cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The evaluation of high risk and pre-invasive breast lesions and the decision process for follow up and surgical intervention

Atypical epithelial hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ (lobular neoplasia), radial scar, and ductal carcinoma in situ are considered high-risk lesions that predispose toward the future development of non-invasive or invasive breast cancer. Generally, those women with atypical epithelial hyperplasia, radial scar, or lobular carcinoma in situ can be managed conservatively by close surveillance. The minority of women may consider prophylactic mastectomy. Ductal carcinoma in situ can usually be managed by lumpectomy with or without radiation, with some patients requiring mastectomy due to extensive disease.
A single glycosylation site within the receptor-binding domain of the avian sarcoma/leukosis virus glycoprotein is critical for receptor binding

Retroviral envelope proteins are heavily glycosylated. In some cases, glycosylation has been shown to be important for folding, protein stability, immune evasion, or receptor usage. The receptor-binding subunit (SU or gp85) of the envelope protein (EnvA) of the avian sarcoma/leukosis virus, subtype A (ASLV-A), contains 11 potential N-linked glycosylation sites (NXS/T). To address the importance of N-linked glycosylation for the function of EnvA, we prepared a series of EnvA proteins lacking one or more of these carbohydrate addition sites. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we mutated the S or T in each NXS/T glycosylation sequon to A. We also prepared EnvAs bearing selected double and triple mutations. We examined each mutant EnvA for its ability to be expressed at the cell surface, proteolytically processed into gp85 and gp37, incorporated into MLV pseudotyped virions, and to support infection of cells expressing the ASLV-A receptor, Tva. Eight single mutations were well tolerated, and, in general, EnvA was able to tolerate double mutations of these glycosylation sites. Triple mutations were more variable in their effects. Of the three glycosylation sites important for EnvA function, two are important for folding (EnvA production and processing were severely impaired). For the third, although EnvA processing was impaired, significant amounts of processed EnvA were expressed at the cell surface and incorporated into virions. Nonetheless, this mutant EnvA, EnvADeltaNg10, was unable to support infection. Further examination of EnvADeltaNg10 revealed that it was unable to bind Tva and was severely impaired for binding to a monoclonal antibody which inhibits receptor binding. This work has therefore identified a single N-linked glycosylation site in the SU domain of EnvA that is critical for binding between EnvA and its receptor, Tva.
Receptive-field dynamics in the central visual pathways

Neurons in the central visual pathways process visual images within a localized region of space, and a restricted epoch of time. Although the receptive field (RF) of a visually responsive neuron is inherently a spatiotemporal entity, most studies have focused exclusively on spatial aspects of RF structure. Recently, however, the application of sophisticated RF-mapping techniques has enabled neurophysiologists to characterize RFs in the joint domain of space and time. Studies that use these techniques have revealed that neurons in the geniculostriate pathway exhibit striking RF dynamics. For a majority of cells, the spatial structure of the RF changes as a function of time; thus, these RFs can be characterized adequately only in the space-time domain. In this review, the spatiotemporal RF structure of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus and primary visual cortex is discussed.
Strain hardening, strain rate sensitivity, and ductility of nanostructured metals

This paper presents an overview of the strain hardening and strain rate hardening behavior of nanostructured and ultrafine-grained metals. The experimental findings obtained in our laboratory are summarized, with some recent data for ultrafine-grained Cu presented as a model case. Due to the diminishing strain hardening capacity and inadequate strain rate hardening, plastic instabilities in the form of inhomogeneous and localized deformation such as necking and shear banding often contribute to the low ductility of nanostructured and ultrafine-grained metals at room temperature (RT). The observed grain size dependence of the strain rate sensitivity is also discussed in terms of its implications for new deformation mechanisms when the grain size is in the nanocrystalline (nc) and ultrafine regime.
Space tilings and substitutions

We generalize the study of symbolic dynamical systems of finite type and ℤ2 action, and the associated use of symbolic substitution dynamical systems, to dynamical systems with ℝ2 action. The new systems are associated with tilings of the plane. We generalize the classical technique of the matrix of a substitution to include the geometrical information needed to study tilings, and we utilize rotation invariance to eliminate discrete spectrum. As an example we prove that the pinwheel tilings have no discrete spectrum.
Rate of degenerate rearrangement of the 2‐methyl‐2‐norbornyl cation studied by 13C selective pulse transfer and two‐dimensional NOESY spectroscopy

The rate of the degenerate 6,1-hydride shift and rearrangement of the 2-methyl-2-norbornyl cation has been determined using selective pulse transfer experiments and 2D NOESY experiments over the temperature range 200–220 K. Least-squares analysis of the data gives a free energy of activation of 11.3 kcal mol−1. The results are compatible with the presence of σ-delocalization in the 2-methyl-2-norbornyl cation.
The utilisation of forage grasses for decontamination of spray-irrigated leachate from a municipal sanitary landfill

