cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium requirements of residual protease in Bacillus subtilis DB104

Bacillus subtilis DB104, a double mutant which does not synthesize neutral or alkaline proteases, was shown to exhibit some residual proteolytic activity when grown in both batch and continuous cultures. A major protein component responsible for about 70% of extracellular residual protease activity was reversibly deactivated by removal of calcium.
Volcanoes, guts and cosmic collisions: the queer sublime in Frankenstein and Melancholia

This paper explores the possible relationship between queer bodies, ones strictly defined as nonprocreative, and Jane Bennett’s concept of vital materialism. We’ll ask a couple of big questions: How do nonprocreative bodies find themselves as mythic figures within narratives and to what ecological end could those figural positions be of some benefit?Hidden in the texts of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Lars Von Trier’s film Melancholia lurks George Bataille’s concept of the Jesuve. This queer sublime is the violent manifestation of material instability felt keenly by the abject, nonprocreative body. The sublime of the Jesuve revels in the subject’s explosive disfigurement as it anticipates the reuse of human matter and identity.Can we find existential comfort in considering the recycling of the human body, not as a spiritual rebirth, but as a vibrant material up-cycling? Can volcanoes, cosmic collisions and queer bodies become an integral part of human ecological ontologies?
Synthesis and x-ray characterization of superconducting and related Ln2−xCexCuO4−y (Ln=Nd and Gd) compounds

Abstract In view of the recent attention focused on electron superconductivity, we have prepared and analyzed the crystalline structures of Ce substituted Ln2−xCexCuO4−y (Ln=Nd and Gd) compounds. X-ray powder diffraction analysis shows that the Ce ions have been succesfully doped into the Nd sites of the tetragonal Nd2CuO4 lattice and the maximum Ce solubility limit is xc = 0.20. Linear decreases in both the c lattice dimension and the unit cell volume, V, with increasing x up to the solubility limit indicate the smaller Ce4+ ions, not the larger Ce3+ ions are present. The tetragonal unit cell dimensions of the 21 K superconducting Nd1.85Ce0.15CuO4−y compound refined from a high quality powder diffraction pattern with a figure of merit F30=267.3 (0.003, 35) are: a = 3.9463 (1) A , c = 12.0809 (2) A and V = 188.14 (1) A . X-ray results also show that the maximum Ce solubility limit in Gd2CuO4 is significantly lower, with xc=0.15. Linear decreases in c and V with increasing x in Gd2-xCex CuO4−y have also been obtained indicating the presence of Ce4+ ions. The unit cell dimensions of the semiconducting Gd1.85Ce0.15CuO4−y compound are a = 3.9023 (1) A , c = 11.8310 (2) A and V = 180.16 (1) A 3 .
Functional analysis of Leishmania major cyclophilin

A potent immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) is known to inhibit human cell infection by the pathogenic protozoan parasite Leishmania major both in vitro and in vivo. The proposed mechanism of action involves CsA binding to Leishmania major-expressed cyclophilin and subsequent down-regulation of signaling events necessary for establishing productive infection. Recently, we identified a ubiquitously expressed membrane protein, CD147, as a signaling receptor for extracellular cyclophilins in mammalian cells. Here we demonstrate that, while being enzymatically active, the Leishmania cyclophilin, unlike its human homologue, does not interact with CD147 on the cell surface of target cells. CD147 facilitates neither Leishmania binding nor infection. Primary structure and biochemical analyses revealed that the parasite’s cyclophilin is defective in heparan binding, an event required for signaling interaction between CD147 and human cyclophilin. When the heparan-binding motif was reconstituted in Leishmania cyclophilin, it regained the CD147-dependent signaling activity. These results underscore a critical role of cyclophilin-heparan interactions in CD147-mediated signaling events and argue against the role of Leishmania cyclophilin in parasite binding to target cells.
Mental rotation studied by functional magnetic resonance imaging at high field (4 tesla): Performance and cortical activation

We studied the performance and cortical activation patterns during a mental rotation task (Shepard & Metzler, 1971) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMlU) at high field (4 Tesla). Twenty-four human subjects were imaged (fMRI group), whereas six additional subjects performed the task without being imaged (control group). All subjects were shown pairs of perspective drawings of 31, objects and asked to judge whether they were the same or mirror images. The measures of performance examined included (1) the percentage of errors, (2) the speed of performance, calculated as the inverse of the average response time, and (3) the rate of rotation for those object pairs correctly identified as “same.” We found the following: (1) Subjects in the fMRI group performed well outside and inside the magnet, and, in the latter case, before and during data acquisition. Moreover, performance over time improved in the same manner as in the control group. These findings indicate that exposure to high magnetic fields does not impair performance in mental rotation. (2) Functional activation data were analyzed from 16 subjects of the fMRI goup. Several cortical areas were activated during task performance. The relations between the measures of performance above and the magnitude of activation of specific cortical areas were investigated by anatomically demarcating these areas of interest and calculating a normalized activation for each one of them. (3) We used the multivariate technique of hierarchical tree modeling to determine functional clustering among areas of interest and performance measures. Two main branches were distinguished: One comprised areas in the right hemisphere and the extrastriate and superior parietal lobules bilaterally, whereas the other comprised areas of the left hemisphere and the frontal pole bilaterally; all three performance measures above clustered with the former branch. Specifically, performance outcome (“percentage of errors”) clustered with the parieto-occipital subcluster, whereas both the speed of performance and the rate of mental rotation clustered with the right precentral gyms. We conclude that the mental rotation paradigm used involves the cooperative interaction of functional groups of cortical areas of which some are probably more specifically associated with performance, whereas others may serve a more general function within the task constraints.
Distinct profile of driver mutations and clinical features in immunomarker-defined subsets of pulmonary large-cell carcinoma

