cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ubiquitin-dependent degradation of active Src

Signaling by members of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases, such as Src and Fyn, is important in many biological responses, including gene transcription, cell-cycle progression, and cell adhesion and spreading [1] [2]. Unregulated Src kinase activity has been implicated in the progression of colon cancer and transformation of cultured cells [3] [4] [5] [6]. Thus, precise regulation of Src activity is critical for normal cell growth. Src kinase activity is downregulated by the carboxy-terminal Src kinase (Csk), a tyrosine kinase that phosphorylates a conserved tyrosine residue in the carboxy-terminal tail of Src [7] [8]. When phosphorylated, this tyrosine residue mediates an intramolecular interaction that results in a 'closed' or inactive conformation [1] [2] [9] [10]. Here, we report that loss of csk resulted in a reduction in the abundance of the Src and Fyn proteins, which could be restored by reintroducing catalytically active Csk. The effect of Csk on Src expression was not due to an increase in Src message, but to stabilization of the Src protein. Inhibition of proteasome activity also increased the level of Src protein in csk-deficient cells. Src was found to be ubiquitinated, and activation of Src increased the extent of polyubiquitination. Thus, ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation represents an additional mechanism by which active Src can be downregulated.
Relay Assisted Cooperative OSTBC Communication with SNR Imbalance and Channel Estimation Errors

In this paper, a two-hop relay assisted cooperative Orthogonal Space-Time Block Codes (OSTBC) transmission scheme is considered for the downlink communication of a cellular system, where the base station (BS) and the relay station (RS) cooperate and transmit data to the user equipment (UE) in a distributed fashion. We analyze the impact of the SNR imbalance between the BS-UE and RS-UE links, as well as the imperfect channel estimation at the UE receiver. The performance is analyzed in the presence of Rayleigh flat fading and our results show that the SNR imbalance does not impact the spatial diversity order. On the other hand, channel estimation errors have a larger impact on the system performance. Simulation results are then provided to confirm the analysis.
ABCDE Steps for Heart and Vascular Wellness Following a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the United States, with more than 240 000 new cases expected in 2015. Fortunately, close to 90% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage. Over the past several decades, the 5-year median survival of patients with prostate cancer has increased to more than 99%, largely owing to both the improvements in early diagnosis and innovations in treatment. As a result, there are nearly 3 million prostate cancer survivors in the United States today, representing 4 out of every 10 male cancer survivors. In the last several years, there has been growing recognition of health care needs of cancer survivors. This is true with prostate cancer survivors and is especially relevant to cardiovascular (heart and vascular) disease in this patient population. Cardiovascular disease is common in prostate cancer patients and survivors for several reasons. Prostate cancer occurs at an age when men may already have cardiovascular disease or may have risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus. In fact, many prostate cancer patients actually die of heart disease rather than prostate cancer itself. In addition, several treatments for prostate cancer can have harmful effects on the heart and vessels. For example, inhibiting the male sex hormones (collectively called androgens) is an important means of treating prostate cancer. However, this hormone therapy (also called androgen deprivation therapy [ADT]) is associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus and may make men more susceptible to cardiovascular disease, especially older men. In light of this, experts from the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and the American Urological Society have come to a consensus that urges the surveillance of cardiac risk factors in men receiving ADT. In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration labeled ADT …
Energy Release Due to Domain Formation in the Strained Epitaxy of Multivariant Films

Twin related domain formation is examined as a strain relaxation mechanism for a heteroepitaxial tetragonal film on a cubic substrate. Elastic relaxations are calculated for a single twin band in which the c-axis of the tetragonal domains is either related by a 90° rotation about an axis in the plane of the film or by a 90° rotation about the surface normal. In all cases, the strain energy change is evaluated for both the film and the substrate. A domain pattern map is developed that predicts single domain and multiple domain fields depending on the relative misfit strains and domain wall energy. The concept of a critical thickness, hc, for domain formation is developed. For cases in which the c-axis is rotated 90° about an axis in the plane of the film, the critical thickness depends only on the relative coherency strain between the substrate and film and the ratio of the domain wall energy to the stored elastic energy. For the case of a pattern consisting of energetically equivalent domains with the c-axis in plane, the equilibrium distance of multiple domains is derived. For such multiple domains, a minimum wall separation distance exists which depends non-linearly on the film thickness.
Approach to Chest Computed Tomography

Computed tomography (CT) is central to the detection and diagnosis of a wide variety of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and other diseases of the chest. Successful interpretation of thoracic CT requires both an appreciation of the spectrum of normal appearances of the chest and a systematic approach to the characterization of thoracic pathology. This article provides an introduction to basic CT techniques and protocols, a review of normal CT anatomy, and an overview of commonly encountered abnormalities.
Electron exchange polymers. XII. Potentiometric titration of dicyclopentadienyliron (“ferrocene”) and some derivatives

