cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural Investigation of NaNO3 Nanophase Confined in Porous Silica

We have demonstrated that thermal and vibrational investigations of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) physically confined in the porous silica hosts is an effective approach to mimic the solute clustering effects in aqueous solution. The results show that the structure of the NaNO3 confined in nanopores can be divided into three regions, i.e., the regular solid phase region, solution-like molecular aggregates region, and a new solid-like phase region. Depending upon the pore size of the porous host, the physical range of the three regions varies accordingly. For pore size d <2.5 nm, only the solution-like molecular aggregates phase remains.
Public policy for the control of tobacco-related disease.

Public policies concerning tobacco shape the environment of the smoker and nonsmoker alike. These policies use diverse means to achieve the common goal of reducing tobacco use and its attendant health consequences. Educational interventions such as warning labels, school curricula, and public service announcements serve to inform the public about the hazards of tobacco smoke. These are countered by the pervasive marketing of tobacco products by the tobacco industry, despite a ban on tobacco advertising on radio and television. Further restrictions on tobacco advertising and promotion have been proposed and await action. Cigarette excise taxes and smoker-nonsmoker insurance premium differentials discourage smoking by making it more costly to purchase cigarettes. Conversely, health insurance reimbursement for smoking cessation programs could reduce the cost of giving up the habit and might encourage cessation. Restricting or banning smoking in public places and workplaces decreases a smoker's opportunities to smoke, further inhibiting this behavior. Reducing the availability of cigarettes to children and adolescents may help to prevent them from starting to smoke. The environment of the smoker is conditioned by this pastiche of influences. Physicians who become involved in tobacco-control issues have the opportunity to alter the environmental influences on their patients. This is likely to be synergistic with physicians' efforts inside the office to encourage individual smokers to quit. As a first step toward advocacy outside the office, physicians can help to create a smoke-free health-care facility in their own institution. Beyond that, advocacy groups or the voluntary health organizations (e.g., American Lung Association) provide avenues for physicians to take a stand on community issues relevant to tobacco control. Physicians who take these steps to alter the environment of smokers beyond the office are likely to magnify the effect of their work with individual patients who smoke.
Field Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis for Control of Navel Orangeworms on Almonds

Field trials with Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner for control of paramyelois transitella (Walker) were conducted in commercial almond orchards in California. B. thuringiensis formulated as Dipel® (2% dust and WP), Thuricide® HPC (EC), and Biotrol® XK (WP) was applied starting at about the onset of hullcrack for 4–5 applications at 3–10 day intervals. A synthetic feeding stimulant, Mo-Bait,® also was tested. The highest level of control (44.8% damage reduction) was obtained with 4 applications of Thuricide HPC at a rate of 1 qt/25 trees. The addition of the feeding stimulant did not increase the effectiveness of the treatments. Navel orangeworms are difficult to control because they apparently move to the deeper areas of the hull-shell interspace that are not penetrated by the treatments.
Investigating the cellular origin of rotator cuff muscle fatty infiltration and fibrosis after injury.

rotator cuff muscle atrophy, fibrosis and fatty infiltration are common complications after large and massive rotator cuff tears. Currently, there are no effective treatments for these muscle pathologies after injury. Furthermore, the cellular source for fibrotic and adipose tissues in rotator cuff muscle after injury remains unknown. In this study, we proposed that two groups of muscle resident progenitors, Tie2+ muscle mesenchymal progenitors and PDGFRα(+) fibro/adipogenic progenitor cells (FAPs), contribute significantly to rotator cuff muscle fibrosis and fatty infiltration.we tested our hypothesis using reporter mice. Rotator cuff muscles from Tie2-GFP and PDGFRα-GFP reporter mice were harvested at 2 and 6 weeks after unilateral massive rotator cuff tear surgeries. Immunofluorescent staining for fibroblast and adipocyte markers was conducted.our results showed significant co-localization of Tie2+ cells with fibrotic markers vimentin and αSMA. In the PDGFRα-GFP reporter mice, GFP signal was seen in only a small fraction of cells staining positive for vimentin and αSMA. However, PDGFRα showed significant co-localization with adipocyte markers, including PPAR-γ, adiponectin, and perilipin A. Oil red O staining confirmed that the mature adipocytes appearing in rotator cuff muscles after injury are also PDGFRα(+).these data demonstrated that the Tie2(+) muscle mesenchymal progenitors are the major source of fibroblasts while PDGFRα(+) FAPs are the major source of adipocytes in rotator cuff muscle fatty infiltration. Basic Science Study.
E1A 12S in the absence of E1B or other cooperating oncogenes enables cells to overcome apoptosis

Neonatal rat kidneys are still undergoing growth and differentiation. Within 24 h after placing these cells in culture, programmed cell death has been activated. This is evidence by intranucleosomal DNA digestion. Cellular DNA synthesis and proliferation cease between 48 and 72 h after plating and the epithelial cells begin to die. The adenovirus E1A 12S gene, in the presence or absence of the E1B gene products, restarts the proliferation program of these cells, retaining their differentiated states. 12S can accomplish this in the presence and absence of serum. Expression of the E1A 13S gene results in cellular DNA degradation due to necrosis, but not apoptosis, brought on by the expression of the 13S-dependent viral genes. Those cells that retain the 12S sequences escape apoptosis and proceed to become immortal. In addition, 12S enables Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells to overcome TGF-beta 1 induced inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis. Thus, E1A 12S may be an anti-apoptotic gene.
Influenza-Associated Acute Encephalitis

