cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photonic crystal cavities with germanium vacancy color centers in diamond (Conference Presentation)

Development of quantum information processing requires realization of solid state structures able to manipulate light or matter quantum bits. One of the promising candidates for been active elements of such solid-state platform are color centers in diamond. The most famous nitrogen-vacancy color center has number of attractive features and found a lot of applications in sensing and imaging. Still, it has number of considerable disadvantages, among which it sensitivity to the surface damages and thus its incompatibility with nanostructures. On another side implementation of nano- and micro- structures enabled considerable progress in manipulation of light quanta. In particular photonic crystal cavities allowed to realize strong coupling of cavity and spin system. This led to demonstration of efficient light collection and realization of simple quantum gates with artificial or real atoms. Novel color centers such as silicon-vacancy or germanium-vacancy color center due to inversion symmetry of the electron structure are not sensitive to the surface damages and presence of surface nearby. Thus, those are perfect candidates for been combined with photonic crystal structures. Novel technologies enabled growing of the nanodiamonds of ultra-small size having well-defined color center inside. Along with techniques to position those precisely on the nano- and micro structures these achievements opened opportunity to integrate high-fines photonic-crystal cavities with the germanium-vacancy containing nanocrystals thus forming fully solid-state platform for quantum manipulation of light. In my talk I will describe our progress towards realization of this ambitious goal.
Cognitive Function in Sickle Cell Disease Across Domains, Cerebral Infarct Status, and the Lifespan: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective To provide a comprehensive quantitative review of neurocognitive function in sickle cell disease (SCD) across multiple domains, cerebral infarct status, and the lifespan. Methods One hundred and ten studies were identified in PubMed, MedLine, and PsycINFO involving 110 studies of 3,600 participants with SCD and 1,127 sibling or health controls. Results Meta-analytic findings indicate significant deficits across all neurocognitive domains, age groups, and infarct status. Significant deficits relative to the normative mean ranged from Hedges' g = -.39 to g = -.63 in preschool children, g = -.83 to g = -1.18 in school-aged children and adolescents, and g = -.46 to g = -.86 in adults. Deficits in full scale IQ (FSIQ), verbal reasoning, perceptual reasoning, and executive function increased from preschool to school-aged samples. However, findings also showed that deficits were smaller in adult samples relative to school-aged samples, likely due to sampling bias in adult studies. Findings across infarct status in sickle cell anemia showed that deficits ranged from g = -.54 to g = -.65 in samples without infarcts, g = -.52 to g = -1.03 in samples with silent cerebral infarct, and g = -1.35 to g = -1.82 in samples with stroke. Deficits in each domain increased in magnitude from no infarct or stroke, to silent cerebral infarct, to overt stroke. Conclusion Individuals with SCD are at risk for cognitive deficits across domains, infarct status, and the lifespan. More research is necessary to determine unbiased effects for cognitive function in adults with SCD.
Validation of Algorithms Used to Identify Red Blood Cell Transfusion Related Admissions in Veteran Patients with End Stage Renal Disease.

Background: The goal of this study was to compare the performance of several database algorithms designed to identify red blood cell (RBC) Transfusion Related hospital Admissions (TRAs) in Veterans with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods: Hospitalizations in Veterans with ESRD and evidence of dialysis between 01/01/2008 and 12/31/2013 were screened for TRAs using a clinical algorithm (CA) and four variations of claims-based algorithms (CBA 1–4). Criteria were implemented to exclude patients with non-ESRD-related anemia (e.g., injury, surgery, bleeding, medications known to produce anemia). Diagnostic performance of each algorithm was delineated based on two clinical representations of a TRA: RBC transfusion required to treat ESRD-related anemia on admission regardless of the reason for admission (labeled as TRA) and hospitalization for the primary purpose of treating ESRD-related anemia (labeled TRA-Primary). The performance of all algorithms was determined by comparing each to a reference standard established by medical records review. Population-level estimates of classification agreement statistics were calculated for each algorithm using inverse probability weights and bootstrapping procedures. Due to the low prevalence of TRAs, the geometric mean was considered the primary measure of algorithm performance. Results: After application of exclusion criteria, the study consisted of 12,388 Veterans with 26,672 admissions. The CA had a geometric mean of 90.8% (95% Confidence Interval: 81.8, 95.6) and 94.7% (95% CI: 80.5, 98.7) for TRA and TRA-Primary, respectively. The geometric mean for the CBAs ranged from 60.3% (95% CI: 53.2, 66.9) to 91.8% (95% CI: 86.9, 95) for TRA, and from 80.7% (95% CI: 72.9, 86.7) to 96.7% (95% CI: 94.1, 98.2) for TRA-Primary. The adjusted proportions of admissions classified as TRAs was 3.2% (95% CI: 2.8, 3.8) and TRA-Primary was 1.3% (95% CI: 1.1, 1.7). Conclusions: The CA and select CBAs were able to identify TRAs and TRA-primary with high levels of accuracy and can be used to examine anemia management practices in ESRD patients.
Determining the association between cortical morphology and cognition in 10,145 children from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study using the MOSTest

