cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of anticipated financial burden on patient decision to undergo contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.

Background We sought to determine whether patients undergoing contralateral, prophylactic mastectomy have greater anticipated and actual costs and financial burden than patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy, whether these financial considerations influence surgical decision making, and whether this affects satisfaction with surgical decision and overall quality of life. Methods Female patients with unilateral breast cancer who underwent mastectomy at a large academic institution were surveyed regarding their financial experience surrounding the decision whether to undergo contralateral, prophylactic mastectomy. Results Of 109 patients approached, 101 completed the survey (response rate: 93%); 55 patients (55%) had contralateral, prophylactic mastectomy. Of the respondents, 16% reported that their decision was at least somewhat affected by anticipated costs. More patients opting for contralateral, prophylactic mastectomy had a “very large” anticipated financial burden than unilateral mastectomy patients (26% vs 9%, P = .037), but actual out-of-pocket costs and financial burden were similar between the two groups. Contralateral, prophylactic mastectomy patients, however, did not differ from unilateral mastectomy patients in their satisfaction with their decision nor quality of life, regardless of out-of-pocket costs or financial burden (P > .05). Conclusion Although contralateral, prophylactic mastectomy patients are more likely to anticipate a “very large” financial burden compared with unilateral mastectomy patients, this does not seem to deter them from the contralateral procedure.
Personal agency disavowed: Identity construction in asexual women of color.

An intentional exploration of multiple intersecting identities of asexual-identified people has yet to be conducted in empirical psychological literature. Although there is evidence of gender diversity in asexual communities (Scherrer, 2008), there is an absence of asexuality research pertaining to
Molecular Epidemiology of Invasive Staphylococcus aureus Infections and Concordance with Colonization Isolates

Objectives To characterize Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered from hospitalized children and to determine the concordance between colonizing and invasive isolates. Study design Children with culture-confirmed, community-onset, invasive S aureus infections were enrolled in this prospective case series from a large children's hospital over a 5-year period. Colonization isolates were obtained from the anterior nares, oropharynx, and inguinal folds and were compared with invasive isolates via repetitive-element, sequence-based polymerase chain reaction testing. Isolates with a ≥96% genetic match were characterized as concordant. Results A total of 86 S aureus isolates (44 invasive, 42 colonization) were collected from 44 children with invasive infections. Clinical isolates were genetically diverse, 64% of invasive isolates were methicillin-susceptible S aureus (MSSA), and 59% of cases had a colonizing S aureus isolate at the time of hospitalization. Of those who were colonized, at least 1 of their colonization isolates was indistinguishable from the infecting isolate in 88% of cases. Patients with invasive MSSA were significantly more likely to have a concordant MSSA colonization isolate present compared with patients with invasive methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) (61% vs 38%, P Conclusions Invasive MSSA infection was more common than MRSA infection in this pediatric cohort, and patients with MSSA infection were significantly more likely than those with MRSA infection to have concordant colonizing isolates across multiple anatomic sites. These findings warrant larger scale validation and may have important infection control and epidemiologic implications, as unlike MRSA, transmissibility of MSSA largely is ignored in healthcare settings.
P124 : PREDICTION OF NEGATIVE FLOW CYTOMETRY CROSS MATCH BASED ON ALLELE/HLA EPITOPE ANALYSIS: A CASE REPORT

Patient C.A’s pre-transplant sera was found to be negative for antibodies against HLA Class I but strongly positive for antibodies against HLA Class II. The Class II specificities of the patient’s anti HLA antibodies were DR1, DR4, DR7 and DR10, DR17, DR18. The highest bead, DRB1∗01:02 was about10,000 MFI. In the single antigen bead kit used at our center, four DR4 beads were present: DRB1∗04:01, DRB1∗04:02, DRB1∗04:03, and DRB1∗04:05. Of the four, three were positive. The DRB1∗O4:02 bead was not reactive. In the past year, the patient was eligible for a deceased donor transplant. The deceased donor’s HLA type was HLA A2, A24, B7, B41, DR4, DR11, DQ7, DQ8. A flow cross match (FCXM) was performed. Though the donor’s HLA type was DR4, the B cell FCXM was negative, as well as the T cell FCXM. A possible explanation for the negative FCXM in the DR4 positive donor is that the donor’s HLA DR4 allele was DRB1∗04:02. In order for this explanation to be plausible, an epitope must be present on DRB1∗04:01, DRB1∗04:03, and DRB1∗04:05 (positive beads) but not on DRB1∗04:02 (negative bead). In real time, we searched the HLA epitope registry http://epregistry.ufpi.br/index/index for evidence of such an epitope. Epitope 70QA was present on the following Luminex alleles: DRB1∗01:01, DRB1∗01:02, DRB1∗04:01, DRB1∗04:03, DRB1∗04:04, DRB1∗04:05, DRB1∗14:02, DRB1∗15:01, DRB1∗15:02, DRB1∗15:03, DRB5∗02:02. We noted that this epitope excluded the DRB1∗04:02 allele. To further substantiate the reactivity of the patient’s sera, a FCXM was performed between the sera of the recipient against the B and T cells of a subject known to have the DRB1∗04:01 allele. The B cell FCXM was strongly positive, whereas the T cell FCXM was negative. It is a policy of our center not to transplant potential transplant patients with a positive B cell FCXM this particular case, the above referenced patient would be eligible to receive a kidney transplant from a donor with a DRB1∗04:02 type. Unfortunately, the current UNOS registry does not permit transplant centers to enter allele specific and/or epitope specific unacceptable antigen information. If the input of allele or epitope specific antigen data was initiated by UNOS, it would be extremely beneficial for transplant candidates who develop such allele specific antibodies. A.J. Norin: Speaker’s Bureau; Company/Organization; Immucor-Lifecodes. Scientific/Medical Advisor; Company/Organization; ICON CL.
Metalated nitriles: halogen-metal exchange with alpha-halonitriles.

