydrothermal synthesis utilizing aqueous alkaline reaction conditions was employed for the preparation of TiO2 nanotubes. The ultimate material morphology was found to be extremely sensitive to the nature of the reaction conditions including the chemical nature of the reactor itself—well-defined TiO2 nanotubes were obtained only when the reaction was carried out in a Teflon reactor/autoclave assembly, as ascertained by electron microscopy imaging. In addition, it was shown that the nanomaterial morphology heavily impacted the performance of dye-sensitized photovoltaic devices based on these materials; devices assembled from well-defined TiO2 nanotubes exhibited marked overall improvement in the power conversion efficiency. Several individual experimental parameters including hydrothermal synthesis temperature, film thickness, TiO2 paste composition, and sintering temperature were shown to affect the photovoltaic properties of the resultant solar cells. Upon sensitization with Ru(dcbpyH2)2(NCS)2, optimized devices showed an average power conversion efficiency of 3.76 ± 0.25% under AM1.5G one sun illumination, seemingly limited by low dye surface coverages.
Theory of hopping conductivity in disordered semiconductors in a strong magnetic field

The percolation approach is used to study the vanishing of the linear section in the temperature dependence of the hopping conductivity of disordered semiconductors in a strong magnetic field.
A putative branched-chain-amino-acid transaminase gene required for HC-toxin biosynthesis and pathogenicity in Cochliobolus carbonum.

The cyclic tetrapeptide HC-toxin is required for pathogenicity of the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus carbonum on maize. HC- toxin production is controlled by a complex locus, TOX2. The isolation and characterization of a new gene of the TOX2 locus, TOXF, is reported. It is shown that TOXF is specifically required for HC-toxin production and pathogenicity. It is present as two or three copies in all HC-toxin-producing (Tox2+ ) isolates and is absent in toxin-non-producing strains. The deduced amino acid sequence of TOXF has moderate homology to many known or putative branched-chain-amino-acid transaminases from various species. A strain of C. carbonum with all copies of TOXF disrupted grew normally but lost HC-toxin production and pathogenicity. It is proposed that TOXF has a biosynthetic role in HC-toxin synthesis, perhaps to aminate a precursor of Aeo (2- amino-9,10-epoxi-8-oxodecanoic acid).
Detectability and Response Rates of Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls

Abstract Survey techniques that are both reliable and efficient are necessary to accurately estimate population parameters, especially for rare species. Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owls (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum; hereafter pygmy-owls) have declined in southwestern North America and are surveyed often to comply with federal law. We studied owl responses to broadcasted calls to quantify how detectability and response rates (owls/station/transect) vary with environmental, spatial, temporal, and weather-related factors. We surveyed owls along 392 transects (1,113 km) throughout Sonora, Mexico, including a subset of 14 transects (47.2 km) that we surveyed repeatedly to assess factors that affected response rates. We challenged 17 adults and 23 juveniles that were radiomarked, adults attending 50 occupied nests, and adults attending 6 groups of radiomarked juveniles to respond to broadcasted calls to assess factors that affected detectability. Across Sonora, response time averaged 2.6 ± 0.1 minutes (&#x1d465; ± SE...
Prefix tree based auto-completion for convenient bi-modal chinese character input

We address the problem of character auto-completion (CAC) for predicting Chinese characters with partial, cursive handwriting input. A prefix tree decoder based CAC algorithm is proposed. The approach is based upon HMM pen trajectory modeling and radical structure of Chinese characters. Without finishing the strokes, high quality character candidates can be efficiently predicted. As a result, significant improvement of the recognition throughput can be obtained. We combine further the handwriting CAC with speech recognition candidates in the posterior sense, and come up with a flexible, rapid bi- modal Chinese character input system. The system was tested on a large Chinese corpus and shown that: more than 90% of input attempts can be correctly finished with only 50% of the whole character trajectory written.
Subsurface Response Model for Storm Events within Susquehanna River Basin

A three-equation model for subsurface response is presented. The model is based on storm events for various sized watersheds within the Susquehanna River Basin. The equations represent the peak flow, time to peak, and time base of the subsurface response. The model was developed using multiple variable regression and numerical optimization. The variables used in the regression analysis are related to the physical processes causing subsurface response and were obtained from streamflow and precipitation gauges, a digital elevation model, and land use and soils data. The measured peak subsurface discharge, time to peak, and time base required for the regression analysis were obtained by separating storm hydrographs into direct runoff and subsurface responses. A linear separation from the initial rise of the hydrograph to the inflection point on the recession limb was utilized. The model was developed from a dataset of 50 watersheds by 20 storms ~1,000 watershed-events!, with the watersheds ranging in size from 14 km 2 to 67,000 km 2 . The results indicate that the measured and predicted subsurface response variables agree well, considering the great variation in the observed responses and the time and space scales of the available data. DOI: 10.1061/~ASCE!1084-0699~2002!7:2~185! CE Database keywords: Base flow; Geographic information systems; Ground water; Hydrographs; Hydrologic models; Digital tech- niques; Pennsylvania; River basins.
Characterization of Three-Dimensional-Integrated Active Pixel Sensor for X-Ray Detection

