cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secondary Somatic Mutations Restoring BRCA1/2 Predict Chemotherapy Resistance in Hereditary Ovarian Carcinomas

Purpose Secondary somatic BRCA1/2 mutations may restore BRCA1/2 protein in hereditary ovarian carcinomas. In cell lines, BRCA2 restoration mediates resistance to platinum chemotherapy and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. We assessed primary and recurrent BRCA1/2-mutated ovarian carcinomas to define the frequency of secondary mutations and correlate these changes with clinical outcomes. Methods Neoplastic cells were isolated with laser capture microdissection, and DNA was sequenced at the site of the known germline BRCA1/2 mutation. When secondary mutations were found that restored wild-type sequence, haplotyping was performed using single nucleotide polymorphisms in tumor and paired lymphocyte DNA to rule out retention of the wild-type allele. Results There were 64 primary and 46 recurrent ovarian carcinomas assessed. Thirteen (28.3%) of 46 (95% CI, 17.3% to 42.6%) recurrent carcinomas had a secondary mutation compared with two (3.1%) of 64 (95% CI, 1.0% to 10.7%) primary carcinomas (P = .0...
Brachyolmia: radiographic and genetic evidence of heterogeneity.

Brachyolmia refers to a form of skeletal dysplasia characterized by general platyspondyly without significant epiphyseal, metaphyseal, or diaphyseal changes in the long bones. As a result of a study of 11 patients from 7 different families and a review of the literature we propose that there are 3 and possibly 4 different types of brachyolmia: 1. Hobaek type--an autosomal recessive condition with universal platyspondyly, irregular, and reduced intervertebral spaces and marked extension of the lateral margins of the vertebrae. Rectangular and elongated vertebral bodies are seen on lateral views of the spine, which become more pronounced with age. Toledo type--radiographically similar to Hobaek type but also associated with corneal opacities and precocious ossification of costal cartilage. It is uncertain as to whether this represents variability or heterogeneity. 2. Maroteaux type--an autosomal recessive disorder that is distinguished from Hobaek type by rounding of the anterior and posterior vertebral borders with less elongation on lateral view and less lateral extension on A.P. view. This type may be associated with precocious calcification of the falx cerebri, and minor facial anomalies. 3. Dominant type--a previously underscribed form which we have observed in a mother and her son. This type has the most severe vertebral changes with flattening and irregularities of the cervical spine. These clinical, radiological, and genetic differences suggest genetic heterogeneity in this group of platyspondylic disorders.
eSCA: a thin-client/server/Web-enabled system for distributed supply chain simulation

eSCA is a client server, Web-enabled architecture and front-end system for IBM's Supply Chain Analyzer (SCA), a new "best-of breed" software tool and methodology for measuring, analyzing, and reengineering complex supply chains. eSCA extends the capability of SCA through a computing network with server-based and Web-enabled functionality. ESCA consists of two distinct versions: eManager and Web-enabled SCA. The eManager version provides model catalogs, interactive modeling, seamless model/file transfer, batch experiments, and post-simulation data analysis. The Web-enabled version provides a rapid way for users to access SCA through the Web. The software development process for eSCA adopted the unified process: use-case driven, architecture-centric, iterative and incremental. This paper focuses on the eSCA use cases and the application architecture. It is shown that eSCA is a reusable architecture for many different applications.
The Importance of Exercise for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Due to fatigue and muscle weakness, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have low levels of physical activity1. The decline in physical capacity in this patient cohort is noteworthy as it is associated with deconditioning and muscle wasting, declining kidney function and an increased risk of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease 2. Thus a downward spiral between disease, disuse and deconditioning exists leading to a reduced quality of life, increased hospitalization rates and mortality.
The Sur1-Trpm4 Channel in Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major unsolved challenge in medicine. Impact trauma to the spinal cord shears blood vessels, causing an immediate ‘primary hemorrhage’. During the hours following trauma, the region of hemorrhage enlarges progressively, with delayed or ‘secondary hemorrhage’ adding to the primary hemorrhage, and effectively doubling its volume. The process responsible for the secondary hemorrhage that results in early expansion of the hemorrhagic lesion is termed ‘progressive hemorrhagic necrosis’ (PHN). PHN is a dynamic process of auto destruction whose molecular underpinnings are only now beginning to be elucidated. PHN results from the delayed, progressive, catastrophic failure of the structural integrity of capillaries. The resulting ‘capillary fragmentation’ is a unique, pathognomonic feature of PHN. Recent work has implicated the Sur1-Trpm4 channel that is newly upregulated in penumbral microvessels as being required for the development of PHN. Targeting the Sur1-Trpm4 channel by gene deletion, gene suppression, or pharmacological inhibition of either of the two channel subunits, Sur1 or Trpm4, yields exactly the same effects histologically and functionally, and exactly the same unique, pathognomonic phenotype – the prevention of capillary fragmentation. The potential advantage of inhibiting Sur1-Trpm4 channels using glibenclamide is a highly promising strategy for ameliorating the devastating sequelae of spinal cord trauma in humans.
In vitro development of resistance to DX-619 and other quinolones in enterococci.

