cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing Criminal Outcomes for Children of Fathers and Mothers Who Are Incarcerated: Dallaire Revisited

ABSTRACTAlthough earlier works argue maternal incarceration negatively affects children with few exceptions, recent research suggests children of mothers who are incarcerated may experience unchanged–or improved–conditions. Using SISFCF 1997, the authors revisit an earlier study that found adult children of incarcerated mothers (n = 325) were 2.5 times more likely to be incarcerated relative to adult children incarcerated fathers (n = 1,104). The authors also include refined predictors and parents of adult and minor children (n = 945). These modifications reduce mothers’ odds of adult child incarceration, yet results are consistent with the original study. Despite limitations, this analysis provides some support for earlier research on this topic. The authors conclude by emphasizing the importance of accounting for parent–child contact during incarceration in future research.
Expression and methylation data from SLE patient and healthy control blood samples subdivided with respect to ARID3a levels

Previously published studies revealed that variation in expression of the DNA-binding protein ARID3a in B lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) correlated with levels of disease activity (“Disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus correlates with expression of the transcription factor AT-rich-interactive domain 3A” (J.M. Ward, K. Rose, C. Montgomery, I. Adrianto, J.A. James, J.T. Merrill et al., 2014) [1]). The data presented here compare DNA methylation patterns from SLE peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from samples with high numbers of ARID3a expressing B cells (ARID3aH) versus SLE samples with normal numbers of ARID3a+ B cells (ARID3aN). The methylation data is available at the gene expression omnibus (GEO) repository, “Gene Expression Omnibus: NCBI gene expression and hybridization array data repository” (R. Edgar, M. Domrachev, A.E. Lash, 2002) [2]. Isolated B cells from SLE ARID3aH and ARID3aN B samples were also evaluated via qRT-PCR for Type I interferon (IFN) signature and pathway gene expression levels by qRT-PCR. Similarly, healthy control B cells and B cells stimulated to express ARID3a with the TLR agonist, CpG, were also compared via qRT-PCR. Primers designed to detect 6 IFNa subtype mRNAs were tested in 4 IFNa, Epstein-Barr Virus-transformed B cell lines (“Reduced interferon-alpha production by Epstein-Barr virus transformed B-lymphoblastoid cell lines and lectin-stimulated lymphocytes in congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I” (S.H. Wickramasinghe, R. Hasan, J. Smythe, 1997) [3]). The data in this article support the publication, “Human effector B lymphocytes express ARID3a and secrete interferon alpha” (J.M. Ward, M.L. Ratliff, M.G. Dozmorov, G. Wiley, J.M. Guthridge, P.M. Gaffney, J.A. James, C.F. Webb, 2016) [4].
Phosphocreatine. I. Isolation and determination of phosphocreatine by Dowex 2 column chromatography.

Abstract A column chromatography procedure was described for the isolation of phosphocreatine and the subsequent determination of this compound. With this procedure, phosphocreatine was isolated from several mammalian tissues including skeletal muscle, liver, cardiac muscle, brain, spleen, and kidney. The isolated phosphocreatine was quantitatively analyzed for both the phosphate and the creatine moieties. The mole ratio of these two moieties is one.
Improvements to sample processing and measurement to enable more widespread environmental application of tritium.

Abstract Previous measurements have demonstrated the wealth of information that tritium (T) can provide on environmentally relevant processes. We present modifications to sample preparation approaches that enable T measurement by proportional counting on small sample sizes equivalent to 120 mg of water and demonstrate the accuracy of these methods on a suite of standardized water samples. We identify a current quantification limit of 92.2 TU which, combined with our small sample sizes, correlates to as little as 0.00133 Bq of total T activity. This enhanced method should provide the analytical flexibility needed to address persistent knowledge gaps in our understanding of both natural and artificial T behavior in the environment.
Variations in late Quaternary wind intensity from grain-size partitioning of loess deposits in the Nenana River Valley, Alaska

A high-resolution column of 57 loess samples was collected from the Dry Creek archaeological site in the Nenana River Valley in central Alaska. Numerical grain-size partitioning using a mixed Weibull function was performed on grain-size distributions to obtain a reconstructed record of wind intensity over the last ~15,000 yr. Two grain-size components were identified, one with a mode in the coarse silt range (C1) and the other ranging from medium to very coarse sand (C2). C1 dominates most samples and records regional northerly winds carrying sediment from the Nenana River. These winds were strong during cold intervals, namely, the Carlo Creek glacial readvance (14.2–14 ka), a late Holocene Neoglacial period (4.2–2.7 ka), and recent glacier expansion; weak during the Allerod (14–13.3 ka) and Younger Dryas (12.9–11.7 ka); and variable during the Holocene thermal maximum (11.4–9.4 ka). Deposition of C2 was episodic and represents locally derived sand deposited by southerly katabatic winds from the Alaska Range. These katabatic winds occurred mainly prior to 12 ka and after 4 ka. This study shows that numerical grain-size partitioning is a powerful tool for reconstructing paleoclimate and that it can be successfully applied to Alaskan loess.
Opportunities for and Pitfalls of Using Big Data in Advertising Research

