cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A SIMULTANEOUS ACTIVE-PASSIVE APPROACH FOR STRUCTURAL VIBRATION CONFINEMENT USING PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATORS

The basic idea of vibration confinement is to confine vibration energy to structure/system regions that are less important or where damping can be applied more easily. Both active and passive approaches have been investigated to realize vibration confinement. In this research, we propose to develop an active-passive hybrid vibration confinement system by using piezoelectric network actuators. Such system consists of passive elements such as circuitry inductors and resistors, as well as active feedback control. A new simultaneous optimization / optimal eigenvector assignment approach is developed. The passive and active elements of the control system will be synthesized in a concurrent manner to complement each other, which enables us to have better vibration suppression performance over a larger portion of the structure with less control power input.
Functional hemizygosity for the MDH2 locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Isolation of electrophoretic mobility shift mutants for a large number of enzyme loci in CHO cells has allowed the identification of many genes which are functionally hemizygous. To gain further insight into the nature of hemizygosity in CHO cells and the mechanisms by which it has arisen, we are attempting to determine whether hemizygous gene loci are clustered in a few localized chromosomal regions in CHO or are more generally distributed throughout the genome. Isozyme analysis of a series of CHO electrophoretic mobility shift mutants for MDH2 (malate dehydrogenase 2, EC 1.1.1.37) revealed that this locus is functionally hemizygous in CHO cells, but the locus could not be mapped by conventional approaches because of the similar electrophoretic mobilities of Chinese hamster and mouse MDH2 isozymes. Construction of intraspecific CHO x CHO hybrids using electrophoretic mobility shift mutants with secondary, selectable drug-resistance markers allowed us to determine that MDH2 is not closely linked to any previously mapped hemizygous marker loci in CHO, but is linked to allelesfor two dizygous gene loci, PGM3 and APRT, on CHO chromosome Z7. A possible genetic basis for hemizygosity of the MDH2 locus in CHO cells is discussed.
Effects of cooperative learning on Chinese students performing a formal table setting for American style service

This study examined the effectiveness and self-efficacy of employees following a training session employing a cooperative learning (CL) model with Chinese students hired as foodservice employees fo...
Spatially-mediated call pattern recognition and the cocktail party problem in treefrog choruses: can call frequency differences help during signal overlap?

AbstractMale gray treefrogs, Hyla versicolor, advertise for mates in dense assemblages characterized by high levels of noise and acoustic clutter. In pairwise interactions, males alternate pulsatile advertisement calls and so reduce call overlap to levels below that expected by chance. However, in choruses consisting of more than two males, acoustic interference increases dramatically. Moreover, males do not seem to exhibit selective attention in a way that reduces call interference among nearest neighbours. Previous research has also demonstrated that although females discriminate strongly against overlapped calls, negative effects of call overlap can be attenuated by a large angular separation between signal sources. However, call stimuli employed were identical in spectrum and so this situation differs from that likely in nature. Based on studies of ‘auditory stream segregation’ with other taxa, we hypothesized that realistic differences in the frequencies of overlapping calls could improve the ability...
Analyzing the Complexity of Behavioural Factors Influencing Weight in Adults

Managing obesity is a difficult and pressing problem given its detrimental health effects and associated healthcare costs. This difficulty stems from obesity being the result of a complex system. This complexity is often ignored by generic interventions, and not fully utilized for clinical decision-making. We focused on heterogeneity and feedback loops as key parts of this complexity. We measured heterogeneity and found it high, in a demographically homogeneous sample as well as in a larger, more varied sample. We also demonstrated that taking a systems approach could hold value for clinical decision-making. Specifically, we showed that feedback loops had better associations with weight categories than individual factors or relationships, in addition to clear implications for weight dynamics. Clinical implications were discussed, in part through adapting techniques such as card decks in a computerized format. Further research was suggested on heterogeneity among population groups and categories of driver of weight.
Application of Mössbauer Spectroscopy to in Situ Studies of the Anodic and Cathodic Behavior of Cobalt Surfaces

The anodic behavior of metals is a complex phenomenon, particularly for experimental conditions that produce passivation of the metal surfaces. Because of the limited experimental techniques available for in situ studies of surface films, there remains considerable uncertainty about many aspects of passivation and anodic behavior of metals. Electrochemical methods have been useful in characterizing the anodic behavior of metals, but these techniques have not provided unambiguous information about the chemical composition and structure of anodically-produced surface films. The non-electrochemical approaches used thus far have also been of limited value. Electron diffraction investigations require that the specimen be removed from its initial environment, and reasonable objections to the interpretation of results can be raised because of possible changes in composition of the specimen surface, such as dehydration, that may occur during the diffraction analysis. Although ellipsometry is a highly surface sensitive technique and is applicable to in situ studies, the measured parameters of thin films, 10–50 A, lead only to information about the thickness.
Viscosity Coderivatives and Their Limiting Behavior in Smooth Banach Spaces

