cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A critical role for histone H2AX in recruitment of repair factors to nuclear foci after DNA damage.

Abstract Background: The response of eukaryotic cells to double-strand breaks in genomic DNA includes the sequestration of many factors into nuclear foci. Recently it has been reported that a member of the histone H2A family, H2AX, becomes extensively phosphorylated within 1–3 minutes of DNA damage and forms foci at break sites. Results: In this work, we examine the role of H2AX phosphorylation in focus formation by several repair-related complexes, and investigate what factors may be involved in initiating this response. Using two different methods to create DNA double-strand breaks in human cells, we found that the repair factors Rad50 and Rad51 each colocalized with phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2AX) foci after DNA damage. The product of the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 also colocalized with γ-H2AX and was recruited to these sites before Rad50 or Rad51. Exposure of cells to the fungal inhibitor wortmannin eliminated focus formation by all repair factors examined, suggesting a role for the phosphoinositide (PI)-3 family of protein kinases in mediating this response. Wortmannin treatment was effective only when it was added early enough to prevent γ-H2AX formation, indicating that γ-H2AX is necessary for the recruitment of other factors to the sites of DNA damage. DNA repair-deficient cells exhibit a substantially reduced ability to increase the phosphorylation of H2AX in response to ionizing radiation, consistent with a role for γ-H2AX in DNA repair. Conclusions: The pattern of γ-H2AX foci that is established within a few minutes of DNA damage accounts for the patterns of Rad50, Rad51, and Brca1 foci seen much later during recovery from damage. The evidence presented strongly supports a role for the γ-H2AX and the PI-3 protein kinase family in focus formation at sites of double-strand breaks and suggests the possibility of a change in chromatin structure accompanying double-strand break repair.
Oligodendroglial signal transduction systems are developmentally regulated.

: Studies from several laboratories indicate that oligodendroglia exhibit signal transduction systems that can be activated by classical neurotransmitters. Previous studies from this laboratory indicate that oligodendroglia express neuroligand receptors linked to the regulation of Ca2+i. Experiments presented in this article were designed to determine if developmental processes that influence the ability of oligodendroglia to respond to neuroligands with an increase in Ca2+i proceed either in vitro or in vivo. Findings support the view that developmental processes markedly affected the sensitivity of these cells to both purinergic and cholinergic receptor agonists, whereas their responsiveness to either histamine or bradykinin appeared relatively stable over time. Approximately 90 and 75% of oligodendroglia responded to ATP or carbachol, respectively, after 4 days in vitro, whereas <10% of these cells responded to either of these neuroligands after 8 days in vitro. The decrease in the percentage of oligodendroglia responding to ATP, but not carbachol, could be prevented by including dibutyryl cyclic AMP in the culture medium during the final 4 days in vitro. However, once the loss in responsiveness to ATP had occurred, it could not be reversed by exposure to dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Developmental changes in the ATP sensitivity of oligodendroglia occurred in cells expressing galactocerebroside and myelin basic protein. The neuroligand sensitivity of oligodendroglia isolated from either neonatal, 2-, 3-, or 5-week-old spinal cord was examined to determine if developmental changes in oligodendroglial Ca2+ regulation occurred in vivo. The results of these experiments indicate that the percentage of oligodendroglia responding to either ATP or carbachol markedly decreased as a function of the age of the animal used to prepare the cultures; this was not the case for the stimulation of Ca2+i by histamine. The decreased sensitivity of oligodendroglia isolated from older animals could not be reversed through the addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Overall, the results of these experiments indicate that developmental processes selectively influence the sensitivity of oligodendroglia to specific neuroligands and suggest that oligodendroglial processes unrelated to myelin formation may be regulated by neuroligands in vivo.
CONVULSIVE SEIZURES COMPLICATING CORTISONE AND ACTH THERAPY: CLINICAL AND ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS

INTRODUCTION AS a result of the current extensive research with ACTH and cortisone and their clinical applications, there has been an increasing number of reports that these substances exert a profound influence on the electrical activity of the brain. Hoefer and Glaser (1) reported in 1949 that these hormones increase electroencephalographic abnormalities, whereas Thorn 2), Pine et al. (3), and Friedlander and Rottgers (4) came to opposite conclusions, namely, that ACTH and cortisone tend to produce normalization of the brain-wave patterns and an increase of alpha activity. Convulsive seizures have occasionally been listed among the complications of cortisone and ACTH therapy. For instance, Dorfman and his coworkers (6) observed 3 cases of status epilepticus during the use of pituitary-adrenocortical hormones. Soffer, Baer and their co-workers (7) reported convulsions in 4 of 17 patients with lupus erythematosus early the course of treatment with ACTH and cortisone. In experimental ACTH studies on 8 depr...
Can mind-wandering be timeless? Atemporal focus and aging in mind-wandering paradigms.

