cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous Metastasis via Surgical Planes After Lumbar Spinal Reconstruction for Spinal Metastatic Disease.

Background Cervical squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and the third most common cause of female cancer mortality. It frequently metastasizes to the osseous spine and has been rarely reported to cause cutaneous metastases at gynecologic surgical scars. Case Description A 63-year-old woman with known metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma presented with a pathologic fracture of the L2 vertebra, unrelenting back pain, bilateral lower extremity weakness, and inability to ambulate. The patient elected to undergo an L2 corpectomy with intervertebral cage placement via the right-sided retroperitoneal approach followed by percutaneous L1-L4 pedicle screw instrumentation in the same operative setting. Her immediate postoperative course was uneventful. Eight weeks after surgery, both her flank and posterior incisions became painful and swollen. She underwent irrigation and debridement of the right flank incision due to elevated inflammatory markers and concern for surgical site infection. Multiple intraoperative cultures were obtained and were ultimately negative for bacterial or fungal growth. Several weeks later, the patient presented with worsening painful growths of her incisions. Excisional biopsy and debulking of the masses in the operating room revealed squamous cell carcinoma with areas of cystic change and tumor necrosis consistent with progression of the patient's metastatic cervical cancer. Conclusions Cervical squamous cell carcinoma can metastasize regionally via surgical planes and manifest as cutaneous lesions. Local metastasis should be included in the differential in cases of postoperative wound complications.
Exogenous Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Promote a Ferroptosis-Resistant Cell State.

Summary The initiation and execution of cell death can be regulated by various lipids. How the levels of environmental (exogenous) lipids impact cell death sensitivity is not well understood. We find that exogenous monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) potently inhibit the non-apoptotic, iron-dependent, oxidative cell death process of ferroptosis. This protective effect is associated with the suppression of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation at the plasma membrane and decreased levels of phospholipids containing oxidizable polyunsaturated fatty acids. Treatment with exogenous MUFAs reduces the sensitivity of plasma membrane lipids to oxidation over several hours. This effect requires MUFA activation by acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 3 (ACSL3) and is independent of lipid droplet formation. Exogenous MUFAs also protect cells from apoptotic lipotoxicity caused by the accumulation of saturated fatty acids, but in an ACSL3-independent manner. Our work demonstrates that ACSL3-dependent MUFA activation promotes a ferroptosis-resistant cell state.
Alveolar Macrophage Dysfunction and Increased PD-1 Expression During Chronic SIV Infection of Rhesus Macaques

HIV infected individuals have been shown to be pre-disposed to pulmonary infections even while receiving anti-retroviral therapy. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) play a critical role in lung innate immunity, but contradictory results have been reported regarding their functionality following HIV infection. Here, using the SIV rhesus macaque model, we document the effect of SIV infection on the phenotypic and functional properties of AMs. Following infection with SIVmac251, AMs in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sampled over 2- to 20-weeks post-infection (wpi) were compared to those in BAL samples from naive macaques. AM expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and chemokine RANTES drastically increased 2-wpi compared to AMs of naive macaques (p < 0.0001 for all), but dropped significantly with progression to chronic infection. Phagocytic activity of AMs 2-and 4-wpi was elevated compared to AMs of naive animals (p = 0.0005, p = 0.0004, respectively) but significantly decreased by 12-wpi (p = 0.0022, p = 0.0019, respectively). By 20-wpi the ability of AMs from chronically infected animals to perform SIV-specific antibody-dependent phagocytosis (ADP) was also diminished (p = 0.028). Acute SIV infection was associated with increased FcγRIII expression which subsequently declined with disease progression. Frequency of FcγRIII+ AMs showed a strong trend toward correlation with SIV-specific ADP, and at 2-wpi FcγRIII expression negatively correlated with viral load (r = -0.6819; p = 0.0013), suggesting a contribution to viremia control. Importantly, PD-1 was found to be expressed on AMs and showed a strong trend toward correlation with plasma viral load (r = 0.8266; p = 0.058), indicating that similar to over-expression on T-cells, PD-1 expression on AMs may also be associated with disease progression. Further, AMs predominantly expressed PD-L2, which remained consistent over the course of infection. PD-1 blockade enhanced SIV-specific ADP by AMs from chronic infection indicating that the PD-1/PD-L2 pathway may modulate functional activity of AMs at that stage. These findings provide new insight into the dynamics of SIV infection leading to AM dysfunction and alteration of pulmonary innate immunity. Our results suggest new pathways to exploit in developing therapies targeting pulmonary disease susceptibility in HIV-infected individuals.
Influences of Motor Systems on Electrosensory Processing

