cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure, function, and folding of phosphoglycerate kinase are strongly perturbed by macromolecular crowding

We combine experiment and computer simulation to show how macromolecular crowding dramatically affects the structure, function, and folding landscape of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK). Fluorescence labeling shows that compact states of yeast PGK are populated as the amount of crowding agents (Ficoll 70) increases. Coarse-grained molecular simulations reveal three compact ensembles: C (crystal structure), CC (collapsed crystal), and Sph (spherical compact). With an adjustment for viscosity, crowded wild-type PGK and fluorescent PGK are about 15 times or more active in 200 mg/ml Ficoll than in aqueous solution. Our results suggest a previously undescribed solution to the classic problem of how the ADP and diphosphoglycerate binding sites of PGK come together to make ATP: Rather than undergoing a hinge motion, the ADP and substrate sites are already located in proximity under crowded conditions that mimic the in vivo conditions under which the enzyme actually operates. We also examine T-jump unfolding of PGK as a function of crowding experimentally. We uncover a nonmonotonic folding relaxation time vs. Ficoll concentration. Theory and modeling explain why an optimum concentration exists for fastest folding. Below the optimum, folding slows down because the unfolded state is stabilized relative to the transition state. Above the optimum, folding slows down because of increased viscosity.
Patterning electro-osmotic flow with patterned surface charge

This Letter reports the measurement of electro-osmotic flows (EOF) in microchannels with surface charge patterned on the 200 mu m scale. We have investigated two classes of patterns: (1) Those in which the surface charge varies along a direction perpendicular to the electric field used to drive the EOF; this type of pattern generates multidirectional flow along the direction of the field. (2) Those in which the surface charge pattern varies parallel to the field; this pattern generates recirculating cellular flew, and thus causes motion both parallel and perpendicular to the external field. Measurements of both of these flours agree well with theory in the Limit of thin double layers and low surface potential.
Characterization of maize pollen flavonoid 3′-O-Methyltransferase activity and its in vivo Products

Summary An enzyme which catalyzes the methylation of quercetin at the 3′-position was isolated and partially characterized from maize pollen. The enzyme, SAM: quercetin-3'-0-methyltransferase (EC # 2.1.1.42), was purified 60-fold by a combination of salt fractionation and column chromatographic steps. The enzyme was eluted from freeze-dried pollen with NaCl, the supernatant precipitated with ammonium sulfate, subsequently desalted by Sephadex G-50 gel filtration, and partially purified by Sephadex DEAE anion exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration, and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. The methyltransferase assay required S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor, dithioerythritol, and Mg+2 or Mn 12 in the reaction mixture. Optimum conditions for the reaction were pH 8.5 and 38 °C. The enzyme could be stabilized and activity maintained by the addition of 20 % glycerol prior to storage at −70°C. S-Adenosylhomocysteine, a reaction product, and mercuric chloride strongly inhibited the methylation reaction. The transferase utilized either quercetin, a flavonol, luteolin, a flavone, or eriodictyol, a flavanone, as substrates, whereas neither isoquercitrin (quercetin 3-glucoside) nor caffeic acid served as a substrate. The type of substrates methylated by the enzyme suggest that methylation occurs on the fifteen carbon skeleton prior to glucosylation which is known to occur near the end of the reaction sequence. The Km values for SAM and quercetin were 5.5 [tM and 9.6 [tM, respectively, and the Vmax was 37.3 x 10-2 pkat. The molecular weight for the transferase was estimated at 47,000. The product of the enzyme reaction, isorhamnetin, was identified in extracts of pollen stocks singly recessive for the genes C1, C2, R, A], A2, Bz] , Bz2. However, none of these genes could be shown to have any direct regulatory effect on the methyltransferase.
Imaginal Pioneers Prefigure the Formation of Adult Thoracic Muscles in Drosophila melanogaster

In insects, specialized mesodermal cells serve as templates to organize myoblasts into distinct muscle fibers during embryogenesis. In the grasshopper embryo, large mesodermal cells called muscle pioneers extend between the epidermal attachment points of future muscle fibers and serve as foci for myoblast fusion. In the Drosophila embryo, muscle founder cells serve a similar function, organizing large numbers of myoblasts into larval muscles. During the metamorphosis of Drosophila, nearly all larval muscles degenerate and are replaced by a set of de novo adult muscles. The extent to which specialized mesodermal cells homologous to the founders and pioneers of the insect embryo are involved in the development of adult-specific muscles has yet to be established. In the larval thorax, the majority of imaginal myoblasts are associated with the imaginal discs. We report here the identification of a morphologically distinct class of disc-associated myoblasts, which we call imaginal pioneers, that prefigures the formation of at least three adult-specific muscles, the tergal depressor of the trochanter and dorsoventral muscles I and II. Like the muscle pioneers of the grasshopper, the imaginal pioneers attach to the epidermis at sites where the future muscle insertions will arise and erect a scaffold for developing adult muscles. These findings suggest that a prior segregation of imaginal myoblasts into at least two populations, one of which may act as pioneers or founders, must occur during development.
Residues of petroleum hydrocarbons in tissues of sea turtles exposed to the Ixtoc I oil spill.

