cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental anomalies of the scapula-the "omo"st forgotten bone

Congenital malformations of the scapula, ranging from complete absence, to abnormal shape and position (Sprengel anomaly) are encountered, not infrequently, in genetic practice. Despite this, little is known of the embryologic origin of the scapula and the relationship of the embryology to the observed birth defects. Standard embryology texts, when discussing the subject at all, generally consider the scapula as part of the upper limb. The pattern of associated birth defects suggests that this is at least an oversimplification and may be inaccurate. Sprengel anomaly is the most frequently encountered malformation of the scapula. It can be seen in isolation, but is often seen in association with other defects that include; scoliosis, hemivertebrae, segmentation abnormalities of vertebrae and ribs (including Klippel-Feil sequence), spina bifida, clavicular abnormalities, renal abnormalities and hypoplasia of the muscles of the neck and shoulder. The ipsilateral limb is usually normal. An unappreciated association between Sprengel anomaly and diastematomyelia of the lumbar spine also raises questions about the embryologic origin of the scapula. 25-50% of Sprengel anomaly patients have an associated omovertebral band or bone that arises from the posterior process of a vertebral body and attaches to the superior angle/medial portion of the scapula. This is felt to be of scapular origin, but the report of at least one patient with an omovertebral bone, not associated with a Sprengel anomaly questions this assumption. Scapuloiliac dysostosis (Kosenow syndrome), a rare skeletal dysplasia, is associated with marked hypoplasia of the scapulae, clavicles and pelvis. Associated anomalies include eye anomalies, rib anomalies and spina bifida. The limbs are normal. Knockout of the Emx2 gene in mice yields a similar skeletal phenotype. Mutations in EMX2 in humans are associated with schizencephaly, not skeletal anomalies. Data on gene expression in the scapula will be reviewed. Based on this information, the author proposes that the scapula arises from 2 or more distinct embryologic anlage under different genetic control than the upper limb.
Movement of grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus, on and between host plants

The importance of the grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn) (Homoptera: Pseudo-coccidae), as a pest of wine grapes, Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae), has increased as a result of recent reports that it is capable of transmitting at least one of the viruses associated with grapevine leafroll disease. However, its natural rate of movement between host plants - and hence its role in the epidemiology of this disease - is poorly understood. In order to better assess the risk of field spread of leafroll disease by this insect, several experiments were conducted to determine the extent to which P. maritimus can move between grape plants, both by walking and by airborne dispersal. In experiments with first instars, both field and shade-house studies indicated that the mealybugs do not walk far and only very rarely reach adjacent plants by this means. Field trapping experiments showed that grape mealybugs can be dispersed by wind, but that there is a marked decline in numbers with increasing distance from the source plant. The implications of these observations for the field spread and management of grapevine leafroll disease are discussed.
The Direct Medical Costs of α1-Antitrypsin Deficiency*

Background: For individuals with emphysema because of severe α 1 -antitrypsin deficiency, specific therapy calledIV augmentation therapy has been available since 1989. Such therapyconsists of IV infusion of pooled human plasmaα 1 -antiprotease. Methods: To assess thedirect medical costs of having α 1 -antitrypsin deficiency, the current study surveyed members of the Alpha One Foundation Registryfor Individuals With α 1 -Antitrypsin Deficiency regardingtheir annual expenditures for treatment of this disease. Data regardingdemographic features, α 1 -antitrypsin status, and health-resource utilization were collected from a self-administeredquestionnaire. Respondents were asked to provide total health-careexpenditures, but costs by specific items of care ( eg ,drugs, physician visits, etc) were not available. Results: Mean annual cost estimates were higher for PI*ZZ-phenotype individuals ($30,948, n = 292) than fornon-PI*ZZ–phenotype individuals ($20,673, n = 53; p = 0.049). Among PI*ZZ-phenotype individuals, self-reported costs of health-care services were further analyzed for those 288 individualswhose α 1 -antiprotease use status was reported. For the185 current α 1 -antiprotease users, the mean annualcost was $40,123 (median, $36,000). Conclusions: Annual health-care expenditures by individuals withα 1 -antitrypsin deficiency are very high, whether or notthey are currently receiving augmentation therapy. Augmentation therapyadds substantial costs, especially for heavier individuals who arereceiving weekly infusions.
The immunohistochemical profile of atypical eosinophilic syncytial changes vs serous carcinoma

