cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Making the cut: intramembrane cleavage by a rhomboid protease promotes ERAD

Endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation (ERAD) is a cellular protein quality-control process that disposes of proteasomal substrates from the early secretory pathway. Recent work shows that the endoplasmic reticulum–resident rhomboid protease RHBDL4 facilitates ERAD by recognizing and cleaving integral membrane substrates. The work indicates that intramembrane proteolysis may have a general role in the extraction of misfolded membrane proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum.
Critical race pedagogy 2.0: lessons from Derrick Bell

In this article, we attempt to honor the rich legacy of Derrick Bell by detailing how exploring his specific contributions to critical race theory (CRT) provided lessons for developing and refining critical race pedagogy (CRP). We examine Bell’s racial realism thesis in connection with his pedagogical work. In doing so, we find that he was as committed to developing a ‘community-based’ law classroom as he was to articulating a strong critique of the law (Radice 1991). As part of his teaching philosophy, Bell wrote extensively about the value and importance of a student-centered humanist pedagogy (Bell 1980, 1982, 1997; Bell and Edmonds 1993; Delgado and Stefancic 2005). We draw parallels between Bell’s humanist student-centered pedagogy and the tenets of CRP as a way to expand the accessibility of this framework. Finally, as the ultimate homage to the work of Derrick Bell, we end with a futuristic mini-chronicle that takes place in a school district boardroom. The chronicle features a fictitious character...
Steps/day and metabolic syndrome in African American adults: The Jackson Heart Study

Objective To examine the relationship between pedometer-measured step count data and the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in African American adults.
Thermal conductivity and heat capacity study of a densified a-SiO2

Abstract The thermal conductivity and the specific heat of a densified fused silica a-SiO 2 that has a density about 20% higher than that of undensified one from 15 K to room temperatures were measured. The thermal conductivity shows a plateau at temperatures up to 60 K, and the magnitude of the plateau is higher than that of undensified a-SiO 2 . Above 60 K, the thermal conductivity increases approximately linearly with temperature. A simple analysis of the thermal conductivity data measured on two different portions of the sample reveals that the thermal conductivity plateau is most strongly affected by the densification. Specific heat at temperatures below 60 K is slightly smaller than that of undensified a-SiO 2 , and gradually approaches the value of undensified a-SiO 2 at higher temperatures.
SARS: Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, Management, and Infection Control Measures

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a recently recognized febrile respiratory illness that first appeared in southern China in November 2002, has since spread to several countries, and has resulted in more than 8000 cases and more than 750 deaths. The disease has been etiologically linked to a novel coronavirus that has been named the SARS-associated coronavirus. It appears to be spread primarily by large droplet transmission. There is no specific therapy, and management consists of supportive care. This article summarizes currently available information regarding the epidemiology, clinical features, etiologic agent, and modes of transmission of the disease, as well as infection control measures appropriate to contain SARS.
Optimal functional expansion for estimation from counting observations

A systematic method to develop approximate nonlinear estimators is presented, in the form of a functional series, for the signal that modulates the rate of a counting process. The estimators are optimal for the given structure and approach the minimum variance (MV) estimator when the approximation order increases. Two kinds of functional series, the iterated integral (II) series and the Fourier-Charlier (FC) series, are used. Product-to-sum formulas for the II and FC functionals are derived. By using the formulas, the MV estimate is projected onto the Hilbert subspaces of the II and the FC series driven by the counting observations with the given index set. The projection results in a Wiener-Hopf type equation for the II kernels and a system of linear algebraic equations for the FC coefficients. The FC series estimator consists of finitely many single Wiener integrals of the counting observations and a nonlinear postprocessor. The nonlinear postprocessor, however, is not memoryless.
Prevalence of Aggressive Behaviour after Severe Paediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective: The goals of this study were to explore the prevalence of aggressive behaviours after severe paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and identify predictors of aggressive behaviours 1 year post-injury.Methods: A cohort of 97 children aged 4–19 years at time of severe TBI (GCS 3–8) were prospectively followed for 1 year. Pre-injury psychiatric status was obtained retrospectively at enrolment and post-injury behavioural and functional concerns were assessed at 1 year. Aggression was measured with a modified version of the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS).Results: Results revealed aggressive behaviour increased from pre-injury to post-injury. Pre-injury factors including aggression, attention problems and anxiety were associated with increased post-injury aggressive behaviour. Children with greater disability after injury were also at increased risk for aggressive behaviours.Conclusions: Aggression is a prevalent symptom after paediatric TBI and can significantly impede rehabilitation. Awareness of th...
Optimal Outcomes for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

