cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
T cells: pathogenic cells and therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract Objectives: To provide: 1) a brief review of current thought on the role of T cellsin the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); and 2) To provide an overview of RA therapies directed against T cells. Methods: The following papers in relevant American and European medicaljournals were reviewed. Those related to: the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of RA; to biological therapy directed against cell surface markers specific to T cell populations implicated in RA; and to treatment of RA with cyclosporin A and leflunomide, pharmacological agents known to interfere with the T cell response to antigens. Results: Although a variety of cell types are now recognized as contributors tothe progressive joint destruction that is a hallmark of RA, T cell activation is still thought to be a central event in the initiation and progression of this disease. As a result, various therapeutic options directed against T cells have been developed. These include biological agents directed against specific populations of activated T cells and pharmacological agents that have specific T cell-modulatory actions. Conclusions: Use of T cell-directed biological therapies for RA has been disappointing, as a result of both lack of efficacy and serious toxicity. Treatment of RA with pharmacological agents that interfere with antigen-driven T cell proliferation has been more successful.
An autotrophic H2 -oxidizing, nitrate-respiring, Tc(VII)-reducing Acidovorax sp. isolated from a subsurface oxic-anoxic transition zone.

Increasing concentrations of H2 with depth were observed across a geologic unconformity and associated redox transition zone in the subsurface at the Hanford Site in south-central Washington, USA. An opposing gradient characterized by decreasing O2 and nitrate concentrations was consistent with microbial-catalyzed biogeochemical processes. Sterile sand was incubated in situ within a multi-level sampler placed across the redox transition zone to evaluate the potential for Tc(VII) reduction and for enrichment of H2-oxidizing denitrifiers capable of reducing Tc(VII). H2-driven TcO4- reduction was detected in sand incubated at all depths but was strongest in material from a depth of 17.1 m. Acidovorax spp. were isolated from H2-nitrate enrichments from colonized sand from 15.1 m, with one representative, strain JHL-9, subsequently characterized. JHL-9 grew on acetate with either O2 or nitrate as electron acceptor (data not shown) and on medium with bicarbonate, H2 and nitrate. JHL-9 also reduced pertechnetate (TcO4-) under denitrifying conditions with H2 as the electron donor. H2-oxidizing Acidovorax spp. in the subsurface at Hanford and other locations may contribute to the maintenance of subsurface redox gradients and offer the potential for Tc(VII) reduction.
Approximating solutions of molecular inverse kinematics problems by subdivision

Modeling in biological systems is important at every level from the molecular, to the cellular, to the tissue level. In this paper we discuss the following problem in molecular modeling: given a three-dimensional conformation of a molecule, how do we automatially compute the conformations of the molecule that satisfy certain spatial constraints, that is, certain "feature" atoms of the molecule are in user-specified positions? This task is important in the analysis of receptor-ligand interactions and in other applications such as drug design and protein folding. Using an analogy between robots and molecules, we use the term inverse kinematics to describe the above conformational problems. To solve these problems, we first derive a system of polynomial equations. Then, we adopt a technique based on the Groebner basis from algebraic geometry and develop a novel subdivision algorithm to approximate the real solutions. The approximated solutions can then be used as the starting conformations for existing (heuristic) energy minimization procedures that try to satisfy the target positions of feature atoms and reduce the overall energy of the conformation. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a rigorous algebraic methodology has been used to approximate molecular inverse kinematics solutions.
Preparation and Characterization of NPC/SWNT Nanocomposite

A nanocomposite carbon composed with single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) and nanoporous carbon (NPC) was prepared by grafting a carbonizable polymer, poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA) to a SWNT. The SWNT was first functionalized with arylsulfonic acid groups on sidewall (SA-SWNT) and then converted to PFA-functionalized SWNT (PFA-SWNT) by in situ polymerization of furfuryl alcohol (FA). SWNT/NPC nanocomposite carbon was generated by heating PFA-SWNT in argon at 600°C. A continuous phase was formed between SWNT and NPC. The deformation of the nanocomposite carbon at high temperature was studied by heating it at temperatures from 1200 to 2000 °C and characterized with HRTEM and Raman spectra. It was found that NPC tended to graphitize along the axis of neighboring nanotubes at temperature higher than 1400°C. Complete graphitization of NPC and SWNTs was obtained at 2000 °C, when the NPC transformed to graphitic nanoribbon (GNR) and SWNT or DWNT collapsed within the confines of the GNR. Nanocomposite polymer and carbon fibers were prepared by dispersing small amount of SA-SWNT in FA, followed with polymerization, thermosetting and pyrolysis. The composite polymer fibers’ Young’s modulus was lower than the pure PFA fibers prepared at the same conditions. However, after heated in argon at 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C respectively, the Young’s modulus of the nanocomposite carbon fibers turned to be higher than the fibers derived from pure PFA and the enhancement by SWNT increase with increasing temperature. For the nanocomposite carbon fibers treated at 600 °C, the fibers had ∼20% increase of Young’s modulus over the fibers from pure PFA with only 0.1wt% of SA-SWNT in FA.
Biological activity of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide-O-glucuronide in corneal and conjunctival cells of rabbits and humans.