Endometrial epithelial cytoplasmic change (EECC) is an adaptive cytoplasmic change commonly seen in the endometrium. Previously considered "metaplasia," EECC is now the preferred term because it offers a descriptive designation without implying a specific mechanism of development. There are 5 types of EECC: squamous, ciliated cell, eosinophilic, mucinous, and secretory (clear cell and hobmail cell) changes. Eosinophilic syncytial change (ESC) is a similar but unrelated degenerative change seen in endometrial breakdown. Some cases of ESC show atypical cytologic features that may resemble endometrial adenocarcinoma. Thirteen endometrial biopsy and curettage specimens with atypical ESCs (AESCs) were compared against 10 hysterectomy specimens with endometrial serous carcinoma. Clinical information and immunohistochemical staining profiles for markers phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), p53, and Ki-67 were evaluated in each case. All 13 cases of AESC (100%) showed moderate-to-strong staining for PTEN, whereas PTEN expression was absent in all endometrial serous carcinomas (P < .001). Seven cases of AESC (54%) showed focal, weak positivity for p53, whereas all cases of serous carcinoma (100%) showed strong staining (P < .001). The Ki-67 index was low (3%-15%) and found in only 3 cases in AESC (32%) but was high (60%-90%) in all cases of endometrial serous carcinoma (100%) (P < .001). Atypical ESC and serous carcinoma share several morphological features on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections that may complicate accurate diagnosis. The PTEN, p53, and Ki-67 staining profile can effectively distinguish between AESC and malignancy in difficult cases, providing an invaluable tool for a challenging diagnostic dilemma.
Maximum likelihood sequence detection in nonlinear satellite channels

A technical study by computer simulation has been performed to assess the potential of maximum likelihood sequence detection (MLSD) in a band-limited nonlinear satellite channel with two nonlinear elements [a high-power amplifier (HPA) and a transponder traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA)] operating in tandem. Starting with a brief background on digital modem development, this paper outlines the basic principle of MLSD and a conceptual structure suitable for satellite channel applications. The bit-error rate has been computed for a realistic nonlinear satellite channel using Forney's approach with the Viterbi algorithm. The upper bound of channel performance improvement in a typical satellite link has been identified.
Sorption isotherm hysteresis and turbidity phenomena in mesoporous media

Abstract Based on equilibrium sorption isotherm studies of porous Vycor discs whose circular faces were coated with a clear epoxy resin, it was possible to study the variable sorbed vapor disposition coincident with sorption isotherm hysteresis. Along the adsorption isotherm, condensate lenses were found to be more or less randomly distributed uniformly throughout the Vycor, but upon subsequent desorption, the absence of cavitation allowed the porous Vycor disc to remain condensate saturated. The desorption isotherm was, therefore, nearly horizontal until, at a sufficiently low vapor pressure, the outermost liquid-vapor interfaces became unstable. The resulting instability caused rheon jump desorption, which proceeded radially inward over an unusually small relative pressure range. This desorption process left behind residual isolated condensate ganglia in the outer portion of the porous medium in metastable equilibrium with a condensate saturated central core. After descending approximately two-thirds of the near vertical desorption isotherm, the condensate saturated core had evaporated and the remainder of the desorption hysteresis isotherm was primarily ganglia evaporation. Nonuniform desorption behavior was sensibly absent along descending scanning curves because each curve began at a partially saturated adsorption state containing randomly distributed vapor regimes from which internal rheon jump desorption could begin. This nonuniform desorption, observed with porous Vycor, may apply to a variety of porous media, thereby negating any simple application of the Kelvin equation in computing pore size distributions for these media. Such a calculation, which assumes that all pores communicate with the vapor, would lead to a considerable error in that the number of larger pores is greatly underestimated.
An updated review of the genus Martensopoda Jäger, 2006 (Araneae: Sparassidae: Heteropodinae).

A new species of the huntsman spider genus Martensopoda Jager, 2006, M. sanctor sp. nov., is described and illustrated from the southern Western Ghats of India. Detailed first description and illustration of the male of M. minuscula (Reimoser, 1934) with a redescription and illustration of its female are provided. The female of M. transversa Jager, 2006 is redescribed and illustrated. An identification key and a distribution map of all three Martensopoda species are presented.
Risks Endemic to Long-Haul Trucking in North America: Strategies to Protect and Promote Driver Well-Being:

Long-haul truck drivers in North America function in a work context marked by excess physical and psychological workload, erratic schedules, disrupted sleep patterns, extreme time pressures, and these factors’ far-reaching consequences. These work-induced stressors are connected with excess risk for cardiometabolic disease, certain cancers, and musculoskeletal and sleep disorders, as well as highway crashes, which in turn exert enormous financial burdens on trucking and warehousing companies, governments and healthcare systems, along with working people within the sector. This article: 1) delineates the unique work environment of long-haul truckers, describing their work characteristics and duties; (2) discusses the health hazards of long-haul trucking that impact drivers, the general population, and trucking enterprises, examining how this work context induces, sustains, and exacerbates these hazards; and (3) proposes comprehensive, multi-level strategies with potential to protect and promote the health, safety, and well-being of truckers, while reducing adverse consequences for companies and highway safety.
Dendritic cell vaccines to combat glioblastoma.

