cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of Pediatric Breast Masses: A Multi-institutional Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background The objective of our study was to describe the workup, management, and outcomes of pediatric patients with breast masses undergoing operative intervention. Materials and methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted of girls 10-21 y of age who underwent surgery for a breast mass across 11 children's hospitals from 2011 to 2016. Demographic and clinical characteristics were summarized. Results Four hundred and fifty-three female patients with a median age of 16 y (IQR: 3) underwent surgery for a breast mass during the study period. The most common preoperative imaging was breast ultrasound (95%); 28% reported the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification. Preoperative core biopsy was performed in 12%. All patients underwent lumpectomy, most commonly due to mass size (45%) or growth (29%). The median maximum dimension of a mass on preoperative ultrasound was 2.8 cm (IQR: 1.9). Most operations were performed by pediatric surgeons (65%) and breast surgeons (25%). The most frequent pathology was fibroadenoma (75%); 3% were phyllodes. BI-RADS scoring ≥4 on breast ultrasound had a sensitivity of 0% and a negative predictive value of 93% for identifying phyllodes tumors. Conclusions Most pediatric breast masses are self-identified and benign. BI-RADS classification based on ultrasound was not consistently assigned and had little clinical utility for identifying phyllodes.
Establishment of H3K9me3-dependent heterochromatin during embryogenesis in Drosophila miranda

Heterochromatin is a key architectural feature of eukaryotic genomes crucial for silencing of repetitive elements. During Drosophila embryonic cellularization, heterochromatin rapidly appears over repetitive sequences, but the molecular details of how heterochromatin is established are poorly understood. Here, we map the genome-wide distribution of H3K9me3-dependent heterochromatin in individual embryos of Drosophila miranda at precisely staged developmental time points. We find that canonical H3K9me3 enrichment is established prior to cellularization and matures into stable and broad heterochromatin domains through development. Intriguingly, initial nucleation sites of H3K9me3 enrichment appear as early as embryonic stage 3 over transposable elements (TEs) and progressively broaden, consistent with spreading to neighboring nucleosomes. The earliest nucleation sites are limited to specific regions of a small number of recently active retrotransposon families and often appear over promoter and 5' regions of LTR retrotransposons, while late nucleation sites develop broadly across the entirety of most TEs. Interestingly, early nucleating TEs are strongly associated with abundant maternal piRNAs and show early zygotic transcription. These results support a model of piRNA-associated co-transcriptional silencing while also suggesting additional mechanisms for site-restricted H3K9me3 nucleation at TEs in pre-cellular Drosophila embryos.
Insights from Zebrafish PD Models and Their Potentials for Identifying Novel Drug Targets and Therapeutic Compounds

Publisher Summary This chapter presents insights into Zebrafish Parkinson's disease (PD) models and their potentials for identifying novel drug targets and therapeutic compounds. Zebraﬁsh genes in general show high degree of homology with their counterparts across vertebrate species including humans. PD models in zebraﬁsh can be used to study the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying PD, and to screen for compounds that may alleviate, halt, or even reverse the disease phenotypes. The development of dopamine (DA) neurons has been studied in mice, mainly through targeted inactivation of candidate genes that are expressed in the vicinity of developing DA neurons. The number of dopaminergic neurons in embryonic and larval zebraﬁsh was assessed upon reduction of DJ-1 activity. No difference in DA neuronal number was found between control and DJ-1 morphants. The availability of the mutant zebraﬁsh shall provide tools to further evaluate whether genetic models of PD in zebraﬁsh may recapitulate key features of the disease, in particular, the selective degeneration of DA neurons in speciﬁc regions of the brain. The studies reveal the involvement of regionally expressed signaling molecules as well as a complex array of DNA-binding transcription regulators in DA neuron development.
Management of Fractures in Men with Impaired Renal Function

Publisher Summary No consensus exists regarding the criteria for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in stage 4 or 5–5D chronic kidney disease (CKD). In higher-risk patients with stage 1–3 CKD and osteoporosis, it appears that any agent registered for osteoporosis can be used with efficacy and safety data, including the bisphosphonates and/or teriparatide. The considerations for management become far more complex in stage 4, 5–5D CKD where the prevalence of other metabolic bone diseases and CKD–MBD (metabolic bone disease) increase and the WHO criteria for fragility fractures cannot be used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. In these more severe cases of CKD (5–5D), the differential diagnosis requires careful analysis of a broad range of biochemical markers of bone turnover and, at times, quantitative bone histomorphometry, especially if management considerations include the use of bisphosphonates. It is unknown if bisphosphonates, by reducing bone turnover in a pre-existing low bone turnover state, would help or harm bone or lead to more or less cardiovascular disease. These questions must be addressed by better science and prospective data. The future application of newer non-invasive radiological tools to measure microstructure and mineralization of bone promises to help us better understand osteoporosis and CKD–MBD in a non-invasive manner.
Harnessing SMT Solvers for TLA + Proofs