We have developed a back-illuminated active pixel sensor (APS) which includes an SOI readout circuit and a silicon diode detector array implemented in a separate high-resistivity wafer. Both are connected together using a per-pixel 3-D integration technique developed at Lincoln Laboratory. The device was fabricated as part of a program to develop a photon-counting APS for imaging spectroscopy in the soft X-ray (0.3-10-keV) spectral band. Here, we report single-pixel X-ray response with spectral resolution of 181-eV full-width at half-maximum at 5.9 keV. The X-ray data allow us to characterize the responsivity and input-referred noise properties of the device. We measured interpixel crosstalk and found large left-right asymmetry explained by coupling of the sense node to the source follower output. We have measured noise parameters of the SOI transistors and determined factors which limit the device performance.
Quantitative reconstruction from truncated projections in classical tomography

We prove that some kinds of truncation are entirely admissible for region-of-interest (ROI) reconstructions in classical tomography, contrary to the long-standing folklore that two-dimensional tomography is "all or nothing". The proof is based on a link between the Hilbert transforms of parallel beam and fanbeam projections, which was recently used by Noo et al. to achieve ROI image reconstruction from fanbeam data on less than a short scan, assuming no fanbeam truncation occurs. We extend the use of this link to achieve quantitative ROI reconstruction in the presence of truncated projections. Our results are illustrated with a specific example of a parallel-hole detector of length 24 cm and an elliptical object of 15- and 30-cm axes. The detector rotates 180/spl deg/ about a point on the long axis at 11.25 cm from the right-hand-side boundary. The right half of the ellipse, the ROI in this case, is not truncated, although the left side is truncated in many views. The ROI can be quantitatively reconstructed, as is verified by our simulation. We also show that under certain conditions, ROI reconstruction is possible with truncation on both sides of the field of view. These results bring new understanding to the fundamental mechanisms of tomography. Benefits of this new understanding can be anticipated in many classical tomography applications, particularly when the projections of the object are too wide for the available detector.
A tangible programming tool for creation of context-aware applications

End-user programming tools, if properly designed, have the potential to empower end-users to create context-aware applications tailored to their own needs and lives, in order to help them break bad habits and change their behaviors. In this work, we present GALLAG Strip, an easy to use mobile and tangible tool that allows users to create context-aware applications without the need of programming experience. It enables programming by physical demonstration of envisioned interactions with the same sensors and objects that users will later encounter in their finished application. After an initial pilot to verify the usability of GALLAG Strip, we conducted a user study to evaluate the effects of tangible programming in terms of ease of use, engagement, and facilitation of the ideation process. We found that tangibility has both benefits and drawbacks, and suggest a mixed tangible and non-tangible approach for better user experience.
A synthetic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strain confers unprecedented levels of heterologous protection

ABSTRACT Current vaccines do not provide sufficient levels of protection against divergent porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains circulating in the field, mainly due to the substantial variation of the viral genome. We describe here a novel approach to generate a PRRSV vaccine candidate that could confer unprecedented levels of heterologous protection against divergent PRRSV isolates. By using a set of 59 nonredundant, full-genome sequences of type 2 PRRSVs, a consensus genome (designated PRRSV-CON) was generated by aligning these 59 PRRSV full-genome sequences, followed by selecting the most common nucleotide found at each position of the alignment. Next, the synthetic PRRSV-CON strain was generated through the use of reverse genetics. PRRSV-CON replicates as efficiently as our prototype PRRSV strain FL12, both in vitro and in vivo . Importantly, when inoculated into pigs, PRRSV-CON confers significantly broader levels of heterologous protection than does wild-type PRRSV. Collectively, our data demonstrate that PRRSV-CON can serve as an excellent candidate for the development of a broadly protective PRRSV vaccine. IMPORTANCE The extraordinary genetic variation of RNA viruses poses a monumental challenge for the development of broadly protective vaccines against these viruses. To minimize the genetic dissimilarity between vaccine immunogens and contemporary circulating viruses, computational strategies have been developed for the generation of artificial immunogen sequences (so-called “centralized” sequences) that have equal genetic distances to the circulating viruses. Thus far, the generation of centralized vaccine immunogens has been carried out at the level of individual viral proteins. We expand this concept to PRRSV, a highly variable RNA virus, by creating a synthetic PRRSV strain based on a centralized PRRSV genome sequence. This study provides the first example of centralizing the whole genome of an RNA virus to improve vaccine coverage. This concept may be significant for the development of vaccines against genetically variable viruses that require active viral replication in order to achieve complete immune protection.
Seasonal abundance of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in coastal Georgia