Recent research has examined how often mind-wandering occurs about past versus future events. However, mind-wandering may also be atemporal, although previous investigations of this possibility have not yielded consistent results. Indeed, it is unclear what proportion of mind-wandering is atemporal, and also how an atemporal response option would affect the future oriented bias often reported during low-demand tasks used to measure mind-wandering. The present study examined self-reported (Experiment 1) and probe-caught (Experiment 2) mind-wandering using the low-demand Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) in younger (18-30) and older (50-73) adults in an experimental paradigm developed to measure mind-wandering in a sample using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Across self-reported and probe-caught mind-wandering, the atemporal response option was used at least as frequently as past or future mind-wandering options. Although older adults reported far fewer mind-wandering events, they showed a very similar temporal pattern to younger adults. Most importantly, inclusion of the atemporal report option affected performance on the SART and selectively eliminated the prospective bias in self-reported mind-wandering, but not in probe-caught mind-wandering. These results suggest that both young and older participants are often not thinking of past or future events when mind-wandering, but are thinking of events that cannot easily be categorized as either.
Electronic Media Law and Regulation

Creech, K. (2014). Electronic Media Law and Regulation (6th). New York, NY: Routledge. 372 pages.This is the sixth edition of Electronic Media Law. The last two editions were published in 1993 and ...
Inhibition by imidazole of the increase in intraocular pressure induced by topical prostaglandin E.

VARIOUS prostaglandins, administered topically or systemically, have been reported to increase intraocular pressure1–4, apparently due to increased production of aqueous humor1,5. Various authors have suggested that cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) is involved in this effect6,7. This could relate to a breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier and the spilling of protein into the anterior chamber1,2. Adenylate cyclase, the enzyme which generates cyclic AMP and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, which converts cyclic AMP to the metabolically inactive adenosine 5 ′-monophosphate, have been demonstrated in ciliary processes and iris tissue8,9. This ciliary process adenylate cyclase has been shown to be responsive to prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)8. If the elevation of intraocular pressure induced by prostaglandins is due to the generation of increased levels of intraocular cyclic AMP, agents which increase phosphodiesterase activity should antagonize the prostaglandin effect by lowering the cyclic AMP concentration. Imidazole can increase the activity of phosphodiesterase in vitro10; this effect is specific11. We have made an in vivo study of the capability of imidazole to block the prostaglandin-induced increase in intraocular pressure in rabbits in order to further implicate cyclic AMP in this effect.
On-Road Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) Emissions in the Sepulveda Tunnel, Los Angeles, California

Total and speciated particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) emission factors from in-use vehicles were measured for a mixed light- (97.4% LD) and heavy-duty fleet (2.6% HD) in the Sepulveda Tunnel, Los Angeles, CA. Seventeen 1-h test runs were performed between July 23, 1996, and July 27, 1996. Emission factors were calculated from mass concentration measurements taken at the tunnel entrance and exit, the volume of airflow through the tunnel, and the number of vehicles passing through the 582 m long tunnel. For the mixed LD and HD fleet, PM2.5 emission factors in the Sepulveda Tunnel ranged from 0.016 (±0.007) to 0.115 (±0.019) g/vehicle·km traveled with an average of 0.052 (±0.027) g/vehicle·km. PM10 emission factors ranged from 0.030 (±0.009) to 0.131 (±0.024) g/vehicle·km with an average of 0.069 (±0.030) g/vehicle·km. The PM2.5 emission factor was ∼74% of the PM10 factor. Speciated emission rates and chemical profiles for use in receptor modeling were also developed. PM2.5 was dominated by organic carbon ...
The Application and Research of CATV Communication Technology in the Field of Electricity Consumption Information Collection in China

This paper presents the application of bidirectional communication technology of CATV in Electricity Consumption Information Collection System (ECICS), analyses the architecture of bidirectional communication technology and the communication technologies to improve the quality of service, describes the physical architecture, security architecture and system functions of ECICS based on CATV communication network .
Optimal Spacing of Dual‐axis Trackers for Concentrating Photovoltaic Systems

The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is widely used to compare the cost of energy generation across technologies. In a utility‐scale concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system, the spacing of dual‐axis trackers must be balanced with total energy harvested from modules to minimize LCOE. In this paper, a spacing method of dual‐axis trackers in a CPV system is presented. Based on the definition of LCOE, a cost function is defined and optimized in terms of spacing related parameters. Various methods to estimate hourly direct normal irradiance (DNI) are investigated and m‐by‐n tracker array configurations to minimize the cost function are discussed.
Coordinated Actions of the Forkhead Protein Foxp1 and Hox Proteins in the Columnar Organization of Spinal Motor Neurons

