cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extraction and processing of circulating DNA from large sample volumes using methylation on beads for the detection of rare epigenetic events

The use of methylated tumor-specific circulating DNA has shown great promise as a potential cancer biomarker. Nonetheless, the relative scarcity of tumor-specific circulating DNA presents a challenge for traditional DNA extraction and processing techniques. Here we demonstrate a single tube extraction and processing technique dubbed "methylation on beads" that allows for DNA extraction and bisulfite conversion for up to 2 ml of plasma or serum. In comparison to traditional techniques including phenol chloroform and alcohol extraction, methylation on beads yields a 1.5- to 5-fold improvement in extraction efficiency. The technique results in far less carryover of PCR inhibitors yielding analytical sensitivity improvements of over 25-fold. The combination of improved recovery and sensitivity make possible the detection of rare epigenetic events and the development of high sensitivity epigenetic diagnostic assays.
Flexibility and sharing of childcare duties in black families

With the increasing number of Black mothers participating in the labor force, rearing children without fathers present, and relying on extended family for support the question of the nature of role-flexibility and sharing in the family is raised. Sixty-four families participated in an examination of the relative influence of one- and two-parent Black families and the proximity of the grandmother on self-report measures of (a) household maintenance duties, (b) childcare duties, and (c) parental punishment behaviors. Parents, grandmothers, and at least one child between the ages of 7 and 14 years completed three types of self-report measures. Although the results indicated that mothers, fathers, and grandmothers were nominated as consistently participating in childcare and household maintenance duties, mothers were nominated for more than 60% of the childcare and household tasks. Moreover mothers and not fathers used the full range of discipline practices including corporal punishment. The hypothesis regarding role-sharing in Black household was not supported. Black mothers, like mothers in general, are primarily responsible for the maintenance of the house and the care of children.
The body burden of lead: comparison of mathematical models for accumulation.

Abstract Compartmental models for kinetic studies of lead metabolism can be generalized to include power function distributions of residence time of lead molecules in bone, as well as exponential distributions. The predicted long-term accumulation of lead is shown to differ by a factor of 1.3 among several proposed models. Satisfactory models will require at least two bone compartments with mixed power function and exponential distributions of residence time.
Continuous melt processing of all-polymer distributed feedback lasers

Novel processing techniques for low-cost production of photonic devices could open up new applications for functional polymer systems. To this end, we have used multilayer coextrusion in a continuous melt process to fabricate large-area polymeric nanolayer films for optically-pumped all-polymer distributed feedback (DFB) surface-emitting lasers. Each laser film consists of hundreds of alternating layers of two transparent polymers with different refractive indices, of which one contains a laser dye. The resulting DFB lasers emit at defect states and show efficiencies as high as 8% and threshold fluences as low as 100 µJ/cm2.
Observation of superlattice-induced Raman modes in graphite-potassium-amalgam compounds

Abstract The first definitive observation is reported of zone-folded Raman modes associated with in-plane superlattice ordering for the stage 1 graphite-potassium-amalgam intercalation compounds. Raman spectra for stages 2 and 3 are also reported and show only staging effects, consistent with spectra previously reported for donor compounds.
Lipolytic Effect of Growth Hormone in Acromegaly

ABSTRACT The response of plasma FFA to a body weight-related intramuscular dose of HGH was studied in 20 acromegalic patients prior to hypophysectomy. Nine patients were studied at varying intervals after hypophysectomy had produced clinical remission of the disease. Plasma HGH levels were above normal in all unoperated patients and were not suppressed by glucose administration. Elevated levels of plasma growth hormone persisted in all hypophysectomized patients although a significant decrease in titer accompanied the undeniable clinical improvement. FFA increments after HGH administration, significantly depressed in untreated acromegalic subjects, increased toward normal after hypophysectomy but remained less than those observed in control subjects. In 8 acromegalic subjects, the lipolytic response to infused epinephrine was normal. The response of diabetic acromegalics to the lipolytic agents was similar to that of the nondiabetic subjects. After hypophysectomy, 2 diabetics no longer required insulin, a...
The Impact of the Housing Crash on the Wealth of the Baby Boom Cohorts

The collapse of the housing bubble and the resulting plunge in the stock market destroyed more than $10 trillion in household wealth. The impact was especially severe for the baby boom cohorts who are at or near retirement age. This paper uses data from the Federal Reserve Board's 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances to compare the wealth of the baby boomer cohorts just before the crash with projections of household wealth following the crash. These projections show that most baby boomers will be almost entirely dependent on their Social Security income after they stop working.
Candidate Faces and Election Outcomes: Is the Face-Vote Correlation Caused by Candidate Selection? Corrigendum

Candidate Faces and Election Outcomes: Is the Face-Vote Correlation Caused by Candidate Selection? Corrigendum
Reductionist and nonreductionist theories of persons in Indian Buddhist philosophy

La Sautrāntika, theorie de Vasubandhu du 5eme siecle av. J.-C. est utilisee par l'A. afin d'illustrer le caractere reductionniste de l'interpretation de la theorie des personnes de Bouddha faite par la plupart des ecoles bouddhistes Indiennes de philosophie. A l'oppose, la Prāsangika interpretation de Candrakīrti du 8eme s. av. J.-C. est un defi non reductionniste et un rejet de la version bouddhiste de la theorie reductionniste des personnes.
Falls and physical performance deficits in older patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.