Seasonal abundance of adult Culicoides spp. in coastal Georgia was examined during a 20-mo period (September 1983–May 1985) by carbon dioxide-baited CDC miniature light traps and sticky cylinder traps. A total of 215,269 adult biting midges was collected, composed of 18 species and including the first report of C. loughnani Edwards in Georgia. Two possible undescribed species were collected. Culicoides furens (Poey), C. hollensis (Melander & Brues), and C. melleus (Coquillett) comprised 99% of the collection. Culicoides furens was abundant from early spring to late fall. Culicoides hollensis and C. melleus were bimodal with spring and fall abundance, but C. melleus appeared later in the spring and disappeared sooner in the fall. Significant differences were found among numbers of C. furens, C. hollensis , and C. melleus collected at three heights with sticky cylinder traps. Adult light trap catches were statistically significant for temperature but not for rainfall, wind velocity, or moon phase.
Investigation of Lead Borosilicate Glass Structure With 207Pb and 11B Solid-State NMR

A series of three lead borosilicate glasses were synthesized and analyzed for structural information with both 11B and 207Pb solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods. Results showed that increasing lead content caused lead to take a more active role in the network as a former and that the populations in these sites can be approximately quantified. 207Pb phase-adjusted-spinning sidebands (PASS), 11B magic-angle spinning (MAS), and 11B multiple-quantum MAS (MQMAS) experiments were used to determine structural parameters for the two nuclei. The 207Pb PASS experiment showed that at higher lead content, more covalent bonding was present. This principle was demonstrated in both an overall shift of the spectral resonances and a quantitative change in site ratios. The 11B MAS experiment showed that the ratio of BO3 to BO4 units was dependent on the amount of lead and boron, consistent with previous studies. Preliminary 11B MQMAS experiments failed to detect any BO3 – units, previously hypothesized to exist in this system.
Personal reminiscences about Erich L. Lehmann

Several works have been written about Erich L. Lehmann’s fundamental and influential work in statistics and about his life. This work recounts the author’s personal reminiscences about being a student of Erich L. Lehmann and later a colleague and a friend.
Estrogen-Stimulated Progesterone Synthesis by Rabbit Corpora Lutea in Vitro1

SummaryRabbit corpora lutea were incubated with estradiol 17-β to verify a direct stimulatory role of estrogen on progesterone biosynthesis. A significant increase in net progesterone and 20α-ol synthesis was obtained with no concurrent alteration in free and esterified cholesterol content of luteal tissue. Pretreatment with aminoglutethimide in vivo resulted in accumulation of cholesterol in luteal tissue, but estrogen failed to stimulate progesterone synthesis above control levels.These results demonstrate a direct effect of estradiol on rabbit corpora lutea in vitro, but suggest the possibility of a unique sterjo-dogenic mechanism for the species.
Eupelmus Popa Girault, A Parasite of the Sorghum Midge, Contarinia Sorghicola Coquillett

Early workers did not record Eupelmus popa as one of the parasites of the sorghum midge but it has now almost completely supplanted the others. The larvae show an interesting specialization in feeding habits as many of them become phytophagous in their later stages. A few individuals of each generation enter hibernation and emerge the following spring. This behavior shows a remarkable adaptation to the development of the host.
Plotting the escape: An animation of parabolic bifurcations in the Mandelbrot set

(2002). Plotting the Escape—An Animation of Parabolic Bifurcations in the Mandelbrot Set. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 75, No. 2, pp. 104-116.
Horizons on Contemporary Spirituality

A survey of contemporary spirituality is obtained by addressing a basic set of questions to twelve recent books in this field. Five significant trends are noted and offered as an agenda for the future of Christian spirituality.
Carcinogen-DNA adduct formation as a predictor of metabolic activation pathways and reactive intermediates in benzidine carcinogenesis.