The first central stage of electrosensory processing in fish has proven to be a particularly useful model system for examining the general issue of how motor systems and behavior influence sensory processing. This chapter reviews this literature, focusing on a substantial body of work elucidating the synaptic, cellular, and circuit mechanisms for predicting and canceling self-generated sensory inputs. Some additional functions of motor corollary discharge signals in weakly electric mormyrid fish are also discussed along with the implications of studies on electrosensory systems for other sensory modalities and brain structures, including the auditory system and the cerebellum.
Teaching a Cataloging/Metadata Course in a Changing World: Experience and Reflection

In this paper, we explore the most essential knowledge and skills to impart in an introductory-level cataloging and metadata course. We use the basic cataloging and metadata class in the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Library and Information Science Program as a case study, sharing our experiences, thoughts, and planned future direction in teaching cataloging, classification, metadata, and information organization. We investigate what University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Library and Information Science (LIS) students expect to learn from the class, as well as how they perceive knowledge of and skills in cataloging and metadata affecting their career paths. We also inquire into topics that the students are interested in exploring related to cataloging and metadata. We examine emerging trends and evaluate which information and skills are most useful for LIS students and new librarians to learn for their library careers. These ideas are built upon our own experiences teaching these topics. This article synthesizes literature review, observation of trends within cataloging and metadata, and surveys taken by students enrolled in the course.
Exploratory Study of Public Relations Roles in Zimbabwe

Abstract This exploratory study examined the practice of public relations in Zimbabwe by surveying and understanding public relations roles typically practiced by Zimbabwean PR practitioners. Through the lens of systems theory, the research investigated whether the practiced public relations roles allow organizations to perform all three boundary spanning functions such as output, throughput, and input. The results confirmed prior theoretically and empirically derived typology of roles (technician, manager, strategist) from the African continent. However, the observed structures of public relations roles deviate from previous findings, indicating that Zimbabwean PR practitioners' professional roles may differ from those in neighboring countries.
Hybrid Clustering of single-cell gene-expression and cell spatial information via integrated NMF and k-means

Recent advances in single cell transcriptomics have allowed us to examine the identify of each single cell, thus have led to discovery of new cell types and provide a high resolution map of cell type composition in tissues. Technologies which can measure another type of data of a single cell in addition to the gene-expression data provide a more comprehensive picture of a cell, and meanwhile pose challenges for data integration tasks. We consider the spatial location of cells, which is an important feature of cells, combined with the cells9 gene-expression profiles, to determine the cell type identity. We aim to jointly classify cells based on their locations relative to other cells in the system as well as their gene expression profiles. We have developed scHybridNMF (single-cell Hybrid Nonnegative Matrix Factorization), which performs cell type identification by incorporating single cell gene expression data with cell location data. We combined two classical methods, nonnegative matrix factorization with a k-means clustering scheme, to respectively represent high-dimensional gene expression data and low-dimensional location data together. Our method incorporates a novel cell location term to the gene expression clustering. We show that scHybridNMF can make use of the location data to improve cell type clustering. In particular, we show that under multiple scenarios, including that when the number of genes profiled is low, and when the location data is noisy, scHybridNMF outperforms the standalone algorithms NMF and k-means, and an existing method HMRF which also uses cell location and gene-expression data for cell type identification.
The Benefits of Using Investigative Legislation to Interpret the Fourth Amendment: A Response to Orin Kerr

In a recent article, Professor Orin Kerr examines three approaches courts have taken in determining the consequences of privacy legislation for interpreting the Fourth Amendment. Some courts have used an “influence” model, drawing on legislative wisdom to delineate the contours of Fourth Amendment protection. Other courts have used a “displacement” approach; those courts rely on the existence of privacy legislation as a basis for denying constitutional protection, thus preserving the institutional advantages of regulating searches and seizures through thoughtful statutory directives over the blunt instrument of the Fourth Amendment. Finally, courts have sometimes used an “independence” model, asserting that privacy legislation is irrelevant to Fourth Amendment analysis. Professor Kerr argues that privacy legislation provides a poor indication of the societal values that should arguably inform Fourth Amendment interpretation, that implementation of an influence or displacement approach would entail considerable logistical difficulty, and that the influence and displacement models incentivize legislative and executive gamesmanship that would compromise the benefits of having a dual regime of constitutional and statutory regulation of government searches and seizures. Consequently, he favors the independence model. Professor Kerr raises critical issues that any advocate of influence or displacement must address. Nonetheless, I believe he underestimates the benefits and overestimates the costs of using privacy legislation as a guide to Fourth Amendment protection, particularly under a soft influence model that would rely only on a constellation of statutes reflecting broad national consensus, and only with regard to the question of whether government conduct constitutes a Fourth Amendment search. Courts can use such a model effectively to gauge societal values of constitutional significance. The model would also be consistent with Supreme Court precedent in the Fourth Amendment context and with its approach in other areas of constitutional law. Finally, this model would be unlikely to distort the legislative process. In this essay, I argue that courts should implement such a model to forge a more principled, predictable Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.
Photoactivatable 1,2-dioxetane chemiluminophores