Abstract Spray irrigation was used to test the survival and efficiency of forage grasses as a concentrating mechanism for the inorganic waste elements in leachate from a municipal solid waste sanitary landfill. Lime (0·67 metric tonnes/ha), rock phosphate, and superphosphate (each at 11·2 metric tonnes/ha) were applied in a randomised complete block design to reed canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea L., tall fescue Festuca arundinacea Schreb., cv. ‘Ky 31’, orchardgrass Dactylis glomerata L., bromegrass Bromus inermis Leyss., and bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. cvs. ‘Midland’ and ‘Tufcote’. Leachate was applied by overhead rotary sprinklers in weekly 8-h applications from 22 October 1974 to 28 April 1975. The total application averaged about 155 cm. Sprayed leachate contained about 500 ppm of Ca, 150 to 200 ppm of Na, Fe, and Cl, 50 to 100 ppm of Mn, K, Mg, and N, 2 to 5 ppm of Al, Sr, Zn, and P, and less than 0·5 ppm of Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Cd. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) decreased from approximately 7500 mg/litre in water emerging from landfill drains to 5000 mg/litre in sprayed leachate. Electroconductivity ranged from 3000 to 4000 μmhos/cm and pH from 5·3 to about 5·5. Leachate irrigation appreciably increased Na, Fe, Mn, Cl, and S levels in all forages except orchardgrass. Lime significantly prevented Mn accumulation and benefited forage grass persistence. Reed canarygrass generally contained the highest levels of most elements and along with Tufcote bermudagrass was more leachate-tolerant than other grasses. Seasonal factors affected the uptake of several elements, e.g. Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, K, and Co were significantly lower in regrowth cuttings as compared with the first cuttings of Midland bermudagrass and reed canarygrass.
Integrative prescreening in analysis of multiple cancer genomic studies

In high throughput cancer genomic studies, results from the analysis of single datasets often suffer from a lack of reproducibility because of small sample sizes. Integrative analysis can effectively pool and analyze multiple datasets and provides a cost effective way to improve reproducibility. In integrative analysis, simultaneously analyzing all genes profiled may incur high computational cost. A computationally affordable remedy is prescreening, which fits marginal models, can be conducted in a parallel manner, and has low computational cost. An integrative prescreening approach is developed for the analysis of multiple cancer genomic datasets. Simulation shows that the proposed integrative prescreening has better performance than alternatives, particularly including prescreening with individual datasets, an intensity approach and meta-analysis. We also analyze multiple microarray gene profiling studies on liver and pancreatic cancers using the proposed approach. The proposed integrative prescreening provides an effective way to reduce the dimensionality in cancer genomic studies. It can be coupled with existing analysis methods to identify cancer markers.
Location, Seeding Date, and Variety Interactions on Winter Wheat Yield in Southeastern United States

In the Southeast, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is typically planted from late October to early December. However, grain yield is reduced by an interaction of weather, soil, and plant factors. From 2009 to 2012 a study was conducted at three locations in Alabama to evaluate the seeding date eff ect on yield and yield components of three cultivars. Th e AGS 2060, AGS 2035, and Baldwin cultivars were evaluated within four seeding dates at approximately 15-d intervals. Results showed that grain yield, spikes per m 2 , and kernel weight declined linearly with seeding delay; however, the impact changed among years and locations within a year. Th e variability of kernels per spike was location specifi c, in the north delayed planting resulted in a greater number of kernels per spike while the opposite occurred at the central and southern locations. At most location-year combinations, seeding 2 to 4 wk later than the Extension's best seeding date resulted in yield losses; especially if warm and dry conditions were prevalent during winter and spring months at locations with sandy loam soils. Under warm and dry growing conditions, the impact of delayed planting on yield and kernel weight was the greatest for Baldwin and AGS 2035 and least for the AGS 2060. In contrast, when cold and wet growing conditions were prevalent, there were not signifi cant planting date diff erences on yield and yield components. Cultivar and seeding date should be selected on a location basis due to the plant interactions with soil and weather factors.
Heterogeneous geochemistry of catchment acidification

Abstract Many ions in catchment runoff are primarily controlled by heterogeneous reactions. The mass law governing heterogeneous equilibria leads directly to a simple, general expression for catchment acid buffering, which can be estimated from bulk catchment runoff composition. This analysis requires no particular assumptions or data regarding catchment minerals, water flowpaths, reaction pathways, or equilibrium constants. Thus, a catchment's vulnerability to acidification can be assessed directly from its runoff chemistry. Critical tests using data from four intensively studied catchments (Hubbard Brook, USA, and Sogndal, Risdalsheia, and Birkenes, Norway) reveal catchment-scale buffering behavior that is quantitatively comparable to that predicted from bulk runoff composition. Theoretical predictions and field data both indicate that reversing acidification at the acidified Norwegian catchments would require large decreases in sulfate concentrations. Long-term acidification will occur where leaching of base cations, accelerated by add anion loading, exceeds resupply from mineral weathering. Where the rate of depletion of adsorbed base cations can be estimated, the resulting acidification of runoff can be predicted analytically. Base cation leaching, partly offset by mineral weathering and acting in conjunction with declining acid anion loading, appears responsible for the long-term decline in base cation concentrations at Hubbard Brook. A general method is proposed for evaluating the effects of spatial variability in catchment buffering mechanisms. Spatially averaged catchment runoff will generally yield whole-catchment buffering predictions that closely approximate the spatially averaged buffering properties of a collection of geochemically diverse source regions. Mechanistic prediction of catchment buffering does not require identifying discrete source regions, characterizing their individual geochemical properties, or tracing the hydrologic flowpaths that connect them. This considerably simplifies the problem of predicting whole-catchment buffering behavior.
Intra- and inter-molecular recombination of mitochondrial DNA after in vivo induction of multiple double-strand breaks

