cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redistribution Layer Defect Classification Using Computer Vision Techniques And Machine Learning

In the semiconductor industry, defects are yield killers and the detection/classification of which can be expensive as well as time consuming. To overcome this challenge, we propose a solution involving Computer Vision Techniques and Machine Learning to accomplish defect binning procedure in typical wafer-level packaging scenario, focusing on 2um L/S redistribution layer (RDL) features. With this approach, inspection cycle time is reduced, thereby driving faster product development.
Limitations of Sonic Echo Testing on Buried Piles of Unknown Bridge Foundations

Nondestructive Sonic Echo (SE) field tests have shown that this method does not have a satisfactory performance in determining the depth of piles fully buried underneath pile caps. In the current s...
Training the Trainer: Preparing Anesthesiology Residents to be Trainers in the Operating Room.

Introduction The transition into clinical anesthesiology is a challenging period that requires swift acquisition of clinical knowledge and procedural skills. Senior residents are in a prime positio...
Recognition and management of delayed disruption vesicourethral anastomosis in radical prostatectomy.

AbstractWe describe 2 cases of delayed disruption of the vesicourethral anastomosis after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Diagnosis was established by fluoroscopic examination. Cystoscopic fixation of a catheter intravesically with suprapubic monofilament suture through the dome of the bladder proved to be the key to resolution of the problem.
Association of β-1,3-glucanase activity and isoform pattern with systemic resistance to blue mould in tobacco induced by stem injection with Peronospora tabacina or leaf inoculation with tobacco mosaic virus☆

Abstract Stem injection of tobacco plants with sporangiospores of Peronospora tabacina or inoculating three to four lower leaves with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) systemically protected plants against blue mould caused by P. tabacina and systemically increased total β-1,3-glucanase activity. The onset and level of systemic protection was correlated with the elevation of the total enzyme activity in the systemically protected leaves. The total enzyme activity was higher in the protected plants than in the controls at the time of challenge with P. tabacina and during the first 1−4 days after challenge. Direct detection of β-1,3-glucanases after native 15% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) run with an anodic buffer system revealed the presence of four major isoforms, designated G1, G2, G3 and G4, in the challenged tobacco leaves. The activities of G1 and G2 were higher in leaves of systemically protected plants than in those of the controls during early stages after challenge. G3 was not associated with protection. Its activity in the protected plants did not change before or after challenge. A similar activity was present in the control plants before challenge and at early stage after challenge, but the activity decreased in the control after the appearance of symptoms. The same three isoforms, based on electrophoretic mobilities, were obtained from Ky 14 plants induced by leaf inoculation with TMV or by stem injection with P. tabacina or from Samsun NN plants induced by leaf inoculation with TMV. G4 appeared at the time of symptom expression in control plants, and it appeared to be produced by P. tabacina . Experiments with protoplasts and intercellular fluid indicated that G1, G2 and G3 were predominantly located in intercellular spaces and G3 appeared bound more tightly to cell walls than G1 and G2. These β-1,3-glucanase isoforms were compared on PAGE gels with the four β-1,3-glucanases and 10 PR-proteins previously reported in tobacco. G1 co-migrated with PR-N (2b); G2 co-migrated with PR-O (2c); G3 did not co-migrate with any of the 10 PR-proteins or four β-1,3-glucanases reported previously. Increasing the amount of total protein of crude enzyme extract applied to 15% PAGE gels from 200 μg to 400 μg per lane revealed two more β-1,3-glucanase bands, one co-migrated with PR-2 (2a) and another (designated as G5) that did not co-migrate with any of the 10 PR-proteins or four β-1,3-glucanases previously reported in tobacco. These isoforms were more easily detected on 10% PAGE gels. G5 and PR-2 (2a) were also systemically induced in the TMV-induced plants.
Addressing Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality in Special Education: Case Studies of Suburban School Districts.

Background/ContextThe last two reauthorizations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act established a policy mandate for districts to take action to reduce high rates of minority overrep...
Recent trend in preference of contraceptive methods - pills down diaphragm on rise. A retrospective evaluation.

Abstract The retrospective examination of records in the San Francisco General Hospital Family Planning Clinic during the period from 1970 to 1976 showed a sharp drop of pill users in the last year and a corresponding increase in diaphragm use. The extent of this change in preference by initial users of different contraceptive methods was studied on a monthly basis from March, 1975, through March, 1976. The results showed a significant increase of diaphragm usage by one percent per month, and a significant decrease of pill usage by one percent per month. The reason for the new trend seems to be due to more participation on the part of the client in the decision-making process and this may be influenced — rightly or wrongly — by the media.
Contribution of the pharyngeal plexus to vocal cord adduction.