Sea turtles found dead when the Ixtoc I oil spill reached Texas waters were necropsied and tissues were analyzed for residues of petroleum hydrocarbons. Two of the three turtles were in poor flesh, but had no apparent oil-caused lesions. There was evidence of oil in all tissues examined and indications that the exposure had been chronic. Comparisons with results of studies done on birds indicate consumption of 50,000 ppm or more of oil in the diet. Some possible mechanisms of mortality are suggested.
NEAR-IR SPECTROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY PLATES IN THE DIFFUSE TRANSMITTANCE MODE

The nondestructive detection of analyte spots on high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) plates is demonstrated with the use of near-IR spectrometry (NIRS). The resulting hyphenated technique is called Thin-Layer Chromatography-Near-Infrared Spectrometry (TLC-NIRS). A transmittance geometry is employed, and a set of 18 interference filters is used for wavelength selectivity. Plate-thickness nonuniformity and varying amounts of water vapor adsorption onto the silica-gel TLC plates were found to be the major complications. Variations in silica-gel thickness could be compensated for by obtaining reference spectral scans of the HPTLC plates before performing the chromatography. The effects of water-vapor adsorption were reduced through use of a partial least-squares calibration model. Detection limits near 1 μg were obtained.
The Effect of Finite Geometry on the Three-Dimensional Transfer of Solar Irradiance in Clouds

Results are presented for a Monte Carlo model applied to a wide range of cloud widths and heights, and for an analytical model restricted in its application to cuboidally shaped clouds whose length, breadth, and depth may be varied independently; the clouds must be internally homogeneous with respect to their intrinsic radiative properties. Comparative results from the Monte Carlo method and the derived analytical model are presented for a wide range of cloud sizes, with special emphasis on the effects of varying the single scatter albedo, the solar zenith angle, and the scattering phase angle.
A Preliminary Investigation of Prospective Teachers' Reasoning About Case Studies with Expert Commentary

Case methods have emerged as a popular technique in teacher education, proposed as an important means of promoting conceptual change in preservice teachers. This article presents the results of a research study that used a mixed design methodology to investigate the effect of expert commentaries on prospective teachers' reasoning about inclusion case studies. Results indicate that prospective teachers are reluctant to accept theoretical and pedagogical information that conflicts with their own previously held conceptions, even when it is presented through case methods.
Global MHD Model of the Earth’s Magnetosphere

A global MHD model of the earth’s magnetosphere is defined. An introduction to numerical methods for solving the MHD equations is given with emphasis on the shock-capturing technique. Finally, results concerning the shape of the magnetosphere and the plasma flows inside the magnetosphere are presented.
High-Speed Circuits for a Multi-Lane 12 Gbps CMOS PRBS Generator

This paper presents the design of a 12 Gbps multi-lane 231 - 1 pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) generator in 0.18 mum TSMC process. The design incorporates a traditional CMOS latch optimized to operate at frequencies close to the ft of the process. In order to operate at frequencies higher than the limit imposed by the ft of the PMOS devices, the PRBS uses current-mode logic (CML) multiplexers (MUX) with modified active inductors, resulting in an improved large-signal behavior. As the architecture of choice for the PRBS generator, we chose to generate four sub-sequences at 3 Gbps and multiplex them up to obtain a 12 Gbps data stream. Furthermore, we multiplexed delayed versions of the 3 Gbps sub-sequences to obtain multiple non-correlated versions of the 231 - 1 pseudo-random sequence. A prototype was implemented in 0.18 mum TSMC process. The high-speed CML MUX consumes 4 mA off a 1.8 V power supply, while the CMOS latch clocked at 1.5 GHz with an activity factor of 100% consumes 1 mA. The CMOS core consumes 340 mA and the CML circuitry consumes 32 mA per lane.
Little Girls in Women's Bodies: Social Interaction and the Strategizing of Early Breast Development

The purpose of this study was to analyze early breast developers' narratives of their experience of early development to understand the patterns of social interaction and resulting emotion that generated the meaning of their breasts and their bodies. Thirteen women were interviewed, and three of their stories were selected to tell in detail to demonstrate the various strategies of interaction that these women developed as girls in response to the social context of their early breast development. These results suggest that whether early breast developers rely on proactive or defensive strategies for managing their breasts has implications for their ways of thinking and feeling about their sexuality and their bodies. This research also helps to illuminate the significance of social interaction in generating the meaning of breasts and of femininity more generally.
Genetic and State Variables of Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: A Twin Study