Objectives Men experience a decrease in lean muscle mass and strength during the first year of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The prevalence of falls and physical and functional impairment in this population have not been well described. Methods A total of 50 men aged 70 years and older (median 78) receiving ADT for systemic prostate cancer (80% biochemical recurrence) underwent functional and physical assessments. The functional assessments included Katz's Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Lawton's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Patients completed the Vulnerable Elder's Survey-13, a short screening tool of self-perceived functional and physical performance ability. Physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery. The history of falls was recorded. Of the 50 patients, 40 underwent follow-up assessment with the same instruments 3 months after the initial assessment. Results Of the 50 men, 24% had impairment in the ADLs, 42% had impairment in the IADLs, 56% had abnormal Short Physical Performance Battery findings, and 22% reported falls within the previous 3 months. Within the Short Physical Performance Battery, deficits occurred within all subcomponents (balance, walking, and chair stands). On univariate analysis, age, deficits in ADLs and IADLs, and abnormal cognitive and functional screen findings were associated with an increased risk of abnormal physical performance. ADL deficits, the use of an assistive device, and abnormal functional screen findings were associated with an increased risk of falling. Conclusions The results of our study have shown that older men with prostate cancer receiving long-term ADT exhibit significant functional and physical impairment and are at risk of falls that is greater than that for similar-aged cohorts. Careful assessment of the functional and physical deficits in older patients receiving ADT is warranted.
Methylmercury disruption of embryonic neural development in Drosophila

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent environmental neurotoxin that preferentially targets the developing embryonic nervous system. While a number of cytotoxic mechanisms of MeHg have been characterized in differentiated cells its mode of action in the developing nervous system in vivo is less clear. Studies in primate and rodent models demonstrate aberrant cell migration and disorganized patterning of cortical layers in the brain following MeHg exposure. However, defining the molecular and cellular pathways targeted by MeHg will require more genetically accessible animal models. In this study, we instigate a method of in vitro MeHg exposure using Drosophila embryos. We demonstrate dose-dependent inhibition of embryonic development with MeHg revealed by a failure of embryos to hatch to the larval stage. In addition, we document definitive phenotypes in neural development showing abnormalities in neuronal and glial cell patterning consistent with disrupted migration. We observe pronounced defects in neurite outgrowth in both central and peripheral neurons. Ectopic expression of the Nrf2 transcription factor in embryos, a core factor in the antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, enhances embryonic development and hatching in the presence of MeHg, illustrating the power of this model for investigation of candidate MeHg tolerance genes. Our data establish a utility for the Drosophila embryo model as a platform for elucidating MeHg sensitive pathways in neural development.
Catalysis of the electro-oxidation of carbon monoxide by cobalt octaethylporphyrin.

The electro-oxidation of cobalt (II) octaethylporphyrin adsorbed on graphite electrodes, Co^(II)(OEP)_(ads') to Co^(III)(OEP) ^+_(ads), in the presence of aqueous solutions of CO leads to catalytic oxidation of CO to CO_2. No such oxidation occurs with Co^(II)(OEP) and CO dissolved in nonaqueous solvents. Coordination of the CO to Co^(III)(OEP)^+ is the first step in the catalytic mechanism. Nucleophilic attack on the coordinated CO by H_2O is the probable rate-limiting step in the catalytic oxidation. A pseudo first-order rate constant of 0.3 s^(-1) was estimated for this reaction.
Insulin-like growth factor-I and growth differentiation factor-5 promote the formation of tissue-engineered human nasal septal cartilage.

Introduction: Tissue engineering of human nasal septal chondrocytes offers the potential to create large quantities of autologous material for use in reconstructive surgery of the head and neck. Culture with recombinant human growth factors may improve the biochemical and biomechanical properties of engineered tissue. The objectives of this study were to (1) perform a high-throughput screen to assess multiple combinations of growth factors and (2) perform more detailed testing of candidates identified in part I. Methods: In part I, human nasal septal chondrocytes from three donors were expanded in monolayer with pooled human serum (HS). Cells were then embedded in alginate beads for 2 weeks of culture in medium supplemented with 2% or 10% HS and 1 of 90 different growth factor combinations. Combinations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, BMP-7, BMP-13, growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-2, insulin, and dexamethasone were e...
Maternal vitamin and iron supplementation and risk of infant leukaemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Prenatal supplementation has been inversely associated with childhood, but not with infant, leukaemia. Mothers of 443 cases of infant leukaemia diagnosed during 1996–2006 and 324 frequency-matched controls completed interviews. Associations were evaluated by unconditional logistic regression. We observed no associations between prenatal vitamin (odds ratio (OR)=0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44–1.42) or iron supplementation (OR=1.07, 95% CI: 0.75–1.52) and infant leukaemia after adjustment for race/ethnicity and income. Similar results were observed for leukaemia subtypes analysed separately. The observed null associations may be attributable to high supplementation rates and/or national fortification programmes.
Two-photon Imaging of Cellular Dynamics in the Mouse Spinal Cord