Objectives/Hypothesis The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the pharyngeal plexus (PP) contributes to vocal cord adduction in the porcine model. Study Design Experimental study. Methods Thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle contraction was recorded electromyographically with electrical stimulation of the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (iSLN) and PP in seven pigs. Results Glottic closure reflex (GCR) was detected with stimulation of the iSLN in all subjects. Electrical stimulation of the PP elicited a response from the TA in six of the seven pigs. In one subject, TA electromyography (EMG) mean latency was noted to be 18.8 msec, approximating that of GCR elicited by iSLN stimulation. Antidromic nerve pulses generated the responses from the TA with a medium latency (mean, 6.32 msec) in three of the seven pigs. TA EMG with a short latency (mean, 1.8 msec) was identified in two of the seven pigs. Conclusions Electrical stimulation of both central and distal ends of the PP elicited vocal cord adduction. These results support the promise of future rehabilitative uses of the PP to treat dysfunctions of the iSLN or as a means of addressing many age-related or metabolic causes of protective laryngeal paresis. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 124:516–521, 2014
Clarifying Analysis and Interpretation in Grounded Theory: Using a Conditional Relationship Guide and Reflective Coding Matrix

Although qualitative methods, grounded theory included, cannot be reduced to formulaic procedures, research tools can clarify the process. The authors discuss two instruments supporting grounded theory analysis and interpretation using two examples from doctoral students. The conditional relationship guide contextualizes the central phenomenon and relates categories linking structure with process. The reflective coding matrix serves as a bridge to the final phase of grounded theory analysis, selective coding and interpretation, and, ultimately, to substantive theory generation.
The bacteriophage T4 insertion/substitution vector system. A method for introducing site-specific mutations into the virus chromosome.

Abstract A bacteriophage T4 insertion/substitution vector system has been developed as a means of introducing in vitro generated mutations into the T4 chromosome. The insertion/substitution vector is a 2638-base pair plasmid containing the pBR322 origin of replication and ampicillin resistance determinant, a T4 gene 23 promoter/synthetic supF tRNA gene fusion, and a polylinker with eight unique restriction enzyme recognition sites. A T4 chromosomal "target" DNA sequence is cloned into this vector and mutated by standard recombinant DNA techniques. Escherichia coli cells containing this plasmid are then infected with T4 bacteriophage that carry amber mutations in two essential genes. The plasmid integrates into the T4 chromosome by recombination between the plasmid-borne T4 target sequence and its homologous chromosomal counterpart. The resulting phage, termed "integrants," are selectable by the supF-mediated suppression of their two amber mutations. Thus, although the integrants comprise 1-3% or less of the total phage progeny, growth on a nonsuppressing host permits their direct selection. The pure integrant phage can be either analyzed directly for a possible mutant phenotype or transferred to nonselective growth conditions. In the latter case, plasmid-free phage segregants rapidly accumulate due to homologous recombination between the duplicated target sequences surrounding the supF sequence in each integrant chromosome. A major fraction of these segregants will retain the in vitro generated mutation within their otherwise unchanged chromosomes and are isolated as stable mutant bacteriophage. The insertion/substitution vector system thereby allows any in vitro mutated gene to be readily substituted for its wild-type counterpart in the bacteriophage T4 genome.
Appropriate Use Of Population And Individual Reference Oata In Patient Care

This report gives a brief description of two general areas of statistical research with application to the management of clinical laboratory data: 1) Time series models for short series of observed values from a single patient; 2) Empirical Bayes methods to improve estimates of individual patient means, using population reference data.
In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Endotoxin on Mouse Peritoneal Cells

The in vitro effect of endotoxin (LPS) on unfractionated mouse peritoneal cells and cells fractionated into glass adherent and nonadherent populations was studied. LPS caused blast transformation and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in the nonadherent, nonphagocytic cells. There was no evidence of a mitogenic effect on macrophages. Instead, a cytotoxic effect was noted. When incubated with unfractionated peritoneal cells, LPS was still cytotoxic for macrophages, but the mitogenic effect for nonadherent cells was decreased or ablated. The intraperitoneal administration of LPS to mice resulted in an acute inflammatory response with a transient depletion of mononuclear cells. There was no stimulation of division of macrophages. Data were obtained which indicated that local cell division is an important factor in the normal turnover of peritoneal macrophages.
Gender differences among recidivist trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences among trauma recidivist patients are not well-understood. We hypothesized that males are more likely to be repeatedly involved in the trauma system and have a shorter time to recurrence between repeat episodes of injury compared with females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of trauma patients treated at an urban university-based trauma center was performed. Variables including gender, race, insurance status, age, mechanism of injury, outcomes, and injury secondary to domestic violence were compared. Differences were compared using χ(2) tests and log-rank (Mantel-Cox) Kaplan-Meier cumulative event curves. RESULTS: We identified 689 trauma recidivist patients (4.0% of all trauma visits) over a 10-y period. Compared to single-visit patients, recidivist patients were more likely to be male (87% versus 73%), uninsured (78% versus 66%), and have injuries secondary to assaults (54% versus 37%) (P Language: en
In vivo biocompatibility of an acrylic, fluoride-releasing, anion-exchange resin.