This editorial introduces the special section on big data. We define big data by examining how it is, or will be, created in advertising environments. We propose a conceptual framework for understanding the different types of digital advertising touch points that create big data, and use the framework for identifying research opportunities. We discuss the types of research questions that big data can inform, including developing and testing theories, identifying insights, and optimizing the delivery of messages. New methods that advertisers will need to use big data are identified. Recommendations are provided for how to think about and approach big data. Using the framework, we identify specific opportunities for advertising researchers to use big data. We also discuss pitfalls in using big data.
Neuroscience and Older Drivers

The number of older drivers on the road continues to increase, providing evidence that individuals are staying on the road later in life. The desire to remain an active driver is not surprising given the fact that in our current society the loss of the driving privilege can have significant negative ramifications. The inability to drive an automobile can affect an individual's everyday activities (e.g., getting to work, opportunity to engage in social activities, and access to medical appointments/needs) and overall sense of autonomy. Not surprisingly, as the number of older drivers increases, there are also growing concerns regarding the overall ability and safety of these individuals on the road. Research on older drivers can be roughly categorized into two primary areas: studies examining driving among the normal aging population and studies examining older drivers with medical conditions (e.g., dementia). The key distinction between the two is the differences in the neurological and/or neuropathological status of the study population. Although areas of concern in relation to driving have been acknowledged for both groups, some differences can be identified based on the level and type of neurological compromise. This chapter provides an introduction to this comprehensive literature and a brief overview of underlying neurological involvement and the resulting cognitive impairments. It also discusses the application of these impairments to driving ability in common medical populations of older adults (i.e., stroke and Alzheimer's disease).
The Use of Pink and Blue Color in Paintings of the Holy Mother in Medieval Europe, the Renaissance to Baroque and Modern

The focus of this paper is to determine if there are certain characteristics, patterns or rules governing the paintings of Mary. More specifically, this paper analyzes whether particular colors were utilized in painting Mary’s image and if so, whether there was a reason. The two particular colors analyzed are the colors pink and blue. It has been observed by this author that in paintings of Mary throughout the centuries, her garments appear most often to have these hues.
Biological Filter Design Optimization

An optimization method is used to determine the most economical design for biological trickling filters based on four different models, the Eckenfelder, the Galler-Gotaas, the National Research Council and the Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes Board. Filter depth has the greatest influence on the most economical design with the Galler-Gotaas model, some influence in the Eckenfelder and NRC models and no influence in the Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes model.
Encephalopathies Accompanying Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Progressive encephalopathies accompany both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Like other chronic complications, they differ in type 1 and type 2 diabetes as to their clinical pictures and underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. The encephalopathy accompanying type 1 diabetes affects learning abilities, intelligence development, and memory retrieval with adverse effects on school performances. The major underlying culprit appears to be insulin and C-peptide deficiencies with consequences as to the expression of neurotrophic factors and their receptor, neurotransmitters, and development of oxidative and apoptotic stressors. Such abnormalities lead to defects in neuronal connectivity and gray and white matter atrophies. Type 1 diabetic encephalopathy is likely to increase due to the rapidly increasing incidence of type 1 diabetes and its occurrence in increasingly younger patients. Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Underlying mechanisms include insulin resistance with hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. Commonly accompanying abnormalities such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and obesity perpetuate and accelerate the occurrence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance and elevated cholesterol levels lead to overexpression of caveolin-1 and amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein with the formation of cerebral β-amyloid in senile plaques. Amyloid accumulation and impaired insulin signaling promote the formation of tau and neurofibrillary tangles. The predicted increases in the incidence of both type 2 diabetes and dementia show parallel trends. The mechanisms underlying diabetic encephalopathies are complex and not fully understood. However, headway is being made and biologically meaningful preventive and therapeutic measures are emerging and will be discussed.
Modification of Skill Deficits in Psychiatric Patients

The relationship between social competence and psychiatric disorder is well documented in both the psychological and psychiatric literatures (cf. Bellack & Hersen, 1978; Hersen & Bellack, 1976b, 1977; Paul, 1969; Sylph, Ross, & Kedward, 1978). For close to two decades, Zigler and his colleagues (Levine & Zigler, 1973; Phillips & Zigler, 1961, 1964; Zigler & Levine, 1973; Zigler & Phillips, 1960, 1961, 1962) have completed a series of retrospective studies, essentially showing that level of premorbid social competence in a hospitalized psychiatric patient is the best predictor of his posthospital adjustment. This relationship seems to hold irrespective of the patient’s diagnostic label (i.e., schizophrenia, alcoholism, depression) and regardless of the treatment regimen carried out during the course of hospitalization. Indeed, only recently has the relationship between social skill deficits and particular diagnostic entities been carefully evaluated. Among the disorders so considered are: schizophrenia (Bellack & Hersen, 1978; Bellack, Hersen, & Turner, 1976; Hersen & Bellack, 1976a), depression (Libet & Lewinsohn, 1973; Wells, Hersen, Bellack, & Himmelhoch, 1977), alcoholism (Miller & Eisler, 1977; O’Leary, & Donovan, 1976; Van Hasselt, Hersen, & Milliones, 1978), drug addiction (Caliner & Ross, 1976; Van Hasselt et al., 1978), hysterical neurosis (Blanchard & Hersen, 1976), and sexual deviation (Barlow, Abel, Blanchard, Bristow, & Young, 1977). Undoubtedly, as further research evidence is adduced, other disorders will be added to this growing list.
Solid aneurysmal bone cyst of the humerus mimics metastasis or brown tumor