The dismal prognoses suffered by malignant primary brain tumor (glioma) patients remain unchanged over the past two decades despite significant improvements in the treatment of distinct tumors. Den...
Predictors of the Performance of Project Groups in R & D Organizations

Results from 32 project groups in a large R&D organization showed that group cohesiveness, physical distance, job satisfaction, and innovative orientation were associated with performance of projec...
The Effect of Time and Temperature of Cooking on Quality of Freeze-Dehydrated Chicken

Abstract HEATING is known to produce pronounced changes in meat proteins. Such changes include increase in pH (Bard and Tischer, 1951; Wierbicki et al., 1957), transformation of collagen to gelatin (Hamm, 1960), changes in tenderness (Tischer et al., 1953; Tuomy et al., 1963; Tuomy and Lechnir, 1964) and structural changes (Sosebee et al., 1964b). There is some disagreement as to the effect of different cooking methods on tenderness of poultry. Goodwin et al. (1962) found no significant differences in tenderness of turkey cooked by several methods but did find a difference in shear values when the turkey was cooked to different end-point temperatures. Mickelberry and Stadelman (1960) found differences in shear values among birds cooked by deep fat frying (least tender), birds baked in aluminum foil wrapping (most tender) and other methods of cooking. This study was designed to determine the effect of different times and temperatures of cooking on the…
A Simplified Model of Flame Spread in an Opposed Flow along a Flat Surface of a Semi-infinite Solid

Abstract A flame-spread model is analyzed in which heat release occurs at the planar interface of two media, each of which moves with a different but constant velocity. The steady-state, two-dimensional equations for conservation of energy in each medium are solved subject to a prescribed temperature distribution on the downstream half of the interface and continuity of the normal heat flux on the upstream half. Differing thermal conductivities in normal and streamwise directions are allowed in each medium. The approach involves introduction of Fourier transforms in the streamwise coordinate and use of the Wiener-Hopf technique. The model is shown to be equivalent to that of de Ris with radiant transfer neglected and also may be interpreted in terms of distributed electrical or radiant heating without combustion. Parametric results are obtained for various heat fluxes and for spread rates. The study helps to improve understanding of mechanisms of flame spread under conditions controlled by heat transfer.
Relationships among the tiphiid wasp subfamilies (Hymenoptera)

. The phylogenetic relationships among the subfamilies of Tiphiidae are discussed, with detailed analysis of characters, and presentation of a phylogenetic tree. The tribe Diammini Turner is elevated to subfamily status. A key to the subfamilies is included, and a brief synopsis of each subfamily is given.
“Unframing” Arts Based Research: New Directions and Conversations

(2007). “Unframing” Arts Based Research: New Directions and Conversations. Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 9-15.
Founding father of FACS: Professor Leonard A. Herzenberg (1931–2013)

The stunning ability to collect quantitative single-cell analyses of up to 20 parameters simultaneously (1), at rates of tens of thousands of cells per second, and then to divert and recover a specific single live cell, or a subpopulation of live cells, with desired characteristics is the genius of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). FACS applied in conjunction with fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) derived from immortalized hybridoma cell lines is a ubiquitous core technology in medicine and biomedical research, impacting all of immunology, cancer diagnosis, stem cell identification and transplantation, AIDS monitoring, and a variety of therapies, as well as plant and microbial biology. It is, in fact, very difficult to imagine the biomedical research landscape of the last 40 years without FACS. Len and Lee Herzenberg with a FACS, circa 1985. The father of FACS, Leonard “Len” A. Herzenberg of the Department of Genetics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, died on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at the age of 81. Len will be remembered as a deeply innovative scientist, a biotechnology founding figure, a life-long mentor and gentle teacher, an early and effective proponent of diversity in science, and a committed social philanthropist. He is survived by his wife, Leonore “Lee” A. Herzenberg, also of the Stanford Department of Genetics, their children Berry, Jana, John, and Rick, four grandchildren, and an international extended family of former students and postdocs whose lives and careers he and Lee touched and enriched. Len and Lee were a unique team, their partnership transcending essentially all of the humdrum drudgeries of laboratory management and academic piffle for more than five decades. Len’s contributions were all shared with Lee, and they were each other’s staunchest champions and toughest insider critics (2). FACS, in conjunction with fluorochrome-labeled Mabs detecting cell surface and intracellular … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: dangl{at}email.unc.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Nonpreemptive ensemble motion planning on a tree

Abstract Consider the problem of finding a minimum-cost tour to transport a set of objects between the vertices of an edge-weighted tree by a vehicle that travels along the edges of the tree. The vehicle can carry only one object at a time, and it starts and finishes at the same vertex of the tree. It is shown that if each object must be carried directly from its initial vertex to its destination then finding such a minimum-cost tour is NP-hard. Several fast approximation algorithms are presented for this problem. The fastest runs in O(k + n) time and generates a tour of cost at most 3 2 times the cost of a minimum-cost tour, where n is the number of vertices in the tree, k is the number of objects to be moved. Another runs in O(k + n log β(n, q)) time and generates a tour of cost at most 5 4 times the cost of a minimum-cost tour, where q ≤ min{k, n} is the number of nontrivial connected components in a related directed graph, and β(n, q) = min{i | login ≤ n/q}. In addition, a family of polynomial-time approximation algorithms is given, whose ratio of the cost of tour generated to the cost of a minimum-cost tour decreases to at most 1.21363 as the running time increases.
Development and evaluation of on-line nanoliter flow analysis of protein digests by pneumatic-splitter electrospray liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

