cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apparent dependence of protein evolutionary rate on number of interactions is linked to biases in protein-protein interactions data sets

Several studies have suggested that proteins that interact with more partners evolve more slowly. The strength and validity of this association has been called into question. Here we investigate how biases in high-throughput protein–protein interaction studies could lead to a spurious correlation. We examined the correlation between evolutionary rate and the number of protein–protein interactions for sets of interactions determined by seven different high-throughput methods in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Some methods have been shown to be biased towards counting more interactions for abundant proteins, a fact that could be important since abundant proteins are known to evolve more slowly. We show that the apparent tendency for interactive proteins to evolve more slowly varies directly with the bias towards counting more interactions for abundant proteins. Interactions studies with no bias show no correlation between evolutionary rate and the number of interactions, and the one study biased towards counting fewer interactions for abundant proteins actually suggests that interactive proteins evolve more rapidly. In all cases, controlling for protein abundance significantly decreases the observed correlation between interactions and evolutionary rate. Finally, we disprove the hypothesis that small data set size accounts for the failure of some interactions studies to show a correlation between evolutionary rate and the number of interactions. The only correlation supported by a careful analysis of the data is between evolutionary rate and protein abundance. The reported correlation between evolutionary rate and protein–protein interactions cannot be separated from the biases of some protein–protein interactions studies to count more interactions for abundant proteins.
Let’s face it – 13 unusual causes of facial masses in children

Facial swelling is commonly encountered in paediatric patients and is typically related to an underlying infection. The spectrum of possible causes, however, is wide, and includes traumatic, inflammatory, nutritional and neoplastic aetiologies. In this pictorial essay we present 13 examples of rare conditions selected from a total of 136 MRI examinations performed at our institution between April 2007 and May 2013. These include HIV-associated malignancies such as a case of plasmablastic lymphoma, parotid gland tumours including a parotid hamartoma, rare congenital lesions such as a thyroid fetiform teratoma, and infective lesions including tuberculosis of the mandible. In many cases, only minimal information could be gleaned from the literature, particularly with regard to imaging findings. An analysis of the spectrum of masses and specific clinical presentations allowed for the construction of a diagnostic flowchart which may serve to assist in unusual cases. • Facial swelling is commonly encountered in paediatrics, with a wide spectrum of possible aetiologies. • MRI is the favoured imaging modality for accurate assessment. • Facial swelling is typically infectious in nature, but includes various benign and malignant causes. • This pictorial essay presents 13 examples of rare conditions with corresponding imaging.
Compact pulse generator for nanosecond electroperturbation of biological cells

The design of a compact, 8 kV pulse generator with subnanosecond rise time is presented. The pulse generator is used for the study of biological systems. The load is a cuvette with 1 mm electrode gap, having an impedance of about 10 ohms. The design is based on a capacitive PFN (pulse forming network) with distributed capacitance and printed circuit trace inductance. A small atmospheric pressure air spark gap is used as the switching device, and is overvolted to achieve subnanosecond switch rise time. The resonant charging circuit employs four parallel 100 A MOSFET switches and is capable of repetitively delivering 8 kV to the PFN within 350 ns. Proper balancing of the primary transformer currents in the four MOSFETs is essential for reliable operation and will be discussed.
Active mini-MCM daughterboard for optical interconnect insertion into microelectronic systems

Suggests various ways in which conventional silicon electronics might be used in an MCM daughterboard configuration to support optical interconnection modules for MCM-to-MCM optical interconnections. The emphasis is on achieving a synergistic merging of silicon electronic functions and III-V optoelectronics within a compact module that appears to be an electronic component at one end and appears to be a reliable optical interconnection component at the other end. >
Contrast and Rater-Perspective Effects on Judgments of Sexual Harassment Severity: What He Thinks She Thinks, and Vice Versa

We looked at whether ratings biases can influence judgments people make about sexually harassing behaviors. Online participants (N = 176) read and rated the severity of complaint scenarios describing different incidents of alleged harassment. We manipulated: (1) contrast effects, by having people judge other, independent scenarios before judging a target scenario, and (2) rater-perspective effects, by having people judge from both a self- and then an opposite-gender perspective. For the former, we hypothesized that if judgments about harassment are qualitatively similar to judgments made in other areas (e.g., performance appraisal), they too should show contrast effects. For the latter, we hypothesized people would use stereotypes about the other gender, thereby overestimating the true (i.e., self-perspective driven) gender difference. Results supported both hypotheses, suggesting that decision makers should be aware of the possible influence of biases when judging whether behaviors constitute harassment.
Gaze and gesture based object manipulation in virtual worlds

In this work we present a framework for enabling the use of both eye gaze and hand gestures for interaction within a 3D virtual world. We define a set of natural interaction mechanisms for manipulation of objects within the 3D space and describe a prototype implementation based on Second Life that allows these mechanisms to be used in that world. We also explore how these mechanisms can be extended to other spatial tasks such as camera positioning and motion.
Nano-Mechanical and -Electromechanical Heterogeneity in Single Collagen Fibrils