This paper concerns with generalized differentiation of set-valued and nonsmooth mappings between Banach spaces. We study the so-called viscosity coderivatives of multifunctions and their limiting behavior under certain geometric assumptions on spaces in question related to the existence of smooth bump functions of any kind. The main results include various calculus rules for viscosity coderivatives and their topological limits. They are important in applications to variational analysis and optimization.
Spinal Growth Patterns After Craniospinal Irradiation in Children With Medulloblastoma.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the impact on spine growth in children with medulloblastoma using either photon or electron craniospinal irradiation (CSI). Methods and materials This was a single institution retrospective review of children who were treated with CSI for medulloblastoma. Spine growth was measured on magnetic resonance imaging scans at defined locations on the basis of a published predictive model of spine growth after CSI. Differences between spine growth in the anterior, middle, and posterior aspect of the designated vertebral segments were also assessed. Differences between the groups treated with photons or electrons were assessed with student’s t test. Results A total of 19 patients (10 patients treated with electrons and 9 with photons) with a median follow-up time of 45.5 months (confidence interval, 34.9-55.1 months) were evaluated. Patients treated with electrons were younger than those who received photons (5.1 years [range, 3.8-9.0 years] vs 9.6 years [range, 3.5-12.9 years]); however, there were no differences in other clinical characteristics, treatment, or follow-up between the groups. Spine growth rate for patients treated with electrons fit the predictive model (104% ± 5.2%), but patients treated with photons had growth that was faster than predicted by the model (150% ± 47%) and different from that observed with electrons. The differences between treatment the modalities were statistically significant (P = .03). For patients treated with photons, there were no statistical differences between the growth rate of the anterior vertebral body compared with the posterior aspect, but for patients treated with electrons, a faster spine growth in the anterior L1-L5 lumbar spine was observed compared with the posterior lumbar spine (3.90 vs 2.52 mm/year; P = .006) without differences in the cervical or thoracic spine. Conclusions The use of electrons to treat the craniospinal axis in children with medulloblastoma resulted in no significant difference in spine growth compared with the predicted spine growth on the basis of previously published models using photons, but with a clinically insignificant faster spine growth rate in the anterior lumbar spine.
Prepubertal Genital Bleeding: Examination and Differential Diagnosis in Pediatric Female Patients.

Abstract Background Prepubertal genital bleeding can be caused by a variety of etiologies including trauma, infection, structural, hematologic disorders, precocious puberty, and malignancy. Urethral prolapse can be seen in prepubescent girls due to a relative estrogen deficiency. Urethral prolapse classically presents with urethral mass and vaginal bleeding, often associated with constipation. Case Report A healthy 6-year-old White girl presented to the Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) with vaginal bleeding for 1 day preceded by a few months of constipation. In the ED the patient's physical examination was remarkable for a tender, nonmobile mass at the vaginal introitus. Transabdominal pelvic and renal ultrasounds were unremarkable. The emergency physician's working diagnosis was a vaginal mass concerning for sarcoma botryoides. Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (PAG) was consulted. They performed an examination under anesthesia (EUA) with cystoscopy and vaginoscopy. The EUA confirmed a urethral prolapse approximately 2 cm in diameter. The patient was treated with conjugated estrogen vaginal cream. At her 1-month follow-up, the urethral prolapse had resolved. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Performing a proper pelvic examination of a prepubescent girl presenting with vulvovaginal bleeding is crucial to form an accurate diagnosis in the ED setting. By placing the young girl in the frog-leg or knee-chest position and using both lateral and downward traction of the vulva, one can adequately visualize the external genitalia and outer 1/3 of the vagina. This can help streamline diagnosis and avoid unnecessary examinations and anxiety.
Resveratrol and pterostilbene inhibit TNF-α stimulated activation of NF-kB and its upstream TAK1 in macrophages via modulation of sphingolipids

Nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) plays a key role in inflammatory responses and cancer development. Inhibition of NF-kB has been shown to attenuate inflammation and cancer progression. Resveratrol (Res), ...
Pairing Mechanism in Hund's Metal Superconductors and the Universality of the Superconducting Gap to Critical Temperature Ratio.

We analyze a simple model containing the physical ingredients of a Hund's metal, the local spin fluctuations with power-law correlators, $({\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{0}/|\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}|{)}^{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, with $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ greater than one, interacting with electronic quasiparticles. While the critical temperature and the gap change significantly with varying parameters, the $2{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{\mathrm{max}}/{k}_{B}{T}_{c}$ remains close to twice the BCS value in agreement with experimental observations in the iron-based superconductors (FeSC).
Identification and characterization of the land-plant-specific microtubule nucleation factor MACET4