Conclusions: The relatively high frequencies at which single-step mutants were selected with all drugs indicate that caution is necessary if quinolones are to be considered for monotherapy of serious enterococcal infections. DX-619, the most potent quinolone, may have potential as an anti-enterococcal agent if sufficient concentrations can be safely attained in vivo.
Computer-aided design of a BPSK spread-spectrum chip set

The design of a binary-phase shift-keyed (BPSK) spread-spectrum chip set with an integrated CAD environment called VANDA is described. VANDA uses the functional compiler concept to integrate system and physical designs, thus allowing complex high-performance integrated circuit chips to be implemented easily. Three functional compilers have been designed and implemented for the design of a spread-spectrum transceiver: a pseudonoise (PN) generator compiler, a direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS) compiler, and a Costas loop compiler. Three test chips for a BPSK digital intermediate frequency (IF) spread-spectrum system generated by these compilers have been fabricated and tested. Details of each of the functional compilers and the test chips are described. In addition, the measurement results for digital IF transceiver test boards constructed using these chips are presented. >
Efficiently Parsable Extensions to Tree-Local Multicomponent TAG

Recent applications of Tree-Adjoining Grammar (TAG) to the domain of semantics as well as new attention to syntactic phenomena have given rise to increased interested in more expressive and complex multicomponent TAG formalisms (MCTAG). Although many constructions can be modeled using tree-local MCTAG (TL-MCTAG), certain applications require even more flexibility. In this paper we suggest a shift in focus from constraining locality and complexity through tree-and set-locality to constraining locality and complexity through restrictions on the derivational distance between trees in the same tree set in a valid derivation. We examine three formalisms, restricted NS-MCTAG, restricted Vector-TAG and delayed TL-MCTAG, that use notions of derivational distance to constrain locality and demonstrate how they permit additional expressivity beyond TL-MCTAG without increasing complexity to the level of set local MCTAG.
Molecular Pathways: Targeting MYC-induced Metabolic Reprogramming and Oncogenic Stress in Cancer

MYC is a multi-functional transcription factor that is deregulated in many human cancers. MYC impacts a collaborative genetic program that orchestrates cell proliferation, metabolism, and stress responses. Although the progression of MYC-amplified tumors shows robust dependence on MYC activity, directly targeting MYC as a therapeutic method has proven to be technically difficult. Therefore, alternative approaches are currently under development with a focus on interference with MYC-mediated downstream effects. To fuel rapid cell growth, MYC reprograms cancer cell metabolism in a way that is substantially different from normal cells. The MYC-induced metabolic signature is characterized by enhanced glucose and glutamine uptake, increased lactate production, and altered amino acid metabolism. Targeting MYC-reprogrammed cancer cell metabolism is considered to be promising based on multiple preclinical studies. In addition, the increased biosynthetic demand of MYC-driven tumors coupled with limited nutrient access within tumor microenvironments create multiple levels of oncogenic stress, which can also be utilized as tumor-specific targets for pharmacological intervention. Presumably, the best therapeutic strategy for treating MYC-amplified tumors is combined targeting of multiple MYC-mediated pathways, especially those involved in regulating cell proliferation, metabolism, and oncogenic stress.
A Special Fiber Optic Sensor for Measuring Wheel Loads of Vehicles on Highways

This paper presents results from an investigation on a special optical fiber as a load sensor for application in Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems to measure wheel loads of vehicles traveling at normal speed on highways. The fiber used has a unique design with two concentric light guiding regions of different effective optical path lengths, which has the potential to enable direct measurement of magnitudes as well as locations of forces acting at multiple points along a single fiber. The optical characteristic of the fiber for intended sensing purpose was first assessed by a simple fiber bending experiment and by correlating the bend radii with the output light signal intensities. A simple laboratory load transmitting/fiber bending device was then designed and fabricated to appropriately bend the optical fiber under applied loads in order to make the fiber work as load sensor. The device with the optical fiber was tested under a universal loading machine and an actual vehicle wheel in the laboratory. The test results showed a good relationship between the magnitude of the applied load and the output optical signal changes. The results also showed a good correlation between the time delay between the inner and outer core light pulses and the distance of the applied load as measured from the output end of the fiber.
Empirical mode decomposition as a tool for DNA sequence analysis from terahertz spectroscopy measurements