Previous studies of topical retinoic acid for treatment of ocular surface disease met with limited success due to instability and irritancy of the retinoid and lack of efficacy in keratoconjunctivitis sicca. There has, however, been continued interest in the treatment of mucin deficiency and cicatrizing conjunctival diseases, such as ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP), topically with retinoids. In this study the biological activity of stable, water-soluble, synthetic retinoid, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide-O-glucuronide (4-HPROG) was investigated in vivo and in vitro using conjunctival and corneal epithelium and fibroblasts. Vitamin A-deficient rabbits with stage 3–4 corneal xerosis and squamous metaplasia confirmed by conjunctival impression cytology were treated with topical 0.1% 4-HPROG in an artificial tear vehicle for 3 weeks. Impression cytology was repeated at 2 and 3 weeks and at 3 weeks conjunctival biopsies were fixed for histology. Growth curves were generated using conjunctival fibroblasts o...
Five-Hour Minimal Inhibitory Concentration Test of Four Antimicrobial Agents for Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A rapid 5-h minimal inhibitory concentration procedure and a minimal bactericidal concentration procedure are described for testing Pseudomonas aeruginosa against gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, and carbenicillin. The rapid test results were demonstrated to correlate with the conventional tube dilution procedure.
The Trouble with Diffusion

The phenomenological formalism, which yields Fick's Laws for diffusion in single phase multicomponent systems, is widely accepted as the basis for the mathematical description of diffusion. This paper focuses on problems associated with this formalism. This mode of description of the process is cumbersome, defining as it does matrices of interdiffusion coefficients (the central material properties) that require a large experimental investment for their evaluation in three component systems, and, indeed cannot be evaluated for systems with more than three components. It is also argued that the physical meaning of the numerical values of these properties with respect to the atom motions in the system remains unknown. The attempt to understand the physical content of the diffusion coefficients in the phenomenological formalism has been the central fundamental problem in the theory of diffusion in crystalline alloys. The observation by Kirkendall that the crystal lattice moves during diffusion led Darken to develop the concept of intrinsic diffusion, i.e., atom motion relative to the crystal lattice. Darken and his successors sought to relate the diffusion coefficients computed for intrinsic fluxes to those obtained from the motion of radioactive tracers in chemically homogeneous samples which directly report the jump frequencies of the atoms as a function of composition and temperature. This theoretical connection between tracer, intrinsic and interdiffusion behavior would provide the basis for understanding the physical content of interdiffusion coefficients. Definitive tests of the resulting theoretical connection have been carried out for a number of binary systems for which all three kinds of observations are available. In a number of systems predictions of intrinsic coefficients from tracer data do not agree with measured values although predictions of interdiffusion coefficients appear to give reasonable agreement. Thus, the complete connection has not been made, even for binary systems. The theory has never been tested in multicomponent systems. An alternative path to understanding diffusion behavior in multicomponent systems is presented which is based upon a kinetically derived version of the flux equations. While this approach has problems of its own, it has the potential for providing a new range of insights into the process, and for devising simple models for predicting composition evolution in multicomponent systems.
MEASURING THE LONG ARM OF THE STATE: TEOTIHUACAN'S RELATIONS IN THE BASIN OF MEXICO

The city of Teotihuacan has long been viewed as a primate center, dominating surrounding settlements in the Basin of Mexico politically and economically, but its specific relationships with subordinate polities are not well understood. In this article I consider the diverse roles that two rural settlements played in the intraregional structure of the Teotihuacan state. Specifically, I investigate differences in architecture and ceramic assemblages at Axotlan, in the Cuauhtitlan region to the west, and Cerro Portezuelo, in the Texcoco region to the south. Results of this research demonstrate that Teotihuacan's relationships with smaller settlements in the Basin of Mexico differed considerably in intensity and changed through time. This variation reflects specific administrative and economic strategies crafted by the state as well as varying degrees of political and economic autonomy among rural settlements.
Cognition and brain development in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes

