cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of genotyping-by-sequencing sequence tags associated with milling performance and end-use quality traits in hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Abstract Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) utilizes Next-Generation sequencing to genetically and physically map traits of interest. Here we use GBS to identify QTLs and SNP markers associated with milling and end-use quality traits in an hard red spring wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. The RIL population and parents were phenotyped for eleven milling and end-use quality traits, and genotyped using GBS technology, simple sequence repeat (SSR) and allele specific sequence tagged site markers. A genetic map comprising 696 markers was used to map the end-use quality traits. Multiple QTL mapping identified 79 QTLs, 19 of which were declared ‘major’ as they explained greater than 15% of the phenotypic variance each. Transgressive segregants were observed for all phenotypes and co-locating QTLs controlling multiple quality traits were confirmed on chromosomes 1BL, 5AS, 7AS, 7AL and 7BS. To date, no GBS analysis to locate end-use quality QTLs in wheat has been conducted, thus the reporting and validation of these GBS sequence tags and their associated QTLs will shed light on the genetic architecture underlying these quantitative traits and assist wheat breeders in developing cultivars with favorable alleles through the use of marker assisted selection.
A DIFFERENT SHADE OF GRAY: MIDLIFE AND BEYOND IN THE CITY By Katherine S. Newman

In her cleverly titled study, Katherine S. Newman details the experiences of middle aged and older minorities in New York City. The book's combination of nationwide surveys and in-depth interviews ...
Relative Store Fragments for Singleton Abstraction

A singleton abstraction occurs in a program analysis when some results of the analysis are known to be exact: an abstract binding corresponds to a single concrete binding. In this paper, we develop a novel approach to constructing singleton abstractions via relative store fragments. Each store fragment is a locally exact store abstraction in that it contains only those abstract variable bindings necessary to address a particular question at a particular program point; it is relative to that program point and the point of view may be shifted. We show how an analysis incorporating relative store fragments achieves flow-, context-, path- and must-alias sensitivity, and can be used as a basis for environment analysis, without any machinery put in place for those specific aims. We build upon recent advances in demand-driven higher-order program analysis to achieve this construction as it is fundamentally tied to demand-driven lookup of variable values.
Patient Acceptance of Teleurology via Telephone vs Face-to-Face Clinic Visits for Hematuria Consultation at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Abstract Introduction We evaluated the experience and preferences of patients undergoing hematuria consultation via teleurology compared to a conventional face-to-face clinic visit. Methods Patients evaluated for hematuria with teleurology or face-to-face clinic visit were surveyed regarding their experience and preferences. The survey consisted of 27 questions evaluating overall acceptance and satisfaction (8 questions), impact factors (17) and preference (2). Results A total of 450 patients participated in the survey at a 2-to-1 ratio (300 via teleurology, 150 via face-to-face visits). Overall, patient satisfaction level was higher with teleurology compared to face-to-face clinic visits (mean score 9.2 vs 8.4, p Conclusions Patients prefer teleurology to face-to-face clinic visits for the initial evaluation of hematuria. Teleurology positively impacts compliance and access by potentially eliminating common challenges facing patients, and by improving efficiency, convenience and flexibility.
Charting a Critical Physical Geography Path in Graduate School: Sites of Student Agency

This chapter explores strategies for engaging in Critical Physical Geography (CPG) while in graduate school despite known challenges and institutional barriers. We focus on key milestones in the PhD process: from selecting a program and advisor to analyzing and integrating data to writing the dissertation. Each milestone brings unique challenges, necessitating tailored strategies. However, we suggest that two factors are important throughout: first, a long-term view that sees graduate school as the start rather than the end of an engagement with CPG, and second, supportive peer networks which create intellectual and political space for this type of research as early career scholars.
Land ownership and 20th century changes to forest structure in California

Abstract Forests in California have changed dramatically during the 20th century. Shifts in forest structure including densification, declines in large trees and tree basal area have altered the function, productivity, and resilience of modern day forests. Attributing these changes to specific drivers is increasingly important for effective management of healthy and productive forests. Previous studies focus on climatic (temperature, precipitation, climatic water deficit), disturbance (fire), geomorphological (topography, soil types), and anthropogenic (logging, fire suppression) drivers, but few studies evaluate large scale change in forest structure across land ownership type. In this paper, we investigate 20th century changes to forest structure across six land ownership classes in California. We compare historical and contemporary forest structural data and find that declines in large trees and increases in forest density are consistent across the state. This pattern is most pronounced on private timberlands, which experience up to 400% regional increases in small tree (
Effect of Adverse Storage Conditions on Performance of Glucometer Test Strips

OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted to assess the impact of adverse storage environments, i.e., not manufacturer recommended, on the performance of reagent test strips used with a point of care testing (POCT) glucometer to measure whole blood glucose levels. DESIGN/SETTING: Glucose reagent test strips were placed in open, i.e., uncapped, and closed, i.e., capped vials. These vials were those used by the manufacturer to package and store the reagent test strips. One of each type of vial was placed in the manufacturer-recommended storage environment at room temperature and the adverse environments (incubator, direct light to mimic sunlight exposure, humidity, and refrigerated). The Accu-Chek Easy® glucometer and reagent test strips as well as Accu-Chek Easy high and low glucose control solutions, manufactured by Roche, were used for this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: On day-3, day-7, and then once every 7 days, one strip from each vial in each environment was tested with the same glucometer using both a high and a low glucose control. The strip was considered failed for a type of vial and storage environment when either control was out of the reference range on a regular testing day and still out of range when tested the subsequent day. Testing continued up to 50 days. RESULTS: For the tested environments it was found that, overall, test strip stability lasted longer for closed vials than open vials. For open vials in adverse storage conditions, the refrigerator environment offered the longest stability at 35 to 50 days and direct light and humidity offered the shortest periods of stability at 3 to 14 days. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the manufacturer9s recommendations to store POCT glucose test strips in their original vial, capped, and at room temperature, though refrigeration may offer an alternative storage environment with acceptable stability. As compliance with testing, quality control, and storage instructions is often an issue with POCT, the manufacturers of these systems for blood glucose measurement should design storage systems that allow the patient to store the glucose meter and the reagent strips in the same location. Manufacturers may also need to consider designing storage systems that are more portable, knowing that patients must take the glucose meters and test strips with them when they travel. Roche9s Accu-Chek Compact system is an example of such a design. The glucose test strips are incorporated into a drum that is stored in the Accu-Chek meter itself. When a patient performs a fingerstick blood glucose measurement, the drum advances to move a test strip outside the meter. When the test is complete, the test strip is ejected for disposal.1 Future studies to clarify the effect of adverse storage conditions, particularly refrigeration, on the integrity of POCT test systems and reagent strips is warranted with currently marketed brands. ABBREVIATIONS: CLS = clinical laboratory science; CV = coefficient of variation; POCT = point of care testing; SD = standard deviation; μL = microliter.
MATHEMATICAL ASPECTS OF IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION FROM PROJECTIONS

Image reconstruction from projections is a procedure of extreme usefulness in many scientific and medical fields. In particular, it has revolutionized diagnostic radiology in the last decade. The mathematical essence of the procedure is the estimation and presentation of a real-valued function of several variables from approximate values of a finite number of its line integrals. In this article we survey some of the mathematics associated with practical image reconstruction from projections. The topics dealt with include reconstruction from incomplete data, techniques based on optimization theory, the fully three-dimensional problem, and the display of reconstructions.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Immediate Hypersensitivity Disorders

The diagnosis of immediate hypersensitivity disorders must necessarily begin with a thorough patient history. Only after the physician has first established a temporal relationship between allergic symptoms and exposure to a specific allergen is further diagnostic evaluation indicated. Once a reasonable suspicion is established, laboratory confirmation can be obtained utilizing a variety of procedures which range from relatively simple to more elaborate and costly immunological methods.
Public Program Enrollment Following US State Medicaid Expansion and Outreach.

Objectives. To examine the joint impact of states’ Medicaid expansion and participation in Medicaid enrollment outreach at the take-up of other means-tested public programs (Women, Infants, and Chi...
Buoyant flows in street canyons: Comparison of RANS and LES at reduced and full scales

Abstract Reduced-scale experiments and full-scale field measurements show contradictory buoyancy effects from heated windward walls. Reduced-scale experiments exhibit significant thermal effects, but full-scale field measurements show a negligible thermal effect on the overall flow fields. This paper investigates this discrepancy by using at both scales Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations with Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Compared to experimental and field measurements, RANS models perform well at reduced scale but over-predict the thermal effects of heated windward walls at full scale. On the other hand, LES results agree well with measurements at both scales. Therefore, LES should be used for full-scale simulations of street canyon flows with heated windward walls. To date, there has been no explanation for the discrepancy of opposing thermal effects between reduced-scale experiments and full-scale field measurements although Richardson number similarity is satisfied. We provide an explanation by showing that in reduced-scale experiments with heated windward walls, the assumption of Reynolds number independence is invalid. In canyon flows with thermally induced buoyancy, unless the flow is proven independent of both Reynolds number and Grashof number, we should not generalize results from reduced-scale experiments to full-scale street canyons.
Difference in Restricted Mean Survival Time: Small Sample Distribution and Asymptotic Relative Efficiency

The difference between two arms in the restricted mean survival time is an alternative to the hazard ratio. It provides a more easily understood measure of the treatment effect of an intervention i...
Haptic Mental Rotation: More Consistent in Blind Subjects?.

Four adventitiously blind subjects and four sighted subjects with vision occluded examined a tangible letter J, presented at various orientations, and stated whether the stimulus was in normal or m...
17β-estradiol alters mRNA co-expression after murine muscle injury and mild hypobaria.