TLA+ is a language based on Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory and linear temporal logic designed for specifying and verifying concurrent and distributed algorithms and systems. The TLA+ proof system TLAPS allows users to interactively verify safety properties of these systems. At the core of TLAPS, a proof manager interprets the proof language, generates corresponding proof obligations and passes them to backend provers. We recently developed a backend that relies on a typing discipline to encode (untyped) TLA+ formulas into multi-sorted first-order logic for SMT solvers. In this paper we present a different encoding of TLA+ formulas that does not require explicit type inference for TLA+ expressions. We also present a number of techniques based on rewriting in order to simplify the resulting formulas.
Urine Processing for Water Recovery via Freeze Concentration

Resource recovery, including that of urine water extraction, is one of the most crucial aspects of long-term life support in interplanetary space travel. This paper will consequently examine an innovative approach to processing raw, undiluted urine based on low-temperature freezing. This strategy is uniquely different from NASA's current emphasis on either 'integrated' (co-treatment of mixed urine, grey, and condensate waters) or 'hightemperature' (i.e., VCD [vapor compression distillation] or VPCAR [vapor phase catalytic ammonia removal]) processing strategies, whereby this liquid freeze-thaw (LiFT) procedure would avoid both chemical and microbial cross-contamination concerns while at the same time securing highly desirable reductions in likely ESM levels. The involved feeze concentration methodology is a low energy process that focuses on the nucleation of pure ice crystals followed by a ripening effect of those crystals and subsequent washing to achieve high extraction efficiencies. A theoretical water recovery value of approximately 88% has been determined based on the eutectic points of the expected urine constituents. Overall, his research paper will focus on several aspects of freeze concentration, including an overview of the basic technology and its various pragmatic applications, as well as a theoretical comparison of model percent recovery rates relative to observed experimental operational values. Detailed testing results will also be presented to confirm the observed low-level migration of inorganic, organic, and biological contaminants into the product water.
Applying models of conflict negotiation to the Hindu‐Muslim conflict in Ahmedabad, India: Implications and lessons

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply five models of conflict negotiation (power‐based, interests‐based, needs‐based, dignity model and comprehensive systemic) to Hindu‐Muslim religious conflict in Ahmedabad city, India and assess their relative applicability.Design/methodology/approach – The general principles of each of the five models of conflict negotiation are first laid out from literature review. The principles are then hypothetically applied to resolve the contextual particularities of the Hindu‐Muslim conflict that occurred in 2002 in Ahmedabad city, India.Findings – The comprehensive systemic approach is a good model to be used as a diagnostic tool for assessing the Ahmedabad conflict. Following that diagnosis, however, a combination of the need‐based and dignity model is useful in effectively negotiating the conflict.Practical implications – This article creates awareness about the advantages and drawbacks of popular models of negotiation; this will enable negotiators to adopt a more ...
Social Learning Theory

Social learning theory is one of the most widely tested and cited criminological theories in the field. Since Burgess and Akers's first conceptualization and Akers's more recent refinements of social learning theory, a considerable amount of support has been evidenced surrounding its four theoretical components: differential association, differential reinforcement, definitions, and imitation. Furthermore, social learning variables are also found to be robust predictors of crime and deviance alongside other general theories of crime. This entry reviews the theoretical propositions of social learning theory and the empirical tests of the theory and concludes with a consideration of future directions for research. Keywords: Criminology; Delinquency; Learning; Sociology; Sociology of Crime
Iron L-shell line formation in diverse astrophysical environments

Iron L-shell transitions, which lie in the energy range 0.7 – 1.5 keV, can provide a wealth of important information about physical conditions in diverse astronomical sources. Although few data sets of adequate statistical quality are currently available for analysis, the next series of X-ray satellite experiments will provide order-of-magnitude improvements in both resolution and sensitivity for this kind of work. We review the important physical processes that underlie the diagnostic potential of these features. We specifically consider corona) plasmas, X-ray photoionized nebulae, and the ionizing plasmas believed to be present in young supernova remnants.
Many-Sources Delay Asymptotics with Applications to Priority Queues

In this paper, we study discrete-time priority queueing systems fed by a large number of arrival streams. We first provide bounds on the actual delay asymptote in terms of the virtual delay asymptote. Then, under suitable assumptions on the arrival process to the queue, we show that these asymptotes are the same. As an application of this result, we then consider a priority queueing system with two queues. Using the earlier result, we derive an upper bound on the tail probability of the delay. Under certain assumptions on the rate function of the arrival process, we show that the upper bound is tight. We then consider a system with Markovian arrivals and numerically evaluate the delay tail probability and validate these results with simulations.
Environmental preservation demand: Altruistic, bequest, and intrinsic motives