Abstract Photochemical control of molecules has provided chemists with the ability to establish high spatiotemporal control of chemical configuration and activity. Herein, we report UVC-454, UVA-454, and Spiro-CL as photoactivatable chemiluminescence compounds. UVC-454 and UVA-454 are protected with ortho-nitrobenzyl protecting groups that provide irreversible photochemical uncaging of the chemiluminophore species through UV light irradiation. UVC-454 and UVA-454 can be selectively activated based on uncaging wavelength, and demonstrate ability to be photoactivated in water. Spiro-CL is a novel chemiluminescent spiropyran that can reversibly interconvert from its stable spiropyran form to a metastable merocyanine form through UV or visible light irradiation, respectively. Further, this compound exhibits chemiluminescence in its open form upon irradiation with UV light in DMSO.
Upscaling X-ray nanoimaging to macroscopic specimens.

Upscaling X-ray nanoimaging to macroscopic specimens has the potential for providing insights across multiple length scales, but its feasibility has long been an open question. By combining the imaging requirements and existing proof-of-principle examples in large-specimen preparation, data acquisition and reconstruction algorithms, the authors provide imaging time estimates for howX-ray nanoimaging can be scaled to macroscopic specimens. To arrive at this estimate, a phase contrast imaging model that includes plural scattering effects is used to calculate the required exposure and corresponding radiation dose. The coherent X-ray flux anticipated from upcoming diffraction-limited light sources is then considered. This imaging time estimation is in particular applied to the case of the connectomes of whole mouse brains. To image the connectome of the whole mouse brain, electron microscopy connectomics might require years, whereas optimized X-ray microscopy connectomics could reduce this to one week. Furthermore, this analysis points to challenges that need to be overcome (such as increased X-ray detector frame rate) and opportunities that advances in artificial-intelligence-based `smart' scanning might provide. While the technical advances required are daunting, it is shown that X-ray microscopy is indeed potentially applicable to nanoimaging of millimetre- or even centimetre-size specimens.
Molecular Mapping of Plant Chromosomes

Genetic maps have been constructed for a number of plant species. For maize and tomato, two of the better studied species, the maps are comprehensive and include several hundred markers each (O’Brien, 1986). It is an arduous task to construct a genetic map and their existence is a tribute to the dedication of the geneticists and breeders who have made it their labor. The techniques of molecular biology have recently offered a more rapid approach to generating genetic maps and in some ways these maps may prove to be more useful than their classical counterparts. The technique, often referred to as restriction fragment length polymorphism or “RFLP” analysis, involves cloning unique sequences of DNA from the nuclear genome. These clones are then used as radioactive probes to detect homologous sequences in plant DNA which has been cut with various restriction enzymes, separated on agarose gels and blotted onto nylon filters. Alleles are identified by differences in the size of the restriction fragments to which the probes hybridize (Fig. 1). The segregation of RFLP markers can be monitored in progeny from controlled genetic crosses and, by using standard genetic analysis, linkage groups can be constructed.
Dislocation Structure of Cu/Nu (100) Semi-Coherent Interface and Its Role in Lattice Dislocation Nucleation

Using molecular dynamics simulations and dislocation theory, we studied dislocation structure of Cu/Ni (100) semi-coherent interface and its role in nucleating lattice dislocation under mechanical loading. We found that misfit dislocation pattern is dependent on layer thickness. On each interface, there are two sets of edge-type misfit dislocation with the Burgers vector of 1/2 and the line sense along . The relative position of misfit dislocations at the adjacent interfaces is related to the layer thickness. This is ascribed to two factors, interaction energy among misfit dislocations and the core dissociation of misfit dislocations. Both of them show layer thickness dependence. Under mechanical loading, lattice dislocations nucleate from misfit dislocation lines. Thus, the incipient of plastic deformation of layered Cu/Ni composites in terms of initial yielding stress is dependent on the layer thickness.
Signal Representations with Wavelets

Using the example of Daubechies wavelets, this chapter demonstrates how to investigate the accuracy with which recursive, mutually orthogonal, compactly supported, and continuous wavelets can represent signals (mathematical functions).
Distance education: relationship between academic performance and technology-adept adult students

Advances in technology assisted education are revolutionizing the educational process as most know it today. What impact, if any, does technology-assisted education have on the future of higher education? In this study, we examine data from an ongoing evaluation of the distance education program for graduate level business students in a private university. The study addresses the impact of technology-assisted learning on academic performance among distance learners and their on-campus counterparts. The study further explores the relationship between academic performance and students' technological adeptability. The findings indicate, when adjusted for gender (females out-performed males), there were no significant differences in academic performance between distance learners and their on-campus counterparts. Analysis also shows no significant differences in overall academic performance between technology-adept students and those without technological skills. These findings may remove at least some perceived barriers in the decision to initiate distance education programs.
Sec1 gets a grip on syntaxin.

