cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Specific Cleavage of Immunoglobulin Polypeptide Chains at Cysteinyl Residues

Abstract A method has been developed for fragmenting immunoglobulin light and heavy polypeptide chains at the cysteinyl residues that participate in intrachain disulfide bridges. The method involves the quantitative blockage of positive charges associated with lysyl and arginyl residues, the reduction and subsequent aminoethylation of disulfide bridges, and the treatment of aminoethylated, blocked chains with trypsin to yield the desired blocked peptide fragments. Lysine and arginine are modified by succinic anhydride and cyclohexanedione respectively, to yield stable "trypsin-insensitive" residues. The blocked peptides of heavy and light chains are separated on the basis of size by gel filtration chromatography in either 8 m urea or 0.01 m ammonium bicarbonate. The blocked peptides from a k-type Bence-Jones protein can be resolved into six chromatographic peaks. The peaks, in order of their elution, have been assigned loci within the known over-all structure of a Bence-Jones protein: E and D have not been characterized and probably represent partial digestion products; C and C' probably correspond to regions between the two intramolecular disulfide bridges; B contains the peptide corresponding to the "switch region" as judged by amino-terminal analysis and amino acid composition; A contains the carboxyl-terminal cysteinyl residue and corresponds to peptide fragments from the amino and carboxylterminal regions of the starting Bence-Jones protein. The peptide patterns obtained from whole normal mouse and human light chain are closely similar to the Bence-Jones profile and strongly suggest that the disulfide bridge pattern found for Bence-Jones proteins applies to the majority of κ and λ chains in the whole normal light chain population. A comparison of the gel filtration patterns of a γ2a mouse myeloma heavy chain and whole normal mouse heavy chains also indicates that a single heavy disulfide bridge pattern is largely conserved in the normal population. The similarity found between heavy and light chain peptide profiles supports the idea that heavy chains and light chains arose from a common ancestral gene as a result of gene duplications and mutations.
U.S. national security export controls : implications for global competitiveness of U.S. high-tech firms

U.S. exporters of high-technology, 'dual-use' products are competitively disadvantaged in global markets by the complexity, range, and stringency of U.S. national security export controls. This paper demonstrates that fungibility of high technology and lax interpretation of multilateral export control agreements by other advanced countries have made the existing control regime ineffective. It further shows that persistent U.S. restrictiveness of exports in non-critical, widely available goods and technologies may needlessly and permanently erode U.S. firms' competitive position in existing as well as rapidly-opening markets worldwide. The need to revise the notion of national security to include not only military security, but also its complement, economic security, is discussed. The pivotal issue of enforceability of multilateral controls is explored, and corporate strategies for U.S. high-tech firms to achieve export control policy change are suggested.
Interpretation of endometrium obtained by the Endo-pap sampler and a clinical study of its use.

Endometrical cytology sampling using the Endo-pap sampler is an inexpensive, painless, and simple procedure. Tissue microfragments obtained include surface epithelial sheets, gland segments, and stromal cell aggregates. Gland segments are critical for evaluation of the sample. Glands are dilated in hyperplasia and there is nuclear crowding with increase of chromatin and mucleoli. In adenocarcinoma there is loss of glands with marked nuclear enlargement and pleomorphism. An understanding of endometrial histomorphology and its correlation with cytology is essential for accurate interpretation. In 1027 ambulatory patients screened, no complications were observed and 92% of the samples were adequate for cytologic diagnosis. Tissue diagnosis was obtained in 173 cases. There were 36 adenocarcinomas, of which 34 (94%) were diagnosed cytologically. There were 16 hyperplasias, of which 5 (31%) were diagnosed cytologically. The Endo-pap sampler was found effective in detecting endometrial adenocarcinoma. Further studies are needed to determine its diagnostic effectiveness in hyperplasia.
A field comparison of two methods for measuring DCPA soil evaporation rates

The theoretical-profile-shape (TPS) method for estimating pesticide evaporative flux from soil was compared to the aerodynamic-profile (AD) method in an intraplot field experiment using dacthal (DCPA) herbicide. Flux values measured by the TPS method were approximately 20% higher than values found by the AD method. Linear regression analysis of soil concentration over an 84-d period showed a soil half-life of 33.8 d. Of the amount lost from soil, 52 and 36% were accounted for by volatilization with the TPS and AD methods, respectively. The volatilization half-life of dacthal based on the 21-d cumulative flux measurements from actual and estimated daily fluxes were 59 and 83 d for the TPS and AD methods, respectively. The results were compared to the 138-d prediction of a published environmental fate model.
On the mechanics of solids with a growing mass