Benzidine (BZ) is a strong hepatocarcinogen in rats, mice and hamsters and induces mammary tumors in female rats (1–4). However, BZ has been primarily implicated as a human urinary bladder carcinogen as a result of occupational exposure in the dye and rubber industries (5). Limited carcinogenicity experiments in dogs confirm BZ’s ability to induce bladder carcinomas, although its potency in this species appears to be less than that of 4-aminobiphenyl and 2-naphthylamine (6,7). Over the last few years, we have examined carcinogen-DNA adduct formation from BZ in relation to specific metabolic activation pathways and have sugges­ted the involvement of different biologically reactive intermediates leading to liver and urinary bladder carcinogenesis (8–15). In this paper, we will review the findings which resulted in these conclusions. In addition, we will present data on the mechanisms of BZ peroxidation and on the ability of human bladder and colon to catalyze the peroxidative activation of BZ to DNA-bound adducts.
Observation of hohlraum-wall motion with spectrally selective x-ray imaging at the National Ignition Facility

The high fuel capsule compression required for indirect drive inertial confinement fusion requires careful control of the X-ray drive symmetry throughout the laser pulse. When the outer cone beams strike the hohlraum wall, the plasma ablated off the hohlraum wall expands into the hohlraum and can alter both the outer and inner cone beam propagations and hence the X-ray drive symmetry especially at the final stage of the drive pulse. To quantitatively understand the wall motion, we developed a new experimental technique which visualizes the expansion and stagnation of the hohlraum wall plasma. Details of the experiment and the technique of spectrally selective x-ray imaging are discussed.
Allium-Assay In Evaluation Of Drinking And Surface Water Mutagenicity

Analysis of genotoxicity is of a great importance due to the pollution of the environment by genotoxicants. The most harmful anthropogenic pollutants as heavy metals, surface-active substances, pesticides and radionuclides are mutagens or/and carcinogens. At date many biotests for determination of geno- toxicity in our environment are proposed. Plant assays are known to have a lot of advantages in compared to other bioassays. Our numerous data on studying genotoxicity of urban water samples demonstrate that Allium-assay may be used for complex assessment of nature water reservoirs as well as of tap water samples. Results obtained demonstrate the mutagenic activity in some samples of drinking and reservoirs water.
Integrated behavioral health training for primary care clinicians: Five lessons learned from a negative study.

Introduction There are very few studies examining the effectiveness of integrated behavioral health training for primary care clinicians. The purpose of this article is to review the findings of a negative study examining the effectiveness of medical resident training in integrated behavioral health and offer specific ideas for future research in workforce development. Methods Twenty-three family medicine residents from a community-based residency program in the mid-Atlantic region completed a required rotation in which they consulted with behavioral health in primary care, observed psychotherapy, read behavioral medicine books, and received individual instruction. Fourteen residents completed a survey pre- and postrotation, and all 23 residents completed a semistructured interview postrotation. Results Survey findings demonstrate that resident attitudes about collaboration and behavioral health consultants did not significantly change as a result of the rotation. Findings also show that internal referral orders for behavioral health services dropped sharply after the rotation. Qualitative data suggest that residents value integrated behavioral health. Discussion There are five lessons to learn from this negative study: learning outcomes should match learning activities, residents benefit from direct observation, longitudinal data help measure change over time, collaborative care curriculum evaluation deserves collaborative partnership with other training sites, and evaluating the resident and the behavioral health provider offers a systems viewpoint and new insights. Future research should identify core knowledge and skills for primary care clinicians working in settings with integrated behavioral health and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a curriculum based on those competencies. (PsycINFO Database Record
Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism: Physiology and Monitoring

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) (Fig. 4.1) CBF is tightly regulated because the brain lacks its own stores of glucose and oxygen. With normal blood glucose and oxygen content: Normal CBF = ≥50 mL/100 g/min CBF 15–20 mL/100 g/min results in reversible ischemia CBF <10–15 mL/100 g/min results in irreversible ischemia
Pleural effusion is a cause of round atelectasis of the lung.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not pleural effusion could be a cause of round atelectasis of the lung. Materials and methods The study group consists of 20 patients with round atelectasis who had no evidence of asbestos exposure, who had normal baseline chest radiographs that showed no evidence of preexisting pleural or pulmonary disease, and who developed pleural effusion from a variety of causes. Chest radiographs were examined for signs of round atelectasis at the time of initial presentation of the pleural effusion. Follow-up radiographs, spanning a period of 1 month to 4 years after resolution of the pleural effusion, were also examined in all 20 cases. Results Round atelectasis was seen initially as a rounded mass-like opacity that produced a focal, upward bulge in the curvilinear meniscus of pleural effusion in 17 cases. In three cases round atelectasis was seen initially as a spherical mass with a comet-tail sign located slightly above the pleural effusion. As the pleural effusion resolved, typical findings of round atelectasis developed in all 20 cases. Conclusion Pleural effusion, in the absence of exposure to asbestos, can cause round atelectasis.
Ghrelin mediates exercise endurance and the feeding response post-exercise.