Two-photon (2P) microscopy is utilized to reveal cellular dynamics and interactions deep within living, intact tissues. Here, we present a method for live-cell imaging in the murine spinal cord. This technique is uniquely suited to analyze neural precursor cell (NPC) dynamics following transplantation into spinal cords undergoing neuroinflammatory demyelinating disorders. NPCs migrate to sites of axonal damage, proliferate, differentiate into oligodendrocytes, and participate in direct remyelination. NPCs are thereby a promising therapeutic treatment to ameliorate chronic demyelinating diseases. Because transplanted NPCs migrate to the damaged areas on the ventral side of the spinal cord, traditional intravital 2P imaging is impossible, and only information on static interactions was previously available using histochemical staining approaches. Although this method was generated to image transplanted NPCs in the ventral spinal cord, it can be applied to numerous studies of transplanted and endogenous cells throughout the entire spinal cord. In this article, we demonstrate the preparation and imaging of a spinal cord with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein-expressing axons and enhanced green fluorescent protein-expressing transplanted NPCs.
Conformal, structurally integrated antenna with a thin-film solar cell array for flapping-wing robots

A conformal antenna structurally integrated with a thin-film solar cell array on wings of a flapping robotic platform is presented. The thin-film solar cells operate as a part of radiating elements as well as power generators, leading to size/mass reduction of the antenna/solar cell module. This configuration is possible because as frequency increases, impedance characteristic of a thin-film solar cell gets closer to that of a high junction capacitance and thus the solar cell works as a short circuit with a small phase shift at high frequencies. Impedance and radiation characteristics of the antenna under flat or bending conditions are discussed.
Naked Fluoride Ion Sources: Synthesis, Characterization, and Coupling Reaction of 1-Methylhexamethylenetetramine Fluoride

Anhydrous 1-methylhexamethylenetetramine (also referred to as N-methylurotropinium or methylhexaminium) fluoride was prepared by either halogen exchange between the corresponding iodide and AgF or by a single-step, one-pot, self-assembling synthesis from aqueous CH3NH2, HF, formaldehyde, and NH3. It was characterized by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy. Its hydrate undergoes at 70 °C a Sommelet-type ring opening and coupling reaction to form a potential cryptand system consisting of two bicyclic triazine groups that are connected through a methylene bridge and contain eight ternary nitrogen atoms. The compound was characterized by multinuclear NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, and its structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data.
Examining Contributions Made Using the Conversational Argument Coding Scheme for Group and Interpersonal Argument: A Response

The four articles developed by contributors to this special issue of Communication Methods and Measures provide useful information and offer significant insights concerning the ongoing development and application of a research instrument, specifically, the Conversational Argument Coding Scheme (CACS), for which David Seibold, Robert McPhee, Nancy Tanita, and Daniel Canary laid a foundation at the second National Communication Association/American Forensic Association Conference on Argumentation in 1981. The instrument that subsequently emerged (see Canary, Ratledge, & Seibold, 1982)—a version of which appeared for the first time in print several years later (see Canary, Brossman, & Seibold, 1987)—has undergone a good deal of revision, but not at the expense of its utility in helping scholars to unravel the dynamic properties of argumentation as a process in group and interpersonal contexts. If anything, its utility in this respect has expanded by a considerable margin, which is evident from the overviews ...
Breeding for More Efficient Water Use—Is it Real Or a Mirage?

ABSTRACT Reitz, L. P., 1974. Breeding for more efficient water use—is it real or a mirage? Agric. Meteorol., 14: 3–11. Efficient use of water is the goal of all dryland systems. Plant forms differ markedly in adaptation to the rigors of dry climates and varieties must be closely attuned to the time when moisture is most likely to be available. The best plants seem to “get ready” or “wait”, or “conserve” their effort until the moisture comes. This is all part of that elusive thing called adaptation. Unfortunately, we do not yet know what to measure or how, and sometimes we follow mirages while the search for truth goes on. The truth may be related to phenological, morphological, functional, or metabolical characteristics.
Tolerance Intervals for the Distribution of the Difference Between Two Independent Normal Random Variables

The problem of constructing tolerance interval for the distribution of the difference between two independent normal random variables possibly with different variances is considered. Assuming that the variance ratio is known, an exact method and a simple approximate method for constructing tolerance factor are presented. Also, approximate methods for obtaining tolerance interval are provided when the variances are unknown and arbitrary. The coverage probabilities of the approximate methods and an available approximate method are evaluated via Monte Carlo simulation study. Simulation study indicates that the approximate tolerance intervals are quite satisfactory even when the sample sizes are small whereas the existing method is conservative for small to moderate samples. The proposed tolerance interval can be used safely for practical applications. The methods are illustrated using an example.
Brief report: Psychometric properties of the adaptive behavior scale with psychiatric inpatients