A general constitutive theory of the stress-modulated growth of biomaterials is presented with a particular accent given to pseudo-elastic soft living tissues. The governing equations of the mechanics of solids with a growing mass are revisited within the framework of finite deformation continuum thermodynamics. The multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into its elastic and growth parts is employed to study the growth of isotropic, transversely isotropic, and orthotropic biomaterials. An explicit representation of the growth part of the deformation gradient is given in each case, which leads to an effective incremental formulation in the analysis of the stress-modulated growth process. The rectangular components of the instantaneous elastic moduli tensor are derived corresponding to selected forms of the elastic strain energy function. Physically appealing structures of the stress-dependent evolution equations for the growth induced stretch ratios are proposed.
Left ventricular assist device driveline infections: recent advances and future goals

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the treatment of advanced heart failure, but infection remains a substantial risk. LVAD driveline infections (DLIs) are the most common type of LVAD-associated infection (LVADI). In the past several years we have expanded our understanding of DLI epidemiology, standardized the definition of LVADIs, improved infection rates through changes in implantation techniques, and investigated potential new modalities for DLI diagnosis. However, significant challenges remain for optimizing DLI prevention and treatment. These challenges include standardizing and improving both empiric and targeted antimicrobial therapy, expanding our understanding of effective driveline exit site dressings and topical therapies, and defining the patient population that benefits from device exchange and transplant. Additionally, in an era of expanding antibiotic resistance we need to continue investigating novel, non-antibiotic therapies for prevention and treatment of DLIs.
Dialectical Logic at Work in the Elective Affinities What We Can Learn From Goethe About Hegel

The framework in which this chapter must be situated and understood is my general interpretation of Hegelian, dialectical logic and of its relation with its Aristotelian, analytic counterpart. So I will first sketch that interpretation, then pose the major problem it must face, and finally –and most substantially here–show how a reading of Goethe’s Elective Affinities can help us address that problem.
Studies on platelets. XXIV. Analysis of some platelet antigens by complement fixation test.

Conclusion and summaryIt is confirmed that platelets have organ specificity, possessing an antigen common to platelets of different species, as well as species specificity, since antiplatelet antibodies react more strongly with homologous than with heterologous platelet antigens.
The Effects of Student Self-Assessment on Learning in Removable Prosthodontics Laboratory

It has been consistently shown that there is a weak association between student self-assessment and faculty member assessment of student projects in preclinical technique laboratory settings and that students overestimate their performance. Greater overestimation is observed among students judged by faculty to be the weakest, and these students also use a wider range of scores. This study hypothesized that student self-assessment is a function of capacity to perform, accuracy of understanding grading standards, and psychological factors. Further it hypothesized that learning, defined as change in performance, is a function of ability and self-assessment. Dental students at one U.S. dental school self-assessed their performance on two projects in a removable prosthodontics laboratory course separated by a six-month period. Faculty evaluations of these projects were used to determine students' understanding of the criteria for the projects, and a standardized psychological test was used to assess the learning orientation of the students. A statistical correction was made for the artifact of regression toward the mean. The study found that self-assessment was a better predictor of future learning under these circumstances than was evaluation by faculty members.
Bronchoplastic and conservative resectional procedures for bronchial adenoma.

The low-grade malignant potential of bronchial adenoma has been widely reported in the medical literature. We believe that the most conservative types of resection are adequate for most patients with this disease. Our experience with carcinoid tumors of the bronchus reinforces this belief. During the past 18 years we have treated 33 patients with the disease, only 10 of whom required conventional lobectomy or pneumonectomy. The other 70 per cent were treated by bronchoplasty or more conservative resectional procedures. The recurrence rate in this series was extremely low and the survival rate, calculated by the life-table method, was 86 per cent at 5 years.
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema secondary to intrauterine instillation of 32% dextran 70.

Les auteurs rapportent la survenue d'un œdeme pulmonaire au decours d'une hysteroscopie utilisant le Dextran (32%) 70. Ils suggerent un mecanisme de toxicite directe du Dextran sur le lit capillaire pulmonaire
Polarized Lawmaking, Polarized Laws: The Policy Implications of Weak Pivotal Players

Unlike the House of Representatives, which relies much more on a centralized leadership, the Senate relies on a handful of moderates who can theoretically advance or impede the legislative agenda. In practice, moderates come from volatile electoral circumstances where moderate legislators are less interested in forging compromises and more interested in steering clear of controversy. That is, when taking positions on highly salient legislation, they seek to demur - not lead. In this article, I examine salient legislation from 90th to the 111th Congress and the ideological positioning of the bill relative to the president, congressional leadership, and moderates. I find that on highly salient legislation, when moderates negotiate on bills, they seldom receive a “policy payout.” That is, instead of impacting the policy of the bill, they base their decision on how to vote on electoral pressures. This suggests that public policy that was initially thought to be “moderate” because of centrist influences, are truly polarized in nature.
Design and analysis of an improved Wave Glider recovery system