Abstract Objective Exercise training has several well-established health benefits, including many related to body weight, appetite control, and blood glucose homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms and, in particular, the hormonal systems that mediate and integrate these beneficial effects are poorly understood. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the role of the hormone ghrelin and its receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR; ghrelin receptor), in mediating the effects of exercise on food intake and blood glucose following exercise as well as in regulating exercise endurance capacity. Methods We used two mouse models of treadmill running to characterize the changes in plasma ghrelin with exercise. We also assessed the role of the ghrelin system to influence food intake and blood glucose after exercise, exercise endurance, and parameters potentially linked to responses to exercise. Mice lacking GHSRs (GHSR-null mice) and wild-type littermates were studied. Results An acute bout of exercise transiently elevated plasma acyl-ghrelin. Without the action of this increased ghrelin on GHSRs (as in GHSR-null mice), high intensity interval exercise markedly reduced food intake compared to control mice. The effect of exercise to acutely raise blood glucose remained unmodified in GHSR-null mice. Exercise-induced increases in plasma ghrelin positively correlated with endurance capacity, and time to exhaustion was reduced in GHSR-null mice as compared to wild-type littermates. In an effort to mechanistically explain their reduced exercise endurance, exercised GHSR-null mice exhibited an abrogated sympathoadrenal response, lower overall insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, and altered glycogen utilization. Conclusions Exercise transiently increases plasma ghrelin. GHSR-null mice exhibit decreased food intake following high intensity interval exercise and decreased endurance when submitted to an exercise endurance protocol. These data suggest that an intact ghrelin system limits the capacity of exercise to restrict food intake following exercise, although it enhances exercise endurance.
Enhancing Interprofessional Rehabilitation Team Competence through Low Vision Continuing Education

Aim: Although low vision affects occupational performance and quality of life, healthcare professionals demonstrate limited competence regarding training adaptive living skills to the low vision cl...
A non-autonomous function of the core PCP protein VANGL2 directs peripheral axon turning in the developing cochlea

The cochlea is innervated by neurons that relay sound information from hair cells to central auditory targets. A subset of these are the type II spiral ganglion neurons, which have nociceptive features and contribute to feedback circuits providing neuroprotection in extreme noise. Type II neurons make a distinctive 90° turn towards the cochlear base to synapse with 10-15 outer hair cells. We demonstrate that this axon turning event requires planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling and is disrupted in Vangl2 and Celsr1 knockout mice, and that VANGL2 acts non-autonomously from the cochlea to direct turning. Moreover, VANGL2 is asymmetrically distributed at intercellular junctions between cochlear supporting cells, and in a pattern that could allow it to act directly as an axon guidance cue. Together, these data reveal a non-autonomous function for PCP signaling during axon guidance occurring in the tissue that is innervated, rather than the navigating growth cone.
Overview of Breast Cancer Therapy

Breast cancer treatment is multidisciplinary. Most women with early stage breast cancer are candidates for breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy or mastectomy. The risk of local recurrence and the chance of survival does not differ with these approaches. Sentinel node biopsy is used for axillary staging, and individualized approaches are minimizing the need for axillary dissection in women with positive sentinel nodes. Adjuvant systemic therapy is used in most women based on proven survival benefit, and molecular profiling to individualize treatment based on risk is now a clinical reality for patients with hormone receptor-positive cancers.
Biolistic mediated site-specific integration in rice

Cre-lox mediated site-specific integration in tobacco or Arabidopsis used polyethylene glycol or Agrobacterium, respectively, to deliver the integrating DNA. The polyethylene glycol method is inconvenient since it requires the use of protoplasts. The Agrobacterium method is inefficient as the single-stranded T-DNA is not a substrate for Cre-lox recombination. In this study, we tested the biolistic method for the site-specific insertion of DNA into the rice genome. Two target callus lines, each harboring a single genomic lox target, were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The target callus lines were subjected to a second round of transformation by particle bombardment with a construct designed to excise the plasmid backbone from the integrating DNA, followed by the recombination of the integrating DNA into the genomic lox target. Site-specific integration was obtained from both target callus lines. Three integrant plants were regenerated from one target line and were found to have a precise copy of the integrating DNA at the target site, although only one plant has the integrating DNA as the sole copy in the genome. Site-specific integration through the biolistic delivery of DNA can be considered for other plants that are transformable via particle bombardment.
Ethnic and Racial Social Movements