To characterize the familiality of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, we studied performance on three tasks (visuospatial attention; visuolinguistic conflict, arrow-word; and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test [WCST]) by monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs discordant for schizophrenia. The subject sample consisted of six MZ twin pairs, nine DZ twin pairs, and one MZ and one DZ nonschizophrenia cotwin of a patient with schizophrenia. There were two sources of cognitive dysfunction: a nonheritable, state component and a heritable, trait component. Deficits surfaced during the WCST in nonschizophrenia MZ cotwins; this impairment resolved following training in nonschizophrenia MZ cotwins, but not in the probands with schizophrenia, who performed abnormally in all tasks. The results suggest that nonheritable protective factors modulate the specific, plastic, and sometimes subtle neurocognitive deficits related to the schizophrenia genotype.
Mechanics of moisture for polymers: Fundamental concepts and model study

Reliability issues associated with moisture have become increasingly important as advanced electronic devices demand for new materials, more function integration and further miniaturization. However, the fundamentals of the mechanics of moisture transport and the subsequent failures in polymers have not been investigated extensively. This paper is devoted to some fundamental concepts of moisture absorption, diffusion, and swelling. The mathematical descriptions of moisture phase transition with temperature, and the governing equations for a deforming polymer with moisture effect are presented. The non-Fickian sorption behavior is discussed and a widely-used two-stage theory is introduced. It has been found that water sorption (immersion into liquid water bath) has very different transport mechanism at surface compared to the moisture sorption (moisture in air). The state of moisture within polymers and its interactions with polymer matrix, fillers and additives are discussed. It has been suggested that, in most of cases, the majority of absorbed water molecules neither show significant interaction with other water molecules nor with their environment. Those 'unbound' moisture stays in free-volumes and does not contribute to hygroscopic swelling. Swelling is caused by water molecules bound to the polymer matrix. Although the free volume fraction is usually in the range of 1% to 5%, the pore size is always below nanometers and not detectable by the conventional measurement techniques such as SEM and mercury intrusion. An approximate estimate of free volume fraction using weight gain data is introduced. A vapor pressure model, which allows the whole-field vapor pressure calculations, is presented. Finally the governing equations for a deforming polymer with the consideration of moisture are developed.
Pharmacodynamics of levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae

An in-vitro pharmacokinetic model was used to compare the pharmacodynamics of levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin against four penicillin-susceptible and four penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Logarithmic-phase cultures were exposed to the peak concentrations of levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin observed in human serum after 500 mg and 750 mg oral doses, human elimination pharmacokinetics were simulated, and viable bacterial counts were measured at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 36 h. Levofloxacin was rapidly and significantly bactericidal against all eight strains evaluated, with eradication of six strains occurring despite area under the inhibitory curve over 24 h (AUIC24) values of only 32-64 SIT(-1) x h (serum inhibitory titre over time). The pharmacodynamics of ciprofloxacin were more variable and the rate of bacterial killing was consistently slower than observed with levofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin eradicated five strains despite having an AUIC24 of only 44 SIT(-1) x h. These data suggest that the increased potency of levofloxacin and more favourable pharmacokinetics compared with ciprofloxacin provide enhanced pharmacodynamic activity against S. pneumoniae. Furthermore, these data suggest that the minimum AUIC required for clinical efficacy against and eradication of S. pneumoniae with levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin may be well below the 125 SIT(-1) x h identified by other studies.
The ‘Rawlings Revolution’ and Rediscovery of the African Diaspora in Ghana (1983–2015)

When Jerry Rawlings and his PNDC took power in Ghana for the second time in 1981, he promised nothing short of a revolution. He delivered, but not in a way his most passionate backers anticipated. Despite his radical nationalist rhetoric that often evoked Kwame Nkrumah's image, Rawlings’ ‘second coming’ is widely known for acquiescing to Africa's most comprehensive structural adjustment programmes under the auspices of the IMF and World Bank. What is much less studied is the relationship of these reforms to Ghana's ‘rediscovery’ of the African Diaspora and its Pan-African political past. This article explores the relationship between neoliberal economic policies and the creation of Pan-African cultural markets aimed at African-Americans used to further the ongoing cause of nation-building in Ghana. This article also reflects on how major global geopolitical shifts played out in a single African state and their impact on how nations increasingly seek to subvert heritage to the logic of the marketplace. In ...
Geriatric-Care Education and Training