Pulmonary large-cell carcinoma-a diagnostically and clinically controversial entity-is defined as a non-small-cell carcinoma lacking morphologic differentiation of either adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, but suspected to represent an end stage of poor differentiation of these tumor types. Given the recent advances in immunohistochemistry to distinguish adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and the recent insights that several therapeutically relevant genetic alterations are distributed differentially in these tumors, we hypothesized that immunophenotyping may stratify large-cell carcinomas into subsets with distinct profiles of targetable driver mutations. We therefore analyzed 102 large-cell carcinomas by immunohistochemistry for TTF-1 and ΔNp63/p40 as classifiers for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively, and correlated the resulting subtypes with nine therapeutically relevant genetic alterations characteristic of adenocarcinoma (EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, MAP2K1/MEK1, NRAS, ERBB2/HER2 mutations and ALK rearrangements) or more common in squamous cell carcinoma (PIK3CA and AKT1 mutations). The immunomarkers classified large-cell carcinomas as variants of adenocarcinoma (n=62; 60%), squamous cell carcinoma (n=20; 20%) or marker-null (n=20; 20%). Genetic alterations were found in 38 cases (37%), including EGFR (n=1), KRAS (n=30), BRAF (n=2), MAP2K1 (n=1), ALK (n=3) and PIK3CA (n=1). All molecular alterations characteristic of adenocarcinoma occurred in tumors with immunoprofiles of adenocarcinoma or marker-null, but not in tumors with squamous immunoprofiles (combined mutation rate 50% vs 30% vs 0%, respectively; P<0.001), whereas the sole PIK3CA mutation occurred in a tumor with squamous profile (5%). Furthermore, marker-null large-cell carcinomas were associated with significantly inferior disease-free (P<0.001) and overall (P=0.001) survival. In conclusion, the majority (80%) of large-cell carcinomas can be classified by immunomarkers as variants of adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, which stratifies these tumors into subsets with a distinct distribution of driver mutations and distinct prognoses. These findings have practical implications for diagnosis, predictive molecular testing and therapy selection.
Observations of rapid mean flow produced in mercury by a moving heater

Abstract Experimental and theoretical results are described for the moving flame experiment, where a heat source moves under a horizontal, annular channel filled with liquid mercury. The physical range under discussion consists of the creep flow limit, in which inertial forces are less than viscous forces. A mean surface flow was observed on the mercury. This flow was up to four times greater than the heater speed, and in an opposite direction. The ratio of mean flow to heater speed was theoretically and experimentally found to be proportional to the square of the thermal amplitude, in agreement with a special limit of Davey's earlier results. The basic flow here, as contrasted to those flows analyzed by earlier theories, appears to be generated by surface tension. However, the Reynolds stress mechanism which generates the mean flow is the same. Some experimental flows were so rapid that the range of validity of the present, as well as some earlier theories, was exceeded. The present theory suggests that ...
Binge alcohol exposure modulates rodent expression of biomarkers of the immunoinflammatory response to orthopaedic trauma

Background: Alcohol is a known modulator of the immune system and host-defense response. Alcohol abuse is common in trauma patients, although the influence of alcohol intoxication on the inflammatory response following major orthopaedic injury remains unknown. The aim of this investigation was to examine the influence of binge alcohol exposure on biomarkers of the systemic inflammatory response following bilateral traumatic femoral fracture in a rodent model. Methods: Ninety-two Sprague-Dawley rats were administered intraperitoneal injections of either saline solution or alcohol for three days. These animals then underwent a sham procedure or bilateral femoral intramedullary pinning and mid-diaphyseal closed fracture via blunt guillotine. The animals were killed at specific time points after the injury. Serum and lung tissue were collected, and twenty-five inflammatory markers were analyzed by immunoassay. Histological sections of lung tissue were evaluated by a board-certified pathologist. Results: Bilateral femoral fracture significantly (p < 0.05) increased multiple serum biomarkers of inflammation. Binge alcohol treatment prior to injury significantly suppressed the increase in serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, white blood cells, IL-2, IL-10, and C-reactive protein after the fracture. However, alcohol-treated animals were found to have increased pulmonary levels of IL-6, IL-1β, IL-2, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α following bilateral femoral fracture. In addition, lung tissue harvested following alcohol treatment and injury demonstrated increased pathologic changes, including parenchymal, alveolar, and peribronchial leukocyte infiltration and significantly elevated pulmonary wet-to-dry ratio, indicative of pulmonary edema. Conclusions: Our results indicate that acute alcohol intake prior to bilateral femoral fracture with fixation in rats modulates the inflammatory response after injury in a tissue-dependent manner. Although serum biomarkers of inflammation were suppressed in alcohol-treated animals following injury, several measures of pulmonary inflammation including cytokine levels, histological changes, and findings of pulmonary edema were significantly increased following fracture with the presence of alcohol. Clinical Relevance: These findings indicate that alcohol modulates the inflammatory response after a major orthopaedic injury and that analysis of serum markers of inflammation after trauma may not represent the pulmonary inflammatory status in acutely intoxicated patients.
Developmental memory capacity resources of typical children retrieving picture communication symbols using direct selection and visual linear scanning with fixed communication displays.