Ethnic and racial social movements are goal-directed actions sustained by groups whose identity is distinguished by the perceived presence of racial or ethnic markers. Markers may include skin pigmentation, ancestry, language, or a history of discrimination, conquest, or other shared experiences. Researchers classify forms based upon dimensions of duration, target, tactics, violence, and audience. These distinctions yield three broad categories: (a) territorial sovereignty movements demanding regional autonomy, separatism, resettlement of a diaspora, or outright secession; (b) protests that demand expansion of a group's civil and economic rights or an end to discrimination; (c) collective attacks ranging from genocide, ethnic cleansing, and mob violence, to symbolic threats. Recent research focuses on several core questions: First, how does ethnic identity become transformed into social movements? Second, what explains the emergence and persistence of these movements? Internal colonialism and cultural division of labor, competition, cultural and institutional, and rational choice theories provide some useful answers.
CONJUGACY OF SPONTANEOUS BLINKS IN MAN : EYELID KINEMATICS EXHIBIT BILATERAL SYMMETRY

Purpose To provide a quantitative description of the conjugacy of human eyelid movements during spontaneous blinks. Methods Eyelid movements occurring during spontaneous blinks were recorded bilaterally using a modification of the electromagnetic search coil technique. In off-line analyses, covariation of amplitude, peak velocity, and duration of blink down phases were determined for the two eyelids. Interocular differences in the timing of blink onset and offset, and time to peak velocity, also were evaluated. Results Human blink motor control systems act to link tightly the spatial and temporal characteristics of movements of the two eyelids. Data show that human spontaneous blinks are conjugate. Analysis of interocular covariation of blink amplitude, peak velocity, and duration yielded linear functions with high correlation coefficients. Interocular comparison of eyelid movement durations during blinks showed a particularly high correlation. There were negligible interocular differences in blink down-phase onset time, termination time, and time to peak velocity. A small percentage of blinks exhibited interocular differences in amplitude and peak velocity of > 20%; however, even in these cases, blink duration remained tightly linked. Conclusion Spatial and temporal properties of eyelid movements occurring during spontaneous blinks are conjugate. These data support the hypothesis that a bilateral gating mechanism regulates blink duration. Elements downstream from the gate may differentially and unilaterally alter blink amplitude and peak velocity, but the duration of blinks remains time-locked for the two eyelids.
Purification and properties of nuclear and cytoplasmic deoxyribonucleic acid polymerases from human KB cells.

We describe the properties of three DNA polymerases isolated from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of freshly harvested KB cells. Two of the enzymes, cytoplasmic polylymerase and nuclear polymerase N1, have been highly purified, one of them to apparent homogeneity. The third enzyme, nuclear polymerase N2, which is only partially purified, resembles the cytoplasmic enzyme in its physical properties but possesses distinctive enzymatic characteristics that suggest it may represent an independent third protein. The KB enzymes initiate polymerization at 3′-hydroxyl termini and resemble Escherichia coli DNA polymerase II in their obligatory requirement for gap-containing templates. None of the enzymes can copy the ribonucleotide strand of hybrid templates, even under specific conditions in which E. coli DNA polymerase I does demonstrate such activity. They can, however, with low efficiency copy a deoxynucleotide strand using an oligoribonucleotide as primer. Elucidation of the possible in vivo roles of these enzymes in DNA replication, recombination, and repair must await further biochemical and genetic studies.
Altered Bladder Function and Non-Specific Epididymitis

