cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bronchial stenting in infants with severe bronchomalacia: Technique and outcomes.

Abstract Objectives To report the first use of a balloon expandable bare metal stent for treating infant bronchomalacia. Background Infant bronchomalacia often requires prolonged mechanical ventilation and can be life-threatening. Effective treatment for severe infant bronchomalacia continues to be elusive. We present three cases of bronchial stenting for no-option or treatment refractory infant bronchomalacia. Methods Three consecutive cases of stenting to relieve conservative treatment refractory severe infant bronchomalacia were performed between February 2019 and December 2020. Initial diagnosis was confirmed with Computed Tomography (CT) angiography. Patients underwent rigid micro laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and flexible bronchoscopy to evaluate the airway. Initial conservative management strategies were pursued. Patients failing initial conservative management strategies were considered for rescue bronchial stenting. Results Our initial clinical experience with a coronary bare metal stent for these procedures has been favorable. The stent was easy to deploy with precision. We did not encounter stent embolization or migration. There was sufficient stent radial strength to relieve bronchomalacia without causing restenosis or erosion. There was no significant granulation tissue formation. In one patient, the stent was removed after 12 months of somatic growth; this was uneventful and bronchial patency was maintained. There were no complications in any of our patients regarding stent placement and reliability. Conclusion In cases of three infants with severe bronchomalacia, we found that bronchial stenting with the bare metal coronary stent was effective in relieving bronchial stenosis.
Elucidating the Mechanism of Excited State Bond Homolysis in Nickel–Bipyridine Photoredox Catalysts

Ni 2,2’–bipyridine (bpy) complexes are commonly employed photoredox catalysts of bond-forming reactions in organic chemistry. However, the mechanisms by which they operate are still under investigation. One potential mode of catalysis is via entry into Ni(I)/Ni(III) cycles, which can be made possible by light-induced, excited state Ni(II)–C bond homolysis. Here we report experimental and computational analyses of a library of Ni(II)-bpy aryl halide complexes, Ni(Rbpy)(R′Ph)Cl (R = MeO, t-Bu, H, MeOOC; R′ = CH3, H, OMe, F, CF3), to illuminate the mechanism of excited state bond homolysis. At given excitation wavelengths, photochemical homolysis rates span two orders of magnitude across these structures and correlate linearly with Hammett parameters of both bpy and aryl ligands, reflecting structural control over key metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) and ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) excited state potential energy surfaces (PESs). Temperature- and wavelength-dependent investigations reveal moderate excited state barriers (ΔH‡ ~4 kcal mol-1) and a minimum energy excitation threshold (~55 kcal mol-1, 525 nm), respectively. Correlations to electronic structure calculations further support a mechanism in which repulsive triplet excited state PESs featuring a critical aryl-to-Ni LMCT lead to bond rupture. Structural control over excited state PESs provides a rational approach to utilize photonic energy and leverage excited state bond homolysis processes in synthetic chemistry.
Quantitative evaluation of dosimetric uncertainties in electron therapy by measurement and calculation using the electron Monte Carlo dose algorithm in the Eclipse treatment planning system

In the electron beam radiation therapy, customized blocks are mostly used to shape treatment fields to generate conformal doses. The goal of this study is to investigate quantitatively dosimetric uncertainties associated with heterogeneities, detectors used in the measurement of the beam data commissioning, and modeling of the interactions of high energy electrons with tissue. These uncertainties were investigated both by measurements with different detectors and calculations using electron Monte Carlo algorithm (eMC) in the Eclipse treatment planning system. Dose distributions for different field sizes were calculated using eMC and measured with a multiple-diode-array detector (MapCheck2) for cone sizes ranging from 6 to 25 cm. The dose distributions were calculated using the CT images of the MapCheck2 and water-equivalent phantoms. In the umbra region (<20% isodose line), the eMC underestimated dose by a factor of 3 for high energy electron beams due to lack of consideration of bremsstrahlung emitted laterally that was not accounted by eMC in the low dose region outside the field. In the penumbra (20%-80% isodose line), the eMC overestimated dose (40%) for high energy 20 MeV electrons compared to the measured dose with small diodes in the high gradient dose region. This was mainly due to lack of consideration of volume averaging of the ion chamber used in beam data commissioning which was input to the eMC dose calculation algorithm. Large uncertainties in the CT numbers (25%) resulted from the image artifacts in the CT images of the MapCheck2 phantom due to metal artifacts. The eMC algorithm used the electron and material densities extracted from the CT numbers which resulted large dosimetric uncertainties (10%) in the material densities and corresponding stopping power ratios. The dose calculations with eMC are associated with large uncertainties particularly in penumbra and umbra regions and around heterogeneities which affect the low dose level that cover nearby normal tissue or critical structures.
Anveshan: A Framework for Analysis of Multiple Annotators' Labeling Behavior