We have developed a novel approach to characterize protein digests by pneumatic-splitter electrospray ionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (PSESI-LCMS). This technique involves an interfacing of a pneumatic splitter that can dynamically generate and control a steady split flow rate of nanoliters per minute. An average PSESI-LCMS analysis, depending on the desired split ratio, consumes less than 200 femtomoles of sample. A tryptic digest map of a glycoprotein, fetuin, and a Lys-C digest map of a recombinant neurotrophin protein, neurotrophin-3, are reported here for this investigation.
Advances in Open Neurovascular Surgery 2007

We have read with great interest the Advances in Stroke 2007 subsection in February’s issue of Stroke and congratulate Dr Fisher for nicely amalgamating articles addressing some of the most pressing advances and shortcomings in stroke management over the past year.1 Although advances in interventional approaches to stroke and neurovascular disease were nicely outlined,1,2 we noticed little emphasis on open neurosurgical approaches. Of particular interest to our cerebrovascular team, reviewing the success of hemicraniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction1,3 served to support the evidence that we have observed at our institution for this successful intervention for an oftentimes devastating disease. We would, however, like to further highlight more of the exciting advances in open cerebrovascular neurosurgery that have emerged over the past year for stroke and neurovascular diseases. As already acknowledged in your Advances in Stroke 2007 subsection,2 the results of the International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (ISUIA) continued to meet with considerable scrutiny over the past year. Promisingly, advances in both endovascular and neurosurgical approaches to aneurysm treatment continued in 2007. Kassam et al reported the first endoscopic endonasal clipping of a superior hypophyseal aneurysm.4 Kim et al presented a novel approach to the management of fusiform aneurysms, circumferentially cinching a Gore-Tex sling against an already clip-reconstructed parent vessel by clipping the free ends of the sling immediately adjacent to the vessel.5 Krisht et al presented their impressive experience with 50 complex basilar aneurysms managed through a pretemporal, transzygomatic transcavernous approach.6 These aneurysms, unamenable to endovascular coiling, were successfully clipped in 98% of cases with no procedure-related mortality and 6-month follow-up Rankin scores of 0 to 2 in 92% of patients. Given that half of the patients in this series presented …
Structure-Function of the Putative I-domain within the Integrin β2 Subunit

Abstract The central region (residues 125–385) of the integrin β2 subunit is postulated to adopt an I-domain-like fold (the β2I-domain) and to play a critical role in ligand binding and heterodimer formation. To understand structure-function relationships of this region of β2, a homolog-scanning mutagenesis approach, which entails substitution of nonconserved hydrophilic sequences within the β2I-domain with their homologous counterparts of the β1I-domain, has been deployed. This approach is based on the premise that β1 and β2 are highly homologous, yet recognize different ligands. Altogether, 16 segments were switched to cover the predicted outer surface of the β2I-domain. When these mutant β2 subunits were transfected together with wild-type αM in human 293 cells, all 16 β2 mutants were expressed on the cell surface as heterodimers, suggesting that these 16 sequences within the β2I-domain are not critically involved in heterodimer formation between the αM and β2 subunits. Using these mutant αMβ2 receptors, we have mapped the epitopes of nine β2I-domain specific mAbs, and found that they all recognized at least two noncontiguous segments within this domain. The requisite spatial proximity among these non-linear sequences to form the mAb epitopes supports a model of an I-domain-like fold for this region. In addition, none of the mutations that abolish the epitopes of the nine function-blocking mAbs, including segment Pro192–Glu197, destroyed ligand binding of the αMβ2 receptor, suggesting that these function-blocking mAbs inhibit αMβ2 function allosterically. Given the recent reports implicating the segment equivalent to Pro192–Glu197 in ligand binding by β3 integrins, these data suggest that ligand binding by the β2 integrins occurs via a different mechanism than β3. Finally, both the conformation of the β2I-domain and C3bi binding activity of αMβ2 were dependent on a high affinity Ca2+ binding site (K d = 105 μm), which is most likely located within this region of β2.
Miscibility, viscosity and density of poly (ɛ-caprolactone) in acetone + CO2 binary fluid mixtures