The formation of locomotor circuits depends on the spatially organized generation of motor columns that innervate distinct muscle and autonomic nervous system targets along the body axis. Within each spinal segment, multiple motor neuron classes arise from a common progenitor population; however, the mechanisms underlying their diversification remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the Forkhead domain transcription factor Foxp1 plays a critical role in defining the columnar identity of motor neurons at each axial position. Using genetic manipulations, we demonstrate that Foxp1 establishes the pattern of LIM-HD protein expression and accordingly organizes motor axon projections, their connectivity with peripheral targets, and the establishment of motor pools. These functions of Foxp1 act in accordance with the rostrocaudal pattern provided by Hox proteins along the length of the spinal cord, suggesting a model by which motor neuron diversity is achieved through the coordinated actions of Foxp1 and Hox proteins.
Defending against denial of service attacks in Scout

We describe a two-dimensional architecture for defending against denial of service attacks. In one dimension, the architecture accounts for all resources consumed by each I/O path in the system; this accounting mechanism is implemented as an extension to the path object in the Scout operating system. In the second dimension, the various modules that define each path can be configured in separate protection domains; we implement hardware enforced protection domains, although other implementations are possible. The resulting system-which we call Escort-is the first example of a system that simultaneously does end-to-end resource accounting (thereby protecting against resource based denial of service attacks where principals can be identified) and supports multiple protection domains (thereby allowing untrusted modules to be isolated from each other). The paper describes the Escort architecture and its implementation in Scout, and reports a collection of experiments that measure the costs and benefits of using Escort to protect a web server from denial of service attacks.
Charge Density of MgO: Implications of Precise New Measurements for Theory

A tenfold improvement in the accuracy of measured low-order structure factors for MgO has been achieved using the convergent beam electron diffraction technique. These results allow a meaningful comparison to be made with the latest calculations. We find that the MgO charge density can be described by a superposition of spherical ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}$ and ${\mathrm{O}}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$ ions, but that a small nonspherical distortion of Mg and O is observable in both experiment and theory. The experimental charge distribution of ${\mathrm{O}}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$ is more diffuse than the theory, which may be due to the breathing effect of ${\mathrm{O}}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$ in a vibrating lattice.
Electronic transitions in a Ge-rich strain-symmetrized Si8Ge32 superlattice measured by photoreflectance spectroscopy

Using photoreflectance spectroscopy, fifteen electronic transitions have been measured from a 60 period Si8Ge32 superlattice grown on a Si02Ge0•8 buffer layer on Si. The superlattice transitions fit well to a third derivative functional form and most of their energies were determined using a one band envelope-function model, including strain effects. The temperature dependences of the E0 transition in bulk Ge and in the Si8Ge32 superlattice were also fit to a nonlinear functional form.
Analgesia from Electrical Stimulation in the Brainstem of the Rat

Stimulation at several mesencephalic and diencephalic sites abolished responsiveness to intense pain in rats while leaving responsiveness to other sensory modes relatively unaffected. The peripheral field of analgesia was usually restricted to one-half or to one quadrant of the body, and painful stimuli applied outside this field elicited a normal reaction. Analgesia outlasted stimulation by up to 5 minutes. Most electrode placements that produced analgesia also supported self-stimulation. One placement supported self-stimulation only in the presence of pain.
Amidinate-substituted boron halides : Synthesis and structure

Abstract The synthesis and X-ray crystal structures of the following amidinate-substituted boron halides are reported: [tBuC{N(Cy)}2]BCl(Ph) (1), [nBuC{NCy}2]BCl(Ph) (2), [(Me3Si)2NC{NCy}2]BCl2 (3) and [MeC{NiPr}2]BCl2 (4). Compounds 1, 2, and 3 were prepared via salt metathesis reactions of the appropriate lithium amidinates with PhBCl2 or BCl3. Compound 3 was also prepared by carbodiimide insertion into the B–N bond of (Me3Si)2N–BCl2. The latter method represents the first example of the insertion of a carbodiimide into a B–N moiety. The molecular structures of 1, 2, and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
On the epidemiologic and economic importance of the national AIDS strategy for the United States

BACKGROUND For years, the United States found itself in the embarrassing situation of having no overarching AIDS strategy for the country. True, there were pieces of a national strategy, but there was no comprehensive coordinated roadmap with clear and measurable targets for key metrics. That all changed on July 13, 2010, when the White House unveiled the National AIDS Strategy (NAS) for the United States. The NAS was published over the signature of President Obama, and he held a reception at the White House to launch the Strategy. The NAS was not released in isolation but rather was accompanied by an initial implementation plan through 2011, and a Presidential memorandum that directed the relevant federal departments to develop an even more detailed implementation plan within 150 days. The Presidential memo also directed the Office of National AIDS Policy in the White House and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to play major coordination roles to ensure that all federal efforts to implement the NAS are well integrated. The launch of the NAS fulfilled a Presidential campaign promise to deliver a clear, action-oriented roadmap for addressing the epidemic in the United States. The Administration previously had made clear that a new HIV infection in the United States every 9.5 minutes was simply too much, that 21% of persons living with HIV not knowing their HIV serostatus was too high, that access to HIV care was imperative (among persons who are aware that they are living with HIV, roughly one-third are not in treatment), and that HIV-related health disparities were unacceptable (with African American, Latino, and gay communities shouldering a very disproportionate burden in the epidemic). The President had focused in his campaign and in his early days in office on the tripartite framework of reducing new HIV infections, improving access to treatment, and reducing HIV-related health disparities; this 3-part approach provides the skeletal structure of the NAS.
Theory of Electroabsorption Spectroscopy in Pyrazine-Bridged Ru Dimers