Ten patients with acute encephalopathy or encephalitis associated with influenza-like illness, admitted to hospitals in Nagoya, Japan, during 12 months, 1996-97, mainly mid-winter, had cerebrospinal fluid examined by PCR for influenza A and B.
Knowledge Based Artificial Augmentation Intelligence Technology: Next Step in Academic Instructional Tools for Distance Learning

With augmented intelligence/knowledge based system (KBS) it is now possible to develop distance learning applications to support both curriculum and administrative tasks. Instructional designers and information technology (IT) professionals are now moving from the programmable systems era that started in the 1950s to the cognitive computing era. In cognitive computing or KBS a machine understands natural language, adapts, learns, and generates and evaluates hypotheses. A KBS system can manage data and assist instructional designers in creating tools and curricula that generate meaningful applications. As a proof of the concept, the authors conducted an exploratory case study with the input of twenty subject-matter experts (programmers, instructional designers, and content experts) for development of a proto-type KBS scholarly writing software (SWS) application that can be used for distance/online learning. Philosophical differences between the artificial intelligence and augmented intelligence approaches are also discussed. The role of instructional designers in the development and use of augmented intelligence with IBM’s Watson is also a significant part of the discussion.
Extraintestinal and Systemic Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Extraintestinal and systemic manifestations occur commonly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, specifically ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and affect most all organ systems of the body. The occurrence of such widespread manifestations strongly suggests that these disorders are systemic in nature and may have a common mechanism. Extraintestinal manifestations may be incidental findings that cause no symptoms, but more commonly complicate the management of the underlying inflammatory bowel disease, being a source of considerable morbidity and mortality. Some extraintestinal manifestations not only correlate with a specific disease state but also with the location, extent, and degree of activity and disease. Most extraintestinal manifestations found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease involving the small intestine appear to correlate with some underlying pathophysiologic mechanism.
CO2 Absorption Kinetics of Micro-encapsulated Ionic Liquids

Abstract For widespread adoption of carbon capture and storage to fight climate change, major reductions in both the energy use and capital cost of carbon capture are needed. Many purpose-designed, water-lean solvents have recently been developed to improve the energy-efficiency of carbon capture. These solvents, including ionic liquids (ILs), have shown promise for substantially lower energy demand in post-combustion capture but have drawbacks like high viscosity and solid precipitates. Micro-encapsulation is a technique where a solvent is encased in small (∼500 μm diameter), spherical shells of a CO2-permeable polymer, greatly increasing the reactive surface area of the solvent and safely containing solid precipitates. Here, we show the kinetics of an IL are enhanced by microencapsulation. The kinetics of the IL in liquid and encapsulated form are compared with those for sodium carbonate solution and the cases where the capsule shell material limits mass transfer are identified. Finally, we make the first demonstration of microencapsulated CO2 solvents in a flow-through, fixed bed reactor. CO2 absorption rates are broadly in agreement with static CO2 absorption measurements made previously.
Production and Productivity of Crustacean in Nigeria

The study examined the Productivity and Technical Efficiency (TE) of Crustacean Production in Nigeria using the stochastic frontier production function analysis. Primary data were collected using a...
Plenary talk: Human performance prediction: Basic mechanisms and exploratory applications

It is standard practice worldwide to train based on one-time task checklists and fixed calendar-based refresher training intervals. These antiquated approaches make invalid assumptions about the dynamics of human learning and memory, ignoring most of what we have learned on those topics in the last century. These are risky, costly, and frustrating practices that should be discarded in favor of new methods informed by state of the art cognitive science and technology. At the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory we have been pushing the boundaries of cognitive science and technology to improve our ability to make evidence-based predictions of human performance. This resulted in a new patented technology called the Predictive Performance Optimizer (PPO). A key application of this technology is in the scheduling of learning events, for instance to acquire initial proficiency, to maximize retention, or to enhance relearning and maintain proficiency at a minimum required level. In this presentation I will describe key phenomena from the relevant empirical literature, criteria for the application of models of learning and memory, and initial results from a field study evaluating the use of PPO in training cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic lifesaving skills relevant to military operations and more generally to medical and civilian communities worldwide.
Measurement of the translation and rotation of a sphere in fluid flow

The problem of determining the translation and rotation of a spherical particle moving in fluid flow is considered. Lagrangian tracking of markers printed over the surface of a sphere is employed to compute the center motion and the angular velocity of the solid body. The method initially calculates the sphere center from the 3D coordinates of the reconstructed markers, then finds the optimal rotation matrix that aligns a set of markers tracked at sequential time steps. The parameters involved in the experimental implementation of this procedure are discussed, and the associated uncertainty is estimated from numerical analysis. Finally, the proposed methodology is applied to characterize the motion of a large spherical particle released in a turbulent boundary layer developing in a water channel.
A CNN based bagging learning approach to short-term load forecasting in smart grid