Returning a patient with oropharyngeal dysphagia to a full, safe oral intake of a normal diet is optimal, but not always possible. With intervention, other optimal outcomes may exist along the patient’s specific trajectory of recovery or degeneration. The measurement points along the maximized trajectory of recovery through applied intervention are then patient-specific optimal outcomes. Measurement tools for dysphagia must be valid, reliable, and sensitive to diverse populations and capture clinically meaningful change. We suggest distinctive levels of quality for outcome measurement tools, and call for further research to determine appropriate outcome measures and meaningful end points in dysphagia management. The conceptual framework provided regarding optimal outcomes in dysphagia management can facilitate discussions regarding health care reform. Large clinical data sets and future research are needed to better define the trajectory of swallowing rehabilitation, a significant and positive deviation from the natural disease or illness course.
Antinormally Ordered Correlations and Quantum Counters

The properties of a photon counter functioning by stimulated emission---rather than by absorption---of photons in an external field are examined. A possible scheme for such a quantum counter is described, and it is shown that correlation measurements performed with a number of quantum counters correspond to antinormally ordered products of field operators. These correlations, unlike the normally ordered ones, are always positive definite and depend explicitly on the number of radiation modes per unit volume to which the counter is coupled. It is shown that the antinormally ordered correlations carry useful information about the field only when the average photon occupation number per mode is large. A general expression for the probability that the quantum counter registers $n$ counts in a certain time interval is derived and is shown to be related in an interesting way to the corresponding expression for the photoelectric detector. The variance of the probability distribution is evaluated for some simple states of the field.
Timing constraints of in vivo gag mutations during primary HIV-1 subtype C infection.

Background Aiming to answer the broad question “When does mutation occur?” this study examined the time of appearance, dominance, and completeness of in vivo Gag mutations in primary HIV-1 subtype C infection. Methods A primary HIV-1C infection cohort comprised of 8 acutely and 34 recently infected subjects were followed frequently up to 500 days post-seroconversion (p/s). Gag mutations were analyzed by employing single-genome amplification and direct sequencing. Gag mutations were determined in relation to the estimated time of seroconversion. Time of appearance, dominance, and completeness was compared for different types of in vivo Gag mutations. Results Reverse mutations to the wild type appeared at a median (IQR) of 62 (44;139) days p/s, while escape mutations from the wild type appeared at 234 (169;326) days p/s (p<0.001). Within the subset of mutations that became dominant, reverse and escape mutations appeared at 54 (30;78) days p/s and 104 (47;198) days p/s, respectively (p<0.001). Among the mutations that reached completeness, reverse and escape mutations appeared at 54 (30;78) days p/s and 90 (44;196) days p/s, respectively (p = 0.006). Time of dominance for reverse mutations to and escape mutations from the wild type was 58 (44;105) days p/s and 219 (90;326) days p/s, respectively (p<0.001). Time of completeness for reverse and escape mutations was 152 (100;176) days p/s and 243 (101;370) days p/s, respectively (p = 0.001). Fitting a Cox proportional hazards model with frailties confirmed a significantly earlier time of appearance (hazard ratio (HR): 2.6; 95% CI: 2.3–3.0), dominance (4.8 (3.4–6.8)), and completeness (3.6 (2.3–5.5)) of reverse mutations to the wild type Gag than escape mutations from the wild type. Some complex mutational pathways in Gag included sequential series of reversions and escapes. Conclusions The study identified the timing of different types of in vivo Gag mutations in primary HIV-1 subtype C infection in relation to the estimated time of seroconversion. Overall, the in vivo reverse mutations to the wild type occurred significantly earlier than escape mutations from the wild type. This shorter time to incidence of reverse mutations remained in the subsets of in vivo Gag mutations that reached dominance or completeness.
Human Papillomavirus-Related Carcinoma with Adenoid Cystic-Like Features: A Peculiar Variant of Head and Neck Cancer Restricted to the Sinonasal Tract

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related carcinomas of the head and neck are characterized by a predilection for the oropharynx, a nonkeratinizing squamous morphology, and infection with the HPV 16 type; but comprehensive HPV testing across all head and neck sites has shown that the pathologic features of HPV-related carcinoma may be more wide ranging than initially anticipated. In particular, a subset of sinonasal carcinomas are HPV positive, and these include a variant that is histologically similar to adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Cases were identified by retrospective and prospective analyses of head and neck carcinomas with ACC features. HPV analysis was performed using p16 immunohistochemistry and high-risk HPV in situ hybridization. HPV-positive cases were confirmed and typed using HPV type-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction and further characterized on the basis of their immunohistochemical profile and MYB gene status. HPV was detected in 8 carcinomas of the sinonasal tract, but it was not detected in any ACCs arising outside of the sinonasal tract. The HPV types were 33 (n=6), 35 (n=1), and indeterminate (n=1). Six patients were women, and 2 were men, ranging in age from 40 to 73 years (mean 55 y). The carcinomas were characterized by a nested growth, a prominent basaloid component showing myoepithelial differentiation and forming microcystic spaces, and a minor epithelial component with ductal structures. Squamous differentiation, when present, was restricted to the surface epithelium. The carcinomas were not associated with the MYB gene rearrangement that characterizes a subset of ACCs. These cases draw attention to an unusual variant of HPV-related carcinoma that has a predilection for the sinonasal tract. Despite significant morphologic overlap with ACC, it is distinct in several respects including an association with surface squamous dysplasia, absence of the MYB gene rearrangement, and an association with HPV, particularly type 33. As HPV positivity confers distinct clinicopathologic characteristics when encountered in the oropharynx, a more comprehensive analysis of risk factors, response to therapy, and clinical outcomes is warranted for HPV-related carcinomas of the sinonasal tract.
Effects of certain antibiotics on isometric contractions of isolated rat heart muscle.