Abstract This article reports the results from a survey of gerontology and geriatrics education in Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy and from a survey of state-level Associations for Home Health Care on their involvement with aging-related education and training. Results indicate that pharmaceutical education programs, as a whole, do not have adequate coverage of aging-related material and suggest a lack of funding support accounts, in part, for this inadequacy. Executive Directors of state home care associations report that most home health care personnel are not required to have any aging-related education and training. Further, home care association involvement with aging-related educational issues for home care personnel is limited.
Regadenoson and adenosine are equivalent vasodilators and are superior than dipyridamole- a study of first pass quantitative perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Regadenoson, dipyridamole and adenosine are commonly used vasodilators in myocardial perfusion imaging for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease. There are few comparative studies of the vasodilator properties of regadenoson, adenosine and dipyridamole in humans. The specific aim of this study was to determine the relative potency of these three vasodilators by quantifying stress and rest myocardial perfusion in humans using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Fifteen healthy normal volunteers, with Framingham score less than 1% underwent vasodilator stress testing with regadenoson (400 μg bolus), dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg) and adenosine (140 μg /kg/min) on separate days. Rest perfusion imaging was performed initially. Twenty minutes later, stress imaging was performed at peak vasodilation, i.e. 70 seconds after regadenoson, 4 minutes after dipyridamole infusion and between 3–4 minutes of the adenosine infusion. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) in ml/min/g and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) were quantified using a fully quantitative model constrained deconvolution. Regadenoson produced higher stress MBF than dipyridamole and adenosine (3.58 ± 0.58 vs. 2.81 ± 0.67 vs. 2.78 ± 0.61 ml/min/g, p = 0.0009 and p = 0.0008 respectively). Regadenoson had a much higher heart rate response than adenosine and dipyridamole respectively (95 ± 11 vs. 76 ± 13 vs. 86 ± 12 beats/ minute) When stress MBF was adjusted for heart rate, there were no differences between regadenoson and adenosine (37.8 ± 6 vs. 36.6 ± 4 μl/sec/g, p = NS), but differences between regadenoson and dipyridamole persisted (37.8 ± 6 vs. 32.6 ± 5 μl/sec/g, p = 0.03). The unadjusted MPR was higher with regadenoson (3.11 ± 0.63) when compared with adenosine (2.7 ± 0.61, p = 0.02) and when compared with dipyridamole (2.61 ± 0.57, p = 0.04). Similar to stress MBF, these differences in MPR between regadenoson and adenosine were abolished when adjusted for heart rate (2.04 ± 0.34 vs. 2.12 ± 0.27, p = NS), but persisted between regadenoson and dipyridamole (2.04 ± 0.34 vs. 1.77 ± 0.33, p = 0.07) and between adenosine and dipyridamole (2.12 ± 0.27 vs. 1.77 ± 0.33, p = 0.01). Based on fully quantitative perfusion using CMR, regadenoson and adenosine have similar vasodilator efficacy and are superior to dipyridamole.
Measuring Intersectoral Spillovers: French Evidence

In this paper, we measure the effect of internal RD rent spillovers related to intermediate goods; pure knowledge spillovers. When production is measured by gross output, all three spillover concepts yield positive and statistically significant coefficients. Each concept has a measurable effect on technological progress at the sectoral level.
Ten Scenarios for a “New World Order”

“Our strategy is to lead a global alliance, political alliance if you will, to isolate Iraq politically, economically and militarily …. We remain the one nation that has the necessary political, military and economic instruments at our disposal to catalyze a successful response by the international community.” (James Baker, U.S. Secretary of State, Testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, September 5, 1990)
Efficient ticket routing by resolution sequence mining

IT problem management calls for quick identification of resolvers to reported problems. The efficiency of this process highly depends on ticket routing---transferring problem ticket among various expert groups in search of the right resolver to the ticket. To achieve efficient ticket routing, wise decision needs to be made at each step of ticket transfer to determine which expert group is likely to be, or to lead to the resolver.In this paper, we address the possibility of improving ticket routing efficiency by mining ticket resolution sequences alone, without accessing ticket content. To demonstrate this possibility, a Markov model is developed to statistically capture the right decisions that have been made toward problem resolution, where the order of the Markov model is carefully chosen according to the conditional entropy obtained from ticket data. We also design a search algorithm, called Variable-order Multiple active State search(VMS), that generates ticket transfer recommendations based on our model. The proposed framework is evaluated on a large set of real-world problem tickets. The results demonstrate that VMS significantly improves human decisions: Problem resolvers can often be identified with fewer ticket transfers.
Historical Perspectives: Perinatal Profiles: John William Ballantyne: Scottish Obstetrician and Prolific Writer

Among obstetricians from other countries whose names are familiar to neonatologists in North America, perhaps the most familiar are Stephane Tarnier and Pierre Budin. These two Frenchmen undoubtedly were instrumental in emphasizing the importance of thermoregulation and documenting the beneficial effects of the incubator for preterm infants. Budin also is well recognized for his book Le Nourisson , published in French in 1902 and published in English as The Nursling in 1907. Less well known, but arguably as influential, is the Scotsman John William Ballantyne, who was a contemporary of Budin. In 1902, he published two extensive volumes under the title Antenatal Pathology and Hygiene . Volume 1 concerned The Fetus and Volume 2 dealt with The Embryo . These volumes, which contain a wealth of information, reflected the positions he held at that time. He was both lecturer in Midwifery and Gynecology at the Medical College for Women, Edinburgh, and lecturer on Antenatal Pathology and Teratology at the University of Edinburgh. He also was on the staff of the Royal Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh. Ballantyne was a prolific writer. In addition to the previously noted volumes, he wrote several other books, including An Introduction to the Diseases of Infancy: The Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene of the Newborn Infant (1891) and The Diseases and Deformities of the Fetus , also in two volumes (1892 and 1895). He wrote more than 100 major articles between 1883 and 1901 as well as numerous (approximately 100) case reports. These articles are all catalogued in Antenatal Pathology and Hygiene . Perhaps of greatest interest to neonatologists are two articles that Ballantyne wrote at about the same time as Antenatal Pathology and Hygiene , which were important contributions at the time. Both “The Problem of the …
Wavelet-based relative prefix sum methods for range sum queries in data cubes

