cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A MEMS affinity glucose sensor using a biocompatible glucose-responsive polymer

We present a MEMS affinity sensor that can potentially allow long-term continuous monitoring of glucose in subcutaneous tissue for diabetes management. The sensing principle is based on detection of viscosity changes due to affinity binding between glucose and poly(acrylamide-ran-3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid) (PAA-ran-PAAPBA), a biocompatible, glucose-specific polymer. The device uses a magnetically driven vibrating microcantilever as a sensing element, which is fabricated from Parylene and situated in a microchamber. A solution of PAA-ran-PAAPBA fills the microchamber, which is separated from the surroundings by a semi-permeable membrane. Glucose permeates through the membrane and binds reversibly to the phenylboronic acid moiety of the polymer. This results in a viscosity change of the sensing solution, which is obtained by measuring the damped cantilever vibration using an optical lever setup, allowing determination of the glucose concentration. Experimental results demonstrate that the device is capable of detecting glucose at physiologically relevant concentrations from 27 mg/dL to 324 mg/dL. The glucose response time constant of the sensor is approximately 3 min, which can be further improved with device design optimization. Excellent reversibility and stability are observed in sensor responses, as highly desired for long-term, stable continuous glucose monitoring.
Process and systems complexity

This statement introduces the ECBS Complexity panel. It provides a framework for a debate on the complexity of the ECBS (engineering of computer based systems) process and its products. We attempt to address the questions of what constitutes complexity, how to measure it, and how to provide engineering techniques that can handle its effects.
Computationally-efficient DSP-based MIMO equalization for OSNR gains in 40Gb/s OFDMA-PON

We present and experimentally verify a novel computationally-efficient MIMO equalization method in 40Gb/s OFDMA-PON with polarization multiplexing and direct detection. A 2.1dB DSP-based OSNR gain is achieved over 20km SSMF plus 1∶32 optical split.
An Exploration of Students’ Statistical Thinking

Summary The statistical thinking exhibited by 14–19 year-old students during clinical interview sessions is described. The students’ thinking with regard to fundamental statistics concepts is reported in order to help inform instructional practice.
Home range, habitat use, survival, and fecundity of Mexican spotted owls in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico

We studied home range, habitat use, and vital rates of radio-marked Mexican spotted owls (Strix occidentalis lucida) in 2 study areas in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico. One study area (mesic) was dominated by mixed-conifer forest, the other (xeric) by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest and pinon (P. edulis)-juniper (Juniperus) woodland. Based on existing knowledge of relative use of forest types by Mexican spotted owls, we predicted that the mesic area would provide habitat of higher quality for spotted owls. Results generally supported this prediction. Median home-range size for owls in the mesic area was approximately half that of owls in the xeric area during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons (n 5 6 owls in each area). Despite their reduced size, however, mesic-area home ranges contained twice as much mixed- conifer forest as xeric-area ranges. Owls roosted primarily (.80% of roosting locations in both seasons) in mixed-conifer forest in both study areas, and home-range size was inversely related to relative amount of mixed-conifer forest within the home range during both seasons. Both survival and fecundity rates were higher in the mesic than in the xeric area. Estimates of population trend based on observed vital rates suggested that the population in the mesic area was self-sustaining or nearly so during the period of study (1992 through 1994), but the population in the xeric area was not. Collectively, our findings suggest that habitat quality for spotted owls was higher in the mesic area than in the xeric area, and that the xeric area might function as an ecological sink. These results support the need for data linking demographic performance to habitat conditions in development of strategies for recovering threatened and endangered species.
Quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR analysis doubles detection of tumor cells in breast ductal fluid.

Purpose: The challenges of cytology for accurate diagnosis of breast cancer are well recognized. We previously showed that normal and tumor tissue can be distinguished using a technique called quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR (QM-MSP). We hypothesized that quantitative analysis of methylated genes will provide enhanced detection of cancer cells present in cytologic specimens. Experimental Design: QM-MSP was done on ductal lavage cells from a set of 37 ductal lavage samples from women undergoing mastectomy (27 with cancer and 3 without). Duct histology information was available for each lavaged duct. QM-MSP data was assessed by measuring cumulative methylation index and by receiver operating characteristic threshold analysis. To determine the baseline level of methylation for each gene in this population, cells from 60 ducts of women at high risk of developing breast cancer were analyzed. Results: QM-MSP findings on a panel of nine genes were correlated to duct histology and ductal lavage cytology. Cytology detected cancer in 33% (7 of 21 ducts) with a specificity of 99% (92 of 93). QM-MSP detected cancer as calculated by cumulative methylation index with a sensitivity of 62% (13 of 21) and specificity of 82% (62 of 76) and by receiver operating characteristic threshold analysis with a sensitivity of 71% (15 of 21) and specificity of 83% (63 of 76). Conclusions: Compared with cytology, QM-MSP doubled the sensitivity of detection of cancer. This study provides proof of principle by showing the advantages of using methylation analyses to query cytologic specimens and indicates its potential use in diagnosis and in stratifying risk.
Blood Composition of White-Tailed Deer