DNA sequence analysis has been widely studied by gene-expression microarray techniques. Few results, however, have been provided by Terahertz spectroscopy which reveals the absorbtion or reflectance percentage from different DNA sequences. Previous Terahertz methods have lacked a quantitative analysis of the spectroscopy features, and no definitive conclusion regarding the data can be easily drawn. In this paper, we use a signal processing approach which gives a quantitative interpretation of the DNA spectroscopy. Due to the presence of physical noise, the data can be contaminated by both random fluctuations and impulsive noise. A new signal processing tool called empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is employed to remove the noise and extract the trend of the signal. The data is subsequently partitioned by clustering methods. Experimental results of Terahertz spectroscopy of several different DNA samples show that the EMD aids the clustering process and yields clustering of higher validity than that obtained from the raw data.
Palmar Dislocation of the Trapezoid With Coronal Shearing Fracture: Case Report

We report an unusual variant of a palmar trapezoid dislocation with a shearing fracture of the dorsal cortex treated with mini-fragment screw fixation. This patient's treatment is compared to the few previously published reports of palmarly dislocated trapezoids to assist hand surgeons facing this uncommon injury.
Empirical Antifungal Therapy in Treating Febrile Neutropenic Patients

Persistent or recurrent unexplained fever in neutropenic patients receiving antibiotics can be caused by invasive fungal infections, which are often difficult to diagnose. Early trials of empirical antifungal therapy with amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmB) documented reductions in the frequency of and the morbidity and mortality associated with invasive fungal infections. Because of AmB's infusional and renal toxicities, subsequent trials used newer, less toxic agents, such as the lipid formulations of AmB, the extended-spectrum azoles, and, more recently, the echinocandins. To date, alternatives to AmB have shown less toxicity, but improved efficacy has been less clear. Overall, empirical antifungal therapy can help prevent the morbidity associated with many fungal infections, eliminate concerns about diagnostic pitfalls, and prevent breakthrough undetected infections. However, its potential shortcomings are overtreatment, toxicity, and increased treatment-related costs when treatment is given to persons not needing it. Newer diagnostic tools are needed to target those most in need of antifungal therapy.
Complete Pure-Mode Balanced Measurement System

Previously, the first author has shown that the nonlinear behavior (e.g. gain compression or TOI) of some balanced amplifiers can be accurately measured using single-ended measurements: amplifiers that have a balanced stage before a non-linear stage; other amplifiers require true-mode drive to give correct differential and common-mode results. This paper describes, for the first time, a complete solution to the problem of true-mode measurements. The system and method included in this makes use of a dual-source VNA to produce either pure-differential or pure-common-mode drives in both the forward and reverse direction. A method for correcting drive signal errors due to mismatch between the VNA and the device under test is introduced, as well as a method to provide full balanced error correction to all terms. It's remarkable that small modifications to a standard single-ended 4-port calibration provides all the required error terms.
Calcium-dependent mitochondrial function and dysfunction in neurons

Calcium is an extraordinarily versatile signaling ion, encoding cellular responses to a wide variety of external stimuli. In neurons, mitochondria can accumulate enormous amounts of calcium, with the consequence that mitochondrial calcium uptake, sequestration and release play pivotal roles in orchestrating calcium-dependent responses as diverse as gene transcription and cell death. In this review, we consider the basic chemistry of calcium as a 'sticky' cation, which leads to extremely high bound/free ratios, and discuss areas of current interest or controversy. Topics addressed include methodologies for measuring local intracellular calcium, mitochondrial calcium buffering and loading capacity, mitochondrially directed spatial calcium gradients, and the role of calcium overload-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction in glutamate-evoked excitotoxic injury and neurodegeneration. Finally, we consider the relationship between delayed calcium de-regulation, the mitochondrial permeability transition and the generation of reactive oxygen species, and propose a unified view of the 'source specificity' and 'calcium overload' models of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent excitotoxicity. Non-NMDA receptor mechanisms of excitotoxicity are discussed briefly.
An Approach to a Science of Administration.

Writers on public administration place much emphasis upon the possibilities and importance of discovering and applying scientific principles in their field of study. But very few of them have ventured to state the basic premises upon which they seek to build that science. Many of those whose writings imply that major principles have been discovered announce, not premises, but conclusions, which, regardless of their practical merits, can hardly be called anything but opinions. On the other hand, several scholars seek to escape from errors of commission by avoiding the use of such scientific terms as “principles” or “efficiency.” If they go beyond descriptive analyses to advocate particular plans of organization or methods of procedure, they use terms which denote value judgments, thereby admitting by implication that they are expressing mere opinions. In a few published discourses, basic premises are stated and reasoning is developed therefrom. However, most of those premises—or “principles”—are referred to by name only, such as “the principle of leadership”; they are not stated in terms of precise causal relations which can be verified or which can serve adequately as bases for further reasoning.It may be regarded as unwise to venture a statement of what one considers the basic premises upon which a science of administration may be built. But every body of theory is built upon fundamental assumptions, either expressed or implied. Moreover, a body of theory is complete, and has scientific value, only when the premises are sufficiently clear to permit objective scrutiny and verification. Erroneous hypotheses, stated precisely, may be more scientific than vague or unexpressed assumptions; for only the former will lend themselves to verification. In other words, trial and error is an essential part of scientific method.
EFFECTS OF HYPOPHYSIAL STALK RESECTION ON THE HYPOPHYSIS AND HYPOTHALAMUS OF MAN

IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED that severing the hypophysial stalk in monkeys, without injury to the median eminence of the tuber cinereum, causes no evident modification in the water intake or urine output (i, 2, 3). But if the resection is so high that only half or less of the median eminence is left intact, severe diabetes insipidus invariably follows, as is also the case when the supraopticc hypophysial nerve tract is cut bilaterally in the hypothalamus (4). Since there are species differences, it is not only desirablebut in many cases necessary to check animal experiments by comparable clinical cases before application can be made to man, although there are indications that about the same results should be expected in human beings in this instance (5, 6). The present case is also of special interest because elevated blood pressure in certain cases has been regarded by some as an expression of hyperactivity of the hypophysis.
Self-Defense/Assertiveness Training, Women’s Victimization History, and Psychological Characteristics

Little research has been conducted to determine which characteristics and experiences affect women’s choices to enroll in self-defense/assertiveness training. The present study examined the role of self-defense/assertiveness training in women’s lives using data from 3,187 female college students. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that women with multiple forms of childhood victimization (e.g., both child sexual and physical abuse) were almost twice as likely to participate in self-defense/assertiveness training. Training participants also reported more positive instrumental traits (e.g., independence) and less sexual conservatism than nonparticipants. Implications for future research evaluating self-defense programs are discussed.
A motion environment for wireless communications systems simulations

We describe the environment and motion systems used in a parallel, discrete event large scale wireless simulator. The simulator is capable of supporting user motion on multiple environment types (different types of streets, buildings etc.) and provides a unified and intuitive interface to users whilst being efficient for the systems that make use of it. This is achieved by making use of a hierarchical environment description. With this approach, users can provide different levels of detail as required, whilst the motion systems have a simple interface to interrogate the environment. As there is a close coupling between the environment and the RF data required by the wireless simulator (which is considerable in size), this too is represented in a hierarchical manner. This allows a more efficient use of system memory with only the data that is required being loaded.
Offshore Drilling and Production: A Short History

Drilling in Louisiana’s marshes and shallow waters is as old as anyone there can remember, and – for better or worse – the expanding presence of the oil and gas industry has changed everyone’s lives. An oral history1 captures the richness and complexity of interactions between people and the technology that invaded the small fishing and shrimping communities. Here is but one short excerpt.
Cyclic stretch regulates autocrine IGF-I in vascular smooth muscle cells: Implications in vascular hyperplasia

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) subjected to acute or chronic stretch display enhanced growth rates in vitro and in vivo. Clinical examples of vascular hyperplasia (e.g., systolic hypertension and postinjury restenosis) suggest that local insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) expression is enhanced. Therefore, we investigated the role of in vitro cyclic stretch on rat VSMC IGF-I secretion and cellular growth. In serum-free medium, cyclic stretch (1 Hz at 120% resting length for 48 h) stimulated thymidine incorporation approximately 40% above that seen in nonstretched cells. Graded stretch magnitude (100-125% resting length) yielded graded increases in VSMC growth. Exogenous IGF-I increased growth of serum-starved, nonstretched VSMC in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal growth seen with 10(-7) M. IGF-I secretion from stretched cells was 20- to 30-fold greater than from those cells cultured in a static environment. Stretch-induced increases in growth were completely blocked on addition of anti-IGF-I and partially blocked with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) antibodies and with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (tyrphostin-1). Finally, blockade of stretch-activated cation channels with GdCl3 profoundly inhibited stretch-induced growth. We conclude that stretch increases VSMC IGF-I secretion and that such autocrine IGF-I is required for stretch-induced growth. PDGF and stretch-sensitive cation channels are likely additional components of a complex pathway that regulates stretch-induced VSMC seen in systolic hypertension and postinjury restenosis.
Looking Back to Look Forward: The Next Ten Years of Spectrum Policy

On November 14, the Silicon Flatirons Center, CTIA - The Wireless Association and Public Knowledge co-sponsored the conference “Looking Back to Look Forward: The Next Ten Years of Spectrum Policy.” This event was held in cooperation with the Federal Communications Bar Association and IEEE-USA.This conference was held at a pivotal moment for spectrum policy, as the year 2012 marks some important anniversaries: a century since the sinking of the Titanic and the resulting 1912 Radio Act; a decade since the FCC’s Spectrum Policy Task Force Report (SPTFR); and the midpoint of an Administration that has welcomed the FCC’s National Broadband Plan, published a Presidential Memorandum calling for 500 MHz of spectrum to be allocated for wireless broadband use, and commissioned a President’s Council of Advisor’s Science and Technology (PCAST) report on ways to realize the full potential of government-held spectrum.
Serotonin Antagonists as Antipsychotics