This study evaluated the biocompatibility of an unfilled, fluoride-releasing acrylic resin by subcutaneous implantation in guinea pigs. The experimental fluoride resin was compared to a nonfluoride, dental pit and fissure sealant (DELTON) of similar composition. Thirty-four male albino guinea pigs received four Teflon® tubes each, implanted in the dorsal area. The tubes were open at both ends, three contained the experimental fluoride resin and one held the nonfluoride resin. The tubes and surrounding tissue were excised in 1–2 cm blocks, by necropsy, at 14 and 84 days. Histological evaluation showed that inflammatory response was none-to-slight at 14 days for 95% of the fluoride and 100% of the nonfluoride specimens. Five percent of the fluoride specimens produced a moderate tissue response. At 84 days, inflammatory response was none-to-slight for 82.5% of the fluoride and 61.5% of the commercial nonfluoride specimens, while 17.5% of the fluoride and 38.5% of the nonfluoride specimens produced moderate tissue responses. Chi-squared analysis and Fisher's Exact test revealed no statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in tissue response between the two resins at either 14 or 84 days. Hence it is concluded that the experimental, fluoride-releasing resin produces a very mild subcutaneous tissue response and that its biocompatibility is comparable to that of a widely used nonfluoride dental resin. It can, therefore, be considered as having a high potential for biological safety as a dental restorative resin or adhesive, or for other biomedical applications. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Regulatory and Ethical Principles in Research Involving Children and Individuals With Developmental Disabilities

Children and individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) compared to typical participants are disadvantaged not only by virtue of being vulnerable to risks inherent in research participation but also by the higher likelihood of exclusion from research altogether. Current regulatory and ethical guidelines although necessary for their protection do not sufficiently ensure fair distributive justice. Yet, in view of disproportionately higher burdens of co-occurring physical and mental disorders in individuals with DD, they are better positioned to benefit from research by equitable participation. Greater elucidation of this ethical dilemma is called for by researchers, institutional review boards, and funding agencies to urgently redress the imbalance. This article discusses many of the regulatory principles to ensure better research participation of children and individuals with DD: human rights, validity, distributive justice, beneficence/nonmaleficence, and autonomy.
Ceftobiprole: breaking therapeutic dogmas of the β-lactam class

The increasing prevalence of infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, both Gram-negative and Gram-positive, represents a serious public health problem. By 2004, approximately 60% of bloodstream isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in US intensive care units were methicillin resistant (National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System, 2004; Petersen et al., 1999). By that time, unfortunately, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains were no longer confined to intensive care units or even to hospitals. MRSA infections have also become a rapidly growing menace outside these settings as they emerge not only in patients with other healthcare exposures but also in many who have no risk factors for healthcare-associated infection (Olesevich and Kennedy, 2007; Palavecino, 2004). Complicating matters further is that resistance in these pathogens is not limited to available β-lactam antimicrobials (Chambers, 2006). Although most hospital-acquired MRSA developed resistance to a variety of non–β-lactam antimicrobials long ago, community-acquired MRSA, which appeared susceptible to a wide variety of agents when 1st described, are also rapidly becoming resistant to multiple classes of antimicrobials (Daum, 2007; Diep et al., 2008; Frazee et al., 2005; King et al., 2006). The bacterial target of β-lactam antimicrobials is their penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), to which they bind and whose enzymatic activity they inhibit, thus, disrupting late stages in peptidoglycan synthesis (Andes and Craig, 2005). This disruption of cell wall synthesis results in inhibition of bacterial growth and replication, whereas the associated triggering of autolytic enzymes results in bacterial cell death. The resistance of S. aureus to methicillin and other
Meeting the challenges of dietetics practice with evidence-based decisions.

C P F w a p t s c n o s t p F g E t s u ( ( i c t RACTICE CHANGES AND CHALLENGES he practice of dietetics is, and always has been, characterized by change. Diabetic diet prescripions of the 1940s evolved over time nto current practices. Dietary aproaches to weight control have drasically changed from the highly rigid iet plans of the 1950s and 1960s to he more flexible, consumer-friendly pproaches in current use. The Recmmended Dietary Allowances themelves have changed with each ediion. As new data become available nd new scientific theories are put orth, nutrition scientists and dietetcs practitioners are faced with conicting interpretations and, hence, ractice-related controversies. Peditric dietitians currently debate the alue of using a ketogenic diet to conrol pediatric seizures as well as the fficacy of prescribing glutenand/or asein-free diets for children with auism. Sports nutritionists debate the ffectiveness of specific supplements n elite athletes and try to define “best ractices” for counseling competitive thletes. Management dietitians dis-
The Optimal Allocation of Pension Fund Assets: An Individual's Perspective