Polymers bearing the dicyclopentadienyliron (“ferrocene”) functional group fall into the class of electron exchange polymers. Polyvinyl dicyclopentadienyliron is insoluble in common polar solvents suitable for use in electrometric titration. When sulfonated in the ferrocene rings, the material becomes more unstable toward oxidation than alkylsubstituted dicyclopentadienyliron, and upon oxidation readily loses iron. The midpoint potential for dicyclopentadienyliron (in acid alcohol) is −0.5369 ± 0.0005 v.; for cyclopentadienyl(ethylcyclopentadienyl)iron (in acid alcohol) it is −0.5081 ± 0.0005 v.; for the ammonium salt of monosulfonated dicyclopentadienyliron (in 0.5N aqueous sulfuric acid) it is −0.6143 ± 0.0007 v. on oxidation, and −0.6141 ± 0.0008 v. on reduction. The diammonium salts of disulfonated dicyclopentadienyliron and of cyclopentadienyl(ethylcyclopentadienyl)iron could not be titrated successfully. Sulfonated polyvinyldicyclopentadienyliron could not be titrated because of its easy decomposition at potentials in the neighborhood of −0.6 to −0.7 v.
Earnings Surprises, Growth Expectations, and Stock Returns: Don't Let an Earnings Torpedo Sink Your Portfolio

It is well-established that the realized returns of ?growth? stocks have been low relative to other stocks. We show that this phenomenon is explained by a large and asymmetric response to negative earnings surprises for growth stocks. After controlling for this effect, there is no longer evidence of a stock return differential between growth stocks and other stocks. Our evidence is more consistent with investors having naively optimistic expectations about the prospects of growth stocks (e.g., Lakonishok, Shleifer, and Vishny, 1994) than with the existence of unidentified risk factors that are lower for growth stocks (e.g., Fama and French, 1992).
Constructing Visual Representations of Natural Scenes: The Roles of Short- and Long-Term Visual Memory

A “follow-the-dot” method was used to investigate the visual memory systems supporting accumulation of object information in natural scenes. Participants fixated a series of objects in each scene, following a dot cue from object to object. Memory for the visual form of a target object was then tested. Object memory was consistently superior for the two most recently fixated objects, a recency advantage indicating a visual short-term memory component to scene representation. In addition, objects examined earlier were remembered at rates well above chance, with no evidence of further forgetting when 10 objects intervened between target examination and test and only modest forgetting with 402 intervening objects. This robust prerecency performance indicates a visual long-term memory component to scene representation.
Transactional HashMaps in the Myrrh Framework

To improve the performance of transactional programming, we propose a new class of transactional data structures and introduce a transactional version of Javas HashMap class. This specialized HashMap class enables developers to take full advantage of the atomic and isolated properties of transactions in order to support concurrent access to different parts of a map. Furthermore, the validation and conflict resolution algorithm executed as part of the commit step resolves most types of potential conflict, thus allowing all transactions that dont directly conflict to commit. By using transactions to eliminate contention, and a specialized implementation of the HashMap class to resolve conflicts at commit-time, we significantly improve the efficiency of transactional programming.
Field feedback computation of scattering by 2-D penetrable objects

The field feedback formulation is applied to the solution of time-harmonic plane wave scattering by 2-D penetrable objects of arbitrary shape and composition. A conformal mesh, finite element algorithm is employed in the forward operator construction while a near-field Green's function integration is used in forming the feedback operator. Scattering validations for midresonance sized objects include a circular cylinder, a two-region bisected cylinder, a half-circular cylinder, a semiconductor shell and a thin lossy planar strip. >
Seasonal patterns of nutrient deposition in a Quercus douglasii woodland in central California

The monthly deposition of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium via canopy throughfall, and various components of the litterfall was measured for 31 months under mature Quercus douglasii and in the bulk precipitation in the surrounding open grassland. Seasonal patterns of nutrient concentration in leaf litter, throughfall, and precipitation were also measured. Total annual subcanopy deposition exceeded open precipitation deposition by approximately 45–60x for nitrogen, 5–15x for phosphorus, 30–35x for potassium, 25–35x for calcium, and 5–10x for magnesium. Total annual subcanopy deposition was low in comparison to other oak woodland sites reported in the literature. Throughfall and leaf litter were the primary sources of nutrients and thus determined the seasonal peaks of nutrient deposition. The first autumn rains and leaf fall were associated with one peak in nutrient deposition, and throughfall during early spring leaf emergence was associated with a second peak in potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. Non-leaf plant litter (excluding acorns) provided approximately 15–35% of most nutrients, with twigs and bark depositing over 12% of the annual calcium flux in 1987–1988, and flower litter depositing over 8% of the annual nitrogen flux in 1986–1987. Acorns had high concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen and during the mast season of 1987–1988 they contained a large proportion of the total subcanopy annual flux of these elements. With acorns excluded, total annual nutrient deposition was similar between years, but timing of nutrient deposition differed. Late summer leaf fall associated with drought, variation in precipitation, and variation in deposition of non-leaf parts were associated with seasonal differences in nutrient deposition between years.
Emergency Medicine in Russia