Recent evidence has indicated that antagonism of serotonin receptor subtypes may, in part, be responsible for the atypical profile of some antipsychotic drugs. In the past, our lab has investigated the neurobiology of the tridecapeptide neurotransmitter neurotensin (NT). NT has been implicated in the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Of particular interest is the finding that acute and chronic treatment with clinically efficacious typical antipsychotic drugs selectively increase NT concentrations in the nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus of rats, while treatment with the atypical antipsychotic clozapine increases NT concentrations in the nucleus accumbens only. Recently, our lab has examined the effects of the putative atypical antipsychotic, sertindole. Sertindole is a potent antagonist of 5-HT2D2anda1-adrenoreceptors and has a high 5-HT2/D2ratio similar to a number of other atypical antipsychotic drugs. Sertindole mimicked the changes in NT concentration produced by the atypical antipsychotic clozapine. These findings support the hypothesis that sertindole may be an atypical antipsychotic and provide further evidence for the role of serotonin receptor antagonism in the mechanism of action of atypical antipsychotic drugs.
Associations Between Discrimination and Cardiovascular Health Among Asian Indians in the United States

Asian Indians (AI) have a high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The study investigated associations between discrimination and (1) cardiovascular risk and (2) self-rated health among AI. Higher discrimination scores were hypothesized to relate to a higher cardiovascular risk score (CRS) and poorer self-rated health. Asian Indians (n = 757) recruited between 2010 and 2013 answered discrimination and self-reported health questions. The CRS (0-8 points) included body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels of AI. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate relationships between discrimination and the CRS and discrimination and self-rated health, adjusting for psychosocial and clinical factors. There were no significant relationships between discrimination and the CRS (p ≥ .05). Discrimination was related to poorer self-reported health, B = -.41 (SE = .17), p = .02. Findings suggest perhaps there are important levels at which discrimination may harm health.
Histopathologic Effects of Culture Filtrates of Clostridium septicum in Rabbit Intestinal Loops

Clostridium septicun is pathogenic for humans and animals and is one of the clostridia capable of potentiating myonecrosis following traumatic injury. In recent years, this organism has been implicated in nontraumatic infections including spontaneous myonecrosis, neutropenic enterocolitis, and bacteremia [1-3]. Such nontraumatic infections are increasingly being diagnosed in individuals suffering from malignancy, neutropenia, diabetes, or severe atherosclerosis, and they tend to be fulminant and associated with high rates of mortality unless treated promptly and aggressively with surgical measures and antimicrobial agents. In patients with C. septicumn bacteremia, the most frequently implicated portal of entry has been the intestinal tract, with or without concomitant neoplastic disease. Autopsies have revealed necrotizing inflammation of the terminal ileum and cecum, and some neutropenic patients with C. septicum bacteremia have died with necrotizing enterocecitis (author's unpublished data) [1]. C. septicum is known to elaborate a variety of potential virulence factors, including two hemolysins, deoxyribonuclease, hyaluronidase, neuraminidase, and fibrinolysin. Previous studies performed in our laboratory showed that crude cell-free culture filtrates of C. septicurn were cytotoxic for Vero and other cell lines. The object of this preliminary study was to survey the responses of rabbit intestinal loops to cell-free culture filtrates of the organism and to compare the histopathologic changes that it causes with those produced by Clostridium difficile. In this preliminary study, we found that the majority of the C. septicum isolates tested produced significant fluid accumulation and histological changes within the rabbit intestinal loop model that were similar to those produced by C. difficile. All 17 strains of C. septicum used in this study were selected from the culture collection of the Anaerobe Labora-
Optically modulated fluorescence bioimaging: visualizing obscured fluorophores in high background.

ConspectusFluorescence microscopy and detection have become indispensible for understanding organization and dynamics in biological systems. Novel fluorophores with improved brightness, photostability, and biocompatibility continue to fuel further advances but often rely on having minimal background. The visualization of interactions in very high biological background, especially for proteins or bound complexes at very low copy numbers, remains a primary challenge. Instead of focusing on molecular brightness of fluorophores, we have adapted the principles of high-sensitivity absorption spectroscopy to improve the sensitivity and signal discrimination in fluorescence bioimaging.Utilizing very long wavelength transient absorptions of kinetically trapped dark states, we employ molecular modulation schemes that do not simultaneously modulate the background fluorescence. This improves the sensitivity and ease of implementation over high-energy photoswitch-based recovery schemes, as no internal dye reference or...
Imaging: Making sensing of incoherence

Obtaining information about an object or medium with an unknown, random scattering potential is notoriously difficult. The projection of random illumination patterns as probe is now shown to help.
In vivo stereological assessment of human cerebellar volume: Effects of gender and age