Abstract High-pressure viscosity and density of poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) (Mw = 14,300; Mw/Mn = 2.34) solutions in acetone and in acetone + CO2 mixtures have been determined over a temperature range from 323 to 398 K and a pressure range from 7 to 35 MPa. The effect of adding CO2 on viscosity was investigated for the 5 wt% solutions at CO2 concentrations of 1, 2, 4 and 40 wt%. The effect of phase separation on viscosity was studied for the 5 wt% polymer solution in the binary fluid mixture with high (40 wt%) carbon dioxide content. The solution viscosities ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 mPa·s with flow activation energies in the range 7–9 kJ mol−1 and flow activation volumes in the range from 12 to 29 cm3 mol−1. Close-packed volumes estimated from correlation of the data to Doolittle equation were in the range 0.5–0.6 cm3/g. In ternary solutions containing carbon dioxide, solution densities were higher, reflecting the higher density of compressed CO2 compared to that of acetone, but viscosities were lowered. A viscosity reduction of about 50% was observed with 40 wt% CO2 addition. The density and viscosity data for the PCL solutions have been compared with data for solutions of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with similar molecular weight in acetone + CO2. The results show that the acetone + CO2 binary mixtures are “better” solvents for PCL than PMMA.
When Dropping Out is Not a Permanent High School Outcome: Student Characteristics, Motivations, and Reenrollment Challenges

The customary perception is that students who drop out vanish from school enrollment rosters for good. This is an incomplete picture of the complex dropout story; dropping out is not necessarily a permanent high school outcome. Following the enrollment and course history of a district cohort of first-time 9th graders, this article documents the cohort's dropout, reenrollment, and graduation outcomes. One-third of dropouts reenrolled in district high schools, and older students and students behind in course credits were less likely to reenroll than other dropouts. Interviews with district administrators, high school principals, and reenrollees examined student motivations for reenrolling and challenges districts face when dropouts reenroll. Dropouts return primarily because of limited employment opportunities and efforts of school leaders to facilitate their return. Yet reenrollment created district challenges related to funding, accountability, and getting students who had dropped out on track to graduate.
Inside Today's Classrooms: "Teacher Voices on No Child Left behind and the Education of Gifted Children".

National leaders in the field of gifted education have voiced serious concerns regarding the effect of No Child Left Behind on gifted children. This article looks inside classrooms to determine if and how such concerns materialize in the “real world.” A survey of selected teachers in various elementary‐ and middle‐school settings in four Colorado school districts yields their candid commentary on the reality of practices that span socioeconomic and grade‐level descriptors as well as their outlook on the future of gifted education. The respondents and the author then propose changes to assure that the nation's gifted children and their teachers receive the education and resources needed to allow both to achieve their full potential and effectiveness respectively.
CHEMICAL CONTROL OF SENSORY GANGLIA DURING A CRITICAL PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT.

Two populations of cells appear during differentiation of sensory ganglia in the chick embryo, These have been designated as ventro-lateral (V-L) and median-dorsal (M-D)1–3. Changing the field of innervation, by either implantation or extirpation of limb buds, produces morphologic alterations solely in the V-L cells. The nerve growth-promoting protein (NGF), described and partially characterized by Levi-Montalcini and Cohen4–6, produces hyperplasia and hypertrophy of embryonic M-D sensory cells as well as sympathetic nerve cells. Although the growth-promoting effects of NGF on sympathetic cells persist into adulthood in various species, its stimulatory effect on sensory cells is restricted to the embryonic period of development5. It was the purpose of this investigation to delineate further the critical period during development when sensory ganglia exhibit a morphological response to purified NGF and to explore some of the mechanisms controlling the reactive sequence.
Application Of Optical Communication Technology To Optical Information Processing

An incoherent optical system that performs the product of an input vector and a stored matrix is described. The input vector is suitably biased and entered into the system on an array of infrared light emitting diodes. The output vector is measured on parallel elements of a PIN photodiode array. With proper data encoding, vectors and matrices with complex elements can be achieved. An experimental system designed to perform discrete Fourier transforms is described. While the throughput rate of the current system is 108 data samples per second, systems with throughput rates of 1010 can be envisioned.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Approximation for maximum centerline heating on lifting entry vehicles.

A centerline heating approximation is proposed in which only three basic equations need be solved. The heat rates correlate well with those obtained by more complex procedures. The approximation is readily adaptable to existing trajectory optimization programs to provide realistic surface temperature constraint capability with little increase in computer storage capacity and computer time. It is based on an analysis of heat-rate data computed for altitudes from 36,000 to 122,000 m, velocities from 600 to 7900 m/sec, and angles of attack from 0 to 60 degrees.
Both typical and atypical antipsychotic agents were associated with increased risk for sudden cardiac death

Source Citation Ray WA, Chung CP, Murray KT, Hall K, Stein CM. Atypical antipsychotic drugs and the risk of sudden cardiac death. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:225-35. 19144938
Diffuse Polymer Interfaces in Lobed Nanoemulsions Preserved in Aqueous Media

Using valence electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in the cryo-scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), we found that the polymer-polymer interface in two-phase nanocolloids of polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) and copolymer (methyl acrylate (MA)-methyl methacrylate (MMA)-vinyl acetate (VA)) preserved in water was diffuse despite the fact that equilibrium thermodynamics indicates it should only be on the order of a few nanometers. The diffuse interface is a result of the kinetic trapping of the copolymer within the PDMS phase, and this finding suggests new nonequilibrium pathways to control interfaces during the synthesis of multicomponent polymeric nanostructures.
Perimenstrual behavior changes among female yellow baboons: Some similarities to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women.