To investigate mtDNA recombination induced by multiple double strand breaks (DSBs) we used a mitochondria-targeted form of the ScaI restriction endonuclease to introduce DSBs in heteroplasmic mice and cells in which we were able to utilize haplotype differences to trace the origin of recombined molecules. ScaI cleaves multiple sites in each haplotype of the heteroplasmic mice (five in NZB and three in BALB mtDNA) and prolonged expression causes severe mtDNA depletion. After a short pulse of restriction enzyme expression followed by a long period of recovery, mitochondrial genomes with large deletions were detected by PCR. Curiously, we found that some ScaI sites were more commonly involved in recombined molecules than others. In intra-molecular recombination events, deletion breakpoints were close to or upstream of ScaI cleavage sites, confirming the recombinogenic character of DSBs in mtDNA. A region adjacent to the D-loop was preferentially involved in recombination of all molecules. Sequencing through NZB and BALB haplotype markers in recombined molecules enabled us to show that in addition to intra-molecular mtDNA recombination, rare inter-molecular mtDNA recombination events can also occur. This study underscores the role of DSBs in the generation of mtDNA rearrangements and supports the existence of recombination hotspots.
Electromigration failure mechanisms in bamboo-grained Al(Cu) interconnections

Abstract The electromigration in Al(Cu), Al(Pd, Nb) lines connected to either W studs or Si junction structures has been investigated. Mass transport as a function of temperature and current density was measured using both drift-velocity and resistance measurements. The dominant Al and Cu diffusion paths in fine Al(Cu) interconnects, besides grain boundaries, are along interfaces and subsequently on freshly formed free surfaces. An electromigration activation energy of 0.87 ± 0.03 eV has been obtained for both multigrained and bamboo-like structured lines. During electromigration stress, a sequential dissolution of the Al 2 Cu precipitates is observed, starting with the nearest precipitate to the cathode end. The observed edge displacement and resistance change in long Al(Cu) lines can be separated into three periods: incubation, slow Al motion, and steady state. A model is proposed between lifetime, τ, and current density, j , τ ∝ j m , where m changes from -2 to -1 during the process.
Differentiation of stereoisomeric steroids by reactions with phosphenium ions

A chemical ionization method is reported for distinction of diastereomeric hydroxysteroids by using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (FT-ICR). Certain phosphenium ions are demonstrated to react with stereoisomeric steroids to yield qualitatively different product ions. For example, l,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,16β,17β-triol (cis-estriol) reacts with the dimethoxy phosphenium ion to form a diagnostic product ion (not formed for the trans-estriol) through addition followed by the loss of two molecules of methanol. In an analogous manner, the 1,3-dioxolan-2-phosphenium ion produces a diagnostic product ion through the loss of ethylene glycol from the adduct of cis-estriol only. The l,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,16α,17β-triol (trans-estriol), on the other hand, reacts with each phosphenium ion only via hydroxide abstraction-initiated pathways that indicate the presence of at least two hydroxyl groups in the molecule. These specific reactions take place for all hydroxysteroids examined, independent of their stereochemistry. Another isomer pair, cholestan-3α,5α-diol (cis-cholestandiol) and cholestan-3β,5α-diol (trans-cholestandiol), is differentiated based on selective elimination of water only from the adduct of the cis-isomer. However, the method does not allow distinction between the stereoisomeric 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol and 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20β-triol. The different reactivities of the three pairs of steroid isomers and of each diastereomeric compound pair are rationalized by reaction enthalpies and steric effects based on straightforward and predictable reaction mechanisms.
Simultaneous inactivation of the catalytic activities of yeast glutathione reductase by N-alkylmaleimides.