In recent years overpopulation of deer and consequent decline in quality and quantity of natural forage in many states have attracted the attention of wildlife biologists to the nutritional requirements of deer (French et al. , 1955) and the effects of malnutrition. Blood analyses of both wild and penned deer have been made in searching for correlations between elements of the blood and nutritional condition or disease. (Browman and Sears, 1955; Leopold et al. , 1951; Maynard et al. , 1935; Rosen and Bischoff, 1952; Whitlock, 1939). During February and March, 1955, blood samples were collected from white-tailed fawns, Odocoileus virginianus , which had been used in digestion tests of natural forages at the University of New Hampshire Animal Nutrition Laboratory. Observations made of the formed elements and chemical constituents of the blood are reported herein. Materials and methods .—Eight male fawns from Maine and New Hampshire were brought to the campus in October, 1954. They were housed in a 16 x 16 foot unheated shed with attached corral. They were fed a 16 per cent dairy feeding ration, a nutritionally balanced ration for growing ruminants, at the rate of about 2.0 pounds per animal daily. Water was available at all times. Digestion trials of natural forages were begun on December 11, 1955. The forages tested were hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ), mountain maple ( Acer spicatum ), and apple ( Malus sp). Three of the deer were used on digestion trials once and were in too poor health to be used again. Four others were used three or four times and one was never in good enough health to be used for digestion trials. Body weight changes were recorded only during successful trials and then only after a pretrial period of adjustment to the browse, which generally lasted approximately 7 …
Detecting self-organised behavioural patterns in workplace settings: Towards a lay epistemic theory

AbstractSeveral theorists have called for people who work in organisations to become more proficient at discerning the subtle, self-organised patterns that emerge in their organisations. Such theorists argue that the capacity to detect such patterns can enable managers to understand what drives organisational behaviour, and what stands in the way of organisational transformation. This paper presents findings of a study on how some organisational practitioners detect and understand self-organised behavioural patterns that emerge in the workplace. It seeks, therefore, to integrate processes used by successful practitioners with a theoretical foundation grounded in systems and organisational research.
Current thinking on the management of the acromegalic patient.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although the concept that acromegaly is associated with heightened cardiovascular risk is not new, it has become apparent that there are a number of risk factors associated with this disease and that specific therapeutic modalities may have variable effects on these risk factors. In addition, it is important to understand the medical therapies available for acromegaly and their role in acromegaly management. RECENT FINDINGS Acromegaly is associated with heightened cardiovascular risk, including derangements in glucose homeostasis and lipids, but also in markers of vascular function. Recent studies have demonstrated treatment-specific effects on these markers. In addition, recent studies have detailed further the efficacy and safety of various therapeutic options, in particular that of pegvisomant, the growth hormone receptor antagonist. A role for medical therapy as primary, de-novo therapy has been considered and recent studies support such use. SUMMARY The goals of acromegaly therapy are to control excess growth hormone secretion and limit, if not reverse, the long-term medical consequences and risk of premature mortality associated with acromegaly. It is critical to control both the growth hormone hypersecretion and associated cardiovascular risk factors to prevent the associated risks of cardiovascular disease and enhanced mortality. Medical therapy has an important adjuvant role in the management of acromegaly and use of somatostatin analogs as first-line therapy for specific groups of patients should be considered.
Lateral hypothalamic lesions cause gastric injury by stimulating gastric contractility

Changes in gastric contractility following lateral hypothalamic (LH) lesions with and without bilateral cervical vagotomy were measured in urethan-anesthetized rats. LH lesions were induced with direct current passed through stereotaxically placed electrodes. Gastric contractility was recorded continuously for 4 h with acutely implanted strain gauge force transducers and analyzed by computer. LH lesions consistently stimulated gastric contractility and caused more gastric mucosal injury than control conditions. Vagotomy blocked both gastric mucosal injury and high-amplitude gastric contractions. In rats with LH lesions and exogenously infused intragastric hydrochloric acid, atropine methyl nitrate inhibited high-amplitude gastric contractions and gastric erosions. These findings indicate that LH lesions stimulate vagally mediated high-amplitude gastric contractions, which, in the presence of hydrochloric acid, cause gastric mucosal erosions.
Staying on track when prescribing off-label.