Purpose This study examined the cognitive demands of 2 selection techniques in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), direct selection, and visual linear scanning, by determining the mem...
Competence and its Correlates in Young Normal and Referred School Children

Normal and referred primary-grade school children were compared on several sociopsychological and competence measures. Teachers knew and liked normals significantly better than referred children, judged them to have significantly less serious problems, and saw them as significantly stronger on all competence measures. Knowing a child well, liking him, and seeing him as having few problems, related significantly to estimates of competence both in the normal and referred samples. Those relationships were stronger for normals. Mental health's past narrow focus on casualty and its repair has begun to yield to an emphasis on promoting competence from the start. A factor contributing to that thrust is the mounting evidence of systematic relationships between maladjustment and deficits in specific interpersonal cognitive problem-solving (ICPS) skills such as alternative, means-end, and consequential thinking (Spivack, Platt, & Shure, 1976; Spivack & Shure, 1977; Spivack & Levine, Note 1; Platt, Altman, & Altman, Note 2). Such findings have been interpreted to mean that children who acquire social problem-solving skills, compared to those who do not, have a more useful "technology" for meeting interpersonal problem situations effectively. They, thus, adapt better and appear, to observers, to be better adjusted behaviorally. That way of thinking has led to the development of several successful programs to train children in specific ICPS skills (e.g., Allen, Chinsky, Larcen, Locbanan, & Selinger, 1976; Stone, Hinds, & Schmidt, 1975; Elardo & Cooper, 1977; Gesten, Flores de Apodaca, Rains, Weissberg, & Cowen, 1979; Spivack et
Nutrition, health, and aging in sub-Saharan Africa

The proportion of the population that is ≥ 60 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is increasing rapidly and is likely to constrain healthcare systems in the future. Nevertheless, the elderly are not a health policy priority for African countries. This paper reviews the nutritional and health status of older adults in SSA and their determinants. Literature was abstracted through the Medline, Google Scholar, and Dogpile databases using the following search terms: sub-Saharan Africa, older adults, nutrition, health . Findings showed that up to half (6–48%) of elderly Africans in SSA are underweight and almost a quarter (2.5–21%) are overweight, while 56% of older South Africans are obese. Low-quality diets contribute to poor nutritional status. Poverty, HIV/AIDS, and complex humanitarian emergencies are major determinants of undernutrition. Effective interventions need to consider socioeconomic, health, and demographic factors; social pensions may be the most cost-effective option for improving the health and nutritional status of the elderly in SSA.
2 GHz CMOS Voltage-Controlled Oscillator with Optimal Design of Phase Noise and Power Dissipation

An RF VCO design optimization strategy to achieve low phase noise and low bias current is presented for a cross-coupled LC-tuned CMOS oscillator topology. The impact of differential pair transistors' mode of operation and loading effects on the oscillator phase noise are investigated. The study shows that an optimal trade-off between thermal-noise-induced phase noise and DC power dissipation can be achieved when the oscillation amplitude is designed to set the differential pair transistors to operate at the boundary between saturation and triode regions. This design technique is employed to demonstrate a 2 GHz VCO achieving a low phase noise of -103 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset frequency while dissipating 2.67 mA bias current from a 1.8 V supply in a standard 0.18 mum CMOS process. The optimization strategy can be applied for other VCO design architectures to further enhance wireless communication system performance and battery lifetime.
α-2,3-Sialyltransferase Expression Level Impacts the Kinetics of Lipooligosaccharide Sialylation, Complement Resistance, and the Ability of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to Colonize the Murine Genital Tract