Here, we assessed the effects of 17β-estradiol exposure on mRNA co-expression patterns of muscle tissue during recovery in a closed muscle crush injury and hypobaria exposure murine model. Eighteen...
Effect of student-directed solicitation of evaluation forms on the timeliness of completion by preceptors in the United States.

Purpose Summative evaluation forms assessing a student's clinical performance are often completed at the end of a clinical experience from a faculty preceptor. In our institution, despite the use of an electronic system, completion timeliness has been suboptimal potentially limiting our ability to monitor student progress. The aim of the present study was to determine if a student-centered approach to summative evaluation form collection at the end of a pediatrics clinical experience will enhance timeliness of completion for third year medical students at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. Methods This was a pre- and post-intervention educational quality improvement project focused on 156 (82 pre-intervention, 74 post-intervention) third year medical students at Pennsylvania State College of Medicinecompleting their four-week pediatric clerkship. Utilizing Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) informatics support, student-directed evaluation form solicitation was encouraged. Wilcoxon rank sum test was applied to compare pre-intervention (May 1, 2017 to March 2, 2018) and post-intervention (April 2, 2018 to December 21, 2018) percentages of forms completed before rotation midpoint. Results Seven hundred and forty evaluation forms were submitted during the pre-intervention phase and five-hundred and seventeen were submitted during the post-intervention phase. Form completion percentage before rotation midpoint increased after implementation of student-directed solicitation (9.6% versus 39.7%, P Conclusion Our clerkship relies on subjective summative evaluations to track student progress, employ improvement strategies, and determine criteria for advancement; however, our preceptors struggled with timely submission. Allowing students to direct the solicitation of evaluation forms enhanced the timeliness of completion at our institution and should be considered in clerkships with similar difficulties.
Sexual Health Issues in Cancer Survivors.

Abstract Objective To review the sexual health issues cancer survivors may experience, including incidence, association with treatment modalities, and approach to evaluation and treatment. Data Sources Peer-reviewed journal articles, medical society or government Web sites. Conclusion Cancer diagnosis and treatment often impacts sexual function and addressing this is a key component of health-related quality of life. Implications for Nursing Practice Screening, evaluation, and treatment of sexual dysfunction should be incorporated into routine oncologic care.
Engineers of Jihad: The Curious Connection between Violent Extremism and Education By Diego Gambetta and Steffen Hertog

Perhaps it’s hard to imagine an engineer who is also a poet. After all, there seems to be a stark difference between the skills required by each profession. The dichotomy is undergirded by the notion that—whether engineering conditions engineers to act in particular ways, or engineers are born with a certain mindset—engineers possess certain traits, which lead them to do some things rather than others. The present title, Engineers of Jihad, examines the connection between education and another trait: the capacity for violence. The authors are particularly interested in why there is a disproportionate number (indeed, a significant overrepresentation) of engineers among the ranks of Muslim extremists. Based on this observation, they conclude that engineers are more prone to radicalization than other university graduates (11-16). Although the data could be explained by another hypothesis (there is a higher demand for engineers in extremistgroups), the authors maintain that engineers possess certain character traits that predispose them to radicalization (164). To read the full book review, download the PDF file on the right.
Correspondence on 'Paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 mimicking Kawasaki disease (Kawa-COVID-19): a multicentre cohort' by Pouletty et al

We read with great interest the article by Pouletty et al reporting 16 paediatric patients presenting with Kawa-COVID-19, an inflammatory syndrome similar to Kawasaki disease (KD) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.1 All 16 patients met criteria for complete or incomplete KD. Severe cases in children involving systemic inflammation and multiorgan involvement related to COVID-19 are increasingly being reported. These cases, named multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in the USA and pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 in the UK, share features of both KD and macrophage activation syndrome.2–6 In contrast to children, few adults with KD-like cases have been reported.7 8 Herein, we describe an adult who presented with KD-like illness similar to children in the Kawa-COVID-19 cohort 4 weeks following a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. A 38-year-old Hispanic woman developed fever, dyspnoea, cough, anosmia, myalgias and polyarthralgias of the hands, wrists, elbows and knees 4 weeks prior to admission. At that time, nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 PCR was positive. Her symptoms completely resolved within 2 weeks. Five days prior to …
Hepatic involvement by T-cell neoplasms: a clinicopathologic study of 40 cases.