This study asks which assets an individual should hold indirectly in a pension in order to maximize total portfolio return, where the total portfolio consists of assets held directly outside of pensions plus the pro rata share of pension assets. The answer depends upon whether the individual actively or passively manages the nonpension portion of the total portfolio. Most individuals should place high-yield stocks in the pension fund. But active investors should place low-yield growth stocks in the pension, while very passive investors should place bonds in the pension fund. Reinstatement of capital gains exclusion would usually make corporate bonds the optimal pension asset.
Ecological representation in deliberation: the contribution of tactile spaces

Abstract Deliberation must involve more than simply articulating and defending one's values and knowledge claims. Also important is the ability to experience those claims directly. Attention must thus be paid to creating spaces that are not only deliberative but also tactile, so individuals can experience for themselves the phenomena around which knowledge claims are being made. This becomes particularly important in environmental conflicts, given that they often involve objects/processes that are epistemologically removed from our lived worlds. To inform this argument, the case of a non-profit seed bank, where just such a tactile space has been created, is examined.
Effect of 1-substitution on tetrahydroisoquinolines as selective antagonists for the orexin-1 receptor.

Selective blockade of the orexin-1 receptor (OX1) has been suggested as a potential approach to drug addiction therapy because of its role in modulating the brain’s reward system. We have recently reported a series of tetrahydroisoquinoline-based OX1 selective antagonists. Aimed at elucidating structure–activity relationship requirements in other regions of the molecule and further enhancing OX1 potency and selectivity, we have designed and synthesized a series of analogues bearing a variety of substituents at the 1-position of the tetrahydroisoquinoline. The results show that an optimally substituted benzyl group is required for activity at the OX1 receptor. Several compounds with improved potency and/or selectivity have been identified. When combined with structural modifications that were previously found to improve selectivity, we have identified compound 73 (RTIOX-251) with an apparent dissociation constant (Ke) of 16.1 nM at the OX1 receptor and >620-fold selectivity over the OX2 receptor. In vivo, ...
Assessment of Glutaraldehyde Crosslinking Efficiency With an Amine-Specific Fluorescent Probe

Background. Crosslinking of heart valves with glutaraldehyde involves the binding of amine groups. We have developed a technique that provides an inverse measure of the degree of tissue fixation by quantifying the amount of unbound amines. Methods. Whole aortic valves were exposed to 0.5% glutaraldehyde solution for 0, 1, 15, and 60 minutes, 6 hours, and 1 and 7 days. Frozen sections were exposed to carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester, a fluorescent amine-reactive probe. Images were acquired from each section and processed to separate pixels representing tissue from those representing background. An average fluorescent intensity for each image was calculated and related to the number of unbound amines by comparing with standards. Results. The amount of uncrosslinked amines was observed to decrease exponentially with fixation time and achieved a plateau at 1 day of fixation. A significant difference in the amount of unbound amines also exists between valve leaflets fixed while connected to the root and those excised from the root before fixation. Conclusions. This amine measurement technique, being sensitive to spatially varying differences in chemical fixation, should be useful in evaluating the efficacy of new fixation protocols.
Enhancer Malfunction in Cancer

Why certain point mutations in a general transcription factor are associated with specific forms of cancer has been a major question in cancer biology. Enhancers are DNA regulatory elements that are key regulators of tissue-specific gene expression. Recent studies suggest that enhancer malfunction through point mutations in either regulatory elements or factors modulating enhancer-promoter communication could be the cause of tissue-specific cancer development. In this Perspective, we will discuss recent findings in the identification of cancer-related enhancer mutations and the role of Drosophila Trr and its human homologs, the MLL3 and MLL4/COMPASS-like complexes, as enhancer histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) monomethyltransferases functioning in enhancer-promoter communication. Recent genome-wide studies in the cataloging of somatic mutations in cancer have identified mutations in intergenic sequences encoding regulatory elements—and in MLL3 and MLL4 in both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. We propose that cancer-associated mutations in MLL3 and MLL4 exert their properties through the malfunction of Trr/MLL3/MLL4-dependent enhancers.
George E. Palade: charting the secretory pathway.