Short-term load forecasting in smart grid is key to electricity dispatch scheduling, reliability analysis, and maintenance planning for the generators. In this paper, we present a convolutional neural networks (CNN) based bagging model for forecasting hourly loads. We employ CNN to train forecasting models on big load data sets. Then, we segment a real industry load data set into many subsets, fine-tune the forecasting models on these subsets to learn weak forecasting models, and assemble these weak forecasting models to conduct a bagging forecasting model, where the learning and assembling procedures are implemented on Spark. Specifically, all load samples in those data sets are reorganized as images with respect to similarities between relations of pixels in images and those of features in load samples. Experimental results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Ageing of the Retina and Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Ageing has been de fi ned as “the progressive accumulation of changes with time that are associated with, or responsible for, the ever-increasing susceptibility to disease and death which accompanies advancing age”[1].
The Development of Astronomy in the Southern United States, 1840-1914

La construction d'un observatoire et l'investissement d'un telescope permirent le developpement et l'enseignement de l'astronomie dans les universites du sud des Etats-Unis des la fin du XIX e siecle
The prevention of severe pertussis and pertussis deaths in young infants

Introduction: Today, in the developed world, virtually all deaths due to Bordetella pertussis illnesses occur in young infants.Areas Covered: Pertussis in young infants is characterized by an afebr...
LEVEL OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE RELATED AMPUTATION OF LOWER EXTREMITY: A PHENOTYPIC PREDICTOR OF INPATIENT MORTALITY IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

In this study we evaluated the mortality associated with the level of lower limb amputation in adults with peripheral arterial disease(PAD). Adults with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome(ACS) and a diagnosis of PAD within the National Inpatient Sample(NIS) database between 2005-2014 were
Imagine there are no therapy brands, it isn't hard to do.

Pim Cuijpers, the well-deserved recipient of the 2018 SPR lifetime contribution award, presented in his Honorary paper the results of meta-analyses comparing a number of therapies with different “b...
Identity-Blind Intervention: Examining Teachers’ Attention to Social Identity in the Context of Response to Intervention:

Limited qualitative work has examined how response to intervention (RTI) is shaping teachers’ understandings of intervention, the premise for conversation about referral, when serving diverse learn...
Herbal Use in the Nutrition Management of Kidney Stones

The use of herbs in the treatment of kidney stones has a long and varied history. The use of natural remedies seldom claims to treat or dissolve the kidney stones themselves. They are more often prescribed by natural practitioners to relieve symptoms or promote body balance. Herbal preparations are often used in conjunction with other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) supporting therapies such as meditation, cleansing, food systems, yoga, and acupuncture. Ayurvedic medicine derived from the Sanskrit word translated as “knowledge of the life span” is comprised of interrelated therapies including herbal formulas. These formulas have multiple spectrums of intended action including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-spasmodic, anti-calcifying, diuretic, or litholytic [1–3]. This chapter will review the literature available on the use of herbs in kidney stone treatment while recognizing there is currently a lack of evidence-based literature to support herbal therapy.
An Asian American Community Intergenerational Response to Older Adult Isolation and Loneliness

ABSTRACTThe increased number of Asian Americans in the southern region of the United States has led to concerns about isolation among older adults. Using the case study methodology, the study aimed...
Prolonged Survival in Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Following Reduced Intensity Conditioning and Allogeneic Transplantation

Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for adult patients with ALL may improve the tolerance and outcomes following allografting. We studied 22 consecutive patients (2001–2008) who received RIC HCT. Indications for RIC regimens included: age > 55 years (for matched related donor [MRD], >45 years for unrelated or umbilical cord [UCB]), Karnofsky index <80%, impaired organ function or prior autologous/allogeneic HCT. The median age was 49 years (24–68), median diagnostic WBC 20×109/L (1.4–248) and median comorbidity index of 3 (range: 0–8) at HCT. All patients had high risk disease, including 14 patients (64%) with Ph+ ALL, 10 patients (46%) in 2nd or subsequent remission. Five patients (23%) were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors pre-HCT. Uniform conditioning (Cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg; Flu 200 mg/m2; total body irradiation (TBI) 200cGy, n=21) and graft versus host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis (Cyclosporin/MMF) was followed by MRD (n=4) or UCB donor (n=18) grafts. All patients had sustained donor neutrophil engraftment (median 10 days, range 0–28) and reached 100% donor chimerism at median day 23 post-transplantation (range 14–99 days). At 3 years, treatment related morality relapse and overall survival (OS) were 27% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9–45%), 36% (95% CI: 14–58%) and 50% (95% CI: 27–73%), respectively. There were no relapses beyond 2 years. After a median follow-up of 33 months (range 5–77) the cumulative incidence of acute II–IV, III–IV and chronic graft versus host disease were 55%, 20% and 45%. Lower TRM for HCT in CR1 vs ≥ CR2 (8% vs. 50%; p<0.04) led to improved 3 year OS in the CR1 cohort (81% vs. 15% (p<0.01)). HCT using either MRD or UCB resulted in similar risks of GVHD, relapse and OS. These data suggest that RIC allogeneic HCT using either related or UCB donors for adults with ALL can result in modest TRM, and only limited risks of relapse and promising leukemia-free survival. Further study, especially for patients in CR1, will better define the utility of this approach for patients unsuited for more intensive, myeloablative conditioning.
The Oldest Old: A National Analysis of Outcomes for Patients 90 Years or Older With Lung Cancer