Although numerous studies have documented changes in the behavior of nonhuman primate females around the time of ovulation, very little attention has been paid to behavior changes around the time of menstruation. Yet such information is obviously relevant to under standing the origins and etiology of the adverse mood and behavior changes experienced premenstrually by many women. Analysis of data obtained during 115 hours of observation on 13 female Amboseli (Kenya) baboons (Papio cynocephalus) during 24 menstrual periods showed that prior to and during the time of menstrual onset, these individuals exhibited distinct changes in their activity budgets, nearest-neighbor distances, and patterns of social interaction. Furthermore, in comparison to females around the time of ovulation, perimenstrual females showed increased rates of agonistic interaction and decreased (but nonzero) rates of sexual interaction with adult males. These premenstrual and perimenstrual behavior changes among female yellow baboons thus show some intriguing similarities to several commonly reported behavioral symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women.
Indexical information, encoding difficulty, and second language vocabulary learning

Research has demonstrated that second language (L2) vocabulary learning improves when target words are presented in acoustically varied compared with acoustically consistent formats. The present study investigated the extent to which this benefit of acoustic variability is a consequence of difficult encoding demands (cognitive effort hypothesis) versus increased representational quality. Experiment 1 compared L2 vocabulary learning for words produced in normal (easier encoding) or nasal (more difficult encoding) voice. Vocabulary learning was superior in the normal-voice condition, arguing against a simple cognitive effort hypothesis as the basis for improved L2 vocabulary learning with increased acoustic variability. Experiment 2 assessed the resistance of newly acquired L2 word forms to the effects of acoustic degradation. Participants heard six repetitions of each item in either a single-talker or multiple-talker condition. The robustness of the new word-form representations was assessed by measuring the accuracy and latency of L2 to first language (L1) translation as a function of the signal/noise ratio. At all four signal/noise ratios, accuracy and latency of L2 to L1 translation were significantly better for words learned in the multiple-talker as opposed to the single-talker condition. Of particular importance, the difference between single talkers and multiple talkers increased systematically as signal/noise ratio decreased. These findings suggest that the benefits of acoustic variability are a consequence of learners' ability to retain and use indexical information during the earliest stages of word learning and provide support for the representation quality hypothesis.
Novobiocin Is a Potent Inhibitor for Human Organic Anion Transporters

Organic anion transporters (OATs) mediate the body disposition of a diverse array of environmental toxins and clinically important drugs. Previous studies have shown that novobiocin, an inhibitor for breast cancer resistance proteins (BCRP), inhibited organic anion transport. However, its interactions with specific OATs are unknown. In the current study, we characterized the inhibitory effects of novobiocin on the function of human OATs (hOAT)1, hOAT3, and hOAT4. Kinetic study revealed that novobiocin inhibited OAT-mediated uptake in a competitive manner, with Ki of 14.87 ± 0.40 μM for hOAT1, Ki of 4.77 ± 1.12 μM for hOAT3, and Ki of 90.50 ± 7.50 μM for hOAT4. Furthermore, the cis- and trans-inhibition feature of novobiocin demonstrated that novobiocin was a potent inhibitor but not a substrate for hOAT1 (IC50 = 34.76 ± 0.31 μM), hOAT3 (IC50 = 4.987 ± 0.35 μM), and hOAT4 (IC50 = 92.68 ± 0.34 μM). We further showed that the effects of novobiocin on OATs were not mediated through a change in transporter protein abundance on the plasma membrane. Taken together, we conclude that novobiocin seems to interact with the substrate-binding sites of OATs from both the intracellular and the extracellular sides, and this interaction interferes with the substrate-binding site(s) on respective carriers, leading to an apparent reduction in carriers available for the substrates. Because BCRP is often expressed in the same tissue where multiple OATs are identified such as liver, kidney and placenta, when dissecting the contribution of BCRP to drug disposition using novobiocin as an inhibitor, its inhibitory effect to OATs has to be taken into consideration.
Short-term quantitative precipitation forecasting using an object-based approach