A theoretical study of near-IR−vis electroabsorption spectroscopy (Stark effect) for the Creutz−Taube ion, a pyrazine-bridged mixed-valence Ru dimer, and for its homovalent +4 analogue is presented. A vibronic model that takes into account correlation effects is considered for the calculation of absorption line shape profiles, also in the presence of an external static electric field. The model also incorporates the orientation of molecules with respect to the applied field and the polarization of the incident light and accounts for the essential features of the difference spectra that have been observed experimentally.
Massive low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma presenting as acute respiratory distress in a 12-year-old girl

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma that usually presents in young adults as a painless, slow-growing mass. Evans first described LGFMS in 1987 as a spindle-cell sarcoma with bland histological features and paradoxically aggressive behavior. Although young adults are most frequently affected, recent reports describe pediatric cases being increasingly more common. Males and females are affected approximately equally and common locations include the deep soft tissue of the lower extremity, particularly the thigh and trunk. Primary occurrence within the chest cavity is exceedingly rare. Local recurrence and metastasis are not uncommon and present the clinician and radiologist with challenges regarding follow-up recommendations. Review of the literature reveals many cases of slowly progressive symptoms related to a mass effect. We present a healthy 12-year-old African-American girl who interestingly developed acute symptoms of shortness of breath and chest pain while playing with her brother.
EMG activity of orbicularis oris superior, orbicularis oris inferior, and masseter muscles of articulatory disordered children.

The peak amplitude of EMG activity was measured from the orbicularis oris superior (OOS), orbicularis oris inferior (OOI) and masseter muscles for 8 normal and 8 articulator disordered children, an...
Controlled modification of Schottky barrier height by partisan interlayer

Abstract A comprehensible and systematic method to modify the Schottky barrier height (SBH), based on the adjustment of the semiconductor electron affinity through adsorbate termination, is demonstrated. Atomic layers of As and Cl, inserted at the metal–Si(111) interface and preferentially bonded to Si, are shown to shift the SBH by as much as 0.40 eV. The (partial) preservation of surface dipole at the metal–semiconductor (MS) interface is likely attributable to the chemical stability of adsorbate-terminated semiconductor surfaces. Experimental and theoretical results are presented to demonstrate the validity of the concept and the effectiveness of SBH adjustment through such “partisan” interlayers. The general implications of these results for the theoretical understanding and the practical control of the SBH are also discussed.
Vertebral augmentation in osteoporosis and bone metastasis.

Purpose of review Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by decreased bone density, disruption of trabecular architecture, and increased susceptibility to fractures. There are approximately 700 000 vertebral body compression fractures in the United States each year with approximately 70 000 of these resulting in hospitalization, with an average hospital stay per patient of eight days. Osteolytic lesions of the spine are also a growing problem, affecting as many as 70% of patients with metastatic disease or multiple myeloma. Tumor-induced osteolysis may lead to pain, dysfunction, and ultimately vertebral collapse. If left untreated, vertebral body compression fractures occur with progressive kyphosis over multiple levels, cord compromise, and intractable pain. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent advances in percutaneous minimally invasive vertebral augmentation techniques used in the treatment of compression fractures. Recent findings Recent data have shown that outcomes in patients with vertebral compression fractures have been encouraging. Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of vertebral augmentation on restoration of vertebral height and sagittal alignment. There is more evidence on the relationship between vertebral augmentation and adjacent segment vertebral compression fractures. A large series demonstrated promising results in patients with metastases and multiple myeloma. Summary More studies are needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of early vertebral augmentation in the treatment of compression fractures. Early vertebral augmentation has, however, shown excellent early pain relief in those with severe pain or progressive collapse, up to a period of two years after its implementation.
Frontal cortical tissue composition in abstinent cocaine abusers: a magnetic resonance imaging study