Neuronal-Sec1 and syntaxin 1a, two proteins essential for membrane fusion, have now been crystallized in a complex with each other. The structure shows how the horseshoe-shaped nSec1 surrounds and holds syntaxin in a new conformation, and suggests that conformational changes in both nSec1 and syntaxin must take place for membrane fusion to proceed.
EPR of the Kramers ions Er3+, Nd3+, Yb3+ and Ce3+ in Y(NO3)3·6H2O and Y2(SO4)3·8H2O single crystals:: Study of hyperfine transitions

Abstract X-band (∼9.45 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the Kramers ions Er 3+ , Nd 3+ , Yb 3+ and Ce 3+ substituting by about ∼1% Y 3+ ions, in yttrium trinitate hexahydrate [Y(NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O] and yttrium trisulphate octahydrate [Y 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·8H 2 O] single crystals were recorded at liquid-helium temperatures. Hyperfine EPR transitions were observed for the isotopes of Er, Nd and Yb, except for the Ce 3+ ion which possesses no isotope with non-zero nuclear moment. The spectra indicate the presence of two magnetically- inequivalent R 3+ sites in unit cell in the Y 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·8H 2 O crystal, and one site in Y(NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O crystal. The values of the elements of the (anisotropic) g 2 and A 2 tensors were estimated using a rigorous least-squares fitting procedure fitting simultaneously all resonant EPR line positions observed for numerous orientations of the external magnetic field in three mutually perpendicular planes. The absolute signs of the elements of A -matrix and orientations of g - and A -matrices relative to the magnetic axes of the Gd 3+ ion, present naturally as impurity in these crystals, were determined.
Current status of computational gene finding: a perspective.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the present status of computational approaches to gene finding and its utility. It must be stressed that a gene predicted by computational methods must be viewed as a hypothesis subject to experimental verification. In some cases, there may be strong evidence to support the model, the transcript of the model gene is an exact match to the sequence of a cDNA in GenBank, for example, but in many cases, confirmation of the prediction will come only from the generation of further data. Another distinction that needs to be made is between finding a gene and providing a complete and accurate description of it. Often, the correct prediction of a single exon is sufficient to identify, and properly locate, a gene in a genomic sequence even if its complete intron-exon structure is not properly represented. The chapter discusses some of the limitations of the present approaches and their causes.
An Event-Driven Framework for the Simulation of Complex Surgical Procedures

Existing surgical simulators provide a physical simulation that can help a trainee develop the hand-eye coordination and motor skills necessary for specific tasks, such as cutting or suturing. However, it is equally important for a surgeon to gain experience in the cognitive processes involved in performing an entire procedure. The surgeon must be able to perform the correct tasks in the correct sequence, and must be able to quickly and appropriately respond to any unexpected events or mistakes. It would be beneficial for a surgical procedure simulation to expose the training surgeon to difficult situations only rarely encountered in actual patients. We present here a framework for a full-procedure surgical simulator that incorporates an ability to detect discrete events, and that uses these events to track the logical flow of the procedure as performed by the trainee. In addition, we are developing a scripting language that allows an experienced surgeon to precisely specify the logical flow of a procedure without the need for programming. The utility of the framework is illustrated through its application to a mastoidectomy.
A novel packet marking scheme for IP traceback

Recently, several schemes have been proposed for IP traffic source identification for tracing denial of service (DoS) attacks. Most of these schemes require very large number of packets to conduct the traceback process, which results in lengthy and complicated procedure. In this paper, we address this issue by proposing a scheme, called probabilistic pipelined packet marking (PPPM), which employs the concept of "pipeline" for propagating marking information from one marking router to another so that it eventually reaches the destination. The key benefit of this pipeline process lies in drastically reducing the number of packets that is required for the traceback process. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme for various performance metrics through combination of analytical and simulation studies. Our studies show that the proposed scheme offers high attack source detection percentage, and attack source localization distance of less than two hops under different attack scenarios.
Alternate List Matriculants: Outcome Data From Those Medical Students Admitted From the Alternate List

ABSTRACTBackground: Medical schools are increasing class size to meet future health care needs for our nation. This may lead to more students being accepted from an alternate list (vs. primary acceptances). Given these trends, performance outcomes were compared for alternate list matriculants and primary acceptances. Our hypothesis was that those students accepted from an alternate list would perform equally to the primary acceptances on these outcomes. Method: We compared medical school performance of students who received a primary recommendation of “accept” and compared them to those who received a recommendation of “alternate” over a 10-year period. Given the small sample size of this alternate list group (N = 23), descriptive statistics are reported. Results: No consistent differences between alternate and primary acceptance matriculants in terms of cumulative medical school grade point average, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 scores and USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge scor...
CONSEQUENCES FOR FINITE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS OF HOMOGENEITY PROPERTIES OF DENSITY-FUNCTIONAL ENERGY COMPONENTS