Intermediate T2-weighted MR images and a systematic sampling stereological method were used in 37 normal volunteers, 24 to 79 years old, to assess the effects of age and sex on cerebellar volume. Female subjects (n = 21) had significantly smaller cerebellar volumes compared with males (n = 16) of similar age (t = -3.9, p less than .0008, two-tail t test). Using straight-line, univariate regression, we determined that age was not a significant predictor of cerebellar volume (R2 = 0.07, t = -1.66, p = 0.11), whereas gender did appear to account for a significant amount of variability in cerebellar volume (R2 = 0.33, t = -4.13, p = .0002). The mean absolute cerebellar volume in this study was 112 ml (SD +/- 16) for all subjects, 104 ml (SD +/- 10) for females, and 122 ml (SD +/- 16) for males. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using MR images along with a systematic stereological method to assess in vivo human cerebellar volume, thereby providing a research tool to correlate cerebellar morphology with cognitive and neuromotor function.
Pressures Toward Mediocrity in the Representation of Children

Representing children in dependency, adoption or guardianship proceedings requires attention to a variety of interests. Children need a voice: an adviser and an advocate whose judgment is unclouded by conflicting interests. Courts need information that the adult parties to the proceedings may not easily discover or willingly provide. The families and social services agencies need monitors and mediators. The attorney guardian ad litem (GAL) is often called upon to meet all these needs. During the past decade, much effort has been devoted to developing standards of competence and attention to the unique and critical demands of child representation.While states and the federal government have recognized the need, many have been unwilling to commit the resources to truly meet the full range of interests. The result is a system that creates pressures for and tolerance of mediocre or passive representation, or what one judge has referred to as a “potted plant” theory of representation of child clients. Evaluative reports of appointed counsel indicate that competence has been a significant concern in representation of children. This essay explores the dimensions of the problem of competence and diligence in children’s representation. First, the practical realities of poor funding and heavy caseloads are described and the ethical obligations of attorneys in these circumstances are explored. Second, the article examines the standards and scope of training requirements being adopted by the states and contrasts these standards to the actual demands of child representation. Finally, the article explores the confused role definitions of attorneys in child welfare representation. The article suggests why that confusion persists and how it may cause attorneys to minimize some of their responsibilities in these cases. The article concludes with some practical suggestions for attorneys in these roles to minimize the pressures toward incomplete representation.
Cyclic AMP Signaling in the Main Olfactory Epithelium

In vertebrates, the majority of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) respond to odor cues through a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)–mediated signaling cascade. Studies over the past three decades have elucidated the core components of the olfactory transduction pathway. Additionally, many of the mechanisms that regulate the transduction process have been explored, including those that may regulate the size and duration of the cAMP transient as well as those that may regulate the impact of cAMP. Regulation of this transduction mechanism governs the alteration of the sensitivity and response kinetics of the olfactory system, thereby allowing the system to accommodate highly variable environmental stimuli. In addition to its critical role in olfactory transduction, cAMP also regulates other cellular processes in OSNs including the targeting of OSN axons during development.
Die Evolution neuer Produkte

Die Evolution neuer Produkte ist ein Prozes, der vom ersten vagen Gefuhl eines Problems oder einer Marktchance bis zur Feststellung des beginnenden Markterfolgs oder zur Aufgabe einer Produktidee fuhrt. Der Ausdruck „Evolution“ ist dabei bewust gewahlt, um die Verwirrung zu vermeiden, welche mit dem Begriff „Entwicklung“ verbunden ist, da letzterer haufig im engeren, technischen Sinne verstanden wird.
Cosmology and time dependent parameters induced by a misaligned light scalar

We consider a scenario where time dependence on physical parameters is introduced by the misalignment of an ultralight scalar field. The initial vacuum expectation value of such field at the early time remains a constant until Hubble becomes comparable to its mass. Interesting cosmological consequences are considered. Light sterile neutrinos hinted by terrestrial neutrino experiments are studied as a benchmark model. We show the big-bang nucleosynthesis constraints can be easily avoided in this scenario, even if reheating temperature is high. The scalar can be naturally light in spite of its couplings to other fields. Parameters of sterile neutrino may remain changing with time nowadays. This can further relax the tension from the recent IceCube constraints.
The cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation paradox in natural waters.