The Sensor Hosting Autonomous and Remote Craft (SHARC) Wave Glider system is an autonomous surface vehicle widely used for long-duration at-sea data collection and acoustic monitoring. The system is manufactured by Liquid Robotics Inc. (LRI) and consists of two components (1) a surface float housing sensors, batteries, solar panels, and communication systems, and (2) a submerged propulsor (glider) containing six hinged hydrofoils. A third component, a submerged body housing additional sensors, may be towed behind the propulsor. While system launch is relatively straight forward, recovery of the system is challenging and incurs high risk. Challenges include (1) the Wave Glider system contains multiple components, (2) forward motion of the system cannot easily be arrested, and (3) the ship conducting recovery operations often has a high freeboard. Need for an improved recovery system is desired, particularly for the United States Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), as current recovery methods require personnel in small boats or swimmers in the water to control the vehicle and attach lifting lines. These procedures are hazardous to both personnel and equipment and are limited to low sea states. This project, conducted by a team of five undergraduate students and two advisers, designed and evaluated multiple alternatives as viable recovery solutions. Based on design and operational requirements, the final proposed solution is two-part. The first is a remotely actuated inflatable lift bag attached to the stern of the submerged propulsor that will halt forward movement when inflated; and the second is a vertical cable loop mounted on the surface float to facilitate lifting of the float, propulsor and towed payloads. The proposed solution was demonstrated to be feasible and met all design requirements, with an emphasis on simplicity.
The Balkans: A Cold War Mystery

As an international system, the Cold War was riddled with contradictions. Alliances that seemed to be based on ideological cohesion split apart much more readily than those based on practical interest. Countries that were strongly inimical towards each other joined the same set of alliances, because their fear of the ideological and strategic challenge posed by one of the superpowers was stronger than the fear of their neighbour. And, as with all ideology-based international systems, the role of mavericks and non-conformists was high up on the playbill, simply because they were so visible on stage: in a system based on conformity, it does not take much extra plumage to stand out.1
High self-reported non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy amongst adolescents living with HIV in Malawi: barriers and associated factors

Introduction : Globally adolescents and young adults account for more than 40% of new HIV infections, and HIV-related deaths amongst adolescents increased by 50% from 2005 to 2012. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical to control viral replication and preserve health; however, there is a paucity of research on adherence amongst the growing population of adolescents living with HIV/AIDS (ALHIV) in Southern Africa. We examined levels of self-reported ART adherence, barriers to adherence, and factors associated with non-adherence amongst ALHIV in Malawi. Methods : Cross-sectional study of 519 ALHIV (12–18 years) attending two large HIV clinics in central and south-eastern Malawi. Participants self-reported missed doses (past week/month), barriers to adherence, and completed questionnaires on past traumatic events/stressors, disclosure, depression, substance use, treatment self-efficacy, and social support. Biomedical data were retrieved from existing medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with self-reported ART adherence (7 day recall). Results : The mean age of participants (SD) was 14.5 (2) years and 290 (56%) were female. Of the 519 participants, 153 (30%) reported having missed ART doses within the past week, and 234 (45%) in the past month. Commonly reported barriers to adherence included forgetting (39%), travel from home (14%), busy with other things (11%), feeling depressed/overwhelmed (6%), feeling stigmatized by people outside (5%) and within the home (3%). Factors found to be independently associated with missing a dose in the past week were drinking alcohol in the past month (OR 4.96, 95% CI [1.41–17.4]), missed clinic appointment in the past 6 months (OR 2.23, 95% CI [1.43–3.49]), witnessed or experienced violence in the home (OR 1.86, 95% CI [1.08–3.21]), and poor treatment self-efficacy (OR 1.55 95% CI [1.02–2.34]). Sex and age were not associated with adherence. Conclusions : In our study, nearly half of all ALHIV reported non-adherence to ART in the past month. Violence in the home or alcohol use in the past year as well as poor treatment self-efficacy were associated with worse adherence. Sub-optimal adherence is a major issue for ALHIV and compromise treatment outcomes. Programmes specifically tailored to address those challenges most pertinent to ALHIV may help improve adherence to ART. Keywords Antiretroviral therapy; HIV; adherence; adolescents; sub-Saharan Africa; alcohol; violence; self-efficacy (Published: 30 March 2017) Kim MH et al. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2017, 20 :21437 http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/view/21437 | http://dx.doi.org/10.7448/IAS.20.1.21437
Welfare Measures for General Equilibrium Analysis of Economic Policies