A series of straight chain N-alkylmaleimides was shown to simultaneously inactivate the reductase, transhydrogenase and diaphorase activities of yeast glutathione reductase (NAD(P)H: oxidized-glutathione oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.4.2.) at pH 7.5 and 25°C. Apparent second-order rate constants for the inactivation of all enzyme activities exhibited parallel increases with increasing chainlength from C-2 through C-7 of the alkyl substituent of the maleimide. This positive chainlength effect is suggested to be due to an enhanced binding of maleimides through nonpolar interactions with the enzyme. Reduction of the active site disulfide with NADPH was required prior to addition of maleimide for inactivation to occur. NADP, AcPyADP, SNADP, AADP, and oxidized glutathione all protected the enzyme from inactivation. 2′AMP, 3′AMP, 2′-phospho-5′AMP, 2′-phospho-5′ADP and 2′-phospho-ADP-ribose although all coenzyme-competitive inhibitors failed to protect the enzyme from N-ethylmaleimide inactivation. N-Phenyl and N-alkylmaleimides covalently modified two, of six available, sulfhydryl groups per subunit. No other amino acid residues were modified. The reactivity of these sulfhydryl groups was at least two orders of magnitude higher than any reported for the N-ethylmaleimide reaction with many other ‘essential sulfhydryl’ enzymes. No change in the charge transfer band of the reduced enzyme was observed upon complete inactivation by N-ethyl, N-heptyl or N-phenylmaleimide. The retention of the charge transfer band after selective modification of two sulfhydryl groups suggests the involvement of a third reactive sulfhydryl group in the functioning of the yeast enzyme. No inactivation was observed when coenzymatically reduced enzyme was incubated with the site-specific sulfhydryl reagent, diazotized AADP.
Staircase transportation problems with superadditive rewards and cumulative capacities

A cumulative-capacitated transportation problem is studied. The supply nodes and demand nodes are each chains. Shipments from a supply node to a demand node are possible only if the pair lies in a sublattice, or equivalently, in a staircase disjoint union of rectangles, of the product of the two chains. There are (lattice) superadditive upper bounds on the cumulative flows in all leading subrectangles of each rectangle. It is shown that there is a greatest cumulative flow formed by the natural generalization of the South-West Corner Rule that respects cumulative-flow capacities; it has maximum reward when the rewards are (lattice) superadditive; it is integer if the supplies, demands and capacities are integer; and it can be calculated myopically in linear time. The result is specialized to earlier work of Hoeffding (1940), Frechet (1951), Lorentz (1953), Hoffman (1963) and Barnes and Hoffman (1985). Applications are given to extreme constrained bivariate distributions, optimal distribution with limited one-way product substitution and, generalizing results of Derman and Klein (1958), optimal sales with age-dependent rewards and capacities.
Steady State Sodium and Rubidium Effluxes in Pisum sativum Roots.

Steady state effluxes of potassium and sodium ions were measured on Pisum sativum var. Alaska root segments excised from seedlings which had grown in a nutrient solution containing the major inorganic ions and either 86Rb as a tracer for K or 22Na as a tracer for Na. Fluxes appeared to be from 2 cellular compartments, a small compartment with a high flux rate and a larger compartment with a slow flux rate. Cell wall exchange fluxes are believed to have been negligible. Efflux rates for 11.3% and 88.7% of cellular potassium ions were 6 × 10−7 and 1.32 × 10−7 respectively; rates for 33.7% and 66.3% of cellular sodium ions were 1.48 × 10−7 and 3.83 × 10−8 respectively, (equivalents per gram fr wt per hr). The sodium flux measurements, with previous measurements of ionic concentrations and transmembrane potentials, support the theory that sodium is transported actively from Pisum roots.
The organization of the ventral anterior nucleus of the thalamus. A Golgi study.

Summary The organization of the ventral anterior (VA) nucleus of the thalamus has been examined in Golgi stained sections from approximately 750 mice, rats, and cats. The study was motivated by physiological evidence suggesting that VA may play a prominent role in recruitment mechanisms and the projection of the thalamic non-specific system upon the cortex. A variety of neuron types and a group of presynaptic neuropil fields of diverse nature, arranged lateral to medial, attest to the complex nature of VA. In general terms, the lateral sectors of VA receive much of the pallido-thalamic projection while the most medial portion (sector a) contains a powerful collateral projection from the non-specific thalamic radiation. Since part of the pallido-thalamic projection (caudate loop) also projects upon the medial fields, sector a, gains special significance as an integrative center gating the play of thalamic activation and caudate inhibitory mechanisms upon the cortex. A substantial part of the rostrally projecting fibers of the non-specific radiation
In vitro secretion of alpha-ecdysone by prothoracic glands of a hemimetabolous insect, Leucophaea maderae (Blattaria).

Prothoracic glands of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae were maintained in organ culture under defined conditions. Examination of the culture medium from mid-instar glands revealed material which gave a positive response in an ecdysone radioimmune assay and the Musca bioassay. The material was identified as α-ecdysone on the basis of its co-chromatography with α-ecdysone on thin layer chromatography and gas liquid chromatography using the highly selective electrone capture detector. Only very low amounts of secreted material were detected from glands of early last instar nymphs or 1 day adults. No material was secreted from several control tissues.
A comprehensive evaluation for aspiration after esophagectomy reduces the incidence of postoperative pneumonia.