Background Most clinicians will encounter patients 90 years or older with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but evidence that informs treatment decisions for this extremely elderly population is lacking. This study evaluated outcomes associated with treatment strategies for this nonagenarian population. Methods Treatment and overall survival for patients 90 years and older with NSCLC in the National Cancer Data Base (2004-2014) were evaluated using logistic regression, the Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Results The majority (n = 4152, 57.6%) of the 7205 patients 90 years or older with stage I-IV NSCLC did not receive any therapy. For the entire cohort, receiving treatment was associated with significantly better survival when compared with no therapy (5-year survival, 9.3% [95% confidence interval [CI], 8.0%-10.7%] vs 1.7% [95% CI, 1.2%-2.2%]; multivariable adjusted hazard ratio, 0.53; P Conclusions Therapy for nonagenarians with NSCLC is associated with a significant survival benefit but is not used in most patients. Treatment should not be withheld for these "oldest old" patients based on their age alone but should be considered based on stage and patient preferences in a multidisciplinary setting.
Topological Edge States in Quasiperiodic Locally Resonant Metastructures

In extending the ideas of topological phases of matter to acoustic and mechanical systems, a quasiperiodic arrangement of resonators introduces frequency band gaps in addition to the locally resonant gap. Here numerical evaluation of the spectrum as a function of the quasiperiodic arrangement reveals a structure reminiscent of the famous Hofstadter butterfly. The onset of the locally resonant band gap and topologically nontrivial gaps with associated edge states is demonstrated numerically and experimentally. These structural designs can induce wave localization and attenuation over multiple frequency bands, for applications in $e.g.$ vibration isolation and energy harvesting.
Evaluation of Pharmacist Renal Dose Adjustments and Planning for Future Evaluations of Pharmacist Services

Background: Clinical pharmacy services are known to improve patient outcomes. Pharmacists contribute to patient care in the acute care setting in multiple ways, including providing advice and infor...
Open-Loop Orientation Control Using Dynamic Magnetic Fields

Remote magnetic control of soft magnetic objects has been limited to 2D orientation and 3D position. In this letter, we extend the five degree-of-freedom (5-DoF) control approach to full 6-DoF. We prove that 6-DoF control is possible for objects that have an apparent magnetic susceptibility tensor with unique eigenvalues. We further show that the object’s orientation can be specified with a dynamic magnetic field and can be controlled without orientation feedback.The theory is demonstrated by rotating a soft magnetic object about each of its principle axes using a metronome like dynamic field.
Rejecting Labels and Colonization: In Exile From Post-Qualitative Approaches:

In this paper, I trace my pathways of de/colonial ontoepistemic orientations to qualitative research. I identify the work I do without the need for post-qualitative labels, noting that post-qualita...
Initial Approach to the Patient with Multiple Newly Diagnosed Brain Metastases

Brain metastases are the most common intracranial tumor in adults, with increasing incidence owing to prolonged survival times. Roughly half of patients diagnosed with new brain metastases have greater than 1 brain metastasis at the time of diagnosis, raising the question of how to optimize patient care with multiple brain metastases. The authors review studies relevant to the care of patients with brain metastasis, with emphasis on those relevant to the care of patients with multiple brain metastases. They discuss evolving strategies involving multiple modalities and the benefit of surgical management in patients with a large symptomatic brain metastasis.
Leveraging Network Topology Optimization to Strengthen Power Grid Resilience Against Cyber-Physical Attacks

The contemporary power systems are facing a growing level of risks due to potential deliberate attacks by adversaries. Strengthening the resilience of power grids against malicious cyber-physical attacks is emerging as a critical task considering the importance of power systems to the entire society. In this article, a bilevel optimization model is developed to formulate the coordinated cyber-physical attacks against the power grids. In order to enhance the resilience of the power systems, a networked topology optimization (NTO) based model is proposed to mitigate the coordinated cyber-physical attacks. Resilience metrics are proposed to evaluate the power system resilience against the coordinated cyber-physical attacks. Case studies were conducted on the modified IEEE 57-bus and 118-bus systems to illustrate the impacts of coordinated cyber-physical attacks as well as validate the proposed NTO based approach. The results of the case studies show that the proposed NTO based mitigation strategy can effectively reduce the load loss of the power system under the coordinated cyber-physical attacks. The resilience of the system is improved by the proposed NTO based approach compared with the conventional optimal redispatch (OR) and optimal transmission switching (OTS) based remedial methods.
Auditory Alerts and Safety with Simulated Bicycles and Motor Vehicles