Manual annotation of natural language to capture linguistic information is essential for NLP tasks involving supervised machine learning of semantic knowledge. Judgements of meaning can be more or less subjective, in which case instead of a single correct label, the labels assigned might vary among annotators based on the annotators' knowledge, age, gender, intuitions, background, and so on. We introduce a framework "Anveshan," where we investigate annotator behavior to find outliers, cluster annotators by behavior, and identify confusable labels. We also investigate the effectiveness of using trained annotators versus a larger number of untrained annotators on a word sense annotation task. The annotation data comes from a word sense disambiguation task for polysemous words, annotated by both trained annotators and untrained annotators from Amazon's Mechanical turk. Our results show that Anveshan is effective in uncovering patterns in annotator behavior, and we also show that trained annotators are superior to a larger number of untrained annotators for this task.
Dissecting the Wnt secretion pathway: key questions on the modification and intracellular trafficking of Wnt proteins

The Wnt family of signalling proteins has essential functions in development and adult tissue homoeostasis throughout the animal kingdom. Although signalling cascades triggered by Wnt proteins have been extensively studied, much remains to be learned about how Wnts are produced and secreted. Over the past few years, it has become clear that the secretion of Wnt proteins requires a specialized trafficking pathway. As this pathway has been discussed in two recent reviews (Lorenowicz & Korswagen 2009, Port & Basler 2010), we will focus our discussion on the key questions that need to be addressed to gain a more complete understanding of the mechanism and regulation of this essential secretion pathway.
Negotiations and Exploitation of the Nile Waters at the End of the Millennium: A Water Forum Contribution

Abstract After the great drought of the 1980s, the waters of the Nile River returned in abundance during the last decade of the 20th century; however, the peoples of the Nile Basin are reproducing at a greater rate than the waters of the Nile. The claims to this scarce resource are based on history and equity, which are fundamentally incompatible. Despite the creation of basin state organizations for discussion, conferences, and the intervention of the World Bank, the ten basin states, particularly Egypt, are determined to construct their own projects for Nile Control to feed their citizens in the new millennium.
Spinal Primary Neoplasia/Metastasis

This unit presents a basic protocol for conventional and fast spin echo imaging of spine for visualization of the spinal compartment to assess the extent and degree of spinal cord or cauda equina compression frequently associated with primary and metastatic neoplasia. An alternate protocol is presented for the cases e.g., neurofibromatosis with multiple bilateral neoplasms extending through the neural foramina, where a coronal acquisition may be helpful to analyze the perispinal tissues for tumor extension either inward to, or outward from, the central spinal canal.
Distal Biceps Tendon Repair: An Analysis of Timing of Surgery on Outcomes

Context: Surgical repair of the ruptured distal biceps brachaii tendon is an effective treatment in injured patients. Timing of surgery is considered an important factor when managing these patients. Objective: To compare our outcomes after distal biceps tendon acute (at 4 weeks or less) or chronic (greater than 4 weeks) repair. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Clinical practice. Patients or Other Participants: Of 18 patients in a tertiary practice who underwent distal biceps repair, 12 and 6 underwent acute or chronic repair, respectively. The average durations from injury to surgery were 15.3 (range, 9 to 25) and 50.1 (range, 29 to 75) days for the acute and chronic groups, respectively. Intervention(s): Distal biceps tendon repair. Main Outcome Measure(s): Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scoring, range of motion, and clinical and radiographic complications. Results: No differences were noted between the groups in DASH scoring or range of motion. No complications occurred, and radiograph...
Meeting educational objectives and outcomes through robotics education

Formal assessment of learning outcomes in accordance with ABET EC2000 criteria is a major trend in undergraduate engineering education. In EC2000, engineering programs are assessed, in part, by measuring the abilities of a program's graduates against the program's published educational objectives and learning outcomes, including the ABET basic outcomes a-k. A second major trend is toward a "learning by doing" curriculum that engages students in design projects early in the undergraduate program. This approach motivates students by engaging them in exciting engineering projects, teaching theoretical concepts in a "just in time" fashion. The design of autonomous mobile robots is an ideal activity for a "learning by doing" curriculum in which student teams create complex mechatronic systems by applying principles of physical science, mathematics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science. In addition, the opportunity to participate in robotics competitions allows students to evaluate designs, learn from other teams, and win rewards. This paper discusses robot design as a medium for meeting core ABET outcomes in three curricular areas at Trinity College: (1) an engineering design course for first-year students; (2) a robotics study team involving students from all four college years, and (3) the senior design project program. The paper presents examples of student designs including autonomous robots, which complete in the Trinity College fire-fighting home robot contest and the AUVSI international ground vehicle competition (IGVC).
Chern-Simons theory of the anisotropic quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice.