Type I collagen, as the most abundant protein in mammals, is the main organic component of bone, tendon, dentine, and cornea. Functioning in such diverse tissues shows the multifunctional capability of collagen fibrils. The gap and overlap regions in axial direction of a fibril with a characteristic period of ∼67 nm is believed to be an important factor in microstructure of the fibrils enabling its multifunctionality. For example, in bone mineral nano-crystals are deposited specifically in the gap region. In this study, we focus on studying mechanical and electromechanical properties at different scale levels, ranging from subfibrillar microstructure of single collagen fibrils ∼100 nm in diameter up to bone samples.In terms of mechanical (elastic and viscoelastic) properties, implementing near-surface static and dynamic nanoindentation technique with AFM, we show that the gap and overlap regions in single collagen fibril have significantly different elastic and energy dissipation properties, correlating the significantly different molecular structures in these two regions. We further show that such subfibrillar heterogeneity holds in collagen fibrils inside bone and might be related to the excellent energy dissipation performance of bone.It is known that bone and tendon are piezoelectric, and it is believed that the piezoelectric charges produced under mechanical deformation in these tissues have a potential role in mechanoelectric transduction leading to their growth and remodeling. With high resolution PFM we probe piezoelectric properties in bone and show that single collagen fibrils are responsible for piezoelectric behavior of bone and behave predominantly as shear piezoelectric materials. Furthermore, we show that there is an intrinsic electromechanical heterogeneity in axial direction of individual fibrils that holds even for the collagen fibrils embedded in bone matrix. Such heterogeneity may have implications in regulating the ionic environment in bone responsible for bone remodeling.
New Perspective on FX Markets: Order-Flow Analysis

Though fundamental and technical analysis are still widely used in foreign exchange markets, a new type of analysis has emerged: order-flow analysis. Order-flow analysis uses the flow of buy and sell orders to both explain exchange rates contemporaneously and forecast future movements. This article contrasts order-flow analysis with the traditional approaches and reviews lessons learned. Most important among those lessons is order flow’s ability to account for the lion’s share of movements in the major floating rates. On the policy front, widespread availability of electronic order-flow data brings many policy questions within reach for the first time. After reviewing these policy questions, the article closes with a discussion of how FX market institutions are evolving and how this evolution will affect application of order-flow analysis in the future.
Use of Ascitic Fluid in the Treatment of Primary Shock

SummarySterile ascitic fluid of high protein content, free from agglutinins, is of value in combatting artificially produced primary shock in dogs. The effect is immediate and prolonged. The percentage return of blood pressure closely approximates that obtained when whole blood is used.
Industrial standards for defense production

After emphasizing the increasingly important role the electrical industry is playing in the production of defense equipment, the author points out the necessity for continued cooperation between the military and industry in developing proper standards.
Discourse Structure and Sentiment

In this paper we discuss the application of the Linguistic Discourse Model (LDM) to sentiment analysis at the discourse level. Based on the observations that naturally occurring discourse is interpretable though often not coherent, the LDM provides a unified and explanatory approach to discourse sentiment assignment. Special attention is paid here to the well known problem of computing sentiment in movie reviews which are characterized by shifting contexts of sentiment source and target.
The effect of speed reducing peripherals on motorists' behavior at pedestrian crossings

This study explored the behavior exhibited by motorists as they approached a pedestrian crossing in the presence and absence of a speed hump. It was hypothesized that the low risk normally perceived by drivers could be influenced by the presence of a tactile road stimuli. A within subjects experimental design was employed to measure motorists' reactions. The results indicated that a strong relationship exists between driver behavior and the presence and absence of a roadway stimuli. There was also evidence to suggest that female drivers take more precautionary actions than males. This information is useful for roadway designers and traffic psychologists who are challenged with devising means of traffic calming and offers a viable approach that is safe for both motorists and pedestrians.
Newly designed occluder pin for presacral hemorrhage.

Conventional hemostatic measures are often unsatisfactory in presacral venous bleeding occurring during surgical mobilization of the rectum. We designed a new type of hemorrhage occluder pin, with a ridged shaft, which may be rapidly placed into the sacrum to control hemorrhage. The aims of this study were 1) to assess the best pin shaft length by measuring the thickness of human sacral vertebral bodies, 2) to measure the forces needed to pull the newly designed pin out of the human sacrum compared with conventionally shaped titanium thumb-tacks, and 3) to assess clinically the efficacy of the new device. Four fresh cadaveric pelves were isolated and cut on a sagittal plane, and the thickness of each vertebral body was measured. Titanium pins, both with ridged and with smooth shafts, were used. Twelve-millimeter-shaft pins were used for S1 and S2, and 7-mm pins were used for S3, S4, and S5. Pins were inserted into each sacral vertebra, and the forces needed to extract them from the bone were measured by computerized dynamometry. Significantly more force was required to extract ridgedvs.smooth pins, both with 12-mm and with 7-mm shafts. There was no significant difference between the forces needed to pull out 12-mmvs.7-mm pins. The new pin was successfully used to stop presacral hemorrhage in three patients with no complications one, three, and six months after surgery. This newly designed hemorrhage occluder pin may represent an improved method of controlling presacral venous hemorrhage.
Reinterpreting polynomial regression