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS) with a sample of chronic psychiatric inpatients. Patients (N = 117) on extended care wards of a state hospital were assessed with the ABS. An orthogonal principal-components analysis revealed three underlying factors (independent functioning, general maladaptation, and inappropriate social behavior). Evidence for construct validity was demonstrated by analyses demonstrating that the ABS could discriminate among patients according to age, diagnosis, and length of hospitalization. The results are consistent with previous data which suggest that the ABS can be appropriately used with psychiatric patients. Implications of the results for suggestions regarding possible revision of the ABS are discussed.
Magnetic resonance urography for diagnosis of pediatric ureteral stricture.

Abstract Purpose Ureteral stricture is a rare cause of hydronephrosis in children and is often misdiagnosed on ultrasound (US) and diuretic renal scintigraphy (DRS), requiring intraoperative diagnosis. We evaluated ureteral strictures diagnosed by magnetic resonance urography (MRU) at our institution. Materials and methods Children with ureteral stricture who underwent MRU were identified. Patient demographics, prior imaging, MRU findings, and management were assessed. The efficacy of MRU in diagnosis of stricture was compared with US and DRS. Patients with ureteropelvic or ureterovesical junction obstruction were excluded. Results Twenty-eight ureteral strictures diagnosed by MRU between 2003 and 2013 were identified; 22% of strictures were diagnosed by DRS ± US. The mean age at MRU diagnosis was 2.4 years (range 4 weeks–15 years). Hydronephrosis was the most common presentation, accounting for 20 (71%) cases. Other etiologies included pain (3), incontinence (2), and urinary tract infection, cystic kidney, and absent kidney, present in one case each. A mean of 2.7 imaging studies was obtained prior to MRU diagnosis. Twenty-one (75%) ureteral strictures required surgical intervention, with the approach dependent upon location. Conclusions MRU provides excellent anatomic and functional detail of the collecting system, leading to accurate diagnosis and management of ureteral stricture in children.
The nucleotide sequence of the Escherichia coli K12 nusB (groNB) gene

Abstract The nusB (groNB) gene product of Escherichia coli plays a pivotal role in allowing bacteriophage lambda N protein to function as an antiterminator of mRNA transcription and in modulating host gene expression. In addition it is essential for bacterial viability since mutations in it result in a cold-sensitivity phenotype for growth. We have previously cloned the nusB gene and shown it to code for a 14,500-Mr protein. Here we present the primary DNA sequence of the nusB gene. From the sequence we deduce that it codes for a slightly basic protein (21 basic as opposed to 20 acidic amino acids) composed of 139 amino acids with a cumulative 15,689-Mr. The predicted N-terminal amino acid sequence as well as the overall amino acid composition agrees well with that of the purified protein.
LRRC26 auxiliary protein allows BK channel activation at resting voltage without calcium

Large-conductance, voltage- and calcium-activated potassium (BK, or K(Ca)1.1) channels are ubiquitously expressed in electrically excitable and non-excitable cells, either as alpha-subunit (BKalpha) tetramers or together with tissue specific auxiliary beta-subunits (beta1-beta4). Activation of BK channels typically requires coincident membrane depolarization and elevation in free cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), which are not physiological conditions for most non-excitable cells. Here we present evidence that in non-excitable LNCaP prostate cancer cells, BK channels can be activated at negative voltages without rises in [Ca(2+)](i) through their complex with an auxiliary protein, leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing protein 26 (LRRC26). LRRC26 modulates the gating of a BK channel by enhancing the allosteric coupling between voltage-sensor activation and the channel's closed-open transition. This finding reveals a novel auxiliary protein of a voltage-gated ion channel that gives an unprecedentedly large negative shift ( approximately -140 mV) in voltage dependence and provides a molecular basis for activation of BK channels at physiological voltages and calcium levels in non-excitable cells.
Systolic array for real-time morphological image processing

In this paper we systematically synthesize a mesh-type VLSI application specific array architecture for real-time morphological image processing. The array can perform dilations, erosion or successive combinations of the two (opening and closing) at video rates. The 2-D image can be gray-level (or binary) and the structuring element of any arbitrary shape, as long as its bounding box is known. A partitioning scheme is proposed that can be used to decompose and match the large size problem to a smaller target array.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Growth and remodeling of the hip joint and proximal femur in adolescent dogs. An investigation with special reference to hip dysplasia and estradiol induced changes.