Abstract For finite electronic systems, the proposal is explored that the functional expansions of the universal Hohenberg–Kohn functionals T [ ρ ] and V ee [ ρ ] in terms of their own functional derivatives truncate at the first- and second-order levels, respectively. It is shown that then the universal functional F [ ρ ]= T [ ρ ]+ V ee [ ρ ] can be expressed as the sum of functionals that are homogeneous of degrees one and two in the density, and the variational principle, which determines the ground-state density and total electronic energy E 0 for an N -electron system having external potential v 0 , takes the form 〈 ρ v 0 〉+〈 ρ δ F /δ ρ 〉−1/2〈 ρ ρ δ 2 F /δ ρ δ ρ 〉≥ E 0 . Knowledge of δ F [ ρ ]/δ ρ ( r ) and δ 2 F [ ρ ]/δ ρ ( r )δ ρ ( r ′), without knowledge of F [ ρ ] itself, accordingly may suffice for the variational determination of the electron density and total energy. A simple energy formula is derived if v 0 is Coulombic, namely, (3 N −1) E =( N −1)∑ ϵ i + NV ne [ ρ ], where the ϵ i are Kohn–Sham orbital energies and V ne is the nuclear–electron attraction energy. Numerical tests are reported for atoms, and a small correction to the formula is suggested.
Brillouin scattering from CO2 laser plasmas in strong transverse magnetic fields

Abstract We report observations of stimulated Brillouin scattering from laser produced magnetoplasmas in which the applied magnetic field is perpendicular to the incident and backscattered radiation. For field strengths up to 9 T, the backscatter spectrum contained a red-shifted peak of increasing shift and decreasing width.
Thoracoscopic removal of mediastinal parathyroid adenoma

Mediastinal parathyroid tissue hyperfunctions in as much as 25% of the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, and this may be responsible for causing conventional operative procedures to fail in as much as onethird of the cases. When lesions prove to not be accessible through a cervical incision, or when a mediastinal adenoma is diagnosed before cervical procedures, median sternotomy and angiographic ablation have been considered the only options for removal. However, thoracoscopy has theoretic advantages over both. Two patients underwent successful thoracoscopic removal of a hyperfunctioning ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma and their cases are presented here.
Gas-liquid chromatography in the quantitative analysis of urinary 11-deoxy-17-ketosteroids.

A method using gas-liquid chromatography for the determination of the major urinary 17-ketosteroids, androsterone, etiocholanolone and dehydroepiandrosterone, is described. Following hydrolysis of the urinary conjugates, the ketosteroids are chromatographed on thin-layer silica gel. After elution, the trimethylsilyl ethers are formed, separated and quantitated by gas-liquid chromatography. The method has high accuracy, reproducibility, speed and simplicity.
Grade 1 spondylolisthesis and interspinous device placement: removal in six patients and analysis of current data.

This is the published version. Information that is created by or for the US government on this site is within the public domain. Public domain information on the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Web pages may be freely distributed and copied. However, it is requested that in any subsequent use of this work, NLM be given appropriate acknowledgment.
308 DWARFISM DUE TO IMMUNOREACTIVE BUT BIOLOGICALLY INACTIVE GROWTH HORMONE

In the syndrome of familial dwarfism with high plasma immunoreactive growth hormone (GH)(Laron Syndrome), elevated levels of GH are associated with low levels of plasma somatomedin that do not increase following administration of GH. These patients do not respond to treatment with GH. The two subjects of this report were three-year-old boys with dwarfism (height ages 1 3/12 and 1 6/12 years) and delayed bone ages (1 3/12 and 1 9/12 years). Both had normal GH response after stimulation associated with undetectable levels of somatomedin. However, unlike patients with Laron Syndrome, the two patients generated normal levels of somatomedin after intra-muscular administration of GH. Treatment with GH (2 IU every other day) brought a significant increase in the growth rate of both patients. The growth rate of the first patient increased from 2 cm/year before treatment, to 16 cm/year on therapy. The growth rate of the second patient was 4.5 cm/year before treatment, and 11.0 cm/year while on treatment. The two cases represent a new syndrome of dwarfism due to biologically inactive, immunoreactive GH. If erroneously diagnosed as having Laron Syndrome, these patients may be denied the benefit of treatment.
Frequency and amplitude analysis of multiple unit activity with digital output

Abstract A method is described for analyzing the frequency and amplitude of multiple unit activity during a specified time period. The time period is divided into eighteen equal intervals by clock pulses which are recorded simultaneously with the multiple unit activity. For frequency analysis, each neuronal spike is stored as a logical pulse in a memory channel. For amplitude analysis, a count is stored in a memory channel which is directly proportional to the average amplitude of the spikes. The digital analysis of all spikes within a time interval is cumulated and is read out directly onto IBM cards.
Probing the Specificity of Aminoglycoside−Ribosomal RNA Interactions with Designed Synthetic Analogs