Recent work by Stimson et al. (1978) and Jagodzinski and Weede (1981) has explored a translation technique intended to circumvent some of the attendant problems of polynomial regression in sociological research. This piece specifies some of the limitations of the translation technique while explicating a straightforward method of using it when appropriate. An alternate technique is then developed which avoids the earlier pitfalls. The application of the alternative technique is exemplified in an analysis of alternative occupational scales.
Studies of precursor plasma conditions for stainless steel and copper wire arrays at the 1-MA Zebra facility

Summary form only given. Precursor plasmas, both the early time precursor flow of mass and the accumulation of this material on axis, have been observed on many z-pinch experiments at various facilities, including low current ( 15 MA, Z) facilities. The impact of these precursors on stagnated plasmas, and targets such as those used for inertial confinement fusion experiments, is still under evaluation. Experiments have been performed at the University of Nevada, Reno 1-MA, 100 ns Zebra facility to study these precursor plasmas with stainless steel and copper wire arrays. The wire array loads ranged from 8-16 mm in diameter, with wire numbers from 14 to 6 wires. The impact of initial load mass, initial load diameter, and initial load material on the precursor has been evaluated through spectroscopy, shadowgraphy, and fluence measurements. The time-history and radiated output of the precursor have been measured, with significant radiation observed in the precursor at photon energies > 1 keV. Plasma parameters, extracted from modeling of the spatially resolved time-integrated L-shell spectra, have shown that multiple temperatures and densities are necessary to describe the measured spectra at each spatial location. This may be due to different plasma conditions in the precursor than in the stagnated plasma. Time-resolved spectra have been collected to investigate this possibility and will be presented. Shadowgraphy has been fielded to study the precursor formation on the axis, and the structures observed in this plasma column will be compared with shadowgraphy and x-ray images of the stagnated plasmas. The differences in spatial and temporal plasma conditions and x-ray pulse shapes observed for the various materials and initial load configurations will be discussed.
Population-based incidence and outcome of acetaminophen poisoning by type of ingestion.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine, in a population-based sample, the observed frequency of acetaminophen overdose-related ED evaluation and hospitalization. 2) To examine the relative frequency of hospitalization by pattern of ingestion, the outcome of each group, and the presence or absence of postulated risk factors. METHODS: This study was a 46-month, retrospective chart review of all acetaminophen-related visits, by patients at least 10 years of age, to either of the two hospitals that serve a four-county region of central Virginia. RESULTS: Of 636 charts identified for review, only 137 involved acute or chronic acetaminophen overdose. One hundred twenty-six patients presented after an acute ingestion; 122 of these patients gave a history of a single, supratherapeutic ingestion of acetaminophen. Twenty-five patients were hospitalized for treatment. Eighteen of these were treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) based on the Rumack-Matthew nomogram; one suffered significant hepatic injury. The other seven presented at least 18 hours after ingestion, with no measurable serum acetaminophen. Two of these suffered significant hepatic injury. Four additional patients presented after multiple ingestions within 24 hours. Three were hospitalized, but none experienced significant injury. Only 11 patients were evaluated for chronic acetaminophen overmedication for pain (more than 6 g/day over a period of more than 24 hours). Four were admitted for treatment; three suffered significant hepatic injury. Thus, the observed incidence of acute acetaminophen ingestion in this region was 21.4/100,000/yr (95% CI = 17.7 to 25.2). The observed incidence of hospitalization for acute acetaminophen toxicity was 4.8/100,000/yr (95% CI = 3.0 to 6.5). The observed incidence of hospitalization for all acetaminophen poisoning was 5.5/100,000/yr (95% CI = 4.1 to 7.0). High ethanol consumption was present more frequently in those who suffered hepatic injury. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients evaluated for acetaminophen ingestion present early following acute single overdose. Relatively few of these patients require hospitalization and, for those hospitalized, the outcome is good. More significantly, acetaminophen overdose patients whose risk cannot be estimated using the Rumack-Matthew nomogram represented 44% of those hospitalized and 83% of those who suffered significant hepatic injury. Emergency physicians need to determine how they can impact the outcome of these patients. Efforts should be directed at further characterizing historical, physical, and biochemical markers of risk and at determining in which circumstances hospitalization for NAC or other therapies is justified. Language: en
Ring-expanding olefin metathesis: A route to highly active unsymmetrical macrocyclic oligomeric co-salen catalysts for the hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides

In the presence of the third generation Grubbs catalyst, the ring-expanding olefin metathesis of a monocyclooct-4-en-1-yl functionalized salen ligand and the corresponding Co(II)(salen) complex at low monomer concentrations results in the exclusive formation of macrocyclic oligomeric structures with the salen moieties being attached in an unsymmetrical, flexible, pendent manner. The TOF-MALDI mass spectrometry reveals that the resulting macrocyclic oligomers consist predominantly of dimeric to tetrameric species, with detectable traces of higher homologues up to a decamer. Upon activation under aerobic and acidic conditions, these Co(salen) macrocycles exhibit extremely high reactivities and selectivities in the hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of a variety of racemic terminal epoxides under neat conditions with very low catalyst loadings. The excellent catalytic properties can be explained in terms of the new catalyst's appealing structural features, namely, the flexible oligomer backbone, the unsymmetrical pendent immobilization motif of the catalytic sites, and the high local concentration of Co(salen) species resulting from the macrocyclic framework. This ring-expanding olefin metathesis is suggested to be a simple way to prepare tethered metal complexes that are endowed with key features--(i) a high local concentration of metal complexes and (ii) a flexible, single point of attachment to the support--that facilitate rapid and efficient catalysis when a bimetallic transition state is required.
Microwave and Quantum Chemical Study of Allyldifluorosilane (H2C═CHCH2SiF2H)

The microwave spectrum of allyldifluorosilane (H(2)C=CHCH(2)SiF(2)H) has been investigated for the first time in the 28-80 GHz spectral interval at a temperature of -30 degrees C. The spectrum of the ground vibrational state of one conformer characterized by an anticlinal orientation for the C=C-C-Si chain of atoms and a synclinal conformation for the C-C-Si-H link has been assigned. This rotamer was found to be at least 2 kJ/mol more stable than further rotameric forms. The spectroscopic investigation has been augmented with quantum chemical calculations employing the MP2 and B3LYP methods using the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis set. The theoretical predictions are generally in good agreement with the experimental results.
The regional distribution of glycogen in rat brain fixed by microwave irradiation

Glycogen concentrations were measured by fluorescence enzymatic assay in rat brains fixed by focused microwave irradiation Regional glycogen concentrations varied 2.5 fold, ranging from 27.1 nmol glucosyl units/mg protein in the striatum to 52.3 nmol/mg protein in the cerebellum and 69.9 nmol/mg protein in the pons-medulla; other regions were intermediate in concentration. Since glycogen is contained primarily within astrocytes, this regional variation may reflect regional differences in astrocyte energy metabolism.
Alteration of cardiac collagen phenotypes in hypertensive hypertrophy : role of blood pressure

Abstract The myocardium contains a fibrillar collagen matrix that consists primarily of type I and type III collagens. There is a marked alteration in the ratio and amount of collagen phenotypes in myocardial hypertrophy due to pressure overload. The purpose of the present study is (1) to study the effect of antihypertensive therapy on collagen phenotypes, if instituted before development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), and continued into adult life and (2) to study the effects of dissociation of hypertension from hypertrophy, on collagen phenotypes in SHRs. The present study shows the effect of two antihypertensive drugs, hydralazine and captopril, on collagen phenotypes in SHRs. Both hydralazine and captopril effectively controlled blood pressure in SHRs, but only captopril regressed hypertrophy and corrected the altered distribution of myocardial collagen phenotypes I and III. Untreated SHRs had a collagen type I:III ratio of 10.19 ± 0.27, compared with that of 6.41 ± 0.30 in normotensive WKY ( P
The Fifth tiger: a study of Thai development policy

This fully updated fourth edition of this popular guide introduces readers to the collection, uses, and interpretation of statistical data in the social sciences. Since it has been nearly 15 years since the third edition first appeared, this is a heavily updated edition. Separate chapters are the national economy, wealth, income, poverty, labor, business statistics, and public opinion polling, with a concluding chapter devoted to the common problem of ambiguity in social science statistics. Each chapter includes multiple case studies illustrating the controversies, overview of data sources including web sites, chapter summary and a set of case study questions designed to stimulate further thought, and detailed notes providing references for all the controversies discussed in the chapter.
A national comparison of laparoscopic vs. open colectomy using the national surgical quality improvement project data