Here, we show that the embryophyte (land-plant)-specific protein MACERATOR4 (MACET4) binds microtubules in vitro and in vivo, promotes microtubule polymerization at sub-critical tubulin concentrations, decreases the lag phase in microtubule bulk polymerization assays, and colocalizes with microtubule nucleation sites. Furthermore, we find that MACET4 forms oligomers that induce aster formation in vitro in a manner that is similar to aster formation mediated by centrosomes and TPX2. MACET4 is expressed during cell division and accumulates at the microtubule nucleation regions of the plant-specific cytokinetic microtubule array, the phragmoplast. We found that MACET4 localizes to the preprophase band and the cortical division zone, but not the spindle. MACET4 appears as cytoplasmic foci in vivo and forms octamers in vitro Transient expression in tobacco leaf pavement cells results in labeling of shrinking plus- and minus-ends. MACET4 facilitates microtubule depolymerization by increasing the frequency of catastrophes in vivo and by suppressing rescues in vitro Microtubules formed in the presence of MACET4 in vitro are shorter, most likely due to the depletion of the free tubulin pool. Accordingly, MACET4 knockdown results in longer phragmoplasts. We conclude that the direct activity of MACET4 is in promoting microtubule nucleation.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Stochastic Differentiability in Maximum Likelihood Theory

In the classical asymptotic likelihood theory, there exists a vast number of results concerning asymptotic normality of maximum likelihood estimators (see for example [2]). Proofs in asymptotic maximum theory begin with a careful application of Taylor’s theorem. In the past, generalizations were focused on weakening conditions on the remainder term (for example, LeCam [3]). In the last ten years, the remainder term has been treated stochastically by Pollard (1984) and Hoffmann-Jorgensen (1990). Based on the most recent developments in the theory of infinite dimensional laws of large numbers and infinite dimensional central limit theorems, Pollard [4] has condensed many of the technicalities that arise in the asymptotic normality of maximum estimators into a single stochastic equicontinuity condition imposed on a remainder term. These generalizations have been pursued further by Hoffmann-Jorgensen [1] who developed the idea of stochastic differentiability which requires that a remainder term satisfies an even weaker condition than stochastic equicontinuity.
W-Band Power Performance of SiN-Passivated N-Polar GaN Deep Recess HEMTs

This letter reports on the improvement of the large-signal W-band power performance of nitrogen-polar gallium nitride deep recess high electron mobility transistors with the addition of a 40-nm-thick ex-situ silicon nitride passivation layer deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The additional passivation improves the dispersion control allowing the device to be operated at higher voltages. Continuous-wave load pull measurements performed at 94 GHz on a $2\times 37.5\,\,\mu \text{m}$ transistor demonstrated an improvement in the peak power-added efficiency (PAE) to 30.2% with an associated output power density of 7.2 W/mm at 20 V drain bias. Furthermore, at 23 V, a new record-high W-band power density of 8.84 W/mm (663 mW) was achieved with an associated PAE of 27.0%.
Thrombophilia prevalence in patients seeking laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: extended chemoprophylaxis may decrease portal vein thrombosis rate.

Abstract Background Portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT) may occur after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Previous studies have shown that PMVT patients may have undiagnosed thrombophilia. We recently changed our practice to check thrombophilia panel in every LSG patient preoperatively. Objectives To estimate the thrombophilia prevalence in patients seeking LSG, and determine if extended chemoprophylaxis post LSG reduces PMVT. Settings University hospital. Methods Thrombophilia panels were drawn on every patient seeking LSG after July 2018 at 2 high-volume accredited bariatric surgery centers. A positive panel included factor VIII >150%; protein C Results One thousand seventy-five patients seeking LSG had thrombophilia panel checked preoperatively. The cohort was 83% female; mean age and body mass index were 39.2 years and 43 kg/m2, respectively. Of the cohort, 52.4% (563/1075) had positive thrombophilia panel, including factor VIII elevation (91.5%), antithrombin III deficiency (6.0%), protein S deficiency (1.1%), protein C deficiency (.9%), and activated protein C resistance (.5%). Between January 2014 and July 2018, 13 PMVT were diagnosed among 4228 LSG (.3%) and there were 17 bleeding occurrences (.4%). After August 2018, one PMVT was diagnosed among 745 LSG (.1%) and there were 5 bleeding occurrences (.6%). Conclusions The estimated thrombophilia prevalence in patients seeking LSG is 52.4%. The majority (91.5%) of these patients have factor VIII elevation. Extended prophylaxis may decrease PMVT postLSG.
Recurrent aortic insufficiency after emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection with aortic root preservation