Summary Objective Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), the most common focal childhood epilepsy, is associated with subtle abnormalities in cognition and possible developmental alterations in brain structure when compared to healthy participants, as indicated by previous cross-sectional studies. To examine the natural history of BECTS, we investigated cognition, cortical thickness, and subcortical volumes in children with new/recent onset BECTS and healthy controls (HC). Methods Participants were 8–15 years of age, including 24 children with new-onset BECTS and 41 age- and gender-matched HC. At baseline and 2 years later, all participants completed a cognitive assessment, and a subset (13 BECTS, 24 HC) underwent T1 volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans focusing on cortical thickness and subcortical volumes. Results Baseline cognitive abnormalities associated with BECTS (object naming, verbal learning, arithmetic computation, and psychomotor speed/dexterity) persisted over 2 years, with the rate of cognitive development paralleling that of HC. Baseline neuroimaging revealed thinner cortex in BECTS compared to controls in frontal, temporal, and occipital regions. Longitudinally, HC showed widespread cortical thinning in both hemispheres, whereas BECTS participants showed sparse regions of both cortical thinning and thickening. Analyses of subcortical volumes showed larger left and right putamens persisting over 2 years in BECTS compared to HC. Significance Cognitive and structural brain abnormalities associated with BECTS are present at onset and persist (cognition) and/or evolve (brain structure) over time. Atypical maturation of cortical thickness antecedent to BECTS onset results in early identified abnormalities that continue to develop abnormally over time. However, compared to anatomic development, cognition appears more resistant to further change over time.
Endogenous toxins and mycotoxins in forage grasses and their effects on livestock.

Plant toxins are the chemical defenses of plants against herbivory. Grasses have relatively few intrinsic toxins, relying more on growth habit to survive defoliation and endophytic fungal toxins as chemical defenses. Forage grasses that contain intrinsic toxins include Phalaris spp. (trypta- mine and carboline alkaloids), sorghums (cyanogenic glycosides), and tropical grasses containing oxalates and saponins. Toxic effects of these grasses include neurological damage ( Phalaris staggers), hypoxia (sudangrass), saponin-induced photosensitization ( Brachiaria and Panicum spp.), and bone deminerali- zation (oxalate-containing grasses). Endophytic tox- ins in grasses include ergot alkaloids in tall fescue and tremorgens (e.g., lolitrem B) in perennial ryegrass. Lolitrems cause neurological effects, producing the ryegrass staggers syndrome. Annual ryegrass toxicosis is caused by corynetoxins, which are chemically similar to tunicamycin antibiotics. Corynetoxins are produced by Clavibacter bacteria that parasitize a nematode, Anguina agrostis, that may infect annual ryegrass. Corynetoxins inhibit glycoprotein synthesis, causing defective formation of various blood compo- nents of the reticulo-endothelial system. Another mycotoxin in ryegrass is sporidesmin, which causes liver damage and secondary photosensitization (facial eczema). Fusarium toxins such as zearalenone and trichothecenes also occur in forage grasses. Kikuyugrass poisoning results in severe damage to the ruminal epithelium and omasa1 mucosa, and neurolog- ical signs. The causative agent, which may be associated with army worm predation of the grass, has not been identified. The properties and significance of these toxins are reviewed.
Partial nail plate removal after digital replantation as an alternative method of venous drainage

Partial nail plate removal, systemic anticoagulation, and the application of topical heparin to the exposed nail bed were used to provide and maintain venous drainage for 14 digital replantations in which an arterial repair but no venous repair was done ("artery only" replantation). In each case venous repair was not possible since no vein of an acceptable size could be found either because of a distal amputation level or because an avulsive or crushing injury had damaged the veins in the amputated part. The average operating time per "artery only" replantation was 2 1/2 hours. Ten of the 14 "artery only" replantations survived (71.4%). The active range of motion, sensibility, strength, activities of daily living, and hospitalization for this group of patients were comparable with replantations in which both arterial and venous anastomoses were done.
Packaging carbon nanotube based infrared detector

We present a fabrication and packaging method of carbon nanotube (CNT) based infrared (IR) sensor chip using parylene C layer. CNT was found to be sensitive under near IR radiation and it could be used as IR sensing element. Parylene C thin film was used as a conformal pin hole free insulating layer and oxygen barrier for protecting CNTs during the detection. The IR transmission properties of parylene C layer and the influence on the response of the CNT sensor were studied. Our experimental results showed that the CNT sensor without parylene C protection exhibited current change when it was exposed to the IR laser. The sensing current percentage changes decreased when the parylene C thin film substrate was placed between the CNT sensor and IR laser source. It implied the IR absorption behavior of parylene C thin film. We also found that the IR absorption level is proportional to the thickness of the parylene C layer. The parylene C packaged CNT sensor was fabricated and tested under near IR radiation. Preliminary results indicated that the CNT IR detector coated with parylene C was capable of sensing IR radiation and exhibited repeatable response. Moreover, the IV characteristic of the sensor chip was measured when it was surrounded by dry ice for long time to investigate its long term stability under moisture environment. Therefore, the packaging process can become possible to fabricate a CNT based IR sensor array which possesses more stable and reliable performance.
Spatial aspects of letter cancellation performance in Arabic readers.