Objective This study assesses the effect of using a comprehensive swallowing evaluation before starting oral feedings on aspiration detection and pneumonia occurrence after esophagectomy. Methods The records of all patients undergoing esophagectomy between January 1996 and June 2009 were reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed the effect of preoperative and operative variables on the incidence of aspiration and pneumonia. Separate analyses were performed on patients before (early era, 1996–2002) and after (later era, 2003–2009) a rigorous swallowing evaluation was used routinely before starting oral feedings. Results During the study period, 799 patients (379 from the early era and 420 from the later era) underwent esophagectomy; 30-day mortality was 3.5% (28 patients). Cervical anastomoses were performed in 76% of patients in the later era compared with 40% of patients in the early era. Overall, 96 (12%) patients had evidence of aspiration postoperatively, and the pneumonia incidence was 14% (113 patients). Age (odds ratio, 1.05 per year; P P = .0001) predicted aspiration in all patients in a multivariable model. In the early era, cervical anastomosis and aspiration independently predicted pneumonia. With a comprehensive swallowing evaluation in the later era, the detected incidence of aspiration increased (16% vs 7%, P P = .004) compared with the early era, such that neither anastomotic location nor aspiration predicted pneumonia in the later era. Conclusions Esophagectomy is often associated with occult aspiration. A comprehensive swallowing evaluation for aspiration before initiating oral feedings significantly decreases the occurrence of pneumonia.
Technology Validation of Optical Fiber Cables for Space Flight Environments

Periodically, commercially available (commercial off the shelf, COTS) optical fiber cable assemblies are characterized for space flight usage under the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program. The purpose of this is to provide a family of optical fiber cable options to a variety of different harsh environments typical to space flight missions. The optical fiber cables under test are evaluated to bring out known failure mechanisms that are expected to occur during a typical mission. The tests used to characterize COTS cables include: vacuum exposure, thermal cycling and radiation exposure. Presented here are the results of the testing conducted at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on COTS optical fiber cables over this past year. Several optical fiber cables were characterized for their thermal stability both during and after thermal cycling. The results show how much preconditioning is necessary for a variety of available cables to remain thermally stable in a space flight environment. Several optical fibers of dimensions 100/140/172 microns were characterized for their radiation effects at -125 degree(s)C using the dose rate requirements of International Space Station. One optical fiber cable in particular was tested for outgassing to verify whether an acrylate coated fiber could be used in a space flight optical cable configuration.
Radiation stability of ZrN under 2.6 MeV proton irradiation

Zirconium nitride is a promising alternative material for the use as an inert matrix for transuranic fuel, but the knowledge of the radiation tolerance of ZrN is very limited. We have studied the radiation stability of ZrN using a 2.6 MeV proton beam at 800 °C. The irradiated microstructure and hardening were investigated and compared with annealed samples. A high density of nano-sized defects was observed in samples irradiated to doses of 0.35 and 0.75 dpa. Some defects were identified as vacancy-type pyramidal dislocation loops using lattice resolution imaging and Fourier-filter image processing. A very slight lattice expansion was noted for the sample with a dose of 0.75 dpa. Hardening effects were found for samples irradiated to both 0.35 and 0.75 dpa using Knoop indentation.
Targeted mutation of the gene for cellular glutathione peroxidase (Gpx1) increases noise-induced hearing loss in mice.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress have been implicated in cochlear injury following loud noise and ototoxins. Genetic mutations that impair antioxidant defenses would be expected to increase cochlear injury following acute insults and to contribute to cumulative injury that presents as age-related hearing loss. We examined whether genetically based deficiency of cellular glutathione peroxidase, a major antioxidant enzyme, increases noise-induced hearing loss in mice. Two-month-old "knockout" mice with a targeted inactivating mutation of the gene coding for glutathione peroxidase (Gpx1) and wild type controls were exposed to broadband noise for one hour at 110 dB SPL. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds at test frequencies ranging from 5 to 40 kHz were obtained two and four weeks after exposure to determine the stable permanent component of the hearing loss. Depending on test frequency, Gpx1 knockout mice showed up to 16 dB higher ABR thresholds prior to noise exposure, and up to 15 dB greater noise-induced hearing loss, compared with controls. Within the cochlear base, there was also a significant contribution of the knockout to inner and outer hair cell loss, as well as nerve fiber loss. Our results support a link between genetic impairment of antioxidant defenses, vulnerability of the cochlea injury, and cochlear degeneration. Such impairment produces characteristics expected of some mutations associated with age-related hearing loss and offers one possible mechanism for their action.
Characterization of Nanostructure Phenomena in Airborne Particulate Aggregates and Their Potential for Respiratory Health Effects

Airborne aggregates of nanoparticulates were collected on carbon/form-coated, 100-mesh Ni TEM grids in a thermal precipitator and observed in an analytical TEM utilizing a BF-SAED-DF-EDS characterization protocol to identify the nanocrystalline or nanoparticulate components, especially their degree of crystallinity, size, structural/morphologic features, and chemistries. Reference aggregates of TiO2 rutile and anatase as well as Si3N4 nanoparticles were used to establish these characterization protocols, which were applied to several hundred individual particulates: homogeneous aggregates of carbonaceous/diesel particulate matter, complex mixtures of carbonaceous matter, including carbon nanocrystals, and inorganic nanocrystals; and heterogeneous, nanocrystal/nanoparticulate aggregates. Most airborne particulates were aggregates ranging in aerodynamic diameters from a few nanometers to a few microns; containing as few as 2 nanocrystals to several thousand nanocrystals or nanoparticulates such as carbonaceous spherules arranged in complex branched homogeneous aggregates composing diesel exhaust, with spherule diameters ranging from 10 to 30 nm. The potential for ultrafine airborne aggregates to fragment into hundreds or thousands of nanoparticulate components in human airways and act as toxic agents in deep lung tissue is demonstrated.
Semiconductor unstable resonators with laterally finite mirrors