The uptake of 85Sr was shown to be higher in dysplastic hip joints than in normal joints of adolescent dogs. This was interpreted as a sign of increased remodeling. In contrast, the uptake of 85Sr in the growth plate and metaphysis of the proximal femur was lower in dogs with hip dysplasia than in dogs with normal hip joints. This was interpreted as a sign of retarded growth of the proximal femur (more advanced skeletal maturation). Greyhounds of bitches, which were injected with estradiol during pregnancy, also showed retarded growth of the proximal femur. This was interpreted as a late effect of estradiol.
Electron heat flow carried by Kappa Distributions in the solar corona

We generalize the Spitzer and Harm [1953] description of electron heat flow to model the effects of the electron velocity distribution power law tails which are frequently observed [Vasyliunas, 1968; Christon et al., 1988; Maksimovic et al., 1997] in astrophysical plasmas. We apply our generalized heat flow model to the problem of electron heat flow in the solar corona, demonstrating that a weak power law tail in the electron velocity distribution can allow heat to flow up a radially directed temperature gradient.
From outcomes to process: evidence for a new approach to research impact assessment

This article reports evidence from two studies conducted in nine British universities into individual academic and institutional perspectives on research impact. We analyse our findings in the context of global developments in performance measurement. Mechanisms for assessing the quality of research and associated knowledge exchange serve a dual purpose: used retrospectively, they enable public funding agencies to hold universities to account for the monies they have received and, looking forward, they allow those same agencies to incentivize desired activities or outcomes. Whilst existing mechanisms offer seemingly attractive, albeit contested, ways of pursuing the former, we particularly question their effectiveness in achieving the latter goal. We observe among our respondents a wide variety of intended impacts and mechanisms for pursuing them, and argue that this renders any monitoring and reward system based on achieved outcomes prone to complexity and lack of comprehensiveness. By contrast, a high level of consistency in motivations—across institutions and disciplines—points to a focus on the process of knowledge exchange as a far more effective driver. We identify a key role for university managers in fostering academic engagement in knowledge exchange. Ultimately, however, we conclude that effective incentivization is likely to depend on the replacement of impact-based evaluations with a new, process-based approach.
Aptamer-Conjugated Nanoparticles for Selective Collection and Detection of Cancer Cells

We have developed a method for the rapid collection and detection of leukemia cells using a novel two-nanoparticle assay with aptamers as the molecular recognition element. An aptamer sequence was selected using a cell-based SELEX strategy in our laboratory for CCRF-CEM acute leukemia cells that, when applied in this method, allows for specific recognition of the cells from complex mixtures including whole blood samples. Aptamer-modified magnetic nanoparticles were used for target cell extraction, while aptamer-modified fluorescent nanoparticles were simultaneously added for sensitive cell detection. Combining two types of nanoparticles allows for rapid, selective, and sensitive detection not possible by using either particle alone. Fluorescent nanoparticles amplify the signal intensity corresponding to a single aptamer binding event, resulting in improved sensitivity over methods using individual dye-labeled probes. In addition, aptamer-modified magnetic nanoparticles allow for rapid extraction of target...
Multistage Model Interpretation of Additive and Multiplicative Carcinogenic Effects1

Under the assumption of multistage carcinogenesis, a multiplicative carcinogenic effect would be produced by the action of different carcinogens in a mixture on different stages of the carcinogenic process. An additive effect would be produced by the effect of different carcinogens on the same stage. A mathematical argument for these hypotheses is presented here.
P2X7 receptors in satellite glial cells mediate high functional expression of P2X3 receptors in immature dorsal root ganglion neurons

The purinergic P2X3 receptor (P2X3R) expressed in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neuron and the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) expressed in the surrounding satellite glial cell (SGC) are two major receptors participating in neuron-SGC communication in adult DRGs. Activation of P2X7Rs was found to tonically reduce the expression of P2X3Rs in DRGs, thus inhibiting the abnormal pain behaviors in adult rats. P2X receptors are also actively involved in sensory signaling in developing rodents. However, very little is known about the developmental change of P2X7Rs in DRGs and the interaction between P2X7Rs and P2X3Rs in those animals. We therefore examined the expression of P2X3Rs and P2X7Rs in postnatal rats and determined if P2X7R-P2X3R control exists in developing rats. We immunostained DRGs of immature rats and found that P2X3Rs were expressed only in neurons and P2X7Rs were expressed only in SGCs. Western blot analyses indicated that P2X3R expression decreased while P2X7R expression increased with the age of rats. Electrophysiological studies showed that the number of DRG neurons responding to the stimulation of the P2XR agonist, α,β-meATP, was higher and the amplitudes of α,β-meATP-induced depolarizations were larger in immature DRG neurons. As a result, P2X3R-mediated flinching responses were much more pronounced in immature rats than those found in adult rats. When we reduced P2X7R expression with P2X7R-siRNA in postnatal and adult rats, P2X3R-mediated flinch responses were greatly enhanced in both rat populations. These results show that the P2X7R expression increases as rats age. In addition, P2X7Rs in SGCs exert inhibitory control on the P2X3R expression and function in sensory neurons of immature rats, just as observed in adult rats. Regulation of P2X7R expression is likely an effective way to control P2X3R activity and manage pain relief in infants.
Gold nanoparticles encapsulated in porous carbon