α-Halonitriles react with organometallic reagents in a facile halogen−metal exchange. The halogen−metal exchange is extremely fast with Grignard and alkyllithium reagents, generating metalated nitr...
Teacher-child emotion talk in preschool children displaying elevated externalizing behaviors

Abstract This study examined teacher-child emotion talk in a sample of preschool children rated by their teachers as displaying elevated externalizing behaviors (N = 470). Emotion talk was observed using a teacher-child dyadic storybook reading task. We examined the link between emotion talk and children's gains in their observed positive engagement with teachers across the preschool year. To isolate the unique contribution of emotion talk, we accounted for the affective quality of teacher-child interactions and relationships and children's receptive language skills. We also explored whether the link between emotion talk and children's positive engagement with their teacher was moderated by teacher-child affective qualities. The results provide evidence that if teachers offer frequent opportunities to talk about emotions in the context of warm and sensitive dyadic interactions, children connect and communicate more with their teachers regardless of their initial engagement level. Implications for early childhood teachers practice are discussed.
The Relationship Between Imaging and Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Survival

BACKGROUND Controversy exists over whether there has been a true increase in the occurrence of thyroid cancer or overdiagnosis secondary to imaging practices. Because cancer overdiagnosis is associated with detection of indolent disease, overdiagnosis can be associated with perceived improvement in survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database was used to determine the relationship between type of imaging leading to thyroid cancer diagnosis and survival. Disease-specific and overall survival were evaluated in 11,945 patients aged ≥66 years with differentiated thyroid cancer diagnosed between January 1, 2001, and September 30, 2015, who prior to their cancer diagnosis initially underwent thyroid ultrasound versus other imaging capturing the neck. Analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model with propensity score. RESULTS Patients who underwent thyroid ultrasound as compared with other imaging had improved disease-specific and overall survival (p < .001, p < .001). However, those who underwent thyroid ultrasound were less likely to have comorbidities (p < .001) and more likely to be younger (p < .001), be female (p < .001), have localized cancer (p < .001), and have tumor size ≤1 cm (p < .001). After using propensity score analysis and adjusting for tumor characteristics, type of initial imaging still correlated with better overall survival but no longer correlated with better disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION There is improved disease-specific survival in patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer after thyroid ultrasound as compared with after other imaging. However, better disease-specific survival is related to these patients being younger and healthier and having lower-risk cancer, suggesting that thyroid ultrasound screening contributes to cancer overdiagnosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The findings from this study have implications for patients, physicians, and policy makers. Patients who have thyroid ultrasound as their initial imaging are fundamentally different from those who are diagnosed after other imaging. Because patients undergoing ultrasound are younger and healthier and are diagnosed with lower-risk thyroid cancer, they are less likely to die of their thyroid cancer. However, being diagnosed with thyroid cancer can lead to cancer-related worry and create risks for harm from treatments. Thus, efforts are needed to reduce inappropriate use of ultrasound, abide by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, and apply nodule risk stratification tools when appropriate.
A novel assay provides insight into tRNAPhe retrograde nuclear import and re-export in S. cerevisiae

In eukaryotes, tRNAs are transcribed in the nucleus and subsequently exported to the cytoplasm where they serve as essential adaptor molecules in translation. However, tRNAs can be returned to the nucleus by the evolutionarily conserved process called tRNA retrograde nuclear import, before relocalization back to the cytoplasm via a nuclear re-export step. Several important functions of these latter two trafficking events have been identified, yet the pathways are largely unknown. Therefore, we developed an assay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify proteins mediating tRNA retrograde nuclear import and re-export using the unique wybutosine modification of mature tRNAPhe. Our hydrochloric acid/aniline assay revealed that the karyopherin Mtr10 mediates retrograde import of tRNAPhe, constitutively and in response to amino acid deprivation, whereas the Hsp70 protein Ssa2 mediates import specifically in the latter. Furthermore, tRNAPhe is re-exported by Crm1 and Mex67, but not by the canonical tRNA exporters Los1 or Msn5. These findings indicate that the re-export process occurs in a tRNA family-specific manner. Together, this assay provides insights into the pathways for tRNAPhe retrograde import and re-export and is a tool that can be used on a genome-wide level to identify additional gene products involved in these tRNA trafficking events.
Myocardial Ischemia in the Management of Chronic Coronary Artery Disease: Past and Present.