Nitrogen fixation, the enzymatic conversion of atmospheric N (N 2 ) to ammonia (NH 3 ), is a microbially mediated process by which “new” N is supplied to N-deficient water bodies. Certain bloom-forming cyanobacterial species are capable of conducting N 2 fixation; hence, they are able to circumvent N limitation in these waters. However, this anaerobic process is highly sensitive to oxygen, and since cyanobacteria produce oxygen in photosynthesis, they are faced with a paradoxical situation, where one critically important (for supporting growth) biochemical process is inhibited by another. N 2 -fixing cyanobacterial taxa have developed an array of biochemical, morphological, and ecological adaptations to minimize the “oxygen problem”; however, none of these allows N 2 fixation to function at a high enough efficiency so that it can supply N needs at the ecosystem scale, where N losses via denitrification, burial, and advection often exceed the inputs of “new” N by N 2 fixation. As a result, most marine and freshwater ecosystems exhibit chronic N limitation of primary production. Under conditions of perpetual N limitation, external inputs of N from human sources (agricultural, urban, and industrial) play a central role in determining ecosystem fertility and, in the case of N overenrichment, excessive primary production or eutrophication. This points to the importance of controlling external N inputs (in addition to traditional phosphorus controls) as a means of ensuring acceptable water quality and safe water supplies. Nitrogen fixation, the enzymatic conversion of atmospheric N 2 to ammonia (NH 3 ) is a microbially-mediated process by which “new” nitrogen is supplied to N-deficient water bodies. Certain bloom-forming cyanobacterial species are capable of conducting N 2 fixation; hence they are able to circumvent nitrogen limitation in these waters. However, this anaerobic process is highly sensitive to oxygen, and since cyanobacteria produce oxygen in photosynthesis, they are faced with a paradoxical situation, where one critically-important (for supporting growth) biochemical process is inhibited by another. Diazotrophic cyanobacterial taxa have developed an array of biochemical, morphological and ecological adaptations to minimize the “oxygen problem”; however, none of these allows N 2 fixation to function at a high enough efficiency so that it can supply N needs at the ecosystem scale, where N losses via denitrification, burial and advection often exceed the inputs of “new” N by N 2 fixation. As a result, most marine and freshwater ecosystems exhibit chronic N-limitation of primary production. Under conditions of perpetual N limitation, external inputs of N from human sources (agricultural, urban, industrial) play a central role in determining ecosystem fertility and in the case of N-overenrichment, excessive primary production, or eutrophication. This points to the importance of controlling external N inputs (in addition to traditional phosphorus controls) as a means of ensuring acceptable water quality and safe water supplies.
Does clozapine improve competency restoration? a case report of schizophrenia patient opined incompetent to stand trial unlikely to be restored

A number of defendants with chronic psychotic disorders are opined incompetent to stand trial and are subsequently committed for competency restoration. To the best of our knowledge, the role of clozapine in restoring competency among defendants suffering from treatment-resistant schizophrenia has not been previously reported. This article reports a defendant with a diagnosis of treatment-resistant schizophrenia, who was treated with clozapine and restored to competency within a short duration. During a subsequent hospitalization, the same patient was treated with different antipsychotic medications and was found “incompetent to stand trial and unlikely to be restored.” Therefore, clozapine may play an important role in restoring competency in patients with chronic psychotic illness. The authors discuss the potential benefits and underutilization of clozapine therapy in competency restoration.
An Exploration of How Individuals with an Ostomy Communicatively Manage Uncertainty

ABSTRACTIndividuals with an ostomy (a surgical diversion of part of the digestive tract through the abdomen) face a variety of uncertainties, due to the chronic and anatomy-altering nature of livin...
Seasonal switchgrass ecotype contributions to soil organic carbon, deep soil microbial community composition and rhizodeposit uptake during an extreme drought

Abstract The importance of rhizodeposit C and associated microbial communities in deep soil C stabilization is relatively unknown. Phenotypic variability in plant root biomass could impact C cycling through belowground plant allocation, rooting architecture, and microbial community abundance and composition. We used a pulse-chase 13C labeling experiment with compound-specific stable-isotope probing to investigate the importance of rhizodeposit C to deep soil microbial biomass under two switchgrass ecotypes (Panicum virgatum L., Kanlow and Summer) with contrasting root morphology. We quantified root phenology, soil microbial biomass (phospholipid fatty acids, PLFA), and microbial rhizodeposit uptake (13C-PLFAs) to 150 cm over one year during a severe drought. The lowland ecotype, Kanlow, had two times more root biomass with a coarser root system compared to the upland ecotype, Summer. Over the drought, Kanlow lost 78% of its root biomass, while Summer lost only 60%. Rhizosphere microbial communities associated with both ecotypes were similar. However, rhizodeposit uptake under Kanlow had a higher relative abundance of gram-negative bacteria (44.1%), and Summer rhizodeposit uptake was primarily in saprotrophic fungi (48.5%). Both microbial community composition and rhizodeposit uptake shifted over the drought into gram-positive communities. Rhizosphere soil C was greater one year later under Kanlow due to turnover of unlabeled structural root C. Despite a much greater root biomass under Kanlow, rhizosphere δ13C was not significantly different between the two ecotypes, suggesting greater microbial C input under the finer rooted species, Summer, whose microbial associations were predominately saprotrophic fungi. Ecotype specific microbial communities can direct rhizodeposit C flow and C accrual deep in the soil profile and illustrate the importance of the microbial community in plant strategies to survive environmental stress such as drought.
A Review of Performance Evaluation on 2D Face Databases