Cocaine abusers exhibit impairment of executive cognitive functions that are mediated by the frontal cortex. This work tested for structural (i.e., tissue composition) abnormalities that may underlie such performance deficits. Research participants were cocaine abusers (n = 14) abstinent for 20 days and a non-drug-using comparison group (n = 11), who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (T1-weighted scans of the brain). Gray matter and white matter tissue densities were determined using voxel-based morphometry with small volume correction based on a priori hypotheses derived from functional imaging of the same subjects. Cocaine abusers had significantly lower gray matter tissue density than did the non drug users in 10 of 13 small volumes analyzed in the frontal cortex [bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus (infragenual and perigenual regions) and medial orbitofrontal cortex and the lateral orbitofrontal cortex and middle/dorsal cingulate gyrus in the right hemisphere]. No group differences were found in white matter density of the frontal cortex. These results extend our previous findings of defective frontal cortical activation (indexed by cerebral blood flow) in cocaine abusers to include abnormalities in gray matter tissue density in the same frontal cortical regions.
Socioeconomic Theory and Differential Fertility: The Case of the LDCs

The paper attempts to show the relationship between sociological fertility "theory" and microeconomic fertility "theory." It is argued that both conceptualizations are derived from a role-competition model. Differences are more apparent than real, conflicts in the literature arising from differences in style of analysis. Economists emphasize the direct effects of independent variables with intervening variables treated essentially as a standardization measure. Sociologists emphasize the intervening variables, the objective being to account for the gross relationship between independent and dependent variable. The sociological style in fertility research would appear to fit in well with recent research on individual modernity. However, in the absence of a component analysis of modernity, the concept is undefined and unmanageable in any attempt to develop a socioeconomic theory of fertility. A theory-data "confrontation" is displayed for Turkish and Mexican materials. . . .whenever we deal with the 'population problem' the demographer becomes schizophrenic. That part of him which is essentially the scientist becomes completely confused with
Some Effects of Thyroxine on Mitochondria from Livers of Newborn and Partially Hepatectomized Rats

Mitochondrial preparations isolated from livers of newborn rats incorporate more 14C-leucine into protein than do preparations from adult control animals. Mitochondrial preparations from regenerating rat liver also incorporate more 14C-leucine than similar fractions from sham-operated controls. In contrast to mitochondria from control animals and from regenerating rat liver, mitochondria from livers of newborn rats do not show respiratory control on addition of ADP. Mitochondrial preparations from livers of newborn rats and from partially hepatectomized rats respond to added thyroxine with increased 14C-leucine incorporation and with an accelerated swelling reaction. These results reinforce the impression that mitochondrial swelling is an important response to added thyroxine, and suggest that a tightly coupled system may not be required for a thyroxine-induced increase in amino acid incorporation. Mitochondrial fractions isolated from rapidly growing tissues are not under maximum stimulus to incorporate ...
CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE PARASITIC RELATIONSHIP OF UROCYSTIS CEPULAE TO THE ONION

The morphology of the onion smut fungus and its behavior during the various developmental stages of its life history in the host have been considered at one time or another since I872 by a number of investigators. Ware (I869) first brought the disease to the attention of a Massachusetts agricultural society and pointed out the importance of the protracted persistence of the causal organism in infested soil. Walker and Jones (I92I) dealt primarily with the relationship of soil temperature to onion smut infection. Anderson (I92I) made a study of the saprophytic mycelium in culture, as well as detailed observations upon the behavior of the organism in the susceptible host. Blizzard (I926) also studied the fungus in culture and, furthermore, followed the nuclear behavior both outside and within the host plant. There are certain points in the life cycle of Urocystis Cepuicle Frost at which further evidence is necessary, either to fill in gaps or to lend support to information already reported. The present work was begun with this purpose in mind, and although cultural and other preliminary studies upon the saprophytic mycelium were made, efforts were finally centered particularly upon the attempt (i) to determine if possible the exact mode of penetration of the parasite into the young, susceptible host, and (2) to discover cytological evidence for whatever changes might occur in the host, in the parasite, or in both organisms with the establishment of immunity by the onion seedlings.
Comment on "Upper limits in experiments with background or measurement errors" [Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A 277 (1989) 608-610]

Abstract We point out flaws in Zech's attempt to give a classical justification to Helene's Bayesian-derived equation regarding Poisson upper limits in the presence of background.
Mapping soybean aphid resistance genes in PI 567598B

The soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura) has been a major pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in North America since it was first reported in 2000. Our previous study revealed that the strong aphid resistance of plant introduction (PI) 567598B was controlled by two recessive genes. The objective of this study was to locate these two genes on the soybean genetic linkage map using molecular markers. A mapping population of 282 F4:5 lines derived from IA2070 × E06902 was evaluated for aphid resistance in a field trial in 2009 and a greenhouse trial in 2010. Two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified using the composite and multiple interval mapping methods, and were mapped on chromosomes 7 (linkage group M) and 16 (linkage group J), respectively. E06902, a parent derived from PI 567598B, conferred resistance at both loci. In the 2010 greenhouse trial, each of the two QTLs explained over 30 % of the phenotypic variation. Significant epistatic interaction was also found between these two QTLs. However, in the 2009 field trial, only the QTL on chromosome 16 was found and it explained 56.1 % of the phenotypic variation. These two QTLs and their interaction were confirmed with another population consisting of 94 F2:5 lines in the 2008 and 2009 greenhouse trials. For both trials in the alternative population, these two loci explained about 50 and 80.4 % of the total phenotypic variation, respectively. Our study shows that soybean aphid isolate used in the 2009 field trial defeated the QTL found on chromosome 7. Presence of the QTL on chromosome 16 conferred soybean aphid resistance in all trials. The markers linked to the aphid-resistant QTLs in PI 567598B or its derived lines can be used in marker-assisted breeding for aphid resistance.
Beyond Heart Rate Variability: Vagal Regulation of Allostatic Systems