Data mining and related applications often rely on extensive range sum queries and thus, it is important for these queries to scale well. Range sum queries in data cubes can be achieved in time O(1) using prefix sum aggregates but prefix sum update costs are proportional to the size of the data cube O(nd). Using the Relative Prefix Sum (RPS) method, the update costs can be reduced to the root of the size of the data cube O(nd/2). We present a new family of base b wavelet algorithms further reducing the update costs to O (nd/β) for β as large as we want while preserving constant-time queries. We also show that this approach leads to O(logd n) query and update methods twice as fast as Haarbased methods. Moreover, since these new methods are pyramidal, they provide incrementally improving estimates.
Multi-Energy, Single-Isotope Pinhole Imaging Using Stacked Detectors

Nuclear imaging of small animals has proven to be an excellent tool for studying models of human disease and in drug development. Silicon double-sided strip detectors (DSSDs) have been adapted for imaging of low-energy emissions from radioisotopes such as 123I and 125I. We examined stacking a DSSD with a modular scintillation camera (Modcam) from the FastSPECT II design for simultaneous imaging of the low- and high-energy emissions of 123I. This constitutes a specific implementation of the synthetic collimator. We also considered a novel aperture, the `sandwich aperture' to maintain sensitivity in the Modcam projection and higher resolution in the DSSD projection. Through simulations and basic measurements we found that stacked detectors and the sandwich aperture do not distort the point spread function of either imaging system significantly.
Capacity bounds for the hard-triangle model

This paper describes the capacity bounds for the hard triangle model and examines such constraints for an equilateral triangular nonlattice tiling of the two-dimensional plane. The capacity is analyzed by deriving an upper bound analytically and obtain a lower bound by exhibiting a bit stuffing algorithm for hard-triangle constrained encoder. The encoder maps a random sequence of independent bits with the probability to calculate the coding rate of the encoder.
Functional Characterization of IPSC-Derived Brain Cells as a Model for X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy

X-ALD is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder where mutations in the ABCD1 gene result in clinically diverse phenotypes: the fatal disorder of cerebral childhood ALD (cALD) or a milder disorder of adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). The various models used to study the pathobiology of X-ALD disease lack the appropriate presentation for different phenotypes of cALD vs AMN. This study demonstrates that induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC) derived brain cells astrocytes (Ast), neurons and oligodendrocytes (OLs) express morphological and functional activities of the respective brain cell types. The excessive accumulation of saturated VLCFA, a "hallmark" of X-ALD, was observed in both AMN OLs and cALD OLs with higher levels observed in cALD OLs than AMN OLs. The levels of ELOVL1 (ELOVL Fatty Acid Elongase 1) mRNA parallel the VLCFA load in AMN and cALD OLs. Furthermore, cALD Ast expressed higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines than AMN Ast and control Ast with or without stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. These results document that IPSC-derived Ast and OLs from cALD and AMN fibroblasts mimic the respective biochemical disease phenotypes and thus provide an ideal platform to investigate the mechanism of VLCFA load in cALD OLs and VLCFA-induced inflammatory disease mechanisms of cALD Ast and thus for testing of new therapeutics for AMN and cALD disease of X-ALD.
Does the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma at the Time of Surgery Improve Clinical Outcomes in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair When Compared with Control Cohorts? A Systematic Review of Meta-analyses

Purpose The aims of the study were as follows: (1) to perform a systematic review of meta-analyses evaluating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) use at the time of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery and to determine its effect on retear rates and clinical outcomes; (2) to provide a framework for the analysis and interpretation of the best currently available evidence; and (3) to identify gaps within the literature where suggestions for continued investigational efforts would be valid. Methods Literature searches were performed to identify meta-analyses examining arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs augmented with PRP versus control (no PRP). Clinical data were extracted and meta-analysis quality was assessed using the Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses and Oxman-Guyatt scales. Results Seven meta-analyses met inclusion and exclusion criteria. All were considered as being of similar quality with Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses scores >15 and Oxman scores of 7. A total of 3,193 overlapping patients treated were included with mean follow-up from 12 to 31 months. When compared with control patients, use of PRP at the time of rotator cuff repair did not result in significantly lower overall retear rates or improved clinical outcome scores. The following postoperative functional scores comparing PRP versus control were reported: Constant (no significant difference demonstrated with PRP use in 5 of 6 reporting meta-analyses), University of California – Los Angeles (no difference, 6 of 6), American Shoulder and Elbow Society (no difference, 4 of 4), and Simple Shoulder Test (no difference, 3 of 5). Subgroup analysis performed by 3 meta-analyses showed evidence of improved outcomes with solid PRP matrix versus liquid, small- and/or medium-sized versus large and/or massive tears, PRP application at the tendon-bone interface versus over tendon, and in the setting of double-row versus single-row rotator cuff. Conclusions The current highest level of evidence suggests that PRP use at the time of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair does not universally improve retear rates or affect clinical outcome scores. However, the effects of PRP use on retear rates trend toward beneficial outcomes if evaluated in the context of the following specific variables: use of a solid PRP matrix; application of PRP at the tendon-bone interface; in double-row repairs; and with small- and/or medium-sized rotator cuff tears. Level of Evidence Level III, systematic review of Level II and III studies.
Addressing structural violence through US reconciliation commissions: The case study of Greensboro, NC and Detroit, MI