During development individuals undergo protracted changes in cortical morphology, which coincide with changes in cognition. A number of studies have measured the association between brain structure and cognition in children, however these frequently rely on mass univariate statistics or ROI-based comparisons and do not always measure cortical morphology relative to global brain measures. After controlling for global brain measures, we can see a residual regionalisation pattern indicating the size or thickness of different regions relative to the total cortical surface area or mean thickness. Individual variability in this regionalisation may be important for predicting between subject variability in cognitive performance. Here we sought to determine whether the relative configuration of cortical architecture across the whole cortex was associated with cognition using a novel multivariate omnibus statistical test (MOSTest). This method is optimally powered to detect associations that are widely distributed across the cortex. We then used the Polyvertex score (PVS) to quantify the magnitude of the association between vertex-wise cortical morphology and cognitive performance. We have determined that the relative pattern of cortical architecture, after removing the variance associated with global brain measures, predicted unique variance associated with cognition across different modalities.
Respiratory viral surveillance of healthcare personnel and patients at an adult long-term care facility.

We conducted active surveillance of acute respiratory viral infections (ARIs) among residents and healthcare personnel (HCP) at a long-term care facility during the 2015–2016 respiratory illness season. ARIs were observed among both HCP and patients, highlighting the importance of including HCP in surveillance programs.
Off-Color, Off-Center: Decolonizing (in) Steven Universe

Moore explores how Steven Universe both deconstructs a colonial paradigm and fails to fully enact a decolonial praxis. On the one hand, this show demonstrates how a colonial matrix of power works to oppress its citizens, especially those who are classified as abnormal, through both physical and psychological violence, revealing how the Diamonds’ supposedly ideal colonial culture is inherently flawed and damaging to Gems of every kind. On the other hand, the show only focuses on how Gem colonization affects Gems, ignoring how a colonial legacy would shape the lives of the humans who were colonized. While deconstructing the violence of colonialism is certainly important, the show fails to center the experiences of colonized subjects and, therefore, to truly engage in radical decolonization.
Suppression of magnetic ordering in Fe-deficient Fe 3 − x Ge Te 2 from application of pressure

Two-dimensional van der Waals magnets with multiple functionalities are becoming increasingly important for emerging technologies in spintronics and valleytronics. Application of external pressure is one method to cleanly explore the underlying physical mechanisms of the intrinsic magnetism. In this paper, the magnetic, electronic, and structural properties of van der Waals-layered, Fe-deficient ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ge}{\mathrm{Te}}_{2}$ are investigated. Magnetotransport measurements show a monotonic decrease in the Curie temperature $({T}_{C})$ and the magnetic moment with increasing pressure up to 13.9 GPa. The electrical resistance of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ge}{\mathrm{Te}}_{2}$ shows a change from metallic to a seemingly nonmetallic behavior with increasing pressure. High-pressure angle dispersive powder x-ray diffraction shows a monotonic compression of the unit cell and a reduction of the volume by $\ensuremath{\sim}25%$ with no evidence of structural phase changes up to 29.4(4) GPa. We suggest that the decrease in the ${T}_{C}$ due to pressure results from increased intralayer coupling and delocalization that leads to a change in the exchange interaction.
La violencia y el derecho en el nuevo orden mundial.

Hace 500 anos que nos apostamos al borde del tiempo. Un nuevo mundo fue descubierto desde este mismo lugar donde ahora estamos. Espana se convirtio en el centro del nuevo mundo, creando un nuevo orden mundial, un rutilante imperio en el cual "el sol", en las palabras famosas de Carlos V, "nunca se ocultaba". Hoy, muchas generaciones mas tarde, nos enfrentamos a la enorme tarea de conceptualizar y canalizar, en la direccion correcta, los cambios tectonicos del proceso social mundial, que aparece sobre la muerte de uno de los pilares de su muy comoda visualizacion como una pugna entre las fuerzas "benevolas" de la libertad y la democracia, bajo la bandera de Estados Unidos, y las del "imperio malsano" de la antigua Union Sovietica y sus gobiernos satelites totalitarios.
Psychological profiles in adults with knee osteoarthritis related pain: A replication study

Psychological factors have been associated with knee osteoarthritis pain severity and treatment outcomes, yet their combined contribution to phenotypic heterogeneity is poorly understood. In particular, empirically-derived psychological profiles must be replicated before they can be targeted or considered for treatment studies. The objectives of this study were to (1) confirm previously identified psychological profiles using unsupervised clustering methods in persons with knee osteoarthritis pain, (2) determine the replicability of profiles using supervised machine learning in a different sample, and (3) examine associations with clinical pain. Participants with knee osteoarthritis pain were recruited for two multi-site studies: Study1 (n=270, mean age=56.8 ± 7.6, male=37%), and Study2 (n=164, mean age=57.73±7.8, male=36%). Similar psychological constructs (e.g. optimism, coping, somatization, affect, depression, and anxiety), sociodemographic and pain characteristics were assessed in both samples. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis was first conducted on Study1 data to derive clusters, followed by a supervised linear discriminant analysis applied to Study2 data to assess replicability of psychological clusters. Associations among cluster membership and pain outcomes were examined using one-way analysis of covariance, controlling for race, age, sex, education, and study site in both datasets. Based on the psychological data in Study1, four distinct clusters emerged. These clusters showed strong associations with psychological variables (p's
Electrical transport properties of hexagonal boron nitride epilayers