Abstract Russia has undergone sweeping political and social reforms within the past 5 years. The economic and social reforms heralded by the "new openness" of perestroika have led to a restructuring of medicine as well. Changes include the emergence of "for profit" organizations and acute care facilities, the introduction of private health insurance, modifications in the medical education system, and realignment of health priorities with a new trend toward primary care. [Townes DA, Lee TE, Gulo S, VanRooyen MJ: Emergency medicine in Russia. Ann Emerg Med August 1998;32:239-242.]
Propagation of Singularities

In the last two lectures, I have given you, I hope, some feeling for the state of the art in the general theory of non-linear wave equations. In this lecture I want to describe some recent work [1] of a more special nature. The theory of propagation of singularities for linear wave equations has had a long development and is well understood. Let’s consider the same problem for the equation $$\matrix{{{{\rm{u}}_{{\rm{tt}}}} - {{\rm{u}}_{{\rm{xx}}}} = {\rm{f}}({\rm{x}},{\rm{u}},{{\rm{u}}_{\rm{x}}},{{\rm{u}}_{\rm{t}}})} \cr {{\rm{u}}({\rm{x}},{\rm{o}}) = {{\rm{f}}_1}({\rm{x}})} \cr {{{\rm{u}}_{\rm{t}}}({\rm{x}},{\rm{o}}) = {{\rm{f}}_2}({\rm{x}})} \cr }$$ (1) in one dimension. By propagation of singularities one means the relation between the smoothness properties of u (x, t) in ℝ2 and the smoothness properties of f1 and f2 on ℝ1 The result is that, as in the linear case, singularities propagate along the boundary of the lightcone, but not into its interior. Of course, since f is non-linear one cannot deal with distributions as one can in the linear case, so we must say what we mean by “singularity”. By a solution of (1) we will mean a once continuously differentiable solution of the corresponding integral equation.
On using LQG performance metrics for sensor placement

We discuss four metrics for determining sensor placement in energy efficient building design. These include the norm of the observer gain, the trace of the observer Riccati solution, the distance to the nearest unobservable system, and the linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) cost from given initial state and state estimates. These metrics have different computational complexity, but all lead to the same optimal sensor location in this study where a single room model is considered.
The Most Compact Subdomain of a Continuous Probability Distribution

Summary This article describes the most compact 100c% interval for a probability density for 0 < c < 1. An unbiased, distribution-free estimator when c = 0.5 is presented.
Modification of Na channel gating by an alpha scorpion toxin from Tityus serrulatus.

The effects of TslV-5, a toxin isolated from the Brazilian scorpion TiOrus serrulatus, on whole-cell and single-channel Na currents were determined in N 18 neuroblastoma cells. In whole-cell records at a test potential of -10 mV, external application of 500 nM TsIV-5 slowed inactivation 20-fold and increased peak current by about one-third without changing time-to-peak. Both the steady- state activation and inactivation curves were shifted to more negative potentials. Other a scorpion toxins produce similar effects but the single-channel mechanism is not known. TslV-5 caused a voltage-dependent prolongation of mean single- channel open time such that at a test potential of -60 mV no change was observed, whereas at - 20 mV mean open time increased about threefold and pro- longed bursting was observed. Macroscopic current reconstructed from summed single-channel records showed a characteristic toxin-induced potentiation of peak current and a 20-fold slowing of the decay phase. TsIV-5 does not discriminate between tissue-specific Na channel subtypes. Prolonged open times and bursting were also observed in toxin-treated Na channels from rat ventricular myocytes, rat cortical neurons, and mouse skeletal muscle. The toxin effects are shown to be consistent with a kinetic model in which TslV-5 selectively interferes with the abil- ity of the channel to reach the inactivated state.
Characterization of the mechanism of protection mediated by CS-D7, a monoclonal antibody to Staphylococcus aureus iron regulated surface determinant B (IsdB)

We previously reported the development of a human monoclonal antibody (CS-D7, IgG1) with specificity and affinity for the iron regulated surface determinant B (IsdB) of Staphylococcus aureus. CS-D7 mediates opsonophagocytic killing in vitro and protection in a murine sepsis model. In light of recent data indicating that IsdB specific T cells (CD4+, Th17), not Ab, mediate protection after vaccination with IsdB, it is important to investigate the mechanism of protection mediated by CS-D7. The mAb was examined to determine if it blocked heme binding to IsdB in vitro. The mAb was not found to have heme blocking activity, nor did it prevent bacterial growth under in vivo conditions, in an implanted growth chamber. To assess the role of the mAb Fc a point mutation was introduced at aa 297 (CS-D7●N297A). This point mutation removes Fc effector functions. In vitro analysis of the mutein confirmed that it lacked measurable binding to FcγR, and that it did not fix complement. The mutein had dramatically reduced in vitro opsonic OP activity compared to CS-D7. Nonetheless, the mutein conferred protection equivalent to the wild type mAb in the murine sepsis model. Both wild type and mutein mAbs were efficacious in FcγR deletion mice (including both FcγRII-/- mice and FcγRIII-/- mice), indicating that these receptors were not essential for mAb mediated protection in vivo. Protection mediated by CS-D7 was lost in Balb/c mice depleted of C3 with cobra venom factor (CFV), was lost in mice depleted of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in P47phox deletion mice, and was absent in SCID mice. Enhanced clearance of S. aureus in the liver of CS-D7 treated mice and enhanced production of INF-γ, but not of IL17, may play a role in the mechanism of protection mediated by the mAb. CS-D7 apparently mediates survival in challenged mice through a mechanism involving complement, phagocytes, and lymphocytes, but which does not depend on interaction with FcγR, or on blocking heme uptake.
Channel Modeling for V2V Communications