Abstract Policy recommendations in economics result from implicit or explicit comparisons of levels of social welfare. The most desirable economic policy is the policy associated with the highest level of welfare. An important objective of welfare economics is to translate welfare comparisons among alternative economic policies into money measures of social welfare. Existing approaches to welfare economics are based on index numbers compiled from price and quantity data. Using an econometric representation of preferences of individual consumers, we can eliminate the stringent restrictions on preferences required for validity of the index number approach. We illustrate our new approach by evaluating alternative policies for petroleum price regulation and taxation in the United States.
Racial Attitudes of PreK–12 and Postsecondary Educators: Descriptive Evidence From Nationally Representative Data:

PreK–12 and postsecondary educators’ racial attitudes have important consequences for students’ learning and development, yet we know little about educators’ racial attitudes overall, how their attitudes might differ from those of noneducators, or how attitudes might be changing over time. I investigate these questions using the nationally representative General Social Survey. Some educators hold worrisome racial attitudes, yet compared to noneducators, educators are less opposed to governmental equalizing efforts, give more politically liberal explanations for racial inequalities, express less negative racial stereotypes, and report less social distance and collective resentments toward minoritized groups. Many educator/noneducator differences were explained by demographics, particularly education level. Time trends mostly show progress in Americans’ racial attitudes, with generally similar trends for educators and noneducators.
The Smooth Talk of National Sports Radio

This chapter focuses on a prominent sports talk-radio show with a large national market, The Dan Patrick Show. The narratives contested on it over time tend to suggest themes that resonate with such a broad listenership. Those narratives reflect a dominant tone of inclusiveness and generally restrained conflict of views, which can be read as contributing to a metanarrative most compatible with a truly national and relatively diverse audience.
Laboratory experiments of resident space object capture by a spacecraft–manipulator system

Abstract A set of laboratory experiments are conducted to demonstrate the autonomous capture of a simulated resident space object by a simulated spacecraft equipped with a robotic manipulator. A planar air-bearing test bed provides a quasi-weightless and drag-free dynamic environment on a plane. To control the chaser's base, floating, flying, and rotation-flying control approaches are implemented and compared. A resolved-motion-rate controller is used to control the manipulator's joints. Using these control methods a floating object at rest is successfully captured. Furthermore, the capture of a floating and rotating object is demonstrated using a flying base control approach. The originality of these experiments comes from the remarkably high dynamic coupling of the spacecraft–manipulator system used. Emphasis is given to the guidance and control problems, with the relative navigation problem being left outside the scope of this effort.
Noncompliance as law-making

Michael Reisman once wrote that “international lawyers frequently respond to the appearance of a discrepancy between existing and emerging legal arrangements by heatedly rejecting the new with a fury of virtuous unanimity against the evil whose name is Change.” This quote is never more true than when international lawyers consider the role of lawbreaking in lawmaking. While civil disobedience has a safe — and in some countries revered — legacy as a means of prodding governments to make laws more consonant with modern notions of justice, commenters are not similarly sanguine in discussing noncompliance as a lawmaking device in international law. Lawbreaking is often viewed as antithetical to the values underlying the law of nations and a challenge to the enterprise of international law. Yet, as this Chapter explains, in certain circumstances it makes perfect sense to talk about noncompliance as lawmaking. Indeed, far from representing a challenge to international law, recognizing the juris-generative role of noncompliance reveals that some violations demonstrate a state’s commitment to international law’s collective endeavor. States sometimes violate the law in order to improve it, just as those who engage in civil disobedience do so in order to change it for the better. Descriptively, I argue that for noncompliance to be an effective lawmaking technique, it must 1) be public; 2) carry with it a credible threat to continue the violation indefinitely; 3) the normative content of the violation must be acceptable to other states as an alternative rule; and 4) the violator’s relative costs of lawmaking through noncompliance are less than they would be through conventional multilateral lawmaking channels. Normatively, allowing noncompliance to play a lawmaking role may be essential to the long-term viability of the international legal enterprise. While states cannot really exit their relationships with each other, international law lacks the constraints of the domestic system that prevent states from effectively exiting their legal obligations by persistently violating the law. Given this limitation, turning some violations into constructive acts of lawmaking may enhance the viability of the international legal system, rather than undermine it.
AN Evaluation of a Discipleship Process Addressing Christians' Inner Life Issues:

Many Christians face blockages in their quest for spiritual maturity that retard that process. These can be spiritual, emotional, and/or psychological in nature. This article reports on a mixed-met...
Unaccompanied homeless youth have extremely poor diet quality and nutritional status.

ABSTRACTA lack of in-depth assessment of the nutritional status of homeless youth precludes interventions that achieve nutritional adequacy. We enrolled 118 unaccompanied homeless youth to obtain s...
Multiple cutaneous and mucosal lesions in a patient with cocaine-levamisole-induced vasculopathy syndrome.