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a role in a wide range of somatic and mental diseases. Whereas the role of the ANS in the regulation of the cardiovascular system seems evident, its role in the regulation of other systems associated with allostasis is less clear. Using a model of neurovisceral integration we describe how the ANS and parasympathetic tone in particular may be associated with the regulation of allostatic systems associated with glucose regulation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, and inflammatory processes. Decreased vagal function and heart rate variability (HRV) were shown to be associated with increased fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels, increased overnight urinary cortisol, and increased proinflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins. All of these factors have been associated with increased allostatic load and poor health. Thus, vagal activity appears to play an inhibitory function in the regulation of allostatic systems. The prefrontal cortex and the amygdala are important central nervous system structures linked to the regulation of these allostatic systems via the vagus nerve. Finally, the identification of this neurovisceral regulatory system may help to illuminate the pathway via which psychosocial factors may influence health and disease.
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AND BIRTH ORDER

Birth order has been hypothesized to affect (a) accession into elite political positions and (b) better caliber performance once in office. This research note reports data on all members of the United States Supreme Court in terms of their birth order and performance once in office. It does appear that first borns are more apt to serve on the Court, although this may be an artifact of the advantages in terms of education for first borns in the American historical context. However, there is no sound evidence from the data reported upon here which would indicate that first born justices are more able than their later born peers. Thus, some doubt is raised about the power claimed for birth order on political achievement.
Iodine Confinement into Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs): Low-Temperature Sintering Glasses To Form Novel Glass Composite Material (GCM) Alternative Waste Forms

The safe handling of reprocessed fuel addresses several scientific goals, especially when considering the capture and long-term storage of volatile radionuclides that are necessary during this process. Despite not being a major component of the off-gas, radioiodine (I2) is particularly challenging, because it is a highly mobile gas and 129I is a long-lived radionuclide (1.57 × 107 years). Therefore, its capture and sequestration is of great interest on a societal level. Herein, we explore novel routes toward the effective capture and storage of iodine. In particular, we report on the novel use of a new class of porous solid-state functional materials (metal–organic frameworks, MOFs), as high-capacity adsorbents of molecular iodine. We further describe the formation of novel glass-composite material (GCM) waste forms from the mixing and sintering of the I2-containing MOFs with Bi–Zn–O low-temperature sintering glasses and silver metal flakes. Our findings indicate that, upon sintering, a uniform monolith i...
Regional differences in early stage bladder cancer care and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES In part because of its protracted natural history, bladder cancer is among the most expensive malignancies from diagnosis to death. In light of the uncertainty surrounding the optimal care, we evaluated regional differences in initial treatment intensity and outcomes among patients with early stage (ie, superficial) bladder cancer. METHODS We identified 20,328 patients diagnosed with early stage bladder cancer between 1992 and 2002 using SEER-Medicare data. Patients were assigned to a hospital service area (HSA) according to their ZIP code and followed longitudinally through 2005. Next, HSAs were sorted into equally sized groups according to their average treatment intensity, as measured by all Medicare payments for bladder cancer in the first 2 years after diagnosis. We assessed relationships between regional treatment intensity and patient outcomes, including the use of major interventions and survival. RESULTS Medicare payments were nearly $4000 USD per capita more in high vs. low treatment intensity regions ($5594 to $9554 USD). High-spending regions used more bladder cancer-related services and major interventions than low-spending regions (all P < .001). However, greater spending did not improve survival. In fact, patients in lower spending regions had superior cancer-specific survival (adjusted hazard ratio, low vs. high 0.83; 95% CI .71-.97). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with early stage bladder cancer, those in high-intensity regions do not benefit in terms of survival or in the avoidance of major interventions. Although the cause is unclear, patients residing in low-spending regions are less likely to die of their disease, while avoiding potentially unnecessary and costly care.
Accelerating Matrix Operations with Improved Deeply Pipelined Vector Reduction

Many scientific or engineering applications involve matrix operations, in which reduction of vectors is a common operation. If the core operator of the reduction is deeply pipelined, which is usually the case, dependencies between the input data elements cause data hazards. To tackle this problem, we propose a new reduction method with low latency and high pipeline utilization. The performance of the proposed design is evaluated for both single data set and multiple data set scenarios. Further, QR decomposition is used to demonstrate how the proposed method can accelerate its execution. We implement the design on an FPGA and compare its results to other methods.
Atomic Stabilization of Electromagnetic Field Strength Using Rabi Resonances