Abstract Objective Patients with acute type A aortic dissection demonstrate a wide range of aortic insufficiency. Outcomes after valve resuspension and root repair are not well studied in the long term. We evaluated the long-term effects of preoperative aortic insufficiency in patients undergoing emergency root-preserving surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Methods From 2002 to 2017, 558 of 776 patients with acute type A aortic dissection underwent native aortic valve resuspension and root reconstruction. Patients were stratified into 4 groups by preoperative aortic insufficiency grade (n = 539): aortic insufficiency less than 2+ (n = 348), aortic insufficiency = 2+ (n = 72), aortic insufficiency = 3+ (n = 49), and aortic insufficiency = 4+ (n = 70). Multivariable ordinal longitudinal mixed effects and multi-state transition models were used to assess risk factors for recurrent aortic insufficiency. Results The prevalence of cardiogenic shock in patients presenting with preoperative aortic insufficiency less than 2+, 2+, 3+, and 4+ was 53 of 348 (15.2%), 12 of 72 (16.7%), 10 of 49 (20.4%), and 24 of 70 (34.3%), respectively (P = .002). Postoperatively, 94.0% of patients had aortic insufficiency 1+ or less at discharge. Operative mortality was 34 of 348 (9.8%), 10 of 72 (13.9%), 6 of 49 (12.2%), and 12 of 70 (17.1%) (P = .303). In an ordinal mixed effects model, preoperative aortic insufficiency was associated with more severe postoperative aortic insufficiency. The multi-state transition model demonstrated that severe aortic insufficiency was associated with progression from no to mild aortic insufficiency (hazard ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-3.38), and progression from mild to moderate aortic insufficiency (hazard ratio, 5.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.88-17.30). Conclusions Preoperative aortic insufficiency is an important predictor of recurrent aortic insufficiency in patients undergoing valve resuspension with root reconstruction for emergency acute type A aortic dissection repair. Increased echocardiographic surveillance for recurrent aortic insufficiency may be warranted in this cohort.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) deficiency enhances intramembranous osteogenesis following stress fracture in mice.

Abstract Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is highly upregulated in response to skeletal injury, suggesting it plays a role in the inflammatory phase of fracture repair. However, the impact of IL-6 on successful repair remains incompletely defined. Therefore, we investigated the role of IL-6 in two models of fracture repair (full fracture and stress fracture) using 12-week old IL-6 global knockout mice (IL-6 KO) and wild type (WT) littermate controls. Callus morphology and mineral density 14 days after full femur fracture did not differ between IL-6 knockout mice and controls. In contrast, IL-6 KO mice had an enhanced bone response 7 days after ulnar stress fracture compared to WT, with increased total callus volume (p = 0.020) and callus bone volume (p = 0.045). IL-6 KO did not alter the recruitment of immune cells (Gr-1 or F4/80 positive) to the stress fracture callus. IL-6 KO also did not alter the number of osteoclasts in the stress fracture callus. Using RNA-seq, we identified differentially expressed genes in stress fracture vs. contralateral control ulnae, and observed that IL-6 KO resulted in only modest alterations to the gene expression response to stress fracture (SFx). Wnt1 was more highly upregulated in IL-6 KO SFx callus at both day 1 (fold change 12.5 in KO vs. 5.7 in WT) and day 3 (fold change 4.7 in KO vs. 1.9 in WT). Finally, using tibial compression to induce bone formation without bone injury, we found that IL-6 KO directly impacted osteoblast function, increasing the propensity for woven bone formation. In summary, we report that IL-6 knockout enhanced formation of callus and bone following stress fracture injury, likely through direct action on the osteoblast's ability to produce woven bone. This suggests a novel role of IL-6 as a suppressor of intramembranous bone formation.
Dissecting novel mechanisms of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma using meta-analysis of public data.

333Background: Hepatitis B is a cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) globally, irrespective of viral loads. Interestingly, this process is not necessarily mediated through cirrhosis and may in f...
A conceptual framework linking immunology, pathology, and clinical features in primary membranous nephropathy

Primary membranous nephropathy is a leading cause of adult nephrotic syndrome. The field took a major step forward with the identification of phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) as a target antigen in the majority of cases and with the ability to measure circulating autoantibodies to PLA2R. Since then, the existence of additional target antigens such as thrombospondin type-1 domain–containing 7A, exostosin 1 and 2, neural EGFL like 1, and semaphorin 3B has been demonstrated. The ability to detect and monitor levels of circulating autoantibodies has opened a new window onto the humoral aspect of primary membranous nephropathy. Clinicians now rely on clinical parameters such as proteinuria, as well as levels of circulating autoantibodies against PLA2R and the results of immunofluorescence staining for PLA2R within kidney biopsy tissue, to guide the management of this disease. The relationship between immunologic and clinical disease course is consistent, but not necessarily intuitive. In addition, kidney biopsy provides only a single snapshot of disease that needs to be interpreted in light of changing clinical and serological findings. A clear understanding of these dynamic parameters is essential for staging, treatment, and management of this disease. This review aims to shed light on current knowledge regarding the development and time course of changes in the serum levels of autoantibodies against PLA2R, proteinuria, and histological findings that underlie the pathophysiology of primary membranous nephropathy.
Risk perception and resource scarcity in food procurement during the early outbreak of COVID-19.