For many years, stress-induced myocardial ischemia has been considered important in the management of chronic coronary artery disease. Early evidence focused on the exercise ECG and the Duke treadm...
Detection of data anomalies at the edge of pervasive IoT systems

Validation of input data is essential in any computer system, but perhaps particularly important in pervasive IoT systems such as smart homes, smart cars, wearable health monitors, etc. In such systems, actions taken based on invalid inputs could have severe consequences. In this paper, we present statistical techniques for identifying data anomalies at the gateway that connects an edge network to its associated cloud services. We address two kinds of anomalies in environmental sensor data: data bias anomalies and sensor cut-off anomalies. In simulation experiments, we evaluate the effectiveness of applying control charts, a statistical process monitoring technique, to both kinds of anomalies. Our results show that using control charts as statistical methods for anomaly detection in IoT systems not only provides high performance in terms of accuracy and power (probability of detecting the anomaly), but also offers a graphical tool to monitor the IoT sensor data.
Leadership in Different Organizations and Sectors

Just as leaders should tailor their communication based on their audience (which you will read more about in Chapter 7), it is necessary to consider how leadership differs in various organizations and sectors. For example, do leaders communicate and “lead” differently whether they work for a for-profit or non-profit organization? Are there differences between leadership styles in Fortune 500 companies versus small startup businesses? The research literature is rife with findings linking certain leadership characteristics and styles to different organizational types and sectors. For example, task-oriented leadership behaviors have been linked to staff- and patient relative-assessed quality of care in healthcare (Havig et al., 2011), and charismatic and transformational leaders are most effective in the military, but special consideration should be taken concerning the type of task, people involved, and resources and time available in each situation (Hamad, 2015). This chapter approaches many types of organizations and sectors—such as non-profit, healthcare, education, military, startups, telework, and employee-owned—and explores how leadership differs in each. Research and expertise within each organization are summarized and translated into practical suggestions for effective leadership.
Designing a mobile application for field use on dairies experiencing a toxicologic event

Large-scale toxic events on dairies can be difficult emotionally and financially. Many diseases of animals manifest over predicable time frames, whereas toxic events can appear quite suddenly and unexpectedly. Severity of toxic signs can range from non-clinical to clinical. Mortality rates can vary, but in today's concentrated animal feeding units high mortalities can be quite devastating. In addition to the potential disruption of milk shipped and cows lost, a toxic event also presents a possible food safety and public health issue that potentially erodes consumer confidence. Quick and accurate assessment of a toxic event is crucial for the health of both the animals and people consuming products derived from affected animals. The objective of this paper is to describe a smartphone or tablet application (app) that can be downloaded to assist field personnel investigating a toxic event.
Geometric morphometric analysis of growth patterns among facial types.

INTRODUCTION Extreme patterns of vertical facial divergence are of great importance to clinicians because of their association with dental malocclusion and functional problems of the orofacial complex. Understanding the growth patterns associated with vertical facial divergence is critical for clinicians to provide optimal treatment. This study evaluates and compares growth patterns from childhood to adulthood among 3 classifications of vertical facial divergence using longitudinal, lateral cephalograms from the Craniofacial Growth Consortium Study. METHODS Participants (183 females, 188 males) were classified into 1 of 3 facial types on the basis of their adult mandibular plane angle (MPA): hyperdivergent (MPA >39°; n = 40), normodivergent (28° ≤ MPA ≤ 39°; n = 216), and hypodivergent (MPA <28°; n = 115). Each individual had 5 cephalograms between ages 6 and 20 years. A set of 36 cephalometric landmarks were digitized on each cephalogram. Landmark configurations were superimposed to align 5 homologous landmarks of the anterior cranial base and scaled to unit centroid size. Growth trajectories were calculated using multivariate regression for each facial type and sex combination. RESULTS Divergent growth trajectories were identified among facial types, finding more similarities in normodivergent and hypodivergent growth patterns than either share with the hyperdivergent group. Through the use of geometric morphometric methods, new patterns of facial growth related to vertical facial divergence were identified. Hyperdivergent growth exhibits a downward rotation of the maxillomandibular complex relative to the anterior cranial base, in addition to the increased relative growth of the lower anterior face. Conversely, normodivergent and hypodivergent groups exhibit stable positioning of the maxilla relative to the anterior cranial base, with the forward rotation of the mandible. Furthermore, the hyperdivergent maxilla and mandible become relatively shorter and posteriorly positioned with age compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates how hyperdivergent growth, particularly restricted growth and positioning of the maxilla, results in a higher potential risk for Class II malocclusion. Future work will investigate growth patterns within each classification of facial divergence.
Expression of insulin-like growth factors depends on both mass and resource availability in female green anoles (Anolis carolinensis)