Abstract Across the United States, communities encumbered by violence, economic injustice, legacies of oppression and continued social, economic, and political marginalization are increasingly turning toward truth and reconciliation commissions (TRC) to address and remedy persistent inequality. While modeled after the international truth movement, TRCs in the United States are often not state-sanctioned and characterized by fundamental differences that beg the question: How are peace and justice dialectically linked to, and flow from geographic specific understandings of violence? Drawing from the TRC experiences of Greensboro (NC) and Detroit (MI), this paper examines the way communities that were burdened with a history of violence are turning toward TRCs as viable vehicles for addressing violence and inequality in contemporary US society. This paper furthers our understanding of the geographic ruptures violence creates in communities and the often hidden realities that the legacy and memory of violence has for oppressed people in the United States.
Optics of water microdroplets with soot inclusions: Exact versus approximate results

We use the recently generalized version of the multi-sphere superposition T-matrix method (STMM) to compute the scattering and absorption properties of microscopic water droplets contaminated by black carbon. The soot material is assumed to be randomly distributed throughout the droplet interior in the form of numerous small spherical inclusions. Our numerically-exact STMM results are compared with approximate ones obtained using the Maxwell-Garnett effective-medium approximation (MGA) and the Monte Carlo ray-tracing approximation (MCRTA). We show that the popular MGA can be used to calculate the droplet optical cross sections, single-scattering albedo, and asymmetry parameter provided that the soot inclusions are quasi-uniformly distributed throughout the droplet interior, but can fail in computations of the elements of the scattering matrix depending on the volume fraction of soot inclusions. The integral radiative characteristics computed with the MCRTA can deviate more significantly from their exact STMM counterparts, while accurate MCRTA computations of the phase function require droplet size parameters substantially exceeding 60.
The Best Relations

The most important thing to a successful law practice is clients. An individual lawyer may be the most competent, brilliant, reliable and articulate advocate on the block; however, without clients, the lawyer will starve. In this short article are presented some do's and don'ts of client relations.
Mechanisms Underlying Ionic Mobilities in Nanocomposite Polymer Electrolytes

Recently, a number of experiments have demonstrated that addition of ceramics with nanoscale dimensions can lead to substantial improvements in the low-temperature conductivity of the polymeric materials. However, the origin of such behaviors and, more generally, the manner by which nanoscale fillers impact the ion mobilities remain unresolved. In this communication, we report the results of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations which used multibody polarizable force fields to study lithium ion diffusivities in an amorphous poly(ethylene-oxide) (PEO) melt containing well-dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles. We observed that the lithium ion diffusivities decrease with increased particle loading. Our analysis suggests that the ion mobilities are correlated to the nanoparticle-induced changes in the polymer segmental dynamics. Interestingly, the changes in polymer segmental dynamics were seen to be related to the nanoparticle’s influence on the polymer conformational features. Overall, our results indicate that ...
Database education in the new millenium

Database education faces new challenges today. In this paper we present the major challenges faced by database education and the measures that our institution is taking to address these challenges.
Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva: Relationship to malignant extrarenal rhabdoid tumor

Proximal epithelioid sarcoma is an extremely uncommon lesion of the vulva, with the potential for aggressive behavior. We report a case of this entity and discuss its relationship to the epithelial-type "malignant rhabdoid tumor" (MRT) of the soft tissue. On the basis of a review of the pertinent information on both these entities, it is concluded that they likely represent biologically different but morphologically and immunohistochemically similar neoplasms. Both proximal epithelioid sarcoma and MRT comprise epithelioid cells with densely eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions, and they each lack the INI1 gene product. Nevertheless, the literature suggests that other selected genetic differences between the 2 lesions, and the more rapid and aggressive course of MRT distinguish these tumor types as separate clinicopathologic entities.
BK Papovavirus Infections in Renal Transplant Recipients: Contribution of Donor Kidneys