Levamisole is an adulterant found in nearly 70% of cocaine in the United States. The concomitant use of levamisole and cocaine leads to a distinct clinical syndrome that typically manifests as agra...
Capabilities and Limitations of Approaches to In Situ Ecological Evaluation

This symposium presents a number of excellent papers on how to gather information on in situ biological conditions, especially at waste sites. Over the years biologists have had little difficulty gathering large amounts of information about our living environment. This is not surprising given the enormous variety and complexity of ecological systems; there are an almost endless number of features to be measured.
Transnational Mothers and School Related Decisions.

This article addresses the question of how transnational Mexican mothers negotiate and participate in the educational trajectories of children in the United States and in Mexico. It illustrates how mothers in New York City are central decision-makers in school-related issues in Mexico and in the United States, even when there is lengthy separation from the children in Mexico, language and legal status barriers with children in the United States. This article argues that mothers in New York and grandmothers in Mexico go through similar challenges when interacting with teachers and school staff in both countries, as they feel like they have little power or influence to assist children. Theoretically, this article is rooted in an anthropological tradition of transnational migration and advances a discussion of the role of gender in migration and education. This article shows a “split-screen” format, comparing the experiences observed on both sides of the border regarding school interactions. Data from phone calls and text messages, across border are used to show the reach of mothers in New York goes beyond formal boundaries. Thus, this article shows how Internet and Communication Technologies (ICT) foster regular interactions between mothers and grandmothers, between mothers in New York City and teachers in Mexico, and between separated siblings when they are doing homework and/or playing.
Matrisome-Associated Gene Expression Patterns Correlating with TIMP2 in Cancer.

Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) to facilitate invasion and metastasis is a universal hallmark of cancer progression. However, a definitive therapeutic target remains to be identified in this tissue compartment. As major modulators of ECM structure and function, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are highly expressed in cancer and have been shown to support tumor progression. MMP enzymatic activity is inhibited by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP1–4) family of proteins, suggesting that TIMPs may possess anti-tumor activity. TIMP2 is a promiscuous MMP inhibitor that is ubiquitously expressed in normal tissues. In this study, we address inconsistencies in the literature regarding the role of TIMP2 in tumor progression by analyzing co-expressed genes in tumor vs. normal tissue. Utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue expression studies, focusing on breast and lung carcinomas, we analyzed the correlation between TIMP2 expression and the transcriptome to identify a list of genes whose expression is highly correlated with TIMP2 in tumor tissues. Bioinformatic analysis of the identified gene list highlights a core of matrix and matrix-associated genes that are of interest as potential modulators of TIMP2 function, thus ECM structure, identifying potential tumor microenvironment biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for further study.
A Case Study on a Sustainable Framework for Ethically Aware Predictive Modeling

Large volumes of data allow for modern application of statistical and mathematical models to practical social issues. Many applications of predictive models like criminal activity heat mapping, recidivism estimation, and child safety scoring rely on data that may be incomplete, incorrect, or biased. Many sensitive social and historical issues can unintentionally be incorporated into predictions causing ethical mistreatment. This work proposes a mechanism for continuously mitigating model bias by using algorithms that produce predictions from reasonably small subsets of data, allowing a human-in-the-loop approach to model application. The benefits offered by this framework are twofold: (1) bias can be identified either statistically or by human users on a per-prediction basis; (2) data can be cleaned for bias on a per-prediction basis. A modeling and data management methodology similar to that presented here could strengthen the ethical application of data science and make the process of cleaning and validating data manageable in the long term.
Qualitative study of loneliness in a senior housing community: the importance of wisdom and other coping strategies.

Objective: Older adults are at a high risk for loneliness, which impacts their health, well-being, and longevity. While related to social isolation, loneliness is a distinct, internally experienced...
Distribution Grid Voltage Support with Four Quadrant Control of Electric Vehicle Chargers

Conventionally, voltage control in distribution grids has been achieved through load tap changers, capacitor banks, and network switches. With the advancements in on-board electric vehicle (EV) chargers, voltage control can be achieved through control of EV charging/discharging as EVs can operate in any of the four P-Q quadrants with slight modifications to the charger. In this work, we use a high-fidelity on-board EV charger model, which has been validated using actual measurements. Then, we coordinate the four quadrant operation of EVs and distribution feeder to support voltage control in the grid. The efficacy of the developed models are demonstrated by using an LV secondary feeder. Operation of EVs in all four quadrants are shown to compensate for the feeder voltage fluctuations caused by daily time varying residential loads, while satisfying operational constraints of the feeder.
Cardiovascular Outcomes with Ertugliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Background The cardiovascular effects of ertugliflozin, an inhibitor of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2, have not been established. Methods In a multicenter, double-blind trial, we randomly...
Examining the Effects of Life Expectancy and Expectations for Future Health on Adolescent Suicidal Behavior