Off-label use of medications is common, accounting for approximately 10% to 20% of prescriptions. Physicians must evaluate the scientific evidence and use their best judgment to balance effectiveness and safety when choosing a medication for an individual patient.
Additive Model for the Evaluation of Interactions Between Aqueous Solutes and Multi-Component Container Materials

The interaction between aqueous model solutes and various current or potential parenteral solution container materials was studied. Materials examined included composite polymers (plasticized PVC and co-extruded composites) and their individual components. For each material studied (component and composite), the equilibrium interaction constant (Eb), which describes the distribution of a solute between a container and its contained solution, can be related to the solute’s octanol-water (P0 · w) and hexane-water (Ph · w) partition coefficients via a bimodal Collander-type expression: log Eb = a log P0 · w + b log Ph · w + c Additionally, the interaction of the composites was found to be equivalent to the weighted average of the interaction properties of its individual components. That is, Eb,composue = Σ W1 × Eb,t where i represents an individual component of the composite and Wt represents the weight fraction of that component in the composite. The impact of the interaction properties of the components on the behavior of the composites is discussed; thus, for example, the interaction properties exhibited by plasticized PVC is dominated by the behavior of the plasticizer since unplasticized PVC itself exhibits only minimal interaction with aqueous solutes.
Metabolism of 4-Hydroxy-7-oxo-5-heptenoic Acid (HOHA) Lactone by Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells

4-Hydroxy-7-oxo-5-heptenic acid (HOHA)-lactone is a biologically active oxidative truncation product released (t1/2 = 30 min at 37 °C) by nonenzymatic transesterification/deacylation from docosahexaenoate lipids. We now report that HOHA-lactone readily diffuses into retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells where it is metabolized. A reduced glutathione (GSH) Michael adduct of HOHA-lactone is the most prominent metabolite detected by LC-MS in both the extracellular medium and cell lysates. This molecule appeared inside of ARPE-19 cells within seconds after exposure to HOHA-lactone. The intracellular level reached a maximum concentration at 30 min and then decreased with concomitant increases in its level in the extracellular medium, thus revealing a unidirectional export of the reduced GSH-HOHA-lactone adduct from the cytosol to extracellular medium. This metabolism is likely to modulate the involvement of HOHA-lactone in the pathogenesis of human diseases. HOHA-lactone is biologically active, e.g., low co...
Jagged1 upregulation in prostate epithelial cells promotes formation of reactive stroma in the Pten null mouse model for prostate cancer

The role of Notch signaling in prostate cancer has not been defined definitively. Several large scale tissue microarray studies have revealed that the expression of some Notch signaling components including the Jagged1 ligand are upregulated in advanced human prostate cancer specimens. Jagged1 expressed by tumor cells may activate Notch signaling in both adjacent tumor cells and cells in tumor microenvironment. However, it remains undetermined whether increased Jagged1 expression reflects a cause for or a consequence of tumor progression in vivo. To address this question, we generated a novel R26-LSL-JAG1 mouse model that enables spatiotemporal Jagged1 expression. Prostate specific upregulation of Jagged1 neither interferes with prostate epithelial homeostasis nor significantly accelerates tumor initiation or progression in the prostate-specific Pten deletion mouse model for prostate cancer. However, Jagged1 upregulation results in increased inflammatory foci in tumors and incidence of intracystic adenocarcinoma. In addition, Jagged1 overexpression upregulates Tgfβ signaling in prostate stromal cells and promotes progression of a reactive stromal microenvironment in the Pten null prostate cancer model. Collectively, Jagged1 overexpression does not significantly accelerate prostate cancer initiation and progression in the context of loss-of-function of Pten, but alters tumor histopathology and microenvironment. Our study also highlights an understudied role of Notch signaling in regulating prostatic stromal homeostasis.
Tuning Task-Specific Ionic Liquids for the Extractive Desulfurization of Liquid Fuel

Extractive desulfurization of liquid fuel is a simple process that requires minimum energy input and can be operated via existing liquid–liquid extraction apparatuses. In particular, to achieve deep desulfurization, the conventional hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process has shown limitations in the removal of aromatic sulfur compounds. Recently, extractive desulfurization using a new type of nonvolatile solvent, ionic liquids (ILs), has yielded promising results. However, there is a lack of systematic evaluation of the effect of IL structure on desulfurization efficiency, and a lack of mechanistic understanding regarding how ILs lead to the partition of aromatic sulfur compounds from fuel to the IL phase. The present study examines a total of 71 ILs and two deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with combinations representing various cations and anions. We identify a number of ILs that yield high partition coefficients [up to 1.85 mg(S) kg (IL)−1/mg(S) kg (oil)−1] for the partition of aromatic sulfur compounds betwee...
Generalized Iterated Fractional Representation Formulae and Inequalities

Here we derive very general iterated fractional representation formulae. Based on these we obtain a fractional Ostrowski type inequality, fractional Poincare type inequalities, fractional Opial type inequalities, and fractional Hilbert–Pachpatte inequalities. All these inequalities are very general.
Preferential Proliferation of T Effectors and Tumor Protection by Adoptive Transfer of Primed Anti-Lymphoma Splenocytes into Lymphodepleted Hosts.