INTRODUCTION: We used a publicly available limited data set from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project to assess the preoperative risk factors and postoperative complication rates reported for laparoscopic colectomy and open colectomy. METHODS: Patients were evaluated from this nationally reported database who underwent either laparoscopic colectomy (n = 2728) or open colectomy (n = 4719) from December 1, 2005 through September 1, 2007. RESULTS: Body mass index was similar for laparoscopic (27.9, SD 5.8) and open colectomy patients (28.0, SD 7.2). The open colectomy group had significantly higher rates of diabetes (16.0 percent vs. 12.0 percent), smoking (18.0 percent vs. 15.0 percent), dyspnea (14.0 percent vs. 9.0 percent), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (7.0 percent vs. 4.0 percent), congestive heart failure (2.0 percent vs. 0.6 percent), myocardial infarction within previous 6 months (0.9 percent vs. 0.4 percent), and hypertension (54 percent vs. 50 percent). All perioperative complications were more frequent in the open colectomy group; mortality (4.9 percent vs. 0.8 percent), surgical site infections (12 percent vs. 8.0 percent), wound disruption (2.0 percent vs. 0.8 percent), pneumonia (5.0 percent vs. 2.0 percent), and acute renal failure (1.0 percent vs. 0.3 percent). CONCLUSION: The data, derived from the publicly available limited data set from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project audit process, suggest a higher rate for all commonly identified complications for open compared to laparoscopic colectomy; however, open colectomy patients have an apparent higher preoperative risk.
Activation of wild-type and ΔF508-CFTR by phosphodiesterase inhibitors through cAMP-dependent and -independent mechanisms

The cAMP-dependent activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and its modulation through inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDE) were studied with the cell-attached patch-clamp technique in Calu-3 cells (expressing endogenous CFTR) and NIH3T3 cells [expressing either wild-type (Wt)-CFTR or ΔF508-CFTR]. In Calu-3 cells, CFTR current was augmented by increasing concentrations of 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (CPT–cAMP) and reached a saturating level at ≥60 µM. Varying the forskolin concentration also modulated CFTR activity; 10 µM was maximally effective since supplemental application of 200 µM CPT–cAMP had no additional effect. Activation of CFTR by increasing the cAMP concentration occurs through an increase of the NP o (product of the number of functional channels and the open probability) since the single-channel amplitude remains unchanged. In Calu-3 and NIH3T3-Wt cells, PDE inhibitors, milrinone (100 µM), 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX, 25 µM), and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 200 µM), did not enhance CFTR current initially activated with 10 µM forskolin, but each potentiated CFTR activity elicited with a submaximal forskolin concentration (e.g., 100 nM) and prolonged the deactivation of CFTR channel current upon removal of forskolin. Millimolar IBMX increased the NP o of both Wt- and ΔF508-CFTR even under maximal cAMP stimulation. Quantitatively, these effects of millimolar IBMX on NP o approximate those of genistein, which potentiates the cAMP-dependent CFTR activity via a mechanism that does not involve increases in cellular cAMP. Thus, depending on the concentration, PDE inhibitors may affect CFTR through different mechanisms.
Neural networks for supervised pitch tracking in noise

Determination of pitch in noise is challenging because of corrupted harmonic structure. In this paper, we extract pitch using supervised learning, where probabilistic pitch states are directly learned from noisy speech. We investigate two alternative neural networks modeling the pitch states given observations. The first one is the feedforward deep neural network (DNN), which is trained on static frame-level features. The second one is the recurrent deep neural network (RNN) capable of learning the temporal dynamics trained on sequential frame-levelfeatures. Both DNNs andRNNs produceaccurate probabilisticoutputs of pitch states, which are then connected into pitch contours by Viterbi decoding. Our systematic evaluation shows that the proposed pitch tracking approaches are robust to different noise conditions and significantly outperform current state-of-the-art pitch tracking techniques.
Analysis of wax and resin components from Minnesota peat bog

Abstract A peat sample from a Minnesota (St. Louis County) bog was examined for waxy and resin components by exttraction with petroleum ether (35–60°), chloroform and ethyl acetate. The waxy solids were separated from the resins by crystallization from methanol at 0°C. A sample of wax was saponified with 0.5 N NaOH for 4 h. Wax, resin, unsaponified and saponified fractions were analyzed with a Hewlett-Packard Model No. 5995 MS/GC/DA system equipped with a fusedsilica capillary column, internally coated with SE-30. All fractions contained C21 through C27 alkanes, n-alcohols, straight-chain fatty acids, phenolic acids, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and triterpenoids. Many of the compounds isolated and identified have not been previously reported in peat analyses.
The Horizontal Distribution of Female Managers within Organizations

Whereas the issue of vertical sex segregation of women within organizations has received a great deal of attention in recent years, much less attention has been given to horizontal sex segregation....
Performance evaluation of merged satellite rainfall products based on spatial and seasonal signatures of hydrologic predictability