Solid aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare subtype of ABC that most commonly involves the small bones of the hands or feet. We present a case of a solid ABC of the distal humerus in a 52-year-old man with a history of chronic kidney disease and renal cell carcinoma. On imaging with plain radiographs, CT, and MRI, this expansile lucent lesion with solid internal enhancement had an appearance that overlapped with metastasis or brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism. On 18F-FDG PET-CT, this lesion was hypermetabolic with an SUVmax of 9.9. Only 37 cases of solid ABC have previously been reported to involve the long bones in the literature, and only 4 in the humerus. We review the clinical, imaging, and histopathological findings and differential diagnosis of solid ABC, and highlight the usefulness of identifying the USP6 gene rearrangement on FISH to distinguish this lesion from other lesions with secondary ABC formation.
A Mono-, Di-, and Trivanadocene Phosphorus Oxide Series: Synthesis, Magnetism, and Chemical/Electrochemical Properties.

In this Article, we outline the synthesis of B(C6F5)3-coordinated mono-, di-, and trivanadocene phosphorus oxide complexes, Cp2VOP(OB(C6F5)3)Ph2 (2), (Cp2VO)2P(OB(C6F5)3)Ph (3), and (Cp2VO)3P(OB(C6F5)3) (4), respectively (Cp = η5-cyclopentadienyl). The complexes were synthesized from the known reagents, Cp2VF and Ph2P(O)OSiMe3 (for 2) or PhP(O)(OSiMe3)2 (for 3) or (Me3SiO)3PO (for 4), via Me3SiF elimination and in the presence of B(C6F5)3. The multimetallic complexes (3 and 4) could not be synthesized without the capping B(C6F5)3 Lewis acid, whereas the uncapped version of 2, Cp2VOP(O)Ph2 (1), has previously been reported by us. Spectroscopic and crystallographic analyses of 2–4 support an increasingly Lewis basic P═O bond upon substitution of −Ph for −OVCp2 fragments (2–4). The increased metal nuclearity also results in increasingly reducing complexes as evidenced by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Magnetic measurements (SQUID) further revealed high-spin complexes with negligible magnetic exchange between V cen...
Colorizing Ti-6Al-4V surface via high-throughput laser surface nanostructuring

Abstract In this work, an innovative high-throughput laser surface nanostructuring process was developed to enhance the hydrophobicity and reduce the reflectivity of the Ti-6Al-4V surface using a nanosecond pulse laser. The laser textured Ti-6Al-4V surfaces exhibit combined anti-reflective, highly hydrophobic and mechanically enhanced effects. In the meantime, the anti-reflective Ti-6Al-4V surfaces show different colors when treated by different laser processing parameters. Compared with the existing ultra-short laser-based surface-texturing methods which often rely on the generation of micro-scale patterns using a focused laser spot and very fine spatial resolution, this innovative laser surface treatment method significantly increases the processing speed and reduces the production cost. This novel process will bring a new avenue for controlling the surface color, wettability and mechanical property of the important engineering surfaces.
Integrating Components into SORASCS

Abstract : This document describes how components may be integrated into the SORASCS framework as web services. Two modes of integration are described: 1) Integration of web services as thin services that can be deployed and run on a SORASCS server; and 2) Integration of thick tools as thick services that run on user machines but can participate in SORASCS workflows.
The Assessment Landscape in the United States: From Then to the Future

What is the state of assessment in the United States? The answer, as always, depends upon test purposes, specifically who is being tested. The goal of this chapter is to substantially review this question principally for accountability purposes in the pre-collegiate (excluding early childhood) educational level as well as a brief discussion of workforce contexts. In this chapter, we will focus on external rather than teacher-made examinations, and where relevant, we reference pertinent federal policy changes governing or influencing widespread assessment practices. Because of space limitations, we emphasize pre-collegiate assessment. Part of our discussion addresses societal influences and, in particular, new technologies and their benefits. Based on our current work on assessments in technical domains, we will highlight important practices and close with summary thoughts about trends influencing assessment. We will use the terms test, assessment, and exam relatively interchangeably. Throughout the chapter as important subtext, we reflect on the level of evidence routinely provided about examination quality.
A1 Resonators in 128° Y-cut Lithium Niobate with Electromechanical Coupling of 46.4%