When the demand for environmental preservation is not explicitly revealed in markets, motivating attitudes toward environmental preservation become important. A survey approach allows revelation and measurement of demand for environmental preservation. Indices which measure the altruistic, bequest, intrinsic, and option to use motives and other attitudes are utilized as determinants in a model that measures the demand for environmental preservation. Demand is more likely with greater preservation motives. Preservation demand also depends on individual preferences for economic development, perceptions of affordability and responsibility for preservation of the wetlands. 17 refs., 3 tabs.
Vascular disease-causing mutation R258C in ACTA2 disrupts actin dynamics and interaction with myosin

Point mutations in vascular smooth muscle α-actin (SM α-actin), encoded by the gene ACTA2, are the most prevalent cause of familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD). Here, we provide the first molecular characterization, to our knowledge, of the effect of the R258C mutation in SM α-actin, expressed with the baculovirus system. Smooth muscles are unique in that force generation requires both interaction of stable actin filaments with myosin and polymerization of actin in the subcortical region. Both aspects of R258C function therefore need investigation. Total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy was used to quantify the growth of single actin filaments as a function of time. R258C filaments are less stable than WT and more susceptible to severing by cofilin. Smooth muscle tropomyosin offers little protection from cofilin cleavage, unlike its effect on WT actin. Unexpectedly, profilin binds tighter to the R258C monomer, which will increase the pool of globular actin (G-actin). In an in vitro motility assay, smooth muscle myosin moves R258C filaments more slowly than WT, and the slowing is exacerbated by smooth muscle tropomyosin. Under loaded conditions, small ensembles of myosin are unable to produce force on R258C actin-tropomyosin filaments, suggesting that tropomyosin occupies an inhibitory position on actin. Many of the observed defects cannot be explained by a direct interaction with the mutated residue, and thus the mutation allosterically affects multiple regions of the monomer. Our results align with the hypothesis that defective contractile function contributes to the pathogenesis of TAAD.
Effects of ethanol on rat Schwann cell proliferation and myelination in culture

It is possible to treat dissociated embryonic rat dorsal root ganglia in culture to inhibit proliferation of all nonneuronal cells except Schwann cells. Neurons have been shown to produce a mitogenic stimulus for Schwann cells under these conditions. Additionally, myelin-competent neurons induce Schwann cells to elaborate myelin sheaths. Groups of sibling cultures were exposed to various nonlethal concentrations of ethanol (0, 43, 86, or 172 mM) for 4 wk. Culture were assessed weekly by light microscopy in a blind fashion for evidence of Schwann cell proliferation and myelin formation. Ethanol adversely affected both Schwann cell proliferation and myelin formation in culture. No obvious differences in neuronal morphology were observed among the various groups of cultures by light or electron microscopy. These observations suggest that ethanol might interfere with Schwann cell proliferation and myelin formation in culture by one or both of the following means: a) inhibit neuronal production of signals for Schwann cell proliferation and myelination or b) impede Schwann cell responses to neuronal signals. Investigation of these possibilities in culture may provide insight into neuropathologic mechanisms operative in the fetal alcohol syndrome or alcohol-associated peripheral neuropathy in humans.
The CEBAF ultraviolet FEL experiment

Abstract Simulations are used to investigate the characteristics of the proposed CEBAF UV FEL experiment. Of particular interest is the gain degradation when the optical mode waist and the electron beam are of approximately equal size.
Cytomegalovirus colitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a clinical and endoscopic study.

Abstract Background: Cytomegalovirus colitis is an important complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), although the clinical and colonoscopic manifestations of this disease have not been systematically characterized. Methods: Patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus colitis were prospectively identified at two medical centers. The diagnosis of cytomegalovirus disease was based on established endoscopic and histologic criteria. At the time of sigmoidoscopic and/or colonoscopic examination, clinical features were recorded; the location, size, and appearance of all endoscopic abnormalities were documented; and multiple biopsies of any lesions were performed. Results: Fifty-six patients were studied. The majority of the patients were homosexual men with severe immunodeficiency (median CD4 lymphocyte count 15/mm 3 , range 1 to 294/mm 3 ). Chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain were the most frequent clinical manifestations, seen in 45 (80%) and 28 (50%) patients, respectively. Five patients (9%) presented with lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, three of whom had no antecedent history of diarrhea. The colonoscopic abnormalities could be categorized into three main groups: colitis associated with ulcer (39%), ulceration alone (38%), or colitis alone (20%). Subepithelial hemorrhage was a prominent endoscopic manifestation of disease. Of the 31 patients undergoing colonoscopy to the cecum, in four (13%) endoscopic evidence of disease was limited to the colon proximal to the splenic flexure. Conclusions: Cytomegalovirus colitis in AIDS appears to have variable but stereotypical clinical and colonoscopic manifestations. Distal colitis associated with ulceration is the most common colonoscopic pattern. (Gastrointest Endosc 1998;48:39-43.)
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 alters the tumorigenicity of Burkitt's lymphoma via divergent effects on tumor growth and angiogenesis.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Burkitt’s lymphoma cells and EBV-infected B cells elicit humoral factors that inhibit tumor-induced angiogenesis, resulting in tumor necrosis and regression. Of the chemokine factors identified in association with this growth behavior, none have induced complete tumor regression. We have previously identified tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in various B cell lymphoma cell lines. Here we show that induction of TIMP-1 expression in an EBV-negative Burkitt’s lymphoma cell line results in a biphasic, in vivo tumor growth pattern in the nude mouse that is essentially identical to EBV-positive Burkitt’s lymphoma cell lines. The initial effect of TIMP-1 is to enhance tumor growth, consistent with the reported anti-apoptotic effect of TIMP-1 on B cell growth. Tumor necrosis and regression then follow the initial period of rapid, increased tumor growth. Only microscopic foci of residual, proliferating tumor cells are observed on biopsy of the tumor site. This latter effect is mediated by TIMP-1 inhibition of an angiogenic response within the developing tumor mass, as demonstrated by immunostaining and microvessel counts. These findings suggest that TIMP-1 is an important mediator of the in vivo growth properties of EBV-positive Burkitt’s lymphoma.
Nestmate recognition in social wasps: the origin and acquisition of recognition odours