I regret that, owing to space restrictions, I have not highlighted the contributions of many of Palade’s collaborators. Included, however, are several of Palade’s reviews in which he mentions their work. I am grateful to my colleague Milton Adesnik for his help and advice in preparing this manuscript.
Network-coded cooperative information recovery in cellular/802.11 mobile Networks

By utilizing free WiFi transmissions, network coded cooperative peer-to-peer (P2P) information repair (NC-CPR) has been proposed to mitigate packet loss incurred during cellular Base Station (BS) broadcast. However, most of the work focuses on static network environment. While considering peer movement, the challenge part is the dynamically changed network topology, making it hard to control the transmission collisions to achieve good repair performance. In this paper, we propose the network coded cooperative information repair protocol with mobility concern (NC-CIRM) to recover the lost packets under the mobile scenario. Peer transmissions are scheduled with different channel access priorities based on their neighborhood information. Then, the NC-CIRM with known distribution (NC-CIRMD) protocol is presented which obtains neighborhood information based on the knowledge of node spatial distributions. Simulation results show that these two protocols achieve similar repair performance and work efficiently under both uniform and stationary node spatial distributions. Furthermore, a tunable parameter - coded packet generating rate based repair protocol (TP-RP) is proposed to further improve repair performance when the peers uniformly distribute within the system area. At the mean time, an analytical model is developed, then based on which parameter optimization is studied and theoretical results are derived. Extensive simulation results illustrate the improvement made by TP-RP protocol compared with the other two protocols and validate the accuracy of the optimal value of the tunable parameter.
Caspase-11: The Noncanonical Guardian of Cytosolic Sanctity

Caspase-11 controls a noncanonical inflammasome that responds to Gram-negative bacteria and certain pore-forming toxins. Aachoui et al. (2013) and Case et al. (2013) identify a role for caspase-11 in rapid responses to bacterial pathogens that access the cytosol via vacuolar membrane disruption or the activity of specialized secretion systems.
The growth of the world's 300 largest banking organizations by country☆

Abstract The size distribution of the largest banks in the world aggregated by country has changed dramatically since 1969 and has aroused both public and academic interest. By examining the distribution of the total assets of the 300 largest banks in the world we document a number of important changes such as the rise of Japanese banks, the decline of American banks, and the cyclical nature of the movement of these shares. Clearly, one of the dominant causes of these changes is fluctuations in exchange rates. We also develop and test a model to explain the growth of large banks by country over one and five year periods by removing the effects of exchange rates. We find that initial deposits are negatively correlated with share of bank assets and that most of the independent economic variables do not explain the growth of large banks by country.
Test of a chromomagnetic model for hadron mass differences.

An oversimplified model consisting of the QCD color-magnetic interaction has been used previously by Silvestre-Brac and others to compare the masses of exotic and normal hadrons. We show that the model can give qualitatively wrong answers when applied to systems of normal hadrons.
Application of the thermally assisted atomic fluorescence technique to the temperature measurement in a gasolineair flame

Abstract Laser-induced thermally assisted atomic fluorescence is used to determine the temperature in a gasolineair flame. The theoretical basis is presented and the advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed. The experimental apparatus and the results for a flame produced by a small laboratory burner are presented.
Spin-torque switching with the giant spin hall effect of tantalum

Spin currents can apply useful torques in spintronic devices. The spin Hall effect has been proposed as a source of spin current, but its modest strength has limited its usefulness. We report a giant spin Hall effect (SHE) in β-tantalum that generates spin currents intense enough to induce efficient spin-torque switching of ferromagnets at room temperature. We quantify this SHE by three independent methods and demonstrate spin-torque switching of both out-of-plane and in-plane magnetized layers. We furthermore implement a three-terminal device that uses current passing through a tantalum-ferromagnet bilayer to switch a nanomagnet, with a magnetic tunnel junction for read-out. This simple, reliable, and efficient design may eliminate the main obstacles to the development of magnetic memory and nonvolatile spin logic technologies.
Decentralized adaptive scheduling using consensus variables

In this paper we present a new approach to decentralized adaptive scheduling, using recent results on the control of consensus variables in graphs with nearest-neighbour communication topologies. First, existing results for single consensus variables are extended to include the cases of forced consensus, when one of the negotiating agents is driven by a setpoint, and of constrained consensus, where multiple consensus variables are required to be separated by a fixed amount. Next, we consider a class of adaptive scheduling problems, whereby a set of decentralized coordinators should cooperate to adapt shared schedule times in response to disturbances or changes in the system. Our approach is to choose task timings to be the consensus variables in the system. The utility of these ideas is illustrated using the example of a synchronized strike mission. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Method for the Diagnosis of Trichomonas gallinae Infection by Culture

Diagnosis of Trichomonas gallinae infection can reliably be made by the demonstration of organisms in material taken from a bird's mouth and crop. This can be examined directly or incubated in a growth medium until organisms are numerous enough to be easily found in aliquots examined with the microscope. We compared two methods of culture diagnosis of Trichomonas gallinae infection in pigeons. A commercially available kit, In-Pouch™TF, proved as sensitive for this purpose as in vitro Diamond's medium, but had practical advantages over the usual in vitro system.
Personalization in science: Preliminary investigation at the middle school level