Tapered unstable resonator lasers incorporating laterally finite mirrors are reported. By reducing the lateral extent of mirrors, cavity losses may be shifted from internal losses (contributing to scattering and absorption) to mirror losses (contributing to output power). Design of these cavities will be discussed and evaluated. Experimental data substantiates theoretical analysis, showing an increase in slope efficiency of 40% over conventional infinite aperture tapered lasers.
The influence of parent conflict style on children

Families constantly manage tension between autonomy from and connection to family members (T. C. Sabourin, 2003). Family conflict is an important maintenance behavior where this tension often plays out. Specifically, we hypothesized that the negotiation of family conflict between parents and children will be an important factor in the willingness of a young adult child to identify with family. Using a sample of young adults from 2 U.S. locations, regression analysis indicated that conflict styles mediated the association between family communication patterns and shared family identity. Specifically, the level of conformity orientation within the family emerged as moderator of the pattern of mediation. Additionally, findings suggested the avoiding conflict style may be particularly detrimental to shared family identity.
Dental management of a child with Huntington's Disease: Case report

Huntington's Disease is a chronic, progressive, hereditary disorder of unknown etiology. Onset occurs between 35 and 42 years of age and is characterized by chorea, behavioral changes, dementia, and irregular gait. Dyslalia is a common feature due to the severe darting movements of the tongue and head. Huntington's Disease is rarely diagnosed in children (less than 1% of all cases are documented in children under 10 years of age). This is a case report of an 11 year 5 month old white male, diagnosed at age 5, who was brought to the University of Minnesota Hospital Dental Clinic for an oral examination. The findings are presented, and the management of patients with Huntington's Disease is discussed.
A technique for studying interacting cracks of complex geometry in 2D

A method for studying brittle fracture in an infinite plate containing interacting cracks of complex shape under general loading conditions is developed and studied for accuracy and potential applications. This technique is based on superposition and dislocation theory and can be used to determine the full stress and displacement fields in a cracked body. In addition, stress intensity factors at both crack tips and wedges, created by crack kinking and branching, are calculated so that crack growth and initiation can be analyzed at these locations of possible crack propagation. Such information can then be used to study damage accumulation in structures containing a large number of interacting cracks.
The effect of DNA-dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes on the polymerase chain reaction.

The unique properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) make them useful in many new technologies and applications. The interaction of DNA and SWCNT is of interest for many uses, including molecular sensors. This study determined polymerase chain reaction (PCR) efficiency in amplifying a 76 base pair DNA sequence in the presence of SWCNT, of heterogeneous “Mix” and (6,5)-enriched chiralities, associated with three DNA sequences. The dependence of PCR efficiency on the concentration of DNA:SWCNT preparations was measured, as well as their age and level of dispersion (less than one month or between four and ten months). Additionally, the ability to directly amplify the DNA sequence associated with the SWCNT scaffold was investigated. In PCRs with DNA:SWCNT preparations less than one month old, concentrations greater than or equal to 0.1 mg/mL inhibited the PCR reaction. In PCRs with older preparations, no inhibition was seen at 0.01 or 0.1 mg/mL, with amplification at 1 mg/mL in some samples. Additionally, our studies showed that the DNA directly associated with the SWCNT can be amplified using PCR. This work provides an inhibitory concentration of DNA-dispersed SWCNT in PCR reactions for different preparations as well as a basis for future DNA:SWCNT studies that require PCR amplification. This will be useful for future studies focused on the use of SWCNT in molecular sensing technologies.
Human adrenomedullin and its binding protein ameliorate sepsis-induced organ injury and mortality in jaundiced rats

Sepsis is a serious complication for patients with obstructive jaundice. Although administration of adrenomedullin (AM) in combination with its binding protein (AMBP-1) is protective after injury, it remains unknown whether AM/AMBP-1 ameliorates sepsis-induced organ injury and mortality in the setting of biliary obstruction. The aim of this study is, therefore, to test the efficacy of human AM/AMBP-1 in a rat model of obstructive jaundice and polymicrobial sepsis. To study this, obstructive jaundice was induced in male adult rats (275-325g) by common bile duct ligation (BDL). One week after BDL, the rats were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Plasma levels of AM and AMBP-1 were measured at 20h after CLP. In additional groups of BDL+CLP rats, human AM/AMBP-1 (24/80microg/kg body weight (BW)) or vehicle (i.e., human albumin) was administered intravenously at 5h after CLP. Blood and tissue samples were collected at 20h after CLP for various measurements. To determine the long-term effect of human AM/AMBP-1 after BDL+CLP, the gangrenous cecum was removed at 20h after CLP and 7-day survival was recorded. Our results showed that plasma levels of AM were significantly increased while AMBP-1 levels were markedly decreased after BDL+CLP (n=8, P<0.05). Administration of human AM/AMBP-1 attenuated tissue injury and inflammatory responses after BDL+CLP. Moreover, human AM/AMBP-1 significantly increased the survival rate from 21% (n=14) to 53% (n=15). Thus, human AM/AMBP-1 ameliorates sepsis-induced organ injury and mortality in jaundiced rats. Human AM/AMBP-1 can be further developed as a novel treatment for sepsis in jaundiced patients.
Changing the Way We Study Change in Psychotherapy