Studies of visuospatial and directed attention that used subjects drawn from cultures with left-to-right reading patterns have suggested a slight performance bias toward left space. This pattern could reflect an intrinsic, organic, bias in spatial processing or the confounding effect of overlearned reading patterns. We studied the spatial distribution of errors on random array letter cancellation tasks obtained from 128 healthy Syrians who were native readers of Arabic. Fifty-eight of the 128 subjects (45.3%) made a total of 91 errors in which they omitted canceling a target. The distribution of errors was not spatially biased. This differs from the error pattern reported for native readers of English on a similar task. The findings, consistent with results of other approaches, suggest that reading patterns influence visuospatial attention, but are not the sole cause of spatial biases observed in readers of Indo-European languages.
Complete Genome Sequence of Nonhemolytic Streptococcus agalactiae Serotype V Strain 1, Isolated from the Buccal Cavity of a Canine.

ABSTRACT The complete genome sequence from a nonhemolytic strain of Streptococcus agalactiae from the oral cavity of a canine was assembled. The genome is 2,165,968 bp, contains 2,055 genes, and is classified as group B streptococcus (GBS) serotype V, strain 1. A comparison to other S. agalactiae sequences shows high gene synteny with human and bovine strains.
Assessing and Treating Stereotypical Behaviors in Classrooms Using a Functional Approach

For years, the assumption has been that stereotypical behaviors functioned only to provide sensory or automatic reinforcement. However, these behaviors also may serve social functions. Given the un...
Abstract 5693: Changes in antioxidant capacities of isolated radish components during growth

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Radishes have been cultivated and used in the diet since the Hellenistic age and have become a common vegetable in grocery stores in North America. Radishes belong to the genus Brassica and recent research has indicated the consumption of this plant has protective properties against colorectal cancer. This project examines the antioxidant (AO) properties of the leaves, stems, body, and the roots of cherry belle radishes at different stages of growth from germination to maturity. For this experiment, AO capacity was measured using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The ORAC assay involves mixing samples from the radish components with fluorescein, a fluorescence agent, and measuring the degradation of fluorescein after AAPH ((2,2′)-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride), an oxidizer, is added. Using a trolox (6-Hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid) standard, the results from the ORAC assay were converted to trolox equivalents per liter (TE/L). Results indicate that shortly after germination, about 14 days after planting, the body of the radish plants have the highest mean AO capacity with a TE/L reading of 32, compared to the leaves’ initial reading at 26 TE/L. As the plant nears maturity, 23 days after planting, the leaves become the best source of AO at 78 TE/L, and the body's mean AO capacity reaches 73 TE/L. The stems begin as a relatively weak source of AO at 22 TE/L, but mature to 71 TE/L. The roots of the radish plant were consistently the lowest source of AO at 16 TE/L at day 14, and 61 TE/L at day 23. In addition, a cellular model was used to determine how well the AO are taken into cells that have been distressed. This assay measures the uptake of AO in cells over 10, 20, 45, and 60 minutes after the cells have been exposed to a known oxidant, AAPH. Raji cells, a Burkitt's lymphoma cell line, were treated with samples derived from the same parts of the radish plant after they were pretreated with AAPH. Preliminary data indicate cells continually uptake AO derived from the radish leaves up to and possibly beyond 60 minutes. Pre-stressed cells exposed to AO from stems lose AO capacity over the 60 minutes. In the cells exposed to root samples AO uptake does not change significantly over time. In summary, radish leaves at maturity are the best source of antioxidants. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5693.
Soluble Immune Complexes in Sera from Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Report

With the recent demonstration of circulating immune complexes in a variety of malignant and nonmalignant diseases, we have examined the sera of head and neck cancer patients for evidence of soluble immune compleses. Using the Raji, cell test, we have shown that immune complexes are present in over 80% of the cancer sera examined as compared to less than 10% of normal control sera, and that these complexes persist following treatment of the patients by surgery or radiation therapy. These complexes may be acting as blocking factors which would account for the anergic state of these patients.
Clinical Analysis of 30 Cases of Hypophosphatemic Rickets

Objective To explore the causes,clinical characteristics and new measurements concerning with diagnosis and treatment of hypophosphatemic rickets.Methods Thirty children with hypophosphatemic rickets had been diagnosed and treated in our hospital from 1996 to 2005.Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed,including family history(the attack rates of parents and styles of inheritances),clinial characteristics(the attack ages and severity of skeletal developing malformation),serum biochemistry(plasma calcium,phosphate and alkaline phosphatase level),and X-ray in bones and treatment methods.Results All these patients presented with typical manifestations and signs of rickets.The minimum age of definitive diagnosis of hypophosphatemic rickets was 1.5 years old;the maximal age was 10 years old.All of 30 cases had failed to conventional treatment of vitamin D(VitD) deficient rickets for 6 months.Early supply of phosphate,VitD and calcium could effectively improve the outcomes of patients.Patients diagnosed and treated before 2 years old had better prognosis,while that diagnosed and treated later than 5 years old would be result in severe skeletal malformation.Conclusions It is difficult to distinguish hypophosphatemic rickets from VitD deficient rickets.It is very important that misdiagnosis of this disease usually leads to severe skeletal malformation.Early diagnosis and treatment can effectively improve the skeletal development of patients.
Space survivability of carbon nanotube yarn material in low Earth orbit