In this work, we present first-order antisymmetric (A1) mode resonators in 128° Y-cut lithium niobate (LiNbO3) thin films with electromechanical coupling coefficients ( $k^{2}$ ) as large as 46.4%, exceeding the state-of-the-art. The achievable $k^{2}$ of A1 in LiNbO3 substrates of different orientations is first explored, showing X-axis direction in 128° Y-cut LiNbO3 among the optimal combinations. Subsequently, A1 resonators with spurious mode mitigation are designed and fabricated. In addition to the large $k^{2}$ , the implemented devices show a maximum quality factor ( $Q$ ) of 598 at 3.2 GHz. Upon further optimization, the reported platform can potentially deliver a wideband acoustic-only filtering solution in 5G New Radio. [2020–0003]
Depth patterns and connections between gross nitrogen cycling and soil exoenzyme activities in three northern hardwood forests

Abstract Despite the enormous size of the organic nitrogen (N) pool contained in mineral subsoils, rates of N cycling and soil exoenzyme activities are rarely measured in soils below 10 or 20 cm depth. Furthermore, assumed relationships between N mineralization rates and the activities of various decomposition exoenzymes are poorly characterized. We measured rates of gross and net N mineralization and nitrification as well as the potential activities of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes at five soil depths (forest floor to 50 cm) in Spodosols at three hardwood forests of varying age (45 and 100 years post-harvest and old growth) at and near the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, USA. As expected, all rates of N cycling and potential enzyme activities per unit soil mass correlated strongly with soil carbon (C) concentration, which decreased exponentially with increasing soil depth. Normalized per unit soil organic matter, N cycling rates and specific enzyme activities generally decreased little with depth within the mineral soil. Gross N mineralization rates correlated with specific activities of those enzymes that hydrolyze cellulose (β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase) and N-rich glucosamine polymers (N-acetylglucosaminidase), but not those that degrade protein or more complex C compounds, leading us to suggest that these N cycling measurements largely capture the N released during microbial N recycling, supported perhaps by plant C inputs rather than from decomposition of soil organic matter. Across the three stands, the youngest had a larger ratio of N- to-phosphorus-acquiring enzyme activities, consistent with expectations of greater N demand in younger than older forests. For all three stands, soil below 10 cm–50 cm contributed 30–53% of total gross and net N cycling per unit area. Overall, even though microbial N cycling and enzyme activities per unit soil mass decreased with depth, microbial processes in subsoils contributed substantially to ecosystem-scale gross N fluxes because of the sustained microbial activity per unit soil organic matter at depth and the large size of the organic matter pool in the mineral soil. These results support the inclusion of often-ignored mineral subsoils and microbial N recycling in both ecosystem N budgets and in model simulations of N cycling and limitation, which will otherwise greatly underestimate N fluxes and the importance of microbial N dynamics.
Efficient population modification gene-drive rescue system in the malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi

ABSTRACT The development of Cas9/gRNA-mediated gene-drive systems has bolstered the advancement of genetic technologies for controlling vector-borne pathogen transmission. These include population suppression approaches, genetic analogs of insecticidal techniques that reduce the number of vector insects, and population modification (replacement/alteration) approaches, which interfere with competence to transmit pathogens. We developed the first recoded gene-drive rescue system for population modification in the malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, that relieves the load in females caused by integration of the drive into the kynurenine hydroxylase gene by rescuing its function. Non-functional resistant alleles are eliminated via a dominantly-acting maternal effect combined with slower-acting standard negative selection, and a functional resistant allele does not prevent drive invasion. Small cage trials show that single releases of gene-drive males robustly result in efficient population modification with ≥95% of mosquitoes carrying the drive within 5-11 generations over a range of initial release ratios.
The Mitochondrial Dysfunction Hypothesis in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) constitute a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions, characterized by a wide genetic variability that has led to hypothesize a polygenic origin. The metabolic profiles of patients with ASD suggest a possible implication of mitochondrial pathways. Although different physiological and biochemical studies reported deficits in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in subjects with ASD, the role of mitochondrial DNA variations has remained relatively unexplored. In this review, we report and discuss very recent evidence to demonstrate the key role of mitochondrial disorders in the development of ASD.
Association of severe lymphopenia and disease progression in unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with definitive chemoradiation and immunotherapy.