Laboratory studies of nestmate recognition in gynes (potential queens) of the social wasp, Polistes fuscatus, indicate that recognition odours have both a heritable and an environmental component. In addition, both endogenous odours (acquired as brood) and adult-acquired odours appear to mediate nestmate recognition. Heritable and environmental, as well as endogenous and adult-acquired recognition odours, are not additive in their effect on tolerance, suggesting a ‘cue similarity threshold’ model of recognition rather than a model that postulates tolerance continuouusly increasing with increasing degree of similarity between the learned and perceived cue. Young gynes (1·7–71·8 h after emergence) clearly possess recognition odours and there is no evidence that the age of a young gyne affects its expression of recognition odours. The failure of a wasp, isolated from its natal nest at emergence, to recognize its nestmates is due to the disruption of its learning of recognition odours, not to its acquisition of recognition odours. Gynes appear not to learn recognition odours directly from themselves. Young gynes deprived of the opportunity to learn recognition odours from their natal nest treat all gynes as nestmates, regardless of relatedness. This latter result, together with additional evidence, suggests that the ontogeny of nestmate recognition ability involves the development of intolerance to unfamiliar odours rather than the development of tolerance to familiar odours.
Integration of edge- and region-based techniques for range image segmentation

Range images incorporate 3-D surface coordinates of a scene and are well suited for a variety of vision applications. For tasks such as 3-D object recognition a representation of the object(s) present in the image is derived and then matched with stored models to determine the object(s) identity. Surface based representation is the most widely used representation in range image analysis. To generate surface based representation of an object a segmentation of the object into a number of surfaces is needed. In this paper we present an approach for the segmentation of range images into a number of surfaces that in turn can be used to generate surface based representation. The approach integrates both edge detection and region growing techniques to achieve the segmentation. We start by detecting jump edges. Jump edge map is processed and regions surrounded by jump edges are isolated. Next fold edges are detected iteratively using normals and residual. Fold edge map is processed to obtain the final segmented image. Jump and fold edge maps are processed using a Bayesian approach. The apriori knowledge is modeled using Markov Random Field. For jump edges we have used a coupled line and depth process. For fold edges we have combined line residuals and normals to process the fold edge map. The performance of the algorithm on a number of range images is presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Evidence from amino acid analysis for a relationship in the biosynthesis of γ- and β-caseins

Abstract γ-Casein, like β-casein, is polymorphic as shown by gel electrophoresis. Two variants of γ-casein, A 2 and B, have been isolated from samples of bovine casein genetically typed β-casein A 2 and B. The β-caseins were also isolated from the same samples. By comparison of the composition of the proteins it was shown that γ -A 2 differs from γ-B only in content of single residues of four amino acids and two substitutions, Ser/Arg and His/Pro are postulated. β -A 2 differs from β-B in the same manner, implying a close relationship in the synthesis of these milk proteins. The γ-caseins differ considerably from the β-caseins in content of proline and phosphorus. Comparison of the composition of four polymorphs of β-casein indicated that, in addition to the Ser/Arg and His/Pro substitutions, a third, Glu/Lys, may occur in the β-casein variants.
Inhibition of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I by association of the template with an N-methylisatin-β-thiosemicarbazone·copper complex

The deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase I (deoxynucleoside triphosphate: DNA deoxynucleotidyl transferase; E.C 2.7.7.7) of Escherichia coli is inhibited more than 99% by 50 μM N-methylisatin-β-thiosemicarbazone (M-IBT) + 50 μM CuSO4. When added alone, 50 μM M-IBT enhanced activity, whereas 50 μM CuSO4 alone inhibits the reaction by 40%. Inhibition is reversed by the competing chelating agent ethylenediamine tetraacetate. A related compound, 1-formylisoquinoline thiosemicarbazone, also inhibits enzyme activity in the presence of cupric ions. Polymerase inhibition by M-IBT + CuSO4 is relieved when increasing amounts of nucleic acid, but not increasing amounts of enzyme, are added. This suggests that the DNA template, not the polymerase, is the target of inhibition by M-IBT + CuSO4. The biological pertinence of nucleic acid as a target for the M-IBT + CuSO4 complex is shown by the binding of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) 70 S RNA to the complex formed within the intact virus particle. The importance of metal ions for this drug action is supported by the ability of ethylenediamine tetraacetate to reverse the binding.
Exploiting Nonlinearity to Provide Broadband Energy Harvesting