In this paper we describe results of a channel measurement campaign for modeling the V2V channel. After review of applications, potential frequency bands, and related work, we describe the measurements and results for delay spreads and multipath component fading amplitudes and correlations, made in multiple V2V environments. We also note how the V2V channel can differ appreciably from other common terrestrial (e.g., cellular) channels. We describe considerations used in developing the statistical channel models for these environments, and provide some example measurement and modeling results that should be useful for system designers in future V2V applications.
Bayesian alternatives to neural computing

This paper investigates two types of neural organization-Hebbian and perceptron learning. Hebbian neural learning merely serves to summarize input, whereas perceptron learning adjusts to meet systems objectives. Bayesian models have also been proposed as archetypes for human learning, providing decisions in an uncertain environment. Bayesian analogs to Hebbian and perceptron learning were constructed and found to respond more smoothly and predictably than neural models. They tend to discount information that is already known and provide smoother transitions from one revision to the next, even at relatively high learning rates. When a Bayesian system receives no evidence about a given parameter, activation levels decline, and the system "forgets". The Bayesian analogs of Hebbian and perceptron learning move roughly in tandem with neural networks, and yield similar decisions. But Bayesian models offer statistical performance metrics useful in the design and development of systems. The Bayesian analogs retain the features that attract engineers to neural networks, while dispelling uneasiness associated with the "black box" character of neural systems. >
Management of Meloidogyne incognita with Jesup (Max-Q) Tall Fescue Grass Prior to Peach Orchard Establishment

The effects of two preplant Jesup (Max-Q) tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) ground cover treatments as alternatives to chemical control of Meloidogyne incognita were investigated from 2006 to 2013. The experiment was initiated in 2006 in a site known to be infested with M. incognita. Treatments included (i) 1 year of peach followed by 1 year of Jesup (Max-Q), (ii) 2 years of continuous Jesup (Max-Q), (iii) 2 years of continuous peach, and (iv) 2 years of continuous peach followed by fumigation with 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D). Both Jesup (Max-Q) treatments suppressed (P ≤ 0.05) population densities of M. incognita second-stage juveniles (J2) compared with the 2-year continuous peach treatments (prior to fumigation); no J2 were detected in soil samples taken from 2-year continuous Jesup (Max-Q) plots. Evaluation of the effects of the Jesup (Max-Q) treatments on subsequent peach tree planting was initiated in 2008, when herbicide was applied to the tall fescue treatment plots and half the continuous peach plots were fumigated with 1,3-D (nematicide treatment control). Peach trees were planted into all plots in 2009. By the end of the experiment (48 months after orchard establishment), trunk diameter was greater (P ≤ 0.01) in both of the Jesup (Max-Q) treatments and in the 1,3-D-fumigated treatment than in the nonfumigated treatment. Moreover, trunk diameter did not differ among the Jesup (Max-Q) and the fumigated treatments. Preplant Jesup (Max-Q) tall fescue was as effective as 1,3-D fumigation in increasing tree growth in an M. incognita-infested site.
Developing Potential Candidates of Preclinical Preeclampsia

The potential for developing molecules of interest in preclinical preeclampsia from candidate genes that were discovered on gene expression microarray analysis has been challenged by limited access to additional first trimester trophoblast and decidual tissues. The question of whether these candidates encode secreted proteins that may be detected in maternal circulation early in pregnancy has been investigated using various proteomic methods. Pilot studies utilizing mass spectrometry based proteomic assays, along with enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and Western immunoblotting in first trimester samples are reported. The novel targeted mass spectrometry methods led to robust multiple reaction monitoring assays. Despite detection of several candidates in early gestation, challenges persist. Future antibody-based studies may lead to a novel multiplex protein panel for screening or detection to prevent or mitigate preeclampsia.
Using All the Senses in Ecology

This chapter is about how our sensory abilities to perceive nature are essential to an observational approach to ecology. These sensory abilities are both universal to humankind and at the same time unique to different individual humans, based on their personal history, abilities, and motivations. Our senses are our most elemental tools in building an observational understanding of ecological relationships, but they are often underutilized and sometimes viewed with skepticism in a scientific context. In this chapter we show how each of the senses can contribute to scientific ecology. We use the experiences of past and present ecologists to argue that the personal nature of how we utilize our senses can be an asset that motivates us to explore the natural world and opens us to new ecological discoveries.
Corrective Cosmetics Adjunctive to the Fields of Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery

An effective, stable cosmetic cover creme useful for ophthalmologists is presented. In a series of 52 patients, there was a high degree of patient acceptance. If properly used, the creme is effective and involves minimal risk because it has been subjected to sensitivity, photosensitivity, comedogenic, and sun blocking tests. The author recommends this camouflage creme for adjunctive use.
Changes in soluble carbonic anhydrase activity in response to maturation and NH4Cl loading in the rabbit

Maturation and systemic acidosis are two factors that stimulate urinary acidification. Proton secretion, CO2 handling, and some metabolic processes are facilitated by cytosolic carbonic anhydrase (CA). The activity of this enzyme in kidney, red blood cells (RBCs), and liver could be regulated in response to acid-base perturbations or maturation. Therefore, we investigated the effects of maturation and NH4Cl acid loading on soluble CA hydratase activity in RBCs, kidneys, and livers of female New Zealand White rabbits during three stages of maturation (neonatal, 4 wk, and adult). Total RBC CA activity doubled with maturation but did not increase after NH4Cl loading. There was substantial interindividual variation in the amount of CA I related activity. In the kidney we found intrinsic cortical CA II activity to be more than twice that in the outer medulla, which was more than twice that in the inner medulla. CA activity doubled with maturation in the cortex and increased by 70% in the outer medulla. Twenty hours after an NH4Cl load there was a 50% increase in renal cortical CA activity in 4-wk-old rabbits, but a comparable increase in cortical CA activity was only seen after 3-5 days of NH4Cl loading in adult animals. In the liver a third of cytosolic CA activity was acetazolamide resistant, presumably CA III, which doubled with maturation. Chronic NH4Cl loading in adult animals induced an almost 60% increase in hepatic acetazolamide-sensitive CA activity (mostly CA II). These data show that in the rabbit there is a renal corticomedullary gradient in soluble CA activity (mostly CA II), with significant activity in the inner medulla. Maturation induced total CA activity in the inner medulla. Maturation induced total CA activity in RBCs, CA II activity in kidney cortex and outer medulla, and CA III in the liver. Finally, CA II activity in kidney cortex and liver appeared to be regulated in response to some conditions of NH4Cl loading.
A Verification Model for Optimal Reliability Evaluation and Improvement

Abstract This article describes a logical verification model for evaluating, verifying and improving the reliability of a manufactured and assembled system. The proposed verification model is based on the analysis of the subsystems instead of the system as such, and results in an expression for the probability of no critical failures in the system after the verification. Two verification plans are considered, and the results of the model are utilized to find the optimal verification policy for evaluating and improving the reliability of the system.
A High-Speed Poled All-Fiber Switch

An all-fiber 2×2 switch using a poled electrooptic fiber segment in a Mach- Zehnder interferometer is demonstrated. Instrumentation limited switching speeds are greater than 150 MHz with less than 2 dB insertion loss and a isolation of greater than 15 dB, limited by the 3-db couplers, at a switching voltage of 1.4 kV. Fabrication details are presented as well as prospects for reduction in the switching voltage.
Meta Analysis on Adverse Reaction of Domestic and Imported Influenza Vaccines

[Objective]To evaluate the adverse reaction of domestic and imported influenza vaccines.[Methods] Pulished studies that compared the adverse reaction between domestic and imported influenza vaccines before September 2012 were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Datebase,China Biology Medicine disc,and VIP China Scientific Journal Datebase.A meta analysis was performed with Stata 10.0 software.[Results]A total of 21 studies that met inclusion criteria were included in this review.A meta analysis result showed that the pooled RR(95%CI) was 0.897(0.751-1.073) for systematic vaccine reaction between domestic and imported influenza vaccines,the pooled RR(95%CI) for local vaccine reaction between domestic and imported influenza vaccines was 0.995(0.851-1.165),and there were no statistical differences.Further stratified analysis indicated that the pooled RRs(95%CI) for systematic vaccine reaction between domestic and imported influenza vaccines were 0.990(0.622-1.577) for Glaxo Smith Kline and 0.879(0.726-1.066) for Pasteur;the pooled RRs(95%CI) for local vaccine reaction between domestic and imported influenza vaccines were 1.002(0.779-1.287) for Glaxo Smith Kline and 0.997(0.817-1.216) for Pasteur,and no statistical difference was found.[Conclusion]There are no differences between the adverse reaction of domestic and imported influenza vaccines.
No Rosetta Stone for Market Vitality

This column considers the difficulty in making forecasts about innovations in the marketplace.
Nonuniform Excitonic Charge Distribution Enhances Exciton–Phonon Coupling in ZnSe/CdSe Alloyed Quantum Dots