The insulin and insulin-like signaling (IIS) network is an important mediator of cellular growth and metabolism in animals, and is sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature and resource availability. The two main hormones of the IIS network, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), are present in all vertebrates, yet little is known regarding the responsiveness of IGF2 in particular to external stimuli in non-mammalian animals. We manipulated diet (low or high quantity of food: low and high diet group, respectively) in adult green anole (Anolis carolinensis) females to test the effect of energetic state on hepatic gene expression of IGF1 and IGF2. The absolute expression of IGF2 in female green anoles was 100 times higher than that of IGF1 regardless of diet treatment, and IGF1 and IGF2 expression interacted with post-treatment body mass and treatment, as did the expression of the purported housekeeping genes glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EEF2). The low diet group showed a negative relationship between body mass and gene expression for all genes, whereas the relationships between body mass and gene expression in the high diet group were either absent (in the case of IGF1) or positive (for all other genes). After accounting for total change in mass, the low diet group expressed IGF2, GAPDH and EEF2 at higher levels compared with individuals in the high diet group of a similar change in mass. These results illustrate that expression of IGF1 and IGF2, and of the housekeeping genes is affected by energe-tic status in reptiles.
Management of mobile thrombus of the thoracic aorta.

Abstract Mobile thrombus of the nonaneurysmal, nonatherosclerotic aorta is a rare condition but presents with catastrophic embolic events. We describe two cases that demonstrate differences in presentation and treatment strategies. We review the literature to discuss initial management as well as surgical options. However, due to the limited number of cases, no definitive guidelines for management exist.
Network Cost-Aware Geo-Distributed Data Analytics System

Many geo-distributed data analytics (GDA) systems have focused on the network performance-bottleneck: inter-data center network bandwidth to improve performance. Unfortunately, these systems may encounter a cost-bottleneck ( ${\$}$ $ ) because they have not considered data transfer cost ( ${\$}$ $ ), one of the most expensive and heterogeneous resources in a multi-cloud environment. In this article, we present Kimchi , a network cost-aware GDA system to meet the cost-performance tradeoff by exploiting data transfer cost heterogeneity to avoid the cost-bottleneck. Kimchi determines cost-aware task placement decisions for scheduling tasks given inputs including data transfer cost, network bandwidth, input data size and locations, and desired cost-performance tradeoff preference. In addition, Kimchi is also mindful of data transfer cost in the presence of dynamics. Kimchi has been applied to two common GDA MapReduce models: synchronous barrier and asynchronous push-based shuffle. A Kimchi prototype has been implemented on Spark, and experiments show that it reduces cost by 5% $\scriptstyle \sim$ ∼ 24% without impacting performance and reduces query execution time by 45% $\scriptstyle \sim$ ∼ 70% without impacting cost compared to other baseline approaches centralized, vanilla Spark, and bandwidth-aware (e.g., Iridium). More importantly, Kimchi allows applications to explore a much richer cost-performance tradeoff space in a multi-cloud environment.
Fighting a Losing Battle to Win the War: Can States Combat Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Despite CDA Preemption?

The explosion of the internet and online communication has led to an alarming increase in an existing epidemic: domestic minor sex trafficking. Sex traffickers utilize websites, such as Backpage.com, to post trafficking advertisements depicting minors, which are minimally regulated as a result of the civil immunity provision of the Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. § 230). This immunity provision has been interpreted broadly by the courts, granting expansive immunity to websites as both publishers and distributors of content. In an effort to combat minor sex trafficking at a local level, some state legislatures enacted statutes criminalizing the knowing publication of online commercial sex advertisements depicting minors. Backpage.com challenged these statutes in district courts with great success. Because these statutes could hold websites liable for the publication of third-party content, the courts enjoined the laws as preempted by the Communications Decency Act. Thus, preemption places the states in a lose-lose situation: states can enact legislation knowing that the legislation will likely be enjoined or attempt to litigate against websites with little promise for success. This Note argues that courts should narrow the scope of § 230’s immunity given changes in technology and the increase in offensive and illegal content online. This Note also argues for the enactment of a new federal criminal statute, in place of individual state legislation, which would put liability back in the right hands and avoid preemption, while reducing domestic minor sex trafficking online.
Subassemblage Concept for Tall Frame Analysis