Abstract Due to its exceptional physical properties, including ultrahigh energy band gap, layered structure, strong optical transitions near the band-edge, high electrical resistivity, and large thermal neutron capture cross-section of the Boron isotope, Boron-10 (10B), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has attracted a great deal of attention recently for its potential applications in deep UV (DUV) optoelectronics, single photon emitters and solid-state neutron detection. This chapter provides a brief overview on recent progresses made by the authors in the growth of freestanding h-BN epilayers with large thicknesses (up to 200 μm), understanding of vertical and lateral transport properties and realization of h-BN thermal neutron detectors with unprecedented detection efficiencies among solid-state detectors. These results have also identified basic material parameters which are key to further improve the transport properties and performance of h-BN devices. It is anticipated that further advances in material growth and novel device architecture designs will bring the developed h-BN neutron detector technology to the next level of maturity.
Working-Class Public History in the Context of Deindustrialization: Dilemmas of Authority and the Possibilities of Dialogue

1 Parts of this paper, which originated as an informal conference presentation, were drawn from other recently published essays, especially Michael Frisch, "Taking Dialogue Seri ously," in Frank Munger, ed., Laboring Below the Line: The New Ethnography of Poverty, Low-Wage Work, and Survival in the Global Economy (New York 2002), 281-289; and Mi chael Frisch, "Prismatics, Multivalence, and Other Riffs on the Millennial Moment: Presi dential Address to the American Studies Association, 13 October 2000," American Quarterly, 53 (June 2001), 193-231. The lyric includes the following verses speaking to the personal anecdote related here:
Photoluminescence up-conversion in GaAs/Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1{minus}x}As heterostructures

We propose ${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{s}/\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$ heterostructures as a model system to study the phenomenon of photoluminescence (PL) up-conversion and demonstrate low-temperature up-converted PL (UPL) in these heterostructures. We find that a mechanism to prevent up-converted carriers in the ${\mathrm{Al}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$ layer from thermalizing back to the GaAs layer is essential for efficient UPL. We also find that neither a type-II band alignment nor existence of long-lived intermediate states is an essential requirement of UPL. The results of time-resolved UPL measurements are interpreted within the current models.
Multi-wire slurry wafering demonstrations

Ten slicing demonstrations on a multi-wire slurry saw, made to evaluate the silicon ingot wafering capabilities, reveal that the present sawing capabilities can provide usable wafer area from an ingot 1.05m/kg (e.g. kerf width 0.135 mm and wafer thickness 0.265 mm). Satisfactory surface qualities and excellent yield of silicon wafers were found. One drawback is that the add-on cost of producing water from this saw, as presently used, is considerably higher than other systems being developed for the low-cost silicon solar array project (LSSA), primarily because the saw uses a large quantity of wire. The add-on cost can be significantly reduced by extending the wire life and/or by rescue of properly plated wire to restore the diameter.
Building Safeguards Infrastructure

Much has been written in recent years about the nuclear renaissance - the rebirth of nuclear power as a clean and safe source of electricity around the world. Those who question the nuclear renaissance often cite the risk of proliferation, accidents or an attack on a facility as concerns, all of which merit serious consideration. The integration of these three areas - sometimes referred to as 3S, for safety, security and safeguards - is essential to supporting the growth of nuclear power, and the infrastructure that supports them should be strengthened. The focus of this paper will be on the role safeguards plays in the 3S concept and how to support the development of the infrastructure necessary to support safeguards. The objective of this paper has been to provide a working definition of safeguards infrastructure, and to discuss xamples of how building safeguards infrastructure is presented in several models. The guidelines outlined in the milestones document provide a clear path for establishing both the safeguards and the related infrastructures needed to support the development of nuclear power. The model employed by the INSEP program of engaging with partner states on safeguards-related topics that are of current interest to the levelmore » of nuclear development in that state provides another way of approaching the concept of building safeguards infrastructure. The Next Generation Safeguards Initiative is yet another approach that underscored five principal areas for growth, and the United States commitment to working with partners to promote this growth both at home and abroad.« less
Dissolution of ionizable drugs in buffered and unbuffered solutions.