Abstract Despite the inherent estimation uncertainty, remote sensing based rainfall data have enormous value for stream flow simulation. Recent investigations have shown that the historical performance of satellite products in hydrologic prediction can be a useful (diagnostic) proxy for merging products to a more superior performing state for prognostic simulations (i.e., forward in time). Using a hydrologic model set-up over the entire Mississippi River Basin (MRB) and three widely used satellite rainfall products (3B42RT, CMORPH and PERSIANN-CCS), this study explored a merging scheme based on runoff predictability. The spatial and temporal signatures of variability were closely investigated to understand the impact on prediction skill of the merging scheme. The spatial variability (i.e., non-uniform) considered the grid box by grid box variation at the native resolution of individual satellite products, while the temporal variability (i.e., non-stationary) was confined to variation in 3 month-long seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall). When both the spatial and temporal variability in runoff predictability was leveraged, the merging scheme yielded the largest improvement over individual product's performance forward in time. During an independent validation assessment, the stream flow simulated by the merged product was more strongly correlated with observed discharge (than individual products) at 12 gauging stations. In terms of reduction in root mean squared error (RMSE), the merged product showed an improvement of 57% for 3B42RT, 63% for CMORPH and 68% for PERSIANN-CCS products. The investigation clearly showed that any ‘operational’ and hydrologic predictability-based merging scheme for unifying available satellite rainfall products must factor in both the spatial and temporal signatures of runoff predictability to achieve consistently more superior prognostic skill.
Anti-CD3 × Anti-GD2 Bispecific Antibody Redirects T-Cell Cytolytic Activity to Neuroblastoma Targets

Background. The ganglioside GD2 is an attractive target for immunotherapy of neuroectodermal tumors. We tested a unique bispecific antibody anti-CD3 � anti-GD2 (3F8BiAb) for its ability to redirect activated T cells (ATC) to target GD2-positive neuroblastomas. Procedure. ATC were generated from normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by stimulating the PBMC with OKT3 and expanding the T cells in the presence of interleukin 2 (IL2) for 14 days. ATC were armed with 3F8BiAb (100 ng/10 6 cells) or Her2BiAb (50 ng/10 6 cells) prior to use. 3F8 BiAb were tested for its dual-binding specificity to GD2 expressed on cancer cell lines and CD3 expressed on ATC. 3F8BiAb-armed ATC were further tested ex vivo for their cytotoxicity against GD2 positive tumor targets and its ability to induce cytokine response upon binding to targets. Results. GD2 expression in neuroblastoma cells was confirmed by FACS analysis. Specific binding of 3F8BiAb to the tumor targets as well as to ATC was confirmed by FACS analysis. 3F8BiAb-armed ATC exhibited specific killing of GD2 positive neuroblastoma cell lines significantly above unarmed ATC (P < 0.001). GD2BiAb-armed ATC secreted significantly higher levels of Th1 cytokines and chemokines compared to unarmed ATC (P < 0.001). Conclusions. These preclinical findings support the potential of a novel immunotherapeutic approach to target T cells to neuroblastoma. Pediatr
Expression of Notch pathway proteins correlates with albuminuria, glomerulosclerosis, and renal function

Recent studies indicate that the Notch signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of diabetic kidney disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here we analyzed the degree of expression and localization of Notch ligands (Jagged1 and Delta1) and activated (cleaved) receptors (Notch1 and Notch2) in healthy human kidneys and in renal biopsies from a wide variety of kidney diseases. These included patients with minimal change disease, membranous nephropathy, lupus nephritis ISN/RPS classes III/IV/V, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, crescentic glomerulonephritis, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, IgA nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, and FSGS. We found that cleaved Notch1, Notch2, and Jagged1 are expressed on podocytes in proteinuric nephropathies and their level of expression correlated with the amount of proteinuria across all disease groups. The degree of glomerulosclerosis correlated with podocyte expression of cleaved Notch1, while the severity of tubulointerstitial fibrosis and the estimated glomerular filtration rate correlated with expression of cleaved Notch1 in the tubulointerstitium. Hence, our results raise the possibility that Notch pathway activation is a common mechanism in the pathophysiology of a wide range of acquired renal diseases.
Eugene – A Domain Specific Language for Specifying and Constraining Synthetic Biological Parts, Devices, and Systems

Background Synthetic biological systems are currently created by an ad-hoc, iterative process of specification, design, and assembly. These systems would greatly benefit from a more formalized and rigorous specification of the desired system components as well as constraints on their composition. Therefore, the creation of robust and efficient design flows and tools is imperative. We present a human readable language (Eugene) that allows for the specification of synthetic biological designs based on biological parts, as well as provides a very expressive constraint system to drive the automatic creation of composite Parts (Devices) from a collection of individual Parts. Results We illustrate Eugene's capabilities in three different areas: Device specification, design space exploration, and assembly and simulation integration. These results highlight Eugene's ability to create combinatorial design spaces and prune these spaces for simulation or physical assembly. Eugene creates functional designs quickly and cost-effectively. Conclusions Eugene is intended for forward engineering of DNA-based devices, and through its data types and execution semantics, reflects the desired abstraction hierarchy in synthetic biology. Eugene provides a powerful constraint system which can be used to drive the creation of new devices at runtime. It accomplishes all of this while being part of a larger tool chain which includes support for design, simulation, and physical device assembly.
Cryoprotection of lipid membranes for high-resolution solid-state NMR studies of membrane peptides and proteins at low temperature