Infections due to BK papovavirus frequently occur in renal transplant recipients [2] and may be involved in a variety of syndromes, including ureteral obstruction, deterioration of graft function, and pancreatic disease. The source of the BK papovavirus in these cases is not clear. Because the renal allograft has been implicated as a source of primary cytomegalovirus infections in renal transplant recipients [3], we investigated the possibility that donor kidneys may also contribute to the transmission of BK papovavirus. A fourfold or greater increase in titers of HAI antibodies to BK papovavirus was observed in 55 (24%) of 230 renal transplant recipients. Seronegative recipients who received kidneys from seropositive donors were 3.5 times more likely to develop an infection due to BK papovavirus than were seronegative recipients of kidneys from seronegative donors. The antibody status of the donor did not affect the likelihood of an increase in titers of antibody to BK papovavirus in seropositive recipients. These results suggest that BK papovavirus may be transmitted with transplanted kidneys and that transplant recipients who are at risk for primary infection by this route are more than twice as likely to have increased titers of antibody to BK papovavirus as those who are at risk for the reactivation of an infection. Further studies should be performed to define the relative role of cadaver vs. living, related kidney donors in the transmission of BK papovavirus and the clinical syndromes that are related to primary and reactivated infections.
Ion Beam Assisted Deposition of Cubic Boron Nitride Thin Films

Boron nitride thin films were grown using ion beam assisted deposition. Boron metal was evaporated, and the depositing film was bombarded by nitrogen and argon ions. The films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Rutherford backscattering. The thin films were found to be cubic boron nitride, consisting of 100-200 A crystallites with a small amount of an amorphous secondary phase. The best conditions for depositing cubic boron nitride were found to be a substrate temperature of 400°C, bombardment by a 50:50 mixture of argon and nitrogen with a bombarding ion energy of 500 eV and a ratio of bombarding ions to depositing boron atoms of from 1.0 to 1.5 ions per atom.
Seeking Shared Practice: A Juxtaposition of the Attributes and Activities of Organized Fossil Groups with Those of Professional Paleontology

This study sought to define the attributes and practices of organized fossil groups (e.g., clubs, paleontological societies) as amateur paleontologists, as well as those of professional paleontologists, and explore the potential for these two groups to work collaboratively as a formalized community. Such an investigation is necessary to develop design principles for an online environment that supports this community and encourages communication and shared practice among individuals with different backgrounds in paleontology and who are geographically isolated. A national survey of fossil group representatives and professional paleontologists was used to address the research questions. The results provide a rich description of the attributes and activities of both groups and are discussed in terms of three design principles for supporting the two groups in a form of collaboration and fellowship via a coherent shared practice within an online learning community.
Recycling of Solar Cell Materials at the End of Life

Although solar energy is a green energy, it can produce a significant amount of waste. Some types of solar cells use rare elements or precious metals as the component material. Therefore, the recycling of PV modules is necessary for environmental and economic purposes. The recycling process for PV modules includes chemical and physical treatment methods, which have been successfully used in other recycling industries, such as electronics or hardware recycling. The use of these mature technologies can decompose and recycle PV module materials. There are still some differences between PV module recycling and electronic recycling. A solar cell module contains several encapsulating plastic materials, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF). In recycling programs, removing the plastic materials is the first step. In this chapter, several types of recycling processes are introduced, which correspond to different types of PV modules. These methods have been validated and successfully implemented in PV module recycling plants.
DYNAMIC SYMMETRIES AND ECONOMIC CONSERVATION LAWS

This chapter describes the dynamic symmetries and economic conservation laws. One of the most fascinating aspects of the group theoretic method in the different branches of physical sciences is the analysis of the connection between dynamic symmetries and conservation laws of a mathematical system. The chapter presents a self-contained and systematic analysis of conservation laws in economic dynamics, first, by describing a detailed mathematical treatment of E. Noether's theorem, and then describing the application of invariant variational principle to general neoclassical optimal growth models of the Ramsey type. The chapter also discusses the Samuelson conservation laws in a von Neumann growth system through the application of the Noether theorem.
The Agricultural Revolution

This chapter projects the advances that can be made in agriculture using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology. The chapter describes methods for introducing genes to plant cells that are used to determine whether cells have incorporated the foreign genes. The chapter then discusses the way bacteria bring nitrogen into the cycle of animal and plant life and explains that DNA technology can circumvent the role that bacteria play. Gene-altered bacteria can be used to protect plants from freezing is described. Facts on the way DNA technology can enhance plant resistance to pests are evaluated. By using the methods of genetic engineering, the resistance that viral proteins impart in plants can be increased. The chapter then describes some of the bioengineered agricultural products that will soon be appearing in the marketplace and explains that plants can be gene-altered for use as carriers of vaccines. The chapter concludes by denoting some agricultural uses for genetically engineered chemical compounds.
Teaching tools, teachers’ rules: exploring the impact of teaching styles on young children’s programming knowledge in ScratchJr