The dissolution kinetics of ionizable drugs (weak acids or bases) are analyzed with a mathematical model derived from the theory of mass transfer with chemical reaction. The model assumes that the overall process is diffusion limited, that all the reactions are reversible and instantaneous, and that dissolution and reaction are limited to the stagnant fluid film adjacent to the solid phase. Dissolution into buffered and unbuffered aqueous solutions are considered separately, with covenient analytical solutions obtained in both cases. In addition, equations for the time to partial and complete dissolution are derived. The dissolution rate is shown to be dependent on the pK a and intrinsic solubility and the medium properties, i.e., pH, buffer capacity, and mass transfer coefficient. Equations of a form analogous to the nonionized case are derived to account explicitly for all these factors, with dissolution rates expressed in terms of the product of a driving force (concentration difference) and resistance (inverse of mass transfer coefficient). The solutions are in an accessible analytical form to calculate the surface pH and subsequently the surface concentrations driving the drug dissolution. Numerical examples to illustrate dissolution into unbuffered and buffered media are presented and the results are shown to be in accord with experimental data taken from the literature.
A molecular approach to fertilization: I. Disulfide bonds in Xenopus laevis jelly coat and a molecular hypothesis for fertilization

Abstract The jelly coat surrounding the egg of Xenopus laevis is dependent on the integrity of disulfide bonds for maintenance of its structure. This was proved by the jelly coat dissolving action of various disulfide bond-breaking reagents, by the rate of jelly coat solubilization as a function of pH, and by the appearance of free sulfhydryl groups due to ultraviolet photolysis of the jelly coat. From the presence of disulfide bonds in the jelly coat, it is postulated that sulfhydryl-disulfide bonds may be involved in the process of fertilization. Sperm penetration through egg integuments (jelly coat and vitelline membrane) may involve a lysin which utilizes a disulfide bond as a substrate. In addition, gamete fusion is visualized as occurring by a sulfhydryl-disulfide bond interchange. In view of the occurrence of disulfide bonds in egg integuments of many different organisms, this molecular hypothesis for fertilization may be generally applicable. The observation of jelly coat solubilization by mercaptans now makes possible a study of the macro-molecular composition of jelly coats and their role in fertilization.
The stratigraphic distribution of fossils

In several increasingly realistic steps, a model of the stratigraphic distribution of fossils is presented. The first and simplest step assumes that if a taxon was extant it will have been preserved. The second step admits that if a taxon was extant, there is some probability less than one that it will have been preserved. This step produces randomly distributed gaps, and fossil ranges that are somewhat shorter than the span of time in which a taxon actually lived. The third step assumes facies-controlled taxa and parasequence-style cyclicity. This produces randomly and nonrandomly distributed gaps, including the anomalously long gaps recognized in confidence limit studies. The final model incorporates depositional sequences and indicates that first and last occurrences will cluster at sequence boundaries and at flooding surfaces in the transgressive systems tract. Across- shelf gradients in diversity, taphonomy, or eurytopy can control the strength, but not the strati- graphic position of these peaks. Comparison of the model to data from the Upper Ordovician suggests that these modeled features are present in the fossil record. Many previously studied paleobiologic patterns may be, at least in part, an artifact of facies control and sequence architecture. Such patterns include gradual or stepwise mass extinction, punctuated morphologic and taxonomic change, iterative evolution, and the replacement of shallow water faunas by deeper water faunas at biomere boundaries.
Novel Insight into the Agonistic Mechanism of Alefacept In Vivo: Differentially Expressed Genes May Serve as Biomarkers of Response in Psoriasis Patients

Alefacept is an LFA3-Ig fusion protein that binds to CD2 and is thought to inhibit T cell activation by antagonism of CD2 signaling or by lysis of CD2(+) cells. Alefacept is potential future therapeutic for organ transplant recipients or graft-vs-host disease and is an approved therapeutic for psoriasis vulgaris, which is a T cell-mediated inflammatory disease. However, alefacept improves psoriasis in only approximately 50% of patients treated for 12 wk. We studied the immunologic effects of alefacept in a group of psoriasis patients during treatment. We found that T cells, especially CD8(+) T cells, were rapidly decreased in the peripheral circulation. Decreases in circulating T cells were not associated with induced apoptosis. Unexpectedly, in addition to suppression of inflammatory genes, we found a marked induction of mRNAs for STAT1, IL-8, and monokine induced by IFN-gamma during the first day of treatment in PBMC. We confirmed the agonistic effects of alefacept in PBMC in vitro, which were similar to CD3/CD28 ligation on T cells. These data establish that alefacept activates gene expression programs in leukocytes and suggest that its therapeutic action may be as a mixed agonist/antagonist. Furthermore, responding patients to alefacept treatment show unique patterns of gene modulation. Whereas alefacept down-regulated TCRs CD3D and CD2 in responders, nonresponders reveal a higher expression of T cell activation genes such as CD69 in pretreatment PBMC. These finding suggest a potential basis for categorizing responders vs nonresponders at an early time point in treatment or before treatment of a broad range of proinflammatory diseases. This study 1) establishes alefacept as a novel CD2 agonist molecule for induction of leukocyte activation genes (prior work proposed its mechanism as a CD2 antagonist) and 2) that differential activation of genes may categorize clinical responders to this agent, critical for cost-effective use of this drug.
Variable Gene Expression Within Human Tyrosinemia Type 1 Liver May Reflect Region-Specific Dysplasia