Clinical trials of immunotherapy for lymphoma have demonstrated induction of immunologic anti-tumor responses but only a minority of clinical responses. Possible reasons include tumor-produced factors (e.g. IL10, VEGF, TGFβ) and immune-regulatory mechanisms (e.g. Tregs, immature myeloid cells, tumor-associated macrophages). Immunotherapy in the post-transplant setting could overcome both these obstacles, as it is a state of minimal residual disease and of relative lympho- and myelodepletion. We have previously described a method of CD8 T cell-dependent vaccination against established lymphoma tumors by a combination of chemotherapy and intra-tumoral injection of the TLR9 agonist CpG oligodeoxynucleotides. Herein, we transferred splenocytes from such vaccinated mice into lymphodepleted recipient mice. The transferred tumor-specific T cells proliferate in these “empty” mice at a 30-fold excess over that in normal non-depleted recipients. The lymphodepleted recipients of adoptive transfer were completely protected against challenge with the lymphoma tumor at a 100-fold greater tumor cell dose than that required to kill normal animals. Because the transferred effector lymphocytes may still be contaminated by the same immuno-regulatory elements (e.g. Tregs) present in the donor mice, we asked whether these might proliferate and diminish the effector function of anti-tumor T cells. By tracking the homeostatic proliferation of the transferred cells we observed an apparent preferential proliferative capacity of the tumor-responsive CD8 cells and a relative decreased proliferative capacity of transferred foxP3(+) Treg cells. These data suggest that the post-transplant environment can skew the relative proportion of different T cell subsets, which may be a central mechanism for the dramatic improvement in tumor protection observed.
Sunlight and Soil–Litter Mixing: Drivers of Litter Decomposition in Drylands

Decomposition of leaf litter is a key component of biogeochemical cycles but the mechanisms driving it in arid and semiarid ecosystems (drylands) remain unresolved. Here, we review recent findings that demonstrate dual roles of solar radiation (ultraviolet and photosynthetically active radiation) and soil–litter mixing as drivers of decomposition in drylands. We focus on the known and potential mechanisms by which these factors influence leaf litter decomposition, explore how the importance of these two drivers may shift over time, and propose possible avenues by which these factors may interact. Special attention is given to UV in sunlight, as this radiation is known to have multiple roles in influencing decomposition and has received considerable recent research attention. We also identify important uncertainties and challenges and offer a generalized conceptual model to guide future research aimed at enhancing our mechanistic understanding and quantitative modeling of the processes by which soil deposition and solar radiation together influence leaf litter decomposition rates in globally extensive dryland ecosystems.
Effects of mountain pine beetle-killed forests on source water contributions to streamflow in headwater streams of the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Natural or human-influenced disturbances are important to the health and diversity of forests, which in turn, are important to the water quantity and quality exported from a catchment. However, human-induced disturbances (prescribed fire and harvesting) have been decreasing, and natural disturbances (fires and insects) have been increasing in frequency and severity. One such natural disturbance is the mountain pine beetle (MPB), (Dendroctonus ponderosae) an endemic species. A recent epidemic resulted in the mortality of millions of hectares of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forests in Colorado, USA. Beetle-induced tree mortality brings about changes to the hydrologic cycle, including decreased transpiration and interception with the loss of canopy cover. This study examined the effect of the mountain pine beetle kill on source water contributions to streamflow in snowmeltdominated headwater catchments using stable isotopes (2H and 18O) as tracers. Study catchments with varying level of beetle-killed forest area (6% to 97%) were sampled for groundwater, surface water, and precipitation. Streams were sampled to assess whether beetle-killed forests have altered source water contributions to streamflow. Groundwater contributions increased with increasing beetle-killed forest area (p = 0.008). Both rain and snow contributions were negatively correlated with beetle-killed forest area (p = 0.035 and p = 0.011, respectively). As the beetle-killed forest area increases, so does fractional groundwater contribution to streamflow.
Synthesis of an Environmentally Friendly Alkyl Carbonate Electrolyte Based on Glycerol for Lithium‐Ion Supercapacitor Operation at 100 °C

The increased number of electrical energy storage (EES) systems utilized in everyday products along with the demand for more reliable and safer products that provide high energy densities with faster response times over an extended range of temperatures are catalyzing advances across all areas of EES technology. Here, the preparation and performance evaluation at 100 °C of a high voltage lithium-ion supercapacitor (LIC), comprised of activated carbon electrodes and a novel, environmentally friendly alkyl carbonate electrolyte based on glycerol containing 1 m LiTFSI, are reproted. Use of this ethoxy propylene carbonate electrolyte affords a high capacitance level with notable electrochemical performance including a specific capacitance of 162 F g−1 at 1 mV s−1, energy density of 14.2 Wh kg−1 at 2 A g−1, and power density of 7.5 kW kg−1 at 10 A g−1 at 100 °C. The performance of this LIC at 100 °C is compared to a conventional ethylene carbonate-dimethyl carbonate LIC operating only at 25 °C as conventional organic and aqueous electrolytes do not allow safe operation at such an elevated temperature. Finally, insight into the increased Li+-carbon intercalation mechanism is provided, observed with the system, leading to the enhanced electrochemical performance.
When in Rome? How Institutional Distance Shapes Corporate Political Behavior