The direct effects of potassium-penicillin-G, kanamycin, streptomycin and chloramphenicol on isometric contraction of isolated rat heart muscle were examined. Potassium-penicillin-G did not depress myocardial contractility but rather increased it. Those increases are not due to penicillin itself but due to a small amount of K+ in potassium-penicillin-G. Kanamycin and streptomycin did show not only direct myocardial depressant effects but concentration-dependent depressions. The depression produced by kanamycin could be restored to normal by adding Ca++ to the bath solution. Chloramphenicol did not show any significant concentration-dependent depression in our studies. We conclude that it is important to be aware of the potential depression of cardiac function by antibiotics, particularly in patients who have diminished cardiac reserve and who are undergoing surgical procedures under anesthesia which may also depress cardiac function.
Adenosis and adenocarcinoma of the vagina in young women: A review: Adenosis and adenocarcinoma☆

Abstract Prior to 1971, adenosis and primary adenocarcinoma of the vagina were unusual entities. Since then, a marked increase in both processes has occurred, felt to be related to maternal ingestion of Diethylstibestrol (DES) and other estrogenic compounds during the first trimester, with subsequent abnormalities in female off-spring. To date, there are over 170 cases of adenocarcinoma reported, and there may be as many as one million patients with adenosis. Treatment of benign adenosis is somewhat of a controversy but adenocarcinoma is treated with surgery, radiation or a combination thereof, depending upon the specifics of the patients. Four patients are presented, one treated surgically and three with radiotherapy, all with complete remission over one to two years. It behooves all physicians caring for young women to be aware of these disease processes for the maximum therapeutic benefit to be achieved.
Geochemistry of halogens in the Milk River aquifer, Alberta, Canada

Abstract Analytical data are presented for Cl, Br and I on a regional scale for the Milk River aquifer. The three halides show strikingly similar spatial distributions and are highly correlated. Concentrations are low in the freshwater portions of the aquifer but increase by as much as two orders of magnitude along the margins. However, halide ratios reach nearly constant values moving down-gradient, suggesting the dominance of a common subsurface source for these ions. Ratios of Cl/I and Cl/Br are less than those of seawater and fit an origin derived from the diagenesis of organic matter in the sediments. Halide ratios rule out leakage and/or diffusion from the underlying Colorado Group as a major influence on the chemistry; the favored hypothesis is altered connate seawater diffusing from low-permeability units within the Milk River Formation as the primary source of salts. This hypothesis of an internal source has important implications for solute sources in other aquifers affected by saline waters because it does not require the importation of a distant fluid. The129I/I ratio has a meteoric value in groundwater collected near the recharge area, but ratios for downflow waters are only 8–70% of this value. Due to the 16 Ma half-life of129I, these data indicate that most of the increase in dissolved I cannot derive from concentration of a meteoric source by ion filtration, but must have a subsurface origin. Concentrations of129I producedin situ by spontaneous fission of238U attain measurable levels only in the oldest waters sampled (ages≥ 105a), in which it may account for nearly 90% of the total dissolved129I concentration. Water ages based upon36Cl/Cl data range up to 2 Ma if uncorrected for any dilution by subsurface sources of dead Cl. If one assumes that the subsurface contributions of Cl contribute at least 90% of total Cl in the distal portion, then the36Cl-based ages are reduced to ∼ 1Ma, somewhat greater than those estimated by hydrodynamic modeling.
Relationship of hiatal hernia to endoscopically proved reflux esophagitis.

The relationship between reflux esophagitis and hiatal hernia was studied using fiberoptic endoscopy. Of 293 patients having upper-gastrointestinal endoscopy during an 18-month period, 64 (22%) had a hiatal hernia and 38 (13%) had esophagitis. Half the patients with a hiatal hernia had esophagitis, whereas the vast majority (84%) of patients with esophagitis had a concomitant hiatal hernia. The association between esophagitis and hiatal hernia was highly significant (P<0.0001). There was no statistically significant association between the size of the hiatal hernia and the degree of esophagitis on endoscopy. A permissive role of hiatal hernia in the genesis of reflux esophagitis is suggested.
Characterization of the interaction between the lambda intasome and attB.