Abstract Patients with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 have a deficiency of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) and develop progressive hepatocellular dysfunction with a high risk of malignant transformation. Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels are frequently elevated in these patients; therefore, this commonly used marker of tumorigenesis is inadequate. To date, no literature exists describing the hepatic gene alterations in patients with this disease. We analyzed the expression of a panel of proliferation associated and liver-specific genes in the liver of a 33 month-old girl at the time of orthotopic liver transplantation. This study provides information that may be useful in developing markers for malignancy and understanding the pathogenesis of this disease. Gene expression patterns of two regenerating nodules and total liver from the patient with FAH deficiency were compared with control donor liver. Liver-specific and growth-induced genes with altered expression in the tyrosinemic liver included several functional classes: structural proteins (actin, thrombospondin), transcription factors (c-fos, egr-1, C/EBPalpha), liver-specific enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase [G6Phase], and secreted factors (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 [GFBP-1]. Isolated macronodules demonstrated varied patterns of expression, suggesting that they do not form a homogeneous cellular environment. In the tyrosinemic liver, IGFBP-1 messenger RNA expression was high and G6Phase messenger RNA was not detectable. Although G6Phase and IGFBP-1 are coexpressed in regenerating liver, immunohistochemistry in the tyrosinemic liver demonstrated a mutually exclusive distribution for the two proteins in a tissue section with features of dysplasia. We propose that cells in these areas may have an aberrant transcription factor and growth factor "milieu" that leads to altered gene and protein expression. These molecular alterations are reflected in dysplastic histologic changes and may ultimately predispose to the development of malignancy. (Hepatology 1996 Jul;24(1):65-71)
Analysis of Ferric and Ferrous Ions in Soil Extracts by Ion Chromatography

Abstract A method using ion chromatography (IC) for the analysis of ferrous (Fe 2+) and ferric (Fe 3+) ions in soil extracts has been developed. This method uses an ion exchange column with detection at 520 nm after post-column derivatization. Selectivity is achieved by using an anionic chelating agent, pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, to form anionic complexes with ferric and ferrous ions. Using this method, both ferric and ferrous ions can be analyzed directly and simultaneously. The soil extractions were carried out with both 0.5 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) and 0.36 M oxalate under anaerobic conditions. Ferric and ferrous ions were stable in either 0.5 M HCl solution or deionized water at pH ∼ 1.7 when stored outside of a glove box. Ferrous ion was readily oxidized to ferric ion in aqueous solutions at pH values above 4.0 and in 0.36 M oxalate solutions at all pH values. In addition, we note that ferric ion in 0.5 M HCl was detectably reduced to ferrous ion when stored for 24 hours in a glove box containi...
Ontogenesis of spontaneous activity and habituation of activity in the rat pup.

Individual components of activity and habituation of activity were determined throughout the 1st month of life in the rat pup. Total activity increased from 25% at 8 days of age to 68% at 22 days before declining to 49% at 26 days. Total slight activity (predominantly sniffing) increased to a maximum of 33% at 15 days whereas total very active behavior (predominantly ambulation) reached its maximum of 38% at 22 days. Habituation of activity expressed as the mean slope of decrement of activity over the 1st 30 min of the observation period was observed in rats as young as 8 days of age. By 12 days, habituation of total activity had increased significantly reflecting a 3-fold increase in habituation of slight activity, an effect observed at 15 days as well. However, by 19 days the slope of activity decrement had declined to half of its 15-day value, indicating an impairment of habituation and reflecting the attenuation of very active behavior, predominantly ambulation. This decline in habituation continued through 22 days but by 26 days habituation of activity had increased again reaching a maximum for the 1st month of postnatal life. Our results suggest that the phenomenon of behavioral arousal observed in the developing rat pup 19 days of age reflects an inability of the organism to modulate his activity as effectively as the 15-day- or 26-day-old animal.
Management of Wilms' tumor and neuroblastoma.

Wilms' tumor and neuroblastoma resemble each other in usual presentation and by their occurrence in young children. However they represent a dichotomy in advances in treatment. In Wilms' tumor, survival of patients has dramatically improved as a result, of multimodal therapy, whereas in neuroblastoma little advance in treatment has occurred. Development of rational chemotherapeutic regimens through better understanding of drugs and of cell cycle kinetics as well as investigation of other modalities of therapy, i.e. immunotherapy, etc., may be helpful in improving survival in the years to come.
Isolation and Partial Characterization of CD36 from Skim Milk

CD36, a common milk fat globule membrane glycoprotein, was isolated from skim milk by methods similar to those previously utilized for the isolation of sulfhydryl oxidase. Two separate methods that were employed gave similar purity as observed by electrophoresis. The first was based on differential centrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography, whereas the second combined ultrafiltration and affinity chromatography. After significant purification, the protein was identified by Western blotting and sequence analysis. Deglycosylation decreased the apparent molecular mass from approximately 85 to 57 kDa. These results suggested tissue-specific glycosylation. The purified fractions also exhibited low levels of sulfhydryl oxidase activity, the significance of which will require further study.
2014 update on atopic dermatitis in children.