Unshielded carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns were exposed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for 2.14 years on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-8), Payload and Optical Reflector Materials Experiment III. This work is the first to expose any commercial, continuous CNT material in a high-fluence atomic oxygen (AO) natural space environment with sample recovery. Although some chemical changes and surface roughening were observed in both the ram- and wake-exposed samples, none of the CNT yarn samples were catastrophically damaged. Yarn erosion was greater in the ram direction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a porous morphology that was mostly confined to the outer 1% of the yarn. This was consistent with the high degree of disorder observed in the Raman spectra. SEM micrographs also revealed that under the outer amorphous layer of oxidized carbon were pristine carbon nanotubes that were not attacked by the AO. The mechanical (tensile) data showed fairly good strength retention of the yarns exposed in the wake direction, while ram exposure resulted in a 25% strength decrease. Electrical resistivity measurements revealed that both the wake and ram samples were slightly more resistive than the control samples.
Direct Aldol and Nitroaldol Condensation in an Aminosilane-Grafted Si/Zr/Ti Composite Hollow Fiber As a Heterogeneous Catalyst and Continuous-Flow Reactor

Abstract A proof-of-concept study for a new type of continuous-flow reactor based on porous aminosilane-grafted Si-Zr-Ti/Torlon composite hollow fibers was considered for aldol and nitroaldol condensations of aromatic aldehydes with acetone and nitromethane. These novel hollow fiber reactors consist of bifunctional groups in fiber wall that make them bifunctional catalysts for cooperative interactions (i.e., acid–base catalysis). In this study, the effects of reactant flow rate, reaction time and temperature, and electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups of para-substituted benzaldehyde derivatives on the catalytic activity of aldol and nitroaldol condensation reactions were systematically investigated. The yield of products was found to be dependent on the cooperative interactions of acid–base pairs, para-substituted benzaldehyde, and reaction conditions such as temperature and contact time. Moreover, relatively high yields of ca. 100% were obtained at higher flow rates for primary aldol and nitroalcohol products, while benzylideneacetone and nitrostyrene yields were higher at longer contact times. The obtained results indicate that the aminosilane-grafted Si-Zr-Ti/Torlon composite hollow fibers provide a new platform as flow reactors for heterogeneously catalyzed reactions that may facilitate the ultimate scale-up of practical fiber catalysts for the synthesis of complex organic compounds.
The Emerging Role of B Cells in Tumor Immunity

There is increasing evidence supporting a role for B cells in tumor immunology. Paraneoplastic syndromes occurring before a cancer diagnosis have pointed to the potential for harnessing the humoral immune response for early cancer detection. The presence of tumor-infiltrating B lymphocytes has been linked to a favorable clinical outcome in many types of cancers. However, B cells represent a heterogeneous population with functionally distinct subsets, and the balance among subtypes impacts tumor development. Here, we review recent findings related to B cells and to the humoral immune response in cancer and their translational significance. Cancer Res; 76(19); 5597-601. ©2016 AACR.
Intrinsic subtypes and bladder cancer metastasis

Recent studies demonstrated that bladder cancers can be grouped into basal and luminal molecular subtypes that possess distinct biological and clinical characteristics. Basal bladder cancers express biomarkers characteristic of cancer stem cells and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Patients with basal cancers tend have more advanced stage and metastatic disease at presentation. In preclinical models basal human orthotopic xenografts are also more metastatic than luminal xenografts are, and they metastasize via an EMT-dependent mechanism. However, preclinical and clinical data suggest that basal cancers are also more sensitive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), such that most patients with basal cancers who are aggressively managed with NAC have excellent outcomes. Importantly, luminal bladder cancers can also progress to become invasive and metastatic, but they appear to do so via mechanisms that are much less dependent on EMT and may involve help from stromal cells, particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Although patients with luminal cancers do not appear to derive much clinical benefit from NAC, the luminal tumors that are infiltrated with stromal cells appear to be sensitive to anti-PDL1 antibodies and possibly other immune checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant immunotherapy may be the most effective approach in treating patients with advanced or metastatic infiltrated luminal bladder cancers.
Complementary silicide source/drain thin-body MOSFETs for the 20 nm gate length regime

Thin-body transistors with silicide source/drains were fabricated with gate-lengths down to 15 nm. Complementary low-barrier silicides were used to reduce contact and series resistance. Minimum gate-length transistors with T/sub ox/=40 /spl Aring/ show PMOS |I/sub dsat/|=270 /spl mu/A//spl mu/m and NMOS |I/sub dsat/|=190 /spl mu/A//spl mu/m with V/sub ds/=1.5 V, |V/sub g/-V/sub t/|=1.2 V and, I/sub on//I/sub off/>10/sup 4/. A simple transmission model, fitted to experimental data, is used to investigate effects of oxide scaling and extension doping.
Bystander interventions for sexual assault and dating violence on college campuses: Are we putting bystanders in harm's way?