Bacteriophage λ DNA integrates into the chromosome ofEscherichia coliby first forming an intasome at the phage attachment site on the phage DNA with the integrase Int and integration host factor. This intasome searches the host chromosome for the bacterial attachment site (attB) and then orchestrates two sequential strand exchange reactions to achieve integration. This study characterizes the weak interaction of the intasome andattB. The hypothesis that all of the proteins necessary for integration are brought to the reaction site by the intasome is given additional support by showing that the concentration of phage attachment site and notattB determines the optimal concentration of proteins for integration. The value of the dissocation constant of the complex formed between the intasome andattB is determined in two different ways. First, the rate of the integration reaction is measured as a function of theattB DNA concentration. The saturation constant reflects the dissociation constant of the complex. Second, a recomb ination reaction is inhibited by the inroduction of varying amounts of a secondattB with a sequence change that blocks recombination with this site. The inhibition constant reflects the dissociation constant of the intasome and alteredattB in this experiment. The two methods agree and give a dissociation constant of approximately 300 nM.attB contains two core binding sites for the intasome; it is shown that both are necessary for efficient capture. The value of the dissocation constants are considerably lower when a mutant integrase, IntE174K, is used. This increased affinity for core sites can explain how IntE174K can function in the absence of integration host factor. The inhibition constants also show dependence on the exact sequence of the inhibitingattB. Possible implications of this dependence are discussed.
Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation

Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by laser ablation of Fe foil in ethanol. The nanoparticles consisted of Fe3O4 and Fe3C and were superparamagnetic with a saturation magnetization Ms = 124 emu/g. Zero field cooled (ZFC) measurements collected at an applied field of 50 Oe displayed a maximum magnetic susceptibility at 120 K with a broad distribution. Field cooled (FC) measurements collected during cooling and heating showed a thermal hysteresis indicative of temperature dependent magnetic viscosity. The magnetic viscosity was calculated from thermoremanent magnetization (TRM) plots and it increased with decreasing temperature. The activation volume of these non uniform magnetic states was calculated from TRM measurements and it was found to decrease with decreasing temperature. The decrease in activation diameters was interpreted as a decrease in exchange length, and hence a decrease in particle-particle interactions.
Bespoke Photoreductants: Tungsten Arylisocyanides

Modular syntheses of oligoarylisocyanide ligands that are derivatives of 2,6-diisopropylphenyl isocyanide (CNdipp) have been developed; tungsten complexes incorporating these oligoarylisocyanide ligands exhibit intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer visible absorptions that are red-shifted and more intense than those of the parent W(CNdipp)6 complex. Additionally, these W(CNAr)6 complexes have enhanced excited-state properties, including longer lifetimes and very high quantum yields. The decay kinetics of electronically excited W(CNAr)6 complexes (*W(CNAr)6) show solvent dependences; faster decay is observed in higher dielectric solvents. *W(CNAr)6 lifetimes are temperature dependent, suggestive of a strong coupling nonradiative decay mechanism that promotes repopulation of the ground state. Notably, *W(CNAr)6 complexes are exceptionally strong reductants: [W(CNAr)6]+/*W(CNAr)6 potentials are more negative than −2.7 V vs [Cp2Fe]+/Cp2Fe.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Phalloidin Binding to Actin Filaments from Three Divergent Species

We compared the kinetics and thermodynamics of rhodamine phalloidin binding to actin purified from rabbit skeletal muscle, Acanthamoeba castellanii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in 50 mM KCl, 1 mM MgCl2, and pH 7.0 buffer at 22 degrees C. Filaments of S. cerevisiae actin bind rhodamine phalloidin more weakly than Acanthamoeba and rabbit skeletal muscle actin filaments due to a more rapid dissociation rate in spite of a significantly faster association rate constant. The higher dissociation rate constant and lower binding affinity of rhodamine phalloidin for S. cerevisiae actin filaments provide a quantitative explanation for the inefficient staining of yeast actin filaments, compared with that of rabbit skeletal muscle actin filaments [Kron et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 4466-4470]. The temperature dependence of the rate constants was interpreted according to transition state theory. There is a small enthalpic difference (delta H++) between the ground states and the transition state. Consequently, the free energy of activation (delta G++) for association and dissociation of rhodamine phalloidin is dominated by entropic changes (delta S++). At equilibrium, rhodamine phalloidin binding generates a positive entropy change (delta S0). The rates of rhodamine phalloidin binding are independent of the pH, ionic strength, and filament length. Rhodamine covalently bound decreases the association rate and affinity of phalloidin for actin. The association rate constant is low for both phalloidin and rhodamine phalloidin because the filaments must undergo conformational changes (i.e. "breathe") to expose the phalloidin binding site [De La Cruz, E. M., & Pollard, T. D. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 14387-14392]. Raising the solvent microviscosity, but not the macroviscosity, dampens these conformational fluctuations, and phalloidin binding kinetics are inhibited. Yeast actin filaments bind rhodamine phalloidin more rapidly, suggesting that perhaps they are more flexible and can breathe more easily than rabbit or Acanthamoeba actin filaments.
Bridging the gap between micromagnetism and ab initio calculations: basic hysteretic properties of CoPt-type magnets