AbstractDisorders of bladder function characterized by physiological urethral obstruction were identified in nearly 50 per cent of patients with non-specific epididymitis and anatomically normal urinary tracts. This association supports the concept that reflux of urine into the ejaculatory ducts may occur and produce epididymitis. The pathophysiology of retrograde urination is reviewed and the predisposing conditions are discussed.
Left ventricular geometry predicts optimal response to percutaneous mitral repair via MitraClip: Integrated assessment by two- and three-dimensional echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES To assess impact of left ventricular (LV) chamber remodeling on MitraClip (MClp) response. BACKGROUND MitraClip is the sole percutaneous therapy approved for mitral regurgitation (MR) but response varies. LV dilation affects mitral coaptation; determinants of MClp response are uncertain. METHODS LV and mitral geometry were quantified on pre- and post-procedure two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and intra-procedural three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Optimal MClp response was defined as ≤mild MR at early (1-6 month) follow-up. RESULTS Sixty-seven degenerative MR patients underwent MClp: Whereas MR decreased ≥1 grade in 94%, 39% of patients had optimal response (≤mild MR). Responders had smaller pre-procedural LV end-diastolic volume (94 ± 24 vs. 109 ± 25 mL/m2 , p = 0.02), paralleling smaller annular diameter (3.1 ± 0.4 vs. 3.5 ± 0.5 cm, p = 0.002), and inter-papillary distance (2.2 ± 0.7 vs. 2.5 ± 0.6 cm, p = 0.04). 3D TEE-derived annular area correlated with 2D TTE (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) and was smaller among optimal responders (12.8 ± 2.1 cm2 vs. 16.8 ± 4.4 cm2 , p = 0.001). Both 2D and 3D mitral annular size yielded good diagnostic performance for optimal MClp response (AUC 0.73-0.84, p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, sub-optimal MClp response was associated with LV end-diastolic diameter (OR 3.10 per-cm [1.26-7.62], p = 0.01) independent of LA size (1.10 per-cm2 [1.02-1.19], p = 0.01); substitution of mitral annular diameter for LV size yielded an independent association with MClp response (4.06 per-cm2 [1.03-15.96], p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS Among degenerative MR patients undergoing MClp, LV and mitral annular dilation augment risk for residual or recurrent MR, supporting the concept that MClp therapeutic response is linked to sub-valvular remodeling.
Following the Journey Map: A Phenomenological Case Study of the Transformative Change of an Elementary Lab School.

Schools are faced with increasing pressures from declining test scores and outcry from the public to improve the educational system. Efforts to reform the system have varied widely and produced inconsistent results. One school took a different approach by embracing the reform efforts through a systematic change process, led by a transformational leader and guided by a “journey map” to navigate their progress. This study described the steps taken by a Title I elementary lab school as they moved from a failing status to highly successful. Comparisons against state data, aligned with codes emergent from interviews, revealed eight themes essential to effective school change.
Tri­chloro(2,6-di-2-pyridyl­pyridine-κ3N)­indium(III)

In the title complex, [InCl3(C15H11N3)], the mutually trans bond lengths In—N [2.2438 (16) A] and In—Cl [2.4080 (5) A] are shorter than the other In—N and In—Cl bonds (each trans to their own kind). This trans influence was observed earlier in d10 metal complexes of 2,6-di-2-pyridyl­pyridine. The crystal structure of (I) is stabilized by extensive intermolecular C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding.
The Charles Koch Foundation and Contracted Universities: Evidence from Disclosed Agreements

Since 2000, the Charles Koch Foundation (CKF) has paid hundreds of millions of dollars to US universities in contractual exchanges. Many of these contracts have dictated the establishment or support of a CKF-affiliated center or institute on campus and university employment of CKF-affiliated tenured or tenure-track professors who agree to promote the CKF philosophy of minimal government regulation of business. While many in the academic community are opposed to these contracts because of concerns about academic freedom and the transfer of university decision-making from the campus to the external wealthy, the CKF has successfully forged many such contracts with universities. While most of these contracts are undisclosed, 14 of these contracts were obtained and analyzed to determine what the CKF has been purchasing from these universities.
Desorption of Molecular Adsorbates from a Metal Surface by Subpicosecond Laser Pulses: NO/Pd(111)

Publisher Summary The process of intact desorption of molecules from a surface is one of the most fundamental types of molecule/surface interactions. Laser radiation has been widely applied as a means of initiating desorption. Excitation by ultrashort pulses give rise to new mechanisms for desorption associated with highly nonequilibrium conditions. This chapter presents a representative chemisorbed system consisting of nitric oxide (NO) molecules adsorbed on a Pd (III) surface. From the resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectra, a complete description of the internal state distribution of the desorbed NO molecules can be obtained. By varying the delay time between the laser-pulse-inducing desorption and the ionizing laser, translational energy distributions can also be determined in the form of time-of-flight spectra. The yield of desorbed NO molecules is established by calibrating the sensitivity of the REMPI detection scheme with the chamber backfilled with NO at a known static pressure. The density of electrons emitted is determined from the charge transfer when the sample is irradiated in the presence of a strong static electric field.
Chemical Reaction of Ultracold Atoms and Ions in a Hybrid Trap

We will present measurements and theoretical calculations of a surprisingly fast chemical reaction observed between ultracold 174Yb+ ions and 40Ca atoms held in a hybrid MOTION trap, which was constructed to produce ultracold molecular ions.
Increasing groundwater CO2 in a mid-continent tallgrass prairie: Controlling factors