Zinc to cadmium cation exchange of ZnSe quantum dots has been used to produce a series of alloyed Zn1-xCdxSe quantum dots. As x increases and the lowest-energy exciton shifts to the red, the peak initially broadens and then sharpens as x approaches 1. Resonance Raman spectra obtained with excitation near the lowest excitonic absorption peak show a gradual shift of the longitudinal optical phonon peak from 251 cm-1 in pure ZnSe to 210 cm-1 in nearly pure CdSe with strong broadening at intermediate compositions. The LO overtone to fundamental intensity ratio, a rough gauge of exciton-phonon coupling strength, increases considerably for intermediate compositions compared with those of either pure ZnSe or pure CdSe. The results indicate that partial localization of the hole in locally Cd-rich regions of the alloyed particles increases the strengths of local internal electric fields, increasing the coupling between the exciton and polar optical phonons.
Quantifying the influence of partial scalar invariance on mean comparisons: two proposed effect sizes

Simulation studies have evaluated methodologies for detecting factor invariance, with the majority of work focused on best practices for identifying non-invariance. Fewer studies have examined the impact of partial factorial invariance on statistical analyses involving scores derived from observed indicator variables, particularly in the context of mean comparisons. In particular, partial scalar invariance can influence group comparisons using observed indicators. Currently, no statistical tools quantify effects of such partial invariance on observed data analyses, leading researchers to make not fully informed decisions regarding the accuracy of obtained results under non-invariant conditions. This study introduces two effect sizes designed to quantify the influence of partial invariance (especially but not exclusively scalar invariance) on group mean comparisons. The effect sizes are based on the DFIT methodology for differential item functioning. Results demonstrate that each effect size is sensitive to a lack of invariance, and can correctly differentiate low from high levels of partial invariance. Interpretation of the results and implications are discussed.
Predicting spread of aquatic invasive species by lake currents

Abstract Knowledge of aquatic invasive species (AIS) dispersal is important to inform surveillance and management efforts to slow the spread of established invaders. We studied potential dispersal of invasive Eurasian ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua and golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei larvae in Lakes Michigan and Erie using a three-dimensional particle transport model. Ruffe is currently in Lake Superior and northern Lake Michigan, while Limnoperna has not yet invaded the Great Lakes. We predicted larval transport during several spawning seasons (individual years) from several major tributaries and ports that are most prone to invasion because of their significant recreational and commercial usage. Depending on release location, larvae traveled distances ranging from Limnoperna dispersal distances were larger than ruffe due to stronger seasonal currents and longer drift period. Settlement areas resulting from offshore releases were larger than for nearshore releases, and larger for Limnoperna than for ruffe. Model results compared favorably to observed spread of ruffe and Dreissena spp. mussels in Lake Michigan. Our modeling effort suggests that larval advection by lake currents is an important AIS dispersal mechanism in the Great Lakes. It also emphasizes the importance of effective surveillance programs that maximize early detection of new introductions before lake current dispersal obviates containment and prevention of spread and impacts.
Intermolecular Aliphatic C-F···H-C Interaction in the Presence of "Stronger" Hydrogen Bond Acceptors: Crystallographic, Computational, and IR Studies.

An unprecedented intermolecular aliphatic C–F···H–C interaction was observed in the X-ray crystal structure of a fluorinated triterpenoid. Despite the notion of fluorine being a poor acceptor, computational and IR studies revealed this interaction to be a weak to moderate hydrogen bond with a C–H stretch vibration frequency blue-shifted by 14 cm–1 and d(F–H) = 2.13 A. In addition, the aliphatic C–F bond is the preferred acceptor in the presence of multiple, traditionally stronger oxygen-based hydrogen bond acceptors.
Abstract A33: Understanding the functional role of enhanced FASN activity in regulating protein translation in DLCBL

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) and protein translational machinery are two emerging cancer therapeutic targets, but their mutual dependency on each other for tumor growth especially in diffuse B-cell large lymphoma (DLBCL) is currently unknown. Therefore, we investigated the functional consequences of enhanced FASN activity on protein translational machinery in both DLCBL cell lines as well as primary samples. Inhibition of FASN activity by a specific inhibitor, C75 or shRNA mediated knockdown, suppressed de novo protein synthesis in SUDHL2, Pfeiffer, and HLY-1 cells, whereas SUDHL4 and SUDHL6 cells displayed minimal impact. Assessing the core translational machinery, the eif4b (eukaryotic initiation factor 4b) levels were depleted in a dose dependent manner of C75 treatment or shRNA mediated knock down of FASN. Mechanistically, eif4b undergoes ubiquitin mediated protein degradation upon FASN depletion. Importantly there seems to be a direct correlation between FASN levels and eif4b expression in DLBCL samples. Depleting the expression of eif4b significantly reduced the cell proliferative capacity of both FASN sensitive as well as resistant DLBCL cells. Screening the interacting protein partners from the available databases, we observed that USP11 interacts and deubiquitinates eif4b which increases its overall stability. Furthermore altering the expression of USP11 or its activity by either chemical inhibition or mutations significantly alters nascent peptide synthesis. Significantly, either down regulating USP11 or inhibiting via small molecules significantly reduced the cell proliferation with increased apoptosis of either FASN activity sensitive or resistant DLBCL cells. USP11 expression was also elevated in DLBCL tissues. Importantly, there is a strong correlation between USP11 and FASN as well as eif4b expression in DLBCL with higher level of this proteins associated with poorer survival. Enhanced FASN activity increased the Akt kinase activity, which phosphorylates USP11 at an evolutionary conserved site. FASN stimulated Akt-meditated phosphorylation events is critical for USP11 recruitment on translational initiation machinery as well as interaction with eif4b to alter protein biosynthesis. These results demonstrate that FASN mediated eif4b/USP11 axis is required for cell proliferation and survival by regulating the translation of proliferative and prosurvival mRNAs. Targeting the eif4b/USP11 axis for therapeutic intervention may add additional treatment options for resistant/relapsed DLBCL patients. Citation Format: Bandish Kapadia, Ronald Gartenhaus. Understanding the functional role of enhanced FASN activity in regulating protein translation in DLCBL. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Translational Control of Cancer: A New Frontier in Cancer Biology and Therapy; 2016 Oct 27-30; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(6 Suppl):Abstract nr A33.
Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Diagnosis, Management, and Future Prognosis

Attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis is a variant of familial ­adenomatous polyposis (FAP) in which patients present with 99 or fewer cumulative polyps in the colon and/or rectum, with a tendency toward more proximal colonic polyps [1, 2]. The average age of adenoma development and of colon ­cancer occurrence is clearly older than in typical FAP. However, there is a wide variation in the age of onset of these lesions and a wide variation in the numbers of adenomas in individuals within attenuated FAP families, with some individuals presenting with more than 100 lifetime polyps. Therefore, it is difficult and often impossible to distinguish attenuated FAP from typical FAP in single individuals. The most suggestive cases initially are patients over the age of 50 who exhibit 50–100 adenomas. Younger patients with fewer adenomas and older patients with greater than 100 adenomas are difficult to categorize. This means that examination of multiple family members is often needed to distinguish FAP and attenuated FAP in a family. Genetic testing is now also helpful in this regard, as mutations giving rise to attenuated FAP preferentially occur in localized regions of the APC gene.
Dual wavelength single waveguide laser diode fabricated using selective area quantum well intermixing

Abstract A two-section single stripe laser diode has been fabricated from a strained InGaAs/GaAs single quantum well heterostructure grown on GaAs substrate. The two sections have different band gap energies owing to selective area intermixing that is achieved by rapid thermal annealing of the sample with the two sections capped by silicon oxynitride (SiO x N y ) and silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), respectively. The device is capable of producing laser emission at either 911 or 953 nm wavelengths depending on the current applied to either section of the laser stripe.
Association of Parathyroid Hormone Level With Postthyroidectomy Hypocalcemia: A Systematic Review.

Importance There has been an increased interest in measuring parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels as an early predictive marker for the development of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. However, significant variation exists in the timing, type of assay, and thresholds of PTH in the literature. Objective We performed a systematic review to examine the utility of PTH levels in predicting temporary postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia. Evidence Review A systematic literature review of studies published prior to May 25, 2016 was performed within PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases using the following terms and keywords: “thyroidectomy,” “parathyroid hormone,” and “hypocalcaemia,” “calcium,” or “calcitriol.” Each candidate full-text publication was reviewed by 2 independent reviewers and selected for data extraction if the study examined the prognostic significance of PTH obtained within 24 hours after thyroidectomy to predict hypocalcaemia. Studies were excluded if calcium supplementation was used routinely or based on a PTH level. Study characteristics, PTH parameters used to predict hypocalcemia, and their respective accuracies were summarized. Findings The initial search yielded 2417 abstracts. Sixty-nine studies, comprising 9163 patients, were included. Overall, for an absolute PTH threshold, the median accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 86%, 85%, and 86%, respectively. For a percentage change over time the median accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 89%, 88%, and 90%, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance The existing literature regarding PTH levels to predict postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia is extremely heterogeneous. A single PTH threshold is not a reliable measure of hypocalcemia. Additional prospective studies controlled for timing of laboratory draws and a priori defined PTH thresholds need to be performed to ascertain the true prognostic significance of PTH in predicting postthyroidectomy hypocalcaemia.
The Disadvantage of Membership: How Joining the GATT/WTO Undermines GSP

Scholars and policymakers have long debated whether the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) enhances development through increased trade – i.e., whether the program is effective as a form of ‘trade-as-aid’. We argue that, by itself, GSP increases poor-country exports, but that when recipients join the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) or its successor, the World Trade Organization (WTO), they realize fewer imports, and less gains in total trade, than GSP recipients that do not join the multilateral trading system. The logic is that GATT/WTO membership makes GSP more predictable by making it non-discriminatory, in the sense that exporters in recipient countries are less vulnerable to the program's ad hoc conditionality. This leads these exporters to lobby less against domestic protectionism, yielding higher trade barriers at home, and thus fewer imports. We test this hypothesis using a gravity model of trade, and data on all GSP programs, and find strong support for the argument that the GATT/WTO's interaction with GSP undermines trade.
Localization and expression of putative circadian clock transcripts in the brain of the nudibranch Melibe leonina.