ABSTRACT Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae modify the terminal lacto- N -neotetraose moiety of their lipooligosaccharide (LOS) with sialic acid. N. gonorrhoeae LOS sialylation blocks killing by complement, which is mediated at least in part by enhanced binding of the complement inhibitor factor H (FH). The role of LOS sialylation in resistance of N. meningitidis to serum killing is less well defined. Sialylation in each species is catalyzed by the enzyme LOS α-2,3-sialyltransferase (Lst). Previous studies have shown increased Lst activity in N. gonorrhoeae compared to N. meningitidis due to an ~5-fold increase in lst transcription. Using isogenic N. gonorrhoeae strains engineered to express gonococcal lst from either the N. gonorrhoeae or N. meningitidis lst promoter, we show that decreased expression of lst (driven by the N. meningitidis promoter) reduced LOS sialylation as determined by less incorporation of tritium-labeled cytidine monophospho- N -acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NANA; the donor molecule for sialic acid). Diminished LOS sialylation resulted in reduced rates of FH binding and increased pathway activation compared to N. gonorrhoeae promoter-driven lst expression. The N. meningitidis lst promoter generated sufficient Lst to sialylate N. gonorrhoeae LOS in vivo , and the level of sialylation after 24 h in the mouse genital tract was sufficient to mediate resistance to human serum ex vivo . Despite demonstrable LOS sialylation in vivo , gonococci harboring the N. meningitidis lst promoter were outcompeted by those with the N. gonorrhoeae lst promoter during coinfection of the vaginal tract of estradiol-treated mice. These data highlight the importance of high lst expression levels for gonococcal pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Neisseria gonorrhoeae has become resistant to nearly every therapeutic antibiotic used and is listed as an “urgent threat” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Novel therapies are needed to combat drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Gonococci express an α-2,3-sialyltransferase (Lst) that can scavenge sialic acid from the host and use it to modify lipooligosaccharide (LOS). Sialylation of gonococcal LOS converts serum-sensitive strains to serum resistance, decreases antibody binding, and combats killing by neutrophils and antimicrobial peptides. Mutant N. gonorrhoeae that lack Lst (cannot sialylate LOS) are attenuated in a mouse model. Lst expression levels differ among N. gonorrhoeae strains, and N. gonorrhoeae typically expresses more Lst than Neisseria meningitidis. Here we examined the significance of differential lst expression levels and determined that the level of LOS sialylation is critical to the ability of N. gonorrhoeae to combat the immune system and survive in an animal model. LOS sialylation may be an ideal target for novel therapies.
Complex Trait Analysis of Ventricular Septal Defects Caused by Nkx2-5 Mutation

Background—The occurrence of a congenital heart defect has long been thought to have a multifactorial basis, but the evidence is indirect. Complex trait analysis could provide a more nuanced unders...
Activin Subunit, Follistatin, and Activin Receptor Gene Expression in the Prepubertal Female Rat Pituitary

In the prepubertal female rat, a transient and selective increase in FSH secretion and mRNA expression by the pituitary gland occurs toward the end of the second postnatal week of life. To begin to investigate the possibility that activin may play a role in up-regulating FSH during this time, we have studied the ontogeny of the expression of the activin β subunits, follistatin, and activin receptor subtypes in the prepubertal female rat pituitary. The levels of expression of β A' β B' and follistatin mRNAs were determined in the pituitary gland on postnatal days (PND) 8, 10, 12, 15, and 21 by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. All values were compared to those of adult females killed on diestrus. mRNA levels of subunit β A were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated on all postnatal days examined; β B mRNA levels were elevated above adult levels only on PND 10 (p < 0.05). Follistatin mRNA was high on PND 8 (p < 0.05) and then decreased to adult levels. The level and distribution of activin receptor type II subtype mRNAs were determined by in situ hybridization. Activin receptor type II (Act RII) mRNA expression was diffusely expressed throughout all areas of the pituitary. Activin receptor type IIB (Act RIIB), on the other hand, was highly expressed by a subset of anterior pituitary cells. In situ hybridization for activin receptor subtype mRNAs was combined with immunocytochemistry to detect FSH-containing cells. We determined that in the infantile female pituitary, Act RII mRNA was generally not expressed in FSH-immunoreactive cells, while Act RIIB mRNA was expressed in FSH-immunoreactive cells. Act RII mRNA was lower on PND 10 and 15 when compared to PND 21 (p < 0.05), whereas Act RIIB mRNA expression did not change with age. These data suggest that the essential components of the activin regulatory system are present in the infantile female pituitary gland and thus may be involved in the differential regulation of FSH at this time.
Characterization of the Oligogalacturonide-Induced Oxidative Burst in Cultured Soybean (Glycine max) Cells.