We consider the anisotropic quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnetic (with anistropy [lambda]) on a square lattice using a Chern-Simons (or Wigner-Jordan) approach. We show that the average field approximation (AFA) yields a phase diagram with two phases: a Neel state for [lambda][gt][lambda][sub [ital c]] and a flux phase for [lambda][lt][lambda][sub [ital c]] separated by a second-order transition at [lambda][sub [ital c]][lt]1. We show that this phase diagram does not describe the [ital XY] regime of the antiferromagnet. Fluctuations around the AFA induce relevant operators which yield the correct phase diagram. We find an equivalence between the antiferromagnet and a relativistic field theory of two self-interacting Dirac fermions coupled to a Chern-Simons gauge field. The field theory has a phase diagram with the correct number of Goldstone modes in each regime and a phase transition at a critical coupling [lambda][sup *][gt][lambda][sub [ital c]]. We identify this transition with the isotropic Heisenberg point. It has a nonvanishing Neel order parameter, which drops to zero discontinuously for [lambda][lt][lambda][sup *].
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a first step for rapid weight loss in morbidly obese patients requiring a second non-bariatric procedure.

Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a viable option that is becoming common in the management of morbid obesity. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a primary step for rapid weight loss in patients who required a second non-bariatric procedure.
Factors Affecting Outcome in Proximal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Sixty-five consecutive patients undergoing nonemergent repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) originating above the visceral and/or renal arteries were studied to determine operative results and identify factors influencing outcome of proximal AAA repair. Factors associated with postoperative morbidity were analyzed using multivariate analysis. There were no postoperative deaths, paraplegia/paraparesis, or symptomatic visceral ischemia. Proximal AAA repair can be accomplished with acceptable mortality. If renal artery bypass or reimplantation is anticipated, cold renal perfusion may protect against renal dysfunction. Postoperative pulmonary dysfunction can be reduced by avoiding radial division of the diaphragm.
Development of US seismic codes

Abstract This paper aims to clarify for design engineers the basis on which seismic lateral loads are established in US codes. The particular empirical seismic response spectra recommended in the AISC seismic provisions will be discussed. Such curves give the base shear coefficients for various buildings as a function of their natural period. The relationships of seismic code provisions to the actual behavior of building during an earthquake is presented. A brief comparison of lateral load provisions in the US and those of Canada, Japan and Europe follows. For engineers unfamiliar with seismic design, the various technical terms used in earthquake engineering are introduced and defined.
Some unsolved problems in the vacuum ultraviolet

Abstract In this paper are discussed wavelength standards, light sources, order separation, and the efficiency of a specially coated diffraction grating in the vacuum ultraviolet. The molecular absorption spectrum of nitrogen has been photographed from 1260 A to 1750 A at high resolution and at absorption paths up to 20 m-atm. Five forbidden transitions are observed and a short discussion is given concerning each.
Eigenvectors of the multi-component generalization of the six-vertex model

Abstract The most general multi-component solution of the star-triangle equations under an “ice-type” restriction is considered. The transfer matrix of this model is diagonalized and the eigenvectors are written down explicitly using the quantum inverse scattering formalism. The eigenvectors are shown to have simple symmetry properties under an exchange of arguments.
Wavelength-agile laser system based on soliton self-shift and its application for broadband spectroscopy

A novel laser system for rapid-wavelength scanning applications was developed. The wavelength-tuning mechanism is the soliton self-shift of femtosecond pulses in optical fiber. Increased coupling into the fiber causes an increased wavelength red-shift within the fiber. By varying the coupling efficiency, we can generate rapid wavelength scans. Here, we demonstrate tuning between 1.665 and 1.820 μm at 40 kHz repetition rate with 8 mW average output power. We applied this source to measure the overtone of the C–H stretch in gaseous butane.
Dopamine-deficient mice are severely hypoactive, adipsic, and aphagic

Mice unable to synthesize dopamine (DA) specifically in dopaminergic neurons were created by inactivating the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene then by restoring TH function in noradrenergic cells. These DA-deficient (DA-/-) mice were born at expected frequency but became hypoactive and stopped feeding a few weeks after birth. Midbrain dopaminergic neurons, their projections, and most characteristics of their target neurons in the striatum appeared normal. Within a few minutes of being injected with L-dihdroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), the product of TH, the DA-/- mice became more active and consumed more food than control mice. With continued administration of L-DOPA, nearly normal growth was achieved. These studies indicate that DA is essential for movement and feeding, but is not required for the development of neural circuits that control these behaviors.
Blunt hepatic and splenic trauma in children: correlation of a CT injury severity scale with clinical outcome.