ABSTRACTObjective: The present study investigated the well-being of bystanders who witness and intervene in sexual assault and dating violence situations on campus. Participants: Participants were 321 young men and women from a large university in the southeastern United States. Methods: Participants completed a survey at the end of the Spring semester of 2015 about risky situations they had witnessed, with follow-up questions about their responses to the situations (eg, whether they intervened or not) and feelings about their responses. Participants also completed standardized measures of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Results: Over 90% of the participants reported witnessing at least 1 of the risky events presented to them, and approximately 50% reported intervening in events. Intervening was associated with positive feelings, but traumatic stress symptoms were related to witnessing events and intervening. Conclusions: Results have direct implications for developing appropriate training p...
Rapid Proteomics to Prospect and Validate Novel Bacterial Metabolism Induced by Environmental Burden.

Abstract Understanding the pathophysiology of genes and enzymes involved in caffeine metabolism can have extracurricular benefits, such as providing distinct methylxanthines as intermediates for pharmaceutical synthesis, and also improve environmental waste remediation. The strains Pseudomonas putida CBB5 and CES may provide insights into these applications because they may both be induced to degrade caffeine, yet the latter thrives in concentrations > 8.0 g L–1; threefold higher than any other bacteria. We took a novel approach toward identifying the enzymatic pathways in both Pseudomonas sp. CES and a deletion mutation of strain CBB5, which largely circumvented the need for exhaustive isolation of enzymes and the stepwise reconstitution of their activities to determine caffeine response elements. Here, we describe two optimized, rapid alternative strategies based on multiplexed SIL assays and demonstrate their application by discovering caffeine-degrading enzymes in the CES strain based on quantitative comparison between enriched lysate fractions drawn from bacterial proteomes grown in the absence and presence of caffeine. Comparisons were made using stable isotope dimethyl labeling and expression differences were substantiated by reciprocal labeling experiments. The role of the identified proteins in caffeine degradation was independently verified by genetic sequencing. Multiple new components of N-demethylase system were discovered within a fraction of the lysate enriched specifically for this activity. We also describe how to expand the biological context (and reduce systemic bias) by adapting the protocol for total lysate analysis. We combined off-line prefractionation with the speed and resolution advantages of the Orbitrap LUMOS. The global protocol revealed 2406 proteins 1789 of which were quantified between treatments revealing, among other insights, a new antagonistic degradation pathway for vanillin that is completely suppressed by caffeine treatment.
High performance SiC power block for industry applications

SiC power devices have been optimized in performance over the past decade. However, wide industry adoption of SiC technology still faces challenges from system design perspective. This paper demonstrates an integrated air-cooled three phase SiC power block for industrial applications comprising high performance gate driver, low parasitic layout, optimized thermal management, as well as a flexible control platform. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the superior performance of the design.
The Importance of What You Leave Behind: A Conversation with Carl Smith.

Dr. Carl Smith shares his reflections on a varied career that included many different roles and responsibilities but shared a focus on children with behavior disorders. Dr. Smith also provides insight into where he believes the field is heading and offers his advice to those just entering the field. Perhaps the lasting advice to all is to focus on the importance of what you leave behind.
Thymic epithelial tumors and metastasis to the brain: a case series and systematic review

Background: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) rarely metastasize to the brain. Clinico-pathologic features of TET patients with brain metastasis are not well described. Methods: TET patients referred for consultation or screening for clinical trials are included. Imaging to evaluate for brain metastases was performed when clinically indicated or if required for screening. Tumor tissue from brain metastases was obtained for analysis, when available. Clinical characteristics and survival was evaluated and a systematic review of the literature on brain metastases associated with TETs was performed. Results: Fourteen TET patients with brain metastasis were identified. Median age at TET diagnosis was 53 years (range: 31–71 years). Twelve patients had thymic carcinoma and two patients had World Health Organization B3 thymoma. Median time from TET diagnosis to discovery of brain metastases was 2.5 years (range: 9 months–8.3 years). Eleven patients had extracranial, extrathoracic metastases during presentation with brain metastases. Three patients underwent surgery and radiation therapy, eight patients received radiation therapy alone, and one patient had surgery alone. One patient with thymoma died 11 months after diagnosis of brain metastases and another patient died but with unknown date of diagnosis of brain metastases. Among 12 patients with thymic carcinoma, 11 of whom had a known date of brain metastases diagnosis, the median potential follow-up is 35.8 months, and median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis of brain metastases is 13.1 months. Conclusions: Although uncommon, patients with advanced thymic carcinoma can develop brain metastases. Appropriate imaging and aggressive treatment should be considered for these patients.
Improving formation of student teams: a clustering approach