A subassemblage for use in the calculation of collapse loads for tall unbraced frames is described, and its features investigated. The subassemblage consists of one or more stories of the building. At the uppermost and lowermost floors of the subassemblage, only one-half of each beam is assumed to contribute to the subassemblage strength and stiffness. The loading and support conditions for the subassemblage closely simulate the boundary conditions present in the actual structure. The PΔ effect, the effects of hinge formation within the span of any beam, panel zone deformations, and column shortening effects may be taken into account. A computer program to calculate subassemblage behavior up to and beyond the ultimate load has been developed. The paper includes a detailed analysis of the PΔ effect.
Contemporary High Performance Computing: From Petascale toward Exascale

Contemporary High Performance Computing: From Petascale toward Exascale focuses on the ecosystems surrounding the worlds leading centers for high performance computing (HPC). It covers many of the important factors involved in each ecosystem: computer architectures, software, applications, facilities, and sponsors. The first part of the book examines significant trends in HPC systems, including computer architectures, applications, performance, and software. It discusses the growth from terascale to petascale computing and the influence of the TOP500 and Green500 lists. The second part of the book provides a comprehensive overview of 18 HPC ecosystems from around the world. Each chapter in this section describes programmatic motivation for HPC and their important applications; a flagship HPC system overview covering computer architecture, system software, programming systems, storage, visualization, and analytics support; and an overview of their data center/facility. The last part of the book addresses the role of clouds and grids in HPC, including chapters on the Magellan, FutureGrid, and LLGrid projects. With contributions from top researchers directly involved in designing, deploying, and using these supercomputing systems, this book captures a global picture of the state of the art in HPC.
On the roles of escape erosion and the viscous relaxation of craters on Pluto

Abstract Pluto and its satellites will be the most distant objects ever reconnoitered when NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft conducts its intensive flyby of this system in 2015. The size-frequency distribution (SFD) of craters on the surfaces in the Pluto system have long been expected to provide a useful measure of the size distribution of Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) down to much smaller size scales than presently observed. However, currently predicted escape rates of Pluto’s atmosphere suggest that of order one-half to several kilometers of nitrogen ice has been removed from Pluto’s surface over geologic time. Because this range of depths is comparable to or greater than most expected crater depths on Pluto, one might expect that many craters on Pluto’s surface may have been removed or degraded by this process, biasing the observed crater SFD relative to the production–function crater SFD. Further, if Pluto’s surface volatile layer is comparable to or deeper than crater depths, and if the viscosity of this layer surface ice is low like the viscosity of pure N 2 ice at Pluto’s measured 35 K surface temperature (or as low as the viscosity of CH 4 ice at warmer but plausible temperatures on isolated pure-CH 4 surfaces on Pluto), then craters on Pluto may also have significantly viscously relaxed, also potentially biasing the observed crater SFD and surface crater retention age. Here we make a first exploration of how these processes can affect the displayed cratering record on Pluto. We find that Pluto’s surface may appear to be younger owing to these effects than it actually is. We also find that by comparing Pluto’s cratering record to Charon’s, it may be possible to estimate the total loss depth of material from Pluto’s surface over geologic time, and therefore to estimate Pluto’s time-averaged escape rate.
Vestibular disorders and impaired path integration along a linear trajectory

The goal of this study was to determine if people use vestibular information to keep track of their positions while walking through a simple course. Subjects were normals and patients with chronic peripheral vestibulopathies-- each of whom were tested once--and patients with acoustic neuromas tested pre-operatively and one and three weeks post-operatively. Subjects walked over a straight course, 7.62 m, with their eyes open and then with their eyes closed. The time needed for task performance, the forward distance subjects walked before veering, and the lateral distance subjects veered from the straight ahead were recorded. The angle of veering was then calculated. Normals were able to perform this task easily with eyes open or closed. With eyes closed pre-operative acoustic neuroma subjects walked significantly shorter distances before veering than normals but did not veer significantly more than normals or take longer than normals to perform the task. Chronic vestibulopathy subjects, by contrast, were significantly impaired compared to normals on all measures. With eyes open within a week after acoustic neuroma resection subjects could perform the task as well as normals. With eyes closed, however, post-operative subjects were impaired compared to their own pre- operative levels, but they had returned to their pre-operative levels at the second post-operative test. Ataxia was only weakly correlated to any measures and tumor size was not related to performance. These findings support the hypothesis that vestibular input is used for spatial orientation during active motion.
Effect of Parenteral Nutrition Supplemented With Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Adaptation to Massive Small Bowel Resection