Solid-state NMR spectra of membrane proteins often show significant line broadening at cryogenic temperatures. Here we investigate the effects of several cryoprotectants to preserve the spectral resolution of lipid membranes and membrane peptides at temperatures down to ~200 K. Trehalose, glycerol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), were chosen. These compounds are commonly used in protein crystallography and cryobiology. 13C and 1H magic-angle-spinning spectra of several types of lipid membranes show that DMSO provides the best resolution enhancement over unprotected membranes and also best retards ice formation at low temperature. DMF and PEG-400 show slightly weaker cryoprotection, while glycerol and trehalose neither prevent membrane line broadening nor prevent ice formation under the conditions of our study. Neutral saturated-chain phospholipids are the most amenable to cryoprotection, whereas negatively charged and unsaturated lipids attenuate cryoprotection. 13C–1H dipolar couplings and 31P chemical shift anisotropies indicate that high spectral resolution at low temperature is correlated with stronger immobilization of the lipids at high temperature, indicating that line narrowing results from reduction of the conformational space sampled by the lipid molecules at high temperature. DMSO selectively narrowed the linewidths of the most disordered residues in the influenza M2 transmembrane peptide, while residues that exhibit narrow linewidths in the unprotected membrane are less impacted. A relatively rigid β-hairpin antimicrobial peptide, PG-1, showed a linewidth increase of ~0.5 ppm over a ~70 K temperature drop both with and without cryoprotection. Finally, a short-chain saturated lipid, DLPE, exhibits excellent linewidths, suggesting that it may be a good medium for membrane protein structure determination. The three best cryoprotectants found in this work—DMSO, PEG, and DMF—should be useful for low-temperature membrane-protein structural studies by SSNMR without compromising spectral resolution.
The biochemistry of microbial alkane oxidation: new insights and perspectives

Abstract The physiological response of Acinetobacter sp. to alkane oxidation results in the intracellular accumulation of alkane and synthesis of new intracellular membrane. Biochemical changes coincident with this response are increased phospholipid biosynthesis, repression of the novo fatty acid biosynthesis, and specific quantitative variations in cellular and extracellular lipids.
Evaluations of Ingroup and Outgroup Members: The Role of Category-Based Expectancy Violation

Examines the role of category-based expectancy violation in explaining extreme evaluations of ingroup and outgroup members. In three experiments, descriptions about ingroup and outgroup targets were varied to manipulate expectancy violation. Participants evaluated the global favorability and rated the trait characteristics of either an ingroup or an outgroup target. In addition, they indicated the extent to which the targets violated category-based expectancies. Experiment 1, which included two different scenarios that violated category-based expectancies, showed that expectancy violation affected global evaluations of target favorability and that measured expectancies mediated these evaluations. Experiment 2 replicated Experiment 1 and showed that ingroup and outgroup targets were evaluated similarly when category-based expectancies were not violated. Experiment 3 presented positive job resumes that violated or did not violate stereotyped expectancies for female and male job applicants. The results showed that female and male targets were evaluated more positively when they violated stereotyped expectations for their gender group and that these outcomes were not modified by the subject's group membership. The results are discussed in terms of expectancy-violation theory as well as assumed-characteristics and cognitive-complexity theories.
An overmoded 140 GHz, 1 kW quasioptical gyro-twt with an internal mode converter

The design and experimental study of a 140 GHz, 1 kW gyro-traveling wave tube (Gyro-TWT) operating in the HE 06 mode of a confocal waveguide is presented. A combination of quasioptical gain sections with dielectric loaded severs enables high gain operation with mode selectivity. A nanosecond-scale 120 mW pulse driver at 140 GHz was demonstrated. This input driver pulse will be amplified by the Gyro-TWT and the resulting output high-power short pulse will be transmitted to an EPR spectrometer probe. A quasioptical mode converter utilized to transform the higher order operating confocal mode into a Gaussian-like beam was designed and cold tested. The simulated and measured Gaussian beam patterns of the output mode converter are in good agreement.
The Golden Tapetal Sheen Reflex in Retinal Disease

A mother and son with dominant cone dystrophy manifested the retinal reflexes seen in Oguchi's disease (mother) and the carrier female of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (son). Another patient with cone dystrophy (simplex) showed localized areas of a golden reflex in each eye. A patient with juvenile macular dystrophy exhibited a diffuse golden-orange reflex throughout the posterior pole. The latter two patients did not have the Mizuo phenomenon.
Semantic–Syntactic Partial Word Knowledge Growth Through Reading

Purpose Incidental reading provides a powerful opportunity for partial word knowledge growth in the school-age years. The extent to which children of differing language abilities can use reading ex...
Quantitative gas chromatography of steroid methoxime-trimethylsilyl ethers