Face recognition methods are evaluated against face image databases. Recent face image databases provide an evaluation protocol for an impartial comparison and assessment of where a facial recognition algorithm stands compared to other methods. Unfortunately, many authors test their facial recognition methods using either restricted face databases, random subsets from public databases, or do not follow the established testing protocol for the specific face database. As a consequence, complete and accurate comparisons between different facial recognition methods is not possible. The established protocol for a face database allows for comparisons across research groups. In this paper, a review of the currently available 2D face databases with their evaluation protocols is described. We aim to improve the current understanding of testing protocols with facial recognition in an effort to help researchers replicate and compare results accurately. Also, common performance measures in facial recognition and recommendations are discussed for face databases that do not have an evaluation protocol.
Evidence for a 1,3-Dipolar Cyclo-addition Mechanism in the Decarboxylation of Phenylacrylic Acids Catalyzed by Ferulic Acid Decarboxylase

Ferulic acid decarboxylase catalyzes the decarboxylation of phenylacrylic acid using a newly identified cofactor, prenylated flavin mononucleotide (prFMN). The proposed mechanism involves the formation of a putative pentacyclic intermediate formed by a 1,3 dipolar cyclo-addition of prFMN with the α–β double bond of the substrate, which serves to activate the substrate toward decarboxylation. However, enzyme-catalyzed 1,3 dipolar cyclo-additions are unprecedented and other mechanisms are plausible. Here we describe the use of a mechanism-based inhibitor, 2-fluoro-2-nitrovinylbenzene, to trap the putative cyclo-addition intermediate, thereby demonstrating that prFMN can function as a dipole in a 1,3 dipolar cyclo-addition reaction as the initial step in a novel type of enzymatic reaction.
Forming Personal and Cultural Identities in the Face of Exodus: A Discussion of Li-Young Lee's Poetry

(2003). Forming Personal and Cultural Identities in the Face of Exodus: A Discussion of Li-Young Lee's Poetry. South Asian Review: Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 199-210.
Preparation and Characterization of Multimodal Hybrid Organic and Inorganic Nanocrystals of Camptothecin and Gold

We demonstrate a novel inorganic-organic crystalline nanoconstruct, where gold atoms were imbedded in the crystal lattices as defects of camptothecin nanocrystals, suggesting its potential use as simultaneous agents for cancer therapy and bioimaging. The incorporation of gold, a potential computed tomography (CT) contrast agent, in the nanocrystals of camptothecin was detected by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and further quantified by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometers (ICP-OES). Due to gold's high attenuation coefficient, only a relatively small amount needs to be present in order to create a good noise-to-contrast ratio in CT imaging. The imbedded gold atoms and clusters are expected to share the same biological fate as the camptothecin nanocrystals, reaching and accumulating in tumor site due to the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect.
Self-Reported Use and Attitudes Toward Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Ultramarathon Running

Introduction The use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) has been reported in several sports. There have been no peer-reviewed articles on the use of PEDs in ultramarathon running. This study was to examine the use of PEDs in ultramarathon running and to identify attitudes and beliefs about the usage of PEDs in the sport. Methods An online survey was developed. The survey was distributed to potential participants through Ultrasignup and the Western States Endurance Run Facebook sites. The survey included 9 demographic questions, 11 PED questions, and a previously validated 17-item performance enhancement attitude scale (PEAS). Results Six hundred nine self-identified ultramarathon runners completed the survey; 8.4% of respondents reported using PEDs during competition or training. Cannabinoids, narcotics, and stimulants were the PEDs that were most frequently reported. There was no difference between sex, age, country of origin, rank, miles/week of training, or longest race between those that reported using PEDs and those that did not report using PEDs. There was, however, a significant difference in athletes who reported they knew another ultramarathon runner who had used PEDs to have significantly higher years of participation and ranked in the top 20th percentile. There additionally was an increased PEAS score of individuals who reported using a PED or individuals that knew an individual who used PEDs. Conclusion PEDs are being used in ultramarathon running. The exact extent of the use of PEDs in ultramarathon running is still unknown and challenging to fully investigate without formal, random testing, which is expensive and technically challenging.
The Structure of the Complex of Maximal Lattice Free Bodies for a Matrix of Size ( n + 1) × n

The complex of maximal lattice free bodies associated with a well behaved matrix A of size (n+1)×n is generated by a finite set of simplicies, K 0(A), of the form 0, h1, …, h k ∼, with k≤n, and their lattice translates. The simplicies in K 0 (A) are selected so that the plane a 0 x=0, with a 0 the first row of A, passes through the vertex 0. The collection of simplicies h 1, …, h k is denoted by Top. Various properties of Top are demonstrated, including the fact that no two interior faces of Top are lattice translates of each other. Moreover, if g is a generator of the cone generated by the set of neighbors h with a 0 h>0, then the set of simplicies of Top which contain g is the union of linear intervals of simplicies with special features. These features lead to an algorithm for calculating the simplicies in K 0 (A) as a 0 varies and the plane a 0 x=0 passes through the generator g.