The rapid release of H2O2 by elicited plant cells, recently termed the oxidative burst, was investigated in suspension-cultured soybean (Glycine max Merr. cv Kent) cells stimulated with a purified polygalacturonic acid (PGA) elicitor. Examination of the elicited cells by fluorescence microscopy revealed that virtually every living cell participates in the elicitor-induced H2O2 burst. Measurement of the kinetics of the response using a macroscopic fluorescence-based assay indicated that approximately 100 molecules of H2O2 are generated per PGA molecule added, achieving a cumulative H2O2 concentration of approximately 1.2 mmol L-1 of packed cells. At the height of the defense response, 3 x 10–14 mol of H2O2 cell-1 min-1 are produced, a value comparable to the rate of H2O2 production by myeloid cells of mammals. Variables affecting the rate and magnitude of the soybean oxidative burst were found to be mechanical stress, extracellular pH, and cell age. The PGA-induced oxidative burst was shown to undergo both homologous and heterologous desensitization, a characteristic of signal transduction pathways in animals. Homologous desensitization was obtained with PGA, and heterologous desensitization was observed with the G protein activator mastoparan, consistent with earlier observations showing that G proteins perform a regulatory function in this pathway. Finally, a model describing the possible role of the PGA-induced oxidative burst in the overall scheme of plant defense is proposed.
TOWARDS A MODEL FOR PLANNING CLINICAL RESEARCH IN ORIENTAL MEDICINE

Background Oriental medicine (OM) is widely practiced internationally and embraces many schools of thought. Western medical research is currently struggling to understand OM in purely biomedical terms, with limited success. Objective We propose a research model for applying Western research methodologies to OM in a way that respects its theory and modes of clinical application. This would facilitate systematic investigations of OM's specific assumptions and make explicit the way OM studies could build on each other. Methods To develop this model, the authors extracted key assumptions of Western research methodology germane to clinical research, put them in a developmentally logical sequence, and related them to the diagnostic and clinical processes of OM. Results The model categorizes studies into seven levels. Foundation studies (level one) establish the conceptual basis for OM research by establishing the internal validity of its basic "truth statements." Measurement studies (level two) determine how OM identifies and measures diagnostic indicators, treatment outcomes, and other basic aspects of health. Group studies (level three) describe populations in ways meaningful to their health. Pattern/diagnosis studies (level four) identify and define OM patterns of disharmony. Treatment technique studies (level five) describe particular techniques or principles of treatment, their indications, and rationale. Treatment effectiveness studies (level six) evaluate techniques of treatment, often by comparing the results of one technique with those of another in similar patients. Systematic reviews (level seven) draw together studies on the same topic to see if conclusions are thereby strengthened. Conclusion The levels can be used to establish relationships between already published studies, determine if sufficient background research has been done to enable a study idea to be carried out, and generate ideas for future studies.
System and methods for electrical-anatomical imaging of the heart

Noncontact, multielectrode catheter mapping derives single-beat endocardial activation, while intracardiac echocardiography constructs detailed three-dimensional endocardial anatomy. The study tested the feasibility of integrating both modalities in a single system that enabled beat-by-beat electrical-anatomical imaging. It was found that integrating intracardiac echocardiography with noncontact mapping was feasible and provided detailed, single-beat, three-dimensional electrical-anatomical images that could facilitate diagnosis of arrhythmias and advance their therapy.
Integrated decision-making in response to weapons of mass destruction incidents: development and initial evaluation of a course for healthcare professionals.

INTRODUCTION: Standardized, validated training programs for teaching administrative decision-making to healthcare professionals responding to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents have not been available. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team designed, developed, and offered a four-day, functional exercise, competency-based course at a national training center. OBJECTIVE: This report provides a description of the development and initial evaluation of the course in changing participants' perceptions of their capabilities to respond to WMD events. METHODS: Course participants were healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, emergency medical services administrators, hospital administrators, and public health officials. Each course included three modified tabletop and/or real-time functional exercises. A total of 441 participants attended one of the eight course offerings between March and August 2003. An intervention group only, pre-post design was used to evaluate change in perceived capabilities related to administrative decision-making for WMD incidents. Paired evaluation data were available on 339 participants (81.9%). Self-ratings for each of 21 capability statements were compared before and after the course. A 19-item total scale score for each participant was calculated from the pre-course and post-course evaluations. Paired t-tests on pre- and post-course total scores were conducted separately for each course. RESULTS: There was consistent improvement in self-rated capabilities after course completion for all 21 capability statements. Paired t-tests of pre- and post-course total scale scores indicated a significant increase in mean ratings for each course (all p Language: en
Sulfur in Extraterrestrial Bodies and the Deep Earth