The nudibranch, Melibe leonina, expresses a circadian rhythm of locomotion, and we recently determined the sequences of multiple circadian clock transcripts that may play a role in controlling these daily patterns of behavior. In this study, we used these genomic data to help us: 1) identify putative clock neurons using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH); and 2) determine if there is a daily rhythm of expression of clock transcripts in the M. leonina brain, using quantitative PCR. FISH indicated the presence of the clock-related transcripts clock, period, and photoreceptive and non-photoreceptive cryptochrome (pcry and npcry, respectively) in two bilateral neurons in each cerebropleural ganglion and a group of <10 neurons in the anterolateral region of each pedal ganglion. Double-label experiments confirmed colocalization of all four clock transcripts with each other. Quantitative PCR demonstrated that the genes clock, period, pcry and npcry exhibited significant differences in expression levels over 24 h. These data suggest that the putative circadian clock network in M. leonina consists of a small number of identifiable neurons that express circadian genes with a daily rhythm.
Economic Recovery of Calcium Phosphates From Swine Lagoon Sludge Using Quick Wash Process and Geotextile Filtration

To maintain the waste treatment capacity of anaerobic swine lagoons, excessive accumulation of sludge in the bottom of the lagoon is traditionally removed by dredging and pumping followed by dewatering prior to land application. A widespread and low-cost method of dewatering this lagoon sludge in U.S. farms is the use of geotextile bag filtration. Because of typically high phosphorus (P) contents in lagoon sludge, the dewatered sludge is eventually hauled to distant fields to reduce the environmental risk of excess P in land nearby the lagoon. The inclusion of a P recovery approach, called Quick Wash (QW), along with the geotextile bag technology could eliminate or reduce hauling costs of dewatered sludge and produce a valuable P product for use as fertilizer. The QW process uses a novel combination of acid, base, and organic polyelectrolytes to selectively extract and recover P from manure solids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential advantage and technical feasibility of combining the QW process and geotextile dewatering in a system to extract and recover P from lagoon sludge. Laboratory tests results showed that the amount of recoverable P from lagoon sludge depends on the pH level obtained by acidification. The highest release of P in solution, 83% of total initial P, was obtained when the lagoon sludge was acidified to pH 3. The amount of P recovered as a precipitate with lime addition at pH 10 was about 79% of the initial total P in the sludge. A mass flow balance confirmed that about 20% of the total P remained in the dewatered sludge solids. The effluent contained extremely low soluble P concentrations. The calcium phosphate product was identified as amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) with very low heavy metal content. The recovered ACP had P grades (33.2 to 35.5 % P2O5), higher than rock phosphate, with the advantage that there is no need for additional chemical processing for its use as fertilizer. Results of this study support the technical feasibility of using the QW process in combination with geotextile bag filtration for the economic recovery of P from anaerobic swine lagoons.
Meal Estimation: Acceptable-Likelihood Extensions of Maxent

An inference scheme that extends and generalizes both MaxEnt and the Maximum Likelihood Principle is proposed. It incorporates both prior knowledge and sample data but, unlike the Bayesian inference, does not involve distributions on the parameter space. In contrast to the Maximum Likelihood Principle, it produces meaningful estimates even when the size of the sample is small.
An Investigation of Treatment Integrity and Outcomes in Wraparound Services

Research on wraparound services has been generally positive, but has failed to include data regarding treatment integrity. Without such data, conclusions drawn from such studies are weakened. This study followed 28 children and adolescents receiving wraparound services in rural central Pennsylvania. Treatment integrity was defined as the percentage of service hours prescribed vs. received, and behavioral outcomes were defined as Total Problem Behavior T Scores on the Child Behavior Checklist. Preliminary analyses failed to reveal significant differences in sample means between included subjects and those excluded due to missing data. Outcome behavior ratings were significantly improved over baseline ratings. Regression analyses, however, failed to find a significant effect for treatment integrity when used in an outcome prediction equation for Therapeutic Support Staff, Mobile Therapy services, or Behavioral Specialist wraparound services. These results suggest that adherence to prescribed treatment hours may not be related to behavioral outcomes in a wraparound service setting.
CHARACTERIZATION OF COATINGS ON MAGNETIC METALS USING SWEPT- FREQUENCY EDDY CURRENT AND TRANSIENT EDDY CURRENT METHODS

Eddy currents can be used to characterize the conductivity and thickness of coatings on metals. However, when the same techniques were applied to magnetic metals, some uncertainties were found. We have discovered that the broadband behavior of eddy current coils in proximity to ferromagnetic surfaces depends dramatically upon very thin surface layers. For nickel, we found a 10∼100 micrometers thick dead layer at the surface that reduces the apparent relative magnetic permeability substantially [1]. Conversely, this extreme sensitivity to surface conditions means that measurement methods can be devised that will be sensitive to very thin surface coatings, on the order of a few micrometers thick or less.