Today's courses in engineering and other fields frequently involve projects done by teams of students. An important aspect of these team assignments is the formation of the teams. In some courses, teams select different topics to work on. Ideally team formation would be included with topic selection, so teams could be formed from students interested in the same topics. Intuitive criteria for a team formation algorithm are that students should be assigned to (1) a topic which they have interest and (2) a team of students with similar interests in their topic. We propose an approach to meeting these criteria by mining student preferences for topics with a clustering approach and then matching them in groups to topics that suit their shared interests. Our implementation is based on hierarchical k-means clustering and a weighting formula that favors increasing overall student satisfaction and adding members until the maximum allowable team size is reached.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Clinical Aspects

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an obliterative inflammatory fibrosis of the extrahepatic bile ducts, with or without involvement of the intrahepatic ducts.1–4 The etiology of PSC is unknown. It is a disease without specific, independently diagnostic, pathologic features, requiring appropriate clinical and radiographic criteria for its diagnosis.5, 6
Desirable properties of an IOT ecosystem

Software arose as a way to compute solutions to business and engineering problems more quickly. But it has become ubiquitous across billions of devices - in our homes, cars, workplaces, and in our hands - providing instant information, entertainment, and keeping us in continuous contact. This spread of automation has fueled a massive rise in productivity, but it has also sown the seeds of vulnerabilities with bugs, some innocuous, some serious, and some fatal. Are there remedies? Software is beginning to detect bugs and even produce bug-free software. Fault-tolerant infrastructure is emerging. And we will eventually find ways to test the innumerable combinations of devices that work together. I will explore these thoughts even as the IOT tsunami continues largely unabated."
CVID enteropathy is characterized by exceeding low mucosal IgA levels and interferon-driven inflammation possibly related to the presence of a pathobiont

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), the most common symptomatic primary antibody deficiency, is accompanied in some patients by a duodenal inflammation and malabsorption syndrome known as CVID enteropathy (E-CVID).The goal of this study was to investigate the immunological abnormalities in CVID patients that lead to enteropathy as well as the contribution of intestinal microbiota to this process.We found that, in contrast to noE-CVID patients (without enteropathy), E-CVID patients have exceedingly low levels of IgA in duodenal tissues. In addition, using transkingdom network analysis of the duodenal microbiome, we identified Acinetobacter baumannii as a candidate pathobiont in E-CVID. Finally, we found that E-CVID patients exhibit a pronounced activation of immune genes and down-regulation of epithelial lipid metabolism genes. We conclude that in the virtual absence of mucosal IgA, pathobionts such as A. baumannii, may induce inflammation that re-directs intestinal molecular pathways from lipid metabolism to immune processes responsible for enteropathy.
Meningococcal disease in adolescents and young adults: a review of the rationale for prevention through vaccination

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis is characterized by high mortality and morbidity. While IMD incidence peaks in both infants and adolescents/young adults, carriage rates are often highest in the latter age groups, increasing IMD risk and the likelihood of transmission. Effective vaccines are available for 5 of 6 disease-causing serogroups. Because adolescents/young adults represent a significant proportion of cases, often have the highest carriage rate, and have characteristically low vaccination adherence, efforts should be focused on educating this population regarding long-term consequences of infection and the importance of meningococcal vaccination in prevention. This review describes the role of adolescents/young adults in meningococcal transmission and the clinical consequences and characteristics of IMD in this population. With a focus on countries with advanced economies that have specific meningococcal vaccination recommendations, the epidemiology of meningococcal disease and vaccination recommendations in adolescents/young adults will also be discussed.
Validation of the Block Walk Method for Assessing Physical Activity occurring on Sidewalks/Streets

The block walk method (BWM) is one of the more common approaches for assessing physical activity (PA) performed on sidewalks/streets; however, it is non-technical, labor-intensive, and lacks validation. This study aimed to validate the BWM and examine the potential for using a wearable video device (WVD) to assess PA occurring on sidewalks/streets. Trained observers (one wearing and one not wearing the WVD) walked together and performed the BWM according to a previously developed protocol along routes in low, medium, and high walkable areas. Two experts then reviewed the videos. A total of 1150 (traditional) and 1087 (video review) individuals were observed during 900 min of observation. When larger numbers of individuals were observed, the traditional method overestimated the overall number of people as well as those walking and sitting/standing, while underestimating the number of runners. Valid estimates of PA occurring on sidewalks/streets can be obtained by the traditional BWM in low and medium walkability areas and/or with non-common activities (cycling); however, its validity is questionable when sidewalks/streets use volume is high. The use of WVDs in PA assessment has the potential to establish new levels of accuracy, reduce resource requirements, and open up the possibility for retrospective analysis.
A time-sensitive analysis of the work-crime relationship for young men

Theories of the work-crime relationship suggest that employment reduces crime by offering routines, income, and supervision. However, selection into and out of jobs could also explain the negative association between work and crime: people may start working when they are already offending less and stop working when they are already offending more. To evaluate these possibilities, I model month-to-month, within-person changes in offending during the periods surrounding job transitions. Using data from the Pathways to Desistance study, I analyze a sample of young, justice-involved men in two U.S. cities, Phoenix and Philadelphia. I find large reductions in income-related offending during the months leading up to job entry, after which there is no further decrease. I also find that offending spikes before job exit. These patterns suggest that for these young men, being employed does not reduce crime. Rather, employment transitions occur in response to other changes in their lives.
The Sodium Channel Voltage Sensor Slides to Rest.

Voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs) initiate the action potential waveforms in excitable cells. The molecular mechanisms controlling this process have been actively debated. New prokaryotic Nav structures by Wisedchaisri et al. have completed our understanding of the molecular conformations required for cellular electrical signaling, and provide key templates for research to examine eukaryotic Navs.
Sleep disorders in myotonic dystrophies.

Myotonic dystrophies (DM), the most common muscular dystrophies, are known to have significant sleep disturbances. We analyzed the literature on sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in DM over the past 30 years. In this review we provide a brief overview of sleep, sleep disorders, and methods of assessment. We also analyze data regarding major sleep disorders in DM patients, including: sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), with both central and obstructive sleep apneas (CSA,OSA); EDS; sleep-related movement disorders; and poor sleep quality. We review the possible pathogenesis of these disorders and outline management strategies. We also consider possible future avenues for research. The findings highlight the complex set of sleep-related problems, including the primary abnormality of sleep control in myotonic dystrophies. In individual patients the roles of poor sleep hygiene, SDB, primary hypersomnia, and excess fatigue require careful assessment for appropriate management.
Effects of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate crème on nicotine-induced Streptococcus mutans biofilm in vitro

The aim of this study was to test the effects of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) creme, or MI Paste™ (MIP), on nicotine-induced Streptococcus mutans biofilm. The experiment utilized S. mutans biofilm assays with varying concentrations of nicotine and MIP aqueous concentrate levels. First hand exposure to nicotine has been demonstrated to significantly increase S. mutans biofilm formation, while the active component, CPP-ACP, in MIP has been shown to reduce S. mutans biofilm formation. A 24-h culture of S. mutans UA159 in microtiter plates were treated with varying nicotine concentrations (0–32 mg/ml) in Tryptic Soy Broth supplemented with 1% sucrose (TSBS) with or without MIP aqueous concentrate. A spectrophotometer was used to determine total growth absorbance and planktonic growth. The microtiter plate wells were washed, fixed, and stained with crystal violet dye and the absorbance measured to determine biofilm formation. The presence of MIP aqueous concentrate inhibits nicotine-induced S. mutans biofilm formation at different concentrations of nicotine (0–32 mg/ml). The results demonstrated nicotine-induced S. mutans biofilm formation is decreased in the presence of MIP. This provides further evidence about the cariostatic properties of CPP-ACP, the active soluble ingredient in the MIP, and reconfirms the harmful effects of nicotine. Smokers may gain dual benefits from the use of MIP, as a remineralization agent and as a cariostatic agent, by inhibiting nicotine-induced S. mutans biofilm formation.
Three-dimensional quantum size effects on the growth of Au islands on MoS2

Quantum confinement was found to play a critical role in the formation of Au(111) islands grown on the surface of MoS2. These confinement effects are fully three dimensional, with a strong correlation with the relatively large Fermi wavelength associated with the Au(111) planes. The confinement effects result in preferred heights with a periodicity of nearly 2 nm and persist to much higher temperatures than are typically seen in electronic growth mode systems. These findings indicate the potential to explore electronic growth modes in systems based on metal-layered semiconductor interfaces.
Variations in Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Quality Ratings across the School Year: Observation Ratings from New York City’s Pre-K for All

Many school districts face the empirical challenge of monitoring program quality to assure that all children experience pre-K environments that foster early learning and development. Factors that a...
Coarsening Fronts

We characterize the spatial spreading of the coarsening process in the Allen–Cahn equation in terms of the propagation of a nonlinear modulated front. Unstable periodic patterns of the Allen–Cahn equation are invaded by a front, propagating in an oscillatory fashion, and leaving behind the homogeneous, stable equilibrium. During one cycle of the oscillatory propagation, two layers of the periodic pattern are annihilated. Galerkin approximations and the Conley index for ill-posed spatial dynamics are used to show existence of modulated fronts for all parameter values. In the limit of small amplitude patterns or large wave speeds, we establish uniqueness and asymptotic stability of the modulated fronts. We show that the minimal speed of propagation can be characterized by a dichotomy which depends on the existence of pulled fronts. The main tools here are an Evans function type construction for the infinite-dimensional ill-posed dynamics and an analysis of the complex dispersion relation based on Sturm–Liouville theory.