Purpose of reviewThe prevalence of pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) has increased throughout the world, now ranging from 10 to 20% in developed countries. Pediatric patients with AD make up a substantial proportion of patients seen by general pediatricians, allergists, dermatologists, and other spec
A stochastic programming approach to scheduling in TAC SCM

In this paper, we combine two approaches to handling uncertainty: we use techniques for finding optimal solutions in the expected sense to solve combinatorial optimization problems in an online setting. The problem we address is the scheduling component of the Trading Agent Competition in Supply Chain Management (TAC SCM) problem, a combinatorial optimization problem with inherent uncertainty (see www.sics.se/tac/). This problem is formulated as a stochastic program, and is solved using the sample average approximation (SAA) method in an online setting to find today's optimal schedule, given probabilistic models of the future. This optimization procedure forms the heart of Botticelli, one of the finalists in the TAC SCM 2003 competition. Two sets of experiments are described, using one and two days' worth of information about the future. In the two day experiments (using one day's worth of information about the future), it is shown that SAA outperforms the expected value method, which solves a deterministic variant of the problem assuming all stochastic inputs have deterministic values equal to their expected values. In the three day experiments (using two days' worth of information about the future), it is shown that SAA with look ahead outperforms greedy SAA. This approach generalizes to N days of lookahead, and since the problem setting is one of online optimization, the benefits of two day lookahead accrue rapidly.
Elevated Formation of Lipoxins in Viral Antibody-positive Rat Alveolar Macrophages

Alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained both from specific viral antibody-positive (VA+) rats and from specific viral antibody-negative (VA-) rats were compared for their respective capacity to produce lipoxins (LX) in a given experimental condition. Both cell preparations were incubated with (15S), 15-hydroxy-5,8,11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) in the presence of calcium ionophore A23187. The reaction mixtures were extracted and chromatographed on reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Profiles of LX formation in each group were evaluated on the basis of chromatographic behavior, UV spectral characteristics (lambda max at 301 nm with shoulders at 289 nm and 317 nm), and co-elution with synthetic lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and lipoxin B4 (LXB4) standards as well as with authentic materials. The AM harvested from VA+ rats (AM-VA+) produced consistently detectable levels of LX (i.e., LXA4 and LXB4), whereas the AM from VA- rats (AM-VA-) produced no detectable LX under the same experimental condition. These results offer a possibility that elevated capacity of the AM-VA+ to produce LX may be associated with previous exposures to selected specific viral pathogens and/or with viral infections. Considering the distinct biologic properties of LX, the apparent production of the enhanced levels of LX as shown in this model system may play an important role in both pathophysiology and immunoregulatory network in virus-induced pulmonary disorder.
A Cost Effective Triaxial Test Method for Unsaturated Soils

This paper describes a test method to measure the shear strength of unsaturated soils using standard triaxial equipment with minor, low-cost modifications. The method is based on using the axis translation technique in a standard triaxial testing apparatus with a base pedestal slightly modified to accommodate a high-air-entry ceramic disk. The testing apparatus and procedure are described. The aim of the proposed test setup was to limit the modifications of the standard triaxial setup within a reasonable budget to make the method accessible and attractive to researchers and practitioners that may otherwise not be able to afford the testing devices commonly used in the field of unsaturated soil mechanics. Thus, the paper discusses the effectiveness of the proposed test method, and also discusses the potential limitations that may exist due to some of the simplifications used in this methodology. The proposed methodology was used to evaluate the shear strength of residual soils at the Auburn National Geotechnical Experimentation Site. The shear strength parameters obtained for the Auburn unsaturated soils were compared to previous tests conducted in similar soils and proved to be reasonably accurate.
Behavior of polyvinyl alcohol added as a binder to clayey particles in kneading and drying operations.

Etude experimentale du sechage d'agglomeres de talc sans ou avec addition de polivinyle alcool comme liant et du comportement du polyvinyle alcool au cours du sechage
Enhancing a moderate resolution x-ray telescope with a rotating modulation collimator

We investigated the theoretical performance of a rotating modulation collimator (RMC) situated in front of a moderate angular resolution focusing X-ray telescope. By ray tracing we investigated the RMC's ability to improve the positioning capability and reduce the incidence of source confusion. The moderate angular resolution (two arcmin) telescope can have high collecting area; the factor of four reduction due to the RMC would leave the system with about as much throughput as a high angular resolution telescope of comparable dimensions. This system is likely to be lighter and less costly to construct than a high resolution telescope and could operate over the entire field of a very wide field of view telescope. The wire thickness and spacing are only slightly finer than those of previous RMC's. The effects of possible errors in wire spacing and misalignments of the two wire planes, of the RMC are included in the simulations. Diffraction is also included. Results are encouraging. With 100 detected source counts plus background, we obtain positions with a statistical error below 5 arcseconds. We can resolve and position two, 400-count point sources 25 arcseconds apart. However, this system does not improve upon the telescope resolution in the case of extended sources such as clusters of galaxies.
Controversies in the management of Wilms tumour - immediate nephrectomy or delayed nephrectomy?