A science program in which students were encouraged to select their own project goal as well as the apparatus to accomplish this goal was developed and tried in two fifth-grade classes. The program was designed to foster children's logical thinking skills. The classes in the study had not previously experienced any individualized program. The advantages, disadvantages, problems, and questions that resulted from the program are discussed. Observations during the program revealed that the transition from group to personalized work is a complicated process. Changes in the classroom social structure, reward structure, and general organization are described. Evaluation of student progress revealed that the major intellectual goal of the program was accomplished. Children in the program performed better on measures of describing variables and interpreting experiments than did control children. Differences in individuals which affect success in the program are discussed.
Managing PMS & PMDD: Exploring New Treatment Options

Most women of reproductive age—some 85 percent—experience recurrent mood and somatic symptoms with their menstrual cycles. The symptoms that typically occur during the luteal phase or last 14 days of the menstrual cycle constitute premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of these women suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a disabling form of PMS characterized by depressed or labile mood, anxiety, irritability, anger, and impaired function. Here's how to distinguish the two conditions and help women suffering with either PMS or PMDD.
Laparoscopic Versus Open Renal Procurement for Pediatric Recipients of Living Donor Renal Transplantation

Despite reports demonstrating the safety of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) for pediatric recipients of renal transplants, recent evidence has challenged using LDN for recipients 5 years of age or younger. We retrospectively reviewed the records of all pediatric recipients of living donor renal transplants from September 2000 through August 2004. We compared those who received allografts recovered by LDN (n = 34) with those recovered by open donor nephrectomy (ODN, n = 26). Outcomes of interest included operative complications, postoperative renal function, the incidence of delayed graft function or episodes of acute rejection and long-term graft function. Donor and recipient demographic data were similar for the LDN and ODN groups. Serum creatinine and calculated creatinine clearance were not significantly different between groups both in the early postoperative period and at long-term follow-up (p > 0.142). Rates of delayed graft function and acute rejection did not differ between groups. Among recipients aged 5 years old or younger stratified by donor technique (9 LDN, 5 ODN recipients), no difference was noted in graft outcomes both early and long-term (p > 0.079). At our center, pediatric LDN recipients have graft outcomes comparable to those of ODN recipients. At experienced centers, we recommend continued use of LDN for pediatric recipients of all ages.
Trickle-bed reactors: Criteria of negligible transport effects and of partial wetting.

Abstract Dimensionless criteria are derived for determining the importance of intra- and interface heat and mass transfer in trickle-bed reactors. Only observable quantities are involved in the criteria. Also derived is a dimensionless criterion for determining whether the pellets are partially covered by liquid. Except for the Thiele modulus, all quantities are measurable. The criterion of partial wetting is applied to experimental data. It is shown that the criterion predicts rather accurately the liquid flow rate below which the pellets become partially wetted.
A note on the increase in usable foil thickness in scanning transmission electron microscopy

Abstract A change from conventional transmission electron microscopy to scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) does not increase the usable foil thickness of gold, the dominant inelastic scattering mechanism being phonon excitation. If the expected improvements for light-element materials in the STEM mode transpire, then for increased usable foil thickness, high-voltage electron microscopy and STEM will form complementary techniques with respect to specimen atomic weight.
Drosophila rasiRNA Pathway Mutations Disrupt Embryonic Axis Specification through Activation of an ATR/Chk2 DNA Damage Response

Small repeat-associated siRNAs (rasiRNAs) mediate silencing of retrotransposons and the Stellate locus. Mutations in the Drosophila rasiRNA pathway genes armitage and aubergine disrupt embryonic axis specification, triggering defects in microtubule polarization as well as asymmetric localization of mRNA and protein determinants in the developing oocyte. Mutations in the ATR/Chk2 DNA damage signal transduction pathway dramatically suppress these axis specification defects, but do not restore retrotransposon or Stellate silencing. Furthermore, rasiRNA pathway mutations lead to germline-specific accumulation of γ-H2Av foci characteristic of DNA damage. We conclude that rasiRNA-based gene silencing is not required for axis specification, and that the critical developmental function for this pathway is to suppress DNA damage signaling in the germline.
Understanding the Mechanical Properties of DNA Origami Tiles and Controlling the Kinetics of Their Folding and Unfolding Reconfiguration

DNA origami represents a class of highly programmable macromolecules that can go through conformational changes in response to external signals. Here we show that a two-dimensional origami rectangle can be effectively folded into a short, cylindrical tube by connecting the two opposite edges through the hybridization of linker strands and that this process can be efficiently reversed via toehold-mediated strand displacement. The reconfiguration kinetics was experimentally studied as a function of incubation temperature, initial origami concentration, missing staples, and origami geometry. A kinetic model was developed by introducing the j factor to describe the reaction rates in the cyclization process. We found that the cyclization efficiency (j factor) increases sharply with temperature and depends strongly on the structural flexibility and geometry. A simple mechanical model was used to correlate the observed cyclization efficiency with origami structure details. The mechanical analysis suggests two so...
Spermine oxidase is a regulator of macrophage host response to Helicobacter pylori: enhancement of antimicrobial nitric oxide generation by depletion of spermine

The gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori causes peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. We have reported that in H. pylori-activated macrophages, nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible NO synthase (iNOS) can kill the bacterium, iNOS protein expression is dependent on uptake of its substrate l-arginine (l-Arg), the polyamine spermine can inhibit iNOS translation by inhibiting l-Arg uptake, and inhibition of polyamine synthesis enhances NO-mediated bacterial killing. Because spermine oxidase (SMO), which back-converts spermine to spermidine, is induced in macrophages by H. pylori, we determined its role in iNOS-dependent host defense. SMO shRNA knockdown in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages resulted in a marked decrease in H. pylori-stimulated iNOS protein, but not mRNA expression, and a 90 % reduction in NO levels; NO production was also inhibited in primary murine peritoneal macrophages with SMO knockdown. There was an increase in spermine levels after H. pylori stimulation that rapidly decreased, while SMO knockdown caused a greater increase in spermine that was sustained. With SMO knockdown, l-Arg uptake and killing of H. pylori by macrophages was prevented. The overexpression of SMO by transfection of an expression plasmid prevented the H. pylori-stimulated increase in spermine levels, and led to increased l-Arg uptake, iNOS protein expression and NO production, and H. pylori killing. In two human monocytic cell lines, U937 and THP-1, overexpression of SMO caused a significant enhancement of NO production with H. pylori stimulation. By depleting spermine, SMO can abrogate the inhibitory effect of polyamines on innate immune responses to H. pylori by enhancing antimicrobial NO production.
Mercury speciation in the San Francisco Bay estuary

In order to understand the biogeochemistry of mercury in the San Francisco Bay estuary, California, we undertook a 2-year study of sediments and surface waters to investigate sources of mercury to the estuary and the processes that control its distribution. Over several seasons, unfiltered and filtered (<0.45 μm) surface water samples were collected from 26 sites in the estuary and analyzed for total mercury (HgT), monomethylmercury (MMHg), and ancillary water quality parameters. Concentrations of mercury in unfiltered surface water UHgT ranged from 0.73 to 440 pM, and were well correlated with suspended particulate matter (SPM). Concentrations of UHgT were typically highest in the winter and spring, when precipitation, fluvial discharges, and SPM were greatest. Although the concentrations of UHgT appear elevated with respect to other contaminated estuaries, this is largely explained by the high SPM in this system. The average concentration of mercury in suspended particles was 1.8±0.6 nmol g−1, and was similar to the concentration of HgT in sediments (1.1±0.7 nmol g−1), especially when normalized to grain size (%<63 μm; 1.7±0.7 nmol g−1), demonstrating the preferential resuspension of fine-grained sediment, and the importance of wind and tidal driven resuspension in controlling UHgT concentrations. Concentrations of dissolved gaseous mercury averaged 0.90±0.88 pM, and the estuary was a net source of mercury to the atmosphere of 40–240 kg year−1. The concentrations of surface water MMHg ranged from <0.050 to 2.3 pM, and appeared to be controlled by input from the Sacramento–San Joaquin delta in the northern reach and by wastewater inputs in the extreme southern reach. Sediment mercury concentrations were significantly correlated with the fraction of fine-grained material present and the concentrations of total organic carbon. Concentrations of MMHg in the sediments ranged from 0.5 to 5.0 pmol g−1, with an average of about 2 pmol g−1; the highest concentrations were found in areas with detectable pore water sulfide, high nutrient input from wastewater, and low salinity. Although the mercury in this system is principally attributed to contamination from historic mining activity, concentrations were similar to those of other large, urbanized estuaries that are primarily contaminated with recent industrial inputs.
The Last Acolhua: Alva Ixtlilxochitl and Elite Native Historiography in Early New Spain

The present article offers a thematic analysis of the lords’ discourse as a means of contextualizing and historicizing the works of don Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxochitl.4 Students of the famous chronicler of Tetzcoco will recognize the parallels between his historical vision and how the natural lords of an earlier era explained and represented themselves to Spanish authorities. Like don Hernando Pimentel and his peers, Alva Ixtlilxochitl portrayed his mother's ancestors—descendants of the original Acolhua-Chichimeca settlers and rulers of Tetzcoco and its provinces—as aristocrats of illustrious pedigree who became indispensable Christian vassals of the Spanish king. In his telling, among the Acolhuaque the Spaniards encountered natural allies, as the heirs to a prestigious native tradition embraced and aided them in their subjugation of Mexico, their partnership consummated in a triumphant denouement of baptismal water.
Distance determination in proteins using designed metal ion binding sites and site-directed spin labeling: application to the lactose permease of Escherichia coli.