Summary Hepatic involvement by a T-cell neoplasm is rare and often challenging to diagnose in liver biopsies. We collected 40 cases of T-cell neoplasms diagnosed in the liver from five large academic institutions to assess the clinicopathologic features. The patients included 11 women and 29 men, with a median age of 54 (range: 2–75) years and a high mortality rate (31/37, 83.8%). Fourteen (35%) patients were diagnosed with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), 13 (32.5%) peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), and 13 (32.5%) other types of T-cell neoplasms. Patients with HSTCL were much younger and had worse survival than PTCL-NOS and other T-cell neoplasms (P
Accepting invitations and offers in second language Chinese: Effect of proficiency on pragmatic competence in interaction

Abstract The study investigates how second language Mandarin Chinese learners' competence in sequencing acceptances of invitations and offers changes with increasing proficiency. Seventy-six undergraduates, including 54 American English learners of Chinese as a foreign language at three proficiency levels and 22 native speakers (NSs) completed a four-item roleplay task. Quantitative results show a significant effect of proficiency on sequential positioning of acceptances and particularly use of ostensible refusals to delay acceptances in learner production. Qualitative analyses at the discursive level reveal limited interactional resources and a generic pattern of acceptances in lower-level learners' production. In contrast, Advanced learners’ production represents context-specific sequential organization of acceptances with a wide variety of interactional devices. The study suggests a developmental pathway for acceptances in L2 Chinese consisting of 1) turn-initial acceptances, 2) nonturn-initial acceptances, 3) variation between next-turn and distal acceptances, and 4) fine-tuned use of ostensible refusals and other interactional tools.
Determinacy from strong compactness of ω1

Abstract In the absence of the Axiom of Choice, the “small” cardinal ω 1 can exhibit properties more usually associated with large cardinals, such as strong compactness and supercompactness. For a local version of strong compactness, we say that ω 1 is X-strongly compact (where X is any set) if there is a fine, countably complete measure on ℘ ω 1 ( X ) . Working in ZF + DC , we prove that the ℘ ( ω 1 ) -strong compactness and ℘ ( R ) -strong compactness of ω 1 are equiconsistent with AD and AD R + DC respectively, where AD denotes the Axiom of Determinacy and AD R denotes the Axiom of Real Determinacy. The ℘ ( R ) -supercompactness of ω 1 is shown to be slightly stronger than AD R + DC , but its consistency strength is not computed precisely. An equiconsistency result at the level of AD R without DC is also obtained.
Non-local multifunctional metasurfaces and their external cavity laser application

We design and experimentally test a new type of non-local metasurfaces allowing multiple independent functions at large deflection angles and we use it to demonstrate external cavity lasers with advanced beam shaping functions.
Effects of endpoint temperature and thickness on quality of whole muscle non-intact steaks cooked in a Radio Frequency oven

Abstract Proper cooking of non-intact beefsteaks (NIBS) products is of increasing concern due to the possible survival of foodborne pathogens potentially transferred from the surface to the interior of meat during tenderization operations. Slow heating from traditional cooking methods may cause overheating and quality deterioration in order to reach safe pathogen inactivation temperatures. Radio Frequency (RF) uses electromagnetic energy to heat foods with rapid heat distribution and its large penetration depth, which makes it a good alternative for cooking value added meat products such as NIBS. Blade tenderized steaks of different thicknesses (1.2, 1.9 and 2.5 cm) were randomly cooked to different endpoint temperatures (55, 65 and 75 °C) using a 6 kW pilot-scale RF oven. Thickness had a significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) on cooking time, heating rate and cooking and drip losses. However, physicochemical characteristics of NIBS were mainly affected by endpoint temperature. Higher drip, cooking loss, shear force and lower moisture content was reported for endpoint temperature of 75 °C steaks. Expressible moisture was higher (P ≤ 0.05) at 55 °C and further decreased as the temperature increased. Changes were mainly attributed to sample pretreatments and structural changes caused by protein denaturation during cooking.
Promoting Learner-Centered Instruction Through the Design of Contextually Relevant Experiences

Learner-centered instructional strategies provide learners with increased autonomy of the learning process and promote participatory learning through solving authentic problems that are contextually relevant to the learners’ environment. Instructors must be adaptable to the needs of their learners and flexible to address the challenges associated with learner-centered instruction. A cognitive apprenticeship was used to teach undergraduate faculty how to develop more contextually relevant learning experiences for their courses. Examples of how such experiences promote principles of situated learning and enhance the design of instruction are discussed.
New design criterion for walking vibrations

The modern trend to lighter, more flexible floor systems with less damping has resulted in more complaints from walking vibrations. A new design criterion for walking vibration of wide applicability to all floor systems with natural frequencies less than 10 Hz has recently been developed (Allen and Murray, 1993). The new criterion is intended to replace the criterion contained in Appendix G of the CSA Standard CAN/CSA S16.1-M89. Recent experience has shown that the S16.1 criterion has limited application. The new criterion is discussed
On the possibilities for partitioning a cake

We wish to consider the following type of cake division problem: There are p individuals. Each individual has available a measure that he or she uses to evaluate the sizes of pieces of cake. We wish to partition our cake into q pieces in such a way that the various evaluations that the individuals make of the sizes of the pieces satisfy certain pre-assigned equalities and inequalities. Our main result yields a quite general criterion for showing that certain such partitions exist. Following the proof, we consider various applications.
Autophagy and enhanced chemosensitivity in experimental pancreatic cancers induced by noninvasive radiofrequency field treatment.