Energy harvesters are a promising technology for capturing useful energy from the environment or a machine’s operation. In thispaperwehighlight ideasthatmight leadtoenergyharvesters that more efficiently harvest a portion of the considerable vibrational energy that is present for human-made devices and environments such as automobiles, trains, aircraft, watercraft, machinery, and buildings. Specifically, we consider how to exploit ideas based on properties of nonlinear oscillators with negative linear stiffness driven by periodic and stochastic inputs to design energy harvesters having large amplitude response over a broad range of ambient vibration frequencies. Such harvesters could improve upon proposed harvesters of vibrational energy based on linear mechanical principles, which only give appreciable response if the dominant ambient vibration frequency is close to the resonance frequency of the harvester.
African American women's sexual satisfaction as a dimension of their sex roles

African American women's sexual satisfaction in heterosexual relationships was examined as a dimension of their sex roles. Responses to questions about sexual behaviors and interactions they preferred in primary relationships were selected from a larger study of a stratified random sample of 126 African American women. Three factors were identified: sexual responsiveness, sexual expression, and sexual interest and enthusiasm. The factors are described as profiles that may enhance or limit women's male-female sexual relationships. The implications of African American women's sexual satisfaction as an important dimension to understand in today's AIDS related sexual climate is discussed within a socio-cultural context.
COLLISION-INDUCED DISSOCIATION AND POST-SOURCE DECAY OF MODEL DODECAPEPTIDE IONS CONTAINING LYSINE AND GLYCINE

Abstract Collision-induced dissociation (CID) and post-source decay (PSD) of a series of model dodecapeptide ions have been studied by ESI-FT-ICR and MALDI-TOF, respectively. Low-energy CID of quadruply protonated peptide ions, [M + 4H]4+, where M = (KGG)4, (K2G4)2, and K4G8, was conducted under both on-resonance irradiation and sustained off-resonance irradiation (SORI) conditions. The fragmentation patterns observed were very sequence dependent. For (KGG)4, the major product ions involved y-cleavages occurring on the C-terminal side of the lysine residues. These dissociation sites and the corresponding charge states of the product ions can be explained on the basis of the four protons being primarily localized on lysine residues. For (K2G4)2, both y and b series ions were observed as dissociation products. The observation of b ions in the vicinity of the C-terminus is not consistent with the model of protons being localized on lysine residues. The data suggest that, during the CID process, protons may migrate to the less basic C-terminal glycine residue in order to minimize Coulomb repulsion. This is also supported by CID studies of K4G8 where the major dissociation products are b type ions formed from cleavages near the C-terminus. In contrast with the CID results, PSD of [M + H]+ from all three peptides leads to formation of almost complete series of y and b type ions, with cleavages at the lysine residues often being most prominent. In summary, it was found that low-energy CID of [M + 4H]4+ in an ESI-FT-ICR yielded pronounced cleavages at the basic lysine residues, which may provide information about the number and locations of basic residues; however, PSD of [M + H]+ in a MALDI-TOF provided a wider range of fragment ions that should prove useful in peptide sequencing.
Acute ethanol intoxication in a model of traumatic brain injury with hemorrhagic shock: effects on early physiological response.

Object. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is exacerbated by hypotension and hypoventilation. Because previous studies have shown a potentiating effect of ethanol (EtOH) on TBI and hemorrhagic shock (HS), the authors investigated the effects of EtOH on the early physiological response to TBI with and without HS. Methods. Anesthetized swine, weighing approximately 20 kg each, underwent fluid-percussion TBI of 3 atm with or without 30 ml/kg hemorrhage for a period of 30 minutes. The mean arterial blood pressure, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), cardiac output, cerebral venous oxygen saturation, and metabolic parameters were monitored for 3 hours postinjury. Ventilation and the response to hypercapnia were also measured. Regional cerebral blood flow and renal blood flow were measured using dye-labeled microspheres. Five groups were studied: control, TBI, TBI/EtOH, TBI/HS, and TBI/HS/EtOH. The EtOH (3.5 g) was given intragastrically 100 minutes preinjury. The TBI/HS/EtOH group demonstrated ...
Reduction of multi-photon ionization in dielectrics due to collisions

The collisional effect due to the multi-photon ionization process in dielectric material has been studied. We found that the breakdown threshold of fused silica is the same for both linearly and circularly polarized light at 55 fs and 100 fs, which we believe is an indication of the suppression of multi-photon ionization in solids. By numerically solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation with scattering, for the first time, we have observed substantial reduction of the multi-photon ionization rate in dielectrics due to collisions.
Dihydromorphinone ketone reductases