Organizations use corporate political behaviors – efforts to wield the power of government and regulatory agencies for the benefit of the organization – to gain strategic advantage over competitors. An organization’s identity, those characteristics that are attributed to the organization by its members, informs its strategy. Studies to date have discussed how, why and which organizations engage in corporate political behaviors; however, the conversation has largely been limited to country- or culture-specific environments. Building on the organizational identity, resource dependence and institutional theory literatures, this paper describes how organizations may adopt and implement corporate political behavior strategies when there is a difference between the countries’ institutional profiles.
Unlocking the structure of mixed amorphous-crystalline ceramic oxide films synthesized under low temperature electromagnetic excitation

The promise of using electromagnetic (EM) fields for low temperature materials synthesis is limited by our ability to structurally characterize these materials, which are often nanocrystalline or amorphous. Here we demonstrate that synchrotron X-ray radiation coupled with the recently developed thin film pair distribution function (tfPDF) analysis yields quantitative information about mixtures of crystalline and non-crystalline materials synthesized under EM excitation, which represents a new direction to study the chemical reactions and lattice ordering induced by EM fields. Our experiments demonstrate for the first time that ceramic oxide films of titanium dioxide (TiO2) grown under microwave radiation (MWR) exposure contain a different phase composition and increased crystallinity compared to TiO2 grown at similar temperatures without EM fields. Specifically, the field-assisted TiO2 is composed of a mixed-phase structure consisting of long-range anatase TiO2 phase with short-range amorphous components, while furnace-grown materials are amorphous with local ordering most resembling the brookite phase of TiO2. The disordered component of MWR-grown TiO2 results in a slightly narrower energy band gap relative to fully crystalline anatase, indicating enhanced light absorption in the visible spectrum. The impact of EM field-influenced atomic structure on resultant material properties creates the opportunity to utilize MWR-assisted synthesis as a novel method for rapid, single-step, low temperature synthesis of mixed ordered-disordered materials for potential use in photocatalysis, thermoelectrics, or lithium ion batteries.
Are College Graduates Ready for the 21st Century? Community-Engaged Research Can Help

Research is clear: Employers want college graduates who can communicate clearly, think analytically, and interact respectfully. Targeted educational experiences have measurably improved these capacities. To better prepare undergraduates, the University of Massachusetts Amherst developed the Community-Engaged Research Program, a pilot program featuring a cornerstone course. The course seeks to realize the goal of making research-based learning a standard in U.S. undergraduate education. Data from process evaluations, student assessments, and end-of-semester surveys show meaningful gains in students’ ability to think through the research process, communicate research findings, and respectfully address others’ needs. Recommendations for building a sustainable undergraduate research model are provided. With further institutional support, such courses could improve college graduate preparedness for the workforce.
Clinical Perspectives on Lupus Genetics: Advances and Opportunities

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; lupus) is a complex clinical syndrome with a wide range of clinical symptoms and significant immune dysregulation including production of high concentrations of autoantibodies. Lupus cases have been found to cluster in families with 66% heritability and a lambda S between 8 and 29. Monozygotic twin studies have demonstrating 24–69% twin concordance rates, compared to the dizygotic twin or sibling rates of 2–5%.(1–3) Since the first genome wide association studies (GWAS) conducted in SLE were published in 2008(4–6), an explosion in the number of associated and confirmed genetic associations has occurred as outlined and referenced in Table 1, which summarizes these findings through December 2013. Table 1 Loci associated with SLE through GWAS, meta-analysis studies, candidate gene studies, or replication studies from 1992 to December 2013. Pathways implicated by lupus genetics Genetic studies suggest and mechanistic SLE studies support the role of several different processes being implicated in lupus pathogenesis, such as altered cell signaling, impaired clearance of debris, and dysregulated immune cell development, function and response.(3, 7–9) Several of these pathways are discussed briefly below and in Table 1. Please see the following reviews for additional information(3, 10–13). Ubiquitination (NF-kB signaling) Polymorphisms within several genes involved in ubiquitination (a process of marking proteins for degradation) have been associated with SLE. Mutations in TNFAIP3 can alter ubiquitin patterns resulting in improper degradation targeting and termination of pro-inflammatory responses through NFκB signaling.(14) Mutations in TNIP1, an adaptor protein whose expression is induced by NFκB,(3) can result in NFκB signaling pathway dysregulation.(15) UBE2L3, a ubiquitin-carrier enzyme, is expressed on all lymphocytes and is important for the ubiquitination of a NFκB precursor and cell development.(3, 8) IRAK1 encodes for a protein located downstream of NFκB signaling and genetic mutations in this gene can offer protection from or susceptibility to SLE.(8, 16) Mutations in SLC15A4, a peptide transporter in NFκB signaling pathway, and PRKCB, a protein kinase involved in B-cell receptor mediated NFκB activation, have also been implicated in SLE development in susceptible individuals.(8)
Functions of the Amygdala Related to the Feedback Actions of Gonadal Steroid Hormones