This chapter reviews the origin and fate of sulfur (S) in silicate melts in the solar system, experiments bearing on the role of S in element partitioning among melts and solids in planets, and finally our current understanding of silicate melts and the role of sulfur in planetary evolution. Sulfur is an important component of undifferentiated meteorites that are precursors to planets. When planetary bodies differentiated into cores and mantles, metal and/or sulfides were removed from silicates. This process can be traced. Then, iron-sulfide cores differentiated into metal and metal-sulfide fractions, some of which are preserved as iron meteorites. The iron meteorites probably fractionated from silicate mantles at much lower pressures than the cores of Earth or Mars. Understanding the role of sulfur in silicate melts is critical to unraveling the history of Earth, the terrestrial planets, and the differentiated asteroids that were once parts of early planetesimals. ### Silicate melts and sulfur in primitive source materials Primitive extraterrestrial samples available for laboratory study include 1–20 μm cometary grains collected by the United States’ (NASA) Stardust mission, asteroidal material collected by the Japanese (JAXA) Hyabusa mission, interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) collected from the stratosphere by airplanes, micrometeorites from various collection sites, and meteorites that fall to Earth and are recovered. Sources of primitive meteorites are parent bodies, primarily asteroids, that did not differentiate into silicate mantles and metal-rich cores. The oldest dated solar system rocks are not bulk meteorites, but are the high-temperature, melted components of undifferentiated meteorites, which are a kind of cosmic sedimentary rock. These “chondritic” meteorites are slightly younger than the components that accreted to form them. They have atomic ratios of rock-forming elements (e.g., Fe/Si) that are very similar to those measured in the solar photosphere using spectroscopy. The “primitive” nature of meteorites is established by their radiometric ages, and their lack of aqueous and …
Mapping entanglement in and out of quantum memories

We report entanglement generation in atomic quantum memories via deterministic mapping of photonic entanglement. The atomic entanglement is retrieved back into photon modes after a programmable storage time, with an overall efficiency of 17%.
Food Availability, Foraging Behavior, and Diet of Autumn Migrant Landbirds in the Boise Foothills of Southwestern Idaho

Abstract. Food availability and acquisition are critical components of a stopover site's suitability, but we know relatively little about how changes in food availability affect the stopover ecology of migrating landbirds. We examined fruit and arthropod availability in three habitats, studied foraging behavior and diet, and investigated use versus availability for passerines migrating through southwestern Idaho in autumn. Hemiptera dominated foliage-dwelling arthropod communities in all three habitats, whereas Hymenoptera were most numerous among ground-dwelling arthropods. Mountain shrubland had relatively high biomass of both ground-dwelling and foliage-dwelling arthropods, whereas conifer forest had high biomass of foliage-dwelling arthropods only and shrubsteppe had high biomass of ground-dwelling arthropods only. Species' foraging behavior varied, but most species foraged in mountain shrubland more often than expected by chance. Diets of most species included a high proportion of certain Hemiptera a...
Tax Avoidance, Financial Experts on the Board, and Business Strategy

We examine how firm business strategy interacts with the presence of financial expert directors on the audit committee to influence corporate tax avoidance. We find that firms that follow a cost leadership strategy, minimize their exposure to risk and uncertainty, and strive to maintain organizational and operational stability (Defenders) have lower cash effective tax rates when there is at least one financial expert director on the audit committee. On the other hand, firms focusing more on innovation and change and entering new product and geographic markets (Prospectors) have higher cash and GAAP effective tax rates and lower total book tax differences when there is at least one financial expert director on the audit committee. Our findings suggest that independent audit committee members with financial expertise (accounting or otherwise) are able to assess their firm’s business strategy and effectively monitor corporate tax avoidance activity specifically in the context of that business strategy.
A Derivative Right to Education: How Standards- Based Education Reform Redefines the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

More than twenty years ago, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) promised disabled children they would receive a "free appropriate public education" in regular classrooms with non-disabled children whenever possiblea minimally adequate education and access to an integrated school setting.1 The Supreme Court undermined the first half of that promise in 1982, interpreting an "appropriate" or minimally adequate education primarily as one that is reasonably calculated to confer "some educational benefit."2 It is a standard even the poorest classroom arguably meets. Since the Court opened the door for states and school districts to renege on IDEA'S promise, parents of disabled children have often been forced to accept an inadequate education program or seek segregated, higher quality placements.3 Neither alternative gives disabled children what they were promised: a quality education and a chance to learn in classrooms alongside their nondisabled peers. This Note argues that parents of disabled children have another avenue of recourse that would improve educational opportunities for their children and non-disabled children alike: a new claim based on a new interpretation of IDEA. Consistent with the Court's past interpretation of "appropriate" but incorporating recent state and federal law, this new interpretation of IDEA dictates that a minimally adequate education program is one that reflects statedefined academic standards. Because IDEA also promises disabled children a minimally adequate education in the "least restrictive environment," a standards-based education must be provided to disabled children in the regular classroom. If disabled children are receiving a substandard education because
BRMS1 binding proteins mSDS3 and RBBP1 serve distinct roles in BRMS1 function