The purpose of this report is to compare a computed tomography (CT) injury severity scale for hepatic and splenic injury with the following outcome measures: requirement for surgical hemostasis, requirement for blood transfusion and late complications. Sixty-nine children with isolated hepatic injury and 53 with isolated splenic injury were prospectively classified at CT according to extent of parenchymal involvement. Clinical records were reviewed to determine clinical outcome. Ninety-seven children (80%) were managed non-operatively without transfusion. One child with hepatic injury required surgical hemostasis, and 17 (25%) required transfusion of blood. Increasing severity of hepatic injury at CT was associated with progressively greater frequency of transfusion (P=0.002 by χ2-test). One child with splenic injury underwent surgery and eight (15%) required transfusion of blood. Splenic injury grade at CT did not correlate with frequency (P=0.41 by χ2-test) or amount (P=0.35 by factorial analysis of variance) of transfusion. There was one late complication in the nonsurgical group. A majority of children with hepatic and splenic injury were managed non-operatively without requiring blood transfusion. The severity of injury by CT scan did not correlate with need for surgery. Increasing grade of hepatic injury at CT was associated with increasing frequency of blood transfusion. CT staging was not discriminatory in predicting transfusion requirement in splenic injury.
Self‐examination and clinical examination of the breast

The techniques of self breast examination and the clinical examination of the breasts are described briefly. The potential value and the limitations of these tests in screening for breast cancer are reviewed. In a Cancer Society Monograph in 1958, Haagensen said, "It is probable that, from the point of view of the greatest possible gain in early diagnosis, teaching women how to examine their own breasts is more important than teaching the technique of breast examination to physicians, for we must keep in mind the fact that at least 98 percent of the women who develop breast carcinoma discover their tumors themselves." Unfortunately, this is still true today. There is urgent need to focus research on methods to detect breast cancer in its early stages. Caution is emphasized in widespread advocacy of breast self examination without adequate supporting evidence of its efficacy. There is need for a well-designed, prospective study of breast self examination with full attention to a rigorous research design and methodology.
Partial interocular transfer of visual discriminations in cats.

Normally expected visual behavior in the cat, following monocular training, is a full stimulus equivalence when the second eye is used in transfer tests. This expectation has not been tested severely by using competing habits trained separately for each eye. Two groups of cats, normal and with striate cortex ablated, were tested under conditions of training in which opposing habits were used with the two eyes. Using intensity discrimination habits it was found that normal and operated cats failed to show complete interocular transfer. The normal group exhibited more transfer (greater conflict) from one eye to the other than did the operated group. It is suggested that interocular equivalence is partly dependent upon the organism's having learned to use similar kinds of visual cues with both eyes. The data also support the idea that encephalization increases binocularity and interocular equivalence.
No effect seen for multivitamin therapy on recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients.

DESIGN Randomised controlled trial. INTERVENTION Patients with a validated history of at least three episodes of idiopathic recurrent aphthous stomatitis were randomised to either a once-daily multivitamin containing 100% of the U.S. reference daily intake (RDI) of essential vitamins or a placebo for at least one year. OUTCOME MEASURE Number of new RAS episodes, mouth pain, normalcy of diet and medication compliance. RESULTS There were no significant differences in mean number of new RAS episodes between the multivitamin (4.19 episodes) and placebo (4.60 episodes) groups. Mean duration of new episodes was similar for the two groups at 8.66 days for multivitamin group and 8.99 days for placebo(P = .60). There were no differences with other measures. CONCLUSIONS Daily multivitamin supplementation, with the RDI of essential vitamins, did not result in a reduction in the number or duration of RAS episodes.
Two takeovers in wild hamadryas baboons.

Hamadryas baboons exhibit a multi-level social structure in which several onemale units, each consisting of a ‘leader’ male and one or more females, comprise a ‘band’ and two or more bands comprise a troop. Cohesion of each one-male unit is maintained by aggressive herding by its leader male [1]. Here I describe the consequences of 2 takeovers in a band of wild hamadryas baboons. I report evidence of infant mortality following takeovers, changes in female reproductive condition within 2 weeks after takeovers, and the reacquisition of a female by a deposed leader male, none of which has been previously reported for wild hamadryas baboons.
Learning from military‐civilian interactions in peace operations

Civilian humanitarians working with peacekeepers or peace‐enforcers in complex emergencies do not function cohesively but rather as a loose collection of independent actors pursuing separate agendas. Although ‘lessons‐learned’ has become a buzzword in post‐Cold War parlance, few lessons have actually been learned if the definition includes fundamental institutional changes and not just rhetoric. In particular within the humanitarian arena, the so‐called United Nations reform of 1997 failed to move towards better operational orchestration and fewer moving parts. The best way to improve military‐civilian interactions would be more consolidation, which would represent a ‘shake‐out’ for independent intergovernmental and non‐governmental organizations.
Abstract 4657: Differential regulation of autophagy vs. apoptosis as a potentially unique mechanism of cancer cell specific radiosensitization with fluoxetine