Abstract Objectives The retail food industry, a major essential business, is among the very few thriving sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, such prosperity on the store side does not guarantee a sufficient food supply for all populations. This study aims to understand if people's risk perception and food security status shaped their food procurement behaviors during the early outbreak of the pandemic. Study design Extended from the theory of risk perception, food consumers may behave differently during a disastrous event in terms of store patronization. The study evaluates how food procurement behaviors are affected by perceived risk aversion, resource scarcity, and consumers’ food security status. Methods The study examines how people with different food security statuses made grocery shopping decisions at the risk of epidemic exposure based on a nationwide survey of 2590 participants in the U.S. during the early break of the pandemic in April 2020. The study uses a moderated mediation analysis on in-store shopping frequency and food expenditure. Results People having a food-secure status before the pandemic spent significantly more as a result of the reduced shopping frequency (i.e., the secure-insecure subgroup β = −0.18, P .05; the insecure-secure subgroup, β = −0.11, P > .05). Conclusions The study reports that in general people reduced the frequency of grocery shopping trips to avoid epidemic exposure while increasing the food expenditure per trip. The increase in food expenditure was not statistically significant among the food-insecure populations likely due to their budget constraints.
Optimizing Die Corner and Optical Groove Corner Crackstop Support Structures for Mitigating Dicing and CPI Risks

An experimental correlation showing flipchip packaged larger dies more susceptible to corner delamination is, first, established in this work. Chamfer structures have been inserted into the architecture of traditional orthogonal crackstop designs with the aim to alleviate the accumulation of strains present in the corners of larger dies. Finite element modeling (FEM) was employed to uncover the optimum chamfer structure size that minimizes both the chamfer space usage as well as chip package interaction (CPI) related risks. Die size was shown to have quantifiable impact on the corner strain. The effect of die size was shown to be enhanced with lower underfill modulus. The effect of changing the crackstop corner chamfer structure size on both corner strain and strain energy release rate was studied. While varying the crackstop corner chamfer structure size had minimal effect on strain, it did have a significant effect on the strain energy release rate. It was observed that chamfer structure significantly reduces the strain energy release rate at the edge of the die near the corner. It has been determined that the optimum location for the support structure triangle vertex is to be situated at the point where the peeling strain switches from compressive to tensile at the corner square. The effectiveness of corner chamfer support structures in reducing CPI risk at the optical attach cavity used for lateral optical fiber attach was evaluated. The simulations have determined that inclusion of crackstop corner support structures at the newly created internal cavity corners of the die result in a reduction of the average corner strain by 33% at the external corner and 21% at the internal corner of the optical cavity.
It's Not All Too Commercial: The Recreational Property Act (RPA) as Defined by Mercer University v. Stofer et al.

Georgia’s Recreational Property Act (RPA) is given new strength to drive commerce in Mercer Univ. v. Stofer (Ga. 2019).
Low-profile fully integrated 60 GHz 18 element phased array on multilayer liquid crystal polymer flip chip package

We present an ultra-thin, low cost, fully integrated 60GHz phased array antenna module supporting 18 TX/RX antenna elements for 60 GHz WiGig applications. The RFIC is assembled on a 15 mm × 12 mm liquid crystal polymer (LCP) package containing the antenna elements. All millimeter-wave signal routing was done on the same layer as the die pads to minimize the number of package substrate layers (4 total metal layers) and achieve very small total package thickness of 0.41 mm. The measurement results for the package showed good agreement with the simulation. The measured peak directivity of the steerable array was 17.4 dBi and routing losses were 0.5 – 1dB.
Has Group Work Education Lost Its Social Group Work Essence? A Content Analysis of MSW Course Syllabi in Search of Mutual Aid and Group Conflict Content

This article presents the results of a content analysis of MSW group work course syllabi in an effort to better understand the extent to which mutual aid and group conflict, two important dimensions of social group work, are included and featured as prominent elements in MSW-level group work instruction.
Thermal wave cycling zone separation

Abstract Cycling zone separation is extended to counter-current distribution using the thermal traveling wave mode of operation. A counter-current distribution type theory was developed and used to explain and predict the separation. Experimental results with a diethylamine-water-toluene system were in qualitative agreement with the theoretical predictions. Use of the technique for preparative chromatographic separations is discussed.
A Correlation between Length of Strong-Shear Neutral Lines and Total X-ray Brightness in Active Regions

From a sample of 7 MSFC vector magnetograms,of active regions and 17 Yohkoh SXT soft X-ray images of these active regions, we have found that the total x-ray brightness of an entire active region is correlated with the total length of neutral lines on which the magnetic field is both strong (less than 250 G) and strongly sheared (shear angle greater than 75 deg) in the same active region. This correlation, if not fortuitous, is additional evidence of the importance of strong-shear strong-field neutral lines to strong heating in active regions.
Crystal aging and the formation of fine-scale igneous layering

Fine-scale layering in igneous intrusions shows parallels with experimentally produced banding observed in crystallizing salt solutions in which recent advances have demonstrated the importance of crystal aging on the development of banding. These experiments, as well as numerical models of fine-scale layering development during crystal aging, reproduce features observed in fine scale layering that are not readily explained by periodic nucleation and crystal growth models. These include the phenomenon of “lost segments”, in which the development of a layer may be reversed such that the layer disappears over time but does so without affecting the overall spacing of later-developing layers, and the development of “doublet” layers, which results when crystals at the margins of developing layers preferentially grow at the expense of those in the center. While these results suggest that crystal aging is the dominant process in the development of fine-scale layering, crystal aging may enhance the textural and modal features of igneous layering initiated by a variety of other crystal settling, nucleation or growth processes.
Differential effect of chronic ethanol consumption on the carcinogenicity of N-nitrosopyrrolidine and N'-nitrosonornicotine in male Syrian golden hamsters