For nearly fifty years, atomic resonances have been employed to stabilize electromagnetic field frequency. Here, a dynamical Rabi resonance, associated with an alkali atom's ground state hyperfine transition, is used to stabilize electromagnetic field strength: A 7% sinusoidal variation was superimposed on a microwave field's strength, and through atomic stabilization this variation was reduced to 0.1%. Although the method is demonstrated with microwave fields, the technique could also be employed to stabilize optical fields via Rabi resonances associated with electronic transitions in atoms or molecules.
Observation of Elastic Neutrino and Antineutrino Scattering and Parity Violation in the Weak Hadronic Neutral Current

We have observed 30 events of the process νp → νp with a background expectation of 7 events. The ratio σ(νp → νp)/σ(νn → μ −p) is measured to be 0.17 ± 0.05 for 0.3 <q2 <0.9 (GeV/c)2 where — q2 is the square of the four-momentum transfer to the proton. We have also observed 22 events of the process νp → νp with a background expectation of 8 events. The ratio σ(νp → νp)/σ(νp → μ +n) is 0.2 ± 0.1 for the same q2 interval. These two measurements yield a ratio σ(νp → νp)/σ(νp → νp) = 0.4 ± 0.2, where the error is statistical. This difference between neutrino and antineutrino scattering suggests that the hadronic neutral current displays a significant parity-violating interference and that a purely vector Lorentz structure is unlikely.
Necrotizing Fasciitis in an Adult Male

Physical Examination Vital signs: heart rate, 135 beats/minute; blood pressure, 103/58 mm Hg; respiratory rate, 16/minute. Oxygen saturation was 71% and the exam was significant for a large laceration of the tongue with bleeding into the airway, multiple facial lacerations and deformities of the facial bones, bleeding from the nares and right ear, and sluggish papillary reflexes. There was no deformity or crepitus of the spine. The lungs were clear to auscultation bilaterally. The abdomen was soft and non-distended. The pelvis was stable. Peripheral pulses were palpable and there were no major deformities or abrasions to the extremities.
Role of laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis in patients with failed in vitro fertilization cycles.

Objective To report our experience in patients with previous IVF failures who conceived after laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Tertiary center IVF and endoscopy programs. Patient(s) Infertility patients with history of prior IVF failures. Intervention(s) Laparoscopic evaluation and treatment of endometriosis by the same surgeon. Main Outcome Measure(s) Occurrence of conception after laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis. Result(s) Of 29 patients with prior IVF failures, 22 conceived after laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis, including 15 non-IVF pregnancies and 7 IVF pregnancies. Conclusion(s) In the absence of tubal occlusion or severe male factor infertility, laparoscopy may still be considered for the treatment of endometriosis even after multiple IVF failures.
Post-MI remodeling

Two myocardial processes are initiated by acute myocardial infarction: hypertrophy of residual myocardium and a change in left ventricular chamber dimension. The sequence of these events appears to be critically dependent on the size of the infarct and its distensibility, on the load placed on the myocardium, on the metabolic state of adjacent and remote myocardium, and on the degree of activation of tissue hormone systems. Hypertrophy may occur transversely (concentric) or longitudinally (eccentric). The chamber may enlarge because of cell lengthening or slippage or because of infarct expansion. An increase in radius of curvature intensifies wall stress and metabolic demands, whereas increased wall thickness moderates stress. In a canine experimental model of acute regional myocardial necrosis, hypertrophy and dilatation appear to have a different time course, and both may be attenuated by pharmacologic intervention with either an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or a nitrate. The relative contributions of load reduction, hormone inhibition, and the metabolic effect of pharmacologic intervention need further study. Targeting therapy to the prevention of detrimental ventricular remodeling may be a rational approach but one that needs clinical confirmation.
Effect of potentiation or inhibition of acetylcholine on intestinal damage, mortality, and recovery after acute abdominal X-radiation in the rat.