Abstract Background Definitive chemoradiation with consolidative immunotherapy offers the best chance for cure in patients with unresectable, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) may negatively impact outcomes. Methods Patients definitively treated with chemoradiation and immunotherapy from 2015 to 2019 at a single tertiary academic center were identified. Severe lymphopenia was defined as 0.5 × 109 cells/L. Progression-free survival (PFS) was calculated by Kaplan Meier methodology. Univariate and multivariate Cox Proportional Hazard modeling was used to correlate clinical variables with disease outcome. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were assessed according to CTCAE version 5.0 criteria. Results Seventy-eight patients were included in the final cohort. The median age was 66 years (IQR: 58−73), 55 % were males, and 88 % had a KPS of >70. At baseline, 90 % (n = 70/78) of patients had a normal ALC and one patient had severe lymphopenia. After chemoradiation, the median ALC decreased from 1.52 × 109cells/L (IQR: 1.23–1.98) to 0.72 × 109cells/L (IQR: 0.52−0.94) (p Conclusions This is the first report to associate severe TRL with disease progression in patients with locally advanced NSCLC receiving consolidative immunotherapy. Factors associated with development of lymphopenia and strategies to mitigate lymphopenic effects should be considered.
Abstract 156: Deletion of the Lymphocyte Adaptor Protein LNK Promotes Aortic Dissection

Background: The immune response plays a key role in the development of aortic dissection. In particular, interferon gamma (IFNγ), produced by the T cell subsets, Th1 (CD4+) and Tc1 (CD8+), is eleva...
Do or doughnut: A systematic review and pooled analysis on the utility of pathological evaluation of the anastomotic doughnut in oncological colorectal operations.

AIM End-to-end anastomosis staplers are frequently used in colorectal surgery, generating two anastomotic doughnuts. Whether pathological evaluation of the doughnut changes clinical practice remains unclear. We aim to identify any effects of pathological evaluation of anastomotic doughnuts after oncological colorectal surgery. METHOD We performed a systematic literature search utilizing PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane, Embase and Web of Science databases and selected studies on evaluation of the anastomotic doughnut after oncological colorectal surgery with stapled end-to-end anastomosis. Outcome measures included: involved distal margin on the oncological sample, histological involvement of the doughnut, clinical change in management from a positive doughnut and study recommendations. RESULTS Of the 5761 studies identified, eight studies encompassing 1754 patients were evaluated. Most operations were for primary colon (37.5%) or rectal adenocarcinoma (37.5%). Incidence of distal margin involvement of the oncological sample was reported in three papers, with six positive cases (1.1%). Of the 1754 doughnut pairs evaluated, five were positive for neoplasia (0.29%), three for adenomas (0.18%) and one for metaplastic polyp (0.06%), none of which changed postoperative treatment. Four studies recommended abandoning routine histopathological evaluation of anastomotic doughnuts, while the remaining four recommended evaluation only under certain criteria, including gross distal margin <2 cm (one study), gross distal margin <3 cm (one study), tumours undetected on gross examination (one study), 'histologically aggressive cancers' or grossly involved distal margin (one study). CONCLUSION Routine evaluation of anastomotic doughnuts should be reconsidered, as <1% are positive for neoplasia. Exceptions may include specific scenarios where histopathology is likely to be clinically useful.
A global convergence theory for deep ReLU implicit networks via over-parameterization.

Implicit deep learning has received increasing attention recently due to the fact that it generalizes the recursive prediction rules of many commonly used neural network architectures. Its prediction rule is provided implicitly based on the solution of an equilibrium equation. Although a line of recent empirical studies has demonstrated its superior performances, the theoretical understanding of implicit neural networks is limited. In general, the equilibrium equation may not be well-posed during the training. As a result, there is no guarantee that a vanilla (stochastic) gradient descent (SGD) training nonlinear implicit neural networks can converge. This paper fills the gap by analyzing the gradient flow of Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activated implicit neural networks. For an $m$-width implicit neural network with ReLU activation and $n$ training samples, we show that a randomly initialized gradient descent converges to a global minimum at a linear rate for the square loss function if the implicit neural network is \textit{over-parameterized}. It is worth noting that, unlike existing works on the convergence of (S)GD on finite-layer over-parameterized neural networks, our convergence results hold for implicit neural networks, where the number of layers is \textit{infinite}.
Invasion of the Mammalian Host: Early Events at the Cellular and Molecular Levels

The majority of species belonging to the genus Rickettsia are divided into two groups, the spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) and typhus group rickettsiae (TGR), based on the diseases that they cause, the presence of major surface antigens, and the ability to promote intracellular actin-based motility. This chapter focuses on the cell biology involved in the internalization of SFGR into nonphagocytic mammalian cells using Rickettsia conorii as a model organism. It highlights the current knowledge regarding the bacterial proteins and cognate host cell receptors involved in initiating this process. Early studies on the mechanism(s) utilized by rickettsiae to invade nonphagocytic mammalian cells identified cellular actin dynamics as playing an important role. In some invasive pathogens, depletion of membrane cholesterol using methyl-β-cyclodextrin disrupts the composition of lipid rafts and inhibits R.conorii invasion of nonphagocytic cells, suggesting that the presence of Ku70 within these microdomains is important for efficient bacterial entry. Mechanistic similarities to the invasion pathways utilized by zippering pathogens suggested that R.conorii also usurps these types of signaling events. Bioinformatic analyses of sequenced rickettsial genomes revealed the presence of a gene family. Four genes in this family, namely sca0, sca1, sca2, and sca5, are present as intact open reading frames in the genomes of the majority of SFGR. The signals involved in rickettsial outer membrane protein B (rompB)-dependent invasion closely resemble those observed during the invasion of R.conorii into Vero cells and include the activation of actin and microtubule dynamics and the stimulation of protein tyrosine kinase and PI-kinase activities.
Studies with novel sulfur-oxide alkylating agents