BACKGROUND Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have limited therapeutic options and poor response to the standard gemcitabine (GCB)-based chemotherapy. In the current study, the authors investigated the feasibility of noninvasive short-wave radiofrequency (RF) electric fields to improve the cytotoxic effect of GCB on PDAC cells and determined its mechanism of action. METHODS The cytotoxicity of RF alone and in combination with GCB was studied in vitro on normal pancreatic human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells and different PDAC cell lines by flow cytometry, and in vivo on ectopic and orthotopic human PDAC xenograft models in mice. The mechanism of RF activity was studied by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Toxicity was determined by histopathology. RESULTS Exposure of different PDAC cells to 13.56-megahertz radio waves resulted in a substantial cytotoxic effect, which was accompanied by the induction of autophagy but not apoptosis. These effects of RF were found to be absent in normal cells. Excessive numbers of autophagosomes in cancer cells persisted 24 to 48 hours after RF exposure and then declined. The addition of a subtoxic dose of GCB to RF treatment inhibited the recovery of cancer cells from the RF-induced autophagy and enhanced the cytotoxic effect of the latter on cancer cells. The treatment of PDAC in situ in mice with the combination of noninvasive RF and GCB was found to have a superior antitumor effect compared with the use of RF or GCB alone, yet there was no evidence of systemic toxicity. CONCLUSIONS Noninvasive RF treatment induced autophagy but not apoptosis in cancer cells and demonstrated potential as an enhancer of chemotherapy for treating patients with pancreatic cancer without toxicity to normal cells. Cancer 2014;120:480–491. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Iridoviruses Infecting Terrestrial Isopods and Nematodes

Iridoviruses of terrestrial isopods (IIV) were first described in detail in 1980 (Federici 1980; Cole and Morris 1980) although the distinct purple to blue iridescent coloration produced in infected individuals had been noticed by many individuals long before. The iridovirus isolated from the pillbug, Armadillidium vulgare was designated type 31 and that from the sowbug, Porcellio dilatatus, type 32 (Federici 1980), although it was suggested that they were in fact the same virus. Cole and Morris (1980) characterized the iridoviruses from A. vulgare and Porcellio scaber and determined that they were indeed identical in structural appearance, in biochemical properties, and serologically. This same iridovirus was subsequently discovered to infect the mermithid nematode Thaumamermis cosgrovei which is a parasite of the aforementioned isopods (Poinar et al. 1980). Although an iridovirus had been reported replicating in another crustacean, the freshwater daphnid Simocephalus expinosus (Federici and Hazard 1975), the Iridoviridae had never before been observed in the phylum Nematoda.
Vestigial Brain Melanocyte Development During Embryogenesis of an Anural Ascidian

Anural development was examined in the ascidian Bostrichobranchus digonas using specific markers for differentiated urodele ascidian larval cells and tissues. In this ovoviviparous anural ascidian, eggs, embryos and developing juveniles were present in the gonads, brood sacs, and atrial cavity, respectively. Morphological studies indicated that B. digonas embryos do not develop into tailed larvae with an extended notochord and differentiated muscle cells. In addition, these embryos lack detectable expression of the muscle-specific markers acetylcholinesterase, alpha actin, and myosin heavy chain. In striking contrast to other anural ascidian embryos, however, B. digonas embryos can develop tyrosinase in several melanocyte precursor cells and eventually form a brain pigment cell. The melanocyte does not become part of a definitive brain sensory organ (otolith) and subsequently disappears during metamorphosis. A period of tyrosinase expression was also observed following metamorphosis in which many tyrosinase-positive cells appear in the body of the developing juvenile. The results demonstrate that different urodele features can be uncoupled during the evolution of anural development. The development of a vestigial brain melanocyte also suggests that B. digonas evolved from a urodele ancestor rather than from another anural ascidian lacking a brain pigment cell.
Abstract 1903: Personalized diagnostics: Receptor specific gold nanorods used for accurate diagnosis of EGFR expression in human tumor tissues

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Objective: The purpose of this study was to apply the enhanced surface chemistry and imaging properties of gold nanorods to the area of tumor protein diagnostics in order to give an accurate, quantifiable interpretation of a patient's biomarker status. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR; HER1) is a cell surface receptor that regulates cell migration, adhesion, and proliferation. EGFR is commonly overexpressed in a variety of cancers. EGFR expression testing has been mandated by insurance companies in many areas before therapy can be given. Current methods of EGFR evaluation have been shown to be unreliable, thus EGFR was chosen as a target of interest for our studies. Methods: Gold nanorods (GNR) of aspect ratio 3:4 were prepared using an established seed-mediated growth method. The GNR were then PEGylated and conjugated with a unique modified peptide that has shown specific affinity for the EGF receptor. The product was characterized to show stability and presence of surface-bound peptide. The compound known as GNR-1070 was used to examine correlations between EGFR expression and gold present on the membranes of human cell lines and paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Results: In cell lines that are known to express EGFR, gold particles were identified bound to the membranes. The amount of bound gold correlated with the degree of EGFR expression of each cell line. Histochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human tissue lines also correlated with the amount of gold bound to the membranes of the tissues. Conclusion: Gold nanorods conjugated with receptor-specific peptides can be used to give an accurate evaluation of protein expression in human cell lines and tissue samples. Citation Format: Chuck Caldwell, Ajit Zambre, Dhananjay Suresh, Gerald Arthur, Raghuraman Kannan. Personalized diagnostics: Receptor specific gold nanorods used for accurate diagnosis of EGFR expression in human tumor tissues. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1903. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1903
What Has—and Has Not—Been Learned about Monetary Policy in a Low‐Inflation Environment? A Review of the 2000s