The effect of chronic ethanol consumption on the carcinogenicity of N'-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) and N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in male Syrian golden hamsters has been investigated. Groups of hamsters were maintained on either ethanol-containing or control liquid diets for 4 weeks prior to and during carcinogen treatment. NPYR or NNN was administered to ethanol-consuming or control hamsters by i.p. injection over a 25-week period in total doses of either 1 or 2 mmol. In the group treated with 1 mmol of NPYR and maintained on a control diet, we observed 1 of 20 hamsters with a nasal cavity tumor and 4 of 20 hamsters with tracheal tumors. In the group treated with 1 mmol of NPYR and maintained on the ethanol-containing diet, we observed 8 of 18 hamsters with nasal cavity tumors and 9 of 18 hamsters with tracheal tumors. The corresponding results in hamsters given 2 mmol of NPYR were: nasal cavity tumors, 14 of 21 (control) and 16 of 17 (ethanol); tracheal tumors, 8 of 21 (control) and 11 of 17 (ethanol). These results demonstrate that the carcinogenicity of NPYR is enhanced in ethanol-treated Syrian golden hamsters, particularly at the lower dose. In the groups treated with 1 mmol of NN and a control diet, we observed 1 of 21 hamsters with a nasal cavity tumor and 4 of 21 with tracheal tumors. In the corresponding ethanol-treated groups, we observed 1 of 17 hamsters with a nasal tumor and 5 of 17 with tracheal tumors. In the hamsters given 2 mmol of NNN, the results were: nasal cavity tumors, 5 of 21 (control) and 4 of 21 (ethanol); tracheal tumors, 9 of 21 (control) and 7 of 21 (ethanol). Thus, the carcinogenicity of NNN in the Syrian golden hamster was not affected by ethanol treatment. These results suggest that the metabolic activation of NPYR, but not that of NNN, may be enhanced by chronic ethanol consumption in the Syrian golden hamster.
Neutrophil and eosinophil participation in atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Purpose. A retrospective study was conducted at three centers to examine the participation of neutrophils and eosinophils in the inflammatory processes associated with atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). Methods. Conjunctival specimens were obtained from four patients with AKC, six with VKC, and five normal subjects. Indirect immunofluorescent staining was used to localize neutrophil elastase (NE) and eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) in serial sections of all specimens. Results. Specimens from both AKC and VKC patients revealed extracellular deposition of NE and MBP. Control specimens showed no or minimal extracellular NE, and no MBP. Statistical analysis demonstrated significantly greater extracellular MBP deposition in AKC specimens compared to controls (p = 0.009), and VKC specimens showed significantly greater staining for both extracellular MBP (p = 0.005) and NE (p = 0.006). Conclusions. These results suggest that neutrophils, in addition to eosinophi...
IS SPECIALIZATION A DEAD END? THE PHYLOGENY OF HOST USE IN DENDROCTONUS BARK BEETLES (SCOLYTIDAE).

Ecological explanations for the prevalence of resource specialists are abundant, whereas phylogenetic evidence on their origins is scarce. In this paper, we provide a molecular phylogenetic study of the 19 specialist or generalist species in the bark beetle genus Dendroctonus, which collectively attack species in four different genera in the conifer family Pinaceae. Given substantial variation in diet breadth, we asked two general questions concerning the evolution of resource use in this group. How conservative is the evolution of host use in these insects? Does specialization tend to be derived (i.e., a "dead end")? To answer these questions, we estimated the phylogeny of Dendroctonus using mitochondrial DNA sequences and mapped transitions in resource use on the resulting phylogeny estimate. The evolution of affiliations with Pinus and Picea hosts in Dendroctonus was conservative among beetle species (PTP test; P < 0.012), but there was no significant correspondence between the phylogeny of these beetles and the phylogeny among their Pinaceae hosts (among genera, P = 0.28; among Pinus species, P = 0.82). Degree of specialization, as measured in the proportion of hosts used, was bimodally distributed with "generalist" species utilizing < 60% of the congeneric hosts within their range and six specialist species utilizing < 40% of the available hosts. Among the generalists, we found a strong correlation between the number of hosts encountered and the number of hosts utilized (R = 0.97, P < 0.0001), whereas there was no significant correlation among the specialists (R = 0.27, P = 0.59). The evolution of specialization in Dendroctonus proved highly labile-specialists arose from generalists at least six separate times (without reversal) all in derived positions, and closer examination of some specialists revealed instances where they appear to have lost particular host species from their diet. However, evidence from the ecological literature also suggests that several Dendroctonus generalists may have increased their range of host genera within the Pinaceae.
What we substitute for saturated fat matters.