Abstract Wilms tumour is the paradigm for the treatment of a malignant solid tumour of children and adolescents. Dramatic improvements in survival have occurred as the result of advances in anaesthetic and surgical management, radiation therapy technique and the availability of several very effective chemotherapeutic agents. Despite these successes, controversy exists regarding the initial management of children with unilateral, favourable histology Wilms tumour. Two different approaches have been recommended by different investigators – immediate nephrectomy or pre-nephrectomy chemotherapy followed by delayed nephrectomy. The results of randomised trials will be reviewed and the benefits and risks of each approach discussed.
GH PREINCUBATION FAILS TO INDUCE RESISTANCE TO THE MITOGCNIC ACTION OF INSULIN IN A PYGMY T-CELL LINE

In T-cell lines lioin normal individuals transformed by the HTLV-II retrovirus, we have shown that (1) GH preincubation completely inhibits the normal insulin-induced two-peak clonal response, and (2) direct clonal stimulation of GH on T-cells is mediated via local IGF-1. In the current study, we sought determine (I) if the ability of GH preincubation to induce resistance to the mitogenic action of insulin is also mediated by IGF-1 and (2) if a Pyymy T-cell line (previously shown to be both GH- and IGF-1-resistant in direct stimulation assays) would or would not become insulin-resistant following either GH or IGF-1 preincubation. T-cell lines from 3 normals and I Pygmy were studied. Colony formation was assessed in response to insulin (a) alone (1.2-13.2 × 103 pmol/L), following 2 hr preincubalion with either (b) GH (50 μg/L) or (c) IGF-1 (8 μg/L), and (d) following 1 hr preincubation willi αIR3, a monoclonal antibidy against the IGf-1 receptor, and then 2 hr with GH. The following mean (±SE) refuses (first peak/second peak) were noted (*p<0.001 vs insulin alone): These daia indicate that, in normal T-cell lines, either (b) GH or (c) IGF-1 preincubation induces resistance to insulin-induced clonogenesis. Since, in normals, GH-induced insulin resistance can be blocked by preincubation with αIR3 (d), this action of GH must be mediated through a local IGF-1 loop. Therefore, in the Pygmy T-cell line, since there was no significant reduction in insulin responsiveness following either GH or IGF-1 preincubation, the data suggest that the ygmy is IGF-1-resistant and support our earlier findings of resistance to the direct stimulatory effects of GH and IGF-1.
Path to understanding the pathophysiology of Fragile X syndrome

The goal of all clinical research is to abolish suffering caused by human disease. This can be achieved by the development of suitable intervention, be it treatment, prevention or cure. If the cellular or molecular pathology underlying a specific disease process is understood, therapeutic intervention may be more rapidly realized. For disease where a fraction of the risk is heritable, genetic analysis can be a key strategy: the identification of a genetic variant and subsequent aberrant protein that causes disease lends insight to pathology and subsequent treatment alternatives. One example of this is Fragile X syndrome, where the discovery of the causative gene enabled dissection of the molecular pathway that is disrupted in affected individuals. In this review, we will describe this path to understanding, from discovery of the gene to the current model of disease.
PCP and conditioned place preferences.

Abstract Phencyclidine (PCP), in doses of 0.25, 0.35, and 0.45 mg/kg, was administered systemitically to male Sprague-Dawley rats in order to determine if a positive conditioned place preference (CPP) could be achieved. Other subjects received systemic injections of morphine, 4.0 mg/kg, as a standard for comparison. At testing, rats receiving 0.45 mg/kg PCP showed a positive CPP compared to controls, as did rats receiving morphine. Previous research had shown that larger doses of PCP and prolonged times after PCP administration produced aversion as indexed by CPP testing. The narrow dose range and short time span in which PCP's positively reinforcing properties are apt to emerge may be related to PCP's psychotomimetic potential and to its ability to sustain its own intake even though aversive effects are often manifest.
Viscoelasticity near the sol-gel transition.

Measurements of viscoelastic properties near the sol-gel transition demonstrate that viscoelastic phenomena are described by power laws. To describe these phenomena, we derive the distribution of relaxation times for branched polymers, both in the reaction bath and in the dilute solution. From this spectrum we can compute viscoelastic properties such as the shear relaxation modulus G(t) and the complex shear modulus G(\ensuremath{\omega}). Near the gel point we find G(t)\ensuremath{\sim}${t}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\Delta}}$, with \ensuremath{\Delta} a universal exponent, for times that are small compared to a divergent time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{z}$: For longer times the decay is a stretched exponential. The exponent \ensuremath{\Delta} is found to be sensitive to dilution. Likewise, the storage and loss parts of the complex shear modulus are found to scale as ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$. These results for the dynamics lead to a theory for the critical growth of the equilibrium shear modulus E above the gel point, and the divergence of the steady-state creep compliance ${J}_{e}^{0}$ above the gel point. Finally, we discuss the concentration dependence of the viscosity of a solution of branched polymers.
The Aurora at Waterford