The binding of neomycin B and related aminoglycoside antibiotics to the prokaryotic ribosomal RNA decoding region has been investigated using a recently developed surface plasmon resonance assay. A number of naturally occurring aminoglycosides containing a neamine or neamine-like substructure bind specifically to a model of the site of the ribosomal decoding region RNA. This recognition event is the basis of the antibacterial activity of this class of compounds. A series of analogs was designed and synthesized to probe the role of neomycin ring IV (2,6-dideoxy-2,6-diamino-β-l-idopyranose). The binding results indicate that the positive charge presented on the idose ring is necessary for specific binding in vitro and cannot be replaced by amines attached via flexible linkers. However, the antibiotic activity (minimum inhibitory concentration) of the analog where ring IV is replaced with a diamine tail is the same as neomycin B in a liquid culture assay against Escherichia coli.
The effect of silicone ocular surgical devices on serum IgG binding to silicones.

Abstract PURPOSE: To determine whether silicone materials used in retinal detachment repair and cataract surgery increase serum IgG binding to silicone and identify correlations with complications of ocular surgery. METHODS: Serum from 49 patients who had ocular surgery using silicone materials was examined. Patient groups included scleral buckling (n = 25), silicone oil tamponade (n = 3), scleral buckling and silicone oil tamponade (n = 9), and silicone lens implants after cataract extraction (n = 12). Convalescent samples for all patients and preoperative samples from 19 patients (18 scleral buckling and one silicone oil tamponade) were examined. Postoperative complications were monitored for up to 108 months (mean, 10.7 months; mode, 1.5 months; range, 1 to 108 months). Samples were evaluated for the extent of IgG binding to silicones using a micromodification of a previously described enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: In 19 patients, IgG binding levels in preoperative samples were 21 arbitrary units (AU) or less. Of the 25 buckling patients, one developed complications; however, in all patients the postoperative levels of IgG binding to silicone were low (2.2 to 20.0 AU). Although four silicone lens patients developed mild complications, none displayed postoperative IgG binding levels of greater than 20 AU. Three patients who underwent both scleral buckling and silicone oil tamponade developed complications; one of these patients, who was also noted to have systemic connective tissue disease, had a significant elevation in postoperative serum IgG binding to silicone. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant elevations of serum IgG binding to silicone were noted postoperatively in only one patient who had a systemic connective tissue disease. The complication rate and frequency of enhanced serum IgG binding to silicone was low, making correlations to surgical complications difficult. Examination of matched samples suggested that if ocular exposure to silicone implants enhances the level of serum IgG binding to silicones, it must be a rare event that should not alter the clinical use of these important devices.
Real-space electron transfer by thermionic emission in GaAsAlxGa1−xAs heterostructures: Analytical model for large layer widths

Abstract Calculations are presented for negative differential resistance (NDR) and switching in layered GaAsAlxGa1−xAs heterostructures with a high electric field parallel to the interface. The mechanism is based on thermionic emission of hot electrons from the GaAs layers into the AlxGa1−xAs layers. An analytical model is obtained in the limit of relatively large layer widths (400 A or wider). The method of moments is employed to solve the Boltzmann equation, assuming a position-dependent electron temperature and Quasi-Fermi level in the AlxGa1−xAs layers, and a position-independent electron temperature and Quasi-Fermi level in the narrower GaAs layer. Thermal conduction of hot electrons from the GaAs layer into the AlxGa1−xAs layers is taken into account. The results of the calculations show that the threshold electric field for the onset of NDR and the peak-to-valley ratio can be controlled to a large extent by adjusting the mobility of the AlxGa1−xAs layer, the layer dimensions, and the potential barrier (Al mole fraction in the AlxGa1−xAs).
Effect of Hf and Y alloy additions on aluminide coating performance

Abstract Iron- and Ni-base alloys, with and without Hf or Hf and Y alloy additions, were aluminized by chemical vapor deposition to study the potential for minor alloy additions to improve oxidation resistance of coated alloys. Compared to uncoated specimens, the coated specimens showed improved cyclic oxidation resistance at 1100° and 1150 °C. However, alumina scale spallation was observed at relatively short times and, particularly for the Ni-base alloy X, the aluminized lab-cast alloy with Hf tended to have poor coating performance compared to the commercial alloy without Hf. Internal oxidation of Hf at 1150 °C and rapid Al depletion in the relatively thin aluminide coatings contributed to the observed detrimental Hf effect. For the Ni-base alloys, the increased scale spallation could be attributed to much higher S contents (10–50 ppma) in the laboratory-cast alloys. Oxide scale spallation from the coating surface was minimized when Hf and Y were added to a casting and the [Y]/[S] content ratio was ∼ 1.
All-optical production of a lithium quantum gas using narrow-line laser cooling