485 The mechanism by which Breast Cancer Metastasis Suppressor 1 (BRMS1) blocks metastasis has yet to be fully elucidated. However, it is known that BRMS1 represses transcription as a core member of mSin3-HDAC chromatin remodeling complexes. Yeast two-hybrid studies show that BRMS1 binds two other core proteins of the same mSin3/HDAC complexes, Rb-Binding Protein 1 (RBBP1/ARID4a) and the BRMS1 family member Mammalian Suppressor of Defective Silencing (mSDS3/SAP45; 24% identity and 50% similarity to BRMS1). We hypothesized that mSDS3 either complements BRMS1 as a family member or that mSDS3 plays a unique role in BRMS1-mediated biological changes as compared to RBBP1. To examine complementation, mSDS3 was overexpressed in the BRMS1-deficient breast cancer lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435. Overexpression did not consistently diminish metastasis, suggesting that mSDS3 cannot fully complement BRMS1 function. To define a role for the BRMS1 interactors mSDS3 and RBBP1, sites of interaction were identified and then binding was disrupted to examine effects on BRMS1-mediated functions. BRMS1:RBBP1 interaction was specifically disrupted through mutation of the L174 residue (BRMS1 L174D ) in a yeast two-hybrid system. BRMS1:mSDS3 interaction was disrupted through deletion of BRMS1 amino acids 7-137, 137-248, or either coiled-coil domain (delCC1; del61-92 and delCC2; del130-187). Deletion of CC1 did not disrupt BRMS1:RBBP1 interaction but did disrupt direct binding of BRMS1 to mSDS3, suggesting that mSDS3 and RBBP1 bind to BRMS1 at unique sites rather than competitively binding the same site. Further studies addressed the role of these interactors in BRMS1-mediated down-regulation of EGFR and PtdIns(4,5) 2 . Similar to BRMS1 WT , both BRMS1 L174D and BRMS1 delCC1 down-regulated EGFR when expressed in MDA-MB-435 cells. In contrast, PtdIns(4,5) 2 levels were decreased by BRMS1 L174D but not by BRMS1 delCC1 . These data suggest that neither mSDS3 nor RBBP1 are necessary for BRMS1-mediated EGFR regulation and that RBBP1 does not play a necessary role in the regulation of PtdIns(4,5) 2 . In conclusion, we show that mSDS3 and RBBP1 bind BRMS1 at different sites to selectively regulate BRMS1-mediated biological functions including gene expression and metastasis suppression. These studies further define the role of RBBP1, BRMS1, and mSDS3 protein-protein interactions in mediating the specificity of mSin3A:HDAC complexes. Support: C87728, National Foundation for Cancer Research, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation PDF0122660.
Offshoring Without Profit or the New Global Model

Currently, one of the most widely discussed topics is offshoring. For many executives in the technology sector, the combination of low wages and faster work flow has made offshoring a necessity in protecting their competive edge. In this work, we provided our supplementary view why many offshoring projects may fail to deliver expected payoffs.
A Slightly Dorsally Tilted Lunate on MRI can be Considered Normal.

Background: Abnormal angulation of the lunate can be an indication of intercarpal pathology. On magnetic resonance images (MRIs) the lunate often looks dorsally angulated, even in healthy wrists. The tilt on individual slices can also be different and might be misinterpreted as pathological, contributing to inaccurate diagnoses and unnecessary surgery. The primary aim of this study was to determine the average radiolunate angle on sagittal wrist MRI images as well as the radiolunate angle in the most radial, central and most ulnar part of the lunate; also the interobserver reliability was determined. Methods: 140 MRIs from adult, non-pregnant patients presenting to the outpatient hand and upper extremity service between 2010 and 2013 with wrist pain were used for this retrospective study. One author measured the radiolunate and capitolunate angle (i.e., tangential and axial method) in all MRIs. Additionally, two authors measured the same angles independently in 46 MRIs to analyze interobserver reliability. Results: The average radiolunate angle was 8.7 degrees dorsal. There were no significant differences in the radiolunate angles between the different parts of the lunate. A very good interrater agreement was measured considering the radiolunate angle and capitolunate angle (tangential and axial method). Conclusions: Our study showed that the lunate appears slightly dorsally angulated on an MRI of a healthy wrist. Regarding the radiolunate angle, 10 to 15 degrees of dorsal tilt can be considered normal. This study provides reference information of normal anatomy for carpal axial alignment that may facilitate diagnoses of wrist pathology.
Impact of Insecticides on Illinoia pepperi and Its Predators

Impact of five insecticides against Illinoia pepperi (MacGillivray), the aphid vector of blueberry shoestring virus, and its predators from ground and air applications are reported. Pirimicarb and acephate demonstrated the greatest reduction in aphid numbers yet had the least impact on predators. No predators were found in the plots receiving other treatments 7 days postapplication. Malathion and methomyl offered intermediate control from the ground but were not as effective in air application plots. Diazinon was the least effective insecticide tested. Blueberry aphid predators included Orius sp., Aphidoletes aphidomyza (Rondani), Chrysopa carnea Stephens, colemegilla maculata lengi Timberlake, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, and Syrphus sp.
Promotional Effect of Copper on Activity and Selectivity to Hydrocarbons and Oxygenates for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis over Potassium-Promoted Iron Catalysts Supported on Activated Carbon