Abstract Dihydromorphinone ketone reductases are new NADPH dependent drug metabolizing enzymes which occur predominantly in cytosol of liver and to a lesser extent in kidney and lung. The hepatic enzyme of the chicken has been found to differ from that of rabbit with respect to relative effectiveness of inhibitors and according to certain other parameters.
2,6-Difluorophenol as a Bioisostere of a Carboxylic Acid: Bioisosteric Analogues of γ-Aminobutyric Acid

3-(Aminomethyl)-2,6-difluorophenol (6) and 4-(aminomethyl)-2,6-difluorophenol (7) were synthesized in eight and four steps, respectively, starting from 2,6-difluorophenol, to test the potential of the 2,6-difluorophenol moiety to act as a lipophilic bioisostere of a carboxylic acid. Compounds 6 and 7 are potential bioisosteric analogues of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Substrate studies and inhibition studies were carried out with pig brain γ-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase; 6 and 7 are very poor substrates, but both inhibit the enzyme, indicating that the 2,6-difluorophenol moiety appears to be able to substitute for a carboxylic acid to increase the lipophilicity of drug candidates.
Enhanced bone-integration capability of alkali- and heat-treated nanopolymorphic titanium in micro-to-nanoscale hierarchy.

Abstract This study introduces nanopolymorphic features of alkali- and heat-treated titanium surfaces, comprising of tuft-like, plate-like, and nodular structures that are smaller than 100 nm and determines whether and how the addition of these nanofeatures to a microroughened titanium surface affects bone–implant integration. A comprehensive assessment of biomechanical, interfacial, and histological analyses in a rat model was performed for machined surfaces without microroughness, sandblasted-microroughened surfaces, and micro–nano hybrid surfaces created by sandblasting and alkali and heat treatment. The microroughened surface accelerated the establishment of implant biomechanical fixation at the early healing stage compared with the non-microroughened surface but did not increase the implant fixation at the late healing stage. The addition of the nanopolymorphic features to the microroughened surface further increased implant fixation throughout the healing time. The area of the new bone within 50 μm proximity of the implant surfaces, which was increased 2–3-fold using microroughened surfaces, was further increased 2-fold using nanopolymorphic surfaces. In contrast, the bone area in a 50–200 μm zone was not influenced by either microroughened or nanopolymorphic surfaces. The percentage of bone–implant contact, which was increased 4–5-fold, using microroughened surfaces, was further increased substantially by over 2-fold throughout the healing period. The percentage of soft tissue intervention between bone and implant surfaces, which was reduced to half by microroughened surfaces, was additionally reduced by the nanopolymorphic surfaces to between one-third and one-fourth, resulting in only 5–7% soft tissue intervention compared with 60–75% for the non-microroughened surface. Thus, using an exemplary alkali- and heat-treated nanopolymorphic surface, this study identified critical parameters necessary to describe the process and consequences of bone–implant integration, for which nanofeatures have specific and substantial roles beyond those of microfeatures. Nanofeature-enhanced osteoconductivity, which resulted in both the acceleration and elevation of bone–implant integration, has clearly been demonstrated.
Information and control in packet switched satellite communication

The problem of access control to a packet switched multi-access satellite broadcast channel is considered in the framework of non-classical control theory. This viewpoint, with the simple model presented, gives us some interesting results. It is shown under certain assumptions, that because of the inherent delay in information the optimal control law will be within the class of open loop control laws. By a result in Bayesian decision theory it is shown that randomized decisions will not be necessary. Given an additional minor restriction we find that for 'new' packets only two modes of operation of the channel could be optimal, namely: 'All Together' (every station sends whenever it has a packet) or 'Round Robin' (every station sends whenever it is its turn and it has a packet), and an equation for the crossover arrival probability Po at which the channel would switch from All Together (P<Po) to Round Robin (P?Po) is given. For collided packets we find that it is optimal to have predetermined assignments of groups of stations to time slots for retransmissions, and a dynamic programming algorithm for determining the optimal grouping is given.
Reversal of feline retroviral suppression by indomethacin

The immunosuppressive effect of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and its 15,000 dalton envelope protein (p15E) were studied to determine if the mechanism of action was due to an increase in prostaglandin production. We examined the effects of exogenous PGE1 and PGE2 on the normal Con A response of feline peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and found them to be inhibitory. The addition of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin to cells incubated with FeLV or FeLV p15E and Con A completely abrogated the viral suppressive effects. This reversal was titratable and time-dependent. Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs were found to have similar actions. Indomethacin was also able to increase the suppressed Con A response of PBL from FeLV-infected cats. Upon measurement of PGE2 levels from PBL cultured with FeLV, we found a decrease in PGE2 accumulation associated with FeLV presence during the first 24 h of culture. These findings indicate that FeLV does not cause its immunosuppressive effects by increasing PG production and suggests that indomethacin and the other tested NSAI drugs do not produce their effect by PG inhibition.
Tissue reactions to endodontic materials implanted in the mandibles of guinea pigs