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Introduction: Prior data demonstrate that selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are cytotoxic to cancer cells and that fluoxetine can sensitize cells to radiotherapy (XRT) potentially through induction of autophagy; however, there is limited information on the effects of serotonergic receptor modulation and mechanisms of other SSRIs on cytotoxicity with radiotherapy. Methods: Human lung cancer lines (A549 and H460) and oropharyngeal cancer cells (FaDu) were treated with dose escalated SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine), serotonergic receptor (5-HTR) agonists (CP809101, S14506), or 5-HTR antagonists (agomelatine, spiroxatrine) alone or in combination with dose escalated XRT to evaluate the effects of on cell survival using clonogenic survival assays. 5-HTR expression, apoptosis, and autophagy were evaluated as potential mechanisms of the effects of SSRIs on XRT. Results: Fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline alone had a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells in a concentration dependent manner. Fluoxetine had a sensitizing effect in combination with XRT in a cell specific manor; however, sertraline and paroxetine had an additive cytotoxic effect on XRT. 5-HTR agonists and antagonists did not demonstrate any significant sensitizing effects, but agonists were cytotoxic at 10-50 uM with no apparent cytotoxicity from antagonists. Western blot analysis demonstrated that fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline decreased apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP) and increased autophagy (LC3B-II) in H460 cells associated with the sensitizing effect of fluoxetine on XRT. In contrast, the additive cytotoxicity of sertraline or paroxetine was not associated with a differential regulation of apoptosis vs. autophagy in A549 cells. Conclusions: SSRIs appear to have a cytotoxic effect alone or in combination with XRT potentially through a non 5-HTR based mechanism. The cell specific differential regulation of apoptosis vs. autophagy associated with fluoxetine warrants further examination of a potentially unique mechanism of radiosensitization. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4657. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4657
Extracellular polysaccharides of modified strains of Erwinia spp.

Abstract The structure of the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced by Erwinia chrysanthemi strain A2148 has been determined using low pressure size-exclusion and anion-exchange chromatographies, high pH anion-exchange chromatography, glycosyl-linkage analysis, and 1D 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The polysaccharide is structurally similar, if not identical, to the EPS produced by E. chrysanthemi strain A350. A streptomycin-resistant strain of E. chrysanthemi Ech6 (Ech6S + ) has been generated and has an elevated production of EPS, as does a streptomycin-resistant strain (Ech9Sm6) of E. chrysanthemi Ech9. These modified E. chrysanthemi spp. have been ribotyped and found to be closely related to their parent strains.
The darkening of cinnabar in sunlight

Most cinnabar is brilliant red and remains so under sunlight. However, some cinnabar is photosensitive and irreversibly blackens during exposure to sunlight. Electron microprobe analyses of cinnabar from several occurrences show that photosensitive cinnabar contains noteworthy concentrations of chlorine, whereas non-photosensitive cinnabar does not. Experimental evidence shows that non-photosensitive cinnabar becomes photosensitive after exposure to halogens. The darkening of cinnabar in sunlight is caused by the presence of contained chlorine or other halogens.
Purification, characterization and inhibition of sterol C24-methyltransferase from Candida albicans.

Abstract Solubilized sterol C24-methyltransferase (24-SMT) was purified to homogeneity from a cell extract of the yeast Candida albicans (Ca) by anion exchange chromatography, gel permeation chromatography and fast performance liquid chromatography using a Mono Q column. The purified enzyme has an apparent molecular mass of 178 kDa on gel permeation chromatography and 43 kDa on SDS/PAGE, indicating that it is composed of four identical subunits. The substrate requirement of the native enzyme has an optimal specificity for zymosterol with associated kinetic constants of Km 50 μM and kcat of 0.01 s−1. The product of the enzyme incubated with zymosterol was fecosterol. Inhibition of the catalyst was observed with substrate analogs designed as transition state analogs (25-azalanosterol, Ki = 54 nM and 24 (R,S),25-epiminolanosterol, Ki = 11 nM) or as mechanism-based inactivators (26,27-dehydrozymosterol, Ki 9 μM) and kinact = 0.03 min−1) of the C24-methylation reaction. Product analogs ergosterol and fecosterol, but neither cholesterol nor sitosterol, inhibited activity affording Ki values of 20 and 72 μM, respectively. Ammonium and thia analogs of the intermediates of the sterol C24-methyl reaction sequence were effective growth inhibitors exhibiting IC50 values that ranged from 3 to 20 μM.
Changes in resting state effective connectivity in the motor network following rehabilitation of upper extremity poststroke paresis.