Malhotra questions the wisdom of continuing public health recommendations to limit dietary saturated fat for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and went on to suggest that dietary saturated fat may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. …
Low pH-induced membrane fatty acid alterations in oral bacteria

Four oral bacterial strains, of which two are considered aciduric and two are considered acid-sensitive, were grown under glucose-limiting conditions in chemostats to determine whether their membrane fatty acid profiles were altered in response to environmental acidification. Streptococcus gordonii DL1, as well as the aciduric strains S. salivarius 57.I, and Lactobacillus casei 4646 increased the levels of mono-unsaturated membrane fatty acids. The non-aciduric strain S. sanguis 10904 did not alter its membrane composition in response to pH values examined here. Thus, in response to low pH, aciduric oral bacteria alter their membrane composition to contain increased levels of long-chained, mono-unsaturated fatty acids. This suggests that membrane fatty acid adaptation is a common mechanism utilized by bacteria to withstand environmental stress.
Parent-Implemented Interventions for Young Children with Disabilities: A Review of Fidelity Features.

The purpose of this review was to analyze fidelity features in parent-implemented interventions for young children with disabilities. The authors conducted a review of 24 studies published in nine peer-reviewed journals. Each identified article was scored on the following categories: the participant characteristics, settings, study design, independent variables, measurement of implementation and intervention fidelity, parent training components, dependent variables, social validity, overall outcomes, and study rigor. The results indicated that, although all studies described parent training components, few reported implementation fidelity. Across the studies trainers were most likely to use performance-based feedback and modeling to support parent implementation of the intervention. Although 20 studies used single-case design methodologies, only 2 studies met contemporary single-case research design standards. The authors provide an analysis of implications for future research related to supporting high-f...
Enantioselective C-H Crotylation of Primary Alcohols via Hydrohydroxyalkylation of Butadiene

The direct, by-product–free conversion of basic feedstocks to products of medicinal and agricultural relevance is a broad goal of chemical research. Butadiene is a product of petroleum cracking and is produced on an enormous scale (about 12 × 106 metric tons annually). Here, with the use of a ruthenium catalyst modified by a chiral phosphate counterion, we report the direct redox-triggered carbon-carbon coupling of alcohols and butadiene to form products of carbonyl crotylation with high levels of anti-diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity in the absence of stoichiometric by-products.
Understanding Obesity in Youth: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals from the Committee on Atherosclerosis and Hypertension in the Young of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young and the Nutrition Committee, American Heart Association

Obesity is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease and non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus through the promotion of insulin resistance and other associated physiological abnormalities, including dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, and increased left ventricular mass.1 2 3 4 Overweight and insulin resistance have been linked to the early development of atheromata in young adults independent of other cardiovascular risk factors.5 Pulmonary, skeletal, dermatologic, immunologic, and endocrinologic systems display obesity-related morbidities (Table 1⇓).6 Adverse social and psychological effects of obesity have also been demonstrated.6 7 8 View this table: Table 1. Morbidity of Obesity in Youth Obesity is a major public health problem with both genetic and environmental causes.9 10 Longitudinal studies of children followed into young adulthood suggest that overweight children may become overweight adults, particularly if obesity is present in adolescence.11 12 13 There is substantial evidence that obesity in childhood lays the metabolic groundwork for adult cardiovascular disease.14 Studies of families and twins have clearly demonstrated a strong genetic component in the etiology of obesity.15 16 17 Just as persuasively, a recent study of secular trends in anthropometry has shown an increase in the prevalence of overweight in children and young adults over the last 10 to 20 years, indicating a potent interaction between environment and genetics.18 This secular trend is associated with worsening cardiovascular risk.19 This statement reviews the medical consequences of obesity in youth. Epidemiology, morbidity (especially cardiovascular), and etiology are considered and approaches to prevention and treatment presented. Areas for additional research are highlighted. Obesity is defined as the presence of excess adipose tissue. In normal individuals the percentage of body tissue that is adipose tissue varies by gender (greater in postpubertal females than males) and age (about 12% at birth, increasing to 25% at 5 months, then decreasing to 15% …
Self-rated health and C-reactive protein in young adults

Background Poor self-rated health (SRH) and elevated inflammation and morbidity and mortality are robustly associated in middle- and older-aged adults. Less is known about SRH-elevated inflammation associations during young adulthood and whether these linkages differ by sex.
The MCH training program: developing MCH leaders that are equipped for the changing health care landscape.

This article examines the success of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Bureau’s MCH Training Program in producing the next generation of MCH leaders, equipped with interdisciplinary, leadership skills necessary for the changing health care landscape. A secondary data analysis of performance measure data (2007–2011) collected through the discretionary grant information system was performed. Grantees were grouped by grant program (n = 10) for this analysis. Outcomes of interest 5 years post-program completion included: (1) the percentage of long-term training program graduates who demonstrate field leadership; (2) the percentage of long-term trainees (LTT) who remain in MCH, work with underserved and/or vulnerable populations, or work in a public health agency/organization; and (3) the percentage of LTT working in an interdisciplinary manner to serve the MCH population. Summary output data on the number of LTT reached was also calculated. The number of LTT participating in the MCH Training Program increased between 2007 and 2011. Over 84 % of LTT demonstrate field leadership 5 years after program completion, while 78.2 % of LTT remain in MCH work and 83 % are working with underserved or vulnerable populations. At 5-years post-program completion, over 75 % of LTT are working in an interdisciplinary manner to serve the MCH population. The MCH Training Program has produced well-positioned leaders. Continued investment in the MCH Training Program is critical to ensure a well-trained pipeline of health professionals equipped to address the special health needs of MCH populations in an evolving health system.
Sedimentology and paleohydrology of glacial-lake outburst deposits in southeastern Saskatchewan and northwestern North Dakota