Abstract We demonstrate how first-principles, microstructural and microscopic model calculations may be combined to obtain material-specific input for micromagnetic calculations. We elucidate the generic links between microstructural features and coercivity of polytwinned CoPt-type magnets. It is shown with the help of ab initio calculations that domain walls in these alloys are strongly attracted to antiphase boundaries, and, using microscopic simulations, that at twin boundaries they are split in magnetostatically coupled segments. We predict a peculiar mechanism of magnetization reversal via DW splitting in ‘partial walls’. General features of magnetization reversal are explained and estimates of coercivity given for the strong and weak pinning cases.
Density Functional Theory Study of Selectivity Considerations for C–C Versus C–O Bond Scission in Glycerol Decomposition on Pt(111)

Glycerol decomposition via a combination of dehydrogenation, C–C bond scission, and C–O bond scission reactions is examined on Pt(111) with periodic Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Building upon a previous study focused on C–C bond scission in glycerol, the current work presents a first analysis of the competition between C–O and C–C bond cleavage in this reaction network. The thermochemistry of various species produced from C–O bond breaking in glycerol dehydrogenation intermediates is estimated using an extension of a previously introduced empirical correlation scheme, with parameters fit to DFT calculations. Bronsted–Evans–Polanyi (BEP) relationships are then used to estimate the kinetics of C–O bond breaking. When combined with the previous results, the thermochemical and kinetic analyses imply that, while C–O bond scission may be competitive with C–C bond scission during the early stages of glycerol dehydrogenation, the overall rates are likely to be very low. Later in the dehydrogenation process, where rates will be much higher, transition states for C–C bond scission involving decarbonylation are much lower in energy than are the corresponding transition states for C–O bond breaking, implying that the selectivity for C–C scission will be high for glycerol decomposition on smooth platinum surfaces. It is anticipated that the correlation schemes described in this work will provide an efficient strategy for estimating thermochemical and kinetic energetics for a variety of elementary bond breaking processes on Pt(111) and may ultimately facilitate computational catalyst design for these and related catalytic processes.
Liddle's syndrome: A public health menace?

IDDLE’S SYNDROME is a very rare form of autosomal dominant hypertension with early penetrance and impressive cardiovascular sequelae. The basic features of this syndrome were described in a large kindred from Alabama by Grant Liddle et al in 1963.’ In addition to severe hypertension, many of the patients have overt hypokalemia. Despite having the typical clinical presentation of primary aldosteronism with low plasma renin activity, the actual rates of aldosterone excretion were markedly suppressed, accounting for the descriptive term pseudoaldosteronism. Liddle’s original publication is a classical description of clinical investigation. They did not find any beneficial effect of spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid antagonist, but triamterene did correct the hypertension, renal potassium wasting, and hypokalemia as long as the subjects restricted their dietary salt intake. Liddle et al correctly interpreted these findings as indicating an intrinsic renal defect in the regulation of salt absorption rather than the effects on the distal tubule of some unidentified mineralocorticoid other than aldosterone.’
A fundamental system based on observations of minor planets

Astronomers adopt a single system of star positions and motions for reduction of other observations. Relative observations of faint minor planets may make a significant contribution to the evaluation of systematic errors in this Fundamental System, and provide means of deriving a position system in ecliptic coordinates. New techniques, such as observations with the Space Telescope, must be evaluated for possible incorporation into a revision of the Fundamental System. A historical summary of the application of minor planet observations to the formation of astronomical coordinate systems is given. Then a project to investigate the systematic accuracy of the Fundamental System is outlined. Of the four observation types considered, 'crossing point' observations provide a unique stabilizing influence on any coordinate system incorporating them. Finally, some sources of systematic error and some methods of their treatment are discussed.
Optimal Formation Design for Imaging and Fuel Usage

I N THIS paper we study optimal spacecraft formation motion design for fuel-image optimality. Previous results indicate a tradeoff between image quality and fuel expenditure [1,2]. Hence, we formulate an optimal control problem that optimizes fuel expenditure while meeting imaging goals. First, we state results from [3,4] that relate image quality to the trajectory of a sparse system of N telescopes. This relationship is used to define an optimal control problem that includes imaging and fuel performance measures. We then derive the necessary optimality conditions for a generic multispacecraft formation and specialize them to a two-spacecraft formation. We show that the optimal trajectory must be symmetric about the system center of mass, which in turn moves uniformly in space. We also show that there is a “speed control” effect that is necessary for meeting the desired image quality. Simulation results are provided to show the local behavior of the resulting control law. Finally, we prove optimality of a class of circular Earth-orbiting constellations introduced earlier in the literature [5]. This work is fundamental to current and future work related to motion path planning of deep-space, separated spacecraft interferometric missions used for the imaging of exosolar targets as those sought in NASA’s Origins Program [6]. II. Imaging Problem and Modulation Transfer Function
Dust coatings on basaltic rocks and implications for thermal infrared spectroscopy of Mars