Summary Short-term Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting (SQPF) is critical for flash-flood warning, navigation safety, and many other applications. The current study proposes a new object-based method, named PERCAST (PERsiann-ForeCAST), to identify, track, and nowcast storms. PERCAST predicts the location and rate of rainfall up to 4 h using the most recent storm images to extract storm features, such as advection field and changes in storm intensity and size. PERCAST is coupled with a previously developed precipitation retrieval algorithm called PERSIANN-CCS (Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Cloud Classification System) to forecast rainfall rates. Four case studies have been presented to evaluate the performance of the models. While the first two case studies justify the model capabilities in nowcasting single storms, the third and fourth case studies evaluate the proposed model over the contiguous US during the summer of 2010. The results show that, by considering storm Growth and Decay (GD) trends for the prediction, the PERCAST-GD further improves the predictability of convection in terms of verification parameters such as Probability of Detection (POD) and False Alarm Ratio (FAR) up to 15–20%, compared to the comparison algorithms such as PERCAST.
Malnutrition in Dialysis Patients—The Need for Intervention Despite Uncertain Benefits

We are in the midst of an epidemic of overnutrition which has resulted in a widespread increase in obesity rates in modern societies. Yet for patients suffering from serious chronic illnesses such as end stage renal disease (ESRD), malnutrition (encompassing both inadequate quantity and quality of nutrient intake) represents a far more significant danger. Protein-energy wasting has been identified as one of the strongest risk factor for adverse outcomes in ESRD patients, and modeling studies have suggested that improving nutrition could result in substantial lowering of mortality rates and other benefits. To date there is ample evidence that various interventions can have a positive impact on the nutritional status of ESRD patients, yet we still lack randomized controlled clinical trials showing that the same interventions could indeed lead to better survival or other clinical benefits. This knowledge gap, which is all too common for clinical problems encountered in nephrology, should not act as a deterrent, but it should rather incentivize us to continue exploring novel interventions aimed at improving malnutrition in ESRD.
Electron spin relaxation and K 39 pulsed ENDOR studies on Cr 5 + -doped K 3 NbO 8 at 9.7 and 240 GHz

${\text{Cr}}^{5+}$-doped ${\text{K}}_{3}{\text{NbO}}_{8}$, considered to be useful as an electron spin qubit, has been investigated by pulsed $X$ band $(\ensuremath{\sim}9.7\text{ }\text{GHz})$ and 240 GHz electron paramagnetic resonance and electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR). Comparison of the low temperature electronic spin-lattice relaxation rate $1/{T}_{1}$ at 9.7 and 240 GHz shows that it is 250 times faster at 240 GHz than at $X$ band. On the other hand, spin-spin relaxation rate $1/{T}_{2}$ appears largely frequency independent and is very likely related to the superhyperfine (SHF) coupling of the ${\text{Cr}}^{5+}$ electron with the surrounding potassium and niobium nuclei. This coupling was investigated by hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy at 9.7 GHz and pulsed Mims ENDOR at 240 GHz. The use of high frequency and field enabled us to unambiguously measure the hyperfine and quadrupole couplings of the $^{39}\text{K}$ in spite of its small magnetic moment. We find that the largest $^{39}\text{K}$ SHF coupling is positive, with 0.522 and 0.20 MHz as its isotropic and dipolar parts, respectively. $^{93}\text{N}\text{b}$ ENDOR was dominantly due to its quadrupolar interaction with a coupling of about 0.8 MHz and a SHF coupling of about 0.08 MHz. The significance of these data to spin qubit studies is pointed out.
Substrate Drenches Containing Flurprimidol Suppress Height of ‘Nellie White’ Easter Lilies

The objective of this research was to quantify how flurprimidol substrate drenches applied to ‘Nellie White’ easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) affected height at flowering, time to flower, and flower number. In Expt. 1, size 9/10 ‘Nellie White’ easter lilies were treated with a 4-fl oz drench applied to the surface of the substrate when shoots were 3 inches tall providing 0.0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, or 0.24 mg flurprimidol per pot or 0.03 or 0.06 mg uniconazole per pot. In Expt. 2, size 10/12 ‘Nellie White’ easter lilies were treated with 4-fl oz drenches applied to the surface of the substrate when shoots were 3 inches tall providing 0.0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, or 0.08 mg flurprimidol per pot. In Expt. 1, plants treated with flurprimidol or uniconazole were up to 38.9 cm (59%) shorter than untreated plants, while time to flower and flower number remained unaffected by plant growth retardant (PGR) treatments. In Expt. 2, as the amount of flurprimidol increased from 0.01 to 0.08 mg/pot, plant height was suppressed linearly (r = 0.63), by up to 23.2 cm (28%), while time to flower and flower number remained unaffected. Additionally, the chemical cost for drenches containing flurprimidol is less than the cost of uniconazole required to achieve comparable height control. Flurprimidol substrate drenches appear to be an effective and economical alternative to control easter lily height.
Full-annual-cycle population models for migratory birds