Glacial-lake outbursts occurred in the northern Great Plains as ice-marginal lakes suddenly drained, forming an interconnected system of glacial-lake spillways. The outbursts were highly erosive, and consequently, deposits from such discharges are rare in the spillways. Glacial-lake–outburst deposits in the Souris, Des Lacs, and Moose Mountain spillways, Saskatchewan and North Dakota, have distinct bar shapes and, internally, are more massive and homogeneous than those of outwash systems. In this paper, the outburst deposits are described, and the sedimentologic and hydrodynamic characteristics of the outburst discharges are interpreted. Coarse-grained sediment eroded from till formed large-scale bars in the spillways, as much as 2 km long and 30 m thick, both as pendant bars and bars in alcoves next to contemporaneous landslides. Internally, the bars consist of homogeneous masses of massive, matrix-supported, very poorly sorted, pebbly cobble gravel, containing boulders as much as 3 m in diameter. The maximum particle sizes in individual bars decrease downstream and toward spillway sides. The lithology of the bars resembles the local glacial drift; material from the Tertiary bedrock, in which the spillways are partially incised, is not concentrated in the bars. Paleohydraulic calculations based on data of maximum particle size and on the Shields9 entrainment function yield unreasonably large values. Supplementary calculations based on depth limits established from field observations yield realistic values; this method indicates that velocities of 2.9 to 11.7 ms −1 and discharges of 5.8 × 10 4 to 8.2 × 10 5 m 3 s −1 were achieved by the outburst. Sediment-water concentrations during the outburst, estimated by dividing the volume of sediment eroded by the source-lake volume, averaged ∼20% by weight. Because of this estimate, the abundant amount of fine-grained material that was eroded, and structure of the outburst deposits, we infer that outburst flows were hyperconcentrated, with sediment-water concentrations being as much as ∼40% by weight in some areas. We further infer that sediment transport was extremely efficient and that most particles, including coarse gravel, were transported in suspension. This interpretation is consistent with the sedimentology of the deposits and other conjectural evidence. Expanding sections caused coarser sediment to be deposited, indiscriminate of clast size, as poorly sorted, massive gravel bars. Finer grained sediment, sand to clay size, was transported through the spillway system into downstream glacial lakes.
Stability of Cu/Ir/Si trilayer structure to moderate annealing

Abstract The properties and behavior of trilayer structures consisting of ultrathin iridium thin films sandwiched between Cu and Si have been examined. Iridium thin films (5 nm thick) were deposited on Si substrates using magnetron sputtering, followed by in situ deposition of Cu. The film stacks were examined both as-deposited and after annealing in vacuum over a temperature range of 300–600 °C for 1 h. X-ray diffraction indicates that there is no copper silicide formation upon annealing up to 400 °C. Cross-section HRTEM and EDS line-scans on the sample annealed at 400 °C show the out-diffusion of iridium and the onset of copper diffusion across the interface. The results indicate that iridium is moderately effective as a copper diffusion barrier so long as the processing temperatures remain relatively low.
Ras regulation by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species

Ras GTPases cycle between inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound states to modulate a diverse array of processes involved in cellular growth control. We have previously shown that both NO/O(2) (via nitrogen dioxide, (*)NO(2)) and superoxide radical anion (O(2)(*)(-)) promote Ras guanine nucleotide dissociation. We now show that hydrogen peroxide in the presence of transition metals (i.e., H(2)O(2)/transition metals) and peroxynitrite also trigger radical-based Ras guanine nucleotide dissociation. The primary redox-active reaction species derived from H(2)O(2)/transition metals and peroxynitrite is O(2)(*)(-) and (*)NO(2), respectively. A small fraction of hydroxyl radical (OH(*)) is also present in both. We also show that both carbonate radical (CO(3)(*)(-)) and (*)NO(2), derived from the mixture of peroxynitrite and bicarbonate, facilitate Ras guanine nucleotide dissociation. We further demonstrate that NO/O(2) and O(2)(*)(-) promote Ras GDP exchange with GTP in the presence of a radical-quenching agent, ascorbate, or NO, and generation of Ras-GTP promotes high-affinity binding of the Ras-binding domain of Raf-1, a downstream effector of Ras. S-Nitrosylated Ras (Ras-SNO) can be formed when NO serves as a radical-quenching agent, and hydroxyl radical but not (*)NO(2) or O(2)(*)(-) can further react with Ras-SNO to modulate Ras activity in vitro. However, given the lack of redox specificity associated with the high redox potential of OH(*), it is unclear whether this reaction occurs under physiological conditions.