Gold nanoparticles encapsulated in porous carbon spheres with high surface areas (∼800 m2 g−1) have been synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP). The porous carbon-encapsulated gold nanoparticles exhibit excellent catalytic activity toward the reductions of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic nitroaromatics.
Emerging zoonoses: The challenge for public health and biodefense

The concept of new and emerging diseases has captured the public interest and has revitalized the public health infectious disease research community. This interest has also resulted in competition for funding and turf wars between animal health and public health scientists and public officials and, in some cases, has delayed and hindered progress toward effective prevention, control and biodefense. There is a dynamic list of outbreaks causing substantial morbidity and mortality in humans and often in the reservoir animal species. Some agents have the potential to grow into major epidemics. There are many determinants that influence the emergence of diseases of concern that require the use of current understanding of the nature of agent persistence and spread. Additional factors that are global must be added to plans for prevention and control. To this complex mix has been added the potential for accidental or malicious release of agents. The nature of emerging infectious agents and their impact is largely unpredictable. Models that strive to predict the dynamics of agents may be useful but can also blind us to increasing disease risks if it does not match a specific model. Field investigations of early events will be critical and should drive prevention and control actions. Many disease agents have developed strategies to overcome extremes of reservoir qualities like population size and density. Every infectious agent spreads easier when its hosts are closer together. Zoonoses must be dealt with at the interface of human and animal health by all available information. Lessons learned from the emergence of and response to agents like West Nile virus, H5N1 avian influenza, SARS and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the cause of new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, must be used to create better plans for response and meet the challenge for public health and biodefense.
Optical and magnetic properties of tetravalent actinide ions and compounds

Abstract A survey is given of the optical and magnetic data available for tetravalent actinide ions in a variety of single crystals and as pure compounds. Where possible, conclusions are drawn from the values of the “free-ion” parameters in crystals when compared with the values for the free ions in the gaseous phase. Problems with the theoretical model are discussed.
Drug "diffusion" within the brain.

1. The rates and the ways different materials move from ventricular fluid into and through the caudate nucleus vary rather broadly. 2. The major mechanism of solute flow from ventricular CSF into and through the caudate nucleus appears to be simple diffusion. 3. Among solutes that pass across the BBB from brain to blood at very low rates, those that distribute mainly or exclusively in the extracellular space (e.g., sucrose, EDTA, and sodium) "diffuse" most rapidly into the caudate nucleus. 4. Among solutes which efflux across the BBB at very low rates, the apparent rate of diffusion within the caudate nucleus is the least for those that are readily taken up and accumulated by brain cells (e.g., AIB). 5. Solutes that move moderately to rapidly across the BBB from brain to blood only penetrate distances of several mm or less into the caudate before they are completely cleared from the tissue by the cerebral circulation. 6. In most instances the slopes of the tissue concentration profiles within the caudate nucleus during and after ventriculocisternal perfusion are fairly steep and are complex functions of parameters such as the effective tissue diffusion coefficient (Dt) and the transcapillary efflux rate constant (Ko), each of which are, in turn, dependent on separate sets of variables (e.g., the rate of cellular uptake for Dt and the rate of blood flow for ko). 7. The distribution process and kinetics may be much different in CNS areas adjacent to the subarachnoid space than in the caudate nucleus because of convective flow of subarachnoidal CSF through the perivascular spaces of the penetrating and emerging blood vessels and the arterioles and venules.
Minnaert photometric parameters for the satellites of Uranus

After deriving the Minnaert (1961) parameters for the five largest satellites of Uranus as functions of both wavelength and phase angle, the well-documented case of Titania is invoked to assess the usefulness of the Minnaert description vs the more rigorous approach of Hapke (1981). While the limb-darkening Minnaert parameter k possesses only a weak wavelength dependence, it exhibits a strong dependence on phase angle that varies to some extent from satellite to satellite; in the case of Titania, this dependence is similar to that for the earth's moon.
Asymmetries in atomic intermixing at Au/Ge and Ge/Au interfaces.

Synchrotron-radiation photoemission was used to study room-temperature intermixing at interfaces prepared by Au evaporation onto amorphous Ge films (a-Ge) and Ge evaporated onto Au films. Our results show that both interfaces develop intermixed regions but that their formation is highly asymmetric. The Au/a-Ge interface is characterized by gradual development of a ${\mathrm{Au}}_{3}$Ge-like mixture, the persistence of the mixture to high coverage, and the failure of the system to form a pure Au layer. In contrast, the inverted Ge/Au interface is characterized by weak surface interaction at low coverage, triggering of reaction at about 2 A\r{} to form the ${\mathrm{Au}}_{3}$Ge-like mixture, a very limited coverage range over which the mixture develops (2--8 A\r{}), and the growth of a Ge layer containing Au in solution at higher coverage. We conclude that the evolution of Ge/Au interface evolution is similar to that of the transition-metal/semiconductor junctions where fully-reacted products form at the substrate interface, dilute solutions develop farther from the boundary, and the dimensions are controlled by kinetics. This Ge/Au behavior contrasts to what has been reported for Ge--transition-metal interfaces where a reaction barrier precludes intermixing.
BRCA1 requirement for the fidelity of plasmid DNA double-strand break repair in cultured breast epithelial cells