As the world economy recovers from the worst financial crisis and most severe global slump in 75 years, policymakers, regulators, and academics are focusing intensely and appropriately on lessons to be learned for monetary policy. There are certainly many questions to answer. Among the most important are: Are inflation expectations “well anchored”? What, if any, influence should asset quantities and prices have on monetary policy? Do we have sufficient confidence in our alternative monetary policy tools to stabilize the economy at the zero lower bound?
The nature of flag power

Conventionally, flags are explained as symbols of group solidarity that achieve force through ritual processes. Alternatively, flags may be seen as symbols with positive or negative associations derived from our experiences with physical space. While this article accepts these interpretations, it also argues that they need to be augmented. Flag meaning is not entirely a social or linguistic construction because there is a link between flag displays and our inherent predispositions to cues about social rank. Our evolved social intelligence makes us sensitive to the topographic features of flag displays that signal relationships of dominance and subordination.
Endogenous Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase Activities and Radiation Resistance in Mouse Cell Lines

SummaryThe relationship between the endogenous cytoplasmic levels of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase and the inhibition of cell proliferation by radiation has been studied in 11 mouse cell lines. The resistance of these mouse cell lines to radiation was found to vary by over 25-fold. No correlation was found between the cytoplasmic level of CuZn-superoxide dismutase or catalase and the resistance to radiation as measured by extrapolation number (EN), quasi-threshold dose (Dq), or D0. None of the cell lines had detectable cytoplasmic Mn-superoxide dismutase. The apparent Ki of potassium cyanide for mouse CuZn-superoxide dismutase was determined (Ki = 6·5 µmol dm−3).
Effects of stimulus female on sexual behavior of male rats given olfactory tubercle and corticomedial amygdaloid lesions

Abstract Lesions of the olfactory tubercle (OT) or corticomedial amygdala (CMA) damaging projections from the main or accessory olfactory bulbs, respectively, were made in male rats. When paired with ovariectomized females treated with estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (Experiment 1) sexual behavior of lesioned males did not differ from sham and unoperated controls. During Experiment 2 males were paired with females chronically treated with EB only. Lesions of the OT did not affect mating while CMA lesions produced lengthened ejaculatory latencies (EL), longer mean interintromission intervals and more intromissions per ejaculation. Lesions of the CMA produced EL which were either within a normal range or noticeably extended with ejaculatory deficits becoming more exaggerated through three ejaculatory series. Low levels of soliciting by EB treated females seemed to precipitate ejaculatory deficits.
Management of cuboid crush injuries.

Injuries to the lateral column of the foot can involve the anterior aspect of the calcaneus, the cuboid, and the fourth and fifth metatarsals. These injuries are often associated with injuries of the medial column as well, many of which demonstrate operative indications. Isolated injuries of the lateral column, more specifically, the cuboid, are rare but have been described. Missed fractures or nonoperative treatment of displaced cuboid injuries can lead to shortening of the lateral column with subsequent flatfoot deformity, which may be painful. This article summarizes the scope of the problem and describes current treatment recommendations. Mechanism of injury Several mechanisms of injury and fracture patterns have been described. The classic ‘‘nutcracker’’ fracture described by Hermel and Gershon-Cohen [1] results from forced plantar flexion and abduction crushing the cuboid between the calcaneus and fourth and fifth metatarsals. The crushed cuboid shortens the lateral column and can include fractures extending into the proximal and distal articular surfaces. The short lateral column changes the weight-bearing position of the foot under the talus. Intra-articular step-off results in incongruent joints and possibly early arthrosis, especially in the mobile fourth and fifth tarsometatarsal joints.
Persistence of pathogenic prion protein during simulated wastewater treatment processes.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs, prion diseases) are a class of fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting a variety of mammalian species including humans. A misfolded form of the prion protein (PrPTSE) is the major, if not sole, component of the infectious agent. Prions are highly resistant to degradation and to many disinfection procedures suggesting that, if prions enter wastewater treatment systems through sewers and/or septic systems (e.g., from slaughterhouses, necropsy laboratories, rural meat processors, private game dressing) or through leachate from landfills that have received TSE-contaminated material, prions could survive conventional wastewater treatment. Here, we report the results of experiments examining the partitioning and persistence of PrPTSE during simulated wastewater treatment processes including activated and mesophilic anaerobic sludge digestion. Incubation with activated sludge did not result in significant PrPTSE degradation. PrPTSE and prion infectivity partiti...
Comparison of interleukin 1 production by adherent cells and tissue pieces from human placenta