Autonomic drugs (atropine, neostigmine methyl bromide, tetraethylammonium chloride, Dibenamine, and nicotine) were injected subcutaneously in rats twenty minutes before and daily thereafter for periods of eighteen to thirty days following 600, 1,000, 1,250, and 1,500, r abdominal radiation. It has been shown that neither an increase nor a decrease in intestinal motility nor any other pharmacological action of the drugs employed furnish protection from the effects of abdominal radiation by decreasing mortality or prolonging the survival time, when compared with radiated saline-injected controls. Atropine increased the mortality rate at doses of 300 and 500 mg./Kg. A histological criterion of drug medication was unsatisfactory because of the rapid „turnover„ of the intestinal epithelium.
Validating and Assessing the Sensitivity of the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index-derived Short Form-6D in Patients with Early Aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective. New methodologies allow the scores for the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) to be translated into preferences/utility scores. We evaluated the construct validity of the HAQ-DI-derived Short Form-6D (SF-6D) score and assessed its responsiveness to change over 6- and 12-month followup periods in patients with early aggressive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Patients (n = 277) participating in an RA observational study completed self-reported measures of symptoms and the HAQ-DI at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Total Sharp scores, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were assessed along with clinical data. Construct validity was assessed by examining the association between SF-6D score and patient-reported and clinical measures using Spearman correlation coefficients. The responsiveness of SF-6D to change was assessed using patient and physician assessments of the disease as clinical anchors. The magnitude of responsiveness was calculated using SF-6D effect size (ES). Result. Mean SF-6D scores were 0.690, 0.720, and 0.723 at baseline and 6 and 12-month followup, respectively. Baseline patient-reported measures had moderate to high correlations with baseline SF-6D (r = 0.43 to 0.52); whereas clinical measures had negligible to low correlations with SF-6D (r = 0.001 to 0.32). ES was moderate for the groups that were deemed to have improved (ES 0.63–0.75) but negligible to small for those that did not (ES 0.13–0.46). Conclusion. Our data support the validity and responsiveness of the HAQ-DI derived SF-6D score in an early RA cohort. These results support the use of the HAQ-DI derived SF-6D in RA cohorts and clinical trials lacking preference-based measures.
Machine computation using the exponentially convergent multiscale spectral generalized finite element method

A multiscale spectral generalized nite element method (MS-GFEM) is presented for the solution of large two and three dimensional stress analysis problems inside heterogeneous media. It can be employed to solve problems too large to be solved directly with FE techniques and is designed for implementation on massively parallel machines. The method is multiscale in nature and uses an optimal family of spectrally dened local basis functions over a coarse grid. It is proved that the method has an exponential rate of convergence. To x ideas we describe its implementation for a two dimensional plane strain problem inside a ber reinforced composite. Here bers are separated by a minimum distance however no special assumption on the ber conguration such as periodicity or ergodicity is made. The implementation of MS-GFEM delivers the discrete solution operator using the same order of operations as the number of bers inside the computational domain. This implementation is optimal in that the number of operations for solution is of the same order as the input data for the problem. The size of the MS-GFEM matrix used to represent the discrete inverse operator is controlled by the scale of the coarse grid and the convergence rate of the spectral basis and can be of order far less than the number of bers. This strategy is general and can be applied to the solution of very large FE systems associated with the discrete solution of elliptic PDE.
Genetics and genomics to the clinic: A long road ahead

Advances in genomic technology have produced an explosion of new information about the genetic basis for human disease, fueling extraordinarily high expectations for improved treatments. This perspective will take brief stock of what genetics/genomics have brought to clinical practice to date and what we might expect for the future.
Three‐component interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN's) from polyurethanes, epoxies, and poly(methacrylates)

Three-component IPN systems made from polyurethanes, epoxies, and poly(methacrylates) containing charge groups in the backbones of the constituent networks have been prepared. Specific attractive forces that occurred among the various networks helped to compatibilize them and aided in the formation of true homogeneous topologically interpenetrating polymer networks. These three-component polymer alloys, including full-IPN's, pseudo-IPN's, and graft-IPN's, were characterized by means of mechanical spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and stress–strain properties. In addition, some adhesion studies were carried out (lap shear strength and peel strength). A comparison of the different types of three-component polymer alloys showed that better properties were generally exhibited by the graft-IPN's and full-IPN's containing opposite charge groups.
Carney complex and other conditions associated with micronodular adrenal hyperplasias

Carney complex (CNC) is a multiple neoplasia syndrome that is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and is characterized by skin tumors and pigmented lesions, myxomas, schwannomas, and various endocrine tumors. Inactivating mutations of the PRKAR1A gene coding for the regulatory type I-α (RIα) subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) are responsible for the disease in most CNC patients. The overall penetrance of CNC among PRKAR1A mutation carriers is near 98%. Most PRKAR1A mutations result in premature stop codon generation and lead to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. CNC is genetically and clinically heterogeneous, with specific mutations providing some genotype-phenotype correlation. Phosphodiesterase-11A (the PDE11A gene) and -8B (the PDE8B gene) mutations were found in patients with isolated adrenal hyperplasia and Cushing syndrome, as well in patients with PPNAD. Recent evidences demonstrated that dysregulation of cAMP/PKA pathway can modulate other signaling pathways and contributes to adrenocortical tumorigenesis.
Measurable linear transformations on abstract Wiener spaces

Abstract Measurable linear transformations from an abstract Wiener space to a Hilbert space are characterized. It is shown that the measure on any infinite dimensional abstract Wiener space can be transformed to that on any other by a measurable linear transformation.