The hormones of the pituitary target organs, which include the gonads, adrenals and thyroid glands, exert profound feedback influences on brain-pituitary function to control pituitary trophic secretions. The target organ hormones also influence behavior. As a model of this feedback circuit, we shall emphasize brain-pituitary-ovarian interactions in which the ovarian steroids, estrogen and progesterone, influence sex behavior and the secretion of pituitary luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin. The latter hormones, in turn, control ovulation and the secretion of ovarian steroids. This circuit will be emphasized, because there is evidence that the action of estrogen may involve the amygdala, the subject of this conference, whereas the adrenal steroids seem to exert an important extrahypothalamic influence on the hippocampus.
The Acquisition of Language in Normally Developing Children: Some Basic Strategies and Approaches

The field of language acquisition boasts considerable knowledge about the order and timing of linguistic achievements in the normally developing child. However, recent studies suggest that the course of acquisition is more variable and protracted than had once been thought. I overview two consequences of this shift in focus which challenge current viewpoints. First, even within normally developing populations, early lexical acquisition is marked by considerable diversity and variation. Recent studies outline normal extremes in rate of acquisition (e.g., late and early talkers), identifying the cognitive and linguistic skills that “hang together” or “break apart” at these ends of the normal continuum. These studies help to identify the limits on the form that the linguistic system can take in “normal” learning situations. Second, while young children can and do communicate quite effectively, linguistic skills continue to develop for many years. These protracted developments may reflect system-internal reorganizations in the discourse-based function of linguistic structures, e.g., the frequency of use of the English passive. In our view, language behavior is processing-based and dynamic, and language learning is continuous with developments in other cognitive and perceptual domains. Establishing the normal limits on individual variation and the functional basis for developmental change in linguistic performance are necessary for understanding the biological, cognitive and communicative foundations of language acquisition.
Odd-even alternation in the chain length variation of micellar properties

Lange andSchwuger have recently shown that in a homologous series of sodium alkyl sulphates, there is an alternation in theKrafft temperatures between alkyl chains containing odd and even numbered carbon atoms. They found no such alternation in the critical micelle concentrations, and concluded that the micelle core is liquid-like. It is shown here that alternations do exist in the free energies of micelle formation. This observation, in conjunction with some others, suggests that there is some long-range order inside a micelle. The magnitude of the alternation, however, is much less than those observed in heats of fusion of fatty acids or hydrocarbons. The existence of some ‘solidlike’ character in the micelle agrees with previous deductions that the entropy of the chains inside a micelle is likely to be less than that of hydrocarbon
Urinary volume in children with urolithiasis.

AbstractUrinary volume in 24-hour urine collections was examined in 50 children with hypercalciuria and urolithiasis or hematuria, 12 with idiopathic calcium oxalate urolithiasis and 36 healthy children. Urinary volume was 22.2 ± 2.0ml. per kg. per day in healthy children and 25.4 ± 2.0ml. per kg. per day in children with hypercalciuria, and it was similar in children with absorptive and renal hypercalciuria, and significantly lower in children with idiopathic calcium oxalate urolithiasis (12.2 ± 1.4ml. per kg. per day, p less than 0.001 from controls and children with hypercalciuria). Volume was not statistically different in hypercalciuric children with and without urolithiasis. Urinary sodium excretion in children with idiopathic calculi was not statistically different from controls. Urine osmolality was similar among the groups. Urinary volume represents a risk factor in children with idiopathic calcium oxalate urolithiasis, and increased fluid intake should be emphasized in such patients.
Memory System Neurons Represent Gaze Position and the Visual World

The entorhinal cortex, a brain area critical for memory, contains neurons that fire when a rodent is in a certain location (eg, grid cells), or when a monkey looks at certain locations. In rodents, these spatial representations align to visual objects in the environment by firing when the animal is in a preferred location defined by relative position of visual environmental features. Recently, our laboratory found that simultaneously recorded entorhinal neurons in monkeys can exhibit different spatial reference frames for gaze position, including a reference frame of visual environmental features. We also discovered that most of the neurons represent gaze position. These results suggest that gaze information in multiple spatial reference frames is a potent signal used in the primate memory system. Here, I describe how these findings support three underappreciated views of the hippocampal memory system.
The Nazi‐Fascist New Order For European Culture. By Benjamin G. Martin. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2016. Pp. 370. $39.95.)