After massive small bowel resection, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is prescribed to maintain nutritional status. However, TPN reduces the mass of the remaining intestinal mucosa, whereas adaptation to small bowel resection is associated with increased mucosal mass. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to stimulate mucosal cell mitotic activity. This study determined whether the addition of SCFAs to TPN following small bowel resection would prevent intestinal mucosal atrophy produced by TPN. Adult rats underwent an 80% small bowel resection and then received either standard TPN or TPN supplemented with SCFAs (sodium acetate, propionate, and butyrate). After 1 wk, jejunal and ileal mucosal weights, deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and protein contents were measured and compared with the parameters obtained at the time of resection. Animals receiving TPN showed significant loss of jejunal mucosal weight, deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and protein and ileal mucosal weight and deoxyribonucleic acid after small bowel resection, whereas animals receiving SCFA-supplemented TPN showed no significant change in the jejunal mucosal parameters and a significant increase in ileal mucosal protein. These data demonstrate that SCFA-supplemented TPN reduces the mucosal atrophy associated with TPN after massive bowel resection and thys may facilitate adaptation to small bowel resection.
A fast low noise photomultiplier tube amplifier

The authors present the front-end amplifier for detectors at the Superconducting Super Collider which use a photomultiplier tube (PMT) readout. The amplifier is able to process PMT output signals of 16-ns duration within a 94-dB dynamic range (between 15 mA and 300 nA). To achieve this performance both a high-gain and a low-gain signal processing path are used, with gains in a ratio of 32:1. The PMT output current is conditioned by two current amplifiers and then integrated by two fast, low-noise integrators. The signal baseline is restored in order to avoid any loss of information when a high energy crossing is immediately followed by a very low energy one. The outputs are connected to switched capacitor arrays which are read out after a trigger decision and digitized with a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter. Tests show: (1) a drop of 0.5% within 4 ns after the integration was completed; (2) 0.23-mV /sub rms/ noise figure at the circuit output; (3) an input impedance of 50 Omega ; (4) fast baseline restoration; and (5) an output impedance matched for 100 Omega twisted pair cables, or 50 Omega coaxial cables. >
Smoothed aggregation algebraic multigrid for stochastic PDE problems with layered materials

SUMMARY We consider two algebraic multilevel solvers for the solution of discrete problems arising from PDEs with random inputs. Our focus is on problems with large jumps in material coefficients. The model problem considered is that of a diffusion problem with uncertainties in the diffusion coefficients and realization values differing dramatically between different layers in the spatial domain, with the location of the interfaces between the layers assumed to be known. The stochastic discretization is based on the generalized polynomial chaos, and the spatial problem is discretized using conforming finite elements. A multigrid solver based on smoothed aggregation is presented, and numerical experiments are provided demonstrating convergence properties of the multigrid solver. The observed convergence is shown to depend only weakly on the stochastic discretization and, for the discretized stochastic PDE problem, generally mimics that of the corresponding deterministic problem. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LRP6 transduces a canonical Wnt signal independently of Axin degradation by inhibiting GSK3's phosphorylation of β-catenin

Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls various cell fates in metazoan development and is misregulated in several cancers and developmental disorders. Binding of a Wnt ligand to its transmembrane coreceptors inhibits phosphorylation and degradation of the transcriptional coactivator β-catenin, which then translocates to the nucleus to regulate target gene expression. To understand how Wnt signaling prevents β-catenin degradation, we focused on the Wnt coreceptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6), which is required for signal transduction and is sufficient to activate Wnt signaling when overexpressed. LRP6 has been proposed to stabilize β-catenin by stimulating degradation of Axin, a scaffold protein required for β-catenin degradation. In certain systems, however, Wnt-mediated Axin turnover is not detected until after β-catenin has been stabilized. Thus, LRP6 may also signal through a mechanism distinct from Axin degradation. To establish a biochemically tractable system to test this hypothesis, we expressed and purified the LRP6 intracellular domain from bacteria and show that it promotes β-catenin stabilization and Axin degradation in Xenopus egg extract. Using an Axin mutant that does not degrade in response to LRP6, we demonstrate that LRP6 can stabilize β-catenin in the absence of Axin turnover. Through experiments in egg extract and reconstitution with purified proteins, we identify a mechanism whereby LRP6 stabilizes β-catenin independently of Axin degradation by directly inhibiting GSK3's phosphorylation of β-catenin.
A sensitive and fast LC-MS/MS method for determination of β-receptor agonist JP-49b: application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats.