Bicycling has become an increasingly popular and environmentally friendly active transportation modality for many commuters across the nation. Consequently, as ridership increases so does the rate ...
Molecular Aspects of Photoreceptor Function in Stentor coeruleus

Stentor coeruleus shows both step-up Photophobie and negative phototactic responses with maximum response to red light. Videotape recordings of these photoresponses have been made for illustration (in collaboration with D. Hader and K. L. Poff) . The photoreceptor has been isolated and characterized in terms of its chromophore structure and subunit organization of the protein. On the basis of preliminary results obtained from light-induced pH measurements and effects of ionophores on the Stentor photore- sponse, we propose a proton flux event as the primary mechanism of the Stentor photoreceptor.
Does hunger cause obesity

Both hunger and obesity occur with an increased frequency among poorer populations in the United States.1-6 Because obesity connotes excessive energy intake, and hunger reflects an inadequate food supply, the increased prevalence of obesity and hunger in the same population seems paradoxical. Although a variety of environmental, social, behavioral, or physiologic mechanisms could cause both problems independently, an alternative possibility is that hunger and obesity are causally related. The following case report supports this hypothesis. CASE REPORT A.B. (not her real initials) was a 7-year-old African American girl first brought to the Weight Control Program of the Boston Floating Hospital in December 1992.
SR16157 Is a Potent Dual-Acting Inhibitor of Estrogen Biosynthesis and Estrogen Receptor.

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO TNF is a cytokine with many biological properties including both anti- and pro-apoptotic signaling pathways. However, the molecular switch which determines TNF regulation of these two different functions is not well characterized. EGF receptor (EGFR) is a member of the ErbB family which consists of four tyrosine kinase receptors, EGFR (ErbB1), and ErbB2-4. Activation of ErbB family members promotes cell survival, proliferation and differentiation in many tissue types and regulates several signal transduction pathways, such as AKT and MAPK, which overlap with those stimulated by TNF. With ligands stimulation, EGFR and other ErbB family members could be activated and form the homo- and/or hetero-dimers. In addition, EGFR can be transactivated by various cytokines, TNF, IL-8, IL-1\#945;, \#946; and INF-\#947; such as agonists for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) in hepatocytes, mammary epithelial cells and cancer-derived cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that transactivation of EGFR and other ErbB receptors is a mechanism by which TNF regulates signaling pathways to promote colon epithelial cell survival. Mice and mouse colon epithelial (MCE) cells were treated with TNF, then EGFR, ErbB2, Akt, and Src activation and apoptosis were determined in vivo and in vitro . Either loss of expression or kinase inactivation of EGFR increased TNF-induced MCE cell apoptosis, but not wild-type (wt) EGFR expressed MCE cells, which were transactivated EGFR by TNF. Furthermore, expressing tyrosine (Y)-phenylalanine (F) autophosphorylation point mutant EGFRs in EGFR-/-MCE cells, we identified that Y1068 and Y1086, which initiate PI 3-kinase/Akt activation, are required for EGFR and ErbB2 transactivation by TNF and loss of Y1068 and/or Y1086 activity increased TNF-induced apoptosis. Similarly, injection of TNF in kinase-defective EGFRwa2 mice promotes apoptosis compared to wt mice. In addition to EGFR, TNF activated ErbB2, and loss of ErbB2 expression increased TNF-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, Src kinase activity and expression of both EGFR and ErbB2 were required for TNF transactivation of EGFR and ErbB2 for cell survival. Members of the Src family kinases have been implicated as targets of GPCR in EGFR transactivation via direct phosphorylation of cytoplasmic domains of EGFR. Akt was shown to be a downstream target of TNF-activated EGFR and ErbB2. We demonstrate that TNF stimulates EGFR and ErbB2 transactivation via Src family kinases in a manner that requires EGFR Y1068 phosphorylation with AKT as a critical downstream regulator of TNF-induced anti-apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells. This novel observation has significant implications for understanding the role of EGFR and other ErbB receptors in maintaining intestinal epithelial cell homeostasis in an environment of chronic inflammation, injury and repair, such as inflammation-associated carcinogenesis. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 5124.
Spectral self-interference on fluorescently labeled DNA monolayers

We have measured the height of a fluorescent label incorporated into immobilized DNA with sub nm resolution providing previously inaccessible insights into the structure of DNA monolayers on surfaces.
Effects of body size on take-off flight performance in the Phasianidae (Aves).