The tumor suppressor breast cancer susceptibility protein 1 (BRCA1) protects our cells from genomic instability in part by facilitating the efficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). BRCA1 promotes the error-free repair of DSBs through homologous recombination and is also implicated in the regulation of nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) repair fidelity. Here, we investigate the role of BRCA1 in NHEJ repair mutagenesis following a DSB. We examined the frequency of microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) and the fidelity of DSB repair relative to BRCA1 protein levels in both control and tumorigenic breast epithelial cells. In addition to altered BRCA1 protein levels, we tested the effects of cellular exposure to mirin, an inhibitor of meiotic recombination enzyme 11 (Mre11) 3'-5'-exonuclease activity. Knockdown or loss of BRCA1 protein resulted in an increased frequency of overall plasmid DNA mutagenesis and MMEJ following a DSB. Inhibition of Mre11-exonuclease activity with mirin significantly decreased the occurrence of MMEJ, but did not considerably affect the overall mutagenic frequency of plasmid DSB repair. The results suggest that BRCA1 protects DNA from mutagenesis during nonhomologous DSB repair in plasmid-based assays. The increased frequency of DSB mutagenesis and MMEJ repair in the absence of BRCA1 suggests a potential mechanism for carcinogenesis.
Using Mixed Methods in Disability and Rehabilitation Research

This paper will discuss the theoretical design considerations and the practical integration of quantitative and qualitative methods in disability and rehabilitation research, which have gained recent popularity among researchers of various disciplines. Whereas quantitative experimental and survey approaches allow researchers to draw generalizable conclusions that apply to a particular population as a whole, qualitative methods capture the depth of respondents' experiences in their own words. Qualitative methods may be used to explore new topical areas prior to implementing a population-based survey, or they may follow quantitative approaches to explain findings in greater detail. We will discuss research findings from two recent studies of rehabilitation industry professionals and people with physical disabilities to exemplify the utility of mixed-method designs in disability and rehabilitation research. The article will conclude with recommendations for rehabilitation nursing researchers to apply both qualitative and quantitative methods in their research practice.
Kinesiology Faculty for the 21st Century: STEPing into the Future

Kinesiology faculty for the 21st century was one of the featured strands of the 2014 NAKHE Collaborative Congress: “STEPS into the future: Exploring opportunities and facing the challenges for the 21st century.” Following a brief introduction delegates were assigned to discussion groups with conversations focused around six topics/questions spanning the “grand challenges,” work-life integration, learning environments, innovative pedagogies, sharing knowledge, and organizing academic endeavors. The lively discussions are briefly summarized here toward the ultimate goal of strategizing a re-envisioning of kinesiology for the 21st century.
Epinastic Thresholds in a Simulated Hypogravity Environment

The morphological changes of several grasses, dicotyledons and thallial plants to decreasing increments of gravity from the normal 1 g to 0 g were determined. The various levels of simulated hypogravity were obtained by regulation of the angles of the rotating clinostats. Reaction to simulated hypo-gravity is evidenced by leaf, petiole, stem and coleoptile epi-nasty, root hyponasty in the leafy plants and cereal seedlings and increased lobulation in gametophytes. Threshold response for the gametophyte, marigold, bean and pepper plants was approximately 0.67 x g while that for the wheat, corn and oat seedlings was 0.17xg. The intensity of the epinastic response was found to be inversely related to the gravitational force. With leafy plants, significant responses to reduced gravity are shown only in the presence of light perhaps influencing their ability to synthesize auxin.
The Karyotype of the Cynipid Callirhytis palmiformis (Ashmead)

A diploid chromosome number of 20 was determined from mitotic and meiotic cells from female pupae. The karyotype is comprised of a graded series of 5 pairs of metacentrics, 3 pairs of slightly smaller submetacentrics, and 2 pairs of smaller acrocentric chromosomes. The known karyotype variation within the Cynipidae is discussed.
Improved support for children with disabilities.

Meeting the special expenses associated with health and habilitative services for a child who has significant chronic illness or disability can be very challenging for a family. Our present system of health insurance is diverse, fragmented, and frequently inadequate, confronting families with disqualifications per preexisting conditions, waiting periods, restricted benefits, copayments, ceilings, and out-of-pocket expenses. Although many problems are involved, one scheme that has had considerable stability and relatively broad benefits is enrollment in Medicaid. Specific family financial eligibility requirements limit Medicaid to those with low incomes. Interstate variations in eligibility are substantial, and many families have difficulty understanding and negotiating the system.
Biology and Seasonal Abundance of Parasitoids of the Banded Sunflower Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Sunflower