Abstract Ocular administration of the beta (β)-adrenergic receptor agonist JP-49b prevents retinopathy-like damage in a preclinical rat model of diabetes. Importantly, JP-49b did not induce characteristic β-adrenergic agonist-related side effects (e.g., left ventricular damage), which led to the hypothesis that JP-49b systemic exposure was minimal following ocular administration. To test this hypothesis, a sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed to study the preclinical pharmacokinetics of JP-49b in rats. Animals received either a single periocular or intravenous injection of JP-49b (10 mg/kg) and plasma and tissue samples were obtained. JP-49b and fenoterol hydrobromide (internal standard, IS) were isolated by liquid–liquid extraction and extracts were analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography on a C18 column using a gradient elution (acetic acid in water and methanol). A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in the positive electrospray ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring was used to detect JP-49b and IS transitions of m/z 346.4 → 195.1 and 304.1 → 134.9. The method was validated for selectivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision in rat vitreous humor, tissue homogenates, and plasma. Following intravenous administration, JP-49b was found to have a rapid clearance (36 ± 5.8 L/h/kg), high volume of distribution (244 ± 51.5 L/kg) and a terminal half-life of 4.8 ± 1.6 h. JP-49b was rapidly absorbed and extensively distributed into ocular tissue following topical administration. However, JP-49b was undetectable in heart tissue 24 h after ocular administration. High local drug concentrations coupled with minimal systemic exposure following ocular administration supports further testing of JP-49b as a localized therapy for diabetic retinopathy.
Audiogenic seizures induce c-fos in a model of developmental epilepsy.

Abstract In rats made susceptible to audiogenic seizures by exposing them to an intense noise at a critical time during development, subsequent noise exposure elicited seizures and induced the proto-oncogene c-fos in auditory regions of the brain. Cells showing Fos-like immunoreactivity were especially dense in dorsal and external cortices of the inferior colliculus, and were nearly absent after pretreatment with the N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK-801. Noise exposure alone (i.e. no seizure) produced a localized zone of c-fos induction within the inferior colliculus, but only when presented during the time period when susceptibility to audiogenic seizures can be most effectively induced.
Low resolution study of crystalline L-lactate dehydrogenase.

The electron density distribution of dogfish muscle lactate dehydrogenase, based on 2000 independent terms extending to 5 A resolution, shows the shape of the tetrameric molecule and of the individual subunits. Each of the five heavy-atom derivatives used in the calculation substitutes at one or more of three sites A, B and C. The heavy-atom compounds (sodium p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, dimercury acetate, Baker dimercurial, platinum ethylene diamine dichloride, and sodium aurichloride) all react with a sulphydryl group at A to some extent. Sodium aurichloride substitutes at site B with some loss of isomorphism, while the platinum compound occupies site C. Anomalous dispersion measurements have been used to determine the absolute configuration of the molecule and to improve phasing. A second electron density map includes 2000 extra terms which have been phased using only two of these compounds, extending the resolution to approximately 4 A. It is possible to trace only some parts of the polypeptide chain of the subunits in either map since the molecule does not appear to have any distinctive secondary structure. Adenosine, a competitive inhibitor, has been found to bind close to the “nonessential” thiol at site A, at the surface between adjoining subunits. The subunit is divided into two parts by a narrower “neck”; the “essential” thiol group is at site B in this region. On diffusion of the coenzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, into grown crystals, the crystal symmetry is lowered; the modification is probably caused by a change in quaternary structure. A similar change is caused by certain parts of the coenzyme.
Peopling the past: New perspectives on the ancient Maya

Abstract The new direction in Maya archaeology is toward achieving a greater understanding of people and their roles and their relations in the past. To answer emerging humanistic questions about ancient people's lives Mayanists are increasingly making use of new and existing scientific methods from archaeology and other disciplines. Maya archaeology is bridging the divide between the humanities and sciences to answer questions about ancient people previously considered beyond the realm of archaeological knowledge.
Designing Bio‐Inspired Adhesives for Shear Loading: From Simple Structures to Complex Patterns

The gecko has inspired numerous synthetic adhesive structures, yet under shear loading conditions, general design criteria remains underdeveloped. To provide guidance for bio-inspired adhesives under shear, a simple scaling theory is used to investigate the relevant geometric and material parameters. The total compliance of an elastic attachment feature is described over many orders of magnitude in aspect ratio through a single continuous function using the superposition of multiple deformation modes such as bending, shear deformation, and tensile elongation. This allows for force capacity predictions of common geometric control parameters such as thickness, aspect ratio, and contact area. This superposition principal is extended to develop criteria for patterned interfaces under shear loading. Importantly, the adhesive patterns under shear are controlled through the compliance in the direction of loading. These predictions are confirmed experimentally using macroscopic building blocks over an extensive range of aspect ratio and contact area. Over 25 simple and complex patterns with various contact geometries are examined, and the effect of geometry and material properties on the shear adhesion behavior is discussed. Furthermore, all of these various attachment features are described with a single scaling parameter, offering control over orders of magnitude in adhesive force capacity for a variety of applications.
Bereavement and the Brain: Invitation to a Conversation between Bereavement Researchers and Neuroscientists