We have used the narrow $2{S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3{P}_{3/2}$ transition in the ultraviolet (uv) to laser cool and magneto-optically trap (MOT) ${}^{6}$Li atoms. Laser cooling of lithium is usually performed on the $2{S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2{P}_{3/2}$ (D2) transition, and temperatures of $\ensuremath{\sim}$300 $\ensuremath{\mu}$K are typically achieved. The linewidth of the uv transition is seven times narrower than the D2 line, resulting in lower laser cooling temperatures. We demonstrate that a MOT operating on the uv transition reaches temperatures as low as 59 $\ensuremath{\mu}$K. Furthermore, we find that the light shift of the uv transition in an optical dipole trap at 1070 nm is small and blueshifted, facilitating efficient loading from the uv MOT. Evaporative cooling of a two spin-state mixture of ${}^{6}$Li in the optical trap produces a quantum degenerate Fermi gas with $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ atoms in a total cycle time of only 11 s.
GELATION KINETICS OF DILUTE HEMOGLOBIN FROM SICKLE CELL ANEMIA PATIENTS

Non-ideal behavior of sickle cell hemoglobin (Hb S) and varying experimental conditions have made gelling kinetic studies difficult. A new gelation kinetic procedure is developed in this study. This technique uses low Hb S concentrations (20-fold less than in conventional methods) without the need for a temperature jump. Gelation progress, monitored with a newly developed turbidimetric procedure at 815 nm, was fitted to a mono-exponential and a sigmoid-Emax models. These models allowed precise definitions of gelation delay periods, rate of rapid Hb S gelation and a parameter, T1/2 which combines information from the delay and rapid gelation stages. All these parameters vary linearly with Hb S concentration. The merits of using T1/2 are discussed.
Testing the Metal of ERCC2 in Predicting the Response to Platinum-Based Therapy

Summary: DNA repair has been shown to affect the cellular response to platinum-based therapy in a variety of cancers; however, translating this knowledge to the clinic has proven difficult and yielded mixed results. In this issue of Cancer Discovery , Van Allen and colleagues have analyzed responders and nonresponders to neoadjuvant platinum-based therapy with locally advanced urothelial cancer and identified a series of mutations in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) gene ERCC2 that correlate with the response to platinum-based therapy. This work provides evidence that defects in NER can be exploited to maximize the efficacy of conventional platinum-based chemotherapy. Cancer Discov; 4(10); 1118–9. ©2014 AACR . See related article by Van Allen and colleagues, [p. 1140][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/4/1140?iss=10
The use of voice onset time by early bilinguals to distinguish homorganic stops in Canadian English and Canadian French

The goal of this study was to examine the extent to which bilingual speakers maintain language-specific phonological contrasts for homorganic stops when a cue is shared across both languages. To this end, voice onset time (VOT) was investigated in three groups of participants: early bilinguals speakers of Canadian French and Canadian English (n = 8), monolingual speakers of Canadian English (n = 8), and monolingual speakers of Canadian French (n = 7). Three questions were targeted: What are the general patterns of VOT production in bilingual and monolinguals? Do bilingual speakers produce different mean VOT than monolinguals? Do bilingual speakers produce different variability in VOT than monolinguals? Acoustic measurements of VOT were made from monosyllabic English and French words with word-initial bilabial or coronal stop consonants. The results indicate that the early bilingual speakers maintain monolingual-like phonemic contrasts, but that they exhibit more variation within categories than monolingual speakers.
Effect of environmental variables on eukaryotic microbial community structure of land-fast Arctic sea ice

Summary Sea ice microbial community structure affects carbon and nutrient cycling in polar seas, but its susceptibil- ity to changing environmental conditions is not well understood. We studied the eukaryotic microbial community in sea ice cores recovered near Point Barrow, AK in May 2006 by documenting the compo- sition of the community in relation to vertical depth within the cores, as well as light availability (mainly as variable snow cover) and nutrient concentrations. We applied a combination of epifluorescence micros- copy, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and clone libraries of a section of the 18S rRNA gene in order to compare the community structure of the major eukaryotic microbial phylotypes in the ice. We find that the community composition of the sea ice is more affected by the depth horizon in the ice than by light availability, although there are significant differ- ences in the abundance of some groups between light regimes. Epifluorescence microscopy shows a shift from predominantly heterotrophic life styles in the upper ice to autotrophy prevailing in the bottom ice. This is supported by the statistical analysis of the similarity between the samples based on the denatur- ing gradient gel electrophoresis banding patterns, which shows a clear difference between upper and lower ice sections with respect to phylotypes and their proportional abundance. Clone libraries con- structed using diatom-specific primers confirm the high diversity of diatoms in the sea ice, and support the microscopic counts. Evidence of protistan grazing upon diatoms was also found in lower sec- tions of the core, with implications for carbon and nutrient recycling in the ice.
Gamow-teller GT+ distributions in nuclei with mass A = 90-97