AFTER a boisterous day and a barometer that went down to 28˙85, we were favoured last (Wednesday) night with an auroral display. It was first seen here at 8 o'clock, when it appeared in a cloudless, starlit sky as a sheaf of light springing from the western point of the horizon, and stretching along an arc of 30° up towards the Pleiades.
Trace amines differentially regulate adult locomotor activity, cocaine sensitivity, and female fertility in Drosophila melanogaster

The trace biogenic amines tyramine and octopamine are found in the nervous systems of animals ranging in complexity from nematodes to mammals. In insects such as Drosophila melanogaster, the trace amine octopamine is a well-established neuromodulator that mediates a diverse range of physiological processes, but an independent role for tyramine is less clear. Tyramine is synthesized from tyrosine by the enzyme tyrosine decarboxylase (TDC). We previously reported the identification of two Tdc genes in Drosophila: the peripherally-expressed Tdc1 and the neurally-expressed Tdc2. To further clarify the neural functions of the trace amines in Drosophila, we examined normal and cocaine-induced locomotor activity in flies that lack both neural tyramine and octopamine because of mutation in Tdc2 (Tdc2RO54). Tdc2RO54 flies have dramatically reduced basal locomotor activity levels and are hypersensitive to an initial dose of cocaine. Tdc2-targeted expression of the constitutively active inward rectifying potassium channel Kir2.1 replicates these phenotypes, and Tdc2-driven expression of Tdc1 rescues the phenotypes. However, flies that contain no measurable neural octopamine and an excess of tyramine due to a null mutation in the tyramine β-hydroxylase gene (TβHnM18) exhibit normal locomotor activity and cocaine responses in spite of showing female sterility due to loss of octopamine. The ability of elevated levels of neural tyramine in TβHnM18 flies to supplant the role of octopamine in adult locomotor and cocaine-induced behaviors, but not in functions related to female fertility, indicates mechanistic differences in the roles of trace amines in these processes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007
Horizontal and Vertical Distributions of Mercury in 1983 Lake Superior Sediments with Estimates of Storage and Mass Flux

Persistent elevated mercury concentrations in some species of Lake Superior fish and the general lack of information on mercury storage in and fluxes to the lake's sediments prompted the analysis of samples that were collected in 1983. Results of the analyses support the conclusion that Lake Superior sediments have mercury concentrations above background levels at all sites sampled. For those cores which penetrated the sediment deeply enough (the majority of the cores), background mercury concentrations ranged between 0.016 and 0.048 mg/kg. Mercury concentrations in surficial sediments ranged between 0.027 and 0.96 mg/kg. The maximum mercury concentration found in sub-surface sediments (2 to 20 cm deep) was 6.5 mg/kg. The surficial 20 cm of sediment contained 342 metric tons of mercury of which 51% or 174 metric tons was anthropogenic. The surface 2 cm of sediment contained 29 metric tons of mercury of which 76% or 22 metric tons was anthropogenic. Estimated total mercury fluxes to surficial sediments ranged between 0.1 and 10 ng/cm2/y with a mean of 3.2 ng/cm2/y. Background total mercury fluxes to the lake ranged between 0.20 and 0.72 ng/cm2/y with a mean of 0.48 ng/cm2/y. Estimated fluxes of anthropogenic mercury to surficial sediments ranged between –0.42 and 10 ng/cm2/y with a mean of 2.7 ng/cm2/y. The fluxes reported here are only the second known reporting of mercury fluxes to Lake Superior sediments. The inventory of mercury in the sediments is the first reported.
High intensity absorption saturation in photodarkened CdSxSe1 −x doped glasses

Abstract Transmission measurements at intensities (fluences) above 500 MW/cm2 (2.5 J/cm2) reveal that the nonlinear absorption in photodarkened samples of semiconductor doped glass is higher than in undarkened ones. A comparison of the saturation behavior in these materials and UV photodarkened host glass supports the model of a photodarkening mechanism based on absorption by electrons trapped in the host glass.
Development of a novel composite aluminum anode

Abstract This paper presents a novel composite fabrication of aluminum anodes for use in moderate rate Al/Air cells in alkaline media. The polymer composite/particulate aluminum structure allows control of electrolyte contact with the aluminum surfaces during discharge. This ability could lead to improved deliverable energy density and allow the anode discharge characteristics, in some measure, to be tailored to need. A limited first round lab testing of these composite anodes has been carried out. Current capabilities were moderate, ranging up to about 2 mA/cm 2 . Observed cell discharge potentials were mostly above 1 V. Delivered energy densities were generally comparable to those of planer anodes of comparable metal weight and alloy. It is of particular significance, however, that the discharge lifetimes of the composite anodes for certain formulations, on a per gram basis, were considerably longer than those of their planer counterparts. Further formulation optimization and fabrication uniformity should lead to improved energy density and lifetime.