A recent development by neuroscience is neuroimaging, a method of looking into the "black box" of the brain while people are feeling, doing, and thinking in real time. The first fMRI study of bereavement has recently been published, and the present article summarizes it in non-specialist language, focusing on its theoretical and clinical applications. In an attempt to bridge the gap between bereavement researchers and neuroscientists, the author discusses how these two fields could assist each other in forwarding both fields. Three current debates in the field of bereavement research are outlined, including (a) adaptation in the normal grief process, (b) complicated grief vs. resilience, and (c) meaning-making vs. return-to-baseline models of bereavement. The potential contribution of neuroscientific data to these debates is discussed in several hypothetical examples. These examples stimulate thinking about the reciprocity between 2 questions: What can bereavement teach us about the brain? and What can the brain tell us about bereavement? This article is designed to provide enough background for investigators who are primarily concerned with the brain and those primarily concerned with bereavement to open a dialogue between both of these fields.
Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: validation of a one‐well assay and quantitative pooling studies

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are currently being mapped and databased at a remarkable pace, providing a viable means for understanding disease susceptibility, differential drug response and human evolution. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for SNP genotyping technologies that are simple, rapid, cost effective and readily amenable to automation for high-throughput analyses. In this study, we improved the Survivor Assay, a SNP detection method based on electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), with several developments. One improvement is the development of a one-well assay, requiring no off-line purification of the polymerase chain reaction product, achieved by simple addition of reagent solution into a single well. Another is the on-line separation of magnesium and dideoxynucleotides using an in-house made monolithic metal chelating column, eliminating any off-line sample preparation prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Here the Survivor Assay is extended from a proof-of-principle concept to a validated method by genotyping six SNPs from five different regions of human genomic DNA in 55 individual samples with 100% accuracy. This improved Survivor Assay eliminates the tedious and time-consuming steps of sample preparation, minimizes sample handing and offers a high-throughput analysis of SNPs by ESI-MS. The current combined preparation and analysis time is 2 min per sample. The simplicity of this method has potential for full automation and parallel chromatography and, thus, reduced analysis time. In addition, we have adapted the Survivor Assay for quantitative SNP analysis in pooled DNA samples. The capabilities and sensitivity of this approach were evaluated. We demonstrate that an allele occurring at a frequency of 2% can consistently be quantitated.
The AIAC, A Design for Systematically Analyzing Marriage and Family Counseling: A Progress Report*

The Allred Interaction Analysis for Counselors is an instrument for systematically analyzing counselors' and clients' verbal behaviors. It was constructed to provide marriage and family counselors-in-training a method for acquiring meaningful, objective feedback on their counseling behaviors. The interrater reliability coefficients have been high. Results of validity studies have been encouraging. Though the instrument was initially designed from analysis of structured family counseling, research indicates it may have rather wide application for many different counseling approaches and settings.
Capacity Management in Health Care Services: Review and Future Research Directions*

Health care has undergone a number of radical changes during the past five years. These include increased competition, fixed-rate reimbursement systems, declining hospital occupancy rates, and growth in health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations. Given these changes in the manner in which health care is provided, contracted, and paid for, it is appropriate to review the past research on capacity management and to determine its relevance to the changing industry. This paper provides a review, classification, and analysis of the literature on this topic. In addition, future research needs are discussed and specific problem areas not dealt with in the previous literature are targeted.
The 2644-Å band system of fluorobenzene. The hot-band spectrum

Abstract The 2644-A band system of fluorobenzene and two deuterated isotopes has been photographed and a vibrational analysis proposed. The present paper is limited to the cold band spectrum. Three major Fermi resonances in the normal isotope are discussed and several other confusing aspects of the spectra are resolved. The present analysis has led to a successful assignment of some 80% of all measured transitions. The analysis is strengthened by the homology among the isotopes and consistency with some related fluorobenzene studies is maintained.
Short-Term Adaptation of Auditory Receptive Fields to Dynamic Stimuli

Short-term adaptation and recovery from adaptation have a strong impact on the processing of dynamic stimuli. Adaptive effects on neuronal activity have been studied most commonly for changes in first-order statistics of stimuli such as stepwise increments or decrements in stimulus amplitude. However, changes in higher moment statistics, such as the variance of the amplitude distribution in visual stimuli, also can invoke pronounced adaptation behavior. We demonstrate here that neurons in the inferior colliculus (ICC) of the cat show adaptation to dynamic auditory stimuli that differ in the variance of their modulation depth distribution. In addition, it is shown that neurons show adaptation to other higher moment statistics (e.g., kurtosis) of the modulation envelope. The time course of adaptation is specific for the altered stimulus property and the direction of parameter change. The use of dynamic stimuli allows an estimate of the effects of the adaptation on the temporal response properties of the neurons. We demonstrate that temporal receptive fields of neurons undergo change during the course of adaptation. We show that adaptation to variance in the ICC has many similarities to that in the retina and suggest that adaptation to variance is a general property of sensory systems that allows them to effectively deal with a nonstationary environment.