Monocytes/macrophages from placenta have been reported to produce the immunological factor interleukin 1. In the present study both isolated adherent cells and tissue pieces produced interleukin 1, but the tissue piece culture supernatants also had colony stimulating activity. None of the following active factors were found in either culture supernatants: interleukin 2, interferon, erythropoietin and platelet-derived growth factor. Lysates of isolated placental cells contained interleukin 1, indicating that the factor was being produced in utero. Placentas from caesarean deliveries were likewise found to produce more interleukin 1 than placentas from normal term deliveries. The role(s) of placental-produced interleukin 1 is yet to be defined.
Movement of sodium ions associated with the nerve impulse

HODGKIN AND HUXLEY1 calculated the extra sodium fluxes in the squid giant axon resulting from the passage of nerve impulses assuming that the time course of the observed currents represented the time course of a change in permeability. The net flux was in rough agreement with experimental data at room temperature but there was more exchange in the axon than in computed predictions. As the calculated fluxes increase by a factor of three when the temperature is reduced 10° it seemed appropriate to test the effect of temperature on the sodium fluxes.
Ventilatory Muscle Function

Normal ventilation is accomplished by the respiratory muscles overcoming forces that oppose volume movement: lung and chest wall compliance, and airway resistance. In general, venilatory muscle dysfunction is a result of an imbalance between energy demands and energy availability. Energy demands are defined by the interrelationship among ventilatory muscle strength, work of breathing, and ventilatory muscle efficiency. Energy availability is determined by the relationship between energy supply and the bodys' energy stores. In mechanically ventilated patients, dyssynchrony between the patient and ventilator is commonly considered a result of the patients' inbility to work with the mechanical ventilator. However, dysynchrony can be a result of problems with the artificial airay, the mechanical ventilator, or the patient. The cause of dyssynchrony is frequently not a result of a change in the paients' clinical status.
Cooperative regulation of Cav1.2 channels by intracellular Mg2+, the proximal C-terminal EF-hand, and the distal C-terminal domain

L-type Ca2+ currents conducted by Cav1.2 channels initiate excitation–contraction coupling in cardiac myocytes. Intracellular Mg2+ (Mgi) inhibits the ionic current of Cav1.2 channels. Because Mgi is altered in ischemia and heart failure, its regulation of Cav1.2 channels is important in understanding cardiac pathophysiology. Here, we studied the effects of Mgi on voltage-dependent inactivation (VDI) of Cav1.2 channels using Na+ as permeant ion to eliminate the effects of permeant divalent cations that engage the Ca2+-dependent inactivation process. We confirmed that increased Mgi reduces peak ionic currents and increases VDI of Cav1.2 channels in ventricular myocytes and in transfected cells when measured with Na+ as permeant ion. The increased rate and extent of VDI caused by increased Mgi were substantially reduced by mutations of a cation-binding residue in the proximal C-terminal EF-hand, consistent with the conclusion that both reduction of peak currents and enhancement of VDI result from the binding of Mgi to the EF-hand (KD ≈ 0.9 mM) near the resting level of Mgi in ventricular myocytes. VDI was more rapid for L-type Ca2+ currents in ventricular myocytes than for Cav1.2 channels in transfected cells. Coexpression of Cavβ2b subunits and formation of an autoinhibitory complex of truncated Cav1.2 channels with noncovalently bound distal C-terminal domain (DCT) both increased VDI in transfected cells, indicating that the subunit structure of the Cav1.2 channel greatly influences its VDI. The effects of noncovalently bound DCT on peak current amplitude and VDI required Mgi binding to the proximal C-terminal EF-hand and were prevented by mutations of a key divalent cation-binding amino acid residue. Our results demonstrate cooperative regulation of peak current amplitude and VDI of Cav1.2 channels by Mgi, the proximal C-terminal EF-hand, and the DCT, and suggest that conformational changes that regulate VDI are propagated from the DCT through the proximal C-terminal EF-hand to the channel-gating mechanism.
The roller coaster of fault friction

During an earthquake, friction is a key control on the initiation, propagation and termination of fault motion. Laboratory experiments that use variable slip rates suggest that friction evolves in a more complex fashion than generally assumed.
Transcription of the β-galactoside α2,6-sialyltransferase gene in B lymphocytes is directed by a separate and distinct promoter†