Despite a recent surge of interest in the mechanisms and processes of change during psychotherapy, investigations to date have yielded lamentably few interpretable results. The present article highlights previous barriers to the study of change in psychotherapy and offers a conceptual and methodological framework to increase the interpretability of future studies. A frequently overlooked distinction between change mechanisms, or intermediate changes in the client over the course of treatment, and change processes, or the active ingredients of the therapeutic process, is presented and developed into a multiphase model of programmatic change research. It is argued that investigators should first develop an understanding of change mechanisms and only subsequently conduct targeted process research to identify important change processes.
Antibody response to low-molecular-weight antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Abstract Sera from patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) or aspergilloma and normal sera were analyzed for specific antibodies by Western (immuno-) blotting with Aspergillus fumigatus antigens transferred electrophoretically onto polyvinylidene difluoride membranes. Western blot analysis demonstrated consistent reactivity of low-molecular-weight A. fumigatus antigens against ABPA sera but not against uncomplicated aspergilloma or normal sera. None of these low-molecular-weight components had any lectin-binding activity. Sera from patients with aspergilloma, however, frequently reacted with high-molecular-weight components of A. fumigatus. The majority of these high-molecular-weight antigenic components demonstrated concanavalin A-binding activity. The low-molecular-weight bands were discernible in Western blots with sera from all ABPA patients irrespective of disease activities, such as relapse, flare, or treatment. Antibodies detected by methods such as immunodiffusion or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays demonstrated total antibody responses to most or all antigenic components, while Western blots demonstrated the reactivities of the individual components with the specific antibodies. Western blot analysis thus provided more information for immunodiagnosis of ABPA than other methods, especially when only crude antigens were available.
Activation of orphan receptor-mediated transcription by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV

Retinoid-related receptor α (RORα) is an orphan nuclear receptor that constitutively activates transcription from its cognate response element. We show that RORα is Ca2+responsive, and a Ca2+/calmodulin-independent form of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) potentiates RORα-dependent transcription 20- to 30-fold. Other orphan receptors including RORα2, RORγ and COUP-TFI are also potentiated by CaMKIV. Transcriptional activation by CaMKIV is orphan receptor selective and does not occur with either the thyroid hormone or estrogen receptor. CaMKIV does not phosphorylate RORα or its ligand-binding domain (LBD) in vitro, although the LBD is essential for transactivation. Therefore, the RORα LBD was used in the mammalian two-hybrid assay to identify a single class of small peptide molecules containing LXXLL motifs that interacted with greater affinity in the presence of CaMKIV. This class of peptides antagonized activation of orphan receptor-mediated transcription by CaMKIV. These studies demonstrate a pivotal role for CaMKIV in the regulation of orphan receptor-mediated transcription.
A prospective study of inter-episode consistency of manic and mixed subtypes of bipolar disorder.

Background: Few studies have compared symptom presentations across manic or mixed episodes in manic-depressive patients. Methods: In the current study we report on symptom presentations of 68 prospectively-evaluated subjects diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder during two discrete manic or mixed episodes. Each episode was categorized using DSM-IIIR criteria for Bipolar Disorder, manic or mixed, as well as a less restrictive definition for manic and mixed states derived from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of symptoms. Results: The occurrence of mixed bipolar episodes was not random using either the DSM-IIIR or ROC-derived definitions of mixed episodes. Limitations: Subjects were not all fully medication-free at the time of evaluation which may have altered symptom presentation. The total duration of the study was limited, with the longest inter-episode interval under 6 years. Conclusions: Although there was variability in mixed symptomatology between episodes, the occurrence of mixed episodes was not random. Manic and mixed episodes tend to recur true to type.
Occupancy grid rasterization in large environments for teams of robots

We introduce a method for efficiently rasterizing large occupancy grids. Efficient Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) of robot trajectories has been shown to be highly scalable using sparse SLAM algorithms such as SqrtSAM, but unfortunately such approaches don't directly provide a rasterized grid map. We harness these existing SLAM methods to compute maximum likelihood (ML) robot trajectories and introduce a new efficient algorithm to rasterize a dynamic occupancy grid. We propose a spatially-aware data structure that enables the cost of a map update to be proportional to the impact of any loop closures, resulting in better average case performance than naive methods. Furthermore, we show how redundant sensor data can be exploited to improve map quality and speed up rasterization. We evaluate our method using several data sets collected using a team of 14 autonomous robots and show success in mixed indoor-outdoor urban environments as large as 220m × 170m, with 0.1m resolution.
Some Thoughts about Shaking Things Up: Future Directions in Political Science

The recent discussion about the current and future state of the discipline is a welcome and healthy development. While some of the discussion has generated unnecessary acrimony, my general impression is that this is an excellent time to engage seriously in a critique as well as an effort to reconstruct and move in a more positive direction.
Intrinsic activity rhythms in Macaca mulatta: their entrainment to light and melatonin.