The effect of 0−2 wt % copper on the activity and selectivity to hydrocarbons and oxygenates was studied over activated-carbon (AC)-supported 15.7 wt % Fe and 0.9 wt % K catalysts for the Fischer−Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The catalysts were examined in a fixed-bed reactor at 300 psig, 3 nL (g of catalyst)−1 h−1, and a syngas with a H2/CO molar feed ratio of 0.9 in a temperature range of 260−290 °C. The addition of up to 2.0 wt % Cu promoter enhances iron reduction significantly. However, the improved iron reduction does not benefit the catalyst activity. Instead, both FTS and water−gas shift (WGS) activities of the Fe−K/AC catalyst are lowered. This may be due to high Cu loadings, suppressing iron carbonization and increasing the deposition of carbon on the catalyst surface during the initial iron carbonization and/or the formation of some Fe−Cu clusters during reduction. The addition of Cu on the Fe−K/AC catalysts changes selectivities to methane and other hydrocarbons only slightly; however, it increases...
Poster Abstract: Human Tracking and Activity Monitoring Using 60 GHz mmWave

We propose human mobility tracking and activity monitoring using 60 GHz millimeter wave (mmWave). We discuss the benefits of using mmWave signals for the purpose over existing 2.4/5 GHz based techniques. We also identify related challenges of determining human's initial location and tracking, and demonstrate the feasibility of activity monitoring using an example of walking activity.
A survey on requirements of outpatients and in-patients for vein transfusion

Objective To provide patients with quality nursing. Methods 60 outpatients and 60 in-patients were surveyed with a questionnaire with 9 items concerning the requirements and worries at vein transfusion. Results During transfusion, outpatients were eager to read books and newspapers and complained to have no time for transfusion, which was significantly different from the in-patients (P 0.05), while the in-patients were anxious to know the drug's name, the effects and side effect, worried about the medicine going out of drops and failure to puncture, which was significantly different from the outpatients (P0.05). Conclusion Nurses should take every means to meet the needs of patients at vein transfusion for the purpose of promoting the increase of nursing quality.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Disorders

The study of hemostasis is a rapidly expanding field. Not only are new disorders being elucidated almost monthly, but also new proteins and interrelationships between known proteins are being reported continuously. These factors make the study of hemostatic disorders at once both exhilarating and challenging. New analysis techniques, such as chromogenic assays, ELISA assays, and molecular techniques, have advanced the study of hemostasis from the early days of tilt tube-based clotting tests. Further advancement in test automation will provide detailed analytic capabilities to smaller laboratories in the future. Additionally, continued advances in genetic testing will eventually allow us a detailed molecular view of a patient's hemostatic system previously unthinkable. This review has attempted to synthesize a very broad range of hemostatic physiology, laboratory testing, and pathologic disorders into a brief synopsis. Many details have unfortunately been excluded, but it is hoped that the nucleus of information presented on the recognition and diagnosis of hemostatic disorders will be valuable in the evaluation of patients with both simple and complex bleeding and thrombotic disorders.
Spicing Up Your Curriculum: A Seven-Day Handball Unit

In today's physical education classroom, many teachers feel starved for fresh, innovative activities to teach. This article presents team handball as one such activity.
Identifying and Prioritizing Diseases Important for Detection in Adult Hearing Health Care

Purpose The purpose of this research note is to identify and prioritize diseases important for detection in adult hearing health care delivery systems. Method Through literature review and expert c...
Best practices in teaching echocardiography to cardiology fellows: a review of the evidence

Background Best practices in the teaching of performance and interpretation of echocardiography to cardiology fellows are unknown, and thus, it has traditionally been performed through an apprenticeship model. This review summarizes the existing literature describing evidence-based teaching of echocardiography. Methods A comprehensive search of multiple scientific and educational databases included prospective studies describing an educational intervention for teaching echocardiography to physicians. A total of 288 articles were retrieved, and 10 articles were included in our review. The Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI), a validated rubric designed to measure the methodological quality of educational research, was used to assign a comprehensive score to each paper. Results The articles were categorized by educational themes as follows: focused curriculum-based training, simulation, and assessment of competency. Individual study MERSQI scores varied from 8 to 13 (mean 10.55) on a scale of 18 points. The distribution of each group's median score (focused curriculum-based training 11.64; simulation 12.92; assessment of competency 9.39) was analyzed using boxplots with a 95% confidence interval. The median MERSQI score for the assessment of competency group was significantly lower than the others. Conclusions A review of the data exploring best practices in teaching echocardiography shows only limited effects describing the curricular and assessment components of an overall educational system, rather than one-on-one clinical teaching. Future papers should explore application of point-of-care teaching and the impact of interventions on patient outcomes.
GAUGING MINDFULNESS IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH: SCHOOL‐BASED APPLICATIONS

Mindfulness is linked to a variety of social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral well-being indicators in youth. Given increased interest among researchers and practitioners, high-quality instruments are needed to effectively measure the construct in children, youth, and young adults, especially in the context of mindfulness-based interventions conducted in school settings. Presented is a review of published and nonpublished measurement studies of mindfulness in school-aged youth. An overview of three survey instruments is provided, along with each instrument's development procedures, associated psychometric properties, and applications. Potential theoretical and applied uses of these measures in school-based settings are discussed.