Teflon, Intermediate Restorative Material, and Prisma VLC Dycal were implanted in the mandibles of 16 guinea pigs. After experimental periods of 4 and 12 weeks, the animals were killed and tissue sections were prepared. No severe inflammatory response was noted in any of the groups except for a persistence of moderate inflammation in the poorly condensed Teflon group. Bone apposition occurred in the Prisma VLC Dycal group; none-to-mild inflammation and a thin fibrous capsule characterized the IRM group; and the Teflon group had a thick fibrous encapsulation except for samples where the Teflon material appeared to be poorly condensed and dispersed into the bony tissue. In areas where the teflon was loosely condensed, chronic inflammation and active phagocytosis were seen along the surface of the material.
An Ultrasound Moving Target Indicator System for Diagnostic Use

An ultrasound system using moving target indicator (MTI) techniques has been developed to provide a different approach to the problem of isolating and presenting echo information arising from dynamic tissue interfaces. The basic MTI procedure accomplishes isolation of moving target information by comparing echo information subsequent to a transmit pulse to the echo information arising from the preceding pulse. Stationary target information is effectively eliminated. In addition, the MTI procedure isolates dynamic target information throughout the volume investigated by the ultrasonic transducer. This feature eliminates the need for rangegating.
Proteasome Inhibitors Reduce Luciferase and β-Galactosidase Activity in Tissue Culture Cells

Reporter enzymes are commonly used in cell biology to study transcriptional activity of genes. Recently, reporter enzymes in combination with compounds that inhibit proteasome function have been used to study the effect of blocking transcription factor degradation on gene activation. While investigating the effect of proteasome inhibition on steroid receptor activation of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter, we found that treatment with proteasome inhibitors enhanced glucocorticoid activation of the promoter attached to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter, but inhibited activation of MMTV attached to a firefly luciferase or β-galactosidase reporter. MMTV RNA levels under these conditions correlated with the promoter activity observed using the CAT reporter, suggesting that proteasome inhibitor treatment interfered with luciferase or β-galactosidase reporter assays. Washout experiments demonstrated that the majority of luciferase activity was lost if the proteasome inhibitor was added at the same time luciferase was produced, not once the functional protein was made, suggesting that proteasome inhibition interferes with production of luciferase protein. Indeed, we found that proteasome inhibitor treatment dramatically reduced the levels of luciferase and β-galactosidase protein produced, as determined by Western blot. Thus, treatment with proteasome inhibitors interferes with luciferase and β-galactosidase reporter assays, possibly by inhibiting production of a functional reporter protein.
Abundance, Production, and Tissue Composition of Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in a Central Idaho Wilderness Stream

Abstract Mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are among the most abundant native fishes in western North America, yet their role in ecosystems is largely unknown. We investigated their ecology in Big Creek, a 7th-order wilderness watershed in central Idaho. Based on underwater visual counts and hook and line surveys conducted during summer months, as well as tissue analysis, we estimated mountain whitefish distribution and abundance, total biomass, production, and energy and nutrient contributions along a 60 km segment of Big Creek. We observed that abundance decreased with distance upstream, and 93% of mountain whitefish surveyed in Big Creek were greater than 200 mm (≥ 3 years); few juveniles were observed, suggesting that rearing occurs in habitats downstream. Mountain whitefish were the dominant fish in Big Creek, in terms of both abundance (33% of fish observed) and biomass (57% of salmonid biomass). We estimated their production averaged across the study segment as 0.51 g m-2 yr-1, though it r...
An unique lithium salt for the improved electrolyte of Li-ion battery

Abstract Lithium oxalyldifluoroborate (LiODFB) is first reported as the salt for improved electrolyte of Li-ion battery. This salt was found to have the combined advantages of lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) and LiBF 4 due to its chemical structure comprising the half molecular moieties of LiBOB and LiBF 4 . Compared with LiBOB, the salt is more soluble in linear carbonates and the resulting solution is less viscous, which results in the battery better low temperature and high rate performance. Unlike LiBF 4 , the salt is highly capable of stabilizing solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the surface of graphite anode, which enables Li-ion cell to be operated stably at high temperature. For example, a graphite/LiNi 1− x − y M x N y O 2 (M and N are metal atoms) Li-ion cell suffered only about 10% capacity loss after 200 cycles at 60 °C. On the other hand, graphite can be cycled reversibly with LiODFB even in a solution containing high concentration (50 wt%) of propylene carbonate (PC), which makes it possible to formulate the low freezing temperature electrolyte by using PC as the co-solvent. Other merits of the LiODFB-based electrolytes include (1) the ability to support metallic lithium cycling reversibly on the surface of copper anode current collector, (2) the ability to passivate aluminum cathode current collector at high potentials, (3) the ability to participate in formation of the SEI and support Li-ion battery operating stably at high temperatures, and (4) the ability to increase battery safety protection and overcharge tolerance.
Personality and community prevention teams: Dimensions of team leader and member personality predicting team functioning