[1] Thin coatings of atmospherically deposited dust can mask the spectral characteristics of underlying surfaces on Mars from the visible to thermal infrared wavelengths, making identification of substrate and coating mineralogy difficult from lander and orbiter spectrometer data. To study the spectral effects of dust coatings, we acquired thermal emission and hemispherical reflectance spectra (5–25 μm; 2000–400 cm−1) of basaltic andesite coated with different thicknesses of air fall-deposited palagonitic soils, fine-grained ceramic clay powders, and terrestrial loess. The results show that thin coatings (10–20 μm) reduce the spectral contrast of the rock substrate substantially, consistent with previous work. This contrast reduction continues linearly with increasing coating thickness until a “saturation thickness” is reached, after which little further change is observed. The saturation thickness of the spectrally flat palagonite coatings is ∼100–120 μm, whereas that for coatings with higher spectral contrast is only ∼50–75 μm. Spectral differences among coated and uncoated samples correlate with measured coating thicknesses in a quadratic manner, whereas correlations with estimated surface area coverage are better fit by linear functions. Linear mixture modeling of coated samples using the rock substrate and coating materials as end-members is also consistent with their measured coating thicknesses and areal coverage. A comparison of ratios of Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) spectra of dark and bright intracrater and windstreak deposits associated with Radau crater suggests that the dark windstreak material may be coated with as much as 90% areal coverage of palagonitic dust. The data presented here also will help improve interpretations of upcoming mini-TES and Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) observations of coated Mars surface materials.
A tunable hydrogel for encapsulation and controlled release of bioactive proteins.

A N,N-dimethylacrylamide-based hydrogel (2) with the new cross-linker (ethylenedioxy) bis[2,2‘-(N-acryloylamino)ethane] (1) has been prepared, and its physicochemical properties in aqueous solution were studied. Three different native proteins (lysozyme, bovine serum albumin, and rabbit IgG) were encapsulated within the polymeric matrix 2, and the kinetics of their release from the swollen hydrogel were determined. The rate of protein release exhibits a clear dependence on both the molecular weight of the protein and the amount of cross-linker utilized to prepare the hydrogel. This is reflected by the fact that the low molecular weight proteins are released at an increased rate versus higher molecular weight proteins. In addition a greater amount of protein is released from the hydrogels with a lower percentage of cross-linker. The polymerization procedure used in this study is sufficiently mild to safeguard the functional integrity of attendant biomolecules as determined by the retention of catalytic act...
Conducting moisture sensitive reactions under mechanochemical conditions

Abstract Dry organic solvents are used for various organic reactions that employ moisture sensitive reagents. The processes to dry these solvents are hazardous and costly. Setting up reactions in an open atmosphere while using moisture sensitive reagents has little to no effect on the rate or yield of the reaction under mechanochemical conditions. We believe this is partly due to the gaseous nature of the water vapor in the air compared to the dissolved water and oxygen in solution.
Synthesis of nano-bowls with a Janus template

Colloidal particles with two or more different surface properties (Janus particles) are of interest in catalysis, biological imaging, and drug delivery. Eccentric nanoparticles are a type of Janus particle consisting of a shell that envelops the majority of a core particle, leaving a portion of the core surface exposed. Previous work to synthesize eccentric nanoparticles from silica and polystyrene have only used microemulsion techniques. In contrast we report the sol-gel synthesis of eccentric Janus nanoparticles composed of a silica shell around a carboxylate-modified polystyrene core (Janus templates). In addition, we have synthesized nano-bowl-like structures after the removal of the polystyrene core by organic solvent. These Janus templates and nanobowls can be used as a versatile platform for site-specific functionalization or controlled theranostic delivery.
Electron paramagnetic resonance studies in neutron-irradiated silicon

Abstract Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of neutron-irradiated silicon are surveyed, both as being of interest per se and as related to transmutation doping. The emerging panorama progressing from vacancy- and interstitial-related point defects to agglomerates visible in the electron microscope is described. Intrinsic and impurity-driven partial dissociation of defect complexes is discussed.
Cerebral pyruvate carboxylase flux is unaltered during bicuculline‐seizures