Research has linked various constructs with a shared focus on the future to suicidal behavior. This study examined: (1) whether life expectancy and expectations for future health were associated wi...
Chemo- and Stereospecific Solid-State Thermal Dimerization of Sodium trans-2-Butenoate and γ-Ray-Induced Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Dimerization of Hexaaquamagnesium trans-2-Butenoate Dihydrate: Both Give rel-(3S,4R)-1-Hexene-3,4-dicarboxylate but by Different Mechanisms. Stereospecific γ-Ray-Induced Trimerization of Sodium trans-2-Butenoate

γ-Irradiation of crystalline hexaaquamagnesium trans-2-butenoate dihydrate affords rel-(3S,4R)-1-hexene-3,4-dicarboxylate by a single-crystal-to-single-crystal reaction. The reaction proceeds by a ...
A Pilot Study Comparing Sex Trafficking Indicators Exhibited by Adult and Minor Service Populations

Indicators of sex trafficking are widely disseminated by organizations in the criminal justice, social service, healthcare, and community sectors. Drawing from a larger pilot study examining survey...
Grayscale Drone Inspection Image Enhancement Framework for Advanced Bridge Defect Measurement

This paper presents a framework to better identify and measure defects in a bridge using drone-based inspection images integrated with grayscale image enhancement techniques. For this study, a DJI ...
Ligated aluminum cluster anions, LAln- (n = 1-14, L = N[Si(Me)3]2).

A wide range of low oxidation state aluminum-containing cluster anions, LAln− (n = 1–14, L = N[Si(Me)3]2), were produced via reactions between aluminum cluster anions and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). These clusters were identified by mass spectrometry, with a few of them (n = 4, 6, and 7) further characterized by a synergy of anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) based calculations. As compared to a previously reported method which reacts anionic aluminum hydrides with ligands, the direct reactions between aluminum cluster anions and ligands promise a more general synthetic scheme for preparing low oxidation state, ligated aluminum clusters over a large size range. Computations revealed structures in which a methyl-group of the ligand migrated onto the surface of the metal cluster, thereby resulting in “two metal-atom” insertion between Si–CH3 bond.
Severe Pain Profiles and Associated Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics in Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify classes of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) who share distinct severe pain profiles and evaluate differences in demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics between classes. METHODS This exploratory, cross-sectional study used data collected for the SCD Implementation Consortium Research Registry at Duke University. Using Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life-Measurement System pain-item data from 291 adults with SCD, latent class analysis was used to determine classes of individuals sharing distinct severe pain profiles. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were used to assess the relationships between pain profile classes and demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics. RESULTS Three classes sharing distinct severe pain profiles were identified: Low Frequency and Impact class (n=73), Moderate Frequency and Impact class (n=94), and High Frequency and Impact class (n=124). When compared with the Low Frequency and Impact class and controlling for age and sex, individuals in the Moderate Frequency and Impact class were more likely to: be female (P=0.031) and unemployed (P=0.013); report worse sleep (P=0.005) and social functioning (P=0.005); have less emotional distress (P=0.004); describe pain as "sore" (P=0.002); and have previous SCD-related lung complications (P=0.016). When compared with the Low Frequency and Impact class, individuals in the High Frequency and Impact class: had worse social functioning (P<0.001) and previous SCD-related lung complications (P=0.006); described pain as "sore" (P<0.001); and were taking pain medication daily for SCD (P=0.001). DISCUSSION Severe pain experiences in SCD are complex; however, there are subgroups of people who report similar experiences of severe pain.
Colon Cancer Screening and Surveillance in the IBD Patient

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been known to be at significantly higher risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), likely due to the high degree of inflammation. Aggressive surveillance protocols and better endoscopic techniques have contributed to the declining incidence rates of CRC, but they remain above average compared to the general population. Recent studies have examined the role of genetic alteration and microbiota in carcinogenesis. Current American and European guidelines recommend initiating a screening and surveillance protocol 8 years after the initial diagnosis of IBD in most patients. Endo-histological appearance during colonoscopy as well as factors such as family history of colon cancer, personal history of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), or stricturing disease among other factors can be used to dictate the interval between surveillance exams. Higher rates of interval cancers has been a major concern, and focus has been on a higher-quality colonoscopic evaluation and formulating the appropriate interval between the exams in these high-risk patients. Higher-quality exams should emphasize better methods for detecting flat and invisible lesions. These methods include better definition, higher pixel range, and use of chromoendoscopy. In this chapter, we will review these methods in addition to discussing the utility of artificial intelligence and computer-aided detection of polyps to further reduce the chances of missed dysplastic lesions and prevent interval cancers.
Critical role of structural order in bipolar redox-active molecules for organic redox flow batteries