A single human gene, SIAT1, encodes the beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase from which multiple mRNA isoforms are generated. In rat, expression of the hepatic mRNA isoform (Form 1) has been defined with respect to the transcriptional initiation site and promoter region. We show here that a similar hepatic SIAT1 mRNA isoform exists in human. Another human mRNA isoform, a mature B-cell-specific mRNA isoform (Form 2), was previously reported. Here, we used 5'-RACE and S1 nuclease protection analysis to define the 5'-untranslated region of Form 2 human SIAT1 mRNA. We demonstrate conclusively that Form 2 mRNA is initiated from a point completely distinct from that of Form 1 mRNA. A number of cis-acting regulatory elements residing immediately 5'of the Form 2 initiation site includes AP-1, AP-2, NF-kappa B, NF-IL6, C/EBP, and CREB. A TATAA box is also present 29 bp 5' of the transcriptional initiation site. CAT reporter gene expression from serially-truncated segments of the 5'-flanking region of the Form 2 initiation site indicates that the segment between -784 and +125 was sufficient to promote high level CAT expression in Louckes, a mature B-cell line. The 5'-flanking region to the human Form 1 initiation site is competent in expression of CAT upon transfection of the fusion construct into HepG2, a human hepatoma cell line. Cellular specificity of expression is apparently retained. Louckes cells expressed CAT efficiently from Form 2 promoter but only marginally from the Form 1 promoter. In contrast, CAT expression from Form 1 promoter is more efficient than from the Form 2 promoter in HepG2 cells.
Proximal humeral fracture in the elderly. Primary head replacement as one alternative

The treatment of humeral fractures in old patients is still an orthopedic problem. Different surgical schools suggest different treatments for head-preserving procedures. Because of new implants and functionally disappointing results in primary hemiarthroplasty, the indication for hemiarthroplasty was examined more critically. The decision of which procedure to choose is complicated by the lack of proper studies with comparable fracture types and enough cases regarding the specific problems of operative fracture treatment in the elderly. Correctly, besides range of movement, the number of necessary reoperations, length of time until pain reduction, and earliest possible axial weight-bearing of the injured limb should influence the therapeutic decision. Regarding all these topics, primary hemiarthroplasty in old patients and specific fracture situations is still to be recommended.
Interaction between collagen and the α2 I-domain of integrin αβ1: Critical role of conserved residues in the metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) region

A docking model of the α2 I-domain and collagen has been proposed based on their crystal structures (Emsley, J., King, S., Bergelson, J., and Liddington, R. C. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 28512–28517). In this model, several amino acid residues in the I-domain make direct contact with collagen (Asn-154, Asp-219, Leu-220, Glu-256, His-258, Tyr-285, Asn-289, Leu-291, Asn-295, and Lys-298), and the protruding C-helix of α2 (residues 284–288) determines ligand specificity. Because most of the proposed critical residues are not conserved, different I-domains are predicted to bind to collagen differently. We found that deleting the entire C-helix or mutating the predicted critical residues had no effect on collagen binding to whole α2β1, with the exception that mutating Asn-154, Asp-219, and His-258 had a moderate effect. We performed further studies and found that mutating the conserved surface-exposed residues in the metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) (Tyr-157 and Gln-215) significantly blocks collagen binding. We have revised the docking model based on the mutagenesis data. In the revised model, conserved Tyr-157 makes contact with collagen in addition to the previously proposed Asn-154, Asp-219, His-258, and Tyr-285 residues. These results suggest that the collagen-binding I-domains (e.g. α1, α2, and α10) bind to collagen in a similar fashion.
DPBs-free and polytype controlled growth of SiC via surface etching on on-axis 6H-SiC(0001)

Abstract The effects of etching on-axis 6H-SiC(0 0 0 1) substrates in H 2 and HCl/H 2 on the surface defects and the polytype of subsequently deposited SiC films are reported. The surface step periodicity and height varied with etching conditions and whether a SiC coating was present or absent on the susceptor. The 3C-SiC films grown on etched substrates had higher crystal quality and lower double positioning boundary (DPB) densities compared to the 3C-SiC films grown on the as-received substrates. DPB-free growth of 3C-SiC was achieved via step flow growth on etched substrates with well-defined three-bilayer step heights at high temperatures (1475°C) and low silane concentrations ( 4 /H 2 ). A mechanism is proposed to explain the DPBs-free growth of the 3C-SiC films based on the metastable step flow growth and the control of the number and the sites where 3C-SiC nucleates.
The Influence Of Misogynous Rap Music On Sexual Aggression Against Women

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cognitive distortions concerning women on sexually aggressive behavior in the laboratory. Twenty-seven men listened to misogynous rap music and 27 men listened to neutral rap music. Participants then viewed neutral, sexual-violent, and assaultive film vignettes and chose one of the vignettes to show to a female confederate. Among the participants in the misogynous music condition, 30% showed the assaultive vignette and 70% showed the neutral vignette. In the neutral condition, 7% showed the sexual-violent or assaultive vignette and 93% showed the neutral vignette. Participants who showed the sexual-violent or assaultive stimuli reported that the confederate was more upset and uncomfortable in viewing these stimuli than did participants who showed the neutral vignette. These findings suggest that misogynous music facilitates sexually aggressive behavior and support the relationship between cognitive distortions and sexual aggression.