Abstract A method of preparing the 0-methyloxime trimethylsilyl ethers of nanomole quantitites of C 19 -and C 21 -steroids is described. The derivatives, identified by their mass spectra, can be separated and quantitated by gas chromatography using either isothermal or temperature programmed conditions. Thermal instability renders many free steroids unsuitable for gas-liquid chromatography. Derivative formation, such as the conversion of hydroxyl groups to trimethylsilyl ethers and of ketones to methoximes (0-methyloximes) overcomes this problem (3–9). In earlier investigations, large amounts of steroids were employed and quantitation was not investigated. We describe a gas chromatographic method of separation and quantitation of small amounts of C 19 — and C 21 -steroids as their methoxime-trimethylsilyl ethers. The derivatives were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This technique is rapid and has been applied to the analysis of steroids in tissues and biological fluids (9).
Video self-modeling is more effective than peer modeling to teach textual responses to children with autism

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Marcus, A., & Wilder, D. A. (2009). A comparison of peer video modeling and self-video modeling to teach textual responses in children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 335–341. Source of funding and disclosure of interest: No source of funding reported, and the original authors of this research report no conflicts of interest.
KERNEL OF A MAP OF A SHIFT ALONG THE ORBITS OF CONTINUOUS FLOWS

Let F:M × $$ \mathbb{R} $$ → M be a continuous flow on a topological manifold M. For every subset $$ V \subset M $$ , we denote by P(V) the set of all continuous functions $$ \xi :V \to \mathbb{R} $$ such that $$ {\text{F}}\left( {x,\xi (x)} \right) = x $$ for all $$ x \in V $$ . These functions vanish at nonperiodic points of the flow, while their values at periodic points are integer multiples of the corresponding periods (in general, not minimal). In this paper, the structure of P(V) is described for an arbitrary connected open subset $$ V \subset M $$ .
Adolescent-parent relationships and leaving home in young adulthood.

In this chapter, we present a model of adolescent development that emphasizes the relationship dynamics of autonomy and relatedness. Research findings from concurrent and longitudinal analyses are reviewed to support the model, particularly regarding the process of leaving home in young adulthood.
Successful percutaneous retrieval of methyl methacrylate orthopedic cement embolism from the pulmonary artery

Vertebroplasty cement embolization into the venous system has long been recognized as a potential complication, but the true incidence of systemic embolization is unknown. Clinical presentations range from patients who are asymptomatic or have incidental findings on imaging to massive pulmonary embolism resulting in death. Optimal treatment is controversial and the natural history is unknown. We present the case of an 85-year-old female undergoing combined laminectomy and vertebroplasty with subsequent pulmonary embolism of the cement which was successfully retrieved from a percutaneous approach.
Motivating students of mixed efficacy profiles in technology skills classes: A case study

Students usually enter technology skills courses with varying experience and self-efficacy with technology. Teaching classes with mixed-efficacy at the same pace and level of contents may not ensure that all students would be equally motivated. This qualitative study explored strategies for motivating mixed profile classes by comparing learning behaviors of high and low efficacy students in an undergraduate technology skills course. It was found that low-efficacy students could be motivated by providing them with opportunities to acclimatize to the use of technical vocabulary and a technical environment. On the other hand, high-efficacy students could be motivated with opportunities to learn new technical contents. The study identified three critical stages of motivation and the strategies that could be adopted by instructors.
Risk for laparoscopic fenestration of liver cysts

Background: Laparoscopic fenestration is considered the best treatment for symptomatic simple liver cysts. Conversely, the laparoscopic approach for the management of hydatid simple liver cysts is not widely accepted because of the risk for severe complications. Despite improvement in imaging techniques, the probability of preoperatively mistaking a hydatid liver cyst for a simple liver cyst remains about 5%. Therefore, laparoscopic fenestration, planned for a liver cyst could be performed unintentionally for an undiagnosed hydatid liver cyst. Methods: From January 2000 to January 2001, 15 patients with a diagnosis of liver cyst underwent laparoscopy for fenestration. In all cases preoperative serologic and imaging assessment had excluded hydatid liver cyst. To further exclude hydatid liver cyst, preliminary aspiration of the cyst with assessment of cystic fluid characteristics was performed. Results: In two patients with presumedly simple liver cyst, hydatid liver cyst was diagnosed instead at laparoscopy by aspiration of cystic fluid. The procedure was converted to laparotomy with subtotal pericystectomy. Conclusions: The risk of misdiagnosing a hydatid liver cyst for a simple liver cyst, especially in the presence of a solitary cyst, should be considered before laparoscopic fenestration is performed. Intraoperative aspiration of cyst fluid before fenestration can minimize this risk, thus avoiding severe intraoperative and late complications.
Using electronic health records to drive discovery in disease genomics

If genomic studies are to be a clinically relevant and timely reflection of the relationship between genetics and health status--whether for common or rare variants--cost-effective ways must be found to measure both the genetic variation and the phenotypic characteristics of large populations, including the comprehensive and up-to-date record of their medical treatment. The adoption of electronic health records, used by clinicians to document clinical care, is becoming widespread and recent studies demonstrate that they can be effectively employed for genetic studies using the informational and biological 'by-products' of health-care delivery while maintaining patient privacy.