Background: A promising paradigm in human neuroimaging is the study of slow (<0.1 Hz) spontaneous fl uctuations in the hemodynamic response measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Spontaneous activity (i.e., resting state) refers to activity that cannot be attributed to specifi c inputs or outputs, that is, activity intrinsically generated by the brain. Method: This article presents pilot data examining neural connectivity in patients with poststroke hemiparesis before and after 3 weeks of upper extremity rehabilitation in the Accelerated Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP). Resting-state fMRI data acquired pre and post therapy were analyzed using an exploratory adaptation of structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate therapy-related changes in motor network effective connectivity. Results: Each ASAP patient showed behavioral improvement. ASAP patients also showed increased infl uence of the affected hemisphere premotor cortex (a-PM) upon the unaffected hemisphere premotor cortex (u-PM) following therapy. The infl uence of a-PM on affected hemisphere primary motor cortex (a-M1) also increased with therapy for 3 of 5 patients, including those with greatest behavioral improvement. Conclusions: Our fi ndings suggest that network analyses of resting-state fMRI constitute promising tools for functional characterization of functional brain disorders, for intergroup comparisons, and potentially for assessing effective
Disparities in treatment of patients with inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer: A population-based analysis

Background Patients unable to receive surgery for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can undergo conventional radiotherapy (ConvRT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), or no treatment (NoTx). This study assessed patterns of care and disparities in the receipt of each of these treatments. Methods The study included patients in the National Cancer Database from 2003 to 2011 with T1-T2N0M0 inoperable lung cancer (n = 39,822). Logistic regressions were performed to determine predictors of receiving any radiation versus NoTx and for receiving SBRT versus ConvRT. Results Treatment with radiation was significantly less likely in blacks (odds ratio, OR 0.65) and Hispanics (OR 0.42) compared with whites. Treatment with SBRT versus ConvRT was more likely in an academic research program (OR 2.62) and a high-volume facility (OR 7.00) compared with community cancer programs or low-volume facilities. In 2011, use of SBRT, ConvRT, and NoTx was 25%, 28%, and 46% for patients in a community cancer center versus 68%, 11%, and 21%, respectively, in an academic center (p Conclusion There were marked institutional and socioeconomic variations in the treatment of inoperable stage I NSCLC. These results suggest that removal of barriers to receive radiation therapy and particularly improved access to SBRT may meaningfully improve survival in this disease.
A mapped set of genetic markers for human chromosome 9

A genetic map of markers for human chromosome 9, spanning a genetic distance of 147 cM in males and 231 cM in females, has been constructed from linkage studies with 19 loci in a large panel of reference families. The markers included four classical systems previously assigned to chromosome 9, and restriction fragment length polymorphisms of two cloned genes, ABL oncogene and argininosuccinase synthetase pseudogene 3 (ASSP3). The remaining 13 marker loci, with an average heterozygosity of 42%, were defined by arbitrary DNA probes newly ascertained from genomic libraries; seven of them were variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci. A subset of 7 of the 19 linked markers is proposed for a primary map that could detect linkage with a genetic defect within the covered region of chromosome 9, provided that at least 45 phase-known meioses were available for study in an affected family.
The community physician's involvement in clinical trials and home treatment

The advances in outcome of children with cancer in the last four decades have been remarkable. The improvement, however, has not been uniform. It has recently been shown that the outcome of children with medulloblastoma treated at nonuniversity cancer centers has been less successful than those who were treated at the university cancer centers. Protocol treatment and location of treatment has been correlated with outcome in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Cooperative group protocols, used in the clinical setting of pediatric oncologists, with extensive resources and major referral center backup, have improved the prognosis of childhood ALL. Therefore, to improve outcome of pediatric cancer patients a multidisciplinary team at a center with partnership of community physician (CP) would be helpful. The CP can assume an extremely important role in shared management of children with cancer. Major involvement can be anticipated in areas including: chemotherapeutic treatment, immunization, infection surveillance and treatment, detection of disease recurrence, and late effects of cancer treatment. A CP could decrease the financial burden, and help alleviate the anxieties and emotional stresses placed upon the patients and parents. More importantly, the CP can facilitate home terminal care when necessary. These CP-referral center arrangements are of value to the CP, as well, through their educational and psychological benefits.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastases to Bone After a 33-Year Remission

Renal cell carcinoma accounts for 2% of all cancers. Metastases to bone occur 35% to 40% of the time, second in prevalence of metastases only to the lungs. These metastases are highly destructive, hypervascular tumors known to be difficult to manage. This article reports a unique case in which a patient was disease free for 33 years from initial nephrectomy for treatment of primary renal cell carcinoma to discovery of metastatic disease to the pelvis. Search for an unknown primary was performed, consisting of a complete blood count, chemistry, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, serum and urine protein electrophoresis, immunoglobulin levels, prostate specific antigen, liver function tests, bone scan, and chest, abdomen, and pelvis computed tomography scans. This workup was negative for any other primary source of malignancy, and the patient's remaining kidney was found to be free from any tumor burden. The patient successfully underwent excisional biopsy of the lesion, which proved to be vascular in nature, consistent with the final pathology of renal cell carcinoma. The longest amount of time from completion of treatment for the primary renal cell carcinoma to discovery of the first metastatic disease has previously been reported at 22.3 years. Mean interval between primary treatment and discovery of metastases has been defined as 3.0+/-5.4 years. This article highlights the need for advanced medical workup as well as maintaining a high clinical suspicion in patients with remote histories of primary malignancies who present with bony lesions.
Sequence specificity of human telomerase