Glutamine synthesis in the astroglia reflects the sum of neurotransmitter cycling (glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid [GABA]) and de novo synthesis (anaplerosis), the latter catalyzed by pyruvate carboxylase. Previous studies have shown that the glutamate plus GABA cycling flux is correlated strongly with neuronal activity; however, the relationship between pyruvate carboxylase flux and neuronal activity is not known. In this study, pyruvate carboxylase flux was assessed during intravenous infusion of [2- 1 3 C]glucose using localized 1 H-[ 1 3 C] NMR spectroscopy at 7 Tesla in vivo in halothane-anesthetized and ventilated adult Wistar rats during 85 min of bicuculline-induced seizures (1 mg/kg, intravenously) and in nontreated controls. During seizures, concentrations of lactate, alanine, glutamine, GABA, and succinate increased whereas glutamate and aspartate decreased such that the decrease in glutamate plus aspartate equaled the increase in glutamine plus GABA. Pyruvate carboxylase flux was assessed by the sum of [2- 1 3 C] and [3- 1 3 C] of glutamine and glutamate (Glx 2 + 3 ) labeling during [2- 1 3 C]glucose infusion. During seizures the initial rate of Glx 2 + 3 synthesis (0.069 ′ 0.013 μmol/ g/min) was not significantly different (P = 0.68) from that of the controls (0.059 ′ 0.010 μmol/g/min), indicating that anaplerotic flow through pyruvate carboxylase was unaltered. Intense neuronal activation of seizures did not seem to increase anaplerosis through pyruvate carboxylase, despite the substantial increase in neuronal activity and glutamate/glutamine cycling shown in a previous study (Patel et al., 2004b).
Bioethics and oncofertility: arguments and insights from religious traditions.

This chapter seeks to explain our preliminary reflections on how different religious communities might use their texts and traditions to respond to and assess the ethics of oncofertility research and technologies. Specifically, this chapter will briefly explore the Catholic, Evangelical Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions and their anticipated or potential contributions to the ethical discourse surrounding oncofertility. The chapter will sketch a few characteristic principles and describe some preliminary responses from practitioners that may guide each religion’s traditional stances toward reproductive technologies and procreation. The material presented herein builds upon exploratory research by two classes of undergraduate students at Northwestern University. The author’s additional research sought out additional sources and considered additional religious traditions. The students’ research included interviews with local ministers, rabbis, faith communities, including campus ministers, and also student participants in various religious traditions. The clergy, intrigued by the questions raised by the research, suggested some of the preliminary sources and general directions pursued in this chapter.
Aging Research: Translating Scientific Discovery into Clinical Intervention

The world population is aging, and at a steadily increasing rate. In many ways people are not only living longer, but healthier. However, the challenges of an aging population, for individuals and society, are also increasingly evident: a significant percentage of older Americans report functional problems, rates of morbidity from heart disease and hypertension are still high, and exponential growth in Alzheimer's disease is predicted without new and more effective treatments. This article highlights some of the National Institute on Aging's research, including basic studies in genetics and the biological determinants of aging, translational studies in Alzheimer's disease, studies to reduce disease and disability among older adults, and studies of the social and behavioral aspects of aging and Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER). The revolution in longevity brings with it an increased urgency to understand aging. A broad-based effort across key areas—basic biology, epidemiology, translational and clinical medicine, and social and behavioral factors—is critical to discovering new ways to support better health and maintain independence for older people.
The Undergraduate Clinical Child Psychology Course: Bringing Students to the Real World and the Real World to Students:

A n undergraduate clinical child psychology course that combines classroom, practicum, and guest speaker components is described. The course provides students with an overview of the descriptive characteristics, clinical theory, and treatment of the primary disorders and problems of childhood and adolescence. It also attempts to create linkages between (a) academia and (b) practitioners and settings in the natural environment. Course evaluation data indicate that this instructional model has been meeting its goal of stimulating students' interest in child psychopathology and in the psychosocial needs of youth.
Cascadable optical inversion using 1550 nm VCSEL

A novel, cascadable optical inverter is demonstrated up to 2.5 Gbit/s using a commerically available 1550 nm VCSEL. Experimental results show cascadable operation based on positive noise margin transfer characteristics and extinction ratio (ER) regeneration. Errorless performance is measured with sensitivity penalties of 0 and 1.4 dB and output ER exceeding 6 dB at 1 and 2.5 Gbit/s, respectively.
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries in Horseback Riding: A 35-Year Review

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a potentially disabling neurologic injury that can occur in horseback riding. To date, no published study has examined the epidemiology of SCI from horseback riding in the United States, and few international studies exist on this topic. Several studies have described traumatic brain injuries, spine fractures, and extremity injuries; however, SCI patterns and outcomes in horseback riders are poorly understood.Purpose: This study was undertaken to characterize the demographics, SCI patterns, and neurologic outcomes of persons with SCIs related to horseback riding.Study Design: Descriptive epidemiologic study.Methods: This is a retrospective review of 121 SCI cases from horseback riding in the National SCI Statistical Center database from 1973 to 2008. The treatment setting was 26 U.S. SCI Model Systems of Care. The number of injuries, gender, age, and SCI type for horseback riding were compared with other sports and activities. The level of preserved neurologic funct...
Analysis of Stained Objects in Histological Sections by Spectral Imaging and Differential Absorption