Computer programming tools for young children are being created and used in early childhood classrooms more than ever. However, little is known about the relationship between a teacher’s unique instructional style and their students’ ability to explore and retain programming content. In this mixed-methods study, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from N = 6 teachers and N = 222 Kindergarten through second grade students at six schools across the United States. These teachers and students participated in an investigation of the relationship between teaching styles and student learning outcomes. All participants engaged in a minimum of two lessons and a maximum of seven lessons using the ScratchJr programming environment to introduce coding. Teachers reported on their classroom structure, lesson plan, teaching style and comfort with technology. They also administered ScratchJr Solve It assessments to capture various aspects of students’ programming comprehension, which were analyzed for trends in learning outcomes. Results from this descriptive, exploratory study show that all students were successful in attaining foundational ScratchJr programming comprehension. Statistically significant findings revealed higher programming achievement in students whose educators demonstrated flexibility in lesson planning, responsiveness to student needs, technological content expertise, and concern for developing students’ independent thinking. Implications for research in the development of computational thinking strategies are discussed, as well as suggestions for successfully implementing early childhood classroom interventions with ScratchJr.
Cholesterol auxotrophy and intolerance to ezetimibe in mice with SREBP-2 deficiency in the intestine.

SREBP-2 activates transcription of all genes needed for cholesterol biosynthesis. To study SREBP-2 function in the intestine, we generated a mouse model (Vil-BP2−/−) in which Cre recombinase ablates SREBP-2 in intestinal epithelia. Intestines of Vil-BP2−/− mice had reduced expression of genes required for sterol synthesis, in vivo sterol synthesis rates, and epithelial cholesterol contents. On a cholesterol-free diet, the mice displayed chronic enteropathy with histological abnormalities of both villi and crypts, growth restriction, and reduced survival that was prevented by supplementation of cholesterol in the diet. Likewise, SREBP-2-deficient enteroids required exogenous cholesterol for growth. Blockade of luminal cholesterol uptake into enterocytes with ezetimibe precipitated acutely lethal intestinal damage in Vil-BP2−/− mice, highlighting the critical interplay in the small intestine of sterol absorption via NPC1L1 and sterol synthesis via SREBP-2 in sustaining the intestinal mucosa. These data show that the small intestine requires SREBP-2 to drive cholesterol synthesis that sustains the intestinal epithelia when uptake of cholesterol from the gut lumen is not available, and provide a unique example of cholesterol auxotrophy expressed in an intact, adult mammal.
A data assimilating model for estimating Southern Ocean biogeochemistry

A Biogeochemical Southern Ocean State Estimate (B-SOSE) is introduced that includes carbon and oxygen fields as well as nutrient cycles. The state estimate is constrained with observations while maintaining closed budgets and obeying dynamical and thermodynamic balances. Observations from profiling floats, shipboard data, underway measurements, and satellites are used for assimilation. The years 2008–2012 are chosen due to the relative abundance of oxygen observations from Argo floats during this time. The skill of the state estimate at fitting the data is assessed. The agreement is best for fields that are constrained with the most observations, such as surface pCO2 in Drake Passage (44% of the variance captured) and oxygen profiles (over 60% of the variance captured at 200 and 1000 m). The validity of adjoint method optimization for coupled physical-biogeochemical state estimation is demonstrated with a series of gradient check experiments. The method is shown to be mature and ready to synthesize in situ biogeochemical observations as they become more available. Documenting the B-SOSE configuration and diagnosing the strengths and weaknesses of the solution informs usage of this product as both a climate baseline and as a way to test hypotheses. Transport of Intermediate Waters across 32°S supplies significant amounts of nitrate to the Atlantic Ocean (5.57 ± 2.94 Tmol yr−1) and Indian Ocean (5.09 ± 3.06 Tmol yr−1), but much less nitrate reaches the Pacific Ocean (1.78 ± 1.91 Tmol yr−1). Estimates of air-sea carbon dioxide fluxes south of 50°S suggest a mean uptake of 0.18 Pg C/yr for the time period analyzed.
Expanding Implementation of ACOSOG Z0011 in Surgeon Practice.

Abstract Background After publication of American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011, surgeons at our institution limited axillary surgery to sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) in 76% of patients meeting trial eligibility criteria. Our study objective was to assess incorporation of the trial data into practice 5 years later. Patients and Methods Patients with clinical T1-2, N0 invasive breast cancer undergoing breast conserving surgery were included. Comparisons were made between patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and those that had no further surgery. Results A total of 396 patients were included. Twelve percent (48/396) had positive SLNs; ALND was performed in 8% (4/48). Patients who underwent ALND were more likely to have 2 positive SLNs (50%, 2/4 vs. 2%, 1/44; P = .02) and microscopic extranodal extension (75%, 3/4 vs. 18%, 8/44; P = .03) than those that did not undergo ALND. Patients who underwent ALND also had a higher nomogram-predicted probability of having additional positive non-SLNs (53%) than those who had SLND alone (22%) ( P = .0002). No patients had intraoperative assessment of SLNs performed. Conclusions The practice of omitting ALND in ACOSOG Z0011-eligible patients has expanded over 5 years. Clinicopathologic features continue to impact this decision. Intraoperative SLN assessment is no longer performed.