Mounting evidence that circadian abnormalities are a risk factor for cancer and for cardiovascular, psychiatric, and other disorders calls for in-depth investigation of intrinsic clock-dependent processes in diurnal animal models phylogenetically close to humans. Rhesus monkey ( Macaca mulatta) is the most extensively studied diurnal nonhuman primate. Similar to humans, it features consolidated nighttime sleep and advanced cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and cognitive responses. However, the intrinsic circadian rhythmicity in this species remains to be fully characterized. Here it is demonstrated that under constant dim light (~10 lx) conditions, young adult rhesus monkeys maintain robust intrinsic circadian rhythms of activity, with periods ranging from 23.4 to 25.1 h. Constant environmental light of moderate intensity (~100 lx) slows down the circadian clock in rhesus monkeys. The exposure to light or melatonin shifts the phase of intrinsic circadian rhythms, with the direction and magnitude of the shift dependent on the circadian phase at which a stimulus was administered. The length of the intrin- sic period largely defines an individual's chronotype (morningness or eveningness) and affects the stability of intrinsic rhythms and the phase angle of entrainment to melatonin and light. This first detailed characterization of intrinsic circadian rhythms of activity and their responses to light and melatonin in rhesus monkeys shows principal similarities to those in humans. These findings should provide new opportunities for translational research on the effects of diverse agents, envi- ronmental conditions, aging, and disease on the circadian clock and its outputs.
The effect of a dedicated Ponseti service on the outcome of idiopathic clubfoot treatment

We report the effect of introducing a dedicated Ponseti service on the five-year treatment outcomes of children with idiopathic clubfoot. Between 2002 and 2004, 100 feet (66 children; 50 boys and 16 girls) were treated in a general paediatric orthopaedic clinic. Of these, 96 feet (96%) responded to initial casting, 85 requiring a tenotomy of the tendo-Achillis. Recurrent deformity occurred in 38 feet and was successfully treated in 22 by repeat casting and/or tenotomy and/or transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior, The remaining 16 required an extensive surgical release. Between 2005 and 2006, 72 feet (53 children; 33 boys and 20 girls) were treated in a dedicated multidisciplinary Ponseti clinic. All responded to initial casting: 60 feet (83.3%) required a tenotomy of the tendo-Achillis. Recurrent deformity developed in 14, 11 of which were successfully treated by repeat casting and/or tenotomy and/or transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior. The other three required an extensive surgical release. Statistical analysis showed that children treated in the dedicated Ponseti clinic had a lower rate of recurrence (p = 0.068) and a lower rate of surgical release (p = 0.01) than those treated in the general clinic. This study shows that a dedicated Ponseti clinic, run by a well-trained multidisciplinary team, can improve the outcome of idiopathic clubfoot deformity. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1424–6
Capital Punishment on Trial: Furman v. Georgia and the Death Penalty in Modern America – By David M. Oshinsky

In this compact volume aimed at a general and student audience, the author provides a masterful synthesis of the vast historiography on America's modern death penalty, focused around the Furman v. ...
Anisotropic wetting on structured surfaces

Directional textured surfaces help butterflies to shed water from their wings, pitcher plants to capture prey, and water striders and certain beetles and spiders to walk on water. Inspired by natural directional surfaces, researchers have developed a myriad of synthetic surfaces with precisely tuned physicochemical properties to regulate wettable adhesion. Anisotropic surfaces are of great value to the energy and biomedical fields for applications such as directional syringes, microprocessor cooling, high-efficiency hydropower turbines, and nanoscale digital fluidics. We summarize experimental and theoretical approaches to the design, synthesis, and characterization of engineered surfaces demonstrating anisotropic wetting properties.
Role of Benthic Substrate in Waterbird Distribution on Great Salt Lake, Utah

Abstract. Benthic substrate has a large impact on aquatic plant and invertebrate assemblages and likely directly or indirectly influences waterbird distributions. The association of birds with various substrates can be important in survey design or habitat management. Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) and California Gull (L. californicus) densities on the hypersaline Great Salt Lake, Utah, were estimated to determine the association of bird distributions with benthic substrates. Three of the four groups of species monitored had densities that varied by benthic substrate; gulls were the exception. Eared Grebes occurred at the highest densities over calcareous reef-like structures known as bioherms, either as a result of ideal water depths for foraging or greater prey densities, than over other substrates. The highest densities of Northern Shovelers and Common Goldeneyes were observed over mud s...