Mortality, parasitization, and overwintering development through pupation of the banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham, larvae and two of its endoparasitoids, Glypta prognatha Dasch and Chelonus phaloniae Mason, were followed over a 2-year period (1987 to 1989). Development of parasitoids in the field was determined for each species by examination of moth eggs and larvae during the 1989 season. Parasitoids of C. hospes, recovered from cultivated sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., from North and South Dakota and Minnesota in 1994 and 1995, parasitized 24 and 17% of larvae, respectively. Species of Hymenoptera collected included G. prognatha and Trathala sp. (Ichneumonidae), C. phaloniae and Macrocentrus ancylivorus Rohwer (Braconidae), and Perilampus robertsoni Crawford (Pteromalidae). The most abundant parasitoid was G. prognatha. In 1994 and 1995, C. phaloniae, an egg-larval parasitoid, emerged earlier but was less abundant than the later occurring larval parasitoid G. prognatha. Species of parasitoids collected from cultivated sunflower and five species of native sunflowers were similar. An additional parasitoid, Mastrus sp. (Ichneumonidae), was recovered only from the native sunflowers H. annuus and H. tuberosus L. Results from 1994 and 1995 showed that parasitization rates for the total season by the two most abundant parasitoids were similar in fields using three planting dates. These results suggest that altering planting date could be successfully used as a pest management strategy without disrupting the biological control of the banded sunflower moth. Conservation of these parasitoids in the sunflower agroecosystem is needed since they play an important role in the management of C. hospes.
Fatigue crack growth in micro-machined single-crystal silicon

Although crystalline silicon is not generally considered susceptible to fatigue crack growth, recent studies suggest that there may be fatigue processes in silicon micro-machined structures. In the present study, a micro-machined fracture specimen geometry was used to examine stable crack growth under fatigue loading. Crack length and loads were carefully monitored throughout the test to distinguish between environmentally assisted crack growth (stress corrosion) and mechanically induced fatigue-crack growth. Results revealed similar steplike crack extension versus time for the cyclic and monotonic tests. The fatigue crack-growth curve extracted from the crack extension data exhibited a nearly vertical slope with no evidence of accelerated crack-growth rates. Fracture surfaces for the monotonic and cyclic tests were similar, further suggesting that a true mechanical fatigue crack-growth mechanism did not occur. Explanations for the observed lack of fatigue crack growth are presented and discussed with respect to reported stress-life behavior.
Convergence analysis for the primal-dual gradient dynamics associated with optimal power flow problems

In this paper we propose a modified primal-dual gradient dynamical system to solve non-convex optimal power flow problems. The modified gradient dynamics maintains the naturally distributed structure and it has isolated equilibrium points as the primal and dual optima. Under mild conditions we show the locally asymptotic stability of the modified gradient dynamics. Simulations on the IEEE 14-bus benchmark system are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Using the Global Positioning System for Earth orbiter and deep space tracking

The Global Positioning System (GPS) can play a major role in supporting orbit and trajectory determination for spacecraft in a wide range of applications, including low-Earth, high-Earth, and even deep space (interplanetary) tracking. This paper summarizes recent results demonstrating these unique and far-ranging applications of GPS. >
Ethambutol Chiasmal Toxicity with Bitemporal Hemianopia

Ethambutol is a well recognized antimicrobial agent used as a first line agent in the treatment of tuberculosis. Optic neuropathy is a known complication of ethambutol therapy. Rarely, chiasmal ethambutol toxicity may manifest as a bitemporal visual field deficit. We report an additional case of ethambutol chiasmal toxicity with a bitemporal hemianopia. We also include a review of the medical literature on clinical presentation, pathophysiology, monitoring parameters, treatment, and prognosis of ethambutol toxicity.
Examination of Chlorin–Bacteriochlorin Energy‐transfer Dyads as Prototypes for Near‐infrared Molecular Imaging Probes†

New classes of synthetic chlorin and bacteriochlorin macrocycles are characterized by narrow spectral widths, tunable absorption and fluorescence features across the red and near-infrared (NIR) regions, tunable excited-state lifetimes ( 10 ns) and chemical stability. Such properties make dyad constructs based on synthetic chlorin and bacteriochlorin units intriguing candidates for the development of NIR molecular imaging probes. In this study, two such dyads (FbC-FbB and ZnC-FbB) were investigated. The dyads contain either a free base (Fb) or zinc (Zn) chlorin (C) as the energy donor and a free base bacteriochlorin (B) as the energy acceptor. In both constructs, energy transfer from the chlorin to bacteriochlorin occurs with a rate constant of � (5 ps) )1 and a yield of >99%. Thus, each dyad effectively behaves as a single chromophore with an exceptionally large Stokes shift (85 nm for FbC-FbB and 110 nm for ZnC-FbB) between the red-region absorption of the chlorin and the NIR fluorescence of the bacteriochlorin (kf = 760 nm, Ff = 0.19,s � 5.5 ns in toluene). The long-wavelength transitions (absorption, emission) of each constituent of each dyad exhibit narrow (£20 nm) spectral widths. The narrow spectral widths enabled excellent selectivity in excitation and detection of one chlorin–bacteriochlorin energytransfer dyad in the presence of the other upon diffuse optical tomography of solution-phase phantoms.