We describe a new light microscopic imaging system and method to perform high through put color image analysis on histological tissue sections. The system features a computer-controlled, random-access liquid crystal tunable filter and high-resolution digital camera on a conventional brightfield microscope. For any combination of stains, the method determines the spectral transmittance of each stain on the slide and selects two or more wavelengths at which the differential absorption between stain and counterstain is greatest and the exposure time is reasonably short. Flatfield corrected digital images at these wavelengths are acquired and divided to produce a gray scale ratio image. The ratio image is calculated such that the stained features of interest are highlighted above a uniform background and the counterstained features are highlighted below background. Image threshold procedures using either visual inspection or a threshold value determined by the image mean intensity and standard deviation are used to segment the stained features of interest for subsequent morphometry. Results are presented for peroxidase-AEC-labeled tumor tissue and trichrome-stained biomaterial implant tissues. In principle, the method should work for any combination of colored stains. (J Histochem Cytochem 47:1307-1313, 1999)
Wheat Variety Selection to Maximize Returns and Minimize Risk: An Application of Portfolio Theory

This research shows that a portfolio of wheat varieties could enhance profitability and reduce risk over the selection of a single variety for Kansas wheat producers. Many Kansas wheat farmers select varieties solely based on published average yields. This study uses portfolio theory from business investment analysis to find the optimal, yield-maximizing and risk-minimizing combination of wheat varieties in Kansas.
β-Catenin is a Nek2 substrate involved in centrosome separation

β-Catenin plays important roles in cell adhesion and gene transcription, and has been shown recently to be essential for the establishment of a bipolar mitotic spindle. Here we show that β-catenin is a component of interphase centrosomes and that stabilization of β-catenin, mimicking mutations found in cancers, induces centrosome splitting. Centrosomes are held together by a dynamic linker regulated by Nek2 kinase and its substrates C-Nap1 (centrosomal Nek2-associated protein 1) and Rootletin. We show that β-catenin binds to and is phosphorylated by Nek2, and is in a complex with Rootletin. In interphase, β-catenin colocalizes with Rootletin between C-Nap1 puncta at the proximal end of centrioles, and this localization is dependent on C-Nap1 and Rootletin. In mitosis, when Nek2 activity increases, β-catenin localizes to centrosomes at spindle poles independent of Rootletin. Increased Nek2 activity disrupts the interaction of Rootletin with centrosomes and results in binding of β-catenin to Rootletin-independent sites on centrosomes, an event that is required for centrosome separation. These results identify β-catenin as a component of the intercentrosomal linker and define a new function for β-catenin as a key regulator of mitotic centrosome separation.
The locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system: modulation of behavioral state and state-dependent cognitive processes.

Through a widespread efferent projection system, the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system supplies norepinephrine throughout the central nervous system. Initial studies provided critical insight into the basic organization and properties of this system. More recent work identifies a complicated array of behavioral and electrophysiological actions that have in common the facilitation of processing of relevant, or salient, information. This involves two basic levels of action. First, the system contributes to the initiation and maintenance of behavioral and forebrain neuronal activity states appropriate for the collection of sensory information (e.g. waking). Second, within the waking state, this system modulates the collection and processing of salient sensory information through a diversity of concentration-dependent actions within cortical and subcortical sensory, attention, and memory circuits. Norepinephrine-dependent modulation of long-term alterations in synaptic strength, gene transcription and other processes suggest a potentially critical role of this neurotransmitter system in experience-dependent alterations in neural function and behavior. The ability of a given stimulus to increase locus coeruleus discharge activity appears independent of affective valence (appetitive vs. aversive). Combined, these observations suggest that the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system is a critical component of the neural architecture supporting interaction with, and navigation through, a complex world. These observations further suggest that dysregulation of locus coeruleus-noradrenergic neurotransmission may contribute to cognitive and/or arousal dysfunction associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, sleep and arousal disorders, as well as certain affective disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Independent of an etiological role in these disorders, the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system represents an appropriate target for pharmacological treatment of specific attention, memory and/or arousal dysfunction associated with a variety of behavioral/cognitive disorders.
Decomposable symmetric designs

The first infinite families of symmetric designs were obtained from finite projective geometries, Hadamard matrices, and difference sets. In this paper we describe two general methods of constructing symmetric designs that give rise to the parameters of all other known infinite families of symmetric designs. The method of global decomposition produces an incidence matrix of a symmetric design as a block matrix with each block being a zero matrix or an incidence matrix of a smaller symmetric design. The method of local decomposition represents incidence matrices of a residual and a derived design of a symmetric design as block matrices with each block being a zero matrix or an incidence matrix of a smaller residual or derived design, respectively.