To evaluate the mechanisms responsible for relationships between body mass and maximum take-off performance in birds, we studied four species in the Phasianidae: northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), chukar (Alectoris chukar), ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). These species vary in body mass from 0.2 to 5.3 kg, and they use flight almost solely to escape predators. During take-off, all the species used a similar wingbeat style that appeared to be a vortex-ring gait with a tip reversal during the upstroke. The tip reversal is unusual for birds with rounded wings; it may offer an aerodynamic advantage during rapid acceleration. Flight anatomy generally scaled geometrically, except for average wing chord and wing area, which increased more than expected as body mass (m) increased. Pectoralis strain varied from 19.1 to 35.2 % and scaled in proportion to m(0.23). This positive scaling is not consistent with the widely held assumption that muscle strain is independent of body mass among geometrically similar species. The anatomy of the species precluded measurements of in vivo pectoralis force using the strain-gauge technique that has been employed successfully in other bird species, so we could not directly test in vivo pectoralis force-velocity relationships. However, whole-body kinematics revealed that take-off power (P(ta)), the excess power available for climbing and accelerating in flight, scaled in proportion to m(0.75) and that pectoralis mass-specific P(ta) decreased in proportion to m(−)(0.26) and was directly proportional to wingbeat frequency. These trends suggest that mass-specific pectoralis work did not vary with body mass and that pectoralis stress and strain were inversely proportional, as expected from classical force-velocity models for skeletal muscle. Our observations of P(ta) were consistent with evidence from other species engaged in escape flight and, therefore, appear to contradict evidence from studies of take-off or hovering with an added payload.
Legislating Technology (Badly)

It's characteristic of willfully uninformed politicians to react to crime with legislative quick fixes when common sense dictates otherwise. Nowhere is this more evident than in legislation affecting technology and innovation.
DIPLOID SPORE FORMATION AND OTHER MEIOTIC EFFECTS OF TWO CELL-DIVISION-CYCLE MUTATIONS OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

The meiotic effects of two cell-division-cycle mutations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (cdc5 and cdc14) have been examined. These mutations were isolated by L. H. Hartwell and his colleagues and characterized as defective in mitosis, causing a temperature-sensitive arrest in late nuclear division. When subjected to the restrictive temperature in meiosis, diploid cells homozygous for either of these mutations generally proceeded through premeiotic DNA synthesis and commitment to meiotic levels of recombination, but then arrested at a stage following spindle pole body (SPB) duplication and separation. The two SPBs lacked the interconnection by spindle microtubules typical of the complete meiosis I spindle. Challenge of these homozygotes by a semi-restrictive temperature often caused the production of asci containing two diploid spores. Genetic analysis of the viable pairs of spores revealed that each spore had become homozygous for centromere-linked markers significantly more frequently than for distal markers, indicating that the two spores each contained pairs of sister centromeres that had co-segregated in the reductional division of meiosis I. Ultrastructural analysis of the cdc5 homozygote demonstrated that these cells had completed meiosis I and formed two meiosis II spindles, but that the latter remained unusually short. This resulted in the encapsulation of both poles of each spindle within a single spore wall. These mutations therefore are defective in both meiotic divisions, as well as in the mitotic division described originally.
CD11b+ Migratory Dendritic Cells Mediate CD8 T Cell Cross-Priming and Cutaneous Imprinting after Topical Immunization

Topical antigen application is a focus of current vaccine research. This immunization route mimics natural antigen exposure across a barrier tissue and generates T cells imprinted for skin-selective homing. Soluble antigens introduced through this route require cross-presentation by DC to generate CD8 T cell responses. Here we have explored the relative contribution of various skin-derived DC subsets to cross-priming and skin-selective imprinting. In our model, DC acquire soluble Ag in vivo from immunized murine skin for cross-presentation to naive CD8 T cells ex vivo. We find CD11b+ migratory DC to be the relevant cross-priming DC in this model. Both Langerin+ and Langerin- CD11b+ migratory DC can cross-present antigen in our system, but only the Langerin+ subset can induce expression of the skin-selective addressin E-selectin ligand. Thus, the CD11b+ Langerin+ migratory DC population, comprised primarily of Langerhans cells, both cross-primes naive CD8 T cells and imprints them with skin-homing capabilities.
Thermal Conductivities of Pure Metals at Low Temperatures: Mercury

The thermal conductivity of pure mercury in the normal, superconducting, and intermediate state has been measured at liquid helium temperatures and in magnetic fields up to 1000 gauss. The superconducting-state thermal conductivity conformed to the results previously reported by Hulm. In the normal state, the thermal conductivity was a very strong function of temperature, and, at temperatures below about 3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, was strongly dependent on the applied magnetic field. In the intermediate state, an additional component of thermal resistance was present at all temperatures measured. At temperatures near ${T}_{c}$, the excess thermal resistance was quite small and in the form of two clearly resolvable maxima. As the temperature was lowered, the magnitude of the excess thermal resistance increased approximately as ($\frac{{T}_{c}}{T}$), in agreement with Hulm, and the resolution of the two maxima was lost. Determinations of the magnitude of the excess thermal resistivity in specimens of 0.10-in. and 0.20-in. diameter showed no dependence on size.
Dexamethasone therapy and Candida sepsis in neonates less than 1250 grams.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dexamethasone use increases the risk for Candida sepsis (CS) in very low birth weight premature infants (<1250 g). DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of all infants with a birth weight <1250 g, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1999. Infant groups with (n=65) and without (n=229) CS were compared. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety four infants with a birth weight <1250 g were identified. CS was diagnosed at a median age of 18 days, and 6 of 65 (10%) infants died directly from Candida-related complications. Candida albicans (n=30, 60%) and Candida parapsilosis (n=14, 25%) were the predominant isolates. Use of dexamethasone in infants at risk for chronic lung disease before 14 days of age (p=0.001), duration of antibiotics (p=0.001), and total duration of parenteral nutrition and intralipid (p=0.0001) were all significantly greater in infants who developed CS. Regression analysis showed that duration of antibiotics before the diagnosis of Candida infection (r2=0.69, p=0.0002) and duration of dexamethasone (r2=0.93, p=0.0002) correlated with Candida infection. Early dexamethasone use was also related to the age at diagnosis of Candida infection (r2=0.51, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone therapy and prolonged duration of antibiotics are associated with Candida infection in premature infants.
Diversity and phylogenetic relationships of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) from the Sky Islands of southern Arizona