Abstract As shown in the accompanying paper, the magnetic dipolar interaction between site-directed metal-nitroxide pairs can be exploited to measure distances in T4 lysozyme, a protein of known structure. To evaluate this potentially powerful method for general use, particularly with membrane proteins that are difficult to crystallize, both a paramagnetic metal ion binding site and a nitroxide side chain were introduced at selected positions in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli, a paradigm for polytopic membrane proteins. Thus, three individual cysteine residues were introduced into putative helix IV of a lactose permease mutant devoid of native cysteine residues containing a high-affinity divalent metal ion binding site in the form of six contiguous histidine residues in the periplasmic loop between helices III and IV. In addition, the construct contained a biotin acceptor domain in the middle cytoplasmic loop to facilitate purification. After purification and spin labeling, electron paramagnetic resonance spectra were obtained with the purified proteins in the absence and presence of Cu(II). The results demonstrate that positions 103, 111, and 121 are 8, 14, and > 23 A from the metal binding site. These data are consistent with an alpha-helical conformation of transmembrane domain IV of the permease. Application of the technique to determine helix packing in lactose permease is discussed.
Molecular cloning and characterization of WP34, a phosphorylated human lymphocyte differentiation and activation antigen

An absorbed antiserum was made by incubating a cytotoxic T lymphocyte immune antiserum with the T cell leukemia HPB-ALL, thus removing reactivity to known lymphocyte function-associated antigens. This antiserum was used to screen a cDNA expression library and isolate a novel human lymphocyte cDNA clone designated WP34, WP34 transcript is expressed in functional T cells and a variety of hematopoietic cell lines and tissues, including fetal liver and thymus, but not in HPB-ALL or any non-hematopoietic cell lines or tissues tested. The WP34 protein is an acidic, phosphorylated molecule with a pI of 4.5 and molecular mass of 50 kDa. WP34 protein expression is absent in resting peripheral blood lymphocytes but can be induced with antigen stimulation, while the transcript is constitutively expressed. Sequence analysis indicates that WP34 is the human homologue of the recently described murine molecule LSP1.
Effects of interphase formation on the modulus and stress concentration factor of fiber-reinforced thermosetting-matrix composites

Experimental and theoretical studies in the literature have shown that a fiber surface perturbs its surrounding polymer to create a three-dimensional interphase zone with property gradients. Micromechanical stress analysis and evaluation of the effective properties of composites need the interphase material properties as input information. Since relatively scant information is available on the prediction of interphase formation as function of processing conditions, current micromechanical analyses have resorted to using assumed interphase property profiles. In this paper, a thermodynamic model for interphase formation is adopted to predict the interphase material properties, which, in turn, are used in the finite element analysis of overall composite properties. Relevant numerical results are presented for the first time where two major composite properties, modulus and stress concentration factor, are directly linked to the interphase formation parameters without assumed structures or properties of the interphase. The results provide guidelines for selecting material components and processing parameters to achieve desired overall composite properties.
Dynamic polarization of the microtubule cytoskeleton during CTL-mediated killing.

Efficient unidirectional killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) requires translocation of the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) to the target cell contact site. Here we utilize modulated polarization microscopy and computerized 3D reconstruction of tubulin and LFA-1 immunofluoresence images to investigate how this is accomplished. The results show that the MTOC is drawn vectorially to the contact site by a microtubule sliding mechanism. Once the MTOC arrives at the contact site, it oscillates laterally. Microtubules loop through and anchor to a ring-shaped zone (pSMAC) defined by the dense clustering of LFA-1 at the target contact site. Microtubules that run straight between the MTOC and pSMAC and then turn sharply may indicate the action of a microtubule motor such as dynein.
Correlation Functions in High-Energy Multiple Production and an Extension of Feynman's Gas Analog

A picture of multiple-production cross sections suggested by Feynman is extended to include transverse-momentum distributions and phase-space boundary effects in the single-particle distributions by introducing an external confining potential on an axially symmetric plasma. Two-particle correlation functions are discussed in such an analog system, using closure approximations such as the Debye-H\"uckel equation for a nonuniform plasma, with the interparticle potentials obtained from two-particle elastic scattering properties. Effective correlation lengths are found to depend on the single-particle distribution in important ways. In particular, the central-region correlations are of shorter range than those at large transverse momentum or near phase-space boundaries in certain cases. A bootstrap mechanism for indefinitely rising Regge trajectories is also outlined.
Observation of free-to-acceptor-type photoluminescence in chlorine-doped Zn(Be)Se

Abstract We present photoluminescence (PL) studies of Cl-doped Zn1−xBexSe (x=0–0.029) alloys performed in wide ranges of temperature (10– 296 K ) and of excitation intensities. We show that the high-temperature PL is characterized by a free-to-acceptor-type transition, involving shallow state of the localized holes. We shall show that similar transitions are also present in comparable undoped samples, but the PL intensity is substantially lower. Finally, we show that the ionization energy of the relevant acceptor-like species increases with Be concentration, suggesting an effective mass type defect.