Alkalinity and groundwater CO2 have increased linearly from 1991–2017 at the Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS), a tallgrass prairie research site in northeastern Kansas. The projected increase in groundwater alkalinity (as HCO3 - ) and CO2 based on an earlier trend was confirmed in 2016, with predictions nearly equal to recent values (e.g., 408 ppm vs 410 ppm as HCO3 - , respectively). Both the water balance and groundwater CO2 trends within the study watershed could be impacted by long-term changes in land use and climate: 1) encroachment of woody vegetation (1983–2012) as a result of the 4-year fire return interval, 2) re-introduction of bison (phased in, 1994–2006), 3) increases in air temperature, and 4) changes in precipitation patterns. If only linear processes are driving the observed water chemistry changes, then the linear increase in air temperature (1983–2017) that stimulates soil respiration may be the most likely factor enhancing groundwater HCO3 - and CO2 , as air temperature has risen ~1 to 1.4°C over 34 years. If groundwater chemistry is driven by more threshold behaviour, woody encroachment, which was linear but in three distinct phases, may drive groundwater chemistry. The ~2 to 3‰ decrease in the discontinuous δ13 C data in the groundwater-dominated stream suggests enhanced inputs of microbially-respired labile carbon, CO2 sourced from C3 (woody vegetation), or a combination of the two.
Optimizing Imperfect Preventive Maintenance Policy for a Multi-unit System with Different Virtual Ages

A special game against nature is examined in this paper, in which nature controls timings of repairable and non-repairable failures of a system of equipment, and preventive maintenance, repairs and preventive replacement policies are the countermeasures. We optimize the imperfect preventive maintenance policy for a multi-unit system with different initial virtual age units. We develop a binary integer programming problem, where the management decides on the optimal preventive maintenance policy to minimize the total expected maintenance cost not to exceed a given budget. The mathematical formulation is developed for a multi-unit system, considering different preventive maintenance levels for each unit. Numerical examples with sensitivity analysis are performed to illustrate the performance and efficiency of the proposed model. Also, the model is examined for a real case study from railway industry. The results determine the optimal preventive maintenance policy and provide managerial insights based on computational analysis.
A Linear Time Partitioning Algorithm for Frequency Weighted Impurity Functions

Partitioning algorithms play a key role in machine learning, signal processing, and communications. They are used in many well-known NP-hard problems such as k-means clustering and vector quantization. The goodness of a partition scheme is measured by a given impurity function over the resulted partitions. The optimal partition is one(s) with the minimum impurity. Practical algorithms for finding an optimal partitioning are approximate, heuristic, and often assume certain properties of the given impurity function such as concavity/convexity. In this paper, we propose a heuristic, efficient (linear time) algorithm for finding the minimum impurity for a broader class of impurity functions which includes popular impurities such as Gini index and entropy. We also make a connection to a well-known result which states that the optimal partitions correspond to the regions separated by hyperplane cuts in the probability space of the posterior distribution.
EdBoard: an educational breadboard

Breadboards are a common tool for designing, prototyping, and testing electronics; however, their black-box design and fine-motor-skill requirements make them difficult for children to use. While there are a variety of breadboard alternatives, we see the need for a platform that prepares children to use a traditional breadboard. In this paper, we discuss the design of EdBoard, a platform with a transparent design and magnetic connections that not only teaches circuitry principles but also works as glass-box scaffolding to prepare children to create circuitry with traditional breadboards. We then discuss our comparative study, which evaluates EdBoards and breadboards as learning tools for children. This is assessed through activity-completion time, the fine-motor-skill difficulties, and the confusion about the tools' functionalities.
Release of the Tibialis Posterior Muscle Osseofascial Sheath Improves Results of Deep Exertional Compartment Syndrome Surgery: A Comparative Analysis and Long-term Results.

Background:Success rates for surgical management of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) are historically lower with release of the deep posterior compartment compared with isolated anter...
Low-Energy Pelvic Ring Fractures: A Care Conundrum:

Introduction:A need exists for improved care pathways for patients experiencing low-energy pelvic ring fractures. A review of the current literature was performed to understand the typical patient ...
Trapping electromagnetic signals in time modulated and non-linear cavities

In this paper, we explore the possibility of trapping electromagentic signals in lossless cavities by using time modulation or nonlinearities. Contrary to other approaches addressing similar questions, our approach is based on slow adiabatic modulation, instead of fast periodic modulation, and works for continuous wave signals, instead of exponentially increasing ones, allowing the efficient trapping of the incident signal for long (ideally infinite) periods of time.