A survey for entomopathogenic nematodes was conducted in oak-juniper woodlands of four mountain ranges (Santa Rita, Santa Catalina, Pinaleno, and Chiricahuas), in southeastern Arizona. From a total of 120 soil samples, 23.3% were EPN-positive. Of them 78.5% were positive for Steinernema spp. and 21.5% were positive for Heterorhabditis spp. An integrated approach, combining both traditional (morphological) and molecular methods, was used for examining the diversity of species of these entomopathogenic nematodes. Two named-species S. oregonense and S. riobrave are reported for the first time in Arizona, expanding their currently known geographic range. In addition to this, three undescribed Steinernema and three Heterorhabditis spp. were recovered. Insular evolution, in part, could account for the geographic distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes in Arizona.
WE‐G‐500‐03: In‐Beam PET Imaging with Depth‐Of‐Interaction Measurement for Accurate Proton Beam‐Range Verification

Purpose: To study the feasibility of using an in‐beam PET with depth‐of‐interaction (DOI) measurement to improve beam‐range verification for proton therapy. Methods: A compact prototype PET with dual rotating DOI‐measurable detector panels was developed based on using solid‐state photomultiplier (SSPM) arrays to read LYSO scintillators with parallel readout ASIC electronics. The system had a 44mm diameter trans‐axial and 30mm‐axial field of view (FOV). A 36mm diameter PMMA phantom was placed inside FOV. Both PET and phantom axes were aligned with collimated 200 MeV beams. The Bragg peak was located within the axial FOV by adjusting phantom position. A total of 9 beams irradiated the phantom with a 20–40 minutes beam separation; each beam delivered ∼50 spills (0.5 sec spill and 1.5 sec inter‐spill time, 800 MU); data from each beam were acquired with detectors at a certain angle; 9 datasets for 9 beams with detectors at 9 different angles over 180o were acquired; each dataset collected both in‐beam and 5 min after‐beam data. Beam‐range was measured from the PET image reconstructed from all 9 datasets, and compared to the results from simulated images. Additionally, a Na‐22 disk‐source was also acquired after each beam to measure the impact of neutrons on system performance. Results: PET performed well except energy photo‐peak positions were reduced slightly after each beam, presumably secondary to neutron exposure of the SSPM. This minor effect was corrected with a shifting 350–650 keV energy window for each dataset. The difference between measured and simulated beam‐ranges was within 1.0 mm, and this can be achieved with in‐beam data alone. DOI‐measurement provided uniform resolutions and high sensitivity to improve the accuracy of range verification. Conclusion: A SSPM‐based DOI‐measureable PET capable of in‐beam imaging may offer significant improvements in the accuracy of proton beam‐range verification. This project is supported by award RP120326 from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas.
Complete fusion and quasifission in reactions between heavy ions.

It is shown that fission anisotropies from reactions with projectiles lighter than A=20 are well described by the standard theory, in which it is assumed that the distribution of K values (projection of total spin I onto the symmetry axis) is determined at the fission saddle point. Angular anisotropies of symmetric fragments from heavy ion reactions with projectiles heavier than A=24 are, however, substantially larger than expected on the basis of this theory, an observation which recently led to the suggestion that the K values adjust adiabatically during the descent from saddle to scission such that the observed final K distributions reflect a thermal equilibrium at the scission point. The predictions of such scission point models are compared with the available experimental data and it is shown that they fail to reproduce the observed trends as a function of bombarding energy for most systems. It is concluded that the observed deviation from the saddle point theory can be explained as a dynamical inhibition of complete fusion with heavy projectiles. An analysis is carried out in which the fraction of the symmetric fragment cross section originating from the fission decay of completely fused compound nuclei can be estimated. The systematics of the inhibition to complete heavy ion fusion is discussed in the framework of the extra push model.
Evidence for a Novel O-Linked Sialylated Trisaccharide on Ser-248 of Human Plasminogen 2