4739 Bioreductive agents are a class of anticancer drugs that require activation in cells by reductive enzymes. The major activating enzymes for current bioreductive agents are NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (P450 Red) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1; DT-diaphorase). Bioreductive agents need a bioreductive element that is reduced and a cytotoxic element that is activated by this reduction to produces their cytotoxic effects. Current agents use quinones or nitrogen-oxides as bioreductive elements, but other structures could be used. Sulfur-oxides are unique bioreductive elements that may be reduced by enzymes like aldehyde oxidase, methionine-peptide sulfoxide reductase and thioredoxin reductase. Incorporating these bioreductive elements into anticancer drugs could make it possible to use an enzyme-directed tumor targeting strategy in tumors that do not overexpress P450 Red or NQO1, increasing the potential application of this strategy to different tumor types and/or to a larger number of individual tumors. Compounds having a chloroethyl sulfide group (sulfide mustard) are excellent alkylating agents that can kill cancer cells by binding to important cellular targets; however, these agents generally produce considerable toxicity. Partial oxidation of the sulfide to a sulfoxide or full oxidation to a sulfone should inhibit the alkylating activity of the mustard group. Enzymatic reduction of the sulfoxide or sulfone to the sulfide would then activate the mustard group. These agents could be used to target tumors with elevated levels of enzymes that can reduce the sulfur-oxide groups. We studied a series of compounds with sulfide or sulfur-oxide mustards as a new class of bioreductive antitumor agents. Using an in vitro spectroscopic assay we found that compounds with a sulfide mustard group were good alkylators while compounds with a sulfoxide or sulfone mustard group did not produce any alkylation. This result is consistent with our hypothesis that oxidation of the sulfide will inhibit the alkylating activity of the mustard group. Using MTT assays we found that compounds with a sulfide or sulfone mustard group showed good in vitro cytotoxic activity in human cancer cell lines. In contrast, compounds with a sulfoxide mustard showed little cytotoxic activity. In addition, as expected, compounds with a hydroxyethyl sufide, sulfoxide or sulfone group had little or no cytotoxic activity as they have no alkylating activity. While these results are consistent with our hypothesis, the low cytotoxic activity of compounds with a sulfoxide mustard is surprising as the sulfoxide group should be easier to reduce than the sulfone group. Thus, other mechanisms may be involved in the cytotoxic activity of compounds with a sulfone mustard group. (Supported by the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, National Cancer Institute of Canada with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society, Robert A. Welch Foundation and Dishman Endowment at Southwestern University)
Putting the Owners of Problems in Charge with Domain-oriented Design Environments

Domain workers should gain considerably more independence from computer specialists. Just as the pen was taken out of the hands of the scribes in the middle ages, the role of the high-tech scribes should be redefined and the owners of problems should be put in charge.
Determinants of automobile PAC contributions to house incumbents: Own versus rival effects *

This paper examines PAC contributions by the Big ThreeU.S. automakers and Japanese auto dealers to Houseincumbents. A regression model is estimated where PACcontributions are a function of a firm's own ties toan incumbent's district (as measured by firmemployment) and those of rivals. For the Big Three,own and U.S. rival effects are positive. Further, theresults do not indicate the presence of a free-ridereffect. Employment by a foreign subsidiary has no neteffect on U.S. contributions. For the Japanesedealers, Japanese plant employment has a positiveimpact on contributions, and that of the Big Three anegative.
Incidence and Prevalence of Acute Kidney Injury During Multistage Ultramarathons.

Objective:Determine prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) during multistage ultramarathons.Design:Prospective observational cohort study.Setting:Jordanian Desert 2012; Atacama Desert, Chile 2012 and 2013; and Gobi Desert 2013 RacingThePlanet 250 km, 6-stage, ultramarat
Mastering C++: an introduction to C++ and object-oriented programming for C and Pascal programmers (2nd ed.)