DNA replication machinery copies an entire genome with remarkable speed and accuracy in preparation for each cell division. However, DNA polymerase unidirectionality and requirement for a free 3′ hydroxyl group render these enzymes incapable of duplicating the extreme ends of eukaryotic linear chromosomes. This deficiency leads to a gradual loss of terminal sequence with each round of replication that threatens the integrity of essential genetic information. This calamity is avoided through the function of telomeres, typically structures of short repeating sequence added to chromosome 3′ ends by telomerase (1). Soon after its discovery as a polymerase, telomerase was found to reverse transcribe a template sequence contained within the telomerase integral RNA subunit TER (2). Telomerase biochemical activity has proven to be unique even among reverse transcriptases (RTs) in features including the release of single-stranded rather than duplex product DNA, which is necessary for regenerating the template for telomerase’s distinctive repeat synthesis processivity (3). How telomerase gained new types of nucleic acid handling specificity relative to other RTs has been the subject of intense research, much of which has focused on the structure and function of nontemplate specializations of TER and unique domains of the telomerase protein RT subunit TERT (4). In PNAS, Brown et al. present surprising evidence of a previously missed specialization of human telomerase (5). Using elegant and incisive biochemical assays, the authors demonstrate that this enzyme reads sequence cues within the product–template duplex to dramatically influence the specificity of product synthesis. The work reveals an unanticipated divergence of telomerase from other polymerases in active site adaptation for its cellular duty. The diverse template and substrate maneuvers that occur during repeat synthesis constitute a telomerase catalytic cycle (Fig. 1 A ). A primer 3′ end base pairs at one end of the TER template … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: rawu{at}berkeley.edu or kcollins{at}berkeley.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Visualization of Cellulose Synthase Demonstrates Functional Association with Microtubules

Expression of a functional yellow fluorescent protein fusion to cellulose synthase (CESA) in transgenic Arabidopsis plants allowed the process of cellulose deposition to be visualized in living cells. Spinning disk confocal microscopy revealed that CESA complexes in the plasma membrane moved at constant rates in linear tracks that were aligned and were coincident with cortical microtubules. Within each observed linear track, complex movement was bidirectional. Inhibition of microtubule polymerization changed the fine-scale distribution and pattern of moving CESA complexes in the membrane, indicating a relatively direct mechanism for guidance of cellulose deposition by the cytoskeleton.
REM sleep deprivation and food competition in male rats

Abstract As a test of the hypothesis that REM deprivation lowers the threshold for “motivational” behaviors, 17 male rats that had been REM deprived were tested against 17 non-deprived male rats in three series of food competition tests, i.e., an immediate, a 3 hr, and a 48 hr series of posttreatment tests. The results provide support for the hypothesis that REM deprivation generally activates “motivational” behaviors, in that the REM deprived animals won more frequently as had been predicted. However, the response gradients of the two groups over the course of the postteatment test series did not conform to prediction. These data are discussed together with the results of other studies which suggest that perhaps the list of behaviors which have been subsumed under the category—“motivational behaviors” is too broad to be of real scientific value.
Effects of the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone and prior sensory input on the survival and growth of moth central olfactory neurons in vitro

Neurons in the developing (antennal) olfactory lobe of the moth Manduca sexta undergo a period of extensive process outgrowth and branching that coincides temporally with both a rising titer of the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone and the ingrowth of sensory axons from receptors in the antenna. To evaluate the contribution of these two influences to the morphological development of antennal-lobe neurons, we placed the neurons in cell culture. Antennal-lobe neurons were dissociated from normal and chronically unafferented lobes at different stages of development and were exposed to different doses of hormone. Six neuronal cell types with distinctive and stable morphologies appeared in cultures from all stages of pupal development. Morphological changes in these neuronal types were examined quantitatively by comparison of the total length and number of branches. We found that 20-hydroxyecdysone had little direct effect on the morphological development of antennal-lobe neurons, but brief exposure to sensory axons in vivo prior to dissociation significantly enhanced subsequent outgrowth in culture.
A Study on the Kinetics of a Disorder-to-Order Transition Induced by Alkyne/Azide Click Reaction

The kinetics of binary blends of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(n-butyl methacrylate-random-propargyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-P(nBMA-r-PgMA)) diblock copolymer and Rhodamine B azide was investigated during a disorder-to-order transition induced by alkyne/azide click reaction. The change in the domain spacing and conversion of reactants as a function of annealing time were investigated by in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR), suggesting several kinetic processes with different time scales during thermal annealing. While a higher conversion can be realized by extending the annealing time, the microphase-separated morphology is independent of the annealing conditions, as long as both the reagents and final products have enough mobility.
Use of electrochemiluminescence in visualizing separated flows

When a potential is applied between two electrodes immersed in a flowing chemi-luminescent solution a blue glow appears at the surface of the anode. This glow may be used to observe the behaviour of liquid flows past solid surfaces. An electrochemical system suitable for generating the glow is described. Photographic studies of separated flows past cylinders, flat plates and cones are presented showing the application of the technique of electrochemiluminescence to flow visualization.
Handbook of CCD Astronomy; Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers

The advent of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) has revolutionized astronomical imaging, both from the ground and Earth orbit.The almost perfectly linear response of CCDs to visible and near-infrared photons has enabled more accurate measurement of a wide variety of astronomical targets, including the surfaces and atmospheres of solar system objects as viewed from spacecraft. The spectacular CCD images returned by the Hubble Space Telescope and interplanetary missions such as Galileo and Mars Pathfinder have captured the attention of the public worldwide and are a testament to the maturity of digital imaging technology. In addition, CCD cameras have become almost commonplace among the tools of amateur astronomers, allowing professional-quality images to be acquired from backyards all over the world.
Uncoupling of Cholinergic Synaptic Vesicles by the Presynaptic Toxin β‐Bungarotoxin

The effect of the presynaptic neurotoxin beta-bungarotoxin (beta-BuTx) on the acetylcholine (ACh) storage system of synaptic vesicles isolated from the electric organ of Torpedo californica was studied. The toxin can totally inhibit active transport of [3H]ACh by the vesicles in a Ca2+-, time-, and concentration-dependent manner. Correlated with these effects is a 50-60% stimulation of the vesicle proton-pumping ATPase activity. The beta-BuTx-mediated transport inhibition and ATPase stimulation are antagonized by delipidated bovine serum albumin, not reversed by excess EGTA, and not mimicked by other cationic proteins or soybean or pancreatic trypsin inhibitors. The behavior is consistent with phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-dependent damage to the vesicle membrane caused by beta-BuTx, which results in uncoupling of the ATPase and ACh transporter systems. The nonneurotoxic Naja naja venom PLA2 causes similar effects, except that it is slightly more potent on a molar basis. About 100-fold more beta-BuTx is required to effect lysis of synaptic vesicles than to uncouple them. ATP is a strong inhibitor of beta-BuTx- but not of N. naja PLA2-mediated uncoupling. The observations suggest that a component of beta-BuTx toxicity in the cholinergic terminal might involve attack on synaptic vesicles or vesicle-like structures and that a nucleotide-like factor might modulate the toxicity.
What's Going on Out There? -- A Survey of Batterer Intervention Programs

This national survey reports the current state of batterer intervention programs (BIP) and the provision of batterer intervention services. BIP directors (N= 150) provide data regarding program structure, service characteristics, referral processes, client characteristics, evaluation activities, and recidivism. Results indicate that BIP have become more independent of parent agencies and two-thirds are completely self-supporting from client fees. Current development of specific treatment tracks and the screening of clients for these tracks are judged to be inadequate. This survey is believed to be the largest to date and the first on a national scale in 20 years. Recommendation is made for national coordination of BIP efforts.
Electron Distribution Function for a Weakly Ionized Flowing Gas in an Electric Field

The Lorentz gas approximation to the Boltzmann collision integral for a weakly ionized gas is generalized to the case of a flowing gas, and the electron distribution function for such a gas in a time-varying electric field is derived. Several limiting cases are discussed. The results are applicable to problems of shock waves, gas lasers, and plasma-microwave interactions.
Cyclin-Specific Docking Motifs Promote Phosphorylation of Yeast Signaling Proteins by G1/S Cdk Complexes

Summary Background The eukaryotic cell cycle begins with a burst of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) phosphorylation. In budding yeast, several Cdk substrates are preferentially phosphorylated at the G1/S transition rather than later in the cell cycle when Cdk activity levels are high. These early Cdk substrates include signaling proteins in the pheromone response pathway. Two such proteins, Ste5 and Ste20, are phosphorylated only when Cdk is associated with the G1/S cyclins Cln1 and Cln2 and not G1, S, or M cyclins. The basis of this cyclin specificity is unknown. Results Here we show that Ste5 and Ste20 have recognition sequences, or "docking" sites, for the G1/S cyclins. These docking sites, which are distinct from Clb5/cyclin A-binding "RXL" motifs, bind preferentially to Cln2. They strongly enhance Cln2-driven phosphorylation of each substrate in vivo and function largely independent of position and distance to the Cdk sites. We exploited this functional independence to rewire a Cdk regulatory circuit in a way that changes the target of Cdk inhibition in the pheromone response pathway. Furthermore, we uncover functionally active Cln2 docking motifs in several other Cdk substrates. The docking motifs drive cyclin-specific phosphorylation, and the cyclin preference can be switched by using a distinct motif. Conclusions Our findings indicate that some Cdk substrates are intrinsically capable of being phosphorylated by several different cyclin-Cdk forms, but they are inefficiently phosphorylated in vivo without a cyclin-specific docking site. Docking interactions may play a prevalent but previously unappreciated role in driving phosphorylation of select Cdk substrates preferentially at the G1/S transition.