This book is an important study for historians in any area of twentieth‐century European history. The volume is lucidly organized in seven chapters that all focus on the new order for European cult...
Systems Biology Approach to Identify Novel Genomic Determinants for Pancreatic Cancer Pathogenesis

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of <8%. Its dismal prognosis stems from inefficient therapeutic modalities owing to the lack of understanding about pancreatic cancer pathogenesis. Considering the molecular complexity and heterogeneity of PDAC, identification of novel molecular contributors involved in PDAC onset and progression using global "omics" analysis will pave the way to improved strategies for disease prevention and therapeutic targeting. Meta-analysis of multiple miRNA microarray datasets containing healthy controls (HC), chronic pancreatitis (CP) and PDAC cases, identified 13 miRNAs involved in the progression of PDAC. These miRNAs showed dysregulation in both tissue as well as blood samples, along with progressive decrease in expression from HC to CP to PDAC. Gene-miRNA interaction analysis further elucidated 5 miRNAs (29a/b, 27a, 130b and 148a) that are significantly downregulated in conjunction with concomitant upregulation of their target genes throughout PDAC progression. Among these, miRNA-29a/b targeted genes were found to be most significantly altered in comparative profiling of HC, CP and PDAC, indicating its involvement in malignant evolution. Further, pathway analysis suggested direct involvement of miRNA-29a/b in downregulating the key pathways associated with PDAC development and metastasis including focal adhesion signaling and extracellular matrix organization. Our systems biology data analysis, in combination with real-time PCR validation indicates direct functional involvement of miRNA-29a in PDAC progression and is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic candidate for patients with progressive disease.
New Developments in Dual-Labeled Molecular Imaging Agents

Intraoperative detection of tumors has had a profound impact on how cancer surgery is performed and addresses critical unmet needs in surgical oncology. Tumor deposits, margins, and residual cancer can be imaged through the use of fluorescent contrast agents during surgical procedures to complement visual and tactile guidance. The combination of fluorescent and nuclear contrast into a multimodality agent builds on these capabilities by adding quantitative, noninvasive nuclear imaging capabilities to intraoperative imaging. This review focuses on new strategies for the development and evaluation of targeted dual-labeled molecular imaging agents while highlighting the successful first-in-human application of this technique.
Electronic Stability of Carbon Nanotube Transistors Under Long-Term Bias Stress

Thousands of reports have demonstrated the exceptional performance of sensors based on carbon nanotube (CNT) transistors, with promises of transformative impact. Yet, the effect of long-term bias stress on individual CNTs, critical for most sensing applications, has remained uncertain. Here, we report bias ranges under which CNT transistors can operate continuously for months or more without degradation. Using a custom characterization system, the impacts of defect formation and charge traps on the stability of CNT-based sensors under extended bias are determined. In addition to breakdown, which is well-known, we identify three additional operational modes: full stability, slow decay, and fast decay. We identify a current drift behavior that reduces dynamic range by over four orders of magnitude but is avoidable with appropriate sensing modalities. Identification of these stable operation modes and limits for nanotube-based sensors addresses concerns surrounding their development for a myriad of sensing applications.
Overpressure at the Macondo Well and its impact on the Deepwater Horizon blowout

At the Macondo well, the overpressure (fluid pressure greater than hydrostatic) in the main reservoir is nearly identical to that within a stratigraphically equivalent sandstone at the Galapagos development 21 miles (34 km) to the south; we interpret that the reservoirs share a permeable, laterally extensive, and hydraulically connected aquifer. At Macondo, pore pressure approximately parallels the overburden stress to a depth of 17,640 ft (5,377 m) subsea and thereafter decreases abruptly by 1,200 psi (8.3 MPa) over 370 ft (113 m) as the main sandstone reservoir is approached. In contrast, at Galapagos, pore pressure increases with the overburden stress for the entire well depth. The pore pressure regression at Macondo was responsible for a reduction in the least principal stress. This, in combination with the extreme pore pressures within overlying strata, drastically narrowed the range of safe operational borehole pressures. These geologic phenomena produced challenging conditions for drilling, prevented successful temporary abandonment of the well, and contributed to the well’s failure.
Intelligent squad weapon: challenges to displaying and interacting with artificial intelligence in small arms weapon systems

The Army plans to integrate artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) and other intelligent decision-making aids into future dismounted Warfighter systems to augment situational awareness and target acquisition capabilities. However, due to the unique constraints of dismounted operations, successful implementation of intelligent decisionmaking aids in dismounted systems necessitates a human-in-the-loop approach, which includes the ability for the Warfighter to provide feedback to the autonomous system. Human-in-the-loop feedback can augment current machine learning techniques by reducing the size of datasets needed to train algorithms and allow algorithms to be flexible and adaptive to changing battlespace conditions. As such, research is required to define the bidirectional interactions between man and machine in this context, to optimize human-intelligent agent teaming for the dismounted Warfighter. In this paper, we focus on a specific application of dismounted Human-AI interaction to weapon mounted target acquisition (small arms fire control systems) and discuss issues pertaining to an important component of this optimization: how intelligent information is communicated to the end user. We consider how the intelligent information is presented to the Warfighter, and what underlying cognitive and perceptual processes can be leveraged to optimize teamed decision making. Such factors are critical to the successful implementation of human-in-the-loop AI in dismounted applications and ultimately the effectiveness of intelligent decision-making aids.
miR-143 Regulates Lysosomal Enzyme Transport across the Blood-Brain Barrier and Transforms CNS Treatment for Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I