Bipolar redox-active molecules (BRMs) have been suggested as a means to address crossover related issues in all-organic redox flow batteries (RFBs). In such species, electron donors (anolytes) and electron acceptors (catholytes) are linked by a chain, and the same chemical composition is used in both anode and cathode compartments to reduce chemical gradients and unbalanced ion transport. The resultant RFBs resemble the aqueous vanadium RFBs, but offer greater design flexibility and potentially more favorable electrochemical and physicochemical properties. Yet the complex trade-offs in these properties have been a complication. Here we developed a fundamental rubric to uncover the likely origins in the performance metrics of these BRMs that are salient for their use in RFBs. Methylene linked phenothiazine and phthalimide moieties were employed as model BRMs and variations in their properties and molecular conformations were evaluated by systematically varying the methylene linker. Our results revealed that even minimalistic changes in the linker length resulted in dramatic oscillations in the solubility and stability. Using crystallography, quantum chemistry, and molecular dynamics, we clarify that the seemingly fluctuating behavior is due to (1) the inter- and intra-molecular charge transfer between the donor and acceptor through bond or/and through space; (2) the formation of distinctive packing/clustering motifs. Both interactions are strongly dependent on the molecular conformation. As these structural factors modify the electronic structure of both electroactive functional groups and do not change monotonically, the structure–property response in BRMs is often complex. Accordingly, these behaviors need to be taken into account in developing BRMs and knowledge of these structural factors will allow the more rational design of BRMs for grid-scale energy storage.
Nano-photonic organic solar cell architecture for advanced light management utilizing dual photonic crystals

Organic solar cells have rapidly increasing efficiencies, but typically absorb less than half of the incident solar spectrum. To increase broadband light absorption, we rigorously design experimentally realizable solar cell architectures based on dual photonic crystals. Our optimized architecture consists of a polymer microlens at the air-glass interface, coupled with a photonic-plasmonic crystal at the metal cathode. The microlens focuses light on the periodic nanostructure that generates strong light diffraction. Waveguiding modes and surface plasmon modes together enhance long wavelength absorption in P3HT-PCBM. The architecture has a period of 500 nm, with absorption and photocurrent enhancement of 49% and 58%, respectively.
The Recombination of α and β Chains of Human Hemoglobin EFFECT OF SULFHYDRYL GROUP MODIFICATIONS

Abstract The tetrameric molecule of hemoglobin has two different interfaces between unlike chains. The residues in these contact regions serve both to hold the molecule together and to mediate the cooperative interactions which attend the saturation of hemoglobin with ligand. In this paper, we describe experiments designed to show how much disruption of the subunit contact surfaces can be tolerated without destroying the physical and functional integrity of the molecule. We studied two derivatives of human hemoglobin with modifications in the same interface. In the first, the sulfhydryl group at position 112 on the β chain was carboxymethylated. In the second, the —SH group at position 104 on the α chain was reacted with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. When the modified chains were mixed with their normal partners, they recombined to form dimers and tetramers. The criteria of recombination were electrophoretic mobility and sedimentation velocity. Both derivatives showed qualitatively the same change in function: loss of cooperative interactions, increased oxygen affinity, and decreased Bohr effect. This was more marked when the α chain was modified. These experiments, together with those already in the literature, indicate that interference with any interface reduces cooperative function and shifts the dissociation equilibrium toward the dimer.
Symmetry in Integer Linear Programming

An integer linear program (ILP) is symmetric if its variables can be permuted without changing the structure of the problem. Areas where symmetric ILPs arise range from applied settings (scheduling on identical machines), to combinatorics (code construction), and to statistics (statistical designs construction). Relatively small symmetric ILPs are extremely difficult to solve using branch-and-cut codes oblivious to the symmetry in the problem. This paper reviews techniques developed to take advantage of the symmetry in an ILP during its solution. It also surveys related topics, such as symmetry detection, polyhedral studies of symmetric ILPs, and enumeration of all non isomorphic optimal solutions.
Cars in Chapter 13 After the 2005 Amendments to the Bankruptcy Code

In 2005, Congress attempted to aid the plight of the secured creditor financing automobiles, especially with regard to chapter 13 cram down. The amendments it offered are peculiar and difficult. This article tries to reconcile all parts of the new amendments by distinguishing adequate protection payments from cram down payments, so that the new rules requiring equal cram down payments (which contain an interest component) and adequate protection paytments (which must not contain an interest component) can function in a non-contradictory way. The article also suggests that Congress inadvertently introduced an asset payment rule which permits debtors to put the car to the secured creditor in full payment of the car debt. Technically, this even allows the debtor to keep all insurance proceeds from a wreck while paying the secured creditor in full with the wreck itself - a shocking result not easily avoidable on the statutory language as written.
Development of input and output structures for high power X-band TWT amplifiers