A Quick Tour Through C++. Data. Functions. Pointers, Arrays, and References. Structured Types. Advanced Pointer Topics. Overloading. Input and Output. Memory Management. Inheritance. Modules. Class Libraries. Examples of Object-Oriented Design. Bibliography. Index.
A life cycle energy comparison of two journal collections: electronic and traditional

Computer networking is a significant and growing socio-technological phenomenon. As with any complex human system, its environmental impacts are difficult to discern. The challenge of determining energy consumption related to the operation and support of IT networks is compounded by the need to consider potential substitutions or technology displacements caused by networking. A comparative life cycle energy analysis was conducted for two journal collections: electronic and traditional print. Findings indicate that neither system has a clear energy advantage over the other, relative performance varies depending on the scenario considered In particular, results for both systems depend highly upon the actual number of readings per journal article due to the allocation of fixed energy burdens. In addition, energy consumed by networking infrastructure is relatively insignificant compared with other system elements in the electronic journal collection.
Optofluidic wavelength division multiplexing for single-virus detection

Optical waveguides simultaneously transport light at different colors, forming the basis of fiber-optic telecommunication networks that shuttle data in dozens of spectrally separated channels. Here, we reimagine this wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) paradigm in a novel context--the differentiated detection and identification of single influenza viruses on a chip. We use a single multimode interference (MMI) waveguide to create wavelength-dependent spot patterns across the entire visible spectrum and enable multiplexed single biomolecule detection on an optofluidic chip. Each target is identified by its time-dependent fluorescence signal without the need for spectral demultiplexing upon detection. We demonstrate detection of individual fluorescently labeled virus particles of three influenza A subtypes in two implementations: labeling of each virus using three different colors and two-color combinatorial labeling. By extending combinatorial multiplexing to three or more colors, MMI-based WDM provides the multiplexing power required for differentiated clinical tests and the growing field of personalized medicine.
The ontogeny of grasshopper jumping performance

Abstract This study describes how jumping ability changes through ontogeny in the grasshopper Schistocerca americana (Acrididae: Cyrtacanthacridinae). Grasshoppers must moult to increase in size, and their ability to jump fluctuates greatly through ontogeny, resembling a series of parabolas that increase in height with each moult. Jump energy and maximal jump distance increase similarly with size, but jump energy peaks later within an instar. Mass-specific jumping ability, or the distance an animal can jump per unit mass of animal, drops off rapidly over time both within and between instars. Males and females go through the same number of instars, but females are substantially larger. Adult females undergo fluctuations in jumping ability as they produce and oviposit clutches, while male jumping ability rises to a plateau and levels off. Mechanistic explanations for these changes in jumping ability are proposed. These patterns should have profound implications for the evolution of such life history traits as age at first reproduction, size at maturity, and clutch size by affecting body size-related trade-offs between mortality and fecundity.
Event Prediction and Affective Forecasting in Depressive Cognition: Using Emotion as Information About the Future

Depression is characterized by a bleak view of the future, but the mechanisms through which depressed mood is integrated into basic processes of future-oriented cognition are unclear. We hypothesized that dysphoric individuals' predictions of what will happen in the future (likelihood estimation) and how the future will feel (affective forecasting) are attributable to individual differences in incorporating present emotion as judgment-relevant information. Dysphoric individuals (n = 77) made pessimistic likelihood estimates and blunted positive affective forecasts relative to controls (n = 84). These differences were mediated by dysphoric individuals' tendencies to rely on negative emotion as information more than controls-and on positive emotion less-independent of anhedonia. These findings suggest that (1) blunted positive affective forecasting is a distinctive component of depressive future-oriented cognition, and (2) future-oriented cognitive processes are linked not just to current emotional state, but also to individual variation in using that emotion as information. This role of individual differences elucidates basic mechanisms in future-oriented cognition, and suggests routes for intervention on interrelated cognitive and affective processes in depression.
An introductory short course in biochemical and biomedical engineering for undergraduate students

The overarching goal of this work is to attract and retain undergraduate students in bioengineering programs. In January 2012, Harvard University implemented an optional on-campus, four-day short course on bioengineering during winter break for undergraduates, with the goal of introducing students to the disciplines of biochemical engineering and biomedical engineering. The course attracted a diverse population of students from freshmen through seniors, and was particularly successful in recruiting women and under-represented minorities. The course was designed as an intimate learning experience for a small class, and incorporated both seminars and laboratory activities. At the conclusion of the course, students completed an anonymous survey which assessed their attitudes and motivations to study bioengineering. The results suggest that the bioengineering short course positively reinforced student perceptions and enthusiasm for studying bioengineering.
Intracranial myeloid sarcoma.