During brain maturation, cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR), a key transporter for lysosomal hydrolases, decreases significantly on the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Such a phenomenon leads to poor brain penetration of therapeutic enzymes and subsequent failure in reversing neurological complications in patients with neuropathic lysosomal storage diseases (nLSDs), such as Hurler syndrome (severe form of mucopolysaccharidosis type I [MPS I]). In this study, we discover that upregulation of microRNA-143 (miR-143) contributes to the decline of CI-MPR on the BBB during development. Gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that miR-143 inhibits CI-MPR expression and its transport function in human endothelial cells in vitro. Genetic removal of miR-143 in MPS I mice enhances CI-MPR expression and improves enzyme transport across the BBB, leading to brain metabolic correction, pathology normalization, and correction of neurological functional deficits 5 months after peripheral protein delivery at clinically relevant levels that derived from erythroid/megakaryocytic cells via hematopoietic stem cell-mediated gene therapy, when otherwise no improvement was observed in MPS I mice at a parallel setting. These studies not only uncover a novel role of miR-143 as an important modulator for the developmental decline of CI-MPR on the BBB, but they also demonstrate the functional significance of depleting miR-143 for "rescuing" BBB-anchored CI-MPR on advancing CNS treatment for nLSDs.
Low-cost, constrained-motion dynamometer for milling force measurement

Abstract This paper describes the design and testing of a low-cost dynamometer for milling force measurement. The monolithic design is based on constrained-motion/flexure-based kinematics, where force is inferred from displacement measured using a low-cost optical interrupter (i.e., a knife edge that partially interrupts the beam in an emitter-detector pair). The time-dependent displacement of the dynamometer’s moving platform caused by the milling force is converted to the frequency domain, multiplied by the inverse of the single degree of freedom frequency response, and converted back to the time domain to obtain the time dependent cutting force. Comparisons with commercially available, piezoelectric-based force measurement are provided.
The Movement of Wealth

The authors present the results of a survey of the 20 top American money-management firms that asks the reasons why money managers move between firms. Such results should assist to devise methods for retaining top-performing producers. Such efforts are essential to providing stability to the RM-client relationship and, therefore, work toward making a happy customer. A number of variables as they relate to the percentage of assets transferred were studied, such as years of experience, number of job changes, performance of portfolio, movements between brokerages and private banks, and proactivity of departure firm, among others. The results show that clients still tend to be more loyal to the money manager than the firm, despite recent, more aggressive efforts by departure firms to institutionalize the customer.
Calling in the Closer: Baseball's Antitrust Exemption Squashes San Jose Lawsuit

Analysis of the Northern District of California's decision to uphold Major League Baseball's block on the Oakland Atheltics building a new stadium in San Jose, including a brief history of Baseball's antitrust exemption,
Optimal Gerrymandering in a Competitive Environment

We analyze a model of optimal gerrymandering where two parties receive a noisy signal about voter preferences from a continuous distribution and simultaneously design districts in different states and in which the median voter in a district determines the winner. The form of the optimal gerrymander involves "slices" of extreme right-wing voters that are paired with "slices" of left-wing voters, as in Friedman and Holden (2008). We also show that, as one party controls the redistricting process in more states, that party designs districts so as to spread out the distribution of district median voters from a given state.
New Pathways and New Targets in PTCL

Abstract Despite the increasing availability of novel agents over the past decade, and improved understanding of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) ontogeny, outcomes for most PTCL patients remain dismal. Improved understanding of their genetic landscape and the identification of novel therapeutic vulnerabilities has certainly expanded the arsenal of targeted agents, many of which are currently under investigation. Nonetheless, the rarity of these lymphomas continues to frustrate efforts to translate these advances in a manner that is clinically impactful, and this challenge is only compounded by their sheer molecular and genetic heterogeneity.
Discrete Analysis of Latticed Columns

The effectiveness of discrete field technique as applied to resolving elastic stability problems is illustrated by using the technique to determine the theoretical load capacities of braced columns. As a result, the unrestricted expressions of the critical load capacities of such built up columns with various end conditions are given, which are found to be computationally superior to available approximate solutions. The solutions developed are general in that they can be applied to investigate the load capacities of similar multiredundant structural frames free of geometrical restrictions pertaining to the ratio of height to width.