We investigate the Gamow-Teller strength distributions in the electron-capture direction in nuclei having mass $A=90\text{\ensuremath{-}}97$, assuming a $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}$ core and using a realistic interaction that reasonably reproduces nuclear spectroscopy for a wide range of nuclei in the region as well as experimental data on Gamow-Teller strength distributions. We discuss the systematics of the distributions and their centroids. We also predict the strength distributions for several nuclei involving stable isotopes that should be experimentally accessible for one-particle exchange reactions in the near future.
Regional Nodal basin control is not compromised by previous sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with melanoma

Background Regional nodal basin control is an important goal of lymphadenectomy in the management of melanoma patients with nodal disease. The purpose of this study was to determine if previous sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy compromises the ultimate regional nodal control achieved by subsequent therapeutic lymph node dissection in melanoma patients with microscopic lymph node metastases.
Microprogramming — An interface property

Abstract The literature abounds with definitions of the notion of microprogramming. In this paper the author collects approximately two dozens such definitions and classifies them into four caeegories: hardware-based, vehicle for control design, macroscopic and hierarchical. The author then proceeds to propose a new definition which encompasses most of the described ones: Microprogramming is considered to be the property of an interface and not the property of hardware. The conditions under which such an interface is microprogrammed are defined. Essentially microprogramming is characterized by stored control and the absence of control sequences initiated by a single control word.
AREVA’s Test Facility KATHY: Robust Critical Heat Flux Measurements, a Prerequisite for Reliable CHF Prediction

The primary tool for assuring the heat removal from the fuel design’s rod surfaces is properly represented in the numerical simulations of a LWR fuel assembly design is the critical heat flux (CHF) or dryout correlation.During the last decade, AREVA has compiled unique experience in correlation development that has led to an improved development process to meet increased technical challenges. This is based upon the high level of expertise in CHF measurements for PWR and BWR fuel assembly designs gained by AREVA at its KATHY facility (KArlstein Thermal HYdraulic facility). The utilization of KATHY in conjunction with this improved development process is a key factor in ensuring reliable CHF prediction for safety analysis application. This paper describes the capabilities of the KATHY loop and the process used by AREVA to attain high quality CHF measurements.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Hydrophobic self-assembling in dilute aqueous solutions of alcohols and hydrocarbons

Abstract Microheterogeneities, such as local compositions which differ from the average ones, are typical features of aqueous solutions of organic substances. A method for computing the sizes of microheterogeneities at infinite dilution (correlation volumes) is proposed, which is based on a combination between the Kirkwood–Buff theory of solution, an expression for the local concentration, ab initio quantum chemical calculations of the interaction energies and available thermodynamic data. The correlation volumes are calculated for aqueous solutions of methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol. The results obtained for propanol and isopropanol could be compared with the sizes determined via small-angle X-ray scattering and good agreement between the calculated and experimental values found. In addition, the mutual affinity of solute molecules (their self-assembling), which is one of the important characteristics of hydrophobic interactions in aqueous solutions, was evaluated for a number of infinitely dilute aqueous solutions of alcohols and hydrocarbons. The calculations provided an additional argument that the hydrophobic self-assembling of hydrocarbons is mainly a result of the preference of the water molecules to interact among themselves via hydrogen bonding than a result of the interactions between hydrocarbon molecules.
Improved quantitation of DNA-protein crosslinking caused by 405-nm monochromatic near-UV radiation in human cells.

An improved alkaline elution analysis has been used to estimate the yield of DNA-protein crosslinks induced in human P3 cells by monochromatic 405-nm near-ultraviolet radiation. Crosslinks are induced linearly over the fluence range studied, at a rate of 1.22 crosslinks per 1010 daltons per MJ m-2± 0.066 (one standard error of the slope, N= 37). This rate is equivalent to 1360 crosslinks per cell genome per lethal event.
Medical applications of diamond particles & surfaces

Diamond has been considered for use in several medical applications due to its unique mechanical, chemical, optical, and biological properties. In this paper, methods for preparing synthetic diamond surfaces and particles are described. In addition, recent developments involving the use of diamond in prostheses, sensing, imaging, and drug delivery applications are reviewed. These developments suggest that diamond-containing structures will provide significant improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions over the coming years.
Theoretical resonances for particle-antiparticle collisions based on the Thomson electron model

A hypothetical quantum-statistical lepton particle model which gives a nonrelativistic account of time dilation is shown also to predict natural resonances for quark-containing particles colliding with their antiparticles of equal energy. For proton and antiproton collisions the hypothesis indicates only one resonance between 70 and 95 GeV. This is at 82.03 GeV, a result in accord with recently reported experiments at CERN aimed at detecting the W-boson.