Abstract The predictors and correlates of positive functioning among community prevention teams have been examined in a number of research studies; however, the role of personality has been neglected. In this study, we examined whether team member and leader personality dimensions assessed at the time of team formation predicted local prevention team functioning 2.5–3.5 years later. Participants were 159 prevention team members in 14 communities participating in the PROSPER study of prevention program dissemination. Three aspects of personality, aggregated at the team level, were examined as predictors: Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness , and Agreeableness . A series of multivariate regression analyses were performed that accounted for the interdependency of five categories of team functioning. Results showed that average team member Openness was negatively, and Conscientiousness was positively linked to team functioning. The findings have implications for decisions about the level and nature of technical assistance support provided to community prevention teams.
Identifying Youths at Risk for Institutional Misconduct: A Meta- Analytic Investigation of the Psychopathy Checklist Measures

Identifying and intervening with youths who may be prone to misconduct and aggression is an important management task in institutional settings. Psychopathy, typically assessed via the Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL—R) or Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV), has been asserted to be a prominent predictor of acting out among youths, even in controlled environments such as detention facilities or psychiatric hospitals. The present study investigated this association meta-analytically by aggregating effect sizes for three types of institutional misconduct (total, aggressive, physically violent) across 15 samples (N 1,310). The weighted mean correlations ranged from .24 to .28, although there was considerable heterogeneity for aggressive and physically violent misbehavior. The file drawer problem was reflected in the variability in aggressive misconduct, with published studies reporting larger effects (weighted r .33) than unpublished reports (weighted r .14). Moreover, this difference could not be explained in terms of differing methodological quality between published and unpublished studies. Failure to consider the totality of the extant research may lead to inflated perceptions of the predictive utility of juvenile psychopathy measures in institutional settings.
Analysis and optimization of a quasi-isothermal compression and expansion cycle for ocean compressed air energy storage (OCAES)

A numerical analysis of a quasi-isothermal thermodynamic cycle was undertaken for its application in an underwater energy storage system. The conceptual basis for the quasi-isothermal process is firstly a use of water pistons, as opposed to air or other gas medium, which improve heat transfer rate and minimize the temperature variation on both compression and expansion sides of the cycle and secondly a use of mechanical design that maximizes a surface area of heat transfer. Numerical analysis of the heat transfer cycle confirms the validity of the quasi-isothermal nature of the water pistons. Design factors such as surface area, stroke displacement, and frequency of piston action can be analyzed for optimality. For a case study, a recent commercial design of the quasi-isothermal process is introduced and partially analyzed for its effectiveness. Impact of varying several design factors have been analyzed numerically for further understanding of optimality and for validating the quasi-isothermal nature of the design.
Causes and management of portal hypertension in the pediatric population.

The survival of children with portal hypertension has improved during the past decade. This improvement has resulted from (1) progress in the pharmacologic control of acute portal hypertensive hemorrhage; (2) improved efficacy and safety of endoscopic methods to treat acute esophageal variceal hemorrhage that reduce the risk of rebleeding; (3) recognition of the role for advanced surgical therapy (portocaval shunts); and (4) improved success with pediatric liver transplantation as a definitive treatment for children with end-stage liver disease. This article examines the role of each of these treatment modalities in the management of portal hypertension in children.
Organization of the Oppressed or Organization for Oppressing: Analysing the Role of the Basij Militia of Iran

In post-revolutionary Iran, the Basij militia group has helped the leadership of the country maintain political control by recruiting, indoctrinating, and organizing Iranians. As a semi-official pro-governmental militia, the Basij has controlled Iran's society by (1) engaging in local defence, (2) conducting surveillance, (3) policing society, and (4) suppressing dissidents. The militia group has also participated in national defence operations. Today, Basij members are organized into a clustered network of Basij bases, which are spread throughout Iran in order to control the society. Through eighteen branches, the Basij enrols and organizes the Iranian population in three different levels. In this paper, the reasons why the Basij became engaged in controlling Iran's population are discussed. In addition, the structure of the organization and the methods it uses to control the population are explained. Finally, the social and political impacts of the organization's efforts are explored.
Observed brightness distributions in overcast skies

Beneath most overcasts, clouds' motions and rapidly changing optical depths complicate mapping their angular distributions of luminance Lv and visible-wavelength radiance L. Fisheye images of overcast skies taken with a radiometer-calibrated digital camera provide a useful new approach to solving this problem. Maps calculated from time-averaged images of individual overcasts not only show their brightness distributions in unprecedented detail, but they also help solve a long-standing puzzle about where brightness maxima of overcasts are actually located. When combined with simulated radiance distributions from MODTRAN4, our measured radiances also let us estimate the gradients of cloud thickness observed in some overcasts.