ABSTRACT Full-annual-cycle (FAC) models integrate seasonal demographic and environmental processes to elucidate the factors that limit and regulate animal populations. Unlike traditional, breeding-season-focused models of migratory populations, FAC population models include the effects on population dynamics of events in both the breeding and the nonbreeding season (i.e. winter and migration). Given that migratory birds can spend most of the year away from the breeding grounds and face seasonally specific threats and limitation, FAC models can provide critical and unique insights about their population dynamics. We review existing FAC population model types, including demographic network models, seasonal matrix models, and individual-based models, with examples of each type. We also suggest some approaches new to FAC population modeling—integrated population models and integral projection models—and make recommendations for the development and implementation of these models. Incorporating model components...
Hedge Funds, CDOs and the Financial Crisis: An Empirical Investigation of the 'Magnetar Trade'

The so called Magnetar trade (a kind of capital structure arbitrage on the US housing market, using CDS and synthetic CDOs, and exploiting rating-dependent mispricing of risk) has gained a high publicity due to a Pulitzer Prize awarded media story from two journalists of ProPublica (an online news outlet). The story essentially claimed that the mortgage investment strategy of the hedge fund Magnetar during the period between 2006 and mid 2007 was based on a desire to construct CDO deals with riskier assets so that they could place bets that portions of their own deals would fail. This paper provides several pieces of evidence in line with the argument that tranches from Magnetar-sponsored CDOs present overly risky investments. However, investors and rating agencies appear to have adjusted their required spread levels and ratings to reflect this higher riskiness, at least to some extent.
New Roles of Carboxypeptidase E in Endocrine and Neural Function and Cancer

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) or carboxypeptidase H was first discovered in 1982 as an enkephalin-convertase that cleaved a C-terminal basic residue from enkephalin precursors to generate enkephalin. Since then, CPE has been shown to be a multifunctional protein that subserves many essential nonenzymatic roles in the endocrine and nervous systems. Here, we review the phylogeny, structure, and function of CPE in hormone and neuropeptide sorting and vesicle transport for secretion, alternative splicing of the CPE transcript, and single nucleotide polymorphisms in humans. With this and the analysis of mutant and knockout mice, the data collectively support important roles for CPE in the modulation of metabolic and glucose homeostasis, bone remodeling, obesity, fertility, neuroprotection, stress, sexual behavior, mood and emotional responses, learning, and memory. Recently, a splice variant form of CPE has been found to be an inducer of tumor growth and metastasis and a prognostic biomarker for metastasis in endoc...
Subjective evaluation using expert judgment: An application

Objective evaluations based on analytical techniques are of limited value in the absence of specific information about some of the key parameters. A quantitative evaluation procedure is developed based on the subjective judgement of a group of experts. The methodology is used to identify plug designs with a high likelihood of satisfactory performance for a nuclear waste repository.
Detecting questionable observers using face track clustering

We introduce the questionable observer detection problem: Given a collection of videos of crowds, determine which individuals appear unusually often across the set of videos. The algorithm proposed here detects these individuals by clustering sequences of face images. To provide robustness to sensor noise, facial expression and resolution variations, blur, and intermittent occlusions, we merge similar face image sequences from the same video and discard outlying face patterns prior to clustering. We present experiments on a challenging video dataset. The results show that the proposed method can surpass the performance of a clustering algorithm based on the VeriLook face recognition software by Neurotechnology both in terms of the detection rate and the false detection frequency.
Polarization and Phase Control of Remote Surface-Plasmon-Mediated Two-Photon-Induced Emission and Waveguiding

We report here on the control of remote surface-plasmon-mediated two-photon-induced luminescence of dendritic silver nanoparticle aggregates as observed by femtosecond laser microscopy. With a focal spot diameter ∼1 μm, polarized remote emission has been observed 99 μm from the focal spot. We show control over the regions of emission by changing the polarization of the incident beam and by changing the spectral phase of the laser pulse.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: What Does the Complaint Reporting System Tell Us?

Using paid staff and/or volunteers, long-term care ombudsman programs are charged with resolving complaints and solving problems that affect elderly persons in a variety of long-term care settings. This paper reports the results of a content analysis of annual ombudsman program reports sent to the Administration on Aging from 49 states in 1990. We found substantial variation in the documented information at both state and local levels and recommend revising the reporting system.
Carboxyfluorescein distribution in ocular tissues of normal and diabetic rats.

Quantitative fluorescence microscopy was used to study Carboxyfluorescein distribution across the blood-ocular barrier of control and streptozotocin diabetic rats at 2 min, 1 and 2 hr after dye injection (125 mg/kg iv). Measurement of dye concentrations in plasma, urine and feces demonstrated increased plasma clearance and increased urinary clearance of Carboxyfluorescein in diabetic rats. Unbound plasma dye concentration in the diabetic animals fell to 34% of the control level at 1 hr after injection; the corresponding plasma concentration vs. time integral was reduced to only 74% of the control value. The presence of a less fluorescent glucuronide conjugate of Carboxyfluorescein was not detected in plasma, urine or feces. Fluorescence intensity in the ocular tissues measured, including choriocapillaris, pigment epithelium, retina, ciliary epithelium, iris, and cornea, was not higher for diabetic than for control rats. In addition, there was no indication of localized dye leakage into retina through defe...