A 41-year-old female presented with a 2 d history of ‘refusing to talk’ and a 1 d history of ‘decreased movement’. She had a recent history of being treated for otitis media, but no history of malignancy. On admission, a full blood count and differential white cell count were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 6 cm contrast-enhancing left-sided middle cranial fossa mass with extension inferiorly into the subtemporal fossa and parapharyngeal space (top left). The radiologist’s differential diagnosis included meningeal sarcoma, atypical meningioma, undifferentiated sinonasal cancer and lymphoma. A needle core biopsy was performed, but was nondiagnostic. Due to concerns about herniation and the lack of diagnostic tissue, the patient underwent a craniotomy. The cytospin and touch preparations from the tissue biopsy demonstrated a monomorphic population of atypical mononuclear cells with high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratios, vacuolated cytoplasm and prominent nucleoli (top right). Histological sections showed a diffuse infiltrate of large cells with large nuclei, irregular nuclear contours, prominent nucleoli and open chromatin (bottom left). The cells were positive for myeloperoxidase by immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometry detected myeloid blasts, which were CD34, CD13, CD33, CD117, CD20 and CD10. There was aberrant expression of CD19 and partial expression of CD56 (bottom right). Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated 45,X,-X, t(8;21;12)(q22;q22;q21). There was no evidence of bone marrow involvement by morphology or flow cytometry. The patient’s mental status improved dramatically after four cycles of cytarabine. She was lost to follow-up after 7 months. Myeloid sarcoma is an uncommon neoplasm and intracranial involvement comprises approximately 3% of all cases. Most are manifestations of previous or concurrent acute myeloid leukaemia although some may precede it. Intracranial myeloid sarcomas present as extra-axial masses and are believed to arise from the bone marrow of the skull. Histological differentiation between myeloid sarcoma and a large cell lymphoma can be difficult, if not impossible, without immunohistochemistry or flow cytometric analysis. Diagnosis can be especially problematic because these tumours can express B-cell antigens (e.g. CD19, CD79a), thus leading to the misdiagnosis of B-cell lymphoma.
Gender disparities in second-semester college physics: The incremental effects of a “smog of bias”

Our previous research Kost et al., Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 5, 010101 2009 examined gender differences in the first-semester, introductory physics class at the University of Colorado at Boulder. We found that: 1 there were gender differences in several aspects of the course, including conceptual survey performance, 2 these differences persisted despite the use of interactive engagement techniques, and 3 the post-test gender differences could largely be attributed to differences in males’ and females’ prior physics and math performance and their incoming attitudes and beliefs. In the current study, we continue to characterize gender differences in our physics courses by examining the second-semester, electricity and magnetism course. We analyze three factors: student retention from Physics 1 to Physics 2, student performance, and students’ attitudes and beliefs about physics, and find gender differences in all three of these areas. Specifically, females are less likely to stay in the physics major than males. Despite males and females performing about equally on the conceptual pretest, we find that females score about 6 percentage points lower than males on the conceptual post-test. In most semesters, females outperform males on homework and participation, and males outperform females on exams, resulting in course grades of males and females that are not significantly different. In terms of students’ attitudes and beliefs, we find that both males and females shift toward less expertlike beliefs over the course of Physics 2. Shifts are statistically equal for all categories except for the Personal Interest category, where females have more negative shifts than males. A large fraction of the conceptual post-test gender gap up to 60% can be accounted for by differences in males’ and females’ prior physics and math performance and their pre-Physics 2 attitudes and beliefs. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that it is an accumulation of small gender differences over time that may be responsible for the large differences that we observe in physics participation of males and females.
Thermally developing convection from Newtonian flow in rectangular ducts with uniform heating

The behavior of hydrodynamically fully developed and thermally developing laminar flow of Newtonian fluids in rectangular ducts with arbitrary aspect ratio and equal heating on adjacent walls, subject to the H2 boundary condition, is studied numerically. The developing Nusselt number is obtained for a wide range of duct aspect ratios. The limiting solution of Nu(H2) as Z approaches infinity was found to agree excellently with those found in the literature. 8 refs.
A comparative study of sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations in selected non-mammalian vertebrates

Abstract Ectoplasmic specializations (ES) facing spermatids were studied in species representative of four classes of non-mammalian vertebrates (Pisces—bluegill; Amphibia—bullfrog; Reptilia—red eared turtle; Aves—domestic chicken). ES was not seen in the bluegill but was present in all other species studied. In the frog, turtle, and chicken, ES did not resemble its mammalian counterpart and could only be characterized by the presence of 6 nm filaments (presumedly actin) within the somatic cell facing the head region of elongating spermatids. ES filaments were sparse in the frog and were sometimes associated with more deeply situated endoplasmic reticulum. Turtle ES filaments were abundant and encircled the acrosomal region of the spermatid head and were delimited by fenestrated saccules of endoplasmic reticulum. In the chicken, ES filaments were prominent but less abundant than in the turtle. Six nanometer filaments of the chicken ES appeared in a tangled mass and were not associated with clearly defined endoplasmic reticulum. In the three species where ES was found, it first developed as spermatids became entrenched within the surrounding somatic cell. Neither cell elongation, nuclear elongation, or movement of the nucleus to the cell surface was synchronized with the onset of ES development. That ES development was seen concomitant with spermatid entrenchment and spermatid orientation suggested a role for ES in these processes. This hypothesis was further strengthened by observations in the fish where ES was lacking and where spermatid entrenchment within the somatic cell, did not occur. The study also supported the hypothesis that ES acts as a cytoskeletal mantle to which other cytoskeletal elements within the cell interact to affect the position of elongate spermatids within the epithelium. The dissolution of ES prior to spermiation and concomitant loss of a close relationship between cells suggests that ES is also related to somatic cell-germ cell adhesion and therefore plays an important role in the spermiation process.