Our recent research into multi-stage X-Band TWT amplifiers producing output powers of 100-200 MW has shown that it is essential to minimize the reflections in each stage of the amplifier in order to avoid sideband development. These reflections also cause fluctuations in the RF output power envelope. One solution to this problem is to isolate the two stages of the amplifier. Following extensive PIC code simulations and analytical work we have designed the first amplifier stage to provide beam modulation over a range (/spl sim/200 MHz) of input frequencies. The second stage is a quasi-periodic structure designed to minimize reflections, and allow the radial or longitudinal RF power extraction to be distributed over an extended region. A second approach uses tapers that adiabatically reduce the loading in the output sections of the amplifier to provide a smooth, broad-band transition from the slow-wave structure to cylindrical waveguide. We are also developing mode converters that will allow extraction in TEM and subsequently in a TE mode of rectangular waveguide.
Alternatively spliced sodium channel transcripts in brain and muscle.

Sodium (Na) channel cDNAs were synthesized from RNA isolated from rat brain, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle. Partial cDNAs coding for the largest cytoplasmic loop of the Na channel were amplified with PCR. Sequence analysis of these cDNAs revealed that Na channel cDNAs originally described as brain genes were also expressed in both cardiac and skeletal muscle. Some of these cDNAs were isoforms that differed by insertions or deletions and can be explained by alternative choices of a 5′ splice site. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA confirmed the presence of introns in this region of the gene. Transcripts of multiple isoforms were detected with RNase protection in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. Several conclusions can be drawn from the data. (1) Some rat sodium channel genes are transcribed in all excitable tissues studied here: brain, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle. (2) Each of these three tissues expresses multiple sodium channel genes. (3) Alternative splicing of sodium channel transcripts occurs in these tissues. (4) Expression of multiple genes and alternative splicing of the transcripts is responsible for at least seven different sodium channel mRNAs in skeletal muscle.
Overpotential for CO2 electroreduction lowered on strained penta-twinned Cu nanowires

Based on first-principles calculations, we predict that penta-twinned Cu nanowires (NWs) are superior to conventional Cu catalysts for CO2 electroreduction. The penta-twinned NWs possess a combination of ultrahigh mechanical strength, large surface-to-volume ratios and an abundance of undercoordinated adsorption sites, all desirable for CO2 electroreduction. In particular, we show that the penta-twinned Cu NWs can withstand elastic strains orders of magnitude higher than their conventional counterpart, and as a result their CO2 electroreduction activities can be significantly enhanced by elastic tensile strains. With a moderate tensile strain, the bias potential for methane production at a decent current density (2 mA cm−2) can be reduced by 50%. On the other hand, the competing hydrogen evolution reaction can be suppressed by the tensile strains. The presence of H at the NW surface is found to have a minor effect on CO2 electroreduction. Finally, we propose to use graphene as a substrate to stretch deposited Cu NWs.
AS1411-conjugated gold nanospheres and their potential for breast cancer therapy.

// Mohammad T. Malik 1, 5 , Martin G. O’Toole 2 , Lavona K. Casson 1, 5 , Shelia D. Thomas 1, 5 , Gina T. Bardi 1, 5 , Elsa Merit Reyes-Reyes 1, 5 , Chin K. Ng 3 , Kyung A. Kang 4 , Paula J. Bates 1, 5 1 Departments of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA 2 Departments of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA 3 Departments of Radiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA 4 Departments of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA 5 Departments of the Molecular Targets Group of the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA Correspondence to: Mohammad T. Malik, e-mail: tariq.malik@louisville.edu Paula J. Bates, e-mail: paula.bates@louisville.edu Keywords: targeted therapy, nanomedicine, triple negative breast cancer, G-quadruplex, nanoparticles Received: May 11, 2015 Accepted: May 22, 2015 Published: June 03, 2015 ABSTRACT AS1411 is a quadruplex-forming DNA oligonucleotide that functions as an aptamer to target nucleolin, a protein present on the surface of cancer cells. Clinical trials of AS1411 have indicated it is well tolerated with evidence of therapeutic activity, but improved pharmacology and potency may be required for optimal efficacy. In this report, we describe how conjugating AS1411 to 5 nm gold nanospheres influences its activities in vitro and in vivo . We find that the AS1411-linked gold nanospheres (AS1411-GNS) are stable in aqueous and serum-containing solutions. Compared to unconjugated AS1411 or GNS linked to control oligonucleotides, AS1411-GNS have superior cellular uptake and markedly increased antiproliferative/cytotoxic effects. Similar to AS1411, AS1411-GNS show selectivity for cancer cells compared to non-malignant cells. In a mouse model of breast cancer, systemic administration of AS1411-GNS could completely inhibit tumor growth with no signs of toxicity. These results suggest AS1411-GNS are promising candidates for clinical translation.