Human plasminogen, the inactive precursor of plasmin, exists in two major glycoforms. Plasminogen 1 contains an N-linked oligosaccharide at Asn-289 and an O-linked oligosaccharide at Thr-345. Plasminogen 2 is known to contain only an O-linked oligosaccharide at Thr-345. However, plasminogen 2 displays a further well documented microheterogeneity dependent on the N-acetylneuraminic acid content, which has functional consequences with regard to activation of plasminogen. The proposed structure and number of known oligosaccharide linkages in plasminogen 2 is insufficient to account for this microheterogeneity. In the present study, a combination of trypsin digestion, lectin affinity chromatography, Edman degradation amino acid sequence analysis, carbohydrate composition analysis, and mass spectrometry revealed the existence of a novel site for O-linked glycosylation on plasminogen 2 at Ser-248. Direct evidence for the structure of the carbohydrate was obtained from a combination of lectin affinity chromatography, desialylation experiments, and mass spectrometry analysis. These findings provide a structural basis for some of the observed microheterogeneity, and have implications with regard to the known functional consequences of the extent of sialylation of plasminogen.
Special Education Experience of Older Foster Youth With Disabilities: An Analysis of Administrative Data

Using state administrative data, this study explores the experience of older youth with disabilities in out-of-home placement in the special education system. Findings indicate that these youth differ demographically and have lower rates of school completion than their peers with disabilities in the general population. Of particular concern is the isolation of these youth into more segregated special education settings versus settings that encourage greater peer and school involvement. However, high attendance rates for these youth indicate they experience a consistent connection with school. Thus, schools may be well positioned to serve as a connection point for child welfare and special education services in preparing these young people for adulthood.
Synthesis and degradation of the mRNA of the Tn21 mer operon.

Abstract The mercury resistance locus encoded by Tn21 on the monocopy IncFII plasmid R100 ( mer Tn21 ) consists of a metal-responsive activator/repressor, merR , which controls initiation of a polycistronic message that includes genes for the uptake ( merTPC ) and reduction ( merA ) of Hg 2+ and merD , which may also play a minor regulatory role. Comparison of the relative abundance of the 5′ and 3′ ends of the merTPCAD transcript revealed a strong transcriptional gradient in the operon, consistent with previous observations of lower relative abundance of the more promoter-distal gene products. In vivo mRNA degradation rates varied only slightly for the different genes: however, the rates of mRNA synthesis varied considerably from the beginning to the end of the operon. Specifically, mRNA corresponding to the promoter-proximal genes, merTPC , achieved a maximum in vivo synthesis rate between 60 and 120 seconds after induction; this rate was maintained for approximately ten minutes. In contrast, the synthesis rates of mRNA corresponding to the promoter-distal genes merA and merD , were initially fivefold lower than the rates of the promoter-proximal genes for the first five minutes after induction, and then rose gradually to approximately 50% of the merTPC synthesis rates. These data suggested that early after induction only 20% of the transcripts initiating at merT proceed beyond merC . At later times after induction approximately 50% of the transcripts proceed beyond merC . Nuclease end mapping did not reveal any discrete termination events in the merPCA region, thus, premature termination may occur at many sites.
Oxidative Addition of the Dithiobis(formamidinium) Cation to Platinum(II) Chloro Am(m)ine Compounds: Studies on Structure, Spectroscopic Properties, Reactivity, and Cytotoxicity of a New Class of Platinum(IV) Complexes Exhibiting S-Thiourea Coordination

The oxidative addition of the salt [{SC(NMe(2))(2)}(2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O (1), the disulfide-like dimerized form of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylthiourea (tmtu), to Pt(II) chloro am(m)ine compounds is described. Oxidation of the [PtCl(3)(NH(3))](-) anion with 1 in methanol yields cis-[PtCl(4)(NH(3))L] (2; L = tmtu) as the result of the trans addition of one tmtu and one chloro ligand. The same mode of oxidation is found in reactions of 1 with [PtCl(dien)](+) (dien = diethylenetriamine) and trans-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)]. In these cases, however, the oxidation is followed by (light-independent) cis,trans isomerizations, giving trans,mer-[PtCl(2)(dien)L]Cl(2) (4) and fac-[PtCl(3)(NH(3))(2)L]Cl.0.5MeOH (6), respectively. The single-crystal X-ray structures of 2 and trans,mer-[PtCl(2)(dien)L](BF(4))(2) (4a) have been determined. 2: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 6.280(1) A, b = 13.221(3) A, c = 16.575(2) A, beta = 96.45(1) degrees, Z = 4. 4a: monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 21.093(5) A, b = 8.9411(9) A, c = 14.208(2) A, beta = 124.65(2) degrees, Z = 4. The tmtu ligands are S-bound. In 2 a pronounced trans influence of the S-donor ligand on the Pt-Cl bond (2.370(1) A) trans to sulfur is observed. The unusual acidity of the Pt(IV) complexes exhibiting tmtu coordination trans to chloride is attributed to hydrolysis of the labilized Pt-Cl(trans) bond, which is supported by ion sensitive electrode measurements. An upfield shift of the (195)Pt resonances is found on changing the ligand combination from NCl(4)S (2) to N(3)Cl(2)S (4). This order correlates with the trans influences of the ligands: tmtu > am(m)ine > chloride. The cytotoxicity of 2 and 6 in L1210 cell lines is reported and discussed in terms of a possible mechanism of action of the compounds invivo. It is suggested that tmtu may act as a lipophilic carrier ligand and therefore enhance the cellular uptake of the new potential Pt(IV) drugs.